“Oysters For The Bay”
BY RIKKI MASSAND
At the Oyster Bay Town Board meeting held Tuesday morning, July 30, the Board unanimously approved a resolution aimed at positive impacts for water quality and environmental stewardship of Oyster Bay’s Long Island Sound and North Shore bays and coastal waterways. The Town has approved designations of three Bay Management Areas: (AREA 1) Oyster Bay Harbor adjacent to West Shore Road, south of the Bayville Bridge, 25
acres; (AREA 2) East of and Adjacent to Laurel Hollow Beach, 20 acres, and (AREA 3) Oyster Bay Cove west of and adjacent to Lloyd Neck Beach, 10 acres. The Town’s resolution approved July 30, 2019, stipulates “Town Board may set aside underground lands as management area for the conservation, preservation, seeding, and rehabilitation of shellfish….. No person shall take, interfere with or otherwise disturb shellfish within an area designated as management area, and authorizes the Commissioner of the
Department of Environmental Resources to prohibit and restrict the removal of shellfish from a management area.”
The resolution noted the careful selection of the three management areas were planned with input from Deputy Commissioner George Baptista, Jr. of the Department of Environmental Resources, “after study that included examination of the bottom types, water currents, and commercial impacts of creating
Syosset Chamber hosts local business with international story
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce’s July meeting featured history lessons on an international brand that began as a product on a communal farm in the Middle East, but its flagship store opened last year in Woodbury Village.
Gathered at Naot Footwear, 7965 Jericho Turnpike in the Woodbury Village shopping center, in between Starbucks and Ben’s Kosher Deli, the lesson of the day was clear to all in attendance: never take the shoes on your feet for granted; they are taking you places in safety, comfort, convenience and style. Consider not having any shoes to wear, and what could happen to your body as a result.
Naot’s Flagship Store Director Jose Viera hosted the July meeting, and inside residents and business owners learned of Naot’s many contributions to humanity. Chamber of Commerce Vice President Maureen Nickel, owner of Woodbury-based BrightStar Home Care, said the appeal of Naot as a leading brand in footwear is one of a kind.
Elected officials from representing the North Shore and community members holding one of the oyster cages used as part of the “Community Shellfish Gardening” program. Left to Right: Assemblyman Charles Lavine, Rob Crafa, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, State Senator Jim Gaughran, Heather Johnson, Jeff Miritello, Barry Udelson, Mayor Dan DeVita, Mayor Charles Goulding, Community gardener Deborah Perrone, Mayor Bob DeNatale. See page 4 See page 8
“I love this venue as so many others do, and if you’re a shoe person how could you not love it! But even more I love the fact that Naot does so much philanthropic work with their donations of shoes and in worldwide efforts,” she said.
Nickel reflected on the important lessons she and family members learned from charitable endeavors Naot have embarked on, serving underprivileged populations and communities across the globe. Nickel said that her son is a surgical residency student, and last summer he took a trip with his fellow students to Kenya. They worked and studied at a small medical clinic in northern Kenya which was founded by a Kenyan runner who won the Boston Marathon.
“The area and clinic was small, it doesn’t really get onto the radar of Doctors Without Borders, but the place is there and in need of supplies. My son was one of the surgical residents who volunteered to go to the clinic for three weeks, and they were told they would be operating on cleft palates when they get there. To their surprise, once they got there the young children in this village in Kenya all had deformed toes, feet and legs. He later told me he’d looked at some of the children’s legs and feet and sometimes it looked like a branch on a tree -- the dried
Mercy League seeks bowlers
The Mercy League is looking for bowlers for its (non-money) Ladies League. The ladies bowl on Fridays at 9:45 a.m. at Syosset Bowl, Jericho
Tpk.,Syosset.
Come out and join the fun. For more information, please call Dolores Sartor at 516-931-4106.
The Acchords Live in Concert
The Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus will host "The Acchords Live in Concert" on Saturday, August 24 from 7:30–11:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Enjoy hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Open bar, sandwiches, wraps, salads, desserts, coffee.
Raffles available.
Cost is $35 per person.
Please make checks payable to:
Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus, 45 Heitz Place, Hicksville NY 11801.
Proceeds from this event will be used for charities.
Reservations are required. No money will be accepted at the door.
Please call Brian at 516-457-6190 for more information.
fall, winter hockey program
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino today announced that registration for the Town’s 2019-2020 Fall/ Winter Youth Ice Hockey Program and House League will take place on Sunday, September 15 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), Monday, September 16 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), Wednesday, September 18 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Sunday, September 22 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage.
“The Town of Oyster Bay’s Youth Ice Hockey Program is one of the best games in town, and features many respected coaches dedicated to teaching this outstanding sport to the many boys and girls enrolled in the program,” said Supervisor Saladino. “As a hockey enthusiast myself, I am proud to announce that the children who attend the program get the unique opportunity to hone their skating and hockey skills as part of a program that has earned recognition by the National Hockey League for its high level of quality.”
Boys and girls, ages 3 – 15, interested in registering for the 20192020 Fall/Winter Youth Ice Hockey Program must bring a copy of their birth certificate, proof of Town of Oyster Bay residency (tax or utility
bill) as well as payment. Check, money order, MasterCard or Visa will be accepted. All registrants must bring these items, even if they have participated in the past. A parent or legal guardian must be present at registration.
Participants should be able to stand up and get around on skates. 8U, 10U, 12U, and 15U will play/ practice two-three times a week. 5U will continue with skills and drills throughout the entire program. Registration fees are as follows:
5U: $200 for one child being registered ($300 for non-residents)
8U: $325 for one child being registered ($425 for non-residents)
10U: $325 for one child being registered ($425 for non-residents)
12U: $325 for one child being registered ($425 for non-residents)
15U: $325 for one child being registered ($425 for non-residents
All participants must provide their own equipment. Games will be played at all three Town rinks, with game schedules being distributed after team assignment by the designated coach. If you are unable to make these registration dates and would like to sign up for the program, please call Buzz Deschamps at (516) 433-7465, x8233.
Former town supervisor pleads guilty to misconduct
Former Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto pleaded guilty to two public corruption indictment charges on July 26. The charges stem from a 2008 incident in which former Town Commissioner of Planning and Development Frederick Ippolito accepted $1.6 million from a developer. Venditto pleaded guilty to one count of Corrupt Use of Position or Authority because he knew about the payment but allowed Ippolito to exert control over the developer's application.
According to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, Ippolito pleaded guilty to tax evasion for not reporting the payment from Cantiague Commons, a proposed $150 million residential housing complex for seniors. The project needed the approval of the Town of Oyster Bay
Town Board to rezone the property for residential use.
“Our investigation uncovered pervasive corruption in the Town of Oyster Bay where the powerful and connected used the government to benefit themselves at the expense of the taxpayers they were sworn to serve,” Singas said. “This felony plea by former Town Supervisor Venditto sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated in Nassau County and my office will pursue these cases aggressively without fear or favor.”
According to Singas, as the commissioner of planning and development, Ippolito had substantial influence over any potential real estate developments within the Town. Singas said Venditto allowed Ippolito to exert control over the developer’s
rezoning application and site plan approval, even though he was aware of Ippolito’s impermissible conflict of interest. Ippolito’s financial stake in Cantiague Commons was not disclosed to the public or the other Town Board members who voted to approve the project and relied on the representations of Venditto and Ippolito.
Ippolito failed to report the payments from the developers to the Internal Revenue Service and he was indicted in March 2015 for Tax Evasion. He pleaded guilty on January 26, 2016 to one count of Tax Evasion in federal court for tax year 2008 and was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment on September 28, 2016.
Ippolito was indicted by a Nassau County grand jury for his alleged actions but passed away before he was arraigned on the charges.
In his allocution in his plea of guilty to the charge Official Misconduct, Venditto acknowledged that during the period of time when he advocated and voted for the approval of a re-zoning application to permit the construction of Cantiague Commons, he knew that Ippolito had a financial interest in the re-zoning application’s approval and nevertheless allowed him to supervise the
Cantiague Commons re-zoning application on the Town’s behalf despite that conflict of interest.
According to the indictment, after the federal conviction of Town of Oyster Bay Commissioner of Planning Development Frederick Ippolito on Tax Evasion, Ippolito continued to exercise influence over Town matters. Supervisor Venditto directed the Parks Commissioner to hire an unnamed individual ("Indivdual B") to work in the town Parks Department at the behest of Ippolito, who wanted to marry Individual B’s mother. Venditto directed the hiring of Individual B, even though the town was not hiring new employees and was openly discussing laying off existing employees because of a financial crisis.
The indictment said Individual B was paid more than double the rate that similar employees received and was instructed not to discuss his terms of employment. Months later, after Ippolito’s relationship with Individual B’s mother ended, Ippolito directed that Individual B be fired. Venditto agreed to fire Individual B and that the Town of Oyster Bay would fire other employees to divert attention from the firing of Individual B.
Syosset Chamber hosts local business with international story
up limbs and parts of their legs that were left. That was what the surgical students mostly attended to on their three weeks there. What could have been simple amputations were major due to neglect,” she said.
“When I asked my son if there were any issues due to genetic mutations in the population causing the children to be born this way, he simply answered in four words: They Have No Shoes. He said mom, the children are born the way we are born with normal toes and feet and sturdy legs. But when young kids walk a mile each day to carry water back to their homes, they step on branches that are like knives and insects that bite and spread disease into their legs -- all without shoes to protect their feet. After he told me that, I have never looked at a pair of shoes the same way again,” Nickel explained.
When her son arrived back in the U.S. he immediately decided to contact shoe manufacturers to let them know about his experience in remote areas of Kenya and the dire needs of people to have shoes. Nickel led all the Chamber members to nod their heads in agreement as she said, “we don’t realize there is such a great need.”
At the meeting on July 18, Viera spoke about eastern Europeans who
migrated to the “Holy Land” of Upper Galilee in the mid-1940s seeking opportunities, before Israel was formed as a nation (1948). Their simple craft of shoemaking starting out as a cooperative enterprise, specializing with handmade processes for sandals and boots. The facility Naot footwear has long been produced in by generations of hardworking, skilled hands, Kibbutz Naot Mordechai in Israel’s Upper Galilee, began in the mid-20th century as a ‘kibbutz’ — a collective community based on agriculture, similar to a communal farm. The facility eventually morphed from a commune to a factory for shoes, with sales spreading in the region.
Viera told Chamber members the original Naot kibbutz philosophy laid groundwork for hardworking tradespeople “to share what they produced with everybody.” He tied in the charitable work of the modern Naot brand to its proud past, and how giving is essential to the company.
“When there’s a natural disaster we contribute, for example 5,000 pairs were donated to the Philippines and another 3,500 to Puerto Rico, plus we are active with events across the United States. Once a month we work with one of our vendors to donate between 200 and 600 pairs of Naots a month to shelters housing the homeless or victims of abuse. It is always important to give back to the
community. We are devoted to giving back and we love to contribute, and that’s part of our role in the Chamber of Commerce -- giving back,” Viera said.
As reported in the Syosset Advance in October 2018, the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce held a festive grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Naot’s Flagship store, which was opened by Steve and Susan Lax, Woodbury residents for the past 23 years. Naot means Oasis in Hebrew, and the kibbutz location is on the northern Israeli border near Lebanon and Syria, northwest of the Golan Heights.
“During World War II, in 1942 a group of Czech people came to Israel and started the kibbutz. These were the original people who started making shoes — skilled trade shoemakers. They decided to continue that on the kibbutz, in their socialist way of living there. People lived, ate together and worked together and their children slept in baby houses. They saw the shoemaking was working so the operation turned into a factory so they started to sell the shoes throughout Israel,” Susan Lax told the Advance last October.
Today over 1,000 Israelis work for Naot either directly or indirectly, and 1,000 Palestinians work for the brand in their own factories The two sides have been involved in manufacturing of Naot for over 50 years. The factory at the original kibbutz has workers with “every head covering” from Muslims and Jews to Christians, Ethiopians, Russians and Druze (a small Middle Eastern religious sect).
This year Naot Footwear is a Silver-level sponsor for the upcoming, marquee community event -- the Sunday, September 15, 2019 Syosset Street Fair on Jackson Avenue, from 10 am to
5 pm. Alan Goldberg, this year’s chair of the chamber’s Street Fair Committee, announced that as of July, a total 59 sponsors across categories (Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze) were committed to supporting the Street Fair with almost $30,000 raised from local businesses, in addition to the 40 vendors that will attend Street Fair through its promoter.
Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce member businesses, independent professionals or organizations in the will receive a 20% discount on sales at Naot’s Woodbury flagship store. Stunning photos of the kibbutz farms and the modern Naot factories adorn the rear walls of the store, and Viera is eager and available to help customers.
The next monthly meeting of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for 5:30 pm on Thursday, August 15 (exactly one month ahead of the Street Fair). The Chamber will be meeting at Cold Spring Hills Rehabilitation, 378 Syosset Woodbury Road.
Starting with its August 15 meeting and continuing at the Thursday, September 19 monthly meeting (scheduled for Eye & Vision Care Associates at 140 Jackson Avenue) the Chamber of Commerce will be highlighting a member business and related theme each month as a “business showcase.” The monthly selection will be randomly drawn from participants’ business cards at the prior month’s Chamber meeting. For August, Mike Palazzolo, owner Island Signs & Graphics at 235-O Robbins Lane, was selected to present. Visit syossetchamber.com for membership and event details and information on the 2019 Street Fair.
New York Institute of Technology congratulates more than 580 students who were named to the Spring 2019 Dean’s List, including the following local students:
Craig Carras of Syosset, majoring in digital film and television production.
Mohammed-Ali Dewji of Syosset, majoring in health Sciences.
Samiha Gaffar of Syosset, majoring in computer science.
Mabin Mathew of Syosset, majoring in nursing.
Kevin Park of Syosset, majoring in computer science.
Jack Rosner of Syosset, majoring in architectural technology.
Bamwa Yakoub of Syosset, majoring in biology.
They were among 580 students who achieved this honor. To qualify, a student must earn a GPA of at least 3.5 and complete 12 or more credit hours without any incomplete grades.
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Kyle Hayes of East Norwich was an officer for a student group at The University of Scranton that garnered national recognition.
The Institute of Managament Accountants (IMA) recognized Scranton’s student chapter as one of just five Outstanding Student Chapters in the nation for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Hayes was the president for the University’s IMA student chapter for 2018-2019.
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Christon Muzante of East Norwich is one of 103 New York Institute of Technology students who completed NYIT’s rigorous Internship Certificate Program during the Spring 2019 semes-
ter. Muzante worked as an intern at Landow & Landow Architects in old Westbury.
About 1,900 Hofstra University students earned their undergraduate, graduate or law degrees during commencement ceremonies on May 19-20.
Local students who graduated include:
Emily Anastasio of Syosset, who earned a Master of Science in accounting.
Joshua Avrick of Woodbury, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.
Michael Bruzzone of Woodbury, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in television production & studies.
Olga Campbell of Syosset, who earned a Master of Science in accounting.
Rikki Chaskes of Syosset, who earned a Master of Science in education in literacy studies.
Ryan Ciesla of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology.
Gabriella Cottone of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance.
Vincent Cottone of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Science in computer science.
Joseph DiMonte of Syosset, who earned a Master of Science in accounting.
Laura Hyde of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing.
Helen Karabatos of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in history.
Max Klipper of Woodbury, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting.
Benjamin Lorin of Woodbury, who
earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics.
Adam Mankuta of Woodbury, who earned a Master of Business Administration in marketing.
Kayla Scordo of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in public relations.
Lauren Senko of Syosset, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Legal Studies in business.
Ashley Seymour of Syosset, who earned a Master of Arts in industrial/ organizational psychology.
Sheeza Tahir of Syosset, who earned a Master of Arts in public relations.
John Vacchio of Syosset, who earned a Master of Science in taxation.
A select group of outstanding students has been named to the spring 2019 Dean’s List at Adelphi University.
Adelphi’s deans of Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, nursing, Social Work and Psychology recognize superior academic work every semester. The Dean’s List comprises full-time students-registered for 12 or more credits-who have completed at least 9 graded credits and achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above for the semester. This recognition becomes part of the student’s academic record and is entered into the individual’s transcript.
Julia Biegel of Syosset
Ahmad Hassan Butt of Syosset
Bianca Catanese of Syosset
George Economou of Muttontown
Jillian Hershman of Syosset
Eleni Kokoris of Syosset
Jake Malone of Syosset
Sean McGrath of Syosset
Eric Meirs of Syosset
Nicole Ryga of Syosset
Edina Saljanin of Woodbury
Scott Stachurski of Syosset
Catherine Verveniotis of Syosset
At tention students!
Samantha Watins of Syosset
John Zaino of Syosset
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More than a thousand students at New York Institute of Technology have been named to the Spring President’s List, including the following local students:
Samantha Carras of Syosset, majoring in nursing
Joshua Collet of Woodbury, majoring in life sciences
Kent Deng of Syosset, majoring in biology
Robert Doxey of Syosset, majoring in computer science
Thomas Goldrick of Syosset, majoring in life sciences
Salam Jalili of Syosset, majoring in life sciences
Naveera Qureshi of Syosset, majoring in life sciences
Salahuddin Qureshi of Syosset, majoring in life sciences
Karanbir Singh of Woodbury, majoring in life sciences
To qualify for the list, a student must achieve a minimum semester GPA of 3.7 and complete at least 12 credit hours without any incomplete grades.
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Local students have been named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the spring 2019 semester. They are:
Justin Edward Andersen of Syosset, whose major is civil engineering Madeline M. Schlesinger of Syosset, whose major is managament
To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all As) grade-point average.
Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or 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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these areas.”
A memo from Baptista acknowledges the primary intended use of the three management areas as “facilitating transfers of shellfish from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation designated uncertified waters to certified waters.”
“These transfers will significantly increase the shellfish stock to replenish and restore depleted stocks from certified waters in Oyster Bay Harbor. In addition the Laurel Hollow Bay Management Area (No. 2) will be used as a Shellfish Spawner Sanctuary in conjunction with the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee. The sanctuary, utilizing a portion of the Bay Management Area, will create an area where shellfish (primarily oysters) may naturally establish a vibrant, self-sustaining oyster and clam population in public waters,” Deputy Commissioner Baptista wrote in his July 8, 2019, Town of Oyster Bay interdepartmental memo.
On Monday morning July 29, State Senator James (Jim) Gaughran and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Saladino joined local oyster gardeners at Laurel Hollow Beach to call for an expansion of a crucial water quality program, “Community Oyster Gardening.” The oyster gardening program is an initiative that supports the local bays using oysters’ natural water-filtering qualities, which helps to restore unfarmable water back to its original, healthy state. The program is a collaboration between Town and local elected officials, Friends of the Bay, the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee, academ-
ics, shellfish experts, local officials, and area residents. Community Shellfish Gardening is described as “a proven outreach tool to connect residents to their local waterways and raise awareness for the condition of local waterways.” The Town Board acknowledged that shellfish enhance the marine habitat, and oysters’ natural water-filtering qualities have potential to help improve water quality in the Long Island Sound.
At the Town Board meeting held Tuesday morning, Village of Laurel Hollow Mayor Dan DeVita spoke during public comments after he and Heather Johnson, Friends of the Bay Executive Director and Chair of the Oyster Bay/ Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee, were welcomed by Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. DeVita is also Vice Chair of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee, and he told Town councilmembers the new program involves residents, volunteers and environmental organizations working collaboratively to maintain cages filled with oysters along North Shore communities, “from their seedling stage until they mature, with the idea being that these little creatures have these miraculous water-cleaning and water-filtering properties.”
During the meeting, both DeVita and Supervisor Saladino recognized the importance of water and natural resources in the Town of Oyster Bay, which stretches from the Long Island Sound at the North Shore to the Atlantic Ocean at the south shore. This week DeVita noted how proud Laurel Hollow is to have been the first North Shore Village to have an Oyster Garden Program.
“We have wonderful water resources and issues that go along with it, and
the Town has been great in helping us address this. We are here in support of the Bay Area management resolution which the Town Board will be taking up. I want to thank Supervisor Saladino and the Town Board for the amazing support the Town has given us in our Oyster Gardening Project. The passage of the Bay Area Management resolution outlining three sections, which is supported by various and many groups, will be a further continuation of utilizing these little creatures to help filter and improve water quality in the Long Island Sound ...This started as a thought three years ago within the Oyster Bay/ Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee. In conjunction with the Village of Laurel Hollow -- our small community of 600 families -- our surrounding neighbors and the Town, the extent of local involvement and enthusiasm is incredible and remarkable! This soon spread to the Village of Bayville and to Oyster Bay Cove, which is starting their own program. It could not have gotten going without Town Board support,” Mayor DeVita said.
Supervisor Saladino thanked DeVita and said he does a phenomenal job as mayor of Laurel Hollow. “You really are the bar that all of us should be striving for, and you’re a fabulous partner on environmental issues that are so important to us and to the progress of government. You’re a pleasure to work with,” he said.
Heather Johnson commented that the Protection Committee and Friends of the Bay are very grateful to the Town of Oyster Bay “for considering a very important step forward” with the establishment of the three Bay management areas.
“The Community Shellfish Gardening Program is a great example of a project that not only benefits our environment but brings together residents in the community for an educational and fun activity. There are many who have worked hard to make this a successful program, and we are grateful for the support it has received. Thanks to the Village of Laurel Hollow, the Oyster Bay/ Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee and our partners in creating this program. Special thanks to all of our gardeners for their enthusiastic participation in making it the success it is. Speaking for Friends of the Bay, who has been involved from the beginning, we are grateful to be part of this. We look forward to working together to keep the Town green,” Johnson said.
time for water quality and community programs like these play a vital role in improving water quality, supporting the environment, and restoring the shellfish population. Local volunteers who organize and run this program support an ecologically, economically and culturally important local resource. Protecting our beautiful bays is important for our environment and our water quality, but also for our sustainability as a region,” he said.
Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Protection Committee Coordinator Rob Crafa explained how this year, thousands of our oysters will be put into spawner sanctuaries being established by the Town of Oyster Bay. The program is engineered to allow oysters “to thrive, reproduce and enhance the water quality and marine habitat for years to come.”
At Laurel Hollow Beach on Monday, Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, Syosset native (SHS Class of 2012) and a former Syosset district school board trustee, said “No generation has more at stake when it comes to protecting our environment than my generation. As a millennial Long Islander, I am so grateful for the efforts of Senator Gaughran, Mayor DeVita, and all of our local elected officials gathered here today. Environmental protection should be at the top of everyone’s agenda, and here on the north shore, we are putting plans into action and actively making a difference for the long term health of our ecosystem and our planet.”
Supervisor Saladino thanked Johnson for attending the July 29 press conference at Laurel Hollow Beach as well as the July 30 Board meeting, and for her continuing leadership and hard work as a volunteer.
On Monday, New York State Senator Jim Gaughran said his support for this program is part of his commitment to address pressing environmental issues, improve local water quality, and restore Long Island’s bays -- a commitment he’s carried over from his prior position as Chair of the Suffolk County Water Authority.
“Long Island is at a critical junction
“To work with people who have as much passion as I do for protecting our estuaries, the Sound, our many bays on the North Shore, our bay on the South Shore and the Atlantic Ocean is phenomenal. That passion is shared by my colleagues on Town Board -- we really live in a gem here, and it’s so important to protect what we have, make it the best we can now, and to protect these important marine resources for future generations. Working with you is getting that done,” he said.
Twenty-four hours prior at Laurel Hollow Beach, the supervisor spoke of the far-reaching impacts he envisions: “Initiatives like the Community Shellfish Gardening Program help bolster the local economy and improve the resiliency of our coastal communities by restoring shellfish populations to our beautiful harbor. This program demonstrates our joined commitment to helping our environment, and working together to protect our most precious resource – our water supply.”
BY KAREN RUBIN
(Saigon is the second leg of nine during a 23-day, around-the-world Global Scavenger Hunt, “A Blind Date with the World,” where we don’t know where we are going until we are given 4-hour notice. Under the Global Scavenger Hunt rules, you are not allowed to use a phone or computer for information or reservations, hire a private guide, or even use a taxi for more than 2 scavenges at a time, since the object is to force you to interact with locals. Though we were not officially competing for “World’s Best Travelers,” my teammate, Margo (who I only met on this trip) and I basically followed the rules in Vancouver and during our first day in Vietnam, but we had to deviate on the second day.
It is shortly before 4 pm in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, by the time we have received our book of scavenges from Bill Chalmers, the Global Scavenger Hunt ringmaster (as he likes to be called), who has ranked Vietnam a “Par 3” in difficulty (on a scale of 1-6), strategized what scavenges we will undertake, and after a swim in the hotel’s pool (so hot even the pool was like a bathtub), we head out of the Majestic Hotel, a five-star historic property, toward Ben Thank Market, one of the scavenges on the list.
Built in 1870 by the French who colonized Vietnam for 100 years, it is where then and now, you can find locals and tourists alike, with
row after row after row chock-ablock full of almost everything imaginable. (Be prepared to bargain aggressively; the shopkeepers are even more aggressive). I come away with a few things I can’t bear to pass up, when Margo realizes a second scavenge we can accomplish: tasting three separate fruits (there is heavy emphasis on “experience” scavenges that involve food, and Vietnam, Bill says, is one of the great food places in the world).
We find a fruit stand and sure enough, there are fruits I have never seen before, including one, called dragon fruit, which looks like it was divined by JK Rowling for Harry Potter; the others we sample: rambutan, mangosteen, longan. We are standing around these ladies, asking them to cut open the various fruits so we can sample them to complete the scavenge, taking the photos we need to document.
Among the other scavenges on the list here in the market: to find a cobra in jar of alcohol; the tackiest souvenir in market; and a wet market (which befuddles most of us and turns out to be the meat market which is hosed down).
We ask locals for directions to our next stop: the Water Puppet Show of Vietnam at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater. It seems walkable but we get lost along the way (technically we can’t use the GPS on the phone, but we aren’t competing – we still get lost) and are simply amazed at the rush and
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Traditions Survive in Modern City, as Does Reckoning with Past
crush of mopeds (mainly) and cars in this city of 9 million where there are an estimated 7 million scooters, and the range of what people carry on them without a second thought. I literally stand in a traffic island to get the full view.
We are also amazed we are able to function having departed Vancouver, Canada, for Vietnam at 2 am for a 14-hour flight to Taipei, followed by an hour lag time before a 3-hour connection to Saigon. Time has become a very fluid, meta thing.
But we forge on (the secret to avoiding being taken down by jet lag is to stay up until bedtime). This is also on the scavenger list and as it turns out, we meet several other teams from our group.
The performance proves fabulous and unexpected – the puppets actually emerge out of water; water is their platform. There is musical accompaniment on traditional instruments and the musicians also become the characters and narra-
tors and sing. This is quite an outstanding cultural performance – the artistry and imaginativeness of the puppets (who swim, fish, plant rice which then grows, race boats, dance, catch frogs and do all sorts of things with incredible choreographed precision, is incredible. These seem to be folk stories, and the music is traditional. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand Vietnamese. It confounds me how they do such precise choreography from the water (the puppeteers are behind a gauze curtain; controlling with bubble wands horizontally). The artistry is magnificent and the experience an utter delight. (Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre, 558 Ngyuyen Thi Minh Kahi Street, Dist.1, HCMC, www.goldendragonwaterpuppet.com).
From there, we take a taxi to hit another scavenge, going to the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor of the Bitesco Financial Tower, which affords beautiful scenes of Saigon. From here, all you see is a very
modern city. Many of the buildings below are decorated in colored lights. This is an example of modern Saigon that is rising. (Skydeck senior rate $5; some places have senor rates, others don’t, so ask)
Back at the Hotel Majestic, we go up to the 8th floor M Club, a delightful rooftop bar, where there is a band playing. The open-air views of the Saigon River and the skyline are just magnificent. Margo orders a “Majestic 1925” which is Bourbon, infused orange, sweet vermouth, Campari, orange bitter, orange zest, and smoked – the whole process done on a table brought to us, as a crowd gathers to watch the mixocologist light a torch to generate the smoke. Quite a scene.
Day 2 in Vietnam: Confronting the Horrors of War
Whereas my first afternoon and evening in Ho Chi Minh City was devoted to seeing the city as it is today – albeit dotted with centuries old buildings, markets and heritage - the second day is a somber, soul-searching journey back in time. Indeed, as I wander around the city, you don’t see any obvious scars of the Vietnam War.
One of the signature sights of a visit to Ho Chi Minh City is the Cu Chi Tunnels. My teammate Margo has already been there and doesn’t want to return, but I feel duty-bound to see it for myself. I wake up early and go down to the hotel concierge to see if I can get on the 7:30 am half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels.
The concierge calls the tour company and says there is room on the bus and that they pick up right at the hotel. I am off. (545,000 Dong, about $25, www.saigontourist.net, www.e-travelvietnam.com)
As we travel outside through the city, the guide points out sights and gives us a history of Vietnam, going back to the Chinese who came in the 1600s, the French who came later, the Vietnam War
and the aftermath, while hardly disguising resentment of the North Vietnamese who have flooded into the city since the war. Ho Chi Minh City has grown from a city of 2 million to 9 million today, with 7 million scooters (here, instead of Uber car, you summon a Grab scooter).
It’s an opportunity to see more of the city and soon we are in the countryside, traveling through small villages and farms where we see cemeteries, markets, houses, a few animals, rubber plantations. We see new agricultural techniques being used on farms and pass an agricultural research center. It is about an hour’s drive.
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of connecting tunnels located in the Củ Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), which the Viet Cong used to launch guerrilla warfare against the Americans during the Vietnam War. The site has over 120 km of underground tunnels with trapdoors, living areas, storage facilities, armory, hospitals, and command centers, and were used going back to 1948 against the French, and later against the Americans.
The visit is profound, and though the script is written by the victors, is appropriate to represent the side that wanted to push out colonists (though in retrospect, I realized that there was no real mention of the fact that the South Vietnamese leadership didn’t want the Communist North Korean leadership to take over, either – nothing is simple, especially not in the world of geopolitics).
You have to appreciate the commitment and courage and sacrifice of the Viet Cong in living the way they did – creating a virtually self-sufficient underground community, planting booby traps for the Americans, repurposing unexploded bombs into weapons and old tires into sandals, cooking only at night and channeling the smoke to come up in a different
place (where it would look like morning steam, so not to give away the location of the tunnels).
We get to climb into a tunnel, and can go 20, 40, 60, 80 up to 160 meters, seeing just how tiny they were – you have to crouch all the way through and sometimes even crawl. It is hot, uncomfortable, you feel claustrophobic and it is a bit ternc c mmmrm rifying.
Our tour guide leads us through – he is incredibly kind and considerate. He gives special attention to the children who are visiting – grabs them when they want to go down into a tunnel where he fears there could be scorpions (he shows us carcasses), snakes or rats.
There is also a shooting range where you can shoot an AK 47 or M16 (extra charge), but the constant sound of gunfire gives you some sense of what the people were living through. There was a hospital, a sewing area where they would make uniforms, there is a trap door to
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
escape. We see where they would have made sandals from old tires. We watch a woman demonstrate making rice paper; another at a sewing machine where she would be making uniforms, a rifle hung close by on the wall.
All of these things which we see above ground are recreated from what they would have looked like underground.
There were also constant bombings –B-52s could fly from the base in just two minutes time.
We get a sense of that in documentary-style films that are presented at the end. The film uses grainy black-andwhite imagery with a narration that spoke of the commitment to save the Fatherland from US aggression, which basically depicts much of what we have visited in the tunnels, but as these places were used during the war. I must say that as gruesome as the film is, the only “propaganda” element is that it does not discuss the civil war between North and
South Vietnam, only that the war was perpetrated by the Imperialist United States.
Many of the scenes show women and girls as soldiers. “They took unexploded bombs and turned them into their own weapons; they took from the Americans the new guns but never stopped using traditional weapons – the traps devised to hunt animals were used against the American enemy... Every person can be a hero. They had to live in poverty but wouldn’t retreat. A rifle in one hand, a plow in the other. Attacked in the morning, they farmed at night so they had enough food to win the war. The Americans wanted to turn Cu Chi into a dead zone, but they lived underground.”
But what we see in the film looks exactly like what was put on view here. We see people climbing through tunnels to the sound of gunfire.
“Male and female enrolled to kill enemy..Cu Chi guerrillas would rath-
WRITER’S CORNER
er die and become hero for killing Americans... never afraid of hardship to kill Americans. In hardship, they came together.”
Believe it or not, they actually make the experience as pleasant and as comfortable as possible, which somehow masks the terror of the place. Children smile and laugh as they get to descend through the camouflaged openings in the ground.
We leave the tunnels after spending about two hours here.
On the way back, the guide asks if we would like to make a detour to visit a factory, created by the government to employ people who were handicapped because of coming upon unexploded ordinance, or who had birth defects as a result of the chemical weapons used against the Vietnamese. Originally the factory, 27-7 HCMC.Co.Ltd, produced cigarettes, but
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Right after college, returning to home sweet home
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
Like many people, after college I chose to stay at home in my parents’ house. Well in my case I went away to college in Connecticut for two years then transferred to Hofstra University.
So in a way I was already living back home. But after college graduation living in my parents’ home in Rockville Centre was comfortable, convenient and practical.
It was comfortable because I had my own bedroom and I certainly knew where everything was located. I knew where the kitchen and the laundry room were and definitely knew where the hammock was in the back yard. I had tried it out on more than one occasion.
My mom and I took turns cooking dinner so that actually worked out well for her and for me. For a number of reasons living at home after graduating from college was very convenient.
Geographically their home was convenient to lots of things - to the shops on Sunrise Highway and Merrick Road, to exit 19 on the Southern State Parkway and to Peninsula Boulevard if I wanted to head to Hewlett or Woodmere. It was also pretty convenient to the bridges whenever I headed up to Westchester or went upstate.
Being at home also meant that I didn’t have to go apartment hunting, deal with a real estate broker or sign a lease - those types of things. I didn’t have to search all over Nassau County for an apartment that was just rightnot too large and not too small.
Living back with mom and dad was also convenient in the sense that I could slip right back into the house I knew so well. My younger sister, Susan, was
still living at home when I graduated from college and she and I always had lots to chat about.
Susan went to college on Long Island so at the end of some long days we would compare notes. I’d tell Susan and my parents all about my job and Susan would tell us how her day at college had gone.
I was lucky in that right after graduating from college I landed a full-time job in Rockville Centre. As a public relations employee my supervisor kept me hopping with interviewing people about new developments, writing up the stories and taking photos to go along with them.
The job was just a short ride from home and that worked out great. It didn’t give me any incentive to go searching for apartments. For the first few years after college I was content to stay at home.
It turned out that Susan would help mom and me cook dinner occasionally but we knew all along that she had two major strong points. Her fortes were baking cakes and having a green thumb in the garden.
Whenever we needed a special cake to be baked for someone’s birthday, anniversary or any other occasion, Susan always volunteered to do it. She enjoyed baking and she had a flair for decorating them beautifully so that worked out well.
When it came time to planting flowers and taking care of the shrubs Susan was masterful. My parents and I couldn’t get over it and we are not sure where she got her creative talents from but we let her do her thing and watched in awe whenever the gardens in the front yard and back yard were in full bloom.
The flowers looked perfect and the rhododendrons and azalea bushes lit up vast displays of pink, red and lilac. They liked the eastern sun. The other bushes we had were full and well-shaped but not overbearing.
Susan’s favorite thing to do was have some red roses run up the trellis my parents had outside the back door of the house. Training the roses to grow
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Orchestra at Shelter Rock
SUMMER CONCERT
Stephen Michael Smith Conductor
Sunday, August 4, 2019 1:00 pm
CLAUDE DEBUSSY La Mer
BENJAMIN BRITTEN Sea Interludes from “Peter Grimes"
EDWARD ELGAR Sea Pictures, op 37 BLYTHE GAISSERT mezzo-soprano
BY TOM MARGENAU
Most women have a different relationship with Social Security than men do. Why is that? After all, almost no Social Security rules are gendered. For example, retirement benefits are figured the same way for men and women. Spousal benefits are also gender-neutral. In other words, a woman can qualify for benefits as a wife or widow in the same way that a man can qualify for benefits as a husband or widower.
But even though Social Security’s rules treat men and women equally, society and history have not. Men tend to work longer and have more years of earnings on their Social Security records. In part, that’s because women bear more of the burden of child rearing and spend more years out of the paid workforce. And statistically, men tend to earn more than women, giving them higher earnings on their Social Security records.
Those and other factors are why men usually end up with higher monthly Social Security retirement benefits than women. And because women have lower retirement benefits, they are more likely to qualify for supplemental benefits as a spouse on their husband’s or ex-husband’s Social Security record. And that is the primary reason for today’s column: to help women (and their husbands) understand the basic rules associated with eligibility for benefits as a wife, a divorced wife, a widow or a divorced widow. Here are the basic rules.
--Your own Social Security benefit:
If you have worked enough to qualify for your own Social Security benefit, you will usually be paid that benefit first. After paying your own benefit, the Social Security Administration will then look to your husband’s (or ex-husband’s) Social Security record to see if you qualify for any supplemental spousal benefits on that record.
--Most Social Security applications are open-ended (see exceptions below):
SSA has a rule that says an application for one Social Security benefit is automatically considered an application for all other Social Security benefits you are due. What that means is that you generally cannot apply for benefits as a wife on your husband’s Social Security record at age 62, and then later switch to your own benefits at age 66. Your application for wife’s benefits is automatically considered an application for your own Social Security benefits -- and vice versa. But there are two big exceptions to that rule.
Exception 1: If you turn 66 before 2020 and if you wait until age 66 (or later) to file for Social Security, then you can restrict your application to one benefit or another. For example, you could file for wife’s benefits (or divorced wife’s benefits) at 66, and then at age 70, switch to full benefits on your own record. And
Women and Social Security
those retirement benefits would come with a delayed retirement bonus of about 32%. In other words, at age 70, you would start getting about 132% of your own Social Security benefit.
Exception 2: This exception applies to widows (or divorced widows). A widow has the choice of taking reduced benefits on one record and later switching to full benefits on another record. For example, a widow could take reduced retirement benefits at age 62 and then, at age 66, switch to full widow’s benefits.
--Dependency:
This is an important eligibility factor for spousal benefits. Simply put, you do not qualify for wife’s or widow’s benefits just because you are or were married to your husband. Instead, you qualify for those benefits if you are/were married AND if you are/were financially dependent on your husband. To keep matters simple, the law assumes that if your Social Security benefit is less than your husband’s benefit, then you are deemed financially dependent on him. This does NOT mean that you automatically qualify for benefits on his record just because your Social Security rate is less than your husband’s rate. All it means is that you meet the dependency test -one of several entitlement factors.
And the corollary to that dependency assumption is that if you get a higher Social Security benefit than your husband does, or if you get a higher non-Social Security retirement pension (such as a teacher’s pension), then you are not financially dependent on your husband and you cannot get wife’s or widow’s benefits on his record.
--Duration of marriage:
As a general rule, you must have been married to your husband for at least one year to qualify for benefits as a wife on his record. To qualify for widow’s benefits, the duration of marriage rule is only nine months. However, if you are divorced, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years before you can get divorced wife’s or divorced widow’s benefits.
--Multiple Marriages:
If you have been married to more than one man, you are potentially due benefits on either husband’s Social Security record (assuming you meet the eligibility requirements such as duration of marriage or age). You won’t collect benefits on both records. You will get benefits from the husband on whose record you are due the higher benefit.
And if you are currently married to one man, you cannot collect benefits on another man’s Social Security record. The primary exception to this rule applies to widows who remarry after age 60. A woman over age 60 can get married and still be eligible for benefits from a deceased husband’s (or ex-husband’s) Social Security record.
If your ex remarries, this generally
will not impact you. Assuming his second wife is also eligible for benefits on his record, both of you will get whatever benefits you are due. Benefits paid to a current wife do not offset those paid to a
divorced wife. If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.
COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Traditions Survive in Modern City, as Does Reckoning with Past
C ontinued from page D3
today, Handicapped Handicrafts produce really beautiful handicrafts – mainly lacquered and inlaid items.
After returning to Saigon, I go off to continue my theme – visiting the buildings that the French built, starting with the magnificent Post Office (where I wind up spending close to an hour choosing from a stunning array of post cards, buying stamps and writing the cards, the sweat streaming down my face and stinging my eyes so that a nice lady hands me a tissue). Then onto the Reunification Palace (which I thought was open until 5 but closed entrance at 4), so I go on to the War Remnants Museum.
I have trouble following the map, so when I ask directions of a young man, he leads me through back alleys to the entrance of the museum, which I visit until it closes at 6 pm, because there is so much to see and take in.
You should begin on the third level, which provides the “historic truths” (actually the background) for the Vietnam War, which more or less accurately presents the facts. On this level is a most fascinating exhibit that presents the work of the multinational brigade of war correspondents and photographers, along with a display of the dozens who were killed in the war. The photos are presented in an extraordinary way: showing the photo, then providing notes about the background, the context of the image, and the photographer. Here too, the language (which was probably produced by the news organizations that put on the exhibit), was accurate. Among them is the famous, Pulitzer-prize winning photo of “Napalm Girl” where, for the first time, I notice the soldiers walking along as this young girl is coming down the road in terror, their demeanor in such jarring contrast to these fleeing Vietnamese. The photos then and now are chilling, but today, they properly evoke shame and wonder why there has never been accountability for war crimes.
It only gets worse on the second level, where the atrocities committed during war are provided in the sense of artifacts, and details that could have, should have properly been used at war crimes trials. But none took place. Another exhibit documents the effects of Agent Orange. The first floor, which should be visited last, addresses the Hanoi Hilton, the place where American prisoners of war, including Senator John McCain, were kept. Here, though, is where it can be said the propaganda offensive takes place – there are photos showing a female nurse bandaging an American’s head wounds, the caption noting how she had put down her gun in order to care for him. This exhibit brings things up to date, with the visits of President Clinton in 1994; in another sec-
tion, it notes that Clinton’s visit brought the end of economic sanctions, and with the country’s shift to market economy, produced revitalization, as measured by the boom in mopeds.
But on the bottom floor, they show photos of Obama’s visit and most recently of Trump in Vietnam.
This floor also has an exhibit devoted to the peace movement in the US and around the world, with some famous incidents, such as the shooting of the Kent State four. There is a photo of John Kerry, who went on to be a Senator, Secretary of State and candidate for president, testifying to Congress in his military uniform, on the necessity of immediate and unilateral. “how do you ask a man to be the last man to dies in Vietnam? How do ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?
A special exhibition, “Finding Memories” attempts to recreate the struggle of the people of Hanoi and Haiphong to overcome the pain and loss of war. “It helps those who haven’t experienced wars to learn more through remarkable and humane wartime stories, especially the stories about American pilots in the ‘Hilton-HaNoi’. Finding Memories is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to develop greater pride for their victory – a 20th century miracle; for American pilots to recall a serene period of their lives; as well as for each and every visitor to understand the severe destruction and painfully grim nature of war, in order to call for all people to work together and dedicate our efforts to build a world of peace and love.”
Outside are displays of captured American plane, tanks, and other items.
I look around for an American who might have served in Vietnam to get an impression, but did not find anyone, and saw a few Vietnamese (most of the visitors were Americans or Europeans), but only one or two who might have been alive during that time and wondered what they thought. Clearly the conclusion of the displays was in favor of recon-
Crossword Answers
ciliation when just as easily, and using a heavier-handed propagandist language, could have stoked hatred. The exhibit is careful not to paint all Americans and not even all American soldiers as monsters but one photo caption is particularly tell-
ing: it shows an American hauling off an ethnic minority, noting “American troops sent to the battlefield by conscription knew nothing about Vietnam, thought the Cambodia people of ethnic minorities
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Right after college, returning to home sweet home
C ontinued from page D3
a certain way took a certain knack but Susan definitely had the touch. When we stepped outside and looked back, those “climbing roses” always were spectacular.
Many times I caught Susan digging in the garden and when I asked what she liked about gardening she quickly responded, “Besides being in the fresh air, you mean? There’s something that always strikes me as getting back to the basics, back to Mother Earth, when I dig in the garden and help make the end result something pretty. Mother Nature does the real work but I also help things along. I keep things organized. Besides,” she added, “I use gloves so I always protect my hands. The dirt doesn’t bother me.”
I applauded all of her efforts but gardening wasn’t tops on my list. I had lots of other interests but I gave her credit for keeping the gardens looking so pretty.
When it was time for me to get my own place I was hesitant. As mentioned, I had all of the creature comforts of home. I liked being at home and I liked being in my home town. Once in a while I ran into some of my old high school buddies and that was fun.
Still, eventually my parents wanted to downsize so I figured that I should look around and branch out on my own. I definitely got the hint whenever I saw my dad clearing out the basement a little at a time and discarding living room and dining room furniture that was nicked or mismatched.
Besides getting subtle hints from my parents I knew that it was time to spread my wings and set out on my own. I wanted to be independent in many ways yet looking for a place of my own was daunting.
Yes, finding the perfect place entailed looking all over Nassau County for something that was appealing, for something that wasn’t too far from my job and that I could see myself living in for a few years. Enlisting the help of a real estate broker, she helped me in my search and eventually she showed me
something ideal.
Before that point she and I trudged in and out of a lot of apartment buildings and people’s houses. If the place wasn’t just right I didn’t want it. Then I struck gold.
My very first apartment was a mother/daughter house in East Rockaway which ticked off all of the boxes on my requirements list. Some very important requirements were location, ambiance, a friendly landlord, etc.
I sorted through my things at home and got super organized about my move. I made list after list and I found that sticking to it really helped.
Moving day arrived, I packed up all of my belongings and in time I settled in. my apartment got a “homey look” about it. My job changed which gave me lots of new challenges and I started commuting to Manhattan. Living right across the street from the East Rockaway L.I.R.R. station was a good thing because I could roll out of bed, shower, get dressed and hop on the train.
At work in Manhattan I’d get talking with co-workers about where they were from. When they asked me where I lived I’d reply, “In East Rockaway.”
They would say, “How’s Queens these days?”
I guess I gave them quizzical looks because East Rockaway is in Nassau County not Queens. The two counties are very different. Main Street in Flushing is very different than Main Street in East Rockaway. Lots of things are different.
Still, I would patiently explain that East Rockaway is near Lynbrook, Oceanside and Hewlett not near Atlantic Beach and Lawrence. My co-workers would nod agreeably and go back to doing whatever they were doing but I don’t think they really got the distinction between East Rockaway and Far Rockaway.
During the eight years that I lived there I noticed that my East Rockaway neighbors seemed to like keeping their village under wraps. This little part of suburbia, this part of the American dream, was pretty nice. It was quiet. A
lot of traffic doesn’t rumble through the streets of East Rockaway.
I liked the fact that I could walk two blocks and be standing at the dock overlooking the water. I’d watch the water and the boats, watch little children being led along by their mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. I’d see teenaged boys casting a reel hoping for a catch.
In the middle of the summer the dock was a busy, bustling place. I know that in the midst of a cold, snowy winter the dock was usually deserted. Under the gray skies of winter the dock was a cold, foreboding place.
In nice weather I would take a threemile walk through East Rockaway. Walking along Main Street and Atlantic Avenue I’d pass the florist, the barber shop, the supermarket and the public library. I’d pass St. Raymond’s Catholic Church and its grammar school.
If I headed north on Atlantic Avenue and started approaching Sunrise Highway I knew I’d reached Lynbrook and gone just a little too far. Turning around on my heels, I’d head back south toward home. Reaching there I’d settle in, relax and feel good about the exercise I had just gotten.
It’s been reported that today a lot of millennials choose to stay at home or move back home into their parent’s place after college and I can see what’s good about that. It can be comfortable, convenient and practical - just as it was for me.
According to a forbes.com report on June 6, 2019, about 50% of millennials planned to move back home with their parents after graduating from college when the sheepskins were given out in May. That percentage sounds like a lot of people but it’s really not surprising. Financially it makes sense and of course living at home can be convenient and practical. As long as mom and dad have room in their house it can work.
After getting my own apartment Susan stayed at home for another few months. After graduating from college she obtained a job in her field in Manhattan and after a few months of commuting she moved into an apart-
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
ment of her own not too far from her office. A year after that she became engaged and two years later she was married.
With all of the changes going on in the family we would kid my mom and dad about being “empty nesters.” They didn’t particularly like the term “empty nesters” but they guessed that term described them pretty well.
That’s what it was. They had had six children - four were older than Iand one by one each one of us either got married or simply moved out on our own. Eventually the grandchildren started coming along but they didn’t live with my parents so they were still empty nesters.
I’d have my brothers, sisters and parents over for dinner on Sundays - at my own place - and my parents would be delighted about being “guests” in their daughter’s apartment. All went well as long as I didn’t ask them how they felt about being two empty nesters.
As we talked over dessert one Sunday my brother, Gregory, reminded my parents that they fit the criteria of being empty nesters. They were over age 55 and they had six children who had all “flown the coop.” They didn’t hear the pitter patter of little feet - or big feetrunning up and down the stairs of their split-level house anymore.
My dad said, “I don’t want to hear all about whether or not Mom and I meet the ‘criteria of being empty nesters.’ There is something about that term I just don’t like.”
Then he quickly changed the subject to sports, asking if any of us knew offhand when the Yankees would be taking on the Red Sox.
A few of us shrugged and during that hesitation Greg brought the discussion back to the empty nest syndrome. He just never knew when to drop a subject.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Greg said, smirking. “It’s just the reality of the situation.”
Not one to back down, Dad said, “You can use the words ‘empty nest syndrome’ or whatever term you like, Greg. All I know is I kind of like having the house all to ourselves.”
Global Scavenger Hunt, Leg 2: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Traditions Survive in Modern City, as Does Reckoning with Past
C ontinued from page D5
were living near Cambodia were collaborators for the enemy.”
I leave feeling that the experience is close to what you feel visiting a Holocaust Museum. And it is pain and remorse that is deserved.
We meet at 8:30 pm to hand in our score
sheets and share stories – one team got up at 5 am in order to get to the floating market; a team was able to get on the street market food tour, where they take you around by scooter (they only take 8 and it was closed out); another took a cooking class.
We get our notice of where we are going next: be up at 6 am for 7 am bus to airport for 9:35 flight.... to Myanmar!
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Are lower interest rates the answer?
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
Is Jerome Powell, the Fed Chair thought of lowering interest rates a smart decision or is there a better way to succeed in homeownership?
The other week, out of Washington, the Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s thought was to lower the interest rate soon; however, my question is why? Is the economy not moving fast enough, aren’t companies now doing well, especially since this will not necessarily create and fast track to more employment.
Will companies borrow more money to expand and will demand be there to purchase more products, even though the tariffs that have been imposed have actually hurt businesses that import products and merchandise and we have been paying for those extra costs anyway or have we decided to pull back on our purchases?
My thought is will lowering rates a quarter-point allow more families and individuals to purchase a primary residence? And if so, will that quarter-point truly make that much of a difference, or will the reduction in rates allow those “borderline borrowers” to sneak through the buying process, even though later on, depending upon what type of mortgage they secure, put them in a precarious position to truly be able to afford their home?
As it is, housing inventory is still at a five-month level (normal inventory is six to seven months), although in many areas price appreciation has slowed to half of what it was previously the last twelve to eighteen months.
However, prices are still historically high and have surpassed 2007-2008 highs, and real estate taxes are definitely higher in most regions, putting the cost of housing that much higher. Families and individual’s salary increases have not moved that much or in most situations have been flat or less than what they were forty years ago as per the Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2018/08/07/for-most-us-workersreal-wages-have-barely-budged-for-decades/ as related to the purchasing power of the dollar when factoring in inflation.
Most of the money went to the higher end of most major companies, to the
CEO’s, (chief executor officers) CFO’s (chief financial officers) COO’s (chief operating officer) and the upper management. In recent years the information has shown that these officer’s salaries were thousands of times greater than the average workers’ wages or salaries! However, just the top ten percent of wage earners showed a 15.7% increase over the bottom ten percent which had increases of just 3%. My thoughts of the outsourcing of jobs and the one theory (from The Pew Research article of 8/7/18 by Drew Silver) is that rising benefit costs – particularly employer-provided health insurance – may be constraining employers’ ability or willingness to raise cash wages.
According to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)-generated compensation cost indices, total benefit costs for all civilian workers have risen an inflation-adjusted 22.5% since 2001 (when the data series began), versus 5.3% for wage and salary costs. That doesn’t bode well for those seeking the “American Dream” of homeownership and the discrepancies of wages and salaries continue.
However, the potential reduction in interest rates will mostly assist in those refinancing as well as the purchasing of more properties, because those that have the capital, will jump into this hot market! I do not envision housing inventory to truly become “normal” for the foreseeable future, due to the continuing demand and those millennial, generation X and Y’s and future individuals and families continually entering the housing market. The types of housing needed on the lower end are not being constructed fast enough to keep pace with the current and future demands of the market.
Even though in some states the minimum wage has increased to fifteen dollars per hour, can a family or individual even afford to purchase their first primary residence? When you add all the costs of ownership, I don’t think so! More important, is that a down payment of even three and one-half per-
cent, can be cumbersome and a burden to many, when most can’t save even that amount! If you take the average price of a home in the U.S. of $252,000(absolutely not in our areas of Long Island and the north shore!), one would need to save $8,820, just as a down payment and then add whatever additional closing costs, legal and transfer and mortgage fees, etc. it becomes pretty much impossible. Translate that into what a home costs in our area, then you understand what the younger generation is up against! Come on parents and relatives, help them out so they can stay instead of exiting Long Island and NYS. I am currently engaged in a sale to a veteran who had done several tours in Iraq and Syria and is afforded excellent benefits via the V.A., such as qualifying for a hundred percent loan, (although the individual is putting down three and one half percent on contract), free attorney services, sixty five percent reduction in real estate taxes plus the star exemption which once applied for will kick in 2020, etc.; But then again she has put her life on the line for all of us and is much deserving of whatever benefits that are afforded to her by the Veterans Administration. Unfortunately, most aren’t Veterans and are not receiving these benefits.
Again, lowering the rates, will not truly benefit the majority of those looking to purchase their first homes, but may just cause the potential of future short sales and foreclosures for those just getting in under the “wire of affordability.” Maybe grants that I elaborated about in my column the other week could be expanded to assist those individuals and families seeking ownership.
But my thoughts are to have as much education and programs offered by the local, state of federal government to assist those to increase their incomes by starting a side business or just getting a second job, as needed. I have seen the programs out there, but most are not aware of them, due to the lack of marketing and advertising. I think Governor Cuomo should consider spending less on trying to attract
companies to relocate to NYS with ten year “no tax” incentives, which don’t seem to be successful at all and then spend more dollars on getting all those individuals who are leaving NYS to other less costly states with better opportunities; to stay put, by making them aware of the other sources of education to either increase their salaries and wages are ways to start their own side businesses.
Here is a link to a government site that just might assist those who are looking to earn more money: https:// www.usa.gov/start-business What I have found is that people that I have come across, especially in my industry (and I am sure it occurs in all industries) aren’t always entrepreneurial, but lazy and lack the drive, diligence, perseverance, and skill sets to succeed and need that weekly pay check.
However, if one can just push one self and stick it out, success can be yours, but at a price, learning, absorbing and applying the knowledge gained, that has helped others succeed. This is the path to take for one to earn that additional or greater income to maybe purchase that first home, hoa, Condo, Coop. Do you have what it takes?
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 (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.). He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI)or go to WWW.Li-REalEstate. Com as well as a “free” value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality or Our Seller’s or Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling or Purchasing your Home. Just email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request with your name, email and cell number and he will send it out ASAP. For a consultation, he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Com to answer any of your questions or concerns.
Get Results!
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for more information.
2,
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ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900
AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. FAX: 516-294-8924
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Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram
• Syosset Advance • Jericho News Journal Williston Times - Mineola Edition
New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times
Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News
3 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:
EMPLOYMENT HELP WANTED
NURSERY
SCHOOL TEACHER
1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”
2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com 3) Fax 516-294-8924
Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.
Visa and MasterCard Accepted DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.
EMPLOYMENT
HELP WANTED
ENERGY TECHNICIAN NEEDED
Join a growing company as a Field Technician! Responsibilities include installations, service & inspections for home energy savings. Great hours & pay! 877-700-2620 x1426
EVENT AND ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
The Blank Slate Media-Litmor Publications Advertising Group, a fast-growing group of 11 award-winning weekly newspapers and two websites, seeks energetic self-starter with good telephone skills to sell event marketing service and print and digital advertising. Salary plus commission. Office located at 25 Red Ground Road in East Hills. To apply, call Steven Blank at 516-3071045 ext 201 or email resume with cover letter to:
HYPERLINK “mailto: sblank@theislandnow.com” sblank@theislandnow.com
JOB OPPORTUNITY:
$18 50 P/H NYC $15 P/H LI $14.50 P/H UPSTATE NYH.
If you currently care for your relatives or friends who have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible to start working for them as a personal assistant. No Certificates needed. 347-462-2610 or 347-565-6200
EMPLOYMENT
LEGAL SECRETARY
Job duties: General legal secretarial duties, including typing and processing of pleadings, motions and other legal documents; ensure all legal documents are in accordance with court rules; file documents electronically; maintain a diary system for attorneys to ensure timely compliance with court deadlines; prioritize work, multi-task assignments and demonstrate an understanding of Microsoft Office (ie Word, Outlook etc.) and various legal applications; Excellent communication skills; professional attitude, willingness to work with all others in a professional and courteous manner and ability to keep matters confidential.
Requirements: Minimum (3) years insurance defense experience; Legal secretary certificate or equivalent relevant years of experience; Proficiency with Microsoft Office 2010 (i.e. Word, Excel, etc.); Organization, detail-oriented; accuracy; High school diploma; Commitment to inclusiveness
MEN ON THE MOVE Now hiring movers! Work for LI’s BEST moving company! Call 516-773-6683 or email: careers@ menonthemoe.com
See you soon!
P/T Garden City. Teaching certificate required. Experience preferred. Creative and nurturing learning environment. Email resume: nurseryschoolpositiongc@ gmail.com
REPORTER: Blank Slate Media, an award winning chain of 6 weekly newspapers and website on the North Shore of Nassau County is seeking a versatile, self-starter with good writing and reporting skills to cover active beat. Print journalism experience and car required. Experience with social media platforms and content managements systems preferred. Excellent opportunity to work with editors with many years of weekly and daily newspaper experience. Health insurance, paid holidays and sick days. Office conveniently located in Roslyn Heights. To apply email your resume, cover letter and clips to: sblank@theislandnow.com
SUBSCRIPTION SALES
REPRESENTATIVE P.T.
The Blank Slate Media, a fast-growing group of 6 award-winning weekly newspapers and website, seeks energetic self-starter with good telephone skills to sell subscriptions to award-winning newspapers and website from 9am to 1pm.
Salary plus commission. Office located at 25 Red Ground Road in East Hills. To apply, call Steven Blank at 516-3071045 ext 201 or email resume with cover letter to:
HYPERLINK “mailto:sblank@theislandnow.com” sblank@theislandnow.com
Individual will cover an active beat; must be versatile, self-starter with good writing skills. Print journalism experience required. Experience with social media platform and content management system preferred. Car required. Excellent opportunity to work with editors with many years of weekly and daily newspaper experience. Health Insurance, paid holidays and sick days.
Must be confident, energetic self-starter with good communication skills to sell event marketing services and print and digital advertising. Prior sales experience preferred; must have strong relationship building skills. Salary plus commission. Health Insurance, paid holidays and sick days
Perfect opportunity for the individual wanting to get back into the workforce. Must have good telephone skills to sell subscriptions and some computer knowledge. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Salary plus commission.
www.theislandnow.com
CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900
EMPLOYMENT
SITUATION WANTED
A HOME HEALTH CARE
AIDE Woman with 10 years experience and excellent checkable references available. Honest and reliable. Licensed driver with own transportation. Please call 516-383-7150
CARE GIVER
PRIVATE CARE GIVER
Trained Experienced Nursing Assistant/Companion to care for your loved ones at home or in a health care facility. NY State certified nursing assistant with excellent references! Call: 516-410-9943
CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH
AIDE FULL OR PART TIME
25 years experience, light housekeeping, shopping, activities, appointments, etc. Valid driver’s license. Excellent references. Please call 516-236-1711
ELDER CARE
Experienced Woman seeking position to care for the elderly live in or live out. Certified HHA & Certified in Child Care. Excellent references. Please call 516-688-4322
HOME HEALTH CARE
GIVER
Elder Care trained HHA available to care for patients at home. Light housekeeping, flexible schedule Mon-Fri. Experience, excellent references. Call Adis 631-236-7089
RESPONSIBLE RELIABLE HHA will care for you or your loved ones. Call Flo 352-262-6970
EMPLOYMENT
CAREER TRAINING
AIRLINE CAREERS Start here. Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7094
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A PLACE FOR MOM has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call: 1-800-404-8852
FINANCE
DENIED SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY?
Appeal! If you’re over 50+, filed for SSD and denied, our attorneys can help get you approved! No money out of pocket! 855478-2506
GET DIRECTV! ONLY $35/ month. 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies on Demand (w /SELECT All Included Package). PLUS Stream on UP to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
LUNG CANCER? And Age 60+? You and your family may be entitled to significant cash award. Call 866-951-9073 for information. No risk. No money out of pocket.
MARKETPLACE
A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP
********************
TURN YOUR TREASURES INTO CASH!
Come to Consign/Stay to Shop!
109 Eleventh Street, Garden City 516-746-8900
Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-SilverMirrors-Lamps-ArtworkChinaCrystal-Collectibles
Tuesday-Friday 10-4 Saturday 12-4 (10% Sr. Discount Tues) All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society Email: store@atstewartexchange.org
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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.
MARKETPLACE
WANTED TO BUY
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
TAG SALE
AVITAL GALLERY 336: Paintings, Royal Copenhagen, Rosenthal and more. Hours Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 12-4, Friday 10-12 or by appointment. 770 Middle Neck road, Great Neck, NY 11024. 516-3045640 or call 516-528-9765. Free parking in back
PETS
PET SERVICES
A GARDEN CITY ANIMAL
LOVER doesn’t want to leave your precious pooch or fantastic feline alone all day. I’m reliable, dependable and will walk and feed your pet while you work or travel. Please call Cheryl at 516-971-3242
AUTOMOTIVE
APARTMENT FOR RENT
GARDEN CITY BORDER
APARTMENT: Huge, Bright 2BR, 2 Bath Apt $2,200.00 + Electric. Gated Parking / Garage Available, Laundry Room, Air Conditioning, Hardwood Floors, LIRR, NO BROKER FEE.
www.gcbapts.com Voice or text: 516-524-6965
GLEN HEAD
2 bedroom, 1 full bath, garage, washer & dryer in unit. Private entrance, pristine cond. AC all rooms Wi-Fi incl, excellent cond, near stores, train stations & LIE. Fully carpeted. Non smokers, no pets. Rent $2,200. Min 2yr lease Call or text 516-660-6228
SALE
HOMES FOR SALE
GARDEN CITY
AUTOS WANTED
AUTO BUYERS! We visit you. Highest cash paid. Or donate, tax deduct + cash. DMV#1303199. Please call Luke 516-VAN-CARS OR 516-297-2277
Just Reduced! A great place to live needs TLC! Living Room, Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths, Patio in rear. Interesting backyard setting along beautiful green nature trail. Great area close to mall, near sport fields & restaurants. Own quiet dead end block. Garden City is known for it’s excellent academic school system. It is rated top 10 in the Country. No common charges. Patio & Garage. Enjoy! $4 50,000. Call Artist Cove Realty: 631-277-4843 or email Artistcove@aol.com
OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE
NORTH FORK
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
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!
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
North Fork Home for Sale 1305 Hiawathas Path in Laughing Waters HOA, featuring walk to Peconic Bay private beach & 2 marinas w/slips for boats up to 25 ft. Home is yearround 3 Bed/2 Bath with Master Ensuite, Full Basement, .34 lot w/fenced in private back yard w/room for pool. Includes Southold Park District access to Founders Wharf & beach. $599k, motivated sellers! Contact: North Fork Real Estate, Sheila Izzo 631-3 84-5551 MLS #3141336
CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900
SERVICES
SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY!
TV, Internet & Voice for $99.97 /mo. 100 MB per second speed. Free Primetime on Demand. Unlimited Voice. NO CONTRACTS.
Call 1-855-977-7198 or visit: http :/ / tripleplaytoday.com / press
ATTORNEY
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
COMPUTERS
COMPUTER ISSUES? FREE DIAGNOSIS by GEEKS ON SITE! Virus removal, data recovery! 24/7 Emergency Service, in home repair/on line solutions. $20 off any service! 844-892-3990
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
AFFORDABLE NEW SIDING! Beautify you home! Save on monthly energy bills with beautiful NEW SIDING from 1800 Remodel! Up to 18 months no interest. Restrictions apply 855-773-1675
AMBIANCE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
*Handyman & Remodeling
*Kitchen Installations
*Furniture Assembly
*Finish Carpentry
*Minor Electrical & Plumbing
25year GC Resident
Lic & Ins H18E2170000 Call BOB 516-741-2154
AQUATEC
LAWN SPRINKLERS
SPRING TURN ONS
Backflow Device Tests
Free Estimates
Installation
Service/Repairs
Joe Barbato 516-775-1199
ARIS
HOME IMPROVEMENT
All phases of repairs inside and out Roofing, Driveway, Siding, Masonry, Brick, Kitchen, Bathrooms, Extensions, Patios, Fencing, Porch, Basement, etc. Licensed and Insured. Call Aris or Vicky 516-406-1842
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
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
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Climate Change causing your Roof and Siding to Leak? The Time is now to Call ARIS
Construction To Fix this before Winter sets in. 516-406-1842
MADE IN THE SHADE
Custom Window Treatments
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies
Top Brands at Discount Prices!
Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli.com 516-426-2890
MASONRY
All types of stonework
Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.
Free Estimates
Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000
Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886
PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!
Slate & Tile Specialists All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869
HEALTH SERVICES
AFFORDABLE HEARING AIDS!!
High quality Nano hearing aids are priced 90% less than other brands. Buy one/get one free! 60 day free trial. 866-251-2290
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
SERVICES
HEALTH SERVICES
HOUSEKEEPERS / CAREGIVERS
Excellent references, properly screened Elder care companion, child care, at your home. Serving New York State for over 23 years. Live in or live out. P/T or F/T. NO FEES charged to the employer. Evons Services 516505-5510
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
STRONG ARM PAINTING
Interior & Exterior
Tape, Spackle, Sheetrock, Molding.
Residential and Commercial Bonded and Insured FREE ESTIMATES 516-538-1125 www.strongarmcleaningny.com
PARTY HELP
LADIES & GENTLEMEN RELAX & ENJOY Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545
TUTORING
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
CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900
SERVICES
INSTRUCTION
FIELD HOCKEY
Garden City Varsity Field
Hockey Player willing to do lessons with up and coming players. Please call Julia: 516-497-2999
CLEANING
GARDEN CITY
WINDOW CLEANING
HOME WINDOW CLEANING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR
SERVICE BY OWNER
Fully Insured/25 yrs experience
516-764-5686 631-220-1851
HOUSE CLEANING AVAILABLE
Monday-Friday, weekends too!
Excellent references. Call Erika or Elsa 718-710-8373
HOUSE CLEANING
Excellent service with great references, reliable, own transportation. Please call Mirian at 516-642-6624
SERVICES
1-866-WE JUNK IT: All phases of rubbish removal & demolition. Residential, commercial, construction sites, kitchens, bathrooms, clean-ups, attics, basements, floods, fires. All size dumpsters. Same day service. Fully insured. Bob Cat Service. www.1866wejunkit.com 516-5411557
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
COMPLETE DEMOLITION/ JUNK REMOVAL SERVICE:
Strong Arm Contracting Inc.
We Remove and Demo Anything. We Take it Down, Take it Apart & Take it Away and Leave Your Home or Business
Swept Clean. Residential/Commercial
Bonded/Insured Free Estimates. 516-538-1125
DISH TV
$59.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-800-943-0838
Types of Plant Problems A GREENER VIEW
BY JEFF RUGG
Are you a plant-watcher? It may sound boring, but it can be interesting -- especially when something begins to harm your plants. If you pay attention to how your plants are growing on a regular basis, you will notice plant problems as they begin to develop. You will also have a better idea of how the plant is supposed to look when it is healthy and doesn’t have any problems.
Insects come in three major plant-damaging groups based on the way they eat. There are the chewers, the suckers and the borers.
Chewing insects damage plants by eating leaves or stems. The leaves can be eaten whole, or holes can be chewed in the leaves. Some eat the leaves and leave all the veins. The chewers, commonly including caterpillars or beetles, cause the most visible damage and are often very visible themselves. They are usually easy to get rid of and can be stomped on or sprayed with soap or other insecticides.
The sucking insects leave small brown dots on leaves and stems. They suck the sap out of the plant and leave the droppings of sticky sap on lower areas, including cars or whatever else is under the plant. The sap may turn black, with sooty mold growing on it. Aphids, scale insects, leafhoppers, plant bugs and whiteflies are the most common of these pests. Besides the usual pesticides, systemic pesticides -- which are soaked into the plant -- are very effective.
Borers are the hardest group to identify and treat. They can bore into an individual leaf or kill an entire tree. They make an entrance hole and often leave sawdust at the entrance so water and predators do not follow. Systemic insecticides applied at the proper time are a good control.
Fungal diseases are the most common ones. Use a magnifying glass to see the fine, threadlike growths on the surface of a leaf. Fungal growth inside a leaf may produce pimple-like structures on the leaf surface, where spores are produced. Some plants naturally produce white powder on the leaves or stem. Powdery mildew also forms a white powder but only during certain seasons.
Leaves infected by fungus will often have black or brown spots, or just turn yellow and fall off. Sometimes whole branches wilt and die. Fungicides applied at the proper time are effective but, oftentimes, so is creating more sunlight and air circulation by doing some pruning. Reducing the water that sits on the leaves in the evening -- when the water does not dry off quickly -- will help to slow the spread of fungi.
Many bacterial diseases look like fungal diseases. Knowing the most common problems for a particular plant will help speed the diagnosis. Some bacterial diseases grow quickly and produce a wound on the plant that bleeds or oozes a stinky slime.
Once you begin to recognize insect- and disease-related problems, you will be quicker to notice when something does not fit the pattern. By the time most people notice a disease, there will be a dead area on the leaf or plant; next to
it, a discolored, sick area; then a just-getting-infected area; and then outside of that, healthy tissue remains. This leaves a bull’s-eye pattern. Environmental problems tend to affect the whole plant or even the whole landscape. If more than one species growing next to one another is affected in the same way, it is often an environmental or man-made problem. If the plants are of the same family, they can get the same diseases, but different families of plants usually get different problems. First, look for physical damage. Did a rabbit, deer or string trimmer nibble on the plant? Did something recently change in the area? Was there digging or spraying done? Was a tree that shaded the area cut down?
After you figure out what might be the cause, you must ask yourself how much harm it will do. Is the problem occurring at the beginning of the season when it will stunt the plant, or is it late in the season and will go away on its own?
Is the whole plant or only one part affected? Is the problem worth treating for only a few leaves or branches? Is the plant a major part of the landscape? Sometimes the problems are merely cosmetic and do no real harm to the plant. Sometimes the pest goes away after only a short time on the plant, and other times, it will take major effort to get rid of it. Starting early will help get rid of serious pests.
Plant-watching can be a fun activity if you stop to smell the roses, lilacs, lilies, honeysuckles and other many beautiful plants in the landscape.
Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@greenerview.com. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2019 JEFF RUGG
DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE
This Week at the Syosset P ublic Library
Friday, August 2
from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT PROPERTY EXEMPTIONS WORKSHOP
Presenter: Nassau County Department of Assessment Exemptions
Equipped with specially configured computers linked to the county's database, Department of Assessment staff will process tax exemption applications on-site. No registration needed, first come, first served. For further information, contact the Department of Assessment Exemptions division at 516-571-1500.
Free. No registration required.
Thursday, August 8 at 2:00 PM
The Supreme Court: The Year in Review
Presenter: James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history at Nassau Community College and Hofstra University and a retired NYPD detective
This lecture will focus on selected
cases and controversies that had come before the justices over the current term from October 2018 to June 2019. Free. No registration required.
Friday, August 9 at 2:00 PM
Love Duets at the Opera - Part 2
Presenter: Tanisha Mitchell, opera singer and librarian at the Metropolitan Opera and Freeport libraries
Join us as we explore part 2 of the drama, passion and pain of love through some of opera’s most famous duets. This talk will explore love duets from “La Traviata,” “Magic Flute,” “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly” and “Don Giovanni.” This singing talk also includes an aria performance by the presenter.
Free. No registration required.
Programs will take place at the Syosset Public Library. 225 South Oyster Bay Rd. Syosset.
For more information, go to www. syossetlibrary.org
This Week at the Jericho Public Library
Saturday, August 3
from 2:00–4:00 PM
Meet Artist Bruce Marshall at the Opening Reception
His artwork will be on display during the month of August.
The public isinvited to attend.
Tuesday, August 6 at 2:00 PM
Movie: “Tea with the Dames” (Documentary)
Dames Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith get together for tea to reminisce and discuss their acting careers. Starring the Dames.
Not rated. 1 hour, 24 minutes.
Wednesday, August 14
Bus Trip: “Annie Get Your Gun”
at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor
Cost: $122.00 per person (Non Refundable)
Includes: Ticket, transportation, gratuity, and a fabulous day. Lunch is on your own.
Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” is one of the best-loved musicals of Broadway’s Golden Age. It tells the story of sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and her tempestuous romance with fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler.
There are a few spots left. Register at the Circulation Desk.
Programs will take place at the Jericho Public Library: 1 Merry Lane, Jericho.
For more information, go to www. syossetlibrary.org
“Patty” Donohue-Brown Cell: 516-993-1368 Pattydb0313@gmail.com
Donna Albro Cell: 516-359-4368 donna@albro.org
Phyllis Beitler 516-637-1305
Oakdale
Patchogue • Roslyn • Setauket
F riday, August 2,
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau
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, FIRST FLOOR, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on August 27, 2019 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 4295 4X 07/26,08/02,09,16
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau 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 the CCP Courtroom in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY, 11501 on August 27, 2019 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 buildings 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.
Alan Gerson, Esq., Referee Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590 CHJNY469
SYO 4296
4X 07/26,08/02,09,16
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Article III, Section 246-18-E of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on AUGUST 8, 2019, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:
BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
APPEAL NO. 19-418SYOSSET
BARBARA PASSERO: (A) Variance to allow existing two-family dwelling without the owner-occupied condi -
tion to remain. (B) Variance to allow the expansion of a non-conforming two-family dwelling. (C) Variance to allow existing shed having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 79-141 and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated June 7, 1979. SE/ cor. of Walters Ave. & Railroad Ave., a/k/a 39 Walters Avenue, Syosset, NY
JULY 29, 2019
BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK
SYO 4297
1X 08/02
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF H. CLUB HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Pltf. vs. IRA CHERNICK, et al, Defts. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated July 2, 2019, I will sell at public auction on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. in the Calendar Control Part (CCP) of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY prem. k/a 62 Hunt Drive, Jericho, NY a/k/a Section 17, Block 18, Lot 62. Said property lying and being at Jericho, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Lot 62 on a certain Subdivision map entitled, “Map of the Hunt Club” filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on Nov. 24, 1987, as Case No. 9243. Approx. amt. of judgment is $16,048.59 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index #612467/2018.
MICHAEL B. MIROTZNIK, Referee.
JAY L. YACKOW, Atty. For Pltf., 355 Post Ave., Ste. 201, Westbury, NY. #97344 JNJ 7922
4X 08/02,09,16,23
Switch work near Syosset to disrupt LIRR service
MTA Long Island Rail Road announced that on the weekend of August 3-4, crews will replace switches east of Syosset at a location known as Amott Interlocking. Switches allow the railroad to move trains from one track to another between Huntington and Hicksville. The new switches will ensure continued safety and service reliability on the branch, and keep the LIRR system in a state-of-good repair.
The work will begin at 2:00 a.m. Saturday and continue through 3:30 a.m. on Monday morning. To allow the work to proceed, both tracks between Hicksville and Huntington will be taken out of service for just over 12 hours on Saturday, from 2:15 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and
one of two tracks between Hicksville and Huntington will remain out of service for the rest of the weekend.
As a result, buses will replace trains between Hicksville and Huntington from 2:15 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Weekend service to/from Syosset, Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington will operate hourly instead of every 30 minutes on Saturday and Sunday, and service between Huntington and Port Jefferson will be reduced from every 90 minutes to every two hours. Service between Hicksville and Penn Station is unaffected. The switch work affecting the Port Jefferson Branch will continue on for two other upcoming weekends, August 10-11, and 17-18.
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$732,000
7 20th Street, Jericho 24 22nd Street, Jericho Syosset Real Estate Market Conditions
17 Flo Drive, Syosset
Sold Price: $955,000
Date: 07/12/2019
4 beds, 3 Full baths
Style: Split # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 70x178
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $24,605
Sold Price: $825,000
Date: 06/10/2019
4 beds, 3 Full baths
Style: Hi Ranch # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 115x80
Schools: Jericho
Total Taxes: $13,334
MLS# 3116163
Sold Price: $685,000
Date: 06/24/2019
2 beds, 2 Full baths
Style: Colonial # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 80x100
Schools: Jericho
Total Taxes: $15,879
MLS# 3120296
MLS# 3121375 43 Lewis Lane, Syosset
Sold Price: $635,000
Date: 06/25/2019
3 beds, 1 Full baths
Style: Ranch # of Families:1
Lot Size: 65x105
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $10,334
MLS# 3112643
