WillistonTimes_2023_09_22

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

2 STORES CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL SALES TO MINORS

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Warriors set to honor fallen 9/11 firefighter

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Tony Lubrano wasn’t trying to build a big charitable foundation when he and some friends formed Warriors for a Cause in 2015, he said.

What started as a group of like-minded people and friends has since grown into a fund-raising collective that has raised hundreds of thousands for various charities.

“We believe in making things more significant and getting our hands dirty,” Tony Lubrano, president of Warriors for a Cause, said in an interview with Blank Slate Media.

Warriors for a Cause is a 501(c)(3) group based in Mineola that raises money to donate to other foundations and charities while getting heavily involved in event planning and community activities.

This Sunday the group will be busing hundreds of participants into downtown Manhattan for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk.

The event commemorates the service of Firefighter Stephen Siller, who perished at the World Trade Center on the day of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Siller had just gotten off a shift at Brooklyn Squad One when he heard news of the attack.

He returned to Squad One, got his gear and drove his truck to the Brooklyn entrance of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, which was already closed to traffic for se-

BLAKEMAN SUBMITS COUNTY BUDGET

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curity purposes.

Siller ran from the tunnel to the towers, where he died helping in the doomed buildings. The yearly 5K follows the footsteps of Siller on that day in 2001.

Aside from the 5K, Warriors for a Cause’s footprint in the Mineola community includes Night on the Town on Jericho Turnpike, which has raised hundreds of thousands for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and will be held this year on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

The Siller event on Sunday is one that is very personal to Lubrano.

Two years ago, Frank Siller decided to honor his late brother by walking 537-miles from the Pentagon to Ground Zero through six states in six weeks to honor and support first responders and their families.

Lubrano and 16 warriors were invited to be one of the 343 volunteers — one for every FDNY member who was lost in the attacks — to walk behind Siller for the beginning 13 miles on Aug. 1, the first day of the walk.

“My son was in the front group running with Frank and he said ‘Dad, that was the coolest thing in the world,'” Lubrano said. “For your son to look into your eyes and say something like that, makes these events worth it.”

Lubrano said there are three main goals in the event for the foundation: to raise money for the Stephen Siller Founda-

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Pereira touts new zoning, beautifcation downtown

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira said in his State of the Village speech Tuesday night that he is aiming to increase the curb appeal of Mineola.

The village in recent months has more aggressively pursued property management issues with businesses in the village’s commercial areas.

Pereira said the village gave businesses a notice of a violation with time to cure the issue and an overwhelming majority of offend-

ers avoided being given a summons. The mayor said enforcing the code is not a matter of increasing revenue but getting compliance.

“We have seen a huge improvement,” Pereira said. “We must have put up at least 100 notices and only four received violations.”

Pereira was speaking to local business owners during the Mineola Chamber of Commerce’s September meeting, held in the Morgan Parc residential complex on 2nd Street.

One year ago, Pereira announced

the board was going to consider adding overlay zones, which would allow future developments in the area to exceed the maximum height of 25 feet but not go above 40 feet.

In December, the village board unanimously passed zoning changes for the strip of Jericho between Willis Avenue and Marcellus Road and downtown on Main Street, First Street and Second Street between Mineola Boulevard and Willis

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PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

A student from TaeCole Tae Kwon Do & Fitness in Albertson performs during the Williston Street Fair. See story on page 2.

Port nurse 1st again in getting COVID shot

Northwell’s Sandra Lindsay kicks off use of vaccine

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Sandra Lindsay, a Northwell Health employee and Port Washington resident, was again the first American Thursday to receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine shot.

Lindsay was the first U.S. Citizen to receive the FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 14, 2020, at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens when she was a critical care nurse.

Now the vice president of public health advocacy at Northwell, Lindsay has since received three vaccinations and three booster shots and has not been infected with COVID-19.

Lindsay received a vaccine shot from Pfizer-BioNTech—which was approved by the FDA Monday—that offers protection against the “Pirola” and “Eris” COVID-19 variants.

Dr. Michelle Chester, senior director of employee health services at Northwell, administered Lindsay’s Thursday and in 2020.

Additional employees to the vaccine include Dr. Adam Berman, Mozhdeh Mehrabian and Dr. Mangala Narasimhan.

“It’s important that people understand that COVID is still around and can still severely affect an individual,” Lindsay said. “Having worked through the darkest days of the pandemic and seen the devastating effects it can have, I tell people not to take chances. We have powerful weapons like vaccines to prevent those devastating outcomes.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone six months and older to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine as cases rise ahead of the fall and winter seasons.

Dr. Jill Kalman, chief medical officer, said vaccinations have proven to be an important tool in fighting COVID-19.

“We’re here now to reinforce that there is extra protection available

Williston Day a big draw again

High energy at W.P. chamber

BY BRANDON DUFFY

A picture-perfect September day set the stage for Sunday’s Williston Day Street Fair, which featured a high-turnout crowd and thousands lined up and down Hillside Avenue.

“From the feedback we got from everybody it was great,” said Chamber of the Willistons Vice President Barbara Baur, who organized this year’s fair. “I think it was a great day.”

Baur said she was told by some attendees in the crowd of about 7,000 to 8,000 visitors that they appreciated the variety of options to choose from for both food and shopping.

Large crowds began to gather around 3 p.m. on Hillside and were treated to a number of performances and exhibitions throughout the day.

Instead of a DJ this year, there was live music from HOT CAKE and a circus act by Romeo.

People had no shortage of options for entertainment whether it was a demonstration from local dance studios Hidden Talent Dance

event

and Hannah Kroner School of Dance or Taecole Taekwondo of Albertson, which showed its students’ skills to roaring applause for almost every kick.

Baur said moving forward the chamber will consider adding more options for kids. Prior to COVID-19 the parking lot of Bank of America featured carnival rides, Baur said.

“Next year we’re going to try and do something more for the kids,” Baur said.

The best chance to cool off Sunday was most likely in the dunk tank, run by the East Williston Fire Department.

Food options varied, and if someone tried them all, it would have been close to a trip around the world.

Pizza, pickles on a stick and paella were on the menu across the fair and each stop had a line. Luckily for patrons, there was enough music to go around.

On the east end of Hillside, Williston’s Bar and Grill featured music all day from the Gypsy Felons, who played to an outdoor crowd sitting and standing at tables.

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against the newest COVID-19 variants as the FDA and CDC have approved a new seasonal vaccine,” Kalman said in a statement.

Since getting vaccinated in 2020, Lindsay has since been recognized and honored multiple times.

In July 2021, sheserved as the grand marshal for a ticker-tape parade in New York City honoring local healthcare workers and was awarded the U.S. Citizenship and Immigra-

tion Services Outstanding Americans by Choice recognition by President Joe Biden at the White House.

Many artifacts from Lindsay’s first vaccination shot were sent to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History including her vaccination card, ID badge and hospital scrubs.

She was also awarded last year the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Biden, the greatest honor a citizen can receive.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH

Dr. Michelle Chester, senior director of Employee Health Services at Northwell Health, administers the 2023-24 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Nurse Sandra Lindsay, vice president of public health advocacy at Northwell.

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY Williston Day was held on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Community rallies to bring Riley back

Petition launched calling for county Museum of Art museum to offer contract to ex-director

BY CAMERYN OAKES

The decision not to renew Charles Riley’s contract at the Nassau County Museum of Art has sparked an uproar from community members who cherished the former director’s larger-thanlife personality and contributions to the museum. Now a fellow local arts director has taken matters into his own hands and launched a petition to bring Riley back.

Riley served as the museum’s director for six years. He is known internationally as an expert on the economics of the arts and has authored numerous books and articles. He has been involved in the founding of multiple museums and curated exhibitions in Taiwan, Berlin, Amsterdam and New York.

“He’s extraordinarily knowledgeable, he’s got vision, he’s got commitment and he’s very personable,” David Bernard said.

Bernard, who grew up in Great Neck but lives in Manhattan, is the music director of the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been music director since 2016, previously serving as the music director of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony in New York City.

He has worked with Riley for the past couple of years, starting their working relationship during the pandemic when the philharmonic partnered with the museum to bring socially distanced live music to Long Islanders.

In the wake of these performances, he said the philharmonic also became the orchestra in residence at the museum and has continued to play concerts there.

Bernard said in partnering with the museum for the past three years, the philharmonic has become “integrated with Dr. Riley’s amazing conception and vision for the exhibits and the art and all this that’s happening at the museum.”

“He’s very open, personable,” Bernard said. “Not everybody who’s that driven and successful is

that open, but he is. He’s a consummate educator. It looks like he made the museum thrive.”

Bernard said he found out about Riley leaving the museum when he read Blank Slate Media’s story breaking the news on Sept. 6.

The museum’s interim director, Fernanda Bennett, said that Riley’s contract was not renewed in

August as Riley and the museum’s board of trustees did not “see eye to eye” on the museum’s future goals and activities.

Bernard said upon reading the Blank Slate article, he found the whole situation “crazy” and had to do something about it.

So he started a change.org petition urging the museum to reinstate Riley in his director position.

“If there’s any way of keeping him there, for all of us, we should do it,” Bernard said.

Bernard said he’s hoping that Riley returns to the museum, but he’s unsure how that would happen.

Efforts to contact Riley were unavailing. Blank Slate Media contacted the Nassau County Museum of Art for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.

The petition, which has a goal of 500 signatures, has drawn 431 in the four days it has been active. Bernard said he has not spoken with Riley recently and has not informed him of the petition.

“Anybody who’s been to that museum and has talked to Dr. Riley knows how committed he is and the quality of the exhibits that he brings,” Bernard said. “The quality of the exhibits, how he infuses this vision across the entire facility, all of this is palpable. You get it when you go there. Everybody’s touched by it.”

Steve Walk, a Great Neck resident and member of the museum, said he has witnessed the museum transform over time. With Riley’s introduction to the museum, Walk said he brought energy and expertise to the organization.

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PHOTO BY AMELIA CAMURATI

Then Nassau County Museum of Art director Charles Riley discusses the works with a group of visitors in 2017.

2 W.P. stores charged with illegal sales

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Two smoke shops in Williston Park were targeted in an undercover sting operation after allegedly selling nicotine and alcohol to minors, police said.

The Nassau County Police Department reported multiple arrests in the Third Precinct Monday after conducting a “Project 21” investigation.

Police seized 184 products containing THC and marijuana from W.P. Smoke Shop and Candy Store at 579 Willis Ave. in Williston Park. Waleed Ozair, 31, of Elmont, was charged with selling one flavored nicotine product to a minor without asking for identification.

Ozair was charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance and age-restricted products.

Vipin Shah, 70, of Williston Park was

charged with selling one alcoholic beverage to a minor at Aces Up Vapor and Smoke Shop at 235 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park, police said.

Shah was charged with prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage and unlawfully dealing with a child.

Noah Lakburlawal, 25, of Elmhurst, was charged with selling a nicotine product to a minor at It’s Lit Convenience Shop at 22506 Jamaica Ave. in Bellerose Terrace. Police also seized 1,037 THC and marijuana products.

Medina Cabrera Rosibel Del Carmen, 29, was charged with selling two alcoholic beverages to a minor at Latino Café and Bar at 2224 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park.

$5.9M bond proposal for GCP firehouse loses

Family journey leads to US Open presentation

BY KARINA KOVAC

The Manhasset Chang family has used tennis not only as a family bonding activity, but as a means to build each generation, starting from humble beginnings immigrating from China two generations ago to the grandest stage of all – the US Open.

Christopher Chang used his tennis scholarship at Penn State to study finance and provide for his family. His daughter, Blake Wu-Chang, was born 12 years ago, and when she was 4, he started sharing his passion for the game with her. This past Saturday, because of her skills, she presented Coco Gauff with the winning Single’s Women’s Championship trophy at the US Open.

Blake’s training has led her to become one of the top Eastern Tennis Association players, ranking No. 1 on Long Island for girls 12’s category.

As one of the top players in her age group nationally, Blake went through an application process to be able to present the award to Gauff. Once invited to attend, she faced another obstacle. A coin toss with another top player, Izyan “Zizou” Ahmad, that would determine who would hand over the award.

“My most nervous moment ever was the coin toss,” she said, “The coin toss was insane. I was like, Oh my god. Oh my god…like the most nervous moment in my whole life.”

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BY BRANDON DUFFY

Residents in the Garden City Park Fire and Water District Tuesday night voted against bonding for $5,900,000 to renovate the Garden City Park Fire Station No. 2 at 11030 Denton Ave. in Garden City Park.

A total number of 325 votes were cast with 251, or 77%, against the proposal, according to the district.

The district board of commissioners said they were frustrated with the results of the vote.

“We are disappointed that the community did not support the brave men and women of the fire department who volunteer their time and put their lives on the line to protect them and their property, and who respond to them when they need medical care,” the district said in a statement.

If the vote passed, Garden City Park’s Fire Station No. 2, which was built in 1970, would have been rebuilt at the same location

to fit today’s regulations and provide additional space for the members, among other things, Commissioner Alan Cooper said.

“The new station will provide a functional layout with modern facilities for housing vehicles and equipment so members can respond to calls with efficiency and speed,” the district said in a district-wide mailer to all residents ahead of the vote.

The current firehouse holds the department’s Companies No. 3, 4 and the rescue company, a total of 51 current members.

Along with the bond, the district had approximately $8,000,000 in reserves to cover the cost of the project. The projected tax increase for the district was an increase of $47 per year per home, the district said.

The Garden City Park Water District covers parts of Garden City Park, Manhasset Hills, parts of New Hyde Park, parts of Mineola, parts of North Hills, parts of Roslyn, parts of Williston Park, parts of Albertson and parts of Garden City.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS Aces Up Vapor and Smoke Shop at 235 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIA WU-CHANG

12-year-old tennis junior player Blake Wu-Chang from Manhasset handed over the winning trophy to Coco Gauff at the US Open, alongside top player Izyan “Zizou” Ahmad.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GARDEN CITY PARK FIRE AND WATER DISTRICT

The proposed rendering of Garden City Park Fire Department’s Fire Station No. 2.

Blakeman submits a $4.1B budget

Touts no property tax increase while Dems slam not using surplus to cut taxpayer burden

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman proposed a $4.1 billion budget for 2024 that increases county spending by $180 million and does not raise or lower county taxes.

Blakeman, a Republican, had to submit the second budget of his administration by Friday, Sept. 15, as required by the county charter.

An additional 50 new full-time positions are included in the proposal, mostly in public safety, health and human resources departments, as well as 20 more police officers.

Blakeman said in a budget letter that accompanied his proposal that the staffing increases are to add resources in fighting back against “criminal first policies” and the ongoing migrant crisis in the state.

Included in the budget is funding for two more classes of police and correction officers and additional money for bus services, early intervention and preschool special education services, among other items.

Spending on total salaries in 2024 is projected to be $1.02 billion, a 3.1% increase from $989.9 million this year.

Blakeman committed to using surplus funds to help fix Nassau’s long-term issues such as settling labor disputes and funding new labor agreements and paying off property tax refunds that have been delayed.

Sales tax receipts, which account for 46.1% of revenue for major operating funds, are projected to be approximately $1.6 billion, up from

$1.5 billion last year. Blakeman said Nassau’s sales tax growth came in at 1.5% over this year’s projections, attributing it in part to tourism. The budget raises $755 million in the property tax levy, the same as last year and 2022.

The Nassau County Legislature, where Republicans hold a 12-7 majority, will need to vote on approving the budget and can make changes or amendments to Blakeman’s proposal. The Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state-appointed board that has oversight on the county’s finances, makes the final determinations and approval on the budget.

Blakeman said the county’s strong fiscal position should bring an end to NIFA’s control over the county and return power back to the county’s duly elected representatives.

Democratic county legislators said Blakeman has broken campaign promises to lower taxes and called for an “immediate” tax cut he has failed to deliver.

“Despite Nassau County’s sizable surpluses, healthy fund balance and over $1 billion in reserves, County Executive Blakeman continues to break his promise to further cut taxes beyond the relief that the previous administration delivered to residents in 2022,” Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D–Freeport) said in a statement.

Blakeman responded to the minority legislators in a statement saying “as county executive, I have provided real tax relief to our residents without resorting to the reckless fiscal policies of the past.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman submitted a $4.1billion proposed 2024 budget for Nassau County on Friday.

2nd interim prez named as Rinaldi steps down from LIRR

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Catherine Rinaldi, who served as interim president of the Long Island Rail Road, announced at Monday’s committee meeting that she will be stepping down from the role. She did not say why.

Rinaldi will continue to serve as the president of the MetroNorth, a post she was appointed to in February 2018 and maintained while serving as the LIRR’s interim president. She is the sixth president of Metro-North and the first woman to serve in the position.

Chairman of the MTA Janno Lieber has asked LIRR Senior Vice President of Operations Rob Free to take the position of acting Long Island Rail Road president.

“Rob has served the railroad with extraordinary dedication for many years,” Rinaldi said. “ Rob has an unsurpassed knowledge of the railroad, its operations, its infrastructure and its people, and I’m thrilled he will have this opportunity to lead the organization that he has served so faithfully for all these years.”

Rinaldi said that she will be working with Free to transfer her responsibilities as interim president of the railroad to him.

As a Long Island native who grew up riding the LIRR, Rinaldi said she was “thrilled” to assume the position of Long Island Rail Road interim president in February 2022.

“It was an offer I couldn’t refuse and never wanted to refuse,” Rinaldi said.

She said it was a “critical time” for the LIRR when she became interim president as the final efforts were underway to implement service to the new Grand Central Madison.

Rinaldi said that with the completion of many projects she worked on in her role for the LIRR, she finds this is a “good time” to begin transitioning out of the position.

“While we are on the topic of innovating and improving, that will not stop once I’m back over to Metro-North full time,” Rinaldi said.

Rinaldi thanked the railroad teams for their collaborative work as she bid goodbye to her LIRR position.

“I am confident that the railroad teams will be able to meet our commitments, while at the same time continuing to provide the safe and reliable service that our customers expect and deserve,” Rinaldi said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SENATOR’S OFFICE

Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey, state Sen. Anna M. Kaplan, Long Island Rail Road interim President Catherine Rinaldi, Town Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte (rear), and state Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti announce express train service restoration at the Port Washington Train Station.

Fordham St. work to continue to mid-Oct.

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Residents on Fordham Street in Williston Park can expect road work on the street to be completed by this fall.

Deputy Mayor Kevin Rynne read a letter Monday night sent to the Village’s engineer by Suffolk Pacing Corp., which was awarded a bid three years ago for the village’s road project.

The remaining work for replacing concrete driveway aprons and curbs is expected to be completed by early next week, Rynne said. On Fordham Street between Temple and Broad Streets, the missing portions of new curbs and gutters will be put in place by the end of next week.

Paving on Fordham Street is expected to be finished by the middle of October, Rynne said.

Residents from Fordham expressed concerns to board trustees over the street, which also had its water pipes replaced by National Grid earlier this year.

Village trustees apologized over the status of Fordham Street, saying they are frustrated with the delays, too.

“If it could have gone wrong on Fordham, it has,” Trustee William Carr said.

Carr said the Village bonded $5 million three years ago for the Village’s road project to repave roads that had a “D” or “F” rating based on a review by Village engineers. Because the project cost less than expected, Carr said that the Village decided to expand the road project to include streets with a “C” rating, which has led to delays aside from the work by National Grid.

The block on Fordham between Temple and Broad has the most work left before it can be paved and will be worked on last, Public Works Superintendent Steven Shelley told the residents.

In unrelated Village news, there will be no Ragamuffin Parade on Halloween night this year but instead a parade from village hall to Kelleher Field on Saturday, Oct. 28.

E. Williston house fire put out in 15 minutes

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Over 50 firefighters responded to a house fire in Williston Park around 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sep. 12.

A bed caught on fire in an upstairs bedroom at 71 East Williston Ave. and all occupants evacuated the property before firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire in under 15 minutes.

First responders from the East Williston, Mineola, Roslyn Highlands and Westbury Fire Departments were on the scene within minutes of an automatic mutual aid alarm and were able to keep the damage mostly contained to the room where the fire began, Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro told Blank Slate Media.

No injuries were reported at the fire. The fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire, which is currently undetermined and no criminality is suspected, Uttaro said.

Chaminade linebacker up for Giant Award

BY BRANDON DUFFY

A Chaminade High School football player is one of 10 weekly nominees for USA Football’s Heart of a Giant Award.

Senior linebacker Seamus Miller was nominated by the team’s coaches due to his exceptional commitment, teamwork and dedication.

“Seamus is the definition of a great teammate,” his coaches said of the nomination. Miller was also named a pre-season captain for this season.

The Heart of a Giant Award features 10 tristate athletes who are nominated for six weeks until six finalists and five wildcards are selected.

Each finalist will receive a $1,000 grant for their high school’s football program and the grand prize winner’s school will get an additional $9,000 equipment grant.

The grand prize winner and his coach will be also honored on the field at MetLife Stadium a New York Giants game this season.

Voting for this round will be open until Sunday, Sept. 24 and can be found online.

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

Williston Park Deputy Mayor Kevin Rynne gives his report during the Sept. 18 board of trustees meeting.

Church donates $12K to aid child abuse survivors

BY PRERANA SANAPPANAVAR

Hope East Church Senior Pastor David Jung inaugurated a new forensic interview, observation and recording room for The Safe Center’s Child Advocacy Center on Sept. 12. The CAC in Bethpage is designed to provide a

safe, child-friendly environment to help child abuse victims safely discuss their mistreatment and receive healing support and services.

The addition was made possible after the Manhasset church donated $12,000 to the center and is expected to decrease wait times, in-

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Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care

By John L. Gomes, MD

John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.

He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.

Empire, Catholic Health partner to lower costs

BY KARINA KOVAC

Catholic Health and Empire BlueCross BlueShield have entered into a multi-year agreement aimed at reducing healthcare costs and enhancing value for residents of Long Island. The partnership seeks to align payment rates with improved health outcomes and quality-of-care indicators in a shift toward value-based care.

Julie Kapoor, senior vice president of Revenue Management and Managed Care at Catholic Health, emphasized their commitment to valuebased care, saying the partnership with Empire BlueCross BlueShield allows them to identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality healthcare services to Long Island residents.

“Value-based care is transforming the health care industry and Catholic Health is at the forefront of that transformation,” said Kapoor. “Our part-

Catholic Health and Empire BlueCross BlueShield have announced an agreement focused on new care delivery models designed to lower costs and increase value for people on Long Island.

nership with Empire BlueCross BlueShield helps us to proactively identify opportunities to reduce the costs of care while improving patient health. The signing of this agreement will allow us to stay focused on the delivery of exceptional care

He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.

Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.

He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.

while also improving access to affordable health services on Long Island.”

The core of the agreement revolves around linking payment to quality outcomes, including factors such as read-

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PHOTO COURTESY OF WOLFGANG KOVAC

PHOTO BY SAFE CENTER

Senior Pastor David Jung joins in the ribbon-cutting with Pastor Beth Markham, Forensic Coordinator Marissa Blinder and Director of Multidisciplinary Team Services Corinne Giordano.

Sarah Hughes drops out of the CD4 race

Former Olympic gold medalist from G.N. sought Dem nomination in race wth Laura Gillen

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Sarah Hughes, an Olympic Gold Medal figure skater who grew up in Great Neck, announced her bid to run for the 4th Congressional District seat in May on the Democratic line. Four months later, she issued a statement that she would no longer be running for Congress.

Hughes posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 8 that she would be pulling out of the race. She did not say why.

“For those interested, I have decided not to run for Congress at this time,” the post states. “Like many Americans, I have become increasingly frustrated with the state of our politics and politicians over the last several years.”

Efforts to contact Hughes were unavailing.

Hughes took home the Gold Medal for the women’s singles event during the 2002 Winter Olympics, defeating Michelle Kwan, who took bronze, and Irina Slutskaya, who took silver.

She is the only American woman to have won the Olympic title without having won either a World or U.S. senior national title.

Hughes retired shortly after her Olympic win in 2003.

Daughter of John Hughes and Amy

Pastarnack, Hughes was born in Great Neck and attended Great Neck North High School.

After graduation, she attended Yale University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies with a concentration in U.S. politics and communities.

Hughes was facing a slate of other candidates in the district’s Democratic primary, including Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen. Gillen previously lost to U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) in the November election for the District 4 seat.

The Democratic lineup includes Gillen; Gian Jones, a real estate professional who has campaigned for numerous elected offices; Patricia Maher, a Democratic committeewoman; and Henry Lawrence, who has previously run for the seat.

D’Esposito is currently the only Republican candidate in the race.

Despite Hughes’ decision to pull out of the race, she assured her followers on X that her political advocacy would not stop.

“I will continue to advocate for reducing healthcare costs, promoting the effective use of our tax dollars, and implementing pro-growth and innovative economic policies for our country,” the post states.

Liberty Utilities rate hike plan panned

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Liberty Utilities is proposing as much as a 43% rise in water rate hikes in its three Nassau County water districts, and politicians and residents alike are denouncing the move as greedy behavior and asking for a public takeover of the organization’s Long Island operations.

“The right to clean, affordable water—that is a human right,” New York State Assemblywoman Taylor Darling (D–Hempstead) said. “This rate hike is an attack on that right, and it will most harshly impact those with the least.”

Elected officials, candidates and residents affected by the proposed increases gathered outside Liberty’s Merrick plant Sept. 12 for a rally to urge the state’s Public Service Commission to deny the rates.

The rally came before the Public Service Commission’s Wednesday hearing, which drew 62 online, public comments overwhelmingly opposed to the rate increases.

Liberty, formerly New York American Water, is a private water company that services approximately 123,600 customers among its Lynbrook, Merrick and Sea Cliff Operational Districts.

The company is proposing 39%, 42% and 13% rate increases for the Lynbrook, Merrick and Sea Cliff Districts, respectively, which it says is necessary to offset new costs.

“The increase that Liberty is seeking is far greater than what is reasonable and would harshly burden customers who are already being overcharged for water,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D–Glen Cove) said. “The Public Service Commission has the power to protect ratepayers from exactly this kind of an unreasonable demand. It is our true hope that the PSC will step in and do what is needed to protect our constituents.“

Continued on Page 31

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUGHES

Former Great Neck resident and Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Liberty Utilities is proposing a scale of water rate increases throughout it’s three districts in Nassau County.

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Party leaders continue with sham elections

The Nassau County Republican and Democratic parties announced last week that they have agreed to cross-endorse two candidates for the state’s Supreme Court – one from each party.

Christopher McGrath is a Republican attorney who is currently a senior partner at Sullivan, Papain, Block, McGrath, and Cannavo, which has an office in Garden City.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman named McGrath as the head of his transition team after defeating Democrat Laura Curran in 2021.

District Court Judge Gary Carlton, a Democrat from Valley Stream, is a founding partner of the Goldberg and Carlton law firm in Rockville Center. Before being elected to the bench in 2019, Carlton was the deputy village attorney in Valley Stream.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, both men have contributed money to their respective parties.

McGrath has given over $25,000 to the county’s Republican Committee since 2020, according to New York Board of Election filings.

Carlton contributed $5,000 to the county’s Democratic Committee in April, according to the state Board of Elections.

Cross-endorsements are nothing new in Nassau County.

The Republican and Democrat party bosses, heading two political parties that represent 69% of the registered voters in Nassau County, routinely decide behind closed doors who gets to be a judge.

In the case of McGrath and Carleton, the seats on the Supreme Court carry a term of 14 years and a salary of more than $210,000 a year.

In 2022, Nassau County had 20 seats open for a judgeship with 20 total candidates. Of those 20, all were endorsed by the county’s Democratic, Republican and Conservative committees.

This year there are currently 10 judgeships up for election with only one race contested – a county court

seat in which two candidates running on the Democrat, Republican and Conservative lines are opposing each other.

In March, both parties cross-endorsed Eric Milgrim and Segal Blakeman, Blakeman’s wife, for Family Court judge.

Republican Nassau County Chairman Joe Cairo, a lawyer who has his own law practice, has consistently defended the practice of cross-endorsing judicial candidates.

This includes his daughter, Lisa Cairo, who was elected to the State Supreme Court without a challenge.

In selecting McGrath, Cairo said in a statement the party committee was pleased to nominate two candidates “with the experience, credentials, and a commitment to fairness that will ensure justice continues to be served in Nassau County.”

There are several problems with this.

Start with Cairo’s judgment. He is the person who selected disgraced U.S. Rep. George Santos to run not once but twice for the 3rd Congressional District.

Santos now faces a 13-count federal indictment with seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds, and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.

Former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, two other Republicans backed by the Nassau County Republican Party before Cairo became chairman, were found guilty of corruption charges several years ago.

And the party’s pick for Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, John Venditto, pleaded guilty to a state felony charge of corrupt use of position or authority and a misdemeanor count of official misconduct. This follows his acquittal on federal corruption charges.

So Nassau County Republican chairman, along with Jay Jacobs, the Nassau County and New York State Democratic chairman, might not be the

best people to pick judges.

Especially when the party’s choices for judge might someday need to preside over a political corruption trial involving other party choices.

Then consider the fact that party participants in a selection process that virtually guarantees the election of the judges may appear before them in court.

And then also think about the small matter of state law and democracy.

“It’s deplorable,” James Gardner, a distinguished professor at the University at Buffalo School of Law who researches elections, has said of the cross endorsements in Nassau. “It’s collusive behavior by political parties that undermines democratic choice. It’s a complete perversion of the process.”

What’s worse is what happens to the beneficiaries – judges.

In Nassau County, every judge is tainted by an election process that violates the spirit if not the actual letter of state law, which says the selection of judges should be the will of the people – not the will of party leaders.

The rules of the chief administra-

tive judge state that “an independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. A judge should participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing high standards of conduct, and shall personally observe those standards so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary will be preserved.”

Just how do the judges selected in Nassau County square their participation in the country’s selection process with these rules?

Jacobs has also repeatedly defended the often-criticized practice of crossendorsing judges.

“You end up with a very partisan system where judges are elected, based upon the year in which they run, whether it’s a Democratic-leaning year or Republican-leaning year,” said Jacobs, who has a law degree but has made his living operating very successful summer camps.

This partisan system is better known as democracy. And for its many faults, it has worked out so far for these jobs.

We’re just sorry that Jacobs does not believe Nassau County voters are

up to the job.

There is an obvious alternative to voters selecting judges. State and federal judges may be nominated by a president or governor with advice and consent from Congress or a Legislature – all of whom are elected to office.

This is not a perfect system either. Just check out the recent picks for U.S. Supreme.

But that is not what’s being done in Nassau County either.

Here party bosses not selected by voters make the decision followed by sham elections that make the system look more like a banana republic than a democracy.

This is a useful tool for political parties seeking to gain registered voters and the support of aspiring candidates.

There’s nothing like a potential judgeship to inspire loyalty for one party or the other.

The cross-endorsements appear to have worked out much better for Democrats than Republicans in recent years — given the Democrats’ dismal record in elections under Jacobs.

Bonds of affection needed years after Lincoln

Miles Taylor faithfully served America during President George W. Bush and Donald Trump’s tenures as president. In his new book “Blowback,” Taylor includes an inspirational quote by Abraham Lincoln, delivered when the country was close to civil war: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”

The subtitle of “Blowback” is “Warning to Save Democracy from the Next Trump.” Unlike his two anonymously published critiques of Trump, he signed his name to this one.

Taylor, 36, worked in Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. His “Anonymous” opinion piece was published in The New York Times on September 5, 2018. It was entitled, “I am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.”

Taylor’s story is told from the unique perspective of someone who,

although not formally a whistleblower, blew the whistle on the Trump White House. Despite inevitable overlap with other accounts of the Trump years there were disturbing details, new to me, in “Blowback.”

For example, Olivia Troye, who served on the Trump White House coronavirus task force, recalled that “when we were in a task-force meeting the president said, ‘Maybe this COVID thing is a good thing—I don’t like shaking hands with people. I don’t have to shake hands with these disgusting people.’”

“Those disgusting people are the same people he claims to care about who are still going to his rallies today, who have complete faith in who he is,” Troye later noted.

Taylor captured a few of Trump’s most loyal and trusted aides in disturbing conversation. For example, on the matter of migrant border crossings Trump Senior adviser Stephen Miller, who has been credited with devising the sadistic childseparation policy, asked then Coast

Guard Admiral Paul Zukunft “when a boat full of migrants is in international waters, they aren’t protected by the U.S. Constitution, right?”

“Technically, no, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at,” responded Zukunft. Miller continued true to form, “Tell me why then, can’t we use a Predator drone to obliterate

that boat?”Zukunft was taken aback and responded, “Because, Stephen, it would be against international law.”

Taylor reported that according to former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, “when officials were watching a live feed of a raid against the leader of ISIS, Stephen Miller proposed beheading the militant, dipping his head in pig’s blood as an affront to Muslims, and parading it around as a warning.” Esper had to advise Miller that such an action would be a war crime.” Miller later denied that this conversation ever occurred.

At the core of “Blowback” is Taylor’s bold decision to openly push back against the disorder, duplicity and danger that he had been experiencing during his time in the Trump White House. The book is issued as a warning that a white-collar criminal organization aimed at deconstructing democracy continues taking shape.

The undertow of “Blowback” is the personal consequences Taylor faced when he decided to go pub-

lic with his identity in 2020. Before that, there was secrecy and risk involved in launching the anonymous effort. Once he acknowledged that he was “Anonymous” he received threats to his physical safety, mental health, and overall well-being.

In addition to citing President Lincoln, Taylor invoked U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant who made a prediction 10 years after the Civil War. His prescient remark resonates today, almost 150 years later.

Grant spoke to what might happen if America was divided in two again: “The divergence wouldn’t be North vs. South. “The dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon’s, said Grant, but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition, and ignorance on the other.”

And, here we are today.

Through his dissent Taylor challenges all Americans to find a way to restore the “the bonds of affection” that President Lincoln referred to that have become so terribly frayed.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is hopeless ideologue

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently posted on her Instagram account a video that claims the inflation talk is “propaganda” promoted by greedy corporations.

That allegation is absurd.

Since Joe Biden took office in January 2021, overall inflation has skyrocketed. It is up 15%.

Dairy products are up 24%, ground beef +21%, roasted coffee +21%, soups + 24%, poultry + 24%, frozen fruits and vegetables +24%, and flour has jumped a staggering 34%.

As for energy costs, diesel fuel is up 64%, home heating oil +63%, gasoline +54%, propane + 25%, natural gas 25% and electricity is up 22%.

As for wages, the Census Bureau reported medium household income, adjusted for inflation, fell last year by $1,750 to $74,580. It is down $3,670 from 2019.

Those are facts, not “propaganda.”

This is not the first time AOC has distorted reality.

In December 2021, AOC claimed that the “smash-and-grab” crime wave was a hoax. She said this despite miles

of videotape that police and retailers possess that prove otherwise.

Then there was the time in July 2020 when AOC declared on social media that the surge in crime was due to “hungry people stealing loaves of bread.”

The fact was at that point in time, acts of petty larceny were actually down 7% while murders were up 27%.

When called on her misstatements, the self-righteous AOC said it didn’t matter because she is “morally right,” even if her facts are not.

AOC, a dedicated Democratic-Socialist ideologue, is truly out of touch.

Why? Because if she faced facts, it would contradict her ideology.

Ideology is a much-abused word. Many who bandy about this term are under the mistaken notion that ideology is synonymous with strongly holding philosophical or theological truths. On the contrary, ideology is instead a system of ideas or rigid abstract formulas mixed with scientific jargon and some empirical facts that claims knowledge about reaching perfection in the temporal order.

Ideologies are pseudo-sciences

constructed around simple equations concerning man’s complex relationship with the body politic. They are promoted as secularized redemptive creeds to justify or legitimize power grabs.

The art of politics for ideologues, the renown historian Jacob Talmon has noted, “is the application of their formulas to society and the final purpose of politics is only achieved when

the ideology reigns supreme over all fields of life.”

Because ideologues believe they are omnipotent, their formulas to manage mankind cannot be challenged regardless of the facts. As a New England transcendentalist once quipped, “if the material facts differ from the truth, so much the worse for the facts.”

While the ideological formulas may vary, the ends are the same: domination. Since ideological formulas are absolute, no dissent is tolerated. For ideologues, the party line is the only line—the total line.

In the case of AOC, she subscribes to the Democratic-Socialist ideology.

Their radical platform calls for a hiring freeze of police and fire officers, the decertification of police unions and associations, the elimination of all misdemeanor offenses, the termination of prison expansion funding, the closing of local jails, the end of police occupation of black and brown communities, and the disarming of policemen.

The Democratic-Socialists want to nationalize water, gas, electric,

telecommunications, media, banking, insurance, investment and real estate corporations.

They also want to increase income tax rates, real estate taxes, financial transaction taxes, capital gain taxes, corporate taxes, and to institute wealthy and luxury purchase taxes.

No doubt AOC is convinced that when the tenets of her ideological platform are imposed and are properly administered by Messianic elitists like herself, society will be transformed into a harmonious secular paradise— in other words “Heaven on Earth.”

But anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that AOC’s socialist platform if implemented would only lead to chaos and despair—just as it has in every country that has been governed by analytical creeds that supersede practical experience.

AOC is a hopeless ideologue who so far has talked a lot on Instagram and has accomplished little in the halls of Congress. Be aware, however, she and her confreres will never rest in their quest for absolute power. And they will rationalize most any means to achieve that end.

Heights, NY 11577.

Late-stage capitalism gains momentum

Late-Stage Capitalism has a certain dreadful ring to it, don’t you think? The term was coined in 1923 by the German economist Werner Sombart, but the term is still very much in play.

The latest treatise on Late-Stage Capitalism was written by The New York Times journalist David Gelles in his bestselling book “The Man Who Broke Capitalism” about how Jack Welsh, the infamous CEO of General Electric, led the way into the darkest depths of late-stage capitalism.

What Gelles means by the term Late-Stage Capitalism is how corporations have systematically ignored the worker, the consumer and the government in their almighty quest for profit, profit and more profit for their shareholders and themselves.

And try as we might, one cannot escape the vortex of this neo-capitalist world view. The growing disparity between the super rich CEO class and the rest of us has produced a two- class society. First we have the SR’s, or the Super Rich, and then we have the TROU’s, or The Rest Of Us. There is some comfort in being a part of this vast, oversized, lower-middle, kind of upper-class group. We are all in the same boat so anyone you run into is a part of your class. In time we will all become good friends.

home after a pleasant round of golf I witnessed a good example of road rage and human hatred as one driver shouted at another “Okay a——e, pull over and let’s have it out.” Charmed I’m sure. Apparently they have not realized that they are brothers in shame and have no reason to fight each other.

the past got sick of being underpaid, making minimum wage, fearing the next layoff and said, “See ya later.”

Here are two late-stage capitalists strolling through the streets of Paris

I had a chance to see the Super Rich while I was in Zurich last week. They all get driven around in chauffeured Rolls Royce’s and most of the women driving Aston Martins are very tall and very blonde. I’m glad I was reading “The Magic Mountain” at the time because there was a lifesaving or perhaps I should say facesaving passage in the book which explained how one can find true freedom and joy when you arrive at the conclusion that you are hopelessly less than others. You can use the

shame of defeat to feel free because at that point you have nothing left to lose. I think Janis Joplin used that line in one of her songs.

Post-modernists like Frederic Jameson and Jean Baudrillard refer to Late-Stage Capitalism as the end of history, but I don’t think we need be that pessimistic. After all, we still have plenty to eat and TV still remains a charming thing to watch.

Yes, you might argue that everyone seems to hate each other, people drive in an insanely hostile manner and it’s virtually impossible to connect with a human being should you have a problem that requires you to call someone. Today as I drove

EARTH MATTERS

As we speak, there are multiples of gifted economists at Princeton, Yale and Harvard busily at work trying to figure out what comes after Late-Stage Capitalism. How do we rein in corporate America, which is armed with Madison Avenue manipulators, credit card scams and Artificial Intelligence strategies. Just ask all those Hollywood writers how they feel about AI.

Late-Stage Capitalism means that corporate America has taken the humanity out of the work force. This is one reason that there is now a labor shortage and a refusal to return to the pre-COVID work ethos. I got a good taste of that the other day when I ordered a new pair of glasses. It usually would take them about 3 to 4 days to have them made. This time it took five weeks. They told me it was because it took time to get the anti-glare treatment, but it sounds like a labor shortage to me. Perhaps the guys who made these glasses in

There will be no easy fix for this mess we find ourselves in. Neocapitalism has produced rage and a sense of helplessness expressed in almost weekly mass shootings. The mass anxiety that is felt is dealt with through Xanax, Zoloft, alcohol use or marijuana intake. General practitioners and psychologists like myself are all over-booked and flooded with stressed-out patients complaining of headaches, stomach problems, anxiety, depression, obesity issues and more.

Humanity has been diminished as profit margins have grown. Corporations are now all- powerful and though we saw a post-pandemic increase in wages and decrease in unemployment, I don’t think the nightmare is over.

Elon Musk and Artificial Intelligence are a very scary duo. So LateStage Capitalism, formerly known as The Rat Race, speeds ever onward led by CEOs made in the image of Jack Welsh, who long ago decided “Greed is Good.” Someone should have them all read “The Divine Comedy” and study the 4th Circle of Hell, which is filled with greedy people hoarding their money.

Plastics are invading our bodies, our planet

More than 50,000 activists joined the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City Sunday on Rosh Hashanah. A holy day for many, this gathering aimed to protect what’s sacred, to protect future lives.

The march set the tone for a week of United Nation talks where President Biden is scheduled to meet with other world leaders and discuss Sustainable Development Goals. The message from the crowd was clear, demanding Biden stop fracking for fossil fuels.

Young and old from all walks of life chanted: “Biden, where’s your urgency, it’s a climate emergency.” The emphasis was on stopping new fossil fuel projects in the pipeline (no pun intended).

On the train into New York City I met Zach, an 11th grader at Schreiber HS in Port Washington, who when asked why he’d invest his Sunday afternoon this way quickly responded: “This is the first of many steps to a better future for us all.” He added: “In the past we’ve created a world that’s now unlivable for many.”

He isn’t going to sit at home and watch the world go up in flames without doing something about it. Zach said what woke him up to the urgency of climate action was a winter stay at Lake Placid where instead of anticipated snow hosting winter sports, they waded through water and slush all week and rivers were running off house roofs. It was unseason-

ably hot. And this summer was the hottest on record, with devastating human toll. What’s your wake-up moment?

I marched with the non-profit Beyond Plastics, which fights plastic pollution. It warns that plastic is the new coal because of its climate impact. If the plastic industry were a country, they’d be one of the top five polluters when measuring carbon dioxide emissions together with the USA, Russia and China. It’s clear greenhouse gas emissions are warming the climate.

Alarmingly, the fossil fuel industry is banking on plastic now that the transition toward renewables is gradually taking place. A full 99% of plastics are made from petrochemicals. We use the term “plastic” to describe thousands of materials whose fragments and microfibers will outlast us all.

Plastics are an existential threat to all of life. Plastics aren’t natural, but completely novel and synthetic, therefore not incorporated into natural cycles. With its making we may have forever altered the chemistry of life on Earth. We’ve created materials never before encountered in the biosphere. Some scientists have even coined the term “plastisphere” to describe synthetic ecosystems observed when organisms aggregate around plastics at sea. And we’re just starting to understand the harmful effects of plastic chemical exposure.

Plastics are made from fossil fuels

HILDUR PALSDOTTIR Earth Matters

and chemicals. The thousands of chemical additives that give plastics their variety of properties aren’t covalently (permanently) linked to the plastic backbone, but instead migrate into the food you’re eating or the liquid you’re drinking from a plastic container in a process termed “leaching.” The public health consequences of leaching are largely unknown, but many of these chemicals are known endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and neurotoxins, potentially interfering with natural hormone cycles and normal physiology.

Plastic doesn’t break down, but rather breaks up into a trillion micro- and nanoscopic pieces that will decorate the fossil record. Nature has no idea how to

incorporate and recover these artificial chemicals. CO2 in comparison to plastic is a natural pollutant, CO2 is part of natural cycles and can be sequestered and returned to the ground.

The rising emissions warming the climate could theoretically be captured and contained if we decided to stop emitting carbon and concentrated on cleaning up our act. Unfortunately, the petrochemical industry seems to have global governments in a profit-making headlock.

We could have started the transition towards clean energy over 20 years ago, or before Zach was born. It was clear what was needed back then. He would certainly be spending his Sunday afternoon differently if we had made reasonable decisions back then. So would I. But instead we marched together as we are here on a warming polluted planet and things are worse than they’ve ever been.

While marching, a well-intentioned organizer offered me a plastic water bottle. After this gesture there was an awkward pause when I refused and she realized I was holding the Beyond Plastics sign. I kindly let her know I had my stainless steel refillable bottle with tap water in it. I’d survive a day on 26 ounce of hydration. And it got me thinking about media coverage and general education.

I wondered why the news of harmful plastic chemicals migrating into water

from plastic bottles at room temperature didn’t make headlines? Danish chemists at the University of Copenhagen warned last year that over 400 chemicals were detected in water stored overnight in popular plastic sports bottles, while after a dishwashing cycle these same bottles when left for 24 hours at room temperature leached thousands of chemicals.

How do you feel about sipping on thousands of chemicals with unknown health impact? Since microplastic exposure has been linked to obesity, perhaps headlines like “Plastics are making us fat!” would draw attention?

The optimal pH “pure” spring water you think you’re drinking from your plastic water bottle isn’t as healthy as you assume. There are thousands of chemicals leaching from the plastic bottle into the fluid you’re hydrating with. And you’re supporting an industry that contributes to global warming and the climate crisis with it’s purchase. Tap water is your best bet for now, at least we know it’s tested and regulated.

Ensuring public access to drinkable tap water should be a priority. This means we must stop polluting our water sources, we must stop fracking. We must stop the annual production of billions of plastic water bottles. We should be transporting water to those who don’t have access to it in stainless steel containers, not plastic.

Continued on Page 31

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

Hello Bossert, grateful goodbye to Berkowitz

As soon as I heard “all”, as in “all children,” I breathed a sigh of relief. Our cherished, heralded Great Neck public schools would be in good hands with Dr. Kenneth R. Bossert as superintendent of schools.

He began his introduction to the community – two events on one day, the first at Reach Out America and the second a meet-and-greet at South High School –reading the Great Neck Public Schools’ Mission Statement:

“The Great Neck Public School District provides an innovative and collaborative educational environment that supports academic excellence and the social and emotional growth of all students so that they may become lifelong learners and compassionate, productive members of a diverse, global society.”

In his remarks, he showed he embraced this mission at his core, saying it was a key reason he agreed to leave Elwood UFSD, where he was Superintendent for seven years, to come to Great Neck “for the final chapter” of his career.

“I wanted to make sure the ideals, philosophies matched my own. These words were powerful. In the guiding principle, the mission statement, the key word is ‘all.'”

“All,” he said, means providing the best opportunity for students regardless of socio- economic background, heritage, history in the community or lack – to help all children reach their best potential.

“I support academic excellence, social and emotional growth of all students.

All. That means providing resources, tools necessary for them to figure out their path, reach their goals. It’s wonderful to analyze college acceptances, how many got into the Ivy League. But there is no one size fits all – students come from varied backgrounds, have varied interests, goals. Our mission is to help them achieve, whatever they want to be, to figure the best way to support them.”

It is heartening to hear that full embrace of the mission statement that has served Great Neck students so well for decades.

Public Education is under threat as never before. There is a nationalized effort to ban books, erase DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) values, to rewrite history and biology in order to literally indoctrinate young people, to vilify teachers and administrators (destroy teachers unions), and take over school boards.

Indeed, Dr. Bossert listed DEI work as one of the key areas he hopes to focus on this year as well as News Media Literacy (making sure students are able to identify credible news outlets, research and develop parallel research), Early Literacy and “All Means All” so that “every student has the opportunity to be successful.”

It’s a really tough time to be an educator, which makes the challenge even greater for a new superintendent, even in a district like Great Neck that has been ranked No. 1 in New York State and No. 3 in the nation by NICHE.

‘The race for excellence has no finish line,” Bossert said. “When you are No. 1,

it’s easy to rest on laurels. Our job is to not allow that to occur.”

Asked how he will handle a parent wanting a book removed, he said, “This is not unique to Great Neck – parents wanting literature removed from libraries.”

The way to handle it is to have a process to follow when a portion of curriculum is identified as controversial.

“Sometimes it makes for difficult conversation, meeting. That’s not foreign to me.”

The process starts with a review with the teacher, then if the parent is not satisfied, the building principal, then a committee review, and after that the board is the final voice.

Asked his view of Artificial Intelligence, he said, “AI is like any new tech.”

At first educators keep them out until

they become indispensable to teaching. Instead of saying AI is a platform for plagiarism, ask how can we use this tool to our advantage and help move students’ critical thinking forward.”

At the Meet and Greet at Great Neck South High School, I ask about how he might balance the challenge of highstakes testing – the subject of his Ph.D dissertation that found “when teachers abandon best practice in favor of test prep, drill strategies, children lose out.”

“It has to be a balance…If teachers abandon good instruction in favor of test prep, they won’t meet the same level of success,” he said.

This is Dr. Bossert’s first year in Great Neck, but this year will be the first since 1992 that Barbara Berkowitz will not be joining the Board of Education, having chosen to retire after 31 years, including an unprecedented 15 consecutive years as president of the board.

Few people, I suspect, really appreciate what goes into being a trustee on the Board of Education, let alone its president, and all the complexities and challenges that must be addressed. And then there is the real-world impact on real people’s lives.

Over the course of her 31 years, Berkowitz has had a direct impact on thousands of lives — so many of whom have gone on to make a real mark in the world.

Berkowitz was on the board when the Internet first began and changed everything about teaching, even the in-

frastructure.

The list goes on: Parkville kindergarten; Option Zone to level out school population between North and South schools with the least disruption to families; preserved low-class size, extra curriculars despite state tax cap; highstakes testing; bullying; Universal PreK; SCOPE pre- and after-school care program; self-sustaining summer recreation program; summer enrichment; two bond issues, security improvements throughout district including expanded transportation; SEAL program; ACE special education program that keeps our students in-district and brings in tuitionpaying out-of-district students); two major bond issues; construction to accommodate increased enrollment (one of few districts that has seen numbers going up when others were going down); battled back charter school. And to cap it off, the challenge of COVID response and its aftermath, including expanding access to mental health services and guidance counseling.

“I’ve tried to do my very best to treat all members of the public with great respect and exhibit a spirit of collegiality and kindness toward our staff, as well as my colleagues, while always keeping the needs of our students uppermost in my mind,” Berkowitz told The Island Now in February.

“But despite my heavy heart, I know the time has come for me to move on and let someone else assume this seat on the board after June 30.”

Learning to manage freedom and responsibility

For many students, being at college, even part-time, is the first time they experience real freedom. Living at home or not, they are less likely to have someone to remind them of homework.

If they live on campus, or in an offcampus apartment, students have the freedom to associate with whomever they wish, skip meals, and otherwise experiment with their new independence.

They can sleep in late, skip class, and play pool instead of studying Physics. Many have no one to urge them to pick up their clothes (other than a fussy roommate); no one to say, “Eat your breakfast” or “Stand tall,” and other admonitions such as “Be home by midnight.”

However, with freedom comes responsibility. Students are responsible for keeping up with assignments and requirements, class attendance, and part-time jobs.

They learn they should not take five History courses at once, given the requirements for reading and writing and the need to fulfill other requirements. They need to know how to account for Advanced Placement credit. Students also owe it to parents and family members to stay in touch, often giving a brief report on knowledge gained and lessons learned.

One responsibility is to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by college, even if the student lives at home. Colleges are generally more diverse in de-

mographic characteristics than the high schools from which students graduated.

They can meet people from new parts of their state and country and from other parts of the world. Colleges also sponsor internships, study abroad, and other experiences in different cultures.

Most campuses provide opportunities for volunteering in low-income neighborhoods and multicultural regions so that students can experience how to “do good” while also developing skills and abilities. They can learn what it is like to be the “other.”

It is incumbent upon students to take advantage of their environment and expand their horizons.

An often-overlooked opportunity is getting to know faculty and staff as individuals, not just as authority figures. Most became educators because they care about learning and nurturing younger learners.

Many had an influential mentor in their lives. The stories of their professional journeys can be instructive as well as inspiring. Ask them how they got “to here from there.”

The college years also are a time to develop the habits of citizenship: being informed, being involved in a community; learning to disagree without being disagreeable; promoting the common good; assessing the accuracy of information; rejecting violence; valuing the norms of democracy, such as voting and the transfer

of power between administrations; and knowing what patriotism means.

These, too, are important lessons, whether learned in or out of class.

Much attention is given to learning specialized knowledge in a major course of study and being introduced to a broader survey of subjects through general education requirements. However, college also is a time to develop the skills of writing and speaking as well as the abilities of reasoning and leadership.

It is in college that we can foster the development of values such as teamwork, fair play, and respect for others.

One of the most important lessons in college is to reflect: reflect on a course, or

an incident, or a ceremony, or a lecture. Students learn to ask, “What did this mean?” “What did I learn from this?” “Why is this important?” “How does this relate to or reflect on a historic issue or incident in politics or literature?”

College students learn about themselves through reflection as well as instruction. This includes finding the optimal environment for challenge and comfort. We want college to be challenging so that we can improve in our skills and abilities. We also want it to be a safe environment in which people care about student success.

Many students also learn non-academic skills that can last a lifetime, such as tennis or chess. They also develop lifelong habits of reading the news and reading for fun. They learn the value of time management and that it makes sense to ask for help. They master the value of work by seeking a job on campus where they are more likely to be supervised by people who care about their education and progress as students.

Equally important, they should master their finances, learn how to balance a checkbook and understand the implications of debt. The financial aid office staff can be helpful even if you do not have institutional grants and loans. They know higher education finance and want students to be secure. They want them to succeed and graduate.

Many students become involved in student government and get to know the

student affairs staff. Those who live on campus can get know the Residence Life staff. These are important guides to the college experience, what to avoid and what to emphasize. In my experience, these staff are most helpful in discussing the management of relationships, an important life-long responsibility.

College also is a safe space to learn the value of taking action. This may take the form of protest about a college policy, visiting the president to voice objection to an action, or lack of action, by the board of trustees, or writing letters to newspapers and local officials advocating a carefully thought-out position on public policy.

Issues such as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, climate change, racial justice, access to affordable housing, good nutrition, and adequate schools locally as well as globally motivate students to be informed and involved.

Students also join or create political campaigns for candidates and policy positions. This is a time of personal growth and becoming an independent person.

The college experience in a precious one, whether one lives at home and commutes or lives on campus. It helps us develop as individuals who learn how to manage freedom with responsibility.

Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and Ramapo College of New Jersey

FROM THE DESK OF ARNOLD W. DRUCKER

Leadership void hobbles school bus safety program

As our children continue their 2023-24 studies, so too does the daily jockeying to make sure they have a safe and reliable way to get to school every day. Many are driven to school; others walk; and the remainder rely upon school bus transportation. Regrettably, as it pertains to that latter form of transportation, many school buses serving our County currently lack a major safety tool – stop-arm cameras that ensure motorists who illegally pass buses are held accountable.

As a cosponsor of the 2019 legislation that cleared the way for a stop-arm camera program here in Nassau County, I am frustrated by the laissez-faire approach the Blakeman administration has taken to getting school districts to sign up for a program that is expressly designed to promote public safety and protect our children. What makes it

especially disappointing is that school districts like Jericho – which have cameras installed on all its buses – can’t use this potentially life-saving technology until the Town and the vendor sign a contract.

After the administration of former County Executive Laura Curran correctly spearheaded the program – the rollout of which was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 – County Executive Blakeman has seen fit to punt the project to the towns and cities. In recent remarks to the Newsday editorial board, his spokesman cited “pluses and minuses” to the initiative as the rationale.

What downsides could there possibly be? Irritating a motorist with a hefty ticket for making a selfish and unlawful decision to pass a school bus filled with potentially dozens of youngsters?

That’s the point of threatening a $250

ARNOLD W. DRUCKER Nassau County Legislator

fine – it deters unacceptable behavior and makes our roads safer for all of us. In the interest of fairness, rigorous safeguards must be in place to prevent and correct erroneous tickets.

Data from neighboring Suffolk’s countywide stop-arm camera program show that this uniform, countywide approach is working. In its first year of full implementation in 2021, Suffolk County’s program issued more than 118,000 tickets. The next year, the number of tickets dropped by 40 percent, according to data. Experts say that’s because the vast number of first-time offenders learn their lesson and don’t do it again.

That’s exactly what we want to have happen here in Nassau County. However, because of the disjointed approach the Blakeman administration has settled upon, it’s every town for themselves. As programs like Jericho’s remain in limbo, the patchwork quilt of enforcement diminishes the deterrence effect. If the Blakeman administration continued with a unified, countywide approach like Suffolks, perhaps we would have had more leverage with

FROM THE DESK OF DELIA DERIGGI-WHITTON

the vendor to get this done more expeditiously. Nevertheless, the Town of Oyster Bay says it is hoping for a January 2024 launch, and I will be closely monitoring this situation to make sure that happens.

While we wait for this crucial program to shift out of neutral in several key communities within our County, the onus is upon all of us to make the best of this flawed landscape. We can accomplish that by ensuring that every Nassau County school district is equipped and ready to flip the switch to turn on their cameras as soon as the necessary approvals are secured. If your school district remains on the fence, I encourage you to engage with your local leaders and urge them to take this commonsense step to protect our children.

Arnold W. Drucker, of Plainview, has represented Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District since 2016.

No more delays in distributing opioid settlement funds

As our children return to classrooms and the leaves begin their autumnal change, our nation is highlighting another vital milestone as we observe September as National Recovery Month.

Since being established in 1989 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Recovery Month has become a powerful vehicle for promoting and supporting new treatment and prevention practices, honoring the hard work and courage of Americans in recovery, and recognizing the countless service providers, communities, and organizations that make recovery available and possible for all who seek it.

In Nassau County and across our country, the perils posed by the disease of addiction are more severe than I can ever remember.

As if the fentanyl crisis wasn’t frightening enough, drugs like “tranq” are adding a new type of danger to the crisis. Formally known as Xylazine, “tranq” is an animal tranquilizer that is increasingly being used as an additive to heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

It is beginning to appear in drug tests

at Nassau County treatment centers, and the effects upon users are truly horrific. Worse yet, we are learning of an emerging group of synthetic opioids that may be even more powerful than fentanyl.

In two major recent drug busts in our region, 30 people were arrested in Suffolk County and illegal guns, two kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl – enough to kill 380,000 people – were seized.

A day later, a dozen more people were indicted stemming from their alleged involvement in a south shore Nassau County drug ring. There, three kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of fentanyl were recovered and confiscated.

All of these disturbing new developments illustrate how high the stakes are in the ever-evolving battle against addiction. Now more than ever, if there is a potentially life-saving resource that we can add to our toolkit, we must avail ourselves of it.

That is why my office was one of the first in Nassau County to begin hosting Narcan training sessions years ago, and I have continued to work closely with stakeholders since that time to expand

DeRIGGI-WHITTON Nassau County Legislator

upon these tools.

During this Legislative term, my Minority Caucus colleagues and I have cosponsored legislation that would require the County to add fentanyl-detecting test strips to any Narcan kit that we distribute.

A second proposed law would facilitate the distribution of kits that safely destroy and dissolve unwanted prescription

READERS WRITE

drugs at home.

While I am disappointed that the Legislative Majority has not yet even held a public hearing on these proposals, I will not give up in the fight to enact commonsense, low-cost, and most importantly –potentially life-saving – policies.

I furthermore remain concerned by the manner in which the County is distributing tens of millions of dollars that we have received from various settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and sellers. While significant sums have been earmarked to an array of worthwhile entities that are serving on the front lines of the addiction crisis, we have received little – if any – information from the administration as to whether the county has distributed the funds.

In fact, our most recent available budget data shows that only $2.24 million of the $30 million appropriated for the last two years — and the nearly $83 million overall — have been delivered. With so many threats on the horizon, it is essential for these resources to be delivered in as expeditious and transparent a manner as possible.

As new proceeds arrive from future

settlements, I believe that Nassau County would be well served by investing those funds into expanding Nassau University Medical Center’s detox and in-patient rehab facilities to ensure that nobody is ever prevented from getting treatment for addiction because there isn’t a bed available for them.

Our unique relationship with NUMC offers Nassau County a golden opportunity to establish ourselves as a regional leader in the delivery of recovery opportunities, and it is one we should take full advantage of.

Never forget that people who are in recovery very seldom do it alone – and if you are struggling as you read this, I want you to know that there are people out there who care about you and are eager to extend a helping hand.

If you need assistance with substance abuse or a mental health crisis, I encourage you to call the Nassau County Crisis Helpline at 516-227-TALK (8255) and take that first step toward reclaiming your life.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District.

Museum’s big blunder in not renewing Riley’s contract

We visited NCMA just a few weeks ago with another couple. As regular visitors, we asked if Charlie was in?

Shockingly, they replied “he’s no longer with us” and we have no word as to why.”

Inquiries to the museum went unanswered. We looked for coverage from Newsday. Nothing. Thanks to Great Neck News, we have some answers but not very good ones, at least for us. The following is my perspective on Mr. Riley’s

contributions during his tenure at NCMA.

We are longtime members of NCMA at above the basic level. Charles A Riley ll energized, and rejuvenated the Museum.

A true Renaissance man, fluent in several languages, dynamic in person and presentations, he was also indefatigable in his pursuit of collectors and their collections to present to the public.

Frankly, the years before he arrived were somewhat moribund. The board of trustees are the ‘aristocracy’ who can make needed donations, but not very

attuned to the issues, and demands of trying to make a small museum relevant compared to their very big ‘cousins’ in NYC.

Instead of dismissing Mr. Riley, they should have hired a skilled business manager with an extensive background both in business and nonprofits.

Ms. Bennett’s, ‘interim director’s comment “I am more of a who you don’t see on the surface” reveals a numbersoriented staffer who shies away from the limelight, not appreciating the public re-

sponse to some dynamic showmanship’ where museums, opera, ballet, concerts, theater, movies and professional sports all compete for attention and financial support.

As for Michael Gurtowski, chief development officer, his comments about the board taking a more “holistic” approach, I ask, what the h__l are you talking about?

Sir, you cannot sell venue services if the museum lacks cache.

As for the “cultural landscape,” it re-

ally sings to us when graced by the creative displays that adorned the grounds appealing to all ages as assembled by Mr. Riley.

I recall one particular exhibit we were invited to tour at night by car as it was all lit up dazzlingly.

Steven M. Walk Great Neck

DELIA

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

Center for Science holding month-long Halloween celebration

The 12th annual Spooky Fest,presented by The Center for Science,will return every weekend in October for a celebration of the Halloween season.

This special event focuses on family-friendly activities and attractions, including decorated wooded paths and festivities with eerie lighting, special effects and popular Halloween characters.

“Long Islanders with children are searching for family-friendly events they can enjoy together with Halloween activities. Spooky Fest offers a one-of-a-kind experience with seasonal attractions and activities families can enjoy together and build lasting memories. We encourage attendees to join in the fun and dress up in their

costumes and share their Halloween spirit with us,” said Center for Science Executive Director Ray Ann Havasy.

The event features non-scary attractions including the “Enchanted Halloween Walk.” Here visitors take a walk through the woods and are treated to colorfully lit Halloween stories and meet friendly Halloween characters along the way including butterflies, friendly ghosts, happy scarecrows, dinosaurs, aliens and Cinderella’s carriage complete with a prince and princess.

Other activities include Halloween arts and crafts, fortune telling, face painting and a DJ playing Halloween and other great music. New to Spooky Fest 2023 is an interactive glow tent.

Also returning is the“Spooky Woods,” a quarter-mile walk through the dark woods of the Tanglewood Preserve.

This special attraction includes the sights and sounds of animatronic zombie dinosaurs, eerie smoke and lights and other spooky Halloween displays. Unlike any attraction on Long Island, visitors will enjoy a moderately “scary” thrill without jump out scares and is recommended for children ages 7-10.

Spooky Fest 2023takes place at The Center for Science’s Tanglewood Preserve at 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre on October 6-8,13-15, 20-22, and 27-29.

Each night the event is open from 6 pm to 9:00p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are sold in

advance online on a limited first-come, firstserved basis.

To purchase tickets, go to https://www.cstl. org/spooky-fest/. Prices are $22 for non-scary attractions only and $27 All Inclusive (Nonscary attractions plus admission to The Spooky Woods). Ages 2 and older must have a purchased ticket.

The organization’s mission is to encourage science learning and literacy. The organization is also home to the New York metro area’s largest permanent animatronic dinosaur exhibit and many different animals.

For more details, information and directions visit https://www.cstl.org/spooky-fest/ or call (516) 764-0045.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE

Long Island’s Halloween event returns for its 12th year to Tanglewood Preserve in Rockville Centre with family-friendly attractions.

Pinky Patel to perform at Landmark on Main St. Respect given Rodney Dangerfield in lecture

Landmark on Main Street welcomes Pinky Patel for a stand-up comedy show on Friday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.

Originally from Illinois, Pinky Patel is a PTA mom turned creator, comedian, and personality with a fan base of over 5 million.

She is best known for her commentary and viral videos from her “glam cave” which have garnered over 89 million likes on TikTok. Pinky is currently traveling on her national New Crown, Who Dhis tour.

Pinky Patel’s comedy ranges from “Mom humor” to raunchy stories, and everything in

between. As such, this comedy performance is strictly for ages 18+. VIP Tickets are available and include priority seating and a post-show meet and greet.

Pinky is performing as part of the Landmark Laughs series.

Other performances in the series include The Irish Comedy Tour on March 3, 2024 and Janeane Garofalo on March 8, 2024.

The Landmark Laughs series is sponsored by Long Island Family, Michelle Schimel & David Leiman, Silverman & Robin Serinsky & Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C.

Known for his self-deprecating one-liner humor, his catchphrase “I don’t get no respect!” and his monologues on that theme, Rodney Dangerfield told more jokes per minute than any other comic of his generation — except maybe for Henny Youngman.

One of his great strengths was his virtually flawless timing. Rodney would deliver a brief setup/premise and then quickly hit one punchline after another. You can hear this in the audience’s reaction.

The audience does not have time to finish laughing after one punch line when he hits them with another and then another. Everything from his tone, cadence, gestures, mannerisms, expressions, and general stage presence is near-perfect.

This lecture will illustrate his comedic talents by means of numerous audio-visual clips.

Presenter Dr. Ira Epstein, co-author of the “Proficient Reader,” served as professor and chairperson of the Communication Skills Department at LaGuardia Community College, C.U.N.Y and directed the college’s Technology Learning Center.

In addition to his academic life, he worked as a musician performing in the Catskills, recorded with Tayku, a Hebrew jazz/rock ensemble, taught music to children in summer camps and toured with Theodore Bikel and Herschel Bernardi in the ’70s as part of a UJA program.

Most recently he has been lecturing to adults on comedy and music and the music of Israel and he continues to speak at synagogues, gated communities in Florida, Florida Atlantic University, senior centers, JCC’s, libraries, Road Scholar programs and at meetings of national organizations such as Brandeis Women, The National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah and B’nai Brith.

He earned his BA and MA from Brooklyn College, CUNY and his Ph.D. from Fordham University.

The lecture is on Sept. 26 2:00 p.m. at the Station Branch at 26 Great Neck Road, 2nd floor, Great Neck. Registration is not required. If you have any questions, please contact the Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

Salute to hip-hop concert at SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury is celebrating 50 years of Hip-Hop as part of its annual Panther Pride Homecoming festivities and will feature two of its graduates at the same time:

Kool Moe Dee(Class of ’87) – A charter member of hip-hop’s old school, Moel Dewesei (aka Kool Moe Dee) is the creator of “fast rap,” a style since used at one time or another by nearly every MC out to prove his or her skills. He’s best known for hits “How Ya Like Me Now” (1988), “Wild Wild West” (1989), and “I Go To Work” (1989).

Darryll “DLB” Barksdale (Class of ’97) with the Fearless Four – Known widely for their hits “Rockin’ It” (1982) and “Problems of the World (1982), this crew was the first to sign with a major record label when they signed with Elektra Records to produce the album “Creepin up on Ya.”

The concert will also feature special guests: Joe$ki Love– Love is best known for his platinum-selling 1986 single “Pee Wee’s Dance,” whose trademark hook, based on a key-switched interpolation of “Tequila,” which has gone on to

be sampled by artists decades past its debut.

Kimie Chen – This artist is early in her career after having grown up in Linden, New Jersey, having been captivated by the sounds of Aaliyah, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton.

What: “Salute to Hip-Hop Concert”

When: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 5:30 p.m.

Where: State University of New York (SUNY)

Old Westbury John & Lillian Maguire Theater, Campus Center

Tickets: $35 per person.

Available online at https://sunyow.net/Salute-Concert

Ticket Information Contact:

Office of Institutional Advancement

SUNY Old Westbury

Phone: 516-876-3207

Email: advancement@oldwestbury.edu

Pinky Patel

Rodney Dangerfield on January 1972

Gold Coast film fest announces schedule Manhasset Art Association 75th anniversary exhibit

The 2023 Gold Coast International Film & Arts Festival, taking place Oct. 15- Nov. 1, is once again bringing the best in new independent and foreign films and special events to audiences throughout the region at venues across the north shore.

This year’s Festival will also feature Q&As with many directors, producers, actors and special guests – including Robin Givens, Jake Paltrow, Yogi Berra’s son and granddaughter Larry and Lindsay Berra

and many others.

In addition to feature film screenings at Manhasset Cinemas, and award-winning short films screened free for the public at area libraries; the Festival will include an interactive Family Festival, a Girls Just Want to Have Fun! 80s nostalgia screening and party, and the opening of a new exhibit by internationally renowned printmaker Dan Welden.

For the complete schedule, visit our website.

The Manhasset Art Association is celebrating its 75th Anniversary!

The Art Exhibit starts from Oct., 1 to Nov. 10 at the Great Neck Main Library Gallery at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck.

Stop by the Library to see their wonderful works and join us for an art reception on October 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Works shown in the exhibit will be judged at the reception and prizes will be awarded.

In 1948, a small group of Manhasset artists were invited to meet at the home of Helen Jennings, who had a dream of organizing a workshop where artists could work together to develop their talents, exchange ideas, and foster a greater appreciation and advance-

MERCER MUSEUM & FONTHILL CASTLE

ment of the arts in the community. In 1949, a constitution was adopted, and Helen was elected president.

Today the MAA still offers workshops with a

live model and 2-3 major art exhibits each year in local libraries and galleries. It is the spirit of cooperation that makes them successful and has brought them to their

75th anniversary. For more information, please contact the Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@ greatnecklibrary.org.

Gold Coast International Film & Arts Festival

Vineyard in Alsace by Lynn Sirow

‘Planet of the Tapes’ to record HOF broadcast

‘Planet of the Tapes’ radio show, which airs on LL COOL J’s Sirius XM Radio Channel with Diamond The Artist aka DTA Experience & Geechie Dan, will record a LIVE radio broadcast at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook Village (97 Main Street, Stony Brook) on Sept. 17 from 12-5 pm. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase.

“We are so excited to host this special recording of the Sirius radio show, Planet of the Tapes. Hosts Geechie Dan and Diamond the Artist’s knowledge of Long Island hip hop history are unmatched!” said LIMEHOF Vice Chairman, Tom Needham.

LIVE In-person guests scheduled to appear include Doctor DRE from YO MTV RAPS, Dinco from Leaders of the New School, AJ

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from JVC Force, Mikey D from Main Source, Michael LaGrear from The Honey Drippers (Impeach the President Song)

Also, there will be phone calls from Posdunus from De LA Soul, MC Shan, K Solo, EPMD, Sparky D, Sweet Tee, Mr Cheeks from The Lost Boyz, Fredo from Onyx, The Disco Twins, DJ Divine Infinity Machine, Son Of Berzek, Keith Shocklee from The Bomb Squad, Daddy O from Stetasonic MCs”

This special Long Island Hip Hop Tribute Show will be pre-recorded. All Long Island Hip Hop Artists are invited to participate in Live performances, freestyles, and interviews.

For details on this and upcoming events please visithttps://www.limusichalloffame. org/museum/

Adelphi to feature Salsa band Lulada Club

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, in partnership with the University’s Latin American and Latinx Studies Program, will host the Lulada Club for a special performance on Sept. 27.

The event, “The Business of Making Music: An event in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month,” will be held at 12 p.m. at Adelphi’s Performing Arts Center.

The Lulada Club is an all female salsa orchestra doing creative, transformational and impactful work in the world of salsa music. As a collective, the 9-member band is a representation of women from across Latin America and the United States working to address the void of female ensembles in the industry.

The Lulada Club interprets the classics through their own perspective and creates moving and memorable original music that can be heard live across venues such as NYC’s Summer Stage and Lincoln Center.

Beginning with a panel of musicians and industry experts that culminates into a performance by the Lulada Club, this event promises to be an afternoon of vibrant music, exciting energy and inspirational stories

from individuals who make, distribute and promote music.

Panelists will include Andrea Chavarro (Lulada band leader), Linda EPO, Latin-infused Funk and R&B music performer (Adelphi Class of 2009), and Jose Jose Paredes, founder of Chota Madre, an Afro-Ecuadorian Bomba band.

“We are delighted to host this exciting event in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month that brings together business and the arts,” said MaryAnn Hyland, dean of Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. “We look forward to an engaging panel discussion and an entertaining musical performance.

This event is free and open to the public and sponsored by a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle, donations from the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with funding from Adelphi University’s College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Music, Latin American and Latinx Studies Program, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Belonging Mentoring Program, and the Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force.

Learn more and register for the event.

Lulada Club

The Mighty Mystic @ 7pm The Inn, 943 W Beech St, Long Beach

THE ELECTRIC DUDES: ELECTRIC DUDES Jazz it Up at Charlotte's! @ 7pm Charlotte’s Speakeasy, 294 Main St, Farmingdale

Hall, 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh

Killer Queen - A Tribute to Queen @ 8pm / $24.50-$49.50 The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Hunting‐ton

GLENN STRANGE IN CONCERT @ 2:30pm

GLENN STRANGE IN CONCERT Sousa Band Shell, Main Street, Port Washington. vinerb@ pwpl.org, 516-423-0168

Rick Spring�eld @ 8pm The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Hunting‐ton

Atif Aslam Event: Atif Aslam Live Concert in New York @ 8pm Tilles Center’s Concert Hall, 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville

ROGER & JP 5 FOOT

FUN RUN to Bene�t The John Theissen Children's Foundation @ 12pm / $25 Salt Shack, 100 Cedar Bch Wy, Babylon

Zac Brown Tribute Band @ 7:30pm / $15 Mulcahy's Pub and Concert

Fleetwood Macked and Refugee return to The Argyle Theater @ 7:30pm The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village, 34 W Main St, Babylon

Carolyn Miller @ 10pm / $20 Spotlight, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Martin Sexton @ 8pm / $39 Martin Sexton returns with what Rolling Stone calls his “soul-mari‐nated voice,” acoustic guitar, and a suitcase full of heartfelt songs. Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washington. boxof�ce @landmarkonmain street.org, 516-7676444

Ben Folds @ 8pm

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Melissa Gordon at Sweet Afton @ 7pm Sweet Afton, 30-09 34th St, Flushing

Jewish Learning Series @ 12:30pm

Join the Mid Island Y JCC and a host of guest presenters for interesting and relevant lec‐tures and discussions related to Judaism and Jewish Culture.

Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview

Mike Tedesco

@ 6pm

Hilltop Kitchen & Bar, 150 Jeri‐cho Turnpike, Syosset Drive-by Truckers With Special Guests @ 8pm / $25-$65

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Thursday Sep 28th

BLANK SLATE MEDIA ANNUAL WOMEN OF DISTINCTION RECOGNI‐TION AND NETWORKING EVENT

@ 6pm / $175-$1500

Leonard's Palazzo, 555 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck. stabakin@theisland360.com, 516-307-1045

The women we are honoring have made a significant impact in their �eld. With their visionary ways and strategic thinking, they are changing the way we all love, work and play. And, their philanthropic efforts outside of the of�ce also deserves to be recognized.

Thu 9/28

The Space at Westbury The‐ater, 250 Post Avenue, West‐bury

Songbirds: Women in Folk with Patricia Shih @ 2pm A multi-media presen‐tation with live audi‐ence-participation singing! Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washing‐ton. boxof�ce@land markonmainstreet.org, 516-767-6444

Bassem Youssef

@ 8pm / $43.50

Comedian Bassem

Youssef, dubbed the Jon Stewart of the Arab World, comes to Tilles Center! Tilles Center, LIU Post College, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale

Larry Fleet @ 8pm

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Fri 9/29

5th Annual Andrew Mc‐Morris Foundation Gala @ 7pm

Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City

Lin-Manuel Miranda

+ Friends: An Evening of Conver‐sation and Song @ 7:30pm / $65

Tilles Center is honored to host a moderated conversation with Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy and Tony Awardwinning songwriter, ac‐tor, producer and direc‐tor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Tilles Center, LIU Post College, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale

Preseason: New York

Islanders V New York

Rangers @ 7pm / $19-$200

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

Speakeasy Band NYC: Speakeasy Live! @ South Shore Craft Brewery @ 8pm South Shore Craft Brewery, 3505 Hampton Rd, Oceanside

Yachtley Crew @ 8pm / $35-$55

The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://theisland360.com/local-events/

Pinky Patel: New Crown, Who Dhis @ 8pm / $35

A TikTok Sensation, Performing for One Night Only! Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washington. boxof�ce @landmarkonmain street.org, 516-7676444

Nurse Blake: Shock Advised @ 8pm / $40.50

Bring out your friends, family, and coworkers for an EPIC night as Nurse Blake shares new stories with a comedic twist of the ins and outs of being a nurse. Tilles Center, LIU Post College, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale

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

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Sport Psychology

Dr. Tom Ferraro has specialized in sport psychology for 20 years and works in the fields of golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, football, wrestling, lacrosse, figure skating, gymnastics, softball, fencing and more. He has helped professional teams, Olympians and elite young athletes learn how to manage the intense pressure of competitive sports. He appears on both TV and radio and has sport psychology columns in 5 different newspapers and has been featured in The New York Times, Wall street Journal and the London Times. Golf Digest includes him in their list of top mental game gurus in America. For a consultation see below:

Williston Park Professional Center

2 Hillside Ave, Suite E. Williston Park NY 11596 (building parallel to E. Williston railroad station) drtomferraro.com

drtferraro@aol.com

(516) 248-7189

GRIMALDI’S FAMILY MEALS ARE PERFECT FOR BACK TO SCHOOL !

Available September 5–November 12 for lunch and dinner. Take-out only.

1) One 18” Pizza with Choice of Spinach and Artichoke Dip OR Grimaldi’s Mixed Salad and Complimentary 2-Liter Bottle of Soda ($2.50 Charge to Substitute Different Salad) $38 plus tax

2 ) One 18” Pizza, One Order of Penne alla Vodka, Choice of Spinach and Artichoke Dip OR Grimaldi’s Mixed Salad and Complimentary 2-Liter Bottle of Soda ($2.50 Charge to Substitute Different Salad) $53 plus tax

3) Two 18” Pizzas with Choice of Spinach and Artichoke Dip OR Grimaldi’s Mixed Salad and Complimentary 2-Liter Bottle of Soda ($2.50 Charge to Substitute Different Salad) $60 plus tax

Additional items may be purchased at regular menu price. Toppings available for aditional cost. May not be combined with any other coupon, discount, offer, or Groupon. Prices do not include tax or gratuity. Available for take-out only. No substitutions.

2 FOR $20 LUNCH SPECIAL

TOPPING TUESDAY

Any ½ Salad and 12” Regular Pizza Starts Tues, Sept 5. Available Mon–Fri from 11:30AM–4PM. HAPPY

½-Price Toppings on All 18” Pizzas Starts Tues, September 5

Dine-in only.

½-Price Drinks at the Bar Mon–Thu, 11:30AM–4PM

Let Grimaldi’s Host Your Next Event! Birthdays, Rehearsal Dinners, Communions, Sports Team Events, Anniversaries, Funeral Luncheons, Confirmations, Showers, and More!

DINE-IN, TAKE-OUT & DELIVERY

SUN–THU: 11:30AM–9PM • FRI–SAT: 11:30AM–10PM

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH & DINNER

Delivery through:

Grimaldi’s Gift Certificates Make A Great Gift For Any Occasion!!

(516) 294-6565

LAST CHANCE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

COME NETWORK WITH NASSAU COUNTY’S WOMEN OF DISTINCTION

Dr. Samara Ginzburg

Vice Dean and Dean for Education, Associate Professor of Medicine and Science Education Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell

Leslie Granger President and CEO Bideawee

Pearl Halegua Founder and Chairperson JAFCO Long Island Chapter

Chen

Health

Bank Renee Daniel Flagler

Franchetti

Jacqueline Harounian, Esq. Managing Partner Wisselman, Harounian Family Law, P.C

Helene Harris First Lady New York State District International Kiwanis

Theresa Heneveld, PE Vice President, Environmental Engineering Lockwood, Kessler & Bartlett, Inc.

Peggy Keane Managing Director and Vice President, Construction and Operations PSEG Long Island

Marguerite Kramer Kircher

Anne LaMorte CFO Nassau County Industrial Development Agency

Alyson Mathews, Esq. Member Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

Jenna Messer Vice President, Performance Marketing 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

Maggie Messina Owner Taecole Tae Kwon Do

Eileen Minogue Executive Director Book Fairies

Lisa M. Monticciolo Dean of Students and Diversity and Inclusion Officer Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University

Jothy Narendran, Esq. Co-Managing Partner Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP

Rebecca O’Connell Executive Vice President, Regional Executive, NY Metro Citizens

Janice Pateres, MS, MBA, RN, BC

Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer NUHealth/NUMC

Florence PropheteBarbour Executive Director Harbor Child Care, Inc.

Crisler Quick Founder and President The Finance Department

Adriana S. Restrepo, P.E., ENV SP

Vice President D&B Engineers and Architects

Bernadette Riley, D.O., FACOFP NYITCOM Professor -

Department of Family Medicine Director, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome/Hypermobility Treatment Center

Secretary, Nassau County Medical Society

Dorothy Roberts Vice President of Hotel Operations and Development Oxford Hospitality USA

Dr. Susan Ruzenski

CEO Helen Keller Services

Melissa Schuhmacher

Randi Shubin Dresner President and CEO Island Harvest Food Bank

Julie Signorille-Browne Sr. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

Karen J. Tenenbaum, Esq., LL.M. (Taxation), CPA Founder and Managing Partner Tenenbaum Law, P.C.

Felicia R. Tucker Office Managing Partner –Long Island Offfice KPMG LLP

Liz Uzzo, SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Executive Vice President, CHRO

H2M architects + engineers

Wendy Valentino Partner Prager Metis, CPAs

Angela Wambugu Cobb Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Old Westbury College Foundation SUNY Old Westbury

Tawaun Whitty Director of Operations Vision Long Island

Grid

Senior Vice President, Investments/Financial Advisor Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Magdalonie Paris-Campbell, MSW Director, External Affairs, State Legislative & Regulatory Affairs AT&T

Regional Director of Sales, Marketing and Business Development

Arbors Assisted Living Communities

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Illuminations and the story behind it

I’m going into the lonely hours with the waning moon and polite stars, into the distances that separate towns one from another.

Stephen Cipot Garden City Park

Author’s note: There is often a story behind a story. Here are a few. When I was a geologist for big and little oil companies, I traveled to distant work locations, often at night by car. The poem is a Tanka reflecting on that time.

I once went from Ft. Worth to Port Arthur by corporate jet, then drove into the boonies of the Louisiana bayou, where we drilled two deep gas wells next to each other. The second well crossed what’s called a “growth fault” that had the same producing zone some 1500 feet deeper than the first well.

The sedimentary section was thicker across the fault because over time the continual loading of sediment carried by the Mississippi River created the fault which continued to “grow” with the loading of ever more sediment on one side vs the other, and thicker, deeper layers. Sand, mud, and silt entrained by the river enters the Gulf of

Mexico and settles out. The delta was built up this way, we only see its limited expression at sea level. The delta is over 30,000 feet thick. The river averages a sediment load of 436,000 tons/ day that varies locally due to mid-continent erosion events, rainfall, runoff, snowfall, etc.

To control seasonal flooding and promote steady river traffic to and from the Gulf, much of the river’s flow was normalized to one main channel instead of allowed to naturally flood and traverse multiple snaking routes across the delta. According to Wikipedia, the Mississippi River accounts for 92% of the nation’s agricultural exports, 60% of the feed grains (78% of the world’s feed grains), 20% of the coal, and 22%of the nation’s oil and gas shipments (50% of U.S. oil is shipped overseas).

A benefit of channeling flow and making canals and levees is that major developed areas like New Orleans are spared flooding, but the downside is that the broader delta is starved of new sediment and continues to sink and subside from the compaction and dewatering of deep sediments. The delta naturally sinks; areas that no longer receive seasonal floods and sediment sink faster measured in inches per year. This is additional to the threat of global sea level rise.

Much of New Orleans is below sea level, its levies are a temporary fix.

Moving along, when I lived in Oklahoma City, sometimes I traversed the same roads Karen Silkwood travelled and passed her place of work, including the lonely stretch of the tragic accident. I joined the company after Silkwood’s death, when her family was involved in a tenyear lawsuit with my company. Before I was transferred to Pittsburgh.

One day out of the blue while performing wellsite work in PA, I was called back to the Oklahoma City board room. Little did I know the company had leased the mineral rights to undeveloped parts of Jersey City and Hoboken/ Meadowlands and had cored and mapped shallow economic deposits of titanium dioxide.

But management was puzzled why they were unable to obtain a strip-mining permit. The sales and chemical folks already arranged tentative contracts to supply paint and battery manufacturers with titanium.

I was told they “never experienced such outright denial anywhere in the world, did I know someone in the state they could go through to help move things along?”

I did not, subtly adding I doubted New Jersey would allow strip mining there because,

quote, they do things differently in the northeast. I was summarily excused. I like to think I had something to do with the deposits remaining undeveloped.

At the same time the USEPA/DOJ Dallas sued the company for not implementing the cleanup of a large drum dump in Oklahoma—a big case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. The company actually won “No Action with Monitoring” primarily because during the trial the state of Oklahoma pulled its support to side with the company.

Later, when I was working for the USEPA wearing a “white hat,” the USEPA/DOJ sued my former company in N.J. District Court and won a $5+ billion case for fraudulent conveyance (EPA wanted $14+ billion to cover cleanups of 2,700 sites in 47 states but the court reduced it).

No one went to jail. People I used to work with became very wealthy. The successor company also had a stake in the Deep Water Horizon disaster. Business as usual. I also put together an investment group to buy my old division when it was up for sale. Alas, stories for another time.

What does this have to do with a short poem? Putting things on the line, the poem has its germination from that period. I hope readers enjoy it.

Does NYC Transit have enough spare subway cars?

The recent incident of 97 NYC Transit subway car windows smashed across 45 different trains on the B, D, F, N, Q and W lines raises more questions for MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and NYC Transit President Richard Davey.

Most of the NYC Transit subway car fleet has been paid for by Federal Transit Administration grants. The FTA requires the MTA to have a Fleet Management Plan. It has to be updated everytime there is a new subway car procurement. FTA allows the MTA NYC Transit to have peak, spare and reserve fleets. The current NYC Transit fleet of approximetly 5,900 cars is divided into the A Division (numbered routes) and B Division (lettered routes).

Equipment in these two divisions is not interchangeable. Within the B Division, there are peak, off-peak, overnight and weekend numbers of car and train requirements for each route to meet service. Peak service requirements in the AM and PM rush hours require the most equipment.

The MTA & NYC Transit maintained that they did not have enough spare windows in stock to quickly make all the window repairs after the recent incident. Was there any attempt to uncouple the damaged cars from trains leaving the remaining cars to form new eight or 10 car train sets? Why did NYC Transit not have enough spare cars and train sets to replace those taken out of service?

The NYC Transit Fleet Management Plan would

tell us how many spare cars and train sets were available. FTA also allows provisions for a Reserve Fleet. Could this have been used to supplement both peak and spare vehicles? This fleet is not active, but is periodically maintained. It is suppose to be available to press into service during unforeseen emergencies such as this.

Does the MTA & NYC Transit need to expand its spare fleet of cars and train sets to deal with periodic crisis such as this in the future? Perhaps instead of disposing of all the old cars being replaced by new vehicles, those in better condition should be added to either the spare or reserve fleets.If they don’t have a reserve fleet, one should be established.

The same issues may apply to the Long Island

Rail Road, MetroNorth Rail Road and Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority as well. If they don’t have a reserve fleet, one should be established. Commuters, taxpayers, elected officials and transit advocates deserve answers to these very valid questions.

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

A B.O.L.D. new look for Manhasset Isle in Port

While a Village Trustee from 2016-2020, I compiled various documents regarding the B.O.L.D. for Mixed Use Live/Work

Apartments-Chapter 155.20.1 of the Village of Manorhaven Code. I had spent considerable time researching all of these documents, including the Public Hearing Minutes from April 7, 2005, as I was aware that many of our residents would not understand this section that had been added to our Village Code some years back.

This section of our laws was intended to allow new construction of apartments above existing businesses along our commercial zoned areas of the Village whereby the existing buildings on the main level would also be updated to meet current Village codes, i.e., electric, fire safety, etc.

Our Village received a site plan in 2019 to build residential and commercial units at 20 Matinecock Ave. and fortunately the interested party canceled this project. The applicant apparently planned to demolish the existing buildings on this C-1 property whereby this action would have violated the purpose of this B.O.L.D. ordinance. The primary purpose of the B.O.L.D. law (according to

April 7, 2005 Public Hearing Minutes) was to build studio/1 bedroom apartments over existing buildings (Page 20 of Public Hearing Minutes 4-7-05) not to demolish the existing buildings. In addition, the purpose of this law was not to demolish existing commercial one-story buildings but to build a second story apartment(s) above.

More importantly, the B.O.L.D. requirements state: “All existing industrial uses, auto body shops, auto repair shops, hardware stores, drycleaners/ laundromats and any uses where toxic chemicals are stored shall not be permitted as part of B.O.L.D.” Please keep in mind that the property at 20 Matinecock Ave. had been an operating boat yard/marina for the past 50 years or more and still was when the property was sold some years back. Not only have various toxic chemicals been stored on this property over these years but also the use of various fuels, oils, lead based bottom paints, antifreeze solutions, zincs and other cleaning fluids!

Our previous mayor, with the full backing of all of us trustees, which also includes our present mayor, assured the residents of our village, and in particular those of Manhasset Isle, that the C-1

District would not include demolishing of existing commercial buildings. However, the improving and updating of these existing buildings and addition of second- story apartments could be in line according to our B.O.L.D. laws.

It is extremely important that the Board of Trustees, Building superintendent, Planning Board, and Board of Zoning Appeals be thoroughly familiar with the B.O.L.D. Chapter 155.20-1 for any future building. They need to make sure that this prior boatyard property has the proper soil and groundwater testing conducted prior to any possible construction.

This similar testing was conducted at 5 Sagamore Hill Drive (Brownfield Cleanup Program) under the direction of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as well as the Nassau County Health Department over a 14-years period. In addition, 22 Sagamore Hill Drive also had similar testing performed in 2011 and 2019 (Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Focused Phase II Subsurface Site investigations) which showed unacceptable levels of volatile organic compounds in five groundwater wells.

In January 2019 this project received an Executive Summary from H2M Architects & Engineers confirming this work and recommending that soilvapor mitigation engineering controls, including a sub-slab depressurization system and soil vapor barrier, be incorporated into any building design at this site. With construction in full swing at 22 Sagamore Hill Drive at the present time, it is paramount that our Board of Trustees and our superintendent of Buildings closely monitor these recommended engineering controls.

On July 14, 2023 I left a two-page letter, with various attachments, regarding B.O.L.D. with our deputy village clerk to disseminate to all of our village boards as I felt many of the members were not actually familiar with Chapter 155.20-1 B.O.L.D. for Mixed Use Live/Work Apartments of our Village Codes. It is paramount that our Village officials make every effort to protect the health and safety of any future new residents that may be renting these apartments upon their eventual completion.

Ken Kraft Manorhaven

Larry Penner Great Neck

Party leaders continue with sham elections in Nassau

Continued from Page 14

The Town of Hempstead, which represents more than half the county’s population, has been under Republican control for more than a century during which time there was just one Democratic

town supervisor. For two years. Excluding judicial races, Democrats went 13 for 45 in city, town and county races – a winning percentage of .290 — in the most recent Nassau elections.

This included the loss of all four countywide positions, including incumbent Curran – even though Democrats had a nearly 100,000 edge over Republicans in the number of registered voters.

And last year, the loss of two congressional

EARTH MATTERS

seats in Nassau helped give Republicans control of the House of Representatives.

So perhaps a 50-50 split of judges is a good deal for the Democratic Party in Nassau County. But it is a bad deal for voters.

Plastics are invading our bodies and our planet

Continued from Page 16

Another important finding that didn’t make the front page recently is the discovery that microplastics are now detected in the human heart. It wasn’t surprising to find plastics in human excrements, as we knew it entered the

body through food and beverages. Also, not surprising to discover plastic microfibers in human lungs as the air is polluted. But to find that plastics have been incorporated into embedded organs is a shock. The human heart is enclosed and not directly exposed to the respiratory or

digestive tract. This means plastics are entering us from the environment and are migrating within us.

This finding, together with microplastics discovered in human placenta, should be enough motivation to make the habitual change away

from non-essential single use plastic items starting today. The most obvious change we must make is to eliminate plastic packaging for drinks and food. The safer alternatives for single use are aluminum and paper, while refill technologies remain best for climate and for you.

Liberty Utilities plan to hike water rate panned

Continued from Page 12

The rate increases, if approved, would be implemented by March 31.

Officials and candidates at the rally, in tandem with denouncing the rate increases, called for a public takeover of the company in order to provide cheaper water to district residents.

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (D–Valley Stream) said that a rate hike may jeopardize the opportunity for a public takeover.

“This rate hike demonstrates that Liberty is emboldened and plans to maintain its control over our water infrastructure,” Solages said. “That is why I am calling on the PSC to reject this rate hike and why I am calling on the state to enact utility reform. We have to rein in these private utilities.”

The path to making the water company public began Nov. 3, 2021 when New York State passed the South Nassau Water Authority Act. This act created the South Nassau

Water Authority, along with the legal power to acquire Liberty’s assets.

But officials say that progress has been halted due to a lack of state funding and minimal action by the water authority.

The Public Service Commission has not made a decision on the matter as hearings for the rate increases are still ongoing.

In the meantime, local legislators say they are committed to continuing the fight against the proposal.

“As Liberty Water continues to rake in tremendous profits on the backs of Lynbrook and Merrick District ratepayers, I find it hard to believe that an increase of any amount is appropriate or prudent,” Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé (D–Baldwin) said. “I urge the Public Service Commission to reject any rate increase until Liberty Water publicly offers a convincing rationale for asking hardworking ratepayers to dip even further into their family budgets for this vital resource.”

Business&RealEstate

Doing it yourself can save you money

For those who purchased their home recently or years ago repairs have to be addressed, but the cost of doing them has increased drastically, especially over the last few years.

Not everyone has the money to be able to accomplish these things. Trying to take on tasks, like a leaky faucet, changing a lock, or electrical issues may be simple for some, but for others hiring a professional may be the only course one can pursue.

Leaning how to do small tasks, however, may be as simple as just going on YouTube.com and searching for topics about exactly what has to be done. There are a multitude of instructive videos that will walk you through the simplest repairs to those that require much more knowledge and skill to undertake to master the job.

Most homeowners who are employed full-time do not have the time except after hours to learn how to do repairs. The big box stores do offer free after-hour classes to provide you with the necessary instruction, guidance, and information to learn the “how to” of plumbing, gardening, woodworking, and other money-saving jobs.

When it comes to doing electrical

work, it is not something that I suggest that you do on your own. However, if you have a friend or family member who is licensed and in the business, then you might be able to work out a situation that will get the job done while saving money.

Plumbers and electricians can cost from $125 to over $200 per hour plus parts and materials. Just changing an outlet can get you electrocuted, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I believe the simplest thing to learn is how to add the proper plants and shrubbery to your landscape. Again, there are many videos online or class instruction after hours in the large box stores to be convey to you the necessary information for you to learn the how-to-do-it methods.

Obviously, they offer these classes so that you will purchase your materials through their stores.

Trying to undertake a much larger project of renovating a bathroom or kitchen will be entirely different. What budget will you have to get the work done? Creating a plan and deciding what materials you will need are the first steps. Will you be expanding the room to add more square footage? What effect and impact on your real estate taxes will there be?

You will need to know what permits are required for demolition, plumbing, electrical and installation of appliances, etc. You will surely need the assistance of someone who has the complete knowledge and experience and has the tried-and-true track record of completing numerous renovations, to be sure that your work will be done properly and within a reasonable amount of time.

Asking for referrals for contractors is also an avenue to pursue, but do your homework and make sure that you are hiring a licensed and insured contractor.

If you are fortunate enough to have contractors within your family or friends who are licensed to do the work, be sure they have the expertise to assist you. Being able to cut corners in an efficient manner to save money is understandable, but getting things done by the book and by local codes will go a long way when it eventually comes to selling your house. The last thing you need is to find out that the work that was completed was not done properly and have a serious delay in your closing or worse your buyer backs out.

When you have your inspection prior to going to the contract, you should know what major and minor issues there may be with the home that you are purchasing. I would say one should be more concerned with costly problems and not worry as much about the small issues, as there are probably others who want the house almost as much as you.

Why lose the sale over things that you could probably fix yourself? That is why DIY is becoming more

MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA)

and more popular. According to the Farnsworth Group, which does market research on DIY trends for manufacturers and suppliers, about 73% of Millennials are DIYers, more than homeowners who are GenX, and baby boomers. However, GenZs are also coming on board and will continue to over the next 3-5 years.

Going to farnsworthgroup.com will provide very valuable statistics on DIY trends as well as comfyliving.net. TikTok using the tag#homediyproject had 172.5 million views back in April 2022, (surely more in 2023) with videos fetching thousands of likes and comments, while on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest, where there’s a humongous amount of handy hints, tips and tutorials demonstrating just how accessible DIY can be.

So are you ready to learn the “how to” and save money?

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email:Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Comor viahttps://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com

Most likely, you are already using MFA. If you’ve received an email that sends you a code to enter, or a text message that dings to alert you to take action, that is MFA. The common thread is they require additional proof of identity, beyond the log-in, when accessing sensitive information.

With cybercrime now exploding, small and midsize businesses (SMBs) must be proactive to protect their critical data. This includes access to their networks, accounting systems and operational systems, hosted both locally and in the cloud. Every SMB has its own considerations. Some need email encryption, most need secure VPNs to support remote workers.

Founder

Sandwire advises and implements robust cybersecurity services to shield SMBs from harm. MFA is but one arrow in our quiver.

President and

Sandwire Technology Group

PHILIP A. RAICES

Real Estate Watch

nassau COMMUNITY

▼ EMPLOYMENT, SITUATION WANTED, CAREER TRAINING, MARKETPLACE

To Place Your Ad Call

Phone: 516.307.1045 x 218

e-mail:

dflynn@theisland360.com

In Person: 22 Planting Field Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

We’re Open: Mon–Thurs: 9am-5:30pm Fri: 9am-6pm

Deadlines

Monday 2:00pm: Classified Advertising

Tuesday Noon Legal Notices/ Name Changes

Friday 5:00pm

Buyers’s Guide

Error Responsibility All ads placed by telephone are read back for verification of copy context. 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.

Publisher's notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Publisher’s notice: All employment advertising herin is subject to section 296 of the human rights law which makes it illegal to advertise any preference based on religion, sex, familial status, arrest record, national origin, color, age, or disability. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for employment which is in violation of the law. Employment opportunities advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

SCHOOL BUS/VAN DRIVERS

Interested

SITUATION WANTED

WE’RE HIRING

BLANK SLATE MEDIA is a fast-growing media company with 6 award-winning weekly newspapers and a website in Nassau County, a full array of digital services and high-profile events.

We have openings in several categories that we are looking to fill immediately.

n REPORTER. FULL TIME.

We are looking for a versatile, self-starter with good writing and reporting skills, and journalism experience.

You will report on all aspects of your communities including local government, politics, education, business and humaninterest stories.

Excellent opportunity to work with editors with many years of weekly and daily newspaper experience.

n ENTERTAINMENT. PART TIME

We are looking for engaging writers who are familiar with and able to write about music, art and features on Long Island.

n SALES. FULL TIME.

We are looking for a highly motivated. self-starter with excellent communication and customer service skills to sell newspaper advertising, digital services and event sponsorships.

To apply, send your resume to: sblank@theisland360.com.

safe

Please call Chery at 718-306-3017 30 years experience.

Certified HHA

• Experienced

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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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here you are my Mother.

Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times). Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (say three times). Amen. This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days. In Gratitude (M.T.F.)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP 516-746-8900

Antiques-Furniture-Jewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... 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

FISH TANK & ACCESSORIES FOR

SALE Approximate 30-gallon, six-sided fish tank, never used. The height of the tank is 22 inches, length 31 inches and depth 19 inches. It comes with a stand, height 32 inches, with storage space inside. Included: a tank light and some accessories, such as gravel, test kit, aquarium heater, books on fresh and salt water fish. Asking price $150. Buyer responsible for transport.For more info and pictures Contact Maureen: 516-319-1906 (cell) or email: mtraxler@optonline.net

MARKETPLACE

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!

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY! Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

GARAGE SALE

YARD SALE Garden City Sat Sept 30th 149 Euston Rd. Garden City, NY No Rain

Date Kitchenware, Outdoor Tableware, Hardware items, Wall artwork, Small furniture pieces, King /Full size headboards, + new items never used: Holiday themed.

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years/Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277 DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup24hr response Tax deductionEasy to do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

REAL

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Zucker School partners with Queens community

On Saturday, Sept. 16, medical students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell will hold a community health fair from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Greater Springfield Community Church in Jamaica.

The fair will provide information about various aspects of health and wellness, including nutrition, oral health, physical activity, mindfulness, and resources for public benefits, along with free medical blood pressure, diabetes, and lipid screenings.

The event is a collaboration between the medical school’s Catherine Bangeranye Society Student National Medical Association chapter, the student-run free clinic, various student groups, Northwell Health, and the Greater Springfield Community Church.

The health fair aims to help reduce disparities in screening rates and access to health information among low-income and medically underserved communities.

“There is a large population that either lacks access or is apprehensive of the medical system for one reason or another,” explained secondyear medical student Temitope Ayodele, SNMA chapter co-president. “I think it is important to go into communities and offer health services to

bridge gaps in care and to strengthen trust between medical providers and the community.”

Saturday’s health fair will not be the first time the Zucker School of Medicine has partnered with the Greater Springfield Community Church to help foster community trust in healthcare providers.

In September 2022, the Queens community turned out for a similar health fair at the church, made possible by an educational grant the medical school received from the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The grant was awarded to only five schools nationwide to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and address medical misinformation and mistrust through health professions education.

The school recently received a second grant from the AAMC to further support educating medical, nursing and pharmacy students on how best to address misinformation with patients.

The Zucker School of Medicine students are excited to have the opportunity to continue to help serve the Queens community through the health fair. For some students, the location holds special significance, and they are honored

to be able to give back to a community with which they feel a strong connection.

“My paternal grandparents used to live very close to the church where we will be holding the health fair, so it feels appropriate to have this event in one of the many parts of New York City that made me who I am,” said Tisheya Ward, SNMA chapter co-president. Jamaica resident Christelle Thermidor echoed her med school classmate’s sentiments.

“I pursued medicine to help meet the health needs of my community and to contribute to the work being done to bridge health care disparities,” said Thermidor.

Many Zucker School of Medicine students participating in the health fair are also involved with the school’s student-run free clinic at 9525 Queens Boulevard in Rego Par.

The clinic opened in 2016 to serve the basic primary care needs of the uninsured at no cost. Free health fairs, like the one on Saturday, are yet another way to extend care to underserved communities.

Second-year medical student and fair organizer Ivie Odia, whose family is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, the most populated city in Africa, has witnessed firsthand the suffering caused

by the lack of good healthcare.

“I have seen the devastating effects not having access to quality healthcare can have on the lives of families not just in Nigeria, but also here in the United States,” said Odia, adding that community health fairs not only benefit patients but allow medical students to build trust with future patients.

“We spend so much time in the classroom and the lab, learning about different conditions people face and practicing to become the best doctors we can be; however, it’s easy to lose sight of the people who deal with these conditions daily,” explained Odia. “Through the health fair, I hope the community will gain more knowledge about staying on top of their health and gain trust in us students. I hope they feel they can trust the future physicians the Zucker School of Medicine is producing and that they can advise us on how to become better physicians for them.”

The Zucker School of Medicine’s health fair will be held on Saturday, September 16, from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Greater Springfield Community Church, 177-06 129th Ave. in Jamaica. For more information, contact som.snma@pride. hofstra.edu.

Sands welcomes two-time major champion golfer

Las Vegas Sands and First Tee today hosted 60 local students to meet and learn from twotime PGA major winner Collin Morikawa as part of the Sands Cares Youth Empowerment Initiative, a program that brings unique opportunities and uplifting experiences to Long Island youth.

Students ages 7-18 from Hempstead, Uniondale, East Meadow, Garden City and other local communities participated in training sessions with Morikawa and First Tee coaches at Eisenhower Park. The clinic focused on full-swing and short-game skills with students practicing alongside Morikawa and under the supervision of First Tee coaches.

“Golf has so much to offer young athletes, and it was exciting to work with these aspiring

young players on their skills today,” Morikawa said. “I’m grateful to Sands for its ongoing commitment to youth sports in the communities where they operate. Great golfers are in the making here on Long Island, and I look forward to playing with them.”

Morikawa began his PGA Tour career by making the cut in 22 consecutive tournaments, second only to Tiger Woods’ 25-cut streak.

Morikawa has five PGA Tour wins, including major championships at the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship –winning both in his tournament debuts.

Morikawa made news earlier this season with his pledge to donate $1,000 for every birdie he made during three PGA Tour events

to support relief efforts for the deadly wildfires in Hawaii.

Later this month, Morikawa will travel to Rome as one of 12 golfers selected to play for Team USA in the Ryder Cup.

“Collin Morikawa is one of pro golf’s most inspirational players and a role model for young people on and off the course,” Robert Goldstein, chairman and CEO of Sands, said. “Bringing him to Long Island to inspire and train local youth golfers is a reflection of our continued commitment to delivering enriching experiences and unique programming that cultivate development and leadership in youth from Nassau County and the entire region.”

Leveraging the power of sports and enter-

tainment as the playing field to connect with youth, the Sands Cares Youth Empowerment Initiative hosts one-of-a-kind events with leaders in those arenas to deliver skills guidance and inspirational talks that inspire youth to believe in their potential, explore new possibilities and take pride in their community.

Partnering with First Tee, which has served the Long Island community for over 20 years, Sands’ goal was to support the nonprofit’s mission is to impact young lives with educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf, with a focus on serving minority and underprivileged youth.

“Today’s event with Collin was a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for our students who dream of being just like him – on the greens and as a leader,” First Tee executive director Matt Rawitzer said. “Having him practice with these young golfers demonstrates that their dreams can come true and motivates them to work that much harder toward their goals. We are grateful to Sands for facilitating this moment.”

Sands established the Sands Cares Youth Empowerment Initiative as part of its global priority on youth education and mentoring. Creating opportunities for today’s youth builds tomorrow’s leaders and supports the company’s overarching goal of helping sustain thriving communities that are great places to live, work and visit.

Launched earlier this year and specifically created for Long Island, the initiative has hosted a session with soccer stars David Beckham and Carli Lloyd and local soccer clubs, an appearance by former New York Jet D’Brickashaw Ferguson at the annual banquet for Uniondale Knights Youth Football, and a visit by 1969 World Series-winning Miracle Met Art Shamsky with local little leagues and baseball clubs.

Sands is fully committed to Long Island as a future home if it is successful in winning a downstate New York gaming license, with plans to build a world-class destination resort that works hand-in-hand with the community to drive positive impact through Sands Cares.

Recent Real Estate Sales in the

89 Birch Hill, Albertson

6 bd, 3 ba, 3,600 sqft, Sold On: 6/6/23, Sold Price: $1,300,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: Herricks

120 Hilldale Road, Albertson

5 bd, 4 ba, Sold On: 6/27/23, Sold Price: $1,135,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: East Williston

12 Bengeyfield Drive, East Williston

3 bd, 2 ba, Sold On: 7/13/23, Sold Price: $850,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: East Williston

20 Ridge Road, Searingtown

4 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 6/30/23, Sold Price: $999,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: Herricks

Editor’s note: Homes shown here were recently sold in New Hyde Park, the Willistons, Mineola and surrounding areas 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 New Hyde Park, the Willistons, Mineola and are believed by Blank Slate Media to be of interest to our readers.

Community rallies to bring Riley back to museum

Continued from Page 3

“He stimulated, he entertained, he energized and he was informed,” Walk said. “He was not just role-playing.”

Walk said that some of his fondest memories of Riley were when he would jump onto the piano in the spur of a moment to have his music waft through the museum.

“Just born excitement, born vitality,” Walk said.

Walk learned of Riley’s departure from the museum when he visited a few weeks ago and

asked to see him. He said he was in shock when the museum staff informed him that he no longer was working at the museum.

“The buzz in the museum was just tremendous,” Walk said.

While he acknowledged administrative “glitches” with the museum, such asrepeated mailings about renewing his museum membership after he had already done so, Walk said something like that would not warrant not renewing Riley’s contract.

Walk said he was not aware of the petition

prior to speaking with Blank Slate Media, but he found the petition “soothing” in its efforts to bring back Riley.

“When he presented an opening lecture or a lecture on an opening exhibit, he just thrived,” Walk said. “He bounced around. You just were energized by his energy, his knowledge.”

Bernard said that as also a director of a cultural institution on Long Island, he understood Riley’s vision of bringing art culture to the community.

“You have a vision, you can conceive of what

it is you want to bring to the community and you bring it,” Bernard said. “Charlie is no different than that.”

He said the exhibits that Riley has brought to the museum are not just about the art, but a “vision for bringing culture” to the community.

He said it was lucky circumstances that drew Riley to the Nassau County Museum of Art, saying the museum should keep him for the positive attributes he has contributed.

“It’s just tragic and mind-boggling that this happened,” Bernard said.

Catholic Health, Empire partner to lower costs

Continued from Page 11

mission rates, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. This approach incentivizes preventive care, improves management of chronic conditions, reduces hospital admissions, and ultimately contributes to lowering healthcare costs for Long Island residents and employers.

“Without going into too much detail, over the life of the five-year agreement, Catholic Health’s reimbursement will be increasingly tied to quality, lower overall costs and better outcomes,” Kapoor said of the agreement.

She said the Value Based Care model is a partnership between payer and provider, with the patient at the center. This will allow the facilitation

of “comprehensive health-care data allowing us to build deeper relationships with our patients which leads to the delivery of higher quality outcomes,” she said.

The focus will be on more preventive measure to maintain health in what Kapoor calls “shift from sick care to well care.” Providers can work with the patient to better coordinate care to meet their needs while promoting devotion to treatment.

“Our continued partnership with Catholic Health will keep care affordable for Long Islanders by aligning payments with health outcomes instead of on the volume of care provided—a winwin for employers and consumers,” said Daniel Jorgenson, vice president, Healthcare Networks at

Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

Jorgenson explained that Empire’s mission is to improve the health of all New Yorkers.

“When we have an innovative partner like Catholic Health, who shares our openness to creative thinking, we are better able to make a real difference in the lives of our members,” Jorgenson said, “There is no health system that has made a more meaningful commitment to our value-based relationship, including being the first system in New York to join with us on the Epic Payer Platform to support communications between payers and providers. We look forward to continuing to grow this important partnership.”

Catholic Health, sponsored by the Diocese of

Rockville Centre, is a comprehensive healthcare system comprising six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, home health services, hospice care, and a network of physician practices. With over 16,000 employees, Catholic Health serves a substantial portion of Long Island’s population, providing care across the entire spectrum of life.

Empire BlueCross BlueShield, with a history spanning more than 85 years, is New York’s largest health insurer, supporting over 4 million members and thousands of businesses, unions, and small employers in the state. Their mission is to significantly enhance the health of New Yorkers, and they are recognized as a key player in the state’s healthcare landscape.

Williston Day sees high energy and high turnout Warriors to honor fallen fighter 9/11 Siller

Continued from Page 2

At Spuntino, Catie Egan played an acoustic guitar and was accompanied by percussionist Will Rodriguez while live mariachi was performed at Margarita’s Cafe down the road. Sangria 71 showcased its five-foot paella pot with music from Los Cintron, a flamenco

act tributing music to the Gipsy Kings.

Memories 2 Bar & Grill turned its side lot into a cookout with live music for most of the day featuring music from Voodoo Jam Band and FiveStone, which drew a large crowd.

“We really had no problems,” Baur said. “I think it was a huge success.”

Continued from Page 1

tion, boost awareness of the event itself and participate in something he calls “guerilla philanthropy.”

“It’s about getting people involved and seeing for themselves what happened on that day and interacting with those first responders,” Lubrano said.

Warriors for a Cause raises funds to donate to the Stephen Siller Foundation by offering registration packages.

The packages include registration for the 5K, the event shirt, a Warriors team shirt, breakfast, round-trip transportation from Chaminade High School and lunch.

Lubrano said the experience attendees get on Sunday will be a talking point moving forward,

adding to the exposure and awareness aside from Sunday.

“I think it’s a bucket list event,” Lubrano said. “It’s really an emotional event and people tell others ‘You won’t believe what I did this weekend.’”

In previous years, the only group larger than the Warriors was from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.

Lubrano said having a turnout as large as as Warriors’ presence is always a point of pride in seeing the group’s philanthropic efforts come to fruition.

“There’s a tremendous amount of satisfaction when you see so many people outside Chaminade and you helped make it happen,” Lubrano said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARRIORS FOR A CAUSE

Warriors for a Cause pose on Jericho Turnpike last year ahead of the Tunnels to Tower 5k.

Pereira touts upgrades, downtown revitalization

Continued from Page 1

Since then, the board has approved new developments on Jericho Turnpike at the former site of Piccola Bussola and 111 2nd St., with others slated for fu-

ture public hearings.

The village is also resurfacing the playgrounds at Memorial Park and the Little League field complex, which had new turf fields installed earlier this year.

Manhasset church donates $12K to aid survivors

Pereira said he and the board, Deputy Mayor Janine Sartori and Trustees Paul Cusato, Jeffrey Clark and Donna Solosky, have an immense sense of pride in living in Mineola.

“If you get a sense of anything from this board, it is how proud we are to live here,” Pereira said.

Speaking on downtown, Pereira said the village is making use of its share of the LIRR’s Community Benefits Fund to update parking meters and increase garbage cans in the area and considering adding arches of lights on each block of Mineola Boulevard for holiday seasons.

Pereira said the village is also looking to increase the number of events in the downtown area, similar to the Sounds on 2nd Street which features live music and outdoor seating on the block.

“I’m hoping that this becomes our legacy,” Pereira said. “A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this downtown to revitalize.”

Continued from Page 11

crease efficiency, and expand services to more families.

Associate Executive Director Debra Lyons noted the importance of responding immediately to child abuse allegations, helping the child and non-offending family members, while also coordinating with detectives investigating the case.

“Expanding our service capacity by creating a second observation and recording room will help us meet our goal of keeping all children and families safe,” said Lyons.

The Safe Center was created in 2014 with the merger of two non-profits, the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect, both having served victims of abuse for over 30 years.

The CAC today collaborates to investigate and prosecute almost 1,000 allegations of child abuse annually.

Jung, who founded and established the church in 2014 with his wife Jany Jung, recognizes how critical the center’s work is in protecting children who have been abused.

“Our congregation has once again risen to the challenge of making a true difference in our community and across Nassau County,” he said.

The church strives to be an authentic and diverse Christ-centered community in Nassau County.

Jung and his wife formed the church with the idea of a diverse Christian church located in New York that would grow through knowing God intellectually and experien-

tially.

They said their mission is to create a multi-ethnic, multiracial and multicultural Christian community, reflecting their belief in working for the universal good.

The church’s outreach contributes to tackling homelessness, poverty, starvation and disabilities.

They work with organizations like LifeRice, a humanitarian food aid non-profit whose goal is to reduce the number of undernourished children in the country and the world and Do For One, an organization committed to solving problems that people with disabilities face.

They also spearhead the Spark Packs initiative, creating relationships between volunteers and the poor by assembling homeless care packages.

Family journey leads to US Open award presentation

Continued from Page 4

But she bet on heads and won, handing the trophy to Gauff while cameras recorded and flashed away. On stage, Blake asked Gauff how she was and congratulated her on the win, to which she replied, “Thank you so much.”

“It was so cool,” Blake recalled. “Just being on the court and then looking up and seeing everyone in the stands. I think it was a one-ina-lifetime moment, it was like one of the best moments ever. It was surreal. It was awesome. And then being there with Coco, being able to be next to her was just really cool.”

For her father Christopher, who didn’t have the means growing up to buy tickets and watch the game, it felt full circle, he said.

“To turn it around and in one generation see my daughter give that trophy and like my mom was there, my mother-in-law was there, my two other kids were there, it was a once- in-a-lifetime moment,” Chang said. “One that you can

only feel blessed to feel grateful for.”

He said in moments like those, you think about your life and your journey. Remembering how his mother used to drive him to tournaments, he said now she’s watching her granddaughter present and award the best player at the US Open.

When Christopher and Maria Wu-Chang had Blake, teaching her tennis was very important to him.

“One of the things I wanted to share with her was to play tennis,” he said. “Tennis was something that was really important to me and my wife and I grew up from a family of immigrants. And, you know, that was the way we paid for college.”

Blake started playing tennis at the age of 4, but it “wasn’t about trophies,” Chang said, but about the fun of sharing a sport that meant so much to the family. He and his wife said they wanted to make sure that their daughter did not feel the weight of expectations and pressure that

some young players often feel from parents.

“I want her to be a normal person,” Chang said. “Athletic careers are very short; your life is much longer. So, my job as a parent is to make her the best adult she can be, not the best tennis player.”

By the age of 10, Blake’s dedication started to pay off. She began to climb the rankings and establish herself as a top national player. A pivotal moment in her junior career came at the Little Mo Internationals at Forest Hills, one of the most important and prestigious junior tennis tournaments in the world, where she won the Green Ball division.

“I think I was always really good at it,” Blake said of learning and continuing to play tennis, with her father and family. “I always lose to him when we play games. And he still doesn’t think that I’m able to beat him, but I’m working on it. But when my sister plays, I always go easy on her and she gets very mad when I don’t, so yeah it’s a bonding thing.”

The whole family plays and trains tennis consistently. Christopher and Maria play at the Strathmore Country Club, while the kids Chloe, Chase and Blake train at Robbie Wagner’s Tournament Training Center in Glen Cove.

The family moved from Brooklyn Height about two years ago to Manhasset for more space and fell in love with the neighborhood.

“We wanted more space,” said Maria Chang, “I was the one that was a little bit nervous about coming to the burbs. But after being here for two years, I feel that the schools, the neighbors, and our friends, they’ve been super welcoming. And we feel so much more settled. And it has been so much more than I expected the life in the burbs and seeing our kids thriving and happy. It’s been a wonderful experience.”

In addition to tennis, Blake enjoys broadcasting and cherishes spending time with her family. The Changs have even set up a gym in their basement, where her father is “building us athletes,” Blake joked.

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

Paul Pereira speaks during Tuesday night’s Mineola Chamber of Commerce meeting. Visit

Notice of Formation of CPR

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EAST WILLISTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE FISCAL AFFAIRS OF THE EAST WILLISTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON JULY 1, 2020 AND ENDING ON JANUARY 11, 2022 HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THAT THE REPORT OF EXAMINATION PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER HAS BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT CLERK WHERE IT IS AVAILABLE AS A PUBLIC RECORD FOR INSPECTION BY ALL INTERESTED PERSONS. PURSUANT TO SECTION THIRTY-FIVE OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE EAST WILLISTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS DETERMINED TO PREPARE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF EXAMINATION PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND WILL FILE SUCH RESPONSE, WHEN COMPLETED, IN THE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT CLERK AS A PUBLIC RECORD FOR INSPECTION BY ALL INTERESTED PERSONS NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 16, 2023.

CRISTINA CORTES DISTRICT CLERK

Kyma narrowly avoids closure after violating village permit

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Kyma narrowly avoided closure Tuesday night after negotiating with the Roslyn Board of Trustees about the number of seats the restaurant could offer after continuously violating its agreement with the village.

Kyma, located at 1446 Old Northern Boulevard, is an upscale Greek restaurant that garners a high customership.

The village held a public hearing Tuesday night to consider revoking the restaurant’s permit, which would ultimately end its operations, after discovering it continuously seated more customers than what their permit from the village allowed.

Mayor John Durkin said the restaurant’s continuous violation of seating more customers than permitted has put the village in a tough position.

“Unfortunately the only remedy we have is revocation, which is, you know, I find very difficult,” Durkin said. “I have no desire, no interest in shutting anyone down, stopping them from doing business.”

Kyma’s permit allowed the restaurant to have 120 seats in total, spread out over the indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Roslyn’s Superintendent of Public Works Sam Daliposki visited the restaurant five times through July and September, finding the restaurant had 176 to 236 customers seated at a time.

Daliposki said that inside the restaurant he would observe about 175 to 178 chairs with people seated, but additional people would be occupying the restaurant in other spaces like standing at the bar.

The attorney representing Kyma, Judy Simoncic, told the board that Kyma’s owners have made “substantial efforts” to address the high occupancy issue, cutting

the seats down by 40 since they last appeared before the board in July.

She said Kyma has also reduced the number of reservations they offer, denying people at the door who do not have a reservation.

Durkin said he met privately with Kyma owner Eirineos Christou to discuss a solution to the issue, which he said he was hesitant to do and does not typically offer.

In that discussion, Durkin said that he and Christou came to a handshake agreement that Kyma would abide by the 120-seat rule but that if he needed to add additional seats during select occasions, about 20 or so, then it would be okay.

After that conversation, Durkin said Kyma continued to violate that agreement.

“I feel embarrassed that I made what I thought was a handshake deal and it was violated almost immediately,” Durkin said.

Christou said he did not intend to violate the handshake agreement with Durkin. The restaurant has attempted to make changes to how many customers it seats, he said.

“It’s literally not coming from a place of disrespect or me not caring,” Christou said. “I am trying.”

Durkin proposed a compromise to Christou Tuesday night to avoid closure: Kyma can provide 150 seats upon approval by the village’s Zoning Board.

Christou opted to take the deal, narrowly evading the closure of his restaurant.

The Village of Roslyn also approved a special-use permit for a Van Leeuwen Ice Cream store for 1382 Old Northern Blvd.

The ice cream shop is being opened by Joshua Halegua, founder of golf performance facility Lab 18 also in the Vil-

lage of Roslyn.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a brand that is sold in grocery stores nationwide and served at scoop shops located throughout New York City and Los Angeles.

Michael Sahn, an attorney representing Halegua, said the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream store will fit within the character of the village and will cater to residents.

Frank Briggs Guglielmi, owner of YOLO Yogurt and Desserts, told the board he was concerned about the new ice cream store opening within 400 feet of his business.

“I just don’t understand the allowance of another similar type of store to be opening up,” Guglielmi said.

Village Attorney John Gibbons said the board is not able to deny permit applications for new businesses that are permitted within the business district.

Trustee Craig Westergard assured Guglielmi that there is plenty of business available in the village and that he thinks YOLO Yogurt and Desserts would not be negatively impacted by the decision.

The board also approved a series of local laws that Gibbons said are intended to update the village’s code.

Gibbons said every few years the village uses a firm to reassess the village to determine areas where the code needs to be updated. This is done through a walkthrough of the village with the mayor.

He said the suggestions varied, including updating definitions by centralizing them in a separate section, allowing for limited mixed-use development in the residential commercial district and changing the number of parking spaces barbershops, hair and nail salons are required to provide.

The Roslyn Board of Trustees will convene again at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS. LICENSE: HTTPS://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-SA/4.0/ Roslyn Village Hall.

Roslyn Water District participates in Village of East Hills Green Day

The Roslyn Water District recently participated in the Village of East Hills Green Day, an annual event that focuses on bringing environmental conservation messaging to the community. RWD officials including Chairman Michael Kosinski, Commissioner Sanford Klein and Superintendent Richard Passariello spoke to residents throughout the day, discussing the ways in which they ensure that their community receives top-quality water on a daily basis.

“It was a pleasure to connect with residents as part of Green Day,” said Kosinski. “We believe that fostering a dialogue with our community is very important, and to do so as part of such an environmentally-focused event was truly enjoyable for us. We hope to have answered their questions and inspired them to help is in protecting our precious water source.”

Water conservation was a key point of discussion for District officials and their residents, as it is crucial that residents continue following Nassau County’s Odd/Even Lawn Water-

ing Ordinance and adhering to the RWD’s village-based watering schedule for the remainder of irrigation season.

District officials especially promoted the use of smartirrigation controllers, which use WiFi signals to connect to local weather forecasts to determine exactly how much water lawns need in order to stay healthy, preventing the risk of overwatering.

These tools are so beneficial to water conservation that all RWD residents with automatic irrigation systems must have them installed by Jan. 1, 2025.

“The season for residents to turn off their irrigation systems is quickly approaching, and many of them will have irrigation contractors come into their homes to help them with the process,” said Kosinski. “This is the perfect time to communicate with your contractors about switching to a smart controller to help you greatly increase your water savings next spring and summer, as well as to meet the 2025 mandate.”

Roslyn Water District Chairman Michael Kosinski, left, Commissioner Sanford Klein and Superintendent Richard Passariello, as well as Irrigation Association of New York Board Member Paul Urzagaste, spoke with residents on the importance of water conservation during the Village of East Hills Green Day event.

Mineola High Marching Band preps for showtime in Poconos 5 Wheatley students’ art at state exhibit

Five student artists from The Wheatley School will represent the East Williston School District at this year’s New York State School Boards Association Exhibit. The NYSATA sponsored New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Exhibit is an annual art exhibition that allows other school board members to recognize a district’s student artists.

Images of artwork submitted will be used to create a virtual exhibit representing the state’s ten regions. School board members attending the 2023 NYSSBA Convention will be able to view student artwork during the convention Oct. 26-28 in Buffalo, NY. Attendees and the public will continue to have access to the virtual art exhibit through Dec. 31, 2023.

After an undefeated 2022-23 season and bringing home the Small School Division 1 (SS1) championship for the first time in Mineola history, the Mineola Mustangs High School Marching Band is preparing for lift off and hoping to make history again with their new show “Odyssey: Through Space and Time.” As was last years, this new show features original music composed entirely by Mineola music department staff.

Keeping with a decade’s long tradition, the rehearsal season started with a six-day immersive marching band camp held at Camp Towanda in the Poconos in August. The 140 students and their teachers made the most of the excursion including hours of practice, learning each note and step of the colorful and complex arrangement. Band camp also included fun activities and opportunities for teamwork and bonding that the

Mineola

students won’t soon forget, including the annual senior bonfire.

Back at home, Long Island Ducks fans were the first to get a sneak peak of the new show when the Marching Band and Color Guard performed as part of pre-game festivities on Sept. 2 at the ball-

park in Central Islip.

The Mineola Mustangs High School Marching Band competition season begins Sunday, Sept. 17 at Brentwood High School and culminates with the New York State Field Band Conference Championships in Syracuse, NY on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Mineola Mustangs High School Marching Band and Color Guard performing prior to the Ducks game on Sept. 2.

High 9/11 Day of Service

On Sept. 11, Mineola High School learners, teachers and staff joined together in a spirit of community, solidarity and generosity to commemorating the National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor the lives lost and the heroes who selflessly risked their own lives to help others.

Led by the Student Service Center, the team stayed after school and packed over 700 snack bags that were donated to the Mary Brennan INN, a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides essential services to assist those challenged by hunger, homelessness and poverty on Long Island.

Immediately following the service activity, the group gathered for a ceremony where they were reminded of

the importance of honoring the victims with service and living by the motto “We Honor, We Help, We Heal.” The tribute included a poetry reading and the story of the Survivor Tree, a pear tree that was discovered buried in the rubble at Ground Zero and was rehabilitated and returned to the Memorial in 2010 as a living reminder of resilience and survival.

The commemoration included the watering of Mineola’s own “Survivor Tree,” which was planted at the high school on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in 2011. Each year on the anniversary students take turning watering the tree to contrast the fire that caused immense destruction and to symbolize water as a primary element of rebirth and renewal.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EAST WILLISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

Senior Breanna Landau, junior Janet Tokhie, junior Dayanna Sinche- Barzallo, senior Sofia Ramos and junior Ritika Kaur who are pictured with their work.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINEOLA SCHOOL DISTRICT

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINEOLA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Mineola High School students pack, seal and label bags to be donated to the Mary Brennan Inn during the Day of Service activity on Sept. 11.

WIN STREAK HITS 200

N. Shore girls cross country continues 16 years of domination

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

It began in October 2007, when many of the current runners on the North Shore girls cross country team weren’t even born yet.

It has endured through four different U.S. Presidents, two different decades, a global pandemic, and many more world events.

The Streak isn’t talked about much on the hills and roads around North Shore; winning just comes along with hard work and fun, and the coach leading the group doesn’t like to put pressure on his squad with numbers.

But when Sophia Marchiolli got her copy of the North Shore schedule for 2023, she saw a special notation on the meet for Sept. 11: Number 200.

As in, if the Vikings won, it would be the 200th consecutive victory for this juggernaut of a program.

“We knew we were winning and had a big number going, but until we saw “200” it didn’t really hit me,” Marchiolli said. “We were all very excited and a little nervous on Monday.”Marchiolli and her fellow harriers needn’t have worried; they did what they always do. North Shore defeated Locust Valley and Academy Charter school in a Nassau Conference IV meet on Sept. 11, capturing their 200th straight dual meet win.

Their last loss was Oct. 15, 2007 against Valley Stream South.

There was no giant celebration or throwing Coach Neal Levy up in the air on Sept. 11; there was just happy talk on the bus ride home, sandwiched around doing lots and lots of homework.

“It’s just been so, so cool to be a part of,” said sophomore Joanna Kenny. “To know how many people have helped us get to (200), it’s really special.”

What accounts for the incredible run of success (pun intended)? Well, it starts with Levy, who was a JV soccer coach at North Shore for two years starting in 2004, and coached a combined girls and boys cross country team for a few years. He said he asked if he could start a girls team, and his athletics director said sure, if you can get enough kids to come out for it.

“We started with one girl on the team,” Levy recalled. “And then little

by little we got more kids interested. You start showing attention to kids who don’t get a lot of attention, and their confidence grows, and they start to have success.”

The Vikings won their first conference title in 2006, and have since amassed 16 county championships, along with two New York State championships, in 2010 and 2011. They’ve also finished in the Top 10 of the prestigious Nike Cross-Nationals twice, in ’10 and ’11.

What’s the secret to Levy’s success? Finding passion, and harnessing good raw materials.

“I look for the most passionate kid who comes through the door, not necessarily the most talented,” Levy said. They come for one day and train, and that leads to a week, to a

month, to a year.”

“Ninety percent of the kids I get have either never run before, or are doing it for social opportunities, or because their parents made them do it,” Levy added. “Everyone is encouraged and supported, and all of these girls have athletic ability, they just need to be shown how to train properly.”

Training isn’t easy for North Shore runners; Marchiolli estimated they run six days a week, around 35-40 miles per week, but that the camaraderie with teammates “makes it seem fun, not like work.”

One other feature that helps keep training fun is Levy invites Vikings alumni to run and train with the team, and they educate the younger runners about the legacy

they’re upholding.

“It’s so cool that they come back and tell us about college and their (adult) lives, and how running is still important to them,” Kenny said. “And they will sometimes crush us in a workout, because they’re still in great shape.”

Levy said there have been three times, by his count, that the streak almost ended; a one point win here, a two-point win there.

Both the runners and Levy say the focus is never on the streak, itself, but older runners remind younger ones about the legacy they’re upholding, and there’s a lot of pride on that.

“The environment is so supportive and we’re all just focused on making each other better; our train-

ing partner, our whole team is working to be better,” Marchiolli said. “We know how many great runners have come before us and nobody wants to let them down.”

The streak will, of course, end one day, even as it is now believed to be the longest in the sport in Long Island history. But North Shore athletics director Don Lang knows the acclaim this team has brought to the school is a source of pride for all in the community.

“Everyone in school knows how good they are, and are so proud that they have done this,” Lang said. “These kids come in, work hard, and get better, and that’s a great tribute to the coach and to the kids themselves.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHELLY NEWMAN/NORTH SHORE H.S.

North Shore cross-country runners Sophia Marchiolli, left, and Joanna Kenney, right, helped the Vikings win their 200th consecutive meet on Monday.

Albertson-Roslyn Hgts. Republican Club meeting

Attending the September meeting of the AlbertsonRoslyn Heights Republican Club pictured left to right are: Military Color Guard

Peter Gong, Club Leader Henry Golis, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Club President Howard Abbondondelo, and Club Secretary Lorraine Bello. Not pictured, John LeBoutillier who had left early.

Registration opens for 2023 fall adult education

Registration for the 2023 Spring Adult Education Program is now open to all residents of the Roslyn, Herricks and East Williston school districts.

Daytime courses will be virtual and most evening classes will be in person. Classes begin the first week of October.

New classes this spring include: Everything Google, Mah Jongg, Israeli Dance, Crochet, Holiday Crafts, Acrylic Painting and

Upcoming events at the Williston Park Library

From the Director

We’re looking forward to the Williston Park Street Fair on Sunday, Sept. 17th. All are welcome to stop by our booth and take a look at our books and media for sale. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Library.

We are once again asking everyone to NOT put donations in the book bins outside the library. They are for library materials only. Donations will be accepted inside the library during regular business hours.

New titles added to the collection: Bone Hacker—Kathy Reichs

Out of Nowhere—Sandra Brown

Canary Girls—Jennifer Chiaverini

Happiness—Danielle Steel

To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us

Sick & How We Can Fight Back—Alden Wicker

Fireworks Every Night—Beth Rayner

Guardians of the Valley: John Muir & the Friendship that Saved Yosemite—Dean King Second Chance Store—Lauren Bravo

grams@gmail.com or call the library (742-1820) to register.

Author Event with Mary Calvi—Wednesday— Oct. 18—6 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. The CBS news anchor will discuss her new novel, If a Poem Could Live & Breathe. Copies will be available for purchase. Call the library (7421820) or email willistonparkprograms@gmail. com to register.

Book Discussion—Wednesday—Oct. 25—7 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village & via Zoom.

https://adelphiuniversity.zoom.us/j/9688567 0102?pwd=VGtSYnkyUW9acVJyV0tyNUtUZnM yZz09

Meeting ID: 968 8567 0102

Passcode: WPBookClub

Or just call 1-929-205-6099 on your phone and it will ask for the meeting id and password above.

Copies of Hidden Valley Road are available at the Circulation Desk.

Digital Photography.

Catalogs have been mailed to the community and are available online at www.roslynschools.org under the Community/Adult Education tab.

Registration is by mail, fax or online only. There is no in-person or phone registration. For additional information, please call the Adult Education office at (516) 8015091.

Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship & Lost Promises in Rural America—Monica Potts

Adult Programs

Reiki—Sept. 21; Oct. 5 & 19; Nov. 2 & 16—6 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. $10 p/person; p/session. Call the library (742-1820) or email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com to register.

Medicare Basics with Joy Poupko—Tuesday— Sept. 26—6-7 p.m. in the Library. Email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com or call the library (742-1820) to register.

Empire Safety Defensive Driving Course— Thursday—Sept. 28—10 a.m. — 4 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. $30 p/person. Email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com or call the library (742-1820) to register.

Nassau County Property Tax Exemptions Workshop—Wednesday—Oct. 11—1-3 p.m. in the Assembly Room of Village Hall. Assistance will be provided for the following exemptions: Veterans, Senior Citizen, Cold War Veterans, and Volunteer Firefighter/Ambulance Workers. Call 516-457-2036 for specific information.

Autumn Leaf Lantern Craft with Rosemarie Attard—Wednesday—Oct. 11—6 p.m. in the Library. $15 p/person. Email willistonparkpro-

Children’s Programs

Story Time with Miss Beth—Tuesdays—Sept. 19 & 26; Oct. 3, 10 & 17—11 a.m. — 11:45 a.m. in the Children’s Room. Limited to 15 participants. No Walk-Ins! Email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com or call the library (742-1820) to register.

Gobbie Keychain Craft—Saturday—Sept. 23— 10-11 a.m. in the Children’s Room for ages 5+. $3 p/person. Limited to 40 participants. Email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com or call the library (742-1820) to register.

Zombie House Painting with Lisa Colon—Saturday—Oct. 21—10-11 a.m. in the Children’s Room for ages 7+. $5 p/person. Per Vendor: Limited to 20 participants. Email willistonparkprograms@gmail.com or call the library (7421820) to register.

PEN PAL PROGRAM

The library is proud to work with Kayla, of Girl Scout Troop 1825 on her Gold Award. She has established a Pen Pal Program for children in grades 1-8. If any children are interested, parents are welcome to stop by the Reference Desk to complete a small registration form. This is not a sponsored library activity; Kayla will be in charge of the project. All information is confidential.

for

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROSLYN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Registration has opened

the fall adult education program for Roslyn, Herricks and East Williston residents.

Mums Winner:Amanda Lazzinnaro from Williston Park Gift Basket: Mae Meoli from East Meadow

43” TV: Patricia Licari from Albertson