Another summer of warm weather, smiles and Friday Night Car Shows is upon us.
Driving past the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road station on any given Friday evening between late spring and early fall, chances are, you’ve seen the parking lot adjacent to Sunrise Highway filled with cars.
The beloved car show is a staple for the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, and attendees are sure to find a wide selection of automotives.
Above, Visitors check out the 1966 Mustang, which is one of the more vintage cars on the lot.
Right, Bellmore’s Mike Sankovsky shows off his new 2025 Porsche GT4RS.
Story, more photos, Page 6.
Brown trying to ‘ERASE’ racism
Calhoun junior lands prime internship
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
At just 16-years-old, Calhoun High School junior Anisah Brown is already making waves as a fearless voice for racial justice.
Chosen as one of only eight students in Nassau County for a coveted summer internship with ERASE Racism, Brown is using her platform and previous experiences to challenge inequality, spark conversations, and push for lasting change in her community. Her advocacy continued this summer.
to get it, it was more personal. I was so happy.”
Many applicants attended the ERASE Racism’s Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow Conference hosted by the Office of Equity and Inclusion at Hofstra last March. Over 170 students across 18 Nassau school districts participated in interactive workshops, peer networking and thought-provoking discussions to learn about the history of racism and how it still impacts today’s society.
ANIsAH BRowN junior, Calhoun High School
Brown’s resume and essay stood out among the 56 applicants for the paid internship that runs through August 7 and she is already making an impact after the first four weeks while working with influential professors from California State, Stony Brook and Yale, Vassar, and the University of Tennessee.
“I was really shocked,” Brown said on being selected. “I felt like it was deserved, but at the same time, a lot of other people applied for it. So, for me
“She was one of the students who put together the conference from March,” said ERASE acting president April Francis Taylor.
“So, her leadership skills and helping to create the conference and she was one of our lead speakers. And at our annual ERASE Racism benefit, she was one of the speakers to speak to all of our funders to show the impact of the program has had on her.”
Brown was already a member of ERASE’s student task force and that gave her a leg up in the competition for those eight spots, according to Taylor.
Continued on page 20
Steve Sachs/Herald photos
Air Force veteran leads teen paracord workshop at library
Teenagers at the North Bellmore Public Library had the unique opportunity to learn a practical skill and gain valuable insight into military service on July 24 during a workshop led by United States Air Force Veteran and library staff member Eric Gaertner.
The interactive session focused on crafting bracelets and keychains using paracord – durable, versatile tools that have long been used by military personnel. Gaertner, who currently serves as the library’s head of facilities, shared stories about his time in the service and explained the history and significance of paracord, highlighting its value as a unique survival tool in emergencies.
“I learned how to make paracord bracelets from a local Iraqi on base while I was deployed,” Gaertner explained. “I spent a lot of my downtime making them and sending them
back home. I have probably made thousands.”
The students engaged in hands-on learning, creating their own bracelets and keychains. The workshop was both educational and fun, leaving participants with a new skill and a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity behind military gear.
“The teens enjoyed the program,” said Nancy DeLuca, who oversees NBPL young adult programming. “It was a great blend of learning something creative while also gaining a terrific life skill.”
The program is part of NBPL’s ongoing commitment to offering enriching and engaging experiences for local youth. For more information about young adult programming at the NBPL, visit www.northbellmorelibrary.org.
— Brian Kacharaba
Photos courtesy North Bellmore Public Library
U.S. Air Force Veteran and library staff member Eric Gaertner, back row center, led a hands-on paracord bracelet-making workshop for teens at the North Bellmore Public Library on July 24.
Veteran Eric Gaertner demonstrated how to make a paracord bracelet to teens at the North Bellmore Public Library.
Rock revival at the library
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
The lawn of the North Bellmore Public Library transformed into a rock ‘n’ roll haven on July 24 as the band Victims of Rock took the stage for the second show in the library’s summer outdoor series
Families, friends, and music lovers of all ages gathered with blankets and lawn chairs, ready to be transported back to the golden age of rock. The event drew a sizable crowd, many of whom came prepared to sing and dance to the anthems of their youth.
VOR performed many of the classics from six different decades to make the night full of nostalgia. The band, whose roots trace back to 1973, brought decades of musical craftsmanship to the stage. With every guitar riff and soaring vocal, VOR proved they weren’t just covering songs—they were channeling the era that made rock music legendary.
From hits by The Beatles, The Eagles, The Steve Miller Band, to crowd-pleasers from Stevie Wonder and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the setlist spanned the best of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, stirring cheers and even a bit of dancing on the grass. For many attendees, the performance wasn’t just entertainment—it was a walk down memory lane.
As the final chords of the encore faded into the night, the audience gave VOR a nice ovation, clearly moved by the band’s passion and musical stylings. For the community, the concert was more than just a summer event—it was a celebration of timeless music and shared memories.
Half Step, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will next appear on Aug. 7 and County Line, a modern country and southern rock tribute band, closes the series on Aug. 21.
Stu Goldman/Herald Photos
The Victims of Rock, a classic party rock tribute band, appeared at the North Bellmore Public Library on July 24.
Noah Kleinman, 4, and Galiana Kleinman, 6, came from East Meadow to enjoy the show.
Lead guitarist Bob Brown, left, and bassist Steve Baloga put forth their best riffs during the show.
Lead Singer Tom Nyhus belted out many of the tunes from yesteryear.
Protecting Your Future
Cashing in Your Life Insurance Policy
Everyone knows that you may surrender a life insurance policy at any time for the “cash surrender value”. However, a better option may be a “life settlement” which pays more than the cash surrender value.
In a life settlement, you sell the policy to a third party instead of cashing it in. Here, the payment will be something greater than the cash surrender value but less than the death benefit. The buyer assumes the policy, pays the premiums and receives the death benefit.
There are many reasons why people want to cash in their policy. Paying the premiums have become a burden, they no longer need or want the death benefit or the money is needed for some other purpose.
There are some tax advantages to cashing in as well. Any money paid into the policy as premiums comes back to the seller tax-free (since the money used to pay the premiums was already taxed).
The purchaser of the policy will
determine the amount they are willing to pay for the policy based on the amount, if any, of the cash surrender value and the age and health of the seller. Since there are numerous companies out there you may “shop around” for the best offering. Some companies offer a “life settlement calculator” where you may go online, plug in all your information, and receive a quote within twenty-four hours.
You may hear of the term “viatical settlement” when exploring the issue of whether or not to cash in your policy. Viatical settlements generally pay more than life settlements but are limited to terminally ill policy holders with less than two years of life expectancy as determined by a medical professional.
Finally, if you want to do the best you can with your policy, but do not have the time or inclination to shop around, there are “life settlement brokers” who, for a fee, will do the shopping for you.
100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia
News brief
Calhoun principal pleads not guilty
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Calhoun High School Principal Nicole Hollings pleaded not guilty to charges of driving while intoxicated at the Nassau District Court in Hempstead on July 25.
Hollings, 52, was arrested after a motor vehicle accident in Rockville Centre during the early morning hours of July 2, according to village officials.
Hollings appeared at the 9 a.m arraignment, but the case wasn’t heard until nearly an hour later by District Court Judge Sean Wright. She sat in silence for most of the proceedings, except for a few quivering words between her and attorney Robert
Schalk.
Schalk entered a not guilty plea on Hollings’ behalf, saying that she ‘”demands a jury trial.”
Hollings hurried out of the building immediately after the arraignment.
“It’s her right to plead not guilty,” Schalk said afterwards. “There’s no evidence of intoxication. We’re waiting for blood results to come back. If that comes to be that there is, we’ll find it in the courtroom.
“She’s a phenomenal educator, a phenomenal person,” he continued. “She has a tremendous amount of support in the community, and there’s no need to rush to judgment.”
Hollings is scheduled to appear at court again on Aug. 7.
Joseph D’Alessandro /Herald
Defendant Nicole Hollings and her attorney, Robert Schalk, leave the arraignment.
Weather eases in time for car show
Is the show still on?
That was the most-asked question on the evening of July 25 when dark skies and rain began to infiltrate Long Island, putting the latest edition of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores’ Friday Night Car Show in jeopardy.
But Mother Nature gave in just in time for attendees to enjoy a wide selec-
tion of their favorite automotives from yesteryear, whether it be vintage vehicles, vans and buses, or newer models, like sports cars.
The Bellmore Chamber began sponsoring the event in 2011, and now hosts the event each Friday evening in conjunction with the Town of Hempstead. The show opens at 6 p.m.
muters, and all vehicles on display must be street legal. The Chamber asks that no one places lawn chairs in driving lanes or parked spaces, and that drivers restrain from cruising around the lot.
August, a show will take place on Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. There will be no show on Sept. 22 because of the Bellmore Family Street Festival.
Spectators can enter free of charge. The admission fee for cars is $5. For more information, visit BellmoreChamber.com.
Courtesy is given to railroad com-
If you’re into cars — or just looking for something different to do on a warm, Friday night — the show has something for everyone. Throughout
— Brian Kacharaba
Steve Sachs/Herald Photos
Frank Martucci of Bellmore preps his 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 convertible.Massapequa’s Frankie Pecoraro arrives in his 1978 Corvette.
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2025
Space is limited - first come, first served • $25.00 discount
Open registration will end on SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. Please register as early as possible. After that date a $25.00 late fee will be assessed and you will be put on a waitlist.
GIRLS DIVISIONS
Grades 3rd - 8th
BOYS DIVISIONS
Grades 2nd - 12th
Online Registration is quick and easy by visiting our website WWW.NBNMBBALL.COM
Coaches for all divisions and teams are needed 65
Help Us Grow the Game — Volunteers Needed!
We’re a community basketball league committed to giving every child the chance to play, learn, and grow through the game we all love. But to keep things running smoothly—and to grow the league the way YOU want to see it grow—we need your help!
We’re currently looking for volunteers to take on a few key roles:
• Division Directors for both Boys and Girls Divisions
• Support with Security/Facility Oversight
These are vital positions that allow us to expand the number of teams and divisions we can offer. We’re especially in need of support with the girls divisions. Without additional volunteers, we will be forced to limit the girls' program to just two divisions (3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade)—and no one wants to turn players away due to a lack of support!
If you’ve ever wanted to be more involved, make a meaningful impact, or just help ensure your kids and their friends have a great season, this is your chance! Please inquire within or contact us to learn more—we’d love to welcome you to the team!
Together, we can build something even stronger for our kids and our community.
Bethpage Black preps for Ryder Cup
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Ryder Cup is coming to Bethpage State Park’s Black Course in Farmingdale Sept. 26 to 28 and preparations are in full swing for one of golf’s premier international events.
After three years of planning, work to install viewing stands, including two triple-deckers and eight double-deckers, with some flanking the first and 18th fairways, bleachers, hospitality tents and a large merchandise area began May 19 and will continue up until the first practice round Sept. 23.
“We’re expecting 50,000 fans per day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” 2025 Ryder Cup Director Bryan Karns said during a press conference held at Bethpage Black July 24. “Living in New York for the past few years and attending Jets, Yankees and Mets games, it’s an incredibly passionate fan base. Any time a major championship has come to Bethpage, the crowds have been remarkable. Fans are going to understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they’re really going to value what it means to attend a Ryder Cup.”
Half a million fans registered for a lottery system used to purchase tickets said Evan Crowder, PGA of America Operations Manager. Tickets for the three scoring rounds of the tournament are sold out, though a handful remain for the Sept. 23 and 24 practice rounds.
Renowned for its degree of difficulty and rich history that includes hosting the U.S. Open (2002 and 2009) and PGA Championship (2019), Bethpage Black will have a slightly different look for the Ryder Cup with the tee box of the first hole — a 430-yard, par-4 — moving 30 yards closer to the pin and about 20 yards to the north for a clearer path to the green.
“The five most important holes at the Ryder Cup are the first, and 15 through 18 where the majority of matches are decided is set up incredibly well,” Karns said.
Added Kenny Kurzendoerfer, 2025 Ryder Cup Operations Manager: “This is where you want to be as a fan, where the first tee box and 18th green are in close proximity. It’s definitely a bucketlist moment to experience the first tee at a Ryder Cup. It’s truly unlike anything you’ve seen before in golf. I’ve been lucky to be a part of a few of them now and it still gives me chills.”
In terms of transportation to and from the course for fans, Jones Beach lots 4 and 5 will serve as the main public parking areas where shuttle service will be provided to Bethpage. Shuttles will also run from both the north and south side of the Farmingdale LIRR station, Crowder said. There will also be a ride-
and behind
share lot on site at Yellow Course No. 11.
The Ryder Cup dates back to 1927, when the inaugural matchup was held at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Initially a contest between the United States and Great Britain, the format expanded in 1979 to include players from continental Europe. The U.S. played host to the event in 2016 and most recently in 2021.
The event features 28 matches across three formats – foursomes, fourballs, and singles. Teamwork and strategy are essential to winning.
Although the 12-player rosters for both teams have yet to be announced,
some of the top U.S. players include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and Collin Morikawa, with Europe featuring Rory McIlroy, Rasmus Hojgaard, Matt Wallace and Tyrrell Hatton.
The U.S. team selection is based on a points system, where points are awarded based on performance in PGA Tour events and major championships. Automatic qualifiers, with Scheffler already being one, will be the top six in points after the BMW Championship on Aug. 17. Captain Keegan Bradley will select the remainder of the roster Aug. 27, Karns noted.
Jeff Bessen/Herald Evan Crowder, 2025 Ryder Cup Operations manager at PGA of America, explains tournament ground operations at Bethpage State Park on July 24.
The new first tee box created for the 2025 Ryder Cup match.
Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos Building the grandstand by the first tee
the 18th green on the Bethpage Black is in full swing.
From Despair to Hope: Conquering Peripheral Neuropathy with Westbury Acupuncture
“It’s as though I’m stepping from razor blade to razor blade.”
“It feels like my feet are under attack by fire ants.”
“Like I’m walking on wet paint with rolled up socks.”
And you’re in this kind of pain all the time.
“It’s relentless, keeping you up at night and preventing you from doing even the most mundane tasks. Things that I used to take for granted, like wearing shoes and going grocery shopping. Two of my three children were getting married last year and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to attend their weddings,” shares Rose W.
Rose was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2015, a degenerative condition affecting almost 5% of people over the age of 55.
“My doctor sat me down and said, ‘Rose I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have peripheral neuropathy. I’m going to prescribe you gabapentin to manage the discomfort but overall, neuropathy is untreatable.’ My first thought was, ‘we can cure cancer but you can’t stop my feet from hurting?’ It felt like a cruel joke.”
While neuropathy can be caused by a number of things including diabetes and chemotherapy, over 23% of neuropathy cases are classified as idiopathic. In layman's terms, the cause is unknown.
“Basically every question I had was met with an ‘I don’t know.’ It was depressing to say the least.”
Eventually, Rose was forced to quit her job because the numbness had started to set in and prevented her from driving.
Fortunately for Rose, she came across an article in the local newspaper featuring Jae Won Kim L.Ac and his innovative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. “At first, I thought it had to be a sham. After so many specialists told me there was no hope, here was this acupuncturist in the article claiming a 90% success rate in treating neuropathy! I just had to call, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I did.”
Jae Won Kim, founder of Westbury Acupuncture, says that cases like Rose’s are
of my neuropathy patients have been told at one point or another that there is no hope. I like to think I specialize in offering hope.”
To quote the New York Times, “Chinese medicine proves itself where Western medicine fails.”
“Acupuncture has been treating complicated, chronic conditions like neuropathy for thousands of years,” shares Jae Won. “I start with a foundation based on this time-tested science and my clinical experience. I then tailor treatments based on a number of factors including the severity of your neuropathy, how long you’ve had it, whether or not there are any underlying factors, things of that nature. It’s because of these personalized treatment programs that we’re seeing such incredible results!”
Four months after treatment,
thriving. “Being back at work isn’t even the most exciting part,” exclaims Rose. “Not only was I able to attend my son’s wedding, but I could walk down the aisle! It was the most magical moment and I have Jae Won to thank for it. To think, I might’ve missed that.” Rose held back tears.
If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling, or ‘pins and needles,’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options.
There is hope. Call (516) 500-8281 to schedule an initial consultation or visit WestburyAcupuncture.com to read more incredible success stories.
Chabad Center hosts vibrant open house
By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Families from around the region gathered at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick on July 23 for a vibrant open house carnival that brought together fun, food, and a taste of community spirit.
The annual event attracted about 100 people, who were given the opportunity to explore Chabad’s educational programs while enjoying a festive and family-friendly atmosphere.
The headline attraction was the Hoop Wizard, a Guinness World Record holder known for his mind-bending basketball spinning tricks and crowd-pleasing energy. With a career that includes dazzling halftime performances for NBA audiences, the Hoop Wizard wowed
those in attendance with a show that blended athleticism, humor, and inspiration.
Beyond the main performance, families enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner and the children had plenty of fun on the center’s playground. While the kids were at play, their parents took advantage of the opportunity to meet the staff and educators and tour the school facilities.
The event highlighted several of the center’s educational offerings for the upcoming 2025–26 year, including the Alan & Tatyana Forman Jewish Early Learning Center (children 10 months-5 years), Camp Gan Israel (18 months–8 years), the CKids After School Program (kindergarten and first grade), and Chabad Hebrew School (kindergarten7th grade), along with CTeen Jr.
Tim Baker/Herald Photos
The Hoop Wizard was on hand to entertain the crowd with his unique basketball skills.
Bellmore resident Jeannie Field attended the open house with her children Aislyn, Rhylan, Maevyn, and Jamesyh.
Rabbi Shimon Kramer, left, helped host the open house at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on July 23.
Logan Tenenhaus 6, of Massapequa performed his own basketball tricks.
By Herald Staff
Cora Zabala, age 7
Bellmore
My favorite thing about summer is going to the Malibu Beach Club with my family and having lots of fun gatherings at my house.
What’s your favorite aspect of summer on Long Island?
Greg Freidman Merrick
I love taking my two kids on outdoor adventures, from exploring parks to
Randi-Sirota-Camhi Bellmore
My favorite part of the summer is enjoying our fabulous Long Island beaches!
Amanda Argento, age 17
Wantagh
My favorite part of summer on Long Island is going to the beach and getting ice cream.
SponSored content
Danielle Kupcs, age 17
Wantagh
Definitely going to Jones beach with my friends.
Ear Works Audiology: Your Guide to Hearing Health
If you’ve been turning up the TV or struggling in noisy conversations, it might be time for a hearing test— and Ear Works Audiolo gy is here to help. With 11 Long Island locations and a team led by Dr. Victoria Kopec and Dr. Toni Zanetti, Ear Works provides compassionate, personalized hearing care for every step of your journey.
According to audiologist Dr. Meredith Moore, common signs of hearing loss include increasing the TV volume, difficulty understanding speech, and avoiding group conversations. Loved ones often notice these issues first, and Dr. Moore recommends a
Dr. Meredith Moore
no-pressure approach to encourage that first appointment—even if it’s just to establish a baseline.
At your appointment, you can expect a comfor table, non-invasive visit that includes questions about your hearing history, an ear exam, and a 10- to 15-minute test involving tones and word reco gnition in both quiet and noisy settings.
If hearing aids are recommended, patients can try them out immediately in-office. Today’s devices are discreet, Bluetooth-enabled, and even offer tinnitus relief through pro grams like those from Widex. While over-the-
counter devices may seem convenient, they often lack customization and effective noise management.
What truly sets Ear Works Audiolo gy apar t is their commitment to tailored solutions and ongoing support. Whether you’re ready to act or just gathering infor mation, their team is here to guide you toward better hearing health.
www.EarWorksAudiology.com 11 Locations Throughout Long Island
enjoying family picnics in the sun!
Bellmore’s Livia Cigliano is one of 24 college students participating in
summer internship program.
Cigliano tabbed for PSEG human resources internship
Bellmore resident Livia Cigliano was one of 24 local college students selected by PSEG to participate in their 12-week paid summer internship program.
The students, who began the program on June 2, are rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and master’s degree students studying disciplines that include engineering, accounting, economics and cyber security, at schools across Long Island, New York State and beyond.
Throughout the summer, the students will be exploring utility careers and getting hands-on experience in various PSEG departments on Long Island, including distribution operations, overhead and underground construction, cyber security, finance and accounting, customer operations and experience, real estate, human resources and several engineering groups.
The energy company may also offer opportunities for future internship in corporate communications, customer advocacy, surveying, energy efficiency and more.
Cigliano graduated from Kellenberg High School in 2023 and is currently a junior at Long Island University, majoring in business administration. She said
she is already gaining valuable experience while working in the human resources department.
“I wanted to work somewhere local this summer and with my background in business administration, I felt that human resources was calling my name,” she said. “I am learning a lot about the corporate side of PSEG Long Island. Every organization needs structure and human resources is organically part of that structure in every organization.
“I am learning a lot about how that relates to a corporation,” she continued. “My internship here is offering a lot of insight into how the future of my career can look. I feel that I am given a lot of trust and liberties in this role, and I always try to translate that into what a full-time position will look like for me after graduation.”
The company posts its internship opportunities for next summer on its website from October through February, and recommends interested students set up a keyword alert on the website to be notified of postings.
— Brian Kacharaba
Intelitalk Mind, Body, and Wellness: Unlocking What Blocks Your Mind
•Evidence-based strategies to work through difficult moments in your life
•English and Spanish-speaking male and female therapists that support those ages 4 to 80 +
•Specializing in: Anxiety, Anger Management, Depression, Marriage Counseling, ADHD, Addiction, Bereavement, Group Therapy and more!
Mention the Herald for a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Morand
Courtesy PSEG
PSEG’s
Fire safety, tips and tricks for the summer
With the warm weather rolling in, many New Yorkers are eager to kick off their summer vacation — whether it’s jet-setting to a new location, staying local with a “staycation,” heading to a campsite, or hosting backyard barbecues with family and friends. But as seasonal celebrations ramp up, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York is reminding residents that fire and injury prevention should be a top priority.
“The weather in New York hasn’t been our friend this year and we understand people have been cooped up and may need to take a summer break,” said Eugene Perry, president of FASNY. “Whether your family decides to rent a home or cabin, set up camp at a local site or make your backyard an oasis, fire and life safety are paramount.”
Rental safety: Know your surroundings
For families planning to rent a vacation home or cabin, Perry urged renters to take a few basic — but critical — safety steps before settling in.
“If you decide to rent a home or cabin, families need to make sure there are working smoke detectors and CO alarms throughout the house,” he said.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of all home fire deaths occur in residences with no smoke alarms or with alarms that malfunction. The NFPA also found that 37
percent of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms were present, and homes with working smoke alarms are half as likely to experience a fire-related fatality.
“A simple check that your vacation spot has working CO alarms and smoke detectors is an important step that can prevent a tragedy, and may save the lives of you and your family,” Perry said.
Camping safety: Keep fires controlled
Camping is a favorite summer activity for many, especially in New York State, where scenic parks span from the Adirondacks to Long Island.
“New York State has many beautiful camping areas to enjoy — from the mountains to the beaches,” Perry said.
“If families decide to camp, they should remember to keep fire safety as a priority.”
Campers are encouraged to learn how to safely build, maintain and extinguish campfires. The U.S. Forest Service reports that four out of five forest fires are human-caused. Dry summer conditions increase the risk, so it’s essential to check with local park officials or rangers to see whether fires are permitted.
Campfires should never be left unattended, and fires should be extinguished completely with water, not buried with dirt, as hot embers can reignite.
BBQ and backyard cooking: Grill with caution
A backyard barbecue can be a great way to spend time with loved ones—but grills can pose serious risks if used improperly.
“A BBQ is a great way to cook for the family,” said Perry. “But complacency around the grill can lead to danger and injuries. You should always exercise caution and keep the grill well away from structures and where people are playing or walking.”
According to NFPA statistics, children under age five account for nearly 39% of contact-type burns from grills each year. These injuries typically happen when a child bumps into, touches, or falls onto a hot grill or coals.
To avoid accidents, FASNY advises placing grills in open areas, away from walls, fences, and other flammable materials.
Pool safety: Watch the water
Swimming pools are a summer staple for many families — but they can be deadly without proper precautions.
As summer rages on, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York is offering tips to keep residents safe from fire and injuries.
“In the time it takes to reply to a text or turn off the oven, a child can fall into a pool and drown,” said Perry. “All pools should have appropriate barriers to keep children out when adults are not around. When the pool is in use, an adult should be designated to watch in case something goes wrong.”
About FASNY Founded in 1872, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the state’s 80,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel. For more information, visit FASNY.com.
–Jordan Vallone
Courtesy Metro
Holiday cheer arrives at camp for Christmas in July celebration
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
In a spirited celebration of Christmas in July, Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti, and the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots brought early holiday cheer to the young campers of Malibu Beach Camp — complete with a massive, fun-filled water gun fight and gift giveaway.
Timed shortly after National Water Gun Fight Day, the event added a splash of excitement to the summer heat, as campers joined in a playful competition: Team Town of Hempstead vs. Team Nassau County. Hundreds of water guns were donated by Toys for Tots, helping the children cool off while enjoying a day full of laughter and friendly rivalry.
“Events like these are a great way to have some fun, beat the heat, and create life-long memories for our young residents,” Clavin said. “Celebrating Christmas in July by having a giant water gun fight is a fun way to celebrate the season — it’s like a summer twist on a snowball fight.”
Ferretti, who helped secure the water guns with the help of Toys for Tots, shared his enthusiasm for the event and its impact on the campers. “Helping these campers have a blast and build friendships brings back memories for me,” he said. “I look forward to
leading Team Nassau County to victory over Team Hempstead.”
The idea of Christmas in July dates back to 1933, when it was first celebrated at a summer camp like Malibu Beach Camp. Originally intended to bring some holiday spirit to campers and offer a break from the summer heat, the tradition has since grown into an annual celebration that emphasizes generos-
ity and goodwill.
“For over 76 years, Toys for Tots has been an outstanding organization dedicated to making children smile,” Clavin said, thanking the group for their donation and longstanding commitment to giving back to the community.
“While we’re all here to have a great time with some friendly competition, let’s remember to play safely and
responsibly to ensure everyone enjoys the day to the fullest,” Clavin added. “Thank you once again to Legislator John Ferretti and especially the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Not only are they heroes for our country, but they’re also heroes for our community. I look forward to our continued partnership during the holiday season.”
Courtesy Town of Hempstead
Early holiday cheer arrived at the Malibu Beach Camp in the Town of Hempstead last week for a Christmas in July celebration complete with a gift giveaway, thanks to the assistance of the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots.
Koslow delivers essentials to NEST
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow on July 23 delivered donations of toiletries, personal hygiene items and household cleaning essentials to the Nassau: Empowerment and Support for Tomorrow at Nassau Community College.
The items were collected at the Merrick Library during his summer food and toiletry drives. The Freeport, North Merrick, and North Bellmore Libraries served as the drop-off points.
Entire
The NEST, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, promotes health and wellness by maintaining a free-choice pantry that provides food, personal care items, and support services to students, employees, and families in need.
“For the last decade, the NEST has given the people they serve more than just essential goods – they have delivered hope and support as their clients build a path
to a better future,” Koslow said. Koslow is also in the midst of his second annual back-to-school supply drive. From now until Aug. 18, donors can drop off supplies, including but not limited to backpacks, folders, notebooks, paper, binders, subject dividers, pencil cases and sharpeners, pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, markers, glue sticks, lunch boxes, index cards, rulers, safety scissors and more, at the Freeport, Merrick, and North Merrick libraries during their normal business hours.
Koslow, a Democrat who represents parts of Freeport, Merrick and Bellmore, will be running for Nassau County Executive against incumbent Bruce Blakeman this November.
— Brian Kacharaba
Courtesy Office of Legislator Seth I. Koslow
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, middle, delivered the donations from his summer drives on July 23.
STEPPING OUT A instoryevery step
Celebrate culture and community at the Gold Coast Dance Festival
By Roksana Amid
As sundown takes hold at Morgan Memorial Park on Aug. 2, artists representing a rich spectrum of dance styles — from classical ballet and folklorico to tap, contemporary and hip-hop — take to a stage. The fifth annual Gold Coast Dance Festival — set against the backdrop of the Long Island Sound — is a grand celebration of culture, movement and community connection.
Hosted by New York Dance Theatre, the free event attracts folks to see a varied lineup of dancers from Alvin Ailey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York City Ballet, Broadway, and more. This year’s edition also includes Ballet Nepantla, a returning favorite known for blending traditional Mexican folklorico with contemporary dance.
“Ballet Nepantla are an astounding company,” Festival Executive Producer Nicole Loizides Albruzzese says. “They’ve been noted as embodying the in-between-ness of those who live on the borderland, mixing in cultures and gaining a little bit from either side.”
Founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, this began as an informal gathering of dancers organized by Albruzzese, a professional performer and Glen Cove resident. She invited a few colleagues to Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay as a way to decompress from the emotional toll of the lockdown. This experience inspired her to bring a professional dance festival to Glen Cove the following year.
“Because the world just stopped talking to one another, stopped dining together, we wanted to create something that brought people together without the need for words,” Albruzzese says. “Dance can do that.”
Since then, the festival has grown to involve dozens of performers and companies, including John Manzari, a renowned Broadway tap dancer and featured artist from “So You Think You Can Dance,” and MorDance, a contemporary ballet company based in Yonkers. This will be MorDance’s first appearance here.
For those inspired to dance themselves, join Jamie Shannon of Kilowatt Dance Theater for an introductory Lindy Hop class on the beach at 4:30 p.m., open to all ages and skill levels, before performances begin.
“Lindy Hop is one of America’s beloved early social dances, stemming from jazz and Harlem and a beautiful social era,” Albruzzese explains. “Bring your dinner down, enjoy a class, and go see a show. You get a more intimate look at the artists beforehand, and then you get to see them on stage.”
New York Dance Theatre, which is celebrating its 51st year, produces the festival through its nonprofit mission to make high-level dance accessible to all audiences.
•
Park, Germaine Street, Glen Cove
• Festival updates and class announcements available on New York Dance Theatre’s social media platforms
The company also runs the Développé program, a a scholarship initiative that provides free yearlong dance education to atrisk youth, foster families and English-language learners across Long Island.
Développé partners with community organizations, including Options for Community Living, which supports families experiencing homelessness and financial hardship. One of the newest scholarship recipients is an 11-year-old girl who had never taken a dance class before this summer.
“She leaves the studio glowing,” Albruzzese says. “She’s one of the most graceful dancers in the class. Starting classical dance between the ages of 11 and 14 can be intimidating, but she’s handling it so beautifully.”
A suggested festival donation of $20 supports the Développé program. Contributions help fund workshops, lectures, performances and scholarships provided by NYDT throughout the year.
Albruzzese says the festival is designed to be inclusive, welcoming people of all backgrounds and abilities.
“A woman came up to me last year and said, ‘It’s not so often I find something to do with my mom or my grandmother,’” she recalls. “Her grandmother was 92 and squealing with excitement watching the performances. That’s what this is about. You can just grab a park bench, sit on the grass and stay for five minutes or the entire evening.”
Graceanne Pierce, a Queens resident and New York Dance Theatre artist, takes the stage this year.
Last year’s featured performers represented Haiti, China, Iraq, and Mexico. Each year’s lineup is curated to reflect global traditions and storytelling through movement, according to Albruzzese.
“I think because we offer such a huge, diverse array of cultural programming, everyone leaves loving something. We birthed a star, and it’s shining everywhere. It’s benefiting the artists, the audience and our local cultural institutions,” she adds enthusiastically.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs and picnic dinners.
‘So in love with you am I’
Check out a stylized concert version of the classic golden age musical. Egotistical leading man-directorproducer Fred Graham (Broadway’s Charlie Marcus) is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi (Broadway talent Christina DeCicco, of Rockville Centre) when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” The battle of the sexes continues onstage and off, as it becomes clear that, as much as this couple profess to hate each other, they are also still in love. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, the mob, and comedic routines into the mix and you get “Kiss Me, Kate” — a dazzling Broadway classic that earned the very first Tony award for Best Musical. A cast of 30 brings this “concert” production to life with limited costumes and scenic elements. The dynamic performers include Molloy’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students and also alumni.
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3, 3 p.m. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or call (516) 323-4444.
Magic Rocks!
Illusionist Leon Etienne has sold out venues all over the world with his blockbuster performances of Magic Rocks! Now he arrives here with his jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed hit show. You’ve seen him on “America’s Got Talent,” “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, “Masters of Illusion,” and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us!” Hailed by critics as “America’s Rock Illusionist,” Leon is a worldwide hit with audiences, critics and producers. He’s recognized for his onstage charisma, a fast-paced, high energy, rock n’ roll performance style — and his no-nonsense approach to magic. This interactive, family-friendly spectacular showcases mind-blowing tricks, award-winning sleight of hand and non-stop laughter. Perfect for audiences of all ages, it’s an immersive experience filled with wonder, laughter and jaw-dropping moments you won’t soon forget. Etienne’s performance style attracts worldwide attention; join in this unforgettable night of magic and you’ll see why.
Sunday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m. $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $31.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Saturday, Aug. 2, 6 p.m.; rain date is Aug. 9
Morgan Memorial
Photos courtesy Nicole Albruzzese
Last year, Wendi Weng, a Chinese immigrant and resident of Huntington, wowed the festival audience.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
School Supply Drive
Nassau County Legislature Legislator Seth I. Koslow is partnering with the Merrick and North Merrick public libraries to host his second annual back-to-school supply drive to ensure local students have everything they need for a strong start to the 2025-26 school year. From now until Aug. 18 during regular library hours, donors can drop off needed school supplies, including but not limited to backpacks, folders, spiral and marble notebooks, loose leaf paper, binders, tabbed subject dividers, pencil cases and sharpeners, pens, pencils (colored and No. 2), highlighters, erasers, markers, glue sticks, lunchboxes, index cards, rulers, safety scissors and more.
•Where: 2279 Merrick Ave. (Merrick Library and 1691 Meadowbrook Road (North Merrick Library
•Time: Regular library hours
•Contact: (516) 571-6205
Live After Five
Don’t miss out on Merrick’s Live After Five. Merrick Community Civic Association hosts an evening dedicated to supporting local businesses. Participating restaurants and shops offer special promotions for the evening for all customers. Enjoy music at the Gazebo near the LIRR (weather permitting).
•Where: Along Merrick Avenue, from LIRR to Loines Ave, and into the Merrick Mall.
•Time: Beginning at 5 p.m.
•Contact: For the most up to date list of participating businesses, check out @ MerrickLiveAfterFive on Instagram
Summer sounds
Christopher Macchio joins the Nassau Pops at Eisenhower Park for “Opera and the Classics.” Enjoy a lively evening that’s both familiar and unexpected.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: Fnassaucountyny.gov
Haunted Mansion Escape Room
To celebrate Summer-ween, Merrick Library has transformed into the Haunted Mansion! Work together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and beat the clock before the time runs out. Do you have what it takes to escape the Haunted Mansion and make it back to safety? Open to those in grades 4-12 as well as adults.
•Where: 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick
‘The Rocketman Show’
8
Military notes
Eisenhower Park welcomes the 42nd Infantry Division Band and the N.Y. Army National Guard.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Fossil Fun
Step into the shoes of a young paleontologist in this handson art and science activity at Long Island Children’s Museum. Create fossil rubbing art to take home at the drop-in program. For ages 3 and up.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
AUG
Remember when rock was young? You will after this enthralling show, on the Paramount stage. Blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself. With a nostalgic setlist that’ll take you right back to when rock was young, this is a must-see for Elton John fans — of all generations.
Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself. Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics come to life again as Anderson recreates the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. He storms around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller.
This is a detailed re-creation of Elton John’s ‘70s shows that’s not to be missed.
Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing gorgeous, colorful and spectacular costumes, including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $35. AUG
•Time: 15-minute time slots available starting at 4 p.m.
•Contact: merricklibrary.org or call (516) 377-6112
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the FoliesBergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.
•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
AUG
1
Summer tunes Rock on with Half Step’s tribute to the Grateful Dead at Eisenhower Park.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
AUG
2
Storybook stroll
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for another storybook adventure
Stroll the gardens and enjoy a telling of Eva Moore’s “Lucky Duckings.” With a take-home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage.
•Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
•Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
•Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call 516-333-0048
In concert
Eisenhower Park welcomes all
•Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
to its annual Salute to Veterans concert, featuring American Bombshells and Rolling Stones tribute band Streetfighter.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadowe
•Time: 6:45 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
AUG
3
6
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park.
Enjoy Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Set more than three decades after the first film, it follows Lydia Deetz, now a mother, struggling to keep her family together in the wake of a loss as Betelgeuse returns to haunt her. Starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
•Time: Movie begins at dusk
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
AUG
7
Unbox A-Saurus for Us!
Dr. Patricia Osiris visits with young paleontologists-intraining at Long Island Children’s Museum’s new stage production. This interactive theatrical experience invites visitors to join eccentric paleontologist Dr. Patricia Osiris (a.k.a. “Dr. Patti”) as she attempts to reveal a never-beforeseen dinosaur specimen — if only she can figure out how to open the crate it’s locked in. Along the way, the audience becomes key players in solving problems, sparking laughter and exploring the world of dinosaurs in a lighthearted “scientific” comedy that blends imagination and learning. $5 with museum admission, $10 theater only.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Aug 6
•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Music in the garden
Join singer Debra Toscano at Merrick Library. She’ll take everyone on a musical journey from the 1920s through the 1970s with behindthe-scenes stories from growing up in the entertainment business. No registration required.
•Where: 2279 S. Merrick Ave., Merrick
•Time: 6:30 p.m.
•Contact: merricklibrary.org or call (516) 377-6112
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: LCCS Solutions Group LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 06/02/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 1870 Monore Ave., N.Bellmore NY 11710 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 154562
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 08/06/2025 at 9:30
A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30
A.M.
Young activist Brown is new ERASE intern
“Seeing her leadership skills, her auditory skills and her lens for wanting to change some of the things that are happening in her district, [that is] what made her stand out a bit more than the other applicants because of the work she’s been doing with ERASE Racism,” Taylor said.
According to its website, ERASE Racism’s mission it to ‘expose forms of racial discrimination, advocate for laws and policies that eliminate racial disparities, increase understanding of how structural racism and segregation impact our communities and region, and engage the public in fostering equity and inclusion.’
Taylor said that during the internship, students spend two days at the organization’s headquarters in Garden City and the other three virtually learning from different professors. They take what they learn and put it into a project that will impact their community or school district.
405/25. BELLMORE - 7Eleven # 37698, Renewal of grant to maintain one doublefaced illuminated detached ground sign; overall size 125.4 sq. ft. (62.7 sq. ft. per face); height 18’6” setback 7’4” from Jerusalem Ave. & 4’10” from Bellmore Ave., clearance 5’6” from grade to bottom of sign & within clear sight triangle., N/W cor. Jerusalem Ave. & Bellmore Ave. running thru to Vollkommer Pl., a/k/a 2259 Jerusalem Ave.
409/25. BELLMOREMJJP1 LLC, Special exception to maintain accessory structure (shed) higher & larger than permitted, exceeding horizontal maximum on both sides with less than required side yard setback & not permitted in the side yard., N/s Beach Ave., 449.17’ E/o Bellmore Ave., a/k/a 136 Beach Ave.
420/25. BELLMOREVengavil Paul Mathew, Special exception to maintain shed exceeding horizontal maximum with lot area occupied variance., N/s Virginia Ave., 48.81’ W/o Cedar Rd., a/k/a 857 Virginia Ave. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M.
427/25. N. BELLMOREDunsen Lin, Special exception for proposed parking field, permission to park in front yard setback on Jerusalem Ave. & with insufficient
maneuvering aisle., N/s Jerusalem Ave., 110.48’ W/o Bellmore Ave., a/k/a 2241 Jerusalem Ave. S.E.Q.R. determination not made. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.
This notice is only for new cases in Bellmore within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 154823
LEGAL NOTICE
BELLMORE-MERRICK
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D.
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU NOTICE TO BIDDERS:
In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Transportation Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for: Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative 2025-2026 School Year Bid Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10:00 am. Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district.
By order: Board of Education
BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLMORE U.F.S.D.
MERRICK U.F.S.D.
NORTH BELLMORE
U.F.S.D.
NORTH MERRICK
U.F.S.D. 154803
Without getting into specifics, Brown says she has seen instances of racism at her school (Calhoun’s racial breakdown in 74% white, 14% Hispanic, 8% black, and 4% multiracial, according to GreatSchools.org) and wants to spend her final two years there continuing her research project on how schools counteract racial slurs and enforce punishment for such offenses.
“I feel that in not just my high school but other high schools, a lot of kids get away with saying racial slurs, whether it’s antisemitic or it’s against a certain community,” she said. “I feel like a lot of teachers and administrations have a blind eye against it and when they do see it, they give them the bare minimum sentence.”
Brown credited her auditory skills to her mother Barbara, who was the first to suggest her contacting ERASE when planning her Black History Month exhibit this past school year.
“I give all of the credit to my mom because I would not be where I am today because of her,” she said. “She pushes me to do my best and she pushes me to try for the best in general.”
The exhibit, which she wanted to display on the high school auditorium stage, featured artifacts provided by Unspoken History Treasures of Massapequa that included historical pictures, chains, whips, cotton, inventions by African Americans that were never patented by them, signs representing the Jim Crow era, and guest speakers. She wanted the show to be viewed by any student during their free periods, social studies and English classes.
Brown said she went away for her sister’s birthday a week before the event, and upon returning, she discovered that it was moved to the less spacious library, and could only be viewed by freshmen who would visit on a rotating basis during their social studies and English classes.
“I left it up to the teachers and the administration to figure out the event, and it was different from my initial vision,” she said. “What was concerning me was the attendance. I initially wanted it for the entire school, but my school made the decision while I was away to only make it for the freshmen because there was a schedule issue. Not everyone has the same social studies and English time and period.”
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District did not return a request seeking comment about the switch by press time.
Unspoken founder Carol Gordon was one of the speakers at the exhibit. Despite the revised plan, Gordon still came away impressed by Brown’s tenacity and was excited for her future.
“It’s her drive, it’s her leadership,” she said. “At her age, can you imagine what she will be like when she gets to the 12th grade? Oh, my goodness!”
Brown wants to continue being a civil rights activist and pursue a law degree in criminal justice after graduation. She already gained experience in that field by interning for Hempstead Village Justice Brianna A. Vaughan earlier this year. She will resume shadowing her in September.
Brown views herself as a ‘strong’ role model and often gives advice to others on how they can get involved with the cause. She feels that if more voices are heard, there will be a greater chance for change.
“We have to teach the next generation to speak up and refuse to stay silent when they see injustice, no matter where it is,” she said. “You have to be able to have a sense of boldness to challenge it. You don’t get anywhere by staying silent.”
Calhoun junior Anisah Brown helped organize the ERASE Racism’s Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow Conference at Hofstra last March.
ConTInuEd fRoM pAgE 1
Photos courtesy Anisah Brown
Anisah Brown plans to pursue a law degree after graduating from Calhoun.
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dzawol@rvcschools.org
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Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
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Is a doorbell camera enough?
Where Style Meets Drama
Q. We have a doorbell camera, and understand that it’s a deterrent to would-be burglars, but as we’re renovating our home, are there other ways we can “design” in ways to keep people from robbing it? We keep seeing reports on the neighbor app of our door camera about people checking out houses in the area, and we’re very concerned. Any ideas would are appreciated.
A. People often plan the latest technology items into renovations, and I learn from my clients, all the time, about ideas they’ve researched, from locations for hidden cameras to sensor devices that tell them when people are approaching. Some clients ask about electronically controlled driveway gates, and I advise them that unless the fencing is also monitored, all they’re stopping is a vehicle.
When you have a very long driveway to the house, gates make sense, even if just to give the impression that the property is more secure, but when you can see the entrance from the street from the front door or windows, it’s a moot point to have a controlled driveway gate, because 80 percent of the time, burglars approach a home on foot, slipping around a gate, or over a short fence, to get to a more secluded spot to enter without being seen. With that in mind, outside areas of buildings that create hidden corners should be planned out of the design.
According to the National Center for Policing Innovation, the average burglar will spend no more than 60 seconds breaking in. If you can delay a break-in for 90 seconds or longer, a burglar may get nervous and leave. A hiding spot gives them extra time.
Fortify exterior doors with deadbolts that extend at least an inch and a half into the door frame. Glass doors in the front or back of a dwelling can be fortified by installing “hurricane”-strength glass instead of standard glazed doors, and sliding doors with a metal track rod can be effective. Hurricaneglass windows are much more costly than regular windows, but protect your home from burglars as well as storms.
Remember that even with an alarm system, which can be a deterrent, if a burglar has already had a look at the interior of your home and knows where to go, they will be in and out before any law enforcement gets there.
I was impressed that the police came to my home quickly when a door accidentally blew open, and checked every closet and potential hiding place before pronouncing the home secure. So if you come home to an open door or window, it’s advisable not to enter without calling the police for a safety check. It could save you from injury or worse, confronting a burglar.
Pet doors measuring more than six inches across should be avoided. Silly as it sounds, some burglars actually use a child to squeeze through a pet door and open the doors from the inside. More to come.
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Why I care about immigration — and why
all of us should
people often ask me why I care so much about immigration.
Of course, my constituents care about it; they want to stop the chaos at the southern border and fix the asylum system, and they want to see people treated like human beings.
I agree with them. More than that, though, immigration is personal for me.
I look at America through the lens of the immigrant story — the story of my family, and the story of the American dream. My father came to this country as an infant. His parents — my grandparents — came from Italy with nothing. And yet, through hard work and devotion to family, they built a life here. Their son went to law school on the GI bill after serving in World War II, rising to become a mayor and a State Supreme Court justice. Their grandson is a member of the United States Congress.
An article that hung in my grandfather’s home, from Nov. 10, 1960, is titled “Success Story.” A segment reads:
“Glen Cove can be proud of its Mayor
Joseph A. Suozzi, who was elected to the State Supreme Court on Tuesday . . .
“Judge Suozzi came to these shores as an infant, the son of immigrant parents. Their lot was not an easy one, in a strange land, but Mr. and Mrs. Michael Suozzi raised a fine family, and while they lived comfortably, they did not gain great material wealth. But they did gain another kind of wealth which no Depression, no misfortune can ever take away from them. They devoted their lives to their family and their success of their children is their great fortune.
ieven wrote to the president, asking him to work with me on comprehensive reform.
“Now their boy, Joe, will soon be a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. How proud they must be! And we who know them share their pride.
“Mike and Rosa Suozzi certainly made good in America. God bless them.”
That’s why I care about immigration. Through my own family, I’ve seen the promise of America fulfilled. But I also see how that promise is at risk — because our immigration system is broken, and Congress has failed to fix it. It’s painful for me that this issue by which I define my American experience has become such a negative, controversial force in our politics.
How will the
it is said that each of us, if we’re lucky, gets 80 summers. Some folks prefer winter or the rebirth vibe of spring, but for most, it is summer, the short season of our years, that seems sweetest.
Summers have telescoped lives of their own. Whatever our age, summer begins in our minds as hopes and expectations, is realized in the days from June 21 to Sept. 21 and is remembered ever after.
The very first summer I remember was 1951, at Rockaway Beach, where we rented a bungalow on 54th Street. That was the Summer of My Sister, who had recently been born and, for some reason, expected to come along on our vacation. The fireworks on the boardwalk every Wednesday night were my big-sister treat, and best memory. There was the Summer of New Hampshire, when our parents took us on a much-hyped car trip to the Granite State. I was 8, my sister was 4 and our
Congress has failed for decades to pass comprehensive immigration reform because too many politicians have weaponized immigration policy for political gain without doing a thing to fix it. Even when bipartisan solutions emerge, they’re often derailed by political forces more interested in scoring points than solving problems.
Reasonable people should agree that violent criminals who are here illegally should be deported. But what’s happening now is far more chaotic. Parents who’ve lived here for years, send their kids to school with my kids, work six days a week and go to church on Sunday are living in fear. We need to figure out a way for people who work, pay taxes and follow the rules to stop having to look over their shoulder. Families that have been here for decades deserve legal status so they can build lives for their children and grandchildren, like our family did.
We must secure the border, fix the broken asylum system, and create legal pathways for Dreamers, farm workers, TPS holders, essential workers in fields like health care and hospitality, and residents who’ve been here for over a
decade.
Democrats and Republicans must come together. While President Trump has had remarkable success securing the border, he has done so through executive orders, which can easily be overturned. Real progress must come from Congress.
I’ll continue to do my part. I’ve worked toward comprehensive immigration reform as co-chair of the Democrats for Border Security Taskforce, as co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, and through the bipartisan coalition I built of “business, badges and the Bible” — members of the business, law enforcement and religious communities who have longstanding stakes in American immigration policy.
I even wrote a letter to the president, asking him to work with me and make a deal on comprehensive reform. I’ve reached out, and I hope he reaches back.
We can uphold the law and our values. We can protect our borders and treat people with dignity. We can be safe and fair.
That’s the America my grandparents believed in when they arrived in this country. It’s the America I still believe in. And it’s the one we have to keep fighting for — together.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
summer of ’25 be remembered?
grandmother, who sat in the back seat, was ancient, I guess in her 50s. My father had made all the arrangements via mail, writing to Stonybrook Farms to set up our holiday. We drove 10 hours, pumped with excitement. When we drove through the broken gates, the moment collapsed on itself like a black hole. The cabins were like chicken coops. My mother started to sob. But Dad had a plan. We stayed one night, skipped out in the predawn hours and drove all the way to Canada. That summer I learned to have a Plan B, and how to skip out under cover of darkness.
i lived through the Summer of Love, but this summer is not feeling like love.
The Summer of Robert English was a doozie. I was about 15, living in Cedarhurst, and my mother’s best friend invited her nephew, 16, to visit for the summer from New Mexico. I fell wildly in love with Robert the second I saw him. Which was also how he felt when I introduced him to my best friend, Jackie. I barely survived their romance.
The Summer of Working for Dad was like pinning a golden moment in time. My dad was a dentist, and after my
freshman year in college, I worked in his office in Brooklyn. Chairside assistant. Holder of hands. But it wasn’t the work that made the summer remarkable; it was getting to know my father. We went out to lunch every day and we talked. Without the context of our regular family life, he became a real person to me.
Also, one of his patients gave me a $10 tip.
I remember the Summer of the Diet Doctor, when I answered an ad for an assistant in a diet-pill practice. The doctor was 48 and his wife was 18, my age. I remember that summer because I lied to get the job, not revealing that I was going back to college in the fall.
By July I couldn’t stand it; I told them the truth. They asked me to stay on. That was the good part. The bad part was that the doctor was a groper. Quite a few life lessons were learned.
Our best summers were the Montana Summers, the five years we traveled the state, from Missoula to Glacier Park, from Flathead Lake to White Fish to Helena. We hiked and learned to fly fish and, as a family and for the first time,
leaped out of our comfort zone and found footing in new terrain.
More recently, the Summer of Covid was, for us, not deadly, but frightening. We stayed at our place in Florida through the summer, hidden away inside, except for late afternoon, when we went down to the beach and into the Gulf. Every day, the same routine. We didn’t see our children and grandchildren for months. We think of that summer with gratitude, for our family surviving, and even for the endless open expanses of time to think and read and test ourselves against the unknown.
What will the Summer of ’25 be remembered for? I lived through the Summer of Love in 1967, high on freedom and music and just being young. We protested the war in Vietnam and sat in on sit-ins and danced to the Dead. But this summer is not feeling like love. Political strife ramped up by bad actors has supercharged the atmosphere.
I’ll keep calling out the threats to our freedoms and democracy, but that’s not a full-time job. I will also find the joyful moments, hold on to them and try not to let go.
Copyright 2025 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
ToM sUoZZi
RAnDi KREiss
Bellmore
and Bellmore Herald News
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iBecome a rescuer, not a bystander
t happened in an instant. One moment, 9-year-old Robbie Levine, of Merrick, was rounding the bases in a 2005 Little League game; the next, he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest.
Teammates, coaches and parents could only watch in horror. There was no automated external defibrillator available on the field, no trained bystander able to keep the boy’s heart beating until help arrived. Robbie never made it home.
Sudden cardiac arrest doesn’t wait — not for an ambulance, and not for advanced age. It strikes without warning, even in children and young athletes who seem perfectly healthy. That’s why learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and ensuring rapid access to an AED, can mean the difference between life and death.
Every minute without intervention in a cardiac emergency decreases survival by 10 percent, according to the American Heart Association, yet far too many public athletic fields — so many of them used by kids — remain unprepared for the worst.
Nassau County is taking a critical step with the proposed Robbie’s Law, legislation that would require AEDs at all county-run athletic fields. Named in memory of Robbie Levine, the measure underscores the urgent need to equip public spaces with lifesaving tools. It is unclear when the Legislature will vote on it.
This effort shouldn’t be controversial: AEDs are relatively easy to use, with clear voice instructions, designed for anyone — even those without medical training — to operate. When paired with immediate CPR, a defibrillator can increase a victim’s survival rate by more than 70 percent, according to the American Red Cross.
The American Heart Association estimates that nearly 90 percent of cardiac arrests that occur outside hospitals are fatal, often because bystanders don’t act quickly enough. Every second matters, because emergency medical services often take six to eight minutes to arrive in heavily populated areas. Brain death begins in as little as four minutes. Those first critical minutes belong to those on the scene and whatever tools they have on hand. Without AEDs, families lose loved ones not because paramedics were late, but because no one nearby was ready.
The AHA’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign aims to change that by making CPR training a more regular part of American life. Members of Duke University’s men’s basketball and football teams were recently trained in handsonly CPR — a streamlined method that doesn’t involve mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and can be mastered in under an hour. If elite college athletes can take the time to learn this lifesaving skill, so can
letters
Nassau County is showing signs of becoming a police state
Editors’ note: This letter was sent on Monday to the Nassau County Legislature.
Nassau County’s government structure mirrors that of the federal government, with three equal branches: the county executive, the Legislature and the judicial branch. Like Congress, the Nassau Legislature crafts laws, controls the county’s purse strings, and oversees the county executive and various government entities. Therefore, it’s up to you to hold the reins on a county executive who overspends and writes policies that put your constituents in danger.
A police state is characterized by an overwhelming government control that permeates civil society and liberties. There is typically little distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive, and the deployment of internal security and police forces play a heightened role in governance. A police state is a characteristic of an authoritarian government, typically in one-party governments. Nassau County is showing signs of becoming such a state.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman took the safest county in the nation, with a police force that is beyond reproach, and decided that it is not good
the rest of us.
Nassau’s Robbie’s Law must be just the beginning. CPR training should be as universal as learning to swim, or drive. Schools should make it a part of health class curriculums. Community centers, youth sports leagues and workplaces can host free or low-cost training sessions. The more people who know what to do when a heart stops, the more likely it is that bystanders will become confident rescuers.
AEDs should be as common as fire extinguishers — not just in gyms and schools, but also in parks, libraries, shopping centers and other places where people gather. They must be easy to locate, clearly marked, and regularly maintained. Nassau should follow the lead of Suffolk County, where at least 135 AEDs have been deployed across the county. The cost is modest; the value of a saved life is immeasurable.
We teach children to look both ways before crossing the street, to buckle their seat belts and to wear helmets when they ride bikes. CPR and AED familiarity deserve the same emphasis. No family should endure the heartbreak the Levines carry to this day.
Call your county legislator and tell them to support Robbie’s Law. To find your legislator, go to NassauCountyNy. gov/489/County-Legislature. And to find out where you can be trained in CPR and the use of an AED, go to RedCross.org.
enough. With the establishment of a personal militia, Blakeman’s authoritarian tendencies have raised significant concerns about public safety and accountability.
It is imperative for the Legislature to illuminate the financial implications of this decision, not only in terms of direct costs associated with maintaining such a force, but also the potential
As ticks thrive on L.I., Lyme disease is on the rise
nearly three decades ago, after reporting on severe Lyme disease cases on Long Island, I chose to receive a series of newly available vaccinations designed to prevent the illness following a tick bite.
In 1998, SmithKline Beecham introduced LYMErix, the first vaccine to help protect against Lyme disease. I received three doses from my family physician. I experienced no side effects, and although I was bitten by ticks in the years that followed, I never contracted Lyme disease.
In 2002, however, LYMErix was withdrawn from the market following a class-action lawsuit filed by 121 people who claimed they experienced adverse reactions, including arthritis, after being vaccinated.
Since then, Lyme disease has continued to surge across Long Island.
Testing now shows that about half of all deer ticks in the region carry the disease. Many physicians no longer wait for the telltale bull’s-eye rash before starting treatment — instead, they prescribe antibiotics immediately when they confirm a tick bite.
Tick-borne diseases, including Lyme, have also spread worldwide. Climate change has contributed to the problem, with warmer winters leading to fewer cold days that might otherwise reduce tick populations.
aborne diseases in the U.S. has more than doubled.”
While no Lyme vaccine is currently available in the United States, several are under development. One candidate uses OspC protein antigens to provoke an immune response, and could be released in the coming years.
nd my experience helps make the case that a vaccine can work.
An article published last month in New Scientist, titled “Ticking Time Bomb,” described the global rise of tick-borne illnesses. It stated that ticks “represent a vast and growing reservoir of viral, parasitic and bacterial pathogens” and currently “carry more human-infecting pathogens than any other disease-carrying organism.”
The report noted that tick populations are expanding rapidly, and bringing a growing number of diseases with them. “In the past 20 years,” it said, “the annual number of cases of tick-
Letters
human and monetary liabilities that could arise from trigger-happy citizens who enjoy playing cop. The community deserves transparency regarding how taxpayer dollars are being allocated, especially when it comes to the exorbitant fees paid to politically connected attorneys defending unconstitutional policies. And the Legislature must investigate whether using our tax dollars to pay outside attorneys has been the purpose all along.
The Nassau County Police Department has long been regarded as a model of integrity and excellence in law enforcement, earning the trust and respect of the community it serves. However, there is a shortage of detectives on our streets. Knowing this, it is unconscionable that the Legislature permitted Blakeman to reassign 10 detectives from their vital roles to serve as ICE officers, compromising the safety of your constituents.
How much is this costing taxpayers? When will our Legislature take the initiative to hold hearings and investigate the repercussions of such decisions on our community’s safety? It is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of our neighborhoods and ensure that our law enforcement resources are effectively deployed to protect and serve all residents.
The NCPD’s mission statement promises to “strengthen and expand the partnerships between the police and the communities we serve.” Yet Blakeman’s cozy collaboration with ICE has thrown
a wrench into the NCPD partnership with the communities it serves. Parents are gripped by fear, hesitating to send their children to school or venture out for basic necessities like food or health care. The irony is inescapable: The very people who are supposed to protect us are now viewed with suspicion. Immigrants are hesitant to call for help in times of need.
Your constituents need to know where the money is going from the 1,400 immigrants detained in Blakeman’s mini-internment camp. With each staying for three days at $195 a day, Nassau is reaping profits from the deportation of primarily hardworking, taxpaying residents, many of whom have been contributing to the community for years and have no criminal record. If you intended to go into the prison business, shouldn’t it have been brought to a vote? The county should not be making money off deporting our immigrant neighbors and then turning a blind eye to the needs of the families left behind.
Out of an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, only 3 percent have criminal records, with 20 percent of those records consisting of minor traffic violations. Immigrants contribute 21 percent to the overall economy. Yet amid their tireless efforts as house cleaners, landscapers and restaurant workers, many are being suddenly swept away while their children — who may or may not be citizens — are left in school, wondering where their parents have gone.
A June article in Newsday reported that New York-based Pfizer Inc. and the French pharmaceutical company Valneva have developed a Lyme vaccine called VLA15. It is in latestage clinical trials, and could be submitted for Food and Drug Administration approval as early as 2026.
Still, the article noted that vaccine hesitancy may pose a barrier to widespread acceptance. “If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is,” the article stated, referencing the public pushback that followed LYMErix’s release in the late 1990s.
“A new shot for Lyme could face pushback,” the Newsday article’s headline, featured mixed public opinions. A retired police detective from East
Yaphank said, “I don’t get any shots.”
A woman from Bay Shore, however, said she would “for sure” get the new vaccine if it is approved by the FDA.
Additional resources on tick safety and disease prevention are available on Suffolk County’s Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory website, under the section “Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases.”
Meanwhile, the State Legislature recently passed a resolution unanimously requiring the state Department of Health and other agencies to publish a report detailing tick populations and tick-borne illnesses by county. The measure was introduced by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., with co-sponsorship by Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, of Sag Harbor.
“We need to fight this, and the only way to do so is to have timely and correct information at our fingertips,” Schiavoni said.
Carl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury whose courses include investigative reporting and environmental journalism.
This is happening in Nassau County.
The Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club is calling on the Legislature to fulfill its responsibilities of oversight and hold the reins on Blakeman’s authoritarian tendencies for a police state; investigate whether forming a private militia, taking detectives off the street, creating an internment camp and
masking law enforcement make us safer. Further, the Legislature must disclose to the public how tax dollars are being allocated to fund these unconstitutional initiatives and their defense.
CLAUDIA
BOrECKY President, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club
Framework by Tim Baker
Yacht Rock Revue performing at the Great South Bay Music Festival — Patchogue
