Senator Steve Rhoads recently attended the Blue Angel Car Show in Massapequa—a heartfelt and successful event benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AaFSP). Organized by Carrie Aronson in loving memory of her daughter Brittany Marie, who tragically died by suicide at age 14, the event drew an incredible 554 cars and raised $45,000 for suicide prevention and awareness efforts. Senator Rhoads thanked Carrie and all the organizers for their dedication to such an important cause.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Vegan Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Cobbler
Blueberries are out in full force when the weather warms. Blueberries are delicious freshly picked, and can be topped with some light cream for a refreshing dessert. Blueberries also are equally at home baked in muffins, breads and cobblers. The following recipe for “Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Cobbler” courtesy of “Vegan Cooking for Beginners!” with recipes curated by Publications International, Ltd., pairs the tang of lemon with the sweetness of blueberry for the perfect treat. It’s great for dessert or even served for brunch.
Makes 8 to 10 servings
3 tablespoons boiling water
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
5 cups fresh blueberries
1⁄2 cup plus 1⁄3 cup sugar, divided
3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1⁄2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel,
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine boiling water and flaxseed in small bowl. Let stand until cool.
2. Combine blueberries, 1⁄3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cornstarch, and 1⁄2 tablespoon lemon peel in large bowl; toss to coat. Spoon into prepared pan.
3. Combine soymilk and remaining 2
Summer Sports Camps Are Skill-Based
The start of the fall season may still be several weeks away, but the athletic facilities in the Massapequa School District are still getting plenty of use. The popular Summer Sports Camps ensure that children gain foundational skills in more than a dozen sports.
The five-week program runs from June 30 to Aug. 1, with a majority of camps
lasting one week. Sports include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. There is also a speed and agility camp for high school athletes that focuses on fitness training. Most camps take place on the fields or in the gymnasiums at
Massapequa High School and Berner Middle School. The programs are led by coaches of the respective sports as well as current and former Chiefs athletes. They work with youngsters to teach the fundamentals of each sport, and organize games that allow them to put their skills into practice through competition.
divided
1⁄2 cup plain unsweetened soymilk or almond milk
2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄4 cup fine-ground cornmeal
1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 cup coconut oil, melted
tablespoons lemon juice in small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Combine flour, cornmeal, remaining 1⁄2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon peel, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; mix well. Add soymilk mixture, coconut oil and flaxseed mixture; stir until just combined. Drop topping by 2 tablespoons into mounds over blueberry mixture.
4. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until filling is bubbly and topping is golden brown. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.
Hailey Jurgens, left, and Cynthia Galasso competed for the ball in the girls lacrosse camp. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
JULY HAPPENINGS
THURSDAY, JULY 24th
7:00PM-12:00AM
30TH ANNUAL STONY BROOK FILM FESTIVAL
Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Rd. in Stony Brook. The Stony Brook Film Festival showcases the best in independent film premieres. All films screen through July 26 in Staller Center’s Main Stage Theatre at Stony Brook University. For more information, please call 631-632-2787
SATURDAY, JULY 26th
9:00AM-2:00PM
LONG BEACH FARMERS MARKET
Kennedy Plaza, 1 West Chester Street in Long Beach. Each week, we're proud to host a group of passionate farmers, artisans, bakers, and makers who bring their best to share with our community. From fresh, locally grown produce to handmade goods and unique treats, every vendor has a story worth discovering. For more information, please visit https:// www.longbeachfarmersmarket.com/
10:00AM-4:00PM BLOOD DRIVE
AT EAST GATE CHURCH
New York Blood Center Blood Drive at East Gate Church, 1150 Hicksville Road in North Massapequa, during the "Christmas in July" Family Fair. For more information, please call 516-731-3553
6:30PM
NIGHT AT THE RACES
Will be held at Wade-Burns VFW
MAKE A SUBMISSION!
Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
7279, 560 N. Delaware Avenue, Lindenhurst, Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Admission $10. For more information, please call 631-888-9854
SUNDAY, JULY 27th
11:00AM-12:30PM
CARING FOR WILDLIFE PROGRAM AND WALK
At Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown, they offer wildlife rehabilitation at their nature center and take care of injured, sick, and orphaned animals. Participants will meet some of the resident non-releasable animals, find out their stories, and learn what you can do to help wildlife in our area. If you’re interested in becoming a rehabber this a good first step. For more information, please call 631-979-6344
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30th
6:30PM-8:30PM TAP ROOM GOES PURPLE TO END ALZHEIMER'S
The Alzheimer's Association Long Island Chapter is excited to partner with Tap Room for an awareness event. Tap Room, 206 Main Street in Farmingdale. Enjoy complimentary appetizers while you learn about: Free programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, the latest updates on Alzheimer’s research and treatments, ways you can get involved in any of our five Long Island Walks and volunteer Opportunities and valuable resources available.
For more information, please call 646-793-4851
6:30PM-10:00PM
2025 WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUMMER SERIES
Eisenhower Park - Field 2, Parking Lot 2, in East Meadow. 7PM StartRain or Shine, 6:30PM Kids Fun Run Start. Long Island Road Running Club's ongoing commitment to quality racing, healthy choices and bringing friends & family together! For more information, please call 516-531-3323
6:30PM
STRAWBERRY FIELDS BEATLES TRIBUTE
The Kiwanis Club of Copiague is hosting a fundraiser on July 30th, a Night of Music, Food and Friends. Amity Harbor Civic, 100 Western Concourse, Amity Harbor. $30 pp, pizza, wings, snacks, beer, wine & soda. Bring a lawn chair. RSVP Gene Murray 917-498-1781, or Mike Greb 631-835-7087
THURSDAY, JULY 31st
11:00AM-1:00PM
FANTASTICAL SEA BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM
The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. No Registration Required Fire-breathing beasts! Galloping unicorns! Did you know that many mythic creatures featured in the Harry Potter world started their stories in the sea? For more information, please call 631-3673418
Senator Rhoads Joins Blue Angel Car Show Raising $45K for Suicide Prevention
Senator Steve Rhoads recently attended the Blue Angel Car Show in Massapequa—a heartfelt and successful event benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AaFSP). Organized by Carrie Aronson in loving memory of her daughter Brittany Marie,
who tragically died by suicide at age 14, the event drew an incredible 554 cars and raised $45,000 for suicide prevention and awareness efforts. Senator Rhoads thanked Carrie and all the organizers for their dedication to such an important cause.
Classifieds
BELGIAN BLOCKS, NEW STOOPS & REPAIRS ALL PHASES OF LANDSCAPING & LAWN SERVICES & MAINTENANCE. MULCH, TOP SOIL, SEED, & TREE TRIMMING O-ROD LANDS CA
Free Child ID Card Program
New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso, in partnership with Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy, and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, is holding a FREE Operation Safe Child ID Card Program on Saturday, July 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Marjorie Post Pool in Massapequa. The program is free and open to Nassau County
residents only. The ID cards will be produced on site and available in minutes.
When a child goes missing, every moment is precious. Law enforcement needs accurate information and quickly. The Nassau County DA’s Operation Safe Child program provides parents with an identification card for their children containing pertinent physical information to give law enforcement officials a
head start on a missing child. Information on each card includes the child’s name, birthdate, age, gender, hair and eye color, height and weight, fingerprints, and a high-resolution digital photo.
For more information on this program, please contact Assemblyman Durso’s district office at (516) 541-4598. No appointment necessary. Walk-ins welcome.
Accessing Schooling Options
(NAPSI)—Parents are more optimistic about their children’s academic, emotional, and social development and they increasingly support school choice according to EdChoice, which wants all K–12 students to access the schooling options—public, private, charter, homeschooling or other—best for them. Learn more at www. edchoice.org.
The Michele & Mark Goodman Team
Why It’s Harder Than Ever To Make An Appointment With Your Doctor
(State Point) Americans face unprecedented wait times to see their doctors. This squeeze is particularly acute in primary care, but is also being felt in specialties like neurology, psychiatry and OB/GYN. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), here are the top reasons why it’s harder than ever to be seen by a health care provider:
1. Not enough doctors. With the U.S. population growing and aging, the need for physicians continues to grow. Yet, according to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the physician shortage is projected to reach 86,000 by 2036.
2. A broken Medicare system. With an aging population and more Medicare patients on the horizon, the Medicare system needs significant reform. Today, Medicare pays physicians nearly
30% less than it did in 2001, when adjusted for inflation. So while the overhead costs of running a practice—equipment, office space, staff salaries—have all soared, payment for caring for Medicare patients has decreased dramatically, making running a practice extremely
challenging. “Physicians have shouldered the burden of a broken Medicare payment system for far too long. Especially in small, independent practices, and practices in rural and underserved areas, physicians have been forced to cut costs, eliminate staff, or limit the number of Medicare patients we see,”
says Bruce A. Scott, M.D., president of the AMA. “These are steps we take simply to keep the doors open and the lights on. But unfortunately, because of this dysfunction, all patients—not just Medicare patients—are put at risk when our flawed and outdated payment system forces physicians to close their practices.”
3. Administrative burdens. Increasing bureaucracy and administrative barriers, such as prior authorization, consume significant time for physicians. Doctors today, on average, spend two hours on paperwork for every one hour they spend with patients.
4. Backlog and burnout. One of the ultimate legacies of COVID-19 is a backlog of services and screenings put off during the pandemic, now offered by fewer providers. Two in three doctors admitted to experiencing burnout during the pandemic, according to a survey from the AMA, the Mayo Clinic and Stanford Medicine. That’s the highest level of burnout ever recorded by the AMA. One in five physicians surveyed during the pandemic said they planned to leave medicine within the next two years, while one in three said they’d cut back
on their hours.
While there is indeed a crisis in care, the AMA says that there are solutions to address the problem. They include:
• Fixing the broken Medicare payment system. The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee has called for connecting physician payment to the Medicare Economic Index, which would ensure rising practice costs do not continue to overwhelm what Medicare pays.
• Adding voices to the chorus of patients and physicians calling for reform. Those concerned about this problem and worried about continued access to their physician, can visit FixMedicareNow. org.
“It is imperative that we take steps as a country to help all patients get the high-quality care they need and to ensure physicians can continue to deliver it,” says Dr. Scott.
