Valley Stream Herald 11-28-2024

HERALD VALLEY STREAM

Alice Moreno/Herald Rabbi Yechiel Buchband gave a special thanks to Marie McNair, of the Baha’i Council of the Northeastern States, for her contribution to the event.

Giving thanks through faith

Those of differing beliefs gather to share their gratitude

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

The Valley Stream Jewish Center served as the venue for this year’s Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration, an annual event organized by the Valley Stream Religious Council.

The Nov. 20 gathering brought together representatives and community members from various faiths to reflect on gratitude and foster interfaith understanding through an evening of prayer, speeches, music and fellowship. About 35 people attended the event on Nov. 20, representing a range of religious and ethnic backgrounds.

“This event has been a wonderful opportunity to bring together people of different

religions, races, and backgrounds to understand our commonalities as one human family,” Marie McNair, secretary of the Regional Baha’i Council of the Northeastern States, said. “In sharing the type of program that we do, it becomes clear that the foundation of our beliefs, although sometimes differing in how we express them, really are the same and show that we really have so much in common.”

Theis annual tradition rotates among different houses of worship, with past locations including Grace Methodist Church, the Baha’i CenterCenter, and the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church. During the pandemic, the event was held virtually viavia Zoom. The event’s consistent focus is gratitude as a

hospital unveils new sleep center

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

For those suffering from an undiagnosed sleep disorder, a good night’s sleep can prove vexingly elusive. When sleep deprivation becomes chronic, experts warn, it can wreak havoc on your health and severely debilitate your quality of life.

The sleep centers are backed up for months and months, and there are not many sleeping centers that serve the area.

“When people are sleep deprived, they are prone to more accidents,” said Fernanda Fanek, director of respiratory at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital. “It affects your mood, and your ability to function on a day-to-day basis, and if you already have chronic conditions, not having proper sleep makes it harder to manage those conditions.”

already hosting patients for overnight observation where they will be meticulously monitored during their sleep, on factors like heart rate, eye movements, and breathing patterns. The goal of polysomnography, or sleep study, is to accurately diagnose the nature of sleep conditions — with sleep apnea being the most prominent — and provide tailored treatment for getting proper shuteye.

.

DR. STELLA HAHN

Associate medical director, Sleep Services

LIJ Valley Stream, Fanek said, now offers its patients a way to seek treatment through its newest sleep center.

The four-bed facility is

“Maybe we’re not looking for sleep apnea, but we’re looking for hyperventilation, narcolepsy, things that you can’t do with a basic home sleep study,” Dr. Stella Hahn, associate medical director of Sleep Services, said. Sleep labs across the region are in high demand and stretched to their limits, Hahn noted.

“The sleep centers are backed up for months and CoNtiNued oN page 16

HERALD SchoolS

School district launches Vision 20230

Teachers from each of the three schools in the Valley Stream 24 School District recently came together with district administrators for an engaging training session led by Ray McNulty, President of the Successful Practices Network and former State of Vermont Commissioner of Education. This professional development workshop marks an important step in the district’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to foster a forward-thinking, 21st-century learning environment that equips students with essential skills for the future. During the session, staff worked alongside McNulty to explore and refine the district’s Vision 2030 statement, identify foundational cornerstones, and begin brainstorming pilots for innovative teaching strategies.

“As we implement Vision 2030 and progress toward our district’s futurefocused goals, we are thrilled to have our teachers actively contributing to and enriching our shared vision,” said Superintendent Unal Karakas. “Our Board of Education dedicated significant effort over the summer to shape this vision, and now, our teachers and

administrators are advancing it with pilot programs. We are grateful to Ray McNulty and the Successful Practices Network for their role in supporting our district’s journey toward educational innovation.”

The Vision 2030 statement articulates the district’s commitment: “In 2030, Valley Stream 24 schools, in partnership with the community, will be vibrant learning systems where educators design, develop, and cultivate environments that support the holistic growth of every child, empowering learners to thrive as innovative, digitally literate, and emotionally intelligent individuals.”

Key areas of focus for Vision 2030 include fostering essential 21st Century knowledge and skills, promoting relationships and team-based learning, encouraging real-world connections through community partnerships, supporting social-emotional learning and mental health, and nurturing creativity, holistic thinking, and adaptive leadership. Through this initiative, students will develop skills in technology and augmented intelligence as they approach subjects such as communica-

tion, literacy, mathematics, digital media, and data analysis. They will gain a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives, engage in social-emotional learning, cultivate curiosity-driven problem-solving, and apply their knowledge to build meaningful relationships within their community and beyond.

The Successful Practices Network, an education nonprofit, supports educators nationwide by offering professional

The Valley Stream 24 School District recently held a Vision 2030 training session for teachers, which was led by Successful Practices Network President Ray McNulty.

learning and coaching. SPN addresses a range of educational challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence on learning, career and technical training, attendance, and more. Through its partnership with SPN, Valley Stream 24 is positioning itself on the cutting edge of educational practices nationwide.

–Juan Lasso

Courtesy Valley Stream District 24

NCBA defends toll hike amid concerns

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The Nassau County Bridge Authority has been accused of violating New York State open meeting laws at its most recent meeting.

The organization that oversees the Atlantic Beach Bridge gathered for its monthly meeting, where several concerned residents spoke during the public comment session, on Nov. 20

Beth Garnet, an Atlantic Beach resident, said that the board is disregarding open meeting laws by not posting an agenda and minutes before and after meetings, denying people access to record the meeting and not allowing people to speak during public comment.

“The open meeting law states, agendas aren’t needed and if one is posted it doesn’t need to be followed,” Shoshanah Bewlay, executive director of to New York State Open Meeting Law, clarified. “They also can’t prohibit recording unless the person will be a distraction and block view of the meeting. If somebody is recording and not being disrespectful they can record.”

Barry Frohlinger, Atlantic Beach village trustee and Tom Gould, an Atlantic Beach resident, were granted permission to comment. Garnet was denied permission to speak to the board outside of the public comment period.

“The board can say no to public com-

ment entirely, but if they allows some to speak they must allow all people to,” Bewlay added, according to open meeting laws. “Everyone needs to be treated equally when it comes to allowing comments.”

Frohlinger, a financial analyst, approached the board about its finances and questioned why their debt has doubled within the past two years, as well as why they are increasing the toll price.

“In 2021, the bridge authority had $13 million in cash and $8 million in debt, a

ration of 1.6 to 1 — your cash to debt was twice what any other bridge had,” Frohlinger said. “Today, that ration has grown over two times and based upon your budget, by 2026, you’ll have over $20 million in cash and $6 million in debt, a ration of 3.5 to 1.”

He stated they currently have $16 million in cash and $17 million in debt.

Vincent Pasqua, chairman of the NCBA, responded to questions about the toll price increases, but did not address

the debt mentioned by Frohlinger.

“As you know the Atlantic Beach bridge is a toll only revenue entity, we don’t receive any funding or taxation from the county, state or federal government,” Pasqua said. “We haven’t had a toll increase in 17 years before this recent increase and with the capital improvements that need to done on this bridge, cost increases on things like insurance, fuel, benefits, painting and bulk heading, toll increases are necessary.”

Gould also approached the board to ask about the use of cash reserves and what they plan to use it for if the toll prices are increasing and their ash flow will also increase.

“One of the reasons we increased the toll is because we have major expenditures coming up and we need to maintain this bridge,” Pasqua added. “We decided after a 17-year neglect, to raise the toll after looking at the climbing costs of the major repairs eventually needed for this bridge.”

Emily Austin, a recently appointed commissioner attending her first meeting, comment on the bridge’s finances.

“It’s all online, it’s my first day here and all I see are non-stop numbers to the dollar no matter how silly the expense is,” Austin said. “I don’t know what’s not transparent, everything down to the dollar is reported so I don’t know why they feel like this.”

Solages distributes free museum passes

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, in collaboration with the Long Island Children’s Museum, distributed over 2,000 museum passes, theater passes, and tickets to Nunley’s Carousel over the past six months to constituents across the 22nd Assembly District. These passes were distributed to hundreds of families, schools, and community groups.

Solages worked last year to secure grant funding for the children’s museum programming for young children, including the Lullaby Project, in collaboration with the Basics Elmont program, which connects families with musicians to compose custom lullabies for them. This initiative helps foster childhood development and strengthens the bond between parent and child.

Michalle Solages, center, with L.I. Children’s Museum President Erika Floreska, left, and Director of Education Ashley Niver, right, with museum passes given to the community.

With this focus on childhood development, Solages teamed up with the children’s museum to bring more families to the museum and experience firsthand the educational programs and exhibits offered. The Solages’ office distributed passes to elementary schools throughout the district, at Assemblywoman Solages’ Elmont Family Day event over the summer, and other events.

“The Long Island Children’s Museum is a vital part of the Long Island com-

munity,” Solages said in a news release.

“The educational programs and interactive exhibits are a valuable asset to families looking for a fun, engaging activity for the whole family. I am proud to work with the team at LICM, led by President Erika Floreska to secure funding for their programs and thank them for bringing thousands of community members to the museum for free.”

— Renee DeLorenzo

Melissa Berman/Herald

The Nassau County Bridge Authority discussed their monthly revenue and interacted with concerned community members at their monthly meeting, on Nov. 20.

Photos courtesy Office Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages

The Voices of Elmont Youth Community Choir attending the Long Island Children’s Museum with passes provided by the museum, in partnership with Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages’ office.

HERALD SchoolS

V.S. 13 has hands-on Election Day learning

During Election Day, students in Valley Stream District 13 engaged in a fun and educational activity designed to teach them about the importance of voting and democracy.

For example, Howell Road Elementary School students participated in a special classroom activity where they cast their votes using official ballots. The students were presented with a list of favorite books on which to vote, allowing them to practice the democratic process in a hands-on way. After learning about the significance of Election Day, the voting process, and how elections help shape our society, students received their ballots to cast their vote for their favorite book. Ballots were collected, and the votes were tallied, teaching students the importance of making choices and participating in elections.

This hands-on activity not only provided a fun and creative way for students to learn about the democratic process but also helped them understand the role of elections in shaping communities and fostering civic engagement.

–Juan Lasso

Howell Road Elementary School students learning about Election Day.

It is remarkable to us how many people we meet who have amassed signifcant wealth beyond their needs, yet have little or no inclination to share their good fortune with others, even their immediate families. It seems to us that the only value that any asset has is in its use — those who have assets they are unable to utilize are really no better off than those who don’t.

How much richer and happier many lives would be if only we learned to share more. Studies in psychology and neuroscience have demonstrated that acts of generosity trigger a release of endorphins, referred to as the “helper’s high”, leading to increased feelings of happiness and satisfaction.

Generous acts involve considering the needs of others, expanding one’s empathy and leading to deeper connections with others and a more meaningful and fulflling life. This may explain why those least able to give are sometimes the most generous. Generosity has less to do with what one has than the way one thinks.

“A fght is going on inside me,” said an old man to his son. “It is a terrible fght between two wolves. One wolf is evil. He is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other wolf is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fght is going on inside you.”

The son thought for a minute and then asked, “Which wolf will win?”

The old man replied simply, “The one you feed.”

— Wendy Mass

Generosity may also involve giving of your time and attention. As theologian John Wesley put it three hundred years ago:

“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, To all the people you can, As long as you ever can.”

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Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

HERALD SchoolS Valley Stream 13 honors Veterans Day

Valley Stream District 13 honored Veterans Day with a heartfelt tribute to those who have served in the armed forces. Students at each school engaged in a variety of educational activities and classroom lessons designed to honor veterans and raise awareness about their contributions to our country.

Students wrote letters to veterans, created artwork, and learned about the history of the holiday. These efforts were designed not only to educate students about the importance of military service but also to foster a sense of gratitude and respect for those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

“At Valley Stream , we believe it is important to teach our students the value of service, sacrifice, and respect,” said Superintendent Judith LaRocca. “By engaging students in these meaningful lessons and activities, we hope to instill in them an appreciation for the dedication of our veterans and a deeper understanding of what Veterans Day represents.”

Acknowledging Veterans Day at Valley Stream District 13 was a testament to the district’s commitment to honoring those who have served in the military while providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage in civic learning.

–Juan Lasso

Students across Valley Stream District 13 engaged in a variety of classroom activities to honor the nation’s veterans.

GET READY for community

GREEN ACRES GIVES BACK

EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN NEED

Distributing over 1,000 regular, Kosher and Halal turkeys during the holiday season.

INVESTING IN EDUCATION

Donating over 1,000 backpacks and school supplies for students to thrive.

TRANSFORMING STUDENTS’ FUTURES

Supporting local schools and students through our School Cents program, sponsorships and scholarships.

ENRICHING CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

Hosting free Kids Club and holiday events.

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Proudly hosting remarkable community celebrations.

Courtesy Valley Stream District 13

Local leaders reject regionalization plan

By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, other local elected officials, school district superintendents and school board trustees gathered in the Nassau County executive building on Nov. 21 to oppose the recent State Education Department Regionalization Plan.

The plan, introduced as an emergency rule on Sept. 25, directs school districts to pool resources, programs and services, which critics say threatens the independence of local districts. State Sen. Jack Martins, one of the plan’s main opponents, talked about fighting to preserve local control of districts.

“Long Island schools are regularly ranked among the very best in New York state,” Martins said. “That fact is due in large part to our local control and educational structure, which prioritizes our students’ success. We join our local communities in opposing any effort to force regionalization and fight to preserve local control.”

Blakeman echoed Martins’s sentiments, saying the plan was an attack on suburban school districts, and that he and others would continue to fight to keep power in the hands of the districts.

“Isn’t it interesting that cities such as Yonkers, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and New York City are all excluded from their plan?” Blakeman said. “This is just

Brian Norman/Herald

Sen. Jack Martins, along with other local elected officials, challenged the NYSED’s Regionalization Plan at a news conference on Nov. 21.

another attack on the suburbs by state government, which is completely controlled by left-wing politicians, and we will not stand by and let the Department of Education gut our school districts.”

Many opponents of the plan are questioning the decision to make it an emergency measure. State Sen. Steve Rhoads called it a rushed, and added that the language contained in it could lead to local districts’ complete loss of control of their operations.

“The State Education Department’s self-created emergency regionalization

mandate is vague and can lead to a complete usurpation of local control of schools budgets, tax dollars, and educational opportunities and resources vested in local boards of education,” Rhoads said. “Long Islanders pay some of the highest school taxes in the state, and their local and state officials should and must have a voice in where those dollars are being spent, and that voice is being jeopardized with the SED’s rushed, topdown regionalization plan.”

Sschool districts across Nassau and Suffolk counties are preparing to chal -

lenge the plan. Roslyn school board President Meryl Waxman encouraged other districts to join the fight.

“Superintendents including mine have been told that this is a great big nothing, but what one says and what one does have to align,” Waxman said. “If you take the time to read the regulations and see what they say, they should be self-explanatory. These are emergency regulations, but what was the emergency? Roslyn wasn’t having an emergency until they created one.”

Nonetheless, many people believe that the plan can be beneficial for Long Island school districts. Responding to a rally against the plan on Oct. 31 at Locust Valley High School, Assemblyman Chuck Lavine said that districts can voluntarily participate in shared services, and that the protest was nothing more than political theater.

“The State Education Department website makes it perfectly explicit that any district desiring to engage in shared services with any other district can do so completely voluntarily,” Lavine said. “Held on Halloween, the Oct. 31 rally was nothing more . . . than political theater designed to frighten the public.”

Under the plan, school districts are required to submit surveys to the state by Dec. 6, identifying areas for collaboration. There will also be a comment period before the plan becomes final in January.

T.O.H. sues over city congestion pricing

By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com

The Town of Hempstead has added its name to the growing list of legal challenges seeking to derail New York City’s congestion pricing program in court.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul relaunched the tolling initiative under a lower charge, and within days, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board gave a near-unanimous approval, aiming toward a January roll out.

Town Supervisor Don Clavin argues the MTA fast-tracked the revised plan without holding the legally required 45-day comment period, at a press conference earlier today. The lawsuit, filed yesterday in Nassau County Supreme Court against the transit giant and New Yok State, claims “the governor circumvented procedural requirements that enable residents to speak and be heard,” according to the supervisor.

“This was done in an attempt to jam this ill-conceived scam down in a time period before Jan 1.,” he said, arguing the governer faced political pressure to move quickly in order to stave off legal opposition from Congress and the White House. “We’ve heard from the Presidentelect, from Congressmembers on both sides of the aisle, coming out in opposition to this.”

The MTA did not respond to a request for comment as of press time. Gordon

Tepper, spokesperson for Gov. Hochul, said the state “cannot comment on pending litigation,” but argues detractors of the pricing plan are missing the bigger picture.

“The critics of our more affordable plan have still failed to offer any of their own meaningful solutions for reducing gridlock, improving emergency vehicle response times, and strengthening the transit system that is so vital to New York’s economic future,” he said.

The crux of the Town’s argument according to Attorney Josh Liebman is that the revised tolling program is an entirely new law that should be subjected to a renewed comment public period.

“When a govermental body makes a rule, the public has a specific right to comment on it and to give any objections they have,” said Liebman. “What happened here was a complete rush-job. It’s a new law and it was done without any kind of public participation whatsoever.”

Clavin also leveled accusations that the governor wielded undo influence over the MTA to push the program forward, staging a sham vote to make the rollout “a forgone conclusion.”

“The MTA is supposed to be an independent body, seperate from the governor. The governor has clearly demonstrated that this was going to happen, that the votes were lined up,” said Clavin.

Juan Lasso/Herald

The Town of Hempstead is challenging the revised pricing plan in court, accusing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the governor of bypassing public comment and staging a predetermined vote.

The stars are dimmed by light pollution

With each passing year — especially in areas like Nassau County — we see less of the

By NICOLE FORMISANO

Special to the Herald

As a child, Ken Spencer would wait until the sun sank below the ocean horizon, and then ride his bike down to the beach and lie in the sand, staring up into the sky as the final streaks of pink and orange slipped from view. Then quietly, one by one, billions of stars would wink into existence — diamond dust, he said, scattered across a sea of black velvet.

Now, at 82, the Sea Cliff resident is lucky if he can spot even the brightest stars amid a night sky that has, over the years, morphed into a wall of light-polluted gray.

Nassau County suffers some of the worst light pollution in the world. It’s harming local wildlife, damaging human health, and marring something as seemingly inviolable as the very sky above.

The word “pollution” often evokes clouds of smog, or continental landfills; little do we think of light itself as a form of pollution. But when we are irresponsible about how we artificially light the world around us, that additional light impacts everything it touches.

Summer nights on Long Island, for example, used to mean a world illuminated by fireflies. That likely won’t be the case for the next generation. The bioluminescent beetles can’t find potential mates amid an overlit world, and are becoming increasingly endangered.

Light pollution is increasing by 10 percent every year, according to DarkSky International, a nonprofit fighting to mitigate the problem. And we’re already suffering the effects.

Losing the night sky

“I know nothing with any certainty,”

Vincent Van Gogh once wrote, “but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

For as long as we have existed, humans have been linked inextricably to the stars. They served as beacons by which humanity navigated, charting new lands and waters; their movement led scholars to new mathematical and scientific discoveries; they have long captured the imaginations of philosophers, poets and artists; they encourage people of every age, race, class and ability to lift their eyes to the sky, wonder at the vast sea of the universe, and recognize the miracle it is to be alive.

“It feels primeval,” Spencer said of the night sky’s singular ability to pull our eyes upward. “It’s something within us.”

the sky. And little by little, it’s become harder and harder to see the Milky Way.”

More than 80 percent of people will not see the Milky Way in their lifetime, according to DarkSky International, and that number is climbing each year. We in Nassau County cannot see the Milky Way without traveling to the East End — and even that sight is a fading echo of what once was.

The amateur astronomer, originally from Milford, Connecticut, began studying the constellations with his daughter in 1989. He remembers looking at the constellation Hercules, identifying the globular cluster of 300,000 stars at the demigod’s side. He looked for that once-familiar sight recently, but the stars were simply impossible for him to see. He used to drive down to the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold, which served as a refuge for starry skies on Long Island. But even that, he said, is slowly being encroached on.

“Over the years, now it’s all big-box stores,” Spencer said. “They’re all lit up, and they have big, giant lights in the parking lot, so that light bounces up into

The night sky is integral for interconnectedness, Susan Serven, a spokeswoman for DarkSky International, said. It helps us understand that we aren’t separate from the cosmos, but part of it.

“It’s just been the last generation or two where we’ve lost that privilege to view our starry skies,” Serven said. “If we lose the ability to go out under our night sky, we lose the awe and wonder that humanity has experienced for millennia.”

The health risks of light

When Valerie Giangrande, of Massapequa, says goodnight to her two teenage children, she sometimes has to ask, “Where are your glasses?” The teens will then put on what looks like orangetinted sunglasses before continuing to watch TV or scroll on their phone — sometimes with a sigh or an eye roll, but that’s OK with Giangrande. To the optometrist and applied quantum biology specialist, making sure her kids are shielded from the dangers of excess

night sky

blue light is worth a bit of teenage ire.

“It’s one of the biggest health risks that nobody thinks about,” said Giangrande, who is an eye doctor at Optical Concepts offices in Bellmore, Freeport and Patchogue. “Light literally controls every aspect of our bodies, which is a pretty big statement to make, but it controls everything. We’re wired by light.”

Just about every function of our body runs on our circadian rhythm, a natural 24-hour clock, she explains. And that clock is controlled by the sun. When the photoreceptors in our eyes take in the long red wavelengths of morning sun, our bodies understand that it is morning and start slowly producing cortisol. As the sun climbs in the sky, it gives off more shorter-wave blue light, which heightens cortisol production and tells our bodies that it’s midday. And after sunset, when our photoreceptors recognize darkness, our brains get the signal to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone, and go into repair mode.

These days, most of our natural clocks are running haywire. That’s because the vast majority of artificial light that contributes to light pollution — LEDs, phones, computers, televisions, billboards — emit blue light. Our bodies are constantly surrounded by signals that it is noon.

Overexposure to blue light is linked to what seems like every health risk under the sun, Giangrande said — insulin resistance and diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, insomnia and lower-quality sleep, and excess anxiety.

“Anyone who wakes up not refreshed, anyone who’s tired, anyone who can’t fall asleep, can’t stay asleep — blue light

Courtesy Ken Spencer

across the Long island Sound, the town of Clinton, Connecticut, illustrates just how much light is wasted by being projected straight into the air. it burdens taxpayers, contributes to energy waste and creates a visible sky glow that erases stars from the sky.

The more lights, the less we see of the sky

Continued from PreViouS Page

toxicity,” Giangrande said. “Say we eat dinner, and then an hour later we’re really hungry again. That’s blue light toxicity, hands down.”

Our digestive enzymes naturally go down at night, she explained. Often when we’re hungry at night, it’s because our blood sugar and insulin are still up because our body thinks it’s daytime.

There are some things people can do to reduce the harm done by light pollution, Giangrande said. To start your day, step outside — or even just open a window — to get exposure to the full light spectrum of the sun. Consider replacing blue-spectrum LEDs in your home with warmer, softer lighting. And perhaps most important, get 100 percent blue light-blocking glasses to use indoors after the sun has gone down.

“Light has to be regulated first before we do all the things,” Giangrande said. “Because there’s no supplement that can take over for the sunlight.”

Let there (not) be light

So, besides our screens, where is excess artificial light coming from? A few of the primary offenders in Nassau County are entire towns and villages using unshielded streetlamps; empty fields, gas stations and parking lots lit up all night by glaring spotlights; and homeowners who illuminate their — and, by extension, their neighbors’ — property with floodlights out of the erroneous belief that it discourages crime. Multiple studies have found that lighting has no effect on crime. In fact, it encourages crimes like vandalism and graffiti, and the glare from harsh lights at night actually makes it more difficult to spot hazards in the dark.

If overlighting accomplishes anything, it wastes money — more than $3 billion in the U.S. each year, according to DarkSky, or as much as $7 billion, according to another study.

Take the Meadowbrook Parkway, for example. The 869 streetlights that line the road are activated by photocells, which turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn, a spokesperson for the state Department of Transportation said. However, observant drivers will notice that long swaths of the parkway are peppered with orange lights even in the middle of the day. The NYSDOT did not respond to the Herald to answer whether this was intentional or indicative of faulty photocells, and how much energy and money is wasted by the lights each day.

But light pollution and its energy waste can be mitigated relatively easily by local governments. The Village of Oyster Bay, for example, has a lighting ordinance stipulating that all outdoor lighting be fully shielded. But despite such ordinances being demonstrably energy-efficient and cost-effective, few towns and villages have adopted them.

“The best way we recommend our advocates getting involved in changing actually how their backyards and their cities are lit,” said Chris Peterson, engagement director of DarkSky Inter-

an illustration of how much of the night sky is lost, and how much light is wasted, when it is ineffectively shielded — and, inversely, how well-directed, and timed, lighting can preserve our views of the stars.

Courtesy LightPollutionMap.Info

this map, using data from naSa, observatories and the World alas 2015, shows light that is wasted, which is about 30 percent of all artificial light, darkSky international estimates.

national, “is to approach city councils, development offices, planning commissions, and propose an update to that lighting ordinance for the city.”

The nonprofit even provides a template for proposing such ordinances to local representatives, which illustrates the principles of responsible outdoor lighting. And if local reps are unswayed, individuals can still help by ensuring they are not overlighting their homes.

But if we don’t take action, we will soon live in a world where a starry night sky is a distant memory.

“It’s a terrible thing for children to not know the night sky,” Spencer said. “If you don’t know something, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

“The central core of me knows that night is important,” he said. “Important to us as a human species.”

Those looking to learn more can visit DarkSky.org.

Every man’s right

Amid skyscrapers and smartphones, what do we have in common with our ancestors? The answer is the stars; the vast swath of universe that serves as our celestial home address. When I look up and see Cygnus flying over me in the winter sky, I’m looking at the same stars as people halfway across the world, or from thousands of years ago, whose names I’ll never know. The night sky serves as a keystone of the human experience, and connects us across space and time in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

As the world around us charges forward unceasingly — always asking for bigger, better, more — we rarely think of the things we lose little by little, day by day. We may not even notice when the Little Dipper dims into oblivion; when each star of Orion’s belt blinks out, one by one; when, one day, even brilliant Jupiter is extinguished, and we are left with a lone moon in a gray sky. I’ll tell my grandkids stories of the firmament, how light traveled billions of light years to make its way to us, and all we had to do to see it was look up. I wonder if they’ll believe me.

I’m not ready to give up the night sky. Are you?

–Nicole Formisano

Courtesy DarkSky International

Achiezer’s gala honors area members

Achiezer Community Resource Center gave out six awards as part of its annual gala at the Sands Atlantic Beach.

The organization, which dedicates itself to crisis management, according to its website, honored Dr. Louis Saffran, with the Physician Appreciation Award, Dr. Marc Sicklick, with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Michael and Mimi Fragin, with the Hakaras Hatov award, Dr. Robert Rahamani, with the Physician Appreciation award, Uri and Rivi Sprecher, as the Guests of Honor and Aliza Wartelsky, with the Pillars of Chesed Award.

The evening started with a recep-

tion at 6 p.m., program at 7 p.m. and dessert accompanied by a performance by the Blue Melody Group at 8 p.m.

The gala celebrated the work that Achiezer does for Bayswater, Far Rockaway, the Five Towns and beyond.

“Whether the situation calls for medical, financial, emotional, or practical support, Achiezer’s team of medical, mental health and other professionals enables clients to access the assistance that they need in a caring, professional and confidential fashion,” officials wrote on Achiezer.org.

–Melissa Berman

Dr. Robert Rahmani was awarded the Physician Appreciation Award by the board members of Achiezer, on Nov. 24.

Dr. Marc Sicklick received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the board members of Achiezer at the organizations annual gala.

Attendees fill the room at the annual Achiezer Gala at the Sands in Atlantic Beach.

Lisa Dawn Romano/Herald photos

Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive was honored at the Achiezer gala.

HERALD SchoolS Forest Road hosts inauguration ceremony

On Nov. 26, Forest Road Elementary School in Valley Stream District 30 held their inauguration ceremony for the Global Leaders of Tomorrow’s student council.

Fifth and sixth graders were recognized by Principal Marisela Sanchez, Assistant Principal Kelly Nicholson and Student Council teacher leader Chelsea Chizever for their qualities of kindness, responsibility and dedication.

“Being a member of the student council Global Leaders of Tomorrow advocacy group is a big responsibility and I know you will rise to the challenge with the enthusiasm and commitment that you have shown throughout the election process,” Sanchez said.

Additionally, Jennifer Lewner, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, commended the student council members on earning this distinction.

“You chose to do this for a reason, and this is going to impact the work that you continue to do as you grow up,” Lewner said. “Thank you for making this commitment to support the Forest Road community.”

During the ceremony, the student council presidents and vice presidents for both grades gave their acceptance speeches, and the inductees spoke about the student council’s mission and initiatives throughout the school year.

–Juan Lasso

Courtesy Valley Stream District 30

On Nov. 26, Forest Road Elementary School in Valley Stream District 30 held their inauguration ceremony for the Global Leaders of Tomorrow’s student council.

Interfaith unity this Thanksgiving season

universal value, emphasizing its presence as a shared theme across major world religions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, BuddhismBuddhism, and the Baha’i Faith.

Faith leaders who contributed to this year’s program included Rabbi Yechiel Buchband of the Valley Stream Jewish Center, Sister Margie Kelly of Holy Name of Mary Church, McNair representing the Baha’i Center, Bishop Claude Hibbert of Deeper Life World Outreach Ministries and Rabbi Steven Graber of Temple Hillel.

Participants offered readings, prayers or reflections tied to their traditions, but unified under the shared theme. of gratitude. The service also incorporated various forms of expression, such as poetry, music and speeches. A keynote address further explored gratitude’s presence across spiritual traditions, highlighting common values that connect diverse beliefs.

“When I heard the talk that was given tonight with passages from all the world’s religions and saw how they each have common spiritual foundational beliefs in gratitude and love, I was very moved, and this increased my understanding of how we really are one human family,” Bishop Hibbert said. “I have asked for a copy of that talk so that I can meditate on it. When we understand the ways in which we are the

same, we will be able to come together in harmony, finding ways to build communities that help us learn how to understand each other and realize that very often our values are the same.”

The event also included a charitable initiative, encouraging attendees to donate to the Holy Name of Mary Parish Outreach food pantry, supporting individuals and families in need.

The evening included refreshments

— coffee, tea, fruits and pastries — provided by the Jewish center. Tables were arranged to encourage attendees to engage with people they might not know, fostering conversation and connection.

“The members of the Valley Stream Religious Council are united in their efforts to build community by engaging in interfaith dialogue that allows us to have meaningful conversations without

on blessings.

dissent,” Sister Kelly said. “The unity that we have achieved allows us to persevere in the ways that we work together for the good of the community.”

The council plans to expand its outreach to include additional faith groups in future events and strengthen its efforts to promote understanding and cooperation within the Valley Stream community.

Alice Moreno/Herald photos Rev. Alfred Thiagarajan of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior reads a couple of his poetry, focusing

Rabbi Steven Graber of Temple Hillel in Valley Stream speaks to the crowd.

STEPPING OUT

Don’t miss the beats, the energy and the vibe when Secret Agent 23 Skidoo launches the museum’s Musical Explorers! Concert series.

Acclaimed husband-and-wife duo Andrés and Christina’s — known as 123 Andrés — catchy songs and lively concerts impart the joy of music, movement and language.

Memories with melodies at Long Island Children’s Museum

Reach for the rhythm in you with a colorful spectrum of musical performance

By Danielle Schwab

After everyone polishes off the turkey, families can embark on a musical adventure to usher in the holiday season, courtesy of Long Island Children’s Museum. The stage is set for a new concert series, “Musical Explorers!,” which kicks off this weekend, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Young audiences are introduced to an excitingly diverse music scene, featuring an array of global sounds, culture, and artistic legends from the world of jazz, hip hop, Latin music, and more. Families will surely get in the groove at the museum’s inaugural series of concerts, which represent the vibrant genres of jazz, hip-hop and Latin music. Performers add their unique touch, blending imaginative storytelling into musical masterpieces.

“Music speaks to human nature, the human soul. Every culture has music. Everybody celebrates it. Everybody taps to the rhythm. So that’s what we’re looking to provide,” James Packard, the museum’s theater program director says. “Musical Explorers offers our audiences the opportunity to dive deeper into the many ways that music speaks to us.”

In curating the concerts, he selected Grammy-winning artists and top talents in family music so that a diverse range of genres reflecting the power of music are represented.

“We encourage families to use these performances to introduce their children to the rhythms of hip-hop, the soul of jazz, and the vibrant beats of contemporary Latin music,” he says.

The series begins this weekend with Grammy-winning hip-hop funk sensation Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. This dynamic three-person rap ensemble offers their young audience a fun and engaging introduction to hip-hop. Known for their electrifying blend of hip-hop with sci-fi-inspired storytelling and feel-good tunes, the band combines the raw energy of funk with the surreal magic of animation-inspired performance. Imagine a band with Jim Henson playing guitar or Shel Silverstein writing the bass lines and you’ve got Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. Prepare to get up and dance with larger-than-life stories through upbeat songs.

“We just came out with an album in collaboration with the Asheville Symphony. We took folk tales from around the world from various cultures and turned them into hip-hop songs to tell these stories,” Joel “Cactus” Sullivan, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s lead singer, says.

Sullivan and his bandmates journey back thousands of years, drawing from the rich traditions of Japan, West Africa and Persia to tell timeless life lessons.

And, it wouldn’t be hip-hop without some creative freestyle — with the help of members from the audience, of course.

“We get words from the crowd and then make up a song on the spot right there. There’s something magical about the improvisation that can happen with hip hop,” Sullivan adds.

Heading into New Year, everyone can jive to some outstanding jazz grooves with the iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center Quintet, on Jan. 19 and 20. The top-flight musicians swing into the sound of America. Their performances explore the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance, examining the great Louis Armstrong’s journey from New Orleans to Chicago and New York — all from the museum’s intimate stage.

“Lincoln Center is a new connection for us,” Packard notes. “It will be a more traditional concert style, but geared at school-age kids, with interactivity and conversation going on between the musicians and the audience.”

Another performance to keep an eye (and an ear) out for is husband-and-wife duo 123 Andrés. The pair — Latin Grammy winners for Best Children’s Music Album earlier this year —

Dark Star Orchestra

• Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1

• $11 with museum admission; available online at licm.org/ theater or in person at the museum box office

• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800

• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City

will arrive in June with their interactive bilingual performance that speak to the joy, energy and cultural richness of Latin America.

They’ll be sure to get everyone singing, clapping and dancing along to rhythms from across the Latin music spectrum.

“Music is a universal language the world over. It is a part of who we are spiritually. And so it goes on all the time, a thing that goes into your soul,” Packard adds.

The concert series reinforces the museum’s mission to bring musicians into kid-accessible spaces. It’s an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a world of rhythm, melody and cultural appreciation — all within the welcoming environment of the LICM Theater.

“Music is a form of social-emotional learning,” Packard continues. “You can let out happiness or sadness. Exposing children to different styles they might find, ‘Oh, I really like hip hop,’ or ‘I really like the Latin beat’, or ‘I really like the jazz,’ and that can have an impact where they go in life.”

The Grateful Dead have been resurrected in the form of Dark Star Orchestra. Formed in 1997, this tribute band came up with the novel idea of recreating complete sets from The Grateful Dead’s gigantic list of concerts. Over 3,100 shows later DSO continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience to acclaim. On any given night, the band performs based on a set list from the Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use their catalog to program a unique set list for the show. In this way DSO offers a continually evolving artistic outlet within the Dead’s musical canon. Honoring both the band and the fans, Dark Star Orchestra’s members seek out the unique style and sound of each era while simultaneously offering their own informed improvisations.

Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, 8 p.m. $99.50, $69.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.

Long Island Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’

The holiday treat returns, Audiences will once again be transported by the Sugar Plum Fairy to The Land of Sweets in this familyfriendly classic, set to the music of Tchaikovsky. LIBT’s production opens “Nutcracker” season here, sparkling with a talented cast of adult professionals and aspiring young student dancers. This version is both narrated and abridged, to introduce youngster to the story of Clara, her magical nutcracker and her enchanting winter adventure..

Saturday, Nov. 30, noon and 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. $37.50. Purchase tickets at liballettheatre. com or by phone at (631) 2714626. For more information, visit landmarkonmainstreet.org. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington.

Courtesy LICM

Courtesy Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Jazz at Lincoln Center quintet introduces young audiences to a cherished musical tradition.

Courtesy David Rugeles

Dec.

9

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening

Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer, visits the Paramount stage, Monday, dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. He showcases his musical journey and family legacy, celebrating his father’s legendary career, with a concert featuring hits from Led Zeppelin’s iconic albums, and highlighting Jason’s own notable contributions to rock history. Encompassing hits from the iconic band’s entire career, including albums “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II,” “Led Zeppelin IV,” and “Physical Graffiti,” the concert event is a dynamic tribute to Jason’s father, with “…a band that recreates Led Zeppelin’s music to such a degree that one can’t help but close their eyes and simply listen…” [-Classic Rock Revisited]. Jason displayed musical talent from a young age. By age five, he could skillfully play drums, and at 17, he joined the band Air Race. Over the years, he contributed to various musical projects, including a Led Zeppelin reunion in 1988, touring with Jimmy Page, and forming his band “Bonham.” He collaborated with notable artists, recorded successful albums, and participated in a Muddy Waters tribute that earned a Grammy nomination.

Throughout the years, Jason collaborated with different artists, recorded with Foreigner, and participated in the highly anticipated Led Zeppelin reunion in 2007 at London’s O2 arena. His musical journey showcases a blend of family legacy, collaborations with rock legends and a commitment to preserving and celebrating iconic rock history. Jason always finds himself at home behind the drumkit. From this spot, he has anchored the tempo for a myriad of the most legendary artists of all-time. It’s the place where he initially realized his destiny as a kid. It’s a triedand-true safe harbor for the expression of his purest emotions. Ultimately, Jason remains forever at home on the drums. $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

1863 Thanksgiving

Partake of Thanksgiving traditions from days gone by during Old Bethpage Village Restoration’s annual holiday event, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30-dec.1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Journey back to the 19th century as oldfashioned wood burning stoves, beehive ovens and hearths are all fired up as “villagers” prepare a variety of foods and baked goods, using historical recipes. Of course, a fat turkey is spitted and roasted, along with pie making and a demonstration of food preservation methods.

With fiddle music, entertainment and children’s activities, including storytelling, and more. $15, $12 children 5-12 and seniors. 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409 for more information.

Toys for Tots Drive

The Village of Valley Stream hosts its annual Toys for Tots drive, which will give toys to underprivileged children. Toy bins are available at Village Hall, now until Monday, dec. 16. 123 S. Central Ave. For more information, visit Vsvny.org or call (516) 8724159.

Tea time

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

Bird walk

See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, dec. 1, starting at 9 a.m. The park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of Wantagh State Parkway. The group meets at the gazebo. 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.

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.

Holiday Tales At The Hearth

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

Having an event?

In concert Plaza Theatricals’ welcomes everyone to a “Motown Holiday Dance Party,” Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. Celebrate the holidays in true Motown style. Enjoy a sensational afternoon of soulful tunes, joyful dancing, and nostalgic vibes at the electrifying concert. Get ready to groove, spread the festive cheer and make unforgettable memories. See the show at 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $40, $35 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Grace Church Thrift Shop

Grace United Methodist Church’s thrift shop is open Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. You will find clothes for adults as well as children including shoes, coats, and pocketbooks. Browse the special fall table replete with jewelry, electronics, household and kitchen items, art, and more. 21 S. Franklin Ave.

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, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5-6, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; also Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 10-12, 10:-15 a.m. and noon. 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.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. RAJBIR SINGH, Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 30, 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 December 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 37 South Montague Street a/k/a 37 Montague Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 366 and Lot 498. Approximate amount of judgment is $440,158.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #601852/2019.

Mark Stephen Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 192525-1 149845

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST Quan Li He a/k/a Quan L.

He a/k/a Quan He; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 5, 2019 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 December 10, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 51 Dewitt Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, District: 2820 Section: 37 Block: 495 Lot: 223. Approximate amount of judgment $287,118.88 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index# 600388/2018. 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.”

John Kennedy, 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 3, 2024

For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 149853

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR LEGACY MORTGAGE ASSET TRUST 2021-GS3, Plaintiff -againstCASSANDRA ALLEN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 7, 2024 and entered on October 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on December 10, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Southerly side of Viola Street, distant 265.00 feet Easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the said Southerly side of Viola Street with the Easterly side of Liberty Boulevard; being a plot 100.00 feet by 45.00 feet by 100.00 feet by 45.00 feet. Section: 37 Block: 388 Lot: 47

Said premises known as 30 VIOLA STREET, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580

Approximate amount of lien $624,755.13 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 618253/2022. SCOTT H. SILLER, ESQ., Referee

Kosterich & Skeete, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

707 Westchester Ave, Suite 302, White Plains, NY 10604

{* VAL STRM H*} 149779

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY

AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. PATRICK MOLONEY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confrming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 22, 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 December 11, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 24 West Dover Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 164 and Lot 123. Approximate amount of judgment is $506,554.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #608747/2018. Cash will not be accepted. Heather Crosley, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 149843

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9

MASTER PARTICIPATION

TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST CARMEN COREAS, DANIEL COREAS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 30, 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 December 16, 2024 at 3:30PM, premises known as 34 East Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 192 and Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $596,120.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #605700/2023. 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”. Referee Phone Number: 516-510-4020. Peter L. Kramer, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-000154 83113 149918

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: BETTER FURNITURE ONLINE, LLC. Articles of Organization were fled with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 11/06/2024. NY Offce location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: BETTER FURNITURE ONLINE, LLC Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 150000

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for the Certifcateholders of the Soundview Home Loan Trust 2005-DO1, Asset-Backed Certifcates, Series 2005-DO1, Plaintiff AGAINST Vester Rivera, 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 December 19, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 33 Ridgewood Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 37, Block: 310, Lot: 58. Approximate amount of judgment $541,611.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fled Judgment Index #616858/2018. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Offce of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the

LIJ Valley Stream’s new sleep center combines advanced wireless technology and comprehensive care to tackle the increase in cases of sleep disorders like sleep apnea, offering patients a more comfortable and accurate diagnostic experience.

LIJ Valley Stream opens wireless sleep study facility

months, and there are not many sleeping centers that serve the area,” Hahn said.

The new center will not only cut down on long waiting lists andbut is outfitted with a portable PSG system that will more closely mimicmimic a typical night’s sleep for patients. Traditional PSG system monitoring systems involve a technician attaching wired electrodes to the skin. The center offers a wireless Nox A1 PSG system, which allows patients to move freely throughout the night, whether heading to the bathroom or getting a glass of water, all without the intervention of a sleep technician.

“Normally, you have long wires that kind of limit your mobility,” Hahn said. “When you go to the bathroom, you have to buzz in the tech to help you disconnect with all the wiring and things like that.”

Serious sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea affect at least 25 million

time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. For sale

information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Scott Siller, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert

U.S. adults, according to the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project. It is estimated that 26 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 years have sleep apnea, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.

“People who are at increased risk are males, of older age, and who are overweight, but it can affect people who don’t fit that demographic either,” Hahn said. “With obesity being more prevalent, we’re seeing a lot more cases of sleep apnea, but you can be normal weight and still have sleep apnea.”

Jason Tan, executive director of Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital, said the sleep center is wellpoised to serve the hospital’s patient population.

Given that many of the patients struggle with “obesity and respiratory disease, we experienced patients that have insomnia, and sleep apnea, and I think it would further complement our services here,” he said. ContInued from page 1

Stephen Takacs/Herald

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

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

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

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‘It

doesn’t look serious to us’

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Q. We are buying a house and got an engineer’s report that said there are several problems, including the worst, a crack in the foundation wall. It is parallel to the floor of the basement, but there’s no crack on the outside, either because the outside wall was painted or because the crack is below ground. The engineer made it sound very serious, but it doesn’t look serious to us, just concerning. Do we get another engineer or architect — is there a difference? What should we do to decide if the house is worth the hassle? We really want the house, and made a commitment, since there are several offers and ours is the highest — above the asking price.

A. I have dealt with this problem more lately than at any other time in my career, because it’s being used a lot as a bargaining tool, since house prices are in the stratosphere. In most cases, the wording from the home inspector makes it sound extremely dire.

I make two observations when reading these reports or hearing about the problem: 1) The report wording or buyer’s explanation is often not specific, but recommends a structural engineer, not an architect, and 2) the problem, when I review it, is most often not as serious as it is made out to be. By that I mean that except for about one out of every thousand cases, the wall is not imminently going to fail, and the person who wrote the report is not a licensed engineer or architect. They generally lack the structural training and testing, and therefore the credentials, to represent themselves as qualified to make specific recommendations, only to bring the condition to your attention, although you may already have noticed it.

As for whether you choose an architect or engineer, they both have training and credentials in this area of expertise. The engineer, if he or she is specifically a “structural” engineer, is more qualified for much more specialized and sophisticated structural design, but an architect must have formal structural training and testing in order to be licensed and registered. You can verify the licensure by searching the office of professions at op. nysed.gov and inserting their name and the field of practice. I often do this for clients, and have discovered that many home inspectors aren’t “engineers,” but do have home inspection credentials.

Again, in most cases, whether in or out of a flood zone, I have seen this condition, and the repair is often, but not always, to remove broken or exposed areas around the cracking and to inject structural repair epoxy specifically formulated for masonry or concrete repair. You most definitely should get qualified licensed professionals to look at the wall, since anyone else could not legally call themselves licensed to take responsibility for carrying out the work or its lasting result, and could be held liable for costs if a failure occurs, and you certainly want to avoid failure. Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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opInIonS

I look forward to representing you again

Serving New York’s 4th Congressional District has been an honor. Indeed, being entrusted with the sacred honor of representing my Long Island neighbors on Capitol Hill is a duty I have taken extraordinarily seriously every day. I am grateful to the people of this district for placing their faith in me, and look forward to representing you again. It has certainly been a consequential and active 118th Congress, and I am proud of the accomplishments I was able to achieve on behalf of the 4th District. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I worked tirelessly to help pass House Republicans’ signature H.R. 2 border security legislation — a sweeping plan to end the border security crisis, which is in stark contrast to the disaster Democrats have allowed to fester along America’s southern border.

What’s more, I was proud that the House passed legislation I introduced to formally condemn the antisemitic chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which is used by antisemitic actors to call for the destruction of Israel. My commitment to combating antisemitism also extends to my tenure as a member of the Holocaust Memorial Museum board and my work to help found the House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group — a panel created to foster stronger ties between the U.S. House of Representatives and Israel’s legislature, the Knesset. As a retired New York City Police Department detective, I also endeavored to support law enforcement professionals across the country with such legislation as my Police Our Border Act, which passed in the House and will help law enforcement agencies across the country better respond to the ongoing border crisis.

I’m proud of everything I accomplished in Congress, from bills to committee work.

hours of committee work I engaged in through my seats on the House Homeland Security, Transportation & Infrastructure, and House Administration committees. What’s more, my leadership role as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology allowed me to conduct important oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency — an organization that is extraordinarily important to South Shore communities that are prone to flooding emergencies, like many in our district.

Governing is difficult, and requires coalition building, compromise, and a willingness to reach across the aisle — a fact I understand after being named the 11th-most bipartisan member of Congress and serving as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

These are only a few of the 37 pieces of legislation I introduced, the 448 bills I co-sponsored and the thousands of

Dear readers,

Before the presidential election, the Herald published an editorial explaining why the familyowned newspapers would not be endorsing political candidates.

If I had read the piece in a vacuum, I would agree with it entirely. It states, in part, “Our focus is not on swaying voters toward a particular candidate, but on delivering comprehensive and unbiased information about the issues that matter most to Long Islanders. We are not here to tell our readers how to vote for political candidates; rather, we are here to arm readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

Sounds perfect. But we are living through an unprecedented and exceedingly imperfect time in our nation’s history. This year, not endorsing meant keeping silent when silence may have implied that both presidential candidates met minimal standards for serving in the nation’s highest office. By any standard, that is not true of President-elect Donald Trump.

Media across our country have some-

In addition to my legislative and committee work, I successfully secured over $20 million in direct funding for community projects across the 4th District to benefit our neighbors. These secured federal resources funded a new Nassau County Police Department training village, important flood-mitigation infrastructure in the Village of Floral Park, technology upgrades for the Freeport, Lynbrook and Rockville Centre police departments, and more.

we can’t keep it

how made it seem as if a convicted felon with a rich history of lying and a refusal to take on the serious issues of governance is a reasonable choice. But in our president-elect, we have an aspiring autocrat, a morally bankrupt man with a vengeful heart.

He has already begun fulfilling his promise to dismantle the government by selecting big donors, MAGA loyalists and inexperienced toadies for his new cabinet. None of this is a surprise. He said he would do it, and he is. Whether they get confirmed is dependent on the ever-weakening backbone of Republican senators, who live and die, politically, at the whim of the man they follow.

tarian government.

D onald Trump did not meet the presidency’s minimal standards.

We are in the beginning days of DJT’s revenge tour, fulfilling his promise to punish those who opposed him, challenged him and tried to bring him to justice. He wants people at the table whose loyalty is to him. Their expertise and leadership qualities seem incidental to the main qualification: unquestioning obeisance to the leader.

So the idea of not endorsing candidates, this extraordinary year in particular, does not sit well. The fallout from the coming Trump presidency could be a catastrophic shift toward an authori-

My successor, Laura Gillen, will need to navigate these challenges while serving in the House Democratic minority, which will prove difficult. Indeed, the fact that Gillen will be in the minority lends itself well to being a vocal partisan critic of the House Republican majority and the incoming Trump administration, because both will be working in overdrive to correct the many mistakes of the Biden administration and Democrats across the country who forced Americans to endure crippling inflation and a border crisis. Gillen’s position in the House minority does not lend itself well to delivering for 4th District neighbors like I was able to do by leveraging my position in the majority.

Gillen made bold, empty promises, and now it is time for her to deliver. Voters will be watching.

Anthony D’Esposito is completing his term in the 118th Congress.

in neutral

I understand the dilemmas. Do endorsements really affect voters’ choices? Historians, psychologists and journalists bat the question around, with no clear answer. Do endorsements alienate too many readers? In the world of newspapers, these issues loom much larger on the local level than with big newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, which also declined to endorse this year.

Local papers live in the community. They have responsibilities to their readers, to the truth and to the realities of just staying in business. With local newspapers closing every week across the country, conflicting interests must be reconciled, very carefully.

I started at the Nassau Herald more than 30 years ago, and for many years it did endorse candidates, from local officials to the presidency. Leatrice Spanierman, my mentor and colleague and the Heralds’ longtime executive editor, interviewed candidates every fall and wrote endorsements. The candidates, including member of the U.S. House and Senate, came to her office; they knew the value of local newspapers’ endorsement. The Heralds had a voice, and used

it as a means of informing readers. The editorial in the Oct. 31-Nov. 6 issue, explaining why the Heralds were not offering endorsements, stated that “the one place where you might see opinions about local and national political candidates … is in columns in our editorial pages, like those written by Randi Kreiss and Peter King. These essays are distinguished from Herald news content by featuring photos of the authors, making it clear that they reflect the writers’ perspectives and not the views of the Herald.”

I understand the need to create distance. I like the distance, too. I don’t speak for the Heralds. No one high on the masthead has ever tried to influence what I write or don’t write. The paper stays above the fray by giving King and me platforms for different points of view. I would be fine with any newspaper’s no-endorsement policy if this election had been like any other in America’s long history. But it was not. Nothing about this race was normal. The times demanded speaking up for democracy. For the immediate future and for as long as it can, the press must use its voice to call out the bad guys and amplify justice. This Thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my views. Our free press never seemed so precious.

Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

AnTHonY D’ESpoSITo

RAnDI KREISS

A season for giving back on Long Island

With the holiday season upon us, our minds turn to traditions — Thanksgiving meals filled with comfort and gratitude, and other gatherings of family and friends over the coming weeks.

These moments of celebration are precious, but they also give us an opportunity to reflect on what it means to give back. Thanksgiving, rooted in the idea of gratitude, serves as a poignant reminder of our privilege and the responsibility to extend a hand to others. Here on Long Island, where vibrant communities thrive amid significant challenges, there is no shortage of causes deserving our time, attention and generosity.

Friendsgiving, a relatively recent tradition, embodies the spirit of connection by bringing friends together to share a meal and express their appreciation for one another. It can also be an occasion to unite for a greater purpose. By turning these gatherings into opportunities to collect donations or volunteer, we can channel collective energy into tangible support for those in need. Whether it’s hosting a food drive or organizing a group to serve at a local soup kitchen, Friendsgiving can be a powerful reminder of the broader community we’re all a part of.

On Long Island, the contrast between abundance and need is striking. While many of us prepare for feasts, thousands struggle to put food on the table. Nearly 284,000 people will suffer from hunger on Long Island at some point this year, according to Community Solidarity, a nonprofit that provides groceries, fresh produce and warm vegan meals to lowincome communities.

Organizations like Island Harvest and Long Island Cares work tirelessly to combat food insecurity in our neighborhoods. A donation of non-perishable items, a financial contribution, or volunteering for a few hours can make a profound difference to families facing hun-

letters

Where is this ship of state sailing?

To the Editor:

Re Peter King’s column last week, “Trump makes the comeback of all comebacks”: It’s fair for Mr. King to celebrate Donald Trump’s “comeback,” and to take his share of reflected glory for strongly supporting him. But, weeks into the transition, is there no trepidation over what is being wrought?

Mr. King long served honorably

Organizations that welcome your help

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island: BBBsli.org

Citizens Campaign for the Environment: CitizensCampaign.org

Community Solidarity: CommunitySolidarity.org

Family & Children’s Association: FCAli.org

Interfaith Nutrition Network: The-Inn.org

Island Harvest: Island Harvest.org

Long Island Cares: LICares.org

Save the Great South Bay: SaveTheGreatsouthbay.org

ger this season.

Beyond food insecurity — limited or uncertain access to adequate food — there are numerous other causes that need our support. The holiday season can be especially difficult for those without homes. Groups like the Interfaith Nutrition Network, in Hempstead, provide shelter, meals and supportive services to help the unhoused regain some sense of stability. Contributing to these efforts — whether through monetary donations, clothing drives, or simply offering your time — can help others who are less fortunate experience the warmth of the season.

At this time of year, we also highlight the importance of supporting our local youth. Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and the Family & Children’s Association offer mentorships and resources to empower young people. By donating to these programs or

becoming a mentor yourself, you can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life.

And let’s not forget our environment, which sustains us all. As we celebrate the bounty of the land, consider supporting groups like Citizens Campaign for the Environment or Save the Great South Bay. Their work to protect Long Island’s natural beauty ensures that future generations can enjoy the landscapes and waterways we too often take for granted.

Of course, there’s also local news, which continues to face economic headwinds. Organizations like the Empire State Local News Coalition help sustain New York’s local news organizations — like the Herald — so reporters can tell the important stories about your friends and families, and shine a light on all of the issues mentioned here.

The beauty of giving back is that it doesn’t always have to be monetary — your time and skills can be just as valuable. Many local nonprofits, shelters and community centers are in dire need of extra hands during the holidays. A few hours spent wrapping gifts for underprivileged children, serving meals to veterans, or taking part in a community cleanup can ripple outward in meaningful ways.

Finally, don’t forget Dec. 3, Giving Tuesday, the annual nationwide day of charitable giving. For more information on this growing grass-roots effort, go to givingtuesday.org.

As we gather around dinner tables this season, let’s remember that gratitude is most powerful when it inspires action. Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving remind us of our interconnectedness — our shared humanity and the strength of our communities. Together we can ensure that everyone, in every corner of Long Island, feels the gratitude of the holidays. Each of us has the power to make the season brighter for others. This year, let’s not just celebrate; let’s give.

in a Congress that will now be directed to self-emasculate. There are threats of courts-martial, military-assisted deportations, even gender tests for House members. Furors will multiply over staff, from cabinet positions on down. Promises are made of $2 trillion in budget cuts. Mr. King’s experience-based thoughts might be useful.

We sail soon into heavy seas aboard the USS “Caine Mutiny,” with Captain Queeg in command.

BRIAN KELLY Rockville

Centre

i’m pleased to announce that, beginning in January, the Village of Valley Stream will begin a yearlong celebration of its 100th anniversary. Before 1840, the area went by many names, including hungry harbor, fosters Meadow and Near Rockaway. After 1840, parts of the area were also referred to as Tiger Town, Rum Junction, cookie hill and Skunks Misery. Around that time, Robert Pagan arrived from Scotland and set up a general store on what is now hendrickson Avenue. he and other village elders noticed the many low-lying areas and streams running through the landscape, and they decided on the name Valley Stream.

Pagan’s son-in-law, William fletcher, and other early citizens ushered in an era when successful business people from New York city summered in the future village. In the 1870s, Valley Stream was still little more than a cluster of farms surrounded by a major thoroughfare, a plank byway called Merrick Road. In came the South Side Railroad, bringing with it jobs and a bustling commer-

opinions

We’re celebrating 100 years!

cial district.

By the 1880s and ’90s, Valley Stream started to take the form of a more civic community. In the 1920s, people began buying land in the area, and the village flourished. The business district expanded. Local newspapers heralded a burgeoning metropolis: fire department, police department, firemen’s Memorial field and athletic teams, houses of worship, schools, movie theaters, nightclubs and even an airfield were all beginning to take shape. Sunrise highway would soon come through the village, connecting it with points east and west.

next year, a special fag, a dance party, and a parade and block party.

In September 1922, residents took a vote on incorporating, and it passed by just eight votes, 234 to 226. Because that wasn’t considered enough of a majority, a second vote was taken that November, and that one failed. It wasn’t until January 1925 that another vote was taken, and that was the charm, with 669 in favor of incorporation and 293 against. The village’s first election was held on March 5, 1925, and henry Waldinger was elected president. The rest, as we say, is history.

Almost 100 years later, we have grown into one of the largest incorporated villages in the nation. our government

Letters

The Sands proposal: nothing but trouble

To the Editor:

The Las Vegas Sands proposal to spend $6 billion — that’s billion with a B, folks — had me wondering from where Sands expected to recover their investment plus the daily cost of operations and the profit from the project. It wasn’t really a wonder, more of a fact, given all the expected losses the gambling public would be leaving behind.

A real concern is the draining of huge amounts of our underground aquifer to feed this unnecessary beast, a waste of our local water supply.

The proposal is now also offering an expansion of lanes on the Meadowbrook Parkway from three to four. All this would accomplish would be the removal of the mature trees and greenery along that stretch of parkway, leaving no shoulder.

Yes, it’s a parkway, meaning there are no commercial vehicles. So without an adjacent commercial highway, all the daily delivery trucks that would be needed to supply this property would be feeding off the Long Island Expressway, the only commercial road, for miles through our local streets. That would be an unneeded burden on our local streets and neighborhoods, 24/7.

We do not need this disaster in the making.

expanded to meet the needs of a growing population. community, civic and sports organizations formed to fulfill citizens’ interests. Together, residents and community leaders continue to make Valley Stream the best place to live! our yearlong centennial celebration will begin in January, with the raising of a commemorative 100thanniversary flag outside Village hall. Events will continue throughout the year. A festive dance party is taking shape, most likely in early May.

Save the date of Saturday, Sept. 27 (rain date Sept. 28) for the big event in the planning stages now, when the village will host a parade and community block party on the Village Green. This event will include a full-scale parade, with community groups and schools invited. The block party will have picnic activities, food trucks, a DJ and live music, bounce houses and giveaways for kids. It will culminate with a light show after dark. This will be a real community party atmosphere, so don’t miss it! commemorative memorabilia will be available throughout the year, including special centennial challenge coins, shirts, mugs, buttons and pens. We also hope to update our history books with all

of the latest advancements and improvements happening in Valley Stream.

All our usual annual events will have a 100th-anniversary-celebratory flair — from recreational programming, the Memorial Day Parade and July 4th fireworks Extravaganza through summer, fall and winter fun, everyone will have the opportunity to take part. We will look back on 100 years of growth in our village, and share historical facts and events.

Planning for these events is still in the early stages, and we expect them to continue to take shape in the coming months. Please check our village-wide mailings, our website, vsvny.org, and our facebook and Instagram accounts for more information and updates.

Today I am proud to serve as Valley Stream’s 18th mayor, an office held by 14 people. our village has much to be proud of. A thriving suburb of New York city with a diverse population of 40,000, we were named the Best Place to Live in New York State by Money magazine. I like to say we’re a great big small village. Yes, we’re one of the largest villages in the state, but we continue to have a small-town community feel, with residents taking participating in all that our community has to offer. The services that we provide them are second to none, and that gives us plenty to celebrate!

Ed Fare is the mayor of Valley Stream.

Framework by Francine Berman

Lastly, the Sands has been spending a lot of money locally on public relations, newspapers inserts, etc., to make the proposal sound appealing. Don’t believe the wizardry, which, when you look behind the curtain, is really a corporate giant taking local amenities and infiltrating our local environment, all in the name of a profit to feed its own goals.

MIchAEL LEfkoWITz Accountants + Advisors East Meadow

How about sharing a holiday meal at a diner?

To the Editor:

This holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, if you’re too tired to cook, consider sharing a meal with family, friends or neighbors and patronize your local diner or restaurant. for decades I have enjoyed many excellent meals at many local diners.

Diners have been part of my life since I was a teenager. Eating out is a periodic ritual, and their portions are generous. Between the soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles, along with the main course, diner dinners satisfy the heartiest appetites. Who’s never taken a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day? Many times we’ve bagged our desserts to go.

At the ‘Wicked’ Experience — Universal Orlando Resort

Many Long Island neighborhoods have seen changes over the years. New immigrant groups sometimes favor their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to fast-food restaurants.

Remember, these people are our neighbors. our local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners have continued to invest in our communities, creating new employment opportunities without the assistance of federally funded taxpayers’

stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, these workers don’t eat, either.

Why not honor the fond memories of some our favorite diners that have come and gone by continuing to patronize those that remain? h ere’s hoping that diners don’t go the way of the dinosaurs.

LARRY

PENNER Great Neck

eD Fare

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Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.

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• Reduced C-section delivery rates

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• Routine birthing-friendly practices

• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities

If you want the best birthing experience for you and for your baby, look no further than Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.