HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SFD Syosset Library, coffee shop join forces for reading
Santa and his helpers arrived in their sleigh and firetruck to meet & send their holiday greetings to the north Syosset neighbors. Hook & Ladder Engine Company Volunteer Fire Department #4 reminds all residents to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and to replace the ones that are not working. Call the Fire Department to ask where are the best places to install them. Change batteries often. Fire Engine Department #4 wishes everyone a Happy New Year.
Healthy eating in the New Year
BY RIKKI MASSAND
New Year’s resolutions to drop some weight and cut calorie-heavy, sodium, sugar, and byproduct-laden snacks from one’s diet can be easily assisted with a personal touch offered by new Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce member Get Healthy America! -- located at 148 Manetto
Hill Road in Plainview.
Owner Deb Cohen has been in the location for over 22 years and she’s experienced every diet fad and nutrition craze there is. But her style of informative customer service and attention to detail when speaking with shoppers has kept customers coming back while new customers discovering her store each week.
Cohen works seven days a week at her Plainview location, and she prides her business reputation on the engaging customer service she and her staff at Get Healthy America! provide.
“We carry foods that meet most people’s dietary needs. If someone is doing Weight
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BY RIKKI MASSAND
A new storytime series in Syosset aims at captivating young audiences with readings, group activities and hands-on learning in an offsite location -- Mongo’s Coffee shop at 170 Michael Drive. This collaboration between 24-year Syosset residents, Mongo’s owners Mitchel and Marna Margulis, and the Syosset Public Library allows moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers from the community time to relax and sip locally-roasted specialty coffees and cappuccinos while their youngest kids are entertained.
Jessikah Chautin, a Syosset native and SHS graduate, is the community engagement specialist for Syosset Public Library. She began the role in September 2018, after more than a decade as a children’s librarian. Throughout 2018 Mitchel Margulis applied for permits to open on Michael Drive but the Town building department permit process and other design elements didn’t come together until early 2019. Chautin explains that she researched the business’ planned location, among other Syosset venues, and thought of the potential for SPL and families in the community.
“When I first started this (community engagement) position I immediately got to work looking for partnerships that would be beneficial for offsite library programming. I caught wind of Mongo's looking to open when I was researching and had reached out to Mitchel while he was still in the stages of building and getting permits for Mongo's. I checked in with him every few months to get an update on his status,” she said.
Chautin emailed the Advance and News-Journal in December to explain the genesis from a “first trial storytime” at Mongo’s Coffee in summer 2019.
“It attracted an eager crowd. Beginning on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 10 a.m. we will aim to hold monthly storytimes at Mongo's. We bring about three stories centered around a theme, followed by a finger play and some coloring sheets,” she said.
Syosset Library will continue partnering with Mongo’s Coffee for groundbreaking new events that appeal to an older crowd. Ideas include a coffee tasting event for March and two Trivia Nights and a board gaming afternoon aimed at adults of any age, Chautin said. Such theme nights at the new cafe/lounge would occur later in the spring.
Mongo’s Coffee is a Syosset Woodbury Chamber member business
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Irish Family History Forum to meet
On Saturday, January 18, the Irish Family History Forum will present Susan Jaycox Murphy, who will give a talk on “Cemetery Research: Eternity Is Not Forever.” Cemetery research can be rewarding for family historians, providing them with information that they cannot find anywhere else. Discoveries can include missing children, unknown relatives, dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths, relationships, group associations, friends, and even photographs. Susan Jaycox Murphy will discuss the law, the practices of cemeteries, what can be found in cemetery research, where we can find records and what can be done to preserve family memorials.
The schedule of events for the meet-
ing will be:
10:00 a.m.: Kathleen McGee: Irish Civil Registration of Marriages
10:30 a.m.: Refreshment Break Meet and socialize with other members. Ask the Experts This is an opportunity to meet one-on-one with an experienced genealogist to ask a basic genealogy question.
11:00 a.m.: Featured Speaker: Susan Jaycox Murphy
Meetings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments are served.
Meetings are held at Bethpage Public Library 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage.
Information: contact Pat Email: programs@ifhf.org
Website: www.ifhf.org
Free musical performances at libraries in January
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that its Department of Community and Youth Services will be offering free musical performances during the month of January 2020 at local libraries throughout the Town. This is a continuation of the 2019-2020 Distinguished Artists Concert Series, which will continue to run monthly through May 2020.
“The Town’s Distinguished Artists Concert Series has proven to be one of our most popular and enduring programs, as residents flock from all across the Town to see the free musical and dance performances scheduled each month for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I invite residents to take advantage of these four wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries throughout the month of January.”
Upcoming performances for January 2020 include:
• Sheri Miller – Honoring Women’s Voices in Music on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Hicksville Public Library.
• Bay Big Band – Pop Goes the Bay Big Band on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. at the Farmingdale Public Library.
• Just 60’s - The Stories…The Songs! on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Massapequa Public Library.
• The History of Rock & Roll – A Trip Down Memory Lane Featuring the Music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hicksville Public Library.
The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For further information, please call (516) 7977900 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.
Casino trip planned
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas of Hicksville will be hosting a bus trip to the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino (formerly Sands) on Tuesday, January 28.
The cost will be $43 per person, which includes the driver’s tip. There will be a $35 give back for slots play.
Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. Return will
be approximately 8:30 p.m.
Parking: # 999 So. Oyster Bay Road (on the street in the dead end) Reservations: Call Barbara at (516) 935-5576
Please make checks payable to “CDA”.
The first to pay is the first on the bus, etc.
Let your voice be heard!
Is there an issue in your community you want to discuss? Want to respond to something you saw in our paper? Then write a letter to our editor and bring it to everyone’s attention! Send your letter to editor@gcnews.com and we’ll publish it for you!
Advice, support & fun at Long Island Children's Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum rolls into 2020 with programs to support children and their grown-ups. LICM, in partnership with Cohen Children’s Medical Center and Kohl’s Cares, launches Healthy Kids in the Kitchen this week, allowing little chefs to make healthy dishes and get active as they stretch, jump and learn new exercise moves. Parents and caregivers can share a cup of coffee and conversation this week as they discuss children’s sleep challenges. The week wraps up with the Museum’s annual “Surrounded by STEM” weekend, allowing visitors to take part in hands-on activities and demonstrations, while meeting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professionals .
Polar Bear Pals
Tuesday, January 7 through Friday, January 10 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Winter is here! Create a friendly polar bear pal to keep you company this winter season!
All ages. Free with museum admission
stART (story + ART)
Thursday, January 7 from 11:30 a.m. – noon
Join us each week as we read childhood classics and introduce new favorites; followed by a take-home, book-inspired craft. This week we’re reading reading “Snowball” by Nina Crews. After the story create a picture of snowy winter trees to take home!
Ages: 3-5. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 LICM members).
Kid Chat
Wednesday, January 8 from 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Join in guided conversation where mothers and other caregivers can have open dialogue and socialize with one another as their child plays in the TotSpot area. Coffee and light refreshments are available. Space is limited to facilitate conversation flow. This month's topic: Please Go to Sleep!: Struggles and Strategies.
Music and Movement
Wednesday, January 8 from 11:30 a.m. – noon
This weekly workshop capitalizes on children’s innate curiosity about rhythm and sound. Enjoy creative movement exercises and interactive sing-alongs that get little bodies moving to the rhythm.
Ages: 5 and under. Fee: $4 with museum admission ($3 LICM member
Healthy Kids in the Kitchen
Friday, January 10 from 11:30– noon
Little chefs use real cooking tools (with some help from adults) as we make healthy and yummy, kid-friendly snacks from start to finish. As they make their treat, kids gain experience measuring ingredients, following directions and building their vocabulary. Learn about healthy eating and fun ways to stay active with a new exercise activity every week! This week we’re making an allergy-friendly treat: TwoIngredient Banana Pancakes. This program made possible with the support of Cohen Children's Medical Center/ Kohl’s Cares.
Ages: 3 to 5. Material Fee: $5 with museum admission ($4 LICM members)
STEM Explorers:
Surrounded by STEM
Saturday, January 11 and Sunday, January 12 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Put on your thinking cap and investigate the worlds of science, engineering, technology and math! Join the Green Teens in a weekend filled with hands-on activities and demonstrations by STEM professionals. STEM Explorers, powered by Green Teens.
This program is made possible with the support of National Grid.
Ages: 3 and up. Free with museum admission.
Splish Splash, Animal Baths
Saturday, January 11 at 3 p.m.
Join us in the Yellow Studio in the Feasts for Beasts gallery to learn what
goes into the care of LICM’s animals. Join our Animal Program Educator to observe animal bath time.
All ages. Free with Museum admission.
Messy Afternoon
Saturday, January 4 and Sunday, January 5 from 3:30-5 p.m.
We’ll be up to our elbows in oobleck, clean mud and slime … and we hope you’ll join us for the type of artistic activities that everyone loves, but not one likes to clean-up after. Except us!
Ages: 18 months – 4 years. Free with museum admission.
KaleidoZone Gallery- “Like Father, Like Daughter: A Cartooning Legacy”
Through January 20, 2020
A selection of cartoons from the archives of Long Island cartoonists
Brumsic Brandon Jr. (1927-2014), the creator of “Luther,” and his daughter,
Barbara Brandon-Croft (1958- ), the creator of “Where I’m Coming From,” are on display in the KaleidoZone gallery. Both groundbreaking syndicated comic strips reflected social themes that are still relevant today.
Free with museum admission.
All activities are held at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, East Garden City, NY. For the safety of our visitors, Adults are not permitted in the Museum without children; Museum visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Museum Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am.-5 p.m. and most school holidays. Museum admission: $14 for adults and children over 1 year old, $13 seniors, FREE to museum members and children under 1 year old. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.
DOUGLAS ELLIMAN
Up close with STEM – Kids get up close with science, technology, engineering and math themes during LICM Surrounded by STEM weekend as they are aided by working professionals in the field.
Local athletes win awards in Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5K Run
Congratulations to Dakota Yutesler, Maxine Tian, Qiang Chen, Kim Solomine, Constance Sehlmeyer and Bert Jablon of Syosset and Jasen Zhao of Jericho, each of whom won an award in the Steel Equities/Gold Coast Studios Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5 Kilometer Run for the second consec-
utive year. The Run was held on the roads of Bethpage on Saturday morning, December 21.
Dakota Yutesler and Maxine Tian, each 8 years old, were the second and third place finishers in the Female 10 and under age group. 9-year-old Jasen Shao scored with first place honors
in the Male 10 and Under age group. Qiang Chen eaerned second place honors in the Male 50-54 age group. Kim Solomine was the first place finisher in the Female 60-64 age group. Constance Sehlmeyer scored second in the 70-74 age group. Bert Jablon was the winner in the 90 plus age group.
A total of 814 runners successfully completed the 3.107 mile course, thirty-two more finishers than in 2017 and forty-two more finishers than in 2016.. Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker didn’t compete in the Run, but she was on hand to start the youngsters off in the 1/4 mile Fun Run that preceded the main event.
Other finishers included several Santa Clauses, quite a few Christmas trees and assorted elves and reindeer, as many costumed runners once again contributed to the festive atmosphere of the Run.
Lots of mother-daughter, mother-son, father-daughter and father-son duos made their way to the finish, celebrating the holiday season as a family day of fitness. More than 80 youngsters participated in the Fun Run that preceded the main event, ably coordinated by Amy Goldstein once again.
As always, every participant received one of the well designed colorful sweatshirts that commemorated our 32nd year of staging this event.
Special congratulations to Race Director Ric DiVeglio of the host Greater Long Island Running Club
(“GLIRC”) for a job well done.
Thanks go to title sponsors Steel Equities and Gold Coast Studios, to supporting sponsor Local 338 RWDSU/ UFCW, and key sponsor The Runner’s Edge for their most generous support, and to the Bethpage School Distict and the residents of Bethpage generally for allowing us to stage this event in their community. GLIRC also very much appreciates the continuing enthusiastic support of the Nassau County Police Department, the Bethpage Auxiliary Police, and the amazing custodial staff at John F. Kennedy Middle School.
The charitable beneficiary of the Run was once again the Dominican Sisters in support of The Opening Word, an education program that enables poor and uneducated Long Island immigrant women the English language and other tools they need to become productive members of American society. In addition, thanks to the generosity of race participants, we were able to turn over hundreds of toys to the John Theissen Foundation for distribution to needy Long Island children.
“We are grateful to everyone who helped close out the 2019 Long Island racing year in style on December 21st, said Race Director Ric DiVeglio. “We look forward to seeing you all again at our 33rd annual Holiday excursion through the streets of Bethpage on December 19, 2020!”
8-year-old Dakota Yutesler of Syosset goes all out to the finish line
Qiang Chan of Syosset crosses the finish line
9-year-old Jasen Zhao of Jericho scored first in his age group
8-year-old Maxine Tian of Syosset crosses the finish line
92-year-old Bert Jablon of Syosset is all smiles as he finishes the Run
Syosset Woodbury Chamber enjoys holiday reception
Vice President of Commercial Lending at BNB Bank Craig Kittilsen, BNB Senior Vice President Eileen O’Brien, Sheryl Edwards of the Woodbury branch, BNB Commercial Underwriter Elizabeth Drury, Grace Vanderneut, BNB Woodbury branch manager and former Syosset Woodbury Chamber President Chanbir Kaur, BNB Senior Vice President and Regional Manager Ralph G. Meyer, Jr. and (far right) Jordan Weiss.
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Over 40 members of the local business community as well as BNB Bank clients, investors, community members and banking and finance professionals gathered for a special holiday reception celebrating connections and business relationships in Syosset and Woodbury throughout 2019.
Chanbir Kaur, BNB Bank vice president and branch manager in Woodbury (8191 Jericho Turnpike) was the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce president for 2015 and 2016. Her BNB Bank (formerly known as Bridgehampton National Bank) Woodbury branch hosted the Chamber’s holiday party on Thursday, December 12.
“Our BNB Bank lenders and managers are with us here tonight as they help get all the deals closed. Please, come speak to our team with any lending questions you may have. This special holiday meeting in December is normally our ‘passing of the baton’ for the incoming Chamber president. Our president for 2020, Maureen Nickel, will be in this role in January and presiding at upcoming Chamber meetings. Being one of the past presidents, I want to welcome you to our events from networking nights each month to general meetings at area member businesses. Thank you all for coming to celebrate with BNB and our Chamber!” Kaur announced.
BNB Bank now has 44 branches serving Long Island and the greater New York metropolitan area. Its Senior VP and Regional Manager Ralph G. Meyer, Jr. also welcomed the business community and local residents in Woodbury on December 12: “We enjoy the camaraderie and connections here when Chanbir hosts the annual holiday event and welcomes clients, the Chamber and the greater Syosset/ Woodbury community. Certainly senior management of BNB Bank supports everyone that attends and Chanbir does a great job for our organization.”
“We hope you will enjoy banking with us and also what BNB Bank does in our communities, which is a very important role as a community-focused business. On behalf of all our senior management team and our President and CEO Kevin O’Connor we wish everyone a Happy Holidays and New Year and we thank you for your support,” he said.
Kaur then introduced founding member of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber, Frank S. Urso of Homes by Mara Realty, who has been involved in local real estate for 32 years.
Urso was joined by his wife, Marilyn, as the couple were the owners of Long Island Village Realty, Inc. in downtown Syosset for over 20 years and instrumental contributors in the modern Chamber of Commerce’s beginnings in 1998. Urso commented on the success witnessed by hundreds of residents and dozens of Nassau County and Town of Oyster Bay elected officials who attended the Chamber’s Holiday Lighting Spectacular on Sunday, December 8.
“The Syosset Woodbury Chamber completed another amazing Holiday Lighting Spectacular downtown. With everything we did, on behalf of our Chamber and on behalf of our community -- this Spectacular worked perfectly. We take great pride in doing it and this year was an exceptional year for us, especially our DJ was the best ever!” he said. From the positive experience of this year’s DJ, Urso said he’s hired the same person to emcee a Veterans of Foreign Wars event.
Frank Urso again hosted the event on the stage. From there he could see many families and local businesspeople brave the cold weather to watch and support local talents and children from the Syosset Woodbury community. He praised the collection of singers, dancers, solo acts and duets to large group performances the Chamber organized for entertainment.
“It was our 21st year doing this event
Addressing Chamber members on December 12 were BNB Senior Vice President and Regional Manager Ralph G. Meyer, Jr. (left); Woodbury BNB Branch manager, 2015 & 2016 Syosset Woodbury Chamber President Chanbir Kaur and another former Chamber president and its co-founder, Frank S. Urso of Homes by Mara Realty (right).
2015 & 2016 Syosset Woodbury Chamber President Chanbir Kaur and (right) explains local community connections of her Woodbury BNB Bank branch as (left) BNB Senior Vice President and Regional Manager Ralph G. Meyer, Jr. and Vice President of Commercial Lending at BNB Bank Craig Kittilsen (center) listen.
and we welcomed a crowd of 400 to 500 people. Our eight performing acts plus the Clergy speeches, elected officials and our Color Guard made for a wonderful event and then we had to be on time for Santa Claus arriving on the Syosset Fire truck. What a pleasure it is,” he said.
Frank Urso’s words and enthusiasm throughout mid-December built up momentum for 2020, as holiday festivities turned into a reflection on Chamber activities and plans for the new year. He and several Chamber members thanked Chanbir Kaur and BNB Bank for their efforts, welcoming spirit and the great array of food and beverages in hosting the Chamber’s holiday networking yet again.
The reception at BNB capped off a very
festive first half of December as events for the next few months are planned. A complete listing is available on the Chamber’s website, SyossetChamber.com.
“This is representative of what our Chamber of Commerce networking is all about -- you can network with new people and give them an opportunity and for you that comes together in a way that may not occur otherwise. The Chamber has a motto of ‘we keep business in the business community’ and we do not go outside for what we can get and achieve together, in Syosset/Woodbury and among community members. Now we are celebrating 22 years of doing business together with so many more ahead,” Urso said at the holiday reception.
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You get a taste of what to expect in Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) as you enter the South Street neighborhood. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, who has lived in the neighborhood since moving there with January 3, 2020
Philadelphia Offers Treasure Trove of History, Heritage, Culture: Magic Gardens, Franklin Institute
BY KAREN RUBIN
TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Philadelphia is a jewel box of unique and spectacular, even lifeenhancing attractions, a trove of national treasures of history, heritage, culture that glitters particularly during the holidays. The holiday splendor is eye-catching and warms the heart, but any visitor still has to make time to experience first-hand at least some of these iconic places. I manage to bookend my holiday merrymaking with a mix of art (Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Magic Gardens) with history (Independence Hall) with heritage (National Museum of American Jewish History) with science and enlightenment (Philly is the hometown of one of our most enlightened inventors, Ben Franklin), and so I end this visit with the Franklin Institute and can’t wait to come back.
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
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twisted paths through layers and levels of Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens of mosaics © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Philadelphia Offers Treasure Trove of History, Heritage, Culture: Magic Gardens, Franklin Institute
Continued from page D1
his wife, Julia, in the late1960s when it was derelict and blighted, turned trash and broken walls into sparkling mosaic art. Otherwise forbidding narrow alleyways and whole sides of buildings twinkle with the pieces of broken mirrors and glass and humor (you can’t help but smile). But nothing prepares you for the awe you feel when you walk out of the two indoor galleries into the Magic Gardens.
Here is a riot of handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, international folk art, recreated into walls, pathways, stairways, layers and levels. There is so much to explore and discover – not just visually, but emotionally. Woven into the art are Zagar’s profound, personal sayings, expressions, thoughts, feelings: “I build this sanctuary to be inhabited by my ideas and my
fantasies.” “Imagery which refuses to stabilize.” “The complexity of various problems. Rewind it.”
It’s called Magic Gardens even though there are no plants, flowers or trees. But you aren’t here long before you realize how it nonetheless is a living organic thing, where broken and discarded trash and objects considered valueless or past their useful life, get new life, purpose, meaning. And value.
The “magic” is how the objects are re-animated – an expression of creativity, infusion of imagination. ”The Garden” grows organically, as if living organism.
“It is one man’s vision, process, style,” Elisabeth Carter (Lis), a Magic Gardens guide, tells me. “He had assistants. Most of the smaller figurines and sculpture were made by Mexican folk artists and couple of local artists, especially the Aguilar family. Others helped
make some of the tiles – including First Lady Michelle Obama (there is a letter that she sent to the Gardens).
“It is still a work in progress – new pieces are added – plus it is outdoors, so weather (snow/ice) is factor. We have a full-time preservation team of thee who maintain, repair, and document new folk art.
“He’s interested in how things wear, fade, and change over time – things are constantly changing, new things added – like a breathing animal.
Zagar brings the art form of mosaic to a whole different dimension. “Zagar is known for mosaics. He uses things that others think are trash or have no value. He is inspired by the Hindu God Shiva – the god of destruction and transformation.”
Zagar, who is 80 years old now, studied art at the Pratt Institute, Lis says, “but painting wasn’t fulfilling. He Is bipolar; he used mosaics as mental health therapy. Small, broken pieces of tile people were throwing away, he found satisfying to build into something positive and beautiful.”
Lis points me to a small sculpture which is a self-portrait, depicting the artist with three arms.
There must be thousands and thousands of objects here. You first see what is in front of you as a whole, but then your eye goes to sections, narrower and narrower, until you spend time searching and discovering individual objects. And what you see, what you experience would always be different – with light, time of day, weather affecting the colors and textures.
You have to walk through at least twice: the first time is very sensory, overload. The second time, you can focus more. You walk through an alley of art, curved paths, you see things differently from every angle, every step. Like a Japanese Garden, you cannot see the whole thing at once, and you don’t know what to expect beyond. It’s a carnival of art, a riot of color, texture, shapes and subjects that dazzle the eye and the brain and stir the heart.
“Zagar has devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighborhood since the late 1960s, when he moved to the area with his wife, Julia. The couple helped spur the revitalization of the area by renovating derelict buildings and adding colorful mosaics on both private and public walls. The Zagars, teamed with other artists and activists, transformed the neighborhood into a prosperous artistic haven and successfully led protests against the addition of a new highway that would have eliminated South Street. This period of artistic rebirth was coined the ‘South Street Renaissance.’ After the street was saved, Zagar continued creating mosaic murals, resulting in hundreds of public artworks over the next five decades.
“In 1991, Zagar started working on the vacant lots located near his studio at 1020 South Street. He first mosaicked the buildings on either side of the property, then spent years sculpting multi-layer walls out of found objects. In 2004, the Boston-based owner of the lots discovered Zagar’s installation and decided to sell the land,
calling for the work to be dismantled. Unwilling to witness the destruction of the now-beloved neighborhood art environment, the community rushed to support the artist. His creation, newly titled Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, quickly became incorporated as a nonprofit organization with the intention of preserving the artwork at the PMG site and throughout the South Street region. Zagar was then able to develop the site even further; excavating tunnels and grottos.”
Philadelphia Magic Gardens opened to the public in 2008, giving visitors the opportunity to participate in tours, art activities, hands-on interpretive experiences, workshops, concerts, exhibi-
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
tions, and more. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is open Wednesday-Monday, 11 am – 6 pm, closed Tuesdays. (1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, 215-733-0390, www.phillymagicgardens.org)
I continue my walk to the Franklin Institute, all the while coming upon the fantastic public art throughout the city – magnificent murals that decorate buildings, that reflect and speak to that particular neighborhood and inspire with their beauty and their message. No doubt a public art movement inspired by Isaiah Zagar.
There is also Philadelphia’s “Museum Without Walls” of sculptures and art work throughout the city (an
audio tour is available, www.museumwithoutwallsaudio.org, 215-399-9000).
Franklin Institute
As you enter Franklin Institute. beneath a giant moon there is a sensational lighted statue of America’s first scientist and Philadelphia’s Favorite Founding Father, Ben Franklin, who inspired the institute’s founding in 1824. During the course of a few hours, I travel to outer space in search of life; walk through a human heart; tangle in neurons of the human brain; visit one of the earliest steam engines; and try to unravel the mystery (to me, anyway) of electricity.
“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe,” Carl Sagan said, the
WRITER’S CORNER
quote opening the movie in the Fels Planetarium, one of the first ever built, that dates from 1933.
Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and premier centers of science education and development in the country. Today, the Institute continues its dedication to public education and fostering a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake.
Everything about the Franklin Institute is designed to engage, immerse, interact.
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Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message for all people
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
January 20 is a national holiday, a time to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal offices and schools will be closed and it is a good time to remember what Dr. King was all about.
The Atlanta, Ga., native was a minister, humanitarian, activist and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. On December 10, 1964, MLK received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work for equality in the U.S. Michael King was born on January 15, 1929. His father would later change both of their names to Martin.
On September 20, 1944, King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta. He was 15 years old. After receiving his sociology degree from Morehouse College in 1948, King was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pa. in 1951.
He later received his doctoral degree in theology from Boston University in June 1955.
At Crozer Theological Seminary King won the Plafker Award as the outstanding student of the graduating class, and the J. Lewis Crozer Fellowship as well. It was during his three years studying at Crozer Theological Seminary that King first heard about Mahatma Gandhi’s use of non-violence to persuade people to change.
A speech by Mordecai Johnson, then-president of Howard University, had a major impact on King. Johnson had just returned from India and had come back excited about stories of Mahatma Gandhi’s successful struggle for Indian independence.
Fascinated by Gandhi’s use of non-violent non-cooperation as a form of protest, the young theological student bought every book he could find about the Indian leader who had defeated the British Empire with passive resistance and a spinning wheel. As he read, he became convinced that Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence was “the only logical approach to the solution of the race prob-
lem in the U.S.”
In June 1953 Martin Luther King, Jr. married Coretta Scott at the Scott home near Marion, Alabama. Martin Luther King, Sr. performed the marriage ceremony.
M.L. King, Jr. then decided to return south to become the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. There he made his first mark on the civil rights movement by mobilizing the black community during a 382-day boycott of the city’s bus lines. King overcame arrest and other violent harassment, including the bombing of his home.
A national hero and a civil-rights figure of growing importance, in 1957 King called together a number of black leaders and laid the groundwork for the organization now known as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King was elected its president, and he soon began helping
Washington where he delivered one of the most passionate addresses of his career. Time magazine designated him as its Person of the Year for 1963. A few months later he was named the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. When he returned from Norway, where he had gone to accept the award, King took on new challenges.
In Selma, Ala., he led a voter registration campaign that ended in the Selma-toMontgomery Freedom March. King next brought his crusade to Chicago where he launched programs to rehabilitate the slums and provide housing.
Although he was trying to create a new coalition based on equal support for peace and civil rights, King’s beliefs about the Vietnam War caused issues. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) saw King’s shift of emphasis as “a serious tactical mis-
other communities organize their own protests against discrimination.
After finishing his first book and making a trip to India, King returned to the U.S. in 1960 to become the co-pastor, with his father, of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Three years later, King’s nonviolent tactics were put to their most severe test in Birmingham during a mass protest for fair hiring practices and the desegregation of department store facilities. King was arrested during the protest but it was this time that he wrote “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”
Later that year King was a principal speaker at the historic March on
take.” The Urban League warned that the “limited resources” of the civil rights movement would be spread too thin.
But King’s timing historically was right on point. Students, professors, intellectuals, clergymen and reformers rushed into the movement. Then King turned his attention to the domestic issue that he felt was directly related to the Vietnam struggle - poverty. He called for a guaranteed family income, he threatened national boycotts and he spoke about disrupting entire cities by nonviolent “camp-ins.”
With this in mind, Martin Luther King, Jr. began to plan a large march of the poor on Washington, D.C., envisioning a demonstration that would be huge
and have an impact.
King interrupted these plans to lend his support to the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. He wanted to discourage violence and he wanted to focus national attention on the plight of the poor, unorganized workers of the city. The men were bargaining for basic union representation and long-overdue raises.
He never got to speak on the night of April 4, 1968. King had flown to Memphis International Airport the day before and while standing outside on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel with Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy, an assassin named James Earl Ray shot King.
His death caused a wave of violence in major cities across the country. King’s legacy has lived on, however. In 1969, Coretta Scott King, his widow, organized the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change in Atlanta. (seattletimes.com)
As many people have said, Dr. King was willing to risk his life for what he believed in because he recognized that with injustice and inequality, there was no true freedom. He summoned his inner strength to apply maximum effort and each day he was determined to live out his dream.
About the civil rights movement Dr. King once said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
What separated Martin Luther King, Jr. from those who came before him, and anyone who has come after him, was his ability to use passion to energize his dream but not to let it take away from his ability to stay focused and continue forging ahead. King knew that in order to achieve equality and civil rights for African-Americans and all Americans, he needed to be courageous and level-headed.
Empathy and a positive attitude were King’s most powerful weapons for fight-
See page D5
BY TOM MARGENAU
It has been my custom for most of the past 23 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 2020 due to the automated cost-of-living 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.
All Social Security checks are going up 1.6% in 2020. 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 46 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 https://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 23 years has anyone ever written to me to say that 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 I 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.
OK, back to the 2020 Social Security COLA. Due to these increases, the average monthly retirement check will be $1,503 in 2020, a $24 increase from the 2019 level. The maximum Social Security check for a worker retiring at age 66 next year will be $3,011, compared to $2,861 in 2019. And please note that $3,011 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 2020, the basic Part B premium will be $144.60, a $9.10 increase from the 2019 rate. Some people will pay less than that because of the muddled mess involving the “hold harmless” provision of the law that essentially says an increase in the Part B premium cannot reduce the net amount of your monthly Social Security check. And wealthy people
Social Security Update for 2020
will pay more than the basic premium -- as much as $491.60 per month for the richest Americans.
I don’t want to get into this complicated issue of Medicare premiums other than to make this quick point. Even though they are linked in the minds of most senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are entirely separate programs, administered by entirely separate federal agencies, and they have entirely separate rules and regulations regarding their benefit and payment structures. For example, I already explained how Social Security COLAs are figured. Part B Medicare premium increases have nothing to do with the consumer price index. Instead, they must be set at a level that covers 25% of the cost of running the program. (Taxpayers pick up the remaining 75%.)
Another measuring stick called 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 $132,900 this year to $137,700 in 2020. In other words, people who earn more than $137,700 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 2019, people who were working earned one credit for each $1,360 in Social Security taxable income. But no one earns more than four credits per year. In other words, once you made $5,440, 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 $1,410, meaning you will have to earn $5,640 in 2020 before you get the maximum four credits assigned to your Social Security account.
People under age 66 who get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits but 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 $17,640 this year and will be $18,240 in 2020. For every $2 a person earns over those limits, $1 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 $46,920 in 2019 to $48,600 next year.
A couple of 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 2019, the law defined substantial work as any job paying $1,220
or more per month. Next year, that substantial earnings level increases to $1,260 monthly.
Finally, the Supplemental Security Income basic federal payment level for one person goes up from $771 this year to $783 in 2020. SSI is a federal welfare program administered by the 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.
COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM
Martin Luther King, Jr.
C ontinued from page D3
ing to achieve equal rights for people who never had them. King followed through on what he said he would do, making him a man of his word and a hero to people around the world.
Maya Angelou, the famous poet who was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, knew Dr. King.
Angelou remembered King as a “prince of peace.” She added, “He literally believed in peace.” There was work to be done in the area of civil rights but progress was being made.
Angelou was cooking food in her New York City apartment on the day that Dr. King was killed. It was her 40th birthday and some friends were coming over. Her friend, Dolly, arrived and broke the news that King had been shot in Memphis.
When the truth sank in, Angelou ran out of her apartment and, with her neighbors, walked to Harlem to mourn King’s death, according to her biography written by Donna Brown Agins.
“Life stopped for me for a few days,” Angelou said. “Just terrible. I couldn’t believe that this great man’s great dreams - great dreamer, this person who dared to love everybody - could be killed before he could realize his dream.”
Angelou, who died in 2014, didn’t celebrate her own birthday for years because it was a painful reminder of King’s death. But for over 30 years, she and King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, would meet, call or send each other flowers every April 4.
In 1960, after hearing Dr. King deliver a speech in Harlem, Angelou was inspired to join the civil rights movement. She and comedian Godfrey Cambridge staged the play “Cabaret for Freedom” and proceeds from the production went to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which King helped organize and served as its first president.
She later became northern coordinator for the SCLC and two months into her tenure, Angelou met King during one of his visits to New York.
Angelou went on to become famous with her first memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which was published the year after King’s death and with the encouragement of her friend the novelist James Baldwin.
In 1993, she became the first African American and first woman to read at a presidential inauguration, when she recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” for President Clinton’s first swearing-in. (latimes.com)
In “Rainbow in the Cloud,” a memoir published after her death, she wrote about Dr. King: “It is a great blessing to have lived in the time of Martin Luther King Jr., when forgiveness and generosity of spirit encouraged our citizenry to work for a better world for everybody.”
Representative Elijah Cummings, the
Congressman from Maryland, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1951 and he died in October 2019 at the age of 68. At a young age a school counselor told him that he was a poor learner and should give up any dream he had of becoming a lawyer.
That only made Cummings more determined to learn. He became a lawyer and a judge, too.
He graduated with honors from the Baltimore City College high school in 1969. He then attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he served in the student government as sophomore class president, student government treasurer and later student government president. He became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Cummings graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1976, and was admitted to the bar in Maryland later that year. He practiced law for 19 years before first being elected to the House in the 1996 elections. He served Maryland’s 7th Congressional District for more than 20 years.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2019, Congressman Cummings released a statement to honor King’s legacy. Cummings said that King worked tirelessly to promote political, economic and social justice for all Americans.
“Dr. King engaged in the never-ending work of perfecting our Democracy, and he called upon our nation to offer far more opportunity and hope to all the Americans who - regardless of their racial background - were being disparaged and dismissed by our society,” Cummings wrote.
“Today, we must carry Dr. King’s vision forward and fight to expand voting rights. And on this day of remembrance and celebration, I urge all my fellow Americans to carry Dr. King’s dream in their hearts and work towards building a more fair, equal and just society.”
On this holiday we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all of the lessons he taught us.
Crossword Answers
GOING PLACES,
Brain circuits become a climbing gym in Franklin Institute © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
At Franklin Institute’s special exhibition, “Worst Case Scenario,” learn how to jump from a moving train car, pick a lock, escape from quicksand, survive an avalanche, and more in the 13 challenges that fill the Survival Gymnasium, which offers step by step instructions, expert advice, and the training to build the worstcase survival skills. (photo courtesy of Franklin Institute).
Philadelphia Offers Treasure Trove of History, Heritage, Culture
This is exemplified in the special exhibition on view through April 12, 2020, the world-premiere exhibition of “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience,” based on the best-selling survival handbook series. The exhibit showcases strategies of survival and elements of escape in the form of a handson, minds-on logical series of immersive challenges providing the essential instructions for surviving unexpected but possible real-life scenarios with countless moments of excitement and levity throughout.
Learn how to jump from a moving train car, pick a lock, escape from quicksand, survive an avalanche, and more in the thirteen challenges that fill the Survival Gymnasium, which offers step by step instructions, expert advice, and the training to build the worst-case survival skills.
Tools for extreme survival, includ-
Ben Franklin sitting beneath the moon makes for a dramatic entrance to the Franklin Institute © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com
ing counterintuitive uses for everyday items are on display, plus graphics that share how to identify anxiety and fear within the body and uncover how stress, physical exhaustion, and disorientation can make an activity, like surviving, more challenging.
Samuel Vaughan Merrick and William H. Keating founded The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts in 1824. The Franklin Institute science museum opened to the public on January 1, 1934, calling itself a “Wonderland of Science,” and was one of the first museums in the nation to offer a hands-on approach to learning about the physical world. It has been expanded over the years to contain more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, two auditoriums, and the Tuttleman IMAX Theater –becoming the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a top-five tourist destination in the City of Philadelphia, and one of the leading science centers in the country.
The Institute also operates the Fels Planetarium, the second oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. The Institute is home to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, which was fully restored in 2010 and which is open free to the public. It is one of just a handful of national memorials in the custody of a private institution.
The new 53,000-square-foot Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion which opened in June 2014, houses a STEM education and conference center, a climate-controlled traveling exhibition gallery, and (an amazing) new permanent exhibit Your Brain, in which visitors can explore neuroscience and their own senses.
Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th St., 215-448-1200, www.fi.edu
Staying at The Roost East Market apartment hotel really enabled us to be part of the city, most of what we wanted to see within walking distance. It’s not hyperbole to say the comfort of a fully-equipped, gorgeously furnished apartment meets luxury amenities of a boutique hotel. All of the apartments feature full-size kitchens with cookware and utensils (I especially love not having to go out for breakfast) and king size beds. A third-floor is devoted to guest amenities including a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center, magnificent and comfortable lounge areas and library, a huge demo kitchen, a private screening room, an outside, 20-meter heated lap pool, barbecue area, landscaped terrace, community vegetable garden;
C ontinued from page D3
GOING PLACES, NEAR &
and bike-share program. There is also 24-hour front desk and concierge, security (you need your card to access the elevator and public areas); and direct access to a parking garage. They even arrange dog-walking and grocery delivery services. (The Roost East Market, 1199 Ludlow Street Philadelphia, PA 19107, 844-697-6678, https://myroost. com/philadelphia/east-market/).
Well, there are 7 more days as of the writing of this column to 2019! What a year and all its turmoil, tragedies and positive and happy times.
To start off the year, January 2, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple reported international sales of iPhones to China were down, which rocked international stock exchanges.
Nancy Pelosi is re-elected by Congress on January 3, a second time as Speaker of the House. On January 3, a docuseries on R. Kelly, R & B singer’s purported sexual abuse of women, premieres on Lifetime TV. Roger Feder wins a few amazing tennis tournaments. Golden State and Sacramento hit for (41) 3 pointers to set a new NBA record for three-pointers and Stephen Curry hits for pointers, (10) 3 pointers; but Golden State sneaks by Sacramento, to win 127-123.
Japan’s Emperor, Akihito with Empress Michiko abdicate his reign and gets permission to step down and allow his son to take over Japan as the oldest ruling monarchy, which hasn’t happened in 200 years.
President Trump announces the shutdown of our government and the border wall. On January 15, a witness in the El Chapo Guzman trial, claims former Mexican President Enrique Peña accepted a 100 million bribe from the drug cartel head.
British Prime Minister, Theresa May’s Brexit deal with the European Union, overwhelmingly fails with her UK Parliament with the greatest defeat in its democratic history. Unfortunately, due to this critical defeat, she resigned on May 24.
On Feb 3, Pope Francis arrives in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates on the first-ever papal excursion to the area. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders announce their runs for President. Swedish teenager, Greta Thunberg holds strikes to protest Global Warming takes place around the Globe and she continues her crusade throughout the year.
On March 21 New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announces a ban on military-style weapons, 6 days after the Christ Church terrorist attack. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada (the 2nd youngest
A Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package includes overnight free parking and perks, and is bookable at Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website, visitphilly.com, 800-537-7676 where you can explore things to do,
upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages.
© 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-
REAL ESTATE WATCH
A recap of the events of 2019
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
ever elected, and (whose father, Pierre Trudeau was also Prime Minister from, 1968–1979 and then again, 1979-1984) proposed a ban on single-use plastics by 2021.
On June 11, Comedian Jon Stewart addresses Congress in a very heated speech to Congress for the lack of funds to 1st responders into the 911 World Trade Tower tragedies and to extend benefits to them. June 15, Babe Ruth’s sports jersey sells for an unprecedented sum of 5.64 million dollars, the highest amount in the history of sports memorabilia.
and friends for a holiday party on December 21. He told me that he had bought the ½ acre plot of land 16 years ago for $6000, to build a brand new home, as I was falling off my chair due to the shock of what he had paid!
Even 16 years ago, there were very few communities on Long Island in an excellent school district (as his was), where one could pay that pittance of an amount of money, let alone for that size of land! I went on to have a discussion as to what his real estate taxes were and he responded $9200.
rubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/ Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures
On October 15, Turkey launches airstrikes on Kurdish forces in Northern Syria after President Trump makes a decision to pull back our forces.
October 13, U.S. athlete, Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast in history when she wins her record 25th medal on the balance beam at the world championships in Stuttgart, Germany. October 26, a raid by US Special Forces kills ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria.
On October 27, Tiger Woods scores a last-minute 3-stroke win over Hideki Matsuyama at the inaugural Zozo Championship at Accordia Golf and Country Club to tie Sam Snead’s record 82 PGA victories. Dec 11, climate activist Greta Thunberg is named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. December 12, England’s General Election, Boris Johnson’s won a landslide election as well as The National Party in Scotland. There were many, many other events of importance, but since this is supposed to be a Real Estate/Business column and my editor Steven Blank wants me to focus on that category, but I felt compelled to recap 2019 and maybe next week if it’s ok Steve? I will add more “standout events” of 2019 as we close this eventful year!
The relationship of land vs location
However, I just want to convey some information about the relationship between land values in Long Island compared to Hainesport, NJ, where my nephew, Ross Berkey resides, where I had traveled to visit him and his family
It blew me away, considering his colonial styled home is 3700 without a finished basement; which he is currently completing. It’s 4 bedrooms and 3 full and 2 ½ baths, huge family room, eat-in kitchen, large dining room, and an office space. What’s surprising, the current market value based on current comparable sales is approximately $625,000! OMG, when compared with a similar home on Long Island or around the North Shore’s Gold Coast, a comparable home with land that size would be at the lowest price point in a fair school district around $850,000 upwards of almost $2,000,000 and the killer is, the taxes would be from $15,000 to $35,000 per year.
This leads me to believe that the land in Hainesport, NJ, although more costly today than 16 years ago is not even close to what the cost would be for a ½ an acre here; which would go for anywhere from $600,000 to well over 1,500,000 depending on what town or village it might be located within. So my nephew’s home is more expensive than the land that it sits upon; whereby our land value here on Long Island is usually more expensive than the home it was built upon. Absolutely shocking, but then again, when you consider the main reason why, it’s the scarcity of available buildable land here compared with his town and many areas of New Jersey, as well as across the U.S., where construction is booming very well. So the correlation to buildable land is directly related to the availability of the housing inventory, which presently is at 5.4 months whereby
normal inventory is 6-7 months; as well as interest rates which are at a 50+ year low.
From my research, it’s still somewhat of a seller’s market below $1,200,000, if your real estate taxes aren’t above $10,000-20,000, (but slows as you approach $20,000 and above) due to our wonderful S.A.L.T. tax, (which effected all the Blue “wealthier States” whereby you can only deduct a maximum of $10,000 as an offset on your income taxes for primary residences only (not investment properties, which is unlimited). However, Supply and demand economics will always play a role in real estate, no matter what, as well as every other commodity; however, there might be an exception due to pollution in the case of real estate or some glitch, such as “tariffs” but for the most part it has generally worked throughout history.
However, something needs to be done in New York to seriously lower real estate taxes, maybe a V.A.T. tax like they have in some areas in Europe and Israel or a “Fair Tax”, which is a book written a while ago about how to change our system to make it fairer? Not sure it would suffice for the wealthy, but I would be agreeable to any solid, pragmatic and workable plan to keep more of our New Yorkers from becoming expatriates especially our millennial and Gen Z’s, who are leaving by droves or living in mom and dad’s home, until they have enough savings to exit one of the most expensive states in the U.S. If you’re wealthy how many more homes and properties do you really need, cars, jewelry, etc.; it’s conspicuous consumption to the nth degree, while our country is falling apart and behind! Anyone have any thoughts on this dilemma, please email or write and let me know what you think!
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute and also as a Certified International Property Specialist. He can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email, at: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Com to answer any of your questions or concerns.
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CLEANING SERVICE: Houses, Apartments, Offices. Excellent references. Own transportation, Experienced. Call Dinora 516-435-7167
HOLIDAY SEASON CLEANING!!
Dear Families!! I can help with your holiday cleaning this season. I am experienced with own car and am available any time. Please call: 516-360-8340
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
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EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE
A Foolproof Formula to Fix Your Money in 2020
According to a survey conducted by Offers.com, the top two New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. for 2019 came in almost tied, with exercise more/lose weight at 38% and save money at 37%. So, how did that work out for you? Is your financial picture better now than it was 12 months ago? Are you more fit and lean?
The reason I love New Year’s is it feels like a clean slate -- a fresh start. Whether you did great in 2019 or blew it altogether, I have good news. Today’s a new day -- a new year -- and a chance to start over or to do even better. We’ve been granted another opportunity. As for that saving money part, I have a great formula that’s been working for me and thousands of people I’ve led out of debt and into a lifestyle where they consistently live below their means.
Record your spending.
Sounds like a silly instruction, especially if you feel overwhelmed and under deposited. Nonetheless, if you begin keeping a written record of every expenditure, I can promise you a couple of things: No. 1: You’ll hesitate before making silly, impulsive purchases. No. 2: You’ll start taking back control once you see where all of your money goes.
Give back. I know. You’re broke. You have mountains of debt, and some idiot is suggesting you give money away. That’s right, and you can call me an idiot. Giving is a mysterious, miraculous activity that will transform your life when practiced. Giving is the antidote for that wretched trend toward excess and self-indulgence.
Pay yourself. Ideally you should pay yourself 10% right off the top of the amount of money
BY MARY HUNT
you see in your paycheck. If you can’t start with 10%, start with something. Even if it’s $1 a week, start saving. Even if you are heavily in debt, start saving. Saving money is a great attitude booster, so if you’re discouraged and down in the dumps, start saving money! Stop debting. I know that’s not a real word, but I wish it were! It means buying stuff on credit because you don’t have enough to pay cash. Just stop spending money you don’t have. You may need to part with some credit cards and even shed a few tears, but you can stop. No one can force you $1 further into debt.
Reduce expenses. If your income is less than your outgo, reduce the outgo. There’s no better way to make money than to cut expenses. The results are immediate, and the proceeds are tax-free. I would suggest from this moment
that you pledge to cut expenses any way you can and a little bit in every area. This way, you will see dramatic results with the least amount of discomfort. Reading this column religiously will keep you on track.
Rapidly repay debt. If you continue paying your creditors according to their payment schedule, you may never get out of perma-debt. Incurring no more new debt and prepaying principal is the key to rapid debt reduction. Sell assets. If you own things of value that are unnecessary in your life or could be replaced at a later date, selling them could ease your financial situation.
Seek solvency. Solvency means being content with the money you have. Solvency is that confident feeling of being prepared for any circumstance, of living with joy and peace -- of living
Mini Resolutions NUTRICIAN NEWS
BY CHARLYN FARGO
If your resolution in 2020 is to lose weight, try these six mini resolutions that will upgrade your health. Even write them on your calendar -- one for each week, to help remind you. Research has found it helps to break down resolutions into smaller action plans for success.
Make protein a part of every meal. Go beyond that steak for dinner. We need protein in the morning, too. Consuming a meal with protein makes us feel fuller and helps us eat fewer calories overall. Add a hard-boiled egg to your breakfast, powered peanut butter to your oatmeal or a cup of Greek yogurt or high-protein cereal to your fruit.
Add more plants to your meals. I’m not advocating a total vegetarian meal plan, but I do think all of us can benefit from a more plant-based diet, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity. You can swap half the meat in your tacos with beans, add more veggies in your lasagna or go a step further and have meatless Mondays for a month.
Start your meals with a brothbased soup or salad. They can fill you up and help get more nutrients in your diet. Go easy on the dressing, nuts and cheese on the salad, and boost the carrots, cucumber and tomatoes.
Focus on fiber. We need 25
to 35 grams of fiber a day -- most of us get about half that. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Swap brown rice for white, eat the skin on a baked potato and choose whole-wheat bread. Start the month with adding two fruits and vegetables a day as snacks. Or add chia or flax to your oatmeal, cereal or yogurt.
Drink more water. Take a week to give up soda, tea, coffee or whatever sweetened beverage you typically drink. A glass of water before a meal also can help reduce hunger. Try packing a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Try new recipes, especially those that align with your goal of eating healthier. Most of us buy the same things at the grocery store and fix the same rotating 6-10 meals. Consider a vegetable or meal challenge for a month so you don’t eat the same food fixed the same way.
Q and A
Q: What is metabolic syndrome?
A: It’s a group of conditions rather than a single disease. These related health problems include too much belly fat, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. When you have at least three of these issues, your chances for heart disease, stroke and diabetes are increased. To prevent
metabolic syndrome, lose weight, exercise and cut back on calories.
RECIPE
Here’s a new recipe to try from Cooking Light: Lower Sugar Sweet Potato Casserole. It has 5 fewer teaspoons of added sugar per serving than traditional versions.
LOWER SUGAR SWEET
POTATO CASSEROLE
3 pounds sweet potatoes (5 to 6 medium)
1/2 cup evaporated whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, separated Cooking spray
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
Preheat oven to 350 F. Wrap potatoes individually in foil. Arrange on a baking sheet. Roast at 350 degrees until very tender, 60 to 75 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Peel potatoes; discard skins. Place potatoes in a large bowl; mash until smooth. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Stir in milk, butter, vanilla, salt, pepper and egg yolks. Spread mixture
beneath your means.
There you go. A foolproof formula for 2020 that you can take to the bank.
So, what are you waiting for? There’s no time to waste.
Let’s go!
Would you like more information? Go to EverydayCheapskate. com for links and resources for recommended products and services in this column. Mary invites questions, comments, and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a lifestyle blog and the author of the book Debt-Proof Living.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS. COM
evenly in 2-quart glass baking dish coated with cooking spray. Whisk egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Stir in walnuts, oats, brown sugar and cardamom. Sprinkle evenly over sweet potato mixture. Bake at 350 F, uncovered, until top is toasted and edges are bubbling, 40 to 50 minutes. Serves 12 (serving size: about 1/2 cup).
Per serving: 220 calories; 5 grams protein; 31 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams sugars (2 grams added); 9 grams fat; 4 grams fiber; 327 milligrams sodium.
Charlyn Fargo is a registered
dietitian at Hy-Vee in Springfield, Illinois, and the media representative for the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. To find out more about Charlyn Fargo and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM
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NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court
Nassau County
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS TRUSTEE FOR CIT MORTGAGE LOAN
TRUST 2007-1, Pltf. vs. GIRJADAYAL GAYADIN
A/K/A GAYADIN
GIRJADAYAL, et al, Defts.
Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 24, 2078, I will sell at publication auction on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. in the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY prem. k/a 45 Adams Street, Oyster Bay, NY a/k/a Section 27, Block 1, Lot 203. Said property beginning at a point in the Southerly side of Adams Street, which said point of beginning is 179.76 ft. Easterly from the intersection of the Southerly side of Adams Street with the Easterly side of Lexington Avenue; and from said point of beginning; being a plot 62.50 ft. x 157.23 ft. x 62.21 ft. x 163.26 ft. Approx. amt. of judgment is $807,112.69 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index #000093/14.
KEVIN GLYNN, Referee. COHN & ROTH, 100 East Old Country Rd., Mineola, NY. #98037 Attys. For Pltf., SYO 4330
4X 12/13,20,27,.01/03
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY,
A/K/A M&T BANK, S/B/M HUDSON CITY SAVINGS
BANK, Plaintiff against
MELISSA WILLIAMS, et al Defendants
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 8, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom), in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on January 14, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 2 Joan Court, Woodbury, NY 11797. Sec 15 Block 175 Lot 82. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land with the building and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Woodbury, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $849,624.64 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 5816-14. CHJNY469
Alan Gerson, Esq., Referee
Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590
Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s).
SYO 4332 4X 12/13,20,27,01/03
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County
HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007AR3 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES
SERIES 2007-AR3, V. PETER BOUDOUVAS, ET AL.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated March 08, 2018, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE HOLDERS OF DEUTSCHE ALT-A SECURITIES MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007AR3 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES
SERIES 2007-AR3 is the Plaintiff and PETER BOUDOUVAS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 28, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 9 LONDON ROAD, SYOSSET, NY 11791: Section 12, Block 356, Lot 12 and 33:
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING NEAR HICKSVILLE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 14596/2013.
James J. Keefe, Esq. - Referee RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
SYO 4335 4X 12/27,01/03,10,17
This Week at the Syosset P ublic Library
Thursday, January 2 at 2 p.m.
Understanding the Census, Gerrymandering and What They Mean
Presenter: James Coll, Adjunct Professor of American and Constitutional History at Hofstra University and Nassau Community College and retired NYPD detective
Article I of the U.S. Constitution mandates that an “actual enumeration” be conducted every ten years to determine the number of people living in the United States. This discussion will analyze the history of the census, the provisions for the upcoming process and the way the counting is used after it is concluded. Our analysis will include the way states are carved into districts, how the process has changed and also what has stayed the same throughout our history
Free. No registration required.
Friday, January 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Let's Chat
Presenter: Beth Matlin, MSW
Meet with other mature adults to discuss the common challenges and issues we encounter growing older in today’s society. Free. No registration required.
Friday, January 3 at 2 p.m.
The Young Princess Elizabeth: The Girl Who Would be Queen Presenter: Marilyn Carminio, pop culture lecturer
The rarely told story of the young Princess Elizabeth of York, destined to become Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch. The tale begins with Elizabeth’s grandparents, from whom Elizabeth learned that the privileges of royalty come with a dedication to duty and country and her loving parents who did their best to maintain a normal childhood within the royal fishbowl. Free. No registration required.
Thursday, January 9 at 2 p.m.
The National Gallery in London
Presenter: Ines Powell, Art Historian and Educator, Metropolitan Museum of Art
The National Gallery was founded in 1824 when the British government bought 38 paintings from the heirs of the art collector John Julius Angerstein. Presently the National Gallery has a permanent collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. Free.
Friday, January 10 at 2 p.m.
A Lecture on "West Side Story"
Presenter: Jack Schnur, retired videotape editor CBS This lecture will explore the back stories and details associated with one of the industry’s most iconic and memorable films. Video clips will be shown. Free.
Programs will take place at the Syosset Public Library. 225 South Oyster Bay Rd. Syosset.
For more information, go to www.syossetlibrary.org
Are you a professional?
Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.
Healthy eating in the New Year starts in the neighborhood
From page 1
Watchers, Keto, Low-Carb, just more portion control, healthier diets -- they will find it in our little setting. We are very trend-oriented and we carry any variety of products. It’s just a matter of having what a customer would need so they don’t feel deprived when they are dieting or trying to eat much healthier. I feel good when I can help someone identify and try a product that they will feel good about eating when their social circle or family is indulging in pies/cakes or anything else, we look for what a person will feel happy with and gain nutrition from. We do a lot sampling -- my mantra has always been that I would rather you try it and hate it here than take it home and hate it. This way you do not spend even $5 on something you’re not going to enjoy,” Cohen explains.
If she has the ability to open a package -- which applies to most items other than prepared and frozen foods -- then Cohen routinely offers samples to customers.
A widely popular item sold at the store are Stoka bars and Stoka granola style cereals which are vegan, gluten free; low carb, Paleo and Keto diet-conforming. Customers spoke up at the store to say this product is “all the rage on Instagram, and you can’t get a hold of them.” Cohen attributes her interest in meeting with and working with a new product distributor and actively listening to their pitches as a key to “finding the latest hit.” Once she learned of the product from him, within 24 hours her shelves were stocked.
While operating a small store, Get
Healthy America! ranks in the top tier of retailers in the country on two products. Another popular health and nutrition trend the store caters to is the “F-Factor” diet created by Tanya Zuckerbrot.
On a weekday afternoon, a customer shopped with her two-year-old daughter and eagerly commented, “Debbie treats everyone like family -- she’s amazing.” The young lady is a teacher at Roslyn’s Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, and she says all the moms rave about Get Healthy America! and shop there often. Cohen then helped her pick out Keto doughnuts and a Keto cheesecake.
Cohen says customers enjoy the more intimate setting of her store. With her and her staff, they often discuss details of their diet and exercise, home lives or just how things are going week by week.
“It’s a place where our customers talk because they feel secure. I like to think that I have created a very safe, judgement-free environment here, and for this I have been blessed. We are very casual and I do treat everyone with kindness. I want to know when customers come to the store, they feel happy with the experience and interactions here. If you are happy, then we are happy,” says Cohen.
With her location next to an eye doctor’s office, many local kids ask to stop in to Cohen’s store first because she always offers children a free snack. Each week FedEx or UPS delivers a palette of products totaling several thousand dollars to Get Healthy America!
Cohen says her local delivery driver comes in the store to drop off the palette
but he always refuses a tip, “they keep telling us, ‘anything for Debbie because she’s so nice.”
The business at 148 Manetto Hill Road was previously named, “Way to Success” but Cohen’s partner in the business bowed out and left her the location and the new name.
“He invested in brand new freezers and the new floor, but then he decided it was enough -- he left me this business and said ‘Good Luck’ -- and we’ve been here since,” she said.
Joining the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce was an added highlight of 2019 for Get Healthy America! Cohen recalls her introduction to the booming local chamber. Each week a friend of hers attends high-intensity training sessions at SuperSlow Zone Fitness & Wellness center at 315 Crossways Park Drive in Woodbury, opened by Jericho resident Steven Goodkin. After one session the friend referred Goodkin to try Cohen’s store, so he stopped by.
“Steve Goodkin became my customer so (on September 23) when SuperSlow Zone had their grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce, I attended. I was very impressed with Chamber President Charo Ezdrin -- she is so dynamic, the group was very nice and it’s a great assembly of professionals and businesses. I have been a member of other chambers of commerce and they did not appeal or present opportunities the way Syosset Woodbury has,” Cohen said.
Alan Goldberg, board member and chairman of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce’s Networking and Membership Committees and pres-
ident of Water Solutions of Long Island, commented on Get Healthy America! joining the chamber. He had shopped in the store a couple of times in the past, just casually chatting with Cohen.
At Get Healthy America! Cohen’s son Brett ensures packages and shipments are correctly stored and placed appropriately for convenience. Cohen’s husband Marty helps with inventory and other management tasks of the store. He grew up in Queens and says he’s fond of their home of East Norwich hamlet in the Town of Oyster Bay, noting that quality of life and the sense of community can’t be beat. Marty said he and Deb moved here “temporarily” 15 years ago but they have been fortunate to live around “old world charm.” One of Marty’s favorite activities are the Tuesday “Cruise Nights” and car shows in summer time.
Cohen says the family and friendly staff help provide services customers simply won’t find at big supermarkets like Fairway, Whole Foods or other places that sell health foods.
“Our store is small and we get the opportunity to get to know everybody. I will talk customers out of buying something and I would say ‘this isn’t for you.’ If someone asks me, I will be honest about products if I know what works for someone and what doesn’t. People contact me and this remains a ‘word-ofmouth’ store. I am online and on Facebook and Instagram, but this is about word of mouth and people telling people and sharing,” Cohen said.
Get Healthy America! is located at 148 Manetto Hill Road
Syosset Library, coffee shop join forces for reading
From page 1
and the Syosset Public Library is a nonprofit organization Chamber member. Chautin attended several Syosset Woodbury Chamber events throughout 2019, including a general meeting at Syosset Hospital June 20, 2019; a general meeting at Naot Footwear in July; having an SPL information table and activities at the annual Street Fair on September 15 (the same weekend as the Library’s Sy-Con comic con event) and joining the chamber for festivities at the Holiday Lighting Spectacular downtown on December 8.
Mongo’s Coffee opened on May 1, 2019 to much fanfare. One month later on June 12, the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new business with a ribbon-cutting and grand opening ceremony. Over 20 Chamber members, its board of directors and elected officials including Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph
Saladino, new TOBAY Receiver of Taxes
Jeff Pravato and Richard Lamarca, new Oyster Bay Town Clerk participated. Representatives of County Legislator Arnold Drucker and New York State Senator James Gaughran also attended Mongo’s grand opening.
Last year, Mongo’s Coffee was among several local businesses including Naot Footwear, Bagel Boss, On Parade Diner, Butera’s, Chris & Tony’s Italian restaurant, The Girls Room West, John Michael Salon and dozens more that supported the Syosset Library’s Adult Summer Reading Club. Members read 1,181 library books during a 10-week period, encouraged by reading incentives.
“Every year the Adult Summer Reading Club gets bigger and better, and 2019 was no exception. With 200 residents participating in the program, we reached our highest registration yet,” said Jackie Ranaldo, head of the SPL Readers’ Services Department, which organized the event.
Chautin also promotes a weekly podcast series for Syosset Library, “Turn the Page,” created by librarians and featuring guests from all walks of life from sports announces to film stars and artistic professionals. New and archived interviews can be downloaded using the website, Turnthepage.blubrry.net.
Mitchel “Mongo” Margulis is a drummer by hobby; his coffee store’s decor and seating areas are upbeat but relaxing. According to Mitchel, Mongo’s Coffee provides Syosset with a hip new venue for “the colliding of cultures — food, music and coffee.” In an interview with the Advance and News-Journal in June 2019, Margulis said he borrowed themes from the concepts he had to update the Stone Street Coffee Co. in Gowanus, Brooklyn which he operated for several years.
“I wanted to bring us some Brooklyn motifs but I would not want to open a store in Brooklyn as it’s so saturated. Long Island deserved something like this place. Mongo’s has a 25-kilo roaster.
A decade ago, I couldn’t find as great a space as this -- I am not looking to expand but we may open smaller satellite kiosks or a second place since we can roast our coffees here. This is the business we are going to do for the next 20-plus years,” he said.
When the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for Mongo’s on June 12, 2019, Town Supervisor Saladino predicted its presence as a new community hub:
“Mongo’s will become a critical meeting place for our business community, people working who need that break, for seniors to meet during the day, and for young people as it’s so great to see college students enjoying this location. Mongo’s turns into a lot more than a store or a place to grab a great cup of fresh coffee or beverage. Specifically, I see Mongo’s as a great place to get together,” he said.
5 E Cherry Lane, Syosset
Sold Price: $1,039,000
Date: 10/30/2019
4 beds, 3 Full baths
Style: Ranch # of Families: 1
Sold Price: $1,420,000
Date: 09/12/2019
4 beds, 3 Full/1 Half baths
Style: Colonial # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 1 acre
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $20,402
MLS# 3144125
Lot Size: 80x220
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $21,878
MLS# 3142148
11 Friendly Lane, Jericho
Sold Price: $835,000
Date: 10/29/2019
4 beds, 2 Full/1 Half baths
Style: Split # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 85x100
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $18,344
MLS# 3134385
354 Cold Spring Road, Syosset
Sold Price: $770,000
Date: 12/17/2019
4 beds, 3 Full baths
Style: Hi Ranch # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 91x89
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $20,648
MLS# 3169704
As the New Year is upon us, I find myself reflecting on the past year and to those who have helped me shape my business. I hope that 2020 will be just as memorable for you and your loved ones. I am looking forward to working with you in the coming year.
Jaggi
TAMANNA JAGGI
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson O: 516.921.2262 | M: 516.468.8294
tamanna.jaggi@elliman.com elliman.com/longisland
Tamanna