The Roslyn News 3/27/24 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

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 dif cult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/ GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of 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 Certi ed and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City. Call 516-222-8883 or visit online at DrGomes.com

Herricks Child Victims Act Case Settled

LWill potentially impact other CVA cases going forward

LAUREN FELDMAN

lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

ocals may be aware of the bumpy road that has been the latest lawsuit against a Long Island school district. The Child Victims Act case brought against former psychologist Vincent Festa had been a multi-day deliberation for the jury. The ruling of this case may have set a new precedent for the financial outcome of dozens of unresolved cases across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The plaintiff, identified in court records by the initials J. G., alleged he was sexually abused by Festa beginning in 1989, when he was a middle school student in the district, and that the psychologist sexually abused him on four occasions during his ninth- and tenth-grade school years. This case was one of 21 claims filed under the CVA accusing Herricks High School administrators of ignoring reports that Festa, now deceased, abused students during his two-decade career with the district.

The plaintiff was represented by attorney Jeff Herman of Herman Law in Manhattan. “This case is about someone having to rely on someone else to enforce safety rules to make them safe,” Herman told the jury. “We are suing the Herricks School District because they failed to follow the most basic safety rule and that is they didn’t forward reports and warnings that Festa was molesting kids.”

The case for the plaintiff included multiple named instances they believe should have caused the district to investigate Festa, who was allegedly referred to by staff and students as “Festa the Molester,” dating back at least a decade before the plaintiff attended the high school. Herman asked the jury to consider at least $14 million in damages in the case.

The allegations against Festa span from 1973 to 1991. He was arrested by Suffolk police in 1993 and accused of sexually abusing six teenagers in his Ronkonkoma neighborhood. He pleaded guilty in 1995 to sodomizing the boys and was sentenced to 5 years of probation and required to register as a sex offender.

While the district conceded during the two-week trial that Festa, who died in 2011 at the age of 82, sexually abused the plaintiff and other students, it has denied that school officials condoned his actions by ignoring reports from staff, students and parents. “Vincent Festa must bear the

of the jurors who voted not to hold the district legally responsible, said while he was sympathetic to the victim, there was not enough evidence to prove Herricks was aware of Festa’s conduct and failed to take action. “They didn’t have enough concrete evidence to prove that they were negligent,” Martin told Newsday. “We were looking for documentation. There was no documentation. There were no complaints. And the one witness they did have, his account was not concrete.”

This decision, which many have deemed controversial, has the potential to change the ways financial settlements are considered in future Child Victims Act cases. For this 2023-24 school year, Herricks set aside $2.1 million for “claims and judgments” in its voter-approved budget. The board of education has added $3.5 million to the fund in recent months, specifically citing the need to pay for Child Victims Act lawsuits. The board approved adding $2 million in February and $1.5 million at its meeting earlier this month.

What to Know: Child Sex Abuse Cases

A person who sexually abuses a child under 18 can be punished in different ways in the courts. In a criminal case, the People of the State of New York charge the abuser with crimes to punish and possibly imprison them. In a civil case, the victim sues the abuser for money to make up for any harm caused by the sexual abuse. There are laws that say how long after an event a court case can be started based on those events. These laws are called Statutes of Limitations. Under the Child Victims Act, child sex abuse victims now have more time to seek justice against their abusers. CPLR 214-G, CPL 30.10(3)f.

Time Periods for Starting Cases

There are different time periods for starting cases against the child sex abuser or the institution that covered up or was involved in the abuse. The time period depends on the type of case.

Criminal Cases — A criminal felony case can be started up until a child sex abuse victim turns 28. You can’t bring criminal charges yourself. You go to the police or the District Attorney and they bring criminal charges. You are not a party in the case and you do not need to hire a lawyer. Note: When the child sex abuse victim is under 11, there is usually no time limit for criminal charges. CPL 30.10(2)a.

full weight of responsibility for the evil things we heard,” argued Melissa Jampol, of Epstein Becker Green in Manhattan, attorneys for the district.

The Nassau County jury deliberated for eight hours over three days before delivering their decision to Justice Felice Muraca. On Friday, March 15, the jury of five women and one man delivered their verdict, that the Herricks School District was not negligent in this case.

Timothy Martin, of Lynbrook, one

A Newsday investigation suggested that 27 Long Island school districts paid a combined $31.6 million to settle 42 CVA lawsuits by former students who say teachers, administrators and fellow students sexually abused them. The individual settlement amounts range from $5,000 to $8 million. About 100 CVA lawsuits against public school districts on Long Island are still pending. Herricks previously paid $1.25 million to settle four CVA cases involving Festa, with the settlement amounts ranging from $50,000 to $800,000, according to documents Newsday obtained from the district under the Freedom of Information Law.

Civil Cases — People who were sexually abused as children (under 18) can start a civil case against their abuser or a liable third party, like a church or school, until they are 55 years old. A civil case can be started even if the abuse happened decades ago. But a civil case for damages is not brought by the prosecutor. Instead, you or your lawyer sues the sexual abuser or a third party. You do not need to file a Notice of Claim before the case is started. Start the case in the Supreme Court.

—Information provided by NYCourts.gov

Vincent Festa, former psychologist accused in the lawsuit. (Photo credit SCPD)

Jeff Herman, trial lawyer and advocate for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. (Photo credit hermanlaw.com)

NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS

Hundreds Of Students In Albany To Demand Passage Of Kyra’s Law

The NYS Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Workers hosted their annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) on March 12. Social work students advocated on behalf of Assembly and Senate Bills Kyra’s Law; the Family Miranda Rights Bill; and, the Anti-Harassment Reporting Bill.

“Each year, our LEAD event introduces hundreds of Bachelor’s- and Masters’-level social work students from around the state to advocacy through hands-on experiences. Through this event, they learn about their role in educating legislators and staff about how proposed policies impact the people and communities they serve. As future professionals on the frontlines of meeting the needs of often marginalized people, LEAD is a truly empowering event”, says Crystal Rogers, associate dean of the School of Social Work at the University at Albany and the executive secretary for the Deans Association.

Regarding Kyra’s Law, Senator James Skoufis commented, “I am grateful that LEAD has selected S.3170A as a priority bill. Kyra’s Law addresses the systemic weakness within the family court system that fails to protect New York’s most prized possession: our children. This bill would require courts to consider a child’s safety in custody and visitation proceedings, and

ERASE Racism Hosts March 15 Leaders Of Tomorrow Conference For Nassau County Students

ERASE Racism hosted its 2024 Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow Conference for Nassau County students on March 15 in Old Westbury, NY. The event brought together 100 students, grades 8-12, to engage in interactive dialogues, workshops and leadership development training on topics such as the history of racialized public policies on Long Island, embracing diversity, and student advocacy. Students attended from Freeport Public Schools, Herricks Union Free School District, Malverne Union Free School District, Uniondale Union Free School District, Valley Stream Central High School District, and Westbury Union Free

School District.

About ERASE Racism

ERASE Racism is a Long Island-based civil rights organization that exposes and addresses the devastating impact of historical and ongoing structural racism, particularly in public school education and housing. It does so through research, policy advocacy, legal action, and educating and mobilizing the public – driving policy change at local, regional and statewide levels and through national coalitions. It has been recognized locally and nationally for its cutting-edge work.

—Submitted by ERASE Racism

give court officials the training and tools they need to effectively prioritize a child’s health and safety in custody decisions. The time is now for this life-saving reform.”

Regarding S.901, Bill Sponsor Senator Jabari Brisport said, “We’re living under a two-tiered system of family protections in which the rights of low-income and Black and Brown families are regularly disregarded. The first and most basic step toward confronting the racial and economic disparities in family protection is to ensure that every family knows their rights.”

Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi emphasized the importance of Bill A.2479,

the Anti-harassment Reporting bill which is designed to improve child abuse and mistreatment reporting by replacing anonymous reporting with confidential reporting. According to Assemblymember Hevesi, “no family should be the subject of an investigation under false pretext. Yet, each year the State Central Registry receives countless false reports by anonymous callers that are designed to intimidate and harass families.”

Those interested in more information contact nyslead@gmail.com or by contacting Alexis Candido at acandido@albany. edu, or at 315.868.0467.

—Submitted by Kyra’s Champions

Albany College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences Announces Fall 2023 Dean’s List Recipients

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) announces its Fall 2023 Dean’s List recipients. Nearly 300 students were named to this honor, awarded to full-time students who have successfully completed their coursework with a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 score. The students honored study programs across ACPHS’ array of 13 academic offerings including include Biomedical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Health Sciences, Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Public Health, as well as graduate programs: Doctor of Pharmacy, Biomanufacturing

and Bioprocessing, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology, Molecular Biosciences, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The students come from various cities throughout New York State, 22 additional states across the country, and US territories including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, as well as additional countries including Canada, India, Kenya, South Korea and Spain.

Roslyn’s Own Ariana Barlas made the list - congratulations, Ariana!

—Submitted by Albany College of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

Jacqueline Franchetti speaking in Albany March 12. (Photo by Kyra’s Champions)

EAST WILLISTON COMMUNITY CONNECTS OVER STEAM FAIR ACTIVITIES

Kindergarten through seventh-grade students participated in a variety of interactive, hands-on activities during the East Williston STEAM Fair. During the fair, which incorporated a safari theme, The Wheatley School students and staff districtwide facilitated more than 35 different activities based in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Participants built Pride Rock and bridges to traverse the safari terrain, soared over the safari by building airplanes; made bat houses and animals with doodle pens; learned about CAD modeling and 3D printers; coded robots and experienced virtual reality to visit national zoos and parks; explored the night sky by visiting the planetarium; and participated in an artificial intelligence playground. They also created camouflage masks, paper snakes, rainmakers and

watercolor cave drawings; located and preserved animal skeletons; problem solved to save the safari animals by using money sense to purchase supplies, built boats and structures to contain the animals; explored dissections and more.

Through inquiry and handson experiences, the event fostered innovation and creativity and introduced students to different fields in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The experience also allowed community members to connect with each other through the activities. More than 50 students from The Wheatley School volunteered through their clubs, including Robotics, EAC, ICU, National Honor Society and the Video Club, to facilitate the night’s activities for the younger students in the community.

—Submitted by the East Williston Union Free School District

Two Roslyn High School students placed second and third at the Long Island Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) finals. Senior Cayden Shen took second place for his near infrared spectrometer and sophomore Tessla Chan placed third for her work on differentiating subtypes of leukemia. Both qualified for a trip to the national JSHS, which will be held May 20, 2024, in Albuquerque, NM. In addition to competing in Albuquerque, the students will receive the opportunity to tour various national labs.

—Submitted by Cynthia Younker for the Roslyn School District

HERRICKS STUDENTS SELECTED AS CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Herricks School District congratulates Benjamin Hogan and Connie Huang on being selected as candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school seniors.

The Scholars program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President. This prestigious recognition honors students who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, artistic

excellence and selfless service to others.

U.S. Presidential Scholars are invited to Washington D.C. for an official recognition ceremony in June and will receive a Presidential Scholars Medallion.

Benjamin and Connie will undergo the rigorous application process this spring and we wish them the best of luck!

—Submitted by Herricks Public Schools

Benjamin Hogan (Contributed photos) Connie Huang

ROSLYN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PLACE 2ND, 3RD AT JUNIOR SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES SYMPOSIUM FINALS

Tessla Chan and Cayden Shen (Contributed photo)

East Williston Union Free School District students participated in a variety of interactive, hands-on activities during the annual STEAM Fair. (Contributed photos)

THE MARIA BABAEV TEAM

#1 Long Island Team by GCI

#2 Long Island Team by Volume #3 Long Island Rental Team by GCI

#6 Medium Team Nationwide by Volume Pinnacle Award

MAGGIE KEATS

#1 Long Island Agent by GCI

#1 Long Island Agent by Volume Pinnacle Award

JUDY FRUITBINE

#11 Long Island Agent by GCI

#11 Long Island Agent by Volume Platinum Award

PATRICIA SANTELLA

#15 Long Island Agent by Volume Gold Award

THE PASCULLOSALEGNA TEAM

#1 Long Island Team by Volume

#2 Long Island Team by GCI #5 Long Island Team by Transactions Pinnacle Award

RAIDA OBEIDAT

#9 Long Island Agent by Volume

#12 Long Island Agent by GCI

Platinum Award

MINDY MILES GREENBERG

#5 Long Island Agent by Transactions Gold Award

PAUL MATEYUNAS

#17 Long Island Agent by Volume Gold Award

REGINA ROGERS

#4 Long Island Agent by GCI

#6 Long Island Agent by Volume Diamond Award

AMY LIU

#14 Long Island Agent by GCI

#14 Long Island Agent by Volume Gold Award

IRENE (RENEE) RALLIS

#4 Long Island Agent by Volume

#5 Long Island Agent by GCI

#8 Long Island Agent by Transactions Diamond Award

ROZITA SOOMEKH TEAM

PARISSA ELIASSIAN

#22 Long Island Agent by Volume Gold Award

PIETRA (PAT) GAGLIO Leading Edge Award

MOLLIE GROSSMAN Leading Edge Award

KELLY GATANAS Leading Edge Award

KIMBERLY FUCHS Leading Edge Award

NINA NAQVI Gold Award

KENNETH KING Gold Award

TEAM KNOELL President’s Circle Award

CHRISTINE MALLOY President’s Circle Award

CHERYL CONSTANTINE President’s Circle Award

THE FAZZALARICAGGIANO TEAM President’s Circle Award SHERRI GHODSI President’s Circle Award

DIANE ANDERSEN President’s Circle Award

PETER CRIFO Leading Edge Award

HELENE VLACHOS President’s

MARIA CORIGLIANO Leading Edge Award

DAWN WANDS President’s Circle Award

ZAKINOVA TEAM

SANDRA ROSEN Gold Award

THE ALEXIS SIEGEL & AMY ROSENBERG TEAM Gold Award

THE ANDRÉA SORRENTINO TEAM Gold Award

JOSEPH SANDERS Gold Award

JILL BERMAN President’s Circle Award Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

MARYANN CLARA President’s Circle Award

Exceptional Agents Breaking New Boundaries

Lifetime

JOANNE HANTZOPOULOS Leading Edge Award

SHABRINA GURAYAH Leading Edge Award

ASHLEY TUCKER Leading Edge Award

SHEILA WENGER Leading Edge Award

RACHEL TABIBOV Leading Edge Award

MARY THERESA MAROLDA Leading Edge Award

ALYCE TUCKER Leading Edge Award

ANNA ALYSKEWYCZ

Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

MANDY LADERER

Achievement Award (25 Years)

HEATHER BARTHOLOMEW

Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

MADELEINE NORDELL Lifetime Achievement Award (30 Years)

RUTH DEPIERRO Lifetime Achievement Award (30 Years)

ROBERT OLITA

Lifetime Achievement Award (30 Years)

JOSEPH GIORDANO Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

DEBORAH PESERI Lifetime Achievement Award (25 Years)

SUSAN HIGGINS Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

MARIA REYNOLDS WHITE Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

MARY ANN JACOBI Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

KERRI KELLY Lifetime Achievement Award (20 Years)

CRAIG SANDERS

#3 Long Island Rental Agent by Transactions

#4 Long Island Rental Agent by GCI Leading Edge Award

LEI LIU Leading Edge Award

THE LUCIANO STALZER TEAM Leading Edge Award

LISA KASPARIAN Leading Edge Award

EVA LEE Leading Edge Award

ALIKI HANTZOPOULOS Rookie of the Year

REENA KHERA Leading Edge Award

ELYSE MAYER Leading Edge Award Lifetime Achievement Award (30 Years)

PAOLA KANAKARIS Leading Edge Award

Ambalu Jewelers has moved to Glen Head!

As we complete renovations on our new flagship location, please visit us at our wholesale showroom, located at 670 Glen Cove Avenue in Glen Head.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift, or treating yourself to a timeless piece, Ambalu Jewelers is here for all of your jewelry needs.

Stay tuned for an announcement with our grand opening details in the weeks to come. We look forward to seeing you in Glen Head!

Ambalu Jewelers | 670 Glen Cove Avenue | Glen Head

516.626.3595 | www.ambalujewelers.com

Find us on Instagram at @AmbaluJewelers

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

To place an item in this space, send information two weeks before the event to editors@antonmediagroup.com.

The Bryant Library is at 2 Paper Mill Rd. Call 516-621-2240.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27

Toddler Time

which should be read carefully before investing. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. This event will be held at the Bryant Library. Reserve your spot online.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

Teen Community Service Take & Make: Birthday Box

Grades 6-12. Register to make birthday decorations for children in need. We will email you when your kit is ready for pickup and include the link to an instructional video. This is a community service project that you will complete at home. Once you have finished the project, you can drop it off at the Reference Desk. The deadline for drop-off is Tuesday, April 30 at the Bryant Library. You will earn 2 community service hours.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

Save Your Back with the Alexander Technique

10:30 a.m. A fun and interactive introduction to storytime with stories, rhymes, fingerplays, and movement activities that encourage the development of early literacy skills. For Children Ages 18 - 36 months (1.5 - 3 Years). Wednesdays, March 27; April 10 and 24. Register online once for all dates. Photographs and video footage taken during programs may be used for library publicity. Please tell library staff if you do not want a photo taken of you or your child. This event will be in the children’s room of the library. Artist Ted Harrison: Landscape Craft 6 p.m. Let’s paint together and learn about Ted Harrison who was a British-Canadian painter known for his landscape paintings of the Yukon. For Children in Grades K - 5. Online registration required. Photographs and video footage taken during programs may be used for library publicity. Please tell library staff if you do not want a photo taken of you or your child. This event will be held at the Bryant Library. Reserve your spot online.

MONDAY, APRIL 1

Foundations of Investing

The technique is a way of learning how to use and hold your body effortlessly. Improves posture, pain, movement and is used for stress reduction. Gary is a certified teacher and has taught this method for over 30 years in private practice. Talk will include lecture, demo, and group exercises. This event will be held at the Bryant Library. Reserve your spot online. You can visit Gary’s website at www. AlexanderTechniqueWithGary.com

7 p.m. Join licensed financial advisor Vincent Sama for an educational seminar for people who want an overview of investing, including key terms and types of investments. Building your investor IQ starts with understanding the basics. Learn the importance of developing a strategy, the impact of asset allocation and the influence of inflation on your long-term goals. Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C. Unit trusts and mutual funds are offered and sold by prospectus. You should consider the investment objectives, risks and charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information. Your financial advisor can provide a prospectus,

ONGOING

Elements of Picture Book Writing

11:30 a.m. Picture books are magic, and they are our first love in literature. Do you have a story you want to tell? Join us as we discuss what goes into writing a picture book. Bring your work-in-progress (please bring 5 copies to share). If you don’t have a WIP, no worries! We learn from each other! We will go over characters, pacing, first lines, satisfying endings, pitches, voice, story arcs, illustrations, revisions & more. We will be reading current books as mentor texts. This class is interactive and participatory. Please register to reserve your space in the class. No fee required. Meeting dates: April 2, 9, 16, 23.

Blakeman Sued By Roller Derby, Hosts Celebrity Press Event

The Nassau County Executive is keeping busy on the girls and women’s sports front

ANTON MEDIA GROUP STAFF

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has remained in the news over the past couple of weeks after being sued by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) over his controversial February 22 executive order, then hosting Caitlyn Jenner at the Legislature for a semi-private press event a week later.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, filed against Nassau County on March 11, is the Long Island Roller Rebels, a Nassau Countybased recreational women’s flat track roller derby league, which welcomes trans women. According to the team and their attorneys, the group is now barred from using Nassau County’s facilities under the broad-ranging new order, which immediately went into effect on Feb. 22.

“This cruel policy sends the dangerous message that trans people don’t belong in Nassau County,” said Curly Fry, a member of Roller Rebels, in a statement.

“As a league committed to building community and providing a safe space for everybody, we reject this policy, which bars us from public-run venues where we would otherwise play and practice just because we believe in inclusion and stand against transphobia. We hope the court sees this policy for what it is—transphobic and unjust—and makes sure Nassau County is a safe space for trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive people.”

Gabriella Larios, staff attorney at the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement, “Nassau County’s cynical attempt to shut them out of public spaces is a blatant violation of our state’s civil and human rights laws. It also speaks to growing, nationwide attacks against LGBTQ+ rights, and we won’t stand for this hatred here in New York. As promised the day this executive order was issued, we’re taking action so that the courts relegate this harmful, transphobic policy to the dustbin of history, where it belongs.”

Larios, one of three NYCLU attorneys officially handling the case, said in a phone interview with Anton Media Group. “This is an order that discriminates against trans women and girls solely on the basis of their gender identity, and that is quintessential discrimination under our state’s anti-discrimination laws.”

“The Long Island Roller Rebels brought this lawsuit to ensure that they, as a team which welcomes trans women, can use

county facilities without any limitation, as is their right. The team feels it is very important to fight this executive order because the longer it is in effect, the longer that trans people in Nassau County receive the message that they are not welcome there.

Larios also called Blakeman’s order particularly “egregious” against the backdrop of New York State established law, adding that it “up-ends the status quo as we know

it with no real justification or reasoning that it’s legitimate.”

To that end, Blakeman has “repeatedly confirmed that he’s not aware of any examples in Nassau County of trans women or girls having a competitive advantage over any particular individuals,” Larios noted. Instead, by way of local explanation, Blakeman has pointed to the busy permit-issuing season for local recreation

facilities being underway, she said.

“This applies to recreational teams as well as competitive ones, from a youth softball league, to a women’s roller derby team, to a charity organization holding a one-off tournament. We think this is an order where the real message is that trans people shouldn’t have a full life and participate in sports, that it’s not really grounded in any real, defensible justification.”

A week later, Executive Blakeman held a semi-private press conference on Monday, March 18 alongside Olympic gold-medalist Caitlyn Jenner at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola.

“My executive order has one goal, and that is to make sure competition is fair and safe here in Nassau County and that we protect women and girls,” said Blakeman.

He introduced the former Olympian decathlete as an American hero not only in athletic competition, but also for standing up for principles she believes in and not being afraid to say how she feels.

“I have empathy for all LGBT people, and I have a thorough understanding of all the struggles no matter how different our circumstances may be,” said Jenner.

“This is not anti-trans. This is protecting women and girls, who are a protected class under federal law and the United States constitution,” said Blakeman.

The pair emphasized their disappointment in Nassau County having received a cease-and-desist order from New York Attorney General Letitia James, demanding Blakeman rescind the order, which she called “discriminatory and transphobic.”

Jenner accused James of thinking her office to be above U.S. law and using LGBT people for political gain.

Regarding that joint press event, Larios commented, “We feel that the press conference was yet another disgraceful attempt to target and villainize trans women and girls by sending the message that they’re not worthy of the same benefits as their peers in sports ... We don’t support platforming that kind of rhetoric anywhere.”

“None of these groups that are subject to this order knew that it was coming. They all found out at the same press conference on February 22,” she went on.

“In order to comply with this order, they’re now going to have to make very invasive inquiries about cis-gendered women [who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth] and trans women alike. Groups like the Roller Rebels don’t want to do that, and this [order] is going to turn away a lot of women from sports.”

Members of the Long Island Roller Rebels are shown posing together in this photo from their homepage. (Credit: Long Island Roller Rebels)

Caitlyn Jenner spoke alongside County Executive Bruce Blakeman at the Nassau County Legislature complex on March 18. (Via Bruce Blakeman’s Facebook page)

Elegance Embodied: Unveiling The Opulence

CHRISTY HINKO

chinko@antonmediagroup.com

Tucked neatly and unassumingly into the crux of the Great Neck peninsula is the newest luxury clothier to arrive on the Gold Coast, MSA Haute Couture. Although not new to the industry by any means, MSA Haute Couture is heartily established with nearly four decades of experience and an elite following of who’s who from across the country, originating first in Manhattan. The company has since closed its city location to focus on the Great Neck boutique; the word is catching on like wildfire, while also maintaining some renowned discretion.

“We are the best-kept secret, just like we were in New York,” MSA Haute Couture spokesman Rob Feinberg said. “We have built a store that we love, from the ground up and it is an entirely different luxury experience here than it was in Manhattan; long-time customers come to the Great Neck store and are amazed.”

The store’s deals on luxury items are too good to reveal. If you know your luxury brands, their quality and value, this is definitely the store for you.

“The experience is intimate,” said Feinberg. “People expect to stop in for an hour and stay for three or four hours.”

It is not uncommon to find personal shopping professionals on assignment or chauffeured shoppers frequenting the boutique, on excursions from the city.

“We have regular clients come over from New Jersey and Connecticut and several who fly in from California quarterly,” Feinberg said. “It’s all about luxury here.”

Most of the boutique’s business is by appointment and every thread in the boutique is certainly impressive.

“A lot of our clients are looking for gorgeous gowns, for weddings, galas or other high-end events,” Feinberg said. “If we know a client is coming, we will bring things over from our warehouse and prepare a personalized experience based on their preferences and size.”

Gowns run from approximately 25” to 34” in length, varying in styles, prints, sleeve design

Sara embodies her store’s elegance.

(Photos by Christy Hinko)

The boutique is dressed for spring.

Of An Exquisite Luxury Fashion Emporium

and price. The boutique also caters to all demographics.

“We are a destination for anyone who wants to buy something nice, whether that is a bag, shoes, a dress or a jacket,” Feinberg said. “Younger shoppers love this place as much as the more refined client.”

The boutique staff are excited to meet new clients, especially those who have never experienced the store while it had been established in the city.

“Our new clients cannot believe the prices on some of the items that at full price might not have been as desirable,” Feinberg said. “Ten years ago, I might have said that only 85 percent of Americans wanted to buy at a discount, but today, I would say more like 98 percent of Americans want to buy things at a discount, no matter what their variable spending budget allows.”

MSA Haute Couture is the perfect place to shop, especially if you aspire to begin building a luxury wardrobe, or supplement an existing one. “There is no other

shopping experience like this in the area, “Feinberg said. “In addition to the shopping experience, we host charity shopping events with a percentage of the day’s sale going to nonprofit organizations.”

MSA Haute Couture has the capacity for a private shopping experience with friends, family and colleagues, bringing in photographers, setting up the special runways and backdrops for a “private fashion show” event.

“We love private parties too; they are fun,” Feinberg said. “People come in with their friends and have this beautiful place to try on clothing, have their pictures taken by a professional and have a great time.”

The boutique stocks sizes from zero to 14, but does offer some size 16 items that regularly sell out quickly.

Street and municipal parking are available. Shoppers with reservations can make arrangements to park in the boutique’s private parking lot behind the store, with access to the private rear entrance.

MSA Haute Couture is located at 8 Hicks Ln., just east of Middle Neck Rd. in Great Neck. The store is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit www. msahautecouture.com to shop online or call 212-730-0788 for an appointment and more details.

Shop the boutique for the top luxury brands.

My wife noticed that the small sconce light in the dining room was out.

“Maybe you can take care of this today?” She asked, knowing that my days in retirement had resulted in a surplus of free time.

Not a problem. I vowed to take on the challenge while she was out for the day.

We maintain a variety of different bulbs for the various light fixtures around our house. I grabbed the shoebox dedicated to the smaller ones for the sconce fixtures and did a quick inventory check.

For some unknown reason (poor planning, maybe), we have different-sized and shaped lights populating the sconce lights in different rooms. As luck would have it, I was out of replacement lights for the dining room. Suddenly, this was turning into a project.

Before the advent of LED bulbs, purchasing replacement incandescent bulbs used to be easy. I’m not getting into a “good ole’ days” argument here; I’m just pointing out reality. You only needed to know the watts and the base type (regular or candelabra). Easy Peasy.

I guess saving the planet requires making things more complicated, as the discontinuance of incandescent lights proves. The last time I ventured

I Saw The Light, I Think

LONG ISLAND LIVING

Paul DiSclafani pdisco23@aol.com

into the light bulb aisle at a hardware store, I felt transported to another dimension.

Trying to be proactive, I previously made a list of the specific identifying details for the various LED lights I used to replace old incandescent bulbs after they burned out. The tried and true simplicity of 100W, 75W, or 60W was a thing of the past. I noted that the 5w LED mini-spiral S7264 had replaced the original 25w bulbs (candelabra base) for the dining room sconces. I was so proud of myself!

I jumped on the ACE Hardware website to see if they carried the bulb I needed. When I typed “S7264” in the search bar, it came up with a house key, so much for that valuable piece of information.

Besides being better for the planet, an advantage of LED

bulbs is they last longer than your average incandescent bulb. The problem is that each time you need to replace one, there are more options than previously. For example, there are too many shades and intensities of white to choose from.

Amber White (not to be confused with plain amber or amber soft white), Soft, Warm, or Bright White, Cool White (as opposed to uncool white?), or Neutral White (What color is that?). Not enough for you? How about Daylight, Smoke Daylight, Natural light, or Sunlight?

Although I narrowed the search to the candelabra base, there were still many different styles to choose from. I knew I needed an equivalent to a 25-watt bulb, which apparently translates to the LED code E26. Why they would choose E26 instead of E25 to represent a 25W bulb is beyond me.

LED codes were also assigned for bulb shapes, like A15, A19, B11, E12, and CA 10, each slightly different from the others. Thank goodness ACE had

pictures that helped narrow it down to the E12 (rounded tip) or the CA 10 (flame tip).

I wasn’t sure if I needed the flame tip, so I decided to check the bulb and bring it with me to ACE.

Grabbing my trusty stepstool, I removed the sconce cover, revealing the bulb had a rounded tip, which would have been my first guess. As soon as I touched it, it miraculously came on! Problem solved.

I decided to spend the rest of my afternoon watching TV.

When my wife came home later, I couldn’t wait to show her I fixed our dead bulb problem. I proudly pointed to the previously dead light fixture and said, “Here we go!”

Switching on the sconce lights, I said, “Ta Da!” only to watch in horror as the bulb flashed on for a nanosecond, followed by an audible “bink,” and then went out again, this time for good.

I guess I’m headed to ACE tomorrow looking for an E12 E26 Candelabra base. I better write that down…

Karl

Even though I have served in government in some capacity for over 30 years, I don’t consider myself the ultimate expert on all things government. But I can lay claim to the fact that I am an expert on aging, having reached my mid-eighties. That stage in life gives me the right to claim that I know a great deal about what happens to your mind and body at that stage.

To start with, my age makes me older than President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Despite the passage of time I still work five days a week, practice law, do government relations and write multiple opinion columns on a variety of subjects. A few times a week I force myself to go to the gym where I do some cardio work and many stretches.

INSIDE POLITICS

Jerry Kremer

I pay close attention to the subtle changes that are taking place in the lives of former President Trump and our current President Joe Biden. Even though Mr. Trump looks to be more active, he has aged dramatically over the past eight

years. He is unquestionably obese and he admits that his diet is mostly fast food and occasional soft drinks.

Joe Biden has changed dramatically over the past four years, primarily due to the fact that he has the toughest job in America. The stresses of being a president are monumental and there is no way to cover up the fact that he has reached age 81.

Even though these two gentlemen are now old men, there are stark differences in how the two live their lives. Mr. Biden is on the job seven days a week and when you wrestle with so many challenges, it keeps your mind sharp which is critical to avoiding mental decay.

Mr. Trump has little in his life to keep him healthy other than the periodic trips around the country. Political rallies may be

great for our ego, but they do nothing to make you mentally sharper. Trump has no briefing books to scan nor does he admittedly have any reading habits. Following a teleprompter may be a good exercise, but Trump has a tendency to go off script and that is when he shows that his skills are slowly diminishing.

President Biden tends to walk slowly due to a long standing back problem and his lifetime stuttering habit makes him prone to verbal glitches. Mr. Trump shows daily signs of mental slippages, which he claims are planned mistakes.

The next seven months will determine who has the stamina to get to the finish line, but regardless of who you like, Biden has more mental and physical pluses going for him than his Republican challenger.

COLUMNS Apologies To The Bunny

Starting in the middle of this month a variety of municipalities, restaurants and other shops were advertising that people could come over for a photo with the Easter Bunny. I always found it odd that people didn’t wait til Easter – a celebration that lasts 50 days. But I suspect that the “breakfasts with Santa” in December primed the early visits with Mr. Rabbit.

I also suspect that the Easter Bunny confuses non-Christians. As one Jewish friend of mine asked, “I thought your Easter was about Jesus rising from the dead. What does the bunny have to do with that?”

And, with all respects to Sir Cottontail, actually nothing! The bunny-thing is tied into the new life of Spring. Lots of bunnies start appearing in our suburban yards. And while Easter is indeed a time for new life, it’s not about hare-raising.

In fact for Christians, Easter is the most important feast of the year. While the real meaning of Christmas can be obscured by marketing and the push to buy stuff, Easter is really the more significant moment in our faith history. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. And who of us came into the world without being born? Being born isn’t the remarkable thing. But rising from the dead? Well that’s something earth shattering!

Christians believe that Jesus, after being horribly tortured to death by Roman crucifixion, died and was buried. His disciples scattered out of fear. But since Jesus was not only human like us, but also the presence of God in the world, he couldn’t stay dead. So he is raised and appears to his disciples to offer them peace, reconciliation, healing and a mission.

The mission was to let everyone know that eternal life is not a fantasy, but it is a real outcome for us. Following Jesus is the way to the new life that we encounter after death. Where Jesus went, we can follow.

This is indeed good

news for anyone who is having their own form of crucifixion – whether it be a minor hurdle or a significant hurt. We are assured that our illnesses, our broken relationships, our failed endeavors, etc. are not the end of the story. There is new life ahead. Often we glimpse and experience it here and now. But sometimes we need faith that something better lies ahead.

So while Easter is a chance to market chocolate bunnies and Peeps and jelly beans, it is profoundly more important that increasing our sugar intake. While there’s nothing wrong with searching for hidden eggs, our real search over the fifty days of the Easter season ought to be about seeking where God is affirming our lives and offering us new opportunities to grow in love, in hope and in faith.

WE LOVE OUR PETS Spring Into Joy

Springtime breathes new life into the world around us, casting a verdant blanket over the landscape and inviting both humans and pets to revel in the burgeoning warmth. For pet parents, the season ushers in a unique set of opportunities and challenges, from navigating the nuances of allergy season to ensuring the safety and happiness of their furry companions during outdoor adventures. As we peel away the layers of winter and step into the freshness of spring, here are comprehensive tips to help pet parents navigate the season with ease and joy.

1Addressing Seasonal Allergies

Just like humans, pets can suffer from seasonal allergies, which can manifest as skin irritation, sneezing, or watery eyes. Monitor your pet for signs of discomfort, such as excessive scratching, licking, or shaking their head. Regular baths can help remove allergens from your pet’s coat, while air purifiers in the home can reduce airborne allergens. Consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your pet is suffering from allergies, as they may recommend specific treatments or medications to alleviate their symptoms.

2 Safe Outdoor Adventures

With the weather warming up, outdoor activities become a daily routine. Ensure your pet’s safety by keeping them leashed in unfamiliar or open areas to prevent

them from getting lost or wandering into dangerous territory. Check local parks for pet-friendly trails and remember to carry water for both you and your pet to prevent dehydration.

3Parasite Prevention

Spring is prime time for fleas, ticks, and heartworms, which can pose serious health risks to your pets. Before the season is in full swing, visit your veterinarian to discuss preventive measures. There are a variety of options available, including topical treatments, oral medications, and collars, designed to protect your pet from these pests.

hazards to curious pets.

4Grooming Essentials

As your pet sheds their winter coat, regular grooming becomes crucial to their comfort and health. Brushing your pet not only helps to remove excess fur but also stimulates their skin and helps to distribute natural oils throughout their coat. Consider professional grooming services if your pet has a thick coat that is prone to matting.

6SpringCleaning Safety

Spring cleaning is a seasonal ritual for many, but it’s important to keep pet safety in mind. Cleaning products can contain chemicals that are harmful to pets if ingested or inhaled. Use pet-safe cleaners whenever possible, and ensure that your pet is kept away from freshly cleaned areas until they are completely dry. Additionally, when tidying up, be mindful of small objects that could pose choking

5Diet and Exercise

The transition from winter to spring is an excellent time to reassess your pet’s diet and exercise routine. With more opportunities for outdoor activities, your pet may require additional calories to fuel their adventures. Consult with a veterinarian to ensure their diet meets their nutritional needs and adjust portion sizes as necessary to maintain a healthy weight.

7Garden and Plant Safety

For those with a green thumb, spring is a time of planting and garden rejuvenation. However, many common plants and fertilizers can be toxic to

Unleashing a season of adventure and wellness for your furry friends

pets. Research the safety of plants before adding them to your garden, and opt for pet-safe alternatives when possible. Keep fertilizers, pesticides, and other garden chemicals out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion.

8Hydration and Shade

As temperatures rise, ensure your pet has constant access to fresh water and a shady spot to rest, whether indoors or out. Pets can become dehydrated quickly in warm weather, and breeds with thick coats or short noses are particularly susceptible to overheating.

9Microchipping and ID Tags

With the increased likelihood of spending time outdoors, there’s also an increased risk of pets getting lost. Ensure your pet is microchipped and wears a collar with up-to-date ID tags. This simple step can be instrumental in reuniting you with your pet should they wander off.

10Enjoying the Season Together

Finally, spring is a time to create lasting memories with your pet. From leisurely walks in the blooming park to adventurous hikes in the countryside, take the time to enjoy the season’s beauty together. Capture these moments with photos, and embrace the joy and companionship that pets bring into our lives.

Spring is a season of renewal, offering pet parents a chance to refresh and strengthen the bond with their furry family members. By taking proactive steps to ensure their health, safety, and happiness, you can look forward to a season filled with adventure, growth, and shared moments of joy.

Photo Getty Images

Recently Sold HOMES

This lovely expanded split level home with three bedrooms and many updates located at 1 Wood Ave. in Massapequa, in the Plainedge School District, sold on March 12 for $850,000. A major renovation was completed in 2006 to expand the third level to a large primary suite, a garage conversion to office space with separate entrance, an expanded den to great room with a gas fireplace, change to the main floor rooms to open concept, installed central air, new siding, a 30-year roof and Andersen windows. The front entry opens to a light and bright living room with wood floors open to the dining room with sliders to the backyard and patio area. Adjacent is the beautifully updated eat-in-kitchen with many special features including Kraftmaid cabinetry with custom drawers and organizers, silestone countertops, a new range with convection and air fryer setting, a peninsula with seating for four guests with additional storage space below, and radiant heating. The lower level offers a great room with vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace, slider to backyard patio and skylights. A pantry space, full bath and separate office space with outside entrance complete this floor. Upstairs are two large bedrooms with wood floors and newly renovated full hall bathroom. The large primary suite on the third level offers a large bedroom with sitting area, walk-in closet with organizer and updated ensuite bath with large stand up shower, two separate vanities and radiant heat. Storage space, laundry, utilities and ample additional space can be found in the basement. Additional features include: PVC fenced flat yard, 200 amp electric, oil heat recently serviced, hot water heater 2015, two pull down attic storage spaces, freshly painted rooms, a seven-zone in-ground sprinkler system, gas line in home by fireplace, paver front walkway with pvc railing, security system and more.

This prestigious Nassau Shores neighborhood home at 148 Nassau Rd. in Massapequa sold on March 12 for $1,029,500. It is a diamond-condition expanded colonial with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. It has an open floor plan and a detached garage. This home has a rare first floor layout and has possibility for a mother-daughter with proper permits. The main floor has a fabulous chef’s eat-inkitchen featuring custom wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances including a gas stove, a center island, granite countertops, a tumbled marble backsplash and a pantry closet. The king-sized second floor has a vaulted primary suite that has a recently updated full bathroom and walk-in closet. The home has gleaming stained oak floors, filtered water, an encapsulated crawlspace, some motorized

window treatments, gas hot water with three-zone heat, hi-hat lighting and crown molding. The home was expanded and updated between 2006 and 2021. The home does not require flood insurance. It is located within the award-winning school district of Massapequa and is truly one of a kind.

HOME & DESIGN

How To Get Rid Of Crabgrass

BY VALERIE SMITH specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Weeds can be unsightly in an otherwise perfect, healthy lawn. Not only are they sometimes ugly, but they also compete with your lawn for space, sunlight, water and other nutrients! One of the most notorious weeds known for its difficulty to control is crabgrass. If you’re one of the unlucky homeowners who have crabgrass in their lawn—not to worry.

seed, prepare to begin fighting it again in warmer weather.

Appropriately named, crabgrass grows close to the ground and has branching stems resembling crab legs. Large crabgrass tends to have a dense coating of hair while smooth crabgrass does not. In smooth crabgrass, you can occasionally spot a pinkish red center where the grass is growing from.

Crabgrass (Sod Solutions)

Along with goosegrass, crabgrass is a pervasive weed found throughout the continental United States that many lawn owners struggle to control.

As an annual weed, crabgrass remains present in the landscape for one growing season, which usually begins in the late spring and early summer after the soil temperature has reached a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees for over five days.

Once the plants germinate, they will continue to grow until the days begin to shorten, causing them to enter a reproductive stage. During this time, plants produce seed (up to 150,000 per plant!) until the first frosts of the fall hit and knock them out.

Even if crabgrass isn’t visible in your lawn during the fall and winter, if the plant was able to set

If you’ve identified crabgrass early on and only a few weeds are present, it can be pulled by hand and may not grow back again. However, if crabgrass turns into a recurring problem or is too extensive to pull by hand, many chemical options serve as crabgrass killers. Some methods for controlling crabgrass are by using an herbicide.

Chemical control is often the best approach if crabgrass has spread throughout your lawn. As previously mentioned, crabgrass produces up to 150,000 seeds per plant, so chemical control may be more effective.

While there are many herbicide options available, they will typically fall under one of the following categories: pre-emergent herbicides and post-emergent herbicides. Both types are necessary for controlling crabgrass since it’s such a tricky weed.

—Valerie Smith is a content stragetist for Sod Solutions. growing from.

Homes shown here represent closed sales, sold by a variety of agencies and are selected for their interest to readers by the Anton Media Group editor.

Except where noted, data and photos are provided courtesy of Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc. and Zillow.

Old Westbury Gardens Celebrates Landmark Anniversary Season

Since its inception 65 years ago, Old Westbury Gardens has captivated visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and enchanting gardens. This season, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating this milestone as we showcase the beauty and splendor that have defined Old Westbury Gardens for generations.

“As I begin my first full season leading Old Westbury Gardens, I am filled with anticipation for our opening,” said Maura Brush, President and CEO. “The winter months, during which we were closed, afforded us the opportunity to complete many restoration projects both inside Westbury House and in the gardens. Now, I am eager for our visitors to enjoy all that Old Westbury Gardens has to offer during our landmark anniversary year.”

Throughout the month of April, visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of fun-filled events and activities, including the season’s first Storybook Stroll (April 6), the 4-week Early Spring Tiny Gardeners program for children ages 2-3 (beginning April 8), Poetica Musica: A Thousand Years of French Music concert (April 13), and the always popular “Dog Days” weekend (April 20-21), just to name a few. From guided tours of the

historic home to a child/adult tea, a book signing and talk, and spring recess activities for kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in April and throughout the entire season. Access our Calendar of Events for the latest information on upcoming events.

Old Westbury Gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Monday, April 1. Last entry for non-members is 4pm; last entry for members is 5 p.m. Last entry into Westbury House is 5:15pm. Ticket prices are as follows: Admission, $15; Ages 62 and older, $13; Full-time students with valid ID,

(Photo by Alex Nuñez)

COLUMNS

I Should Have Taken More Pictures

I am not entirely sure that there are not some photos circulating the universe that will definitely ruin my chances at ever being a politician in the future. But to be clear, I am thankful every day that social media and cellphones did not exist during my days on the high seas and that is all I will say about that.

Nostalgia is a curious emotion, weaving through the fabric of our memories, tugging gently at the threads of my past. It’s a bittersweet longing for moments of the past, a yearning to relive moments of my life that have quietly slipped away. Amidst nostalgic reverie, there’s a particular pang that often strikes—the realization that we should have taken more pictures.

I was just sharing some old photos from my deployments with a dear shipmate and we could not agree more, there should have been more pictures. At the time though, cameras were not allowed, both in the military spaces that we frequented nor while in uniform, not to mention, it just wasn’t plain cool, especially while operating at the business end of things.

In the digital age, where smartphones are ubiquitous extensions of our beings, capturing moments has become almost second nature, specially for me, a true photog at heart. In fact, I am sure I am pushing 11,000 photos on my own smartphone right now. Despite how easy it is to just snap a photo nowadays, there are still countless instances where I find myself disappointed about the scarcity of tangible memories. It’s in those moments of reflection that the weight of my oversight settles in, a gentle but persistent ache in my heart.

I have my memories though, revisiting cherished moments like scenes from a beloved film. There’s are the spontaneous trips to Tijuana with fellow crewmembers, the lazy summer afternoons spent lounging on Coronado or last-minute scuba diving excursions in Hanama Bay and in La Jolla, the impromptu dance parties in the barracks and in the ship’s berthing. Each memory is vivid, almost tangible in its clarity, yet tinged with a sense of regret for not having immortalized it in a photograph.

As I navigate my own nostalgia, grappling with the realization that I should have taken more pictures, let me also cherish the great memories of all of the best times and all of the best people during my Navy service. As the years pass, the edges of my recollections are blurring, leaving behind only snippets of the times that I hold dear. Memories have a funny way, sometimes.

$13; Children, ages 7 to 17, $8; Children, ages 6 and under, Free. Old Westbury Gardens is open daily except Tuesdays.

General admission tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.oldwestburygardens.org.

About Old Westbury Gardens

Built in 1906 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Westbury Gardens is the former home of John S. Phipps; his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps;

LONG ISLAND VETERANS

Christy Hinko

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, April 1—Dress For Success clothing drive for veterans with Senator Steve Rhoads (www.rhoads. nysenate.gov for details)

Saturday, April 6—Long Island Warriors Hockey fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Green Turtle, East Meadow

Sunday, April 7—Nassau County Firefighter’s 9th Annual Operation Wounded Warrior Tournament from noon at Levittown Lanes (56 Tanners Ln.)

Friday, April 12—Long Island Cares veterans resources fair and food distribution from 2 to 6 p.m. in Hauppauge S aturday, April 13— Bingo fundraiser from 6 p.m. at Joseph Loeffler American Legion Post 1006, Brentwood

Saturday, April 13— Garage sale fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Blue Star Mothers at Marine Corps League, Massapequa

Sunday, April 14—Team Eva Marathon (www.goteameva.org for details)

Sunday, April 14—VFW District 11 Testimonial Dinner from 2 p.m. at Wade-Burns Post 7279 in Lindehurst

Saturday, April 20—Williston Auxiliary Unit 144 Chinese Auction from 2 p.m. at Williston Park American Legion (730 Willis Ave.)

Saturday, April 20—Vets’ legal assistance from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hofstra Law Atrium, Hempstead

Satuturday, April 20—22 Push Up Challenge and Out of the Darkness walk from 9 a.m. at Suffolk Community College Ammerman Campus

Saturday, April 27— Country Western Dance Party from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Baldwin American Legion (2754 Grand Ave.)

Saturday, May 11—Post 94 Poker Run from 9 a.m. at American Legion Post 94 in Babylon

Saturday, May 18—Vet Fest resource sharing event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Farmingdale Village Green (361 Main St.)

–Christy Hinko is a managing editor at Anton Media Group and U.S. Navy veteran

and their children. Today, as a not-forprofit organization, Old Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for a wide range of historical, cultural, artistic, educational, horticultural events, and more. Old Westbury Gardens seeks to inspire appreciation of the early 20th century American country estate through faithful preservation and interpretation of its landscape, gardens, architecture and collections. For more information, visit https://www.oldwestburygardens.org/

—Submitted by Old Westbury Gardens

The Five Steps to an Elder Law Estate Plan

Elder law estate planning provides for (1) your care in the event you become disabled as you age, and who will be in charge of that care, and (2) the passing of your assets on death to whom you want, when you want, the way you want, with the least amount of taxes and legal fees possible. These are the five steps to creating such a plan.

Step One: Understanding the Family Dynamics. Clients often overlook the inestimable value of getting to know the family dynamic. We are firm believers that the social goes first and the legal should serve the social. Too often it is the other way around. Once we understand who’s who and everyone’s interpersonal relations with each other, we are far better able to craft a plan that will work socially as well as legally. The failure to address the social aspects has led to many a plan tearing the family apart.

Step Two: Reviewing the Client’s Assets. IRA’s and other “qualified” assets (i.e. tax deferred) are treated quite differently, on death or disability, from “non-qualified” assets. The determination of the amount and value of all assets, who owns them, and whether they have named beneficiaries are of the utmost importance in planning correctly, including saving legal fees and taxes.

Step Three: Reviewing Existing Estate Planning Documents: Not having been prepared by an elder law estate planning attorney, clients’ documents rarely have adequate provisions to take advantage of the many benefits the law provides for our aging population. Wills instead of trusts have often been prepared either because the client was considerably younger and a trust was not needed or a trust was needed but the general practice lawyer was unfamiliar with the specifics of preparing a trust.

Step Four: Developing the Elder Law Estate Plan. We are now in a position to determine which persons are best suited to handle your legal, financial and medical affairs on disability or death, what type of plan should be used and how the estate should be distributed -- keeping in mind the preservation of harmony in the family.

Step Five: Executing and Maintaining the Plan. Legal documents are explained and executed, assets are retitled and beneficiaries on assets changed in keeping with planning objectives. The client is called in to the law firm every three years to ensure the plan meets the client’s current wishes and conforms with any law changes.

HOROSCOPES By Holiday

Mathis

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have pleted the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). ere’s work to be done, all of which counts toward your improvement. In the same way that lifting weights builds muscle mass, processing information builds intellectual capability. As for strength of character, that comes either through enduring hardship or via your e orts to help, elevate and celebrate others.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You see the deals to be made and are extremely adept at negotiating and sensing the bargain to be struck. But even as you maximize your prospects, you acknowledge the truth of the matter -- the best opportunities are never transactional, rather it’s what happens in the exchange of emotion that matters.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). In every ending is a new beginning. Even so, getting through the passage takes a lot of energy. Transitions can look deceptively easy from the outside, but they require a combination of surrender and strength that can be tricky to muster. Fuel yourself with the rest, nutrition and compassion to assist the best possible outcome.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re learning! It is better to get these lessons early on in a process. When everything is new, you can be excused for not knowing. Also, gather up your rst impressions and keep track of them because they will be meaningful to you later and important to your education.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’d be perfectly happy to go along with things the way they are, but something is preventing you from doing so. It’s as though the universe just doesn’t like a particular direction for you and is steering you di erently. And though it may not be clear for several weeks, you can trust how these subtle nudges are shaping a beautiful future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It takes a certain boldness to ask for what you want. Children often have the nerve before they’ve been discouraged or told it’s impolite. is week, you’ll overcome your reservations and speak up to express a desire. You also realize that everyone juggles their own obligations and commitments, so you release expectations.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sophistication allows you to simultaneously hold con icting facets of a situation within your being. For instance, you may doubt the correctness of a methodology and still respect the ones who follow it. You may carry out a tradition that, logically speaking, makes no sense. It is love that often makes such things possible.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In the same way the wing of the bird evolved to launch into the wind, you are changing and growing to nd new ways to support yourself and get where you want to go. is week, it’s a matter of adjusting your position to nd the angles that will make use of resistance and turn it into lift.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). While it will be strategic to bring a friend or entourage to the occasion where others are doing the same, it will be equally helpful to venture out alone to key events. You’ll sense when it’s better for you to show up in the fullness of your individuality so you have exibility to move toward opportunity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Don’t use approval as a guidance system. Even at its best, from someone you admire, approval is still a eeting and precarious measure of success. Come up with your own measures by which to determine success -- principles that will not change according to things like mood or trends.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). To focus on what’s new, di erent or dangerous is a natural function of human thought that has kept the species alive for thousands of years. Even so, you’ll go deeper this week, be more aware of nuance and have the kind of insights about the mundane world that elevate your experience and contributions.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ve lived your life as a passionate person. You’ve earned certain badges of emotional development. You’re not too worried about what will happen if you love too much, get hurt or appear foolish because you’ve been there so many times before and have felt the love, adventure and wonder that make a risk worthwhile.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

e year brings a pattern -- you grow and let go, grow and let go, becoming stronger and lighter at once. You have a timeless understanding of the complexities of life. Your wisdom extends beyond your years, and you’ll have a profound impact on others as you live and love to your own code. e relationships you nurture will be the start of a network that will sustain you and others for years. Fitness endeavors will build your mind and body simultaneously. Work with people of di erent generations will be ful lling. COPYRIGHT

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND WORD FIND

Adopted english

Solution: 20 Letters

WORD FIND

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Adopted english

Solution: 20 Letters

The

Ad hoc

Ad lib

Angst

Attache

Au fait

Au pair

Avant garde

Bravura

Clique

Czar

Double entendre

Elan

En masse

En route

Ergo

© 2024 Australian Word Games Dist. by

© 2024 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

In situ

In vitro

Fatwa

Faux pas

Fiasco Gateau

Ad hoc Ad lib Angst Attache Au fait Au pair

Avant garde

Gemütlich

Gestalt

Gulag

Bravura Clique Czar Double entendre

Guru

Halal

Karaoke Kitsch

Layette

Layette

Elan En masse En route Ergo Fatwa Faux pas Fiasco Gateau Gemütlich Gestalt Gulag Guru Halal In situ In vitro Karaoke Kitsch

Persona non grata

Pro bono

Persona non grata Pro bono

Rigor mortis

Rigor mortis

Safari

Safari Uber

Uber

Solution: We have made them our own

Creators Syndicate

737 3rd Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 info@creators.com

Date: 3/31/24

Solution: We have made them our own

Creators Syndicate

737 3rd Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 info@creators.com

works like a charm

Date: 3/31/24

appears to have two unassailable trump tricks, and defeat seems inevitable.

But faint heart ne’er won fair lady, so South continues on, hoping for a miracle. Abandoning further trump leads, he cashes four spade tricks, on which he discards two clubs as East follows suit throughout. Declarer next cashes the ace of clubs, bringing about this position:

North

♥ 10 3

♣ J 9

West East

Immaterial ♥ Q 9 8 7

South ♥ A J 6 4

Declarer now leads a club from dummy, and when East ruffs with the seven, South underruffs with the four! As a result, East must resign since he cannot win another trick no matter which heart he returns. One of his two “certain” trump tricks simply vanishes.

East

the Q-A and plays a third diamond, won by South with the jack.

The contract might seem ironclad to declarer at this point, but when he next leads a low trump to dummy’s king and West shows out, the prognosis changes drastically. East

You might say that declarer was lucky to find East with precisely four spades and a singleton club. However, this moderate amount of good fortune was more than offset by the 5-0 trump split and the fact that East also had the A-Q of diamonds sitting over dummy’s king. Then, too, South’s perseverance in the face of adversity had more than a little to do with the outcome.

Weekly Sudoku Puzzle

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

Answer to last issue’s Crossword Puzzle

Answer to last issue’s Sudoku Puzzle

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Addressing An Archaic Law On The Books

Bill from Assemblymember Charles Lavine would decriminalize adultery

JENNIFER CORR

Did you know that in New York State, adultery is illegal?

Sure, most people would agree that cheating on a spouse is immoral. But, a 2012 position paper from the United Nations working group on discrimination against women and girls stated that it should not be regarded as a criminal offense punishable by fines, imprisonment and, in some countries, even death.

“Treating adultery as a criminal offense is a violation of women’s rights to privacy, infringing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the working group stated. “It is also a violation of [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women’s] prohibition of discrimination in the family.”

In New York State, a person is guilty of adultery, a class B misdemeanor, when they engage in sexual intercourse with another person at a time they have a living spouse or the other person has a living spouse. A class B misdemeanor can land someone in jail for at most three months, plus surcharges and fees. Because it is a class B misdemeanor, the person charged would not be entitled to a jury trial, where they’d have the opportunity to challenge the evidence or provide their side of the story to their peers.

Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-North Shore)introduced A.4714, a bill to decriminalize adultery. It passed in the New York State Assembly on March 11, 2024. Ten voted against the bill, while 137 voted in favor.

“I suppose that some of them, not all of them… are afraid that their constituents may point a finger at them and accuse them of condoning ‘immoral’ conduct,” Assemblymember Lavine said when asked why he thought some Assemblymembers voted against it. “Others who voted against this bill would just as soon prefer to live in a religious state.”

The New York State Senate version of the bill, S8744, sponsored by New York State Senator Liz Krueger, is currently being considered by the Senate Codes Committee.

If the bill passes in the Senate, and is approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul, it will go into effect immediately.

Assemblymember Lavine explained that he learned that adultery was a crime when his colleague, former Assemblymember Dan Quart, introduced the bill during the 2019-2020 Legislative Session.

“The fact that we have on our books, in our New York State Statutes, a law that is used primarily to target women and that has been the history here and elsewhere,

as throughout the world actually, made no sense and it was time to get rid of it,” Assemblymember Lavine said.

According to Assemblymember Lavine, adultery has been illegal in New York since 1907. Since 1972, 13 people have been prosecuted for adultery, the most recent arrest for it taking place in 2010. Of those charged, only five have been convicted of the crime. In most of the cases, another crime had been committed.

Assemblymember Lavine explained that despite the law being in effect since 1907, it hasn’t served as a deterrent, as adultery is still common.

According to Assemblymember Lavine, in the late 1960s, the New York State Law Review Commission re-codified the criminal procedure law and the penal law. It recommended that adultery should not be a violation of criminal law. Nothing was done at the time.

The 2003 landmark United States Supreme Court case, Lawrence v. Texas, made same-sex sexual activity legal, overturning a previous ruling from the Supreme Court, Bowers v. Hardwick, which did not find a constitutional protection of sexual privacy.

Lawrence v. Texas, according to the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, explicitly held that intimate, consensual sexual conduct was part of the liberty protected by the substantive due process under the Fourteenth Amendment, “We have to protect our citizens, and rights matter,” Assemblymember Lavine said. “This is especially the case because those of us who believe in rights, and that should be the core American value, are still reeling from the Supreme Court outlawing abortion in the [Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization] decision. Now they’ll say, ‘they didn’t outlaw it, they just left it to the states.’ But we’re not stupid. We see what all these states have done. And we know that it’s just a matter of time before

this well-financed special interest group that wants to legislate morality starts to spend tons of money to run against those of us who believe in and fight for rights.”

In 2017, Alda Facio, Chair-Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and practice, wrote a letter to the United States government calling for the review of state criminal laws and the removal of all provisions that discriminate against women or have a discriminatory impact on women.

At the time of the letter, 21 states had laws that criminalized adultery. Penalties of the conviction, country-wide, could include fines and terms of imprisonment for up to four years.

“Our group has noted that the enforcement of such laws leads to discrimination and violence against women in law and

in practice and has stressed that while criminal law definitions of adultery may be ostensibly gender neutral and prohibit adultery by both men and women, closer analysis reveals that the criminalization of adultery is both in concept and practice overwhelmingly directed against women and girls,” Facio wrote in the letter.

The working group also believes that criminalization of sexual relations between consenting adults should be regarded as interference with privacy and is in violation of Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor unlawful attacks on their honor and reputation.

“In addition, we would like to express our concerns that the criminalization of adultery contravenes Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by reinforcing social and cultural patterns that are based on prejudice and stereotyped roles for men and women,” Facio stated. “We are concerned that such discriminatory legislation may exacerbate gender-based violence, as women who are accused and/or convicted of adultery tend to be targets of violence and abuse by members of family, community or law enforcement officers due to a belief that they deserve to be punished for their moral crimes.”

The United States government, in its response, disagreed with the factual and legal assertions in the letter:

“Moreover, adultery laws in the United States must be understood within the context of American federalism, whereby matters for which the U.S. Constitution does not vest responsibility in the Federal Government are reserved to the states. As a result, states have broad powers to regulate their own general welfare, including enactment and enforcement of criminal laws, as well as marriage and family laws.”

New York State Assemblymember Charles Lavine

(Photo provided by the Office of Assemblymember Charles Lavine)

New York State Assembly Chamber in Albany (Image via Matt Wade, Wikimedia Commons)

Hillside Islamic Center Files Suit Over Construction Plans

Town of North Hempstead hires attorney to defend board’s decision

JANET BURNS

jburns@antonmediagroup.com

After months of consideration and back-and-forth discussion, the Town of North Hempstead’s town board recently voted against a revised proposal by the Hillside Islamic Center to expand its facilities, having previously rejected the Center’s prior proposal in January.

In response, the Hillside Islamic Center has now filed suit against the Town, arguing that the Town of North Hempstead board “exceeded its power” in denying the Center’s site plan, including a three-story building addition and several dozen parking spaces, for its current site and the three adjacent lots it purchased.

In response to the lawsuit by the Hillside Islamic Center, which is located at 300 Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park, the Town has retained legal representation for this matter.

Umberto Mignardi, Public Information Officer for the Town of North Hempstead, commented by email, “The town board voted against the proposal for public safety concerns and the Finding of Facts document makes it clear that the expansion would indeed have a detrimental impact on traffic safety as well as the safety of congregants.”

“In light of the Center’s lawsuit challenging the decision, the town board voted to hire outside counsel to defend the town. The Uniondale-based law firm of Sahn Ward Braff Koblenz Coschignano PLLC was selected for their expertise in land use litigation. The matter is now with the courts, so we’re not able to comment further, at this time.”

According to the Town’s November 14 minutes on the matter, the Center’s plan is “to construct a three-story 6,600 s.f. addition to an existing two-story 5,428 s.f. religious building, including expansion of the parking lot into two adjoining parcels and the installation of two new curb cuts, on a 0.9-acre lot located at 300 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park and identified on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map as Section 8, Block 3, Lots 6, 11 and 13.”

According to the Center’s Article 78 lawsuit, “Under New York law, religious use of property is presumptively beneficial to the community and is entitled to preferential

treatment in land use determinations, pursuant to which municipalities must strive to exercise greater flexibility when considering an application for religious use and make every effort to accommodate religious use ... Respondent’s Resolution failed to comply with, or even acknowledge, the presumption and preference that should have been afforded to Petitioner’s religious use, and therefore must be reversed.”

The Town Board’s most recent decision, delivered in early March, noted that current state law “does not mandate that the board approve an application made by a religious institution, as the general presumption that religious institutions are beneficial, and are entitled to accommodation, can be rebutted with evidence of a significant impact on traffic congestion, property values, municipal services and other similar negative impacts.”

“For all these reasons,” the board wrote in its March 5 decision, “and as shown in the testimony and evidence, the Board finds that the size, scale, scope, and design of the Site Plan is incompatible with the community and neighborhood, and the general welfare of the public.”

The decision has split Town of North Hempstead board members along party lines, with Democrats consistently voting to approve the plan.

Last October, the Town’s building department halted construction at the mosque and community center over concerns about steel work early on in the expansion process. According to Island Now, Hillside Islamic Center President Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan said the main change in the plans was the removal of a column in the center’s main hall on the first floor.

Bhuiyan told Island Now in February, “We wanted to get the plan with the amendments changed. The building department suggested since we’re making that change, to submit them and then they would inspect the work.”

The Hillside Islamic Center has cited its growing congregation in its efforts to expand, and has argued that the additional parking spaces would help reduce traffic congestion in the area during popular services and events.

Opponents of the plan have argued that the plan would increase traffic congestion in the area, and generally wasn’t to scale for the neighborhood.

Prior to the lawsuit, and the Town’s most recent decision, the issue had been a frequent topic at Town of North Hempstead board meetings in recent months.

The Hillside Islamic Center on Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park, photographed on a Monday in mid-March, with a police officer stationed outside.

The Hillside Islamic Center shown from the side, where seasonal canopies have been set up on the patio.

One of the adjacent lots to Hillside Islamic Center, which was intended for more parking spaces, is currently vacant. (Photos by Joe Morreale)

From Firehouses To Landmarks

Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors to residents this weekend Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 as part of the 15th annual RecruitNY weekend. This event is a major initiative of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) designed to help increase volunteer membership in local fire departments.

Coinciding with RecruitNY this year, the Association is adding a little color into the mix. To publicize the need and increase staffing at the state’s volunteer departments, FASNY will launch the “Fire Up NY Red” (#FireUpNYRed) campaign from April 1-14. During this time, FASNY is asking that residents including businesses, landmarks and government buildings turn their lights red to spotlight the need for volunteer firefighters across the Empire State.

“We are excited to ‘fire up’ the state red this April for firefighter recruitment,” said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr. “We’re working with state and local officials to get some of our biggest landmarks involved. But we are also hoping that all New Yorkers will join us and turn their lights red in support of this initiative.”

Some partners include: JMA Wireless

Dome at Syracuse University -- home of the Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams, will be turning red for the entire weekend of FASNY’s RecruitNY; Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman will support firefighter recruitment by lighting the dome red on the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola; and some local government buildings through the state.

“The lights symbolize our commitment to a tradition of community help and the need for more volunteers,” says President Tase.

The past several years has been

challenging for volunteer fire departments throughout the state, with many facing decreased membership but an increasing call volume. It has been estimated that there are 40,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were two decades ago. Departments have found it increasingly challenging to recruit new firefighters and retain existing volunteers due to the turbulent economy, busy lives and schedules, and other lifestyle factors.

In communities across the state, volunteer firefighters answer calls for medical emergencies, home emergencies including flooded basements, lithium battery fires,

downed power lines, automobile accidents, and of course fires-- both residential and commercial. More firefighters are needed to help meet these 21st-century challenges, and bolstering their ranks is critical to providing optimum and necessary levels of protection for residents.

FASNY would like to showcase your “Fire Up NY Red” efforts — both in the magazine and on social media with the hashtag #FireUpNYRed. Please send your photos with a short caption to photos@fasny.com.

—Submitted by Firefighters Association of the State of New York

Sale duly entered January 31, 2024, I, the undersigned eferee will sell at public auction at the orth ide steps of the assau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 15, 202 at 2 00 , prem-

ises known as 1 O , , 11577 ll that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the ncorporated Village of ast ills, own of orth empstead, County of assau and tate of ew York, Section 7, Block 122, Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment $1,956,384.10 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold sub ect to provisions of filed udgment nde 007 7 2015 he aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction oreclosure uctions will be held ain or hine Cary essler, s , eferee ross olowy, C 1775 ehrle rive illiamsville, 14221 15-001414 79798 4-3; 3-27-20-13-2024-4T#246234-ROS

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF ROSLYN HARBOR BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICE

public hearing and meeting will be held before and by the oard of oning ppeals of the ncorporated Village of oslyn arbor, assau County, ew ork, at the Village all 500 otts Cove oad outh in the Village, on pril 10, 202 at 7 00 he hearing will be on the appeal of Gerry Boyle and li abeth Vlahopoulos, owners of a parcel of land located at 410 Motts Cove Road outh in the Village, designated as Section 20, Block 75, ot 1 on the assau County Land and Tax Map. he ppellants seek variances for an addition to Residence, cabana, patio, and driveway modification he proposed addition to Residence, cabana, patio, and driveway modification reuires the following four ( ) variances from the oning oard of ppeals

1) roposed addition has a side yard setback of 20 feet, while the minimum re uired side yard setback is 25 feet

2) Proposed lot coverage is 7 66 , while the ma imum permitted lot coverage is 25%.

3) Proposed front yard coverage is 0 , while the ma imum permitted front yard coverage is 25%.

4) Proposed rear yard coverage is 2 22 , while the maximum permitted rear yard coverage is 20%. he above appeal is on file at the office of the Village Clerk where it may be seen onday through riday, 00 a m to 2 00 p m until the time of the hearing f any individual re uires special assistance to attend, please notify the Village Clerk at least hours in advance of the hearing O O O O

arla olfson

Village Clerk - Treasurer 3-27-2024-1T-#246862-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that a public hearing will be held by the Town Board of the Town of North Hempstead on the 2nd day of April, 2024, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening for the purpose of considering the adoption of the following ordinance:

BETHEL ROAD, ALBERTSON, NEW YORK

l. All motor or other vehicles of any kind shall com-

ply with the following:

PROPOSAL: ADOPT: 1 O O O O CO

rom the north curbline of shford lace, north for a distance of 25 feet.

Section 2. All ordinances or regulations heretofore adopted in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Section 3. PENALTIES: “A violation of this ordinance shall be punishable by a fine not in excess of Thirty ($30.00) Dollars, plus any surcharge payable to other governmental entities.”

Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect ten days from the date of its publication and posting pursuant to Section 133 of the Town Law of the State of New York.

Section 5. This ordinance shall be incorporated in the Uniform Traffic Code of the Town of North Hempstead.

Dated: March 5, 2024 Manhasset, New York

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD

RAGINI SRIVASTAVA TOWN CLERK 3-27-2024-1T-#246911-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held by the Town Board of the Town of North Hempstead on the 2nd day of April, 2024, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening for the purpose of considering the adoption of the following ordinance:

DEWEY AVENUE, ALBERTSON, NEW YORK

l. All motor or other vehicles of any kind shall comply with the following:

PROPOSAL: ADOPT: 1 V VV

STOP

ll traffic orthbound on ewey venue shall come to a ull top at its intersection with vans venue

2 V VV

STOP

ll traffic outhbound on ewey venue shall come to a ull top at its intersection with vans venue

Section 2. All ordinances or regulations heretofore adopted in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.

Section 3. PENALTIES: “A violation of this ordinance shall be punishable by a fine not in excess of Thirty

($30.00) Dollars, plus any surcharge payable to other governmental entities.”

Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect ten days from the date of its publication and posting pursuant to Section 133 of the Town Law of the State of New York.

Section 5. This ordinance shall be incorporated in the Uniform Traffic Code of the Town of North Hempstead.

Dated: March 5, 2024

Manhasset, New York

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD

RAGINI SRIVASTAVA TOWN CLERK 3-27-2024-1T-#246912-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF FLOWER HILL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

O C , that the ncorporated Village of lower ill will hold the Annual Village Organizational Meeting, Regular Meeting and the following public hearings on onday, pril 1, 202 at 7 0 p m at Village all, 1 onnie eights oad, anhasset, 1 roposed ocal aw

Continued on page 16

(Photos courtesy of FASNY)

RPA Highlights Potential For Affordable Housing Near Transit Hubs

Report asserts that failure to act on transit oriented development (TOD) policy will only exacerbate the region’s housing crisis

Anew report by Regional Plan Association (RPA) finds that small investments and zoning adjustments would unlock latent transit oriented development (TOD) potential surrounding commuter stations in New York and New Jersey. The commuter rail network serving the tristate area is by far the most extensive in the United States, with over 390 stations and a combined annual ridership of 170 million.

The report, Homes on Track: Building Thriving Communities Around Transit, highlights the potential of TOD to create more affordable housing options near transit hubs, reducing transportation costs and improving access to jobs and amenities for low- and moderate-income residents. Regional Plan Association found that a total of 96 commuter rail stations in New York and New Jersey have “Near Term” TOD potential, meaning minor investments and regulatory intervention would improve housing affordability and the quality of life for residents in the near term. The report also found that commuter rail stations in New York and New Jersey are surrounded by approximately 74,000 acres of underutilized land, including vacant and unbuilt lot cover, equivalent to the surface area of Manhattan and Brooklyn combined.

“A more affordable and balanced regional housing market is essential to a healthy economy with connections between all parts of the region,” said Tom Wright, President and CEO, Regional Plan Association. “The severe shortage of affordable homes is widely recognized as one of our region’s greatest economic, social and humanitarian challenges. This report underscores the immense potential to deliver abundant homes, improved affordability, thriving economies, and a sustainable environment.”

The report found that restrictive zoning is predominant in both states; only 39 percent of all stations have zoning that facilitates multifamily development. The remaining 61 percent has zoning that severely limits or does not allow multifamily buildings around station areas. Furthermore, over 39 percent of all stations (139 out of 355) are classified as having restrictive zoning, are majority white, and are generally affluent neighborhoods. Most of these stations are located in New York City’s inner suburbs.

Recent related analysis shows that Long Island and the Mid Hudson Valley have experienced a decline in the rate of housing permits due to zoning restrictions, while NJ Metro Core (Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, Passaic counties), has been increasingly driving housing growth in the region due largely to pro-housing policies and programs.

With a total of 98 commuter stations, Long Island represents more than 27 percent of the region’s rail stations. Long Island has only 12 percent stations that, on average, measure 11 or more residential units per acre, a low figure compared to Lower Hudson Valley and NJ Metro Core (Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, Passaic counties) which lead with 38 percent and 31 percent stations with 11 or more units per acre, respectively. The larger presence of restrictive zoning in Long Island partly explains the difference. Nassau County, in particular, has the largest number of stations where the surrounding land use is regulated by zoning that limits or entirely prohibits multifamily buildings (33 out of 56 stations). TOD is especially needed in this region, as it disproportionately relies on Manhattan’s CBD as a primary job center, unlike the NJ Metro Core, which has multiple job centers and a larger population. Long Island also holds the highest share of stations with high (45 percent) and moderate (44 percent) amounts of unbuilt lot cover, an area without any buildings or structures.

transportation. Key recommendations include:

• States should take a leadership role in advancing TOD. Many states and cities across the country have passed legislation or enacted policies to encourage TOD. New York has a tremendous opportunity to help municipalities advance transit oriented districts around stations while New Jersey can build on its existing TOD programs.

Nassau County, in particular, has the largest number of stations where the surrounding land use is regulated by zoning that limits or entirely prohibits multifamily buildings (33 out of 56 stations). TOD is especially needed in this region...

—Regional Planning Association

• Localities should streamline zoning and land use regulations to allow for TOD. Outdated zoning rules are impeding land uses of some

of the most valuable real estate on the planet. Sixty-seven stations in NY and NJ have appropriate physical and mobility attributes and significant underutilized land for successful TOD but are regulated by restrictive zoning that limits or fully prohibits multifamily buildings.

• States must better connect land use and transportation investments and leverage data in planning. Limited coordination between transportation agencies and localities with land use authority—largely due to the lack of coordinated planning— often results in missed opportunities and infrastructure investments that do not create more housing opportunities near transit. Furthermore, state agencies in NY/ NJ should develop a data-driven classification system to identify places where more flexible land use regulations and/ or streamlining procedures would enable more housing near transit.

•TOD is the key to solving our region’s affordable housing crisis. Failure to act on an ambitious TOD policy will only exacerbate the region’s housing crisis, add further strains to the transportation network, and lead to more missed opportunities from major investments, such as the recent connection of Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal.

“RPA’s in-depth new analysis makes clear that New York has a real opportunity to unlock hundreds of thousands of sustainable, walkable homes near our transit stations. Unfortunately our state and local governments lack the will to do so,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York. “We are in a dire housing emergency and we need Albany—which has invested so much in our transit system —to step in and ensure that new housing is built near existing and new stations.”

—Submitted by the Regional Plan Association (RPA)

The report concludes that New York has incredible potential to enable strategic planning and development near public

The regional density surrounding public transit hubs. (Image courtesy RPA)

Landmark Society Treats School District Teachers To Historic Bus Tour

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the Roslyn Landmark Society hosted a private bus tour for a dozen Roslyn School District teachers. Led by co-president Howard Kroplick, trustee Carol Clarke, and trustee Craig Westergard, the tour provided educators with a firsthand experience of the area’s most iconic sites, structures, and landmarks.

The event, organized by trustee Mitchell Schwartz and Michael Goldspiel, Roslyn’s Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, showcased a journey through time, offering insights into the roots of Roslyn’s cultural heritage.

Among the notable stops on the tour was Roslyn High School, steeped in a legacy dating back to its original construction in 1925. Situated on land donated by Clarence H. Mackay, whose influence extended through the Commercial Cable Telegraph Company that later became ITT (International Telephone & Telegraph), the school serves as a testament to Roslyn’s historic prominence. Notably, the tour highlighted the Horse Tamer statue, which was salvaged from the Harbor Hill estate’s redevelopment.

The Mackay Estate’s Gate Lodge, the grand entrance to the Harbor Hill estate, stood as a reminder of the area’s opulent past. Meanwhile, Gerry Pond Park, home to the Horse Tamer Statue and a Paper Mill, provided a glimpse into Roslyn’s transformation from farmland to a thriving community hub.

The tour told the story of William Cullen Bryant’s determination to build Bryant Hall as a lecture hall and reading room for the people of Roslyn in 1874. Additionally, the tour emphasized Roslyn’s educational legacies; the Village School site, as well as, the Emil T. and Nellie Rinas House, which stands on the site of the former segregated school for Black children.

As the tour continued past St. Mary’s Church and Trinity Church, teachers gained perspective of Roslyn’s architectural diversity and ambition.

The journey also included the Bryant Library, known as the Roslyn War Memorial Building, underscoring the community’s enduring respect for its veterans.

The tour marked a successful collaboration between the Roslyn Landmark Society and Roslyn School District. With a shared commitment to Roslyn’s heritage, both organizations aim to continue enriching educators’ understanding of the community’s vibrant history and culture as they shape the minds of future generations.

You can enjoy this enlightening tour as well by following this link to a shared Google Map of the route as well as Profile links to learn more.

—Story courtesy of the Roslyn Landmark Society

(Contributed photos)

Continued from page 13

A-2024 “Amending Chapter 119-2(H) “Fences”,

2. Proposed Local Law

B-2024 ‘Replacing Chapter 219 ‘Trees’

3. Proposed Local Law

C-2024 “Amend Fee Schedule’

4. 2024-25 Budget HearingResolution to adopt budget

5. Planning Board Application Hearing - Application of Mr. & Mrs. S. Wede, 75 Birch Lane, seeking a lot line adjustment

This meeting is open to the public. Persons who may suffer from a disability which would prevent them from participating in said hearing should notify Ronnie Shatzkamer, Village Clerk, at (516) 627-5000 in sufficient time to permit such arrangements to be made to enable such persons to participate in said hearing.

By Order of the Board of Trustees Ronnie Shatzkamer, Village Administrator Flower Hill, New York

Dated: March 27, 2024 3-27-2024-1T-#246956-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF ROSLYN

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Roslyn will conduct a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., at the Village Hall, 1200 Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, New York 11576, or at some other location to be hereafter designated by the Board of Trustees, in order to receive public comment upon the following:

Application #2401

12 Fairview Avenue, Roslyn, NY

Sec 7, Block 106, Lot 147

Application for construction of a new in-ground swimming pool deck, terrace (at grade), and outdoor barbeque, fencing, bolder retaining walls and driveway expansion. Applicant is seeking approval from the Board of Trustees for hillside protection compliance.

Application #2403

Jamie Lissette, Pop Up Bagels 1388 Old Northern Blvd, Roslyn, NY

Sec 7, Block: B, Lot: 543-544

Application to convert the prior Children’s Clothing Store into a Take-out Bagel Shop (no on-premises tables). Applicant is seeking approval from the Board of Trustees for special use. The Village of Roslyn does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in administration or access to or employment in its projects and activities. Annemarie Stutzmann has been directed to coordinate compliance with non-discrimination requirements of the Federal Revenue Sharing regulations. Copies of all documents relevant to this matter are on file in the Village Clerk’s Office and may be viewed during regular business hours and on the Village website at www.

roslynny.gov.

At this scheduled meeting of its Board of Trustees, reserved decisions from previous meetings, if any, may be acted upon by the Board of Trustees. At the aforesaid time and place, all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard.

By Order of the Board of Trustees Inc. Village of Roslyn

Annemarie Stutzmann Village Clerk/Treasurer

Dated: March 21, 2024

3-27-2024-1T-#246974-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED

VILLAGE OF ROSLYN

Notice of Completion of Annual Assessment Roll Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Section 1410 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, that the Assessment Roll for the Incorporated Village of Roslyn, New York, for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, has been completed and will be duly filed in the Office of the Village Clerk-Treasurer, at the Village Hall, 1200 Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, New York 11576, as of April 1, 2024, where the same will remain open to public inspection for fifteen (15) days thereafter during the normal business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

By Order of the Board of Trustees

Annemarie Stutzmann Village Clerk-Treasurer March 22, 2024

3-27-2024-1T-#246975-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TENTATIVE BUDGET INCORPORATED

VILLAGE OF ROSLYN

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Tentative Budget for the Year 2024/2025 has been completed by the Budget Officer and filed in the Office of the Village Clerk, 1200 Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, NY wherein same will remain open for inspection by the general public between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. until April 9, 2024, when a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. to consider the Tentative budget for adoption. The compensation proposed to be paid to each member of the Board of Trustees of the Village is $0 per year and the Mayor to be paid $5,400 per year. Pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the Local Government Exemption Impact Report is attached to the Tentative Budget for the Year 2024/2025. The Report will be part of the Final Budget for the Year 2024/2025. The Report is on file in the Office of the Village Clerk, 1200 Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, NY wherein same will remain open for inspection by the general public, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The Report is also posted on the Budgeting Authority’s bulletin board maintained

for public notices. The Village of Roslyn does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in administration or access to or employment in its projects and activities. All those persons wishing to be heard concerning the Tentative Budget will be given such opportunity. Written comments will also be accepted. By Order of the Board of Trustees

Annemarie Stutzmann Village Clerk/Treasurer

March 22, 2024

3-27-2024-1T-#246976-ROS

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS of the INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF EAST HILLS has scheduled a meeting and public hearings for April 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM at the Village Hall, 209 Harbor Hill Road, East Hills, NY 11576 to consider the following: MIGUEL QUEZADA requests VARIANCES for the property known as 5 LAKEVILLE COURT designated as Section 19 Block 34 Lot 15 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map and in the R-1 District of the Village. Pursuant to § 271-36 and 27123(A), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the rear yard, or 750.75 sf for your property. The existing rear yard lot coverage is 1,626.5 sf. Therefore, a variance is requested for 875.75 of rear yard coverage. Pursuant to § 271-30, Lot coverage, all buildings and structures, including accessory equipment, shall not cover more than 25 percent of the area of the lot, or 4,262.0 sf for your property. The existing lot coverage is 4,312.5 sf. Therefore, a variance is requested for 50.5 sf of total lot coverage. Pursuant to §271-23(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures shall be located in the rear yard and shall be not less than 10 feet from the rear property line. The existing rear patio is 8.5 feet from the rear property line. Therefore, a variance is requested for 1.5 feet of rear yard setback encroachment. Pursuant to § 271-23(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures, including accessory equipment, shall be located not less than 10 feet distant from any rear property line. The existing rear yard shed is 1.4 feet from the rear property line. Therefore, a variance is requested for 8.6 feet of rear yard setback encroachment. Pursuant to § 271-23(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures, including accessory equipment, shall be located not less than 15 feet distant from any side property line. The existing wood burning fireplace is 11 feet from the north side property line. Therefore, a variance is requested for 4 feet of side yard setback encroachment. Pursuant to § 271-23(B), Accessory

Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures, including accessory equipment, shall be located not less than 15 feet from the side property line. The two (2) existing air conditioning condensing units are located in the side yard 11.5 feet from the northern property line. Therefore a variance is requested for 3.5 feet of north side yard setback encroachment. Pursuant to § 271-23(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures, including accessory equipment, shall be located not less than 15 feet from the side property line. The two existing (2) basement window wells were installed approximately two (2) feet above grade and 11 feet from the north side property line. Therefore, a variance is requested for 4 feet of minimum side yard encroachment. Pursuant to § 27123(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings and structures shall be located in the rear yard. The existing gazebo over patio is in the front yard. Therefore a variance is requested for accessory structures located in the front yard. Pursuant to § 271-23(A), Accessory Buildings and Uses, the minimum front yard distance is 35 feet. The existing gazebo over a patio is 7 feet 4.5 inches from the front property. Therefore, a variance is requested for 27 feet 7.5 inches of front yard setback. Pursuant to § 27123(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, accessory buildings or structures shall be located not less than 15 feet from the side property line. The existing gazebo over patio is 7 feet 10.5 inches from the north side property line. Therefore, a variance is requested for 7 feet 1.5 inches of side yard minimum encroachment.

East Hills Code §271-143(A) (6) states that separate drywells are required for pool drainage/backwash operation. The proposal lacks such a drywell and therefore a variance is requested for not providing a separate drywell for pool drainage and backwash.

East Hills Code §271-143(A) (10)(i) requires that all heaters and pool equipment must be located immediately adjacent to the residence or no closer than 75 feet from the nearest residence. The proposal indicates the pool equipment is not immediately adjacent to the residence. Therefore, a variance is requested for the pool equipment location within 75 feet of the neighboring residence.

MICHAEL AND REBECCA ALTMAN request a SPECIAL EXCEPTION AND FIVE VARIANCES for the property known as 46 PEACOCK DRIVE, designated as Section 19 Block 36 Lot 23 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map and in the R-1 district of the Village.

NORTH HILLS GATEHOUSE LLC / NICK CESTARO requests a SPECIAL EXCEPTION AND TEN VARIANCES for the property known as 16 GATEHOUSE COURT, designated as Section 7 Block 299 Lot 123 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map and in the R-1district of the Village. Pursuant to East Hills Code §271-143(A), pools of permanent construction require a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Pursuant to East Hills Code § 271-14 (A), the maximum allowable fence height is 4 feet. Pursuant to East Hills Code § 271-143(A)(1) and (3), pool enclosure fences must be 5 feet in height, of the chain link type, and must be erected completely enclosing the pool at least five feet from the edge of the pool and at least 15 feet from any property line. The application is for a 5-foot fence, on the property line and partially of the metal estate-type (front and sides only, chain link in rear). Therefore, variances are requested for fence height, fence location and fence type. Pursuant to East Hills Code § 271-14 (A), Fences, no fences are permitted in the front yard. The proposal indicates a 5-foot tall, black aluminum estate-type fence in the front yard. Therefore, a variance is requested for the front yard fence. Pursuant to East Hills Code §271-23(B), Accessory Buildings and Uses, all accessory buildings and structures shall be located in the rear yard and shall not be closer than 15 feet from the main building. The proposal indicates the pool at 9 foot 6 inches from the main house at one location, and 12 feet 6 inches from the main dwelling at another. Therefore, two variances, for 5 feet 6 inches and 2 feet 6 inches, respectively, are requested for minimum distance for accessory structures from the main dwelling. Pursuant to East Hills Code §271-142(B), Pools of a permanent structure shall not be located less than 20 feet to any drywell. The proposal indicates the relocation of two (2) existing drywells to be 10 feet from the pool. Therefore, two (2) variances are requested for two (2) drywells to be located 10 feet from the pool.

Pursuant to East Hills Code

§271-143(A), pools of permanent construction require a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Pursuant to East Hills Code §271-14(A), the maximum allowable fence height is 4 feet. Pursuant to East Hills Code §271-143(A)(1) and (3), pool enclosure fences must be 5 feet in height, of the chain link type, and must be erected completely enclosing the pool at least five feet from the edge of the pool and at least 15 feet from any property line. The application includes a 5 foot fence, on the property line and partially of the metal estate-type (front only, chain link sides and rear). Therefore, variances are requested for fence height, fence location and fence type. East Hills Code §271-143(A)(6) states that separate drywells are required for pool drainage/backwash operation. The proposal lacks such a drywell and therefore a variance is requested for not providing a separate drywell for pool drainage and backwash. East Hills Code §271-143(A)(10) (i) requires that all heaters and pool equipment must be located immediately adjacent to the residence or no closer than 75 feet from the nearest residence. The proposal lacks the minimum separation distance to the nearest dwelling. Therefore, a variance is requested for pool equipment setback.

ABRAHIM KASSIM requests a SPECIAL EXECEPTION AND SEVEN VARIANCES for the property known as 152 Woodhollow Road designated as Section 7 Block 201 Lot 22 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map and in the R District of the Village. Pursuant to East Hills Code §271-143(A), pools of permanent construction require a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Pursuant to East Hills Code § 271-14 (A), the maximum allowable fence height is 4 feet. Pursuant to East Hills Code § 271-143(A)(1) and (3), pool

enclosure fences must be 5 feet in height, of the chain link type, and must be erected completely enclosing the pool at least five feet from the edge of the pool and at least 15 feet from any property line. The application is for a 5-foot estate-type fence on the property line. Therefore, variances are requested for fence height, fence location and fence type. Pursuant to East Hills Code § 271-14(A), no fences are permitted in the front yard. The proposed pool fence is located partially in the front yard. Therefore a variance is requested for the front yard fence. Village of East Hills Code § 271-23(A), Accessory Buildings and uses, requires that accessory buildings or structures, including accessory equipment, shall not cover more than 20% of the rear yard area, or 3,316.4 sf for your property. The proposal indicates a rear yard lot coverage of 6,757.7 sf. Therefore, a variance is requested for 3,441.3 sf of rear yard lot coverage. East Hills Code §271-143(A)(6) states that separate drywells are required for pool drainage/backwash operation. The proposal lacks such a drywell and therefore must be added to the plan or a variance sought for not providing a separate drywell for pool drainage and backwash. East Hills Code §271-143(A) (10)(i) requires that all heaters and pool equipment must be located immediately adjacent to the residence or no closer than 75 feet from the nearest residence. The plan does not indicate a location for the pool equipment. Therefore, a variance is requested for pool equipment setback from adjoining properties. Maps and plans regarding the above applications are available for inspection on the Village’s website at www.villageofeasthills.org/meetings.

From The Desk Of Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte: Stop The Partisan Bickering And Get On With The People’s Business

At the March 5, 2024, Town Board meeting I offered a resolution to install oyster gardens at Town Dock, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, to help demonstrate to residents and organizations with docks how they can also get involved to help improve the water quality of Manhasset Bay. The resolution passed unanimously with bipartisan support. Yet despite their favorable votes, Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Councilman Dennis Walsh then complained I did not do enough to work with the Supervisor and her administration. This was not the first time the two of them have publicly scolded me about how hard I work for the residents of District 6. But now is the time that I set the record straight about just how difficult it is to work with an administration more interested in partisan bickering than actually working together to conduct the people’s business.

A few examples of the working environment (or lack thereof) at Town Hall:

1. In January 2022, I emailed Supervisor DeSena a detailed

list of twenty-six issues I was actively working on in District 6, and I invited her to discuss any of them with me at any time that was convenient for her. It’s now been over two years, some twenty-seven months, and I have yet to receive any acknowledgment from the Supervisor regarding any of those issues.

2. As elected officials, every Council Member may add items to the Town Board agenda using a program called Novus

Agenda. Many items placed on the agenda are repeated and simply updated from past years. For this reason, it is helpful for Council Members and their Legislative Aides to be able to see past items when attempting to add new and similar items to the agenda. For months I have been asking the Supervisor and her administration to update Novus Agenda so that every Council Member and Aide have the ability to see past agenda items. For months this request has gone unanswered.

3. Each spring when boats are taken out of winter storage their protective shrink wrapping is removed. This plastic shrink wrapping is recyclable. Last year local boaters deposited over three tons of shrink wrap into dumpsters at Manorhaven Beach Park for recycling. I contacted the Supervisor and her office about coordinating the shrink wrap recycling effort again this year. While I am still waiting for a response, I am determined to move forward with this incredible program which was so successful last year.

4. Years ago residents were able to swim at Manorhaven Beach. I have asked the Supervisor to meet with me to explore the feasibility of reopening Manorhaven Beach for swimming. Then I asked her again. And again. And then again. Four meeting requests on this topic alone have gone completely unanswered.

5. Most recently, Supervisor DeSena and I were invited to an official meeting with the Port Washington Police District to discuss their recent purchase of the Knowles Funeral Home property for their new headquarters. I was shocked, though hardly surprised, to learn that Supervisor DeSena asked that I be disinvited from this important meeting affecting the district and residents I represent. When I asked Supervisor DeSena about this she responded that she is entitled to her own meeting without me present. Not only is this wrong, but it could also cost the taxpayers more money for the Police District’s attorney to be present for two meetings as opposed to one.

‘The Future Is Girl’ Empowerment Event At “Yes We Can” Community Center

During public comment at nearly every Town Board meeting for the last year or so a resident has approached the microphone to say that their emails and phone calls to the Supervisor and her office have not been returned or addressed. Based on my own experiences trying to work with the Supervisor’s office I believe what these residents are saying is true. This is shameful and not how good government works.

Several times during Town Board meetings the Supervisor has publicly accused me of not working with or informing her about issues I am working on, when the reality is that she does not respond to my meeting requests and actively cuts me out of important meetings affecting my district. She can’t have it both ways and this petty political game she is playing needs to stop, for all our constituents’ sake. I will always remain willing to work with Supervisor DeSena on anything which improves the quality of life for the residents of District 6 and the Town of North Hempstead.

—Submitted by Counciloman Mariann Dalimonte

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena recently participated in ‘The Future is Girl’ empowerment event at the “Yes We Can” Community Center on Friday, March 15. Supervisor DeSena was one of seven panelists that spoke to an auditorium

of young women about issues including self-esteem, positive self-talk, peer pressure, and leadership skills.

“Part of our jobs as women is to help shape the minds of the younger women who will follow in our footsteps,” DeSena said. “I’m

grateful to the Yes We Can Community Center for this opportunity and equally appreciative of my fellow panelists for sharing their stories. We each have valuable personal experiences that can help these girls break barriers and achieve their goals.”

Other panelists included Tyronza Murray, Executive Director of the “Yes We Can” Community Center; Robin Bolling, President of the NAACP Westbury/New Cassel Chapter; Michele Capizzuto, an NYPD Police Officer; Michelle Mallay, an expert on early child-

hood development; Hollyann Anglin, School Counselor in the East Meadow School District; and Ashley Santana, Executive Manager of Human Resources at Target.

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte (Contributed photo)

From the left: Ashely Santana, NYPD Officer Michele Capizzuto and her K9, Yogi, North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Robin Bolling, Tyronza Murray, Hollyann Anglin, and Michelle Mallay.

‘The Future is Girl’ Empowerment Event (Contributed photo)

ABY JENNIFER CORR jcorr@antonnews.com

rt, such as sculptures and paintings, has always been viewed and appreciated in galleries or museums. Today, viewers are not just looking at the art but are being a part of the art.

Immersive experiences can vary in the medium. However, some of the most popular are digital art projected all around the viewer. They also vary in theme, as some take on the classic art of Vincent van Gogh or Claude Monet. Others, such as New York City art center INTER_, encourage interacting with the art.

“We have a digital projection show and a big dome and, unlike other places where you’d just sit on the floor and watch it, we actually have tracking technology so that you can interact with the show,” explained Ryan Nelson, the co-founder of INTER_. “The walls react to your presence, and you’re basically helping to shape the show that everybody else is seeing.”

currently partnering with some weavers to create an immersive net that incorporates a sacred geometry pattern in the netting and a hanging light garden underneath. So this upcoming exhibit will be one of a kind and bring the interactive nature of INTER_ to the next level.”

The mission of INTER_, Jones said, is to spark joy and interconnection through “INTERmersive,” or immersive, experiences.

At ARTECHOUSE NYC, Afrocentricity and Afrofuterism are explored in their latest exhibit.

The exhibition, according to ARTECHOUSE NYC’s press release, features the work of Londonbased Afro-surrealist digital artist Vince Fraser along with evocative poetry by Ursula Rucker. It aims to honor the legacy, struggles, and complexities of the Black experience with creativity, courage, and imagination.

INTER_ Creative Director Stanton Jones, who has been working with interactive and immersive art experiences since 2017, explained that creating an INTER_ exhibit involves meticulous planning and innovative technology.

“I collaborate with our broader team to help develop and fine-tune the concept, which is then brought to light by technologists, artists, fabricators,” Jones said. “For example, INTER_ is

IMMERSED IN ART

Immersive experiences increase in popularity

The centerpiece of the exhibition, Vision of the Black Experience, features seamless megapixel count projections with Hyperreal sound technology in a four-part journey. The exhibition also includes interactive auxiliary galleries exploring themes of rebirth, community and spiritual connection.

Josh Feldman, ARTECHOUSE’s director of marketing and sales, explained that the exhibits are really cinematic experiences.

“The stories that we’re telling have an arc to it, but it’s a non-linear story because you’re encouraged to go into the side galleries or explore

an interactive installation or get a drink at the bar and zig and zag between the experience,” Feldman said, later adding “In addition to that storytelling element, we hope that we’re educating, inspiring and empowering visitors of all ages, that this is the future of creativity.”

Many viewers enjoy using the immersive exhibits as a backdrop for photos they take of themselves, in a sense becoming the art.

“I think the movement primarily stems from the rise of social media,” Jones said. “It kind of parallels that and the desire to share aesthetically pleasing photos within dynamic, conceptual environments.”

Jones continued to explain that the trend of taking photos in these types of environments can be seen worldwide.

“There are projections on the wall, to more tactile, interactive engagements,” Jones said.

It could also be the case that some people are searching for new experiences after COVID shutdowns.

“Coming out of COVID we saw it was even more important to give people a reason to try to come together and really foster a sense of INTERconnection, and to be a place where we can spark a little joy in people’s lives,” Nelson said.

Feldman explained that the ARTECHOUSE team wants guests to be exposed to 21st-century tools like artificial intelligence.

“We want to send visitors off to far-off places,” Feldman said. “Visitors are looking for what’s next.”

(Photo courtesy INTER_)

Patti LuPone/Broadway Wynton Marsalis/Jazz Itzhak Perlman/Classical Vic Dibitetto/Comedy Leslie Odom, Jr./Broadway