Bethpage Newsgram (2/21/20)

A NEW AUDITORIUM Levittown

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald (right), surrounded by the Levittown board of education and central administrators, cut the ribbon to officially open MacArthur High School’s newly renovated auditorium. See page 10

Plainview - Old Bethpage school board to hold special election

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education announced today that it will hold a special election on Monday, April 6, to fill an open trustee position on the Board following the resignation of Vice President Jodi Keller.

“The Board of Education is grateful to Ms. Keller for her many years of dedication and leadership to the Plain-

view-Old Bethpage school community,” said Debbie Bernstein, president of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education. “Over the years, Jodi has played a significant role in making the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District one of the premier school districts on Long Island. We wish her well and look forward to welcoming a new member to the

Board of Education to help build upon our recent successes fostering student achievement today and in the future.”

Voting on April 6 will take place at Jamaica Avenue School and the Administrative Offices in Mattlin Middle School. The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

“It has been an honor serving on the Plainview-Old Beth-

See page 18

BY GARY SIMEONE

When Division Avenue High School teacher Dave Goldman was rocking his three-year-old son to bed one night, he tried to think of a bedtime tale that would help put him to sleep. He thought of his good friend and colleague Mike Verdi, who unexpectedly passed away last year, and came up with the idea for the Great Blue Dragon.

“I told him the story of this mighty dragon whose job it is to teach other dragons how to fly shoot flames roar and do all the things that dragons do,” said Goldman. “He does all of these things and then at the end of the story he has to leave.”

Goldman said that his late friend Mike was the fictional dragon in the book because he reminded him of all of the attributes that he possessed when he was alive.

“Mike was an English teacher at the school and he was truly the center of the building. Everybody at the school loved him and he did so much for the school community. He was an emcee at the spirit events, coached two varsity sports, coordinated the SAT exams and served as a faculty advisor for over ten student clubs. He was truly like the Blue Dragon’s mascot.”

Verdi died last September at

the age of 45, leaving behind a wife and three children. His death came as a total shock to the school and the community.

“His death really had a tremendous impact on the school and the community as a whole,” said Goldman. “I know he had developed an infection and was under medical care, but the suddenness of it all was really very tragic for everyone.”

After Goldman told his son the story, he posted his idea on Facebook and said that it really resonated with people.

See page 18

Division Avenue High School teacher, Dave Goldman

Community Council to meet

The Hicksville Community Council will hold a general meeting on Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, 28 West Carl Street, Hicksville.

The meeting agenda will include discussion of the MTA's plans for Hicksville.

Celebrate Purim with TOB Chabad

The Town of Oyster Bay Chabad will be hosting a community-wide celebration including a magic show, face painting, balloon animals, cotton candy, temporary tattoos, crowning ceremony, bubbles, games, dancing, music and more! Event will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at 4:15 p.m. At 678 Woodbury Rd, Woodbury

NY, followed by reading the Megilla and recounting the miracle of Purim. This program is free of charge.

Also featured will be music, drinks and hamantashen. Celebrating the joy of Purim will be an experience to be remembered.

For more information and to register for free, visit us online at Jewishtob.org

Are you a professional?

Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

Levittown Chamber welcomes new Board of Directors

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce welcomed Frank Marcinek, commander of American Legion Post 1711 and Gary Tarlov franchise owner of Cruise Planners – Embark Nation L.L.C. as Board of Directors at the 59th installation of Officers and Board of Directors, which was held at Domenico’s on January 29.

Attorney and actor Jon Probstein (aka Jon Avner) was installed for his second year as the president of the Chamber of Commerce along with Michael Levy, owner of Minuteman Press/Levittown, as first vice president; Christine Sweeney, vice president & manager of Sterling National Bank as second vice president; Robert Ryan, Esq. as counsel secretary; and Frank Mormando of Levittown Lanes as treasurer. The named officers include Joan Lynch of Long Island Center for Independent Living, as immediate past president.

Installed as directors were: Louise Cassano, principal of LuCas Communications; Beth Dalton-Costello of Dalton Funeral Homes, Matthew

DeGregorio, past commander of VFW Post 9592; Kathi Donnelly of Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Donald Patane of Main Street Financial Group; William Powell of William J. Powell Associates, L.L.C. and Ann Torcivia founder of The Joey Foundation.

Special thanks to the following outgoing board of directors for their service to the chamber:

• Donna Calegari, branch manager at Bethpage Federal Credit Union

• Tom DiIorio, principal of Island Smart Home Inspections;

• Brian Fielding, principal of Mobile Flicks 2U, Inc.

• William Mullan Jr, owner of LevitStyle

Senator Kevin Thomas, Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti, Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr. and Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray all took part in the swearing in of Officers and Board of Directors for the Levittown Chamber of Commerce.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Cerebral Palsy Association

The Town of Oyster Bay  will serve as home to The Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County’s (CP Nassau) 16th Annual Polar Bear Plunge benefit fundraiser on Sunday, March 8, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, Beach and Marina in Oyster Bay, with festivities to begin at noon and the plunge at 1 p.m.

“The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to serve as home this Polar Bear Plunge as it supports the Cerebral Palsy Association and their many outstanding programs and services.  I invite everyone to come out of winter hibernation and join us in this fun and unique plunge into north shore waters.  The water may be cold, but the cause is certain to warm your heart,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, who was named the Honorary Chairman of the event.

The Polar Bear Plunge festivities will

include a DJ, free hot chocolate, coffee, tea, hot dogs, and soup.  Raffles will be offered, and children will enjoy many other surprises including Star Wars characters and a dancing polar bear.  An indoor assembly area will also be available.  The event will be held rain, snow or shine!

All proceeds will benefit the more than 1,800 children and adults with disabilities who participate in programs and receive services through the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.  CP Nassau has been making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities since 1948.

For information about participation as a swimmer or a sponsor, please visit www.cpnassau.org or contact Pat Quinn, community outreach manager, at (516) 378-2000 ext. 355.

Get rid of your unwanted items by placing an ad for them in our Classifieds! We have reasonable rates, and you’ll have prompt results! Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for rates and other info.

DWI arrest in Plainview

A Westbury man was arrested in Plainview on Thursday, February 13 for allegedly driving while intoxicated with his child in the vehicle.

According to police, officers responded to a 911 call at The Plainview Old Bethpage Library, 999 Old Country Road, where Emisael Villatoro, 41, was allegedly found to be driving in an intoxicated condition.

Police say the defendant’s 6-year-old child was a passenger in his vehicle.  The child was released into the custody of her mother.

Villatoro is charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Child under 16) under the Leandra Law and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Mercy League Military Bridge

The Glen Cove -  HicksvilleSyosset chapter of the Mercy League will be holding a Military Bridge on Sunday, March 8 from 2–5 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.)

Knowledge of bridge is not necessary. This is a fun game which can be learned quickly as you play along.

The event will take place at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Hicksville.

The gym entrance is on Nicolai Street.

Admission is $10. Refreshments: coffee, tea and desserts will be served. Cash prizes for the top three teams. $100 lottery board ($50 guaranteed), 50/50, raffle prizes.

For more information, please contact Arleen Bergin at 516-935-7294.

Emisael Villatoro

Spring enrichment classes for adults

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Department of Community and Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts Division (CAPA) will be once again offering exciting cultural enrichment programs for the spring 2020 season, and registration for all applications is now open.

“I am pleased to announce that the Town’s Cultural Enrichment Program will return once again this spring, as these enrichment programs offer residents the opportunity to develop a new skill while having fun in the process,” Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Whether you’re an emerging artist or a resident looking for a new hobby, these classes offer

a wonderful opportunity to broaden your horizons, and provide not only education but enjoyment as well.”

All of the classes will be held at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, located at 7800 Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury, except for the All About Crystals and Meditation and Spiritual Awakening workshops, which will be held at North Massapequa Community Center, 214 N. Albany Avenue in Massapequa. Classes fill up quickly and are available on a first come, first served basis. Workshop schedules are as follows:

• Watercolor – Beginners - 10 weekly sessions on Mondays, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 2.

• Watercolor – Intermediate – 10 weekly sessions on Mondays, 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 2.

• Painting in Oils – Beginners- 10 weekly sessions on Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 3.

• Painting in Oils – Intermediate10 weekly sessions on Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 3.

• Drawing Fundamentals- 10 weekly sessions on Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 4.

• Sumi-e Painting- 10 weekly sessions on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 5.

• Abstract Acrylics- 10 weekly sessions on Fridays, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center, beginning on March 6.

• All About Crystals- 4 weekly sessions on Mondays, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the North Massapequa Community Center, beginning on March 23.

• Meditation & Spiritual Awakening- 4 weekly sessions on Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at the North Massapequa Community Center, beginning on March 17.

To obtain an Enrichment Program Brochure or obtain additional information on classes and registration, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call the Town’s Department of Community and Youth Services at (516) 797-7925.

Stay informed about your community with a weekly subscription to our newspapers.

With current events, announcements, restaurant reviews, puzzles, and much more, there’s always something for everybody to enjoy!

The Garden City News • Bethpage Newsgram Jericho-Syosset News Journal • Syosset Advance The Mid-Island Times & Levittown Times

Hon. Laura Curran

Hon. Claire Shulman

Hon. Nily Rozic

Hon. Ann-Margaret Carrozza

Hon. Debra Markel Kleinert

Hon. Martha Taylor

Hon. Carol Gresser

Hon. Susan Seinfeld

Judi Bosworth

Linda Beigel Schulman

Hon. Michelle Schimel

Hon. Ellen Birnbaum

Hon. Lee Seeman

Hon. Viviana Russell

Hon. Veronica Lurvey

Hon. Jean Celender

Hon. Christine Pellegrino

Hon. Kathleen Rice

Hon. Jillian Guthman

Hon. Susan Berland

Hon. Mary Collins

Hon. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton

Hon. Marsha Silverman

Hon. Danielle Fugazy Scagliola

Hon. Eve Lupenko-Ferrante

Summit Lane students hold STEM party

As a reward for their positive behavior, Summit Lane Elementary School fourth-graders in Christine Pase and Michelle Matos’ class recently held a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) party in their classroom.

Each day, the class worked hard to earn “bouncy balls” for positive behavior. Once the bouncy ball jar was filled, the students were able to vote on a party of their choice. This time, they decided to have a STEM party. Mrs. Pase and Mrs. Matos were thrilled with their choice, showing their love for science and hands-on

Fourth-graders in Christine Pase and Michelle Matos’ class tested their aluminum foil boats by piling pennies on top to see if it would float.

learning. They both were excited to plan the STEM lesson for the party and came up with a fun activity relating to the students’ current reading book, “Stuart Little” by E.B. White.

The fourth-graders were asked to create a boat from only aluminum foil. Their boat had to float, as well as hold as many pennies as possible. This mimicked events from the story

“Stuart Little.” The students were engaged, smiling and having fun while learning and even mentioned wanting to work to earn another STEM party in the future.

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Summit Lane fourth-graders Matthew Tuozzolo (left) and Yashwini Malhotra with their aluminum foil boat.

Summit Lane fourth-graders Gianna Pellechia (right) and Julian Valencia-Cano (left) worked together on their STEM activity.

Men’s Summer Softball Night League

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that registration is currently ongoing for the Town’s Men’s Summer Softball Night League, with games scheduled to begin in May 2020. Games will be held at four parks throughout the Town, and residents and non-residents alike are welcome to sign up for the softball league.

“The Town’s Men’s Summer Softball Night League is a fun and competitive softball league that promotes teamwork, friendship, physical fitness and provides a great opportunity for both residents and non-residents to enjoy their love of the game, and take advantage of our wonderful Town parks and facilities,” said Councilman Imbroto. “So get your team together, and make sure to register early, as our summer softball league is a popular program that is sure to fill up fast!”

Games will begin in May 2020 and will

be held at 4 different locations:

Theodore Roosevelt Park, located on West Avenue in Oyster Bay

John J. Burns Park, located at 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa

Ellsworth Allen Park, located at 45 Motor Avenue in Farmingdale Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, located at 175 Washington Avenue in Plainview Registration is currently ongoing but will close on Friday, April 3, 2020. The Men’s Summer Softball Night League features 20 regular season games (two games per night once a week), with a fee for registration of $700 per team. Only a check or money order will be accepted, made payable to “Town of Oyster Bay.”

Teams interested in more information or looking to receive a registration packet should contact the Town of Oyster Bay’s Parks Department, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-4125, x. 4

Do you have a ser vice to adver tise?

Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 516-294-8900 for rates and information.

Registration for fitness classes

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents interested in maintaining or improving their levels of fitness to participate in the Town of Oyster Bay’s Fitness Classes, which return beginning Saturday, April 4, in the Town of Oyster Bay’s Hicksville Athletic Center.  Spring fitness classes are co-ed, open to individuals 18 years of age or older, and run for 10 weeks.

Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Lou Imbroto stated, “Cardio Kick-Boxing, Pilates, Ballroom Dancing, Yoga, and Zumba are all very popular programs that provide our residents an outlet to enjoy exercising and staying in shape, all while meeting new people. I encourage those looking for a terrific form of aerobic exercise that will help builds strength and flexibility to come out and sign up for a 10-week fitness program, beginning on March 9th.”

Registration for the three programs will take place at the Hicksville Athletic Center, 167 Broadway in Hicksville on: Monday, March 9 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Tuesday, March 10 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and on Thursday, March 12 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m..  After these dates, registration will continue based on availability. Please note that the schedule may be subject to change and residents are encouraged to inquire about special holiday scheduling/inclement weather.  Each program is 10 weeks in length with a fee of

$60 for residents and $70 for non-residents. Those that sign up for 1 full 10-week fitness program will be entitled to try 2 classes from a different fitness program for FREE.

• Ballroom Dancing will be held on Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning April 11.

• Cardio Kick-Boxing will be held on Thursdays, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning April 9.

• Pilates will be held on Mondays (Tone & Sculpt) from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning on April 6, Wednesdays (Pilates with Rings) from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., beginning on April 8, and Saturdays (Pilates with Props) from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., beginning April 11.

• Yoga will be held on Sundays, from 9am to 10 a.m., beginning April 5, Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., beginning on April 6, and Tuesdays, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning on April 7. Additionally, a yoga class will be held at the Ice Skating Center Community Room in Bethpage on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., beginning April 4.

• Zumba will be held on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning April 6; and Wednesdays from 7:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. beginning April 8.

For more information, please call the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks at (516) 797-4125 x4 or email tobparks@ oysterbay-ny.gov.

Kramer Lane students journey back to colonial times

Second-graders in Andrea Morelli’s class at Kramer Lane Elementary in the Bethpage Union Free School District participated in Nassau BOCES’ Colonial Crafts program on Nov. 8. BOCES nat-

uralists Mary Watros and Bette Bass taught the students about pioneer life hundreds of years ago and brought the supplies to make corn husk dolls. Using just corn husks, yarn and some fab-

Andrea Morelli’s second-grade students at Kramer Lane Elementary proudly showed off their finished corn husk dolls, created under the guidance of Nassau BOCES instructors.

Kramer Lane students in the Bethpage School District fashioned dolls out of corn husks, yarn and fabric during a Nassau BOCES program on colonial crafts.

ric, the students made their own colonial-style dolls.

The activity came just in time for Thanksgiving, and the students were excited to have their families use the

dolls as decorations. The district thanks Nassau

and the instructors for facilitating this lesson.

explained the steps to making a corn husk

Kramer Lane Elementary School second-graders concentrated on tying up corn husks to ensure their colonial-style dolls would not fall apart.

Nassau BOCES naturalist Bette Bass

doll to second-graders at Kramer Lane Elementary School.

handmade

BOCES

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Central Boulevard makes schoolwide donation to food bank

Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker presented second grade teacher Lori Holt with a certificate commending her for organizing the schoolwide “Kindness Challenge.” They are pictured with Principal Steve Furry and teaching assistant Lauren Sullivan (far left).

Students from Central Boulevard Elementary School in the Bethpage School District collected hundreds of nonperishable food items as part of a schoolwide “Kindness Challenge.”

Students from Central Boulevard Elementary School in the Bethpage School District collected hundreds of nonperishable food items as part of a schoolwide “Kindness Challenge.”

Organized by second-grade teacher Lori Holt, each class was encouraged to donate 100 items. Nassau

County Legislator Rose Walker presented Mrs. Holt and the students with a certificate commending them on their charitable act. The items will be donated to the Long Island Cares food bank.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

MacArthur High School unveils new auditorium

Prior to the General Douglas MacArthur High School winter concert on Jan. 30, the Levittown Public Schools unveiled the school’s completely renovated auditorium to the community. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald and members of Levittown’s central administration and board of education were present to help cut the celebratory ribbon and open the doors to the completed space.

The auditorium renovation was funded through the district’s capital reserve and took approximately seven months to complete. Members of the MacArthur High School Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of music teacher Iris Bastone, kicked off the ribbon cutting ceremony with a musical performance in the auditorium lobby. MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan thanked the board of education, central administration and all those who worked diligently on the project.

“Words can simply not express our sincere appreciation and excitement for making our dream come to fruition as there is no doubt that our students, teachers and future generations to come will reap the benefits of this spectacular room and will be provided the opportunities to create and make their own dreams come true,” he said.

Before the concert began, Dr. McDonald echoed Mr. Sheehan’s sentiments and expressed her gratitude for all those who played a role in the renovation. This included Director of Facilities Christopher Milano, Supervisor of Operations Mike Gunn, the MacArthur custodial team, the board of education and members of central administration.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald (right), surrounded by the Levittown board of education and central administrators, cut the ribbon to officially open MacArthur High School’s newly renovated auditorium.

We’re

Grillo architectural firm for designing the beautiful new space.

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Members of the MacArthur High School Chamber Ensemble performed at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

She also thanked the music department for their patience and architect Bob Cascone from the John A.

MacArthur High School unveiled its completely renovated auditorium before the school’s winter concert on Jan. 30.

Deadwood, South Dakota Resurrects

Wild West Past at End of Mickelson Trail

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE

It strikes me as somewhat ironic, or perhaps appropriate, that Deadwood, South Dakota, so famous for being the place where Wild Bill Hickok was killed in a saloon playing poker, after being mining boomtown and a virtual ghost town, has been reincarnated as a casino gaming mecca.

Our hotel, the Deadwood Mountain Grand Resort, actually

reflects both these traditions: it has one of the biggest casinos and the building has repurposed what used to be a slime plant (slime is the waste left when they use cyanide to decompose rock to release the gold), that was part of the Homestake Mine. The Homestake Mine was the second-largest gold producer in the United States and the longest continually operating mine in US history, operating from 1885 to as recently as 2001.

We’ve arrived at Deadwood at the end of biking the 109-mile long Mickelson Trail, a bike trail convert-

ed from a former railroad line named to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame, which we have covered in three days of the six-day Wilderness Voyageurs “Badlands and Mickelson Trail” bike tour of South Dakota.

My day began at the Blue Bell Lodge in Custer State Park, with a buffalo strolling up to the porch of my cabin. We then were shuttled in the Wilderness Voyageurs van to the Mystic Trailhead, to ride the remaining 34 scenic miles of the Mickelson Trail into Deadwood.

It’s already about 3 pm, and armed

with a list of activities that take place which I have obtained from the concierge (the shootout on Main Street at 6 pm, for example), I quickly drop my things to rush out to get to the Mount Moriah Cemetery which I remember the Alex Johnson Hotel manager, Ross Goldman, telling me about. Though the concierge and the visitor bureau guy discourage me from walking up there (there isn’t a public bus and the bus tour which makes a quick stop at the cemetery

See page D2

Deadwood, South Dakota Resurrects Wild West Past at End of Mickelson Trail

doesn’t make sense, I head out anyway –the hike, up 4,800 ft. to a high ridge overlooking Deadwood Gulch – the highest point in Deadwood - proves no big deal (especially compared to the hills we biked yesterday in Custer State Park) and takes just about 20 minutes.

At the entrance, they provide an excellent map with information and location of the notable graves of the important people who are buried here for you to do your own self-guided walking tour.

The major lure – and why there is a line of people - is the side-by-side plots

of James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok and Calamity Jane, whose legends continue to animate Deadwood even today.

According to the guide, James Butler Hickok was murdered in Deadwood on August 2, 1876. He came, along with so many others, to the Deadwood gold camp in search of adventure and fortune. But his true passion was gambling. While playing a game of cards, he was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall. “Wild Bill’s colorful life included service as a marshal, an Army scout and other tasks which called for a fast gun and no aversion to bloodshed.”

(Later, you can see the re-creation of the

arrest of Jack McCall, and then a re-creation of the hastily convened miners’ court, by the Deadwood Alive troop.)

Martha “Calamity Jane” Canary (1850-1903) also had a colorful life, which she largely created and which may or may not be true. “She worked on a bull train, performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and was a prostitute.” She claimed to have been Wild Bill Hickok’s sweetheart (and even that they were married and had a daughter). Her grave marker calls her Martha Jane Burke because she married Clinton Burke after Hickok’s death. She is known for acts of charity and willingness to nurse the sick.

In 1903, Calamity Jane died in the Terry mining camp, her dying wish, “Bury me beside Wild Bill” was carried out.

The cemetery was established in 1878 and actively used until 1949. There are some 3,627 people buried here including a children’s section with 350 who died in of scarlet fever and diphtheria epidemic 1878-1880; a Civil War section, a Jewish section (surprisingly large, it is interesting to read the family names) and a Chinese section (there is even a Chinese altar and ceremonial oven) and several notable and colorful characters who are described in the guide with directions to their gravesites.

I am struck by the wrought iron gates at the entrance which have symbols representing the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Freemasonry and the Star of David. Indeed the name Mt. Moriah was chosen for its religious affiliation with both the Christian Bible and the Jewish Torah (Mount Moriah is located within Jerusalem, the site of Solomon’s

temple.)

It takes about an hour to visit. ($2/entrance fee, 108 Sherman St., Deadwood 57732, 605-578-2082, www. cityofdeadwood.com).

Deadwood, it turns out, was named for the dead timber on the surrounding hills, not for its shoot-outs. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills brought thousands of new people to the area.

I get back down to the historic Main Street in plenty of time for the 6 pm “Main Street Shootout”, featuring a fantastic Calamity Jane character.

There are free shows throughout the day on Historic Main Street (reminiscent of a theme park’s re-creation of a Wild West town): Deadwood’s True Tales; a 2 pm Main Street shootout; a Rootin’Tootin’ Card Game for kids and old-thyme musical show; Dr. Stan Dupt’s Travelin’ Medicine Show; 4 pm Main Street shootout; 4:30 Old Thym Hoe Down; 5:45 Deadwood’s True Tales on the steps of the historic Franklin Hotel.

After the 6 pm shootout, I check out the shops and grab a burger with another couple from our bike tour who I meet up with on the street, and come back for the 7:30 pm “Capture of Jack McCall” outside Saloon 10 (there is the “original Saloon 10 where Wild Bill was actually shot).

From there, we all march up the street to the Masonic Temple for the 8 pm “Trial of Jack McCall”.

“The Trial of Jack McCall” has been performed steadily, I am astonished to learn since 1925, making it one of the nation’s longest running plays. It

Calamity Jane’s grave at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Deadwood, South Dakota © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

The actual Saloon No. 10 where Wild Bill Hickok was killed by Jack McCall while holding a poker hand of Aces and Eights, forever known as the “Dead Man’s Hand”. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

“Calamity Jane” in a daily shootout on Deadwood, South Dakota’s historic Main Street © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

began as an annual presentation during Statehood Days. The script is based on news accounts of the actual trial which took place in the mining camp of Deadwood after Jack McCall murdered James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok. Wild Bill was playing poker in Nuttal and Mann’s Saloon No. 10 and was shot in the back of the head while holding Aces and Eights, forever known as the “Dead Man’s Hand”. (People leave the cards at his grave.).

While based on fact, it is done with great humor (if a murder trial can be fun). “It has to be accurate,” any “Cookie” Mosher who plays John Swift, Clerk of the Courts and Executive Director of Deadwood Alive, tells me because Deadwood Alive, a nonprofit, is supported in part by Historical Preservation Society. (It reminds me of the “Cry Innocent,” recreation of a Salem Witch Trial, in Salem, Massachusetts).

They even recreate the edition of the Black Hills Pioneer which reported the story of Hickok’s murder, on August 3, 1876. “A dastardly murder was committed in Deadwood gulch yesterday afternoon. The fiendish murderer who shot him in the back is in jail. The dead man is Wild Bill Hickok, whose prowess with the pistols is known far

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

and wide. Single-handed, he captured robbers and trouble makers in the south, at Dodge city, Abilene and Hays, Kansas, in Nebraska, in all the south. Men feared him, feared his quickness on the draw, the deadly and accurate aim which send more than one roustabout sprawling.

“But on this terrible, bloodstained afternoon in the wild gold camp of the Black Hills, Wild Bill never had a chance.”

This is a family-friendly show where the selected members of the audience participate in the performance serving as jurors in the trial- the jury of miners is made up of “minors” – kids who get to wear various hats and sit on a bench). The show is held nightly Monday through Saturday.

It proves extremely entertaining as a trial for murder could possibly be.

In 1876, Deadwood didn’t have a courthouse so the trial was held in Deadwood Theater (the narrator/court manager explains they have to wait for auditions to finish – so there is music provided by Calamity Jane as the audience files in. The theater was tearing down from the previous week’s show and getting ready for the next, so you see various props. The trial was held just the day after McCall’s arrest.

The Trial of Jack McCall has been performed regularly since 1925, one of the longest running plays in the nation but each night in Deadwood with new twists because of audience participation. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

A boy is given the role of sheriff; wearing an oversized cowboy hat, he seems just itching to shoot the toy gun he holds on McCall.

They call “witnesses” and John Swift, the clerk of Courts (played by Mosher) goes into the audience and pulls somebody up – then after jokes (swearing on “Bartenders Guide” instead of bible), “sneaks” them a script. He grabs a guy as a witness who is wearing shorts so he puts shawl over

See page D5

WRITER’S CORNER

A historic experiment: Cookies baked in space

BY MARJORIE GOTTLIEB WOLFE

In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips! Would you believe that about 7 billion chocolate chip cookies are eaten in the U. S. every year, with about 50% of those homemade cookies.

The first chocolate-chip cookie was the size of a quarter… and devoured in just one bite. 53% of American adults prefer chocolate chip cookies over peanut butter cookies.

The basic ingredients: butter, brown sugar, white sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips, egg, flower, vanilla extract, and baking powder.

The newspapers have reported that the first chocolate chip cookies baked in space are back on earth! They began their journey as chocolate chip cookie dough.

According to Chelsea Gohd, it was launched alongside the Zero G oven and was designed to work in the Microgravity environment aboard the Int’l Space Station (ISS).

The astronauts aboard the space station baked the pre-made dough. This was confirmed by the Hotel Chain DoubleTree.

NASA astronaut, Christina Koch, tweeted from the space station: We made space cookies and milk for Santa this year [2019]. Happy Holidays from the @Space_Station. BTW, the cookies required 2 hours of baking time.

I’ve often wondered if the space cookies would smell like the freshbaked cookies I make with my grandson, Preston. Would they resemble my Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix [17 g. sugar] with its 5 minutes prep time and 10 minutes bake time?

There are five foods that astronauts cannot eat in space. In a microgravity environment, certain foods are impractical. They include bread (astronauts eat tortillas), alcohol, salt and pepper and soda.

Shown below is a chronology of chocolate chip cookies and other space food:

1930

The chocolate chip cook was invented by American chef, Ruth Graves Wakefield. The recipe was invented when she owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Mass. The Inn was a popular restaurant that featured home cooking.

1939

The chocolate chip cookie is featured in the Betty Crocker radio program “Famous foods from Famous Places.”

1940

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that “When the boys in service are asked about the kind of cookie they’d like from home, they wanted chocolate chips.”

1957

The phrase “that’s how the cookie crumbles” is documented this year.

1969

The Cookie Monster makes his debut on the first episode of Sesame Street.

1985

A half bottle of Bordeaux’s 1975 vintage spent a week in space.

1897

Cookie wars break out between David’s cookies and Pillsbury over whose ready-to-bake cookie dough product will take center stage in grocery stores.

1992

Hillary Clinton gets in trouble for saying she’s not one who wants to “stay home and bake cookies.”

Later she shares her favorite chocolate chip recipe with Family Circle Magazine.

1996

Dunkin’ Donuts debuted the chocolate chip bagel.

1997

The chocolate chip cookie is declared the official state cookie of Massachusetts.

2001

Pizza Hut became the first restau-

rant chain to deliver to space. It was sent to the Int’l Space Station on board a resupply rocket. The pizza was 6 inches, and Pizza Hut paid the Russians $1 million to transport the pizza (and make a commercial from it).

2002

A study by Jane Kauer found that chocolate chip cookies were found to be one of only four foods acceptable to the pickiest of adult eaters, the others being french fries, fried chicken, and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

2003

The world’s largest cookie was a chocolate chip cookie made by the Immaculate Baking Co. It was 40,000 lbs. and 102 feet in diameter.

2012

Headline: “The Great Chocolate Tumult: Trader Joe’s Pareve Chips” - Trader Joe’s kosher choc. chips will soon lose their designation as Kosher. The chips were cheap, selling for $2.29 per bag. Their customers stockpiled the terminated chips buying as many as 30 bags at a time. One Trader Joe store in NYC ran out of the chips

See page D5

Social Security Start Date Problem Solved?

BY TOM MARGENAU

Maybe the Social Security Administration fixed the problem? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

So, what’s the problem? I’m talking about an issue that, on the surface, sounds very simple. Yet over the years, hundreds, if not thousands, of readers have found it confusing and have written to me for clarification.

It’s the answer to this simple-sounding question on the online Social Security retirement application form: “When do you want your benefits to start?”

The reason this confuses people is primarily because way too many folks overthink the question. And it is especially vexing for those who absolutely insist that their benefits start at their full retirement age -- not a month before and not a month later. (Near the end of this column, I will point out why people shouldn’t get so hung up about this full retirement age start date business.)

But for now, here is an example. Frank wants to wait until he is 66 to start his Social Security. He turns 66 in March. So, when the application asks, “When do you want your benefits to start?” Frank should answer, “March.” It really is that simple.

But then, as I said, Frank starts thinking too much. Here is what I mean by that. He knows that Social Security checks always come one month behind. In other words, the Social Security check for March is actually sent out in April. So now Frank worries that if he indicates he wants his benefits to start in March, the SSA will interpret that to mean he wants his first check to come in March, meaning it would be the payment for February. And if his benefits started in February, that would give him a one-month reduction in his full retirement age benefit rate.

And then Frank thinks even harder and figures that he better answer the question by saying he wants his benefits to start in April, knowing that would be the March Social Security payment.

As I have explained a thousand times in this column, don’t worry about Social Security check payment dates. The application question is not asking when you want your first Social Security check to physically show up in your bank account. Instead, it is asking which month you want to be your first month of eligibility for Social Security benefits.

The folks at the Social Security Administration know this has been a problem because they have been getting lots of calls from panicked retirement applicants who misinterpreted the question and answered it incorrectly, or at least what they perceive to be incorrectly (more about that in a minute). So, they are calling to see if they can change their answer -- thus creating lots of ex-

tra work for the SSA representatives and computer systems.

But according to quite a few readers who have reported this to me, the SSA has changed the question asked on the online retirement form, at least for folks approaching their full retirement age. It now says this: “Do you want your benefits to start at the earliest date without a permanent reduction?”

This is a bit of a mouthful. And more than a few readers told me it took them a reading or two of that line to decipher it. But if you are approaching your full retirement age and that is when you want your benefits to start, by simply answering yes, you will be assured that your benefits will start effective with the month you reach full retirement age -- not a month before and not a month after.

So now let me get back to this issue of working yourself into a tizzy about starting your benefits at exactly the right month. And to explain where I am coming from, let’s go back to Frank’s case. And for use in the following examples, we will assume his full retirement age benefit amount is $2,500 per month. I said he turns 66 in March, and he wants his benefits to start then. So, he should indicate March as his starting month. Or if he is filling out the online application with the new question -- “Do you want your benefits to start at the earliest date without a permanent reduction?” -- he would answer yes.

Now, let’s say he didn’t do that. Suppose he said he wanted his benefits to begin in February because he figured that’s the check that comes in March. That essentially means his benefit start date would be age 65 and 11 months, one month before his full retirement age.

Retirement benefits are reduced about one-half of 1% for each month they are taken before full retirement age. So, instead of getting $2,500 per month, Frank’s benefit rate would be about $2,488 -- meaning he loses $12 per month, forever. That’s the bad news. But on the upside, by choosing February as his start date, Frank did get one extra check for $2,488. It’s going to take Frank about 207 months before he comes out on the short end of the Social Security stick. In other words, Frank will be 83 years old before his supposed “mistake” catches up to him.

A panicky Frank might be inclined to call the SSA to change his starting date, which would entail withdrawing that first claim, repaying the one month’s reduced retirement benefit he received and refiling a new claim. But I’d tell Frank not to worry about it. Take the extra $2,488 check and have a party!

Q: I want my Social Security checks to start at age 66. I will be 66 on May 1, 2020. I talked to a Social Security rep, and she told me that I

should use April as my starting date. This makes no sense to me. Can you explain?

A: Yes, I can explain. But before I do, I want to warn all my readers that only folks born on the first day of the month should pay attention to this answer. For all the rest of you, it’s not an issue and will just confuse you further. There is a common law that Social Security follows that says you actually attain your age on the day before your actual birthday. For example, I will reach my 71st birthday on June 22. But I will legally turn age 71 on June 21.

That’s really no big deal. But it is a huge deal for Social Security purposes if you were born on the first day of the month -- as you were. In other words, although your birthday is May 1, you legally reach age 66 on April 30. So, you turn your full retirement age in April, and that’s why April will be the starting month.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM

A historic experiment: Cookies baked in space

before the store even opened because frantic customers made purchases by telephone.

2014

NASA reinvented the tortilla. The astronauts use tortillas in making sandwiches. Taco Bell produced a commercial tortilla pack that was microbiologically designed to last 9 months.

Tiffany Youngman says, “There’s no such thing as a bad, warm cookie,” especially if it evokes a calming reaction or a good family memory (think Proust and his madeleines).

2015

Gluten-Free chocolate chips cookies are available.

2017

Simone Elkeles writes, “If I had any choice in the matter, I’d stay in my comfy bed and eat warm chocolate chip cookies all day.”

Studies show that eating chocolate chip cookies causes your brain to release feel-good chemicals such as serotonin. Basically, most people will feel happy when they eat chocolate chip cookies.

2018

Headline: “Scientists Are Trying to Explain the Appeal of Chocolate Chip Cookies” The results: “Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and we tend to gravitate back towards things that made us happy in the past. That includes certain movies, books, and ‘comfort’ foods.” (There is even scientific proof to imply that they’re addictive.) CNN reports that the sugar in cookies can

cause cravings on-par with addictive substances like cocaine.

2019

[July] The headline read: “The Space Station May Soon Smell Like Fresh-Baked Cookies.” Yes, Zero G Kitchen deigned an oven with a tray that holds food in place.

Headline: “Say No to Raw Dough.” The CDC warns consumers not to eat any raw dough or batter, whether for cookies, tortillas, pizza, biscuits, pancakes,etc.

2020

Pepperidge Farm unveils first gluten-free “Thin and Crispy Milk Chocolate Chip” cookies.

Nathan Mattise says that the “astronauts are experimenting with chocolate-chip cookies. Scientists and other

people interested in long- term spaceflight want to know: Is Baking chemistry the same in microgravity?”

Mattise continues, “To keep the cookies from floating inside the oven, there is a special tray that slides into rails locking into place…This ensures that the dough stays put…Crumbs are the enemy on the I.S.S. because they can get into equipment and cause problems.”

One of the space-baked cookies will be donated to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum for display.

MARJORIE GOTTLIEB WOLFE agrees with Rachel C. Fox: “I never carry a purse. My iPhone is always with me, a credit card, and a piece of mint chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream gum.”

Deadwood, South Dakota Resurrects

Trail

his leg for modesty; he grabs a woman to play McCall’s’ employer and pretends to flirt. (It’s very Shakespearean the way they go in/out of character and talk to audience.)

One witness says Wild Bill asked him to move his chair so Wild Bill could sit with his back to wall, and he refused.

The “minors” on the jury pretend to sleep during Defense’s summation.

As in real life, McCall was found Not Guilty. Then, in an epilogue, the Clerk relates that McCall was driven from town but bragged about killing Wild Bill over a game of cards. The federal government said that because the crime was committed in Indian Country the feds still had jurisdiction to try McCall without violating the rule against double jeopardy. McCall was rearrested in 1877, got a new trial, was found guilty and hanged.

Deadwood Alive has been entertaining visitors for over 20 years with Main Street shootouts and regular performances of the Trial of Jack McCall. The Deadwood Alive troupe of superb actors consists of over 10 characters and provide entertainment throughout the year including daily shootouts, guided walking tours, musical performances and the famous Trial of Jack McCall. Deadwood Alive is managed by a non-profit board of directors and

employs up to a dozen individuals each summer to re-enact several historically accurate incidents of Deadwood’s past and make a visit to Deadwood so entertaining for people of all ages (($6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 children, 800-344-8826, www.deadwoodalive.com).

I enjoy the charm of the Main Street. I stop in to the Franklin Hotel, opened since 1903, a beautiful, elegant hotel, now with a casino in the lobby.

Deadwood actually offers a lot of history and attractions, which unfortunately, I do not have time to experience):

The Adams Museum (554 Sherman St); Days of ’76 Museum (18 Seventy Six Dr), and Historic Adams House (22 Van Buren St.). (DeadwoodHistory.com, 605722-4800).

More visitor information at Deadwood South Dakota, 800-3448826,www.deadwood.com

Wilderness Voyageurs started out as a rafting adventures company 50 years ago, but has developed into a wide-ranging outdoors company with an extensive catalog of biking, rafting, fishing and outdoor adventures throughout the US and even Cuba, many guided and self-guided bike itineraries built around rail trails like the Eric Canal in New York, Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania, and Katy Trail in Missouri.

Wilderness Voyageurs, 103 Garrett St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470, 800-272-4141, bike@Wilderness-Voyageurs.com , Wilderness-Voyageurs.com

© 2020 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com,  www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/ Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures

NYS to Invest $300 Million to “Reimagine” the Erie Canal, Expand Recreational Activities

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

This is huge for New York State’s tourism and recreational opportunities: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is proposing a $300 million plan to reimagine the Erie Canal by creating recreational activities on the Canal to boost tourism and recreational fishing, mitigate flooding, enhance irrigation and restore wetlands.

“When the Erie Canal was created in the 19th century it set the state and the nation on a path to prosperity, and this year we will repurpose the canal to fit our state’s 21st century needs,” Governor Cuomo said. “This bold and visionary plan to transform this historic waterway will build on the success of the Empire State Trail (750 miles of connected bikeways), grow tourism across Upstate New York, improve resilience of today’s Canal communities and ensure the economic sustainability of the waterway into the future.”

“The canals have played a crucial role in New York’s history and growth, and with the implementation of these new exciting projects, the canals will remain a vital force and make a positive contribution to the economic well-being and quality of life in the 225 communities they travel through,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

A first phase of funding starting this year – through the New York Power Authority Board which oversees the Canal Corporation as a subsidiary -  includes a $100 million economic development fund to invest in communities along the Canal and a separate $65 million investment in solutions that will help prevent ice jams and related flooding in the Schenectady area.

The remaining $135 million of the plan’s funding will subsequently be allocated to research recommended by the  Reimagine Task Force, as well as to solutions related to flood mitigation, invasive species prevention and ecosystem restoration.

New Economic Development Fund for Canal Communities

In the first phase of the program, a $100 million economic development fund will support projects that adaptively reuse canal infrastructure to enhance water recreation, tie the Canal’s new recreational improvements to the Governor’s Empire State Trail, celebrate historic canal structures, and develop unique canalside attractions and activities. Roughly $25 million of that will be allocated immediately to a set of initial projects:

Connecting Communities : The  “Brockpor t Loop” project in Monroe County will connect SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State Trailand the village of Brockport through the transformation of a canal guard-gate into a pedestrian bridge and overlook, with a supporting grant of $2 million from the Ralph Wilson Foundation.

Celebrating “Iconic Infrastructure”: Interactive, hydro-powered illumination of Canal “movable dams” - initially in Amsterdam and Canajoharie in the Mohawk River valley - will celebrate the Canal’s heritage and its history as an engineering marvel

Expanding Water Recreation:  A new  whitewater destination, at the north end of Cayuga Lake near Seneca Falls, will rely on existing water control infrastructure to construct an active water sports course adjacent to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, to increase eco-tourism and sport

visitors to the region.

Adapting Industrial Property for New Uses:  Winner of the  Reimagine the Canals competition, a  canalside pocket neighborhood, will be developed by Madison County in Central New York at a former industrial property in Canastota along the Old Erie Canal - demonstrating a new model for 21st century canalside living.

Developing Destination Accommodation s: The historic Guy Park Manor, on the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, will be reborn as a  hospitality destination and a pedestrian bridge constructed across the already-existing Canal lock will provide access to additional overnight accommodation along the Empire State Trail on the opposite side of the river.

World-Class Fishing and Restored Wetlands

To create world-class fishing in Western New York, the new plan recommends managing water releases from the Canal to enhance fish habitat, improve angling opportunities, and extend the fall fishing season in Lake Ontario tributaries. It also includes funding to expand public fishing access along key streams in Orleans, Monroe and Niagara Counties. In addition, it identifies a program to divert Canal water to restore and re-nourish wetlands in Central New York that were compromised a century ago by the Canal’s construction. This will allow areas in close proximity to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, a migratory stopover for more than 1 million birds each year, to be significantly enhanced to further attract naturalists, locals, and visitors from throughout the region and beyond.

Ideas in this plan originated from the  Reimagine the Canals Task Force recommendations,  launched by Governor Cuomo in May of 2019 to pursue a comprehensive investigation of how the 195-year-old Erie Canal could be reimagined for the 21st century. The Reimagine the Canals Task Force Report  was just released.

The Task Force engaged with municipal leaders, stakeholders, local business owners, scientists and other experts, along with community members, to identify opportunities and solutions that support a new vision for future investments in the waterway. Many of the ideas that the Task Force explored came

from the completed  Reimagine the Canals  competition, held last year by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation. SUNY’s Rockefeller Institute of Government, on behalf of the Task Force, conducted a series of outreach sessions during the summer in five canal communities - Lockport, Brockport, Schenectady, Utica and Syracuse - to solicit new ideas from the public at large. Ideas were also solicited on a  Reimagine the Canals website, offering more distant canal users an opportunity to provide their views to the Task Force.

The “Reimagine” initiative builds on successful efforts by Governor Cuomo to invest in the canal corridor, including the state’s  Downtown Revitalization Initiative and successful Taste NY program, which have stoked new industries, businesses and housing in canal communities. Harnessing the Canal’s full potential to attract more tourism and recreation is a key focus of the Initiative. Governor Cuomo and state agency and authority staff will collaborate with Empire Line communities and continue to consult with Task Force members and other stakeholders to ensure the success of projects as they move forward.

There are 1.6 million trips taken annually on the Erie Canal Trailway, the former towpath used by mules and horses to pull barges in the canals’ early days. The Trailway is part of Governor Cuomo’s  Empire State Trail, which at 750 miles will be the largest state multi-use trail network when completed in late 2020. Governor DeWitt Clinton began work on the original Erie Canal on July 4, 1817.

In addition to investing $300 million in the Canal System, there are also plans to create two new state parks in the Hudson Valley, add 4,000 acres of land to parks and introduce a $3 billion “Restore Mother Nature” bond act.

Meanwhile, registration has opened for the 22nd Annual Cycle the Erie, eight-day 400-mile, fully supported biking/camping trip, from Buffalo to Albany, operated by Parks & Trails NY, taking place July 12-19, 2020. For information on Cycle the Erie Canal, call Parks & Trails New York, 518-434-1583, email  eriecanaltour@ptny.org or visit www.ptny.org/cycle-theerie-canal

As part of the $300 million plan to “Reimagine” the Erie Canal, a 750mile Empire State Trail will be completed, including closing gaps of Erie Canalway that makes possible the annual eight-day, 400mile, Cycle the Erie bike tour (registration now open) © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear. com

REAL ESTATE WATCH

How the local and global economics impacts our markets

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Hopefully everyone read part 1 and part 2 of my last two weeks columns, if not read the first two before reading this week!

As the new generations, X, Y, and other new “labeled” groups jump into the housing market creating more competition and potentially at a greater speed than what is currently happening; our inventory will be further stressed and instead of increasing, as is normal in most real estate cycles, will be further decreasing unless builders step up their game and produce more housing and at a faster pace to come close to trying to satisfy the future demand and needs of families and individuals.

Moreover, add all the foreign nationals, investors and those who “want and need” to relocate to the U.S. (legally) this too will be a huge issue for developers to keep up with such greater demands going forward. The federal and state governments need to sit down (that is as challenging as it gets today between the Democrat and Republican Legislators), to work out as solid a plan as possible to be able to provide whatever benefits that can be created and devised in a non-partisan fashion to help those builders; especially in those areas that are not doing as well, eg. depressed areas and locations where there is land to build upon and in those downtowns that need a shot in the arm, as they have been doing on Long Island in Patchogue, Lindenhurst, Islip, Amityville, Farmingdale, Freeport, Rockville Centre, Long Beach, and other towns, not only here but across the U.S.

To be able to keep our most crucial and critical younger generation and other new residents into our country here in New York State, affordability is the name of the game. When a purchase occurs, this always leads to an economic benefit to not only the local area but to our vast economy. People begin to buy refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers and so many other capital goods and this is what

begins to create more jobs here. However, without the necessary housing inventory, things tend to slow down. There are areas throughout the U.S. where populations are growing (as I mentioned a few months ago about where millennials and others are moving to and away from NYS), down south, Virginia, North and South Carolina and out west, Texas and Washington State to name a few.

Taxes are very high here in NY and with all the money we provide the federal government, for every dollar, we give we only get back seventy cents; so where is the equity in that equation?? Why are we supporting other states, sort of like welfare, right? Each state should be self-sufficient on its own, don’t you think? In order to be able to have the thirty-five percent who rent and stand a chance at the opportunity to be able to be in an ownership position, wages must go up to a point of being able to afford to purchase.

Those individuals who are earning from minimum wage up to twenty-five dollars per hr (as long as there are two wage earners and debt/income less than 60% percent) may have a shot at ownership. But what are the percentages of renters that are earning that amount per hour? Anyone making fifteen dollars per hour cannot ever purchase based on the cost of living, eg. rent, food, car payments, insurance, etc.

As I said last week, the wealthiest among us should pay more of a living wage and in return, I believe we will see a more efficient and potentially greater quality and production. This will lead to happier and less stressed out employees and potential increases in sales; and in turn whatever you give in higher wages you should get back in your pocketbook!

You will still be rich and maybe a

little less wealthy or maybe not, if higher production and sales goals are met and accomplished, your investment in your employees, will put that money right back in your bank account!

Most important is training, mentoring, advising and support that will greatly benefit the companies who follow that course of action. Down payments just might be easier, although they are currently a sticking point for most, but for some being able to dip into their pensions, 404K’s, SEP’s, etc. to take out that necessary money without any penalty is an easy path to pursue, assuming there is enough money there to utilize.

Ownership leads to a greater, more productive economy and also allows those to become “middle class” as we have been losing that segment of our population for so many years. According to the census bureau with an American Community Survey 6.9% of the population earn over $200,000 per year. Do you think that categorizes a family as rich? Here is an excellent article I read which really defines where we are and what the possibilities are in taxing our population. Here is the link: https://www.nbcnews. com/think/opinion/here-s-why-middle-class-must-pay-more-taxes-not-ncna805606

I firmly believe increasing the threshold for a minimum tax should start above $250,000 per year. I also believe that the top 1% should pay more too and this would surely not affect their lifestyle one iota! This would also aid those in saving for their down payments leading to becoming a homeowner. It would enable those that are entering our country to save more money and to become owners at a faster pace too.

Even more, grant money with “sweat equity” involved by the purchaser to perform either community

service or provide a certain number of hours working in the public or private sectors and at the same time benefiting employers. All this would allow our economy to flourish for years to come and become the shining example of what it is today and for a greater number of citizens and those about to become citizens. Right now those renters are being shut out of the ownership arena. Internationally our reputation for those who want to live and invest would be elevated that much more from where we stand today. Lastly, can the federal and state governments cut their expenses and save and conserve all those wasted dollars as families and individuals always must do when there is less money to spread around; why can’t they do the same? Well, that is easy for them, for whenever they want a raise, it’s easy, increase the current taxes or create another way to add to their coffers! Lastly, figure out how we can get those in the 35% club to be able to purchase and our economy will go through the roof and will greatly benefit many more who will realize the “American Dream of Ownership.”

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute and a Certified International Property Specialist. Receive regular “free” updates of sold homes in your area and a “free” Comparative Market Analysis” of what your home would sell for in today’s market or search on: WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com If you would like to receive a digital copy or a printed copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality Or “Our Seller’s Guide for “Things to Consider When Selling Your Home” just email or snail me (regular mail) with your name, email and cell number.

He can be reached by email, at:Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com, or by cell: (516) 647-4289.

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com

Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram

• Syosset Advance • Jericho News Journal

Williston Times - Mineola Edition

New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

2 FT ADMIN ASSISTANTS

2 therapists’ offices: Great Neck & Hauppauge. Must be bilingual (English / Spanish). Email: CV to BMAindeed@ gmail.com with subject AMG CLASSIFIEDS.

EXPERIENCED

RECEPTIONIST & CLERICAL PART TIME

SEASONAL POSITIONS

Located in Franklin Square Call 516-358-9455

Fax resume 516-358-9483

Email: ed@loturco.com

JOB OPPORTUNITY:

$18.50 P/H NYC $15 P/H LI

$14.50 P/H UPSTATE NYH. If you currently care for your relatives or friends who have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible to start working for them as a personal assistant. No Certificates needed. 347-462-2610 or 347-565-6200

for

at 294-8900 for more information.

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

A HOME HEALTH CARE

AIDE Irish trained woman with 10 years experience and excellent checkable references available. Honest and reliable. Licensed driver with own transportation.

Please call 516-383-7150

BABYSITTER AVAILABLE GARDEN CITY HIGH SCHOOL

FRESHMAN girl looking for the opportunity to babysit your child. I’m responsible, caring, hardworking & love children! My parents will drive me both ways. Thank You!

Call Grace 516-551-2682

CARE GIVER

PRIVATE CARE GIVER

Trained Experienced Nursing Assistant/Companion to care for your loved ones at home or in a health care facility. NY State certified nursing assistant with excellent references!

Call: 516-410-9943

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

ELDER CARE / AIDE / COMPANION

certified aide seeking to provide quality care. 30+ years experience. Honest, reliable. Excellent references. Own car. Please contact Linda at 347-7313443 or 646-991-8812

ELDER CARE: AIDE/COMPANION with 25 years experience available to care for sick or elderly. Days, nights, weekends. Own car. Excellent references. Call 516- 424-9176

MATURE WOMAN with experience, references and car looking for job as a caregiver. Please call 631-838-9875

CAREER TRAINING

AIRLINE CAREERS Start here. Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094

EMPLOYMENT

CAREER TRAINING

TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING

Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-5436440 (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FINANCE DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY?

Appeal! If you’re over 50+, filed for SSD and denied, our attorneys can help get you approved! No money out of pocket! 855-478-2506

GET DIRECTV ! ONLY $35/ month. 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies on Demand (w /SELECT All Included Package). PLUS Stream on UP to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

GOT LAND? Our Hunters will pay top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a FREE info packet & quote. 1-866-309-1507 www.basecampleasing.com

BOY SCOUT TROOP

10

active members of Great Neck for over 100 years, urgently NEEDS LARGE MEETING ROOM for 40 people (700+ sq.ft. meeting space with onsite storage space of 120 sq.ft. for troop equipment).

Certification of insurance is available.Troop meets Monday nights 7:30-9:30. Please contact Bo at 516-441-2586 or email at bo.bozhang@gmail.com if you can help us.

LIVE PAIN FREE with CBD products from AceWellness. We guarantee highest quality, most competitive pricing on CBD products. Softgels, oils, skincare, vape & more. Coupon Code: PRINT20 1-844-532-2950

LUNG CANCER? And Age 60+? You and your family may be entitled to significant cash award. Call 866-951-9073 for information. No risk. No money out of pocket.

SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified. Over 1500 medications available. CALL today for a free price quote. 1-866-5697986 Call Now!!

MARKETPLACE

A.T.

TURN YOUR TREASURES INTO CASH!

to Consign/Stay to Shop! 109 Eleventh Street, Garden City 516-746-8900 Antiques-Furniture-

Responsibilities

calls from patients/survivors and providing resources and information. This position also includes handling mail and fulfilling orders, mailings and membership information. Asuccessful candidate will have administrative experience, including knowledge of MAC computer, Filemaker database, Word, Excel and Constant Contact. Social media knowledge and experience a must, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Good organizational skills, ability to prioritize and multi-task are necessary for this position. We are looking for a friendly, compassionate and patient team player to join our team Contact Mary Ann Caputo,Executive Director at 1-800-377-0928 x 3 or e-mail resume and cover letter to info@spohnc.org.

Mirrors-Lamps-ArtworkChinaCrystal-Collectibles Tuesday-Friday 10-4 Saturday 12-4 (10% Sr. Discount Tues) All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society Email: store@atstewartexchange.org Like us on Facebook & Instagram

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

MARKETPLACE

BASEBALL CARD COLLEC-

TOR IN GARDEN CITY would like to sell his doubles. Three thousand cards from 1940s 1980s. These include many stars and “common cards” at reduced prices. If you’re interested or have a family member who might like the hobby, please contact me: 516-660-5110 or email: bparadine@optonline.net

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY

TRACY JORDAN

Looking to sell items from your home?

Consider doing an Online Auction!

Online Auctions reach more interested buyers than tag sales and can often sell for more than what you would make at an estate or tag sale.

Invited Estate Sales by Tracy Jordan can do both! You can sell your items online reaching potential buyers locally or globally as well as hosting a private sale from your home! Let us guide you on what items to put in auction including furniture, housewares, decorative items, jewelry, collectibles, coins, artwork and anything else you may no longer want or need. Our services can help you to maximize your selling experience whether you are selling 1 item or 500 items. We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress.

Estate and Tag Sales Online Auctions

Cleanout and Moving Services

Home Staging Services Appraisals

Contact for more info: info@invitedsales.com or Call: 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. www.invitedsales.com

PRIVACY HEDGES SPRING

BLOW OUT SALE. 6’ Arborvitae (cedar) reg. $179 NOW $80 Beautiful, nursery grown. FREE installation/ FREE delivery. Limited supply! ORDER NOW! 518-536-1367 www.lowcosttreefarm.com

MARKETPLACE

VINTAGE SHOP

Cool old stuff in Vintage Shop for home and boat. Great Prices! Wilson’s Dry Dock. For info call:

516-662-2821

128 Shore Road, Glen Cove, NY WANTED TO BUY

ANTIQUES

Objects of art, sterling silver, old oriental rugs, estate jewelry, old judaica or entire estate. Call Mark 516-331-1582

FREON WANTED: We pay

CA$H for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-361-0601 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

LOOKING TO BUY!

Oriental items, clothing, art, old & modern furniture, estates, jewelry, silver, glassware, dishes, old photos, coins & stamps, flatware, comic books, action figures. Call George 718-386-1104 or 917-775-3048

TOP CASH PAID: JEWELRY FURNITURE- ART, etc... Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128 www.iBuyAntiquesNYC.com

PET SERVICES

A GARDEN CITY ANIMAL

LOVER doesn’t want to leave your precious pooch or fantastic feline alone all day. I’m reliable, dependable and will walk and feed your pet while you work or travel. Please call Cheryl at 516-971-3242

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTO FOR SALE

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

2008 4X4

68K miles, 1 owner, A/C, Sirius, Stereo, Power Windows/Locks, Roof Rack, Silver/Black. All service up to date. New battery and just detailed. Looks and runs great! $6,900. Call 516-695-0509

AUTOS WANTED

AUTO BUYERS! We visit you. Highest cash paid. Or donate, tax deduct + cash. DMV#1303199. Please call Luke 516-VAN-CARS OR 516-297-2277

DONATE YOUR CAR to Wheels For Wishes, benefitting Make-a-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 631317-2014 Today!

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

GARDEN CITY

LOVELY EXPANDED CAPE in the beautiful area of Franklin Court.

3 Bedrooms/Master bedroom w/bonus Room, 2 Full Bath, Living Room w/Fireplace, Formal Dining Room, Large Eat in Kitchen w/sliding Patio doors to backyard. Hardwood floors, Natural Gas BBq, Mature Landscape and Sprinkler System. Walk to LIRR/Country Life Press. Garden City Schools #18.

$849,000. Low Taxes: $11,900 Contact: 516-551-4744

OPEN HOUSE

AQUEBOGUE:

Saturday 2/22

1:00 3:00

34 Colonial Dr New Construction!

Chic & Sleek North Fork Modern Ranch on an acre. Room for a pool. 3 BRs, 2.5 Baths. Open Floor plan. HW Floors, CAC, Full Basement. Unfinished bonus room. 10’ ceilings.

$679,000 Colony Realty, Valerie Goode 516-319-0106

MATTITUCK

Saturday 2/22

1:00pm 3:00pm 1645 Bungalow Lane

Waterfront Ranch with panoramic views and boat dock! New Kitchen, LR / Fireplace & Cathedral Ceilings, 3 BRs, 2 Baths. Full Basement, 2 Car Garage & Large Rear Deck. Landscaped 1/2 acre. $1,295,000 Colony Realty Carll Austin 516-658-2623

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

JAMESPORT

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

MATTITUCK

Country Home with deeded water rights. Possible Mother/Daughter. LR /FPL, Family Rm/FPL, Formal DR, Kitchen, 3 BRs & 3 Baths. 2 Car Garage. HW Floors. Nicely landscaped with 13x32 heated In-ground Pool & Deck w/Hot tub.

$549,000. Colony Realty Carll Austin 516-658-2623

SEBASTIAN FLORIDA (East Coast)

Beach Cove is an Age Restricted Community where friends are easily made. Sebastian is an “Old Florida” fishing village with a quaint atmosphere yet excellent medical facilities, shopping and restaurants. Direct flights from Newark to Vero Beach. New manufactured homes from $114,900. 772581-0080; www.beach-cove.com

REAL ESTATE WANTED

HOMES WANTED

GARDEN CITY

Retired GC couple sold home and seek to purchase Ranch or Cape Cod in Garden City. Can close immediately. Move at your convenience. Principals: 516-747-1024

SERVICES

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Custom 2 Story on 4.85 acres. Morton Barn with 2 car garage, bath & unfinished 2nd floor. Great for car collectors, horses or artists. 4 BRs, 3 Baths, LR, EIK, DR, Great Room/fireplace, Full Basement, attached 2 Car Garage, CVAC, CAC, Generator. Beautifully landscaped with IG Pool & farm views. $1,150,000. Colony Realty Carll Austin 516-658-2623

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates.com

COMPUTERS

COMPUTER ISSUES? FREE DIAGNOSIS by GEEKS ON SITE! Virus removal, data recovery! 24/7 Emergency Service, in home repair/on line solutions. $20 off any service! 844-892-3990

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AMBIANCE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

*Handyman & Remodeling

*Kitchen Installations

*Furniture Assembly

*Finish Carpentry

*Minor Electrical & Plumbing

25year GC Resident

Lic & Ins H18E2170000

Call BOB 516-741-2154

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices!

Family owned & operated

www.madeintheshadensli.com

516-426-2890

MASONRY

All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.

Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured

#H2219010000

Boceski Masonry

Louie 516-850-4886

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo

PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care

Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications

516-248-9323

www.drannmariedangelo.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured

#80422100000

Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499

PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

RELAX & ENJOY

Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

SERVICES

TUTORING

PRIVATE TUTORING FOR GRADES K-6

Give your child a helping hand! Licensed NYC / NYS Dept of Education teacher available to tutor students grades K-6. Contact Audrey Sullivan, M.S.Ed 347-628-8872 (voice/text) seguenow@aol.com

CLEANING

C & A CLEANING SERVICES

Cleaning services for Homes, Apartments, Offices. Experienced. Excellent References. Free Estimates Call: Carolina 516-858-9257 Abraham 516-680-0509

SERVICES

CLEANING

CLEANING SERVICE: Houses, Apartments, Offices. Excellent references. Own transportation, Experienced. Call Dinora 516-435-7167

HOUSE CLEANER AVAILABLE

Honest, proactive, responsible. Own transportation. Pet friendly. Available 9am to 2pm. $30/ hr or can give price for whole house. Good references. Speaks English, Spanish & Portuguese. 2 days a week available. Call Carol 516-401-9901

A & J MOVING & STORAGE: Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www. ajmoving .com 516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405

DISH TV

$59.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-800-943-0838

Great Reader Tips: From Frozen Bacon to Super Glue EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

Let these tips get your creative juices flowing on how you can substitute, reuse or repurpose what you already have. And send me any new tips you come up with: Go to https:// everydaycheapskate.com/tips to upload yours. I’d love to include them in a future column.

FROZEN BACON STOCKPILE

I have discovered what I think is the most effective way to fry up a lot of bacon for freezing. In a jelly roll pan covered with foil, I lay out the bacon strips in a single layer. I place the pan in a preheated, 450 F oven and cook, checking after 10 or 15 minutes. Sometimes I’ll turn the strips over. Once cooked, I drain on paper towels until cooled. I separate enough for a morning breakfast, dividing the batch into freezer bags, and then toss them in the freezer. -- Dick

DISPLAY RACK FOR SCARVES

Displaying scarves so they don’t get crushed is super easy. Simply take a tension rod and hang the scarves on it. I hang my scarves across the rod, loving the convenience of being able to see what I have and what matches different clothing combinations. -- Paula

DIY CHALKBOARD

It’s easy to make your own chalkboard by buying spray-on chalkboard paint. I recommend getting precut pieces of medium-density fiberboard. You can get thin pieces in various sizes. Medium-density fiberboard is harder, smoother and cheaper than plywood. -- Ed

YOUR PARKING JOB

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve “lost” my car in a parking lot. Not anymore! I use the camera on my cellphone to

BY MARY HUNT

photograph where I’m parked, including an elevator name or lot number. Sometimes I’ll snap two or three pictures. And it works every time. I no longer have to remember or write down where I left my car. -- Denise

SQUEEZE THE PANCAKE BATTER

Save empty ketchup bottles, thoroughly clean them, and allow them to dry. The next time you make pancakes, put the batter in the bottle and squeeze it out into the pan. -- CR

LIFE BEYOND PICKLES

I save the liquid from jars of pickles, olives and artichokes. These liquids are great for pickling or marinating other veggies. I also toss them into homemade salad dressings or into mayo-based salads like potato, macaroni or pasta recipes. The only thing to remember is to be careful about mixing these liq -

uids in the same recipe. Sweet pickle juice and kosher dill pickle juice really don’t mix well. -- Luann

GOOD TO THE LAST DROP

Don’t dump the leftover wine. Even a little will add flavor to a dish, sauce or salad dressing. Adding a little wine to sauteed veggies or poached fish adds huge flavor. -- Cathy

SCRIBBLE CLEAN THE WHITEBOARD

To remove permanent marker images on a whiteboard, take a nonpermanent whiteboard marker, scribble over the permanent images and then erase. Works every time. -- BJ

SUPER GLUE FOR GREYHOUNDS

I read the tip in Everyday Cheapskate about using super glue for small cuts. For years, we’ve adopted greyhounds. They are wonderful dogs with

great personalities, but they have very thin skin. The Arizona Adopt a Greyhound agency highly recommends that you keep super glue on hand for small cuts on your hounds. Living in Arizona, there are a lot of thorny desert bushes. The dogs can get easily scratched and then start licking the wound. This turns into a much bigger problem than it should, but a quick dab with the super glue quickly keeps the wound held together. Greyhounds run so fast they don’t realize when they run into things. -- Kathleen

Email career and life coach: Lindsey@LindseyNovak.com with your workplace problems and issues. Ms. Novak responds to all emails. For more information, visit www. lindseynovak.com, and for past columns, see www.creators.com/read/ At-Work-Lindsey-Novak.

COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS. COM

Elementary Schools Implement Olweus Anti-Bullying Program

At Woodland, the Olweus team anchored its kick-off event with the song “This is Me” and decorated the gymnasium with large banners featuring the Olweus Pledge.

“Nice shoes,” one student said sarcastically to another who cringed and hurried past. “I like my shoes,” another responded as he got the dig. When the bully pronounced the same judgement on a third student passerby, an “upstander” student stepped in to support the victim. Did this happen in our schools? Yes, it did - as part of a skit designed to heighten awareness about bullying. Each of Hicksville’s elementary schools launched a new anti-bullying program in January 2020 - Olweus - to educate students about the harmful nature of bullying behaviors and, more importantly, to provide the tools students need to address situations in which they could become involved.

The Olweus Bully Prevention Program is a universal, school-wide effort involving all adults and students in a school. It is designed to be implemented and sustained over time to change school climate and

social norms. The program is evidence-based and supported by a large body of research. Olweus was introduced to the district by Mr. Anthony Lubrano, assistant superintendent for curriculum & instruction, and with the full support of the Board of Education, especially Vice President Brenda Judson. “The Olweus program seeks to include everyone who has an impact on a child’s lifeschool, classroom, individual, community and parents,” explained Mr. Lubrano.

Olweus New York State Leader and Olweus Technical Consultant, Joanne Verdino began working with the Hicksville Public Schools this past summer. She met with the principals to familiarize them with the program and prepare for implementation. “I’m a licensed clinical social worker who worked as a school social worker for 35 years,” shared Mrs. Verdino. She implemented the Olweus program in Jericho Middle

At Lee Avenue, chorus students sang a song about kindness written by music teacher Mr. Frank Barbera. Readers can see a video of the performance by searching Twitter: @hps_lee.

Mrs. Jean-Marie Serra, principal at East Street, is pictured with here in front of the school’s “Kindness Countdown” bulletin board with the school’s Olweus kick-off team (left to right): Mr. Jason Aliperti, ENL teacher; Ms. Regina Daniel, psychologist; Ms. Andrea Ferrara, grade 4 teacher; Principal Serra; Ms. Susan Peterson, librarian; Ms. Katherine Suppa, grade 1 teacher; and Mr. Jack Fabrizio, gym teacher.

School in 2012. Mrs. Verdino guided Hicksville’s principals to select a committee of staff members from their school, known as the Bully Prevention Coordinating Committee (BPCC), who would be responsible to turn-key train all school staff members. Each BPCC meets regularly and Mrs. Verdino meets with the principals each month for consultation and to support their continued program implementation.

During the month of January, each principal and BPCC implemented kick-off assemblies to introduce the Olweus program to elementary students. Each school picked a theme to launch their program, and teachers wrote new lyrics to familiar songs so the entire school could sing-along about kindness and empa -

Woodland teachers acted out a skit about bullying and excluding another from a game with the “popular” kids.

thy. Student council members, art teachers, and the PTA created banners to decorate the meeting rooms where the kick-off events were held, and generous PTAs and parents purchased and/or donated special tee shirts so each school was visually united for its kick-off.

Students and teachers wrote scenarios about bullying, such as being excluded from lunch tables and playground games, and acted out the scenes during the all-school assemblies.

During each event, students took a Kindness Pledge:

1. We will not bully others.

2. We will try to help students who are bullied.

3. I will try to include students who are left out.

Representatives from each grade at Woodland led the student body in the “Kindness Pledge” at the Olweus kick-off, signing the words as they recited.

4. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

Regular follow-up meetings with students are planned to reinforce the positive, supportive behaviors emphasized by the Olweus program.

“Each of our schools has woven the program into the fabric of their

school in a unique and personalized way,” explained Mrs. Verdino.

Parents can learn about the Olweus program, by accessing: http://www. violencepreventionworks.org/public/olweus_bullying_prevention_ program.page. They can initiate conversations with their children by asking about the class meetings they are having.

It took two years of collecting bottle caps, but art teacher Staci Kolinsky (left) worked with her students to create a “Bully Free Zone” sign in the style of artist Keith Haring for Lee Avenue. Principal Stephanie Stam is pictured here with the students’ “upcycled” materials sign at the Olweus kick-off on January 30.

Fifth-grade spokespersons from Lee Avenue Ashley and Tristan explained why the Olweus program is so important. “It’s good to teach others to treat others the way you want to be treated,” said Ashley. “It’s important for kids to know about this now so they can teach it to younger students as they get older,” agreed Tristan.

“Parents can also encourage their children to be inclusive and kind to their classmates at school,” shared Mrs. Verdino. “It is important that they remind their children that they should share any concerns they have about issues related to bullying with their parents and their teachers.”

The District would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Verdino and

the Olweus teams of administrators, teachers, staff, and parents who worked to create meaningful kick-off events in each of Hicksville’s elementary schools.

Included here are just a few images of the amazing all-school Olweus events that took place in January.

At Fork Lane, Site Based Team members and RISE students acted out a skit at the school’s Olweus kick-off on January 24 featuring an “upstander” who stood up to a trio of bullies. Note that the students (and the entire school) are wearing a “FORK: Family of Respectful Kids” tee shirt.

At Old Country Road School, the theme of the school’s Olweus program was

Make Bullying Extinct!” The giant dinosaur costume was worn by OCR teaching assistant Tina Ithier.

“Let’s

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court

Nassau County U.S. BANK NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, NA, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LASALLE BANK NA, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE WASHINGTON MUTUAL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, WMALT SERIES 2006-1, Plaintiff against CHOUDHRY SALEEM A/K/A CHOUDHRY M. SALEEM, et al Defendants

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 6, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom), in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 3, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 11 Crescent Street, Hicksville, NY 11801. Sec 12 Block 159 Lot 1 & 2. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, (not an incorporated village), Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $467,420.51 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 004492/16.

Joseph Ra, Esq., Referee SPSJN197

Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590

Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). MIT 5877

4X 01/31,02/07,14,21

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

V. JEFFREY DELUCA, ET. AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 28, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein BANK OF AMERICA, N.A is the Plaintiff and JEFFREY DELUCA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART

(CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 10, 2020 at 11:30 AM, premises known as 8 ISLAND ST, PLAINVIEW, NY 11803: Section 12, Block 48, Lot 105: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENT THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT HICKSVILLE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 9580/2014.

Jerry Merola, Esq. - Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. MIT 5879 4X 02/07,14,21,28

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as trustee for holders of the HSI Asset Securitization Corporation Trust 2006-HE1, Plaintiff AGAINST Vito Giambanco; et al, Defendant

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 1/16/2020 and entered on 1/17/2020, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Courtroom of the Supreme Court Mineola, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 17, 2020 at 11:30 AM premises known as 59 Abbot Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 45, BLOCK: 353, LOT: 29. Approximate amount of judgment is $773,717.61 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 2071/2014.

Mark Weliky, Referee

FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS

WEISMAN & GORDON LLP

53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706

LEGAL NOTICES

Supreme Court Nassau County

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff - againstALEXANDER AGUERA, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 13, 2018. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on the 17th day of March, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Plainview, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 15 Main Parkway, Plainview, NY 118032127.

(Section: 12, Block: 379, Lot: 15) Approximate amount of lien $208,118.13 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 8442-2015.

Richard D. Lorge, Esq., Referee.

Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 28 East Main Street, Suite 1700 Rochester, NY 14614-1990 Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www. Auction.com or call (800) 2802832

Dated: January 9, 2020

MIT 5881 4X 02/14,21,28,03/06

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court Nassau County THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWABS, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-14, Plaintiff - against -

JEAN C. ST GILLES AKA

JEAN GILLES AKA JEAN

Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501 on the 17th day of March, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, lying and being at Levittown, Hicksville, Town of Oyster bay, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 46 Grape Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801. (Section: 45, Block: 329, Lot: 18) Approximate amount of lien $528,689.87 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 8742/16.

Charles Casolaro, Esq., Referee.

Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 28 East Main Street, Suite 1700 Rochester, NY 14614-1990 Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www. Auction.com or call (800) 2802832

Dated: January 16, 2020

MIT 5882 4X 02/14,21,28,03/06

Judgment for Index# 16-007648. DAVID N ALTMAN, ESQ., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 BN 7452 4X 01/31,02/07,14,21

MIT 5880

4X 02/14,21,28,03/06

NOTICE OF SALE

CLAUDE ST. GILLES, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 6, 2019. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Nassau County Supreme

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-WFHE2, ASSET-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-WFHE2, Plaintiff AGAINST DOUGLAS PATRICK PFEIFER, DEBORAH CLAIRE PFEIFER, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated December 18, 2018 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on March 03, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 22 EMMA STREET, BETHPAGE, NY 11714. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION 49, BLOCK 64, LOT 92 & 93. Approximate amount of judgment $726,611.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2007-NC3 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-NC3, V. WILLIAM K. SMITH A/K/A WILLIAM SMITH, ET. AL. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated July 29, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2007-NC3 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-NC3 is the Plaintiff and WILLIAM K. SMITH A/K/A WILLIAM SMITH, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 10, 2020 at 11:30 AM, premises known as 88 SOUTH HERMAN AVE, BETHPAGE, NY 11714: Section 49, Block 233, Lot 245: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BETHPAGE, FORMERLY CENTRAL PARK, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 11080/2010.

Michael Wolkow, Esq.Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310,

Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

BN 7454

4X 02/07,14,21,28

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court

Nassau County Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for the HSI Asset Securitization Corporation Trust 2006-HE2, Plaintiff AGAINST

Patricia Warmhold, et al, Defendant

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 8/15/2019 and entered on 8/16/2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Courtroom of the Supreme Court Mineola, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 10, 2020 at 11:30 AM premises known as 201 N 1st Street, Bethpage, NY 11714. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 46, BLOCK: 48, LOT: 8-10. Approximate amount of judgment is $606,979.12 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 7502/2016.

Lawrence Weinreich, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 BN 7455

4X 02/07,14,21,28

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC, V. JOHANNA C. MCMILLAN; ET. AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated September 09, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC is the Plaintiff and JOHANNA C. MCMILLAN; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March

24, 2020 at 11:30 am, premises known as 146 RAILROAD AVE, BETHPAGE, NY 11714: Section 46, Block 022, Lot 1 & 49: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BETHPAGE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 0001057/2017.

Stephen Frommer, Esq.Referee.

RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. BN 7458 4X 02/21,28,03/06,13

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Board of Trustees of the Bethpage Public Library hereby gives notice that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of the Bethpage Union Free School District will be held at the Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, New York, on the 6th day of April, 2020 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. prevailing time, for the purpose of voting by paper ballots upon the following propositions:

1. To elect one Library Trustee, for a term of five (5) years, commencing July 1, 2020, previously incumbered by: John McCarthy

2. To elect one Library Trustee, commencing April 6, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021, previously incumbered by: Dennis Gaffney and currently incumbered by appointee: Greg Cusumano

A petition shall be required to nominate such candidate to the office of Library Trustee. Each vacancy is a separate specific office and a separate petition is required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Each petition shall be directed to the District Clerk at the School District Administration Offices Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York, shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, and shall

LEGAL NOTICES

state the name and residence of the candidate. Petitions shall be available at the Office of the District Clerk at the School District Administrative Offices, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York. In the event that any such nominee shall withdraw his or her candidacy prior to the election, such person shall not be considered a candidate unless a new petition nominating such person in the same manner and with the same limitations applicable to other candidates is filed with the District Clerk. Each petition shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk between the hours of 9:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), through March 6, 2020 and not later than March 6, 2020. No person shall be nominated by petition for more than one separate office.

REGISTRATION

FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is necessary and no person shall be entitled to vote at said Special District Meeting of April 6, 2020 unless such person has personally registered.

Each person may register for the said Special Meeting by appearing personally before the Board of Registration of the School District on March 25, 2020, as hereinafter stated. The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of personal voter registration and the preparation of a register of the qualified voters of said School District, on March 25, 2020 between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at the School District Administrative Offices during which time and at which place members of the Board of Registration shall place upon the School District Register the names of all qualified voters personally appearing before them, provided they are known to be or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration that they are entitled to vote at the above specified Library Special District Meeting.

Such register, upon its completion, will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk at the School District Administrative Offices, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York,

and will remain on file at such office and will be open for inspection between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on each of the five (5) days prior to the meeting or election for which it was prepared, except Saturday and Sunday. Voters may register for voting at subsequent Library special district meetings on the day of the April 6, 2020 Special District Meeting. All persons who have voted at any Special or Annual Meeting or Election or at any general election within four (4) years prior to the preparation of the register, or who are registered to vote at any general election, pursuant to Section 5-210 of the Election Law of the State of New York need not re-register to vote at the Special District Meeting of April 6, 2020.

In addition, any person who can demonstrate that he is qualified to vote in general elections and who otherwise meets the qualifications of a School District voter, will be permitted to vote at the Special District Meeting on April 6, 2020.

FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN, that in accordance with Education Law Section 2018a, applications for absentee ballots for the Special District Meeting may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the Bethpage Union Free School District. Such application must be received by the Board of Registration at least seven (7) days prior to the Special District Meeting if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the Special District Meeting, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. The Board of Registration shall make a list of all persons to whom absentee voters’ ballots have been issued, and have it available during regular office hours until the day of the Special District Meeting. Such list will be posted at the polling place during the Special District Meeting. No absentee voter ballot shall be canvassed unless it is received not later than 5:00 P.M. on the day of the Special District Meeting.

Dated: Bethpage, New York February 21, 2020 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Mary Macaluso, President

BN 7459 4X 02/21,28,03/06,13

AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIALDE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE BETHPAGE

El Consejo Directivo de la Biblioteca Pública de Bethpage por este medio notifica que una Reunión Especial del Distrito de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar sin Sindicato de Bethpage se llevará a cabo en la Biblioteca Pública de Bethpage, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, el sexto día de abril de 2020 a partir de las 2:00 p. m. hasta las 8:00 p. m. hora local, con el propósito de llevar a cabo la votación de las siguientes propuestas en boletas de papel:

1. Elegir un Miembro del Consejo de la Biblioteca, para un período de cinco (5) años, a partir del 1° de julio de 2020, anteriormente ocupado por: John McCarthy

2. Elegir un Miembro del Consejo de la Biblioteca, comenzando el 6 de abril de 2020 y terminando el 30 de junio de 2021, anteriormente ocupado por: Dennis Gaffney actualmente ocupado por una persona asignada: Greg Cusumano

Se requerirá una petición para nominar a dicho candidato a la oficina del Consejo Directivo de la Biblioteca. Cada vacante es un cargo específico por separado y se requiere una petición por separado para nominar a un candidato para cada cargo por separado. Cada petición se dirigirá al Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas de Administración del Distrito Escolar Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, deberá estar firmada por lo menos por veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del Distrito, y deberá indicar el nombre y residencia del candidato. Las peticiones estarán disponibles en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York. En caso de que dicho candidato retire su candidatura antes de la elección, dicha persona no será considerada un candidato a menos que se presente una nueva petición para nominar

Continued on page 18

a esa persona de la misma manera y con las mismas limitaciones aplicables a otros candidatos ante el Secretario del Distrito. Cada petición se presentará en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito de 9:30 a. m. a 4:00 p .m. (excluyendo sábados y domingos), hasta el 6 de marzo de 2020 y no después del 6 de marzo de 2020. Ninguna persona será nominada por petición para más de un cargo por separado.

REGISTRO

SE AVISA TAMBIÉN que de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, el registro personal de los votantes es necesario y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en dicha Reunión Especial de Distrito del 6 de abril de 2020 a menos que dicha persona se haya registrado personalmente. Cada persona puede registrarse para dicha Reunión Especial presentándose personalmente ante el Consejo de Registro del Distrito Escolar, el 25 de marzo de 2020, como se indica más adelante. El Consejo de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de llevar a cabo el registro personal de votantes y la preparación de un registro de votantes calificados de dicho Distrito Escolar, el 25 de marzo de 2020 entre las 4:00 p. m. y las 8:00 p. m. en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar durante el cual y en ese lugar los miembros del Consejo de Registro colocarán en el Registro del Distrito Escolar los nombres de todos los votantes calificados que se presenten personalmente ante ellos, siempre que se conozca o

se demuestre a la satisfacción de dicho Consejo de Registro que tienen derecho a votar en la Reunión Especial del Distrito de la Biblioteca especificada anteriormente.

Dicho registro, una vez completado, se presentará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, y permanecerá archivado en dicha oficina y estará abierto para inspección de 9:00 a. m. a 3:00 p. m. cada uno de los cinco (5) días previos a la reunión o elección para la que se preparó, excepto los sábados y domingos. Los votantes pueden registrarse para votar en las siguientes reuniones especiales de distrito de la Biblioteca el día de la Reunión Especial de Distrito del 6 de abril de 2020. Todas las personas que han votado en una Reunión Especial o Anual o Elección o en cualquier elección general en un periodo de cuatro (4) años anteriores a la preparación del registro, o que estén registradas para votar en cualquier elección general, de conformidad con la Sección 5-210 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York no necesitan volver a registrarse para votar en la Reunión Especial de Distrito del 6 de abril de 2020. Además, cualquier persona que pueda demostrar que califica o sea que reúne los requisitos para poder votar en las elecciones generales y que de otra manera cumpla con los requisitos de un votante del Distrito Escolar, podrá votar en

la Reunión Especial del Distrito el 6 de abril de 2020.

SE AVISA TAMBIÉN, que de acuerdo con la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación, las solicitudes de boletas en ausencia para la Reunión Especial del Distrito se pueden solicitar en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar sin Sindicato de Bethpage. Dicha solicitud la debe recibir el Consejo de Registro por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito si la boleta se debe enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al votante. El Consejo de Registro hará una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido las boletas de votantes en ausencia, y la tendrá disponible durante el horario de atención habitual hasta el día de la Reunión Especial del Distrito. Dicha lista se publicará en el lugar de votación durante la Reunión Especial del Distrito. No se escudriñará ninguna boleta de votante en ausencia a menos que se reciba a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. el día de la Reunión Especial del Distrito.

Fechado: Bethpage, Nueva York 21 de febrero de 2020 POR ORDEN DE LOS MIEMBROS DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE BETHPAGE

Mary Macaluso, Presidenta BN 7460 4X 02/21,28,03/06,13

Levittown teacher pens children’s book in memory of colleague

From page 1

“People told me it was a great idea for a children's book so I contacted my illustrator and he started drawing sketches and before you know it, the whole thing started to take shape. The book was published and it came out right before the Christmas holiday.”

This was not Goldman's first venture into writing children’s books. He had previously written a book for his 8-year-old son called “Little Man Nate Finds His Song.” It is about a young boy who tries to write a hit song but finds that creating a

masterpiece is not easy.

Goldman said that he did not want to make the story about himself and instead wanted to focus on a great teacher and a man who was beloved in the community.

“He was really a special person and a man who influenced thousands of lives,” said Goldman. “Words can’t expressed how much he will be missed.”

All of the proceeds generated from the book sales will be going to the Verdi family.

“The Great Blue Dragon” can be purchased on Amazon. com.

Plainview - Old Bethpage

special election

From page 1

page Board of Education for more than 5 years,” said Jodi Keller. “Together, we have made incredible strides to provide our students with access to resources that will help them

succeed in and out of the classroom. The future is strong here in Plainview-Old Bethpage, and I thank the residents for their support and for advocating on behalf of the betterment of our students, our staff and our great community.”

Bethpage students compete in ‘Brain Challenge’

Students at Kramer Lane Elementary School in the Bethpage School District were energized and excited to learn about health and wellness during the “Brain Challenge” on Jan. 16.

Students at Kramer Lane Elementary School in the Bethpage School District tested their health and wellness knowledge during the “Brain Challenge” assembly on Jan. 16.

The students gathered in the school’s auditorium to participate in the gameshow-like activity. The students were excited to compete in special challenges including spelling bees, dance offs and hula hooping competitions.

Students at Kramer Lane Elementary School in the Bethpage School District were energized and excited to learn about health and wellness during the “Brain Challenge” on Jan. 16.

First graders Justin Limage, Maahir Shah, Daniel DiMaggio and

were tasked to spell the word “soda” as part of the “Brain Challenge” at Kramer Lane Elementary School in the Bethpage School District on Jan. 16.

Diyaa Shah

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Imagine having the luxury lifestyle you deserve without the concerns of living alone or maintaining a home. At The Bristal, we are committed to helping seniors stay independent while knowing that expert care is there if needed – delivered by a team who treat you like family. Every day you’ll enjoy a vibrant community, countless social events with new friends, and the unmatched services and amenities you’ve come to expect from The Bristal.

CITY 516-231-9575

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY! For a list of all locations in the tri-state area, visit: THEBRISTAL.COM

516-234-7880