GREAT NECK TIMES 2024_02_23

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Suozzi-Mazi tally shows voter shifts

Portion of G.N. goes ruby red as Dem captures independents, cracks GOP areas

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The once-Democratic bastion of Great Neck has solidified itself as a Republican bastion according to preliminary election data from New York’s 3rd Congressional District special election that shows a deepening GOP majority despite Democrat Tom Suozzi winning the overall vote.

Suozzi managed to handily defeat Republican County Legislator Mazi Pilip based on strong support from independents that helped him pick up election districts in traditional GOP strongholds in New Hyde Park and Manhasset.

Suozzi stepped into Election Day with an edge in early voting, garnering 4,320 more votes than Pilip in Nassau County and 3,060 more in Queens in the fight to complete former Rep. George Santos’ term after being booted from his seat in December.

With 100% of the precincts reporting, Suozzi won 91,338 of the votes to Pilip’s 78,229 – nearly 54% to 46% – in a race with unexpectedly high turnout despite snow early Tuesday.

Nearly 85% of the vote came from the Nassau County portion of a district that stretches from Massapequa to the south, up across the North Shore and into eastern Queens.

While Suozzi won by a 23% margin in Queens, the race was closer between the two candidates in Nassau County.

According to the New York City Board of Elections’ unofficial Election Night results, Suozzi won with 61.38%, or 15,205 total votes in Queens. Pilip received 38.33%, or 9,495 total votes.

In Nassau County, Suozzi secured 52.46% of the votes, or 76,133 in total. Pilip garnered 47.37% of the votes, or 68,734 total votes, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections.

Overall, Suozzi secured his congressional win Tuesday night with 53.7% of the total votes vs. Pilip’s 45.99%, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

The breakdown of the congressional special election results by area was sourced by Newsday and is based on preliminary vote totals by precincts. Vote totals will be finalized once military and absentee ballots have been certified.

While Great Neck has been known as a Democratic stronghold for decades, the special election showed that the northern part of Great Neck has turned ruby red on the heels of Jennifer DeSena’s strong showing there in the Town of North Hempstead supervisor race in November.

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GREAT NECK JUDGE FINES TRUMP $355M

DON GIOVANNI

Great Neck North High School students performed Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni” in Italian with supertitles for audience members to read.

Parkville library opens doors after renovations

BY CAMERYN OAKES

We’re back.

That could be heard from the library staff as the ribbon was cut to unveil Great Neck Library’s newly renovated Parkville Branch Thursday afternoon.

Library employees, patrons and local officials gathered outside the library amid the lingering piles of snow to get the first peak into what the new Parkville Branch would look like after months of

waiting to return to their local library.

The library’s reopening was highlighted as the return of its role of fostering culture in the community.

“Library’s are not just a place for books,” Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti (D-Port Washington) said. “They’re so much more. They’re arts, they’re culture, they’re meeting spaces, they’re hang-out spaces for teens and places that moms go and read to their kids – and this

new space I know will definitely be utilized.”

The Parkville Branch, the Great Neck Library’s only branch serving New Hyde Park residents, closed its doors for renovations on July 1.

While expanding the footprint of the library was not possible, Elisabeth Martin—library architect and principal of MDA Design Group International—said renovations were focused on making it better with the space they had.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Village of Great Neck increases penalties

Greater fines to deter violations, range from $5K-$15K

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Village of Great Neck is increasing the fines for village offenses in an attempt to deter residents from violating sections of its village code.

The village’s board of trustees opted to adopt the newly escalated fines Tuesday night.

Mayor Pedram Bral said it is in response to some residents not taking village laws seriously and committing violations due to an ability to pay the previously established fines.

“So hopefully this will prevent people from [violating the village code],” Bral said.

The previously established penalties were set at a maximum of $1,000 or jail time not exceeding 15 days.

The new fines are set at a maximum of $5,000 for first offenses, a maximum of $10,000 for second offenses within 18 months of the initial offense and a maximum of $15,000 for third offenses within 24 months.

The village opted to remove the penalty of jail time, which Bral said he believed to be unjustified as a village penalty.

Bral said the newly increased

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fines are not intended to increase the revenues of the village but rather strengthen determent for residents to violate the village’s code.

The board also adopted to establish an amnesty program in light of a wave of residents discovering their basements to not comply with the village’s building code, which will offer a flat fee of $1,500 for residents seeking to make their basements compliant.

On top of the flat fee, the amnesty program will not penalize residents for noncompliance, with penalties that bring the fees up to $4,500. Residents will have to submit building plans to bring their basements to compliance and will be responsible for paying for the cost of construction.

The amnesty program will be in place through June 2025.

In other news, the village changed the previously established parking restrictions on Church Street to loosen the restrictions and focus on school hours to deter student parking.

Previously, parking on the east side of the street was limited to two hours and was in place from 7 a.m.

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until 7 p.m.

Now, street parking on Church Street will be limited to two hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. only on school days. The west side of Church Street will remain a no-parking zone at all times.

Bral also took a moment at the start of the meeting to advocate for the defunding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, otherwise known as UNRWA, calling it one of the “strongest obstacles” for Palestinians to find residence after refuge.

The United Nations agency is solely dedicated to supporting Palestinian refugees, while the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, was established to aid all refugees.

UNWRA also provides aid to Gaza amidst the Israel-Hamas war, providing food, water and shelter to civilians.

According to the United Nations, the two separate agencies were established in 1949 to address distinct refugee crises.

Town hires Seleski as DPW commish

First woman to serve in position

BY CAMERYN OAKES

After a nearly five-year vacancy, the Town of North Hempstead has hired a new Department of Public Works commissioner who will be the town’s first woman to permanently fill the position.

Port Washington native Kristin Seleski is a civil engineer and construction project manager who has been working in the field for more than 15 years. She has served as a project manager for Richter + Ratner and Sciame Construction over the past 10 years.

The Town of North Hempstead hired Seleski at its Feb, 7 meeting despite the board’s Democrats voting against the move on the grounds that they were excluded from the hiring process and not able to vet the candidates.

As the commissioner for the Department of Public Works, Seleski will be responsible for the town’s capital projects. This includes ongoing annual work like sidewalk and lighting improvements as well as large-scale projects like replacing the windows at Town Hall. Capital plans the town has outlined in its 2024 pamphlet include

improvements for Manorhaven Beach Park and Stepping Stones Lighthouse as well as wetland restoration at Hempstead Harbor.

While the position is focused on carrying out projects to serve constituent needs and fulfilling town plans, Seleski said her goal is to ensure these projects come to fruition.

The Department of Public Works is comprised of five divisions – highways, engineering, street lighting, sidewalks and fleet management – which Seleski will oversee.

Coming into a department with employees who have vast institutional knowledge, Seleski said she is seeking to learn from her colleagues as she familiarizes herself with her new post.

“I’ve just been trying to absorb their knowledge so far … and trying to use them as a resource,” Seleski said. “So I’m really going to be here to help them complete these jobs and get things moved forward.”

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In her first two weeks in the job, Seleski said she has been asking millions of questions and everyone has been helpful in directing her to those answers. Continued on Page 38

x215 • therzlich@theisland360.com

Manhasset Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

Roslyn Times: Taylor Herzlich 516-307-1045 x215 • therzlich@theisland360.com

Williston Times: Taylor Herzlich 516-307-1045 x215 • therzlich@theisland360.com

Port Washington Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Village of Great Neck voted to increase its village fines Tuesday night in an effort to diminish violations.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD

Town of North Hempstead Department of Public Works Commissioner Kristin Seleski.

Herb and Olive serves a taste of Greece

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Julia Petropoulos was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, but it was time lived in Greece that changed the course of her life.

Petropoulos had been a teacher in the U.S., specializing in home economics and fashion design, but moved to Athens with her then-husband and kids when a job transfer for her spouse brought them there.

While in Greece she found herself loving the local food markets she encountered, and the sense of community and flavors she discovered.

“I was buying fish from the local places and ingredients from different stores, and I would come across these beautiful distributors of teas, and extra virgin olive oil and I just thought it was amazing,” Petropoulos recalled. “And it sort of became a dream I had about what kind of place I’d like to have if I ever had the chance.”

For a kid who grew up working in her family’s Pennsylvania pizzeria, the lightbulb idea led to action. After her family moved to Manhasset six years ago, Petropoulos started planning her idea of a Mediterranean restaurant combined with a local market.

And that dream has become Herb and Olive, a popular spot at 172 Plandome Road.

Opened a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down in March 2020, Herb and Olive has undergone some changes to menu and concept but remains an upbeat brunch, lunch and dinner spot that has taken on the personality of its owner: Bright, friendly and with infectious enthusiasm.

Featuring classic Greek dishes like konstosouvli and saganaki, along with popular entrees like wild salmon and beet salad, Herb and Olive has done well enough that Petropoulos is hoping to expand her current seating capacity of 62, and possibly open a second location in the future.

“The community support has been overwhelming and so appreciated,” Petropoulos said. “From the high school kids who come in, to the regulars from town, to customers from other towns, it’s been really great to see.”

That Herb and Olive is still around in 2024 is a little bit of a miracle, as after two years of planning the shop opened in the fall of 2019.

But just as she was starting to build some word of mouth and buzz, Petropoulos had to close everything down.

When COVID-19 struck, Petropoulos pivoted for the first time. She

PHOTO BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Herb and Olive restaurant owner Julia Petropoulos has been operating the restaurant on Plandome Road since 2019.

Chaminade alum goes platinum on TikTok

Jumpstarts

Williston-based Gino’s Pizzeria’s online fame, parts ways to start college

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Imagine pizzas hurtling toward your face, having gravy poured in your hair and a co-worker threatening you with a broken wooden pizza peel. While this might not sound like your average job at a pizzeria, it is what 18-year-old Jack Murphy experienced during his first job at Gino’s Pizzeria in Williston.

No, Murphy is not a victim of workplace harassment. Rather, Murphy is one of the brains behind the pizzeria’s TikTok account, @ginospizzawp1979, which has amassed nearly 170,000 followers and more than 3 million likes with comedic skit videos.

“Gino’s has always been my favorite pizzeria,” says Murphy, a Chaminade High School alumnus and lifelong Williston Park resident. “So as soon as I got working papers, the first thing I did was go into Gino’s and be like can I get a job here?”

Murphy started working at Gino’s Pizzeria in August 2019. He answered phones, delivered pies and folded pizza boxes behind the counter.

Murphy’s co-worker, 38-year-old Pete “Tiny” Polumbo, is a frequent character in their TikTok videos. “We’d been talking about [making TikTok videos] for a while before we started,” says Polumbo. “And then one day, we were making boxes, and he said, yo, we can make this a com-

petition.”

Their first TikTok videos showed different employees trying to fold three pizza boxes as quickly as possible (with the winner coming in at 23 seconds).

Murphy says he asked Frank Speciale, the owner of Gino’s Pizzeria, if it was OK to make a TikTok account for the restaurant. “He was like, yeah, sure, but I don’t want anything to do with it,” says Murphy.

Speciale opened Gino’s Pizzeria in 1979, and what started as a small local pizza parlor has grown to include a dining room and a banquet room over the years.

While Murphy says their first few videos only received around 200 views each, it didn’t take too long for their content to start gaining traction.

“We got one video with, like, 10,000 [views], which we thought was unstoppable,” says Murphy. Next thing he knew, a video on the account reached 1 million views and another video reached 3 million views.

Some video ideas were inspired by trends on TikTok, like a game called the Tortilla Slap Challenge. TikTok creators participated in this newfound “try not to laugh” challenge with their friends, filling their mouths with a drink of water and slapping one another across the face with a dry tortilla in an effort to make their opponent laugh and spit out the water. Since pizzerias lack spare tor-

tillas, they used the next best thing: pizza.

Murphy says the employees at Gino’s would have “brainstorming sessions” to pitch new video ideas for their TikTok account.

Their most successful videos are skits in which Tiny deals with irritating “customers,” usually played by Murphy. Murphy says they would come up with the characters by asking themselves, “What would be like the worst customer possible?”

Murphy, acting as the customer, asks for frozen pizza from the grocery store to be heated up in the oven, pays with crumpled up and ripped dollar bills, skips out without paying, steals condiments and attempts to order pizza with pineapple on top. In return, Tiny tosses pizzas across the restaurant at Murphy and shatters wooden pizza peels.

“I’ve had to go through some bad things,” says Murphy with a laugh. “One time I had to like lay on the floor because they [pretended to] hit me with a peel, and they put a tablecloth over me, and a lady actually came into the store because she thought I was like actually dead.”

Although Polumbo says business at the restaurant hasn’t really been impacted by their TikTok success, Polumbo and Murphy have noticed the changes in their personal lives.

“I’ve gotten chased down in Un-

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Town OKs Carle Road no-parking zones

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The Town of North Hempstead unanimously approved the expansion of no parking zones on Carle Road in Carle Place Thursday morning to diminish the hazards presented by parked cars.

The Carle Place road previously had a no-parking zone established on the west side from 25 feet north of the north curb line of Mineola Avenue for a distance of 80 feet north. This was enforced from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. except on weekends and holidays.

The new ordinance expands the no parking zone distance to 175 feet in length, extending north of 25 feet from the curb line.

Also changed is the addition of a no-stopping zone from the north curb line of Broadway for a distance of 30 feet north, or to the corner.

Councilmember Robert Troiano said the change would restrict parking used by three people who park in the area for work or use the train station. He said the parking there is a safety hazard as it reduces driver visibility on the road.

He said neighbors have been alerted to the change and have agreed to it.

Resident Pete Gaffney applauded

the town for the expanded ordinance but said it needs to be paired with increased code enforcement in the neighborhood. He said that despite the signs, there are individuals continuously violating the parking regulations.

“They’re all affecting our quality of life,” Gaffney said.

The resolution was adopted Thursday morning at the town’s first morning public hearing, which Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said would hopefully ease the town’s lengthy monthly meetings. The morning public hearings are held in tandem with its regularly scheduled town board meetings held at nights.

“Hopefully, this will help even out the late nights that we’ve had for some of our evening meetings,” DeSena said.

While the morning meetings may now shorten the town’s monthly night meetings, the initial proposal faced backlash from town Democrats, who argued it would diminish the ability of members of the public to attend and affect the schedules of councilmembers who work during the day.

Robert Troiano, who works for the Nassau County Board of Elections and serves as president of the Westbury Board of Education. He previously

Resident Pete Gaffney addresses the Town of North Hempstead board Thursday morning.

said the board is “changing the rules in the middle of the game” and that he will have to leave work to make the morning meetings.

Gaffney said at Thursday’s hearing that an added concern is parking in the area to attend meetings.

Town municipal parking is restricted to employees at the time of the morning meetings and other parking options are time-restricted, ranging from one to two hours. This could pose challenges if meetings run longer than an hour or two. Thursday’s meet-

ing was less than 10 minutes.

DeSena said the town will look into the parking issue.

The Town of North Hempstead board will convene again at 7 p.m. on March 5 for its regular monthly meeting.

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACK MURPHY

Jack Murphy and Pete “Tiny” Polumbo at Gino’s Pizzeria.

G.N.’s Engoron fines Trump $355M

Supreme Court judge who faced swatting incident at his home levy’s heavy penalty on ex prez

BY CAMERYN OAKES

New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, a Great Neck resident, ruled that former President Donald Trump, two sons, business associates and his company pay more than $355 million in penalties and temporarily banned him from doing business in New York.

The New York State civil fraud case was based on Trump’s inflating assets by submitting false financial data on properties such as the value of his Trump Tower home, golf courses and his Mar-a-Lago club in financial statements.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office brought the case against the former president, said with pre-judgment interest the total amount to be paid is more than $450 million. This number, she said, will increase every day until the full judgment is paid.

The ruling’s business ban prevents Trump from serving as an officer or director of a New York corporation or legal entity – including his company the Trump Organization – for three years. His two older sons got a similar ruling but for the duration of two years.

Trump and his company are also banned from applying for bank loans over the three-year duration.

In addition, Engoron ruled that the independent monitor who was appointed continues to oversee his company, with the addition of an independent director of compliance. This was implemented because Engoron said Trump and his executives had a lack of remorse upon the fraud

before his ruling. He imposed a gag order on Trump during the trial after he made several derogatory comments about his law clerk and the judge himself.

Trump’s comments led to death threats against the clerk and Engoron, and the judge’s Great Neck home was swatted in January just hours before a trial court appearance was scheduled.

James called the ruling a “tremendous victory” in applying the laws to all individuals.

“Donald Trump is finally facing accountability for his lying, cheating, and staggering fraud,” James said in a statement. “Because no matter how big, rich, or powerful you think you are, no one is above the law.”

With Trump as the current frontrunner in the race to be the Republican nominee in the November presidential election, he called the trial a “witchhunt” perpetuated by President Joeseph Biden ahead of the election.

While the New York State trial has ended, Trump’s legal problems continue.

coming to light.

Trump said that he is planning to appeal the ruling.

The ex-president bashed Engoron’s ruling from his Mar-a-Lago home Friday night, calling him a “crooked New York State judge.” He also

attacked James, calling her “corrupt” to reporters.

Trump criticized the fine imposed on him by Engoron, saying it was for “having built a perfect company.”

But Trump’s criticism of Engoron began long

The former president’s first criminal trial is set to begin March 25 in Manhattan, where his alleged crimes of paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels will be. He faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to allegedly silence Daniels – a felony indictment.

Trump faces three more criminal trials – two connected to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and one for keeping classified documents at Mar-a-Long despite repeated requests from Washington to return them.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

New York Sate Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, a Great Neck resident, presided over Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial, ruling that the former president pay more than $354 million in fines.

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House blocks SALT revision backed by Suozzi, LI GOPers

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

A bill co-sponsored by three Nassau Republicans to expand state and local tax deductions known as SALT failed to make it to the House floor Wednesday.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 225-195 against a rule change that would have allowed the bill to go before the House for a vote.

The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Anthony D’Esposito (RIsland Park), Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) and Nick LaLota (R-Amityville).

The bill would allow tax-paying married couples making less than $500,000 per year to reduce their federally taxed income by as much as $20,000, as opposed to the current $10,000 cap.

The cap has produced bigger tax bills for residents of high-tax states such as New York, New Jersey and California.

D’Esposito said in a statement he was “frustrated” that the legislation failed to make it to the House and blamed “New York Democrats … hell-bent on scoring political points.”

This bill was just the latest attempt to raise the SALT cap put in place during Donald Trump’s presidency. The tax plan, signed into law in 2017, lowered the corporate tax rate and raised tax deductions for businesses, but it also set a $10,000 cap for SALT deductions.

In 2022, Nassau Rep. Tom Suozzi, along with other representatives, threatened to block Biden’s Build Back Better bill if the legislation did not include expanded SALT deductions.

“We support the president’s agenda, and if there are any efforts that include a change in the tax code, then a SALT fix must be part of it. No SALT, no deal,” Suozzi said in a joint statement with New Jersey Representatives Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer in January 2022.

SALT deductions are an especially important topic in New York’s 3rd Congressional District since Nassau County is in a high-tax state and is the ninth wealthiest county in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report as of December 2023.

As a result, SALT deductions were a focal talking point for Suozzi and Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip during their contentious special election run to replace disgraced former Representative George Santos.

Both Suozzi, who retired from Congress in 2022 to run unsuccessfully for governor, and Pilip publicly supported reinstating SALT deductions.

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Nassau County lags in releasing disparity study

BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Valley Stream) sent a letter to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman Jan. 29 imploring him to immediately release the results of Nassau County’s procurement disparity study.

Nassau and Suffolk County conducted a disparity study jointly to determine how many county contracts are being awarded to businesses owned by women, minorities and disabled veterans.

The study was set to begin in 2020, but due to the pandemic the start date was pushed to the summer of 2021. Both counties commissioned Mason Tillman Associates to conduct the study.

While Suffolk County released its final findings from the study Dec. 18, Nassau County has yet to release its portion of

the study.

Nassau County has not completed a disparity study since 2003, according to Solages, ranking member of the Legislature’s Minority Affairs Committee.

“[Community members] have a right to know how the county contracting process works,” said Solages. “It is unfortunate that Suffolk County released their results and Nassau County is still in the dark.”

The Suffolk County results revealed that only about 1% of county dollars go to women, minority or disabled veteran business owners, according to the county. The study also found that more than 95% of professional service contracts went to businesses owned by white men between 2015 and 2019.

Following the release of the Suffolk County study findings, the Suffolk Legislature began

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PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

Congressman-elect Tom Suozzi has championed reinstating SALT deductions.

THANK YOU!

“I’m honored to once again have the opportunity to serve the hardworking families of Long Island and Queens in the United States Congress. Throughout the campaign, I promised to work with anyone of goodwill, regardless of political party, to deliver for the people I hoped to represent. And that’s what I’m going to do as a Member of Congress.

There’s real work to be done and I’m committed to solving problems. Our shared purpose is so much more important than partisan politics.

Thank you again for the faith you placed in me. I won’t let you down.”

Broker pleads guilty to stock fraud

Nassau DA said Glen Cove’s Peter Quartararo, 57, defrauded investors in $500K scheme

BY JASMINE SELLARS

A barred investment broker from Glen Cove pleaded guilty to grand larceny and other fraud charges on Feb. 9 after defrauding investors with a half-million dollar stock scheme, deceiving them to believe they were purchasing pre-IPO stock for well-known companies, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.

Peter Quartararo, 57, pleaded guilty to five counts of second-degree grand larceny, one count of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud.

“Peter Quartararo swindled investors, promising them pre-IPO stock in fast-growing companies that seemed too good to be true,” District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Instead of celebrating financial success, these investors lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to this defendant, who spent their money on food, traveling and a sports car.”

Quartararo, who had been barred from trading by the Financial Industry

Regulatory Authority since 2013, is expected to receive a 2 ½ to 7 ½ years prison sentence, according to the DA’s office, while the Nassau County DA recommends 4 to 12 years.

Donnelly said that from July 2018 through January 2021, Quartararo convinced six victims that he had access to pre-initial public offering stock in the companies Peloton, WeWork, Airbnb and Petco for approximately $2.00 a share. She said he then told the victims he would sell the shares and give the profits back after the companies became public, receiving between $14,000 and $202,000 in checks and cash from each victim.

After an investigation, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, confirmed that there were no records of Quartararo purchasing any shares of IPO stock in these high-profile companies.

“If you are thinking of investing in the stock market, make sure you research investment opportunities thoroughly and conduct background checks on any investment profession-

als before entrusting your money to them,” Donnelly said. “Taking these steps can help safeguard your money and help you to avoid fraud.”

In addition to spending the fortune on personal indulgences, including a 2020 Mercedes Benz SUV and Maserati, large sums of cash were also deposited and withdrawn from accounts managed by Leonard Quartararo, Peter Quartararo’s father, Paul Casella, Peter Quartararo’s business partner, and another uncharged individual, the DA’s office said. Quartararo was arrested by Nassau County District Attorney detective investigators in April and August of 2021.

Previously, co-defendants Leonard Quartararo, 80 from Staten Island, and Casella, 56 from East Meadow, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal facilitation in relation to the stock fraud case.

Leonard Quartararo received a Conditional Discharge in July 2022, while Casella received the same sentence in December 2022.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NASSAU COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Barred broker Peter Quartararo, 57 of Glen Cove, pled guilty to charges related to a half a million stock fraud scheme.

G.N. High Merit Scholarship finalists

Forty high school seniors from the Great Neck Public Schools who were previously named Semifinalists will advance as Finalists in the prestigious 2024 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

Finalists from John L. Miller-North High School are: Ryan Cho, Benjamin Feingold, Joshua Rafaeil, Jonathan Sanders, Adrian Shiu, Melvin Thu, Xiongningfan Wang, Jayden Wen, Ningfeng Xiong, Nicole Yeroushalmi, and Sue Zhang.

Finalists from William A. ShineGreat Neck South High School are: Trevor Boshnack, Kirin Chan, Ivan Chiang, Emilia Chiu, Qihe Cui, Nathan Gaysynsky, Jacqueline Han, Kelly Hon, Albert Hu, Luke Huang, Erica Jiang, Brandon Kim, Dana Li, Serena Li, Lillian

Lin, Victoria Lin, Brian Liu, Kaitlyn Liu, Michelle Luo, Kira Nguyen, Christopher Qu, Myra Saeed, Helen Tang, Aman Thawani, Jill Wang, Ashley Wei, Ethan Wu, Maggie Wu, and Alexander Xu.

PSAT scores for these students were among the highest in the state and their scores on a second examination were as good or better.

Having demonstrated exemplary academic performance throughout high school, these students were fully endorsed and recommended by their high school principals.

Each student also furnished biographical data and a self-description of interests, activities, accomplishments, and goals. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2024.

G.N. South Interact on Valentine’s Day

The Interact Club at South High School spread the love this Valentine’s Day by creating handmade cards for residents at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Great Neck.

South High students and staff made 270 cards adorned with inspirational messages and drawings, as well as a poster to hang in the facility’s common room for residents to read. The Club’s initiative ensured that every resident at the facility received a kind, heartfelt message on Valentine’s Day.

The Interact Club is the high school branch of Rotary International. The South High Interact Club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gold Coast-Lake Success and led by faculty advisor John Motchkavitz, business and technology department head.

Rotary representatives Fran Gordon and Sheila Harmon hand-delivered South High’s Valentine’s Day messages to Tyler Calabrese, director of recreation at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Great Neck.

Great Neck Public Schools Television current programs

Programs currently airing on Great Neck Public Schools Television (GNPS/TV) are South High Cultural Heritage Night , North High Winter Concert II , South High Winter Concert II , and Focus on Education GNPS/TV programs are available on demand, 24/7, on the school district website, www.greatneck.k12. ny.us/tv. Programs can also be viewed in the incorporated villages of Great Neck on Optimum Channel 75 and on Verizon Fios Channel 32. Airing times in program descriptions below are for Optimum and Verizon viewing.

South High Cultural Heritage Night

South High School’s annual Cultural Heritage Night showcases the community’s many diverse cultures through song and dance. Tune in to GNPS/TV to watch the celebration and enjoy performances choreographed by South High students. South High Cultural Heritage Night airs at 6 a.m., and 12 and 6 p.m.

North High Winter Concert II

North High School’s Winter Concert II on Dec. 21 featured performances by the A Cappella and Select Singers, under the direction of Dr. Pamela Levy, vocal music teacher/fine and performing arts department chair; Concert and Symphonic Bands, under the direction of Jacqueline Tomlet, instrumental music teacher; and Concert and Symphonic Orchestras, under the direction of Dr. Esther Noh, instrumental music teacher.

North High Winter Concert II airs at 7:30 a.m., and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

South High Winter Concert II

South High School’s Winter Concert II on Dec. 14 featured performances by the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mark Boschen, instrumental music teacher; A Cappella and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Janine Robinson, vocal music teacher; and Jazz Ensemble, Chamber String Orchestra, “Pops” Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Michael Schwartz, instrumental music teacher/ performing arts department chair. South High Winter Concert II airs at 9 a.m., and 3 and 9 p.m.

Focus on Education

Focus on Education is an ongoing series hosted by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Bossert, highlighting what’s new and interesting in the district. This episode features a conversation with Diana Haanraadts, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. Focus on Education airs at 11 a.m., and 5 and 11 p.m.

GNPS/TV Programming

GNPS/TV programming reflects the offerings of the Great Neck Public Schools and the achievements of its students and staff. Programs are student-produced. For more information, contact Robert Zahn, director of educational television and broadcast media, at rzahn@ greatneck.k12.ny.us.

G.N. South wins 2024 Yale University Science Olympiad

A team from South High School won first place at the 2024 Yale University Science Olympiad on Feb. 10.

Fifty-seven high school teams from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts traveled to the Yale campus to participate in the event, which featured 23 challenges in various science disciplines.

The South High team placed in the top five for 17 out of 23 challenges, including first place in the Astronomy, Experimental Design, Flight, Geologic Mapping, Microbe Mission, Robot Tour, and Tower challenges.

South High’s winning team members are Bryan Cheng, Luke Huang,

Alice Kim, Brandon Kim, Caden Li, Yida (Aiden) Pan, Lauren Siong Sin, Allen Vee, Erin Wong, Andy Wu, Maggie Wu, Taisheng (Tyson) Wu, Joyce Xu, Jixuan Zhang, and Laura Zhang.

South High Science Olympiad faculty advisors are science teachers Nicole Spinelli and James Truglio.

Town officials attend Lunar New Year celebration

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Town Council Member Christine Liu attended a Lunar New Year Celebration at the Great Neck Social Center on Feb. 8, where attendees experienced cultural performances and delectable cuisines.

In addition, DeSena and Liu presented Social Center member Caihong Li with a Proclamation of Recognition for her volunteerism and contributions to the center.

Fairness in school funding for everyone

Anot-for-profit advocacy organization filed a lawsuit in 1993 arguing that the state of New York was failing to provide the money needed to meet New York City public school students’ constitutional right to a “sound basic education.”

The Campaign for Fiscal Equity won its original suit only to face repeated appeals by then Gov. George Pataki and the State of New York before the case was finally settled in the advocacy organization’s favor in 2006 — after 13 years in court.

The state Legislature then voted in 2007 to provide funding to schools called foundation aid based on a school district’s need to meet the state’s obligation to students, many of whom were black and brown.

But over the next 14 years, the state Legislature failed to fully fund foundation aid and was sued again.

In 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul reached a settlement with another group, New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights, in which the state agreed to fully fund the current foundation aid formula by 2024.

The result was large increases in foundation aid over the past two years and a record budget proposal of $35.3 billion for public schools for 2024-2025 that fully funds foundation aid — 31 years after the first lawsuit was filed.

”Between the additional state investment in the last three enacted budgets and the infusion of an additional $13 billion in extraordinary federal aid, New York’s public schools have realized $20 billion in increased aid in just over three years’ time,” Division of Budget Director Blake Washington said in an op-ed that appeared in Empire Report.

This at a time when New York has the highest per-pupil spending of all 50 states. New York currently spends $24,040 per pupil, approximately 90% above the national average.

By contrast, Florida and Texas, popular destinations for New Yorkers leaving the state that are often lauded for their affordability, spend $,9,983 and $9,872 per pupil. This goes a long way to explaining how the two states are so affordable.

Nassau County school districts would

see an overall increase of 4.89% in state aid under Hochul’s proposed budget.

But many Long Island school districts and local elected officials are not happy with Hochul’s plans. This includes school districts on the North Shore where per pupil spending is as high as $47,000 and many are near or at $40,000.

They point out that 40 of the 117 Long Island School Districts would see a decrease in state aid, some as much as 10%.

“It is shameful for Gov. Hochul to propose a state budget with Draconian cuts to over 40 Long Island school districts while providing billions to pay for the ongoing migrant crisis,” Republican Long Island Congressmen Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) and Nick LaLota (NY-01) said in a joint please.

This was shortly before Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to allow a vote on legislation that would have closed the southern border as well as provided aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

State Sen. Jack Martin (R-7th Senate District) titled the op-ed that appeared in Blank Slate Media’s six newspapers and website last week “They’re Cutting Bone.”

We appreciate Martins pointing out the pain suffered by school districts that are underfunded.

But if the cuts some districts are now experiencing – after years of state aid increases – are cutting bone, what was—and is— it like for all those school districts that have been underfunded for decades?

One of the major complaints from Long Island school districts and elected officials is Hochul’s proposal to end a provision called “hold harmless.” This policy guarantees that districts always get at least as much school aid as in the previous year.

This certainly is helpful in doing annual budgets. We’re sure every business would love to have that sort of support.

But the hold harmless provision ignores changes that take place over time in wealth and population that impact a district’s needs.

Over the past 10 years – from 2012-

BLANK SLATE MEDIA

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EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

Steven

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13 to 2022-23 – some districts have seen large increases in population. Some have seen large decreases.

On the North Shore, Carle Place’s population dropped 8.9%, East Williston 8.2% and Manhasset 8.1% while Herricks grew 12.8%, Floral Park-Bellorose 8.6% and Mineola 6.1%.

Should districts with declining populations not see decreases in state aid?

If not, the guaranteed money might come out of the increases needed by districts whose populations are growing. Or the state budget might grow unnecessarily.

For those concerned with saving taxpayer dollars, guaranteeing budget increases regardless of need seems like a bad idea.

Long Island school districts also question how New York is defining state aid.

The districts point out that Hochul’s budget is incorrectly counting money allocated for pre-K education as part of state aid when New York policy is that it should be counted outside the budget.

The districts do appear to have a point, albeit a technical one.

But the counting of pre-K money can have large consequences – especially for districts not offering pre-K.

In the case of Manhasset, Hochul’s proposed budget shows a $442,568 increase in state aid – from $5,250,148 to $5,693,716. But that includes $1 million in pre-K that the district won’t receive because it does not have a pre-K program.

That means the district will only receive $4,692,716 — $511,000 less than 2023-2024. And even lower than 2022-

Cameryn

COLUMNIST

Stacy

Yvonne

23 when Manhasset received about $5 million.

Manhasset School Superintendent

Gaurav Passi recently said that when combined with rising health insurance and pension costs, the decrease in state aid is creating “significant pressure” on the district. We then understand the call for more state aid from every school superintendent and parent. They are concerned about the futures of their students as well as the large impact the quality of a school district has on property values.

Still, there is a philosophical question about providing foundation aid to an affluent district such as Manhasset, where per pupil spending is more than $35,334.

Why should money raised primarily in income taxes from across the state be used to subsidize wealthy districts? Other than the obvious political answer.

There is an alternative to state aid –property taxes.

Property taxes are the main source of revenue for districts across the state and the reason for the large differences in spending per pupil between affluent districts and less affluent public schools.

Manhasset, like any other district, can choose to boost the amount they raise in property taxes above the state tax cap by getting a vote of 60% or more in its upcoming budget vote.

The so-called 2% state tax cap on local school budgets has always been an impediment for school districts with relatively low per-pupil spending trying to close the gap with districts with high per-pupil spending.

And it would be one for any more affluent district with high per-pupil spending.

But it could be done.

Schools in Nassau County do enjoy a special protection on property tax collection shared nowhere else in the state – the county guaranty.

That guaranty says that if a taxpayer successfully challenges his or her taxes, the county will bear the cost, not the school district.

Then Nassau Executive Ed Mangano attempted to get rid of the guaranty to help fix the county’s finances, but school districts managed to get the bill killed in the state Legislature by citing the negative impact on their finances.

Given the county’s assessment system, this was not an unreasonable concern.

School districts have again turned to the Legislature to block any cuts to state aid in the state budget.

“I am committed to joining my colleagues in the Democratic Assembly and Senate Majorities to remove the proposed cuts from the final budget,” Democratic state Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti said, echoing her Republican counterparts on Long Island. “Similar to past years’ negotiations, this would be done during the final budget process.”

This would require the state to yet once against disregard the foundation aid formula.

That would be defensible only if the money does not come at the expense of public school students who have been shortchanged for decades.

OUR TOWN

Super Bowl LVIII: Excellence and terror

The Super Bowl has come and gone and I recognize that any event over a week old is ancient history. But let’s hit the pause button and spend a moment deconstructing this monstrous extravaganza.

The Super Bowl has become a monolithic event which absorbs the nation’s attention as well as the culture’s central traits. There are usually about 100 million viewers who tune in to watch this event whether to enjoy the game, the television commercials or the half-time show. Let’s break down the event into segments.

• The game: This year’s Super Bowl pitted the San Francisco 49ers against the defending champion juggernaut known as the Kansas City Chiefs. Brock Purdy was both likable and valiant in his efforts to face Kansas City, but there was inevitability to the outcome and the game ended with Patrick Mahomes lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the second year in a row. The game more or less lived up the all the hype and diehard football fans were not disappointed.

• The television commercials: This is where things get interesting. Approximately 50% of the viewing audience tunes in to the Super Bowl to watch the ads. The commercial airtime for a 30-second spot is $7 million and that does not include production costs or salaries to the actors. The cost of putting a Super Bowl television ad together will usually total anywhere between $15 million to $50 million.

• The celebrity talent must do about two days of actual work and will receive anywhere from $1 million to $10 million. Ben Affleck received $10 million for his Dunkin ad this year which also included Matt Damon and Tom Brady. Other celebrities who appeared in the Super Bowl ads including Jennifer Aniston, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wayne Gretsky, Kate McKinnon, Tina Fey, and David Beckham, Have I missed anyone? I’m sure I have but you get the point.

• Major revenue, major talent, and major effort goes into these ads and the result is often entertaining. But the real surprise this year was

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

the number of religious ads. We had ads for Jesus, ads for Scientology and ads sanctioning hate against Judaism. I was stunned to see the photos used by the Jesus ads. They all had the tone, lighting and dramatic despair seen in the photographs of Gregory Crewdson. You know these ads worked because I found myself watching them all rather than rushing to the kitchen to refill my coffee.

• The half-time show: This year we were treated to the music and

the gyrations of Usher, who even did some skating for us. I must admit I’m not overly familiar with any of his music, but I did enjoy the way Ludacris made a great effort to mimic the moves of Usher as they danced together. And, of course, the manner in which Usher suddenly stripped off his shirt at the end reminded me of the famous “Nipplegate” incident when Justin Timberlake accidentally ripped off the top of Janet Jackson’s outfit during their Super Bowl XXXVIII half-time show.

• Taylor Swift: You know the Super Bowl has taken on aspects of a black hole when the likes of Taylor Swift gets absorbed. Young Ms. Swift dates Travis Kelce of the KC Chiefs and when the players are asked about the presence of Taylor Swift, they all say it’s helping to introduce football to young girls. I have no doubt this is true.

• Mass shooting at the KC Chiefs post game celebration. One million people joined the Chiefs when they returned home to Kansas City for the celebration parade. This parade concluded with a shooting which killed

one and injured 20. An unfitting conclusion to a fun event.

When an event gets as big as the Super Bowl, it does act monolithic, attracting, absorbing and expressing the entire culture. Stanley Kubrick used the black monolith at the beginning of “2001, A Space Odyssey” to symbolize the way mankind takes a leap into the next level of evolution. The monolith that the Super Bowl spectacle has become provides us with a chance for inspiration, entertainment and absorption. I doubt however that it’s a sign of mankind’s evolution.

We were all quickly brought back to Earth by the shooting spree that came next. We live in a land that gives us heroes in the form of football players, celebrities, pop singers and even commercials. Unfortunately, our culture also contains a sinister, violent undercurrent that swims underneath. Long gone are the days that the only thing we had to worry about was another “Nipplegate” incident. Now we have to think about Uzis in the hands of angry malcontents.

Albany’s never-ending wasteful tax breaks

Since the turn of the century, New York has granted huge tax cuts on in-state movie and TV production—a cause favored by media companies, studio owners, producers and movie labor.

Here’s a list of the tax credit programs which are targeted at the entertainment industry and the year they were enacted:

Empire State Film Production Tax Credit (2004)Empire State Film Post – Production Tax Credit (2010) NYS [TV] Commercial Tax Credit (2007)

Empire State Musical and Theatrical Tax Credit (2015)NYC Musical and Theatrical Tax Credit (2021)

These enormously generous programs have cost taxpayers a whopping $7 billion in subsidies since 2004. In effect, taxpayers have picked up the tab for “30% of qualified production costs for movies and TV shows made in the Empire State.” SOURCE

When the tax credits were first proposed in the state Legislature, advocates argued that Connecticut

and Louisiana and other states had lowered taxes on movie production and were stealing business from the Empire State. Leading Hollywood types explained that while they loved New York State, movie production is a business and they have to focus on the bottom line.

The question now is: Are taxpayers getting a return on these giveaways to the entertainment industry?

Well, the good news is Section 108, Article 8, of the New York State Tax Law requires the Department of Taxation and Finance to hire an outside expert to conduct a “comprehensive analysis of each tax credit, tax deduction, and tax incentive under New York tax law that relates to increasing economic development” to determine the effectiveness of these programs

Such a report on the entertainment industry, performed by the investment advisory firm PFM Group, was posted without any fanfare on the Finance and Tax Department website in January.

not provide a positive return to the state.”“It is highly likely…that much of the economic activity [attributed to the tax credit] would occur without it.”Television and movie production would have happened regardless of the tax breaks because of New York’s “prominence in U.S. culture.”The jobs subsidized by the credit are “high paying” and thus create “enduring value,” but “it is likely that the production credit will never ‘go away’ in the sense of leaving behind a stable, job growth industry absent the credit.”

“Based on objective weighing of the cost and benefits,” PFM concluded, “the film production credit is at best a break-even proposition and more likely a net cost to New York State.”

erful, deep-pocketed constellation of producers, actors, labor unions, and real estate interests enriched by the subsidy.”

In my judgment, the government should abolish such companies’ specific economic subsidy programs and use the cash freed up to lower the cost of doing business in the state for all businesses—cut the corporate income tax, lower the cost of Workers’ Comp and reform the Wicks Law, which prohibits the government from using general contractors and thereby inflating construction costs.

And taxpayers should be grateful that E.J. McMahon, of the Empire Center think tank in Albany, picked up on the 360-page analysis and revealed its dismal findings.

Here’s a summary of PFM’s study prepared by the Empire Center: The Film Production credit “does

However, these failed tax breaks, E.J. McMahon warned, “are likely to be ignored by the Hochul administration and the Legislature’s Democratic super majorities. The taxpayer giveaway to Hollywood East enjoys strong support from a politically pow-

The state should stop trying to guess which industries and companies will be winners and losers; it isn’t good at making those calls. The entertainment industry should make decisions on its own after the government performs its proper role of creating a business environment conducive to investment and job creation and providing the transportation and other infrastructure necessary for the state to compete.

Arts play big role in Nassau’s well-being

We may take it for granted, but the arts writ large are a vital component of Long Island’s economy, society, community and even make the difference in how successful our young people will be in school, career and life.

The arts also play a role in where people choose to live, where businesses choose to locate, and how healthy we are.

Just how vital was demonstrated at a recent presentation of findings in a national study, Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 (AEP6), in which Long Island arts organizations participated for the first time – giving the region specifics on its slice of the massive arts’ economic and social benefits pie.

National data collected for the AEP6 reveals that just America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry, supporting 2.6 million jobs and generating $29.1 billion in government revenue (for-profit entities like Hollywood film studios not included). On Long Island, data collected by the umbrella organization, Long Island Arts Alliance, showed that arts and culture nonprofits (think Gold Coast Arts Center and Long Island Arts Council at Freeport) generated $330 million in 2022, supported nearly 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and generated $15 million in state and local taxes.

The findings should arm these local non-profit arts groups and organizations with the ammunition they need in approaching county, town, city and village governments for funding, and even alert Boards of Education to the danger when they target arts programs in schools for funding cuts to meet the

state’s mandated budget cap. The study shows the significant return on investment in arts in quality of life, livability, community, economic productivity. And who can put a price on promoting empathy and reducing depression and anxiety, the need for medication and shortened hospital stays?

The Gold Coast Arts Center’s children’s theater program performs “Little Mermaid.” The Village of Great Neck Plaza recently renewed its annual contract, entitling the village to request cultural programs © Karen Rubin/ news-photos-features.com

(Great Neck Plaza gets it: the village just renewed its annual contract with the Gold Coast Arts Center; for $2,500, it gets various cultural events (see https://theisland360.com/great_ neck/great-neck-plaza-oks-contractwith-gold-coast-arts-center/)

“Our world now needs a better way to foster empathy and understanding among people of different cultures, ideologies. Arts play a pivotal role, in a powerful and humanizing way, to communicate experience across cultures, social groups, fix social inequalities,” said Dr. James Lantini, a board member of the LIAA, which led the study and organized the conference at the Tilles Center to present the findings. “Engagement from a young age increases empathy, reduces bias in children.”

That may seem too touchy-feely for elected leaders who tend to make decisions through an economic lens. “Their priorities are jobs, jobs, jobs. So we connect their priority of jobs to arts and culture, our product,” said Randy Cohen, the vice president of research at Americans for the Arts, the national

added in, the arts nationally amount to $1.02 trillion – 4.4% of GDP – supporting 4.9 million jobs in 2021. New York State’s share of that is $144 billion –representing 7.6% of the Gross State Production – sustaining 450,457 jobs.

“The arts diversifies economies and stimulates job growth,” Cohen noted. “There is a causal relationship with growth in arts jobs and growth of all employment in region or state. So when you invest in the arts and arts jobs go up, all jobs go up because of diversification.”

ture provide shared experiences with people of different races, ethnic, ages, beliefs; 63% say arts & culture help them better understand other cultures in the community,” Cohen said.

advocacy organization for arts and culture which has conducted the study every five years since 1994.

Of the $330 million in spending on arts on Long Island, 89% comes from local residents and 11% from people coming from outside Nassau or Suffolk. And while locals spend on average $33.96 per person on top of the admission cost, non-locals spend $63.83, while those who overnighted averaged $311 per person per event in added spending. The arts event was the primary purpose for the visit for 76% of the respondents.

Another benefit of these nonprofit arts organizations is how they provide an outlet for volunteerism: 16,988 Long Island volunteers contributed 624,000 hours, a $22.3 million value (not included in the $300 million economic impact).

This study only examined the economic and social impacts of nonprofits, but when the for-profit sectors are

There is a virtuous cycle of supporting the arts, using arts to cultivate creativity and innovation in young people, quality of life and community spirit that encourages people to come and live, and businesses to locate in those communities because of access to these positive factors.

“Our No. 1 export is highly educated young people, which is devastating. What would keep them? The responses are consistent: they want arts, culture, festivals, public art in the built environment — that’s another economic benefit of a vibrant arts and culture community,” Cohen said. At the same time, employers are looking for “innovation” workers, and use arts education and engagement as a measure.

Arts have another economic and social benefit: Arts promote physical and emotional healing — shorter hospital stays, fewer medical visits, reduced medications and depression, stronger mental health — and consequently save money.

“We are rediscovering the centrality of arts to our lives. Arts build empathy and understanding: 72% agree with the statement that arts and cul-

FROM THE DESK OF SETH I. KOSLOW

Cohen also makes the case for arts education: “The research is clear, students whose education is rich in arts perform better academically, have better grades, test scores, lower drop out rates that cut across all socio-economic strata. Theater and the arts engage kids in school, give meaning to their classes. They see the world and interpret it through the arts.”

A longitudinal study of 25,000 students in 1,000 schools found that arts education not only benefited all, but helped level the playing field between affluent and low-income students.

Roger Tilles, a member of the state’s Board of Regents that sets education policy and an arts activist (the Tilles Center for Performing Arts at Long Island University is named for his family), said the Regents are proposing to change graduation requirements to include infusing arts and music into all levels, even elementary and pre-K.

The board is aiming to reverse the pattern in many school districts over the last 20 years of laying off music and art teachers, a consequence of concentrating resources to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act.

“That was so counter-productive to critical thinking, problem solving. We did a whole re-evaluation of what we want kids to learn. Employers, parents and students want critical thinking, information literacy, problem solving, and arts,” Tilles said.

(To read the report, visitlongislandartsalliance.org/aep6.)

A personal journey of the heart

February is American Heart Month, and this is a story about my heart – both figuratively and literally. It’s the reason I am where I am today.

I was born with a significant heart defect called Dextrocardia, as well as a ventricular septal defect. Basically, my heart was on the wrong side of my chest cavity and inverted – and, it had a hole in it.

When I was three months old, my doctors told my parents that I needed open heart surgery to close the hole. However, at that time, my mother was pregnant with my sister.

My parents decided to wait until my sister was born before I underwent surgery. But somehow, for some reason, my heart decided that it had to be whole, and the hole I was born with began to close. My heart could stay as it was — imperfect and misplaced, but untouched.

Growing up, I found that I was doing a lot of things half-heartedly.

Schoolwork wasn’t heartening, and few things excited me.

I dreamed of becoming a lawyer, but I couldn’t muster up the resolve to pursue that dream — LSATs, law school, internships. Thousands in loans, six more semesters of school, and years of building a professional profile.

Deterred by these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, I remained listless through my early 20s. For a few years after college, I worked in sales. I was good at it, but my heart was definitely in a different place.

That is, until it wasn’t.

In my early 20s, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. A-Fib, also known as an irregular heartbeat, is fairly common amongst senior citizens, but as a twenty-something in college, I was now a member of a notso-enviable, exclusive club.

During the next several years, I battled my irregular heartbeats, underwent more than a dozen cardio-

SETH I. KOSLOW Nassau County Legislator

versions and tried various cocktails of medications, all to no avail. Eventually, I met a cardiologist who specialized in adults with congenital heart defects — adults like me.

He informed my family and me that the hole in my heart had re-

opened and that it was substantially larger than it was when I was a child.

This was causing my irregular heartbeat, and it would at last need to be closed. At 25 years old, because of the placement of my heart, I was about to undergo a potentially first-ofits-kind open heart surgery.

On March 15, 2007, after five hours of surgery, I awoke to a heart that was beating normally for the first time in almost five years.

Making it through that operation sparked something in my soul. Instead of whining about what I had to do to get to where I wanted, I decided to ball my fists up, dig in, and do it.

After all, I had just made it through open heart surgery. Was there anything I couldn’t make it through? I finally sat for the LSAT and got myself into law school.

That’s the attitude that’s gotten me to where I am today. When I was burning the candle at both ends cramming for law school exams, and even-

tually bar exams, I would remind myself that I had been getting stronger.

When I was struggling to build up my own practice while juggling my responsibilities as a husband and father, I would remind myself of all that my heart could handle.

Naturally, when I saw an opportunity to run for office, an opportunity to represent and fight for all the communities our local government has left behind, I knew that I could take the heartburn of an arduous campaign and that I could win over hearts and minds.

It is the same mentality that I bring to my law practice and to my work with my fellow legislators.

The arc of my life’s journey is proof that we are all stronger than we know — that we are all more capable than we can comprehend.

Seth I. Koslow, of Merrick, was elected in 2023 to represent the Fifth District of the Nassau County Legislature.

KAREN RUBIN View Point

The loss of biodiversity is our loss

Biodiversity – the variety and variability of life on Earth – has been declining at an alarming rate over recent decades, mainly due to the harm caused by human activities. Although you could fill a book with the countless examples of this, the main culprits are destruction of habitat, climate change, pollution, overexploitation of the natural environment and the introduction of invasive alien species. Some of these activities have driven many species past the point of recovery.

According to a recent UN report, scientists are warning that one million species out of an estimated eight million, are threatened with extinction, many within decades. Some say we are in the middle of the sixth mass extinction event in Earth’s history. The last mass extinction wiped out most life on Earth.

We humans are so focused on the politics of the day, convenience or on our own creature comforts that we forget that we are just animals, warm-blooded vertebrate mammals to be specific. In our myopic lives, we lose sight of the fact that we live in an interdependent ecosystem that is designed to work for all of the animals, plants and other living things on this planet, not just for us.

Let’s look more closely at what’s driving the worldwide loss of biodiversity. Habitat loss seems to be No. 1. According

to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, over the past six years, more than 800 million trees have been cut down in the Amazon rainforest to make way for cattle ranching to satisfy the world’s demand for beef.

How much beef does your family consume? Are you OK with the destruction of one of the biggest nature-based solutions to climate change — a vast natural carbon sink as well as a habitat for untold numbers of important plant and animal species? Are you aware that many mainstream and traditional medicines are derived from plants and animals living in the rainforests?

Now, closer to home…do you live in a new house, where a natural habitat for wildlife was destroyed and all the animals and plant life displaced? Did the giant superstore where you shop and its acres of blacktop parking lot take away the natural habitat of birds, rabbits, chipmunks, raccoons, foxes, deer and any number of other species who made their home there?

Pollinator loss from habitat destruction is particularly worrisome. Take bees, for example. When we destroy their fields of wildflowers and other native vegetation with bulldozers clearing the way for a new shopping center or corporate headquarters, or contaminate their habitats with pesticides and wireless radiation that may interfere with their navigation abili-

Valentine’s Day Anthology S

After a restful sleep I woke to a splendid sun. How the red works its marvelous lesson.

Geraniums in the front window bloom finally. Witch hazel deep in the woods surprise with an early spring to aromatic affect.

Camelias at the arboretum bloom impeccable beauty.

Cherry trees around the tidal basin spread countless petals bobbing in the breeze, fluffy and soft like snowfall.

Transitioning to a plush illuminant rose that brightens my heart with fascinating poetry, straight and simple.

The most important masterpiece of art in itself is the art. It is everywhere and why I brought you here. And where I’ll find you again with a sunset so bold, and sea beyond the horizon.

The world made tender for you and me. And I remember the dream.

Stephen Cipot Garden City Park

PATTI WOOD Earth Matters

ties, we upset the balance that helps put fruits and vegetables in the bins at Stop & Shop.

Fewer pollinators, fewer food choices, increasing food prices. And isn’t it becoming clearer every day that humans need to increase these very foods in their diets to ensure a healthy life?

Climate change is also playing an increasingly important role in our biodiversity crisis. Spring comes earlier, along with warmer temperatures that force flowers to bloom before the pollinators arrive.

In the case of some insects which feed only on specific plants, the blooms

READERS WRITE

may die before the insects arrive, causing hunger and resulting in fewer plants being pollinated. More than 70 species of pollinators are listed as endangered or threatened.

Other climate change effects include erratic precipitation patterns, which some but not all insects and animals can adapt to. It may also provide new opportunities for invasive species which may outcompete native species for food and habitat, further stressing natives to survive. Higher temperatures have forced animals and plants to leave their natural habitats and move to higher elevations with dire consequences for ecosystems. The risk of species extinction increases with every degree of our warming planet.

Overexploitation by overfishing and harvesting of game animals and other organisms beyond the capacity for surviving populations to reproduce has driven the number of endangered species to a tipping point, and with it the fear that many species may soon become extinct. Driven by money and demand and, in some instances, just the thrill of the kill, humans are 100% responsible for this unnecessary loss of biodiversity.

Finally, pollution. As we pollute our planet with toxic substances, radiation and other forms of energy, we are creating biodiversity loss in all life forms, including humans. In some cases exposures may

occur in doses that kill outright, but more often they just create serious health problems, such as cancers, neurological harm, endocrine disruption, DNA damage, reproductive and birth defects that threaten even our own survival.

Our natural world is an infinitely complex interdependent system of interlocking parts that makes the international space station look like a child’s toy. And it’s the interdependent part that we consistently fail to recognize as we continue down the path of human domination.

The takeaway: Biodiversity is a circular system that provides us with clean air, fresh water, and good quality soil to grow our food. Living organisms are constantly interacting in dynamic ecosystems, so the loss of one species can have far-reaching impacts.

Novelist Wendell Berry is one of my favorite thinkers and he writes, “What we call nature is, in a sense, the sum of the changes made by all the various creatures and natural forces in their intricate actions and influences upon each other and upon their places. Because of woodpeckers, nature is different from what it would be without them. It is different also because of the borers and ants that live in tree trunks, and because of bacteria that live in the soil under the trees. The making of these differences is the making of the world.”

Hochul right on liability statute

tate Sen. Anthony Palumbo’s (R-Riverhead) characterization of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s veto of a controversial bill misses the mark. In reality, Hochul’s decision was a measured response to a proposal with potentially devastating implications for our healthcare system, local governments, school districts, and the Empire State’s economic well-being.

The vetoed legislation would have created the most expansive wrongful death liability statute in the nation. While the intention to support grieving families is commendable, the bill’s unprecedented and broad scope would have led to skyrocketing insurance premiums, placing

enormous financial burdens on public services, cancer centers, safety-net hospitals, and household budgets.

Contrary to Palumbo’s portrayal, Hochul’s decision was not an act of political expediency. In fact, in vetoing the bill she stood up to one of the most powerful special interests in the state – the trial lawyers.

Her veto should represent a call for a more balanced approach. New York’s legal framework should evolve, but such evolution should be the result of comprehensive dialogue among all stakeholders, not just the plaintiffs attorneys who stand to earn 33% of every settlement and verdict.

Attempting to wield legislative power unilaterally is not the way forward. We must collaborate to craft legislation that truly serves all New Yorkers. This means taking a thoughtful approach to reform, one that balances compassion with the practicalities of governance and economic stability.

It’s time for all parties to come back to the drawing board and work towards a solution that benefits grieving families without disrupting the healthcare system, draining municipal and school budgets, and increasing costs for consumers.

Tom Stebbins is executive director at the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York.

Photo of a red sun by Dr. James Haklar

Tougher gun laws needed after Kansas City shooting

As reported the celebration of the Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., turned into tragedy with the shooting of many and resulted with the death

of a mother and nine children being shot.

I am appalled and horrified and find this action by the suspect shooters to be an egregious and nefarious act on a day that should have been a

joyful day for all.

Two suspects were taken into custody for questioning. These senseless shootings must stop now!

I believe stricter gun laws must be enacted and enforced. I don’t

have the total answer but do believe the answers must come from towns, cities, states, the federal government and also from the NRA.

For now let me offer my heartfelt prayers to the victims and fami -

lies and the entire state of Missouri, the whole of the United States of America where this should never happen.

Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Bellerose

Evil was defeated last week but threat continues

To be absolutely clear, Mazi Pilip is not evil. But many of the forces who directly indirectly and indirectly propped up her candidacy surely are. Shame on the Republican Party for cravenly and cynically putting forth a candidate so obviously unqualified and out of her depth, and it didn’t even take the lone and late debate for

people to see that.

Despite all the meritless attacks about ICE, “the Squad,” “the godfather of the migrant crisis”, “Sanctuary Suozzi” et al., enough voters saw them for the cheap political tricks that they were and the tricks failed.

No one should gloat: This was just one battle in a war that will continue in November and beyond. But

the nation was watching us last night and it saw a people begin to rise up and take back its community from the illiberal and dangerous forces that have had it under siege in recent years.

Tom Suozzi’s victory underscored the remarks last night of a CNN commentator: that despite established trends of political division around is-

sues of common concern, when voters ultimately are faced with a choice between two alternatives, their choice doesn’t always align with the trend. In this case, their choice didn’t because they saw through the hologram candidate presented to them.

If this race indeed was the bellwether for the nation that both sides predicted it would be, there is hope.

In the meantime, we can be grateful that for one 10-day election period in one small fraction of the country, the preponderance of voters were blessed with the clarity normally attributed to children: that the Emperor wasn’t wearing any clothes.

Robert Yamins

Great Neck

Observing Lent now and all year round

For Christians, Lent is a period where we are reminded of Jesus’ journey to the cross and finally of the resurrection. During this time many of us think about giving certain things up like chocolate, candy, meat, and even our cell phones. Well, I don’t think

Lent is about giving things up but I think it is a time for doing things to help those in most need in our communities.

In John chapter. 13 verse 15 where Jesus said after washing the feet of his disciples,” I have given you a model to follow, so as I have done for you, you

should also do.” This means helping others. We can join those community and faith-based groups that help those in our communities in the most in need, also give to food pantries, food kitchens and even donate blood if you can.

Now I’m just saying this because I do walk the talk. I’m grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 in Douglaston, and we are a charity organization that is dedicated to helping others and we even run two blood drives a year.

Now this Lent please think of helping our poor brothers and sisters who are in most need this Lent and all year long. You will be truly blessed.

Frederick Robert Bedell Jr. Bellerose

The 3rd Congressional District dodges a bullet

It wasn’t even close despite all of the polling that seemed to be deliberately geared to turn a blowout into a horserace.

Remember that as November draws near.

Tom Suozzi ran a great race, but what struck me is the stark difference in the messages both candi-

dates presented.

Mazi Pilip’s ads (which we no longer have to endure) were all about stoking fear and hate. Tom’s were about getting the job done, even though he never acknowledged Republicans really don’t want to do that anyway.

But we can always hope even as

they kill off their own legislative initiatives.

But it worked. A message of positivity and good sense over the politics of fear and resentment. And that will be the electoral template this November. A party that serves its country vs. one that detests it.

As the GOP sinks further into

madness and dysfunction, I sense that people are getting tired of the circus and even some of the softer minds are starting to realize the head of the GOP is a cancer that has spread to every corner of the party.

There is no policy. There is only the person. I don’t know how the GOP extricates itself from the per-

sonality cult, but he won’t last forever and they’ll be forced to move on. And when that day comes, they won’t know where they are. And they’ll pretend they never knew the man.

Donald Davret Roslyn

Is MTA’s 2nd Ave. Subway Phase 2 in jeopardy?

Arecent announcement by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) due to ongoing litigation against implementation of congestion pricing, $15 billion in capital projects contained within the $51 billion 2020-2024 Five Year Capital Plan are now on hold.

This includes $7.7 billion for the Second Avenue subway. This means $3.4 billion in the Federal Transit Administration Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Full Funding Grant Agreement to MTA is in jeopardy of being lost. MTA previously accepted the terms and conditions within the grant offer. This included a legal commitment that the $4.3 billion in local share was real, secure and in place. FTA caps its funding at $3.4 billion based upon the MTA’s commitment of a secure $4.3 billion local share. MTA’s

local share was based upon implementation of Congestion Pricing. Placing the project officially on hold and failure to proceed with advancing the project will eventually result in FTA de-obligating its $3.4 billion in funding and closing out the grant. MTA would lose $3.4 billion in discretionary federal funding.

Never in MTA history has the MTA lost FTA funding due to reneging on providing its legally required matching local share in any approved FTA grant. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber would be the first MTA chairman to do so and have egg on his face.

The federal Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General will be monitoring FTA to insure that the agency enforces all legal requirements as contained in the FTA $7.7 billion Second Avenue Subway grant to MTA.

Several months ago, the MTA promised that more efficient station designs could reduce the overall project cost by $300 million. This may not hold water based upon past project history. There is no way to know today, assuming the MTA finds $4.3 billion, what the final price tag would be for construction of all three new stations.

The MTA must first advertise, respond to bidders’ questions, receive and open bids, followed by contract award There are always contract change orders during construction due to unforeseen site conditions or requested by different NYC Transit departments adding to costs.

The MTA will never know the final cost for all three new stations estimated to worth over $4 billion until 100% of the work is completed and final pay-

ment is released to the contractor. In April 2019, the MTA Office of Capital Construction President Janno Lieber claimed that the MTA could save between $500 million to $1 billion in costs for the proposed Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. This would have reduced the overall tab down to almost $5 billion. Promised cost savings were based upon reduction in excavation for both the 125th Street Station and building the 116th Street Station in space no longer needed for other project work.

Fast forward to February 2022 and instead the cost increased to $6.9 billion. In 2023, the cost grew to $7.7 billion. The MTA lacks credibility when it comes to promised cost savings. Transparency is required on the part of Gov. Kathy Hochul, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, MTA Office of Capital Construc-

tion Jamie- Torres-Springer and NYC Transit President Richard Davey when it comes to securing the required $4.3 billion MTA local share and any future promised cost savings.

The same holds true for my old colleagues at the Federal Transit Administration when it comes to enforcement for the approved $7.7 billion grant.Taxpayers, commuters, MTA Board members, elected officials and transit advocates should expect nothing less.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

Hofstra Museum of Art brings masters to college campus

The Hofstra University Museum of Art is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Surrealist Manifesto with Les Visionnaires: In the Modernist Spirit, at Emily Lowe Gallery through July 26.

Featured artists in Les Visionnaires include Jean Arp, Marc Chagall, Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, and Joan Miró. Another artist who figures prominently in the exhibit is Françoise Gilot, who had a tumultuous, decade-long partnership with Picasso and is the mother of two of his children.

Gilot had a close association with Hofstra and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1982. She was an honorary conference chair of the 1985 Hofstra Cultural Center conference Toward a Reappraisal of Modernism, a program on avant-garde art and literature.

In 1988, the Hofstra Museum of Art hosted Françoise Gilot: An Artist’s Journey, 1945-1987. Furthermore, a percentage of sales from her solo exhibition at New York City’s Sutton Gallery were donated to benefit the Hofstra Cultural Center.

Planned in coordination with the 69th annual conference of the Society for French Historical Studies (March 14-16, 2024, at Hofstra), this interdisciplinary display of bookmaking, film, photography, pottery, printmaking, set design, and typography explores a variety of art movements and processes, including surrealism, dada, automatism, and spiritualism and honors the persisting influence of the French avant-garde.

Works are curated from the Museum’s permanent collection and the Howard L. and Muriel Weingrow Collection of Avant-Garde Art and Literature from Hofstra University Special Collections.

More than 4,000 original illustrated books, periodicals, exhibition catalogues, pamphlets, posters, letters, and original prints are part of the Weingrow Collection, representing nearly all major 20th century avant-garde movements.

The collection was donated to Hofstra University Special Collections in 1972. The Weingrow Collection, like the Museum’s permanent collec-

tion, provides research opportunities for students and academics.

Sasha Giordano, director of the Hofstra University Museum of Art and co-curator of the exhibit, said the Weingrow Collection highlights not only unique works but also the interconnectedness of visual artists and literary luminaries, like André Breton, Max Ernst, Man Ray, and Tristan Tzara. “Artists worked together, lived together, created together, and loved each other. Their partnerships and collective approach captured the realities and hopes of modern society.”

Giordano’s co-curator on Les Visionnaires:In the Modernist Spirit is Kristen Dorata, assistant director of exhibitions and collections for the Hofstra University Museum of Art. Serving as guest historian and catalog essayist is Catherine E. Clark, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s associate professor of history and French studies and faculty director of the Programs in Digital Humanities.

Free public programs being held in conjunction with Les Visionnaires: In the Modernist Spirit include:

Film Screening: Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête)(1946) Wednesday, March 6, 5 p.m. Directed by Jean Cocteau and featuring Jean Marais and Josette Day, 93 min, English subtitles, Student Center Theater, Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus, Moderated by Sally Charnow, PhD, chair, Department of History, Hofstra University. Followed by Q&A. RSVP to 516-4635672.

Exhibition Tour, Tuesday, April 16, 5 p.m. Emily Lowe Gallery, Behind Emily Lowe Hall, South Campus. Join Museum Director Sasha Giordano for a talk in the gallery about Les Visionnaires: In the Modernist Spirit.

The discussion will explore the political, economic, and cultural shifts that inspired a new forwardthinking attitude in artists who, in turn, discovered radical innovations in aesthetic forms, techniques, and content. RSVP to 516-463-5672.

Hofstra Museum of Art: Les Visionnaires in the Modernist Spirit

Can a song change the world?

Great Neck Library is having a lecture titled “Can a Song Change the World? Songs of Change, Protest, and Affirmation presented by Robert Cohen” on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2:00 p.m. at the Great Neck Main Library, 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck.

This lecture explores the history of songs that affected and changed the world. Robert Cohen, the lecturer, brings us to the topic: Do songs have the power to change the world? Or do people “—from people in power to participate in social change movements”—believe they can?

We’ll consider these questions while listening to songs from Colonial America, songs from the Abolition movement

and, later, the Civil Rights struggle, anti- (and pro-) war songs, and songs from the Labor and environmental movements—and, perhaps, songs from a few unexpected sources as well.

Along the way, we’ll reflect on what counts as a “protest” song and on whether those who composed and sang such songs intended or expected that they would have an impact on their world. And we’ll discuss what makes a protest or “movement” song “effective”—and what we mean by that.

Robert Cohen has spoken numerous times at the Library, and has taught at the New School and the 92nd St. Y., the Jewish Theologi-

cal Seminary and the Cantors Assembly, Hebrew College in Boston, and Boston College’s Center for Christian-Jewish Learning. He also spoke for many years under the New York Council for the Humanities Speakers in the Humanities and Speakers in the Schools programs. He produced and hosted over 100 radio pro-

grams in New York on Jewish culture and identity. He wrote the NPR documentary, narrated by Theodore Bikel, “One People, Many Voices: American-Jewish Music.”

For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@ greatnecklibrary.org.

Celbrating black history in G.N.

The Great Neck Library is hosting a special Sunday musical performance for Black History Month Pure Joy: Black History Music Celebration with Paige Patterson on Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Main Library at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck, at 2:30 p.m.

Come get cozy with Paige Patterson this month

with her Valentine’s Day homage to Black History. She is a female crooner who pays tribute to people like Bobby Short, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson, The Drifters,Alicia Keys, and Corrine Bailey Rae,just to name a few. Her mission is to revive one’s memories of a bygone era and restore

one’s faith in the power of music. Participation is encouraged!

Registration is required. Great Neck cardholders and residents have priority for seating. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org. Paige Patterson

Jewish masters of modern art lecture

Temple Isaiah of Great Neck will be hosting a lecture titled “Jewish Masters of Modern Art – Rosenberg, Greenberg and the Postwar Triumph of American Art” on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2:00 P.M.

The lecture, part of Temple Isaiah’s continuing series about Jewish artists and their role in the art world, will be presented by Dennis Raverty, award-winning teacher, author and art historian.

After World War II, the international art center moved from Paris to New York, and 20th Century Modernism reached its dramatic climax.

The robust, expressionistic work of these artists were the fulfilment of a romantic search for the sublime that stretched all the way back to the previous century. Many artists from this postwar generation were of Jewish descent, including Frankenthaler, Krasner, Newman, Rothko and Nevelson.

Less familiar to us today were the rival art critics Clement Greenberg and Harold Rosenberg, who shaped the discourse around postwar modernism and helped facilitate its ascension onto the world stage.

They also provided an interpretation of these works that the U.S. government clandestinely used as a weapon of cultural diplomacy though the Museum of Modern Art’s international exhibitions program during the Cold War.

For decades Raverty has delighted audiences with lively presentations at libraries, churches, synagogues, hostels

and business lunches on a variety of topics in the history of art, from the Italian Renaissance to the Harlem Renaissance.

Raverty recently retired from his role as an Associate Professor at New Jersey City University where he taught 19th and 20th-century art history, the art of West Africa, the diaspora and African American art, as well as the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Europe.

Raverty lives in New York City, and is currently co-authoring a book on American illustration with Dennis Dittrich, former president of the Society of Illustrators.

Temple Isaiah is located at One Chelsea Place, off Cutter Mill Road in Great Neck.

Please contact the Temple at ISAIAHGN@YAHOO.COM or (516)4875373 for further information on this fascinating presentation. Suggested donation is $15. Light refreshments will be served.

TOM COTTER

CHRIS MONTY

MIKE MARINO

Stay the Course

Tips to maintain your commitment to exercise

Building a Healthier Mind

3 ways people can boost their mental health every day

Eating to Your Advantage

Healthy eating pointers

Each new day brings the potential for change, even amid the routine of the daily grind W hen people start the day wi th posi tive thoug hts, i t can affect how they behave and see themselves throug hout the day, and may even benefi t their overall health.

The Mayo Clinic says some studies suggest personali ty trai ts such as optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of a person’s health and well-being. Posi tive thinking that is pronounced in optimistic people is associated wi th effective stress management, which translates

into many different health benefi ts.

Some people abide by the “L aw of Attraction,” which states that what a person g ives attention to and thinks about throug hout the day is what will be predominant in their life. W hether this is true or not, many aspire to have more posi tive thoug hts and be in a generally optimistic mindset The following tips can put people on a posi tive path at the start of each day

Beg in the night before

Certain mental health experts suggest clearing the mind in the evening to reduce stressful thinking and create the mental capaci ty to wind down and relax. Keep a notepad handy and jot down any invasive thoug hts or concerns. Removing these thoug hts from the mind and putting them on paper can help you rest more readily Being wellrested can improve mood

Know your weaknesses

Recognize where you may need some help as you strive to be more optimistic Map out the behaviors you want to change, and then be intentional about how you want your day to go and which actions will get you there The Mayo Clinic suggests figuring out what you usually think negatively about ( i.e., work, commuting, life changes) and then approach each aspect in a more posi tive way.

Take a technolog y pause

Do not check email or text messages rig ht after opening your eyes. Similarly, avoid reading the news or watching news programs on television too early Negative or scandalous stories often get the most clicks or views, and coming across upsetting information at the outset of the day can adversely affect your mood Rather, spend time medi tating, praying, reading, or just being in the moment until you are awake.

Recognize the good people are doing

W hen you open your eyes and focus on the posi tives, you’ll see all the good that other people are doing around you Offering compliments or acknowledg ing others’ actions, whether large or small, puts posi tivi ty out there.

Focus on gratitude

Take a few moments at the start of each day to mentally list all the things you are grateful for This may be that you have a cozy home or that you are healthy Even stressful si tuations or people can be means for grati tude Boisterous toddlers may be a handful, but you can be grateful for the abili ty to have had children when so many are not able Starting the day wi th a posi tive mindset is easier than one mig ht think It may take a li ttle practice, but also can beg in to pay posi tive dividends sooner than later.

PAGE 10 •

Tips to maintain your commitment to exercise

A

A

t one point or another, millions of adults across the g lobe have resolved to be more physically active The benefi ts of routine exercise are too numerous to ci te, but some of the more notable ones include a lower risk for chronic disease and illness, improved selfesteem and greater overall health. Wi th so much to gain from routine exercise, i t’s no wonder so many people aspire to be more physically active But i t’s easy to lose motivation when aspiring to exercise more Each year, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more In fact, Statista conducted a survey regarding New Year’s resolutions for 2023 and found that exercising more was the most popular resolution However, a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health found that 64 percent of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions wi thin a month of making them Exercising more requires commi tment, and there are some ways to make i t a li ttle easier to maintain that commi tment over the long haul• Break it up The Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health notes that people don’t need to exercise all at once to reap the rewards of physical activi ty If time is tig ht, break up a workout over the course of your day Some strength-training exercises in the morning can be followed up wi th a brisk walk or run over a lunch break. This approach makes i t easier to fi t a full workout into your daily routine

• Employ the buddy system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that working out wi th a partner increases exercise

motivation and encourages individuals to be more consistent wi th their exercise routine so they do not let their partners down The authors behind a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology suggested the efficacy of the buddy system may require further study before researchers can defini tively say i t’s an effective motivation strateg y for people who want to exercise more But there’s no denying that many individuals feel that they are more likely to exercise wi th a friend than they are if they go solo

t one point or another, millions of adults across the g lobe have resolved to be more physically active. The benefi ts of routine exercise are too numerous to ci te, but some of the more notable ones include a lower risk for chronic disease and illness, improved selfesteem and greater overall health Wi th so much to gain from routine exercise, i t’s no wonder so many people aspire to be more physically active. But i t’s easy to lose motivation when aspiring to exercise more Each year, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more. In fact, Statista conducted a survey regarding New Year’s resolutions for 2023 and found that exercising more was the most popular resolution. However, a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health found that 64 percent of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions wi thin a month of making them. Exercising more requires commi tment, and there are some ways to make i t a li ttle easier to maintain that commi tment over the long haul.Signs

’ re exercising too much

T

motivation and encourages individuals to be more consistent wi th their exercise routine so they do not let their partners down The authors behind a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology suggested the efficacy of the buddy system may require further study before researchers can defini tively say i t’s an effective motivation strateg y for people who want to exercise more But there’s no denying that many individuals feel that they are more likely to exercise wi th a friend than they are if they go solo.

• Schedule exercise time. Busy professionals book work meetings, family obligations and other daily tasks in their schedules, and the T H Chan School of Public Health recommends doing the same wi th exercise Allotting time to exercise each day may decrease the likelihood that you’ll skip a workout, and once results start to manifest you may be more motivated to stay the course

• Identify what progress may look like It’s easy to become discouraged if a commi tment to routine exercise does not produce visi ble results But just because your abs are not becoming chiseled a month into a workout routine or the scale is not reflecting significant weig ht loss does not mean your routine is not working As the human body ages, i t becomes more difficult to transform i t. So a workout routine that left you looking lean and chiseled in your t wenties may not produce the same body in your forties But that does not mean the exercise isn’t working and ultimately helping you get healthier Adults are urged to speak wi th their physicians and identify what progress wi th a workout routine mig ht look like for someone their age Progress may look different than i t did years ago, but if the end result is a healthier you, then that should be all the motivation you need to keep going

he formula for healthy living has remained the same for decades. Healthy eating paired with regular exercise can lower risk for a number of ailments, including chronic diseases But it’s important that individuals avoid overdoing it in regard to exercise Too much of anything can negate its benefits, and exercise is no exceptionThe current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans indicate adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity each week The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children between the ages of three and five need to be active throughout the day Kids between the ages of six and 17 need to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day

Meeting these exercise guidelines is a good step in a healthy direction Those tempted to exercise even more or to extreme levels should be advised of the potential pitfalls of too much exercise, or something called “overtraining ”

• Schedule exercise time. Busy professionals book work meetings, family obligations and other daily tasks in their schedules, and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health recommends doing the same wi th exercise. Allotting time to exercise each day may decrease the likelihood that you’ll skip a workout, and once results start to manifest you may be more motivated to stay the course.

Overtraining syndrome

According to Alena Luciani, M S , C S C S, a strength and conditioning specialist, if a person exercises too much for weeks at a time, the body is put at risk of overtraining syndrome In order for stronger muscles to form, the natural process involves exercise breaking down muscle fibers and the body repairing and rebuilding them. Without time for repair, the body’s rebuilding process is interrupted, which affects its ability to build strength This results in chronic stress known as overtraining syndrome

Mood swings and irritability

Signs you ’ re exercising too

T

he formula for healthy living has remained the same for decades. Healthy eating paired with regular exercise can lower risk for a number of ailments, including chronic diseases. But it’s important that individuals avoid overdoing it in regard to exercise. Too much of anything can negate its benefits, and exercise is no exception.ragged, it cannot do its job well. Illnesses may be able to sneak past the body’s defenses even easier, particularly if exercising too much is paired with calorie restriction that affects balanced nutrition

Overuse injuries

Sore muscles and heavy limbs come from exercise sessions and can be signs of muscle breakdown and repair Overuse can lead to injuries to various parts of the body, particularly if workouts are not varied.

Missed menstrual periods

The Office on Women’s Health says exercising too much can caused missed menstrual periods or make a woman’s period stop entirely Athletes who train hard regularly have been known to have irregular or missed periods

Weight gain

It’s no secret that making a commi tment to routine exercise can be difficult But various strateg ies can increase the likelihood that individuals will stay the course as they seek to exercise more frequently

HYPER-LOCAL NEWS ANYTIME. ANYWHERE THEISLAND360.COM

• Break it up. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that people don’t need to exercise all at once to reap the rewards of physical activi ty. If time is tig ht, break up a workout over the course of your day

• Identify what progress may look like. It’s easy to become discouraged if a commi tment to routine exercise does not produce visi ble results But just because your abs are not becoming chiseled a month into a workout routine or the scale is not reflecting significant weig ht loss does not mean your routine is not working. As the human body ages, i t becomes more difficult to transform i t. So a workout routine that lef t you looking lean and chiseled in your t wenties may not produce the same body in your forties. But that does not mean the exercise isn’t working and ultimately helping you get healthier Adults are urged to speak wi th their physicians and identif y what progress wi th a workout routine mig ht look like for someone their age. Progress may look different than i t did years ago but if

Pushing too long and too hard can actually cause a person to feel overworked and tired This may lead to trouble sleeping, which can cause irritability and mood swings, says MedlinePlus.

Immune system impact

Overdoing exercise may adversely affect the immune system When the body is run

The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans indicate adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity each week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children between the ages of three and five need to be active throughout the day. Kids between the ages of six and 17 need to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day. Meeting these exercise guidelines is a good step in a healthy direction Those tempted to exercise even more or to extreme levels should be advised of the potential pitfalls of too much exercise, or something called “overtraining.”

Many people exercise to lose weight, but overdoing it can have the opposite effect.

ragged, it Illnesses past the b easier, pa too much restrictio nutrition

Overuse

Sore mus come fro and can b breakdow can lead parts of t workouts

Missed

Healthline says exercising too much without resting in between can lead to low testosterone levels and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol These hormonal changes often are associated with loss of muscle tissue, weight gain and even excess belly fat

Overtraining syndrome

According to Alena Luciani, M S , C S C S, a strength and conditioning specialist, if a person exercises too much for weeks at a time, the body is put at risk of overtraining syndrome. In order for stronger muscles to form, the natural process involves exercise breaking down muscle fibers and the body repairing and rebuilding them. Without time for repair, the body’s rebuilding process is interrupted, which affects its ability to build strength This results in chronic stress known as overtraining syndrome

Decline in performance

Overtraining may cause a person to plateau or experience decreased performance rather than improvements in physical ability. Less strength, endurance and agility can make it hard to reach fitness goals

“ The Vacant Space Revival Program qualified us for on-bill credits that really help me manage costs.”

—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown

— Smithtown

Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.

psegliny.com/EcoDev

Fill up on healthy eating pointers

Diet and exercise are the key components of maintaining a healthy weig ht and protecting yourself against chronic disease.

According to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, eating smart and being active have similar effects, including reducing risk for heart disease, hig h blood pressure, stroke, some cancers, and diabetes In addi tion, these healthy living strateg ies can improve personal appearance and improve overall well-being helping people live longer and maintain their independence.

People may wonder how to eat better when faced wi th many diets, each of which promises great results It can be confusing when navigating all of the options, and there is no mag ic formula to eating better Common sense can come into play when attempting to eat better, and individuals also can consider these strateg ies to make diet work for them as they seek to live healthier.

• Eat colorful, varied, nutritionally dense foods. Medical News Today says each meal should be 50 percent frui t and vegetables, 25 percent whole grains, and 25 percent protein Select an array of colorful foods that will provide most of the nutrients needed

• Choose fi ber-rich foods. Fresh frui ts and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes are good sources of fi ber. Fi ber helps people maintain digestive health and can help you to feel fuller longer, reducing the potential for overeating, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Note how you feel after eating. Create a food journal where you jot down notes about how you feel after eating certain foods If you notice that certain foods or ingredients trigger adverse reactions, i t

may be worth avoiding that type of food or looking for an alternative Stomach upset or bloating after eating dair y, for example, may indicate an intolerance for lactose

• Explore the Mediterranean diet. W hile you should avoid fad diets that often produce short-term but unsustainable results, a Medi terranean diet has stood the test of time.

According to the authors of a new study published in JAMA Network Open in October 2023, middle-aged and older adults wi th overweig ht or obesi ty and metabolic syndrome lost visceral fat (belly fat) and showed a greater reduction in the percentage of total fat while adhering to a Medi terranean diet. They also had delayed loss of lean body mass, which often comes wi th ag ing Medi terranean diets priori tize legumes, seafood, vegetables, and “good” fats like olive oil.

• Control portion sizes. Sometimes i t’s not what you eat but how much you eat that affects health Weig hing and measuring food can help you control portions and understand how many calories you’re consuming each day The National Insti tutes of Health says eating plans that favor 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day for women and 1,500 to 1,800 for men are good targets to lose weig ht at a healthy pace when combined wi th moderate exercise.

Balanced eating is a major component of a healthy lifestyle. W hile there are many fad diets, eating plans wi th a proven track record that are supported by the medical communi ty may be your best bet

3 ways people can boost their mental health every day

Mental health issues have garnered considerable attention in recent years, but the scope of the g lobal mental health crisis may be even greater than people realize A recent study co-led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Universi ty of Queensland that was published in The Lancet Psychiatr y in fall 2023 concluded that one out of ever y t wo people in the world will develop a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime That makes mental health disorders a more common problem than cancer, heart disease and other physical ailments that tend to garner more attention than mental health issues

Anyone experiencing mental health issues is urged to speak wi th a medical professional who specializes in such areas. Mental health issues may not manifest wi th symptoms like broken bones that common sense suggests require the assistance of a licensed medical professional, but that does not mean issues affecting the mind or a person’s outlook do not require the help of someone trained to deal wi th them. Much like people can heal from a broken bone after seeing a medical professional, individuals confronting mental health issues have much to gain from working wi th a mental health specialist

A 2021 study from the Uni ted Kingdom-based Mental Health Foundation published in the American Journal of Health Promotion found 29 strateg ies people can employ to protect their mental health. The study considered mental health

Spending time in nature has been found to be beneficial to psychological well-being

research and the views of mental health experts, but also input from the general public regarding ways they confront mental health issues. It’s important that anyone dealing wi th mental health issues not conflate these strateg ies wi th treatment Thoug h they can help protect mental health, they should be seen as a supplement to treatment overseen by a licensed mental health professional A rundown of the 29 strateg ies can be found at mentalhealth.org.uk, but the following are three recommendations that anyone can apply in their daily lives

1. Spend more time in nature. The calming effects of nature have been noted for centuries, if not longer The American Psycholog ical Association notes that spending time in nature benefi ts both physical and psycholog ical well-being in humans. Perhaps that’s one reason why participants in the MHF study reported walks in nature was their preferred way to cope wi th stress stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 The Japanese practice of forest bathing has been noted for i ts posi tive effects on mental health, but even those wi thout ready access to wooded areas should know that simply spending more time outdoors each day can posi tively affect mental health.

2. Avoid using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. The MHF notes that any relief offered by drugs and alcohol is temporar y and can even exacerbate existing mental health issues The American Addiction Centers reports that coping mechanisms are compulsions or habi ts formed over time that serve to hep people manage particular si tuations or issues, including stress. However, the A AC also notes that not all coping mechanisms are beneficial and some, including drug and alcohol use, are maladaptive and destructive After a particularly stressful day, or during times when people are experiencing anxiety and/or depression, avoid looking at drugs or alcohol as means to coping.

3 Get enough sleep The MHF notes that adults need bet ween seven and nine hours of sleep per nig ht Some may see seven hours or more per nig ht as a luxur y, but i t’s important that such an outlook changes. The Columbia Universi ty Department of Psychiatr y notes that there is now robust evidence to support a link bet ween sleep and mental health Insufficient or even poor sleep has been found to increase negative emotional responses to stressors Perhaps even more noteworthy is that poor or insufficient sleep decreases posi tive emotions. So i t’s vi tal to recognize the important role that adequate, good-quali ty sleep has on mental health

These are just a handful of approaches individuals can take to boost their mental health each day

powered by

Fri 2/23

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth

@ 2pm / $20-$125 Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn

UUCSR PRESENTS DINNER AND A FILM AT NO CHARGE!

Nourishing Community, Minds, and Bodies @ 6pm

On Friday, February 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock will welcome members of the com‐munity to a lovingly pre‐pared meal followed by a screening of the 2024. Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock (UUCSR), 48 Shel‐ter Rock Road, Man‐hasset. sesposito@ uucsr.org, 516-4722960

Nate Charlie Music

@ 6pm Dark Horse Tavern, 273 Main St, Farmingdale

Refugee: The Ultimate Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Trib‐ute Band: Refugeethe Tom Petty Experience returns to The Warehouse! @ 6:30pm The Warehouse, 203 Broadway, Amityville

David Bennett Cohen LIVE! @ 7:30pm Port Washington Public Library, 1 Library Dr, Port Washington Lovesong The Band: Stage 317 @ 8pm 317 Main Street, 317 Main St, Farmingdale

Audra McDonald @ 8pm / $60

Audra McDonald in concert. Tilles Center, LIU Post College, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale

Atlanta Rhythm Section @ 8pm

Boulton Center For The Per‐forming Arts, 37 W Main St, Bay Shore

Sat 2/24

New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning @ 2pm / $30-$261

UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Belmont Park - Long Island

Disco Unlimited Debut at EGPO Land and Sea @ 7pm EGP Land & Sea, 2 Pettit Pl, Is‐land Park

Vallenatazo Del Amor @ 8pm / $68.50$178.50

NYCB Theatre at West‐bury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury

Even The Losers - A Tribute to Tom Petty @ 8pm / $16-$36 The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Dan Neary Music @ 11:30pm

Nutty Irishman, 323 Main St, Farmingdale

Sun 2/25

Dan Reardon @ 1pm

JJ Coopers - American Restau‐rant & Bar, 124 W Park Ave, Long Beach

Kelli Baker: Baker/Betti Blues & Booze Happy Hour @ 3:30pm

The Warehouse, 203 Broadway, Amityville

Voyager Reed Quintet

@ 2pm

The Congregational Church of Huntington, United Church of Christ, 30 Washington Dr, Cen‐terport

San Jose Taiko

@ 3pm / $30

High-energy fun in this show that combines music with traditional Japanese drumming!

Tilles Center, LIU Post College, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale

Mon 2/26

QDR Astoria 2 Year Runiversary @ 7:30pm / Free 33-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

Tue 2/27

Jewish Learning Series @ 12:30pm

Join the Mid Island Y JCC and a host of guest presenters for in‐teresting and relevant lectures and discussions related to Ju‐daism and Jewish Culture. MidIsland Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview

Elevation Worship @ 7pm

UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Bellerose Terrace

Wednesday Feb 28th

Gold Coast Arts Cinema Series present Oscar-Nominated Short Films @ 7pm / $16

Manhasset Cinemas, 430 Plandome Road, Manhasset. info@goldcoastarts.org, 516-829-2570

Join Gold Coast Arts and Shorts TV as they present the nominated short �lms in the Live Action category from this year’s Academy Awards, and see if your favorite wins when the Oscars are presented on March 10, 2024! No need to wear your Oscars ballgown or tuxedo for this fun event!

Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn

Savannah Guthrie: Mostly What God Does Book Tour @ 7pm / $39.99-$69.99

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Hunting‐ton

Electrify Your Strings!: Electrify Your Symphony with Mark Wood @ 7:30pm

George W Hewlett High School, 60 Everit Ave, Hewlett

Wed 2/28

Phil Smith @ 7pm

Craft Kitchen & Tap House Huntington, 363 New York Ave, Huntington

A Chorus Line @ 7:30pm

The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village, 34 W Main St, Babylon

Thu 2/29

Swim School - Thursday 6:30 PM Start @ 6:30pm / Free Feb 29th - Jun 20th

Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena, Crooked Hill Rd, Brent‐wood. 631-123-1234

Long Island Nets Vs. Grand Rapids Gold @ 7pm / $12-$102

Nassau Veterans Memorial Col‐iseum, 1255 Hempstead Turn‐pike, Uniondale

Derek War�eld & The Young Wolfe Tones: Live at Carney's Bar and Restaurant - AmityvilleNY @ 7:30pm

Carney's Irish Pub And Restaurant, 136 Broadway, Amityville

Brooklyn Nets v. Atlanta Hawks @ 7:30pm / $41-$4950

The Man In Black: Tribute To Johnny Cash @ 8pm / $24.50-$59.50 The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Hunting‐ton

Fri 3/01

Let's Sing Taylor - With Special Guest Let's Sing Harry @ 7:30pm / $19.50-$39.50 The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

The Irish Tenors @ 8pm / $70

The Tenors’ powerful vocal line-up of An‐thony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly. Tilles Center, LIU Post College, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale

@ https://theisland360.com/local-events/

Calendar information is pro‐vided by event organizers. All events are subject to change or cancellation. This publica‐tion is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in this calendar.

Raanan Hershberg: Brokerage Comedy Club @ 8pm Brokerage Comedy Club, 2797 Merrick Rd, Bellmore The

Medical students explore visual thinking at museum

On Friday, Feb. 9 a group of secondyear medical students, enrolled in the Humanities in Medicine Scholarly Concentration, from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell participated in a creative activity involving visual thinking strategies at the Hofstra University Museum of Art.

Visual thinking strategies are one of the most established and studied forms of art museum-based teaching methods and involve an open-ended facilitated discussion centered around a work of art such as a sculpture or a painting.

As part of the exercise, students observed various pieces from the museum’s current exhibition, “Les Visionnaires: In the Modernist Spirit.” and shared their thoughts as to what they saw and what they believed to be going on in the work of art based off of what they observed.

The students, who were joined by faculty advisors, Drs. Alice Fornari and Taranjeet Kalra Ahuja, shared views, debated various meanings and also reflected on their perspectives as a group.

“The visual thinking strategies activity was a welcome deviation from our usual regimented studies and I appreciated the way we went about the activity at the museum,” reflected second-year medical student, Tisheya Ward, who hails from Brooklyn. “Doing this incentivized us to think about how we can apply the same framework to other parts of our lives, and especially to practice. It’s often uncomfortable to see something and not immediately know what it’s meant to be, but the activity allowed us a space to lean into uncertainty, to make of it what we

could, and to acknowledge that there are so many different ways of seeing and to further explore various perspectives.”

The activity culminates because of research exploring the arts in physician development. More specifically, art-museum-based teaching and art observation exercises have been found to improve physicians’ observation skills when interacting with patients.

Participating in such exercises has allowed physicians to widen their own scope of what they see when meeting a patient, ignore the thoughts or potential diagnoses made by others and even consider the patient’s surroundings and what that may say about them. This was also something brought up during the museum experience.

Students discussed connections to clinical practice and why it’s important to tolerate ambiguity and multiple perspectives to combat thinking programs such as over-confidence and confirmation bias.

Thus, the evidence-based approach reflects that visual thinking strategies can also benefit medical students and allow them to improve their observation skills and what they see for the first time when meeting a patient before they even officially enter practice.

“The visual thinking strategies session at the museum allows students to work together as a team and unpack a piece of art. They see and hear perspectives beyond their own and are open to accepting possibilities that were possibly unseen by them at first,” explained Taranjeet Kalra Ahuja, director of Humanism in Medicine, Communications co-leader and

lens of the arts and humanities. Participating students benefit from faculty mentors and may have the opportunity to publish their work and/or design and implement a program that integrates medicine and the humanities. Students who successfully fulfill the program requirements earn a certificate and a designation at graduation. This collaboration between the Zucker School of Medicine and the Hofstra Museum of Art serves as an important educational lesson and a steppingstone in the careers of this cohort of HIM students.

assistant professor of Science Education and Pediatrics at the Zucker School of Medicine and chair of Pediatrics at Planview Hospital Northwell Health. “These correlate beautifully to patient care. We all bring our lens and expertise to the bedside, and it is only when we collaborate and share ideas can we provide optimal care for our patients.”

While the visual thinking strategies activity lends itself to the development of these future physicians and correlates to skills they will use in clinical practice, it also served as a time to get away from the classroom and de-stress as they get their eyes onto the arts. “Today’s activity was relaxing and refreshing; My background

North Hempstead’s 15th annual vow renewal day

Love filled the air as North Hempstead’s Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava presided over a memorable Valentine’s Day celebration at Harbor Links, officiating fifteen vow renewals and conducting three inaugural weddings.

Against the backdrop of the scenic snowcovered scape of Harbor Links, couples gathered to reaffirm their commitment to love and embark on new journeys together, surrounded by families, friends, residents and Town officials.

Clerk Srivastava was joined by Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and members of the Town Board who offered warm remarks, advice and best wishes on the institution of marriage.

In a touching display of enduring affection, couples from across North Hempstead joined hands to renew their vows symbolizing commitment and resilience of relationships.

“Today was a lot of fun and everybody is so happy. It’s really wonderful to see the older generation and the younger generation together at a Town event,” said a resident.

“This is my first time attending the Town’s Valentine Event”, said another resident, “and I’m looking forward to it again for next year.”

A champagne toast was followed by the couples’ first dance to the tune of Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” With over 150 guests, many joined in the dancing and fun.

Mayor Michael Koblenz of East Hills and his wife Bonnie had their golden vow renewals of

50 years. Milestone anniversaries celebrated included John and Barbara Heslin of Carle Place celebrating 60 years of love, Patricia and Frederick Blumlein celebrating 56 years of enchantment, Michael and Josephine Desposito of Carle Place for 49 years and Scott and Linda Fairgrieve of Mineola for 47 years.

“North Hempstead is a wonderful town, and it is an honor to be a part of these special moments in the lives of our residents,” Srivastava said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to witness and facilitate the celebration of togetherness.”

North Hempstead TV will be airing highlights from this event. Tune in to NHTV on Channel 18/65 on Cablevision and Channel 46 on Verizon FIOS or log on to www.myNHTV.com.

is in archaeology and material culture, and I think this session reinforced skills that I have been developing for many years,” said second-year medical student Liam McGuirk, a West Nyack native. “I think the session was rewarding because it conveyed meaningful career skills using art. It made me feel more comfortable drawing conclusions and justifying my thoughts when there is truly no ‘right’ way to interpret the art.”

The Humanities in Medicine Scholarly Concentration allows Zucker School of Medicine students to undertake rigorous independent scholarship in crossdisciplinary fields of interest by studying biomedically relevant topics through the

“Simply put, visual arts are part of the humanities, so we always want to make sure that our Humanities students are exposed to the visual arts. In traditional classes that we run with sessions, it’s much harder to do that because the ideal thing is to go to the museum. So this opportunity to actually go to a museum and look at the artwork and experience it in person while also practicing these visual thinking strategies is key to helping students understand the full scope,” explained Alice Fornari, associate dean for Educational Skills Development and professor of Science Education and Family Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and vice president of Faculty Development at Northwell Health. “Experiencing the museum in person goes beyond just looking at a picture on a PowerPoint slide. It’s much more impactful. It allows for students to get the full experience and then hopefully transfer that to the patient care when they see a patient and think, right, I must observe everything about what I’m seeing.”

Day of Education at the Guidance Center

To celebrate International Day of Education, MTO Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism rallied the community to donate art and early learning supplies for the children of North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center.

Dozens of gift bags were donated and distributed to the young clients of the Guidance Center’s Manhasset location, the Marks Family Right from the Start Center 0-3+, providing an outlet for kids to use art and creativity as a way to strengthen their mental wellbeing.

“The donation represents our collective effort to come together and spread the message of peace, love, and hope,” said MTO volunteer Ellica Sedigh. “MTO professor Nader Angha, the current Sufi Master, has said that “hope is a planted seed in fertile ground that bears fruit.” Through these gift bags we symbolize the act of planting seeds of hope for children facing mental health challenges.”

Sue Cohen, the director of clinical services at the Marks Family Right from the Start Center 0-3+, shared that the gift bags were greatly appreciated by the Guidance Center’s clients and their parents. “The goodies in the bags align with the work that we do on finding appropriate activities to use as coping mechanisms and grounding skills,” she said.

Town of Hempstead Super-

visor Jennifer DeSena, a longtime supporter of both North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and MTO Shahmaghsoudi, stated “Mental health is something I have worked to promote and educate about for many years. MTO and the Guidance Center both share a devotion to mental health and finding balance in positive ways through serving and educating the community.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

Faculty, staff and students alike debate what they see while observing a work of art.

MTO, North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Guidance Center Staff

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD

Business&RealEstate

Lowering, increasing rates carries risks

Well, we are now into 2024 and interest rates have come down from the high of 8%+ in 2023, and now according to https://WWW. NerdWallet.com, 30-year fixed rates w/full doc loans are vacillating in and around 7%7.9% APR depending on one’s income, credit and debt/income ratios as well as the lender.

Fifteen-year rates w/full doc loans are hovering around a low of 6%+ APR. Many of the expert economists are not 100% confident that they will go down and some even contemplate that they could even still increase, depending on the inflation numbers.

One thing is for sure, our government says inflation has increased and is hovering around 3.9% in February; affected mainly by consumer spending, supply-chain shortages, and I believe even unemployment. Their numbers don’t convey to me the entire story.

As I have mentioned in previous columns, the Fed inflation formula is the prices of goods and services over time. As inflation increases so does the CPI, and the value of your dollar (and our U.S. currency) decreases, enabling one to purchase fewer goods and services for the same dollar amount.

The cost of living increases for most, as you need more dollars to buy the same amount of goods and services. This can hamstring the economy by depressing purchasing capability.

However, too low inflation is also unacceptable, because it’s an impediment and restriction on economic growth. More important the current inflation numbers are not representative of and do not include or account for the cost of energy, food, or shelter, which can have a more negative effect on the true

inflation numbers, if included.

The Fed says that they are too volatile to be included; but how can we trust and judge actual inflation that we are all experiencing if they are not included?

If we knew the truth, we just might slow down are conspicuous consumption spending habits. More important 70% of our economy is consumer spending; so the government doesn’t want us to stop spending, but possibly to curtail the number of dollars spent.

But isn’t that how inflation can be reduced, by balancing somewhat less spending and decreasing the number of new jobs needed to a more manageable level? However, you wouldn’t know this by the current credit card debt increasing month over month and the 353,000 jobs that were just created in January.

The next time bomb to drop will be all the mortgages due for refinancing on office buildings throughout the U.S.

The rates probably will double, possibly triple, depending on the debt/income of the properties and the risk to the banks. The cap rates, profit, and values are being severely affected, due to the Pandemic that caused the exiting of employees to settle into remote and hybrid work environments.

Values have continued tumbling and there will be many more fire sales. Paying off their current humongous mortgages will be very challenging, if not impossible! Many Hedge Funds and REITS (real estate investment trusts) have been handing over their non-performing properties back to their lenders and have been snatched up at severely discounted prices.

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

Refinancing just might be moot to consider as there still would be negative cash flow and losses.

Not sure how so many economists, noit-alls, and prognosticators keep talking about a soft landing! I do hope they are correct, but I am far from agreeing and accepting their statements observing what is continuing to occur in the commercial market. The jury is out and we’ll all see what happens over the next 12-24 months.

If the Fed chair, Jerome Powell does initiate and approve a reduction, how many will there be and what will the total percentage be during 2024?

Even if rates were to go down to 5%, which I seriously doubt, the average renter who would want to buy, may still be shut out

of the market, due to the still ever-increasing and high prices of homes and extremely low housing inventory; especially on Long Island as well as in other areas throughout the country.

Unless demand subsides and rates stay the same, I predict that local inventory may take 5-10 years to catch up with the current and future demand for housing. We lack approximately 5-6 million homes to satisfy current demand from those who are entering the market yearly and are capable of purchasing.

For more information: https://WWW. ipropertymanagement.com and https:// WWW.statista.com Only those who are bringing home a substantial income whether it be as a high-paying executive or self-employed entrepreneur, or possible 2-3 wage, salary or income earners, will be able to save enough for a much larger downpayment.

Only those families will be able to pay the monthly mortgage, taxes, and expenses and be able to purchase a home, multi-family, HOA, condo, or coop.

Unfortunately, everyone else will either be a tenant (possibly for life) or be living with family. Sadly, those 43.2 million students burdened with their substantial debt approaching $1.7 trillion and private student debt of $130.28 billion, are two additional groups that will probably be forever renters unless they can pay down or pay off their obligations. For more information: https://www. educationdata.org

The other issue and major dilemma that needs to be addressed is that if and when rates are lowered what effect will there be on reinvigorating and increasing inflation?

Consumers may again go on a continued spending spree with their credit cards adding to even higher more substantial and unsustainable debt levels. On the flip side, lower rates will allow more qualified individuals and families to buy a home.

According to https://WWW.attomdata. com, the premier go-to source for premium property data shows that Lis Pens (pre-foreclosures) and foreclosures have been spiking from December 2023 through January 2024.

So I do not think we are out of the woods by a long shot. It’s a real catch-22, damned if we do lower or increase rates and damned if we don’t.

P.S. I am having a contest. Whoever guesses correctly, how many interest rate reductions and the total percentage reduced will win a dinner with my wife and me and a surprise bonus.

The contest will end on March 31 and the final drawing will be on Dec. 28

The first correct answer picked will be the winner! To be qualified, you must send your answers to Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Com with your legal 1st and last name, cell, and email by midnight on 3/31/24.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Comor viahttps://WWW.LiRealEstate.Com My New Electronic signature/ Bio/Reviews to save to your Cell/PC contacts. I am the U.S.A. distributor: https://onetapconnect.com/turnkeyrealestate-philraices

The “Internet of Things” and Smart Clothing

You’ve probably heard of the Internet of things, but thought, “what does it mean to me?” To answer that exciting question, let’s first understand the term itself:

the future is now

The Internet of things (IoT) is the interconnection, via the internet, of computing devices into everyday objects giving them the ability to send and receive data.

We already monitor our home security via smart camera devices and troubleshoot appliance repairs by connecting directly to technical support. But there are even cooler IoT applications in the works!

“Soon, the Internet of Things will meet Gucci in the form of smart clothing. For example, swimwear can include UV sensors to prevent overexposure to harmful radiation. Smart footwear may improve your running technique or monitor the mobility of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Manufacturers might embed haptic feedback into textiles to correct your posture or improve your yoga pose. And don’t forget the accessories, such as the Ray-Ban Stories smart sunglasses (that provide a window to social media when the user is otherwise offline).”

- William Diggin, Accenture

Let Sandwire Technology Group show your small business that the future is NOW.

Business&RealEstate

EGC Group joins global marketing association

The EGC Group was selected to join the prestigious organization, AMIN Worldwide (Advertising and Marketing Independent Network), a global alliance of forward-thinking agencies.

Joining AMIN Worldwide marks a significant milestone for EGC Group, enhancing client services through unparalleled access to global market insights and data-driven strategies.

This partnership uniquely positions the agency to deliver even more innovative and effective solutions to clients. EGC Group stands out as being the sole member agency headquartered in the New York City Metro and Long Island area.

“We are thrilled to join AMIN

as a member agency, furthering our global reach and media strength,” said Nicole Penn, CEO of The EGC Group.

AMIN Worldwide is a global alliance of over 50 independentlyowned marketing and advertising agencies. Its member agencies are from 28 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

AMIN members in the United States alone represent$1 billion in total client media spend. More than 100 global Fortune 500 clients are supported by AMIN agencies.

Headquartered in Delaware, AMIN was formed in the U.S. in 1932 as an organization where small-to-midsized full-service ad-

vertising agencies could share best practices, media, and research resources.

Today, the alliance helps its members learn how to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of advertising through trusted member-to-member communication, the development of educational conferences, and international collaboration between members.

Daniel Gale holds annual ‘Give for Good’ fundraiser

The Young Professionals Network of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty recently held its Second Annual Give for Good fundraising event.

Held at The Inn at New Hyde Park, the gala event, which included dinner, dancing, raffles and vendor tables, raised more than $50,000 for the Daniel Gale Foundation, a charitable organization wholly funded by donations from Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty real estate advisors, staff, management, senior executives and board members.

The goal of YPN is to offer real estate advisors in the early stages of their careers a platform to build relationships, grow their business & make a difference.

Fundraising, paired with networking events, play a key role in the mission of benefitting the communities these outstanding young professionals serve.

“I am so impressed with what these highly motivated young professionals achieve with their efforts. Give for Good was an amazing evening on many levels – fundraising, fun raising and a demonstration of our strong Daniel Gale Sotheby’s culture,” enthused Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Deirdre O’Connell, who joined the party.

The 10-member YPN advisory board is complemented by 45 members representing Daniel Gale Sotheby’s 29 sales offices from Brooklyn and Queens to the East End of Long Island, all

of whom also contribute to quarterly fundraising activities.

Last year, YPN raised more than $100,000 for the Daniel Gale Foundation. Give for Good was co-chaired by Melissa Stark, sales manager for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s Huntington and Northport offices, and Kathleen McCarthy, real estate advisor from the Garden City office with the assistance of a committee of 11 volunteers made up of real estate advisors and marketing and administrative personnel.

“Melissa and I love working on Give for Good because we deeply believe that it is good to give,” said Kathleen McCarthy.

“We couldn’t go it without the energy, commitment, and creativity of our committee and the overall enthusiasm and support of our Daniel Gale family.”

Because of the generous contributions of Give for Good event sponsors including Embrace Home Loans, Chase Home Lending, Citizen’s Bank, Wells Fargo, Sotheby’s International Realty, Bulovos Restoration, Financial Equities, Fuschetto Developments, Meadowbrook, Rally Point East, Valley Bank, Zito Firm, Patricia J. Petersen and Jon Pappas., 100% of ticket sales were donated to the Daniel Gale Foundation.

The Young Professionals Network of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty recently held its Second Annual Give for Good fundraising event, raising more than $50,000 for the Daniel Gale Foundation. Pictured left to right is committee that made it all happen: Jennifer Schumacher, Pam Kenlon, Kristen Denihan, Abby Sheeline, Katherine Cirelli, committee co-chairs Melissa Stark and Kathleen McCarthy; Leah Tozer, Christianne Mustazza, Mary Beth Darcy, Patricia Moroney, Joseph LaViola, and Nikoletta Markou.

House blocks SALT revision LI reps sought

Continued from Page 8

“My priority is to get the state and local tax reduction back,” Suozzi told PIX 11 in a special on Jan. 30. He blamed Republicans for not passing SALT through the House. Suozzi boasted about passing a fix on SALT three times while he was in Congress, though he acknowledged that the proposed deductions did not make it through the Senate.

“One thing I didn’t agree with [Trump on]: He took away the SALT deduction from

New Yorkers,” Pilip told PIX11. “It was helping a lot of families and they deserve that.”

Pilip claimed that Suozzi was not able to maintain SALT deductions during his time in Congress.

The current SALT cap is set to expire in 2025. The question remains whether Suozzi and his fellow representatives will be able to make progress on SALT deductions by 2025.

Suozzi, who defeated Pilip and is headed back to the House, declined to comment.

Nassau lags in release of disparity study

Continued from Page 8

pursuing corrective actions. Former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who served until December 2023, announced the creation of a new task force in his last days in office.

This new task force focuses on maximizing participation of businesses owned by underrepresented groups in the county’s procurement process.

Bellone said the new unit’s goal is for 16% of Suffolk County contracts to go to businesses owned by women, minorities or disabled veterans.

New York State has a goal for MWBE state contracts. In 2014, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo raised the goal to 30% of all state contracts going to MWBEs. In 2021, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York State exceeded the target of awarding more than a third of state contracts to MWBEs.

Solages said that releasing the Nassau County study results is a matter of accountability. He is the son of Haitian immigrants and a Nassau County legislator representing New York’s 3rd Congressional District.

Solages believes the Nassau County results are being withheld by Blakeman. He said he expects the Nassau County study results to be similar to Suffolk County’s findings.

“Based upon information and belief, [Blakeman is withholding the results] because the results show that there is a complete lack of contracting in a manner that is equitable for all residents and community members in Nassau County,” said Solages. “It is not something we should be proud of.”

Solages called for the Nassau County results to be released in order to start addressing the lack of county contracts going to MWBEs. He supports the creation of a Nassau task force similar to the one developed by Bellone in Suffolk County and said it is important to set timelines and goals like the 30% benchmark put down by Cuomo.

“The fact that we’ve delayed releasing these results — it further increases the perception that Nassau County is not a place for all communities to do business in,” said Solages. “The aim of the disparity study is not to just say hey, gotcha! It’s to improve our society.”

The legislator is worried that minority

and women-owned businesses will be discouraged from setting up shop in Nassau County, which he said can negatively affect the county’s gross domestic product.

Solages characterized local government leaders as “hypocritical” for not releasing the results of the study.

“For leaders to [say] Happy Black History Month. Oh, I believe in Dr. King … but not do anything about [the disparity issue] when they have the full capacity and power to do something about that — you tell me what you think that person who does that should be called,” Solages said. “You know, they always love our veterans, you know, would do anything for our veterans. Well, you’re not even giving them a fair shot in the county contracting process.”

Above all, Solages is concerned about the immediate release of the Nassau disparity study. He said people would commend Blakeman for making it public and are smart enough to know that the county executive is not responsible for the results.

Efforts to reach Blakeman were unavailing.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NASSAU COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages calls upon Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman to release the results of the disparity study.

Blood drive at the Great Neck Library on Feb. 28

The New York Blood Center is having a Blood Drive at the Great Neck Library at 159 Bayview Ave in Great Neck, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Appointments are preferred; however, walkins will be welcome if space permits. Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your ID with

your name and photo. Mask requirements may change depending on CDC guidelines. Visit nybc. org/coronavirus for complete COVID-19 safety protocols.

For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

a

CD3 election shows community voter shifts

Continued from Page 1

Pilip won with more than 60% of the vote in Great Neck, where she lives and serves in the county Legislature.

In Kings Point, Pilip garnered 88% of the vote vs. Suozzi’s 12%, while 90% of Saddle Rock voted for the Republican candidate.

In November’s supervisor race, 86% of Kings Point voters elected Republican Jennifer DeSena. This increased by 2% in votes for Republican Pilip in the special election this month.

Southern portions of Great Neck – including Great Neck Plaza, Thomaston and Lake Success – held onto their historically blue presence with majorities voting for Suozzi.

The New Hyde Park and Williston areas, which have historically favored Republican candidates, also proved to be a win for Suozzi where he garnered a majority of the votes.

Pockets of districts in these two communities favored Pilip, but only two exceeded more than 70% of the total votes for the Republican, with most ranging from 50% to 62% of the votes.

In comparison to the race for North Hempstead town supervisor in November, many communities that favored the Republican candidate in the town race flipped when it came to the congressional special election.

This included areas like New Hyde Park, which averaged 56.7% of the votes for Republican Supervisor DeSena yet swung blue for Suozzi with only pockets of election districts holding onto their Republican majorities.

Nassau County and state Demo-

cratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs attributed part of his party’s poor showing in November to the “exceedingly low” turnout in an odd-year election.

“The lesson is this: It is incumbent upon us to see to it that we get a system where we can run elections like these that are important elections that have important races in even years when the voters are of a mindset to come out and vote,” Jacobs said at the Garden City Hotel at the time. “We need voters who are going to pay attention to the issues. We need voters who are going to feel engaged in an election.”

On Election Night for the special election, Jacobs thanked a slew of New York Democrats for the Democratic win, from the governor to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn and the party volunteers.

“That’s what makes a night like this possible,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs told Newsday that even in Republican-majority voting districts, Suozzi received more votes than what was anticipated.

With more than 30,000 independent voters in the district, Jacobs told Newsday that Suozzi fared well in capturing the support of voters who comprise 21% of the district.

“This time the unaffiliated voters went with us,” Jacobs told Newsday.

Efforts to garner comment from the Nassau County Democratic Party were unavailing.

Other areas along the North Shore that produced more votes for Pilip included Manhasset, Old Westbury and East Hills, yet Pilip won by margins under 15 points.

In the southern part of the dis-

trict, including Massapequa, Massapequa Park and North Massapequa, Pilip beat her opponent as expected in the Republican-dominated area. Democratic areas overwhelmingly voted for Suozzi, like Port Washington where he garnered 73% of the votes.

While the Port Washington village of Manorhaven still holds a Democratic majority, its margins between Republicans and Democrats

are smaller compared to the Port Washington communities of Baxter Estates, Port Washington North and Sands Point.

Manorhaven Mayor John Popeleski, a registered Republican, was one of the mayors who endorsed Suozzi early in the campaign.

Popeleski told Blank Slate his decision was motivated by his familiarity with Suozzi and confidence in his ability to work across party lines.

“He does work with everyone,” Popeleski said. “It’s not about being a Republican or a Democrat, it’s about what’s best for the people.”

While he endorsed Suozzi for this congressional campaign, he said Pilip, who has completed two years in the county Legislature could be a stronger candidate in the future once established more in politics.

“Maybe one day,” Popeleski said. “Not yet with her.”

Village of G.N. increases fines to deter violations

Continued from Page 2

The agencies were then adopted by the international community through the 1951 Refugee Convention and the UNHCR statute adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.

The agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees described its pursuit of

supporting the refugees “until a just and durable solution to their plight is found.”

Bral, who immigrated to the United States, said he was a refugee supported by the UNHCR but that the general refugee agency has limits to how long they support a refugee. He said his was terminated within a year

of receiving his green card.

But he said this is not the same for Palestinian refugees, who he said can be supported for an indeterminate amount of time and can be passed onto their children regardless of where they are born.

“This is what the problem is in the Middle East,” Bral said.

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has been accused by Israel of having ties to Hamas, which Bral also echoed Tuesday night.

UNRWA has denied these accusations.

These accusations have led to the agency’s funding being cut by the United States and other countries.

Bral said he is happy with President Joseph Biden’s cutting of funds to the United Nations agency, but asked that residents ask their congressman to defund and dismantle UNWRA.

The Great Neck Board of Trustees will convene again at 7:30 p.m. on March 5.

Town hires first woman DPW commissioner

Continued from Page 2

“I’ve just been learning the process so that I know when someone comes to me with this kind of an issue how I’m actually supposed to move it forward or what I need to ask to then get the information to move it forward, which person I should go to with that information or direct them towards with it,” she said.

In her new position as DPW com-

missioner, Seleski – who described herself as a lifelong learner – said she is looking forward to developing the new skills associated with the job.

Seleski earned a civil engineering degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Upon graduation, Seleski found she wanted to be in the thick of engineering projects, pivoting from a design concentration to construction

management. During her career, she has worked on job sites learning all the aspects of construction and how to manage these projects.

Seleski has been in construction management for the past 15 years, primarily working in New York City, but then underwent another pivot in her career aspirations.

When she saw the job posting for

the town commissioner position, Seleski said she realized she could now see her projects in her very own community.

“This would be so much closer to home and I get to drive by these things all the time,” Seleski said.

As the first woman to take on this role permanently, Seleski said it’s an honor but that she hopefully will not be the last.

The town’s Department of Public Works has other women employed, and Seleski said they have been a great resource to her as she leads the department.

“Hopefully, it shouldn’t matter,” Seleski said. “Whoever is the most qualified is the one who prevails, but the real issue is getting more women into engineering and civil engineering in particular.”

PHOTO BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Mazi Pilip concedes in the Feb. 13 special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, where she won majorities in her hometown of Great Neck but lost overall to her Democratic opponent, Tom Suozzi.

Parkville library reopens after renovations

Continued from Page 1

Notable changes to the library are a new children’s room, featuring an adjacent family bathroom and encompassing windows that draw in bright light, and an expanded variety of seating throughout.

Also included is a new, large meeting room located by the front entrance to accommodate scheduled programs and activities.

Library Director Denise Corcoran said the “ideas, hopes and visions” of the community are engrained in the library’s renovations.

“This renovation demonstrates the library’s commitment to being a cornerstone for connectivity, inspiration, culture, education and recreation,” Corcoran said.

Library Patrons Robert and Mona Harvey said they were pleased with the library’s new look and that renovations helped make the space look bigger while offering more seating.

“It’s about time,” Robert Harvey said.

Renovation discussions began in 2017, and after several years of planning and months of construction were finally unveiled.

“So the construction was fast,” Martin jokingly said.

The renovation process had its challenges, noted by former library trustee Donald Panetta, who quit in the midst of an October meeting after a heated argument with Corcoran over the library branch’s closure.

Panetta told Blank Slate that his resignation was fueled by frustrations over the way the renovation was handled and the lack of an alternative library location for New Hyde Park residents.

The branch reopening also faced delays, with a tentative open -

ing scheduled for the end of 2023 and pushed out to February due to unforeseen necessary construction.

While the process may have been long, it was all worth it for

Martin. “The Great Neck Library Parkville Branch has long been a center in this community, and it was a center for the amazing library

service that the Great Neck Library and its dedicated staff provides,” Martin said. “But the prior space did not match the high bar set by its library services.”

The Parkville Branch will also be getting a new face to lead the location, Branch Head William Rosenblum, who is transferring from the Lakeville Branch.

Manhasset’s Herb and Olive serves a taste of Greece

Continued from Page 3

began cooking “everything we had left in the kitchen,” and distributing the food to local hospitals and delivering it to families in need.

“We’d get a call from our local churches, saying ‘we have a hungry family, what can $40 get them?’” Petropoulos recalled. “And we’d give them whatever we had. There was so much

need.”

While she had to temporarily lay off most of her employees for a few months, Petropoulos turned Herb and Olive into a mini-market, selling staples like eggs, milk and bread, anything to keep her business running.

“I always used to tell my students “dream big, one day your dream will come true,” she

said. “It may not happen today, but keep dreaming. And I wanted to keep my dream going.”

Eventually Herb and Olive was able to reopen with space restrictions, and slowly an eatery that would offer shared small plates had to deal with the fact that no one wanted to share anything for a while (fear of COVID, of course).

But as restrictions eased, Petropoulos saw

her customers come back, and now she’s looking to build bigger and better.

“The community supported me during COVID and I’ll never forget that, so I want to make our restaurant as good as possible,” she said. “I want to see all the (local) restaurants do well, bring more people here, and see all of us succeed.”

Chaminade alum gains TikTok fame with pizzeria

Continued from Page 4

cle Giuseppe’s supermarket by my house,” says Polumbo. “A girl with her father [were] walking around the store, following me, looking at me

crooked, and finally they had the courage to say, ‘Oh, hey, are you the guy from the pizza place?’” Polumbo says he doesn’t foresee the TikTok videos ending anytime soon.

And as for Murphy, he might even make a career out of it. Murphy is a freshman at Bentley University, where he hopes to cinch some marketing internships and is currently a content creator

for the school. He creates Instagram and TikTok posts for the university’s accounts, just like he did for Gino’s. The only difference, of course, is the lack of pizzas being thrown at his head.

PHOTO BY CAMERYN OAKES

Staff and local officials cut the ribbon to unveil the newly renovated Great Neck Library Parkville Branch.

of tax sale.

The following is a list of the real estate to be sold for unpaid taxes for the year 2023 with a statement of the amount of all charges thereon March 04th, 2024, the description of the properties being those on the Tax Map of the Village of Kings Point:

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2004-4 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004-4, V. POURAN DARVISHZADEH, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 12, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2004-4 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004-4 is the Plaintiff and POURAN DARVISHZADEH, ET AL. are the Defendant(s).  I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 21, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 18 REDBROOK TERRACE, GREAT NECK, NY 11023:  Section 1, Block 142, Lot 48:   ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE VILLAGE OF GREAT NECK, TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 007494/2015. Andrew Preston, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for

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Skills to the test at the N.Y. Ultrasound Olympics

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell held its first-ever ultrasound competition, ZonoSlam, on Feb. 10.

This groundbreaking event brought together sixteen teams of over 80 medical students from institutions across the tri-state area, showcasing their technical prowess, eye-hand coordination, and sensory abilities essential for ultrasound proficiency.

The Zucker School of Medicine was one of the first medical schools in the nation to incorporate ultrasound into its undergraduate curriculum.

Ultrasound is fundamental for almost all medical specialties and has become indispensable in facilitating bedside care and enhancing patient outcomes.

ZonoSlam, sponsored by Northwell Health’s Department of Radiology and organized by the Zucker School of Medicine’s Ultrasound Interest Group, further emphasizes the importance of ultrasound education and proficiency among medical students.

“The members of the Ultrasound Interest Group have long envisioned organizing a competition like ZonoSlam to create a lasting legacy for future students,” shared Pegah Blustein, a fourthyear medical student and event co-organizer. “We are thrilled to witness this goal come to fruition and are delighted with the event’s resounding success. We believe that ZonoSlam is the first of many such competitions.”

The competition pushed the boundaries of traditional ultrasound training by incorporating fun and challenging

clinical application of Point-of-Care Ultrasound. Ultrasound instructor Radha Persaud, provided guidance and support to the students when they expressed their desire to leave a legacy for future medical students.

“They had the idea for the competition and really took the lead coordinating with the New York Ultrasound Olympics and even went to the national competition to see how it’s done,” stated Persaud, who coordinates the school’s SONICS program. “We’ve had such enthusiasm for the competition; I’m very proud of the students’ accomplishments.”

ZonoSlam welcomed medical students from all years of study, attracting teams from prestigious institutions across the region. Team members embraced the chance to partake in the inaugural competition, highlighting the value of such events in honing their ultrasound skills.

noSlam revealed two first-place winners — the Stony Brook University team, “Ahmad’s Attenuators,” and New York University’s “Ultraviolets.” NYU’s team, “For the Gel of It!” clinched second place, followed closely by the Zucker School of Medicine team, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Probe,” with the third-place win. “We worked really well together as a team and had a lot of fun!” exclaimed Shabnam Parsa, a secondyear Stony Brook University medical student, reflecting on her team’s victorious experience.

The competition also drew many first-year medical students who were surprised by how much they already knew. “I had a lot of fun, and even though I am a first-year medical student, I felt capable and also learned a lot,” Divya Kalluri, a Zucker School of Medicine student, remarked.

tasks like hula hoops, charades and even performing a sonogram while blindfolded.

Blustein’s classmate and co-organizer, Ella Taubenfeld, was the creative mind behind the engaging games of ZonoSlam.

“Our goal with designing the games was to have a breadth of every aspect of ultrasound, from head to toe,” explained Taubenfeld. “We mixed it up with challenges like blind taboo, cornhole, and

scan-pong to show how we can have fun while learning how to use ultrasound to see inside the body.”

Taubenfeld, Blustein, and their fellow event organizer, Ishi Aron, are enrolled in the Certificate of Special Proficiency in Medical Ultrasound program (SONICS)at the Zucker School of Medicine.

This program offers MD candidates the opportunity to undergo additional specialized training in the theory and

“I decided to participate in ZonoSlam because I thought it was a great opportunity to gain more ultrasound experience,” stated Adam Friedman, a second-year student at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.

During the day-long competition, teams rotated through various stations designed to test their medical knowledge and technical abilities. Extra points were gained for team spirit, expressed through colorful uniforms reflecting team names – many incorporated biological terms and ultrasound lingo like Probe Masters, Double Decidugals and Goofy Gubernacula.

The eagerly awaited results of Zo-

Dr. David Teng, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Zucker School of Medicine and the pediatric emergency medicine attending at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments.

“The students are the brain trust of all of this,” stated Teng, who served as the faculty advisor for ZonoSlam. “They have set into motion a fantastic educational product that benefits all students, whether they go into specialties that use point-of-care ultrasound or not. ZonoSlam showcased our medical students’ technical proficiency and underscored their dedication to advancing medical education and patient care through innovative approaches like ultrasound training.”

Lt. governor taps Old Westbury students for input

Eight students of SUNY Old Westbury recently took part in a meeting with New York State Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado to provide information and insight to inform the state’s work in creating a new Office of Service and Engagement.

The creation of the Office of Service and Civic Engagement within the Office of the lieutenant governor was recently announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul in her “2024 State of the State” as a means of uplifting communities statewide through accessible public service opportunities.

“Elevating the important work of service will bring New Yorkers together around the greater good and anchor us in our shared capacity to love and have compassion for one another,” said Delgado. “I am honored to lead this effort, and I’m inspired by what I know New Yorkers can and will do in the name of service to each other.”

Delgado visited Old Westbury to learn more about service engagements both on campus and off-campus that students are already engaged, to hear about their experiences and motivations, and to uncover potential challenges that would serve as obstacles to engaging students in service.

“Our students did a wonderful job

of describing for the lieutenant governor key ideas that I’m sure he will use to inform his decisions,” said SUNY Old Westbury President Timothy E. Sams. “From the busy academic and work schedules of today’s students to

the likely need for incentives to the linkage to existing opportunities on campuses across the state, their input provided a valuable lens from which new solutions can come.”

The Old Westbury students partic-

ipating in the meeting were Markwan Angulo (Accounting), Melissa Gordillo-Gomez (Mental Health Counseling), Cindy Guzman (Criminology), Kevin Hertell (Professional Studies), Crystal “Amira” Richardson (Philoso-

phy/Politics, Economics and Law), Nevethalie Saintune (Politics, Economics and Law), Jaiden Sam (Politics, Economics and Law/English) and Isabel Torres (Psychology).

To launch the lieutenant governor’s service initiative, New York will recruit an inaugural class of the Empire State Service Corps Program in partnership with the State University of New York.

Modeled after the California College Corps, the Empire State Service Program will provide paid work opportunities to college students as a way of serving their community.

Participating college students will commit to performing necessary community service work for 300 hours a year, such as tutoring in high-need K-12 schools, distributing meals to those facing food insecurity, and taking climate action.

With a historic mission that includes weaving the values of integrity, community engagement, and global citizenship into the fabric of its academic programs and campus life, SUNY Old Westbury is a campus committed to offering in-class and realworld engagements that stimulate a passion for learning in students and a commitment to building a more just and sustainable world.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZUCKER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Zucker School of Medicine’s “The JAKStats” team members, left to right. Kadir Ozler and Senya Huda helped guide Alisa Liu’s hand as she performed an ultrasound on team member Joshua Kim while blindfolded.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNY OLD WESTBURY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

The attendees at the meeting included, back row, left to right, President TImothy Sams, Jaiden Sam, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, Markwan Angulo, Crystal “Amira” Richardson and Kevin Hertell, front row left to right, Assistant Provost Cris Notaro, Cindy Guzman, Nevethalie Saintune, Isabel Torres and Melissa Gordillo-Gomez.

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Family and Children’s Association, Long Island’s leading health and human services nonprofit organization, announced the opening of two FCA Gambling Support and Wellness Centers, one in Hempstead, the other in Hicksville.

The services available in these centers will be made possible partially through a $200,000 donation made by Sands New York.

“From the state lottery expansion to casinos to online sports betting, which became legal in New York in 2021, gambling is here to stay. It’s imperative that we introduce new programs to identify and treat problem gambling especially as the need emerges,” said FCA President and CEO Jeffrey Reynolds. “This is particularly important for college kids and people who already have a casino that blinks, beeps and beckons in their back pocket 24/7. We want to make the resources readily available to every Long Islander who needs or wants help.”

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, about 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives, with 60% having gambled within the past year. However, between 1% and 2% of the U.S. adult population, or 2 to 4 million adults, will experience a gambling disorder in their lifetime.

“We know that most people who gamble, do it as a form of entertainment. As a responsible community partner and industry-leading entertainment company we must identify and help solve for issues in our community,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president at Las Vegas Sands. “We are proud to partner with FCA to provide this valuable resource to Long Islanders.”

With the increase in online sports betting, gambling has reached newer, younger audienc-

es, many unaware of the larger consequences of problem gambling.

New York recently announced that it generated $862 million from mobile sports wagering in its second year of operation. When added to the $693 million and $200 million in licensing fees collected in 2022, that brings the total generated revenue to $1.75 billion.

The addition of 3 downstate gaming licenses to be awarded by New York State is expected to further increase state revenue from gambling.

Sands New York is currently preparing a bid for one of the three available gaming licenses for its planned integrated resort and entertainment center at the Nassau Coliseum property in Uniondale, New York.

FCA, with its 140-year history of helping Long Islanders, has won state certification from the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to provide problem gambling counseling and support to those who need or want help.

FCA’s new Gambling Support and Wellness Centers will offer individual, group, and family counseling including financial counseling and planning to individuals and families experiencing problem gambling issues.

The announcement was made during a press conference at FCA headquarters in Garden City. Joining Reynolds at the podium were FCA Assistance VP Clinical Services Nicolle Vasselman; Pam Brenner-Davis, regional team lead NY Council on Problem Gambling Resource Center; Ron Reese Sr. vice president Las Vegas Sands; Addis Carbonnell- O’Connell, director of compliance at Jacke’s 58 and Michael Bonakdar, the general manager of Jake’s 58.

Sands New York Donates $200,000 to Family and Children’s Association to expand services

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Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times). Holy Mary I place this prayer in your hands (say three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. (MAK)

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RUNNING TO GLORY

Manhasset boys track and field

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Track and field is that most democratic of team sports. In basketball or baseball or football, one or two dominant players can lead a whole team to victory, overshadowing the rest.

But for a squad to win a team track and field meet, just about everyone has to pull their weight. Sprinters have to sprint, distance runners have to endure, and field athletes have excel.

And you also need a few surprise performances if you’re going to win, and Manhasset boys track and field got all of those things to happen on Feb. 6.

Led by coach Steve Steiner, Manhasset captured its first indoor crown since 2020, and in doing stopped Valley Stream North’s dominant run of nine consecutive indoor team titles.

In scoring the 99-95 win in the Class B

meet, Manhasset showed the whole is often greater than the sum of its parts.

“Not only do you need the winners at a meet like this, you need all the fourth and fifth place finishers we got, because every point matters,” Steiner said. “We had more depth than we’ve had in recent years, and I’m just so proud of all the kids.”

Leading the way was meet MVP junior Cole Thalheimer, who won three events: the 600 meter run (1:24.92), the 300 meters (35.95 seconds) and was a part of the 4×400 meter relay that also beat all comers.’

“They’re all different races and challenging in their own way,” Thalheimer said. “It was great seeing so many different kids step up.”Also excelling on the track were junior Ryan Boldi, who won the 1,000 in 2:39.16, and the 4×800 relay team of John Hogan, Nicolas Katsoulis,

team win Class B county title

Tommy Sheerin and Mychal Duffy, who won in 8:37.83“It meant a lot to beat Valley Stream, because they’ve been so good for so long,” Boldi said. “We thought we had a good shot, and then at the end, we weren’t totally sure we had won, the officials were checking on a few events and then finally they told us we had won, and we went nuts.”One of the performances Steiner said he didn’t expect was the shotput win by junior Tristan Chang. Chang, who’d never touched the shotput until a few months ago, steadily improved throughout the season and then uncorked a throw of 43 feet, 10.75 inches to grab first place.“He went from being a total novice to county champ, because he worked hard at it and has great natural athleticism,” Steiner said.A few days after the county meet Manhasset continued to excel at the New York State qualifier meet on Feb. 12, with five ath-

letes advancing to the Feb. 27 state indoor meet on Staten Island.A 4×800 relay team of Kenneth Lee, Thalheimer, Hogan and Boldi is a threat to win the state crown (in indoor season, all Classes compete against each other), as Steiner said their best combined teams stack up against all other competitors this season, while individually senior Tommy Sheerin met the state qualifying standard in the 1,600 meter run.“I think we have great chemistry, the four of us, and definitely have a chance to win,” Boldi said. “Each guy does their part.”Sheerin credited the team’s success in cross country season as carrying over to winter.“Everybody who ran great (in the fall) kept building and working and getting better this winter,” Sheerin said. “And then getting to know the new guys who didn’t run cross country, and all of us coming together has been awesome.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANHASSET H.S.

Ryan Boldi, front, and the Manhasset boys indoor track and field team captured the Class B county title, and five runners are headed for the state meet.

SPORTS

FENCING EXCELLENCE

G.N. South High School program sits atop of Long Island

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

The difference between a successful team and a successful program is in the passing on of knowledge.

A great team can come together for a year, maybe two, because it has excellent, motivated and talented athletes who all gel.

But a building a successful program, especially on the high school level when the athletes change so frequently, that is something much more difficult.

But there’s sustained excellence at the Great Neck South fencing programs, both on the boys and girls sides.

That’s evidenced in ways big and small. Big, as in yet another Nassau County and Long Island championship won by both squads last week, a couple of one-point squeakers in the county finals, followed up by LIC triumphs on Valentine’s Day.

But also in small ways, as shown in how one group of veteran fencers teach the younger ones, whom they once were.

“We’ve built this into a teaching program, so when we have timeouts, the kids go in and talk, and the kids help run practice,” said boys head coach Josh Baravarian. “Even if it’s a new kid, someone who comes in as a freshman, by the end of their sophomore year they’re pointing out things the opponent is doing, and they’re learning what’s going on. And then they’re teaching somebody else.

Chou, competing in the epee discipline, won the final match to set off a raucous celebration.

“There was a lot of pressure on him but we all had faith in him, and he did so great,” Kim said.

“It was just a crazy ending, because we had lost to them once already and we were so hype to beat them,” senior sabre Matthew Liu said. “And to see the girls pull it out too; we’re one big family with them so it was so great to see.”

In the Long Island Championship, the Rebels were the stronger foe but still needed great efforts from their trio of foilists who went 8-1 in their nine bouts, led by Kim and senior Justin Ahn going 3-0, while Justin Jia went 2-1.

“He’s a great leader and overcame a lot of adversity this year, with some foot injuries and just powered through,” Baravarian said of Kim.

In a rarity, the Great Neck South girls competed at the same time as the boys in the LIC, and the girls rallied from an early 6-3 deficit to win, 14-12.

“That’s the only way to have longevity.”

Longevity is certainly what the Rebels boys have achieved, as they won their fourth Nassau county title in six years, and fifth in the last seven.

But before GNS could get to its 14-11 victory over Newfield in the LIC, it had to sweat out a wild win over Syosset a week earlier.

Right before the match the Great Neck boys watched their female counterpart eke by Syosset 14-13 in thrilling fashion, and that gave the boys a boost.

“Seeing them do that was inspiring,” said junior foil Dylan Kim. Baravarian said he saw the body language of the Syosset fencers slump as they watched the girls matchup.

“You could see their energy level was gone,” Baravarian said. “And then once we got to the second round, I said ‘guys, look at their bench. They were not in it.'”It still took a sensational effort from Great Neck to claim the win. After leading 5-4 after the first round, the match went back and forth until it was tied, 13-all going into the last bout.

That’s when sophomore Benson

After the boys team clinched, “the vibe just exploded,” Liu said. The bus ride home was filled with the usual sounds of Freddie Mercury belting out “We are the Champions” along with some Bruno Mars, Kim said.

“It’s something I’m going to never forget,” Kim said. “We left everything we had out on the strip, and it’s so wonderful to send the seniors out with another championship.”

G.N. CYO girls team learns lessons

BY ALEX LO

“How many of you here have watched basketball?” coach Peter Chang asked the group of soon-to-be 5th-grade girls in the summer of 2022.

A deafening silence engulfed the court as the girls looked at each other with blank stares.

It was then that Chang realized what he had gotten himself into. On Saturday, Feb. 10, just 18 short months later, the team finished second place in the 6th grade C-league CYO playoffs of Long Island out of 45 teams.

Over that summer of 2022, Chang, assistant coach Calvin Lo, and special assistant Alex Lo worked tirelessly with the girls to develop them into a great young group.

Week by week, practice by practice, the parents noticed significant improvement and were astonished by how much their girls had transformed

as both players and maturing young women.

Chang taught the fundamentals of basketball to a group that barely even knew the rules, as well as echoing the lessons of life, such as practicing until you never get it wrong, and not just practicing until you get it right.

In the ensuing season, the girls realized the harsh reality of playing sports. Defeat. The girls started their season losing their first six games, their heads hung low, and all confidence was stripped from them, but their coach kept instilling confidence in them that eventually, all this hard work would pay off.

They continued to practice hard and noticed improvement as they finished their season with four straight wins. This was just a glimpse of what was to come for this special group.

Due to their losing record, the girls did not make the 5th grade playoffs, but they immediately set their sights

on a new goal. Their success in the second half of their season gave the girls the confidence they needed to practice weekly for the summer, in the hopes of having an undefeated season.

They learned plays, skills, and most importantly, resilience.

The girls started their 6th-grade season undefeated but faced an incredible challenge during their game against St. Catherine.

The girls were physically outmatched by the size and speed of their opponent, and they were losing for the first time in the season.

However, they were not mentally outmatched by St. Catherine. Chang and Lo urged the girls to remember the lessons they learned about resilience and apply those lessons to the game.

It was as if someone had turned a switch on inside the girls. They suddenly came storming back and eventually won the game by a landslide. This game was just a precursor of the suc-

cess to follow. The girls enjoyed success for the rest of the season, reaching their goal of being undefeated for the year.

The playoffs rolled around and the girls were the number one seed of the entire 6th grade Long Island bracket, meaning they were the best team out of all of them.

They fought hard as the girls had never been in such a high-pressure situation before, but Chang’s lessons of resilience were instilled in the girls as they won their first two games, making the finals.

For the finals, the entire Great Neck CYO community banded together behind one cause.

CYO coordinators, friends, and even members of other CYO teams came to support the church on the front of the jersey - St. Aloysius.

The girls played hard and fought for every play. When the final buzzer sounded the score read 30 (St. Patrick) to 20 (St. Aloysius). Despite their loss,

the girls held their heads high, proud of all that they accomplished and what it meant to the Great Neck CYO program.

That day, the girls came home with much more than a trophy. They came home with the lessons they learned along the way. The lessons they learned while playing basketball applied to their everyday lives.

The fact that the girls were able to go from not even knowing the rules of basketball, to being in the CYO finals within a year and a half, was an accomplishment that would’ve been impossible without the support of the entire CYO community.

Looking back, the experience that the girls had during CYO, was much more than basketball, it built friendships, life skills, and united a community under one cause. The journey was just as important as the destination.

PHOTO CREDIT: GREAT NECK SOUTH H.S.

The Great Neck South boys and girls fencing team pose with their trophies after winning the Long Island Championships on Feb. 14.