An indomitable spirit. An inquisitive mind. And a most compassionate heart. Bobby Menges of Garden City possessed intelligence and maturity far beyond his years and left a lasting impression on almost everyone he met. Friendly and outgoing, he was the kind of kid who went over and sat with the shy student eating alone at lunchtime.
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
For the second straight year, a Garden City High School student’s involvement with the village’s Environmental Advisory Board has led to a science project which provided information for residents and village officials to consider.
Ian Bailey, one of three new Garden City High School student members of the Environmental Advisory Board, has begun his school-year science research project on pesticides and fertilizers used in Garden City and in neighboring areas.
“The big question in starting this research is determining what products exactly are the ones we want (the village) to use. There is a wide spectrum of fertilizers and types of application they come in -- a pellet or liquids. We consider fertilizers on some grounds and/or pesticides on the same places. We’ll also need to look at organic versus inorganic products and their impacts. The next step for me is the parameters that need to be set, to determine what to get out of the research,” he explained at the EAB’s last meeting.
Although Bobby passed away last year at age 19, his legacy lives on in a foundation that his family created in his memory. The “I’m Not Done Yet” Foundation, based in Garden City, helps adolescent patients with serious, long-term, and chronic illnesses transition from pediatrics to adulthood.
As part of its mission, the foundation has pledged a fiveyear, $500,000 grant to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City to conduct research to
A diagnosis of cancer, originally at age 5, and other health problems didn’t stop him from living life to the fullest. Despite the treatments, and despite multiple surgeries, a profound capacity for empathy compelled him to look outside of himself, and he sought to help others, according to Elizabeth Menges, Bobby’s mother. He devoted much of his life to community service and fundraising, hosting charity events and blood drives.
establish best practices to meet the changing needs of young patients as they become teenagers and young adults in the health care system.
At HSS, a specialty hospital dedicated to orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation, doctors often follow patients from a very young age through young adulthood. The patient population includes babies born with musculoskeletal conditions such as cerebral palsy and young people with chronic rheumatologic diseases who are treated from the time they are children.
Bobby recognized the need
Bailey enters the second half of his sophomore year at Garden City High School this month. Last summer, he conducted work at Molloy College and has also participated in regional/local science competitions. For this year’s science research course, organized with guidance from GCHS science research teacher Dr. Steven Gordon, Bailey considered how he can have a proactive approach to help both Garden City as a municipality as well as him and his fellow students of science at the high school. In the 2017-2018 school year, Dr. Gordon worked with students Thomas Grlic and Aidan Pfaff, who ultimately presented results of their research on gas-powered leaf blower noise and pollution in front of the EAB (reported in The Garden City News on December 22, 2017 and February 2, 2018).
Originally Bailey’s science research project was to look into the environmental effects of modern fertilizers as a whole. Then his new civic role and collaboration with the EAB this school year, confirmed at the Board of Trustees’ November 1 meeting along with GCHS junior Adam Baksh and Aidan Pfaff, now a GCHS senior, led to expanding his project’s concept to include the village-owned and maintained recreational grounds.
On November 28, the trio of GCHS students attended the Environmental Advisory Board and Rec. Commission’s joint meeting on the use of pesticides on village athletic fields. That
We were happy to see that the Village is considering the research of Garden City High School student Ian Bailey in its project to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers on village sports fields.
Ian will be gathering data from other nearby municipalities about what products they use on their fields, and their impacts.
The information he learns will help Garden City gain some new ideas for its own field management program.
It is commendable that Ian has decided to use his research talents to better the community, and it is commendable that the Environmental Advisory Board is welcoming the information he gathers in its decision making process.
All too often, young people who
want to offer their insights into public issues are not taken seriously, but this is a great example of the opposite. The Environmental Board has made helpful suggestions and Ian will in turn be providing information that the members can use.
We think it’s great that the village has included the views of young people in its deliberations. It would be great if the village and school district found additional opportunities for students like Ian to participate in our democracy. It could be both a training ground for future leaders as well as offer unique ideas and insights into issues that are important to both youth and adults alike, like the environment.
To the Editor:
Our most recent federal government shut down reminds me of “Stuck In The Middle With You” by the band Stealers Wheel. The words “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you” from the song. It perfectly sums up the chaos and gridlock in Washington.
billion Gateway Tunnel. Both sides will come away happy.
The White House and Congress should be held accountable for their actions, or in this case inactions, just as employees are at personnel evaluations. Voters can conduct their own personnel evaluations of both Congress and the President on Election Day in 2020. Both the President, members of Congress and their respective employees should be docked one full day’s pay for each day our pending full Federal Fiscal Year 2019 budget is not adopted on time. They need to perform this most basic requirement of their jobs, which is passing a budget on time, just like federal civil servants do on a daily basis.
If federal civil servants face periodic furloughs, so too should White House employees, members of Congress and their staff. Most federal employees work just as hard as their counterparts in the private sector. Many in the military, FBI, United States Marshals, ICE and Border Security put their lives on the line every day protecting our nation. They remain on the payroll but some suffer from a delay in their pay. Even when furloughs take place, Congress has ended up retroactively paying federal employees for the days they could not report to work.
Both the President and Congress need to work together, if we are ever going to put our fiscal house in order and end future threats of both sequestering and furloughs. We need to return to the time when Congress held budget hearings for each department during the summer. A real balanced budget agency by agency was adopted during an open process. Members of Congress, federal employees, the public, watchdog groups and media were afforded sufficient time to understand the full contents prior to adoption. Full federal budgets were adopted on time prior to the start of any new Federal Fiscal year on October 1. This was a time when there were no furloughs.
There are just as many good managers in the government as in the private sector. If their superiors would give them the authority and flexibility to manage budgets, they could find savings without having to consider furloughs.
Lets make a deal. Democrats should give Trump $5 billion for the Wall. Republicans should give Schumer & Democrats $5 billion toward the $29
Why not end bipartisan gridlock?. Instead of another in a series of stop gap continuing resolutions to keep the government open, pass a clean spending bill with no attached amendments for the balance of Fiscal Year 2019 ending on September 30th using Fiscal Year 2018 numbers.
Larry Penner
(Larry Penner is a transportation historian, advocate and writer who previously worked 31 years for the US Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office.)
On January 18, 2019 more than 500,000 American citizens are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. at the 46th annual March for Life, calling for the end of the legalized killing of preborn babies by abortion. Members of the Knights of Columbus St. JosephBishop Baldwin Council #15809 along with members of the Church of St. Joseph Respect Life Ministry will lead a contingent of St. Joseph parishioners via a motor coach to the prolife rally and march to Capitol Hill.
Visit bit.ly/2019GCPU to view workshops and register online beginning Monday, January 7 through Friday, January 25. Garden City Parent University will take place on Thursday, January 31 at the Garden City High School. Session 1 starts at 7 pm and Session 2 starts at 8:05 pm.
Parent University is an evening set aside for parents and caregiv ers of children in grades pre-K to 12 to participate in a series of workshops facilitated by area professionals and district personnel. The workshops best reflect current topics and trends and offer an opportunity to sharpen our parenting skills as we work together to raise healthy, well adjusted, and successful children. Studies prove when communities, caregivers, and educators work together to create supportive and safe environments for children to grow and learn – they thrive.
New Workshops:
• Learning to Read is Fun with
FUNdations
• The Pitfalls of Parenting and How to Avoid Them: A Guide to More Conscious Parenting
• Executive Functioning: Tips, Tools & Strategies for the Disorganized Student
• Worried Parents, Stressed Teens: Whose Anxiety is it Anyway?
• Money Talks: Strategies to Help You Start a Conversation with Your Child About Spending, Saving, and Budgeting
• Empowering the Quiet Child
• The Big “C” - Consent: Teaching Children Boundaries and Consent
• New Diploma and Graduation Options for High School in NYS Workshops Back by Popular Demand:
• LGBTQ+ and Everything Under the Rainbow
• Soaring into STEAM: Fun Experiments for Children and Parents
• STILL Vaping in the Bathrooms!
Home Camera
with the purchase of 3 home cameras. Call for details
4 months monitoring when you switch to our
for
Child supervision will be available for children ages 4-12. Preregistration for child supervision is required - No Exceptions.
Contact the Parent University Team at parentuniversity@gardencitypta.org or visit www.gardencitypu.com. GCPU is proudly sponsored by Garden City Public Schools, Garden City Teachers’ Association, Garden City PTA, Garden City SEPTA, Garden City Friends of Music, Garden City Friends of STEAM, and The Men’s Association of Garden City.
Also taking place on January 31st at the High School is GCPS’ Community Service Support Fair!
6 pm – 8 pm in the High School Library
The CSSF offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to meet with a variety of vendors from various camps, recreational programs, and other child and adult service organizations for children of all abilities. Walk-ins are welcomed as registration is not necessary for this event. For more information contact: Michele Vincent, LCSWR, 516-478-1500 or Mandi Stefankiewicz, MS/CAGS, 516478-2035 or visit www.gcsepta.org. CSSF is proudly sponsored by the Garden City Public Schools’ Department of Pupil Personnel Services and Garden City SEPTA.
Call us at 294-8900 to place an ad in our classifieds. We’ll help you be seen by thousands of local readers!
Start your year off by falling in love with this beautiful Colonial! Situated on 65x100 landscaped property on a coveted street in the heart of the Mott Section, this home is an entertainer’s delight!
Encompassing over 2200 square feet of living space, this home has 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2. 5 baths, living room with wood-burning fireplace, formal dining room, fabulous family room with raised hearth and fieldstone woodburning fireplace, eat-in-kitchen, newly renovated powder room.
The second floor has a master suite with vaulted ceiling, master bath with jacuzzi tub and separate shower. There are two additional generous sized bedrooms, along with an additional room to be used as a nursery/office/ or fourth bedroom. There is a hall bath with separate tub and shower.
The basement has recreation space, laundry room, and utilities.
Additional Amenities: New gas heat, new CAC, upgraded electric, updated roof, updated windows, hardwood floors. LOW TAXES!
Please join me on Sunday for the
or
Karen Guendjoian, SRES, ABR, CLHMS Certified Relocation Specialist Licensed RE Salesperson Office 516-746-5511 kguendjoian@coachrealtors.com
Enjoying Rotary’s Holiday Fellowship Luncheon (seated from left) were: Paula and Andrew Umrelko, Gary Jendras, Club President Joanne Meyer-Jendras, Coordinator of Public Information for Garden City Public Schools Dr. Catherine Knight, Coordinator of Public Information, Garden City Public Schools and Lois Kuster Standing (from left): Eileen Lamberti, Garden City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kusum Sinha, Thomas Lamberti, and Garden City Board of Education President Angela Heineman
As we launch into 2019, Rotary invites members of the Garden City community and beyond to consider joining our Club. With the moto “Service
Above Self,” Rotary is the world’s largest service organization of business and professional leaders with 34,000 clubs throughout the world. Incorporated in 1925, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club today welcomes residents, businesses and corporate organizations alike to join us and participate in our
focus on various services which impact our community and beyond.
Our Club meets on 2nd and 4th Mondays, 12:15-1:30 pm at the Garden City Hotel. Featured are noteworthy speakers from a cross-section of professions and organizations. To attend a luncheon (at $30 per person) or for information about joining, please call Joanne Meyer-Jendras, Club president, at 516-551-3931.
Rotary Serves the Community and Beyond in a Variety of Areas:
• REOTACARE – Created by the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club in 1992, RotaCare provides free medical re for those in need.
• GIFT OF LIFE – Life Saving cardiac surgery for children from 3rd world countries.
• DICTIONARY PROJECT –Provides dictionaries for 3rd grade students in all Garden City elementary schools.
• SCHOLARSHIPS – Our Club awards annual scholarships to a deserving graduating senior from both Garden City and Mineola High Schools.
• RYLA – We support the Rotary Youth Leadership Program (RYLA), along with the Youth Exchange Programs of Rotary District 7255.
• SUPORTS ROTARY FOUNDATION – The Rotary Foundation achieves world understanding and peace through international
charitable and educational programs.
• INTERACT – Rotary sponsors service club for young people, ages 14-18.
• SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING PROGRAM – Each December, Rotary volunteers ring the bell in support of the Salvation Army’s good works.
• EVENTS – Rotary Fellowship Dinners at various venues, plus annual Holiday Fellowship Luncheon at the Garden City Hotel in December.
• AWARDS – “Community Service Award” presented each spring to either a deserving individual or organization.
While Rotary wound down its 2018 season at its Holiday Fellowship luncheon on December 10, at the Garden City Hotel, it also ushered in the holiday season. The event proceeds benefited RotaCare, the Gift of Life Program along with the other good works of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club. We gratefully acknowledge these generous donors of the array of fabulous raffle prizes: BK Sweeney’s Uptown Grille, Bob Bonagura, Jim Brady, Maureen Clancy, Jennifer Ferrara-Poupis, Emily Franchina, Susan MacDonald, Dianne Marmann, Joanne Meyer-Jendras, Joseph Monroe family, Margarita Narvaez, Diana O’Neill, and members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club.
The Garden Stage at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau (UUCCN) will be hosting several musical events in coming weeks.
Friday, January 4th at 7:30PM
An Evening with Katherine Rondeau
Katherine Rondeau is a full-throttle singer-songwriter and four-time Philadelphia Folk Festival performer who focuses her passion for classic folk music through a thoroughly modern lens. She is recognized for her rich, bold voice and warm, engaging personality. The folk world across this country is taking note of her passionate songwriting and performance style.
How to describe Katherine’s music? Her voice – strong, soulful, warm – rings out like a bell on a clear summer’s night. Her original songs draw audiences in and take them on journeys both real and imagined. Whether sharing stories of love lost and found, calling out robust anthems of peace and justice, or reimagining classic songs from the Folk Revival,
there is no mistaking she has earned her place at the folk table, a soulful folk experience you won’t forget. $20 Adv/$22 Door
Friday, February 1st
Bobtown
Bobtown’s distinctive original songs and vocal arrangements, take an unconventional and refreshing approach to the tradition of folk and Americana.
Americana UK perhaps summed up the band best when they said, “If you’re looking for acoustic, Gothicfolk-Americana kissed with gorgeous harmonies then look no further.”
Originally formed as an “a cappella” quintet, Bobtown’s repertoire has evolved to include elements of pop, bluegrass, R&B, Americana, and gospel in a roots music mash-up which is bound together by a continuous thread of innovative vocal harmonies. The band presents a unique and compelling blend of voices and instruments that move gracefully between elegy and celebration, receiving positive reviews and airplay both domes -
tically and internationally. Indulge in delicious homemade desserts in the Mallette Gallery during the intermission.
Call to reserve your discounted seat. All ticket sales are at the door.
516-248-8891 or reservations@ gardenstage.com
For more information, also visit www.gardenstage.com
Fri. March 1, 2019 ~ Pat Wictor Fri. April 5, 2019 ~ The Levins
Fri. May 3, 2019 ~ Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli Fri. June 7, 2019 ~ to be announced soon
Doors open and sign up for open mic begins at 7:00 pm.
Open Mike @ 7:30 pm. ~~ Show begins at 8:30 pm.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau 223 Stewart Avenue, (corner of Nassau Blvd.) Garden City.
The Board of Trustees and staff continue to work on numerous projects, including the water tank replacement project, the concept plan for the former St. Paul’s School building, Pool infrastructure improvements and other matters. We encourage you to attend Village Board of Trustees meetings.
The Second Half 2018/2019 tax payments were due by December 31, 2018. All payments placed in the letter slot before the opening for business on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 are being accepted without penalty. Any payment postmarked January 1, 2019 or later will be subject to penalty as required by State law.
You may have noticed we have been repairing sewer mains in numerous locations throughout the Village. This capital project has been undertaken to correct problem areas in our system that would take too much time away from our own Water and Sewer Maintenance Department. We have completed repairs on sections of road on the following blocks:
- Kildare Road, Wilmar Place, Brixton Road, Chester Ave and Weyford Terrace
- We’ve replaced over 26 feet of broken or collapsed sewer mains along with 4 manholes
- We’ve also cleaned up some historical irregularities that existed, such as the removal of capped mains that were in place in anticipation of future service.
- In some cases we’ve found tree roots and limbs buried amongst the laid sewer pipe which appeared to have caused some of the damage.
In 2018, the Garden City Police Department hired seven new police officers, one of which is currently in training and slated to graduate the academy in approximately four months. Maintaining the Department’s complement at 52, coupled with cameras strategically
placed in the downtown area, has aided the Department in bolstering neighborhood patrols.
Further, once ambulance service begins this month, this will further aid the Department in keeping officers on the streets. Previously, the Village had an agreement with Nassau County to provide ambulance service, with one ambulance stationed at the Garden City Water Works building. The provision of services from the County required that a Village police officer leave the scene and travel with the ambulance to the hospital, thus losing the services of the officer for an extended period of time. From an operational perspective this loss of a patrol officer was no longer economical and lessened police coverage on our streets. The switch to a private service provider was one of the items on the Board’s priority list adopted in 2017.
As the Department of Recreation and Parks continues through year three of Phase I of the Strategic Plan, emphasis is placed on building renovations and additional athletic field improvements. Over the past six months the exterior and interior renovation of the Edgemere Park building has been completed. In addition, upgrades to Field #1 at Community Park have been completed as well. Looking ahead to spring 2019 we anticipate the completion of the interior renovation of the St. Paul’s comfort station, the complete renovation and improvement of Field #2 at Community Park, including a synthetic turf infield, and the completion of the Community Park inclusive playground. In addition, over the next several months, in-house staff will be completely renovating the baseball field at Tullamore Park and will be completing the interior renovation of the Grove and Hemlock parks buildings.
Formal budget meetings to review the proposed 2019/20 Operating/ Capital Budgets will be held in March.
Residents are encouraged to attend and participate. All work sessions will be held 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm in the Village Hall Board Room, unless otherwise noted. The schedule is as follows:
• Work Session 1: March 7, 2019
• Work Session 2: March 12, 2019
• Work Session 3: March 21, 2019
• Work Session 4: March 27, 2019 (if needed)
While personnel always tries to identify capital projects, Mayor Brian Daughney suggested Department Heads take a closer look at day-to-day, quality of life issues as well. He also encouraged continued focus on overtime and does not want to see high budget requests for overtime pay. Trustee Stephen Makrinos, Finance and Audit Committee chairman, further suggested re-visiting deferred projects to see if it makes sense to continue deferring them or “pay the piper” and do the projects now.
Long Island Blood Services will hold a blood drive at the Garden City Public Library on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 2:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the large meeting room on the lower level of the Library. Area hospitals are in need of local residents’ help. Each donation can help to save up to three lives. Donors will receive a McDonald’s coupon for a free large sandwich. Eligible donors must be between 16 and 75 years of age, with a minimum weight of 110 lbs and no tattoos within the past 12 months. Sixteen year olds must have parental permission and donors age 76 and over must present a doctor’s note. All donors must have valid ID with signature or photo. Donors are encouraged to eat well (low fat) and drink fluids. For medical questions concerning blood donations, call 1-800-688-0900. Walk-ins are welcome.
A reminder to residents who have
a natural Christmas tree or wreath to dispose of - please leave them at the curb on your regularly scheduled recycling collection day. They will be collected by the Department of Public Works and rendered at the Village Yard for use around trees and shrubs as mulch. Please assist the Village by removing tree stands, strands of electric lights and plastic bags from the discarded trees and cooperate with your neighbors by disposing of them only on the scheduled recycling collection days.
The Board of Trustees is continuing to develop the concept plan presented to the public last summer for creating a recreation, sports and community center at the former St. Paul’s Main Building, combined with anticipated upgrades to Cluett Hall.
Currently, the Board is in the process of selecting an “owner’s representative construction manager” that will help guide the Board through initial steps of assessing the building, developing a course of action and construction plans and costs. The Board hopes to retain the construction manager within the next 30 days.
Concurrently, Sports Facilities Management and Advisory, previously retained by the Village, will be meeting with various groups, including the Commission on Cultural and Recreation Affairs, local sports and culture groups, seniors, and also undertaking market analysis, to assist the Board with determining the proposed programming facilities to be included the final plans. Both the construction manager and Sports Facility Advisory will be working throughout the next few months to assist the Village in developing a final plan, cost estimates and forecasting for future operational expenses.
The next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting is Thursday, January 17, 2019 beginning at 8:00 pm in the Village Hall Board Room. Residents are encouraged to attend.
On December 26th a GPS was reported stolen from a vehicle parked at an Osborne Road residence. Also a package delivered to a Roxbury Road residence was reported stolen.
On December 27th Sunglasses were reported stolen from a vehicle parked at a Fifth Street residence.
A female age 22 from Freeport was charged with driving on Clinton Road with a suspended license and defective headlights.
On December 28th an unauthorized credit card with $700 in charges was opened using a resident’s personal information.
A vehicle turned onto the tracks at the Clinton Railroad crossing and became wedged on the rails. Traffic in the area was detoured until the MTA PD Emergency Services Unit was able to remove the vehicle from
the tracks.
On the 29th Officers arrest ed a male age 22 from Hempstead on Franklin Avenue for DWI and driving on the wrong side of pave ment markings.
Officers responded to a Harrison Street residence and assist ed the Fire Department with a smoke condition caused by a defective clothes dryer.
A package was reported stolen from the porch of a Second Street residence.
Loose change was also reported stolen from a vehicle parked in the driveway.
On December 30th Upon investigation of a December 14, 2018 incident, a male age 36 from Queens was arrested for the theft of an artificial
On Wednesday, January 16 at 1:30 pm in the GC Casino, the Community Club will present the acclaimed documentary about the life and career of the celebrated children’s television personality, Fred (Mr.) Rogers. It is aptly titled Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
There will be a coffee/tea hour before the film at 12:30 pm.
“For over thirty years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life’s weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn’t been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn’t been since…
“In Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (Twenty Feet from Stardom) looks back on the legacy of Fred Rogers, focusing on his radically kind ideas. While the nation changed around him, Fred Rogers stood firm in his beliefs about the importance of protecting childhood…” – excerpts from Focus Features promotion
You won’t want to miss this beautifully produced and moving film! This special presentation is open to guests and nonmembers for a $5.00 fee.
The Community Club, established in 1919, offers a wide variety of cultural, educational, creative and philanthropic programs and activities. To learn more about the Community Club and how you may become a member, please call the office at (516) 746-0488 between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
tree, valued at $500, from Sears.
Officers also investigated the theft of a package from the porch of a Mulberry Road residence. The subject is described as a male/white, 6’, wearing a gray sweat suit, jeans, glasses and a baseball cap; he was driving a gray four door sedan.
Garden City Firefighters assisted the New Hyde Park Fire Department with a serious residential fire on 12th Street.
On December 31st Officers investigated an identity theft report where someone opened an unauthorized credit card account using
a resident’s personal information without permission.
* Officers located a lost elderly person walking on Wetherill Road and returned him to his family in Mineola.
On January 1st 2019 A vehicle was stopped for multiple aggressive driving violations on First Street and Rockaway Avenue, resulting in the arrest of the driver, a 31 year old male from Queens, for DWI, excessive speed (73 MPH), unsafe lane use, unsafe turn and uninsured operation.
A wallet was reported stolen from a vehicle parked at a Euston Road residence and Officers assisted Garden City Firefighters at a Stewart Avenue apartment building for a leaking gas condition caused by a faulty stove. There were no injuries reported.
Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com
BY JOHN W. CRONIN, PRESIDENT GARDEN CITY BIRD SANCTUARY, INC.
On Saturday, January 12, the Garden City Bird Sanctuary (GCBS) cordially invites you to come out and join us in celebrating our eleventh annual Winterfest. Many of you are probably wondering what Winterfest is, and why you should go out in the cold to attend. Simply put, it is a holiday we on the GCBS Board of Directors began in 2009 to honor all our members and supporters. It is full of meaningful ceremonies and traditions which reflect the three virtues that any community needs to survive; volunteerism, environmental stewardship, and hope.
The GCBS is a community in a real sense as it offers you a place of belonging and calls for us to acknowledge our interdependence on each other and on nature. It calls on the greater communities of Garden City, Nassau County, New York State, and the United States to emulate our lead. We, on the Board, govern collaboratively, and all our members and volunteers are asked to be investors, owners, and creators of all we are and hope to become. There are no strangers who come to help at the GCBS, only friends we haven’t met. We engender a sense of belonging because you feel safety and comfort, which will lead us to be more willing to
act with hospitality and generosity in our personal lives; it is something that gets “paid forward” with good effects that spiral outward into the whole world.
We celebrate volunteerism, which is giving with no expectation of return. It’s been said that when you volunteer, it’s not about what you give or what you get, it’s about who you become as a result of it. We celebrate environmental stewardship because this Earth is the only home we have, so let’s treat it as such. Finally, we celebrate hope, the reasonable expectation of a better tomorrow because of the work people of good will do today. With all the bad things going on in the world, aren’t these ideals worth coming out to celebrate? Won’t you join us?
The GCBS began as a nine acre stormwater basin and was transformed into a beautiful Bird Sanctuary and Nature Preserve that can be enjoyed by generations to come. It’s amazing what we can accomplish together. If you don’t think one person can make a change for the better, join the rest of us who banded together to contribute our talents and make a difference together as a unified “one.”
Winterfest begins at 4 pm as twilight approaches. As our supporters file in, there is warm cocoa to drink as we fill the birdfeeders and put up
some decorations for our fine feathered friends. About 4:30, we have a poem recitation around our newly planted trees. Then we culminate the event with our Candle-lighting Ceremony in which we have the “Great Telling.” Just as some Native Americans have a ceremony that describes the history of their tribe, the Directors tell the story of the GCBS and Winterfest itself. Each Director tells a part of the story. During the ceremony we will publicly honor three of our outstanding helpers.
At Winterfest, we also remember the past year’s accomplishments and dream of the ones to come in 2019. Symbolism is an integral part of any tradition because it links tangible objects and ritual to the intangible ideals, emotions and ideas we wish to hold on to and pass along. We can’t see love, but we all realize it through the giving of the red roses and heart shaped box of chocolates on St. Valentine’s Day! During the Great Telling, you will learn
why: we start at dusk, we have our holiday in January, we use green candles, we express the three characteristics of Winterfest in the Latin language and much, much more! Finally, you will hear the ultimate message of hope that we pass on at Winterfest which is… ALL WINTERS MUST COME TO AN END. Not just seasonal winters, but the “winters” of social problems, economic problems, relationship problems, etc. The great religions of the world tell us even the winter of death itself will give way to a spring of new life. So come on down January 12, 2019 to the GCBS and discover Winterfest: a modern holiday celebrating timeless ideals which make communities work! Won’t you become part of our community? The GCBS is opposite 181 Tanners Pond Road. The gates open at 3:30 pm. The event is free and open to the general public. It ends at approximately 5 pm. Hope to see you there.
Get the scoop on what’s happening in your community every week! Are you interested in ad placement, Classifieds, subscriptions? Call our Garden City Office at 516-294-8900 or visit us online at www.gcnews.com Founded in 1923 • Locally owned and edited.
challenge will change everything, beginning January 21. Sign up now for a special rate* available until January 17, 2019.
Completely renovated and expanded home on one of the most sought after streets in Garden City:
3,500 square feet of living space: 5+ Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths
Open concept chef’s Kitchen w/walk-in Pantry, Mudroom with custom built-ins and radiant heat, Formal Dining Room w/Butler’s Pantry, Formal Living Room w/attached Sunroom, Large Family Room with custom built-ins, Master Bedroom suite has a luxurious ensuite bathroom with custom vanity and 2 walk-in closets (one closet has the flexibility to be an office or a nursery)
Finished basement w/separate outside entrance, an egress window and three-piece bathroom
Attached Garage w/oversized Driveway
Taxes have been successfully grieved for the 2019/20 tax year.
Completion date: February 2019 (opportunity to add your own customizations with the builder) $1,889,000
Email / Call for Appointment: 14CedarPlace@gmail.com / (516) 366-0852
The Welcoming Club of Garden City is a well-established women’s organization that focuses on welcoming new members to our community, fostering relationships of long-time residents, supporting local businesses and raising money for charity. This year, The Welcoming Club of Garden City is proud to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The MDA is leading the fight to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger.
Want to join the fun and make a difference? We invite you to join the club! For just $37 a year, you will have access to lots of great events and many fun members-only clubs and events. Complete the easy online membership form today at www. thegardencitywelcomingclub.org in the “Join” section of the website. While
you are there, browse the site for lots of great information about the club.
January 26th: Rock N Bowl
Save the date!
Saturday, January 26th 8-11pm
AMF Sheridan Lanes
199 E. Jericho Turnpike, Mineola
More information available at http:// www.thegardencitywelcomingclub. org/rock-n-bowl
Enjoy a good book amongst good friends. Our book club meets on a monthly basis to discuss the page turner of choice. For upcoming book club events, please contact Rachel Weber (rachelmwoodward@gmail.com).
Craft Club
The craft club is a great way to meet
with friends and practice your crafting skills. This club meets every few months and creates a seasonal project. If you are interested in joining, please contact Becky Iudica (beckybond01@gmail. com) or Sasha Iudica (sashaiudica@ gmail.com).
Supper Club
Bring your significant others out for this one! This is a great way to make new friends as a couple. You will be hooked up with 3-4 other couples to set up a rotation of dinner events. Host your new friends at a pot luck dinner or head out to try our local restaurants. Please contact Michele Serafino (mserafino35@gmail.com) for more information.
Bowling Club
Join us! No experience necessary! We are looking for new faces to join our Wednesday morning league. Occasional pacers are also welcome.
On-site babysitting available! Anyone interested, please contact Ellen Diller (Diller05@aol.com) Carol Santangelo (santa060@yahoo.com) or Elizabeth Colantonio (mcdea@aol.com).
Stroller Walks
The stroller walking club is for those moms who don’t want to leave the kiddos home but would like to get out with some girlfriends. We meet weekly at one of our lovely GC parks to walk and chat. Please contact Emily Kasel (ejkasel@ gmail.com) for more information.
Bunko
Bunko is a fast paced dice game usually played in a group of 12. It is a great way to meet people and make new friends. The game is easy to learn and play. If you are interested, please contact Janalyn Pomeroy (janalynfs@yahoo. com) or Sasha Iudica (sashaiudica@ gmail.com).
We are looking for writers in our community to compose news articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section. E-mail submissions: editor@gcnews.com
• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.
• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰
Better Homes and Gardens® has been a trusted resource for all things related to the home for over 90 years. With over 300 offices and over 10,000 agents globally, our Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate professionals are proud to continue that tradition. As your friends and neighbors and dedicated agents, we’re here to guide you through every step of the home buying and selling process.
At Old World Quality Corp. we’re ready to handle all of your roofing needs. Whether you are looking to repair or replace a simple flat or asphalt roof, or you need the services of our expert craftsmen to repair your slate roof, Old World Quality Corp. can get the job done. We focus on providing the highest quality and service to our existing customer base and new customers in the future.
Our roofers are the best in the business when it comes to servicing your slate roof and copper flashing.
• Slate Repairs
• New Slate Roof
• Copper flashing associated with slate roofs
• Asphalt roofs
• Flat roofs and railings
• Copper and galvanized snow guards
• New gutters and leaders on homes
BY BOB MORGAN, JR.
For the first time since the 2009-2010 session of the House of Representatives, Democrats are in control of the chamber. As the session opens, they will enjoy a 235-199 majority, with one seat undecided. Representative Nancy Pelosi, who led the Democrats the last time were in control, is expected to be elected this week as Speaker of the House.
A few thoughts on this new Democratic ascendancy.
It would seem that the most immediate task of this House is to reach some kind of agreement with President Trump on the partial government shutdown/ border wall funding dispute. While passing funding legislation without border wall provisions may please party stalwarts, this is all pretty ineffectual. Republicans learned a similar lesson during the Obama Administration when they repeatedly passed bills attempting to repeal Obamacare.
Although the partial shutdown is having limited impact so far, most people want this conflict to be resolved. A long drawn out stalemate is not exactly the way for Democrats to hit the ground running. Accordingly, the way forward for the House is work out something with President Trump, who did Tweet this week about making a deal. The most promising outline of an accord seems to be giving Mr. Trump considerably more funding for his border wall, a campaign promise that the he believes he must keep, in exchange for some agreements about the status of the young immigrants covered by DACA program.
Second, and somewhat related, Democrats need to have a clear understanding of what they can and cannot do with their majority. What they can do is effectively block legislation. For example, a tax bill similar to the one that passed in the last GOP-dominated session could not possibly pass this House; alternatively, bills can be amended significantly to reflect the views of the majority. The House also does have the power of the purse. And, as will be discussed, the House has the power of investigation.
On the other hand, as House
Republicans opposed to Obamacare found out in 2011 (as also did House Democrats seeking to end the Iraq War in 2007), holding in a majority in the House only translates to limited powers to effect change. There are a variety of reasons for this, including the great deal of power and discretion vested in the executive branch and the appropriation of many federal outlays over long periods of time, which cannot easily be cut off.
Third, of course, the House will have the power to lead investigations of the Trump Administration. While Republicans previously had such powers when President Barack Obama was in power, the bigger media megaphone enjoyed by Democrats likely will make these investigations more prominent in the headlines than when the GOP was at the helm. Moreover, the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Richard Neal, has previously promised to go after Mr. Trump’s tax returns, a matter that is likely to end up in court.
While investigations are to be expected, the big question is whether the probes will morph into calls for Mr. Trump’s impeachment, something the House can do by majority vote. Maybe this is something demanded by the hardline Democratic base, but it comes with numerous drawbacks. One obvious issue is that, absent the emergence of some spectacularly bad piece of evidence, the chance of Mr. Trump actually being removed from office, which would require the support of 20 of the 53 GOP senators, is zero. Another question is whether impeachment will play well for Democrats who won in Republican leaning districts (including in places like Oklahoma and Utah) running as independent minded candidates.
In any event, Democrats, having won the House, will have to decide how much they want to work with President Trump, and how much to oppose him. The success of this calculation may well affect the continuance of their majority after 2020, and also could have a significant impact on the presidential election as well.
Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or the Dean’s List? Scored an internship or a study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!
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This photo is of the Tiffany window in the St. Paul’s School’s chapel. I took this photo ten years ago when the Village hired me to document the interior. The window was placed there in 1892 in memory of a student who died. It depicts the conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus. St. Mary’s School also had a Tiffany window in its chapel that was removed before demolition and sold at Christie’s by the Cathedral. Both windows were confirmed by Tiffany’s records as authentic. I was contacted years ago by a Tiffany window expert who sent me documentation confirming this, so I hope the Village is protecting it, as it is worth a lot of money.
The first March for Life was held on January 22, 1974, the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision which struck down all laws outlawing abortion in all 50 states. Since that 1973 ruling, more than 60 million babies have been killed by abortionists.
The March for Life Education and Defense Fund, which has organized the March for Life since 1974, has chosen for this year’s 2019 theme - “Unique from Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science.”
Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life, pointed out how the theme of the 46th annual March for Life embodies the current state of the pro-life movement.
“Science is behind the pro-life movement. We see that medical and technological advancements always affirm the pro-life movement. For example, DNA is present at fertilization and no fingerprint on earth, past, present, or future, is the same. We know, too, a baby’s heart beats at just six weeks and we can distinctly observe it ourselves with ultrasound technology,” said Ms. Mancini. “As science progresses, we see clearly that every life is unique from day one in the womb.”
“Life in its most vulnerable form should be protected,” continued Ms. Mancini. “To this end, we hope that the Patients First Act, HR 2918, and similar legislation preserving the dignity of the human person from its earliest moments, will soon become law.”
The March for Life is especially
pleased to announce that Ben Shapiro, Editor-in-Chief of “The Daily Wire” and host of “The Ben Shapiro Show”, as well as Abby Johnson, founder of “And Then There Were None”, will be speaking at the 2019 March for Life.
The Knights of Columbus and Respect Life Ministry encourage Brother Knights and parishioners to be members of our special, 45-parishioner delegation to represent St. Joseph’s Church at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on Friday, January 18, 2019. Our parish’s complimentary motor coach [with a lavatory, reclining seats with device-charging outlets, and Wi-Fi] will transport us to the nation’s capital where we will join an expected throng of 500,000+ faith-filled Americans who seek the legal protection of preborn human life. It will be a peaceful, prayerful and patriotic day.
As noted above, in the 46 years since the Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision struck down all state laws banning abortion, more than 60 million unborn babies have died. Will you join us on January 18 at the March for Life to speak out against this destruction of innocent human life?
Call 516-248-2186 for more information and details about being a member of our delegation to the largest prolife gathering in the world.
“What we do in life, echoes in eternity.”
Sincerely, Knights of Columbus St. JosephBishop Baldwin Council #15809 and St. Joseph Respect Life Ministry
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author of the critically acclaimed book How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them
• How the mechanisms of fascist politics all build on and support one another
• The threat of the normalization of the fascist myth is real
$5 Suggested Donation | Open to All | RSVP: uucsr.org/stanley
Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock Human. Kind.
48 Shelter Rock Rd Manhasset, NY 11030 uucsr.org | 516.627 6560
Addressing the needs of children since
Monday, January 7
Meeting - Sandwiches
Monday, January 14
Regular Meeting
Monday, January 21
Closed for MLK Day
Monday, January 28
Pizza
Lunch is served roughly twice a month.
We welcome bridge, and especially non-bridge, players, in order to expand the variety of our activities. Some suggestions: poker, chess, backgammon, other card games, cribbage
and billiards. Also you may come for just conversation, camaraderie, and to make new friends.
Poker players: check with John Marino at 248-1770.
About the GC Retired Men’s Club
All Garden City men 55 years and older are eligible for membership.
Annual dues are a very “expensive” $10. Meetings are on Mondays, and a less busy meeting is on Thursdays. Both begin at noon and end at 4:00PM. Check with the GCNews RMC schedule re upcoming meetings. In good weather we offer BBQ, bocce, and shuffleboard.
Pictured with Principal Nanine McLaughlin (far right) are Certificate of Merit winners (front row, left to right) Theresa Hughes, Olivia Escoffery, Julia Fornasar, Chloe Rogers (GCHS’s selected “Achievement” winner to advance to state-level judging), and Katherine Jushchenko; (back row, left to right) Caitlin Gormley, Caroline Dealy, John Kenny, Ryan Padala, Alexandra Michael, and Matthew Spirakis.
Eleven Garden City High School students have been named as recipients of the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the nation’s largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. Since 1995, the program has honored more than 120,000 youth volunteers at the local, state, and national level. In order to be considered for recognition, the students were required to submit a 900word essay describing the community service work he/she accomplished.
“Zumba Gold” Fitness Classes for the Active Senior or Beginner
Our winter session of our “Zumba Gold” fitness will be held in on Thursday afternoons at 2:15 pm at The Senior Center. Each 45-minute class, teaching the basics of Zumba exercise, is led by Felicia Lovaglio, our certified Zumba exercise instructor. This class is geared for seniors or the beginner adult. The ten week session will begin Thursday, January 17th. The price for the session is $60. To register, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue.
Beginner Mah Jongg
Garden City Recreation and Parks is pleased to offer beginner mah jongg lessons to our seniors. This eightweek course will cover the basics of the game and the rules so you can enjoy playing. The class will meet every Monday from 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm beginning Monday, January 7. The cost of this eight-week class will be $80 and space is limited. Checks should be made payable to the Village of Garden City. To register for this class, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue.
Applications will be accepted until all 16 spots are filled.
PLEASE NOTE – an additional $10 supply fee will be payable to the instructor at the first class.
Wednesday, January 2 at 3:30 pm
Computer and Phone Tech Help
With Garden City Service League of Boys. Bring your electronic device and your questions.
Thursday, January 10 at 10 am
Computer Workshop –
“Intro to iPhone and iPad”.
Learn about all the neat things your iPhone or iPad can do in this informative workshop. Please bring your device with you if you have one.
Wednesday, January 16 at 1 pm
“Senior Emergency Packets”
If something was to happen would your loved ones know the information needed to get you the best care? Come to this session to receive valuable information regarding easy ways to have all your info ready and available in case of an emergency.
Wednesday, January 23 at noon
Pizza Luncheon
$6.00, reservations are necessary by visiting the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway with payment.
Thursday, January 24 at 10 am
Computer Workshop
“Intro to Your Android Device”
This workshop will cover all phones that are not IPhones and will show you how to get the best use out of your android. Please bring your device with you if you have one.
Please register for any of the above program except the Luncheon by calling
The Senior Center at 385-8006. To register for the Lunch, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue.
Here is the Garden City Recreation and Parks’ trip list for seniors who are residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. If you would like to register for any of our trips, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. Payment must accompany registrations. Other trips will be added in the upcoming weeks.
Wednesday, March 6
Trip to the Metropolitan Opera to see "Rigoletto"
We will travel by coach bus to the Metropolitan Opera House, where we will see the 7:30 pm performance. You will have time to eat on your own before the show.
We will return to Garden City after the performance. Tickets will be $75, checks only made payable to the Village of Garden City.
Recreation and Parks is offering the following exercise classes for seniors at The Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. Classes are open to all seniors ages 60 and older who are residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. Classes might be cancelled due to a special event or trip so please check the bulletin board at The Senior Center for updates.
MONDAYS
Exercise with Felicia at 10 am
Meditation with Connie at Noon
Tai Chi with Connie at 1 pm
TUESDAYS
Yoga for all Levels with Allie at 1:30 pm
Chair Dancing with Felicia at 2:30 pm
WEDNESDAY
Exercise with Felicia at 10 am
Chair Yoga with Connie at 11 am
THURSDAY
Yoga for all Levels with Allie at 11:15 am
Meditation with Allie at 12:25 pm
FRIDAY
Exercise with Felicia at 10 am
Resistance Bands with Felicia at 10:45 am
Meditation with Connie at Noon Tai Chi with Connie at 1 pm
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
At the Garden City Board of Education’s December meeting at Garden City Middle School, a thorough presentation from faculty addressing the social-emotional needs of ‘tweens’ at GCMS distinguished middle school years in the district as a turning point in education and a time for anti-bullying measures and team-oriented activities to be highlights every a school year.
The presentation last month quoted an article on SmartBrief.com, “The impact of compassion education” by Kristen Gracia to explain social emotional learning as “teaching skills and creating a school climate where students feel safe to take academic risks and feel valued and connected to their community, as well as empowered and encouraged to take positive actions to help others.”
A PowerPoint slide at the meeting spelled out five factors “middle school students stress about” as excelling in school; friends and family; athletics and extracurricular activities; peer pressure including smoking, vaping and drinking; social media and “fitting it all in.”
GCMS Principal Dr. Peter Osroff spoke about the transition from eliminating cigarette and tobacco products at GCMS, “with over 10 years without smelling any amount of smoke, because kids are done with this and they realized it is awful” to all of a sudden curtailing the vaping fad in recent years. He added that there were educational endeavors to inform students about the health dangers of substance use.
Osroff began his career in Garden City as the assistant principal at Garden City Middle School after spending 15 years as assistant principal for Garden City High School. His initial hesitations about directing and managing the needs and curricula of middle school students were soon quelled as he realized the unique developmental levels of GCMS students and how they can be helped in their formative years.
“The passion of middle school students, their sense of justice and their desires, their thoughts and the sincerity they feel is truly amazing,” he said. Osroff explained ways that the middle school years not only shape the career success of students, but also how they grow into respectful, well-centered adults from these transition years and being the emerging, impressionable, highly energetic and kind-hearted preteens from grades six through eight.
“Development is distinct in the different stages of kindergarten through grade 12 education. When I was in school we called middle school ‘junior
high’ but today we do not call it that, as we don’t want to mirror at this age what students will experience when they are in high school -- we understand developmental distinctions that are made at the pre-adolescent stage. As wonderful as these years are there are also challenges that students stress about. That means we need to have programs in our school to address the stresses, social-emotional and physical needs of kids,” Osroff said.
The district outlined a number of ways GCMS provides students with social emotional learning and support. The Garden City initiative “Character Days” started in the Middle School and spread to every school in the district.
Dr. Osroff said Garden City’s school district has a motto of “every child deserves a first class seat. “The things we put into place began with our middle level education philosophy, and our schools need to be a place for social equity. Kids cannot focus on academics and success unless they feel nurtured and secured. With social equity, we offer students an opportunity to try out things and interests as they go through the middle level years -- no matter who they are, they have the same opportunities to try new things in our middle school,” he explained.
The middle school Anti-Bullying Club (referred to as ABC) holds its annual expo as a special event, and the district reports that over 1,400 people attend every year. Parents regularly participate with the school through involvement with the GCMS Antibullying task force. But the expo is a chance for the community to hear upstander pledges, see sculptures, team-building exercises and the “Send a Smile” campaign where students write letters to victims of bullying.
During the presentation December 11, GCMS students Andrew Laughlin and Amanda Pinou said in the LEADERS Program students discuss bullying and how it is never okay. Each school year between 150 and 200 GCMS students volunteer for the program and give up some time from their lunch period.
“I am part of the leaders program at GCMS and being a leader is part of your inner character; it shows you can set an example for fellow students and encourage others to be good people all around. We actively discuss bullying and being an upstander, which is usually being the person who stands up to the bully and supports the victim. Related to being an upstander is someone who compliments others and makes them smile -- this is important because you never know the kind of day your peers
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Señor Strauzer’s fifth-grade FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) students worked on a project to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. They chose a famous Hispanic person and completed a biography about him/her using Google Docs or Google Slides on Chromebooks. The students researched facts about their selected person on the Internet such as his/
her native country, how he/she became famous, contributions made to society, interests, and any other relevant information. During the second part of the project they researched a representative food from the six Spanish-speaking countries and wrote a brief description of the food and/or listed the ingredients. Students enjoyed this project, and did “muy bien hecho!”
FLES students used Chrome Books to research about a famous Hispanic person for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fifth-grade FLES students at Stewart School were hard at work on their Hispanic Heritage projects in Señor Strauzer’s classes!
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Social media and restorative travel are top cruise travel trends for the coming year, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade organization, which released the 2019 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report predicting the top trends in cruise travel. The State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report suggests that the cruise travel continues to grow and contribute to the overall global economy. In fact, more than eight out of ten CLIA-certified travel agents are expecting to see a rise in cruise sales in the next twelve months.
“The coming year’s trends truly reflect the intersection between the experiences travelers seek and the cruise industry’s innovations,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association.
Northern Lights in Alaska. Cruising offers some once-in-a-lifetime experiences during the colder months that include: excursions to see the Northern Lights, visiting a penguin colony, and touring European Christmas Markets © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
1. Instagrammable Cruise Travel : Instagram posts are driving interest in travel around the world, so much so that on an average day, there can be close to 351 million posts with the tag
#travel. With onboard connectivity, cruise passengers Instagram feeds with diverse travel experiences both onboard and on land from several cruise destinations.
2. Total Restoration: Stressed out from fast-paced lives, travelers are seeking ways to check out from daily responsibilities and rejuvenate
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Continued from page D1
more than ever before. Cruise lines are responding by offering total wellness in the form of restorative spa experiences, onboard oxygen bars, healthy menu choices for a wide variety of diets, and the latest in fitness innovations.
3. Achievement Over Experience: Experiential travel has evolved into achievement travel as vacationers are looking for immersive, cultural experiences beyond sightseeing. Bucket lists have become more goaloriented and cruise lines are meeting these demands. Passengers can conquer Machu Picchu or complete culinary workshops hosted by Le Cordon Bleu chefs.
4. On-Board with Smart Tech: Cruise lines have adopted wearable technology for cruise travelers—including keychains, necklaces, bracelets, and more—in order to provide a highly personalized travel experience while on and off the ship.
5. Conscious Travel: Travelers want to see the world in a conscious, mindful way. The cruise industry is more conscientious than ever, working
with local communities to preserve their heritage and implementing innovations that decrease the environmental footprint of cruise travel. The industry is also working with destinations to bring the benefits of tourism to local economies while preserving local cultures, landmarks and environments.
6. Access is the New Luxury: Travelers are setting their sights on destinations that were previously out of reach, some only accessible now by cruise ship. They want to be among the first of their peers to experience destinations such as the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica.
7. Gen Z at Sea: Generation Z is set to become the largest consumer generation in the next two years— outpacing even Millennials. Like the generation before, this age bracket prefers authentic experiences over material items and has an even greater wanderlust. The appeal of multiple destinations and unique experiences, such as music festivals at sea, is helping attract this new generation of cruisers.
8. Off-Peak Adventures: The offpeak season is rising in popularity, whether travelers are looking to escape
the cold in a tropical place or embrace the chill in a new destination. Cruising offers some once-in-a-lifetime experiences during the colder months that include: excursions to see the Northern Lights, visiting a penguin colony, and touring European Christmas Markets.
9. Working Nomads: Combining work with leisure time is on the rise. Straying far from the notion of devicefree travel, many modern travelers or “digital nomads” are opting for trips where they can work remotely which cuts down on time off and lost wages. With WiFi, desks and work-friendly cafes, travelers can keep up with work while enjoying a cruise vacation.
10. Female-Centered Cruising: With the number of female travelers growing, many tourism and travel companies are creating female-centered itineraries based on interests and connecting women with other women. Female-centered cruises can create a female empowerment community at sea while allowing travelers to experience the world around them, as well as visit famous feminist landmarks.
Going Solo: With more Google searches for “solo travel” and “traveling
alone” than ever before, traveling alone is rising in popularity. Cruising allows for solo travel without the worry of arranging a ton of details while visiting even the most far-reaching destinations and connecting with other travelers, forming community bonds and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime things.
The cruise industry is projected to continue to grow throughout 2019 with an estimated 30 million travelers expected to cruise, up 6% from 28.2 million in 2018. In the coming year 18 new ships are on order from CLIA cruise lines. A total of 272 CLIAmember cruise ships are projected to be in operation by June 2019. The cruise industry makes a positive impact on communities around the globe on communities around the globe by sustaining 1,108,676 jobs equaling $45.6 billion in wages and salaries and $134 billion total output worldwide in 2017.
For the full 2019 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook findings, visit: https://cruising.org/newsand-research/research/2018/ december/2019-state-of-the-industry
There are more than a hundred cruise itineraries that provide access to sacred places – worldwide sites of healing, guidance, and divine inspiration. The significance of these hallowed sites cannot be expressed in words or pictures – to understand their impact, the faithful must visit them in person, to experience healing, guidance or divine inspiration.
While many of the world’s most sacred sites have historically been inaccessible to all but the hardiest of travelers – those who were able to make arduous overland journeys – the travel experts at CruiseCompete say travelers will find that today’s cruise itineraries make many of these locations surprisingly easy to visit.
Here is a partial list: Asia/Far East
Beijing, China, Hanging Monastery Beppu, Japan, Beppu Onsen Delhi, India, Taj Mahal Delhi, India, Rishikesh
Hiroshima, Japan, Peace Memorial Park
Kochi, Kanyakumari, India, 3 oceans unite, Ghandi Memorial Mumbai, India, Ajanta and Ellora
caves
Qingdao, Tai Shan, China, Tai Shan
Dai Mai Complex
Shanghai, South Korea, Lotus Lantern Festival
Shimizu, Japan, Mt Fuji
Taipai, China/Taiwan, Wenwu Temple
Yangon, Myanman, Bagan
Caribbean
Bridgetown, Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali
Europe
Bordeax, France, Lourdes
Bucharest, Romania, Hurezi Monastery
Cologne, Germany, Aachen Cathedral Cologne, Germany, Shrine of the Three Kings
Dublin, Ireland, Newgrange
Holyhead, Holywell, Wales, St Winefride’s Well
Lisbon, Portugal, Our Lady of Fatima Madrid, Spain, Mezquita
Beaches of Normandy, France, Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial Paris, France, Chartres Cathedral Paris, France, Mont-St.-Michael Mediterranean Cairo, Sinai peninsula, Mt Sinai/St. Catherine’s Monastery
Haifa, Nazareth / Galilee (Haifa), Israel, Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) Istanbul, Turkey, Blue Mosque Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Cave of the Nativity
Jerusalem, Israel, Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel, Holy Sepulchre Church
Jerusalem, Israel, Yad Veshem Tripoli, Lebanon, Cedars of God Lebanon
Livorno, Italy, Chapel of the Stigmata Luxor, Egypt, Valley of the Kings Rhodes, Greece, The Cave of the Apocalypse Rome, Italy, Abbazia Di San Galgano Rome, Italy, St. Peter’s Basilica Middle East Aqaba, Jordan, Petra
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Was that night “dark and silly” or “dark and stormy”?
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
“It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents – except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.”
Those words were written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It is the opening line to Bulwer-Lytton’s 1830 novel, “Paul Clifford,” which is about a highway robber during the French Revolution.
The robber doesn’t know that he is the son of a well-heeled judge – and he only learns it just in time to be sentenced to death by that very same judge. In any event, there’s a happy ending to the story: He breaks free and runs away to America to marry his cousin. (mprnews.com)
British author Edward BulwerLytton wrote “Falkland,” “Pelham” and “Eugene Aram.” These novels won instant success and made him a wealthy man. As a result, he entered Parliament as a liberal member representing St. Ives, Huntingdonshire. Bulwer-Lytton remained an active politician yet still
found time to write many novels, plays and poems.
He also invented the phrases “the great unwashed,” “pursuit of the almighty dollar” and “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Edward BulwerLytton was born in London in 1803 and died in Torquay, the United Kingdom, in 1873.
We have shortened up the words to
Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s famous line, “It was a dark and stormy night,” but the full sentence – and the novel – go on.
“It was a dark and stormy night” is a melodramatic way to start a story or a novel but those first seven little words have become famous around the world.
Over the years numerous authors of children’s books have picked up on the “It was a dark and stormy night” theme
using it either in the title of the book or in the story itself.
Allan and Janet Ahlberg, the authors of the well-loved children’s book “The Jolly Postman,” also did a spinoff on the theme of “It was a dark and stormy night.”
Their children’s book, which was titled “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night,” was published in 1996. The story goes: After being kidnapped by outlaws, Antonio, an eight-year-old boy, is asked to tell them a story which he makes up as he goes along. It’s a cute book that prompts youngsters to make up their own plots.
Madeleine L’Engle also used the catchy theme. She wrote “A Wrinkle in Time” which is a science fantasy novel that was published in 1962 (and she won the Newbery Medal for it) that begins: “It was a dark and stormy night.
In her attic bedroom Margaret Murry, wrapped in an old patchwork quilt, sat on the foot of her bed and watched the trees tossing in the frenzied lashing of the wind. Behind the trees clouds scudded frantically across the sky. Every few moments the moon ripped through them, creating wraithSee page D6
BY TOM MARGENAU
It has been my custom for most of the past 21 years to write a year-end column that summarizes the Social Security changes and updates scheduled to take place the following year.
Almost all Social Security beneficiaries are familiar with the most popular and publicized upcoming change: the increase in monthly benefit checks for 2019 due to the automated cost-ofliving adjustment, or COLA. In fact, Social Security recipients have probably already received a letter from the Social Security Administration telling them of the expected increase. My wife and I got our notices.
All Social Security checks are going up 2.8 percent in 2019. The COLA is based on something called the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This is the official measuring stick SSA has used to determine COLAs for the past 45 years. If you want to learn more about this measure, check out the website of the folks who maintain it: the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You’ll find them at www.bls.gov.
I always dread mentioning COLAs in this column because every single time I do, I am flooded with emails from readers complaining that the increase is not enough. (Maybe not unexpectedly, not once in 21 years has anyone written to say their COLA increase was too high!)
Yet here’s the rub: Many economists and social planners believe Social Security COLAs are too generous! (I’ve explained why in past columns, but don’t have the space to get into that argument today.) That’s why most discussions of long-range reform for Social Security include proposals to reduce cost-of-living increases.
Due to these increases, the average monthly retirement check will be $1,461 in 2019, a $39 increase from the 2018 level. The maximum Social Security check for a worker retiring at age 66 next year will be $2,861, compared to $2,788 in 2018. And please note that $2,861 is the maximum for someone turning 66 next year. That does not mean it is the maximum Social Security payment anyone can receive. There are millions of Social Security beneficiaries who get much more than that, primarily because they work well past age 66, and/or delay starting their benefits until age 70.
Although this is a Social Security column, I must mention the upcoming increase in the Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from Social Security checks for most people. In 2019, the basic Part B premium will be $135.50, a $1.50 increase from the 2018 rate. A few people will pay less than that because of the muddled mess involving the so-called hold harmless provisions of the law that I’ve discussed many times. And wealthy people will pay more than the basic premium -- as much as $460.50 per month for the rich-
est Americans.
I will take the time to make this quick point. Though linked in the minds of most senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are separate programs, administered by separate federal agencies, and they have separate rules and regulations regarding their benefit and payment structures. For example, unlike Social Security COLAs, Part B Medicare premium increases have nothing to do with the CPI. Instead, they must be set at a level that covers 25 percent of the cost of running the program.
Another measuring stick, the national wage index, is used to set increases to other provisions of the law that affect Social Security beneficiaries and taxpayers. Specifically, this includes increases in the amount of wages or self-employment income subject to Social Security tax, the amount of income needed to earn a quarter of coverage, and the Social Security earnings penalty limits.
The Social Security taxable earnings base will go up from $128,400 this year to $132,900 in 2019. In other words, people who earn more than $132,900 next year will no longer have Social Security payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks once they hit that threshold. This has always been a very controversial provision of the law. (Bill Gates pays the same amount of Social Security tax as his plumber!) Normally, I would bet my next pension check that any eventual Social Security reform package will include a sharp increase in that wage base. But with the anti-tax Republicans controlling the Senate and the White House, I’m not so sure.
Most people need 40 Social Security work credits (sometimes called “quarters of coverage”) to be eligible for monthly benefit checks from the system. In 2018, people who were working earned one credit for each $1,320 in Social Security taxable income. But no one earns more than four credits per year. In other words, once you made $5,280, your Social Security record has been credited with the maximum four credits or quarters of coverage. Next year, the one credit limit goes up to $1,360, meaning you will have to earn $5,440 in 2019 before you get the maximum four credits assigned to your Social Security account.
People under age 66 who get Social Security retirement or survivor’s benefits but who are still working are subject to limits in the amount of money they can earn and still receive all their Social Security checks. That limit was $17,040 this year and will be $17,640 in 2019. For every two dollars a person earns over those limits, one dollar is withheld from his or her monthly benefits.
There is a higher earnings threshold in the year a person turns 66 that applies from the beginning of the year until the month the person turns 66. (The income penalty goes away once a person reaches that “full retirement age.”) That threshold goes up from
$45,360 in 2018 to $46,920 next year.
A couple other Social Security provisions are also impacted by inflationary increases. For example, people getting disability benefits who try to work can generally continue getting those benefits as long as they are not working at a “substantial” level. In 2018, the law defined substantial work as any job paying $1,180 or more per month. Next year, that substantial earnings level increases to $1,220 monthly.
Finally, the Supplemental Security Income basic federal payment level for
one person goes up from $750 this year to $771 in 2019. SSI is a federal welfare program administered by SSA, but it is not a Social Security benefit. It is paid for out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2018 CREATORS.COM
Sistine Chapel, The Vatican, Rome, visited as a land excursion on a Royal Caribbean Cruise © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
North America
Baltimore, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery
Huatulpo, Mexico, Day of the Dead New York, New York, Ground Zero Baltimore, Washington DC, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial South America
Copacabana, South America, Islands of the Sun and Moon Easter Island, South Pacific, Easter Island Lima, Peru, Mcchu Picchu/ Sacred Valley of the Inca
For more information, visit CruiseCompete’s full listing of sacred places that are accessible via cruise ship.
For more information or assistance planning a future cruise or a cruisetour, visit CruiseCompete and try the Virtual Cruise Advisor.
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CruiseCompete has been a premier online cruise marketplace since 2003, where consumers can come to research and book cruise vacations. They can compare offers, see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book cruises. More than 1.5 million users have generated close to 4 million requests from consumers and agents have delivered almost 17 million quotes since 2003. CruiseCompete is a member of the Family Travel Association, a leading authority and resource for family travel information and is home to the Sea Tales 2018 Family Cruise Travel Planner at Travel Resources.
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CruiseCompete is an Iowa limited liability company, is not a travel agency or owned by a travel agency.
**
Praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one of more than 100 holy sites that can be visited on a cruise.
Save over 67% on Victoria Cruises’ Acclaimed 3 Gorges Yangtze River Cruise in China by Combining Promotions
Victoria Cruises, the only American-managed luxury cruise line operating on China’s mist-shrouded Yangtze, is offering reduced winter rates on February departures of its popular three- and four-night Three Gorges Highlights itinerary. The discount can be combined with Victoria Cruises 2-for-1 offer on bookings received by Feb. 28, 2019 for a total savings of more than 67% of the cruise fare.
“The Three Gorges region of the Yangtze is geographically closer to Vietnam than Beijing. As a result, our cruises typically feature more temperate weather during the wintertime,” said Larry Greenman, manager of public relations and customer service for Victoria Cruises. “February is therefore a great time to experience river cruising in China at a significant cost savings.”
In order to qualify for the 2-for-1 discount, bookings must include a $90 per person mandatory shore excursion package (billed at $45 per person after 2-for-1 savings is applied). The package features three excursions including an educational tour of the Three Gorges Dam, a tranquil sampan excursion along one of the Yangtze’s scenic tributaries and a visit to a famous Chinese monument such as a 100-foot-tall statue depicting the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity of Chinese Taoism, or Shibaozhai’s famous red pagoda. Excursions are subject to change.
With all discounts included, passengers can sail for as low as $285 per person, based on double occupancy - representing a total savings of $1,170 per couple.
Optional add-on excursions such as the Tribe of the Three Gorges cultural experience or an opportunity to experience the world’s largest ship elevator (capable of elevating a volume of water roughly equivalent to four Olympic-sized
C ontinued from page D3
like shadows that raced along the ground.
The house shook.
Wrapped in her quilt, Meg shook …”
Thirteen-year-old Meg Murry’s classmates and teachers see her as a troublesome and stubborn student. Her family knows that she is emotionally immature but also sees her capable of doing great things.
The family includes her scientist mother Katherine, her missing scientist father Alexander, the twins Sandy and Dennys, and her five-year-old brother Charles Wallace Murry, a child genius who can sometimes read Meg’s mind.
When the book begins with the line “It was a dark and stormy night,” it is an allusion to the opening words in Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s novel, “Paul Clifford.” Unable to sleep during a thunderstorm, Meg walks down from her attic room to find Charles Wallace sitting at the table drinking milk and eating bread and jam.
They are joined by their mother and are visited by their new eccentric neighbor, Mrs Whatsit. In the course of conversation, Mrs Whatsit casually mentions “there is such a thing as a tesseract,” which causes Katherine to almost faint.
The next morning, Meg discovers that the term refers to a scientific concept her father was working on before his mysterious disappearance. The following afternoon, Meg and Charles Wallace encounter Meg’s schoolmate, Calvin O’Keefe, a high-school junior who, although he is a “big man on campus,” considers himself a misfit as well.
They then go to visit an old haunted house near town which Charles Wallace already knows is the home of Mrs Whatsit. There they encounter two companions of Mrs Whatsit’s, the equally strange Mrs Who and the unseen voice of Mrs Which. She promises that she and her friends will help Meg find and rescue her father.
In the evening, Charles Wallace declares that it is time for them to go on their mission to save their father. This is accompanied by the appearance of the third member of the “Mrs Who,” Mrs Which, who appears to materialize out of nothing.
Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which turn out to be supernatural beings who transport Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin O’Keefe through the universe by means of tesseract, a fifth-dimensional phenomenon explained as being similar to folding the fabric of space and time. (per wikipedia.org)
Madeleine L’Engle was a native New Yorker who also wrote the very popular sequels to “A Wrinkle in Time” which were “A Wind in the Door,” “A Swiftly
Tilting Planet,” “Many Waters” and “An Acceptable Time.”
Madeleine L’Engle lived for many years in New York City and later, after she married, with her husband, Hugh Franklin, in Goshen, Connecticut.
Several years ago the editors of the “New Yorker” magazine asked Lemony Snicket and Richard Sala, William Joyce, Neil Gaiman and Gahan Wilson, J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh, Carlos Nine, Kaz and others – a group of cartoonists, novelists, and children’s book illustrators and authors to begin a story “It was a dark and silly night.”
The result was the 2003 collection called “It Was a Dark and Silly Night.”
Lemony Snicket and Richard Sala imagined a dark and silly night where a young girl chases after a Yeti. Snicket’s story begins “In this case ‘silly’ stands for Somewhat Intelligent, Largely Laconic Yeti.” (amazon.com) Kids love these silly children’s stories and cartoons.
Lemony Snicket is known for his series of 13 books “A Series of Unfortunate Events” which were published between 1999 and 2004. Snicket, whose real name is Daniel Handler, was born in 1970 in San Francisco, California, the son of an accountant and a college dean.
An avid reader, Daniel Handler has said that he really disliked books that were overly happy. “If a book had a syrupy ending, he’d toss it aside,” Daniel’s father, Louis, said. (notablebiographies. com)
Although they are classified as “children’s novels,” Snicket’s books often have a dark, mysterious feeling to them, so there is no maximum age. The books follow the turbulent lives of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire.
After their parents’ death in a fire, the children are placed in the custody of a murderous relative named Count Olaf who attempts to steal their inheritance. “A Series of Unfortunate Events” starts with “The Bad Beginning.”
On the first page, Snicket lets his readers know what kind of story they are in for: “If you are interested in stories with happy endings,” he writes, “you would be better off with another book. In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning, and very few happy things in the middle.”
The stories go on in some rather unusual and mysterious ways. They don’t deal with any dark and stormy nights but they are foreboding in and of themselves. I won’t divulge any of the books’ endings.
I recently read a book that was published in 2016 that is aimed at children aged nine to 12 who like supernatural fiction that seems to me could have been a spinoff on the “dark and stormy night” theme.
The only difference is the 2016 book, “The Inn Between” by Marina Cohen who is a Canadian author, is primarily set in the Nevada desert under a very bright and very hot sun.
Here’s a quick summary of “The Inn Between.” Eleven-yearold Quinn’s best friend, Kara, is moving. Quinn is having difficulty letting go, so she makes the trip in a red minivan from Denver, Colorado, to Santa Monica, California, with Kara and her family, the Cawstons.
Kara’s brother, Josh, is 12 years old so he and the girls banter back and forth.
When Kara’s parents stop to rest at the Inn Between, a grand Victorian hotel in the desert, located out in the middle of nowhere, Quinn is unnerved by the hotel’s strange architecture, its isolated location, the odd guests and the even odder hotel employees.
Josh says that the place is like “something out of ‘The Time Machine.’” He’s right about that. Nothing is quite as it seems. The Inn Between’s slogan, noted on a large brass plaque in the check-in area, is “We’ve been expecting you” and at this place people seem to come and go. Quickly.
Josh looks for room service to order a large pepperoni pizza even though the five of them just ate at Norm’s Diner and he is lost without any WiFi or the use of his tablet. Cell phone service is lacking and the old-fashioned phone doesn’t make any outgoing calls. The TV in their room is filled with nothing but black and white dots. There is even an old-fashioned elevator that has a bizarre operator who tells everyone to “buckle up” as though they are about to take a long trip. Strange.
Kara’s parents and brother disappear from the Inn Between after the first night. Knowing that they aren’t safe, the girls resolve to escape, even if it means traveling through the hot desert with little food and water. Before Quinn can leave the Inn Between, however, she must wrestle with some demons, both literally and figuratively.
Shifting between the past and present as Quinn reflects on her relationship with her younger sister, Emma, and her immediate dilemma with Kara and the Inn Between, Marina Cohen’s emotionally gripping tale captures the essences of friendship and sibling love.
That summary, from kirkusreviews. com, goes on to say how dark and eerie the Inn Between is, that is the hotel itself. Fleeing the hotel is a primary objective of young Quinn and Kara.
I could imagine the writer making the setting of “The Inn Between” a dark and stormy night – that would be perfect – but apparently the writer had other ideas. It’s also a great read just before Halloween comes around.
Some critics have trashed the dark and stormy night theme as being too simplistic. Others say that the phrase is a cliché that is way too overused. I disagree, however. I think that a dark and stormy night is a great way to draw the reader into a story.
It’s also a quick and easy way to describe the setting, to set the stage … as something eerie. Something scary might be about to happen.
I especially like the dark and stormy night theme at this time of the year when the days are short, the shadows are long and evening seems to arrive so quickly.
These days, when the sunlight isn’t as strong as it is during the spring and summer months, this is when I think of scary, foreboding stories. I first begin thinking of them around Halloween but then the thoughts continue.
Whether they are novels or short stories, anything that begins with the words “It was a dark and stormy night” usually promises to be suspenseful, compelling and irresistible. That’s what creepy horror stories are all about!
Continued from page D5
Victoria Cruises is offering reduced winter rates on February departures of its popular three- and four-night Three Gorges Highlights itinerary. The discount can be combined with Victoria Cruises 2-for-1 offer on bookings received by Feb. 28, 2019 for a total savings of more than 67% of the cruise fare.
swimming pools), are available for onboard purchase starting at $45 per person, per excursion.
Onboard passengers will enjoy a world-class dining program designed for the Western palate, while Tai Chilessons and traditional dance and musical performances emphasize local culture. Passengers can upgrade their onboard experience for an additional $200 per person with Victoria Cruises’ Luxury Amenities program, which offers VIP perks including upper deck stateroom placement, access to exclusive ship areas, “white glove” service, enhanced culinary privileges featuring a la carte options as well as wine and beer with dinner, exclusive happy hour and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access. The nominal $200 per person upgrade becomes $100 per person when the Luxury Amenities program is booked in conjunction with Victoria Cruises’ 2-for-1 offer.
New York-based Victoria Cruises elevated the standard of excellence for sailing China’s Yangtze River when its first ship edged out of port in 1994. Victoria Cruises remains a service leader on the Yangtze River with each ship earning the coveted five-star rating from the China National Tourism Administration. The cruise company has earned numerous awards and recognitions over the years including the 2011 TravelAge West WAVE Award Editor’s Pick for Best River Cruise Line as well as Best New River Cruise Ship in 2010 with the launch of the luxurious Victoria Jenna. In that same year, Travel Weekly also selected the Victoria Jenna as a Silver Award Winner for the Magellan Awards’ River Cruise Ship category. The cruise line operates a variety of itineraries on the Yangtze ranging from four to eight days.
For more information or promotional DVD, contact Victoria Cruises at 13618 39th Avenue, 12th Floor, Flushing, NY 11354; phone (800) 348-8084, (212) 8181680; fax (212) 818-9889. E-mail contact@victoriacruises.com or visit http://www. victoriacruises.com. * *
SAN MATEO, CA – Cruising aboard the Aranui 5, a passenger-freighter vessel to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia is atop any adventurer’s wish list. The soft adventure cultural voyage boards in Papeete, Tahiti, for a 13-day complete vacation experience sailing 800 miles north to some of most remote islands in the world including Fakarava and Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago, Bora Bora in the Society Islands, as well as Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva, Tahuata and Ua Huka in the Marquesas Islands.
Passengers are fully immersed in Polynesian heritage with onboard activities and offshore excursions to delight in, such as breathtaking hikes, visits to sacred ritual sites and small museums, encounters with local inhabitants, a visit to French artist Paul Gauguin’s grave, snorkeling in the translucent waters of the atolls, on-island picnics and restaurant lunches featuring local food, a visit to a pearl farm and more.
With a crew consisting primarily of inhabitants from the Marquesas Islands and throughout French Polynesia, and with expert lecturers and guides, Aranui combines mesmerizing scenery and culturally enriching experiences to create an unforgettable vacation.
With six sailings sold out, travelers can enjoy their holiday gift of an all-inclusive adventure throughout the year on the following 14 available dates between April and December 2019.
The cruise includes three meals daily with complimentary wine for onboard lunches and dinners, guided excursions as outlined in the itinerary, picnics and meals on shore, cultural activities and Polynesian entertainment. Travelers booking a stay aboard the Aranui 5 can choose from eight different cabin categories.
Prices for a 2019 Aranui 5 vacation start at $2,920 per person and do not include port tax, cruise tax and tourism tax.
For more information, visit www.aranui.com, call 800-972-7268 or email cptm@ aranui.com.
© 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/ karen-rubin , and travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com and moralcompasstravel.info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures
The Aranui 5, a passenger-freighter vessel, sails among the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.
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Dental Assistant/Receptionist wanted for friendly Garden City Dental office. Afternoon hours 12-6pm Experience preferred. Please call 516-279-4251 or Email: dental11530@yahoo.com
FT VINEYARD WORKERS
2 temp full time Vineyard Workers needed Landenberg, PA 2/1/2019 12/1/2019. $12.05 /per hr. No exp req’d. Workers will primarily perform canopy management task throughout the vineyard such as: pruning; tying down canes; leaf removal from fruit zone; shoot thinning and positioning; suckering vine trunks; secondary fruit removal; fruit thinning; and harvesting grapes. Use of required tools are provided such as pruning shears, loppers, harvest shears (Felco#310), and tractor equipment such as a John Deere 2210 HST. Workers may also transplant grape vines, repair and construct trellises and fencing as needed. Must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs frequently. Guaranteed offer of employ for min. of 3/4 of workdays of total work contract period. Employer will: provide nec. tools supplies & equip at no cost to worker & housing for workers who cannot return to permanent residence at end of workday & reimburse worker for transports costs & subsistence to work site when completed 50% of work period. Paradocx Vineyard, Ltd. Send resume to the nearest New York State Dept of Labor JO#12621487 Employment
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SITUATION WANTED
CARE GIVER: NEED A COMPANION or nursing assistant for your loved ones at home or in a health care facility?
Call 516-410-9943 for a NY State certified nursing assistant with excellent references !
CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH
JOB OPPORTUNITY:
$17/hr NYC $14.50/hr LI
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
PART TIME SALES ASSO-
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WEEKEND RECEPTIONIST
Garden City Real Estate Office seeking Front Desk Receptionist available to work Saturdays and/or Sundays. Please call 516-307-9406
AIDE/ COMPANION seeks job. Caring, reliable, compassionate. Hospital & nursing home experience. References available.
Verona 631-772-4385 or cell: 772-214-8624
CERTIFIED NURSES AIDE
Experienced 20 years. Honest and reliable seeking home care position. Available Part Time Days, Evening, Nights, Weekends. Licensed driver w/car. Contact Barbara 516-303-4501
HOME HEALTH AIDE will take care of your loved one in their home. Experienced & honest. Licensed driver with own transportation. Call Flo 352-262-6970
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
AIRLINE CAREERS Start here. Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7094
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FREON R12 WANTED:
CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CASH for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. 312-291-9169. www.refrigerantfinders.com
OXYGEN
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Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call the G.C. office at 294-8900 for more information. Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.
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
Pashmina Embroidered Scarfs, Alpaca Scarfs and Shawls, Artesian Jewelry, Enameled Bangles, Initial Necklaces, Provence, France Soaps & Hand Creams
BUBBA BROWN’S TREASURES 302 Main St.,Port Washington,NY 516-767-6200
LOOKING TO BUY!
Oriental items, clothing, art, old & modern furniture, estates, jewelry, silver, glassware, dishes, old photos, coins & stamps, flatware. Call George 718-3861104 or 917-775-3048
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Blank Slate Media, an award-winning group of weekly newspapers and websites, is seeking an account executive to sell display, web and email advertising as well as event and contest sponsorships.
Must have:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A drive to succeed
• A passion for customer service
• Good computer skills and be internet savvy
• 2 years of outside sales experience. Previous media sales experience a plus
• Minimum of two years college
• A car
Benefits:
• Salary plus commission
• Uncapped earnings
• Protected territory
• Contact management system
• Advertising agency quality ads
• Health insurance
• Paid holidays and vacation
To apply, email a resume and cover letter to sblank@theislandnow.com. Or call Steven Blank from Mon. to Fri. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 516.307.1045 ext. 201
The Blank Slate Media/Litmor Publications Advertising Group, a fast-growing chain of 11 weekly newspapers and two websites on the North Shore of Long Island, is currently looking for an aggressive, “go-getter” with a proven ability to close business.
Responsibilities:
• Contact existing and potential customers about advertising in our 11 newspapers and on our website as well as sponsoring company events
• Document and update customer records based on interactions
• Develop and maintain a knowledge of the evolving products and services
Qualifications:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A drive to succeed
• A passion for customer service
• Good computer skills and be internet savvy
• 2 years of outside sales experience. Previous media sales experience a plus
• Minimum of two years college
• A car
Benefits:
• Salary plus commission
• Contact management system
• Advertising agency quality ads
Health insurance
Paid holidays and vacation
To apply, email a resume and cover letter to sblank@theislandnow.com. Or call Steven Blank from Mon. to Fri. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 516.307.1045 ext. 201
*BROWSE
*SHOP
*CONSIGN
A.T. STEWART
EXCHANGE
CONSIGNMENT SHOP
China, Silver, Crystal, Jewelry, Artwork, Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles
Tues-Fri 10-4
Sat 12-4
Every Tuesday: 10% Senior Citizen Discount.
All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 11530 516-746-8900
email: store@atstewartexchange.org
www.gardencityhistoricalsociety. org
WANTED! Comic books, toys, video games, Star Wars. 30’s through 90’s. Call 516-313-3237 or email: trustey1@gmail.com
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
DO YOU HATE KENNELS? OR STRANGERS IN YOUR HOUSE?
HOME AWAY FROM HOME will care for your dog in my Garden City home while you are away.
Dog walking also available. Pet CPR & first Aid Certified. Numerous referrals and references. Limited availability. Book early!
Annmarie 516-775-4256
AUTOS WANTED
GARDEN CITY BORDER
APARTMENT: Huge, bright 1 bedroom, new kitchen and bath $1,700 AND studio $1,325, 1 bath, dining area, gated parking, laundry, A/C. NO BROKER FEE, near LIRR. rentals@gardencityborder.com or 516-524-6965 (text or voice)
NEW HYDE PARK
2 BR, close to LIRR, $2,200 including utilities. 516-437-0333 https://bit.ly/2Les282
OFFICE SPACE
GARDEN CITY
1565 FRANKLIN AVE
Large Windowed Offices in newly built professional suite. Conference room, reception, copier, pantry included. Ample parking available. Call 516-248-3048
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 631-317-2014 Today!
FOR SALE BY OWNER:
200 foot deep property on very desirable Mineola Blvd. 3 Br, 2 Bath. Huge patio. All hardwood floors. Gas fireplace. Fully finished basement. Cac. IGS. New construction in 2015. Brokers Protected. Text or call 516-8840663. $775,000
GARDEN CITY EASTERN SECTION
FOR SALE BY OWNER
Custom Cape 4/5 BR, 2 Baths, LR, DR, EIK, Oak Floors, NG Fireplace, Full Basement, Private Backyard, Beautifully Landscaped, Low Taxes. $794,900. Principals Only. By Appointment. Call Owner 516-319-8017
EARTHLINK HIGH SPEED
INTERNET as low as $14.95/ month (for the first 3 months). Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink today 1-855-970-1623.
GUARANTEED LIFE INSURANCE! (Ages 50 to 80). No medical exam. Affordable premiums never increase. Benefits never decrease. Policy will only be cancelled for non payment. 855686-5879
PASSIONATE FOODIE AVAILABLE
Soon to be empty nester, former culinary graduate looking to get back into my passion. Available to cook in your home or mine. No time for grocery shopping? No problem, I will shop for you. References available. Call Elena 516-382-0393
SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY!
TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-855-977-7198
STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ. 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
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
for rates
SERVICES
*Handyman & Remodeling
*Kitchen Installations
*Furniture Assembly
*Finish Carpentry
*Minor Electrical & Plumbing
25year GC Resident Lic & Ins H18E2170000 Call BOB 516-741-2154
BATHROOM RENOVATIONS
EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in home consultation: 888-657-9488
LAMPS FIXED $65
In home service. Handy Howard. 646-996-7628
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
SKY CLEAR WINDOW INC. Window Restorations, Outdated Hardware, skylights, Andersen Sashes, new storm windows, wood windows, chain/rope repairs, falling windows, fogged panes, mechanical repairs, wood repairs, restorations, all brands. Call Mr. Fagan, 45 years experience. 631-385-7975 www.skyclearwindow.com rob@skyclearwindow.com
WALK-IN BATHTUB
Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-844286-6771
HEALTH & FITNESS
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)
MICHELANGELO PAINTING & WALLPAPER
Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499
MATH, SAT, ACT TUTOR: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 plus Trig, Pre-Calc, AP Calculus. Norm 625-3314
ENGLISH, ACT, SAT TUTOR: 25+ year experience Critical Reading, Writing, Grammar, Essays. Lynne 625-3314
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
PIANO LESSONS
By Ira Baslow. Experience the joy of playing the piano. Private lessons in your home, free no-obligation piano lesson, all levels, all styles, all ages. Beginners a specialty. 516-312-1054 www.iwantmypianolessons. com
HOUSE/OFFICE CLEANING
I clean houses and offices. I have affordable rates and great references. I do it all move ins and move outs, all rooms and facets of home and office cleaning. No job too big or small. Contact Milagros 516-450-6452
STRONG ARM CLEANING: Residential and commercial cleaning specialist, post construction clean ups, shipping and waxing floors, move ins and move outs. Free estimates. Bonded and insured. 516-5381125 www.strongarmcleaningny.com
SERVICES
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
COLLEGE ARTS ADMISSIONS: College Counseling in the Visual and Performing Arts. Dance, Musical Theatre & Drama. Film, Instrumental & Vocal Music. Audio Recording & Production. Theatre Technology & Production. Visual & Graphic Arts. Resume, Essays, Repertoire Lists. Michele Zimmerman. 516-353-6255 CollegeArtsAdmissions@gmail.com www.CollegeArtsAdmissions. com
COMPLETE JUNK REMOVAL/DEMOLITION SERVICE:
Strong Arm Contracting Inc. We haul anything and everything. Entire contents of home or office. We clean it up and take it away. Residential/Commercial. Bonded/Insured. Free estimates. 516-538-1125
DISH TV
$59.99 for 190 Channels $14.95
High Speed Internet. Free Installations, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-229-5789
DISH TV
$59.99 for 190 Channels $14.95
High Speed Internet. Free Installations, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-229-5789
NATURAL STONE RESTORATION & MAINTENANCE: Granite, marble, limestone, other natural stones; repair cracks & chips, remove stains & scratches, cleaning, polishing. Licensed/insured. Marlon 516-205-9635
www.naturalstonerandm.com naturalstonerestoration19@ gmail.com
OLD VILLAGE TREE SERVICE: Owner operated since 1989. 24 hour emergency service. Licensed / insured. Free estimates, member LI Arborist Assoc. Please call 516-466-9220
Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.
Last Hope Part of the Chewy.com Rescue Program
If you haven’t tried Chewy.com yet for your pet food and supply purchases, this is a great time to check them out. Last Hope is now part of their rescue program. For each new customer that makes a purchase, Last Hope will receive a $20 donation. Click on the ad below or go directly to the Last Hope page at https:// www.chewy.com/ rp/5941
Patrick J. Manley of Garden City, passed away Thursday evening, December 27, 2018 at the age of 49.
Family and friends loved Patrick for his integrity, generosity and sense of humor. His infectious laugh and quick wit entertained and brought joy to the people around him. A tremendous leader, a loyal friend and a fierce competitor, he made the people around him better throughout his life.
Mr. Manley was the superintendent of schools of the Franklin Square School District. He began his career in Franklin Square in 2005. Coming from Wall Street, he brought unique knowledge and skills to his appointment as assistant superintendent for finance and management. In 2010, he was appointed superintendent.
From the beginning, Mr. Manley’s main focus was the children of the Franklin Square school district, which he always described as a “very special place.” Mr. Manley leveraged his experience to execute a vision and a plan to min-
imize budget level increases while still providing Franklin Square students with a world-class education. Initiatives he led and implemented included the pre-kindergarten program, various technology infrastructure improvements, expanded bus service for children in grades four through six, and a variety of after school programs.
One of his greatest pleasures centered on the celebration of the achievements of Franklin Square’s students. Mr. Manley also enjoyed helping the people and children in his home community of Garden City.
A star varsity baseball player at the University of Chicago, Mr. Manley spent over 12 years coaching youth baseball at many levels. He guided the Garden City Community Recreation Board through the financing, construction planning, and implementation process for the turf fields at the Garden City community fields, which will benefit Garden City youth athletes for years to come.
As a coach, he worked tirelessly to help his players improve, encouraging them to strive for excellence and providing them with the tools to reach it. And so they did. After eight years of practice, drills and competition, his players, co-coaches and the parents of the Garden City Rebels celebrated a championship season. At the end of the summer 2018 season, his players presented him with an inscribed baseball: “A great coach is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget.”
Above all else, Patrick was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara, loving daughter and son Jillian and Ryan, beloved parents Dr. Robert Manley and Kathryn McCormick Manley, devoted brother Michael and sister-in-law Linda, cherished nieces and nephews and other relatives and countless friends.
Patricia Hajny
Patricia D. Hajny of Garden City passed away on December 24, 2018. Retired teacher, Stewart School, Garden City. Beloved wife of the late Frank. Devoted mother of Thomas (Carolina), James, Frank (Beth), John and Raymond (Helen). Also survived by 15 grandchild, 2 great grandchildren, 3 nieces and 1 nephew.
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court
County Of Nassau
RBS CITIZENS, N.A., Plaintiff -against-
ANTONIO IMPERIALE A/K/A
ANTONIO E. IMPERIALE, KRISTEN SANNA and KRISTIN IMPERIALE as, KRISTEN IMPERIALE A/K/A
KRISTEN SANNA, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated September 25, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at (CCP) Calendar Control Part Court Room of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY on January 29, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, Village of Garden City, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of First Place, with the Westerly side of Franklin Court West; being a plot 76.53 feet by 86.15 feet by 70.63 feet by 78.47 feet.
Said premises known as 16 1ST PLACE, GARDEN CITY, NY
Approximate amount of lien $707,484.38 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 10509/2013.
JOHN PATRICK GIBBONS JR., ESQ., Referee
David A. Gallo & Associates LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 99 Powerhouse Road, First Floor, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577
File# 5025.2074
GC 0874
4X 12/28,01/04,11,18
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to the provisions of the General Municipal Law and Chapter 200 of the Code of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York notice
is hereby given that the Board of Appeals of said Village will meet in the Village Hall at 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York on TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. to take action on the following matters:
1. APPEAL OF GERARD & ELIZABETH KELLY for a variance of the provisions of Sections 200-16.10.C, 20031.A, 200-46.C and 200-61 of the Village Code, so as to permit the erection of a 167 sq. ft. one (1) story front addition a 49 sq. ft. front portico, with the construction of a new gable roof over, and installation of a ramp within the existing attached garage, at the dwelling known as 135 STEWART AVENUE
(Map of Shaw Gardens, Block H, Lot 12, R-8 district) the granting of which would;
(A) reduce the required 30.0’ ft. minimum front yard setback to not less than 20.0’ to the addition, and (22.0’ ft.) with respect to the portico steps, (B) not provide the required (1) off street parking space, with respect to the ramp, (C) maintain the existing (5.0’) side yard where 10.0’ is required with respect to the altered roof (previously granted by variance 7/21/1953).
In accord with plans and a survey filed with the Building Department.
*Adjourned at the November meeting.
2. APPLICATION AND APPEAL OF LAURA AHREM pursuant to the provisions of Sections 200-45 and 200-52-C, of the Village Code, to authorize the issuance of permits, to maintain previously installed 50 sq. ft. non-permanent Hot tub and one (1) A/C compressor in the rear yard of the premises known as 36 PELL TERRACE (Map of Pell Gardens, Block 531, Lot 81, R-6 district), the granting of which would; A. cause the 10.0’ required plot line setback for accessory structures, to be reduced to no less than 4.3’.
In accord with a survey filed with the Building Department.
*Adjourned at the November meeting.
3. APPEAL OF JAMES & LAUREN MO LLO Y for a variance of the provisions of Sections 200-15 and 200-55,
and in accordance with section 200-67.B of the Village Code, so as to allow the issue of a building permit for the erection of a 432 sq. ft. (2) car detached garage, at the existing dwelling known as 83 WESTMINSTER ROAD (Map of Garden City Estates, Block 98, Lot S-1, R-12 district) the construction of which would:
(A) cause the allowable plot coverage of 20% or 3,632 sq. ft. to be exceeded by 139 sq. ft. (3,771 sq. ft. or 20.76%), and B. cause the 15’ allowable height of an accessory structure to be no less than 17.38’ to the mid-point of the highest roof.
In accord with a plot plan filed with the Building Department. *Adjourned at the November meeting.
4. APPEAL OF BIBI BHAIRAM for a variance of the provision of Section20052.A of the Village Code, so as to allow the issue of a permit, for the maintenance of one (1) A/C condensers in their present location at the rear of existing dwelling known as 71 PINE STREET (Map Garden City East, Block 118, Lot 11, R-12 District) the granting of which would;
(A) reduce the required 50.0’ ft. side setback for accessory structures to no less than (33.3’ ft.).
In accord with a survey and photographs filed with the Building Department.
5. APPEAL OF VINCENT & MARIELLE RIORDAN for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-52-C of the Village Code, to authorize the issuance of a permit, to maintain two (2 ) previously installed A/C compressor in the rear yard of the premises known as 81 MULBERRY AVENUE (Map of Mineola Plaza, Block 22, Lot 41, R-6 district), the granting of which would; (A) cause the 10.0’ required plot line setback for accessory structures, to be reduced to no less than (8.7’).
In accord with photographs and a survey filed with the Building Department.
6. APPEAL OF EDWARD & LOIS ALDRICH for a variance of the provisions of Section 20052.A of the Village Code, so as to allow for the issue of a per-
mit for a previously installed A/C compressor at the side of the existing dwelling known as 22 ROXBURY ROAD (Map Garden City Estates, Block 79, Lot 1, R-6 District) the granting of which would; (A) reduce the required side yard setback for accessory structures to Chester Avenue of 30.0’, to no less than (12.9’).
In accord with a survey and photographs filed with the Building Department.
7. APPLICATION & APPEAL OF MICHELLE FARKAS pursuant to the provisions of Sections 200-45, 200-52(C) and 200-70, of the Village Code, in order to modify a previously approved use permit for the installation and maintenance of a 20’ x 45’ in-ground swimming pool and 6’ high estate style fence to be located in the front and side yards of the premises known as 19 ST. JAMES STREET NORTH (Map of Garden City East, Block 134, Lot 10, R-20 district) the construction of which; (A) Has reduced the required 60.9’ setback for accessory structures from St. James Street North to not less than (24.0’), where 35.0’ was granted.
In accord with a final survey filed with the Building Department.
8. APPEAL OF GREGORY & ALLISON SALOY for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-31 and 200-46.C of the Village Code, so as to permit the erection of a 611 sq. ft. first floor addition with a 406 sq. ft. 2 ½ story above and 412 sq. ft. open porch at the rear and, a 96 sq. ft. front portico, at the existing dwelling known as 90 FIFTH STREET (Map Garden City Central, Block 24, Lot 1, R-20 District) the construction of which would; (A) reduce the required front yard setback of 70.0’ to no less than (60.22’), with respect tothe new portico, (B) cause a 14.0’ rearward extension of a pre-existing side yard of 13.5’, where 20.0’ minimum is required.
In accordance with plans and survey filed with the Building Department.
9. APPEAL OF WILLIAM & MARYANN MORGAN for a variance of the provisions of
Section 200-15 and 200-52.G of the Village Code, so as to permit the erection of a 68 sq. ft. first floor rear addition with a 150 sq. ft. second floor above and, a 109 sq. ft. detached garage extension at the existing dwelling known as 105 WICKHAM ROAD (Map of Country Club Estates, Block 3, Lot 75, R-6 District) the construction of which would;
(A) cause the allowable building area of 1,650 sq. ft. or 25% to be exceeded by 150 sq. ft. (1,800 sq. ft. or 27.27%),(B) reduce the required accessory building wall separation distance to a principal building wall of 10.0’, to no less than (8.33’).
In accordance with plans, photographs and surveys filed with the Building Department.
10. APPLICATION AND APPEAL OF ALYSON & ERIC BREMER pursuant to the provisions of Sections 20045, 200-52-C and 200-70, of the Village Code, to authorize the issuance of a permit, to construct and maintain an 20’ X 40’ in-ground swimming pool, with a 6’ high chain link with “Estate” fence portions, in the rear yard of the corner premises known as 21 LEFFERTS ROAD (Map of Garden City East, Block 139, Lot 2, R-20 district), the installation of which would;
(A) reduce the Lefferts Road setback for accessory structures of 60.0’, to no less than 8.0’ for the 6.0’ fence.
In accordance with a plot plan filed with the Building Department.
11. APPLICATION AND APPEAL OF ANTOHNY & JOANNA AGRIPPINA pursuant to the provisions of Sections 200-15, 200-45, and 200-70, of the Village Code, to authorize the issuance of a permit, to construct a 18’ x 32’ in-ground swimming pool and 6’ high fence in the rear yard of the premises known as 3 KEENAN PLACE (Map of Garden City East, Block 144A, Lot 4162, R-8 District), the installation of which would;
(A) cause the existing allowable lot coverage of (2,500 sq. ft. or 25.0%) to be exceeded by (167 sq. ft. or 26.67%).
In accordance with a plot plan and survey filed with the
Building Department.
12. APPEAL OF EILEEN M GRIFFITHS for a variances of the provisions of Section 20015, 200-52.A and 200-52.H, of the Village Code, to allow the issue of permits for an existing 165 sq. ft. rear awning, and previously installed A/C compressor in the side yard, of the existing dwelling known as 29 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE (Map of Richlands, Block 12, Lot 64, R-6 district) the installation of which has;
(A) caused the allowable building area of 1,000 sq. ft. or 25% to be exceeded by 365 sq. ft. (1,365 sq. ft. or 34.12%)-
(B) reduced the minimum plot line setback for freestanding cooling equipment of 10.0’ to no less than (3.5’) with respect to the A/C compressor,-
(C) reduced the required front setback for accessory structures of 50.0’ to no less than (40.0’)with respect to the one A/C compressor.
In accordance with a survey filed with the Building Department.
*Note a previous variance for plot coverage of (1,222 sq. ft. or 30.54 %) was granted at the February 24, 2015 meeting.
13. APPEAL OF MAUREEN & LUIGI VIOLA for a variance of the provisions of Sections 200-15 and 200-46.C of the Village Code, to allow for the issue of a permit for the erection of a 225 sq. ft. one (1) story rear addition with a 578 sq. ft. second floor above, at the existing dwelling known as 199 MEADBROOK ROAD
(Map of Garden City Gables, Block 15 Lot 29, R-6 district) the construction of which would; (A) cause the allowable building area of 1,519 sq. ft. or 25% to be exceeded by 186 sq. ft. (1,075 sq. ft. or 28.07%), and (B) reduce the required 18.3’ aggregate side yard to not less than the existing (17.7’) feet. In accordance with surveys, plot plan filed with the Building Department.
14. APPEAL OF NICHOLAS & TONI
CAPPARELLI for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-31.A of the Village Code, to allow for the issue of permits for the construction a 136 sq. ft. shed roof dormer and, (2) 180 sq. ft. reverse gables roofs over existing at the East and West sides, and a 48 sq. ft. open portico, in the front of the dwelling known as 23 LOCUST STREET (Map of Garden City East, Block 115, Lot 1, R-12 district) the granting of which will;
(A) reduce the required 55.0’ ft. minimum front yard setback to not less than (41.62’ ft.) with respect to the open portico,(B) allow for alteration of the existing roof in the required front yard.
In accordance with plans and survey filed with the Building Department.
----------------------------------------------
The Board may transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
DATED: January 15, 2019
Garden City, New York 11530
Karen Altman
Village Clerk
The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Karen M. Altman, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance Coordinator. Persons with a disability who wish to attend a meeting should contact Karen M. Altman at least 24 hours in advance of meeting at:
351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, New York 11530
(516) 465-4051
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
NEXT MEETING:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
GC 0875 1X 01/04
Weigh the advantages of legal advertising in Litmor Publishing's Community Newspapers For information on rates and coverage, call 516-294-8900
Garden City lost one of its most gifted performing artists on Christmas Eve, with the death of Michael Economos, president and longtime lead patter man for the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island, at 55.
Economos was a familiar face to audiences from Brooklyn to Montauk, and occasionally in Manhattan, for his performances as MajorGeneral Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance (2010 and 2017), John Wellington Wells in The Sorcerer (2011), Ko-ko in The Mikado (2012), Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore (2013), Thespis in Thespis (2014), Scrooge in A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol (2014), Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore (2015) and the Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe (2016), as well as the tenor in the company’s popular revue, The World According to Gilbert & Sullivan He was rehearsing for the role of Bunthorne in Patience (2018) this spring, when he was diagnosed with the brain tumor that would lead to his death, eight months later.
A small man with an outsized talent, Economos was known for his quick sense of humor and the dynamic energy he brought to anything he did,
offstage as well as onstage. Soon after joining the company, he joined its executive board. He was elected its president in 2015, and held that office until ill health forced him to resign in June.
“Michael believed in leading by doing, and that’s what he did,” said Garden City native Gayden Wren, a longtime company member who directed Economos in A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol and The World According to Gilbert & Sullivan. “He was there for every rehearsal, every performance, every board meeting, every set-building session, every fund raiser, every cast party, always 100% into whatever he was doing, and always looking forward to the next thing. He was full of ideas to make the company bigger and better, and almost all of those ideas seemed to end with the words, ‘I’ll do it.’”
Born in Brooklyn Heights on Sept. 1, 1963, Economos attended SUNY/Binghamton, where his musical gifts made him a standout in the Binghamton Crosbys, an all-male, a-cappella vocal ensemble. He worked as an actuary for more than 30 years.
Introduced to the Light Opera Company by a friend, Economos had no previous experience with Gilbert & Sullivan, but quickly grew to love the Victorian team’s clever dialogue, tripping lyrics and beautiful music. He also relished the chance to tour parks, schools, churches, temples and libraries throughout Long Island, performing in more than 100 different venues in his years with the company. (In Garden City he was seen in GASLOCOLI shows at St. Paul’s School, the Garden City Public Library and the Ethical Humanist Society.) He was a favorite with audiences, not only for his performances but for his familiar pre-show announcements, which always began with, “Hello, we’re the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island—say, is anyone here from Long Island?”
“He’ll be missed by thousands of people he never even knew,” Wren said. “We’ve been touring Long Island for 65 years now, and I don’t know that in that time there’s been anyone whom our audiences loved more than Michael Economos.”
A Nassau Boulevard resident since 1998, Economos is survived by his wife of 22 years, Christine Economos, and their children, Richard, Emily and Rebecca Economos.
Rembrats 2019, a juried show and group exhibition of the pastel and artworks of the students of Arleen Rueth Urban from Cluett Hall, Arleen’s private workshop classes, and the Garden City Community Club, will be held at the Garden City Library from January 5 through February 23. Awards will be presented, including the prestigious HJR Award of Excellence (Best in Show).
Information for participants: All paintings must be properly framed under
glass with wire only and ready to hang. Other hanging appliances will not be accepted.
Delivery of the paintings: Saturday, January 5 from 10–11 am (Please note that late deliveries will not be included in the show.)
Removal of paintings: Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a mini reception and awards. (Paintings not removed by 11 am may be discarded by the Library.)
For any questions, please contact Arleen at 516352-6798.
If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them along with (if desired) their photo, details of their funeral/visitation services, and/or any donation requests to editor@gcnews.com, or call our office at 516-294-8900 to inquire.
Winter Storytimes 2019
Online registration for Garden City residents begins Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 10:00 am on EventKeeper (www. gardencitypl.org ). Non-residents can register beginning Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at 10:00 am. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the storytime. Each child needs his or her own Library Card to register. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.
RHYME TIME STORYTIME
Thursdays at 10:00 am, February 7—March 7 (No February 21)
For children ages 6 months–29 months (born July 2016—August 2018) with a parent or caregiver. Program is thirty minutes.
YOU AND YOUR TODDLER STORYTIME
Session 1: Mondays at 11:30 am
February 4—March 4 (No February 18)
Session 2: Tuesdays at 11:30 am
February 5-March 5 (No February 19)
For children ages 2 ½–3 ½ (born February 2015—February 2016) with a parent or caregiver. Sign up for only one session. Program is thirty minutes.
LITTLE LISTENERS STORYTIME
Session 1: Tuesdays at 1:30 pm
February 5—March 5 (No February 19)
Session 2: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm
February 6—March 6 (No February 20)
For children ages 3–5 (not yet in kindergarten). (Born February 2014— February 2016) without adults Sign up for only one session. Program is thirty minutes.
KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE COMBINED STORYTIME
Tuesdays 3:45-4:30 pm
February 5—March 5, 2019 (No February 19)
For children presently enrolled in kindergarten and first grade
Book Discussions
Registration is in the Children’s Room ONLY, beginning Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 10:00 am. Non-residents can register beginning Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 10:00 am. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on waitlist for the day.
CHAPTER CHAT!
An introductory book discussion for children presently enrolled in second grade. Discuss the book, and do related activities.
The School is Alive (An Eerie Elementary Series Book) by Jack Chabert Monday, March 11, 2019 , 4:00-6:00 pm
Book discussion will be followed by a fun one-hour fun science program with science teacher Chris Buchman. A beverage and snack will be provided. THE BOOK ENDS
A program for children presently enrolled in grades 3, 4, and 5. Join us for games and activities.
The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 4:00-6:00 pm
Book discussion will be followed by a fun one-hour Science program with Science Teacher Chris Buchman. A beverage and snack will be provided.
Children’s Room Programs
Ages Birth - 5 Years (Not yet in Kindergarten)
*BABY SIGN LANGUAGE SESSION 1 AND 2
Thursdays, March 14 and 21 10 am
Come and learn basic sign language with instructor Margaret Ann Farmer. These one-hour sessions are for children birth to 5 (not yet in kindergarten) and a caregiver. Expectant parents are also welcome. Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Register once for both sessions. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Each session is one hour.
SPRING EGG HUNT IN THE LIBRARY
Monday April 8 at 10 am
This program is for children ages 2 1/2-5 (not in kindergarten) and a caregiver. Registration is required beginning Tuesday, March 26, at 10:00 am on EventKeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Children should bring their own baskets to collect eggs. Program is one hour.
*BABY JAM AND TODDLER JAM WITH ANDREA MORALES
Thursday, April 11 at 10 am
Baby Jam is for children ages 6-18 mos. and a caregiver is at 10AM. Toddler Jam is for children ages 19-30 mos. and a caregiver at 11AM. Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, April 2 at 10:00AM on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Each program is 45 minutes.
*INFANT JAM WITH ANDREA MORALES
Thursday, April 18 at 10 am
This program is for children birth through five months and a caregiver at 10 am. Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org
). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the
program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Program is 30 minutes.
*DADDY DO WITH MISS DONNA AND SHERI NICOLETTI
Saturday, June 8 at 11 am
Dads will learn how to do different hair styles for their daughters. Please bring your own brush and comb. This program is for children ages 2 ½ -kindergarten.
Ages Kindergarten – Grade 5
*DROP-IN LEGO CLUB
Tuesdays, January 15, February 12, March 5, and April 16
This monthly club meets on four Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm and is for children in grades K-5. No registration required. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
*FINGER PAINTING WITH MISS SANDY
Saturday, March 30 at 1:30 pm
Online registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org
). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Please dress accordingly. Program is 1 hour.
*ICE CREAM SOCIAL WITH LIBRARIANS MISS DONNA AND MISS BARBARA
Monday, April 15 at 7:00 pm
Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, April 2 at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Program is 45 minutes.
INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS
Tuesdays, May 7, May 15 & May 21 from 3:30 – 4:15 pm
For 4th and 5th grade only.
Online registration required beginning Tuesday April 16 at 10:00 am online at Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) and is for all 3 sessions. Separate registration for each child is required. Please arrive promptly.
*DADDY DO WITH MISS DONNA AND SHERI NICOLETTI
Saturday, June 8 at 11 am
Dads will learn how to do different hair styles for their daughters. Please bring your own brush and comb. This program is for children ages 2 ½ – kindergarten. Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org) with a library card beginning May 21 at 10:00 am. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the sto -
rytime. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.
Tween Programs Mondays
These programs are for Tweens in grades 4-7. Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card. Registration starts at 10:00 am on the days indicated below. Programs run from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.
January 14
OREO COOKIE TASTE CHALLENGE
Determine Garden City’s favorite flavor! Registration begins on Wednesday, January 2.
February 11
*DECORATE CAKE POPS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
Registration begins on Tuesday, January 29.
March 11
*BOOK DISCUSSION
Discuss the book The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea, while enjoying a pizza dinner. Registration begins Tuesday, February 26.
April 8
*KAHOOT TRIVIA NIGHT.
Registration begins Tuesday, March 26.
Joint Children’s and Young Adult Programs
Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card. Registration starts at 10:00 am on the days indicated below. You must do a separate registration for each tween. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.
Sat., March 23
*STAR WARS DAY
A day to celebrate STAR WARS with programming,character meet-andgreets throughout the day for all ages. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5. (Special events for preschoolers through grade 8 and families.)
Sat., April 6
*WONDER ANTI-BULLYING DAY
The Library will be hosting a Wonder Anti-Bullying Day based on the best-selling book Wonder by R.J. Palacio with programming focusing on anti-bullying throughout the day, for all ages. More details to follow. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19 (kindergarten through adult). Details to follow.
Sat., May 18
*QUIDDITCH (GRADES 4-8)
Teen Quidditch Tournament
11:00AM—12:00 PM
Sign up for your team and compete in our Quidditch Tournament! Weather permitting, this program will be held outside. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Registration is required. Registrants
must sign up for a team Registration begins Tuesday, March 26.
Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card. Registration starts at 10:00 am on the days indicated below. You must do a separate registration for each tween. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.
Sat., March 23
*STAR WARS DAY
A day to celebrate STAR WARS with programming,character meet-and-greets throughout the day for all ages. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5. (Special events for preschoolers through grade 8 and families.)
Sat., April 6
*WONDER ANTI-BULLYING DAY
The Library will be hosting a Wonder AntiBullying Day based on the best-selling book Wonder by R.J. Palacio with programming focusing on anti-bullying throughout the day, for all ages. More details to follow. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19 (kindergarten through adult). Details to follow.
Sat., May 18
*QUIDDITCH (GRADES 4-8)
Teen Quidditch Tournament 11:00AM— 12:00 PM
Sign up for your team and compete in our Quidditch Tournament! Weather permitting, this program will be held outside. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Registration is required. Registrants must sign up for a team or to be a Snitch in advance online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card beginning Tuesday, April 30th at 10:00 am. There are limited spots on each team and to play as the Snitch. Registrants are asked to wear the color of the team they are signed up to play for: Green— Slytherin, Blue—Ravenclaw, Red—Gryffindor, Yellow—Hufflepuff, Black—Snitches
*Funding for these programs has been provided by The Friends of the Garden City Public Library. Priority is given to Garden City Public Library Cardholders. Non-residents will be accommodated on a space available basis. Each child needs his or her own Library Card to register. Please check the Library website www. gardencitypl.org for upcoming events and registration dates.
Long Island Blood Services will hold a blood drive at the Garden City Public Library on Tuesday, January 8, from 2:30 pm–7:00 pm. in the large meeting room on the lower level of the Library. Area hospitals are in need of local residents’ help. Each donation can help to save up to three lives.
Donors will receive a McDonald’s coupon for a free large sandwich. Eligible donors must be
between 16 and 75 years of age, with a minimum weight of 110 lbs., and no tattoos within the past 12 months. Sixteen year olds must have parental permission and donors age 76 and over must present a doctor’s note. All donors must have valid ID with signature or photo. Donors are encouraged to eat well (low fat) and drink fluids. For medical questions concerning blood donations, call 1-800-688-0900. Walk-ins are welcome.
There will be a Regular Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees on Monday, January 14, at 7:30 pm in the Garden City Public Library in the Library’s Board Room.
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night, following the session with the Rec. Commission, the EAB discussed how the research project can present clear data on the fertilizers the Village of Garden City currently uses and how Bailey could potentially help with municipal planning ahead, by comparing what the village uses now to other types of fertilizers in use today.
Bailey said comparable data would allow the EAB and his peers at GCHS “to see if what the village uses, comparative to other things on the market, is safer or worse for the environment.”
Trustee Robert Bolebruch, chairman of the EAB, agreed that this research has the potential to lead the village to using better or safer fertilizers, depending on what comes up. He told Bailey most local municipalities would be receptive to speaking with and informing a high school student. In turn, this project gives them an opportunity to learn more about the fertilizer products he’s investigating.
“You can contact the Town of Hempstead, Village of New Hyde Park, Rockville Centre and our other neighbors in Nassau County. You should ask what they are doing and explain what Garden City does, and tell them about the school research you are doing. At least then you’ll gather comparisons to other communities and municipalities,” the trustee advised.
Trustee Bolebruch suggested that Bailey start by having a discussion with the village’s Recreation and Parks department head, Kevin Ocker, or members of his staff to outline current
field/ground treatment practices and products used to date in Garden City.
“If we evaluate this program after finding out what the village uses on its grounds, in all the different forms with all different types of chemicals that may be included, we can ask Rec. about each application and where and what they use. If the project examines the forms of fertilizers, we can ask if one form is less harmful than another. We’ve heard a point brought up on ‘how long fertilizer stays up on the soil and how long it is exposed.’ Perhaps using a different type makes all the difference,” Bolebruch said.
EAB member Evelyn Fasano asked more about utilizing data, and Bolebruch said in addition to Garden City and other municipalities, including school districts, there is a unique chance to look at fertilizer products currently in use. Leo Stimmler, another EAB member, said he was particularly interested in seeing what Garden City Public Schools uses for fertilizers and what amounts of pesticides are being used by golf courses and on other grounds in the village, if the information is available. Former village trustee and current EAB member Laurence Quinn added that researching public records of the municipalities’ yearly budgets, including for the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County, would provide details on how much each entity is spending on various fertilizer products and seasonal applications. That can bring cost comparisons in front of the EAB and village officials. Superintendent of Public Works Joseph DiFrancisco, who also serves
as the EAB’s recording secretary, suggested that Bailey look nearby with the variety of organizations in Garden City -- from the prominent country clubs here to Adelphi University, to the municipalities and town or county offices in the area -- to create a wide spectrum of research. However, DiFrancisco noted that almost all of the Adelphi University athletic fields are made of artificial turf and Adelphi grounds today “have very little actual grass.” But EAB member Elizabeth Bailey added that Adelphi promotes its Garden City campus as chemical-free, so any data collected on its uses of fertilizer or pesticides can either verify that or highlight any overlooked areas and their usage by students, faculty, etc.
Ian Bailey explained that organic fertilizers he’s looked into thus far are those made of materials containing nutrients from soil bacteria to break them down. He said inorganic formulas on the market are designed in labs to be highly concentrated, cutting the need for soil bacteria to break them down. “The inorganic works much quicker and the organic depends more on the type of bacteria you have in the exact soil being treated,” he said.
Fasano said the research project focusing on the market and prevalence of fertilizers works best for the EAB’s initiatives with the natural turf program, discussed at meetings throughout 2018.
“The natural program uses fertilizers, and in case we (the village) goes that route, we will know what if any chemicals we’re signing up for and are
they the bad chemicals or not,” she said.
EAB member Carole Neidich-Ryder used the example of salmonella in produce batches of romaine lettuce in the news in late 2018 as a reminder that organic fertilizers today are not 100% safe, and sometimes they’re not necessarily a better option.
“(For some organic fertilizers) they take pig waste or cow waste and compost that, then they’ll run water through it and that can be used as a spray. When I was driving in upstate New York recently, I got off the highway and there was a horrible smell in the area. A farmer in a tanker-truck nearby was spraying the fields with the liquid part of compost, with little to no ammonia in it. If they (farmers/produce manufacturers) were not spraying animal waste onto crops, there would be no salmonella or E. coli found in plants as an epidemic. There is no other place for it to come from,” she explained.
Quinn said the stench from fertilizers including pig waste was common in parts of North Carolina, as explored in the documentary film What the Health?, released in 2017. Trustee Bolebruch said years ago when he and his wife lived in the Midwest, near the University of Illinois (Champaign, Ill.), there were many farms and crops grown all around them, and planes would swoop down and spray fertilizers on the fields. The only hope at the time, he joked, was retreating inside and putting the A/C on.
See page 35
From page 1
for health care providers to be mindful of the evolving psychosocial needs of young people with any chronic illness, not only cancer, according to Peter Menges, Bobby’s father. “HSS is a world-class organization with the right resources, the right experience, and the right expertise to undertake a comprehensive research initiative to really hone in on what this patient population needs, whether it’s physical space, specific services, a certain kind of care, or emotional support,” Peter Menges said. “Although HSS will be the catalyst and epicenter of the research, our goal is to see the findings and best practices adopted throughout the U.S., and even worldwide.”
The HSS grant, “The Bobby Menges ‘I’m Not Done Yet’ Initiative,” will address the psychosocial challenges young patients face as they become adolescents and teenagers in the health care system. The foundation’s website explains: “Imagine you’re a 19-year-
old cancer patient. You’ve been in and out of treatment since the age of 5, and because you were diagnosed with a pediatric cancer, you continue to be treated as a pediatric patient. The supports for young children were just what you needed as a child, but now, as an adolescent, you have different needs: peace and quiet, a study room, a place to connect to Wifi... But often those services do not exist.”
Dr. S. Robert Rozbruch will lead the research project at HSS. Chief of the hospital’s Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service, Dr. Rozbruch met Bobby after a skiing accident and subsequent fracture, treatment at another hospital, and a complication left him with one leg that was shorter than the other.
Without the proper and highly specialized care, Bobby’s leg could have been five inches shorter than his unaffected leg. After several surgeries by Dr. Rozbruch and successful treatment over more than 10 years, Bobby’s leg was straight and the proper length.
During that time, Dr. Rozbruch worked closely with Bobby’s oncologists, and his cancer was in remission.
Dr. Rozbruch developed a close relationship with Bobby and his family.
“Bobby was a very special person, even when he was a child,” Dr. Rozbruch says. “He had a sparkle in his eyes. He had a positive outlook. He had a kind of wisdom and an inner peace that was very dramatic.”
“By the time patients turn 15, their needs start to change, and Bobby began to notice the void in health care as he got older,” explained Elizabeth Menges. “He realized that some of his doctors didn’t understand some of the issues he faced. He wondered why doctors still addressed me, but not him when they spoke. Dr. Rozbruch was among those Bobby felt understood him. He said Dr. Rozbruch had a knack for that.”
Dr. Rozbruch, who treats many patients starting at a young age, has been interested in the developmental, emotional and psychological factors involved in caring for them as they get
older.
“The research initiative, which will include a psychologist, aims to evaluate the changing psychosocial and emotional needs of young patients in the health care setting and determine the best way to meet those needs. Surveys and questionnaires will be designed for past and current patients and their families,” Dr. Rozbruch says. “We intend to publish and share our research findings with the broad medical community well beyond orthopedics and HSS.”
Carl Menges, Bobby’s great-uncle, a life trustee of HSS, and a significant financial supporter of the initiative, says the research grant is a way to honor Bobby’s memory. “The purpose of the initiative is to honor his deep concern for young people like himself facing complex conditions throughout childhood and young adulthood,” he said. “Bobby’s courage and spirit has been an inspiration to many, and this is a continuation of the work that he personally initiated and was so passionate about.”
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At the Central Property Owners’ Association meeting on Tuesday December 10, Garden City Deputy Mayor Theresa Trouvé offered a positive reflection on the November 28 meeting of the Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) and the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs (the Rec. Commission) as well as a look ahead for future EAB efforts and participation. She called the two boards’ meeting “a new turn to how the village does things, realizing that more than one committee can be highly influential in the resolution of a problem being faced.” The CPOA’s December meeting was held inside the same meeting room at the Golf Club Lane senior center as the EAB-Rec. Commission meeting was two weeks prior.
“The joint meeting held by the EAB and Rec. Commission was an excellent idea. That offered a very good new sense of direction. We also benefit from a wealth of information available on our village website and presented in The Garden City News about what is at stake with each village issue, and that can help us to solve some of the problems in the village as we move forward. I’d like to see more initiatives like the joint meeting as we will always have more work to do,” Deputy Mayor Trouvé said.
On December 10, EAB member Evelyn Fasano, who is also a CPOA director, reported that many residents have commented on the Safe Fields Initiative and pesticide-free movement in Garden City that the Rec. Commission
and EAB discussed at their meeting.
In both 2014 and 2015, Trouvé served as chairperson of the village’s Environmental Advisory Board. In a January 2015 interview with The Garden City News, Trustee Trouvé said she’s always respected environmental measures and goals for her home community and in the bigger picture, even before her time serving on the Village Board or EAB.
“The environment is an important topic in trying to live in a healthy way, and safely, in our contemporary society....The village’s EAB meets monthly and it publishes information in the newspaper to keep ideas current, ecologically and environmentally speaking, and also to serve as a resource to the community,” she told the News in 2015.
Trouvé described the EAB members, many whom served with her five years ago and are still active on the EAB, as a team of very knowledgeable advisors, either due to their careers in sciences or the environment or “by being very interested and involved nature buffs.”
As EAB chair, Trouvé learned a tremendous amount about environmental subjects and encouraged residents to attend EAB meetings to learn about the board’s functions and future plans. In front of the CPOA last month, Trouvé said progress can be boosted by seeking the EAB’s input to the Village Board and administration.
“I think as a village, Garden City has never really tapped into the knowledge and know-how of our EAB members. Sometimes the EAB serves us with a very important source of input. In certain very well-run villages their EAB or Environmental Commission carries
more weight than it does in Garden City. Moving forward we aren’t about to change the structure of the village, but to tap into them for a wealth of information when we are looking at certain problems or situations is a very fresh and good idea,” the deputy mayor said.
The Village Board of Trustees established the Environmental Advisory Board in the fall of 1992. The volunteer group’s primary goal has been advising the Village Board on issues affecting Garden City’s environment. Back in 2015 Trustee Trouvé said the EAB’s second goal is to monitor and protect Garden City’s vast array of trees.
After she was elected to her first term on the Village Board of Trustees in early 2014, Trouvé served as the chairperson of the EAB as one of her first Board appointments. She held the EAB lead role for her first two years as a village trustee, until current Mayor Brian Daughney became EAB chairman from 2016 to 2017. Then Trustee John Delany took up the role in 2017, serving as EAB
chair until May 2018.
This April, Trustee Trouvé is expected to be approved as the next mayor of Garden City for a two-year term, 2019 to 2021. The current EAB chairman and representative from the Village Board is Trustee Robert Bolebruch, who took the baton from Trustee Delany.
At the EAB’s November 28 meeting, Trustee Bolebruch said the bottom line is that it was good for the two boards to interact and have discussions on pertinent issues.
“If in the event we want to do anything, and they can get a feeling that we want to hopefully work with them as opposed to dictating to them and I think we all will get more accomplished that way. I think the Rec. Commission is receptive to an ongoing dialogue,” Bolebruch said.
The first Environmental Advisory Board meeting of 2019 will be held either on Wednesday, January 23 or January 30 at Village Hall, beginning at 8 p.m.
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call the Garden City office today 294-8900 for more info.
are having,” Laughlin, an eighth grader, said.
Teacher Kim Greenwald, the GCMS coordinator of the Anti-bullying Task Force and also the students’ ABC club advisor, explained how the Home Base classrooms after lunch period presents a time for themes and activities kids can work on. The Home Base curriculum includes bully prevention and character education, leadership training, upstander intervention strategies, study skills, planning and time management, courtesy, respect and personal responsibility.
“During that program time we are encouraging kids to build relationships, have new social opportunities and a chance to share their voice. Our Home Base coordinator puts together lessons on these topics and leadership training opportunities. Our biggest goal is encouraging all children to become upstanders and take action if they see something not going well inside or outside of school. The Home Base curriculum addresses many different aspects of social emotional learning, and all the different topics are drawn from the New York State Dignity Act law, as these are the different topics they recommend to implement at the middle grades’ level,” Greenwald said.
Through the GC Cares program, which is now in its tenth year, students perform 60 to 70 hours of community service. Greenwald said in the past two years the program has included a time for kids to speak about their experiences in community service.
“We encourage every kid at GCMS to earn at least 10 hours of community service credits from around December to April when we hold Pay It Forward day. We have had some kids go up to 60 hours, and by year’s end we have thousands of hours students performed,” she said.
On Pay it Forward day, an internationally-celebrated event, kids and teachers perform random acts of kindness.
GCMS is designated as a No Place For Hate Gold School, an honor sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League to recognize schools that have all stakeholders focused on improving and maintaining a positive school climate so that all students thrive. To achieve this distinction GCMS formed a No Place for Hate leadership committee, signed a Resolution of Respect, and implemented three school-wide anti-bias or anti-bullying prevention activities. Jennifer Pollack, the Gold Star School advisor for GCMS, said that programs had to include addressing students’ “social media temptations and pressures that did not exist 15 years ago.”
The ABC initiates schoolwide proj-
ects to encourage all students to become bully-free. The Middle School also features a morning greeter program where students from the Home Base volunteer to come in early in the morning, meet with Greenwald, and go to the front of the school to welcome their classmates into the building. “It really sets a good tone, good climate and good atmosphere in school, and the ‘hello’ puts a smile on kids’ faces,” she said.
Within the No Place for Hate initiative, the banners hanging along the top of the GCMS cafeteria, where the school board’s December 11 meeting was held, implement a strategy suggested by the school’s anti-bias task force. The #NoOneEatsAlone campaign encourages middle school kids to move next to and make conversations with a classmate who may sit alone or outside of their usual table, or to invite students sitting alone to sit for lunch with their group.
Another planned campaign was creating a positive, motivational and supportive environment in GCMS by promoting the acronym T.H.I.N.K. to students --- especially to apply towards social media use. Students are instructed to consider if their words to each other are “true, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind.” Other signage inside GCMS encourages students by reminding them to develop a “positive growth mindset” to shift their thinking from discouragement and the negative to positive strategies.
On GCMS’ “Team-Building Trivia Days” held twice a year, one in fall and one in spring Greenwald says “kids shine” as that can bring out a new side of a shy student. And on Family Nights in the middle school, parents and students work together for community service goals. Greenwald says the Family Nights are great for parent-child bonding. In January the annual GCMS dance-a-thon has been renamed “GC Cares-a-Thon” and students who attend get to earn two hours’ community service. Tables with activities such as kindness bracelets and letters to U.S. troops are part of the event. Coming up in March is GCMS’ annual bingo night.
In detailing the essential elements of middle grades education, Dr. Osroff said students come in on the first day of their sixth, seventh, and eighth grade years at GCMS and learn how the school serves as a community and family. “We talk about the golden rule -- we treat others how we want them to treat us. Once they are ready to leave us and move on in grade eight, we stress the exact same message. We are not about to focus on just ourselves but we realize many people have helped us achieve our goals,” he said.
Seventh grade guidance counselor Robyn Weiner, in her 21st year at GCMS, read the educational mission of the school and summarized its undercurrent, evident within the support staff, “success does not come at the expense of others but with the help of others.”
“I adore middle level education -that is my own hashtag! At GCMS we have three counselors as support staff, sixth through the eighth grade as we help plan their high school transition. We have a full-time social worker, a fulltime psychologist and a part-time psychologist, all working collaboratively in the guidance office. We call the guidance office the heart of GCMS; we want it to be a welcoming place and we want students to feel comfortable, and I think we do. We are all proud members of the GCMS Anti-bullying Task Force and we support many activities detailed in the presentation tonight,” Weiner said.
Weiner explained how for guidance purposes students are “teamed” starting in sixth grade with roughly 75 students to a team, and for seventh and eighth
grades there are three teams with about 100 students on each team. Two or three years ago, the GCMS administration decided to have a faculty team meeting twice a week.
“The team meeting time is crucial to how we support our students. On each one of these teams we have an English teacher, science teacher, social studies teacher, math teacher and a special ed. teacher. Our team teachers have planning meetings daily for each grade, and on one day the guidance counselor meets with each team. When we look at our nine-period school day it is divided into core and non-core classes, with the same formulas for core classes, electives, and a common lunch period combined with the Home Base period. Teachers meet, discuss their students and schedule any parent-teacher conferences. We schedule home-base classes by teams with teachers because we want those connections to take place and develop, and students get to interact with their teachers in a new settings during home base periods,” she said.
The 2019 12th Grade Party and Skit Night is scheduled for March 1st from 7p-9:30pm. There will be a mandatory meeting next Monday, January 7th at 7pm in the High School Auditorium for all parents and guardians that wish to participate. Each participating parent/guardian must sign the Mandatory Parent/Guardian Skit Night Participant Agreement and attend rehearsals in order to participate in the skits at the 12th Grade Party.
This GCHS event is organized with the help of the PTA and is one of the very best nights for our senior class. Please attend the meeting on Monday and join in on the fun! Volunteer for a skit… no skill or talent necessary, just be ready to have a blast! Put your creativity to work and help out with decorations; there will be plenty of jobs to transform the cafeteria into a walk down memory lane.
The Class of 2019 is an incredible group; many of them have been great friends since kindergarten. They have earned a terrific night celebrating their time together. The organizers are already hard at work getting everything ready to show us how to make this the best night ever! Please spread the word!!
Call us at 294-8900 to place an ad in our classifieds. We’ll help you be seen by thousands of local readers!
Connie McKnight, our certified yoga instructor, has designed youth yoga classes for ages 6 - 18. Each class in our ten week session is 55 minutes long. All classes will begin on January 17 and will be held in St. Paul’s Center. Any resident of the Inc. Village of Garden City in this age group is invited to join these relaxing classes. The cost of this 10 week session will be $ 105.
The course schedule is as follows:
Ages 6 – 8
Thursdays at 4:15 pm
Ages 9 – 12 Thursdays at 5:15 pm
Ages 13 – 18 Thursdays at 6:15 pm
To register for any of these classes please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue or, if you have a password, you can register online at www. gcreconline.gardencityny.net.
The Garden City Recreation Department is pleased to announce that this winter, the Recreation Staff will conduct a gym program for children in kindergarten and 1st grade.
This program will consist of organized games and activities in a supervised setting. This program will run on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 pm in St. Paul’s Field House. There is a $40 registration fee for this program and a permission slip is necessary. No fees will be taken at the door. For further information contact the Recreation Office at 465-4075.
Meeting Dates – January 30, February 6, 13, 27, March 6, 13
Sneakers must be worn for any activity in the field house and only water is allowed.
Please Note- Once the children are in our facility, they will not be allowed to leave unless accompanied by an adult. Please come into the building to pick up your child.
Space is limited! Please visit our office at 108 Rockaway Ave. with a $40 registration fee to register, or if you have a password you can register online at www.gcreconline. gardencityny.net.
The Garden City Recreation Department is pleased to announce that this winter the Recreation Staff will conduct a six week gym program for children in grades 2 - 6.
The registration fee for this program is $40. The program will consist of organized games and activities in a supervised setting. This six week program will run from 3:30 to 5:45 pm in St. Paul’s Field House according to the following schedule:
Grades 2-3 Mondays from 3:30 – 5:45 pm beginning February 4
Grades 4-6 Fridays from 3:30 – 5:45 pm beginning February 1
Sneakers must be worn for any activity in the field house and only water is allowed in the facility.
Please Note- Once the children are in our facility, they will not be allowed to leave unless accompanied by an adult. Please come into the building to pick up your child and please be prompt .
Space is limited. To register, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. with a $40 registration fee made payable to the Inc. Village of Garden City, or, if you have a password you can register online at www.gcreconline.gardencityny.net.
Join us for a Space Adventure! During this 6 week session we will be building models inspired by the NASA space program. This session is packed with models that will make your imagination blast off! At the end of the six-week session children will go home with a LEGO minifigure!
Bricks4Kidz classes build on the popular LEGO bricks to deliver high-quality educational play. Each hour-long class is an engaging experience for your child with a new project each week. Our unique models aren’t the kits you find on the shelves of a toy store. They’re designed by Bricks4Kidz to teach concepts across a variety of subject areas.
This class is open to Garden City residents in grades 1-4 and will be held on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00 pm in St.Paul’s Cluett Hall.
The cost is $135 per child for the six-week session.
Registration is limited to 12 children. Please make checks payable to Bricks4Kidz.
Recreation and Parks sponsors Men’s basketball in the Middle School south gym on Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 am. Games are strictly pickup and are open to residents and their guest. Play will continue through February 16.
We are pleased to announce the start of registration for our WINTER Tennis Program for children at the Community Park Tennis Center.
Classes are held weekdays with some
We invite you to send details of your academic achievements, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be featured in our paper! Submissions from students of all ages are welcome!
levels on Saturdays. A full schedule of classes can be found at the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. or on our website at www.gardencityrecreation.org.
Classes will begin on Monday, January 7. All classes will run for 10 weeks. To register for a class, please visit our office or website or, if you have a password you can register online at www.gcreconline.gardencityny. net.
An explanation of each level of classes is as follows:
Tots Ages 4-5 (not in kindergarten) and PeeWee - Ages 5(in kindergarten) to 7 Introduction to Tennis, emphasizing basic movement and striking skills in a fun game playing environment.
Novice - Ages 6 to 7 - Continued development of basic movement and striking skills on a full size court. Serving and scorekeeping will be introduced. Past Tennis experience required.
Junior - Ages 8 to 11 - Extension of Novice Level program. Continued emphasis on striking concepts, movement, and skills related to tennis play.
Junior Advanced - Ages 8 to 11 For the more serious, more advanced students. These lessons are offered in 1 1/2 hr time slots. Experience required.
Senior - Ages 12 and older - Extension of Junior Program, continued emphasis on fundamentals and skills related to tennis play.
Senior Advanced - Ages 12 and older - For the more serious, more advanced student. These lessons are offered in 1 1/2 hour time slots. Experience required.
The Garden City Recreation Department will offer our poplar Pee-Wee Sports Sampler program this winter for children ages 4 & 5 who are Residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. We are offering 2 – three week sessions for the children to get a taste of the program with longer sessions planned after the holidays. This program has been designed to provide an opportunity to try a wide variety of sports with basic instruction. This 55 minute program will take place in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. Our Sampler will incorporate new skills and free play in a non-competitive atmosphere. A different sport will be offered each week. Classes will be held according to the following schedule: Tuesdays 10:30 to 11:25 am Tuesdays 1 to 1:55 pm Wednesdays 1:30 to 2:25 pm
The following session is available: Session two – Week of January 2 through Week of January 14 (Mondays end 1/28) The cost of this program is $50. To register for this program, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue or, if you have a password you can register online at www. gcreconline.gardencityny.net.
Garden City High School graduates: Brian Haefner (Class of 2016), Chris ‘CC’ Ciurcina (Class 2017), and Kieran Paskewitz (Class 2018)
BY REGINA MORAN AND PATRICIA CIURCINA
Garden City High School graduates: Brian Haefner (Class of 2016), Chris ‘CC’ Ciurcina (Class 2017), and Kieran Paskewitz (Class 2018) grew up playing football together. They started out in the Thunder League and went on to be starters for the Garden City High School football team. These successful
Trojan alumni have now matured into the seasoned Statesmen of Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva New York. They continue their friendship and teamwork on the football field and on the college stage. Ciurcina continues to proudly wear #77, in memory of Trojan offensive/defensive lineman and fellow alumni Paul Robert Eckna (Class of 1991).
Under the the guidance of Coach Anne Sullivan, the Garden City varsity swimming and diving team start the season with a 1-2 record, having lost to Syosset in the first meet, but then coming together as a team to win against Manhasset. Many team members attained personal best times for Counties qualification. However, two team members have achieved times to qualify to swim in NY State Championship at the end of the season.
Senior/Captain John Protano and junior Jake Newmark have qualified for States in several events. John Protano has qualified for states in 100 breast, and
200 Individual Medley (State Qual: 2:00.63) with a time of 1:59.53, 100 Breaststroke (State Qual: 1:01.20) with a time of 1:01.16. Jake Newmark has qualified for States in 200 Freestyle (State Qual: 1:47.60) with a time of 1:46.43, 50 Freestyle (State Qual: 22.19) with a time of 21.69, 100 Butterfly (State Qual: 53.95) with a time of 53.46, 500 Freestyle (State Qual: 4:52.52) with a time of 4:44.38, 100 Backstroke (State Qual: 54.82) with a time of 52.25.
The next meet will be against at Levittown at the Nassau County Aquatic Center, at 5 pm.
Due to the installation of a new heating unit, the Community Park Tennis Center courts will be closed Tuesday, January 8 thru Friday, January 11, 2019. The Tennis Center will re-open Saturday, January 12. All programs during this time, including contract tennis time, are canceled and will be made up later in the season.
In addition, our youth tennis lessons have been rescheduled to begin the week of January 14th. There will still be 10 classes in the session. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Tennis lesson registration is ongo-
ing! If you haven’t signed up yet please visit www.gardencityrecreation.org to download an application or visit our Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. Our winter session will begin the week of January 14. Remember, tennis is truly a sport for a lifetime!
The Department will soon commence renovation of Field 2 at Community Park. This baseball/softball field will be fully renovated, including a new artificial turf infield, new dugouts, natural outfield grass and new lighting. The field will be completed for spring barring significant weather issues. As always, safety of our residents and guest are our number one concern. We ask everyone
to please be cautious while walking around the park and parking lot during the renovation. Any concerns, please notify staff at the Community Park Clubhouse.
We kindly remind all of our tennis players to please reframe from entering the tennis courts until your scheduled time begins. If you are early, please wait in the Tennis Clubhouse until one minute before your court time and then proceed to your court. In order to create a courteous environment we ask players to please end at the specified time. Do not finish a set or play one more point so that the next scheduled group has the opportunity to start on time.
The Department of Recreation and Parks will once again have “Senior Citizen Time” at the Garden City Tennis Center. Senior residents can take advantage of the $24 per hour per court rate on the newly expanded time period of Monday through Friday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm. To make a court reservation, please call the Community Park Clubhouse at 483-2525.
To stay better connected with Community Park and other Recreation news, we invite everyone to “like” us on our Facebook page, facebook.com/gardencityrecreation.
Has your mind ever made a promise your body couldn’t keep? How about getting geared up for the Garden City High School Men’s and Women’s alumni hoops game!
The TMA will present this co-ed event which will be played at Garden City High School on Saturday, January 5th. The afternoon starts with the high school boys basketball team taking on Herricks H.S. at 1:30 p.m. This will be immediately followed by the Alumni hoops game. Cost is $40 which includes game shirt, postgame food and drink specials at Doc O’Grady’s and more. Most of the proceeds will go to support the GCHS girls and boys basketball
programs.
Please go to GCTMA.ORG for more details and to register for the game. Although we will welcome “walkups” it’s important for all those planning on being a part of day to register in order to assure your names being included in the game day program. Check the website to see who’s registered. There are already over twenty-five former men’s hoopsters signed up! C’mon ladies, we need some players, so far there’s only a handful signed up! Reach out to your former teammates! Looking forward to seeing all back on the hardwood!
Sitting (left to right): Kelly Brennan, Maggie Connolly, Mary Haggerty, Lindsey Gambino, Erin Healy.
Standing (left to right): Renee Gollisz, Coach McAuley, Coach Heedles, Claire McGuire, Erin Studdert
The Nassau County Girls Soccer Coaches Association recently held its annual awards dinner at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Below is a list of the Garden City players with their respective awards:
• All County: Kelly Brennan and Mary Haggerty
• All Classification (A/B): Maggie Connolly, Claire McGuire and Erin Studdert
• All Conference: Renee Gollisz and Erin Healy
• Senior Scholar Athlete: Lindsey Gambino
Laura Carroll of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty Presents
Thursday, January 10th | 6:30 – 8:00pm Garden City Casino | 51 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY
Presentation followed by Q&A with expert grievance professionals with over 28 years of experience, Elyse Sachs and Marsha Held of Property Tax Adjusters, Ltd. | ptaxny.com
Sponsored by Ricky Jarvis at Valley National Bank. Light refreshments will be
Sunday, Jan. 6th 12:00 – 2:00pm
45 Russell Road, Garden City, NY
4-bedroom, 3.5-bath.
SD #18. MLS# 3084268. $1,949,000.
Sunday, Jan. 6th 12:00– 2:00pm 103 Transverse Road, Garden City, NY 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3084181. $1,989,000.
Sunday, Jan. 6th 2:00 – 4:00pm 2 Harvard Street, Garden City, NY 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3050208. $669,000.
CONTRACT
Hempstead, NY 4-bedroom, 2-bath. SD #1. MLS# 3072529. $310,000.
CONTRACT
Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3067005. $499,000.
3-bedroom,
NY 2-bedroom, 1-bath. SD #6. MLS# 3064742.
Garden City, NY 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3074901. $4,200.
Patricia Costello, Patricia Dickson, Alfred Kohart, Mary Krener and Linda Mulrooney
2-bedroom, 2.5-bath.
100
2-bedroom, 2.5-bath.
SD #18. MLS# 3034870. $2,700,000.
City, NY 3-bedroom, 2-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3084120. $5,500.
It was a pleasure to serve you this past year. Your continued support has enabled us to once again be the #1 real estate agency in Garden City.* Now is the perfect time to call us if you are thinking of selling your home.
We are proud to have participated in 213 Transactions in 2018
1 Edwards , Roslyn Heights
1 Birchwood Ct, Mineola
1 Roosevelt St, Garden City
3 Sunset Ln, Garden City
6 Birchwood Ct, Mineola
8 4th Pl, Garden City
9 Damson St, Garden City
9 Franklin Ct, Garden City
9 Primrose Ct, Garden City
9 Mulberry Ave, Garden City
10 Harbor Ln, Glen Head
10 Dubonnet Rd, Valley Stream
10 Roosevelt St, Garden City
10 Kingsbury Rd, Garden City
10 Mulberry Ave, Garden City
11 Newmarket Rd, Garden City
12 Avalon Rd, Garden City
12 Center Dr, Roslyn
12 Hamilton Pl, Garden City
12 Mulberry Ave, Garden City
13 3rd Pl, Garden City
14 Elm St, Roslyn Heights
14 Edwards St, Roslyn Heights
15 Saint James No. St, Garden City
18 Hommell St, Valley Stream
18 Vidoni Pl, Huntington
19 E Franklin Ct, Garden City
19 Croydon Dr, Bellmore
19 Chester Ave, Stewart Manor
19 Prescott St, Garden City
20 Barnes Ln, Garden City
20 Daley Pl, Lynbrook
20 Hill Ln, Glen Head
21 Wilson Ave, Lynbrook
22 Hamilton Pl, Garden City
22 1st St, Garden City
22 Hamilton Pl, Garden City
23 Franklin Ct, Garden City
24 Harvard St, Garden City
25 Old Northport Rd, Huntington
26 Hamilton Pl, Garden City
27 Poppy Ln, Levittown
28 Kensington Rd, Garden City
30 Cathedral Ave, Hempstead
30 Frederick Dr, Plainview
30 Cathedral Ave, Hempstead
31 Wellington Rd, Garden City
35 Kingsbury Rd, Garden City
36 Hilton Ave, Garden City
36 Franklin Ct, Garden City
37 Evergreen Ave, New Hyde Park
37 Homestead Ave, Garden City
38 Laurel St, Garden City
39 Carole Ave, New Hyde Park
41 Locust St, Garden City
45 Rita Dr, East Meadow
46 Winter St, Lynbrook
47 Capitol Ave, Williston Park
50 Salisbury Ave, Stewart Manor
54 Cambridge Ave, Garden City
57 Maxwell Rd, Garden City
57 Brompton Rd, Garden City
57 Colonial Dr, Manhasset
61 Magnolia Ave, Garden City
61 Transverse Rd, Garden City
68 Brook St, Garden City
69 Third St, Garden City
70 Wilton St, New Hyde Park
71 Magnolia Ave, Garden City
71 Hunt Dr, Jericho
71 Cambridge Ave, Garden City
71 Magnolia Ave, Garden City
72 Brook St, Garden City
72 First St, Garden City
75 Monroe St, Garden City
77 Garden St, Garden City
78 Pine Ave, Floral Park
79 Raff Ave, Floral Park
79 Roxbury Rd, Garden City
80 Marshall Ave, Lynbrook
81 Brompton Rd, Garden City
83 Westminster Rd, Garden City
84 Willow St, Garden City
84 N Pine St, N. Massapequa
86 Jefferson St, Garden City
91 Meadow St, Garden City
93 Kenwood Rd, Garden City
96 Sperry Blvd, New Hyde Park
98 Bayberry Ave, Garden City
100 Trinity Pl, W. Hempstead
100 Hilton Ave, Garden City
100 Lincoln Ave, Mineola
100 Hilton Ave, Garden City
100 Hilton Ave, Garden City
100 Hilton Ave, Garden City
100 Hilton Ave, Garden City
101 Second St, Garden City
101 Second St, Garden City
102 Lee Rd, Garden City
105 Marvin Ave, Rockville Centre
106 Locust St, Garden City
106 Newmarket Rd, Garden City
107 Chestnut St, Garden City
109 4th St, Garden City
110 Chester Ave, Garden City
110 Lincoln St, Garden City
111 Cherry Valley Ave, Garden City
111 Cherry Valley Ave, Garden City
*As reported by MLSLI market share for listings closed by listing and selling offices for 2018.
Call today for a complimentary market analysis.
111 Cherry Valley Ave, Garden City
111 Cherry Valley Ave, Garden City
113 Sackville Rd, Garden City
114 Willow St, Garden City
119 Second St, Garden City
122 3rd St, Garden City
124 Newmarket Rd, Garden City
125 Meadow St, Garden City
125 Locust St, Garden City
127 Stevens Ave, Hempstead
127 2nd , Garden City
127 Second St, Garden City
127 2nd , Garden City
127 Stevens Ave, Hempstead
129 Second , Garden City
136 Meadow St, Garden City
137 Oak St, Floral Park
138 Cambridge Ave, Garden City
138 Stratford Ave, Garden City
140 Kensington Rd, Garden City
140 Wellington Rd, Garden City
143 Wetherill Rd, Garden City
143 Kensington Rd, Garden City
145 Brixton Rd, Garden City
146 Wellington Rd, Garden City
149 Lincoln St, Garden City
149 Willow St, Floral Park
149 Willow St, Floral Park
151 Hampton Rd, Garden City
151 Tullamore Rd, Garden City
152 Brixton Rd, Garden City
155 Adams St, Garden City
160 Trinity Pl, W. Hempstead
161 Wickham Rd, Garden City
161 Locust St, Garden City
164 Wetherill Rd, Garden City
172 Blue Ridge Dr, Medford
175 Kilburn Rd, Garden City
179 Oxford Blvd, Garden City
180 Westminster Rd, Lynbrook
180 Roxbury Rd, Garden City
182 Meadow St, Garden City
187 Wetherill Rd, Garden City
187 Fen Way, Syosset
189 Mayfair Ave, Floral Park
189 Mayfair Ave, Floral Park
190 Brompton Rd, Garden City
193 Weyford Ter, Garden City
194 Verbena Ave, Floral Park
196 Brixton Rd, Garden City
199 Weyford Ter, Garden City
200 Hilton Ave, Hempstead
207 Euston Rd, Garden City
212 Carnation Ave, Floral Park
215 Euston Rd, Garden City
222 Whitehall Blvd, Garden City
223 Tulip Ave, Floral Park
224 Kensington Rd, Garden City
227 Collins Ave, Williston Park
230 Jefferson St, Franklin Square
242 Maple Ave, Westbury
246 Liberty Ave, Westbury
249 Kilburn Rd, Garden City S.
255 Rider Ave, Malverne
259 New Hyde Park Rd, Garden City
259 Crest Ave, Floral Park
279 Haypath Rd, Old Bethpage
286 Cherry Valley Ave, Garden City
301 Franklin Ave, Garden City
323 Hempstead Garden Dr, W. Hempstead
345 Hickory Rd, Southold
355 Kilburn Rd, Garden City
364 Stewart Ave, Garden City
366 Stewart Ave, Garden City
366 Stewart Ave, Garden City
366 Stewart Ave, Garden City
366 Stewart Ave, Garden City
388 Titus Way, E. Williston
396 Stewart Ave, Garden City
408 Stewart Ave, Garden City
418 Old Country Rd, Garden City
466 Old Country Rd, Garden City
492 Boulevard Pl, Garden City S.
510 Mulberry Ln, W. Hempstead
525 S 14th St, New Hyde Park 531 Ray St, Freeport 590 Stanton Ave, Baldwin 609 Edwards St, Baldwin 695 3rd Pl, Garden City S. 739 Cypress Dr , Franklin Square
807 Franklin Ave, Valley Stream 1061 Adams Ave, Franklin Square 1065 Grand Blvd, Westbury 1487 Kingston Ave. , Baldwin 1569 Marshall St, Elmont 1804 Horatio Ave, Merrick
1957 Orchard St, Merrick 2110 Grandview Dr, Orient 2403 Oxford St, East Meadow 101-33 114th St, Richmond Hill S. 42/44 Aspen St, Floral Park 69-06 136th St, Flushing 79-46 266th St, Glen Oaks
82U Glen Keith Road , Glen Cove 87-06 253rd St, Bellerose