East Broadway cuts the ribbon on sensory hallway
Woman killed in Plainview house fire
A 67-year-old Plainview woman was killed in a house fire on Saturday, February 7, at 2:27 a.m. in Plainview.
According to Nassau County Police detectives, officers were dispatched to a residential fire on Sutton Drive, where they found that the house was fully engulfed in flames.
Plainview Fire Department with the assistance of several other fire departments responded and extinguished the flames. A 67-year-old female victim was discovered inside the residence and pronounced at scene. The victim’s identity was not immediately available. The investigation is ongoing.
Administrators, teachers, trustees and students in the Levittown School District gathered at East Broadway Elementary School on Feb. 4 for the grand opening of the building’s sensory hallway, designed to offer students a space to rest and regulate.
Complete with sensory panels made of different materials, a magnetic wall, wobble boards and bouncy balls, all East Broadway students are welcome to utilize the space. Designed with special education ABA classes in mind, each activity featured in the hallway is engaging and fun, giving students a space to focus whether they have sensory needs or anxiety. The hallway was made possible through the support of Levittown SEPTA and the commitment of East Broadway’s special
education teachers. Sensory spaces are also located at Abbey Lane and Lee Road Elementary Schools, with spaces being planned for Gardiners Avenue and Northside Elementary Schools.
“The sensory hallway is a fantastic area for students to access to relax and engage in sensory activities,” ABA teacher Shoshanna D’Antonio said. “It gives everyone the opportunity to focus on whatever input they need in order to focus and be able to regulate their thoughts, feelings and physical bodies.”
“With the sensory hallway, children that need sensory input have an available space to regulate themselves with any activity or quiet they need,” SEPTA Vice President Allison Scarfo said. Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools
Superintendent Todd Winch and East Broadway Principal Jordan Margolis interacted with a sensory panel. Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools
This Week at the Syosset Public Library
Fridays, February 13 and February 20, at 10:00 a.m.
Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)
Instructor: Mindy Vasta
Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.
Friday, February 13, at 2:00 p.m.
Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)
Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary. org.
Saturday, February 14, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Driver’s Safety Course (IN-PERSON)
Completion of this program entitles you to a NYS insurance discount and point reduction. In person registration ONLY. For drivers of all ages. Fee: $33
Tuesday, February 17, at 11:15 a.m.
Mind in Movement (VIRTUAL)
Instructor: Mindy Vasta
This class consists of aerobic movement to improve cardiovascular fitness. All movements can be performed standing or sitting. Proper footwear is needed. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.
Wednesday, February 18, at 2:00 p.m.
Motown Records & Berry Gordy (VIRTUAL)
Presenter: Rick Feingold, teacher, Bergen Community College
For Black History Month, join us to learn how Berry Gordy's company
Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music achieving crossover success. Lecture includes videos of the early years. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.
Thursday, February 19, at 2:00 p.m.
Breaking Barriers: Harry Belafonte (IN-PERSON)
Presenter: Marc Courtade, retired arts director
Harry Belafonte was one of the most successful performers of all time and a dynamic force in the civil rights movement. He studied acting with the American Negro Theatre and was the first man of color to win a Tony Award. He went on to have successes in films and on television, winning an Emmy Award in 1960. He received two Grammy Awards and the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his musical recordings. This talk will celebrate his enormous contributions to entertainment, civil rights and humanity. No registration needed.
Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Writing Workshop: How to Outline Your Plot (VIRTUAL)
Presenter: Erin Coughlin, award-nominated writer and producer, and author of “Pop and Fizz’s Double Feature Movie Night Guide”
Learn how to structure and strengthen your story’s plot in this interactive workshop. Participate in fun writing exercises and get tips guaranteed to help you develop and outline your story’s plot. Writers of all levels and mediums are welcome! Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.
Friday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m.
Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)
Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.
Touchdowns for Toiletries
Celebrating the spirit of the 2026 Super Bowl, students at Old Country Road Elementary School in Hicksville are making a difference by collecting toiletries for local individuals in need as part of the student council’s Touchdowns for Toiletries effort. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools
Town offers Summer Softball League
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that registration is now open for the Town’s Summer Softball Night League, with games scheduled to begin in May 2026. Games will be held at three parks throughout the Town with a season consisting of 10 weeks of regularly scheduled double headers (20 games total) plus playoffs and championships. Residents and non-residents alike are welcome to sign up for the softball league. Players must be ages 18 and older.
“The Town’s Summer Softball Night League is a fun and competitive league that provides a great opportunity for both residents and non-residents to enjoy their love of the game and appreciate some of our wonderful Town parks and facilities,” said Supervisor Saladino. “So, get your team together and take advantage of one of the Town’s most
popular programs!”
Games begin in May and will be held at 3 different locations:
• John J. Burns Park, 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa
• Ellsworth Allen Park, 45 Motor Avenue in Farmingdale
• Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, 175 Washington Avenue in Plainview
Registration is currently available at oysterbaytown.com/sports. The fee is $850 per team, and each team is responsible for liability and accidental insurance as well as umpire fees. Umpire fees are paid in cash to the umpires at the start of each game. Each team will sign up for one of three divisions: A, B, or C, with A being the most advanced.
Teams interested in more information can call the Town of Oyster Bay’s Parks Department, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-7945.
Community leaders honored during carnival
Senator Steve Rhoads proudly recognized Md. Suhel Rana and Motasir Miah at the Nassau Bangladeshi Community’s Winter Pitha Carnival, a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, and community, held at Levittown Hall. Their unwavering dedication to civic engagement, cultural celebration, and fostering community pride has made a meaningful and lasting impact, bringing people together and strengthening the Bangladeshi-American community in Nassau County.
Levittown students learn about artificial intelligence
Students and teachers led a presentation on the Levittown School District’s implementation of MagicSchool AI at the Feb. 4 Board of Education meeting.
Students in the Levittown School District have been utilizing artificial intelligence in creative ways to advance their education. At the Feb. 4 board of education meeting, they presented to trustees the many ways they have learned to adapt to using this vital tool.
The district has begun implementation of MagicSchool AI into classroom lessons, giving students a leg up in a quickly evolving field. MagicSchool AI is an education-designed platform that empowers teachers to personalize learning, streamline instruction and support every student in a safe and responsible way. It has already yielded a high level of success after being introduced to teachers and staff this year, with nearly 33,000 AI generations — a single piece of content the platform creates — by teachers, and more than 120,000 by students. Regarding instruction, the platform poses many possibilities, including creating lesson plans, rubrics and assessments, adjusting texts and materials to meet students’ instructional needs, and creating relevant, engag-
ing and personalized classroom content.
During the meeting, students Nathan d’Auteuil and William Amato led an engaging news segment-style presentation that featured teachers and fellow students. They explained how MagicSchool AI has become an essential part of the classroom, such as students having direct conversations with CEOs and other real-life figures as the AI chat box takes on the role.
“Every student who walks into my classroom is unique,” Abbey Lane Elementary School special education teacher Taylor Mastromonica said. “MagicSchool is a key part of my classroom because it helps me personalize instruction more effectively.”
“Using MagicSchool as a tool not only helps me think deeply but also analyze and organize my ideas more precisely,” General Douglas MacArthur High School student Ava Girardi said. “I’m not just memorizing facts, but I’m able to ask better questions to my peers and teachers in my classrooms.”
General Douglas MacArthur High School student Ava Girardi explained how MagicSchool AI has become a vital tool in her education.
William Amato (holding the camera) and Nathan d’Auteuil (holding the microphone) led a news segment-style presentation.
Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools
Kramer Lane rallies behind hometown Olympian
Students gathered in the multipurpose room dressed in red, white and blue, carrying an array of pom-poms, American flags and signs wishing Charlie luck.
Milan wasn ’ t the only place alive with Olympic spirit on Feb. 6– Kramer Lane Elementary School hosted a spirited pep rally to celebrate second grade teacher Jennifer McAvoy ’ s son, Charlie, who is representing the United States on the men ’ s hockey team and is the only U.S. athlete from Long Island competing in the Winter Olympics.
The student body gathered in the multipurpose room dressed in red, white and blue, carrying an array of pom-poms, American flags and signs wishing Charlie luck. The event kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, performed by four Kramer Lane students who represented the school at the NYSSMA All-County performance a few weeks ago.
Students then learned about the
helped tell Charlie ’ s story through a timeline of his life, sharing his various hockey milestones from when he started playing as a young boy in Long Beach all the way to his professional career with the Boston Bruins. The room filled with cheers as students watched a video compilation of Charlie in action on the ice.
The Bethpage High School cheer team made a special appearance, leading Kramer Lane students in enthusiastic chants of “ Char-lie! Char-lie! ”
Ms. McAvoy then participated in a Q&A with students, answering questions about Charlie and offering insight into what it was like raising an Olympian.
The event concluded with a special video message from Charlie himself to the Kramer Lane students, encour -
The event concluded with a special video message from Charlie himself to the Kramer Lane students.
Ms. McAvoy participated in a Q&A with students, answering questions about Charlie and offering insight into what it was like raising an Olympian.
Where to Go When Winter Sparks Romance
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Valentine’s Day and winter’s chill always spur couples to seek out destinations to kindle their romance –whether newlyweds on a honeymoon, or a couple looking to deepen their relationship, propose or celebrate some milestone (an anniversary or babymoon?). Here are some places with just the right atmosphere to provide the spark:
10 Most Romantic Places in Italy
Denyse Pantaleo, a tour designer and manager at Walks of Italy, which organizes authentic walking experiences in Europe’s culturally rich destinations, offers this list of 10 of Italy’s most romantic places.
The Dolomites, set against jagged snow-covered peaks, offers intimate alpine villages perfect for cuddling by a crackling fireplace after enjoying the pulsing excitement of skiing, ice skating, and indulging in fondue at a mountain lodge in towns like Cortina d’Ampezzo and San Cassiano.
Rome, the Eternal City, is the place to express eternal love. “For a truly romantic day, visit Il Sogno di Giulietta, a palazzo in the courtyard where Juliet, from Romeo and Juliet, once lived.”
Turin, an elegant city set against the backdrop of the Alps, offers thermal bliss at spas like QC Termetorino. Explore the Mole Antonelliana and Royal Palace of Turin. Finish with a romantic dinner featuring local specialties like agnolotti and gianduja chocolate.
Verona, the setting of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”: is where couples can write their own love story. Explore Juliet’s courtyard, take a stroll through Piazza delle Erbe, visit the Castelvecchio Bridge.
The Amalfi Coast, with its
dramatic cliffs and clear blue waters, offers a dreamy setting for romance. Visit the Amalfi Cathedral, watch the sunset at Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity, stroll through picturesque towns like Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello.
Umbria: Drive the Strada del Sagrantino, visit local wineries, explore medieval towns and vineyards. From the serene Lake Trasimeno to the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Umbria is a tranquil retreat for couples seeking peace and intimacy.
Florence: Wander through historic streets of this UNESCO-listed city, visit the Uffizi Gallery, stroll the Boboli Gardens. Florence’s beauty and timeless allure create the perfect atmosphere for couples.
Venice, with its enchanting canals and gondolas, is the quintessential romantic destination. Glide through the Grand Canal, explore hidden gems like the Dorsoduro district, arrange a private gondola ride
Pompeii: Explore the ruins of this ancient Roman city, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Walk through the well-preserved streets and discover the House of Venus, where intricate frescoes depict tales of love and beauty. After a guided tour around the ruined ancient city, visit Cantina de
Venice seems to have been designed for romance © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
and-snowshoeing-in-slovenia)
the volcano.
Milan: With landmarks like the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan offers a luxurious yet intimate setting. Shop stylish boutiques, enjoy gourmet meals in trendy districts like Brera, and experience a night at La Scala opera house. From here, take a short train journey to Lake Como.
See: www.walksofitaly.com/blog/ travel-tips/most-romantic-places-initaly
Top Romantic Winter Experiences in Slovenia
In winter, Slovenia turns into a storybook destination, where snow-covered landscapes, charming towns, and intimate experiences set the atmosphere for romance.
Moonlit Winter Walks and Snowshoeing Adventures: Velika Planina, with its charming shepherds’ huts blanketed in snow, feels like a fairytale village for scenic winter walks and snowshoe hikes to nearby plateaus. Pokljuka, a high alpine plateau within Triglav National Park, impresses with majestic spruce forests and sweeping views of the Julian Alps; Pohorje is a winter wonderland of meadows and forests (https://www. slovenia.info/en/stories/winter-hikes-
A Traditional Pletna Boat Ride to Bled Island: Glide across Lake Bled’s misty waters aboard a traditional pletna boat. Visit the island church where the tradition of ringing the wishing bell adds a meaningful and romantic ritual.
Indulge in a Couples’ Thermal Spa Retreat at the Orhidelia Wellness Centre at Terme Olimia, one of Slovenia’s most modern wellness centers; the Riviera Wellness Centre in Terme Čatež; and enjoy honey- or beer-inspired treatments at Thermana Laško. (www.slovenia.info/en/stories/ couple-pampering-in-slovenian-spas).
Romantic City Strolls Filled with Culture and Charm: Ljubljana captivates with its elegant architecture and vibrant cultural scene. The LUV Fest , a festival of love, art and wandering, is Feb 8-Mar.12). Visit Ptuj, named the Best Cultural Heritage Town in Europe for 2026.
For more romantic winter experiences, visit www.slovenia.info/ en/stories/ideas-for-romantic-winterexperiences
Bermuda epitomizes romance, with stunning pink sand beaches, quiet, private coves, quaint lodgings and an endless array of activities. For our family it was the perfect destination for a proposal, and then a babymoon at The Reefs (www.thereefs. com, 800-742-2008). Bermuda Tourism Authority, www.gotobermuda.com, 1-800-BERMUDA)
Mendocino, California is one of our favorite romantic destinations – the charming northern California historic town is nestled on the rocky coast with stunning scenery, hikes, beaches and coves. A favorite place to stay is Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa, which offers utter serenity (800-5784454, brewerygulchinn.com). Visit Mendocino County, 866-466-3636, 707964-9010, www.visitmendocino.com. February 13, 2026
Vesuvio, a stunning winery on the slopes of
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of February 15-21, 2026
Back in the earliest days of human history, long before even I was born, skywatchers noticed that the moon and planets drifted from month to month among the stars. Even more interestingly, they found that these wandering lights never strayed from a narrow arc across the sky.
With little understanding of the workings of the cosmos, they interpreted these wandering lights as either envoys of the gods carrying messages to and fro or, perhaps, the gods themselves. They devised 12 stellar groupings (the zodiac) to mark this path, and assigned mystical properties to each as well as to the planets that appeared to pass through them.
Night after night, they watched and plotted these celestial dances in hopes of gleaning the wishes and thoughts of the gods. This, of course, is the origin of astrology, which has not changed terribly much in methods and purpose over the millennia, except that today it has become a multimillion-dollar business.
Modern stargazers who do understand the workings of the universe know that there is nothing mystical at all about this region of the heavens. It represents the path along which the planets journey in front of the more distant stars. Astronomers call it the
Follow the Winter Zodiac
“ecliptic” because it’s along this arc that the sun and moon also appear to travel, and, therefore, the only locations in the sky where eclipses can occur.
Head outdoors after dark this week and you’ll see half of the year’s zodiacal constellations spread over the southern sky. In the west, Pisces, the fishes, appear shortly after sunset, but set soon after darkness falls. To the east of Pisces comes Aries, the Ram. Unfortunately, there are no really bright stars among this grouping, so your best chance of finding them will come under a dark, un-light-polluted sky.
After Aries comes Taurus, the bull, with its bright star Aldebaran, and
LOST
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
One morning I walked around the back of our yard and discovered a dead animal. I poked it with the toe of my sneaker to make sure it was really dead, not just playing possum. But as they say in The Wizard of Oz, it wasn’t just merely dead, it was really most sincerely dead.
Naturally, the first thing I did was take a headcount of all our pets to make sure the furry, stiff thing outside was not one of ours. Then I accounted for all my dog’s stuffed toys to make sure I wasn’t freaking out over something that had never actually been alive.
Finally, reluctantly, I went outside and approached the dead thing. It was bigger than a squirrel and smaller than a breadbox, which incidentally is kind of a stupid comparison because no one I know has a breadbox, so I’ll just say it was about the same size as a cat.
The dead thing, in fact, turned out to be a dead possum. As far as I could tell, there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it -- aside from the fact that
Half of the year’s zodiacal constellations will be visible in the southern sky after dark this week.
Gemini, the twins, and its equally bright “twin” stars Castor and Pollux. Finally, low in the eastern sky, we struggle to spot a dim, nondescript constellation. Cancer, the crab, is one of the smallest and faintest of all celestial patterns.
Once you find the zodiacal band, you’ll be able to keep watch of the planets’ motions as did the ancients. Right now, look for faint Saturn not far from the stars of Pisces low in the west after dark, and brilliant Jupiter glistening among the stars of Gemini high in the east. Uranus and Neptune also lie along this band, but you’ll need a telescope to find them.
Later this week and next, you’ll be able to watch as the moon swings along
IN SUBURBIA
Playing Possum
it was dead. This, of course, was an issue. But the biggest issue, aside from its deadness in our yard, was the fact that there was no one to remove it from our yard except me. Normally when I find dead things around the house or outside of it, I leave them for my husband to deal with. It comes with his job description. I make the meals, pick up the dry cleaning, do the laundry, and take out the garbage -- and he disposes of dead things. But my husband was not here, and the dead possum was smack in the back of the yard where the dog likes to run around. The dog also likes to eat, play with and roll around on dead things. You can see how this was a problem.
So, I did what any sensible, suburban woman with a similar problem would do. I called the police.
“Hi there,” I said. “I have a dead possum in my backyard. Can you send someone over to pick it up?”
There was a pause. Then someone on the other end snorted, said no, and hung up. Honestly, I didn’t actually think they would come, but I thought it
was worth a shot.
Regrettably, I realized there was no one else I could call, meaning I was going to have to do the deed. So, I put on rubber gloves, a ski mask and a radiation suit I happened to have lying around the house, and I went outside.
I nudged the possum with my toe again, but it didn’t budge. I nudged harder, and nothing happened. This is when I realized that the possum was actually petrified, as in hard-as-arock-petrified, not scared-petrified, and stuck to the ground like a fossil in bedrock. It occurred to me that the possum may have been there, at the edge of my backyard, dead, for quite some time, and may have even actually taken root.
I thought for a minute, then went into the shed and got a big shovel. I jammed it under the possum and heaved, but nothing happened. Then I threw all my weight on the shovel. This time the dead possum lifted out of the ground, onto the shovel, into the air and, in a perfect arc, flew over my neighbor’s fence. Problem solved.
this path as well. This should not surprise you; it, too, is part of our solar system and travels along roughly the same arc. I say “roughly” because the moon’s orbit is actually tipped by about 5 degrees to the plane of the ecliptic, so it does appear to stray slightly above and below it.
As the seasons change, you’ll be able to follow the zodiac into the spring sky and find some of its constellations located there. By summertime, you’ll be greeted by an entirely new cast of zodiacal characters.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
Snow Days: Keep Them or Get Rid of Them
BY MARC SPECTOR
We all remember how wonderful it was back in the day when we were kids and we heard that it was going to snow. At least for me, I think, and most of my contemporaries.
Not only was it a break from school, but also a chance to relax, maybe sleep in a bit, go play in the snow, or as the years went by, watch News 12 and see how everyone else was “dealing” with and “coping” with the snowstorms. Talk about equalizers!
As if getting up early in the morning when it was cold and dark was not enough, the angst associated with being a teenager intensified . All of the pressure of being young and having lots of academic responsibilities, with not enough time to do it in, and apparently not too many people caring about that fact too much, it all added up to stress, and lots of it. Besides, snow days tended to be a relief, albeit a temporary one, from the pains of everyday life, at least to an extent.
Obviously there are differences of opinion between those who want the snow days back and those who want to get rid of them forever. But both sides do have also problems associated with them: proponents of KEEPING the snow days cite safety and security as paramount, and keeping students and teachers safe, which sounds perfectly
sound to me. Others go for a more psychological reason, namely the emotional effect that the snow days have on us, bringing nostalgia for days of yore, a chance to refresh, reboot, spend time with family and friends and perhaps even explore unusual community resources and opportunities previously not done! Again, that sounds fine with me. And, finally, having snow days prevents unequal discrimination with regards to transportation accessibility and availability, as no one irrespective of financial and socioeconomic status should have to go to school in really bad weather, in my opinion.
But the naysayers have their point as well: the potential disruption of the academic calendar schedule, being forced to “add on” days at the end of the year, and, indirectly the difficulties associated with having to “catch-up” and “get back into” academics after even a short hiatus. There are also legitimate concerns about unequal technological allocations which raise potential discrimination issues, as not everyone has high quality internet access, nor a supportive home environment for it, either. Meal distribution for economically disadvantaged students can also become an issue, as in where would those kids now get their food from if school is closed? And finally, for parents who have to work during the day, now, their schedule is interrupt-
ed potentially leading to financial loss and a big stressor on their respective employers as well.
So, what’s the answer?
Personally, I am in favor for the most part of keeping the snow days but nevertheless understand the dilemmas therein associated. It’s essentially a choice between personal enlightenment and practical considerations, but it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing either, I don’t think. Another reason why I tend to be in favor of keeping these days is that it effectively teaches us albeit indirectly that “stuff happens” and keeps us on our toes with regards to that aspect of life. It would also be a day to be happy without being productive, a sorely needed practice in today’s society. A day to experiment in “just relaxing and rediverting” which we might need more than we think we do. And there is also the susceptibility of modern-day technology to not function properly all the time, creating frustration and uneven academic continuity for some.
A compromise might be the only effective remedy… reserving the traditional snow day for the “really bad snow days” where states of emergency are implemented and roads deemed treacherous to drive, or maybe what some educational institutions are doing already, having specifically previously allocated “snow days” already inserted
NUTRITION NEWS
Heart Healthy February
into the calendar beforehand, which would serve as asynchronous learning dates and making sure that the important material gets covered. And as for the food insecurity issue, the school districts should have alternative plans in hand before the year even starts to address the concerns of socioeconomically disadvantaged children.
I think that hybrid compromise might be just what we’re looking for. Let’s be honest, we don’t (usually) get that much snow on Long Island, but we still live in the Northeast and winter is just as much of a season as the other three. So, why not enjoy it to the best of our ability? I think that a break in the “action” not only gives us a break from the grind, but also a catch up period and time to reflect on life, where we’ve been, where we’re headed, etc. I comprehend fully why too many snow days can be disruptive, too. So, I propose the aforementioned compromise.
With climate change and global warming going the way it has been for a while now, soon we might move into a new climatic “zone” and snow days will naturally become a thing of the past. But until then, let’s just enjoy a sporadic snow day and not overimplement nor overutilize them, just enjoy them for what they are, natural and beautiful. And also enjoy extra rest and relaxation!
BY CHARLYN FARGO
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects many. It’s a risk factor, along with high cholesterol and smoking, that can lead to heart disease. About half of all Americans have at least one of the three risk factors.
High blood pressure is a medical condition that happens when the pressure of the blood in your arteries and other blood vessels is too high. The high pressure, if not controlled, can affect your heart and other major organs of your body, including your kidneys and brain. High blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to measure your blood pressure. You can lower your blood pressure with lifestyle changes or with medicine to reduce your risk for heart disease and heart attack.
A second risk factor is high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance made by the liver and found in certain foods. Your liver makes enough
for your body’s needs, but many of us get more cholesterol from the foods we eat.
If we take in more cholesterol than the body can use, the extra cholesterol can build up in the walls of the arteries, including those of the heart. This can lead to narrowing of the arteries and can decrease the blood flow to the heart, brain, kidneys and other parts of the body.
Like high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol usually has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to get it checked with a simple blood test.
The lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure and high cholesterol include eating less saturated fat (found in animal foods), less trans fat (found in pro-
cessed foods) and less salt. Choose more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to lower sodium and fat intake. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating at least 1 1/2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables every day, as well as limiting sodium to 2,300 milligrams per day.
Add as many fruits and veggies to your diet as you can. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium and contain nutrients such as potassium that can help lower blood pressure. Also try to eat lean sources of protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish and lean meats as well as beans. Choose whole-grain breads and pastas and look for lower-sodium versions of canned and packaged foods.
The bottom line is diet alone may not completely cure or prevent high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but it can help.
Q and A
Q: Are there foods that can help with bad breath?
A: One of the biggest culprits of bad breath, referred to as halitosis, is bac-
teria on the tongue, which can interact with amino acids in foods to produce a foul smell. Decreased saliva production also prevents the mouth from cleansing itself by removing odor-causing food debris. Eating foods like garlic and onions, as well as smoking, can also lead to stale breath. Bad breath can sometimes signify a more serious underlying health condition, but for nonmedically related situations, several foods have natural compounds that help keep bacteria at bay. Try apples, green tea, cherries, ginger, parsley, yogurt with probiotics, melons and cinnamon. In addition, stay hydrated with water, chew gum to stimulate salivary glands and avoid coffee.
Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
BY TOM MARGENAU
As I’ve pointed out before, I usually find myself answering the same questions over and over again. But I’ve saved up a couple of oddball questions -- and here they are. But first, I want to make it clear I am not calling the people who emailed me the questions “oddballs.” However, I am saying the questions they asked were odd -- or at least out of the ordinary.
Q: I recently signed up for my Social Security after working for more than 40 years. I’ve often wondered this. I know that once you have 40 quarters of coverage, you are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. I bet I had those 40 quarters way back when I was maybe 30 years old. Could I have quit working back then and still gotten a Social Security benefit someday? And if so, why didn’t I just do that?
A: Interesting questions. Before I answer them, let me clarify a term for some readers. You talked about “quarters of coverage.” That’s an old term that hasn’t been used in years. Younger readers might know that as “credits.” And here is why.
When Social Security first started, the law said that if you worked and paid Social Security taxes on earnings of $50 or more within a calendar quarter (January-March; April-June; etc.), you got one “quarter of coverage” applied to your Social Security account. And then the law further said that once you had 40 of those quarters, you were then “insured” for Social Security retirement benefits.
But about 50 years or so ago, they did away with the calendar quarter business and changed the rules to say you got one “credit” for each specified amount of money you made, not to exceed four credits in one year. That specified amount goes up slightly every year. For example, in 2026, you get one credit for each $1,890 you earn. But again, no more than four credits can be earned in a year. So that means in 2026, once you make $7,560, you have earned the maximum four Social Security credits you can get.
Here is an interesting way of looking at that. For most of us, that means you probably have to work about a month or more before you earn four Social Security credits. But for a billionaire like Elon Musk, for example, he probably earns his four credits five minutes after he walks into his Space X offices on Jan. 2 of each year! OK. So that clarifies why “quarters of coverage” and “credits” are the same thing. Now, to answer your question about quitting at age 30 and getting your Social Security.
You could potentially do that. But you would end up with an awfully small Social Security benefit. That benefit will be based on your average income over your highest 35 years of earnings. So if you end up with only 10 years of earnings on your record, that means they would have to factor 25
Some Oddball Questions
years of “zero” earnings into your Social Security computation. And that would drag down your average earnings, and thus your Social Security benefit, to a very low amount.
Q: My wife and I are both in our late 50s and starting to think about Social Security. I have had well-paid jobs all my life and always paid the maximum into Social Security. My wife spent a big chunk of our 35-year marriage staying home and taking care of the kids. She just barely has her 40 quarters. Can I take the next 10 years or so, transferring my earnings to my wife’s Social Security record, thus building up her Social Security account? I figure we could do this because we file a joint tax return.
A: You can’t do that. How you file a tax return has nothing to do with the assignment of Social Security earnings to individual records.
And even if you could do such a thing, you wouldn’t want to do it. Why? Because your wife will end up getting higher Social Security benefits as a spouse on your record than she ever would get on her own account. Let’s say your benefit will be $4,000 per month and your wife’s own small retirement benefit will be $500. Assuming you start benefits at your full retirement age, she would be due a spousal benefit of $1,500 on your account to supplement her own $500 benefit.
Now, let’s say you were able to give some of your earnings to your wife for several years. That might boost her own benefit to maybe $800 per month. But she is still going to end up with $2,000 in total benefits ($800 on her record and $1,300 from you). So why bother trying to boost her own benefit?
Q: I am 73 years old and have been getting Social Security since I turned 66. I just stopped working. I started working when I was 13. One thing that has always bugged me is that the earnings I had between ages 13 and 18 never showed up on my Social Security record. I didn’t make much back then, but at least it was something and those earnings probably would have increased my Social Security benefit. I have been fighting for years to get those earnings included in my Social Security records. I think I’ve hired a half dozen lawyers over the years to help me fix this. And still nothing has happened! Can you help me?
A: I can help you by telling you to stop obsessing over this and to stop wasting money on lawyers. Even if you got those old earnings added to your Social Security records, they wouldn’t increase your benefit by a single nickel.
Why? Because your retirement benefit was based on your highest 35 years of earnings. And for most people, their highest 35 years are their last 35 years. You said you filed for retirement benefits when you were 66. So it’s a pretty good bet that your
original Social Security benefit was based on your earnings between ages 31 and 66. So that means any earnings you had before that, especially the paltry money you made as a teenager, would never be used in your retirement benefit calculation. One other note. You said you just stopped working at age 73. There is a pretty good chance that each year’s worth of earnings you had between age 66 and 73 bumped up your benefit by a little bit. How and why that happens is WAY too complicated to explain in what’s left of today’s column. But if you get my book, “Social Security - Simple and Smart,” there is
a whole chapter that explains how earnings after retirement may (or may not) increase your Social Security benefit. If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Is Your Home Climate-ready for the Next Ten Years?
A few years ago, “climate-ready” sounded like something only coastal homeowners needed to worry about, like Flood zones, Hurricanes, Maybe wildfires out West.
In 2026, that thinking doesn’t hold up anymore.
Homeowners across the country are dealing with hotter summers, heavier rain, longer power outages, rising insurance costs, and weather patterns that no longer follow the old rules. Even places once considered “safe” are seeing stress on homes that were never designed for this level of heat, moisture, or volatility.
So the real question isn’t whether climate change will affect your home. It’s whether your home is prepared for what the next decade is likely to bring.
Climate-ready doesn’t mean extreme
Let’s clear up a misconception first. Making your home climate-ready does not mean building a bunker, ripping everything out, or spending a fortune on the latest green technology. It means something simpler—and more practical:
• Can your home stay livable during extreme heat or cold?
• Can it handle heavier rain without damage?
• Will insurance companies still want to cover it?
• Will rising energy costs hit you harder than necessary?
• Can you stay in your home comfortably as conditions change?
For most people, climate readiness is about resilience, not perfection.
The quiet stress points in many homes
When homes struggle with climate shifts, it’s usually not because of one dramatic failure. It’s because of small, overlooked weaknesses that add up.
Here are the big ones showing up most often:
Heat management
Homes built decades ago weren’t designed for prolonged heat waves. Poor insulation, aging windows, dark roofs, and inefficient cooling systems can turn a house into a heat trap. Even if your air conditioner works, it may be working overtime—and driving up energy bills in the process.
Water, water, water
Heavier downpours are stressing foundations, roofs, gutters, and drainage systems. Basements that “only flooded once” are flooding more often.
Yards that used to absorb rain are now channeling it toward the house.
Power reliability
More extreme weather means more outages. Homes that rely entirely on electricity for heat, cooling, medical equipment, or communication are increasingly vulnerable when the grid goes down.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
Insurance exposure
This is the sleeper issue. Insurance companies are quietly reassessing risk—sometimes by raising premiums sharply, sometimes by limiting coverage, and sometimes by leaving markets altogether. Homes with outdated roofs, poor drainage, or higher exposure to heat and water are being flagged more often.
What climate-ready actually looks like
A climate-ready home doesn’t need every upgrade. It needs the right ones. Here are changes that consistently make a difference:
Better building envelope
Insulation, air sealing, and modern windows do more than improve comfort. They reduce energy demand during heat waves and cold snaps, making your home easier to keep livable even under stress.
Smart water management
Functional gutters, extended downspouts, proper grading, sump pumps with battery backups, and permeable landscaping all help keep water moving away from your house instead of into it.
Heat resilience upgrades
Shade trees, lighter-colored roofing, exterior shading, and efficient cooling systems can lower indoor temperatures dramatically—sometimes even when the power is out.
Backup power planning
This doesn’t always mean a wholehouse generator. For many homeowners, a smaller battery system or generator that supports essentials (refrigeration, medical devices, internet, basic lighting) is enough.
Durable materials
Fire-resistant siding, impact-resistant roofing, and moisture-tolerant flooring are becoming less of a luxury and more of a long-term cost control strategy.
What this means if you’re a first-time buyer
If you’re buying your first home, climate readiness should be part of your evaluation—right alongside price and location.
Ask questions like:
• How old is the roof, and what is it made of?
• Has the basement ever taken on water?
• What are typical summer energy bills?
• Has the insurance premium changed recently?
A cheaper home isn’t cheaper if it’s expensive to insure, cool, repair, or protect.
What this means for long-term owners
If you plan to stay put, climate readiness is really about protecting future choices.
Small upgrades made now—better insulation, drainage fixes, roof improvements—are usually far less expensive than emergency repairs later. They also make your home easier to sell if you ever decide to move, because buyers are becoming more aware of these risks.
Think of it as maintenance for a changing environment.
What this means for retirees
For retirees, climate readiness intersects directly with comfort and independence.
Extreme heat is harder on older bodies. Power outages can be more than inconvenient if you rely on medical equipment or climate control. Water damage and major repairs are especially disruptive on fixed incomes.
Prioritizing reliability—stable temperatures, fewer emergencies, lower ongoing costs—can make aging in place safer and less stressful.
What this means if you’re renting now but plan to buy
Pay attention to what you experience as a renter. Does your unit overheat? Do storms cause leaks or outages? Are utility bills unpredictable?
Those experiences are valuable data. They can help you spot red flags—and smart features—when you eventually buy.
Start with readiness, not fear
Climate-ready homes aren’t about fear or doom. They’re about realism.
Calling all College students!
The next 10 years are likely to bring more heat, more intense weather, higher energy costs, and tighter insurance standards. Homes that adapt gradually will fare better than homes that wait for a breaking point.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start by asking a simple question: If the weather gets harder on this house, will the house push back—or give in?
The answer can guide your next smart move.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:
National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate). Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions. National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
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Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.
Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here you are my Mother.
Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.
Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times).
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Cherry pie makes for a flavorful finishing touch
Dessert can be the crowning touch to a delicious meal. Pie is a popular dessert that undoubtedly benefits from versatility. It comes in so many flavors that it’s possible to eat a slice of pie
Pie dough:
2 1⁄4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 teaspoon table salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2⁄3 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄4-inch cubes
7 tablespoons vegetable shortening; chilled
1⁄3 cup iced water
Cherry filling:
6 cups sweet cherries (pitted), or 6 cups pitted frozen cherries
Cherry
Pie
each day for a month and never have the same one twice. For those with a predilection for “Cherry Pie,” this recipe from Lines+Angles is sure to please.
For 8 servings
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 small lemon, zested to yield 1 teaspoon zest and juiced to yield
2 teaspoons juice
1⁄8 teaspoon ground allspice
1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄8 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon brandy
3 to 4 tablespoons quick-cooking
tapioca
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1) Mix flour, salt and sugar in a food processor fitted with steel blade. Scatter butter pieces over flour mixture, tossing to coat butter with a little flour. Cut butter into flour with five 1-second pulses. Add shortening and continue to cut it in until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal with butter bits no larger than small peas, about four more 1-second pulses. Turn mixture into medium bowl.
2) Sprinkle all but 1 tablespoon of the ice water over mixture. With blade of rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix. Press down on dough with broad side of spatula until dough sticks together, adding up to 1 tablespoon of remaining ice water if dough does not come together. Divide dough into two balls, one slightly larger than the other. Flatten each into 4-inch-wide disk. Dust lightly with flour, wrap separately in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
3) Remove dough from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly, about 10 minutes. Heat oven to 400 F. Toss fruit with sugar, lemon juice and zest, spices, almond extract, brandy, and tapioca; let stand for 15 minutes.
4) Roll larger dough disk on lightly floured surface into 12-inch circle, about 1⁄8-inch thick. Transfer and fit dough into 9-inch glass pie pan, leaving dough that overhangs the lip in place. Turn fruit mixture, including juices, into pie shell. Scatter butter pieces over fruit. Refrigerate until ready to top with remaining dough.
5) Roll smaller disk on lightly floured surface into 10-inch circle. Lay over fruit. Trim top and bottom dough edges to 1⁄2-inch beyond pan lip. Tuck this rim of dough underneath itself so that folded edge is flush with pan lip. Flute dough in your own fashion, or press with fork tines to seal. Cut four slits at right angles on dough top to allow steam to escape. If pie dough is very soft, place in freezer for 10 minutes before baking.
6) Place pie on baking sheet; bake until top crust is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F and continue to bake until juices bubble and crust is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes longer.
7) Transfer pie to wire rack; let cool to almost room temperature so juices have time to thicken, from 1 to 2 hours.
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HMS students challenge themselves with games
Connect Four champions Aadhya Patel (grade 8), Mansoor Azimi (grade 7), Carlos Nunez (grade 6), and Mr. Josh Morrow (staff)
Students at Hicksville Middle School recently sharpened their strategy skills during lunchtime chess in the gym lobby during their lunch periods. The relaxed setting encouraged conversation, problem solving and strategic thinking as students tested their skills and learned from one another.
That same brainpower was evident in the school’s recent Connect Four
tournament, which brought together students in grades 6-8 and staff members for fast-paced, competitive games. Each match challenged players to think ahead, stay patient and show good sportsmanship. Advisory classes crowned their own champions, who then advanced to a tournament-style bracket to compete for grade-level titles.
After several rounds of intense play,
one champion from each grade level and one staff champion emerged, leading to an exciting final round watched live by students and staff. More than just a competition, the tournament helped build strong connections between students and teachers and across grade levels.
Hicksville Middle School Assistant Principal Jonathan Silkowitz said,
“I’m always impressed by the level of skill our students bring to games like Connect Four and chess, but even more meaningful is the opportunity these activities create for students and staff to connect, build relationships, and have fun together during the school day.”
courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools
Free concerts at libraries during February
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Distinguished Artists Concert Series will continue with free performances at local libraries throughout the Town.
“The Distinguished Artists Concert Series provides free musical and dance programs for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I encourage residents to take advantage of these wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries.”
Scheduled performances for February include:
• Blueprint Blue on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public
Library – A tribute to the music of Steely Dan. Open to all. Free Tickets required. Tickets available at the library beginning January 26. For more information, contact the library at (516) 938-0077.
• Back on Bourbon Street on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jericho Public Library – Playing the best musical grooves of New Orleans from the 1950’s through today. You’ll hear the righton sounds of Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Fats Domino & many more! Open to all. Free Tickets required. Two tickets per person. Tickets available at the library beginning January 25. For more information, contact the library at
(516) 935-6790.
• Art Lillard & The Blue Heaven Swing Sextet on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Massapequa Public Library – The group plays a variety of swing standards and no-so-standard swing and blues numbers, written by such luminaries as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Lester Young.
• Pure Joy with Paige Patterson on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Public Library – Musical therapy for the soul! A feel-good mix of best-loved songs from Sinatra to Santana, Bon Jovi to Broadway.
• The Little Big Band on
Love to write?
Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library – The Little Big Band pays homage to the elegant and awe-inspiring bands of the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, and beyond. Open to all. Free Tickets required. Tickets available at the library beginning January 17th. For more information, contact the library at (516) 938-0077.
The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For the full concert schedule and further information, please call (516) 797-7900 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com/CAPA.
We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.
Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com
• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.
• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰
Hicksville Middle School student playing chess during their lunch period.
Photos