Great Neck 2021_12_10

Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston

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Friday, December 10, 2021

Vol. 96, No. 50

HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

DESENA ANNOUNCES SUOZZI TOUTS LI TRANSITION TEAM SOUND FUNDING

PAGES 25-40

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Five vying for park district commissioner

BOOK CLUB

Winner of Tuesday election will replace Robert Lincoln on board

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Gary Aquilon, Dorothy Feng, Victoria Goodman, Grace McGirr and Vanessa Tamari are the five candidates running for Great Neck Park District commissioner in Tuesday’s election.

Current Commissioner Robert Lincoln announced in September that he would not run for reelection this year. The candidates touted their various professional and community backgrounds during a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Port Washington-Manhasset last week.

Aquilon, a park district employee for two decades with professional tax preparer and budgetary experience, said he will strive to be a “people’s commissioner” who brings transparency to residents on what is happening in the parks. His work in the financial sector, he said, will be invaluable to the district.

Aquilon said he is a frequent

patron at the district’s pools, a constant attendee at the concerts and helps maintain the dog parks.

Feng, the co-president of the Parkville PTO and the Great Neck Chinese Association, touted her abilities as a “good listener” and “hands-on learner” that she believes will serve the community well, if elected.

Feng said the main roles of a park district commissioner include being involved with financial decisions and listening to residents’ input. She and her two children are frequent patrons of the district’s playgrounds, Parkwood pool and ice-skating rinks.

Goodman, a Great Neck resident for 23 years who has experience working in the fashion industry, graduated from Queens College with a major in political science. A self-described “avid tennis player,” Goodman said she has used the Parkwood facilities to serve as co-captain of Long IsContinued on Page 50

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK SCHOOL DISTRICT

Saddle Rock students participated in a before-school book club composed of thought-provoking texts.

Consultant hired to aid landmark commission

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ

tion Commission in determining the historical significance of the Tower Ford building The Village of Thomaston during a public meeting last Board of Trustees approved the Wednesday.

Last Tuesday the commishiring of a consultant to aid the village’s Landmark Preserva- sion, recommended the village

hire Archaeology Historic Resource Services for consultant work on whether the structure should be deemed a landmark.

Trustees unanimously approved the commission’s recContinued on Page 51

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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Reiter unopposed in 3 vying for fire, re-election campaign water commish

Water Pollution Control District commish touts achievements Incumbent Morris seeking fifth term

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ

BY B R A N D ON DUFFY

Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Steve Reiter, who is running unopposed for re-election this year, reflected on past achievements in the district and looked to what lies in store during an interview with Blank Slate Media last week.

Reiter, a Great Neck resident for more than four decades, said helping secure $12 million in grant funding for various upgrades to district facilities is one of the things he is most proud of during his eight years as commissioner. The funding, he said, allowed the district to create the county’s first grease-receiving station, conduct upgrades to its sewage treatment facilities and add a third microturbine.

“You do these additions and they go a long way in ensuring that the facility will remain in the forefront of wastewater treatment technology for years to come,” Reiter said. “We’re protecting the environment through sustainable practices, so it confirms our commitment to supplying, I think, the best possible service at the lowest possible cost to our taxpayers.”

Planning and research for these projects began more than a decade ago, he said. After the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation approved the projects, he said, the district began laying the groundwork for the grease reception station.

The addition of grease to the digesters allows the anaerobic tanks to further break down organic matter without oxygen, with the main product being methane. Reiter said the methane is then fed into the microturbines, which results in renewable energy for the facility.

District officials announced

Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District Commissioner Brian Morris is being challenged by resident Ahmed Shakir and write-in candidate Brian Kenny for his seat.

Morris is seeking re-election to a fifth term in Tuesday’s elections. He serves on the Board of Commissioners with Steven Flynn and Mark Sauvigne.

The Manhasset-Lakeville Water District serves approximately 45,000 customers who use 7.4 million gallons of water a day within the service area of 10.2 square miles, according to the water district’s website.

Eighteen wells at 13 locations provide water to Manhasset and portions of Great Neck and North New Hyde Park.

The current commissioner is running on similar priorities and positions as in years past, which include updating district infrastructure to meet new state regulations and maintaining excellent service for district residents.

“Both the water and fire districts have aggressive capital improvement programs,” Morris said. “I think it’s an achievement and a testament to our commit-

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE REITER

Great Neck Water Pollution Control District Commissioner Steve Reiter is running unopposed for re-election. in August that their environmental efforts had also prevented more than 217,000 pounds of excess nitrogen from entering Manhasset Bay since 2014.

The need to avoid excess nitrogen in bodies of water such as the bay is due to the far-reaching impacts it has, along with phosphorus, on ecosystems.

The combination of too much nitrogen and phosphorus allows algae to grow faster than the ecosystems can handle, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“As a waterfront community, it is vital that we limit the amount of nitrogen that goes into our natural environment, and we are proud to say that the district does so in ways that far exceed expectations,” Reiter said. “Our treatment facility is

always running efficiently and effectively, and this is a testament to the hard work of our employees and superintendent.”

After updating the treatment facility several years ago, the district is now able to treat waste and remove nitrogen at a much higher level. The district has also eliminated septic tank usage throughout the district by connecting businesses and residential homes. The district has connected the Americana shopping center to its system.

In terms of working to receive state and federal grants, Reiter referred to his previous work as the owner of SMP Creative Media, a communications company which exposed him to the sales and marketing departments of major corporations Continued on Page 51

ment to maintain such a high level of service in both districts while staying under the New York state tax cap.”

Regarding the water district, Morris said emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid are a focus and removing them remains a prominent issue. He also referred to new construction on the way.

“In the coming years, the district will be investing over $30 million on new purification plants. When I am re-elected I will continue to strive for excellence in both the water and fire districts while keeping rates and taxes as low as possible,” Morris said.

Challenger Ahmed Shakir said he believes that the district can possibly be better served through more outreach and a bigger pool of candidates. The Manhasset Hills resident said his professional experience would serve well in efforts to be fiscally responsible.

“As a recipient, I see our taxes going up,” Shakir said in an interview with Blank Slate Media. “I want to help with water quality issues and budget planContinued on Page 51

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

Manhasset-Lakeville Company No. 2 Firehouse, located on Community Drive East, Manhasset.

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Plaza calls for scaled-down proposal

BY C A S E Y F LY N N A plan to build a six-story apartment building drew opposition from Village of Great Neck Plaza trustees at a meeting last Wednesday.

The proposal for the lot at 150 Great Neck Road came from L+M Development Partners Inc., a real estate development firm. The company’s managing director, Tell Metzger, gave an informal presentation at the meeting about the lot, which is used for parking.

“We feel that our application would meet a high housing demand and also improve strong local retail as there would be more people walking through the village,” Metzger said.

The project entailed a six-story building with parking on the ground floor. There are few buildings along Great Neck Road that are as tall.

“I find it offensive as it will block the scenery and everything around the surrounding buildings,” Pamela Marksheid, the deputy mayor, said. “It’s very important to focus on the feel of the neighborhood and what the village would deem acceptable.”

Trustee Michael DeLuccia agreed with Marksheid in terms of the neighborhood’s feelings about a project of this magnitude.

“The fact of the matter is that the existing buildings won’t be happy,” he said.

Ultimately, the board suggested that Metzger and L+M Development scale down the building proposal to help reach a compromise in the future.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS

The Village of Great Neck Plaza heard a proposal for a six-story building during last week’s public meeting.

GREAT NECK. GREAT PARKS. GREAT FUN!

VOTE for DOROTHY FENG Great Neck Parks Commissioner

DOROTHY WILL

Ensure fiscal responsibility with $19 million budget spending. Support additional funding options outside of property tax.

Respond to community needs for indoor recreation facilities, bike path development, and extended hours for pool, tennis, and ice rink.

Allocate resources to enhance the safety and appeal of our neighborhood parks.

Improve parking experience for residents and better utilize commuter parking.

Re-establish the Advisory Committee to draw on resident input.

www.dorothyforgreatneck.com Scan QR code for Dorothy campaign video

Dec.14

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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DeSena names transition committee

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z

Mayors and other elected officials on the North Shore were selected to serve on Town of North Hempstead Supervisorelect Jen DeSena’s transition committee, according to a news release last week.

Town officials said the 17-member transition team is tasked with providing counsel to DeSena as she begins to form her new administration before taking office on Jan. 1. The team is headlined by Village of Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral, Village of New Hyde Park Mayor Chris Devane, Village of Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar, Village of East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz, Village of East Williston Mayor Bonnie Parente and Village of Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss.

Other members include former Town Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio, former state Sen. and Mineola Mayor Jack Martins, Village of New Hyde Park Deputy Mayor Madhvi Nijjar, Village of Mineola Clerk Joseph Scalero, Albertson Civic Association President Edward Scott, North Hempstead Housing Authority Tenant Commissioner Desiree Woodson and others.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BOTH OFFICIALS

North Hempstead Supervisor-elect Jen DeSena (left) and Nassau County Executive-elect Bruce Blakeman (right) announced the members of their respective transitional teams last week.

“The transition team has provided invaluable assistance to me as I prepare to bring the changes to town government that voters sought on Election Day,” DeSena said in a statement.

DeSena, a registered Democrat who ran on the Republican line, defeated Town Clerk Wayne Wink for supervisor by less than 1,000 votes. DeSena touted the

Town Board’s decision to increase the supervisor’s budget by 15 percent next year, which will cover costs to obtain experienced individuals to serve in various positions under her new administration.

“This decision gives our administration the additional resources it needs to recruit exceptional candidates for key roles in town government,” DeSena said.

The supervisor’s office includes the town historian and director of business and tourism, whose budgets will increase by a combined $300,000 next year, according to the town budget.

The supervisor’s office also includes people in the financial, intermunicipal coordination, procurement and legislative affairs sectors.

Nassau County Executiveelect Bruce Blakeman, the Republican who defeated Democratic incumbent Laura Curran in November, also outlined his transition team, which includes individuals from a variety of sectors.

Included on the team are Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling, Nassau County Health Commissioner Lawrence Eisenstein, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Whitmore Group CEO James Metzger, Family and Children’s Association CEO Jeffrey Reynolds, Hofstra University President Susan Poser, Town of Hempstead Clerk Kate Murray and Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby.

“This transition team is united in its mission to make Nassau County more affordable and safer while creating new

ELECT GARY AQUILONE

FOR PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONER

DECEMBER 14TH

Focus on lighting parks at night Establish a community center for children and young adults Gary Touts the skills gained as a park district employee for 20 years Stand for transparency and inclusion in the park districtso all voices are heard Improve the dog parks Resident of Great Neck for 30 years Gary has a tax and financial background trained by the IRS

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jobs and growing the economy,” Blakeman said. “I look forward to working with these dedicated professionals and thank them for their public service and commitment to our community.”

Last month, Blakeman appointed Floral Park native Arthur Walsh to serve as his chief deputy county executive. Walsh, who is also part of Blakeman’s transition team, currently serves as the general counsel at Nassau Off Track Betting.

In an interview with Blank Slate Media last month, Blakeman said he was “fairly certain” new staff members would be brought on to serve in various county departments but will not choose his staff based on party allegiance.

“I have to assemble a team that I’m comfortable with,” he said. “So I’m sure there’ll be quite a few changes, but that doesn’t mean that it will be a wholesale change across the board.”

Blakeman also announced the establishment of an online portal where residents interested in serving in his administration can submit their resumes at www.

ServeNassau.com. Residents can also visit the site to learn more about the hiring process and learn more about Blakeman.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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ELECT

VI CTO R I A

GOODMAN FOR GREAT NECK PARKS

COMMISSIONER Love Where You Live!

MYBusiness MISSION Development

Polling Locations District No. 1 and 2 Great Neck House (14 Arrandale Avenue)

District No. 3 Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Company #3 (Prospect Street)

District No. 4 Manhasset Lakeville Firehouse (Northern Blvd. at Jayson Ave.)

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Suozzi secures grants for L.I. Sound

Says federal funds will be used to preserve, protect 16,000-square-mile environment

BY B R A N D ON DUFFY U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said Tuesday that the 3rd Congressional District will receive nearly $3 million in matching federal grants to fund projects related to preserving and protecting Long Island Sound.

At a virtual press conference, Suozzi, who is co-chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, said the Sound is special to him and the grants ensure the watershed area will be taken care of for years to come.

“I grew up swimming and fishing in the Sound,” Suozzi said. “These federal grants will go a long way in ensuring future generations will be able to enjoy a clean Long Island Sound.”

The Long Island Sound watershed area is over 16,000 square miles and PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN SUOZZI reaches into New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, MasSince U.S. Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) was elected, sachusetts, Vermont and funding for the Long Island Sound has increased 900 percent.

New Hampshire.

In August, the $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by Congress included $106 million to protect, improve and preserve Long Island Sound by increasing resources in existing federal programs.

Funding will come from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation, which received $4.8 million in matching funds for the Sound. New York’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Udalls Cove and Little Neck Bay in Queens, Roslyn, Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Centerport and Northport Harbors, will receive $1,540,437.

Across the district, projects will have a total of $2,944,218 in grants.

Also present at the virtual news conference were officials and executives from advocacy organizations dedicated to the preservation of the Sound and environment.

“Over the last 10 years, we have made significant progress to increase funding for the preservation and

protection of the Long Island Sound, restoration of habitats, monitoring of water quality, and education of the public,” said Suozzi.

“We need to maintain and increase this momentum so that generations of New Yorkers can all benefit from our most precious natural resource.”

The congressman said in 2017 federal funding for the Sound was only $5 million, compared with today’s $30.4 million.

Grants will go toward 10 projects, ranging from just upward of $1 million to $113,017. Each recipient will help the preservation of the Sound through education, water quality monitoring and pollution cleanup, among other things.

Suozzi emphasized that the area is important to not just the district but the entire area.

“The Long Island Sound is our national park, and we have to treat it that way,” he said.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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Lafazan makes Forbes’ 30 under 30 County legislator, ex-school board member selected in biz magazine’s education category

BY B R A N D ON DUFFY Joshua Lafazan, a Nassau County legislator from Woodbury, was named to Forbes Magazine’s “30 under 30” honors list for education in 2022.

The list started 10 years ago and has reached over 15,000 submissions for 20 categories as it has grown in popularity. People on the list are picked because they are “set to define the next decade and beyond.”

This year, notable members include singer Olivia Rodrigo for music and NBA player Devin Booker for sports. Those who made the list in earlier years included Miley Cyrus, LeBron James and Mark Zuckerberg.

Lafazan, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, is serving his second term in the 18th District after being elected at 23 years old as Nassau’s youngest-ever legislator. He was re-elected last month.

He made the list as an adjunct professor at LIU Post, a position he has held since 2019.

At the university, the 27-year-old

May 2017. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania.

During his re-election campaign, Lafazan ran on the issues of fighting the opioid epidemic, helping veterans and increasing safety in his district.

Regarding his spot on the list, Lafazan said he looks forward to helping the world with the other 29 winners.

“Forbes Under 30 is a reflection of how America’s most diverse and most educated generation is poised to boldly propel this nation and the world into the future,” he said. “It is truly humbling to be recognized

by Forbes alongside such an PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA LAFAZAN awe-inspiring group of inventors, scientists, entertainers and Joshua Lafazan was named in Forbes Magazine’s “30 under 30” honors list for education advocates, and I salute my felin 2022. low honorees for their tireless efforts to make the world a betFrom Syosset, Lafazan grad- ter place.” teaches politics and entrepre- erans.

Lafazan was elected to the uated from Cornell University neurship.

Lafazan’s district enAccomplishments while serv- Syosset school board at 18 years with a bachelor’s degree in in- compasses East Hills, Roslyn ing his district include passing old. He was elected with 82% dustrial and labor relations in Heights, Greenvale, Glen Cove, laws regarding mental health of the vote one month before May 2016 and from the Harvard Bayville, East Norwich, Glen and substance abuse, expanding he graduated from Syosset High Graduate School of Education Head, Old Westbury, Mill Neck, protections for the disabled and School, and was re-elected in with a master’s degree in educa- Locust Valley, Muttontown, Jerition policy and management in cho, Syosset and Woodbury. building homes for homeless vet- 2015.

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Omicron variant comes to Long Island Two confirmed cases found in Suffolk County, 12 total throughout New York: Hochul

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the omicron variant of the coronavirus has made its way to Long Island.

A total of 12 confirmed cases, including two in Suffolk County, had been reported throughout New York as of Wednesday, according to officials from the state Department of Health. One of the cases, Hochul said, was a 67-year-old Suffolk woman who recently returned from South Africa.

No cases of the omicron variant had been found in Nassau County as of Wednesday, according to statistics from the Department of Health. Hochul said other outbreaks in New York City stemmed from a Minnesota man who tested positive for the variant after attending the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center last month.

Hochul issued an executive order two weeks ago that permits the Department of Health to limit “non-essential, non-urgent procedures for in-hospitals or systems with limited capacity to protect access to critical health care services.”

Limited capacity is defined as less than 10 percent of staffed bed capacity unless otherwise determined by the Department of Health.

The new protocols, Hochul said,

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the arrival of the omicron variant of the coronavirus on Long Island. went into effect last week and will be reassessed on Jan. 15, depending on new COVID-19 data from the Department of

Health. The executive order, she said, will also help the state acquire more supplies to combat the virus, if needed.

“Thanks to the life-saving tools at our disposal, like vaccines and boosters, we have the tools in our arsenal to fight this pandemic – including the delta and omicron variants,” Hochul said on Monday. “I urge every New Yorker to take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their communities safe: get vaccinated, get boosted and wear a mask.”

As of Wednesday, 75.5 percent of Nassau County residents were fully vaccinated, according to figures from the state Department of Health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Nassau County has had 230,523 cases of the virus as of Tuesday and 5,161 virus-related deaths, according to the figures.

Statistics also showed that three ZIP codes on the North Shore were fully vaccinated as of Wednesday. Port Washington’s 11050 ZIP code joined Roslyn’s 11576 ZIP code and Great Neck’s 11020 ZIP code with 100 percent inoculation rates. The 11020 ZIP code consists primarily of the Village of Lake Success and University Gardens. Some of this area is also made up of Great Neck South Middle and High School, North Shore Hebrew Academy and the Fresh Meadow Country Club.

The 11042 ZIP code of New Hyde Park continues to have the lowest rate at 24.5 percent of people vaccinated, according to statistics. That area, however, consists primarily of businesses south of Northern State Parkway and along Marcus Avenue.

The next lowest vaccination rate on the North Shore is the 80.5 percent in the 11024 ZIP code of the Great Neck peninsula, which includes the Village of Kings Point. The next lowest one is also in Great Neck, with the 11023 ZIP code at an 86 percent rate, according to the figures. This area incorporates parts of the villages of Great Neck and Saddle Rock, along with Great Neck Gardens and Harbor Hills.

The statistics also show vaccination rates of 98.9 percent in Albertson, 97.8 percent in New Hyde Park’s 11040 ZIP code, 97.6 percent in Great Neck’s 11021 ZIP code, 97.4 percent in Roslyn Heights, 95.6 percent in Williston Park, 94.6 percent in Mineola, 92.3 percent in Manhasset and 87.3 percent in Floral Park.

In total, the 14 North Shore ZIP codes average a 89.4 percent vaccination rate. Without the 24.5 percent figure in the 11042 ZIP code, the average for the remaining 13 ZIP codes increases to 94.4 percent.

Ex-Lord & Taylor slated to be workspace

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ Manhasset’s former Lord & Taylor store will be transformed into a co-working space with a full-service cafe and wellness studio.

The store, which closed its doors last year along with all other Lord & Taylor stores across the country, will be transformed into a SaksWorks space, officials announced in October. Plans submitted to the Town of North Hempstead show SaksWorks occupying the entire three-story building.

SaksWorks is a membershipbased company with high-end workspaces that can include restaurants, fitness classes, concierge services and more.

Hudson’s Bay, a former parent company of Lord & Taylor, said it will turn some of the nowvacant stores into SaksWorks.

The company, the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, announced the idea for SaksWorks in August and has two spaces open in Manhattan and one in

Greenwich, Connecticut.

“Saks Fifth Avenue has long been associated with elevated and highly personalized service,” Hudson’s Bay CEO Richard Baker said in an August news release. “With SaksWorks, we extend this nearly centurylong legacy to this new operating company to meet the moment of hybrid work.”

Officials did not specifically say when the Manhasset location or one in Westchester will be opening, but Hudson’s Bay spokeswoman Trenesa S. Danuser told Newsday the company expects the Manhasset space to open in the first quarter of 2022. Efforts to reach a Hudson’s Bay or SaksWorks representative for further comment were unavailing.

The individual membership costs are $49 for a day pass, $299 for a monthly membership, and $2,999 for an annual membership, officials said.

The Lord & Taylor stores in Manhasset and Garden City were two of the remaining 38 locations the retailer had kept

PHOTO COURTESY OF LORD & TAYLOR

The former site of Lord & Taylor in Manhasset, pictured, will be converted into a SaksWorks space, officials announced. open after its parent company, France-based Le Tote Inc., filed for bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Virginia’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond in August 2020.

Bankruptcy rumors had surrounded the 194-year-old company since it closed its 11-story flagship Manhattan store on

Fifth Avenue in 2019. Following the closing of a number of locations after officially filing, Le Tote had reported that it was seeking a buyer for the remaining stores.

The two Nassau locations had previously undergone major renovation projects, first announced in 2016.

The Garden City location received an enhanced spa room and additions to its top-floor cafe, completed in 2016, and the Manhasset location received a 38,000-square-foot expansion and additional parking, opening the new developments in late 2018.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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Viscardi Center hosts Virtual PitchFest

BY B R A N D ON DUFFY

PHOTO BY AMELIA CAMURATI

The Viscardi Center hosted second annual Virtual PitchFest competition, offering up to $75,000 in grants to disabled founders, in November.

Albertson’s Viscardi Center hosted its second annual National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship Virtual PitchFest on Nov. 19 to help people with disabilities support their own businesses.

The event allows entrepreneurs with disabilities from around the country to share their business ideas with a panel of four judges. Winners receive mentorship packages and grants worth up to $75,000.

The competition maintains the center’s mission to “empower innovative self-starters to achieve self-employment success,” according to a news release.

This year, the top three cash prizes went to Calvette Brown for her business The Guiders Shield, Miguel Angel Davila for DAVILA Applied Anthropological Research and L. Darnell Williams

for L. Darnell Insights. They won $10,000, $8,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Alongside the first place prize, Brown, whose business is a patent-pending solution to safe guiding for vulnerable populations, also was voted the Audience Favorite by those attending virtually.

She received a 30-minute mentoring session from Hello Alice, a multichannel platform that helps small businesses obtain funding, and a mentorship package from CELA Innovation, worth $25,000.

Angel Davila, who is bridging the equity gap for minorityowned businesses and organizations, received a mentorship package from UNI Communications worth $20,000 in addition to her $8,000 grant.

Regarding the second annual event, Sheryl P. Buchel, interim president and CEO at the Vis-

cardi Center, said business owners open avenues for those with disabilities in traditional settings.

“Entrepreneurship offers a strategic pathway for people with disabilities to overcome the many barriers that exist within the traditional employment model,” said Buchel. “A natural extension of the Viscardi Center’s mission, the National Center for Disability Entrepreneurship empowers innovative self-starters with the tools they need to achieve selfemployment success.”

The school located in Viscardi Center enrolls more than 180 students with disabilities with nearly an 86 percent graduation and college acceptance rate. For adults and adolescents, transition planning services are available for testing and job placement.

The programs place more than 100 people in integrated employment annually.

Police ID victims of fatal NHP crash

BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Two of the victims in a single-car accident in New Hyde Park last week have been identified by Nassau County police.

Pallavi Saini, 39, and Parshotam Kaur, 71, of Glen Oaks were pronounced dead at the scene by a North Shore/LIJ ambulance medic.

Near the intersection of Marcus Avenue and Union Turnpike, police said they responded to an accident just before 7 a.m. on Nov. 28. Authorities said they saw a 2009 Toyota Corolla overturned against a pole.

Three people were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, including Saini and Kaur. The driver, a 41-year-old male, was transported to a hospital and remained in critical condition following the crash.

At the time of the wreck, Marcus Avenue was closed in both directions between New Hyde Park Road and Tryon Court.

According to a GoFundMe post online, the two were mother and daughter.

It also said another family member was “fighting for his life.”

The statement said, “Pallavi and her mother passed away in a horrific car accident in the early hours of 11/28/2021 and her brother is fighting for his life in the hospital at present. Pallavi’s elderly father has a language barrier and is in need of medical help himself. We are seeking your help to support Pallavi’s funeral services, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.”

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LAKEVILLE ESTATES CIVIC ASSOCIATION

The intersection of Union Turnpike eastbound and New Hyde Park Road northbound.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Port Washington resident joins ‘Man Up to Cancer’ Man Up to Cancer, an online community that inspires men to avoid isolation when facing a cancer diagnosis, has selected 18 members to help expand its reach across the U.S. and Canada.

Port Washington resident Christopher Berberabe III 41, will serve a one-year term as a Wolfpack Leader. Berberabe, a husband and father, is a stage III colorectal cancer survivor. He

was diagnosed in May of 2020.

The Wolfpack Leaders will connect with local cancer centers and will provide direct support to fellow cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers facing all types of cancer. Man Up to Cancer is comprised of a website, podcast, social media, and a Facebook group of more than 1,300 men, known informally as the Wolfpack.

“When I was diagnosed, my

outlook on my life was pretty bleak. The only association I ever had with cancer was what you see on TV and the outcome is hardly ever good. I also felt alone,” Berberabe said. “Even though I had support from my friends and family, I felt that no one understood what I was going through. It wasn’t until I joined the Man Up to Cancer group that I found those I can relate with and those that can truly

empathize with the struggles after cancer diagnosis. It was the first time I really felt some hope.”

Trevor Maxwell, a stage IV colorectal cancer survivor from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, founded Man Up to Cancer in January of 2020. Studies show men are more likely than women to isolate when facing cancer, and are more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges dur-

ing treatment and survivorship, Maxwell said.

“The core of Man Up to Cancer is about being strong enough to accept help. We’re trying to flip the script on what ‘manning up’ means,” Maxwell said.

“That’s why the Wolfpack Leaders program has such great potential. These men represent all regions of the U.S. and Canada, and they’re stepping up as role models.”

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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11

12 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

GN

GCP firefighter’s expulsion vacated Reinstated to district after commissioners voted to remove him for violating by-laws

BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y

A state Supreme Court judge has ordered the Garden City Park Water and Fire District to reinstate a firefighter who was expelled.

Judge Diccia Pineda-Kirwan’s decision on Nov. 8 reversed the district’s termination of Jensen Thomas, accepting the firefighter’s argument that disciplinary action he received was disproportionate.

In February, the district’s Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to remove Thomas, a 31-year-old EMT who was a firefighter in the district since 2008 and a captain since 2016, on grounds of violating district by-laws, engaging in disrespectful conduct and damaging district property.

Thomas said that he was unfairly treated. He testified that he was subject to disparate treatment by the district and that other firefighters who caused more or similar damage to the department were not reprimanded the same way.

The incident in question stems from a discussion between Thomas and Third Assistant Chief John Janus that took place during a 2019 Christmas party. Janus opposed Thomas’ candidacy for third assistant chief in that year’s election, which Thomas lost. After the conversation escalated to an argument, Thomas was ordered to leave after cursing and raising his voice, which he agreed to do after initially refusing.

Upon leaving, Thomas went to the

PHOTO BY NOAH MANSKAR

The Garden City Park Fire Department headquarters is seen on Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park. district headquarters and threw a television remote, kicked a wall and slammed a door, damaging the wall, for which he was expelled.

Thomas said his discipline was disproportionate to the charges.

Since the ruling in November, Thomas said that he has still not been reinstated and is unsure why.

“They are simply refusing to reinstate me,” Thomas said in an interview. “This could be done very quickly, but it has not happened yet. I respond to calls and the department needs manpower whenever an emergency situation arises. I can be there. They are dragging their feet.”

Without being reinstated to his com-

pany, Garden City Park Engine Company 3, Thomas would be ineligible for the vacant lieutenant position he seeks to run for in upcoming elections.

Thomas testified that he was aware of incidents that include other firefighters vomiting on a couch, throwing a vacuum cleaner and breaking a picture frame.

Also during his testimony, Thomas said a captain in the department cut a piano in half with a saw used for fire rescue operations. Thomas alleged that no punishments were handed out for each instance, aside from paying for damages.

“The court order shows the bias by the Board of Fire Commissioners because other members have broken department

equipment and nothing has been done to them,” Thomas said.

According to the order, Thomas did not contest any of the charges and was said to be remorseful for his actions, which included a previous incident of insubordination and acting in an aggressive manner where he tried to strike another firefighter with his car, which resulted in a four-month suspension and yearlong probation.

Thomas, who is Indian, is one of two firefighters of color in the district, along with Chief Salju Thomas. The two are not related. According to the order, the chief described abusive behavior toward Jensen Thomas regarding his race, where firefighters put an insulting sticker on his helmet and an ex-chief referred to him as “Obama.”

Judge Pineda-Kirwan said the mistreatment regarding Thomas’ race “appears to have evaded the district’s disciplinary process.”

The judge also said that “expulsion is a penalty which shocks one’s sense of fairness” regarding the treatment Thomas received in relation to other offenders in the district.

Chris Murray, Thomas’ attorney, said, “We are very happy with the court’s decision. The judge clearly saw through the district’s behavior and its unfair treatment of Mr. Thomas, who just wants to serve his community.”

Chief Roland Sarracco and the district declined to comment.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Girl Scouts empower others through fundraiser Girl Scouts of Nassau County recently held its annual Food and Wine Pairing Fall Fundraiser, which was attended by almost 100 Girl Scout community members. This year’s event had the theme “Mobilizing our Mission,” to celebrate the establishment of Girl Scout’s new Traveling Trefoil, a van that will bring Girl Scout programming throughout communities in the county.

The annual event is one of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s major fundraising initiatives of the year to build awareness of the exciting academically and socially empowering programs that provide Girl Scouts with the resources to become leaders in the future. Proceeds went toward supporting the Traveling Trefoil, to help outfit the van with resources and supplies to provide a full Girl Scout experience in its various mobile settings.

“Thank you to all our attendees for supporting our work that all girls deserve a chance to explore their interests, skills, and talents,” said Randell M. Bynum, chief executive officer, Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “Sponsors and attendees are taking Mobilizing Our Mission to another level, they’re the reason why the Traveling Trefoil is possible. Thanks to the com-

munity’s support, we’ll be able to provide girls, who cannot attend typical troop settings or access regular resources with the same opportunities to grow.”

The pandemic highlighted that approximately 20 percent of Girl Scouts in Nassau County don’t have sufficient access to devices or a reliable internet connection to continue accessing various benefits of the Girl Scout programming.

The Traveling Trefoil is a customized

mobile van that is fully equipped with computers, STEM activities, and more to help combat learning loss and promote social and mental health amid the pandemic. It was generously funded through a CARES Act grant, facilitated by the Town of Hempstead.

During the Wine and Food Pairing Fundraiser, attendees had the opportunity to sponsor items on the wish list to equip the van with everything Girl Scouts need

to grow and learn. These included several of the STEM, Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship activities that make up the pillars of the Girl Scouts experience.

“There are many girls in Nassau County that cannot take full advantage of the opportunities and benefits that Girl Scouts offers,” said Bynum. “These are girls with untapped talents and leadership skills who just need opportunities and access to realize their potential. It is up to us to adapt and meet our girls where they are, and this initiative is just one part of that mission.”

This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors including a, Premier Mission Underwriter, PSEG Long Island and Amazon Studio as Champion Underwriters and Amazon in the Community as Community Underwriter, New York Community Bank Foundation as Virtual Ambassador Sponsor, Ridgewood Savings and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as Virtual Daisy Sponsors.

To learn more about the Girls Scout of Nassau County’s Mobilizing our Mission event and how to support local Girl Scouts, visit www.gsnc.org/.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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13

READERS WRITE

Reiter deserves another term at GNWPCD

I

have known Steve Reiter as a neighbor and through his many years of dedicated service to the Village as a member of Architectural Review Committee.

As a commissioner at the GNWPCD I have seen his hands-on approach to helping residents and businesses within the district when problems occur. He has

worked hard to secure $15 million in state and county grants to keep our sewer taxes among the lowest on Long Island.

This dedicated and committed ap-

proach to the position deserves another term.

Pedram Bral, M.D. Mayor, Village of Great Neck

Aquilone right choice for parks commish

G

ary Aquilone has the experience, vision and ambition to be an outstanding Great Neck Park District commissioner.

Unlike the other candidates, he has

over twenty years of hands-on experience working for the park district and cultivating a relationship with the current district administration.

Gary has proven himself to be consci-

entious, responsible and caring to the users of the many Parks in which he has worked.

He will set himself apart by listening and being responsive to the concerns and needs of the community in a fiscally

responsible manner. I urge you to vote for Gary Aquilone on Dec. 14.

Peter Oppenheimer Great Neck

Parks candidate did not wear mask at events

A

s a longtime Great Neck resident and a lover and user of the parks, I was dismayed to discover that Parkwood Skating Rink was closed to the public on two occasions for private events, once on Nov. 11 and once on Dec. 5.

Both times only one candidate running in the current election for park commissioner was present, Vanessa Tamari, and also masks were not worn despite very clear park department signage about-face coverings in indoor venues.

This is something that should be

called to the attention of the voting public; furthermore whichever officials were responsible for this violation of the public safety and the public trust should be clearly reprimanded.

Any candidate who has a possibility of serving the district should be informed

of what their responsibilities to their constituents are; indeed knowing all community rules should be a basic measure of qualification for any job within it.

Rita Hall Great Neck

Aquilone best for park district commissioner

G

ary Aquilone has been a Great Neck resident for 30 years and thus has a vested interest in our community and parks.

He has worked 20 years for the park district in every one of our parks and knows very well the needs, problems and unique

community that uses and enjoys each one.

He has been an employee who has always been hands-on and has always circulated in the parks talking and helping residents and not just going to meetings and using parks occasionally.

He has a financial background and is fo-

cused on improvements and economies so as not to raise taxes. He will always be looking for grants or programs from various agencies or foundations to enhance our park experiences.

He is dedicated to transparency and will encourage residents to come to meetings and

participate so as to better enhance and serve the whole community.

Therefore, I believe Gary Aquilone is the best candidate for park district commissioner.

Lynn Weiss Great Neck

GNWPCD election – Re-elect Steve Reiter

W

e, the commissioners of the District, are writing to urge you to join us in supporting Steve Reiter in the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District’s Board of Commissioners election on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Steve has been a lifelong leader in the Great Neck Community and many organizations have benefited from his service and are the recipients of his creativity and expertise.

The Great Neck Water Pollution Control recently completed several important upgrades to our facility starting with our three digesters, an additional microturbine and the first Grease Receiving Station in Nassau County.

We are still in the process of major improvements to our collection system with five out of ten pump stations being redone. These innovations need Steve Reiter, the chairman of the Board, to continue to oversee and contribute a strong

and consistent vision drawing from his years of experience in this position as a Commissioner.

Steve recently championed a $150,000 grant from Nassau County for a feasibility study to sewer Great Neck Estates and Harbor Hills at no expense to residents.

During his tenure, the GNWPCD was awarded the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Excellence Award for pioneering

projects that expand renewable energy, improve sustainability, reduce drinking water use, and cultivate new partnerships.

Steve was instrumental in contributing to the many processes that go into upgrading our facility and receiving this prestigious award would not have happened without his astute judgment, foresight, and tireless efforts.

We are supporting Steve Reiter because he demonstrates a consistent ability and sensitivity

to make decisions that protect our environment, health and keep our taxes as low as possible.

Please join us in voting to reelect Steve Reiter Commissioner on Tuesday, December 14, at the Great Neck Water Pollution Control, 236 East Shore Rd., Vista Hill entrance from 1 pm – 9 pm.

Patty Katz and Jerry Landsberg Commissioners Great Neck

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14 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Opinion

OUR VIEWS

Time for Blakeman, GOP to speak out

O

n Nov. 27, members of the Proud Boys, a rightwing extremist group known for violence, marched without a permit down Sunrise Highway and into Rockville Centre where they stormed stores shouting slogans and passing out flyers detailing the group’s fringe philosophies.

The Proud Boys’ march elicited outrage from some elected officials in Nassau County.

U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat representing Rockville Centre, said she was “disgusted” by the group and pledged to fight “racism, hatred, and white nationalism.”

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky (DLong Beach) called the Proud Boys neo-fascists and said “their hatred has no place here – this is not the Nassau I know.”

State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin (D-Rockville Centre) tweeted that groups which “espouse violence and hate should not be welcome in our communities.”

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé (D–Freeport) said “now is the time to condemn vile bigotry wherever it emerges and come together to declare loudly and clearly that hate has no place in Rockville Centre or anywhere else in our county.”

Jay Jacobs, the Nassau County and state Democratic chairman, said the “Proud Boys have nothing to be proud of. Not unless ignorance, bigotry, hate and standing on the losing side of history has become something that elicits pride.”

These were all legitimate, necessary responses to a hate group that has been at the center of violence across the country, reminiscent to many in Nassau of political movements during the 1930s and 1940s.

But those expressing outrage in the face of hate were missing one important group – Nassau Republicans.

We could not find a single Republican official to condemn the Proud Boys march in Rockville Centre. Not one.

Why? Do Republicans believe that if they ignore the Proud Boys they will go away? If so, that would seem to be a first in the history of hate groups.

No, ignoring the Proud Boys will only encourage them to conduct more and larger protests in Nassau.

Silence in the face of hate only encourages more hate.

Nassau County Executiveelect Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, would be a natural candidate to speak out against the Proud Boys for two reasons.

He will soon take over the leadership of Nassau County. This role includes maintaining public safety, which he campaigned on during his recent election campaign.

The second reason is that Blakeman served as the Nassau County Republican Party’s liaison to the Trump presidential campaign.

The Proud Boys rose to prominence in September 2020 when President Trump was asked about his regularly encouraging white supremacist groups.

He answered: “Proud Boys Stand back and stand by. Somebody has to do something about Antifa and the left.”

This prompted Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House communications director for Trump and a resident of Manhasset, to call the then-president a white supremacist in an interview

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with CNN’s Don Lemon.

Until Trump’s comments, the Proud Boys were best known as one of the main participants in the “Unite the Right” protests in Charlottesville intended to defend a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who led a war against the United States to preserve slavery.

The effort included a march in which tiki-torch carryingprotesters chanted “Jews will not replace us” – shorthand for a conspiracy theory that Jews were behind the entry of brown people into this country in an effort to replace white workers.

Blakeman’s condemnation of the Proud Boys would demonstrate that his very vocal support of Trump during the presidential campaign had nothing to do with the former president’s backing of hate groups like the Proud Boys.

On the other hand, his silence would seem to say that if he doesn’t outright support groups like the Proud Boys, he is at least willing to tolerate them.

Other Nassau Republicans have a similar obligation to speak out against the Proud Boys.

Richard Nicolello, the presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, state Assemblyman Ed Ra and Town of Hempstead Su-

pervisor Don Clavin were among many local Republicans who actively supported rallies to back police officers in the wake of criticism of police tactics following the murder of George Floyd.

Why haven’t we heard from them now in the face of the Proud Boys spreading hate in Nassau? Is opposition to right-wing extremist groups now a partisan issue? It appears that way.

Sadly, the Proud Boys have been embraced by Republicans in New York and across the country.

The co-founder of the Proud Boys was a speaker at the Metropolitan Republican Club in Manhattan in October 2018 that was followed by a brawl. Two Proud Boys were convicted and sentenced to substantial prison terms after the melee and seven others pleaded guilty to lesser crimes.

Republican Reps. Mario DiazBalartandDevin Nuneshave posed for pictures with Proud Boys on the campaign trail. Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson posed in a Fox green room with two Proud Boys and Republican operative Roger Stoneearlier this year.

Both U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas) and then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, have been photographed alongside Proud Boy leaders.

REPORTERS Robert Pelaez, Brandon Duffy COLUMNIST Karen Rubin ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Stacy Shaughnessy, Melissa Spitalnick, Wendy Kates, Linda Robinson, Steven Schoenfarber ART DIRECTOR Jewell Davis

So the Nassau Republicans are certainly not alone in their silence if not outright support of the Proud Boys.

Perhaps those who have remained silent stand behind the Proud Boys. Or perhaps they are afraid of angering Trump and his loyal supporters in the Republican party.

Only Reps. Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger and a handful of other Republicans nationwide have broken with Trump on wanting to get to the bottom of what happened on Jan. 6 when the U.S. Capitol was attacked by rioters falsely claiming the presidential election was stolen.

And they have faced a firestorm of opposition that has driven many of them from public office.

Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose extremist views include blaming California’s wildfires on lasers from space controlled by Jews, said this week she now represented the Republican Party. Perhaps she does.

But this does not lessen the obligation of Blakeman and other Nassau Republicans to speak out.

In fact, it only increases it.

If they don’t, the hatred generated and the bloodshed fomented by the Proud Boys in the future will be on them.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

15

KREMER’S CORNER

Taking a new look at Thomas Jefferson

R

ecently, the New York City Council decided to remove a statue of Thomas Jefferson from the City Council Chamber.

Very little attention was paid to this latest act of political overkill so I decided to do some research on the statue itself and how different historians have viewed Jefferson.

The traditional excuse for removing any trace of Mr. Jefferson was due to the fact that he was a slave owner and that automatically makes him disqualified to be hung anywhere, unless it’s from a scaffold.

The statue that graced the Council Chambers for over 50 years was created at the expense of Uriah Paley, a Jewish naval hero. It was created by Pierre-Jean David d’ Angers in 1834 and was intended to serve as a symbol of religious liberty.

It is fair to ask why would a Jewish soldier spend his personal wealth to honor Thomas Jefferson? I got my answers

from Jonathan D. Sarna, a professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University.

Sarna wrote an opinion piece in the New York Times in which he described Jefferson as a strong advocate of religious liberty as well as “inalienable rights” which he included in the Declaration of Independence.

Mr. Levy suffered bitterly during his tenure in the navy where he was badly treated by his fellow soldiers. It was only after he had been imprisoned by the British and released that he was awarded an independent naval command.

Levy was much impressed with Jefferson’s championing the rights of Jews. Jefferson expressed pride that the University of Virginia accepted Jews and “set the example of ceasing to violate the rights of conscience by any injunctions on the different sects respecting their religion.” Just commissioning two statues in honor of Jefferson was apparently not enough for Levy.

JERRY KREMER Kremer’s Corner

After earning major sums of money in the real estate business, Levy turned his efforts to two projects. One was to end the practice of flogging of soldiers and the other was to elevate the memory of Jefferson.

He convinced the navy to stop the practice of corporal punishment and dedicated the balance of his life to elevate the memory of Thomas Jefferson. Upon learning that Jefferson’s one time Monticello

property had fallen into disrepair, Levy bought the land and buildings and had it refurbished.

He argued, “the homes of great men should be protected and preserved as monuments to their glory. “According to Professor Sarna, the property stayed in the hands of the Levy family until the 20th century.

It is ironic that Levy kept slaves on the property as well, but he felt that the good that Jefferson did outweighed the evil of slavery.

As a final gesture, he paid for the two statues, one which hangs in the halls of Congress and the other, which was unceremoniously removed from the council chamber.

I read a recent college thesis contrasting Jefferson and Martin Luther King. The two had similar thoughts on education, taxation and the death penalty. Both favored free education and felt that taxation was a burden that fell mainly on the poor. They railed against capital punishment.

Dr. King had great respect for many of the speeches made

by Jefferson and quoted them frequently in public remarks.

While the two men were completely different on the issue of people’s rights, Dr. King saw much wisdom in Jefferson’s writings and was not afraid to repeat those words in his quest for freedom and better treatment of minorities.

There is no way that the mantle of Thomas Jefferson can be fully cleansed based on his devotion to slavery, but maybe he is entitled to be judged on his whole record.

In recent months, the American landscape has been shaken by criminal trial after trial, most of which dealt with violence against minorities.

In all of those cases, jurors were asked if they could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt? Maybe Jefferson’s life should be judged by that same standard. That will be a decision for historians and not a public that pre-judges almost everything these days.

A LOOK ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

What’s in a name? Some nonsense for me

S

oon after our move to Port Washington, my husband pointed out one restaurant where he surely would NOT take me.

“Which one?” I asked him.

“It’s called ‘Starve Ya’,” he said. “It’s like they’re warning you, right in the name. Why would anyone go there?”

“You mean, ‘Stavia’?” I asked him. “I hear it’s terrific! And anyway, it sounds a lot safer than the place you liked in the city.”

“Which one?”

“The one you called ‘Set-YouOn-Fire.’”

“Oh, the Szechuan Fire. Well, yes, the food there is spicy — but there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you have enough beer to wash it all down!”

Perhaps luckily, most people don’t share my husband’s fondness for cryptic name games. It’s just I who must live with it.

When I’m looking for the vegetable peeler, for example, I must decode what he means by a statement like, “Oh, Garrison?

He’s in the drawer by the sink”… because “Peeler” rhymes with Keillor, who at the time was still

the host of NPR’s weekend music and comedy show.

When I need to find an atlas or a dictionary, or just about any of the bulky reference books for which we purchased a truckload of bookcases, my life’s partner tells me to ask Art Buchwald.

“I think he’s a little busy being dead and all. How would I call him?”

Of course, I know he really means Art Bookwall, the bookcase that takes up one wall of our living room.

Usually, I just play along. For example, when I’m done with my shower, all dressed except for soaking wet hair, I ask, “Have you seen Herr Dreyer, today?” complete with a fake German accent. Only then will he tell me where the hairdryer has gotten to.

And I mustn’t ask, by mistake, for “Klaus,” the other dryer… or I’ll risk being told “In zee basement, of course, next to zee Vashing Machine.”

My beloved has similar responses for many of the businesses in town. When we needed to choose a bank, he told me, “I

JUDY EPSTEIN

A Look on the Lighter Side would never trust money to a place that admits it will Walk (All) Over You.” “You mean Wachovia?”

“That’s what I said.”

“What about Hanover Trust?”

“The folks who want you to Hand Over (Your) Trust?”

“Why not? It’s not like we own a college,” I tell him.

“It’s ‘Iona College,’ ” he said, a tad crankily. “Not ‘We.’ You’ve got to get the details right if you want the joke to work.”

“Yes, dear.”

My husband combines his code-crafting talents with a fondness for naming things. That’s why, when we come in from the cold, we must put our hats on Burt Hatrack, and our coats on Ta-Nehisi. They’re happy to help.

When a power surge fried the circuits in our old computer, we got a big, new one, which my spouse promptly dubbed Zbigniew Computer. He protected it from any more mishaps with a surge protector, Sergio Prevente.

Our new car, when we bought one, cost us MegaBucks, so: Meg for short. And when I load the trunk, for one of our trips, my husband invokes the help of St. Inigoes — the patron saint of loading vehicles.

(It helps if you read these out loud — as long as no one else is around!)

Medical adventures really bring out the punster in him.

Once, when I came down with an ear infection, he was all kindness, asking several times a day, “How’s Golda?”

A little slow on the uptake, I asked him, “Golda? Golda Who? Do you think we have a gold-

fish?”

Of course, he meant Golda, My Ear…the first female Prime Minister of Israel.

He keeps a close eye on my feet, as well, including Paul — my Bunyan — and Maria, the Callus. The callus, especially, is kept under control with the help of Eartha Nail Kitt.

When my right knee decided to freeze up, he called it Her-myown-knee — inspired of course by the brilliant friend of Harry Potter. Thanks to Hermione, I needed a cane to hobble around with; but I asked so many times for my partner to “Please bring my cane over here,” that inevitably it acquired a name of its own: Meghan, Mah Cane.

Meghan actually traveled with me all around Israel, telescoped up into Herbert von Carry On. When I returned from my travels, Meghan got her own special hook on Burt Hatrack.

She’s happy, these days, resting next to my husband’s souvenir from his ankle surgery years before: John McCane.

They’re family, so they don’t mind sharing.

16 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

THE BACK ROAD

Lessons on speech learned on college campus

T

here is growing concern among scholars that the risk of censure and spread of cancel culture on college campuses is inhibiting free speech and affecting the personal and intellectual growth of students and faculty.

A network of concerned scholars at the Heterodox Academy led by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, warn that the culture of open inquiry and constructive disagreement on college campuses has been seriously compromised by fear, shame and ostracism, including social and professional reprisal.

Haidt and his colleagues have advanced three guiding principles for change — open inquiry, viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement. Their vision is “to create college classrooms and campuses that welcome diverse people with diverse viewpoints and that equip learners with the habits of heart and mind to engage that diversity in open inquiry and constructive disagreement.”

Thinking back to my time in college, although I never considered myself to be an intellectual, the spirit of free and open expression in and out of the classroom made all the difference in my learning experience and personal

growth.

When I entered Rutgers University — an all-male school at the time, as an undergraduate student in the fall of 1969, I had no political consciousness to speak of; yet, in my freshman year the campus was enveloped in unrest related to the Vietnam War. As I recall, student anxiety reached a fever pitch with the reinstitution of the draft lottery by the U.S. Selective Service in December of 1969. Apprehensive students huddled together in dorms and fraternity houses waiting to learn their fate — their draft number.

Although I was not particularly tuned-in to the politics of the war, I was open to learning more about where people stood and why. Aside from informal conversations, I attended a number of open forums held at the student center during my freshman year.

My freshman dorm roommate was a member of ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps). He wore his uniform frequently to attend urgent meetings. I observed a marked change in his demeanor, which was understandable given the unfolding circumstances on campus.

In the fall semester, the Students for a Democratic Society protested Army ROTC presence

ANDREW MALEKOFF The Back Road

on campus and firebombed the ROTC building. Students living in a fraternity house located directly across the street put out the fire, preserving the building.

Midway through the 1970 spring semester, the student newspaper – The Daily Targum, published the results of a student poll declaring that by a 2-1 margin, students supported ROTC on campus.

Although I was an observer throughout all of this, trying to figure out where I stood, I did “participate” in a mass takeover of the school’s administrative building.

In retrospect, for me, the takeover was more a case of adolescent rebellion than principled social action. I managed to commandeer

an office which I simply used to make personal long-distance phone calls on the University’s dime — not very radical!

A few months after the student poll results were made known, the faculty voted in favor of steps to phase out ROTC altogether.

As the end of my freshman year neared, the Rutgers Board of Governors held a forum involving students, faculty members, and ROTC department personnel. It was an open discussion that ended with a Board vote of two members to one to keep ROTC on campus.

My closest friend on campus, also an ROTC member, had lost his brother in the Vietnam War. Although no one challenged the value of the war more than he did, his stance was more nuanced than most given his profound grief.

As opinionated as some students were, I found that more than a few were challenged when it came to experiencing the world in shades of gray. Acceptance of others’ viewpoints was not their strong suit.

I wasn’t politicized during my undergraduate years, but the national drama spilling out so viscerally on campus helped me to become a better listener and improved my capacity for tolerating ambiguity, which has served me

well for years to come.

The open forums, which invited different viewpoints and passions, were intellectually and emotionally exciting. They helped me to sort out my thoughts and feelings. Although I did begin college with a strong value base, I don’t believe that I could have been credibly accused of being a deepthinker at the time.

I don’t know firsthand what kind of experience college professors and students are having today, but I do suspect that the deepening divide in our nation has trickled down to college campuses and infected the culture of the academy.

As I look back to my time in school, it was the advancement of open expression and constructive disagreement during a most troubling time that made all the difference in helping to shape the person I was to become. I was by no means a finished product when I graduated in 1973. But, it was a good start.

I became more of a listener during that stage of my life. People often asked me, “Why are you so quiet?” In time I came to understand that beyond being a good listener, it was my moral obligation to unmute myself and push back without shame or fear of censure.

It was a lesson worth waiting for.

E A R T H M AT T E R S

Time to put up your bird feeder this winter

I

f you haven’t already, now is the time to put up a bird feeder. With winter scarcity, birds will arrive to dine and fill your winter yard with color and life.

Look for a mix that is mostly black oil sunflower and white millet. Toss a little seed under the shrubs for the ground feeders, where you have raked leaves to provide natural mulch, and overwintering for beneficial insects that are also a food resource for wrens and other small birds.

Even in a small yard, the birds have preferred areas. The Darkeyed Junco’s, Song and Whitethroated Sparrows scurry shyly at the edges and under the shrubs, scratching and kicking among the leaves.

I always look forward to their appearance, the Junco’s in two-tone, soft gray or sooty black over downy white chests and a tiny chip of white beak. The Song Sparrow’s streaks of brown and buff vanish among the crisp oak leaves, while the White-throat has a bib of starchier white then the male House Sparrows they vie

with for millet.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker swoops in like a buccaneer to seize a peanut or sunflower seed, scattering other birds with her long jabbing beak. Then she sweeps away to eat, or to stash the goodie away for latter, under our neighbor’s roof shingles.

The Downy Woodpecker is warier and prefers the suet feeder, first landing on a nearby tree and checking the terrain, then bobbing nervously up and down before settling in to snack.

The Blue Jays arrive in a dash of bright blue and white, shards of sky, shriek to clear the feeder platform, then stuff as many shelled peanuts into their beaks as manageable. Sometimes they try to squeeze in one more than is wise. he Mourning Doves mill about in neatly belted tan trench coats, like commuters before the first coffee kicks in, mingling obliviously with the House Sparrow riffraff.

The Cardinals are the emblem of the winter bird, the warmth of red valiant against the aching

JENNIFER WILSON-PINES Earth Matters

frost. They like the twilight hours and are the first to arrive and last to leave, their chipping call greeting me as I go out to fill the feeders.

A few straggler Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles take up a position among the jostling hordes of House Sparrows.

I imagine the House Sparrows with a Brooklyn accent, “Hey, who do youse tink yur pushin’ around heah?”

At the first sign of a problem they dash for the shelter of the

vine tangle in the corner, “Yo, only a dope would be hangin’ out in da open wit a hawk makin’ a move.”

I have been told it is politically incorrect to equate House Sparrows with Brooklynites. I am unsure if I have offended the Sparrows, the inhabitants of Kings County or both.

I must profess a sneaking admiration for the cheery, social, urban House Sparrows, non-native and semi-invasive feeder hogs though they may be. If ever a species has made lemonade from a lemon, they can make that claim.

Imagine being rudely crammed into a small cage with a dozen or so of your siblings and cousins, shoved in a noisome cargo hold, spend a couple of weeks pitching about in the dark, only to be released into a completely foreign land – on a different continent no less. They not only survived, but thrived, primarily on the discards of human society. I don’t see an insult in being tough, adaptable, and prosperous.

My husband is fond of reminding me that I “Shouldn’t

anthropomorphize animals, they hate that,” but I am unrepentant.

If you observe them closely, personalities and idiosyncrasies begin to emerge.

Some behaviors have their origin in genetic programming and evolutionary selection, like men not being able to ask for directions, but others seem individual.

OK, so Sparrows may not actually prefer the Yankees to the Mets, but genetics cannot explain the Sparrows who watched and figured out how to beat the upside-down thistle feeder or the Starling that conquered the “Starling proof’ suet hanger.

If you enjoy your backyard birds, join the Great Backyard Bird Count, or Project Feeder Watch (you can find links at Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll see.

Backyard bird counts are needed for the upcoming North Nassau Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 18, contact me via northshoreaudubon.org It’s a jungle out there, even in the dark of winter.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

17

VIEW POINT

Feng top choice in talented field for G.N. parks

O

ne thing just about everyone in our community can agree on is that the Great Neck parks are a jewel, contributing immeasurably to the quality of life we enjoy on the Great Neck Peninsula. But that is not to be taken for granted and depends significantly on who we elect to the Great Neck Park board to make decisions about policy, spending, what gets developed and what gets preserved, programming, and also how responsive to the community – or segments – the parks administration is.

The upcoming election, Tues., Dec. 14, is particularly important because there is an open seat left by retiring, longtime Commissioner Robert Lincoln. His departure leaves a gaping hole in terms of experience, expertise and energy he has brought during 21 years (seven terms). He deserves the appreciation of our community for his stewardship and leadership that has kept our park dis-

trict the treasure it is.

And now we have five credible candidates seeking that office. The campaign has done what positive, issue-oriented campaigns should: bring out wonderful ideas that can be pursued regardless of who is the victor. (There should be ranked-choice voting in order to select a candidate that truly represents a majority.)

Choose we must. And I will share my process.

Two of the candidates bring special skills, but are too narrow in their focus.

Gary Aquilon, who emphasizes over and over his experience working 20 years for the Park District, is focused almost entirely on workers – laudable but he is not running to be the Workers Representative and doesn’t seem to have the perspective of park users or what goes into the business and policy aspects of overseeing a municipality.

Vanessa Tamari, who brings experience as an attorney liti-

KAREN RUBIN View Point

gating insurance defense and managing a real estate investment portfolio and engagement in schools as co-president of North Middle’s PTO and on the Shared-Decision Making committee, focuses on safety in parks facilities and promises to inspect facilities regularly.

Her campaign literature lists on her agenda Mommy and Me classes; after-school sports and sports clinics; health, art and gardening courses for seniors; educational programs (ecology, gardening, tree planting); recy-

cling; indoor recreation center; festivals, fairs and social gatherings; sailing and boat rides; fiscal responsibility without compromising quality of service; reaching out to community; increasing involvement of local restaurants and businesses in events. But she appears overly focused on using her school ties as the foundation for her effectiveness as a park commissioner and overly oriented to that segment of the park community.

Again laudable but too narrow.

Grace McGirr, a fourthgeneration, lifelong Great Necker, has a BA in marketing and management and MBA in management and HR, brings a professional background in hotel group sales and as an associate at Goldman Sachs along with community service that includes serving on the Parkville and E.M. Baker PTOs. An advantage or disadvantage is she is almost too invested in the park district because her husband, Will McGirr, has worked for the district for 32 years and

is presently supervisor of Parks (she asserts that there would not be any conflict of interest, but one wonders how often she would have to recuse herself on a three-person board). Her innovative ideas are to get more funding for the parks through grants (except that usually means you can’t restrict programs or facilities to park district residents) and more use of renewable energy like solar to reduce costs while enabling facilities to be open longer and later.

Victoria Goodman has longevity in the park district and is an avid user of facilities so has that knowledge and appreciation of the jewel that is our parks and greenspace. She brings a business background but as she admits, she would be learning the substantial complexities of running a $20 million municipality (regulations, worker issues, facilities and yes, the political and policy side of engaging with residents).

Continued on Page 53

OUR TOWN

Michael Jordan and the fame monster

F

ew will deny the attraction of fame and it’s nearly impossible to walk away from it after it’s tasted your blood. NBA super star Michael Jordan is a good example of how difficult it is to turn away from the spotlight. After his magnificent run with the Chicago Bulls with six NBA titles to his name, he briefly retired but then, at the age of 39, returned to play another two seasons with the Washington Wizards.

Money could not have been a motive since he was worth $1.6 billion at the time.

Sports Illustrated is preparing a piece on the 25th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s return to the Wizards and one of their writers called to explore with me what compelled MJ to go back to the grind.

I talked about the idea of his hyper competitiveness and killer instinct, but the motivation to stay in the limelight goes far deeper than that.

Let us take a few minutes to explore the power and the dangers of fame. Lady Gaga’s first album was originally titled “Fame,” but at the re-release, she gave it the title “The Fame Monster,” which tells us all we need to know. At that point in her remarkable career, Lady Gaga had a life-sized taste of fame and recognized it as the monster

it is.

The acquisition of fame has two phases. In PHASE ONE, the young prodigy has a special, other worldly gift. Singers are good examples. Lady Gaga’s true gift is not her theatricality but her voice, which is pure as gold. And when the fame machine gets wise to the gifted youngster, then things change rapidly. When you start to add the flashing camera, the siren sound of applause and all those adoring fans, you enter PHASE TWO, which Lady Gaga aptly called “The Fame Monster.”

Analysts call this Acquired Situational Narcissism, which produces all those monstrous character traits like entitlement, grandiosity, exploitation, arrogance and the inability to hear the word no.

(Acquired Situational Narcissism may explain the sexual entitlement trends that we witnessed in so many television and political personalities, including Bill O’Reilly, Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose and Andrew Cuomo.)

The long running Broadway play “Little Shop of Horrors” personifies the danger of fame in the form of a giant man-eating Venus flytrap. The plot consists of how Seymour, a meek and hapless flower shop worker, finds a plant that

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

grows only if it is fed human blood.

The plant seduces him into feeding it humans and in return Seymour is promised fame, fortune, and the love of Audrey. It is about the idea that fame devours anyone who gets close.

Any popular film, whether it’s a comedy, drama or horror flick, obtains its huge box office tally because it taps into an emerging cultural problem or crisis that needs redress.We now live in an age of celebrity, which took off in earnest in the early Sixties, just as “Little Shop of Horrors” was being made.

This is the age of narcissism where its citizens crave fame.

Psychoanalysts report an everincreasing number of patients who

display grandiosity, entitlement, haughtiness, selfishness, manipulativeness and excessive interest in bodily appearance. Forces within our culture such as endless images of celebrity, social media and the steady disintegration of family, church and community are producing this trend in Acquired Situational Narcissism.

I think the winners in this game of fame are no one. On the top of the heap are the rich and famous with household names like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, Madonna, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Jim Morrison, Lady Gaga and Andy Warhol.

Fame killed half of them, and the others are exhausted, burnt out, frightened to go outside, irreparably injured and hiding in hotel rooms.

The most chilling description of fame came from Michael Jordan himself as he was lounging on a couch in his hotel room. He remarked to the interviewer: “I don’t think you would like to be Michael Jordan” to which the interviewer inquired “Why not?” Jordan then said: “Take a look around this room. This is my world. The moment I leave this room I am accosted by endless numbers of adoring

fans who want my autograph or a quick photo. I cannot walk down the street. So, in a way, this hotel room is what remains of my life.

This is my prison. So do you think you would like to be me?”

The fame monster is real. And you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. If you are not famous, you are damned to be a nothing, a nobody and filled with shame. But if by stint of talent and hard work, you somehow manage to climb the ladder, you are sure to meet Audrey II, that man-eating Venus flytrap that will be happy to suck you dry and turn you into an entitled Fame Monster yourself. Indeed, we live in the best of times and the worst of times. And Tiger Woods has a very large yacht named “Privacy.”

Like a moth to a flame, Michael Jordan found it hard to walk away from the spotlight.

18 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

READERS WRITE

G.N. must do better to support education

I

n response to a recent editorial from the Great Neck News entitled “Culture wars come to Great Neck school district” and a letter from the Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education in the same issue under the headline “GN school board calls for civility and respect,” I feel compelled to ask: at what point will we have gone a step too far?

Those of us who have attended the Board of Education meetings this year have witnessed parents speaking their minds, students articulating themselves in ways that should make all of us proud (regardless of whether or not we agree with their every word), and teachers sharing their experiences not on behalf of a politicalized union but rather as members of the community who are working each day to educate our children. We have heard from a cross-section of our neighbors, and we have been exposed to a wide range of opinions (with more than a few talking points simply repeating national political pundits on both sides of the aisle).

Those of us who have been paying close attention to the Board of Education and who know the individual players who sit on this board are keenly aware that we are in much better hands today

than we were a year ago. The leadership of this board is more focused, more consistent and more attuned to the needs of the community. Yet there have been some missteps and this board still feels like it is a million miles away from Great Neck’s desired destination.

At a time when no one would disagree that we need more civility in every aspect of public life, the editorial by Great Neck News wasn’t helpful. There is no purpose in gaslighting the situation for the sake of journalistic convenience, though I agree that “we also need to prevent school districts from becoming political battlegrounds where board members are harassed and the education of our children is undermined.” While the letter from the Board of Education set out to encourage patience in the process — (I would ask, every single process? no matter the size or urgency?) —t he board’s words and actions continue to show a disconnect with parents across the community. What is clear is that the board and the administration must do more and do it better. Simply sending a letter to the editor of the local paper doesn’t absolve them of their continued inability to communicate effectively in a transparent and timely way.

Though we have moved be-

yond a board that previously attempted to silence the community—if we put aside the unfortunate missteps of the Nov. 17 board meeting—we continue to witness an elected body that leaves the community with more unanswered questions than seems reasonable. As a parent, I am perplexed and left wondering about outcomes, actions and next steps.

If not the board and administration, whose job is it to speak? Who will correct the record or clarify confusion when it exists? Whose job is it to inform parents and the community when the silence of school leadership becomes deafening? Who will take responsibility?

For that reason, I make the same plea to the superintendent and members of the Board of Education that I have repeatedly made over the years: please communicate your intentions, share your concerns, encourage parent engagement and interaction, and stop acting as if this situation (that is, the education of our children) is only yours to address, in silence and behind closed doors.

To be a devoted supporter of our school system, one must appreciate, as many of us do, that our children have enormous resources at their disposal, funded by tax dollars, presented in real

time through well-meaning teachers, and guided and supplemented by a parent body that crosses the full peninsula. District transparency is what’s needed now, even at a time when Great Neck maintains a significant academic advantage (though the hype of Niche rankings is overblown and irrelevant).

Let’s help Great Neck Public Schools break the cycle of sabotaging its future by embracing the fact that many parents in our district are now more focused on public education than at any time in recent memory.

To repeat other requests I previously made, the Board of Education should be encouraged to immediately: Communicate with parents and the community well in advance of every board meeting about what will be on the agenda.

De-politicize the Board of Education and return to the system of elections that previously existed where individuals ran for a seat — not against an incumbent — empowering the community to elect top vote-getters in apolitical elections.

Establish a conflict-of-interest policy that prohibits sitting members of the Board of Education from accepting financial support from the teachers’ union given

that these board members are responsible for negotiating contracts with the union. Expand the Board of Education to seven seats to ensure that this diverse community is better represented by parents and taxpayers alike.

Create a working group that explores the distribution of resources across the district, school by school—not for the purpose of shifting funds away from programs, but rather to ensure that children in every school have the same opportunities.

Provide financial projections that clearly articulate what is anticipated in future year costs so that all taxpayers can better understand the financial position of the district. Recognize that parents in this district make possible the many successes we are fortunate to experience in our schools and establish a process for feedback and response in real time.

As a community, we must do better. As a district, the Board of Education and administration must do better. As parents, we must continue to support our children’s education, even when that means standing up against a political organization.

Michael S. Glickman Great Neck

McGirr best candidate for G.N. park commish

I

was recently requested by a group of park district residents to do a formal evaluation of this year’s Great Neck park commissioner candidates.

After reading through candi-

date statements, social media posts, websites and conducting interviews with each candidate individually, I authored a sevenpage report which I presented to each candidate.

In short, there is no shortage of qualified candidates in this years election. Each is determined and committed to the task. That being said, there is one candidate that stands out.

This candidate has experience in all of the following areas: Dealing with budgets the size of the park district’s, working effectively with various local boards, and a superior knowledge of the

district’s many facilities.

Owing to this, Grace McGirr is the preferred candidate.

Gordon Charlop Great Neck

Mullins earned re-election as police commish

I

am writing this letter to ask my friends and fellow residents to re-elect Angela Lawlor Mullins as police commissioner.

In the nine years I worked with Angela she was always the most prepared, and most professional commissioner on the

board. She did endless research on all the subjects, products and issues that came up before the board, and still retains files of everything we did. Her attention to detail probably stems from her 14 years as a detective with the NYPD in the Intelligence Division, with the Manhattan DA’s

office and the Robbery Squad.

Angela worked hard and was always worrying about how much a program or piece of equipment was and its value to the community.

She brought no personal agenda to the job. Her interests were giving the residents of Port

LETTERS POLICY Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten, and those longer than 750 words may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters must include the writer’s name and phone number for verification. Anonymously sent letters will not be printed. Letters must be received by Monday noon to appear in the next week’s paper. All letters become the property of Blank Slate Media LLC and may be republished in any format. Letters can be e-mailed to news@theislandnow.com or mailed to Blank Slate Media, 22 Planting Field Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.

the best possible service at the best possible price.

Angela also added the personal touch to the job. She was always concerned with the thoughts and needs of the residents she represents, and as a result she was one of the first commissioners active on social media. Accessibility was important to Angela, knowing that we were public servants and that public input was essential for the PWPD to be most effective in the community.

She has also been involved with several community groups, as well as the many charitable events she volunteered for. She

knows the residents and is the public face of the board.

Angela knows the people.

She knows the job. She knows the value of a dollar, which is most important in these troubled times. She has been commissioner for 12 years for a reason. She gets the job done!

We need her experience, integrity, accountability and dedication to serve the people of Port Washington. On Dec. 14 please vote Row “B” and re-elect Angela Lawlor Mullins.

Dave Franklin Port Washington Letters Continued on Page 44

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

GN

19

COMMUNITY NEWS

G.N. Historical Society to discuss Playhouse Great Neck’s Playhouse Theater has played a central role in the community since its construction in 1922 — but now it is just a big hole in the ground.

The Great Neck Historical Society will take an in-depth look at the theater’s storied history and the future of the site during a Zoom program open to the community on Thursday, December 16, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Former Great Neck resident Ed Naidamast took a liking to the theater and made it his mission to research why the Middle Neck Road theater was constructed at that site, who built it, live shows that were performed there, celebrities who starred in presentations or came to see the shows as part of the audience, the conversion of the theater to a movie venue, and, more recently, the demise of the Playhouse.

He will discuss these points, show pictures of the theater and its performance through the years, and answer audience questions as part of the presentation.

In addition, Historical Society members Carol Frank and Bruce Funk will discuss efforts the organization had made to preserve the building —or structurally sig-

nificant parts of it — as notably important parts of Great Neck’s history. Great Neck Estates Mayor William Warner has also been invited to speak on his village’s role in the upcoming development of the site.

There is no charge for the program, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/ GNHS-Winter-Program-Registration.

Naidamast, who left Great Neck in the 1970s to begin a career in the Navy and the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., is a 1971 graduate of Great Neck South High School and a 1975 graduate of Utica College.

While living in Great Neck, he spent countless hours in the Great Neck Library combing through old newspaper articles to research the Playhouse Theater’s history. What he found was a comprehensive series of stories highlighting numerous theatrical performances as shows made their way to Broadway, complete with cast listings that often included young actors who would go on to successful acting careers.

“It is hard to envision a Great Neck that was largely isolated on a peninsula surrounded by a rural landscape, a com-

munity that was largely forested in areas that had yet to be developed, including Russel Gardens, Thomaston and University Gardens,” Naidamast said. “Great Neck was a quiet community comprised of great estates, such as those of Walter Chrysler and George M. Cohan, as well as more modest homes. In that setting the decision was made to construct a live theater to feature big-name shows on the way to Broadway.

Major stars found their way to Great Neck, with the theater attracting large crowds. On any given night, members of the audience might include Groucho Marx, who lived in Great Neck, W.C. Fields, who lived in Douglaston, Eddie Cantor, who lived in Manhasset, and John Phillip Sousa, who lived in Port Washington, among many others.”

But, what went wrong? Why did the shows stop? And, later, why did the movies stop? Mr. Naidamast’s research reveals fascinating answers. And, what does the future hold for the fabled site? Historical Society members will discuss the future— as well as their efforts to preserve the past — with Zoom participants.

Great Neck’s former Playhouse Theater, as it looked on opening night in 1925. The Great Neck Historical Society will discuss the theater’s past, present and future in a Zoom program on Thursday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m., open to the community.

Temple Beth-El rabbi co-authors new book After over a decade of teaching Jewish Yoga at Temple BethEl of Great Neck, Rabbi Tara and Temple Beth-El member Sharon Epstein have published Into a Jewish Holiday Year with “Yoga: A Workbook and Guided Journey for Body, Mind and Soul.”

Accessible for yogis and

non-yogis alike, this book is a resource for all who seek an enlivened and embodied experience of the Jewish holidays. It is a gateway and guide which adds depth and meaning to a Jewish holiday year through the practice of yoga. It is adaptable for use in yoga or Judaic

settings, for group experiences, and for solitary practice.

Into a Jewish Holiday Year with Yoga is designed for: • All who seek an expanded, enlivened, and embodied experience of the Jewish holiday year • Yoga practitioners and instructors exploring the

integration of yoga with Jewish tradition • Educators and community leaders facilitating Jewish experiences in synagogues, schools, community centers, retreats and summer camps • All who love Judaism and yoga The book is available on Amazon.

Book signing and launch — Jan. 15, 4:30-5:45 p.m.

Save the date for the Temple Beth-El Tu B’Shevat Yoga class.

The event will include Havdalah followed by a book signing and launch. Register for this free event by calling Temple Beth-El (516) 487-0900 ext 116.

Temple Beth-El Santa to visit Village Green collecting dinners For over 15 years, volunteers from Temple Beth-El’s Tzedakah (charitable giving) Project have delivered food and meals to those experiencing food insecurity.

Please ease the hunger of local families in need by providing them with a holiday dinner.

A complete meal costs only $25 per family. (It includes an oven stuffer roaster, four sides and dessert.)

Families that receive these holiday meals are from Hispanic Community of Great Neck,

Mount Olive Baptist Church, St. Aloysius Interfaith Food Pantry, First Baptist Church, and local senior citizens’ homes.

You can participate in two ways!

Join us on Sunday, December 19th at 9:30 a.m. at Temple Beth-El to package and deliver the meals AND/OR make a donation to sponsor a holiday meal(s).

For more information, to register or to make a donation, please call Jordana 516-8504472 or Danna 917-613-8510.

For the latest news, visit us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at

www.theislandnow.com

On Sunday, Dec. 12, at 1 pm, Santa Claus and his friends will make their annual visit to the Village Green in the old village of Great Neck.

Children will be able to meet Santa who will arrive by fire truck courtesy of the Great Neck Alert Fire Company. For many years, the Plakstis fam-

ily of Great Neck has organized this very special community event that has become an annual holiday tradition.

20 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Islanders return to the ice, capture win Team resumes season after multiple players in COVID-19 protocol, defeats Ottawa on Tuesday

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ The Islanders returned to the ice last Thursday night after having two games postponed due to multiple players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.

Initially scheduled to play the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers last Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, NHL officials announced that upwards of eight Islanders players entered the protocol following a 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Following league clearance, the team returned to practice last Wednesday, with forwards Ross Johnston and captain Anders Lee and defensemen Andy Greene and Adam Pelech fully participating after being in the protocol.

Forward Kieffer Bellows and defenseman Zdeno Chara were also removed from protocol and practiced with the team prior to last Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, while forward Casey Cizikas, who entered the protocol on Saturday, remained sidelined, officials said.

Pelech told NHL.com that

he hopes the return of some key players can jump-start things on both sides of the puck, following last Thursday’s practice.

“Hopefully the first group of

us returning here from the COVID list, it gives us a jolt of energy and we can really bring energy and positivity and something to the group that we’ve been miss-

ing with all the guys out,” Pelech said.

After an 11-game losing streak, the Islanders defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Tuesday

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

The Islanders returned to the ice last Thursday after having two games postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak.

night. Lee scored two goals and keeper Ilya Sorokin saved 30 shots After the team’s new home at Belmont officially opened on Nov. 20, the Islanders lost the first five games by a combined score of 15-4, with three being multiple-score losses.

Lee, who is third on the team in goals on the season with six, told The Associated Press the team is headed in the right direction despite the recent struggles and having to play the first 13 games on the road while construction of UBS Arena was finished.

“We stuck together and we started to build on our game a little bit the last few nights, but we hadn’t been able to get that extra point in overtime,” Lee said.

“It starts to wear on you quite a bit. So, for us to come out tonight and get the win that we needed, play the right way for good stretches of time, it’s exactly what we needed out of our group.”

As of Wednesday, the Islanders were last in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 6-10-5, with a goal differential of -21, tied for fourth worst in the league.

COMING SOON

GOOD THINGS HAVE A WAY OF COMING TOGETHER...

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

The Parlor of Mystery & Gold Coast Arts presents

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21

22 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Ex-deputy county exec Rob Walker sentenced

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Richard “Rob” Walker, the chief deputy county executive during the Ed Mangano administration, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on Tuesday after attempting to cover up a $5,000 cash payment he took from a county contractor, officials announced.

PHOTO FROM THE ISLAND NOW ARCHIVES

Rob Walker, a former aide to exCounty Executive Edward Mangano, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on Tuesday.

Walker, who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in May 2019, was ordered by U.S. District Judge Joan Azrack to pay $5,000 in forfeiture, a $5,500 fine and to complete 2,000 hours of community service, officials announced.

Walker accepted the $5,000 payment from a county contractor in 2014, officials said. In 2017, according to a news release from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, Walker learned the district office and the FBI had opened a grand jury investigation surrounding the payment.

Officials said Walker then reached out to the contractor several times asking him to say the $5,000 transaction was a loan repayment. Walker then met with the contractor in Hicksville and gave the contractor an envelope containing $5,000 in efforts to make it seem like the transaction never occurred, according to the news release.

Walker denied receiving any cash payments from the contractor when questioned by the FBI, officials said. Recorded conversations between Walker and the contractor revealed Walker attempting to have a cover-up story if the contractor was asked about the payment by officials.

Continued on Page 58

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BLANK SLATE MEDIA December 10, 2021

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

LIGHTING UP OLD WESTBURY GARDENS

SHIMMERING SOLSTICE at Old Westbury Gardens, presented by Catholic Health, offers visitors the opportunity to behold a series of magical light displays as they walk along the beautiful meandering paths through Old Westbury Gardens’ Walled Garden, Rose Garden, South Lawn, and Allée.

The event opened Nov. 20, 2021 and runs through Jan. 9. The admission time starts at 5:30 p.m. and the last admission is at 9:30 p.m. The gates close at 11 p.m.

“We are excited to offer this brand-new experience for our visitors to enjoy,” said Nancy Costopulos, president and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens. “This walkthrough lightshow has been designed specifically for Old Westbury Gardens and offers a one-of-a-kind experience that we intend to become a new annual holiday tradition. We are also thrilled to have Catholic Health as our presenting sponsor for this inaugural event. Their commitment to the communities they serve mirrors our own, and we welcome their support as we bring this spectacular event to Long Island.”

SHIMMERING SOLSTICE is a completely custom-built show that has been uniquely designed to highlight the features of Old Westbury Gardens. The design phase took approximately a-year-and-ahalf to plan.

“Catholic Health is proud to be Old Westbury Gardens’ SHIMMERING SOLSTICE presenting sponsor,” said Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Catholic Health. “This experience will bring families, friends, and communities together in a beautiful setting to reflect and make memories. Catholic Health cherishes the value of families and communities, and we continue to be humbled in contributing to moments in life that matter.”

The event was developed out of a desire to creatively adapt the land and gardens around Westbury House into a visitor location that can be enjoyed during the fall and winter holiday season and that

would remain consistent with the mission of Old Westbury Gardens.

“This is a celebration of our space,” said Maura McGoldrick-Brush, Director of Horticulture at Old Westbury Gardens.

“Instead of flowers, the gardens will be blooming with light. This is truly an enchanting combination of the beauty of the gardens and the magic of the season.”

Old Westbury Gardens worked with Lightswitch, a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers to create the show with the intent of celebrating the Gardens’ history and environment during the fall and winter seasons.

“The design will truly embrace the Gardens,” said Warren Kong, principal at Lightswitch. “The goal is to create something that is unique. We wanted to give people something they can’t see down the street from their homes and create a new family tradition for the region.”

Some examples of what visitors will see include both the formal Rose Garden and Walled Garden blooming with beautiful light and twinkling in lively rhythmic patterns. Other unique features include enormous dandelions which will line the edge of the pond and a giant Christmas tree, made of lit globes, that will be displayed in front of Westbury House. Many

other impressive light displays will be found throughout the iconic garden areas for visitors to discover.

This event is something people of all ages will enjoy. The walk-through portion of the show is designed for visitors to explore at their own pace. For the exciting finale, visitors will be dazzled to see the south facade of Westbury House come alive as they become immersed in a magical and wondrous sensation of lights and sounds, celebrating the spirit of the season.

For more information, visit the SHIMMERING SOLSTICE website: https:// shimmeringsolstice.com/

PHOTO PROVIDED BY OLD WESTBURY GARDENS

24 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Comedy mystery dinner shows return Dec. 1, 2021 The Killing Kompany, New York’s leading comedy murder mystery dinner theater company, returns with new live performances in New York and New Jersey: Friday December 3 at 8:00 pm, WHO SLAYED SANTA, a comedy murder mystery dinner show at G’S CLUB, 157 Hempstead Ave, West Hempstead, NY 11552 ($65 pp) (516) 318-2992 (To purchase tickets, go to Eventbrite) Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 pm, THE OFFICE PARTY MYSTERY, a comedy murder mystery dinner show at

PALMER’S AMERICAN GRILLE, 123 Fulton St, Farmingdale, NY ($65 pp) (516) 420-0609 Thursday, December 16 at 7:30 pm, MURDER AT THE MOB’S XMAS PARTY, a comedy murder mystery dinner show at CARRABBA’S ITALIAN GRILL, 730 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown, NY 11787 ($65 pp) (631) 265-1304 Thursday, January 13 at 7:30 pm, THE HOLLYWOOD MURDERS, a comedy murder mystery dinner show at PALMER’S AMERICAN GRILLE, 123 Fulton St, Farmingdale, NY ($65 pp) (516) 420-0609

Thursday, February 17 at 7:30 pm, MURDER BY VALENTINE, a comedy murder mystery dinner show at PALMER’S AMERICAN GRILLE, 123 Fulton St, Farmingdale, NY ($65 pp) (516) 4200609 And in 2022, we have new shows coming up in March 2022 at these venues plus at LA BUENA VIDA, 714 Montauk Hwy, Moriches and at IL PALAZZO, 600 Ringwood Ave, Wanaque, NJ 07465 Seating is limited, health guidelines will be followed and all ticket sales are final. The price includes a dinner and of course the show. After you purchase your tickets, if you would like a person from your party to be made a “guest suspect”, contact The Killing Kompany at killing@ killingkompany.com Since 1993, The Killing Kompany® has been performing comedy murder mystery shows all over the country, for major corporations, hotels, resorts, casinos, as well as fund-raisers, birthdays, anniver-

saries, sweet sixteen’s, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.

Throughout the pandemic, they have experimented with various formats for virtual and live events. All shows are custom created and performed for public and private events and comply with all Covid guidelines. For more information call them at 212 772-2590 (toll free at 1 888 SHOOT-EM). Or visit their website at killingkompany.com THE KILLING KOMPANY® — Mystery Dinner Theatre Shows E mail: killingkompany@killingkompany.com Web: www.killingkompany.com Phone: 212 772-2590 or 1 888 SHOOT-EM Fax: 212 202-6495

New comedy mystery dinner shows on Long Island and in New Jersey.

Wishing you a beautiful holiday and a happy new year! Call me for all your real estate needs.

Unwrap a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

Maureen Polyé

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

O 516.627.2800 | M 516.582.5646 maureen.polye@elliman.com

elliman.com © 2021 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.7401.

A BLANK SLATE MEDIA SPECIAL SECTION ❅ DECEMBER 10, 2021

GIFT & PARTY

26 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

The benefits of T in person holiday shopping

he 2020 holiday season was unlike any other. The COVID-19 pandemic was still affecting daily life across the globe over the final months of 2020, prompting many families and individuals to alter holiday traditions they’d embraced for decades. That included how people shop.

Many people avoided in person holiday shopping in 2020. However, the successful rollout of various COVID-19 vaccines has made in person shopping safe again. That’s good news for local businesses and great news for shoppers, who may have forgotten just how much they can benefit from shopping in person.

In person shopping is convenient.

Much is made of the convenience of online shopping. And it’s undeniable that the ability to shop at all hours of the day and night is convenient. However, in person shopping, especially when shopping for others, is much more convenient than shoppers may realize.

When shopping in person, shoppers can get a feel for an item, size it up and even inspect its quality prior to purchasing it. That can save shoppers from that disappointing feeling of receiving an item in the mail only to realize it’s poorly made or oddly sized and therefore unlikely to fit its eventual recipient.

In person shopping isn’t all about shipping. Shipping speed is a significant factor for online shoppers, and that may affect just which gift they give come the holiday season. According to a Dotcom report titled “How Fast Delivery and Quality Packaging Drives Customer Loyalty,” 87 percent of shoppers surveyed indicated shipping was a key factor when deciding

whether to shop with an e-commerce brand again. That’s an important consideration, as shoppers may be more inclined to buy an item from a retailer simply because of their shipping speed capabilities and not because of the quality of the item and whether or not it’s what they want to give to their loved one.

Shopping in person removes shipping from the equation, ensuring gift givers will give a gift they truly want to give and not just the one that will arrive on time.

In person shopping allows for more accessible browsing. Within minutes of entering a store and walking around, shoppers may see a handful of gifts that will ultimately be great for various people on their lists, even if they had no idea what to get prior to entering. That ability to browse is more difficult when shopping online, especially when buying from online retailers with massive inventories of a range of products. Such sites often require visitors to pick a category to streamline their searches.

That’s not always easy or enjoyable for shoppers who cherish the opportunity to uncover hidden gems or more unique gifts that aren’t available all over the internet.

In person shopping gets shoppers out of the house. Since the onset of the pandemic, people have spent more time than ever within the confines of their homes. The 2021 holiday shopping season provides a great opportunity to get out of the house and disconnect from devices. Shoppers can even do so alongside friends and family members they weren’t able to see last holiday season.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

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28 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

5 great gifts C for tweens and teens this holiday season

hildren often marvel at the world around them. They’re delighted to receive just about any toy, and play with items that others may not see as fun — including everything from mixing bowls to cardboard boxes. Slowly that cherubic toddler turns into a school-aged wonder, and later into a young adult trying to find his or her place in the world. With each passing year, the task of finding gifts for tweens and teenagers becomes that much more challenging.

While most parents and other relatives may never seem “cool” in the eyes of their teens, they can gift the tweens and teens they love with presents that will earn them a few extra brownie points. The following are five gift ideas that are tailor-made for tweens and teens.

1. LED strip lights Both girls and boys may enjoy customizing their rooms as they see fit. Teens can utilize LED strip lights to create a unique ambiance that reflects their style. These often self-sticking ribbons of lights adhere right to walls. They come in a variety of lengths so they can be used to frame the perimeter of the room, if desired. Complete with multicolored options and a remote control, teens can set their room colors as their mood dictates.

2. Gift Cards Teens try to keep up with the latest styles. A gift card or clothing gift from one of their favorite retailers can help them build their ensembles that much quicker. Aeropostale, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Forever 21, Zumiez, American Eagle, and Tilly’s are just some of the stores popular among today’s tweens and teens.

3. Wireless earbuds or headphones Wireless headphones are used on a daily basis by tweens and teens. They rely on them for listening to music, watching movies on their devices and even during remote learning sessions. There are many brands to choose from, and Beats by Dre and Apple AirPods are among the most popular.

4. Sneakers and shoes Sneakers have long been popular gifts for teenagers, but they tend to be costly, especially for trending styles and brands. Vans Slip-On™ Core Classics, Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Top Sneakers, Reebok Club C 85 Vintage, Nike Air Force One, and Adidas Sobakov are popular among today’s tweens and teens. In addition, thanks to the resurgence of 1990s style, Dr. Martens boots are once again in demand.

5. Video game consoles Each gamer has his or her preferred platform for gaming. From the Nintendo Switch to the Xbox Series X to the Sony PlayStation 5, these systems are in high demand. Due to that demand, these products may be harder to find the closer you get to Christmas Day. Grab them while you can and soak in the smile on your favorite tween’s or teen’s face.

Teens and tweens are notoriously challenging to shop for. However, with some knowledge, loved ones can find gifts tweens and teens are more likely to use and enjoy.

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Great gifts for avid snowbirds

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very winter, millions of people — largely seniors and retirees — pack their bags, load up their RVs or book their flights with warm destinations in mind. Soon after they start sharing photos of themselves sipping tropical drinks on sandy shores while the rest of their family members are likely shivering in icy drifts back home.

This seasonal migration has become the norm for a distinct demographic who prefer to ride out the winter in locales that are free from snow, ice and frigid temperatures. The term “snowbird” was first used in the 1920s to describe seasonal workers who moved south for the winter months, and in 1979 it was used in reference to tourists who headed south each winter. According to Vacations Made Easy, around 10 percent of the snowbirds who head to the southern United States each winter are Canadian. Florida is one of the most popular destinations for snowbirds.

A significant percentage of snowbirds eventually will make their southern residences permanent. In the meantime, shoppers who want to give a fitting gift for the snowbirds who are still traveling each year can consider the following ideas this holiday season.

Golf course guide: Retirees often spend time out on the golf course.

Offer a guide to various courses in southern states, and they can plan their trips by making road trips as they visit each course.

GPS device: While many snowbirds have cars already equipped with builtin navigation, those driving older

vehicles may benefit from a GPS device they can mount to the dashboard, which will provide directions if they have to divert from their normal routes or when they want to go off the beaten path on their way to sunny skies.

Decorative stationery: Make it easy for snowbirds to communicate with friends and family back home in a traditional way. Decorative note cards, post cards or other stationery can be a nice gift, and these notes can serve as mementos for recipients, particularly grandchildren.

Customized T-shirts: Have T-shirts monogrammed or customized with messages that play to snowbirds’ love of travel and/or sense of humor.

Beach essentials: Put together a gift that makes spending time on the beach more enjoyable. A beach caddy stocked with sunscreen, towels, an umbrella, and flip flops will give beachgoers a head start on gathering seaside essentials.

a style for every taste and budget

Food and wine carrier: Keeping items cool is critical in hot climates. A well-insulated food and beverage carrier can make picnics or snacks by the shore comfortable and safe.

Lounges: Whether you offer a zerogravity lounge to set up on the lenai or a floating beach lounge for relaxing in the waves, a gift that brings relaxation to the next level will be appreciated.

Snowbirds travel many miles to reach warm destinations and ride out winter in comfort. Gifts geared around this annual tradition are guaranteed to make snowbirds smile.

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30 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

“T Tips for traveling with gifts in tow

here’s no place like home for the holidays.” The popular Christmas tune says it best, and millions of people support that notion every year by heading back to their hometowns to spend the holidays with friends and family.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics points out that the Thanksgiving and Christmas/ New Year’s holiday periods are some of the busiest times for long-distance travel. Around Thanksgiving, the number of trips to and from a destination 50 miles or more away increases by 54 percent. During the December holiday period, the number rises by 23 percent.

When traveling for the holidays, suitcases and other baggage tends to be filled with gifts, decorations and other items like food. Packing for travel can become a little more complicated during this time of year. But these suggestions can help ensure holiday items make it there and back relatively easily.

Wrap them there One way to preserve the integrity of holiday gifts and ensure they look attractive rather than crushed or ripped is to wrap items when you arrive. Build extra time into holiday travel so that you arrive a day or two early. Seek out a quiet spot and get your wrapping done.

Ship there or back Depending on your mode of travel, there may be limited cargo space in the trunk or back of the SUV. Also, if you’re taking a long road trip that involves rest stops or even staying over at a hotel, gifts left in a vehicle may attract the attention of thieves. Lugging them into the hotel

may not be practical, either. In addition, many airlines charge fees for extra baggage, which can quickly add up with bulky holiday gifts.

Instead, ship gifts to their destination, trying to plan accordingly so that someone will be there to receive them when they arrive. Pick a shipping rate that fits your budget.

Make a “small gift” pact Speak with family members and agree to a set gift size (and/or dollar value). A theme, such as limiting gifts to gift cards, perfume/cologne or food, can make this more manageable. Try to avoid delicate items which can break during transit. Small gifts are easily stashed in luggage or boxes to bring home, saving everyone a little stress.

Remove packaging and wrapping While they may not look as pristine as carefully wrapped boxes, wrap soft clothing items right in wrapping paper or tissue paper to save on space so gifts will take up less space. On the return trip home, break down clothing boxes and remove toys from their cardboard and plastic packaging to make them easier to transport.

Bring along an empty piece of luggage Much like on vacation, you’ll probably return home with a few more items than you arrived with during the holidays. Plan ahead with an empty piece of luggage for stowing the new gifts. Nest soft or foldable items into other gifts to save on space. Shirts rolled into shoes can save significant space.

Millions of people travel for the holidays. A plan to get gifts to and fro can make trips go smoothly.

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10 gifts for automotive enthusiasts

he roar of the engine and the feeling of the wind in your hair is part of the magic of taking to the open road behind the wheel of a beloved vehicle. Whether a person is the ultimate gear head who needs to have the latest aftermarket accessory or someone who simply appreciates a pristine ride, auto enthusiasts come in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, there are all types of automotive gifts that can make it easy to impress car guys and gals this holiday season.

1. Dashboard cell phone holder: Using a mobile phone while driving is not a good idea. However, many people use their phones as GPS devices. Holding a phone while navigating is dangerous, but a phone mount near the dash can keep the phone visible without compromising the safety of drivers and their passengers.

2. Customized floor mats: Know an auto fanatic who’s also a sports fan?

Offer a gift that mixes the two passions, such as floor mats featuring a favorite sports team’s logo.

3. Cleansing wipes: When drivers are short on time, a full car wash and wax may not be possible. Drop Wipes are a product made from a neutralizing acid that destabilizes stains or bird droppings for an easy cleaning.

4. Magazine subscription: A wide selection of publications are geared to auto enthusiasts. They provide plenty of pertinent information, and some car lovers like to collect and display certain issues. Yearly subscriptions are affordable and can make ideal stocking stuffers.

5. Racing experience gift certificate: Research racing car schools and experiences where you live. Chances are you can find an opportunity for an automotive enthusiast to get behind the wheel of a race car with professional drivers offering tips for navigating the course at high speeds.

6. Car cleaning kit: Taking care of a ride means making sure it is clean inside and out. A quality car cleaning kit can ensure the job is done effectively and the car or truck always looks its best.

7. Personalized leather keychain: Ensure that a person can drive and keep their keys handy in style with leather keychains engraved with a driver’s name or initials.

8. Racing video games: A love for the open road may not end when cars pull into the driveway. Modern racing games and consoles produce incredibly realistic graphics and action that mimics real life.

9. Automotive cufflinks: As a nod to a love of driving, find quirky cufflinks that are shaped like everything from gear shifters to speedometers to steering wheels.

10. Roof or car racks: When a love of driving merges with the call of the great outdoors, drivers may need something to help haul their stuff.

Various racks have been designed for toting around bicycles, kayaks, luggage, and more.

When gifting automotive enthusiasts, look no further than their favorite hobby for inspiration.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

Did you know?

L

ights on a Christmas tree may seem like a relatively recent phenomenon, but people who can’t wait to deck the halls each December may be surprised to learn that this beloved tradition dates all the way back to the late nineteenth century. Edward Johnson, a friend and colleague of Thomas Edison, introduced holiday light bulbs in 1882. Prior to that, candles were lit on trees and families would briefly gaze at this awe-inspiring bit of holiday decor before the candles were

quickly extinguished. Johnson is credited with being the first to suggest light bulbs, which were invented by his friend Edison, be used to light trees in place of candles. While many were impressed by Johnson’s eight-bulb holiday display, it remained a novelty until the 1920s, when preassembled lights became more accessible. Since then, Christmas tree lights have taken hold as a must-have piece of holiday decor in households across the globe.

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What to get young professionals this holiday season H oliday shoppers relish the moment when a loved one unwraps a gift and immediately smiles widely. Hitting the nail on the head in regard to a holiday gift is its own reward, and there’s no shame in looking around for some inspiration to find a gift loved ones will truly cherish.

Shopping for young professionals this holiday season could be a little tricky, as changes sparked by the pandemic continue to affect work environments. However, shoppers can still find gifts to make young professionals happy this holiday season.

Home office essentials: Many businesses have welcomed workers back to the office, but some are taking a hybrid approach to being in the office. Many professionals who once went into the office five days a week are now spending one or two days a week at home. Others may still be working remotely full-time.

Holiday shoppers can take this into consideration when shopping for young professionals and look for some basic home office essentials.

A comfortable office chair, a monitor that can be paired with a companyissued laptop and even a singleserve coffee pot for young people accustomed to getting their morning coffee on the way into the office can help professionals seamlessly transition from the office to their home office during the work week.

Messenger bag: Looking the part can boost young professionals’ confidence as they begin their

careers. A leather messenger bag is a stylish and sophisticated way for young professionals to carry their laptops and other workday essentials to and from work.

Professionals working in especially formal environments may prefer a leather briefcase, which creates a more traditional look for young people who will be entertaining clients or shuffling from one business meeting to another.

Business card holder: Though they might not be as prevalent as they once were, business cards remain an effective way for young professionals to build their networks. An elegant, monogrammed business card holder can help young professionals make a strong first impression.

Luggage: Business travel may not be back to its pre-pandemic levels just yet, but many young professionals will undoubtedly still appreciate an upgrade over the luggage they used in college. If designer luggage is a budget buster, look for a sturdy, elegant alternative that young professionals will be proud to tote around on their first official business trip.

Business may still be unusual as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic. But shoppers can look to some old favorites as they search for the perfect gifts for the young professionals on their holiday shopping lists this season.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

Classic holiday films families can enjoy together T he holiday season is steeped in tradition. Few traditions may elicit more collective belly laughs than holiday movie night, a tradition in millions of households across the globe. Families can consider these classic holiday films as they plan family movie night this holiday season.

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947): This classic is centered around a man named “Kris Kringle” (Edmund Gwenn) who claims to be the real Santa Claus after a successful stint as a department store Santa in midtown Manhattan. A trial to determine if Mr. Kringle is telling the truth soon follows. This version of the tale has earned a 96 percent rating on the popular film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

“A Christmas Story” (1983): Though it airs all day long on Christmas on the cable television network TBS, families

can get a head-start on that marathon and watch the film uninterrupted whenever they choose. Families can laugh together as 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) hopes to unwrap his official Red Ryder BB gun on Christmas morning. The film, which boasts an 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, includes a memorable performance by Darren McGavin, who plays Ralphie’s father.

“Babes In Toyland” (1934): Also known as “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” this nearly century-old classic stars the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy as two helpful tenants living in Mother Peep’s shoe in Toyland.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1967): An animated version of the Dr. Seuss classic, this film has entertained scores of children since it was first released more than 50 years ago.

“Holiday Inn” (1942): Hollywood legends Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this classic that is perhaps most remembered for introducing the Irving Berlin class “White Christmas” to the masses.

The film boasts a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has something for fans of song, dance and romance.

“Arthur Christmas” (2011): Not all Christmas films date back to the 20th century. This animated tale tells the story of Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy), Santa’s youngest son who is thrust into the Christmas Eve business of delivering presents when

35

his father fails to deliver a present to one child out of the hundreds of millions of kids on his list.

“A Christmas Carol” (1951): Many holiday season celebrants cannot imagine letting a season go by without watching at least one adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. The 1951 version is widely considered the most faithful to Dickens’ 1843 novella that recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Alastair Sim stars as Scrooge, and many consider his performance the best of any actor to take a turn as the notorious 19th century miser.

36 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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Post-pandemic gifts for friends and loved ones F amilies, businesses, schools, and just about everyone had to modify daily life in dramatic ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the most significant effects of COVID-19 — beyond the health implications — have been the changes in outings and gatherings and the ways holidays were celebrated.

The 2021 holiday season figures to be especially jovial as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic. As shoppers hit the holiday shopping trail once more, they can look to the pandemic for gift-buying inspiration.

Travel-related gifts Travel restrictions greatly limited where people could go, so millions embraced staycations as a means to taking breaks from school and work.

Travel restrictions have now been lifted in many parts of the world, and vaccinated individuals may feel more comfortable traveling again. Consider gifts that include travel essentials, such as luggage, plane tickets, toiletries, hotel vouchers, and even gift cards to use on vacation purchases.

Preparatory gifts People are much more “germconscious” as a result of the pandemic.

Cases of COVID-19 are on the decline, but it still pays to be cautious and sanitary. Gifts that promote cleanliness may continue to be appreciated and also prepare a person should another pandemic occur in the future. Stylish reusable face masks; special sanitary “keys” that limit contact with things like ATMs, doors and elevator buttons; ultraviolet disinfecting lamps; and even purses and bags that can be cleaned without damage are all gift ideas that make cleanliness more convenient.

Home improvement supplies In the wake of canceled vacation plans, homeowners channeled their vacation dollars into home improvements.

Those who still have plans to redo and renovate will appreciate gifts that may include gift cards to popular home improvement and design retailers. In addition, as certain home improvement materials like lumber have gotten more expensive, a cash gift to offset the cost of materials can help people see projects through to completion.

Dining out vouchers Even though many restaurants pivoted to takeout service or established outdoor seating to meet safety requirements, dining establishments still felt the pain of the pandemic. More people have now returned to traditional dining, and restrictions on indoor dining have gradually been loosened.

Therefore, gifts that focus on dining out, such as certificates for favorite restaurants or wine bottle caddies for BYOB establishments, can make for great gifts.

Support new hobbies Many people took on new hobbies and explored new activities to pass the time during the pandemic. Encourage these hobbies by gifting tools and supplies.

If a person adopted a new pet, try pettoy subscriptions or even purchase pet health insurance.

Though the pandemic is something many people would love to forget, holiday shoppers can look to it for inspiration when buying gifts for loved ones this year.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

A guide to picking the perfect fresh Christmas tree C ome the holiday season, perhaps no tradition evokes the warm and fuzzy “feels” more than a family outing to pick a Christmas tree. Whether it’s a trek to a live Christmas tree farm or a short drive to the nearest pre-cut tree lot, the process of selecting a tree that will serve as the crown jewel of the entire season is a great way to make lasting memories.

Selecting a tree is a yearly ritual and each person has his or her set of criteria for what makes the ideal Christmas tree. These tips can help families find the right tree.

Choose your species Do some homework on the type of tree you want prior to buying the tree. Balsam fir and fraser fir are popular Christmas tree varieties, but there are many others, such

as noble fir and Norway spruce.

Balsams are known for having the most fragrant smell, but frasers tend to keep their needles the longest.

For those who prefer a douglas fir, keep in mind that they sometimes drop their needles prematurely due to foliar diseases like needle-cast fungus.

Space for ornaments In addition to aroma and needle longevity, look for trees that have a desirable shape and allow for adequate space between branches, advises the home and garden resource The Spruce. Trees groomed to be lush and full will look beautiful unadorned, but once ornaments are added, full branches may cause those ornaments to hang low or even fall off. Trees with sparse branches allow for ornaments to hang straight.

Measure your space Trees in the field or in a lot may look much smaller than they do when brought into the living room. Don’t make the mistake of selecting a tree that is too large for your home. The agricultural firm Ragan & Masey says to measure the room from floor to ceiling and subtract the height of the tree stand and tree topper. It’s equally important to measure the width of the area where the tree will stand and allow for ample space for foot traffic around the tree.

Perform a needle check Every tree will drop some needles, and most evergreens hold their foliage.

Modest needle loss is not an indicator of a poor tree. However, Decker’s Nursery in Greenlawn, NY says if 50

percent of the needles are lost when you swipe your hand down three to five different branches around the tree, the tree likely is not a good choice. In addition, avoid a tree that has glaring defects in the trunk as it can impede water flow through the tree.

Heavier is better A heavy pre-cut tree means it is full of water and has been cut more recently.

A healthy, fresh tree is going to require an effort to lift. Older, dried out trees will not be heavy.

Upon arriving home, make a fresh cut off the tree trunk and get it in water as soon as possible — even if that’s a bucket until the tree stand can be set up.

Celebrate the holidays with us!!

Open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Jassi’s Fine Indian Cuisine offer delicious dining, take out and delivery to New Hyde Park. Jassi’s is a cornerstone in the community and has been recognized for its outstanding Indian cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff.

Our Indian restaurant is known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and it insistence on only using high quality fresh ingredients.

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38 HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Last-minute holiday shopping tips S

ome people thrive by doing all of their tasks early. Others seem to do their best work when faced with a time crunch. The methods individuals use to manage their time at work and play may extend to the ways they approach holiday shopping as well.

air with inviting aromas, putting necessities at the rear of the store, failing to display the time, and putting discounted items by the registers or door to attract shoppers. Set an alarm on your watch or phone for each store so you get what you need and get out on time.

There’s no right or wrong way to handle holiday shopping tasks, though Christmas Eve crowds at malls and throughout shopping districts suggest that there’s more late comers than there are early birds. The following tips can help those who typically wait until the last minute to check names off their lists.

Subdivide bulk gifts. Think about purchasing bulk gifts like gift baskets from wholesale clubs and then breaking them down into individual gifts. This way you can gift several people on one purchase and save time in the process.

Utilize free shipping services. Shoppers who shop for gifts online at the last minute run the risk of gifts not arriving on time. Many online retailers charge a premium for expedited shipping. Try to stick to shopping at online retailers that offer free shipping even in the eleventh hour.

Create a budget. When rushing around from store to store, it may be easy to spend more than you want to. Make a list of how much you want to spend on each person, and stick to that limit for each person. Move on to the next store if you didn’t find what you need in your price range.

Establish a time limit. Stores have strategies in place to keep shoppers in their establishments longer, hoping you’ll make impulse buys. These tricks include scenting the

Choose one-size-fits-all gifts. Think about a gift that can be purchased for multiple people so you can save time shopping for individualized gifts for everyone. For example, print a personalized photo calendar for several members of your family. You also can purchase multiple subscriptions or memberships to zoos or magazines for people on your list.

Streamlining gifting in this way may save money as well as time.

Choose in-store pickup. Rather than scouring various aisles, you can shop a retailer’s website and then pick up items in the store. You’ll save on potential shipping fees but still benefit by avoiding crowds.

Some people wait until the last minute to do their holiday shopping. A few tricks of the procrastinator’s trade can make last-minute shopping go smoothly.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021 • HOLIDAY GIFT & PARTY GUIDE

Joanne’s Is Your Holiday and Winter Headquarters Time to Celebrate the Winter!

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‘The Cratchits’ Christmas Carol’ Join Beacon Church for a magical evening as we celebrate the wonder of Christmas! On Dec. 24, Beacon will be presenting an original musical, “The Cratchits’ Christmas Carol.”

We all know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, but what about the Cratchits?

While Scrooge is on his journey through time, follow Bob Cratchit, his wife, and Tiny Tim as they each rediscover the

41

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There will be two showings: 4 pm and 6 pm.

Tickets to the show are Free but we’d love for you to register to ensure social distancing.

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Beacon Church is located at 201 I.U. Willets Rd. in Albertson. 516-620-5106. www.beacon.church

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Blank Slate Media welcomes your submissions.

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Full Service General Contractor, Builder, Remodeler

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43

44 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

READERS WRITE

Supporting Port Return Cooper as fire, Farmers’ Market water commish: captains

A

s the growing season comes to a close, we want to reach out to all of our faithful patrons at the Port Washington Farmers’ Market to say “Thank you” for your strong support this year.

The market is a project of our non-profit organization, Grassroots Environmental Education, and the proceeds from the market help fund our projects on pesticides, wireless radiation, chemical toxins and school environments.

Since our founding of the market in 2002 we have en-

deavored to make available to the residents of Port Washington and the surrounding area fresh, organic, locally grown food, and provide an opportunity for shoppers to get to know the people who grow, bake, make or catch the food they are eating.

On behalf of all of our vendors and our small staff, thank you all for making this season such a success. We look forward to seeing you, your kids and your dogs next year!

Patti and Doug Wood Port Washington

The Port Washington Farmers’ Market, open from June to November

O

n Tues., Dec. 14, there will be a contested election for Garden City Park Water/Fire commissioner. We urge you to vote for Alan Cooper, who has the experience and leadership we need to restore fiscal integrity to our community.

Alan has spent the past 40 years of his life in public service.

He joined the Garden City Park Fire Department in 1981 and quickly rose to the rank of captain. He became an Emergency Medical Technician at the age of 18, and later a New York State Certified and Nationally Registered Paramedic. Alan holds a Ph.D. in psychology and an MBA in management from Adelphi University.

In 1993 he was elected Garden City Park Water/Fire Commissioner and served four terms.

During his tenure on the Board of Commissioners, he played a significant role in revamping our fire equipment, replacing virtually the entire fleet of outdated emergency vehicles, including two new state-of-theart ambulances, and rebuilding Fire Headquarters, which was originally built in 1921.

He has been praised for being an exceptional commissioner,

balancing the needs of our community with fiscal responsibility, and was cited for his exceptional fiscal practices by the New York State comptroller. He is currently the captain of Engine Co. 4 and is supported by chiefs, officers, and members of the Garden City Park Fire Department.

While Water/Fire Commissioner, Dr. Cooper led the effort to overhaul the water distribution infrastructure, replacing outdated pump equipment and water mains throughout the district.

Additionally, he approved the construction of a new water purification station to avoid the need to chlorinate our water supply (which unfortunately is now done). With all this investment, his fiscal management was outstanding, and in his first year on the board, he reduced our water tax rate.

When he left office in 2007, Dr. Cooper served for five years on the New Hyde Park/ Garden City Park School Board. In 2008 he was appointed to the Town of North Hempstead Housing Authority, where he currently serves as commissioner, overseeing five housing developments across the town.

Professionally, Dr. Cooper is currently the associate dean of

the Willumstad School of Business at Adelphi University and the owner of a management consulting firm.

Prior to this, he was the Chief People and Performance Officer at White Plains Hospital in Westchester. He spent the first two decades of his career with the North Shore – LIJ Health System (now Northwell Health) as vice president for Learning and Innovation.

Again, we urge you to vote for Alan Cooper on Tues., Dec. 14, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Garden City Park Water District, 333 Marcus Ave. Garden City Park. For details on Alan’s platform and taxpayer concerns, visit www.VoteCooper2021.com.

Salju Thomas Chief 2019 GCPFD Co.1 Augustine Carnevale Chief 1990, 2017 GCPFD Co.2 Robert Mirabile Chief 2014, 2015 GCPFD Co.3 Robert Magas Chief 1991, 1992 GCPFD Co. 4

Re-elect Mullins as Port police commish

I

write in the hope that the residents of the Port Washington Police protection area will join me in the full support of Angela Mullins, present commissioner of the Port Washington Police District, who is seeking re-election to her three-year seat during the district voting on Tues., Dec. 14.

It has been an honor to know and work with Commissioner Mullins in many ventures of our Port Washington community. She is present, not just at election time, but always. She is fully vested in this community as well as in her position as commissioner of the PWPD. Angela is a former NYPD detective in the Intelligence

Division, Manhattan District Attorney and Robbery Squad, which gives her a very unique perspective on the administrative and the Patrol aspect of the Port Washington Police District.

She has served as a commissioner for the past 12 years and throughout this time, she has been caring, honest and has looked out for the best interest and the safety of the Port Washington residents.

Her accomplishments speak for themselves. During her tenure as PWPD commissioner, Angela established a Community Liaison Unit and outreach programs with many community organizations, business owners and resident’s groups to determine how the PWPD could bet-

ter serve the community. She saved over $100,000 a year by re-aligning civilian duties, in addition to significant savings by adjusting police officers’ salary structures. She has helped keep five years’ budget increases to about 2 percent yearly, far lower than tax base growth or inflation.

SHE HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THE TOWN AS OPPOSED TO SOMEONE’S PERSONAL AGENDA Commissioner Mullins is present at most community events, therefore supporting her emphasis of communityoriented policing, which ensures a strong and positive working relationship between the community and the PWPD.

She is interested in the safety of our children and the community members in so doing focusing on resident, traffic, pedestrian safety and emergency preparedness. She actively works with the police staff, as well as listens to the community, and takes pride in the open door policy that she maintains on a daily basis.

This is NOT a time for additional “new” blood to be on the Commissioners Board. This is time for experience and continued leadership. We all have the right to feel safe in our neighborhood. Commissioner Mullins demands this of all of the police officers and together they provide a focus on protection and service to the commu-

nity. Her integrity, professionalism, positive attitude, pride, veracity and attentiveness to detail both financially and safety on our streets are second to none!

Your vote matters! Vote Row B for the individual who fights for you, who cares about you and most of all who sees that your protection matters!

Commissioner Mullin’s experience matters!

Please vote for Angela Lawlor Mullins on Dec. 14 in the Police District Commissioner election at the Polish Hall, 5 Pulaski Place from 12 p.m. — 9 p.m.

Pam Monfort Port Washington

For the latest news, visit us at w w w.theislandnow.com

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

45

READERS WRITE

Safeguard water by voting for David Brackett

T

he Port Washington Water District is in the middle of a complicated, 5-year capital improvement plan to deal with recently regulated contaminants found in drinking water sources across Long Island.

An example is 1,4-dioxane; our district is making a significant investment to construct new, state-of-the-art treatment systems. As a result of this forward-looking endeavor, our Water District is highly respected as a proactive, professional leader

among Long Island districts.

David Brackett is an essential part of this team. He has led the process to develop and execute this plan and knows our resources, our problems and how to solve them.

Not electing him will result

in disruption of this extremely important, ongoing 5-year plan.

For 30 years he has delivered safe drinking water to our 30,000 residents. Let’s keep him in office. Please mark your calendars to go and vote for David Brackett as Port Wash-

ington Water Commissioner on Dec. 14, 12-9 PM at the PolishAmerican Hall on Pulaski Place in Port Washington. Your water depends on your vote.

Lisa Donatelli Port Washington

Mullins only choice for police commissioner

I

t is incredible how much Angela Lawlor Mullins has achieved during her 12 years as police commissioner for the Port Washington Police Department.

She understands how to work with the police department, not against it. Angela has the respect of the entire police force and the community because of her devotion to

community-focused policing and support for the entire police force.

Commissioner Mullins is also very tenacious about saving tax dollars. She focused on adjusting the department salary structure and civilian duties, which has saved taxpayers over $100,000 a year, not to mention keeping budget increases to about 2% each year over the past

five years.

She insists that officers and supervisors be optimally trained, which has resulted in the highest level of professionalism and service to the community. Commissioner Mullins also organizes meetings with the community on scams, identity theft, etc, as well as to gain feedback on satisfaction and con-

cerns.

The fact that Angela was a New York Police Department detective gives her a big leg up with regard to understanding how a police department is run, including all the little nuances one only knows from working within a department.

In a nutshell, Police Commissioner Angela Lawlor Mullins has

the experience, professionalism, tenacity and dedication the Port Washington community needs and deserves. I hope you’ll join me on December 14 and cast your vote to re-elect Commissioner Mullins.

Polls are open from 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Polish Hall.

Jeff Stone Port Washington

Morris gets things done at Manhasset Lakeville

I

am writing this letter in support of Brian Morris in his re-election bid for Manhasset Lakeville water commissioner.

And I have to state at the outset I seldom if ever write letters in support of candidates; however, this is a unique situation.

Brian has been working for the Village of Kensington for eight

of the 14 years that I have been the mayor. In that time, I have found him to be the most hardworking, honest and all-around exemplary human being I have had the pleasure to know. He goes above and beyond in getting the work done in all situations and in particular during public emergencies.

As an example, he’s the guy

in the reflective vest who helps to direct traffic and puts cones up in the middle of a tropical storm to secure passage of pedestrians. He’s the guy in the middle of East Shore Road helping motorists when a storm drain pops open, causing a serious hazard. And he’s the guy who figured out how the village could save money by rigging up

a portable watering apparatus to help maintain our newly planted shrubs.

In short, he’s the guy that we all rely on when we need something done, whether it be overseeing tree trimming or securing the village hall from a flood. He is second to none and irreplaceable.

Above all he is a man of the highest

integrity. His value to our village and to the community as a whole is unquestionable. I don’t know the other candidates, but I sure know Brian Morris, and I support him unequivocally in his re-election bid.

Susan Lopatkin, Mayor Village of Kensington

Candidate withdrew; League forum canceled

T

he League of Women Voters of Port Washington–Manhasset is disappointed that the Dec. 1 PW Water District Commissioner Candidates Forum had to be canceled.

Based on League policy, a candidate event cannot be held if only one candidate for the race

attends as that could indicate support by the League for that one candidate. The League believes that these events provide the public with an opportunity to “interview” the candidates for the job.

In this case, Mr. Brandon Kurz canceled his appearance stating that he felt the league was

not nonpartisan. The league, at all levels, is strictly nonpartisan and we strongly value and protect that stance.

While the League is nonpartisan, that does not mean that our members are nonpartisan or apolitical. The league encourages members to be political and join in the political process. They

cannot, however, do that in the name of the League or represent the league.

The Nov. 17 event referenced

by Mr. Kurz was organized by three individuals, not the league, and the league had no involvement in the organization or implementation of the event.

The league is frustrated that

Mr. Kurz was unwilling to participate in the recent event. The league never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.

Sincerely, Regina Goutevenier President LWV of Port Washington- Manhasset

Opposition to a fully paid Fire Department

T

his letter expresses my opposition to a paid Fire Department for ManhassetLakeville Fire District.

As a 62-year member, former chief and former advanced emergency medical Technician, I have experienced a fair amount of Mr. Brian Kenny’s largely negative posture toward policies which endeavor to maintain and augment the efficacy of the volunteer fire service (note that there are 71 excellent volunteer Fire Departments

in Nassau and 110 in Suffolk) At present there is superlative coverage given to our residents and businesses in terms of cost to taxpayers. As evidence, manpower in both counties is willingly provided by the most dedicated persons and quantity and quality of emergency apparatus is second to none.

Factually, Mr. Kenny has indeed proposed a paid fire service before. The last time it was his proposal to reduce the number of

stations and apparatus and have the department populated with his employees as needed.

At that time said employees were largely those in his catering business. It appeared that this posture was designed to foster a greater personal influence and power.

With the recent proposal, coverage to the community at large would require substantially increased manpower costs and diminished apparatus. Excellent current mutual aid procedures

would have to be renegotiated and bargain issues would come to the fore.

Today’s manpower costs are minimal compared to full career Departments. Those are for minimal maintenance and occasional daytime augment.

The suburbs’ hazard risks are nowhere near those of a huge city and do not require transition to a fully paid organization.

The cost to the taxpayer would require scaling back cover-

age to an acceptable minimum.

Today’s volunteers are among the most dedicated people on earth and to eliminate their effectively no-cost labor would be a profound insult to them and a severe detriment to those they serve.

There are no fully paid Fire Departments on Long Island to date. This bears truth to the saying “If it ain”t broke Don’t fix it!

Herman P. Wiegand Manhasset

46 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

READERS WRITE

How much did Moynihan Train Hall cost?

T

here is more to the recent news that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau approved refinancing.

This has resulted in increasing the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to the Empire State Development Corp. It helped pay for the $1.6 billion Amtrak Penn Station Moynihan Train Hall. The project failed to add any new track or platform capacity for Amtrak, NJ Transit, LIRR or future Metro

North Rail Road service to this facility.

The new loan provides an additional $80 million. This increases the value of the loan from the original $526 million to $606 million. The additional funding is supposed to assist in paying for completion of security and passenger safety at this new facility. You have to wonder why this work was not completed prior to opening of the Moynihan Train Hall on Jan.c1, 2021. Does this loan imply that the real final

project cost has increased by $80 million to $1.680 billion?

Pre-COVID-19, there were 260,000 daily Long Island Rail Road and 90,000 New Jersey Transit commuters utilizing Penn Station. Amtrak riders account for only 5 percent of those who use Penn Station. Few LIRR or NJ Transit riders utilize Moynihan Train Hall.

In 1992, the estimated project cost was $315 million. Several years later, the cost grew to $500 million and the completion date

slipped to the late 1990s. That generation of Amtrak, LIRR and NJ Transit officials, along with project sponsors such as U.S. Sen. Patrick Moynihan and other public officials were not happy with both cost increases and project delays. Final cost grew to $1.6 billion upon opening.

The loan still has to be paid back by revenues generated from private sector investments with shortfalls covered by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The Empire State Development

Corp. is counting on the sale of air rights over the Farley Building as the source for its $570 million contribution.

In our COVID-19 world, many commuters continue working from home part and full time.

Larry Penner Great Neck (Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office).

Commish, candidates should follow park rules

O

n Dec. 3, Great Neck Parks Superintendent Jason Marra issued a memo to all parks department staff outlining specific COVID protocols to take effect immediately. This included the following statement: “Face coverings are required by all employees while indoors at all times regardless of their vaccination status.”

On Dec. 5, the Parkwood ice rink was closed for a private event,

which was attended by Commissioner Ciluffo and candidate Vanessa Tamari. Both of them were photographed without masks at this event, not even 48 hours after the memo was distributed.

It is disappointing, to say the least, to see a current commissioner and someone who is seeking election to the position of commissioner, both in flagrant violation of park policy and with so little disregard for basic common sense.

There is also a hint of impropriety here, with an elected official, a current park commissioner, using his inside knowledge of a private event to promote his preferred candidate. Were all five candidates advised of this opportunity to do a meet & greet with Chabad, or was it just Ms. Tamari?

This was not the first time the rink was closed to the public and one candidate was promoted due to her friendship with a current com-

missioner; it occurred previously on Nov. 11, canceling a holiday public session in favor of a private Baker PTO event and once again, only one candidate was notified and attended with a current commissioner.

Both of these events are clearly a violation of campaign policy, which states that a candidate may not engage in ‘regulated communicative activity’ at a park district facility where an event is scheduled, and also states that ‘All Park District

General Ordinance provisions must be followed by persons at all times while engaging in Regulated Communicative Activity,’ which is defined as campaigning to an assembly of more than 3 people.

How can we trust a candidate (or a commissioner, for that matter) who can not follow the basic rules and regulations of the district?

Nina Gordon Great Neck

Vanessa Tamari best choice for G.N. parks

V

anessa Tamari is running for Great Neck Park District commissioner and is the best candidate for the job. Vanessa is the real deal. She has earned the distinction of “The best mom in the world.” (To me that’s the highest compliment one can give and it doesn’t have to be reserved for one person) She’s also the best type of friend you could ever hope to have. Throughout the more than seven years that I’ve had the honor of knowing Vanessa and her family, she’s spent three

or four hours of each day working to make our community better, often in ways that aren’t part of any formal position or leadership role (though she’s held many of those as well). She is a tireless advocate for kids—not just her own, but for all of the kids in our community.

The role of a Park District commissioner is to serve as a steward of our shared treasure – Great Neck’s unparalleled parks and facilities, activities, and programming – and to always strive to better use the district’s resources

to meet the needs and wants of as many of our residents as possible. Over the past few years, I’ve had a front-row seat to watch her decision-making process on matters affecting her kids, my kids, and many of our kids in the many PTO leadership positions she has so selflessly taken on. In her PTO roles, her decisions and actions on any particular issue are not swayed by the individual or specific needs of her sons, but by what she believes will best serve the entire student population.

Vanessa takes a common sense, facts-first, rational, and kindhearted approach to every interaction she has in person or online—assets that will serve our community well.

And here’s the kicker – when it comes to politics, our views probably couldn’t be further apart.

And in this sadly divided world/ country/state/county/town that we live in, our political views have never ONCE been the subject of any type of argument, debate, conflict, or from what I recall, ever

been the topic of conversation. I bring this up because Vanessa is driven not by political ideology, but by a passion for making her community better. And it’s critical to keep in mind that the Park District commissioner is not a political position.

I encourage you to support the Vanessa Tamari for Great Neck Park District Commissioner campaign and vote for her on Dec. 14!

Matthew Ruzz Great Neck

Another successful holiday poster contest

A

big thank you to all the Manhasset children who created beautiful posters for this year’s Our Community One Family poster contest theme.

We could not carry on this tradition without the help and involvement of all the teachers in the schools, the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce, town and park officials, the student volunteers

who hang the posters up and down Plandome Road and the merchants who enthusiastically participate year after year.

We would like to send out a special thank you to Girl Scouts who helped decorate the tree and kicked- things off at the tree lighting with their beautiful voices and caroling.

Randy Knudsen and the Manhasset Secondary School Brass Ensemble, the Ameri-

can Legion for leading us in the Pledge of Alliance, The Rev’d Stephen Tamke, Rector, Christ Church Episcopal for the blessing, Four Five for keeping us all warm with their coffee, hot chocolate and churros, Herb and Olive for providing such delicious goodies. And thank you Antonietta Manzi for her beautiful creations for the prize winners.

But, we still need the

community’s help. We need you to log on to the chamber’s Manhassetny.org website and vote for grand prize winner. Voting is open until Jan. 3. The winner will be announced Jan. 12 at the chamber installation luncheon.

Nancy Morris Chairperson, Manhasset Poster Contest State Farm Insurance Nancy Morris, Agent

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

47

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48 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

Business&RealEstate

Tech aids brokers during pandemic

B

eing in the business fulltime since 1993 and realizing how far the industry has advanced technologically in that period of time is quite remarkable and sometimes overwhelming for many. Back then, we would receive weekly printed books delivered to us on Thursdays and Fridays as to what new listings came onto the market as well as any changes that took place on existing properties. There was intensive labor involved to make changes that were required, with documented paperwork from sellers and the never ending faxing, to complete what today takes a few minutes to do. What a waste of time, but that’s all that we had. Our current updates are quicker, accurate, and more efficient in real time. Back then the public was not privy to our “proprietary” information.

However, the last 15 years have seen a revolution in opening up that previously hidden and secretive information to the public and technology has allowed everyone to access it and be on the same page. Through this change the public has been better educated and brokers have saved time and labor, which equates into better exposure for

Managed IT

properties. Unfortunately, many in the industry had felt and some still do feel that all that newly exposed information opened up a cascade of issues and challenges. It also took away the “proprietary” hold that agents had on that data.

One problem that came about was who represented who in the transaction as before January 1998, there was no real agency law and brokers and agents may have represented both parties as a normal course of action. But as enough complaints came in about fraudulent and devious scams, this led to more strict laws being enacted to protect buyers, investors, sellers and tenants as well as Brokers and salespeople.

Printed forms had to be signed by all those involved in the transactions at first point of contact as to who you were representing. Nowadays, we are able to greatly speed up the process by using technology in a program called docu-sign (or an attachment to an email) to send and receive back paperwork (and it is admissible in a court of law) to all those participants in the sale, investment or rental of residential and commercial properties.

VoIP Phones

Cyber Security

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, Covid disclosures, Fair Housing and Ethic Laws there is that much more paperwork to be presented to all the parties involved and technology has made it that much easier and accessible to be able to transmit the required paperwork back and forth and get signed in advance of showings. During the pandemic it was a real blessing to have the necessary applications to have buyers, investors and renters sign, date and return back, so this documentation could be forwarded to the listing Brokers and agents in advance of all showings.

As difficult and problematic as the pandemic still is for the

Cyber Compliance

world, imagine without programs and technology how impossible it might have been to do any business in the exchange of required and necessary paperwork. We are so dependent on technology. Real estate is still a one-on-one business and we are as much a necessity today with the help of technology than ever before to assist in the transaction for those trying to navigate the challenging and stressful process from start to finish.

However, a key question is when will our antiquated and aging electric grid fail again (or possibly be sabotaged) for a longer period of time, and what is our backup system to run our technology and our businesses.

Right now there is still none!

In 1965 and 2003 we had rolling blackouts that put citizens and their businesses into darkness. In February 2021, Texas’s severe weather assisted in the deregulated power grid failure.

The United States and individual states obviously do not have a backup system (although some major companies have UPSs (uninterrupted power sources) and humongous generators (most credit card companies do) that keep them online, but that is a band-aid fix and doesn’t solve

the problems for everyone else.

When will the federal government wake up to the reality of what is absolutely needed? I am hoping that part of the infrastructure Build Back Better plan to upgrade and enhance our decaying electrical grid will truly bring us into the future to make sure future failures just might be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, our technology cannot work without adequate power. In order for it to function efficiently and our businesses to succeed and thrive, our local and national electrical grid must be vastly improved.

How soon and how fast these improvements and upgrades to our infrastructure will occur is anyone’s guess. But they must be done in order for the United States to compete in the global business world or the end result we’ll be that we continue to fall behind China and other up-andcoming economies.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years of experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist.

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ THEISLANDNOW AND TWITTER: @THE ISLANDNOW

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

GN

13 Church Street, Great Neck

77 Oxford Blvd., Great Neck

4 bd, 4 ba, 2,600 sqft, Sold On: 8/9/21, Sold Price: $1,298,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

6 bd, 4 ba, 3,000 sqft, Sold On: 8/25/21, Sold Price: $1,290,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

34 Franklin Place, Great Neck

60 Gristmill Lane, Great Neck

4 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 8/26/21, Sold Price: $740,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

5 bd, 4 ba, Sold On: 8/27/21, Sold Price: $1,600,000 Type: Single Family, Schools: Great Neck

49

Editor’s note: Homes shown here were recently sold in Great Neck by a variety of real estate agencies. This information about the home and the photos were obtained through the Zillow.com. The homes are presented solely based on the fact that they were recently sold in Great Neck and are believed by Blank Slate Media to be of interest to our readers.

SEND US A NEWS TIP! WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT NEWS IN OUR COMMUNITY. LET US KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON! THEISLANDNOW.COM/SUBMIT-NEWS WWW.THEISLANDNOW.COM

50 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

GN

5 vying for park district commissioner Winner of Tuesday election, three-year term will replace Robert Lincoln on board Continued from Page 1 land Women’s Interclub Tennis League.

Goodman said her goals include helping create “safe spaces for social interaction and private reflection,” improving maintenance and beautification of the parks, sharpening the budget and reducing costs while providing necessary programs to residents.

McGirr, whose professional background in the hotel group sales industry and as an associate at Goldman Sachs spans more than 20 years, said her experience working and participating in the programs throughout the park district led her to run.

McGirr, whose husband, Will, serves as senior supervisor for the park district, said there would be no conflict of interest if she were elected.

Tamari, a park district resident for more than 25 years, has been a volunteer throughout the community, serving as co-president of the Great Neck North Middle School PTO from 2019 to 2021 and as a parent representative on the school district’s Shared Decision Making Committee. She, her husband and two sons, she said, are active members of the park district.

A lawyer with more than a decade of experience practicing insurance defense, she said her legal background will serve the residents of the park district in an effective manner.

Tamari said she has also managed a real estate investment portfolio with properties on the east and west coasts. She touted her ability to maintain budgetary and financial records that would also be an asset to the district, if elected.

Whoever is elected to the three-year term will join Commissioners Tina Stellato and Frank Cilluffo on the board.

The election for parks commissioner will take place with other special district elections on Tuesday from 1 to 9 p.m.

The district is divided into four sectors for polling purposes.

The 1st District encompasses the Village of Kings Point, Saddle Rock Estates and areas of the Village of Great Neck that are east of Middle Neck Road and north of Hicks Lane and west of Middle Neck Road. The polling place for District 1 is the Great Neck House at 14 Arrendale Ave. The 2nd District encompasses the area of the Village of Great Neck that is east of Middle Neck Road and unincorpo-

SCREENSHOT BY ROBERT PELAEZ

Candidates for the Great Neck Park District election spoke on the issues during a virtual forum last week. rated areas of the Town of North Hempstead that are south of the Village of Great Neck and north of the Village of Kensington.

The polling place for District 2 is also the Great Neck House.

The 3rd District encompasses the villages of Great Neck Plaza, Thomaston and Kensington. The polling place is the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Company No. 3 Firehouse at 25 Prospect St.

The 4th District encompasses the Village of Russell Gardens and other unincorporated areas within the town.

These areas are the Great Neck Terrace Apartments, Lakeville, Upland, Lake Success Hills and Manor sections of Great Neck, and all other areas bounded by Great Neck Road on the north and west, Northern Boulevard on the south, and Middle Neck Road on the east. The poll-

ing place for District 4 is the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire District’s Company No. 4 Firehouse at 97 Jayson Ave. Residents who are 18 years of age or older and have resided in the Great Neck Park District for at least 30 days before the election and are registered with the Nassau County Board of Elections are eligible to vote.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Colgate family donates $1 million Glen Cove Hospital has received a $1 million gift from John and Diana Colgate toward the purchase of its first in-house MRI machine and the creation of an MRI suite.

The amount contributes significantly toward the $3 million total cost the hospital is raising to acquire this technology, which is critical for detection, diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions.

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine takes noninvasive, detailed photos of organs and structures within the body that help physicians diagnose injury and disease or evaluate treatment.

Currently, about 350 patients a year needing MRI assessment at Glen Cove Hospital are transported via ambulance, accompanied by a nurse, to a nearby Northwell Health imaging center.

“We are so grateful for this gift from the Colgates, which will elevate the care and comfort of all our patients,” said Kerri Scanlon, executive director of Glen Cove Hospital, Northwell Health’s award-winning, 247-bed community hospital on Long Island’s North Shore. “As the hospital looks forward to its centennial next year, this MRI will likely be the technology most critical to our strategic growth and expansion, and we hope the Col-

gates’ generosity inspires others to help us fulfill this goal.”

The proposed in-house MRI suite will accommodate two to three times more patients a day and would include on-call staff during evenings and nights to reduce or eliminate overnight waits, according to Melonie Pernice, Glen Cove Hospital’s associate executive director for hospital operations.

Construction of the four-room suite includes a waiting area and patient dressing room, as well as spaces for pre-screening and testing.

The addition will continue Glen Cove Hospital’s transformation as a healthcare destination that is home to renowned surgeons and physicians and state-of-the-art facilities. It is a Magnet-designated hospital for nursing excellence and has established a Center of Excellence in Hernia Surgery as well as innovative, cutting-edge programs in both women’s surgery and head and neck surgery.

Glen Cove Hospital achieved most recently a prestigious four-star rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in its annual 2020 hospital rankings — one of only four hospitals on Long Island to receive four or more stars.

The Colgates, who live on the North Shore in Nassau County, are longtime supporters of Glen Cove Hospital. Their giving dates back over four decades and includes gifts to support the Oncology Department as well as renovations in the Emergency Department.

They were inspired to make their latest gift to help bring an MRI to Glen Cove Hospital after Diana Colgate’s personal experience last year. While being treated as a patient at the hospital, Mrs. Colgate’s care team determined she needed an MRI. “I thought to myself, there are so many more people here who are sicker and older than I am who need an MRI,” said Diana, who serves as an honorary trustee on Northwell Health’s Board of Trustees. “We want to bring this technology on site to enhance efficient, convenient care for patients.”

“An MRI is important for all patients, but when this happens to your own family, it really gets your attention,” said John Colgate, a great-great-grandson of William Colgate who began a soap and candle business in the early 1800s that later became the ColgatePalmolive Company. “Glen Cove Hospital is an incredible community hospital that provides excellent care, and an MRI would

make a meaningful difference in its continued success.”

The gift supports Northwell’s Outpacing the Impossible campaign, a $1 billion comprehensive fundraising effort to fuel innovation to advance health care and support Northwell’s promise to the people it serves. The campaign — which was publicly launched in October 2018 and to date, has raised more than $900 million — supports capital projects, improves hospitals and clinical programs, advances research and funds endowment for teaching and research initiatives.

“Donors help us fulfill our mission as a nonprofit organization by accelerating our ability to raise health in our communities,” said Brian T. Lally, senior vice president and chief development officer at Northwell. “The Colgates’ generosity plays an important role in Glen Cove Hospital’s continued growth as a leading community hospital.”

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

GN

51

Consultant firm hired to aid commission Continued from Page 1 ommendations last Wednesday, including a $6,000 limit for the consultant services.

The property has been a hot topic throughout the village after plans were submitted, and subsequently withdrawn, to develop a five-story apartment complex on the site of the building, located at 124 South Middle Neck Road, earlier this year.

The state’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation declared the site eligible to be considered as a historic place on Oct. 29. The village’s commission unanimously approved a motion to set a date of Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m. to conduct a public hearing on whether the property should be designated as a landmark.

Once public hearings are officially concluded, the commission will have 60 days to make a recommendation on the property’s landmark status. Village Attorney A. Thomas Levin said the “clock does not start” for the 60-day deadline until the hearings have concluded, which could potentially extend beyond the scheduled Jan. 4 meeting.

Thomaston Mayor Steven Weinberg did not recuse himself from the vote, despite acknowledging “a request” made to the village that he do so.

“There is no doubt in my

wrote.

Weinberg, in a phone interview, referred to a statement sent out in November regarding the village’s conduct throughout

THERE IS NO DOUBT

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS

The Village of Thomaston Landmark Commission approved the hiring of a consultant to help determine the landmark status of the Tower Ford property on Tuesday night. mind as with the underlying application, anything with respect to the landmark commission that I personally do not have a conflict of interest,” Weinberg said last Wednesday. “I have always held the village’s needs and interests as my guiding standard of any decision I would make.”

A lawsuit filed by some members of the public claims negotiations on the previously proposed project were conducted between the village and the project’s developer inappropriately. Some residents also claim the village did not properly

evaluate the project’s environmental impact on the rest of the community.

The application was initially presented to the village, with one member of the public present, during a public meeting in July. A June 9 email from the developer’s attorney, Stephen Limmer to Levin was provided to Blank Slate Media, discussing permissible workforce housing in the proposed project.

“The Mayor agreed to less than 10% workforce housing,” Limmer wrote in the email.

“The proposal, as agreed with the Mayor, is 9%,” he also

IN MY MIND AS WITH THE UNDERLYING APPLICATION, ANYTHING WITH RESPECT TO THE LANDMARK COMMISSION THAT I PERSONALLY DO NOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

Steven Weinberg THOMASTON MAYOR

the project’s application process and declined to comment further due to the pending litigation.

“It saddens me to have to specifically address certain reckless falsehoods, especially for those of you who know me personally,” Weinberg said in the statement. “I and your entire Village Board of Trustees did not, have not and will not take anything of any value and did not, have not and will not make any deals with the applicant or

any applicant.”

Village officials said the application, submitted by 124 Middle Neck Realty LLC, was withdrawn a month ago due to the applicant choosing not to send out the required legal notice for the hearing and not paying the $25,000 deposit to the village for an engineering consulting firm.

Village officials scheduled a Dec. 20 public hearing to repeal a local zoning law that was set in place earlier this year relating to the proposed apartment.

The law was passed during the July meeting and, along with the proposal, has been heavily criticized by the public. The law allows the Board of Trustees to have “sole and unfettered discretion” on what conditions and incentive use permit may be granted to certain applicants. The new law applies to applicants that have a property located partially in the Apartment B and Residence 10 zoning districts, a total area of at least 0.75 acres but not exceeding one acre, a depth at its greatest point of at least 200 feet and street frontage on Middle Neck Road of at least 230 feet.

The property at 124 S. Middle Neck Road meets those criteria, according to village documents.

Reiter unopposed in re-election campaign Continued from Page 2 around the New York area.

“My business before I retired was putting presentations together for sales and marketing companies, so with the expertise of the staff and my experience, we were able to have people come in and present to them and show what we had already accomplished and what we wanted to do,” Reiter said.

Earlier this year, the district was

awarded a $150,000 grant to conduct a sewer feasibility study that could incorporate homes in the Village of Great Neck Estates and Harbor Hills into its collection system. Reiter said the results from the study have not come back yet but if they are positive, the district will apply for more grants to conduct that incorporation process. Reiter said people with failing septic systems have reached out to the district, asking if they can be

incorporated into its system.

“As opposed to replacing a septic system, which we know is not the optimal way of getting rid of nitrogen, I think it would be in everybody’s interest to see whether or not we could accomplish doing that,” he said.

Reiter touted the work of other commissioners and the district’s staff over the years, emphasizing all of its achievements are a result of the entire team.

Reiter said he wants the public to know he is committed to ensuring all of the ongoing and future projects undertaken by the district will be accomplished.

“Myself, the commissioners, the staff and everyone involved want to work to move the district forward in a positive direction,” Reiter said.

The election will take place on Tuesday at the district office at 236 East Shore Road in Great Neck from 1 to 9 p.m.

3 vying for Manhasset-Lakeville commish Continued from Page 2 ning.”

Shakir, before retiring, was until 2018 secretary of the Civil Service Technical Guild, which represents 7,600 engineers, architects, city planners, project managers and scientists.

Another prominent issue Shakir sees with the election

is low turnout in the district, which he says should be improved for an organization that has a lot of influence over thousands of residents.

Write-in candidate Brian Kenny, 80, is a volunteer firefighter in the district and has cited concerns over manpower in the department as his reason to run. Kenny said that the is-

sue is growing and the current board has not accurately assessed means to fix the problem.

“I love this Fire Department as much as anything,” Kenny said in an interview with Blank Slate Media. “The last thing I want to see is anything happen to it, or it not be the best it could be.”

If elected, Kenny said, he would seek to turn the department into a hybrid mix of paid firefighters and volunteers. Kenny said that keeping a small number of firefighters on staff reduces response times compared with when volunteers have to leave their homes. Also, Kenny said if a firefighter doesn’t live in the

village or district, responses can be delayed.

“A few seconds, minutes can be the difference between life or death,” he said.

Voting for ManhassetLakeville Fire and Water District commissioner will take place at the Company No. 1, 3, 4 and 5 firehouses on Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m.

52 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

PROFESSIONAL GUIDE ▼

MATH • SAT • ACT ★ Algebra ★ Core Curriculum NYS Licensed ★ Geometry Grades 7-12 ★ Algebra 2 + Trig ★ Pre-Calc ★ AP Calculus

Continued from Page 17 Asked to list her major issues, Goodman’s response strikes me as pro forma: “heightened security and supervision in the parks; greater recycling efforts; planting and gardening clubs, including ‘private’ space for our apartment-dwelling residents; segregated (and gated) dog and pet areas and runs; transformation from wood chip playground platforms; greater recreational and entertainment offerings; instructional activities and organized sports for all age groups; volunteer ‘squads’.. Of course, cost is also paramount to all initiatives, so a comprehensive review of each line item in the budget is well advised and something that must be pursued.” She comments that she sees the parks “as extensions of our backyards. So, it’s not only what we have to say and offer, but also the method of contact and how we reach each resident.

Hand in hand with my ‘Love Where You Live’ mindset is the need to actually give our residents meaningful understanding of what it is we have for them to take advantage of, and then to make sure it is convenient and affordable for them to do so.”

I have to go with Dorothy Feng for many reasons, starting with her background: she actually has a BA in Recreation and Hospitality Management, an MBA in Marketing Management from St. John’s University and an academic diploma in Data Analytics from NYU, professional experience as the owner of a small commercial real estate company and a real estate broker and community service as co-president of the Parkville PTO and co-president of the Great Neck Chinese Association. But what makes her stand out is how she has already demonstrated her commitment, energy and enthusiasm, her studious approach to the weighty issues that confront

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such an important municipality and the most intense and well-thought-out agenda.

The issues Feng lists go beyond labels and cliches, but are backed by considerable thought. Among them: look for ways to establish an indoor recreation center; addressing parking (biggest revenue generator for the district) and commuter issues; looking into the feasibility of alternative sources of revenue that include optimizing underutilized park district spaces; more income generating programs; green space revitalization (perhaps developing new neighborhood parks); and revitalizing the Park District Advisory committees “to draw upon the talent and expertise of community while providing another channel of communication and transparency with residents.”

She would improve upon the wide array of programs (Farmers Market, concerts, boat rides) and add new ones: activities for after-work hours, teen programming, more activities on the waterfront and health and wellness programs.

Importantly, Feng is sensitive to the difficult balance between a municipality using limited tax dollars to subsidize programs so they are available to more people vs. user fees.

Altogether, she offers a list that shows she has put a lot of thought and effort into her campaign which I believe would carry over into how she would serve as Parks Commissioner. Feng has the most checks on my list.

(I recommend viewing the League’s Park Candidate Forum, online: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=KVqsShD5O3g.)

The park district election is Dec. 14 from 1 p,m. to 9 p.m. Information on polling places is at https://www.gnparks. org/571/Elections-of-Commissioners.

COMMUNITY NEWS

RESUME • ESSAYS • REPERTOIRE LISTS

Michele Zimmerman 516-353-6255

VIEW POINT

Feng top choice for Geat Neck parks

TUTOR ▼

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53

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Water authority board meet Dec. 20 The next regular meeting of the Water Authority of Western Nassau County Board of Directors will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at the offices of the Water Authority located at 1580 Union Turnpike,

New Hyde Park, NY starting at 7 p.m..

The public is welcome to contact the Water authority 24 hours before the meeting for information to access the meeting online.

Blank Slate Media welcomes your submissions.

Please e-mail them to news@theislandnow.com

54 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

BUYER’S GUIDE ▼ ANTIQUES

BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS

CARPENTRY

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55

BUYER’S GUIDE ▼ LAWN SPRINKLERS

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56 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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In the event of an error of Blank Slate Media LLC we are not responsible for the first incorrect insertion. We assume no responsiblity for an error in and beyond the cost of the ad.

Cancellation Policy Ads must be cancelled the Monday before the first Thursday publication. All cancellations must be received in writing by fax at: 516.307.1046 Any verbal cancellations must be approved by a supervisor. There are no refunds on cancelled advertising. An advertising credit only will be issued.

• Great Neck News • Williston Times • New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times • Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Garden City News • Bethpage Newsgram • Jericho Syosset News Journal • Mid Island Times • Syosset Advance

EMPLOYMENT

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NASSAU COUNTY NEEDS CERTIFIED HHA’S, COMPANIONS AND HOMEMAKERS. ★★★ HIRING IMMEDIATELY★★★ “A Special thank you to all the Nurse Aides and all who Save Lives.”

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CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT Cherry Valley Club Garden City Is seeking a seasoned construction knowledgeable individual to act as Owners’ Representative for multiple building related projects at the club.

Candidate should be personable and adept at construction trade coordination and project management. Flexible Per-diem employment engagement expected. Send resumes to : carneyj2@verizon.net

SNOW SHOVELING NEEDED Snow shoveling for Garden City resident sidewalk needed. Call 516747-4749

FRONT DESK ADMIN. Busy Real Estate Office Computer and Organizational Skills Required. Flexible 20 hrs/week IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY Resume/Call for Appointment 516-248-9494 GENERAL DENTIST OFFICE Is hiring for P/T Registered Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant.

Hygienist can be 1-3 days per week Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays 9-6. Recent graduates are welcome to apply. Assistant position is 3 days per week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9-6. Experience preferred.

ORAL SURGERY OFFICE Is hiring for P/T Receptionist/Insurance Biller. Monday, Wednesday, Thursdays preferred, hours approx 8:30-5:30. Must be able to handle a fast paced environment and be able to multitask. Email resume and salary requirements to: vincentdental230@yahoo.com LYNEER STAFFING SOLUTIONS Hiring Mail Sorters, Data Entry $15.00, Forklifts $17.50, Mystery Shoppers Ages 21-25 $20.00. 860 Long Island Ave., Deer Park NY 11729 631-586-4699 Office Assistant Needed P/T, all office duties including billing & accounts payable. Knowledge of QuickBooks a PLUS. Flexible Days /Hrs. Please contact Lynn at: LEckstein@fabricresourcesintl.com RECEPTIONIST needed for P/T eves & weekends. Will train. Also VET/TECH KENNEL ASST. Duties include helping doctors with appointments/treatments. Cleaning cages/offices/equipment. Must like animals, be reliable, dependable & work well with others. Pay negotiable for both positions.Please call to schedule interview. Port Washington Animal Hospital: 516-883-2005

TAX PREPARER PART TIME Franklin Square Experience needed Retirees welcome. Call 516358-9455 Fax resume 516-3589483 Email: ed@loturco.com

SITUATION WANTED

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A HOME HEALTH CARE AIDE Irish trained woman with 10 years experience and excellent checkable references available. Honest and reliable. Licensed driver with own transportation. Please call 516-383-7150

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SITUATION WANTED

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Our Shop 109 Eleventh St. Garden City Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4 Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org Items to Consign? Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange. org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society Like us on Facebook & Instagram INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information.Visit us at www. invitedsales.com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

FURNITURE FOR SALE GARDEN CITY Brand new furniture: Raymour & Flanigan Couch6’ (grey) 2 Custom Made Arm Chairs (floral design) Best Offer Call: 516-2480105

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WANTED TO BUY FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

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Rob Walker sentenced to 18 months Continued from Page 22 “You [the contractor] only borrowed it and I gave it back to you … there was never a quid pro quo,” and if he returned the money, “it doesn’t exist … wouldn’t you rather it not existing?” Walker said in recorded conversations with the contractor.

“Public officials have a great responsibility to uphold the public’s trust and make legal and ethical decisions that serve to benefit their communities,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said in the news release. “Rob Walker did just the opposite when he accepted illicit payments from a contractor working for Nassau County and later attempted to cover his tracks and change his story once he realized the FBI was onto him.”

Efforts to reach Walker’s lawyer for comment were unavailing.

Walker served earlier in his career as deputy parks commissioner in the Town of Oyster Bay after first working as an assistant to then-Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto. He then served in the state Assembly after winning a 2005 special election.

Walker is the son of Rose Marie Walker, a Republican Nassau legislator and former Town of Oyster Bay councilwoman.

Walker drew attention when his Hicksville Republican Committee ran a fundraiser in which 87 percent of the $58,350 raised was provided by county vendors.

This included $2,925 contributed by VIP Splash Waterways Recovery Group, which received a $12 million deal from the county for Superstorm Sandy cleanup work.

The federal corruption probe also allegedly found that Mangano and Venditto had, in exchange for contracts, received kickbacks from restaurateur Harendra Singh, including a $450,000 no-show job for Mangano’s wife, prosecutors said.

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60 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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Onderdonk House’s holiday event Manhasset’s own historic Onderdonk House, freshly updated and decorated for the holiday season, invites the community to a Holiday & History Celebration.

The event is taking place on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., where the street will be closed so that guests can visit the House and surrounding greens.

A variety of activities will take place that includes a rolling video presentation of the Onderdonk family history, seasonal choral interludes from guest vocalists and pianists, a child-centered activity that includes making an historical-based ornament along with a photo op with the jolly old elf himself, and the opportu-

nity to drop off letters to Santa.

Food will be featured too — don’t miss the chance to enjoy lunch or savor a seasonal snack at the visiting food truck, the incredible Food Truck Refinery. Chef-owned and known for serving “Casual Fare with Refined Flavor” throughout the tri-state area, attendees will be able to purchase sensational sandwiches, Brisket Barbacoa tacos, lobster bisque and other seasonal snacks and hot beverages.

Outdoor seating will be available or take it to go, knowing that 10% of all food purchases will benefit the Onderdonk House.

Also offered, a “12 Days of Christmas Raffle,” offering an array of holiday and children-themed

baskets, including a hand-decorated miniature tree. All proceeds will go towards the continued upkeep of this historic home.

The child activity is $10 per child and by reservation only; to access the reservation link, visit Instagram: @onderdonkhousemanhasset or OnderdonkLandmarkSociety.org.

All visitors are invited to tour the House; a suggested donation of $5 is requested.

Please understand that, in keeping with advised Covid protocols, anyone entering the House will be required to wear a mask. We look forward to greeting you at this year’s Holiday and History Celebration!

Town deemed ‘Tree City USA’

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board celebrated the Town being recognized as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation.

This is the tenth year that the Town has received the designation of “Tree City USA.” This designation is given out to towns and cities that have a viable tree management plan and program.

In order to be eligible to be recognized as a “Tree City USA” com-

munity, certain requirements must be met such as having a Tree Board or Department, having a Tree Care Ordinance, having a Community Forestry Program and the observance of Arbor Day. The “Tree City USA” program was created by the Arbor Day Foundation, which is the nation’s leading community forestry program that provides a foundation for effective and well-organized community tree care.

It is also facilitated in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. This program provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 93 million Americans call home.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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61

COMMUNITY NEWS

Gurwin Jewish receives innovation grant Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, a Commack, Long Island-based nonprofit organization serving elderly, medically frail older adults, including those affected by dementia, has been named a national winner of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (2021 Anne & Irving Brodsky Innovation Grant.

The $25,000 grant will help create an Interactive Immersion Memory Stimulation Program in Gurwin Center’s 60-bed Memory Care Unit.

According to Gurwin, the unique program will be the first of its kind in New York to offer a multi-sensory virtual reality experience for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other related de-

mentias, as well as their loved ones.

Gurwin’s program features a completely virtual interactive Immersion Room designed to stimulate the senses of sight, sound, smell and touch by connecting participants to virtual experiences and memories.

Unique to the program is its ability to remotely include caregivers or loved ones in the virtual experience; preloaded scenarios enable shared virtual excursions to concerts, events and places such as the Botanical Gardens or even a simple stroll down the streets of Manhattan.

The program also enables joint participation in therapeutic cognitive activities, health educa-

tion, music and art modalities, mindful experiences and holistic interventions to promote socialization and meaningful engagement.

“This interactive memory stimulation experience can help bring back memories for individuals with dementia by creating unique experiences. They can visit some of their favorite places or enjoy a favorite show or concert without having to leave the safety of their residence,” said AFA President & CEO Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. “The program offers cognitive stimulation in a fun and interactive way. We are proud to award this grant to Gurwin Jewish Healthcare Foundation for implementing such a worthwhile project that will tremendously benefit

Long Islanders.”

“We are so pleased to have been selected for the AFA’s 2021 Anne & Irving Brodsky Innovation Grant,” said Stuart B. Almer, president and chief executive officer of Gurwin Healthcare System. “This award helps us further our mission and enhance our services to provide innovative, person-centered care and programs for our residents with cognitive issues, and has the added ability to extend that care to their loved ones as well.”

Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center opened in 1988 in Commack, Long Island and since then has expanded to a CMS 5-star rated, 460-bed skilled nursing and sub-acute rehabilita-

tion facility. Situated on a 36-acre campus, the Center includes a dedicated Memory Care Unit, an Advanced Care Unit, a respiratory/ventilator care unit, two Adult Day Care Programs for community members with dementia and other physical/cognitive needs, as well as on-sight dialysis and pharmacy.

The annual grant, initiated in 2005, awards $25,000 to an outstanding nonprofit member organization to help fund an innovative program that improves the lives of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other related illnesses, and their families. The program must demonstrate creativity and uniqueness, greatest need, and replication potential.

Plant program creates habitats for pollinators Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board were proud to welcome the addition of 13 new native plant gardens created

by Town residents this year.

The new gardens located in Port Washington, Mineola, Roslyn Heights, Great Neck and New Hyde Park are comprised of New York native plants. This was made possible by funding from the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District which offered residents up to $500 per household for the purchase of native plants to create a native plant or rain garden.

The native plants utilized in these new residential gardens will provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat for pollinators, such as the monarch butterfly.

Monarch butterflies are currently candidates for endangered species listing.

Birds, small mammals, and a variety of wildlife species also benefit from these resources.

Residents who installed gardens stated that they saw a multitude of pollinators visiting their new plants.

Native plants also have environmental benefits such as extensive root systems that absorb polluted stormwater, the ability to take in carbon dioxide and other air pollutants, and do not need fertilizer or irrigation once established. These new gardens have greatly supported the Town’s efforts to increase native plants and wildlife habitat throughout the Town’s geographic area.

Wildlife habitat in suburban areas has been fragmented and degraded over time. One of the Town’s goals is to establish smaller areas of habitat that pollinators and other wildlife can move

freely between. The more native plant gardens that are created in the Town, the more connected the habitat becomes.

The Town’s partners, the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Long Island Native Plant Initiative, also assisted with the creation of new educational resources.

This includes a native plant list, design and maintenance information for native plant gardens and design templates for various garden conditions.

Free resources are available on the Town’s website for residents to learn how to create their own native plan and rain gardens. For more information visit: northhempsteadny.gov/nativeplantrebate.

Museum’s pancake breakfast with Santa The American Airpower Museum will hold its annual Winter Hangar Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m.

Come and participate in a fun community event for the entire family. Hangar 3 will be decked out with Christmasthemed decorations plus there will be photo opportunities with Santa all day!

Parents and children will enjoy hot pancakes with butter, maple syrup, sausages and beverages. The AAM Holiday Tram will also take adults and kids for rides around the Hangar’s ramp, weather permitting.

Breakfast with Santa takes place in AAM’s historic Hangar

3, once part of Republic Aviation.

After breakfast, your family can discover the history of military aviation and explore dozens of exhibits including five of America’s most famous WWII fighting aircraft, the North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber and P-51 Mustang, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (Flying Tiger), Grumman’s TBM Avenger Bomber and the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, plus Cold War-era jets by Republic Aviation like the F-105 Thunderchief and A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog, the “Flying Gun” and the Tank Buster! Join our breakfast and help support the American Airpower Museum preserve American Aviation History!

Breakfast is free with the cost of Regular Admission to the museum and confirmed reservation. Donations are welcome.

The admission is $15 for Adults, $12 for seniors and veterans and $10 for kids. Pancake breakfast will be served from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. only. Not all day. Santa will be on hand all day until closing time at 4:00 p.m. Advance registration will be required for the breakfast, so parents should call to make reservations which will be first come first served for specific time slots. For reservations call AAM at (631) 293-6398 between 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., from Wednesday through Sunday. To make a reservation in person you

can visit AAM at Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.

(Reservations are not required for people who arrive after 10:30

a.m. just to visit the museum.)

Contact: Robert F. Salant, Public Affairs, (516) 328-3959, rsalant123@outlook.com.

The American Airpower Museum’s Douglas C-47 “Skytrain”

62 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 10, 2021

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CHEERS TO A HAPPY HOLIDAY! =7%6785%=7%8F5%=7%:GGH

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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63

COMMUNITY NEWS

Adventures in Learning’s annual fund drive During these difficult and challenging times, Adventures in Learning is once again launching its Annual Fund Drive.

Due to the pandemic, the needs have been critical and urgent. More than ever, community outreach and support for our programs are essential.

Thanks to the community’s generosity and kindness, we are once again providing in-person support and resources to our underserved children in Manhasset and Great Neck. For that matter, the Adventures family is working harder than ever to support our students and families in need.

However, Adventures in Learning is dependent upon fundraising since it does not receive monies from any school district or from the Town of North Hempstead.

Therefore, the organization relies totally upon grants and contributions. Charitable donations are and have always been key to its success.

For more than 52 years, Adventures has offered a safe environment where children can develop their academic performance and life skills. Adventures provides a place that nurtures their minds and bodies.

In addition to critical help with home-

work, Adventures offers values-focused activities that build on the themes of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. It is truly a remarkable program, thanks to community donations.

Adventures in Learning’s children are in our backyard. They desperately need these programs and assistance. Please help Adventures in Learning and donate to its Annual Fund Appeal. Sponsorships are listed as follows. $10,000 keeps the roof on $ 5,000 keeps a child at Adventures for a FULL YEAR

$ 2,500 partially supports a teacher for a FULL YEAR $ 1,000 keeps Adventures COVID safe $ 500 keeps classrooms full of needed supplies $ 10-$499 provides healthy snacks 100% of your donation is tax-deductible. You can also give appreciated stock.

You avoid capital gains tax while you receive 100% of the value of your contribution. For further information, visit www.Adventures-in-Learning.org. We are ever so grateful for the community’s support.

Catholic Health facilities score high in survey Catholic Health’s three skilled nursing facilities scored high marks in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Nursing Homes report.

Out of 616 nursing homes in New York State, Our Lady of Consolation Nursing and Rehabilitation in West Islip is 1 of 44 locations to receive a 5 out of 5 score.

The West Islip long-term care facility also achieved 3 of out 3 in short-term care and long-term care.

OLC’s short-term program was lauded for being well above the state average in several important categories. These include having a high percentage of rehabilitating patients return home instead of transferring to another health care facility after treatment and for registered nurse staffing levels.

The nursing facility’s long-term care program was rated excellent for having a minimal amount of patient emergency de-

partment visits and for being above average in hospital readmissions.

Catholic Health’s St. Catherine of Siena Nursing and Rehabilitation in Smithtown was rated “high performing” for short-term care, and the system’s Good Samaritan Nursing and Rehabilitation in Sayville earned a “high-performing” rating for long-term care.

The U.S. News Best Nursing Home ratings used data from Nursing Home

Compare, a program run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that sets and enforces standards for nursing homes. Short-term care ratings evaluate the care delivered to patients after a hospitalization for surgery, heart attack, stroke, injury or similar condition. Long-term care rankings take into account care delivered to residents who are no longer able to live independently and need help with various daily activities.

Doctor receives clinical excellence award Dr. Joseph McGowan, medical director of the Center for AIDS Research and Treatment at North Shore University Hospital, today received the Dr. Linda Laubenstein Annual HIV Clinical Excellence Award from the state Department of Health AIDS Institute.

McGowan, who has provided HIV primary care to persons with HIV/AIDS for more than 30 years, accepted the award during a virtual ceremony held on World AIDS Day. The Dr. Linda Laubenstein Annual HIV Clinical Excellence Award honors those physicians who, beyond providing the highest quality of clinical care for people with HIV/AIDS, are also distinguished by their compassionate manner and their wholehearted involvement in the ongoing effort to achieve comprehensive care for persons with HIV/AIDS, according to the state’s AIDS Institute.

The award was established in 1992 in memory of Laubenstein, a Manhattan physician, to honor her pioneering work and outstanding contribution to the quality of AIDS care in the early years of the epidemic.

“There are few diseases that have benefited more from improved medical care than HIV,” said Dr. Bruce Farber, chief

of infectious diseases and chief of public health and epidemiology at Northwell Health. “At one time, HIV was considered a fatal disease, but has now become a well-controlled chronic disease.”

Throughout Dr. McGowan’s nearly two decades at NSUH, Dr. Farber said that Dr. McGowan and his team built up a first-class program to address all of the needs of the thousands of HIV patients that are under the care of Northwell. “The program addresses not only the medical needs but many of the other unique problems associated with HIV. This includes: dental, gynecologic, psychiatric, pharmacy needs, social work, compliance and transportation among others,” Farber said, adding, “Under Dr. McGowan’s leadership, the overwhelming majority of our patients have achieved undetectable viral loads and live totally normal lives.”

In addition to being medical director at NSUH’s CART, the largest provider of HIV care in the Long Island region, Dr. McGowan is also director of the HIV Service Line Program for the Department of Medicine for Northwell Health. McGowan is professor of medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, professor in the

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NORTHWELL HEALTH

Center for Health Innovations and Outcomes Research at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and serves on the faculty at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine.

He is the chair of the New York/New Jersey Chapter Board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine and is a past director at HIV Ambulatory Care at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center.

McGowan has published over 80 original articles and abstracts dealing with HIV and AIDS and has been involved in numerous clinical trials for over 25 years.

He is currently the principal investigator on over a dozen grant-funded programs

to provide HIV primary care and prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, and the sate Department of Health.

He serves as the Medical/Clinical Director of the AIDS Education and Training Regional Center at Stony Brook University and is chair of the medical care criteria committee of the New York State AIDS Institute, which establishes treatment guidelines for HIV management.

He is board-certified in infectious diseases and credentialed as an HIV specialist by the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

McGowan received a BA degree from Columbia University and his medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He completed a fellowship in infectious diseases and a National Institutes of Health fellowship in immunology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

McGowan has received numerous honors and distinctions for his clinical and outreach work, including a 2020 Citation from the Nassau County Human Rights Commission, a World AIDS Day Award for Outstanding Provider by United Way of Long Island and attending physician of the year award at NSUH.

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64 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 10, 2021

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