Manhasset Press 4/10/24 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Pelican (Photo by Lyda Zissimatos)

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Camera Club Keeps On Clicking

Companionable, creative outlet for over 50 years

AMANDA OLSEN

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

The Manhasset Great Neck Camera Club has been around since 1951, and has been meeting at the Manhasset Public Library since 2011. The club is a welcoming group of photographers of all skill levels. They meet on the second and fourth Monday of every month. The first meeting is a competition evening, where photos are critiqued by an expert. The second meeting is a presentation evening; usually a guest speaker gives a lecture about their photography. Guests are welcome. The Club is part of the Photographic Federation of Long Island (PFLI), a voluntary non-profit organization of camera clubs from Nassau and Suffolk counties and the five boroughs of New York City.

For Michael Chaplan, the club’s defacto communications and PR person, his interest in photography grew out of his love of treasure hunting. He needed to be able to document his finds. “My photography background started when I began writing articles about my treasure hunting expedition in New York City. And I would include photographs of the different places that I went to, things that I found, and I have a metal detector and in these magazines that became the voice of New York City treasure hunting, so to say, and I wrote a book called The Urban Treasure Hunter. It’s about treasure hunting in New York. My background is in anthropology and public health, both academic and doing archaeology and whatever. I’m sort of an adventurous person. I enjoy learning about photography. I’m not a photographer like the other folks in the club. They’re artists. Photography to me, it’s an adjunct to my writing. And when I’m writing, I usually take photos of whatever I’m doing.”

Some members stated that the club serves as more than an artistic outlet. For them, the meetings are an opportunity to meet like-minded, creative people who help them learn and push them to be better photographers. “Well, when I retired, I mean, I worked long hours. Now I read, I play mahjong, canasta, I like movies, I like TV. But I needed something to really give me a purpose, and photography is really fabulous… It’s fun to me, and it gives me a purpose. I didn’t know what it’s like to be creative. I met a lot of friends of the club... we have a lot in common, all in the

same age group and have the same hobby,” said Ronny Hachadoorian, the club’s co-president.

Lyda Zissimatos, the other co-president, echoed this sentiment. “Once I retired from the New York City public school system, I knew I was going to have a lot of time on my hands and wanted to make sure that I kept engaged. I was happy hobbyist. I bought a digital camera, and it sat in the box for an entire year because I was terrified to open it up and I had no idea how to use it. I did see a flyer at the Manhasset library about the photographic club of Manhasset and Great Neck, so I decided to check it out. When I got there, I met a group of wonderful, intelligent, vivacious people who took me by the hand and started showing me slowly how to use the camera. I enjoy learning from my co-members as well as the judges who come to critique our work. I have absolutely loved it.”-

Lifelong photography enthusiast Haig Hachadoorian serves as the club’s vice president. After dabbling in photography

as a child, he put his hobby aside for career and family. With the dawn of digital photography, however, his interest resumed. “I picked up my first camera when I was like eight or nine years old; my parents encouraged me. And I had a dark room down in the basement of the house we lived in when I was like 10 years old. So I’ve been a photographer for a while. And I pursued it even in my teens and that kind of thing. I was in the Coast Guard and got married, and always took pictures; my passion for photography was there but you know, raising a family with a couple of kids and that kind of thing kind of put it on the back burner. Then as I got older I had more time. Back in 2000 or so I joined the camera club and pursued photography much more seriously.

With digital you get instant feedback; you take a picture you look at it, and you see that you did something wrong and you make an adjustment. And you get to learn very quickly what adjustments to make. When I was shooting film, I would get some really great shots. But it got developed and

I couldn’t remember what the settings were two weeks later. So digital gave me such a boost up because of the instant feedback that you’ve got in terms of learning. So it helped me improve my photography.”

The Manhasset Great Neck Camera Club will hold a meeting on Monday, April 15, at 6:30 P.M. This meeting will feature a “Program Evening” where master photographer Ron Wyatt will provide an instructive, slide illustrated lecture entitled: “How To Capture Stunning Images”. Wyatt has worked as a cameraman for MSNBC, Comcast, Comcast Sports, News 12, and Court TV. A “Meet and Greet” takes place between 6-6:30 P.M.

The club is always open to new members. They are a welcoming group of photographers in an active club and can assist all classes and skill levels of digital photographers, from iPhone, point and shoot, beginners through advanced. Visit their web site, mgnccnet.wordpress.com/ which has a wealth of photography information. For further information, please email mgncc@optonline.net

Petroglyph by the Layou River in St. Vincent depicting the god Yocahu (Volcano god) (Photos by Michael Chaplan)

Dahlia (Photos by Ronny Hachadoorian)

Lynx

Tiger

Wild Horses

Barn owl

(Photos by Haig Hachadoorian)

Paws of War is a non-profit organization that supports our veterans and first responders by rescuing dogs and cats in the U.S. and war zones overseas. The organization trains them for service or as companion dogs after they rescue them. Some of the animals were rescued by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. These animals were so important and significant to these soldiers and they miss them. These veterans often have stress of PTSD from their combat time so it is very important to reunite them with their important companions.

Paws of War will transport these animals to the U.S. It doesn’t cost the veteran

Junior Auxiliary Helps Paws Of War

anything, but it is expensive for Paws of War to transport and train the animals. The American Legion Junior Auxiliary of Manhasset is raising funds for Paws of War. There are different numbers of animals at different times at their facility in Nesconset, so The American Legion Auxiliary Juniors are collecting donations to help them. We will have bins at Pet Boutique on Park Avenue in Manhasset and Pet Supplies Plus (1170 Northern Boulevard)

for several weeks. The Juniors also took a trip to their facility on March 28. We learned how they get the dogs ready to send them off and the training they offer. In order to prepare the dogs to be sent to veterans, they need to be socialized, as they are often on edge after war. They have training for obedience dogs, at least once a week. It takes them two to three years to train a service dog, depending on the type

of dog or who the owner is. They also have a medical RV with medicine for dogs. It is free to soldiers and runs completely on donations.

Please consider donating items like leashes, harnesses, collars, beds, Royal Canin dog food and more to this good cause. We will host a Paint Night on April 14 at Post 304 to raise money as well. You can go to pawsofwar.org to learn more about this organization. Please help us to help both ends of the leash.

—Submitted by Tess Harvey, Secretary of Manhasset American Legion Junior Auxiliary

Families Celebrate Easter In Many Ways At Church Of Our Saviour Lutheran Manhasset

Church of Our Saviour Lutheran (1901 Northern Blvd) held their annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 23. This event, open to the community, is a much loved local institution, featuring crafts, games, storytime and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Though a rainstorm prevented the church from holding the event outside, over 50 kids from Manhasset and the surrounding towns were able to hunt for eggs and celebrate indoors.

The Egg Hunt was one of many ways the church marked the Easter holiday. Early in the season of Lent, church families participated in a meal-packing event, partnering with other local churches to put together over 21,000 meals for local food pantries. They marked Palm Sunday with a joint celebration with the neighboring Congregational Church. It included a visit from a donkey named Fester and everyone paraded back to church waving palms. For Good Friday, children took turns

carrying the cross around the Munsey Park lake and marking the stations of the cross with Bible readings. The season was capped off with a joyous Easter Sunday service. The church was filled with fresh flowers, the choir performed Handel’s Hallelujah chorus featuring horns and drums, and attendees of all ages left feeling peaceful and inspired. Though Easter has passed, this warmhearted, multi-generational church is active throughout the year. All are welcome to join Sunday services at 10am (including Sunday School for school-age kids and childcare for preschoolers) and there are many more events throughout the year, such as BBQs, pool parties and volunteering events. Learn more at facebook.com/manhassetlutheran and reach out to Pastor Jurik at johnajurik@ gmail.com

—Submitted by Meg Moin for Church Of Our Saviour Lutheran Manhasset

Upcoming “Go Green Week” At The Manhasset Elementary Schools

In anticipation of Earth Day, students at Munsey Park and Shelter Rock are getting ready for Go Green Week. This week offers elementary school students the opportunity to learn about environmental challenges related to plastic. The Earth Day theme this year is Planet vs. Plastics. In alignment with this theme, each day the students will be educated on how to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic in their everyday lives. Go Green Week is sponsored by the Manhasset Student Community Association (SCA).

Last year’s recycled art projects. (Photo

The elementary school principals will begin each day by reading “fun facts” related to the day’s lesson plan. These plans were created by SCA volunteers and educate students on how to minimize plastic consumption. Both schools will also be hosting recycled art contests, for which students create masterpieces made out of recycled materials. Teachers will vote on the best project, which in years past included everything from animals made out of plastic bottles, to towers made out of old cardboard.

On Friday of Go Green Week, Rachana Shah, a zero waste consultant, will be speaking to all of the elementary school students about how they can make a difference in the fight against plastic. Rachana does zero waste consulting for corporate offices, residential buildings, and food service businesses, helping them plan and launch successful

organics collection programs, conducting zero waste audits, and implementing behavior change strategies to make all the programmatic changes worthwhile. Previously, Rachana worked with schools aspiring to be official NYC Zero Waste Schools by initiating composting programs and increasing awareness of the climate crisis among their communities. She is both a Beyond Plastics and Climate Reality certified Speaker. She can be reached at rachana@aspiretozero. com or visit her website at https://www. aspiretozero.com.

In line with the Go Green theme of Planet vs. Plastics, students at Shelter Rock are invited to give their plastic toys a new life by donating them to the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island. The toys will be available in the free “store” they run for families in need. Donation bins will be available at Shelter Rock Elementary School during Go Green week.

The Munsey Park Kindness Club is

organizing two collections that are aligned with Go Green Week. During the week of April 15th, the club will be collecting shoes to donate to Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes throughout the United States to needy individuals. In addition, the Kindness Club is also collecting reusable bags to donate to a local food bank during the week of April 8th. Bins will be availabile by the auditorium and in the fourth-grade wing.

For students wishing to make a difference on Earth Day, April 22nd, the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce is hosting a community wide cleanup on Plandome Road from 11am - 1pm, starting at Mary Jane Davies Park.

Go Greek Week offers an opportunity for students and staff to learn about how they can reduce plastic pollution. The SCA hopes that these lessons have a positive impact on the Munsey Park and Shelter Rock communities.

—Submitted by the Manhasset SCA

by Manahsset SCA)

Attendees learn an Easter lesson outside.

(Photo by Church Of Our Saviour Lutheran Manhasset)

Due to continued low inventory and crazy, strong demand, it continues to be a seller’s market across much of Long Island. If you are considering selling your home, now is the time!

CALENDAR WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

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

WEDNESDAY, APR. 10

Manhasset Library Book Club

Join Librarian John at 10 a.m. in the Manahasset Library Community Room for a lively discussion of New York Times bestseller Better Living Through Birding: Notes From a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper. Central Park birder Christian Cooper takes us beyond the viral video that shocked a nation and into a world of avian adventures, global excursions, and the unexpected lessons you can learn from a life spent looking up. All are welcome.

Copyright And Fair Use Workshop

The Huntington Arts Council is proud to present year 2 of their free professional development series. These entrepreneurial workshops focus on identity, community engagement and finance for Long Island based artists and organizations looking to strengthen their practice and programs. This workshop is presented by Amy Lehman, Esq., director of Legal Services of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. The workshop runs from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and is virtual only. For more information on upcoming PD workshops visit www.

LEGAL NOTICE

ASSESSOR’S NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF THE FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL

THE ASSESSOR OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that he has completed the 2024/2025 final assessment roll, which will be used for the 2025 levy of Town and County Taxes in the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay, and the City of Glen Cove and the City of Long Beach, and for the 2024/2025 levy of school taxes in such Towns and in the City of Long Beach. A certified electronic copy of the roll was filed with the Department of Assessment on April 1, 2024. The electronic roll may be examined on public terminals located in the offices of:

DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT

NASSAU COUNTY

OFFICE BUILDING

240 OLD COUNTRY ROAD, FOURTH FLOOR MINEOLA, NY 11501 where the same will remain open for public inspection for fifteen days. Dated this 1st day of April, 2024.

JOSEPH A.

(Photo

huntingtonarts.org. Questions, please contact Sarah McCann at smccann@ huntingtonarts.org

Home Energy Savings Webinar

North Hempstead Town Supervisor

Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board are pleased to invite residents to a virtual, one-hour webinar titled “Home Energy Savings” on Wednesday, April 10th at 7:00 p.m. The special, online event was

designed to help residents learn about sustainable energy options from the comfort of their own homes. The Home Energy Savings webinar is free and open to the public. Those interested in learning more can visit NorthHempsteadNY.gov/ ClimateAction to register.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

The Community Synagogue Theater Company Presents Disaster! 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, Club G) The Community Synagogue Theater Company (TCSTC) presents Disaster!, a musical spoof of the disaster movies of the 1970s. Purchase tickers through the Community Synagogue website at commsyn.org/TCS-Theater-Company

THURSDAY APR. 18TH

AND SUNDAY APR. 21ST

Posture Therapy Workshop

While there is no perfect posture there is optimal alignment for feeling your best in your body. Learn proven methods of healing common causes of back, neck, shoulder, and hip discomfort with Carolyn Carpentiere at Know Yoga Know Bliss, 580 Plandome Rd, Manhasset. Take away simple easy-to-follow exercises that you can repeat at home for a lifetime of feeling good. $40 per workshop. Thursday April 18th from 7-8:30 p.m. and

Sunday, April 21st from 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Taking both is highly recommended. Register at http://www.knowyogaknowbliss.com/our-schedule/ Questions: cal. carpentiere@gmail.com

SUNDAY APR. 28TH

NEDA Long Island Walk

The Long Island Walk to benefit the National Eating Disorders Association is putting vital resources into the hands of those in need, and catalyzing prevention, cures, and access to quality care for patients with eating disorders. Every dollar raised is one step closer to a world without eating disorders.

It is the hope of the NEDA that the Long Island community comes together on Sunday April 28 at Sunken Meadow State Park to help raise awareness and funds for this amazing cause. There will be raffles, a DJ, photo booth, and speeches from professionals and members of community. The event site can be found at donations. nationaleatingdisorders.org/event/ long-island-neda-walk-2024/e550284.

You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you know is in crisis or feeling suicidal, call the Long Island Crisis Center 24/7 hotline: (516)679-1111. The 988 Suicide and Crisis line is also available 24/7 by dialing 988 or 1-800-273-8255.

as follows: 40 West Drive Manhasset, NY 11030

SBL.: 3-85-130

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of North Hemp-

stead, County of Nassau, State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 611410/2018 in the amount of $266,701.36 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System’s 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.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604

Tel.: 855-227-5072

4-24-17-10-3-2024-4T#246929-MAN

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING Board of Zoning and Appeals Village of Plandome Heights

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN THAT the Board of Zoning and Appeals, Village of Plandome Heights, will hold

Public Hearing on April 22, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Office, 37 Orchard Street, Manhasset, NY 11030, for:

1. Application of Jonas

Sokolof, owner, 96 Plandome Court, Plandome Heights, NY, identified on Nassau County Land and Tax Map as

Section 3, Block 25, Lot 14, for variance from §140-11 of Village Code, to allow construction of one story addition to existing single family home that would result in aggregate side yard of 37.11 feet, where minimum required aggregate side yard setback is 40 feet. The application and plans are on file in Village Office, 37 Orchard Street, Manhasset, NY, and may be examined during business hours: Monday-Thursday 9AM4PM, Fridays 9AM- 3PM. All interested parties may attend at the aforementioned time and place or send written communication to the Village Office to be heard. Any individual requiring special assistance to attend should notify Village Clerk Marie Brodsky, at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Eugene O’Connor, Chairman Board of Zoning and Appeals Village of Plandome Heights April 3, 2024 4-10-2024-1T-#247183MAN

LEGAL NOTICES

1. Application of Mr. Joseph Furelli 9 Country Club Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 also known as Section 6, Block 21 Lot 220 for variance of §119-1(A) of the Code of the Village of Flower Hill. The applicant seeks to construct driveway gates in a front yard when such gates act as a fence, which is prohibited in a front yard.

2. Application of Ms. Christine Hogan, 79 Dartmouth Road, Manhasset, NY 11030 also known as Section 3, Block 143 Lot 27 for variances of §240-11(C) and (F) of the Code of the Village of Flower Hill. The applicant seeks to construct one and two story additions where the proposed sky plane exposure is 6.2 where the maximum permitted is 2.0, the proposed vertical encroachment into the required sky plane exposure is 14’-4” and the proposed horizontal encroachment is 8’; the proposed side yard setback is 5’ with an aggregate of 15.9’ where the minimum required is 10’ with an aggregate of 30’.

Persons who may suffer from a disability which would prevent them from participating in said hearing should notify Ronnie Shatzkamer, Village

public hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Flower Hill will be held on the 17th day of April, 2024 at 7:00 PM, at Village Hall, 1 Bonnie Heights Rd., Manhasset, NY 11030.

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 Zoning Board of Appeals

Michael Sahn, Chairperson Ronnie Shatzkamer, Village Administrator Flower Hill, New York Dated: April 10, 2024 4-10-2024-1T-#247189MAN

LEGAL NOTICE

NEWS RELEASE

Manhasset Union Free School District

The 2024 annual School Breakfast Program survey of elementary schools has been completed. The purpose of this survey is to determine the level of interest in a school breakfast program in the district’s elementary schools.

There is a mandate from New York State requiring school districts to offer breakfast in their elementary schools unless a survey of parents indicates a lack of interest in a breakfast program. 58% of the surveys were completed and returned. Only 13% of Munsey Park respondents and 10% of Shelter Rock respondents indicated their children would eat breakfast in school on a regular basis if the program

was available. In order for the State to grant a waiver to the school breakfast program, we must have a response rate of at least 33% with at least 80% of those responses indicating a lack of interest in the breakfast program. Based on the responses received, Manhasset Union Free School District intends to apply for a waiver for the School Breakfast Program for the 2024-2025 school year. This issue will be placed on the April 16, 2024 Board of Education Agenda. For more information, parents are asked to call the Manhasset School’s Business Office at 516-267-7723.

4-10-2024-1T-#247201MAN

LEGAL NOTICE

BOARD OF ZONING

APPEALS April 24th, 2024, 8:00pm

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

that the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Inc. Village of Plandome Manor will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. Pursuant to Chap. 417 of the Laws of 2021. This meeting will be held in-person at Village Hall, 55 Manhasset Avenue, Manhasset, NY 11030.

Continued on page 8

by Esther Gorlee on Unsplash)

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LSloth Saga Enters New Phase

Storefront closed, but animals’ whereabouts unknown

COLE McDONNELL

editors@antonmediagroup.com

arry Wallach, owner of the Sloth Encounters business located at 551 Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge, has been in trouble repeatedly with the law for animal violations. The location has finally been vacated of all animals according to the Islip Fire Marshal.

“Nearly two years and several court orders overdue, the animals at Sloth Encounters’ unlawful ramshackle petting zoo have finally been removed; however, this long overdue victory is no consolation for the suffering sloths, kangaroo, capybaras and other animals who remain in the custody of a notorious animal abuser,” says John Di Leonardo, anthrozoologist and executive of Humane Long Island. “Humane Long Island urges the Honorable Judge Santorelli to fine Wallach and his landlord the nearly half a million dollars they owe the town for violating court orders and is urging the USDA to finally save these sloths by confiscating them and placing them in reputable sanctuary homes.”

Judge Santorelli has adjourned Wallach’s contempt charges until April 18th while the Fire Marshals continue to inspect the store and ensure the animals do not return. The judge has not granted an order to seize the animals entirely, which means Wallach may still have the animals in custody at his house or they may be trafficked elsewhere before the court can do anything. He has kept sloths in his garage before to continue doing home encounters. Di Leonardo hopes Wallach will be fined so he can’t use the profits to reopen another business elsewhere. Humane Long Island also urges the USDA to revoke his license so the animals can finally be free of him.

A USDA report that came out on January 30th cited three violations, two of which are considered violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. A video complaint the USDA received showed an employee hitting a sloth with a spray bottle. The employee was using the water bottle in an attempt to break up a fight between a male and female sloth. One sloth is seen falling to the ground and another sloth is seen with an injury around its mouth. The sloths are also seen being grabbed by the neck and showing signs of distress by attempting to bite and flapping arm motions.

This was a critical violation of the handling of animals; the USDA states that inadequate handling or control of animals during public interactions can lead to

injury to the public and the animals. During public exhibition, any animal must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and the public.

The other critical violation comes from the same video because the sloths are not separated. The USDA states that incompatibility between animals housed in the same enclosure increases the risk of negative interactions which can lead to injury or death of the animals. Animals housed in the same primary enclosure must be compatible and cannot interfere with the health of other animals or cause

them discomfort. The male sloth goes after other sloths and there is no physical or visual separation between the sloths.

“Sloths are solitary animals, they’re not herd animals and they’re not flock animals,” says Di Leonardo. “So they don’t want to be touched by people and they also don’t want to be around other sloths. There’s been many reports of these sloths biting people and scratching and fighting one another.”

The third violation of the Animal Welfare Act from the January 30th report was about the general facilities of the business. The food bucket in the kangaroo enclosure had a broken handle. The broken handle left sharp edges exposed to the kangaroo inside the enclosure. The kangaroo could have been injured when eating out of the bucket. The artificial grass floor of the capybara enclosure was damaged. The damaged floor had a flap that is potentially hazardous for the two capybaras inside the enclosure. The USDA states that housing facilities must be appropriate for the species and shall be structurally sound and maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury. Wallach is no stranger to these violations as he has been cited over 60 times for violating the Animal Welfare Act. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is currently investigating Wallach for his alleged

involvement in the illegal trafficking of two Alaskan bear cubs. Florida police found the bear cubs wandering the streets after they escaped their 200-square-foot chain link enclosure earlier this year. Wallach helped Shea Hensley, who is facing 11 charges revolving around this case, obtain the cubs from a New Jersey zoo by giving him his license to import the bears. Wallach has denied any involvement but he is seen with the same bear cubs who are so young they haven’t opened their eyes yet.

“These animals are going to imprint on humans, they’re never going to learn how to be a bear or to be a sloth. These animals should be in the wild with their mothers, learning how to be wild animals. They shouldn’t be handled for money at a roadside zoo or an old pool supply store next to an ice cream shop,” says Di Leonardo.

Wallach has continued operating through restraining orders, fines, and criminal contempt. He has drugged animals, dumped animals at roadside zoos, and uses these animals for a quick buck and nothing else. He does not care where they go or what happens to the animals afterward.

“Larry Wallach is a very dangerous individual. He doesn’t care about people’s children, he doesn’t care about the animals, all he cares about is his own fame and making money,” said Di Leonardo.

A screengrab from Larry Wallach’s Facebook advertising his Home Invasions in July 2023. (photo via Facebook)

The exterior of the former Sloth Encounters storefront.

(Photo by Humane Long Island)

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

George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown

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

How can we help support your small business?

psegliny.com/EcoDev

*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.

TikTok Ban Risks Cutoff For Youth-Run Businesses

LAUREN FELDMAN

Lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

Readers may know TikTok as just another social media app, but for many, particularly Gen Z, TikTok has been not only a social platform but also a means of income. With the question of banning the app being brought forward for government consideration again, what does the future look like for young, independent, online businesses?

Back in mid-March, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would require ByteDance, a reputable Chinese tech company, to ban TikTok in the United States. The legislation, now known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Application Act, was forwarded by the U.S. government Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) on March 5. On March 7,

the legislation garnered approval from the Energy and Commerce Committee, as it has been concerned over TikTok’s control by a foreign adversary The bill is currently facing pushback in the Senate and has yet to be approved by the President.

If successful, this legislation could eliminate TikTok from the

United States in as little as six months, which could be devastating for those who have fostered business relations and a customer base through the app.

Social media growth offers innumerable potential to do business in the U.S. and globally. Large followings on Instagram and TikTok have increasingly become

a requisite for cultural, economic, and even political capital.

The influencer market can be especially selective — there is no surefire way to ensure success when algorithms regularly change how viewers are presented with content — but the field holds a lot of appeal to younger people entering the workforce. Especially because in recent years, brands have begun to shift their focus from “mega-influencers” (those with more than a million followers), to “micro-influencers” with less than 100,000 followers, who cost a lot less and tend to specialize in a particular subject. In other words, it’s become a lot easier—and accordingly, much more common—to produce content on social media that makes you money. This has been a trend over the past several years, expedited during the pandemic, when in-person work was sparse and in some cases dangerous. In an economy where dollars

seem to stretch less and less far each year, and even community college can cost tens of thousands, Gen Z has looked to alternative paths into the working world. While it may seem like an easy job to become an influencer, or sell your products online, for the average individual there is a lot of invisible labor that goes into the process. There are certainly downsides to a job through social media. TikTok, like other platforms, has touted flexibility and “being your own boss” as benefits, while being able to avoid providing benefits, insurance, or a minimum wage. Those who have found success on the app might be labeled “lucky” — and they are — but luck has to accompany intense invisible labor and perseverance in the face of a job with little to no security. It is hard not to root for these young people, some of whom are in their teens, who are trying to pave the way for themselves and carve their see TIK TOK on page 13A

Photo Getty Images

MARCH 22 ND - APRIL 20 TH , 2024

Andrew Malekoff: Longtime Anton Columnist IN MEMORIAM

Andrew Malekoff (1951–2024) was born in Newark, NJ. His parents, Evelyn and Isadore Malekoff, moved the family to Maplewood, NJ, where Andy attended Columbia High School. Following in his father’s footsteps, he was an outstanding student-athlete, receiving the Athlete of the Year Award from Columbia High School and being inducted into the Columbia HS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.

A 1973 graduate of Rutgers University, Malekoff majored in economics and served as a big brother for Rutgers Community Action. Continuing his athletic career as a linebacker and defensive captain of the 1972 RU football tea, he also competed in wrestling, lacrosse, and rugby. Andy was also a valued brother in the Delta Upsilon fraternity while at Rutgers.

After graduating, he applied to VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) and was accepted to serve in Grand Island, Nebraska, a low-income Mexican American community. He received his Master of Social Work (MSW) at Adelphi University in 1978, where he also interned at the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center.

For almost 40 years, Andrew Malekoff, MSW, LCSW, CASAC, served the clients of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, the leading children’s mental health agency on Long Island. He worked tirelessly for children suffering from depression, anxiety, abuse, bullying, suicidal ideation, drug addiction, and other crises. A hands-on activist, Malekoff often testified at county and state legislative hearings, bringing the need for support for mental health organizations to the attention of government leaders. Malekoff received numerous awards and accolades for his leadership in human services, including the NY State Social Work Education Association Social Work Practitioner of the Year award.

A prolific writer and editor, Andrew Malekoff served as an adjunct professor at Adelphi and New York University’s Schools of Social Work and on the board of the International Association for Social

Work with Groups. For more than 25 years, he led Social Work with Groups: A Journal of Community and Clinical Practice as editor-in-chief. His acclaimed book, Group Work with Adolescents: Principles and Practice, remains a top choice for the Behavioral Science Book Club, now in its 3rd edition.

Beyond academia, Malekoff was a fixture in public discourse. He penned hundreds of opinion pieces and letters for prestigious publications like The New York Times, Washington Post , Albany Times Union , Newsday, and Anton Media Group. His impactful writing garnered recognition, including the David Award, the New York Press Association Journalism Award, and the Blank Slate Media Folio Award.

Andrew was known for a remarkable blend of qualities: humility, patience, intellect, empathy, and a passion for political activism. He had a relentless appetite for cutting jokes and merciless humor but was happiest navigating the Long Beach boardwalk in the early morning. He is survived by his wife, Dale, a former high school art teacher; his two sons, Jamie and Darren; his daughter-in-law, Annalisa; his brother, Robert; and his sister-in-law, Lisa. Andy passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in his final days. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

—Star of David Memorial Chapels, West Babylon

Parents of young children often overlook the need to plan for death or disability. Many believe they don’t have enough assets yet or that anything they have will automatically go to their spouse. However, every young parent needs basic documents – a Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy – what we term a “Young Family Estate Plan” (YFEP), that formalize their wishes in a variety of unexpected circumstances.

Without a YFEP, if one spouse dies, any assets that were in the husband’s or wife’s name alone will be subject to a court proceeding to name an “administrator” of the estate and New York law decides who gets which assets. The first $50,000 goes to the surviving spouse and the rest is divided 50% to the spouse and 50% to the children. The court will appoint a legal guardian to manage the money for them and then, ready or not, any remaining funds would be turned over to them at age 18.

If your spouse becomes disabled, and you don’t have a Power of Attorney for them, you must petition the court to be appointed as your spouse’s legal guardian to handle their affairs (such as selling or refinancing the house or drawing funds from their accounts). The court may decide against you as legal guardian and appoint someone else.

A YFEP also includes life insurance reviews and recommendations, so in the event your spouse dies you will have the financial resources to raise your children.

A YFEP (1) ensures that all of your spouse’s assets go to you and not half to your children if your spouse dies unexpectedly, (2) allows you to choose the legal guardian for your children, and at what age they will receive the unused assets, (3) avoids guardianship proceedings should your spouse have a disabling accident or illness, and (4) provides the financial wherewithal so that your children may continue to prosper and thrive.

When saying goodnight to your spouse or kissing them on the cheek in the morning as they leave for work, you never know when it will be the last time.

Every time they go off to work, there is always the possibility they won’t be coming back. Sometimes, it’s a tragic car accident; other times, it might be a fatal heart attack. Although tragedy might strike in many different ways, it’s certainly not something you think about every time they leave the house.

Going to work every day and returning in time for dinner is a way of life for most people. It is not unreasonable for our expectations to be shattered if a tragedy occurs.

Except if you are the spouse of a police officer.

I’m sure the spouses of firefighters and others sworn to protect the public feel the same, but I can’t speak to those experiences. But I can talk about my experience as the spouse of a former New York City police officer.

I can tell you that not a day passed while my wife was on the job that I didn’t fear “that” phone call. There was the recurring nightmare of my doorbell ringing and seeing several uniformed

COLUMNS

Living With Fear Every Day

LONG ISLAND LIVING

Paul DiSclafani pdisco23@aol.com

officers with vacant stares. At the same time, I frantically scanned their faces before realizing my wife was not among them.

To my wife, being a police officer meant she would have a job that provided a pension and medical benefits for life. She wasn’t an officer 24 hours a day. Her service revolver was always locked away when she was off duty. She took a position with Evidence Collection, so most of her first 15 years on the job put her at crime scenes after the fact.

Although it wasn’t a typical 9-5 job (she rotated through 8-4, 4-12, and 12-8 tours), she treated it like any other job. Her assigned detail didn’t prevent her from being used

on jobs involving interaction with the general public, like parades (including most New Year’s Eve details), special events, or disasters. Turning out of Brooklyn North’s 84th Precinct, they were just across the bridge from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

After being promoted to sergeant and assigned to the 105 Precinct in Queens, she interacted daily with the public. That included unpredictable jobs like domestic disputes, EDPs (Emotionally Disturbed Persons), retail thefts, and even car accidents. Dealing with people breaking the law is just dangerous. There were plenty of interactions with people in parked cars.

Just like Officer Johnathan Diller.

I don’t know how the NYPD notified his wife, Stephanie, that tragic evening, but it doesn’t matter. Her life was forever changed, and my heart goes out to her. Although I have never had to endure the pain of losing a spouse, I certainly know the anguish and uncertainty she went through almost every day.

You try to put it out of your mind so you can go about your day, but it’s always lurking. While others can happily pick up the phone or

answer the doorbell at two o’clock in the afternoon, the spouse of a police officer on the job requires a second or two to say a quick prayer.

When Barbara returned safe and sound, I’d always ask about her day. She would tell me what I wanted to hear and spare me the details I didn’t need to know. I’d listen to tales of stupid administrative stuff that sergeants dealt with and how she hated being a “boss” sometimes. I never knew about the dangers of approaching a car parked suspiciously at a bus stop and asking the people inside to step out of the vehicle.

Considering this most recent tragedy, she told me how they would always approach the cars in these circumstances with guns unholstered and at their side. Unholstered? She’s been retired for 12 years, but this was the first time I heard her use that phrase.

In retrospect, it was a blessing that she spared me the gory details of her daily interactions while on the job. I guess the stupid stories of my work colleagues’ adventures would suffice as appropriate dinner conversation.

And maybe, just maybe, I didn’t really want to know.

Helping Your Child Through Unemployment

Transitioning from school to the job market is a daunting, yet pivotal, phase for every young adult. As your child embarks upon this important journey, they may feel a mixture of excitement, fear, and worry, and not without reason. Career seekers today face more uncertainty than ever, with the latest unemployment rate for young high school graduates falling at 7.9 percent. Recent college graduates fare slightly better with an unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, though this number is nearly double that of all workers with a college degree, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

As parents, it can be difficult to balance positive reinforcement while managing expectations. Unemployment affects not only the job seeker, but the family unit as a whole, hindering the independence you desire for your child. The psychological effects of rejection are amplified the longer the search continues, so it is vital to understand how best to support your child.

Be patient

It’s important for parents to

PARENTING PLUS

understand that the job market is vastly different today than it was when they were young job-seekers. Today, candidates can expect to send out dozens, if not hundreds, of applications with little to no response rates. According to Pew Research Center, 39 percent of millennials have a bachelor’s degree or higher, making them the most educated generation to date, and that number continues to climb with Generation Z. These impressive numbers have created a highly competitive job market,

resulting in more college graduates finding themselves in roles that don’t align with their degree. Provide encouragement

It’s understandable for your child to feel demoralized or even hopeless. However, it is crucial to motivate your child to continue their pursuit. Inspire them to build upon their skill sets, tailor their résumés to specific jobs, and network with professionals in their field. Remind them that they aren’t alone in feeling discouraged and help them build the confidence that they will be able to take this major step in finding a career. Establish healthy coping mechanisms

Constant rejection can be difficult to deal with. Let your child know that it’s okay to experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, and frustration when unemployed, but they shouldn’t let that consume them. Encourage them to take breaks from the application process to relax with friends and loved ones, enjoy their hobbies, and take time away from the computer and social media. Stressmanagement techniques such as

breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness will help them manage overwhelming feelings during the hunt. Self-care is crucial in avoiding burnout and allows your child to remain focused on maintaining their mental health.

Trust that they know what is best

It makes sense to want updates on how the job search is going, especially if your child is living at home. Despite this, try to refrain from asking for updates too frequently, as this can create further pressure for your child. If they have any promising leads, trust that you will be the first to know. Today’s young adults have a better understanding of the current job market than you may, so allow them to explore their options, make mistakes, and grow on their own.

By adopting these approaches, we can help our children overcome the burden of unemployment and assist the independence and resilience needed to thrive in a professional landscape, all while maintaining their mental well-being.

Kathy Rivera

As the philosopher known as Osho once said, “For awareness, you need not go to the Himalayas; you need not go anywhere. Your life gives you enough opportunities to be aware.” This statement rings true for many of Life’s experiences, for when we are aware of something, we have the power and the opportunity to create change.

If someone were to mention “Multiple Sclerosis”, I am certain that many of you can state that you know at least one person who is living with this chronic disease. I am one of those people who belongs to the MS club, which can, at times, be challenging. The disease, which affects the central nervous system, causes a person’s immune system to attack the myelin sheath, or protective covering, around their nerves. This causes disruptions between the brain and the body, which can cause anything from mild to severe symptoms. While medication and physical therapy can help to reduce some of the symptoms such as pain and fatigue, there is no cure. At present, there are almost one million people in the United States who

COLUMNS We Would Not Miss MS

SEE YOU AROUND THE TOWN

are living with MS.

Educating the public about the disease’s unpredictability and the complex nature of MS is the primary goal of awareness programs. Another goal is to offer support to those living with MS. For those who are wondering, orange is the color of MS awareness.

Many years before I had been diagnosed, a colleague of mine offered me a prismatic ribbon that appeared iridescent. She said that her sister had just been diagnosed, and asked if I would be willing to keep the magnetic ribbon on my car as a show of support and

awareness of the disease. I told her that I had a family member who had also been diagnosed in her late teens and would be happy to show support. I kept the magnet on my car until it began to peel off in pieces.

I have a friend in California who promotes awareness on her Facebook page. Every day in March, she offers a simple anecdote about living with MS. Sometimes, her stories are hilarious. Sometimes, they are downright frightening, especially when she discusses how the disease has affected her physically. Always, I relate to her stories because they could have been written by me. While MS affects people differently, my friend and I share some similar symptoms that have enabled us to bond strongly. She has frequently offered me a room in her home for a week, just so that we can share a bottle of wine and some stories about our “adventures with MS”. It sweetens the pot a bit because she is as much of a flamingo lover as I am.

When I was first diagnosed, there were those who found it hard to believe that I had it.

This is the reason for education because many people think that MS is like muscular dystrophy. This is why many people tell those suffering, “But you look so good!” This is the bane of our existence, and it is even the name of a support group that is held at a local hospital.

For many years, I captained a team for the yearly Walk MS. Since the pandemic, I had been unable to attend due to my immunosuppression, which is directly related to the medication I will take for the rest of my life. This year, I have been considering captaining another team, which will consist of my husband, daughter, son-in-law, and myself. I will walk ahead of the crowd, if I decide to walk, to show support for those who can’t walk. MS is a disease that tries to stop people from moving. I’d like to tell MS, “Oh, yeah? Hold my beer!” While I have attempted (and completed) the walk in the past, I would be venturing out there with a quasi-healed hip, hence the “hold my beer” statement.

If you want to help spread awareness, I invite you to wear orange. It could be an orange lapel

pin, an orange T-shirt, or just an orange bracelet like the Livestrong yellow rubber bracelets. If you know someone with MS, you might learn a little about the disease to show support and to help you to understand how that person feels. The disease does not just affect us. It affects our families, our friends and all the relationships we have. It affects how we live our lives, and it affects how we can live in a post-pandemic world. More education means more awareness, and hopefully that awareness will lead to a cure.

If you or someone you love is suffering with MS, there is help. Please contact the Long Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by visiting www. nmssli.org or www.nationalmssociety.org. Walk MS will be held on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at Jones Beach, Field 1. There is a one-mile route and a three-mile route. Kickoff starts at 10:00 am, but registration is required for the event, which begins at 8:30 am.

Donations of $100 or more get you a free T-shirt! For more information, please visit https://events. nationalmssociety.org.

DiNapoli Audit: Youth In Juvenile Justice Centers At Risk

Ongoing staff shortages in juvenile justice centers around New York State are potentially putting youth at risk, according to an audit from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The population in secure juvenile justice facilities has grown, straining staff’s ability to properly assess the physical and mental health of youth at intake as physical altercations, illegal drug use, and incidents of self-harm rise.

The state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) runs nine residential juvenile justice facilities through its Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth (DJJOY), including three secure facilities. Following a decline of 44 percent in the number of youth in these facilities from 2013 to 2018, the number of youth in the facilities rose nearly 74 percent from 2018 through 2022. It was during this period New York’s Raise the Age legislation was phased in, which increased the age of criminal responsibility to 18, to help ensure that youth who commit non-violent crimes were given age-appropriate housing and

services to lower the risk they reoffend.

The audit looked at six facilities and found that OCFS did not do enough to ensure youth were properly assessed when they entered facilities or that staff were up to date on the training required to be authorized to restrain youth.

Admission assessments and screenings are vital for identifying and providing appropriate care and services for physical or mental health issues that youth may have when admitted, including substance abuse problems. Youth in custody have rates of substance abuse disorders ranging from 37 percent to 86 percent, according to the National Institute of Corrections. High numbers of incarcerated youth experience depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia and those with co-occurring disorders are at increased risk of death by suicide.

Auditors examined records for 101 youths and found 53 lacked evidence of at least one required screening having been completed. Medical admission checklists were missing, along

with preliminary physical and mental health interviews and orientation checklists, which connect youth to education and vocational services. At least one assessment or screening was completed late for 44 youths. It took 271 days, or nearly nine months, for one youth to undergo a medical assessment, which is required to be done within seven days of admission.

From Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2022, certain types of incidents in the facilities increased. For example, for the secure facilities, there were no reported instances of controlled substance contraband in 2019 but there were 37 incidents in 2022. Positive drug tests were up 24 percent over that period. Instances of selfharm rose 100 percent in secure facilities over the period from 24 to 48 instances. Among these, the number that included an expression or gesture of suicide was up 667 percent, from three to 23 incidents.

Staff are supposed to be up to date on their CPR/first aid and crisis prevention and management (CPM) training so they can

properly restrain youth when necessary and minimize injuries.

From Oct. 1, 2018 to April 30, 2023 there were 2,455 incidents involving a restraint. Of those, 1,789 (73 percent) resulted in an injury to youth or staff. A review of 162 employees involved in 96 restraint incidents found 54 percent were not up to date on CPR/ first aid and/or CPM training. The staff members’ CPM training was overdue from two days to over two years. Officials said ongoing staff shortages since the pandemic have prevented employees from keeping up to date on their training.

When physical restraint is used, the incident is supposed to be reviewed and recorded in forms with a goal of determining whether the event was handled properly and to reduce the likelihood that future incidents will escalate to physical intervention.

Auditors looked at 106 restraint incidents and found 22 were not recorded in the facility’s restraint log as required, that nine were missing a Restraint Monitoring form, and that six were missing an Administrative Review form.

Officials said the information missing from the 22 restraint logs was recorded, but in a separate digital database.

Auditors found that at the six facilities visited, physical conditions within living quarters, bathrooms, common areas, and medical service areas were adequately maintained and in functioning condition.

DiNapoli’s audit recommended that OCFS ensure intake assessments are completed and done on time, that staff training is up to date, and that complete records are kept of restraint incidents. The audit also recommended OCFS determine the staffing levels needed to properly look after the health and safety of incarcerated youth and increase efforts and focus resources to meet those levels.

In response, OCFS cited staffing shortages that stem from the pandemic and said it was exploring options to better train, prepare, and retain staff. The agency’s full response is included in the audit.

—Submitted by the Office of The New York State Comptroller

Patty Servidio

HOME & DESIGN

Recently Sold HOMES

This home at 20 Hickory Road in Bayville sold on March 29 for $718,000. It is set on a quiet cul-de-sac and is close to the center of town, schools and beaches. Its deep and lush property offers winter water views from the primary bedroom, kitchen, dining room and deck. The bright eat-in-kitchen, dining room and Trex deck adds to the charm of this remarkably well-maintained home. Hardwood floors thru-out and large picture windows create a welcoming space to enjoy year-round. The living room, dining room and eat-in kitchen all have cathedral ceilings with bright natural light throughout. Both bathrooms have been renovated with custom finishes. The large deck overlooks the picturesque Mill Neck Creek Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary and has access to the deep, fenced backyard with room for a pool. The first floor includes a generous great room/den w/full sky light bathroom and sliders to the patio. This home is equipped with a whole house Generac generator and water purifier. Gas heat adds to the efficiency of this lovely and bright home. In addition, the home has a new LG washer/dryer.

This beautiful contemporary waterfront seascape at 15 Oak Point Drive North in Bayville sold on March 6 for $1,500,000. This approximately 3,700 sq. ft. home offers floor to ceiling windows and is elevated to capture the gorgeous panoramic views from east to west in every room. Ideal for entertaining and well-maintained throughout the years, this home features multiple seating areas, a large updated open-concept kitchen and a spacious backyard with an inground pool. Sitting on 1/3 of an acre, the spacious foyer leads into a formal living room with a fireplace, sunroom, den, eat-in kitchen with a fireplace, formal

dining room, primary suite, one additional bedroom and a full bathroom. An additional primary suite is located on the top floor. The ground floor includes a

recreation room with a fireplace, home office, access to a two-car garage, storage room, cedar closet, laundry/mechanical room and a full bathroom.

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.

Rare Earthquake Shakes The Region

ANTON MEDIA GROUP STAFF

editors@antonmediagroup.com

Arare earthquake rattled East Coast residents on the morning of Friday, April 5.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quickly reported that the quake had a magnitude of 4.8, with its epicenter located 4.7 miles below ground in an area about 4 kilometers north of Whitehouse Station in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

The shaking, which happened at 10:23 a.m. EDT and only lasted a couple of seconds, was felt across the region, from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to New York and Connecticut. The epicenter of the earthquake was located along the Ramapo fault line.

That morning, Newark and JFK Airports both put ground stops into effect so that crews could inspect runways out of caution.

The Holland Tunnel between New York and New Jersey was briefly closed for inspection, and was reopened by 11:15 a.m.

Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press conference, “This is one of the largest earthquakes on the East Coast to occur in the last century. So, I immediately directed my emergency management team, the second we received word of this, to start doing damage assessments – any life in danger and finding out whether there’s any bridges or tunnels that are compromised.”

“At this point,” Hochul said Friday morning, “we’ve not identified any life-threatening situations, but we are certainly

asking our local law enforcement and emergency services teams to be on guard for that as well. But again, we are going to be reviewing all potentially vulnerable infrastructure sites throughout the State of New York that is critically important in the aftermath of an event like this.”

Speaking alongside several other state and federal officials, Hochul also noted, “I have a few safety tips because New Yorkers are not accustomed to having earthquakes in our state. And everyone should continue to take this seriously. If there is an aftershock, people are encouraged to drop and to cover and to hold on. Drop to the floor, cover your neck, and hold on to something that is sturdy. Take caution near any damaged buildings.”

According to the USGS, there is a 46% of aftershocks occurring during the first week after the quake, in this case.

A map of the region where sharing was felt during the short quake. (Via USGS)

Advancements In Parkinson’s Disease Research

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Parkinson’s disease stands as one of the most complex and challenging neurological disorders, characterized by progressive deterioration of motor functions, cognitive impairment, and various non-motor symptoms. Over the years, research in Parkinson’s disease has witnessed significant advancements, driven by a combination of technological innovations, interdisciplinary collaborations, and a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here are some emerging trends and promising avenues in Parkinson’s research.

1Genetics and Personalized Medicine

Recent years have seen remarkable progress in elucidating the genetic factors contributing to Parkinson’s disease. Advances in genomic technologies have identified numerous genetic mutations associated with Parkinson’s, providing valuable insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, the advent of precision medicine has paved the way for personalized treatment strategies tailored to individual genetic profiles, offering hope for more effective and targeted therapies.

2Neuroinflammation and Immune Response

Mounting evidence suggests that neuroinflammation and dysregulated immune responses play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers are increasingly focusing on understanding the intricate interplay between the central nervous system and the immune system, exploring novel anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory therapies to alleviate neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s.

3Neuroprotection and Disease Modification

While current treatments for Parkinson’s disease primarily focus on symptom management, there is growing emphasis on developing disease-modifying therapies that can slow or halt the progression of neurodegeneration. Researchers are investigating various neuroprotective strategies, including neurotrophic factors, protein aggregation inhibitors, and gene therapy approaches, with the aim of preserving dopaminergic

neurons and preserving motor function in Parkinson’s patients.

4Biomarkers and Early Diagnosis

Early detection of Parkinson’s disease remains a significant challenge, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment outcomes. Efforts to identify reliable biomarkers for Parkinson’s have intensified in recent years, leveraging advances in neuroimaging, biofluid analysis, and wearable sensor technologies. The discovery of robust biomarkers holds great promise for facilitating early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating therapeutic interventions in Parkinson’s disease.

5Non-Motor Symptoms and Quality of Life

Beyond motor impairments, Parkinson’s disease is associated with myriad of non-motor symptoms that significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Research into non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s, including cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbances, autonomic dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms, has gained traction in recent years.

Comprehensive management strategies addressing both motor and non-motor aspects of the disease are essential for improving overall patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life.

6Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine

Stem cell-based approaches hold immense potential for regenerating damaged dopaminergic neurons

and restoring neuronal function in Parkinson’s disease. Recent advancements in stem cell technology, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and direct reprogramming techniques, offer new avenues for cell replacement therapy and disease modeling. Clinical trials exploring the safety and efficacy of stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons are underway, heralding a new era in regenerative medicine for Parkinson’s.

7Lifestyle Interventions and Disease Prevention

Growing evidence suggests that lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, and social engagement, may influence the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and modulate disease progression. Researchers are investigating the potential neuroprotective effects of various lifestyle interventions, with a focus on promoting brain health and mitigating risk factors associated with Parkinson’s. Lifestyle-based approaches complement traditional pharmacological therapies and hold promise for preventing or delaying the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease research has entered a transformative phase, characterized by rapid advancements and multidisciplinary collaborations. From unraveling the genetic basis of the disease to exploring innovative therapeutic strategies, the landscape of Parkinson’s research is continually evolving. By addressing key challenges such as early diagnosis, disease modification, and personalized treatment approaches, researchers are striving to make meaningful strides towards improving the lives of individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease.

April: Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Parkinson’s Awareness Month, observed annually in April, serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide. Throughout the month, various organizations, advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, and individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease come together to educate communities, promote understanding, and support research efforts aimed at finding better treatments and ultimately a cure for the disease.

During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, initiatives range from public awareness campaigns and educational seminars to fundraising events and community outreach activities. These efforts aim to dispel misconceptions surrounding Parkinson’s, highlight the challenges faced by individuals living with the disease, and emphasize the importance of early detection and comprehensive care.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month provides an opportunity for individuals to show solidarity with those affected by Parkinson’s, whether by wearing gray ribbons, participating in local events, or sharing personal stories to foster empathy and understanding. By uniting efforts on a global scale, Parkinson’s Awareness Month plays a crucial role in driving progress towards improved quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers.

Photos Getty Images

Developments In Autism Research

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

In recent years, research into autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has led to several significant developments, offering new insights into the underlying mechanisms of the condition and potential avenues for intervention and support.

Advances in detection, diagnosis, treatment, intervention and understanding the role of genetics are some of the latest developments in autism research.

Early Detection and Diagnosis

Early detection and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder are crucial for accessing timely interventions and support services. Recent research has focused on improving screening tools and diagnostic methods to identify ASD at younger ages accurately.

One notable development is the refinement of behavioral and developmental screening tools, such as the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and the Early Screening for Autism and Communication Disorders (ESAC). These tools enable healthcare providers to assess early signs of ASD in infants and toddlers, facilitating early intervention and support.

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, show promise in enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of autism diagnosis.

These tools analyze behavioral and physiological data to identify patterns associated with ASD, aiding clinicians in making more accurate and timely diagnoses.

Researchers have explored the use of biomarkers, including genetic markers and brain imaging techniques, to improve the diagnostic process for autism. By identifying biological indicators associated with ASD, clinicians can supplement traditional diagnostic assessments, leading to more precise and personalized interventions for individuals with autism.

Treatment and Intervention

Effective interventions can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, enhancing their social communication skills, behavior regulation, and overall quality of life. Recent developments in treatment and intervention approaches have expanded the range of options available for individuals with ASD and their families.

One notable advancement is the growing emphasis on early intervention, with interventions beginning as early as infancy. Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and social communication-focused interventions are evidence-based approaches that have shown efficacy in improving outcomes for young children with ASD.

Researchers are investigating innovative

interventions targeting specific domains affected by autism, such as social skills training, sensory integration therapy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions for anxiety and repetitive behaviors. These interventions are often delivered in interdisciplinary settings, involving collaboration between psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals.

Advancements in technology have opened new possibilities for delivering interventions remotely, through telehealth platforms and mobile applications. These digital interventions offer accessibility and flexibility for individuals with ASD and their families.

The Role of Genetics and Neurobiology

Recent research has deepened our understanding of the genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder, shedding light on its complex etiology and heterogeneity.

Genomic studies identified numerous genetic variants associated with ASD, including rare mutations and common genetic risk factors. These findings have highlighted the role of gene-environment interactions and polygenic inheritance in shaping autism risk and phenotypic variability.

Advances in neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance

imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), have provided insights into the neural circuits and connectivity patterns underlying ASD. Researchers have observed alterations in brain structure, connectivity, and functional activity in individuals with autism, informing our understanding of the neurodevelopmental trajectories associated with the condition.

Research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of ASD has revealed dysregulation in various biological processes, including synaptic signaling, immune function, and neuronal connectivity. These findings offer potential targets for pharmacological interventions and personalized treatment approaches tailored to the specific biological profiles of individuals with autism.

The latest developments in autism research have contributed to a deeper understanding of the condition’s complexities and have paved the way for more effective early detection, personalized interventions, and targeted treatments. By continuing to advance our knowledge of autism spectrum disorder, researchers aim to improve outcomes and quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families.

YOUR MANHASSET

CAPTURING REAL NEWS: Manhasset School’s Broadcast Company

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Real Estate Is My Passion And There Is Nothing More That I Enjoy Than Showing Off The Community I Grew Up In, And Returned To Raise My Family, To Potential Buyers. I Love To Share My Experience And Real Estate Expertise Along With All The Things That Make Our Town And Its Quaint Villages So Special. In My 20th Anniversary Of Real Estate I Look Forward To Celebrating With The Manhasset Community Throughout The Year.

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Manhasset Broadcast Company

Award-winning club is about more than media

BY AMANDA OLSEN

e Manhasset Broadcast Company, or MBC, has had a meteoric rise since its inception in 2020. Going from a single camera and green screen to a full production studio covering events in multiple broadcasts every week, the MBC has taken the high school by storm. Along with its sister program, the broadcast journalism track at the school, students are learning what it takes to make it in the fast paced world of news.

“

We started this program back in 2020, in the heart of the pandemic. The club was founded in tandem with the class, but I would say that we really got rolling in January of 2021. That’s when we released the first episode of our morning show. We call it Good Morning Manhasset. Then from that, we were able to add so many different components and not only grow the classes into a big track at the school, which now goes from Broadcast one to four, but the club became really popular. We now have more than 100 members. We now not only do a morning show once a week, but we do a morning sports show once a week, and we have other content that we put out on the YouTube page,” said Matt Coleman, the club’s faculty advisor.

The shows go up on YouTube and the links are sent to the teachers the day before. The teachers then play it for their classes the following morning on their smartboards, which takes the place of the morning announcements.

MBC operates much as a “real” news organization would, with an editorial calendar, executive board, meetings and discussions. The students are in charge of day-to-day functions and decision making. Helen Murphy, MBC’s news editor, describes the steps involved in keeping this vast operation on track: “As news director, I create an editorial calendar which maps out our episodes for that month and I’ll write in what each segment is. We identify see

COMPANY on page 4C

MANHASSET BROADCAST COMPANY from page 3C

what the anchor points are and what roles people need to fill. And then we have our executive board meeting two weeks before our general club meeting. The executive board is basically the leadership of the club, and we need to discuss planning these episodes, how we can help the people, the other students in the club, more how we can advance our skills and our quality of our broadcasts. Then at our full club meetings. We’ll go over general information and we’ll also assign roles for that month. Then then people go off. We’ll keep in contact with them as they work on their segments. Thursdays are final edit days, which means that we’re combining anchor reports and the segments to finalize the episode.”

In their short time, MBC has gained the recognition of a number of organizations. In 2023 alone, MBC won 3rd place in “Best News Story” and 3rd place in “Best Arts, Entertainment & Culture Feature Story” in the Student Television Network (STN) Fall Nationals. They also won first place in the “Best Human Interest Feature” and third place in the “Arts, Entertainment and Culture” categories at the Broadcast Awards for Senior High (BASH) awards.

The members of MBC have some big goals for the coming years, including adding a live sports broadcast and podcasting.

“One of our main goals is always improving the quality of our show and being able to do more real news, especially with our anchoring. We’re also working towards doing a live show on Friday mornings in the next year or two,” said Murphy.

Sara Strasburg, MBC’s creative director, detailed some of the club’s dream projects. “For our sports show, we definitely want to increase membership because we want to be able to cover national sports as well. Right now we’re covering the school sports and what happens with those games, but we would like to be able to broadcast those (national) games and do live commentary on them as well. But specifically for SET sports, we aren’t able to film all of our home games. Here in Manhasset, there’s a very big sports culture. So I think that it would just be something really cool if we were able to do that.”

The MBC does more than just build skills; it has become an essential community within the school. Strasburg stated that within a school that has an emphasis on sports, this club has become a respected and prestigious program. “People say, ‘Oh, you don’t play a sport or what do you do?’ And now you can say, ‘Oh, well, I’m in Good Morning Manhasset. I’m in MBC.’ It’s just become such a well-known thing in our school. And it’s amazing to see how far we have grown. I’ve been in this job

since the first year, and I remember when we literally had to take a roll of green screen, put it on wheels, and then go from classroom to classroom. It’s surreal to see all of this now.”

The club is unique in that it incorporates grades seven through twelve. This special atmosphere allows for long-term mentoring and growth. “When I was a younger person in the club, like I really felt like there were people who I could ask questions, I could learn from. It is so cool to see the kids that

join in middle school are now freshmen and sophomores, and see how much better they are than I was at that age because they started younger. It’s just an awesome thing to watch and also be a part of,” Strasburg said. MBC fills many roles for these students. Having a place to explore and deepen their passions is part of the high school experience. “The greatest part of this program is just watching these students and all the members of this program have a creative

outlet. Sometimes you need to really be able to express your creativity in school. But not only do that just in general, but also with a really collaborative, very video-heavy and content-heavy production style. It’s really interesting to watch them grow within the space. It’s been so gratifying for me because that’s the ultimate goal of being a teacher right? To provide students with the chance to thrive. And they have, and every year they get better and better,” Coleman said.

The club helps students gain many new skills. (Photos by Manhasset Public Schools)

The MBC has been racking up awards.Every role is filled by students.

Rashida Poonawala, a junior, recently interviewed Supervisor Jennifer DeSena for her podcast.

The MBC studio.

Students learn to use real equipment.

Helen Murphy served as SET at Night’s emcee and led an exciting game of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Photos by Manhasset Public Schools)

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Ranked

Manhasset Twins Place In Competitive Skiing

BY COLE MCDONNELL

Madeleine (Poppy) and Dashiell (Dash) Hamilton are 13-year-old twins from Manhasset, who are in eighth grade, and despite living on Long Island, they have found themselves in the snowy hills of upstate New York training with the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) Whiteface-Winter Term. e NYSEF is a place that provides opportunities for athletes of all ages to explore their potential in all kinds of snow sports. e Hamilton twins have recently raced in the Hovey Memorial Race and the U14 State Championship race at HoliMont mountain.

They have been skiing since they were three years old because their father skied. They started racing at the age of six because of the improvement they showed as the years went on. “We just started racing when we were young and when we got better, we got more into it,” said Dash.

To pursue their ambition in competitive skiing they have to take off months of school to go upstate and train. They get home-schooled and have to do their homework on the road or at night when all the other kids are sleeping. Their training days start at 8:30 a.m. and stop around noon. They have some half-days and some full-days but in the afternoon they have academics. “Our main coach, Jimbo Johnson, is always pushing us to get better and he’s just really supportive,” says Dash.

In the Hovey Memorial Race, Poppy

finished first overall for U14 Women. “It was really fun, it was at our home mountain so we had an advantage. I got my name on a plaque so that was cool,” said Poppy. Past Olympians have won at the Hovey Memorial Race but despite the twins’ talent, their eyes aren’t set on the Olympics, “It’ll get more and more competitive but right now we are not looking at the Olympics or anything like that,” says Dash.

They also finished high in the HoliMont U14 State Championship race. Poppy finished first in both the Slalom race and the Super G race. Dash finished third in the Super G race as well as seventh in the Slalom race and tenth in the Giant Slalom race. Their next race will be nationally in a Can-Am race that includes both the Eastern and Western portions of the United States and Canada.

Poppy Hamilton

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Then And Now

A look back at some Manhasset landmarks

Dutch Reform Church Fire Department

Manhasset was protected by the Hill and Valley Fire Department from 1904 to 1912, when the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department was formed. The original firehouse was on Plandome Road near Town Hall.

Town Hall

The original section was built in 1906–1907. Flanking additions were built in 19261928 and the large rear extension was completed in 1955. The original section is three bays wide and two and one half stories high, built of brick with cast stone accents. A copper-domed, eight-sided wooden cupola was added in 1928.

After 1900, several shops started opening up on Plandome Road, which would replace Valley Road as the main street. In 1907, Town Hall opened on Plandome Road and Manhasset became the permanent seat of North Hempstead Town’s government. The Manhasset Long Island Rail Road station is located off Plandome Road in downtown Manhasset. Mary Jane Davies Green is also located off Plandome Road, across the street from North Hempstead Town Hall, on the site of the former Plandome Road School.

The church began with 65 families in the Village of Lake Success (part of Great Neck, New York) in 1732 and moved to its current location in 1816. The present structure was built in 1898 following a fire in 1897. The cemetery has been in use as a burial ground since the early 1800s. Some of the monuments recall individuals who were born in the early to mid 1700s.

Onderdonk house

In 1933 “The Onderdonk Farm” was purchased for development by Levitt & Sons. The historic Onderdonk House remained in its place and was transferred to the Strathmore Association who has maintained it ever since. The House is a recognized landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Shelter Rock Plandome Road

Shelter Rock is a rock shelter of granite on the border of Manhasset and North Hills. Native Americans used the rock as shelter from the elements, possibly as early as 1000 B.C. The top of the boulder is just visible from Shelter Rock Road, more so in the colder parts of the year when the vegetation recedes.

—Information compiled by Amanda

(Present day photos by Julia Russo; historical photos from Cow Neck Historical Society)

(Photo from Wikipedia )

(Photo from Anton Media Group Archives)

Olsen

Meet Christine Liu, Newly Elected Councilwoman For District Four

BY AMANDA OLSEN

We sat down recently with Councilmember Christine Liu, representative for District Four on the Town of North Hempstead Board, to discuss public service, family and diversity. is interview has been edited for length and clarity.

AO: Please introduce yourself.

CL: I am the newly elected town council person for District Four, and the first Asian American town council person, I believe, not just for our town, or Nassau County, but for all of Long Island. So it’s quite historic in many, many respects, I think.

I grew up in Queens. I went to school in the city, then went to NYU, and then went to law school. I got an Assistant Chief Counsel position with the Department of Justice, but then in 2003, that’s when Homeland Security was formed, and immigration/naturalization services moved from the Department of Justice to Homeland Security. So that’s where I was for most of my legal career.

And then, when I was pregnant with my second, I decided I was going to take a break. We were living in Forest Hills at the time, and we were kind of outgrowing our apartment, so we decided to move out east.

AO: How did you get started with public service?

CL: I just immersed myself in the school district and started with the PTA. I think for a lot of parents that’s where their second career begins. That branched out to Girl Scouts and Little League and all the other community activities.

The Office of Asian affairs was getting started (at that time) and I guess they were looking for community leaders to help join an advisory council there. So somebody had given my name to somebody at the county. They reached out and said, ‘Would you be willing to come and join? It’s a volunteer position, but we need eyes and ears of the community. When we have things that we roll out that you can share and if you have concerns in the community, you share with us.’ I enjoyed that role I think since 2017, 2018. Then in the town of North Hempstead, former Town Supervisor Judy Bosworth found me somehow and asked if I could join the Asian American Advisory Committee there. So I did that as well.

Then Gina Sillitti got elected and she was looking for a liaison. Somebody introduced us and she asked to interview me, and we got along really great. Because I was still very involved in the community and my kids were still kind of young, she let me come on part time. And I said, ‘Okay, this is great, get my feet back into the work world.’ And it was good because I was the community liaison, so it was still working with the community and whatever issues or events they had. It was a very good fit.

AO: What made you decide to run for office?

CL: They asked me very early on, maybe July of that year, and I gave them my answer about four months later, I decided not to, and my husband was not on board, because I was already out of the house a lot. A number of people started talking to us about how important this seat was and how important it was to have Asian representation; the Town of North Hempstead is almost 30 percent Asian, and this district, I think it was about 40 percent Asian. So they said it would be great for the community and for the town. So we thought about it some more and things kind of lined up. My mom moved into our place. She was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m here now you don’t have to worry about cooking. You don’t have to worry about shopping or anything. I can drive the kids.’ I was a lot more comforted, I didn’t have that guilt of not knowing how my kids were doing. They were very well taken care of. My kids were very supportive. ‘Why don’t you try this? I think you’ve been supporting us so it’s now our turn to support you.’ My husband seems to be on board now. So this probably was the right time. I had a lot of support from the community. And so I said yes.

AO: Please share more about your heritage.

CL: My grandparents are from China. They went to Taiwan during the civil unrest. Then my parents: my father was born in China, but my mom was born in Taiwan. They got married in Taiwan, and I was born in Taiwan. But I emigrated here when I was one and then moved straight to Queens and I’ve been here ever since.

AO: Do you find yourself bridging the two cultures?

CL: So you have a lot of your values, your upbringing, even though I was brought up here but my parents grew up in Taiwan, so they’re bringing their traditions and cultures here with them. So I have that. But then I also grew up here so I have all the values and cultures and when I was raised here and schooling and education, and then my kids are on a totally separate level. So I am in that bridge, especially since I can speak Chinese, even though I’ve been here most of my life.

AO: What was that like for you, being bilingual?

CL: Everybody is so impressed by that actually. My mom is in all of her glory. So every time people say, ‘Why you don’t have an accent? How do you know how to do that?’ And my mom, she says, ‘It’s all because of me,’ because we had to speak Chinese at home. I would say because of that, I don’t have to translate what I’m going to say in either language. It just comes very naturally.

The high school that I went to had Chinese, so I took Chinese and French. Then in college I kept that up and one of my majors was East Asian studies. Then I actually went to this church, it was a mainly Chinese speaking congregation. So all of those aunties and uncles were all speaking to me in Chinese. So I was developing my Chinese even further.

AO: What is it like representing such a diverse district?

CL: We have so many celebrations, which is great, and it’s beautiful. We just finished Lunar New Year. I think the supervisor was making a comment she had attended about 16 Lunar New Year celebrations. I didn’t have 16; I probably had about eight to ten. And I’ll expect that for Diwali and things of that nature. So it’s really nice. We had St. Patrick’s Day this month and a nice parade. I remember last year and the whole Christopher Columbus Day and we did Italian Heritage Month. That was nice to have in October. Then the Korean

community also has their festivals, so I think it’s beautiful. We have Christmas, Easter and everything else in between.

What’s important is people feel validated. They feel a sense of belonging and identity and something that it’s not just to be aware, my new movement is we don’t want to just promote Asian culture and awareness. You want to be proud to be Asian American. You want to be proud to be Italian American, Irish American. Moving from a simple event and awareness to actually being proud and owning it and sharing it with everybody. That’s the transition I would like to see.

We’re trying, we’re making strides, and I want to say during the pandemic, it was hard with a lot of the Asian hate. We’re seeing a lot of hate and all forms kind of everywhere across the country. We’re not going to see that here in Long Island. But I would say that in the Town of North Hempstead, every time it rears its ugly head, we stomp it out right away. We call our press conferences. We get our police to investigate. The police commissioner came down when the Great Neck Chinese Association banner was defaced at the train station. He said, ‘We’re investigating right away and this is not tolerated,’ and it didn’t happen again.

AO: How does it feel to be making history while serving your community?

CL: I’ve made so many wonderful friends during this time. That is how this community came about and became supportive. I can’t tell you how many people were saying you should do this. This is how you should help our community. To the fact that running for student council because [they were inspired by the campaign.] One mom reached out and she showed me a speech that her daughter was making. She was running for student government in fourth grade. And her mom was like, ‘Why do you want to do this?’ and she said, ‘It’s because I see all the signs. So maybe they could be for me too.’ I kind of choked up, actually. Grace Meng and Shawn Liu, they opened up the door for people like me. I feel like I can open up doors for all of the community and Long Island, too.

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Christine Liu (center) with her family. (Photos by Christine Liu)

Christine Liu and her pup Sunny.

Heather Menzies Designs Turns One

BY AMANDA OLSEN

Heather Menzies has always known she wanted to make clothes. She got her start at eight, sewing in her 4H club, and moved to New York after college with little more than a suitcase. She worked as a pattern and sample maker for various New York companies, including Ellen Tracy, where she had celebrity clients and saw her designs in runway shows. Later in life, she worked with dressmakers in Great Neck and Port Washington. is year marks the rst anniversary of her solo business crafting bespoke garments out of her unique 1930s home studio. Recently, I embarked on the journey of making a custom piece with Heather.

Consultation

e process for creating a one-of-akind piece with Menzies starts with a consultation to determine if she is a good t for the design. It’s important to work with someone who has a similar aesthetic. Menzie’s designs tend to be feminine, with soft details and sparkle. At our initial meeting, we discussed silhouettes and fabrics and went over a few examples of my dream out t.

Sketch design

Next, since I am a tiny bit artistic, I went home and drew up some sketches. I did a couple of the structured, multi-layer outts we had discussed and a few elaborate evening wear ideas. For people who aren’t inclined to draw, photos of garments with the elements you are looking for will get the ball rolling. We chose a statement jacket with a simple shift style dress underneath.

Take measurements

is step, while necessary, can certainly be unpleasant. It’s important to remember that you are commissioning a custom dress; you want it to t exactly right. So let the designer take your measurements as your body truly is.

Buy fabric is was an experience I will never forget. I have seen Mood on TV but never had the opportunity to go there before. I met Menzies inside the store and was immediately overwhelmed with the sheer

volume of fabric available. Because we had already talked about my preferences, she took us over to wool rst. I was considering a light wool for the jacket and linen for the dress. Nothing really jumped out in the wool section, although there were some lovely tweeds. Next we looked at knits, but it was the same. In the boucles we found several interesting choices, but it wasn’t until we were moving on that I saw a gorgeous purple plaid. ere were so many subtle colors in the pattern; I was in love. e linens we bought for the dress were woven in two di erent colors, shifting between the two tones as it moved. A plain wool for the

The mock-up of the design.

cummerbund completed the choices. Draft pattern is step could come after taking the measurements. It is fairly straightforward; a paper pattern of each piece of the dress is made.

Sew mock up, t and make changes ese connected steps are essential to getting the piece perfect. e mock up gets

sewn in an inexpensive fabric to test how the pattern ts on the body. You come to the studio and put on the mock up, and Menzies makes adjustments. My tting went very smoothly. We decided on the length of the coat, the sleeves, and where the neckline should fall. Menzies was attentive and helpful throughout, o ering ideas and alternatives until we were both satis ed.

Stay tuned for part 2!

A detail of the boucle fabric for the coat. The fabrics chosen for the dress and coat. The updated sketch of the coat. (Photos by Amanda Olsen)

Menzies’s sketch of the dress.

Heather Menzies in her studio. (Photo by Heather Menzies)

SCHOOLS

Manhasset

High School

200 Memorial Place Manhasset, NY 11030

516-267-7600

www.manhassetschools.org

Manhasset Middle School

200 Memorial Place

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-267-7500

www.manhassetschools.org

Shelter Rock Elementary School

27A Shelter Rock Road

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-267-7450

www.manhassetschools.org

Munsey Park Elementary School

1 Hunt Lane Manhasset, NY 11030

516-267-7400

www.manhassetschools.org

St. Mary’s High School

51 Clapham Avenue

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-627-2711

www.saintmaryshs.org

St. Mary’s Elementary School

1340 Northern Boulevard

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-627-0184

www.stmary11030.org

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

29 Shelter Rock Road Manhasset, NY 11030

516-365-9832

www.olgmanhasset.com

LIBRARY

Manhasset Public Library

30 Onderdonk Avenue

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-627-2300

www.manhassetlibrary.org

Manhasset Directory

A Local Directory To Schools, Services And Government Officials

VILLAGE

HALLS

Village of Plandome

65 South Drive

Plandome, NY 11030

516-627-1748

www.villageofplandome.org

Incorporated Village of Plandome Manor

55 Manhasset Avenue

Manhasset, NY 11030 516-627-3701

www.plandomemanor.com

Plandome Heights

Village Office

37 Orchard Street

Manhasset, NY 11030 516-627-1136

www.plandomeheights-ny.gov

Village of Munsey Park 1777 Northern Boulevard

Manhasset, NY 11030 516-365-7790

www.munseypark.org

Village of Flower Hill

1 Bonnie Heights Road

Manhasset, NY 11030 516-627-5000

www.villageflowerhill.org

North Hempstead

Town Hall

220 Plandome Road

Manhasset, NY 11030

516-869-6311

www.northhempsteadny.gov

CHAMBER

Manhasset Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 754

Manhasset, NY 11030

www.manhassetny.org

WATER DISTRICT

Manhasset-Lakeville

Water District

170 E. Shore Road

Great Neck, NY 11023

516-466-4416

www.mlwd.net

FIRE DISTRICT

Manhasset-Lakeville

Fire Department

170 E. Shore Road

Great Neck, NY 11023

516-466-4416

www.mlfd.com

VILLAGE BOARDS

THE VILLAGE OF PLANDOME

Mayor: John “Jake” Kurkjian

Deputy Mayor/Trustee: Don Richardson

Trustee: Dr. Robert Broderick

Trustee: James Corcoran, Esq.

Trustee: Damien Quinn

Village Clerk/Treasurer: Barbara Peebles

Deputy Village Clerk/Court Clerk: Kim Femminella

Highway/Water Department

Foreman: Steven Flynn

Building Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer: David DeRienzis

Village Justice: James D. Kiley

Acting Village Justice: Edward Henderson

THE VILLAGE OF PLANDOME MANOR

Mayor: Barbara Donno

Deputy Mayor: Matthew Clinton

Trustees: Tony DeSousa, Patricia O’Neill and James Baydar

Village Clerk: Katherine (Katie) Hannon

Court Clerk: Katherine (Katie) Hannon

Treasurer: Marie DePalo

Building Inspector: Edward P. Butt, AIA

Village Attorneys: John Farrell, Esq. and Sahn Ward Coshignano

Village Justice: Susan Katz Richman, Esq.

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF MUNSEY PARK

Mayor: Lawrence A. Ceriello

Deputy Mayor: Antonio D’Angelo

Trustees: Regina Im, Gregory LiCalzi Jr. and Joseph Williams

Clerk/Treasurer: Tara Gibbons

Deputy Clerk/Court Clerk:

Maureen P. Mclean

Village Justice: John B. Turano

Associate Justice: Patricia Miller

Village Attorney: Robert Morici

Prosecuting Attorney:

Maimie Fulgieri

Code Enforcement Official: Anthony S. DiProperzio

VILLAGE OF FLOWER HILL

Mayor: Randall Rosenbaum

Trustees: Frank Genese, Gary Lewandowski, Max Frankel and Claire Dorfman

Village Administrator: Ronnie Shatzkamer

Village Treasurer: Suzanne Tangredi

Court Clerk: Susan Williams

Building Department Assistant: Heather Lanci

Building Inspector: Peter Albinski

Code Enforcer: Jack Mancusi

Superintendent of Highways: Richard Falcones

TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD BOARD

Supervisor: Jennifer DeSena

Village Prosecutor: Richard Prisco, Esq. (Acting)

Code Enforcement Officer/Deputy Road Commissioner: Jack Mancusi

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF PLANDOME HEIGHTS

Mayor: Kenneth C. Riscica

Trustees: Daniel Cataldo, Florence Musalo, Gus Panopoulos, Mary Hauck, Kristina Lobosco and Norman Taylor

Clerk-Treasurer: Arlene Drucker

Deputy Clerk/Court Clerk: Susan Martinez

Building Inspector: Edward P. Butt, AIA

Councilmembers:

• Robert Troiano (District 1)

• Edward Scott (District 2)

• Dennis Walsh (District 3)

• Christine Liu (District 4)

• David Adhami (District 5)

Receiver of Taxes:

Charles Berman

• Mariann Dalimonte (District 6)

Town Clerk: Ragini Srivastava

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Start

KUnlock The Power Of

Dive into the delicious world of

BY CHRISTY HINKO chinko@antonmediagroup.com

ombucha has soared in popularity due to its unique taste and purported health benefits. This is not news to Patrick Sullivan, owner of Black Cap Beverage Company in Farmingdale, who has been brewing the fermented tea concoctions for several years now, quietly blazing his path to entrepreneurial success with distribution and several solid business partnerships across Long Island.

“I was home-brewing beer when I was in my 20s,” Sullivan said. “I was a detective in New York City, sitting in a car all day or in front of a computer writing reports, eating fast food; as I got into my 40s I realized that I needed to get back into shape.”

Sullivan also suffers from stomach problems. Getting his weight under control, cutting carbs and generally being healthier was enough for Sullivan to create a better way to enjoy a refreshing carbonated beverage.

“Even though I was counting every calorie, exercising and getting into really good shape, I still liked to have a beer, but beer is full of a lot of calories generally,” Sullivan said. “I found that I could have three bottles of kombucha and it would stil be healthier than one beer.”

He likened kombucha to enjoying a full-bodied beer or wine. Kombucha does have trace amounts of naturally occurring alcohol, but is regulated as a non-alcoholic beverage.

“Kombucha is a great option for local bars and restaurants to serve,” Sullivan said. “It gives people, who do not want to, or cannot drink, a great way to enjoy a bottled beverage while fitting in socially; it satisfies my need for a beer, especially because it has mild, natural carbonation.”

Many people have never heard of kombucha or are misinformed about the beverage and its benefits.

“Long Islanders have not really been exposed to kombucha; they are just starting to learn what it is and look for it in the market,” Sullivan said. “When people hear ‘kombucha’ they want to respond, ‘God bless you” because it just sounds foreign.”

The first sip of kombucha usually surprises the palate; it has a taste that you might have to build up to in order to appreciate.

“When people try kombucha for the first time, I liken it to having your first drink of wine and I ask people, ‘Do you remember when you first had a sip of wine? You probably didn’t like it right away, but now you love it and probably straight from the bottle’,” Sullivan joked.

Patrick Sullivan during brewing operations (All photos courtesy of Black Cap)

Emelie Sullivan seals the partnership with Sherry’s Market in Babylon.

Originating

Probiotics kombucha

in probiotics, the beneficial bacteria t hat play an essential role in gut health, improving digestion and boosting immunity. It also contains antioxidants that combat harmful free radicals, reducing inflammation and preventing cell damage. The fermentation process produces acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties, potentially warding off harmful microorganisms. Research is ongoing, many enthusiasts also report enhanced energy levels and detoxification effects, making kombucha a popular choice for those seeking to improve their overall well-being.

Black Cap Beverage Company offers several flavors, including Big Apple, Bluesberry, Grape Gatsby and Piña Y Coco, that are available for purchase at the brewery warehouse on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., for home delivery, at several farmers markets across Nassau, Suffolk and Queens throughout

the year. Special pricing is available for wholesale and for first responders.

Black Cap Beverage Company is located at 269 Eastern Pkwy #A, in Farmingdale. Visit blackcapbev.com to learn more and to place an order.

ProHEALTH Dental proudly announces a groundbreaking affiliation with Northwell Health.

Northwell is New York State’s largest health care provider, with more than 900 locations. ProHEALTH Dental has a network of 16 state-of-the-art dental offices throughout the NY Metro Area. Together, we will treat patients holistically, focusing on how oral health improves overall health.

Put Your Health

Where Your Mouth Is™ and book an appointment today, call 855-PHD-CARE

Meheen Merlin bottling machine overhauled and brought back to life for the brewery.

Jack, Emelie and Liam Sullivan prepare the kombucha stand.

Vascular Surgeon

Dr. Gerard Vitale announces the relocation of his new state of the art

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• Laser & Radiofrequency ablations

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Unique Dual Showing At The Art League Of Long Island’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery

The Art League of Long Island’s (ALLI) Jeanie

Tengelsen Gallery is proud to announce a unique dual exhibition featuring the captivating photography of Stephen Hopper alongside the vibrant works of past and present students from the Art League printmaking and collage programs, collectively titled “Printmakers and Collage Artists of ALLI.” This dynamic showcase will take place on the first and second floors of the gallery, offering visitors an immersive experience into the diverse mediums of visual artistry.

Stephen Hopper, an esteemed photographer with a rich history in the craft, presents “Painting with Light” on the first floor. Hopper’s journey in photography began with humble beginnings on Long Island, where he developed a deep passion for capturing moments through the lens of his camera. From his early days with a Kodak Brownie to his profound encounters with renowned photographers

like Arnold Newman and Brassaï, Hopper’s evolution as an artist has been marked by a relentless pursuit of perfection and a keen eye for the interplay of light and shadow.

“Painting with Light” offers viewers a glimpse into Hopper’s lifelong dedication to his craft, showcasing a curated selection of photographs that span over five decades. From mesmerizing street scenes inspired by his mentor Brassaï to intimate portraits that reveal the essence of his subjects, Hopper’s work transcends mere imagery, inviting audiences to ponder the deeper narratives woven into each frame.

Sharing the spotlight on the second floor, the “Printmakers and Collage Artists of ALLI” exhibit celebrates the creativity and innovation of emerging and established artists from the Art League community.

Drawing inspiration from diverse sources and employing a variety of techniques, these artists explore the boundless possibilities of printmaking and collage as expressive mediums.

Curated to complement Hopper’s exploration of light and composition, this eclectic collection offers a vibrant array of colors, textures, and narratives. From bold linocut prints

to intricate collages that blur the lines between reality and imagination, each artwork speaks to the unique vision and artistic journey of its creator.

“This collaboration not only

highlights the diversity of artistic expression within our community but also offers a multi-dimensional experience for our visitors, inviting them to explore the intersection of light, form, and creativity,” said Susan Peragallo, Curator of the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery.

The dual showing of “Painting with Light” by Stephen Hopper and “Printmakers and Collage Artists of ALLI” will be on display at the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery from April 27, 2024 to May 10, 2024. The Opening Reception will be on April 27, 2024 from 1pm-3:00pm. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend and immerse themselves in the captivating world of visual artistry. Mr. Hopper will also be hosting an Open Mic Night on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information about the exhibition and gallery hours, please visit www.artleagueli.org or email: gallery@artleagueli.org

—Submitted by the Art League of Long Island

Two Gentleman in Conversations Midtown NYC (Black and White) by Steven Hopper

On Monday, April 8, the United States experienced a total solar eclipse. The path of totality entered the US in Texas and exited in far Northern Maine. Weather prevented me from traveling to Maine as planned, but I was able to speak with Marina Gemma, a planetary scientist and postdoctoral scientist at Stony Brook University and the research associate at the American Museum of Natural History.

AO. How did ancient people predict eclipses?

MG. I think it’s a combination of extremely careful observation over time, and seeing these repeating patterns. And then kind of drawing conclusions from them. And combining that with, you know, the mathematics and physics that these ancient peoples were developing to kind of painting a larger picture of how celestial motion

Total Eclipse 2024

works, and how they could predict these occurrences to happen over time.

AO. Do animals have a reaction to solar eclipses?

MG. A lot of us are so used to the celestial motion that we don’t really give them a second thought: the earth rotates every day, the moon moves through its phases every month. But when you’re plunged into something like a total solar eclipse, where your main source of light seems like it’s being taken away, humans have been able to put this into context and understand that this is an eclipse that’s happening, but animals don’t really have that knowledge. So I think people have observed them to have potentially adverse reactions to this unnerving solar event.

But for humans, it’s more of a strong reminder that we exist in this universe where things are happening beyond (our world). I think that’s kind of an exciting thing to be reminded of. And if you’re in totality, it’s really an otherworldly experience. You’re

MG. I think people are surprised that eclipses actually happen all the time. It just depends where on earth you are to see it. Total solar eclipses are, I think, a bit rare. They happen on average every 18 months or so. But you can have I believe it’s two to five solar eclipses a year. And there are different types of eclipses. So there are partial solar eclipses annular, and total solar eclipses. With a partial, obviously, only a part of the Sun is covered. They happen quite often; you just have to be in the right spot on Earth to see them, and the Earth is 70 plus percent oceans.

AO. What observations are scientists hoping to make during the eclipse?

atmosphere, and you can hopefully see activity happening on it. So the sun is actually getting close to the peak of what we call solar maximum which is the maximum of an 11-year cycle of magnetic field activity. Sometimes you can see flares or the detail of the outer atmosphere that you wouldn’t be able to see normally.

AO. Are there other places in our solar system that have these kinds of eclipses?

plunged into complete darkness after being in a bright, sunny day. And, you know, sometimes you can see stars during the daytime, which is something you never really would expect.

AO. How rare is an eclipse?

MG. The main thing that scientists get excited about during eclipses is that you can actually more easily observe the outer atmosphere of the Sun, called its corona. And this is hard to observe. Normally, just because the sun is so overwhelmingly bright, so it drowns out everything next to it. But when the moon moves in front of the sun, you actually can see this outermost

MG. In terms of a total eclipse, I think that is incredibly rare. Eclipses are generally happening all the time in the solar system. It just has to do with the alignment of planets. If you’re moving one in front of the other, you will have some form of an eclipse. But the fact that yeah, the moon and the sun are just the right size and the right distance away for us to have a total solar eclipse is truly unique. I think it’s a really, really special opportunity, just a complete coincidence, that the moon happens to be 400 times smaller and 400 times closer to us than the sun.

photo Getty Images

Huntington Arts Council Call To Artists

Entry deadline: June 3, 2024

The Huntington Arts Council invites artists to participate in Assemblage

In this exhibition, juried by Po Zhang, artists are encouraged to submit artwork created on a defined base with 3D elements coming out of or from it. The use of found objects is welcomed but not required. Work can be free-standing or wall-hanging.

About the Juror: Po Zhang, aka Popo, is from China and has a history as an art professor with a degree in Fine Art. He came to the US 12 years ago in hopes of spreading his knowledge, and experience around the world. He has an interest in assemblage using recyclable materials, and old objects, as a way to help our environment with his love of art under his production NYPO.

ART. He has also been a known artist in the scale modeling industry as a member of the International Plastic Model Society for an extended time.

Entries

• Entries must be original to entrant. Frame entries require hanging wire.

• Selected works are chosen by the juror. No more than two works per artist are selected.

Eligibility

• All artists and media.

Size

• No work should exceed 48 inches in any direction.

• Standing work cannot be higher than 72 inches.

• Video/audio work cannot exceed 50MB in file size and 10 minutes in duration.

Entry Fee

•First three entries JOURNEY* school students $15, Full-time students $25, Artist Circle members $30

Non-members $40

Additional entries $5 each

Please note: Fees are nonrefundable.

Liability And Insurance

• Works are insured while in the possession of the Huntington Arts Council.

Sales

• HAC retains a 25 percent commission on sold work.

How to enter

Digital Submissions only. The Huntington Arts Council enriches the quality of life of long islanders with programs and services that address the needs and interests of artists, cultural organizations and the community. For more information, contact smccann@huntingtonarts.org

From our intentionally small classes to the skills of our excellent faculty, everything we offer is geared to enrich your experience and prepare you to pursue your own big dream. With nearly 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, education, and the arts and sciences, we provide a solid educational foundation so you have the confidence in your own abilities to succeed at whatever you choose to undertake — to own your future.

own path to success. While the question of TikTok’s data protection is open to debate, it must be said that to see months, even years, of effort put into establishing a business online only for it to be lost in an instant is heartbreaking.

And the buck does not stop at TikTok. All social media platforms run the risk of losing steam, of outliving public favor. Millenials remember Facebook in its heyday, or MySpace. In the last half a decade, we have witnessed extraordinary changes to Twitter, including its owner, name and logo. Even TikTok was

once Musical.Ly where social media i nfluencers began raking in views from audiences they brought over from Vine. There is no easy solution for someone looking make money through social media. In the scope of our history, it is an nascent system of communication and entertainment. It is too soon to tell what the future of social media will look like. What can be said is while some may not care about the downfall of an app on their phone, for others, the way they are able to financially support themselves is once again up in the air, and the terror of losing it all runs deep. TIK

Steam bunk 1 & 2 by Po Zhang (Images from the Huntington Arts Council webpage)

TOK from page 6A

COVID-19 Antibodies That Act Like Enzymes Could Explain Mysteries Of Long COVID

‘Abzymes’ could have important physiologic effects, researchers discover

Health researchers have discovered a potential explanation for some of the most perplexing mysteries of COVID-19 and long COVID. The surprising findings could lead to new treatments for the difficult acute effects of COVID-19, long COVID and possibly other viruses.

Researchers led by University of Virginia’s Steven L. Zeichner, MD, PhD, found that COVID-19 may prompt some people’s bodies to make antibodies that act like enzymes that the body naturally uses to regulate important functions – blood pressure, for example. Related enzymes also regulate other important body functions, such as blood clotting and inflammation.

Doctors may be able to target these “abzymes” to stop their unwanted effects. If abzymes with rogue activities are also responsible for some of the features of long COVID, doctors could target the abzymes to treat the difficult and sometimes mysterious symptoms of COVID-19 and long COVID at the source, instead of merely treating the downstream symptoms.

“Some patients with COVID-19 have serious symptoms and we have trouble understanding their cause. We also have a poor understanding of the causes of long COVID,” said Zeichner, a pediatric infectious disease expert at UVA Children’s. “Antibodies that act like enzymes are called ‘abzymes.’ Abzymes are not exact copies of enzymes and so they work differently, sometimes in ways that the original enzyme does not. If COVID-19 patients are making abzymes, it is possible that these rogue abzymes could harm many different aspects of physiology. If this turns out to be true, then developing treatments to deplete or block the rogue abzymes could be the most effective way to treat the complications of COVID-19.”

Understanding COVID-19 Abzymes

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, has protein on its surface called the Spike protein. When the virus begins to infect a cell, the Spike protein binds a protein called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2, or ACE2, on the cell’s surface. ACE2’s normal function in the body is to help regulate blood pressure; it cuts a protein called angiotensin II to make a derivative protein called angiotensin 1-7. Angiotensin II constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure, while angiotensin 1-7 relaxes blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

Zeichner and his team thought that some patients might make antibodies against the Spike protein that looked enough like ACE2 so that the antibodies also had enzymatic activity like ACE2, and that is exactly what they found.

Recently, other groups have found that some patients with long COVID have problems with their coagulation systems and with another system called “complement.” Both the coagulation system and the complement system are controlled by enzymes in the body that cut other proteins to activate them. If patients with long COVID make abzymes that activate proteins that control processes such as coagulation and inflammation, that could explain the source of some of the long COVID symptoms and why long COVID symptoms persist even after the body has cleared the initial infection. It also may explain rare side effects of COVID-19 vaccination.

To determine if antibodies could be having unexpected effects in COVID patients, Zeichner and his collaborators examined plasma samples collected from 67 volunteers with moderate or severe COVID on or around day 7 of their hospitalization. The researchers compared what they found with plasma collected in 2018, prior to the beginning of the pandemic. The results showed that a small subset of the COVID patients had antibodies that acted like enzymes.

While our understanding of the potential role of abzymes in COVID-19 is still in its early stages, enzymatic antibodies have already been detected in certain cases of

HIV, Zeichner notes. That means there is precedent for a virus to trigger abzyme formation. It also suggests that other viruses may cause similar effects.

Zeichner, who is developing a universal coronavirus vaccine, expects UVA’s new findings will renew interest in abzymes in medical research. He also hopes his discovery will lead to better treatments for patients with both acute COVID-19 and long COVID.

“We now need to study pure versions of antibodies with enzymatic activity to see how abzymes may work in more detail, and we need to study patients who have had COVID-19 who did and did not develop long COVID,” he said. “There is much more work to do, but I think we have made a good start in developing a new understanding of this challenging disease that has caused so much distress and death around the world. The first step to developing effective new therapies for a disease is developing a good understanding of the disease’s underlying causes, and we have taken that first step.”

Findings Published

The researchers have published their findings in the scientific journal mBio, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology. The research team consisted

of Yufeng Song, Regan Myers, Frances Mehl, Lila Murphy, Bailey Brooks, and faculty members from the Department of Medicine, Jeffrey M. Wilson, Alexandra Kadl, Judith Woodfolk.

“It’s great to have such talented and dedicated colleagues here at UVA who are excited about working on new and unconventional research projects,” said Zeichner.

Zeichner is the McClemore Birdsong Professor in the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology; the director of the Pendleton Pediatric Infectious Disease Laboratory; and part of UVA Children’s Child Health Research Center.

The abzyme research was supported by UVA, including the Manning Fund for COVID-19 Research at UVA; the Ivy Foundation; the Pendleton Laboratory Fund for Pediatric Infectious Disease Research; a College Council Minerva Research Grant; the Coulter Foundation; and the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases, grant R01 AI176515. Additional support came from the HHV-6 Foundation.

—Subnitted by the University of Virginia

(Photo by CDC)

AROUND TOWN

ACLD To Host “Poker For A Purpose” Fundraiser April 17 At Heritage Club

Proceeds will support people with special needs

A spirited night of poker, gourmet food, cocktails and fun prizes await as Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) will host its annual Poker For A Purpose fundraiser on Wednesday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. at The Heritage Club in Bethpage State Park, Bethpage, NY. The in-person poker tournament is a signature event hosted by ACLD to raise funds to support people with special needs and make a difference in the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Money raised is designated to ACLD’s Vacation Fund, guaranteeing every person living in an ACLD residence gets to enjoy a vacation once a year.

Highlights throughout the evening will include raffles, a silent auction, full buffet dinner, open bar and desirable prizes for the top winners of the tournament. The 2024 Poker For A Purpose tournament Grand Prize includes one entry to a future Borgata Open and hotel stay in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Second place winner will receive a packaged overnight stay at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City which includes a fine-dine gift certificate and two tickets to a show. Third place winner will receive a Movado watch, compliments of SVS Fine Jewelry.

The 2024 Poker For A Purpose honoree is David Gussin, publisher of 516Ads.com, who is known across the Island as “Long Island’s ultimate networker.” Established in 2007, 516Ads.com prides itself on being ‘Long Island’s Business Community Network.’ With the motto, ‘Created by Long Islanders for Long Islanders,’ 516Ads.com has become a staple within Long Island’s industries, including real estate, accounting, hospitality, entertainment, the nonprofit sector, and more. Gussin’s network has worked with more than 100 charities over the years, collecting much-needed items and necessities. His altruistic and entrepreneurial spirit makes him the perfect honoree for the 2024 Poker For A Purpose event to benefit the ACLD Vacation Fund.

Sponsorships and tickets are still available. For non-poker players there is a casino tournament that will coincide with the poker tournament, as well as learn-to-play-poker options.

Registration and dinner begin at 5:30 p.m. The poker tournament will kick-off at 7:00 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets and sponsorships, visit: www.pokerforapurpose.org.

—Submitted by Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities

Proposed Amendments: Projected Sea Level Rise

The New York State Department of Conservation is proposing amendments to 6 NYCRR Part 490, “Projected Sea Level Rise,” which was posted in the State Register on February 21, 2024. The goal of the proposed amendments is to provide up-to-date, science-based projections of future sea level rise. The Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA) requires DEC to adopt official sea level rise projections via regulation and to update them periodically. DEC is updating the projections at this time to incorporate projections developed as part of the NYSERDA-sponsored Climate Impacts Assessment.

DEC’s projections include a range of scenarios that assume different rates of rise through the year 2150. The range of scenarios allows decision makers to select projections of sea level rise that reflect risk tolerance and expected service life of

a project. Ultimately, both the rate of sea level rise and the level of rise over time will be determined by global greenhouse gas emissions. Continued high emission rates will lock in continued rapid warming of the ocean and lead to higher rates and levels of sea level rise.

View the proposed amendments on the DEC’s webinar YouTube channel archive @ Webinars NYS DEC.

The proposed amendments do not create any mandates on local governments or impose any compliance obligations in and of themselves. They are intended to assist state and local planners and regulators in consideration of future conditions.

Written comments are being accepted on the proposed amendments to Part 490 until April 29, 2024. DEC will also hold a public comment hearing for the proposed revisions to the existing rule on April 22, 2024.

CLARIFICATION:

The title “Syosset Coach, 22, Charged With Rape Of Student Dies By Suicide” that ran in the April 3 edition may have been misleading for readers. Jason Maser was not employed by the Syosset Central School District.

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 17 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). ere’s no such thing as a dull conversation if you’re involved. You inject vitality into every interaction. Your wit could spark a revolution, so it’s a good thing you’re as responsible as you are in uential. You’ll be mindful of how your ideas a ect others and what will happen if they act on what you say.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You like to know what to expect. It’s much more comfortable to deal with those who take the time to explain what they’re going to do and how. You want to know the time frames you’re dealing with. is is the information that helps you avoid confusion. You’ll be around excellent communicators, and all will go smoothly.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People say they want one thing but will likely want something else, not because they are being tricky but because people don’t always know themselves as well as they think they do. You’ll have a talent for sensing how to best help, please and serve others this week, and will get stellar results from applying it.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). In certain social circles or professional environments, unwritten rules are the norm. You’ve a knack for striking the right balance and intuiting what people need. One rule does not t all. You’ll navigate the boundaries of key relationships with skill, making each individual feel seen.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Because you know that the way a life looks from the outside can be very di erent from what it’s like on the inside, you try not to make assumptions based on what people project. You’re open to learning more, listening deeper and connecting on levels that will create bonds of compassion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). ough there’s a pressure to adhere to certain expectations or a speci c trajectory, you’ll resist. You have the courage to pursue your passions and carve out your unique journey. Supportive individuals who understand your ambitions will make all the di erence and will help you feel empowered to chase your dreams.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). In some places and around certain people, it seems like there’s a ban on expressing feelings, and yet that doesn’t keep you or anyone else from having them. Whether you have someone to talk it out with or can simply open up on your own, go where you can let things ow. Get emotions out of your body and vitality takes their place.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People constantly send signals to the world about who they are, what they aspire to and how they t in. It comes through clothing, movement, where you go and how you interact there. You’ll make changes in this regard this week. A new vision of who you are is emerging, and your style surfaces to meet it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Happiness is a personal journey, and what works for one person doesn’t necessarily translate across the board to all. You’ll be inspired to explore di erent paths than you have, and maybe even di erent paths than everybody has. You’re a natural-born trailblazer with augmented courage and plenty reason to seize joy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Persistence has brought you so much in life that it’s become a de ning characteristic. You’re even persistent about being persistent. As long as you believe there’s something more you can do to achieve a goal, you’ll keep after it. Just remember that to do this, you must avoid burnout. Rest and replenish your energy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You make cutbacks because you don’t have the luxury of time to waste on an endeavor, nor do you have endless funds to throw at it. What emerges from the choice is unexpected loveliness -- a simplicity that brings moments of quiet beauty and allows for the gentle elegance of living in harmony with what’s essential.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It may feel as though you are not so much being yourself as you are wearing yourself like a garment you put on in the morning because it was accessible in your closet. You’re a uid being, always creating yourself. Who you are is not who you were or who you will be. In all senses of it, wear what you want.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

You let go of who the world wants you to be to live and think in the way that ful lls your purpose. You have not yet gotten to know the extent of your various talents, but a few will converge in a complex project you take on. You’ll lead it in the way only you can and be compensated for what you bring. Your social life perks up through the summer, and you’ve a magnetic charisma that turns heads. Your respect for nature and ease with its creatures and elements will be highlighted in an unexpected adventure.

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND WORD FIND

Frustration as a sport

Solution: 17 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 17 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Frustration as a sport

Solution: 17 Letters

be thought of by some as a difficult exercise, but the fact is that the process is fairly easy, and anyone who can count to 13 should be able to meet the challenge. Assume you’re in six notrump and West leads the king of diamonds. When dummy appears, you can count 11 sure tricks, and your problem is to find a 12th. The only suit that offers any real hope of producing an extra trick is spades, where you have a reasonably good chance to make four tricks instead of three.

Scoring a fourth spade trick might appear to be simply a matter of finding the suit divided 3-3 or dropping the singleton or doubleton jack, but there’s much more to it than that. To begin with, you should duck the king of diamonds as the first step in a campaign to learn all you possibly can about the distribution of the adverse cards.

Let’s say West continues with the queen of diamonds, on which East discards a heart. The wisdom of holding off on the previous trick immediately becomes apparent because you quickly learn that West started with five diamonds and East with only one.

After taking the second diamond with the ace, you test the East-West distribution still further by cashing three hearts and four clubs, in the course of which you learn that West started with three hearts and three clubs, as well as five diamonds.

With 11 of West’s 13 cards now accounted for in those three suits, he cannot have started with more than two spades. Accordingly, you cash the ace of spades, cross to the king and then lead dummy’s last spade. When East produces the nine, you finesse the ten with absolute certainty that it will win the trick.

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

must be CDL certified and willing to submit to a background check with the New York State DMV. Pay range $25-30. Please Contact Adam Rose 516-298-8404 or adamr@precisionworkinc.com to apply.

The Viscardi Center publishes a monthly print/digital newspaper and website that serves the New York City and Long Island disability community and is looking for an energetic, highly motivated sales representative.

Sell print and digital advertising, assist with growth and management of the subscription base. Be able to learn quickly, multi-task, and work effectively to meet deadlines. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule; $25-$30/hr. + commission.

For more information, call (516) 465-1432 or email humanresources@viscardicenter.org

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FULL-TIME DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP)

Abilities, Inc. is looking for Direct Support Professionals to provide support services to successfully integrate individuals with developmental disabilities into their communities.

Transport and accompany Program Participants to recreational activities — bowling, movies, volunteering — and other socialization activities. Additional duties, such as assisting with personal care needs, may be required. $20.00/hr.

HS Diploma/equivalent, prior work experience with adults having disabilities required.

Valid NYS Driver’s License required.

For more information, call (516) 465-1432 or email humanresources@viscardicenter.org

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Perspectives Physical Therapy

Port Washington resident Dr. Corinna Lau opened Perspectives Physical Therapy in 2021 with the goal of helping women through changes that happen during the transition to motherhood and more. While she primarily focuses on peripartum rehab, she treats a large age range from teenager to octogenarian.

As a pelvic health physical therapist, Dr. Lau focuses on the rehab of the tissue surrounding and within the pelvis. She shared that, “This can be anything from core recovery and reactivation post delivery, to rehab from abdominal surgery, to regaining continence and not peeing or pooping your pants, to pelvic pain issues and beyond.”

Dr. Lau was a human physiology major in undergrad and knew she wanted to get into

the field of health. While learning about the different aspects of health care, she gravitated toward rehabilitation. She went onto Physical Therapy school at Columbia University.

“I wanted to help people who had transplants and people who are weakened by their medications and circumstances and give them a crack at their new lot in life,” said Dr. Lau. “And I loved it.”

Dr. Lau went on to work at New York-Presbyterian Hospital as a Physical Therapist, where she still works part time as a Senior Physical Therapist.

As a recreational exerciser in Crossfit, weightlifting, and running and an experienced Physical Therapist, Dr. Lau is very body aware, but after delivering her first child, she realized how foreign her body felt to her. Dr. Lau remembers stepping over an ottoman and thinking “What is going on with my pelvis?” She looked into the options for physical therapy after giving birth and realized there was not much available.

“I decided to get into this aspect of physical therapy and really dive into women’s health, pelvic health, rehab post-pregnancy and delivery,” said Dr. Lau. “I started my own business and really want to help people locally.”

While pelvic health narrows into one part of your body, Dr. Lau’s approach to pelvic health at Perspectives Physical Therapy is whole body.

“When you think of your pelvis, your core is connected to your pelvis, your legs are connected to your pelvis, your rib cage, all of your system is kind of supported by the pelvis,” explained Dr. Lau. “So, you may

have a shoulder injury and you can’t raise your arm as much without moving your ribcage and moving your ribcage affects your abs, with directly kind of affects your pelvic floor function too. ”

Dr. Lau shared that she’s not the type of therapist that is going to force patients to make drastic changes to their lifestyle. She prefers to work with her patients’ goals.

“So, it’s looking at how your whole body is moving and not even correcting it but optimizing it to how you can live your life the way you want to,” said Dr. Lau. “It’s really important to incorporate patients’ goals and incorporate what kind of lifestyle you have.”

Patients get a unique and one on one experience with Dr. Lau. She doesn’t double book her appointments and makes sure she gives her patients her full attention for their 45-minute appointment. In addition, Dr. Lau’s practice isn’t insurance based, giving her the opportunity to be accessible to everyone and not have the limitations some kinds of insurance have on health care.

To learn more about Dr. Lau and Perspectives Physical Therapy visit perspectivespt.com or call 516-243-7041.

Manhasset Art Teacher Returns To Restore School Murals

Twenty-four years ago, Manhasset art teacher Mark Fay beautified the walls of Munsey Park Elementary School. Now retired, he picked up his paintbrush once again and returned to Munsey Park this year to restore and improve the beautiful murals that he created 24 years ago.

Back in 1997, Munsey Park Elementary School added a new wing onto its building. The foyer, which connected the original building and new addition was a blank slate. Mr. Fay, Munsey’s art teacher at the time, approached the building principal and suggested adding murals to the first and second floor of the foyer. The idea was eventually brought to life in the spring 2000, thanks to the generosity of a Munsey Park family who anonymously funded the entire mural project.

Mr. Fay spent the summer of 2000 and the summer of 2001 painting the downstairs and upstairs murals which took him about eight weeks to complete. Upstairs is a forest mural which showcases the four seasons and downstairs is an ocean mural. He put his own small special touches on the pieces such as including his daughter’s name and his wife’s name on two of the boats in the ocean mural.

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“They were originally intended to be teaching spaces for the classroom teachers,” Mr. Fay said. “I put together a committee of teachers in 2000 to get some suggestions on what the two murals should look like based on their curriculum.”

In addition to the two murals, he painted seven “America the Beautiful” murals in the school’s cafeteria with only three remaining today, along with a portrait of Frank Munsey in the school auditorium.

This school year, Mr. Fay, who is now a substitute teacher in Manhasset,

approached Munsey Park Principal Dr. Chad Altman and Director of Fine and Performing Arts Dr. Joseph Owens about repairing and improving the murals. Over the years, the walls have obtained stress cracks and marks. With the generous support of the Tower Foundation and the SCA, Mr. Fay began the process. He has spent more than 110 hours on the two murals.

“It has been gratifying to know that the school still considers the project important,” he said. “It is also great because I get to

see the kids. They are passing me while I’m painting. I have had a couple of classes come in and I’ll give them a run down on what they are looking at and how it all came about. It’s good to be back in the building again.”

The entire Munsey Park school community thanks Mr. Fay for his hard work and his dedication. His wonderful art will live on for Manhasset students for many years to come.

Former Manhasset art teacher Mark Fay began repairing the upstairs four seasons mural at Munsey Park Elementary School.

(Photos by Manhasset Public Schools)

Former Manhasset art teacher Mark Fay improved the ocean mural on the downstairs floor of the school.

A posterboard of photos from when Mark Fay first started the murals back in 2000 was displayed for students and staff to look at as he worked on repairing and improving the murals.

Dr. Corinna Lau (Photo from Perspectives Physical Therapy)

AMANDA OLSEN

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

The Town of North Hempstead town board held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 2. What follows is a brief summary of those remarks and then select resolutions; for more details, please visit the Town website to view the complete archived footage of the meeting.

During the public comment period a number of topics were discussed. Three residents spoke about the ongoing issue with the plight of cats in the Town of North Hempstead. The lack of a shelter for adoptable cats, volunteering to care for the cats while in the custody of the town, and confusion surrounding the trap, neuter and release program were all addressed. Two residents also expressed alarm at County Executive Blakeman’s proposal to deputize armed citizens during a declared emergency. They implored the Board to use their platform to speak with Blakeman against this idea. One resident had started

Town Summary April 2, 2024

a petition titled “Stop the Nassau County Militia”. Another resident requested a change to the flow of traffic on Moore Street in New Hyde Park, where they live, possibly even making the street one-way. Councilmember Liu stated that she had shared the resident’s ideas with the Town traffic engineer.

The Board also opted to use a consent calendar for many items on this agenda. According to The Institute for Local Government, a consent calendar is used to expedite meetings and reserve time for matters that need to be discussed. Items on the consent calendar are generally non-controversial items that do not require much, if any, discussion. The consent calendar allows decision-makers to group such items together under one heading and decide them at one time. Local agencies typically have a procedure for removing an item from the consent calendar for separate discussion. This enables the item to be considered and voted upon separately if discussion is needed or if a decision-maker needs to not vote on that item because of a disqualifying conflict of interest.

“There are many items that are simple business extensions of contracts that we all agree on, and so they will be called together.

“Spring Fling” Senior Dances

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor

Jennifer DeSena and members of the Town Board recently attended the Town’s Senior “Spring Fling” Dances at Charles Fuschillo Park and Clinton G. Martin Park on March 15 and March 22. Nearly 300 seniors were welcomed with open arms to the events by the Town of North Hempstead’s Department

of Community Services who provided afternoons of dancing, food, and games. These events are part of the department’s full slate of programming for seniors that take place all year at multiple Town locations. If you or someone you know wants to learn more about senior events, please call 311. —Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

And if there is anyone from the public who wishes to speak on a certain number that has been called on the consent calendar, they may be heard on it. But otherwise we will vote on those items together. And then other items we have separated that we will call separately,” said Supervisor DeSena.

The items in the consent calendar were agenda items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 49.

Number 11 had some comments from residents who again were calling to address the need for a cat shelter. They asked that money be set aside for a facility that can service both dogs and cats, rather than simply repairing or upgrading the dog shelter.

Number 23 had a comment asking for clarification. The resolution is about getting lower cost phone service for town devices.

Number 32 also had a comment asking for details on the contract with the chosen turf company.

Agenda item 37, dealing with the EV parking spots in Port Washington, continues to be a sticking point. Much discussion was had about the RFP for these charging stations and whether the town was indeed getting the best deal possible. Ultimately,

the resolution did pass.

Item 42, a resolution designating Joseph Scalero as the Town of North Hempstead voting member on the Roslyn fire companies joint municipal sponsoring board, was also discussed at length. This item was an emergency item that was added to the agenda without prior notice. The fire companies needed the voting member designated so that they could conduct business. Councilwoman Dalimonte wanted to know why Councilman Ed Scott was not the person to designate the representative, since he represents the greatest share of Roslyn. It was determined that he could change the designee to someone else at a later time, and the resolution passed.

Item 44, dealing with employment issues within Town staff, had comments. There was concern that an individual had been promoted out of turn without respect to seniority. Troiano asked why this position was not posted; the deputy supervisor stated that it is not required to be posted. The human resources representative stated that if there is no internal candidate that they would then put it out for the public to apply. Dalimonte stated she wished they had talked sooner. Ultimately the resolution passed.

LEGAL NOTICESLEGAL NOTICES

Continued from page 6

BZA2024-2 Application of Mr. and Mrs. Iakovou, 57 Elm Sea Lane, Manhasset, is requesting variances for a pool and patio with the site having an open space ratio of 60.9% open space. Pursuant of the Village Code of Plandome Manor, Chapter 225, Attachment 1, in an R-22 zone, a lot must have a 65%

open space. A variance for a proposed pool located 9.1’ to the east property line and 14.7’ to the northwest property line, where the minimum required set back of 20ft per Chapter 196-5, in an R-22 zone. A variance for a proposed fire pit located 4’ from the east side property line. Pursuant of the Village Code of Plandome Manor, Chapter 225-8(3), fire-

pits are required to be placed a minimum 20ft from the side property line. BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

MARIO HARRIS, CHAIRMAN

KATHERINE HANNON, VILLAGE CLERK

Dated: April 4, 2024 4-10-2024-1T-#247205MAN

North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and members of the Town Board welcomed attendees to the Senior “Spring Fling” dance at Clinton G. Martin Park

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ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

BY JENNIFER CORR jcorr@antonnews.com

Carnegie Hall, the New York concert venue that opened in 1891, has been known to experiment with the environment of its concerts. Beginning in 2023, the venue started hosting a concert series that encouraged relaxation, mindfulness, and well-being.

Carnegie Hall’s Well-Being Concerts allow attendees to relax on mats in whatever position is most comfortable while listening to the performer.

“This concert series comes out of 15 years of concerts that were presented by Carnegie Hall in many different community settings, many different environments including health care settings, schools, correctional and justice settings and others,” said Manuel Bagorro of Carnegie Hall, an organizer of the events.

“What we learned during all of those concerts over many years is that there were well-being health benefits that were connected with these concert experiences that connected to the anticipation before the concert, to the experience of the concert itself and the ripple effects out of the experience.”

Coming out of the pandemic, Bagorro explained, Carnegie Hall wanted to apply the knowledge and experience from these concerts to create concerts designed to contribute to well-being.

A Different Kind Of Concert At Carnegie Hall Well-Being Concerts

“We thought about the way that people sat at a concert,” Bagorro said. “There are floor mats and there are floor cushions. The performers are in the center of the room surrounded by the audience on the same level. There is a environment and there’s a host that leads people through a mindfulness practice exercise and checks in, in the middle, and does a reflection at the end.”

Dr. Matthew Steinfeld, a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine, is among the hosts of the Well-Being Concerts.

“The host serves as a guide for the experience,” Dr. Steinfeld said. “They set a narrative framework that is more than just introducing the concert and in

my case, part of what I do is write a guided meditation or guided imagery script that is interwoven throughout the concert and the function is to tell the story of who the audience members are to one another in that setting, to affirm people’s interdependence that we fundamentally matter to one another…”

Mindfulness, Dr. Steinfeld said, at its root is about how the mind stays with what it’s perceiving, a

“That changes the relationship between the audience and the artist,” Bagorro said. “It feels like more of an expanded journey in a really beautiful way.”

Among this season’s performers was Nathalie Joachim, a performer and composer nominated for her landmark project, Famn d’Ayiti, an evening-length work for flute, voice, string quartet and electronics that celebrates and explores her Haitian heritage.

“It was, I think, equally as restorative for me, as it was, hopefully, for the audience,” Joachim said. “Music, as a form of therapy or healing or meditation, is, I think, a deep part of the origins of music and why we have been making music as long as there’s been people around. To come together with other people in that way and to have people be able to feel relaxed in an environment that often can feel formal… It was really great and allowed us to have a more communal experience together.”

For days afterward, Joachim said she felt blissful and internally calm.

distractions.

“One of the sources of suffering in our society has to do with the presence and the causes of those disconnects,” Dr. Steinfeld said.

Music, Dr. Steinfeld added, is a wonderful technology for helping people feel their emotions with themselves and one another. Another unique aspect of the Well-Being Concerts is that the audience doesn’t applaud until the very end, and where attendees are encouraged to wish each other well and begin conversations about how they’re feeling.

“I think people respond very differently in a room that is not constructed with great formality,” Bagorro said. “So the fact that people are taking off their shoes and are lying on the ground immediately changes the atmosphere”

The next Well-Being Concert, featuring the Anat Cohen Quartetinho, is taking place at the Resnick Education Wing at 5 p.m. on April 14.

The 2024-2025 Well-Being Concert series will be announced later this spring.

Visit www.carnegiehall.org/ Events/Well-Being-Concerts for more information.

WHERE THE STARS ARE STALLERCENTER FOR THE ARTS

Performer and composer Nathalie Joachim alongside Well-Being Concert host Dr. Matthew Steinfeld, a clinical psychologist.

(Photo by Stephanie Berger Photography, Inc.)

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