December 28, 2022 Amityville

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for December is EAC Network

www.eac-network.org

EAC Network is a non-profit organization that empowers, assists and cares for individuals in need. Their objective is to reach individuals within our community through innovative programs that improve quality of life.

Their programs are lead by an outstanding leadership team along with exceptional volunteers. Seniors make up a large portion of the population on Long Island and EAC Network proudly serves them. Their Meals on Wheels program in Nassau County and their InHome Respite Services program helps seniors face challenges with dignity and resourcefulness.

Last year, the EAC Network provided over 180,000 home delivered meals to frail, disabled and homebound local seniors who fervently wish to remain in their own homes. Their nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks help seniors cope with three of the biggest threats of aging – hunger, isolation and loss of independence.

“We received a call from one of our clients recently who told us that the conversations with their Meals on Wheels driver have helped him cope with his wife’s passing,” said Robert Stricoff, Chief Development Officer at EAC Network. “You cannot put a dollar amount on how this program improved this couple’s quality of life and kept them together in the home that they loved and had so many positive memories at.”

According to a Brown University study in 2015, high-risk seniors receiving Meals on Wheels showed greater improvements in both mental and physical health, fewer hospitalizations and were less likely to fall. When you consider that the cost of one year for a senior to receive meals is less than one day in a hospital, it is a bargain and

money truly well spent.

Mary Coyle, Senior Director for Senior Services, Nutrition Education & Food Services at EAC Network said, “Providing food and comfort to our most vulnerable seniors is not a cost to the county, it is an investment. Well cared for and fed seniors strengthens our communities and lowers the overall cost to taxpayers.”

Furthermore, the Meals on Wheels program provides more than just food; drivers deliver a smile, friendly visit, companionship and socialization, all of which is valuable contact for those who live alone. Additionally, dependent on funding, birthdays are celebrated with a cake and pet owners may also receive pet food. To inquire about receiving or volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Nassau County, please contact Mary Coyle at (516) 992-0081 ext 206 or Mary. Coyle@eac-network.org.

If your nonprofit would like to be featured in this column, please call Noelle Lambert at 631.226.2636 x225 for consideration.

EAC Meals on Wheels driver Gary Stricoff delivers a meal and a smile to a senior in Nassau County

Identity Theft Prevention Tips

(NAPSI)-A recent online survey by Toluna/ Greenfield Online, Inc. found that while most consumers try to protect their identity, many admitted to risky behavior that could put them at risk for ID theft. To help educate and protect consumers, world-renowned fraud prevention expert Frank Abagnale offers these tips:

• Shop smart: Limit the

credit cards you carry.

•Keep receipts and check your statements: Examine every charge on your statement before paying. Your receipts provide a great cross-reference check and guard against suspicious activity. You have 30 days from the date of your statement to notify your financial institution of any discrepancies; otherwise, you can be liable

for any purchases.

• Protect your computer when online shopping: Make sure your security patch and anti-virus software are updated regularly. Consider technology to protect against potential viruses.

• Watch where you shop online: Look for the lock icon on the site’s browser status bar, a sign that that site is safe. If you have never heard of a website before, see if it has security precautions in place and isn’t a fake site set up by identity thieves.

•Don’t write checks: Give cash or gift cards. The information on a check— name, signature, address— can be used to steal identity.

•Strengthen passwords: Use passwords with at least eight characters, including a combination of letters, numbers and symbols that are easy for you to remember but difficult for predators to guess.

• Watch your wallet:

Be careful at parties, restaurants, fitness clubs, shopping carts and your car.

• Don’t take the bait on phishing scams: Also, beware of shoulder surfing (when a thief looks over your shoulder while you’re at an ATM, either directly or via a camera).

• Stop mail and newspaper delivery when you’ll be away from home.

• Consider an identity theft protection service: One low-cost solution monitors the online criminal underground where identities are bought and sold and instantly alerts you if your Social Security number or up to 10 credit card or debit card numbers are posted by thieves. The service also scans online directories and search engines, prime sources for spammers and thieves, letting you know where your information is available, and provides advice on how to remove it.

The Right Wine

When pairing wine and food, think of wine as a condiment-it should complement a dish. The general rule is to try to achieve a

balance-wine should not overpower the food, nor should the food overpower the wine.

Penne Alla Vodka: Shallots, Prosciutto, And Vodka In Tomato Basil Sauce With A Touch Of Cream

Pappardelle Bolognese: Authentic Meat Sauce With Green Peas Topped With Ricotta Cheese

Branzino Oreganata: Fresh Mediterean Sea Bass Topped With Seasoned Breadcrumbs In A Lemon White Wine Sauce With Shrimp Pollo: Francese, Parmigiana, Marsala Or Toscana

Veal: Piccata, Marsala Or Parmigiana, Or Sorrentino

Eggplant Parmesan: Melted Mozzarella Baked In A Marinara Sauce

Zucchini Linguini: In A Spicy Marinara Sauce

Pork Chop: Mushrooms, Onions, Cherry Peppers Served W/Roasted Potato & Vegetables Scampi Con Rico: Garlic, Butter, White Wine And Lemon Served Over Rice

Bistecca: Grilled Steak Topped With Asparagus And Melted Mozzarella In A Barolo Sauce Served With Onion Rings

Sole Portofino: Parmesan Encrusted In A Lemon White Wine Saucem Risotto

LEGAL NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

Notice is hereby given taxpayers of the Town of Babylon, that the Undersigned Receiver of Taxes has received the 2022/2023 Tax and Assessment Roll and Warrant.

She will accept payment for taxes at her office in the Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, N. Lindenhurst, N.Y. 11757 or by mail, beginning December 2022 daily between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Tax Office will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. First half taxes are due December 1, 2022 payable to January 10, 2023 without penalty.

After January 10, 2023 one percent per month will be added on the first half to May 31, 2023 after which date, additional interest will be charged by the County Comptroller at his office at County Center, Riverhead, N.Y. 11901.

The Town of Babylon Tax Office will be accepting partial payments with penalty. We offer e and credit card payment through a telephone service or by the internet which includes American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover. For payments by telephone call 1-800-2PAY 9829) or visit the web site at www.acipayonline.com. At the prompt, use Jurisdiction Code 4232. You must have your item number and tax amount available. Transaction fees will be charged to the taxpayer based on the amount of the total charge. Total amount Warrant to be collected by the Receiver of Taxes for the 2022/2023 tax year is $809,266,455.48.

Taxes become a lien December 1st of each year. First and Second half payments may be made at the same time.

JENNIFER MONTIGLIO RECEIVER OF TAXES

DATED AT BABYLON, N.Y.

December 12, 2022

2022/2023 TAX RATE ON $100 valuation - TOWN OF BABYLON Valuation of Hamlets and Incorporated Villages

Town Outside of Villages ............................ $187,045,547.00

Village of Amityville...................................... 14,294,553.00

Village of Babylon........................................ 19, 136,222.00

Village of Lindenhurst.................................. 29,217,380.00

A/C/LN/LS/WBN/WBS/B/NB/DP/F - 694 12/21, 12/28/22

2022-2023

TOWN OF BABYLON

2022-2023 Jennifer Montigio, Receiver of Taxes TAXABLE DISTRICTS

On Monday, December 12th, Councilmen DuWayne Gregory and Terence McSweeney “paw-sented” a Direct Support Program award to Royal Paws in Babylon Village. Royal Paws provides dog boarding services and training while also having dog treats and collars available for sale. Co-owners Cindy and Taylor

Chiacchere along with their other trainers Laura and Dana are looking to give back to the community by training therapy service dogs that will assist veterans, firefighters, or police officers.

Councilman McSweeney said, “As a 19-year member of the FDNY you will see a lot of bad days. Normally we cope with our feelings

by talking to each other, however knowing there is help through a place like Royal Paws is comforting. I look forward to seeing more from them in the future.”

J-Squid, Vincenzo, Ranger, and Bruce are all training to become service dogs and soon will hopefully find people that they can help!

ROYAL PAWS

- On Monday, December

12th, Councilmen DuWayne Gregory and Terence McSweeney “paw-sented” a Direct Support Program award to Royal Paws in Babylon Village. Co-owners Cindy and Taylor Chiacchere along with their other trainers Laura and Dana are looking to give back to the community by training therapy service dogs that will assist veterans, firefighters, or police officers.

PHON E IN YOUR AD to our Classified Dept. 631-226-2636 press “2” for Classified.

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experi enced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, Ext. 276

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Medicare Lowers Premiums And Deductibles

Written by Barry Klitsberg, Nassau County Medicare Counselor, FCA

For those of us who are enrolled in the Medicare program, there is good news on the horizon.

Medicare has made significant changes to its premiums and deductibles, lowering the cost to the beneficiary.

While the cost of just about everything has gone up, the monthly Medicare Part B premium has been reduced for the first time this century, from $170.10 to $164.90, for a yearly saving of $62.40. What’s more, the Medicare Part B deductible has gone down from $233 per year to $226. These two reductions have broken a string of yearly increases.

Medicare Part B generally covers medically necessary services, that is, services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice. Part B also covers a wide range of preventive services from shots to screenings to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.

In addition, due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare will finally be able to negotiate prescription drug costs directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers. While this section of the law doesn’t go into effect until 2025, in the interim, beneficiaries who are insulin dependent can have their insulin costs capped at $35.00 per month. This can save hundreds of dollars a month. Also, the Inflation Reduction Act calls for out of pocket prescription expenses to be capped at $2,000 annually.

In order to determine which type of plan works best for you, you should call the Nassau County Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program, HIICAP hotline. This is a free service that will guide you to the best plan for you. We have no affiliation with insurance companies, agents

or brokers. Our number is 516485-3754. While we are quite busy during Medicare Open Enrollment Season, we strive to return every call on our voice mail within two working days, and usually call sooner.

FCA can help. Answers to your Medicare questions are just a phone call away.

Barry Klitsberg is an Assistant Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance (HIICAP) Coordinator at FCA in Garden City and an Aging Services Program Specialist at US Department of Health and Human Services.