Bellmore Herald 11-27-2025

Tim Baker/Herald

Andrew Meyerowitz, president of the Bellmore Kiwanis, and Marianne Adrian, lieutenant governor of the Long Island South Central Division, prepare Thanksgiving meals.

Volunteers prepare Thanksgiving meals Kiwanis’s

holiday project unites L.I. groups

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

The scent of roasting turkey and freshly baked stuffing filled the American Legion Hall in Massapequa earlier this week as volunteers from across Long Island gathered to prepare thousands of Thanksgiving meals for families in need.

For the Belmore Kiwanis Club, what began as a modest effort in 2020 has grown into a multi-day community tradition. That year, the club delivered 2,000 meals to local organizations and individuals during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, the project scaled up to anticipate 5,000 meals.

“We started small, and each year it’s

grown,” said Andrew Meyerowitz, president of the Bellmore Kiwanis. “It’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the need on Long Island, but maybe a family doesn’t have to worry about where their Thanksgiving meal is coming from because of this project.”

Among the earliest volunteers was Gary Crozier, a Levittown Kiwanis member who has been involved since Meyerowitz first asked for help. Crozier, who was born and raised in Levittown and has spent decades volunteering through youth sports, church groups, and community organizations, said the project immediately resonated with him.

“Levittown was built for veterans returning home from World War II,” he said. “I’m a son of a veteran, a son-in-law of a veteran. It

Local’s book on veterans now available to read

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

David Grogan may be a retired veteran, but he still works towards a vital mission: the preservation of history.

Grogan is a retired naval officer and international lawyer, serving for about 27 years, regularly negotiating treaties, and advising admirals.

Throughout the years, Grogan travelled around the world throughout various wars and national crises, including working at the Pentagon in response to 9/11. Wherever he went, he met fascinating people whose stories were worth preserving.

Grogan’s book is “Learning to Live From Those Willing to Die,” published in September, collects the stories of 26 veterans: five of World War II, 13 of the Vietnam War, two from Desert Storm, three from the Iraq War, and three from the Cold War. These stories are organized to communicate 14 life lessons readers can learn from the lives of service members during the time of their service.

“I started writing about veterans back in July of 2017,” Grogan said. He took his skills from writing crime fiction and put them towards connecting with brothers and sisters in arms by featuring their stories on his website and eventually creating this book.

All of the book’s proceeds go towards America’s VetDogs, a veteran-focused charity based in Smithtown that helps train and provide free guide and service dogs to veterans and first responders. So far, the book has raised about $2,000 for the foundation.

Tom Garvey, 78, a Merrick resident and combat veteran of the Vietnam War, is featured in Chapter 4 of the book. He was 19 when he was drafted into the military.

“This marine looks at my orders,” Garvey remembered, “he says, ‘Oh, you’re going to Dong Ha. You don’t want to go there.’ I’m saying to myself… What is this place?”

Garvey served in the Vietnam War from 1967 - 68 as a part of the Army’s field artil -

ConTInueD on pAge 9

From Calhoun High School to the mix

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

For most of her life, Danielle Johnsen walked the halls of Calhoun High School with headphones on, lost in whatever song spoke to her that day. At 31, the Merrick native is no longer just listening — she’s creating a sound entirely her own.

Johnsen, a Calhoun Class of 2012 graduate, didn’t expect to become a musician. After studying Spanish at Nassau Community College and SUNY Old Westbury, she briefly pursued teaching. But the pull of music — something she describes as “an obsession” — didn’t fade.

M“I’m a really honest person to a fault, and what I value most is selfexpression,” she said. “I just felt this strong desire to inspire people to be authentic. Music was the only place where I felt completely heard.”

y music is about the ‘come up,’ about reminding people they can still be whatever they want

DANiELLE JOHNSEN

She began recording vocals and writing songs at 25, working with local audio engineers in Hicksville and Lindenhurst. Over time, she started co-producing her own beats. When a producer encouraged her to try making music independently, she took the leap.

About two and a half years ago, she began creating fully self-produced tracks — a process that forced her to learn mixing and engineering on her own.

“When I couldn’t afford to pay an engineer anymore, I had to figure it out,” she said. “It took me about two or three years to get confident. Mixing is a whole different art form.”

Much of that early work stayed on SoundCloud, but her upcoming project, “Intermedium”, marks her first release on major streaming platforms.

Johnsen describes her earlier work as rooted in rap and heartbreak — the kind of raw emotion typical of a young artist. But her new EP represents a departure in tone and style.

“Intermedium” is “a pause,” she explained — a bridge between who she was and who she’s becoming.

The shift, she said, emerged during a difficult period marked by personal and family challenges.

“There was a time where I had to step back and make sacrifices for people I love,” she said. “The music that came out of that was softer, sadder, and more classical. I didn’t plan it — I just played, and it came from a place I couldn’t really put into words.”

The EP leans heavily on instrumentals and ethereal textures. Its centerpiece is “Ballerina,” a track she con -

siders the project’s emotional core.

The inspiration came partly from a summer ballet class she took at a studio in Merrick. But the theme runs deeper.

“People have told me I bring a kind of grace to spaces — my middle name is actually Grace,” she said with a laugh. “The ballerina idea kept showing up in my life. I’d be dancing more, or thinking about movement. My dad was big into martial arts and yoga, so maybe that physical awareness was always in me. The song just grew from there.”

Producing her own music, Johnsen said, clarified something she had long avoided admitting.

“I realized it’s not a hobby,” she said. “Now when people ask what I do, I can say I produce music. It feels like something that’s truly mine.”

Her influences range from Lil Wayne — her soundtrack through middle and high school — to the producerartist Pi’erre Bourne, whose ability to build songs entirely on his own inspired her to do the same.

Today, her lyrics and vocal delivery have shifted from heartbreak to evolution.

“I used to write about being sad or down. But as I matured, the lyrics became more visual, more uplifting — about growth,” she said. “I don’t want to sing covers or perform in bars. I want to sing what I wrote.”

Growing up in Merrick and working in nearby communities shaped her love of culture and sound.

“We’re really diverse on Long Island,” she said. “I’ve had friends and co-workers from so many different backgrounds — Merrick, Freeport, Hempstead, out east. That definitely

influenced me.”

Johnsen also credits music with helping her learn Spanish as a teenager. Translating lyrics from songs shared by a Salvadoran friend sparked not only a love of the language, but ultimately her college major.

For “Intermedium”, Danielle hopes listeners find space to breathe.

“I hope it can be a meditation for people — a moment to sit with themselves,” she said. “There’s grace in it, sadness, elegance. It’s a different side of me.”

For her broader catalog, she hopes people take away a message of possi -

bility.

“A lot of people feel stuck,” she said. “My music is about the ‘come up,’ about reminding people they can still be whatever they want.”

Above all, she wants listeners to understand that her songs — even the more explicit ones — come from authentic emotion, not a fixed image.

“Sometimes people hear one track and think that defines you,” she said. “But we all have feelings we don’t express publicly. I want people to know it’s okay to be yourself in every way.” Visit Vanelladee.com for the latest updates on her upcoming projects.

Courtesy Danielle Johnsen

Danielle Johnsen, a Calhoun High alum, discusses her project, Intermedium, set to release on streaming platforms.

Courtesy Danielle Johnsen

Johnsen’s influences range from Lil Wayne to the producer-artist Pi’erre Bourne.

Protecting Your Future

Elder Law Estate Planning Misconceptions

One of the most common and devastating misconceptions about elder law estate planning is that it is too late to save money from nursing home costs. On the contrary, there are crisis planning tools that may save substantial assets from being spent on nursing home costs, even after the client has already entered the nursing home. Almost always, if there are assets left, much can be saved.

There are only three ways to pay for nursing home costs – your own assets, long-term care insurance (owned by less than five percent of the population), or Medicaid provided by the government.

Many people know about the “five-year look-back period” and assume nothing can be done without advance planning. The five-year look-back rule means that if you gave any gifts away within the last five years, when asking for Medicaid to pay for nursing home costs, the gift amount creates a penalty period, which results in a period of ineligibility for Medicaid coverage.

Despite the five-year look-back, New York

law allows people to protect assets from nursing home costs, even without pre-planning. For single applicants, you may be able to save about half of the assets through the “gift and loan” strategy. For married couples, where one spouse needs a nursing home, “spousal refusal” may protect substantial amounts of assets for the spouse at home. These techniques are discussed in detail at trustlaw. com, under “Practice Areas”, then “Medicaid Strategies”.

The five-year look-back rule does not affect eligibility of Medicaid home care, also known as “community” Medicaid. Currently, an applicant may transfer their assets out of their name and still qualify for home care in the next month.

Many assets, such as retirement accounts, rental properties and even the family home in certain cases, are exempt from Medicaid. The bottom line is that if someone you love is in failing health, the sooner you consult an elder law attorney the more you will likely be able to save assets.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

ELDER LAW ESTATE

Crime Brief

Queens resident arrested at local spa

A Queens woman has been arrested following an investigation into alleged illegal activity at a North Bellmore spa, police said.

According to detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Squad, officers conducted an investigation at the King Foot Spa, located at 2785 Jerusalem Ave., on the afternoon on Nov. 6. Detectives determined that illegal massages were being performed at the business.

Ji Chen

Police arrested Ji Chen, 30, of Flush-

ing, without incident. Chen was charged with unauthorized practice of a profession and was released on an appearance ticket, authorities said.

Further investigation revealed that Chen is in the United States illegally and is subject to removal proceedings. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have since taken her into custody, police said.

— Brian Kacharaba

News Brief

More than 400 pounds of unused or expired medications were turned in.

Sen. Rhoads joins annual drug take back event

Sen. Steve Rhoads joined the Bellmore-Merrick Community Coalition and the Nassau County Police Department for the 12th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back event.

Residents safely turned in more than 400 pounds of unused or expired medications and 410 pounds of sharps, officials said, helping prevent misuse and protect local families.

The event drew a strong community turnout and highlighted efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse, promote public health, and keep neighborhoods safe. Rhoads thanked the coalition and law enforcement partners for their leadership and ongoing commitment to the well-being of Bellmore-Merrick families.

Office of Sen. Steve Rhoads

Keeping the Turkey Brigade moving

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys were handed out last week at Stew Leonard’s in East Meadow, continuing a holiday tradition now in its 45th year. The company’s annual Turkey Brigade — launched in 1979 and passed down through generations of the Leonard family — has grown with each new store opening, spreading the effort across the tri-state area to help combat food insecurity during the holiday season.

On Nov. 13, elected officials joined members of the East Meadow Fire Department, Nassau County police officers, Stew Leonard’s employees and representatives of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association to load boxes of turkeys into waiting vehicles. Forming a human assembly line outside the Front Street store, volunteers passed hundreds of frozen birds from hand to hand and into the trunks of cars representing dozens of charities, churches and service organizations.

As vehicles pulled up, drivers popped open their trunks and volunteers stacked the boxes inside before sending each car off to deliver meals to residents in need.

Among the groups receiving turkeys this year were the Nassau County Veterans Agency, St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, St. Bernard’s Church Social Ministry and St. Barnabas Church, St. Francis De Chantal, along with many smaller food pantries and shelters throughout the county.

helped

employees from the East

turkeys

This year marked the ninth time the East Meadow location has taken part in the Turkey Brigade. Stew Leonard Jr., the company’s president and CEO, has often said the event adds meaning to the season for employees and volunteers alike, knowing the meals will reach families who might otherwise go without. Thousands of turkeys are distributed across all Stew Leonard’s stores each November, with East Meadow’s giveaway serving as a major local effort to support neighbors ahead of the holiday.

“It makes our Thanksgiving that much better,” Leonard Jr. told the Herald at a previous turkey brigade.

“Because we know that there are a lot of families out there who don’t have a great meal.”

Holden Leeds/Herald photos

Stew Leonard’s

Meadow store, fire department officials, Nassau County police officers and local elected officials,

hand out

during the stores annual Turkey Brigade on Nov. 13.

Volunteers loaded turkeys into the trunks of cars, collecting them for local food banks and charities.

Joe Vota, of Stew Leonard’s in East Meadow, with Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Supervisor John Ferretti, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Legislator Tom McKevitt.

Store employees were ready to hand out turkeys at the East Meadow store on Nov. 13.

County legislators say ‘no’ to corporate tax hike

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Nassau County’s legislative leaders have a message for Gov. Kathy Hochul about New York City’s Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s tax plan: this would not be good for the state.

To oppose the Democratic-driven plan to increase New York’s corporate tax rate, the officials — all Republicans —formed the new Long Island Coalition of Business and Political Leaders, a collection of elected officials and business organizations.

“This is bad for New York state, and we are going to fight very hard against that,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said on Nov. 17.

The mayor-elect’s plan is to increase to the corporate tax rate in New York City, bumping the top rate from 7.25 percent to 11.25 percent, aiming to support social programs with money sourced from the region’s highest earning businesses.

Blakeman bristled at the thought, expressing concern that higher taxes will drive out business, jobs and residents.

“We are on the border of New York City,” he said, “many of our people commute to the city to do business. What I’m concerned about is the deleterious effect that this will have on Nassau County and the rest of the state.”

Blakeman alleged that tax increases would be passed along to consumers and has heard some business leaders threaten

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, center, led a group of other elected officials and business leaders

to leave the city if taxes increase, which in turn could be a financial burden to the city’s middle class residents. He suggested the state and city cut spending on undocumented migrant programs as an alternative method to retain revenue.

“We don’t have a deficit in Nassau County,” he said. “For the past four years, we’ve had surpluses because we know how to manage money in Nassau County, and we’ve gotten seven bond upgrades, but that’s one of the ways that we can spend money on programs that benefit our residents.”

Sarafina Chitika, the spokesperson for the Hochul campaign, disputed the County Executive’s assertions.

“Governor Hochul cut middle class taxes while putting inflation refund checks in New Yorkers’ pockets,” she wrote in a statement. “Bruce Blakeman is the number one fanboy for Trump’s tariffs that are raising costs for families and making everything more expensive for small businesses – while the governor remains laser-focused on lowering costs, Blakeman’s shilling for Donald Trump’s tariff tax hikes.”

Meanwhile, Matt Cohen, president and CEO of the Long Island Association, called the tax proposal “a real problem.”

“It’s really incumbent upon us to push back against this plan as much as possible,” he said. “We have an affordability crisis in this country, but nowhere is it more acute than here on Long Island. And when you’re driving out businesses, when you’re driving out jobs, that’s going to make it worse, not better.”

Frank Camarano, president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, highlighted the way New York City policies affect neighboring counties and businesses.

“Small businesses don’t have the wherewithal to try and work around this,” he said. “A strong New York City is a strong Nassau. If New York City is gonna propose things like this, it’s gonna be like an everyday occurrence, trying to work around it, and it’s going to be difficult.”

State Sens. Jack Martins, Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Steve Rhoads joined the chorus of critics.

“This is dumb, plain and simple,” Martins said. “The fact that the governor is even thinking about this is a disgrace. We urge the governor to say no. We urge the leaders in Albany to say no.”

The coalition supports a move towards a 5 percent corporate tax rate, according to Blakeman. The fiscal year for the state will begin on April 1, and no business tax policy changes have been confirmed.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

Independent pharmacies warn of collapse

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

Howard Jacobson sat in his car outside a Long Island rehab center, holding a box of medication that cost him more than he would be reimbursed to dispense it. The longtime pharmacist, who owns Rockville Centre Pharmacy and West Hempstead Pharmacy, said that moments like this have become routine in an industry he once believed had room for sustainable community care.

For Jacobson, a pharmacist for nearly four decades, the crisis is no longer abstract. It is existential.

Independent pharmacists across New York describe the same pattern: reimbursement rates from pharmacy benefit managers — the middlemen known as PBMs — frequently fall below the cost of the drugs they dispense. PBMs negotiate prices on behalf of insurance plans, adjudicate claims and determine how much pharmacies get paid. But with three companies controlling nearly 90 percent of the national market, pharmacists say they have little leverage.

“They pay me what they want,” Jacobson said. “Many times now they’re paying us below my cost of the medication.”

Jacobson said that as a result, he has cut hours, trimmed staff and subsidized losses out of his own pocket.

On some drugs, he said, the reimbursement rates defy logic. “Yesterday I

Assemblywoman Judy Griffin joined dozens of pharmacists at Rockville Centre Pharmacy on Nov. 18 to urge fellow lawmakers to pass the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act.

did a prescription for 46 cents,” he said. State lawmakers, backed by hundreds of pharmacists, are now pushing the Patient Access to Pharmacy Act, which would establish minimum reimbursement standards for commercial insurance plans and increase oversight of PBMs. Legislators say it mirrors a costplus model that New York’s Medicaid program implemented in 2023, and that independent pharmacies credit with stabilizing state spending.

Assemblywoman Judy Griffin said she had heard the same warnings from

pharmacists in her district for years. “They really have limited incomes, like our seniors,” Griffin said, referring to the patients who rely most heavily on local pharmacies. “Getting the drugs at a cheaper price is really important.”

Griffin is co-sponsoring the bill, which has more than 80 supporters in the Assembly. Pharmacy closures, she said — including dozens on Long Island — have already strained communities that depend on them for guidance, delivery and everyday care. “It’s nice when your pharmacist knows you,” she said.

The bill would set a minimum reimbursement rate tied to the cost of acquiring and dispensing medication, and impose transparency requirements on PBMs and restrict practices that critics say steer patients toward PBMowned mail-order pharmacies or chains.

At a rally last week outside Rockville Centre Pharmacy, Jacobson warned lawmakers plainly: “No business can afford to operate at a loss.”

“We’re offered one-sided contracts, and it’s take it or leave it,” he added. “If you leave it, then not only are you telling your patients you don’t care about them, you’re leaving a network.”

Critics of the bill — including some insurers, employer groups and PBMs — argue that mandating reimbursement floors could increase premiums, reduce negotiating flexibility and drive up pharmaceutical spending. They warn that cost-plus models can weaken market competition, and could ultimately shift financial burdens onto employers and consumers.

CVS Caremark, the PBM owned by CVS Health, did not respond to a request for comment.

Griffin said she sees the legislation as part of a broader effort to protect not just small businesses, but a key piece of the state’s health care infrastructure.

“I am really at my wits’ end on how to keep my business going,” Jacobson said. “I don’t want to concede defeat.”

Courtesy Office Judy Griffin

Veterans share what active combat was like

lery unit at the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Vietnam. He was constantly under fire; he never saw a reporter or a chaplain due to the extreme danger. His unit’s motto was “steel on target,” emphasizing the importance of accuracy when firing the howitzers.

“It was a very scary place to be at that particular time,” Garvey said. “One of the things that I got out of Vietnam was we have no control over when we’re going to leave this earth.”

Garvey survived harrowing neardeath experiences, escaping flames and a hail of bullets. One incident occurred when he was inside a vehicle with a few fellow soldiers.

“The round that hit our track was about a foot below the turret,” he said. “If it would have been a foot higher, you and I would not be having this conversation right now.”

“It’s that type of situation and stress that you just managed to deal with,” he continued. “You really didn’t have much control if you learn to live or die. That was a lesson I learned… you do your job, you obey your orders, you take care of

tom garvey is a veteran of the Vietnam War featured in david grogan’s book ‘Learning to Live from those Willing to die.’

Mention

your buddies, and hope that you survive.”

Today, Garvey visits a PTSD therapy group with fellow veterans and regularly supports widows and soldiers seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including fellow Vietnam veterans suffering from Agent Orange related cancers. Speaking with Grogan gave Garvey an opportunity to share his story in depth, as well as what he took from the experience.

Grogan, a resident of Illinois, travels across the country drives for days at a time, carrying a copy of his book, collecting the signatures of each veteran he interviewed, many of whom are over a hundred years old.

“I’m 66 years old right now, and as I grow older, I might not be able to keep my website up forever and the stories would be lost,” he said. “I decided that I needed to try to do something to preserve the stories… it was to try to tell some of these stories that people otherwise might never hear about.”

Learning to Live From Those Willing to Die is available for purchase on Amazon. For more information, visit DavidEGrogan.com.

‘Learning to Live from those Willing to die’ is available for purchase on amazon.

Photos courtesy David Grogan

Mepham High students honor 9/11 heroes

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Wellington C. Mepham High School students and staff took part in their fourth annual Stairway Climb on Nov. 17, honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, and recognizing the sacrifices of first responders.

Now named the Manuel Mojica Stairway Climb, the event commemorates FDNY firefighter Manuel Mojica, a North Bellmore resident who died at age 37 on 9/11. His children, Stephanie, class of 2011, and Manny, class of 2014, along with their mother, Anna, returned to Mepham for the remembrance. Manny’s wife, Julianna, and their newborn son, Nico, were also present.

“This event is about more than climbing stairs,” said Kerry Dennis, social studies teacher and event organizer. “It’s about showing our students the civic responsibility and sacrifice that our community experienced on that day.”

The Stairway Climb was first organized by the Class of 2023, inspired by the Tunnel to Towers Climb at One World Observatory in Manhattan, where participants scale 104 stories to honor first responders. At Mepham, students and staff climbed the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs throughout the school’s three-story building. Members of the North Bellmore Fire Department also participated.

The event is organized each year by seniors in Mepham’s Participation in Government classes, a required social studies course that includes a community-service component. About 15 years ago, teachers Kerry Dennis and Chris Patten shifted the project from individual service assignments to a collective, schoolwide effort — a change that eventually led to the creation of the climb. The idea took shape when students partnered with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, whose mission honors Sept. 11 heroes through events such as the 104story climb at One World Trade Center. With Mepham’s iconic tower and its many stairwells, the school became a fitting home for its own version of the tribute.

As participants moved through the hallways, stairways were lined with the

Mojica’s children, Stephanie and Manny along with their mother Anna, returned to Mepham to take part in the remembrance.

Manny’s wife, Julianna, and their newborn son, Nico, were also in attendance.

names of the 2,977 victims.

“Each name was thoughtfully hung by our Participation in Government and School and Community Leadership students, creating a powerful, constant reminder of those we honor,” Dennis said.

Dennis emphasized the event’s educational impact, noting that most Mepham students were born after 9/11.

“In our six-week 9/11 unit, we trace the events from 1979 through the war in Afghanistan, and we include personal narratives from our community,” she said. “It turns a historical event into something deeply personal for them.”

Dennis also highlighted the importance of recognizing local heroes.

“Adding Manuel Mojica’s name to the event helps keep his memory alive,” she said. “His children were phenomenal students here, and Manny continues his father’s legacy as an FDNY firefighter.”

Proceeds from the climb will support the seniors’ fall Service-Learning Project in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House.

“While 9/11 was one of the most tragic days in our country’s history, it also showed the best of America,” Dennis said. “Our hope is that students take away lessons of civic responsibility, compassion, and kindness — traits that will help shape a better future.”

proceeded

2,977 victims.

its

Students

along the route, the stairways were filled with the names of the

Now in

fourth year, the event is named the Manuel Mojica Stairway Climb in memory of FDNY firefighter Manuel Mojica, a Bellmore resident and father who lost his life at the age of 37 on 9/11.

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School photos

Members of the North Bellmore Fire Department joined in the effort.

‘It’s about helping people who need the help’

felt like my duty to help give back to the people who built what we have.”

Preparations began Sunday, but the bulk of the work took place from Nov. 24 to 26. Volunteers carved over 200 turkeys, portioned gravy, cranberry sauce, and side dishes, and assembled meals in an efficient assembly-line process. By midweek, everything was boxed, bagged, and ready for distribution.

Crozier’s responsibilities grew with the project. In the early years, he picked up equipment and supplies. More recently, he has more of a leadership role — overseeing setup, washing pans and utensils, coordinating with restaurant suppliers, and delivering finished meals.

The effort relies on donations and local partnerships. Gabriele Trucks provided a refrigerated truck for transporting food, Embassy Diner contributed hundreds of pounds of stuffing, and Kennedy High School’s Culinary and Hospitality CHAMPS program prepped 1,500 pounds of carrots. The New York Barbecue Brigade smoked all the turkeys, adding a signature touch to each meal.

Volunteers — including Kiwanis members from across Nassau County — spent long days at the hall ensuring every plate was ready.

“It’s a feel-good project,” Meyerowitz said. “You see a product going out to somebody who needs it, and it makes you feel good knowing someone isn’t going to have to worry about their Thanksgiving dinner.”

Crozier added that the hours are long, but the impact keeps him coming back.

“It lifts your heart,” he said. “If we can provide this one meal and lift someone’s spirits, that’s what it’s all about. We gain the most by giving back.”

The meals were distributed to 15 to 20 organizations

across the island — including the Mary Brennan Inn in Hempstead, local school districts, Catholic Health Charities, and community groups.

Meyerowitz, whose family has a long history of Kiwanis service, called the project an essential part of the club’s mission to support children and families in the community.

“We’ve been doing projects for 70 years that directly impact people’s day-to-day lives,” he said. “This continues to bring us back every year.”

As families across Long Island sat down to Thanksgiving dinners this year, the work of Meyerowitz, Crozier, and the hundreds of volunteers at the American Legion Hall ensured that thousands of people had a seat at the table.

“It’s about helping people who need the help,” Meyerowitz said. “And when you think about the 350,000 individuals on Long Island who are food insecure, even a small effort can make a big difference.”

Tim Baker/Herald Volunteers John Leykum and his wife Jessica Leykum from Wantagh.

Volunteers carved over 200 turkeys.

Rejection of NCC leader sparks opposition

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Nassau Community College’s board of trustees and local leaders expressed strong opposition after State University of New York trustees formally rejected the nomination of Maria Conzatti as the college’s next president. The unanimous 12-0 vote on Nov. 14 — the first of its kind in SUNY history — has heightened tensions over governance, autonomy and college leadership.

“SUNY does not comment on personnel issues,” a spokesperson told the Herald. “Community colleges are essential engines of student success and upward mobility, and SUNY is committed to excellent leadership for all of our campuses.”

Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president of community and governmental relations, called the decision “extremely upsetting,” citing Conzatti’s accomplishments during her tenure. Under her leadership, Kornbluth said, the college eliminated $14 million in debt and increased enrollment by 3 to 7 percent annually. As previously reported in the Herald, NCC also secured full eight-year accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

“Here you have a president who has done everything possible to move the college forward, implementing all the things SUNY would want her to do,”

Kornbluth said. “The board and most of the faculty are fully behind her.”

County Executive Bruce Blakeman also criticized SUNY’s decision. “Once again, SUNY has taken local control away from the suburbs by refusing to confirm the duly selected president, Maria Conzatti, put forth by the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees,” Blakeman stated in a news release.

“This is a slap in the face to every local board in New York State. Maria has done an excellent job educating our students and increasing enrollment at our college.”

NCC has been without a permanent president since 2022, and Conzatti has led the college since January of that year, despite SUNY guidelines recommending that temporary appointments last no more than six months. In the spring of 2023, the NCC board gave her an “iron-clad” five-year contract, extending through Dec. 31, 2028, which remains in effect.

Despite the SUNY vote, NCC Trustee Elliot Conway confirmed the board’s full support for Conzatti.

“I find it an upside-down world where the leader of the college with the highest enrollment increase is deemed unacceptable by the SUNY board,” Conway said.

In June, SUNY trustees began implementing a rule that would limit interim appointments of an administrator-in-

charge to one year, effectively blocking Conzatti from continuing in her role. Conway has voiced concerns about what he calls state overreach into local governance.

Speaking at a SUNY listening session in August, Conway said, “SUNY’s proposed rule, giving the chancellor final say over presidential appointments, salaries and contracts, is unnecessary overreach. Centralizing control would harm responsiveness, equity and the partnership that makes our programs succeed.”

At the session, Conway highlighted Conzatti’s contributions, including balancing budgets, adding vocational programs and improving campus civility. He also noted that Nassau County contributes more funding to the college than the state, asserting that local trustees should retain oversight.

“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” Conway said, calling for SUNY to confirm Conzatti as president.

The dispute unfolds amid a long-running, bitter conflict with the faculty union, which has opposed Conzatti’s leadership, citing department consolidations and other governance changes.

Conzatti has been leading Nassau Community College in an interim capacity since January 2022.

“The Board of Trustees’ decision is a responsible and necessary step toward restoring stability and confidence in Nassau Community College leadership,” Melinda Person, president of New York State United Teachers, said in a statement. “Visionary, sustainable leadership cannot be built on prolonged interim arrangements.”

SUNY has sent a letter to NCC regarding a new presidential search, and a SUNY representative will work with the campus on the process.

Herald file photo

Maria

STEPPING OUT

‘Nutcracker’ sweets

Decades of holiday magic with Leggz Ltd. Dance

‘

By Abbey Salvemini

Tis the season: Those Sugar Plum Fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination come alive once again on local stages. Sacred Heart Academy started it all off recently with its student-run production, now the holiday classic is thrust into the spotlight throughout December.

Rockville Centre-based Leggz Ballet, with Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, brings sparkle to the Madison Theatre stage as ‘Nutcracker’ season dances on. This year’s production is especially meaningful for the studio’s founder Joan Hope MacNaughton, her staff and students: Leggz celebrates 30 years bringing this beloved classic to life. With MacNaughton’s artistic direction and choreography, accompanied as always by the beloved South Shore Symphony Orchestra, the theater is filled with the wonder of the delightful ballet that showcases Tchaikovsky’s mesmerizing score. You might say it’s one of the most memorable holiday soundtracks ever composed.

With over four decades leading Leggz, the 30-year milestone is both deeply personal and artistically meaningful for MacNaughton.

• Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Dec. 6, 5 p.m.; Dec. 7, 4 p.m.

• Tickets are $35-$65; available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or call the box office at (516) 323-4444

• Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

“Something that was a dream many, many years ago to have my own Nutcracker came true,” she says. MacNaughton reflects on how the production has grown in scale, professionalism and reach since its first performance, then on the South Side High School stage in Rockville Centre.

“From the costumes to all the dancers, it evolved dramatically. It started with dancers from my studio doing the solo parts. Then, I brought in professionals from the dance world to fill the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy, Dewdrop and Snow Queen.”

Dancers from renowned companies — including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, also Broadway — are now integral to the production.

MacNaughton — who danced professionally prior

Mark Tremonti

Sings Frank Sinatra ‘Christmas Special’

From redefining rock to reimagining Sinatra, Grammy-winning musician Mark Tremonti, backed by members of Frank Sinatra’s original orchestra, brings his timeless swing and holiday spirit to the Paramount. The lights go down. Familiar horns pipe up from a world-class orchestra as piano twinkles like the jackpot lights on a winning slot machine. Then, the voice kicks in. It has all of the smoky splendor those first few notes hinted at, but it ain’t Ol’ Blue Eyes. In a tailored suit with microphone in hand, it’s Mark Tremonti. The multiplatinum musician sounds just as at home paying homage to the catalog of Frank Sinatra as he does fronting Tremonti or shredding his soul out as the guitarist for Alter Bridge and Creed. Tremonti’s influence on rock music is undeniable. Now, witness a new side of his artistry as he pays heartfelt tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra.

to opening her studio — attributes their interest in joining her production to her both network and her artistic standards.

“I have a lot of friends who are dancers in Manhattan, so I reached out to them for professional roles,” she says.

Yet, the heart of the show remains the young dancers, who include talented kids residing in Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Baldwin, among other communities. A cast of over 50 young dancers in all, from throughout the metro area, join the guest dancers in this dynamic staging.

“It doesn’t matter what school they come from,” MacNaughton emphasizes. “They all really love dance and know what a quality production is like.”

Performing alongside the South Shore Symphony adds another layer of magic. The orchestra, MacNaughton explains, elevates the performance for both dancers and the audience, adding a unique energy and richness that recorded tracks can’t match.

“There’s nothing more exciting for a dancer than performing with live music. Watching the musicians play is a treat, you’re getting both the dance and the music.”

Her goal is that kids in the audience or who step onto the stage for the first time will continue to find inspiration in “The Nutcracker.” Keeping the beauty of dance alive is what’s behind MacNaughton’s decades of running her studio and producing the show each year.

Among the newest generation of dancers is 7-year-old Emma Lavas, of Rockville Centre, who’s making her first appearance in the ballet, continuing a family tradition. Her mom, Meg Guido, danced in the very first Leggz production, continuing for 12 years. Recalling the thrill of being on stage, she’s delighted, of course, that her daughter is now stepping into that role.

“It’s such a beautiful thing to see her dancing and smiling,” Guido says.

“She teaches me a lot of moves,” Lavas says, about her mother, as she carries forth with the family legacy.

Another Rockville Centre dancer, 14-year-old Analiese Cartier shares: “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this each year.”

For 15-year-old Paige McDaid, who also lives in Rockville Centre, the show has been as much about friendship as dancing.

“I’ve built some of my life-long friends and I’m so grateful for them.”

She wants audiences, whether returning or seeing it for the first time, to feel that same magic she experiences onstage.

“It’s such a beautiful performance, and we put so much effort into it,” McDaid adds, enthusiastically.

Celebrating three decades of Nutcracker, Leggz Ltd. has filled the Madison Theatre with music, movement and holiday spirit. From the youngest dancers to world-class professionals bringing the choreography to life, the production captures the essence of the season. It explains why this timeless performance continues to draw everyone back each year.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m. $108.75, $86.50, $71.25, $59.75, $54.25, $43.75.The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Just ‘Wild About Harry’ redux

Everyone has another chance to go “Wild About Harry” when over 30 of Long Island’s top musicians and songwriters gather for another concert in tribute to the beloved Harry Chapin. Groove along to 18 acts — including concert organizer Stuart Markus and his trio Gathering Time — that perform Chapin classics including “Taxi” and “Cat’s in the Cradle,” plus many lesser hits and fan favorites like “Mr. Tanner.” The concert is concsdered a “Birthday Bash,” as Chapin would have turned 83 on Dec. 7. As they’ve done for the past 20 years, participating artists are encouraged to put their own interpretations on his songs. Long Island music “royalty” is turning out in force to support this most worthy cause. All revenues above production costs will be donated to Long Island Cares, the food bank Chapin founded. Long Island Cares will also be collecting non-perishable food donations.

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Minimum $20 suggested donation per ticket. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Courtesy Leggz Ltd.

The Snow Queen (Ella Titus, Miami City Ballet) and Snow King (Mauricio Vera Nunez, National Ballet Of Cuba) begin Clara’s Dream.

The Snowflake Corps dazzle in the intricate Waltz of the Snowflakes, the grand finale of Act I.

Tim Baker/Herald Evelyn Strouse and Paige McDaid in rehearsal.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

NOV

27

Let’s Skate

Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.”

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Ongoing during museum hours, through Jan. 4.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Turkey trot

The Bellmore-Merrick turkey trot 5K run/walk to benefit the Dr Mara Bollettieri Community Cupboard takes place on Thanksgiving Day. The 5K-race course begins on Camp Avenue in front of Mepham High School and heads west on Camp towards Merrick. The race turns around at Calhoun High School and heads east back to Mepham for the finish line in the parking lot located on Camp. There is also a kids’ quarter-mile race at 9 a.m. The races will go on rain or shine.

• Where: 2401 Camp Ave., Bellmore

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: Events.EliteFeats. com/25BellmoreMerricktt

Santa’s visit

NOV

A much-anticipated tradition continues in Bellmore as the Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically ushers in the holiday season with Santa’s annual visit the day after Thanksgiving. Participants are treated to a free show at Bellmore Movies and Santa later appears in a fire truck. The event is free, but all are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy for families in need.

• Where: 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore

• Time: 9 a.m.

• Contact: bellmorechamber.com or (516) 679-1875

Special EFX All-Stars in concert

Special EFX All-Stars, led by guitar virtuoso Chieli Minucci, takes the stage for one extraordinary night of genre-defying fusion. He’s joined his bandmates Lin Rountree, Eric Marienthal,

Allman Betts Family Revival

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music at the 9th Annual Allman Betts Family Revival! This extraordinary live music experience is hosted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of Allman Brothers Band legends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts. Inspired by the legendary Last Waltz, this tour features a revolving cast of top-tier artists from the realms of blues, Americana, country, and rock, all coming together to honor the timeless legacy and rich catalog of the Allman Brothers Band. This year’s amazing lineup features the Allman Betts Band, the iconic Jimmy Hall, former Wet Willie singer and Allman Brothers alumni; alongside Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, G. Love, Judith Hill, Jimmy Hall, Cody & Luther Dickinson, Alex Orbison, and others. Special guests may also join in. Set against the backdrop of the famous Allman Brothers Brotherhood of Light show, blending electrifying music with stunning visuals. This unforgettable night that honors the rich history and timeless catalog of the Allman Brothers Band is a musical family reunion that promises to lift your spirits as you enjoy an authentic Allman Brothers musical experience. $108.75, $64.75.

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Glowing Gingerbread Houses

Bring the kids to Long Island Children’s Museum to make a cozy light up gingerbread house craft to bring the warmth of the season to your home. This is a drop-in activity that takes approximately 10 minutes and is yours to keep.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 2:30-4 p.m., also Dec. 3-5

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

DEC

4

Talking sports

Join fellow sports enthusiasts for this month’s installment of “Sports Chat” at North Merrick Public Library. The discussion covers the end of the baseball season and the World Series wrap-up, the NFL playoff race and top teams, the start of the NBA and NHL seasons (including talk on Knicks, Rangers and Islanders), plus the opening round of the Fantasy Football playoffs. Whether you’re into basketball, baseball, football or it all, come share your insights, predictions and questions in this lively session.

• Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nmerricklibrary.org or call (516) 378-7474

Craft show

DEC

Jay Rowe, Dave Livolsi, Joel Rosenblatt, Alan Grubner & Emedin Rivera. For over 40 years, Minucci has been a driving force in modern electric jazz, co-founding Special EFX and releasing more than 30 albums that blend rock, Latin rhythms and contemporary jazz into a signature sound. A three-time Emmy Award winner, he has collaborated with musical greats from Celine Dion and Lionel Richie to Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Omar Hakim, even Bernie Williams, and others.

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical’

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back this delightful production, based on Mo Willems’ award-winning “Pigeon” picture books. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party. It’s not easy being the Pigeon; you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily

bird can do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, this show is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Nov. 29, Dec. 3-Dec. 4

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

1863

Thanksgiving

Step back in time at Old Bethpage Village Restoration for some holiday fun. Immerse yourself in the sights and smells of the festive season, as those early years of our national day of feasting and giving thanks comes alive. Imagine that it’s 1863 and you’re preparing a holiday meal, following President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation of the first official national holiday of Thanksgiving Day. The restored site bustles with activity as it readies for an old-fashioned Thanksgiving: wood-burning stoves, beehive ovens and hearths are fired up to prepare foods and baked goods made from 19th-century recipes. Culinary exhibits include the “spitting” and roasting of

turkey in a tin reflector oven beside the Williams House hearth and preparation of pies at the Powell House. Also on display are 19th-century methods of food preservation employed for late fall crops. Historical period music adds to the festive atmosphere each afternoon. $15, $12 seniors and children 5-12..

• Where: 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage

• Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Contact: oldbethpagevillage restoration.org or call (516) 572-8409

DEC

2

Cream and Tea at Westbury House

Savor a traditional Cream Tea featuring freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream, assorted sweets, and a fine selection of teas. The experience concludes with a guided tour of beautifully decorated Westbury House. $28, discounts for members and groups.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.; also Dec. 3-4 and ongoing

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

13

Get into the holiday spirit by shopping local at the Goddard School. This festive event features handmade goods, crafts, jewelry, home décor, holiday treats, and unique gifts. Support local small businesses and enjoy a fun-filled day of holiday cheer. Vendors are needed. If you sell handmade items or unique products, reserve your space by contacting Pam at (718) 607-6330 for registration details. For more information, follow @ GoddardSchoolBellmorePTO on social media platforms for updates.

• Where: 1641 Bellmore Rd., North Bellmore

• Time: Opens 9 a.m.

• Contact: (718) 607-6330

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 PUBLIC

HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 9th day of December, 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-5 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “ARTERIAL STOPS” at the following locations:

BELLMORE

BRIGGS STREET (TH 522/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling eastbound on Gunther Place shall come to a full stop.

ELMONT

SUSSEX ROAD (TH 532/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling westbound on 109th Street shall come to a full stop.

SUSSEX ROAD (TH 532/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling eastbound on 109th Street shall come to a full stop.

MERRICK

LITTLE WHALENECK ROAD (TH 556/25)STOP - All traffic traveling westbound on Abbot Avenue shall come to a full stop.

NORTH VALLEY STREAM

LINDEN STREET (TH 553/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling southbound on Chestnut Street shall come to a full stop

ROOSEVELT

EAST CLINTON AVENUE (TH 540/25)STOP - All traffic traveling southbound on Bauer Avenue shall come to a full stop.

WEST HEMPSTEAD

SYCAMORE STREET (TH 511/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling westbound on Fairlawn Avenue shall come to a full stop.

SYCAMORE STREET (TH 511/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling eastbound on Fairlawn Avenue shall come to a full stop.

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 519/25) - STOP - All traffic traveling westbound on Tudor Place shall come to a full stop.

WILSON STREET (TH 480/25) - STOP - All traffic

traveling eastbound on Tudor Place shall come to a full stop.

HEMPSTEAD GARDENS

DRIVE (TH 484/25)STOP - All traffic traveling westbound on Birch Street shall come to a full stop.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: November 18, 2025

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 156931

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 9th day of December, 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Chapter 202 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at the following location:

BALDWIN

Section 202-5

NORTH WILLIAM STREET (TH 512/25) South NO PARKING 7 PM to 7 AM - starting at a point 365 feet east of the east curbline of Grand Avenue, east for a distance of 34 feet.

BELLMORE

Section 202-15

THOMAS PLACE (TH 491/25) East Side - NO

PARKING ANY TIME 8 AM to 6 PM - starting at a point 57 feet north of the north curbline of Royle Street, north for a distance of 57 feet.

ELMONT

Section 202-19

I STREET (TH 552/25)

South Side - TWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM to 8 PM SUNDAYstarting at a point 147 feet west of the west curbline of Meacham Avenue, west for a distance of 53 feet.

GARDEN CITY SOUTH

Section 202-14

KILBURN ROAD SOUTH

(TH 478/25) West Side - NO PARKING 7 AM to 4 PM MONDAY thru FRIDAY - starting at a point 211 feet south of the south curbline of Warren Boulevard, south for a distance of 70 feet.

(NR) ISLAND PARK

Section 202-28

CALIFORNIA PLACE

NORTH (TH 472/25)

North Side - NO

PARKING 7 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT

SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at a point 127 feet east of the east curbline of Austin Boulevard, east for a distance of 106 feet.

NORTH VALLEY

Section 202-18

STREAM LINDEN

STREET (TH 553/25)

North Side - NO

PARKING 11 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT

SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at the east curbline of Scott Drive, east to a point 30 feet west of the west curbline of Chestnut Street.

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 553/25) West SideNO PARKING 11 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at a point 25 feet north of the north curbline of Linden Street, north for a distance of 258 feet.

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 553/25) East Side - NO

PARKING 11 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT

SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at a point 30 feet north of the north curbline of Linden Street, north to the east for a distance of 289 feet.

OCEANSIDE

Section 202-13

MOORE AVENUE (TH 558/25) North SideNO PARKING 8 AM to 3 PM EXCEPT

SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at a point 224 feet east of the east curbline of Lawson Boulvard, east for a distance of 41 feet.

WANTAGH

Section 202-10

WANTAGH AVENUE (TH 554/25) West SideTWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM to 6 PM - starting from a point 350 feet south of the south curbline of Sunrise Highway south for a distance of 120 feet.

WEST HEMPSTEAD Section 202-20

ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD (TH 549/25) North SideNO PARKING 8 AM to 5 PM EXCEPT SUNDAYS and

HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 20 feet west of the west curbline of Munson Avenue, west for a distance of 90 feet.

ALSO, to REPEAL from Chapter 202 “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” from the following locations:

BALDWIN

Section 202-5

NORTH WILLIAM STREET (TH 153/18) South Side - NO PARKING 10 PM to 7 AM -starting at a point 365 feet east of the east curbline of Grand Avenue east for a distance of 34 feet.

(Adopted 6/19/18)

GARDEN CITY SOUTH

SEVENTH STREET (TH 180/80) North SideSection 202-14 NO PARKING 9 PM to 6 AM FRIDAY and SATURDAY - starting at a point 30 feet West of the west curbline of NassauBlvd., west for a distance of 74 feet.

(Adopted 11/18/80)

NORTH VALLEY STREAM Section 202-18

LINDEN STREET (TH 427/79) North Side -NO PARKING 11 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at the east curbline of Scott Drive, east to the west curbline of Chestnut Street (Adopted 11/27/79)

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 362/09) West Side -NO PARKING 11 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT

SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at the north curbline of Linden Street, north for a distance of 260 feet.

(Adopted 11/24/09)

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 590/23) South SideNO PARKING 11 AM to 4 PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYSstarting at the north curbline of Linden Street, north then east for a distance of 283 feet.

(Adopted 2/13/24)

WANTAGH

Section 202-10

WANTAGH AVENUE (TH 184/74) West SideTWO HOUR PARKING 8 AM to 6 PM - from a point 24 feet south of a point opposite the south curbline of Woodward Avenue, south for a distance of 288 feet.

(Adopted 5/21/74)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

Section 202-20

COLONY STREET East Side - NO PARKING 8 PM to 8 AM - starting at a point 114 feet south of the south

curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south to the north curbline of Plymouth Street.

(Adopted 5/18/65)

COLONY STREET (TH 41/98) West Side - NO

PARKING 8 PM to 8 AM - starting at a point 114 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south for a distance of 97 feet.

(Adopted 7/21/98)

COLONY STREET (TH 41/98) West Side - NO PARKING 8 PM to 8 AM - starting at a point 268 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south to the north curbline of Plymouth Street.

(Adopted 7/21/98)

PLYMOUTH STREET (TH 54/75) North SideNO PARKING 11 PM to 4 AM - from the west curbline of Colony Street, west to the east curbline of Wilson Street.

(Adopted 4/15/75)

PLYMOUTH STREET (TH 499/02) South SideNO PARKING 11 PM to 4 AM - starting at the west curbline of Colony Street, west for a distance of 108 feet.

(Adopted 1/07/03)

PLYMOUTH STREET (TH 499/02) South SideNO PARKING 11 PM to 4 AM - starting at a point 170 feet west of the west curbline of Colony Street, west for a distance of 54 feet.

(Adopted 1/07/03)

WILSON STREET (TH 453/74) West SideNO PARKING 8 PM to 8 AM - starting from the south curbline of Tudor Place, south to the north curbline of Plymouth Street.

(Adopted 11/12/74)

WILSON STREET (TH 384/79) East Side -NO PARKING 8 PM to 8 AM - starting at a point opposite the north curbline of Tudor Place, south for a distance of 45 feet.

(Adopted 03/04/80)

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: November 18, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 156929

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 Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 12/03/2025 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 614/25. BELLMOREPaul R. & Hilda Hayden, Renewal of grant to maintain 2family dwelling., W/s Centre Ave., 338’ S/o Clarendon Ave., a/k/a 2325 Centre Ave. 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. 156924

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public

hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on The 9th day of December, 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:

BALDWIN

CENTRAL AVENUE (TH 520/25) West Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Old Mill Road, north for a distance of 40 feet.

CENTRAL AVENUE (TH 520/25) East Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Merrick Road, south for a distance of 40 feet.

ELMONT 238th STREET (TH 503/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 75 feet.

238th STREET (TH 503/25) East Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Dutch Broadway, south for a distance of 70 feet.

KESWICK ROAD (TH 503/25) East Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Dutch Broadway, north for a distance of 48 feet.

KESWICK ROAD (TH 503/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Dutch Broadway, north for a distance of 48 feet.

HOFFMAN AVENUE (TH 503/25) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 190 feet north opposite the northeast curbline of Baylis Avenue, north for a distance of 120 feet.

ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) North Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the West curbline of Rockmart Avenue, west for a distance of 30 feet.

ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) North Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Rockmart Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

ATHERTON AVENUE

(TH 562/25) South Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Rockmart Avenue, east for a distance of 30 feet.

ATHERTON AVENUE (TH 562/25) South Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Rockmart Avenue, west for a distance of 30 feet.

ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Atherton Avenue, south for a distance of 30 feet.

ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Atherton Avenue, south for a distance of 30 feet

ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 30 feet.

ROCKMART AVENUE (TH 562/25) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 30 feet.

FRANKLIN SQUARE POLK AVENUE (TH 387(B)/25) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Lincoln Street, east for a distance of 30 feet. POLK AVENUE (TH 387(B)/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Lincoln Street, east for a distance of 30 feet.

INWOOD BAYVIEW AVENUE (TH 543/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from theeast curbline of Henry Street, east for a distance of 40 feet.

BAYVIEW AVENUE (TH 543/25) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 90 feet east of the east curbline of Henry Street, east for a distance of 60 feet.

HENRY STREET (TH 543/25) East Side - NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 140 feet north of the north curbline of Bayview Avenue, north for a distance of 40 feet.

LEVITTOWN OLD OAK LANE (516/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Acorn Lane, west for a

Reinhard Early Childhood Center celebrated Kindness Day on Nov. 14 by wearing purple.

News brief

Spirit days promote kindness

Weekly spirit days at Reinhard Early Childhood Center are helping students and staff build community through themed celebrations.

The school marked Kindness Day on Nov. 14, with classrooms filled with purple and students and staff wearing shirts featuring positive messages. Rising Star Leaders led discussions on inclusion and the importance of

spreading positivity, and students shared compliments with their classmates.

The school’s spirit days continue throughout the year with a variety of themes — including Pajama Day — offering students regular opportunities to participate and connect with peers.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Public Notices

distance of 25 feet.

OLD OAK LANE (516/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Acorn Lane, east for a distance of 25 feet.

(NR) LYNBROOK

FRANKLIN AVENUE (TH 536/25) West Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Edward Street, south for a distance of 35 feet.

FRANKLIN AVENUE (TH 536/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Edward Street, north for a distance of 35 feet.

EDWARD STREET (TH 536/25) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Frankin Avenue, west for a distance of 35 feet.

NORTH VALLEY STREAM

ARKANSAS DRIVE (TH

485/25) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Marlowe Road, west for a distance of 33 feet.

MARLOWE ROAD (TH

485/25) West Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Arkansas Drive, south for a distance of 45 feet.

LINDEN STREET (TH 553/25) North Side -

NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Chestnut Street, west for a distance of 30 feet.

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 553/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Linden Street, north for a distance of 25 feet.

CHESTNUT STREET (TH 553/25) East Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Linden Street, north for a distance of 30 feet.

OCEANSIDE

LAWSON BOULEVARD (TH 493/25) East SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 470 feet south of the south curbline of Concord Avenue, south for a distance of 49 feet.

WANTAGH

DUCKPOND DRIVE EAST (TH 523/25) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNERstarting from the north curbline of Dell Lane, north for a distance of 46 feet.

DUCKPOND DRIVE

EAST (TH 523/25) East Side - NO STOPPING

ANYTIME - at a point 41 feet opposite a point south of the south curbline of Dell Lane, north for a distance of 106 feet.

WANTAGH AVENUE (TH 554/25) West SideNO STOPPING

ANYTIME - starting from a point 70 feet

south of the south curbline of Sunrise Highway, south for a distance of 350 feet.

WOODMERE

CLARK PLACE (TH 530/25) West Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 107 feet south of the south curbline of Combs Avenue, south for a distance of 313 feet.

CLARK PLACE (TH 530/25) East Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 168 feet south of the south curbline of Combs Avenue, south for a distance of 47 feet.

CLARK PLACE (TH 530/25) East Side - NO

PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 147 feet north of the north curbline of Ocean Avenue, north for a distance of 63 feet.

ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following location:

BALDWIN

CENTRAL AVENUE (TH 438/65) East Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the north curbline of Old Mill Road, north for a distance of 30 feet.

(Adopted 03/01/66)

WANTAGH WANTAGH AVENUE (TH 76/79) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting from a point 70Feet south of the south curbline of Sunrise Highway, south to a

point opposite the south curbline of Woodward Avenue.

(Adopted 4/24/79)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

TUDOR PLACE (TH 534/83) North SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - from the west curbline of Wilson Street, west for a distance of 60 feet.

(Adopted 5/01/84)

WILSON STREET (TH 82/88) West Side -NO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at the north Curbline of Tudor Place, north for a distance of 111 feet.

(Adopted 10/18/88)

WOODMERE CEDAR LANE (TH 555/22) North SideNO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 53 feet east of the east curbline of Irving Place, east to a point 34 feet west of the west curbline of Franklin Place.

(Adopted 01/10/23) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: November 18, 2025 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk

156930

Anonymous donation expands health services

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau University Medical Center has received a $1 million anonymous donation to expand women’s health services, funding advanced 3D mammography and bone density technology that will improve early detection and preventive care for patients across Long Island.

The gift, secured by NuHealth Board Chairman Stuart Rabinowitz, will allow the hospital to acquire new 3D mammography systems with biopsy capability and an updated bone density scanner. Both are expected to transform care for two of the most significant health issues affecting women — breast cancer and osteoporosis.

“This extraordinary act of generosity will help us detect breast cancer and osteoporosis earlier, treat them more effectively, and save countless lives,” said Dr. Richard Becker, interim chief executive officer at NUMC. “This is an investment in every woman who entrusts her care to NUMC.”

Rabinowitz said the new equipment will modernize critical services at the East Meadow hospital.

Tmately one in eight women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime — with higher rates reported among lowincome populations.

Early detection is critical. The new Hologic 3D mammography systems will generate high-resolution images that improve accuracy, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and lower callback rates by nearly 50 percent. The systems also feature self-controlled compression for improved comfort and allow both screening and biopsy on the same platform.

his extraordinary act of generosity

will

help

NUMC’s Mobile Mammography Unit, which already brings 3D technology into the community, will continue to provide outreach and screening services, while the new in-hospital systems will expand capacity and streamline diagnostic care.

us detect breast cancer and osteoporosis earlier.

DR.

RichARD

BEckER Interim chief executive officer NUMC

“We are deeply committed to ensuring accessible care for every member of our community,” he said. “This investment will help us deliver on that promise for generations to come.”

The donation comes as NUMC’s existing mammography equipment, first installed in 2010, reaches the end of its serviceable life. The hospital serves as a key healthcare provider for underserved communities on Long Island, offering equitable, high-quality care to women who may otherwise face barriers to preventive screenings.

According to global data, more than 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and nearly 700,000 die from the disease. On Long Island, approxi-

The donation will also fund a Hologic Horizon DXA system, replacing an outdated bone density scanner. The new device uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density, assess fracture risk, and evaluate body composition with greater precision. Early detection of bone loss, particularly in postmenopausal women, can play a major role in preventing osteoporosis and related health complications.

Together, the new systems will provide a full spectrum of advanced imaging for women, combining faster, more accurate, and more comfortable screening experiences with NUMC’s ongoing mission of health equity.

Nassau University Medical Center, operated by the Nassau Health Care Corporation, is a public teaching hospital in East Meadow. As a leading safety-net institution, it provides compassionate, high-quality care to all, regardless of ability to pay, and serves as a regional leader in emergency medicine, women’s health, and preventive care.

For more, visit NUMC.edu.

Herald file

Nassau University Medical Center received a $1 million anonymous donation, which will allow the hospital to expand women’s health services.

Photos courtesy Bellmore Public Schools

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

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

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20

to the Ocean

Some strange suggestions from the Building Department

Q. I went to my Building Department, because, as you suggested, I should get an idea from them as to what to do and how to go about it. After discussing the problems I would have to overcome, they suggested certain people, drafting services, and also told me that if I use an architect, I should only use the ones they suggest, because others might not be “acceptable” to them. I thought this was kind of strange. Should they do that, and is that acceptable practice?

A. That is not only strange, but also illegal. Putting limits on who provides a state-licensed professional service is, at the very least, a restriction-oftrade issue that I am sure would turn into a legal matter if the jurisdiction you live in ever tried to enforce the practice. Maybe you could finance your project by going through that process, getting hassled for the reasons you describe, and then suing the individuals and department that created the scenario. Of course, you would have to show hard evidence, such as documents and/or recordings of this kind of exchange. Or you could just go along with them, if you feel comfortable with the racket they’re running.

Lately I have seen more situations like this occurring, and it’s disheartening, as a professional, but many officials have commented, over the years, that certain architects only like to handle, or are only capable of handling, the “small stuff.” Clearly they don’t recognize the situation created by their own jurisdictions, where you’re required to have an architect’s or engineer’s professional seal on the submitted drawings when applying for a permit. Instead they encourage people to get an unlicensed person to prepare plans, and then that unlicensed individual gets a retired professional who could use the extra money to just sign and seal.

Even worse than that is the problem created during the pandemic, when an electronic seal was issued by the state to architects and engineers, creating the opportunity to just electronically float a seal onto plans, with or without the licensed professional’s permission.

It seems that people have forgotten what that seal represents. Not only does it represent a level of trained expertise — it also represents safety. Protection of public safety was once the paramount objective of local governments. And aside from the skirting of enforcement of licensed professionalism, safety is still important, but money, favoritism and territorial behavior make you wonder what you’re really dealing with.

I know so many people who are sincerely trying to enforce public safety in their government jobs, people who are equally disgusted with the ones who make their profession look bad. Defying the public trust or manipulating the public should not be tolerated. Thirty years ago, the state attorney general’s office did an investigation, and concluded that this practice was widespread — but investigators candidly admitted that they did not have the resources to pursue prosecutions, leaving the public to decide. Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper,

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

If

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Telephone Services

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Satellite/TV Equipment

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opiNioNs

Thanksgiving couldn’t come at a better time

The spirit of Thanksgiving is particularly welcome and needed this year. Times are turbulent. Discord appears to be almost everywhere. Prices are still too high. The federal government has just gone through its longest and most bitter shutdown ever, with another one threatened in less than three months.

The political divide continues, as Democrats scored overwhelming victories across the country, while Nassau Republicans, led by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, swept every countywide office and retained control of the county’s three towns and two cities — including Long Beach, where the GOP won every elective office for the first time since 1971. And while Nassau was voting bright red, New York City went deep blue, electing a committed socialist, Zohran Mamdani, as its mayor, promising to upend the city’s political and social structures as we’ve known them.

Ideally in a time of discord and stress, the citizenry turns to sports as an escape, as an island of refuge in a sea

of turmoil. This time, though, no such luck. At least not yet. The Yankees were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, while the Mets, with their astronomically high payroll, didn’t even make it to the postseason, eliminated for the final playoff slot by the unheralded, low-income Cincinnati Reds.

Not even New York sports offer an island of refuge in our current sea of turmoil.

Granted, there was temporary relief for baseball fans, as the World Series confrontation between the Dodgers and Blue Jays provided intense drama right down to the final out of the climactic seventh game. But that moment of escape was soon overtaken by what portends to be Major League Baseball’s biggest and worst gambling scandal since the Black Sox scandal in 1919: Two relief pitchers for the Cleveland Guardians were arrested and charged with colluding with organized crime on “micro bets” — wagers on what type of pitches they would throw. This scandal, like the NBA betting scandal that preceded it just weeks earlier, is expected to expand, because of professional sports’ extensive, and misguided, business dealings with the gaming industry.

Thank God for the arrival of Thanksgiving! Taking time to celebrate the spirit of the holiday, which gives us the opportunity to step back and reflect on

what we should be thankful for, is a true American tradition. As we learned in our early school days, legend has the earliest Thanksgiving being celebrated in 17th-century Colonial times between by the Pilgrims and native Indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The national celebration of Thanksgiving in November was proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789. During the darkest days of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln certified the final Thursday of November as the official day for celebrating Thanksgiving. Later, after Americans endured the depths of a Depression and as we got involved in the tragedy of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt reaffirmed the significance of Thanksgiving while officially declaring the fourth Thursday of November to be the day of celebration. These actions by Lincoln and Roosevelt should be guideposts for Americans. Neither the absolute horror raging through our country during the Civil War, nor the economic devastation of the Depression, nor the carnage and suffering of World War II, would prevent Americans in those years from being thankful for, and appreciating, the blessings of living in this great land. Not to minimize our current hard-

ships, but we should take the time to show our thanks for all that we do have. America is not at war. It provides more opportunity for its people than any other country on earth, as demonstrated by the tens of millions of people from all over the world who want to live here.

During my years in Congress, I traveled to many countries, mainly in Europe but also in parts of Asia and North Africa. There was no country that could match America for our ingenuity, industriousness and opportunity for generations of people to move upward and thrive. Often we fail to remember that the United States was the first nation to experiment with democracy since Greece many centuries ago, and how that experiment has worked so successfully.

There are reasons why America has the world’s strongest economy and strongest military. That success results from our commitment not just to free enterprise but to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of opportunity, which allow the human spirit to fully develop and thrive. So let’s enjoy our blessings and give thanks for living in this great land. Happy Thanksgiving, and God bless America.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Weekly newspapers are a great community asset

When you’re a news junkie like me, you reach out for a large variety of sources of information. Finding and digesting the offerings of all these many outlets takes a lot of time, but there is one resource that I constantly rely on: the weekly newspaper.

My love for the weekly goes back as far as when I was a bold 12-year-old who walked into the offices of the Long Island Independent and offered my services as a writer. Rather than usher me out the door, the publisher, the late Paul Jackson, gave me an assignment: to read all of the social announcements and to distill them into a few short paragraphs.

By the time I turned 15, I was a paid employee, enjoying my $10-a-week stipend, and I went on to become the principal reporter for the Independent and

the Long Beach Life. Later, during my years in the Assembly, I kept close working relationships with all of the weekly papers in my district, and assigned a full-time staff member to keep the weekly papers informed about my activities in Albany.

Every Friday, I make it a point to look for the latest news in the Herald. I read about the goings-on in five or six communities and read the opinion pages. I offer these details because many residents of our region don’t always take advantage of the many items published in their local papers that are genuinely of interest.

of our schools.

N ational news is great, but I learn the important stuff from the weeklies.

While I have the greatest respect for the mass media, I learn from the weeklies about local athletes who may someday wind up on the national sports pages. Today’s high school track star could eventually become a member of an Olympic team. People complain a lot about high taxes, but if they read their local paper, they would know that 60 percent of their tax bill is for the operation

I like to stay in touch with old friends, and sometimes I find out that they have experienced some great family events thanks to my weekly paper. I also frequently learn that some potential countywide political battle has its roots in an action taken by a village or another municipal entity. So many people would be surprised to learn how much they can find out about local politics by subscribing to a weekly.

On a more somber note, I learn from weeklies that someone I met and liked has died. Too often we learn about family tragedies weeks and months after they occur, and realize that if we’d checked out a weekly paper, we would have known much sooner to reach out to the bereaved family.

When I meet some young man or woman who has decided to run for public office, one of the first things I tell them is not to ignore their weekly newspaper, and to make an effort to meet with its editors so they know about their

candidacy. And I don’t restrict my advice just to budding candidates. I frequently advise federal and state officeholders to keep in touch with their weeklies.

A few years ago, a large group of weekly newspaper owners and editors converged on Albany in an effort to change how state laws govern those local weeklies. Not surprisingly, they were welcomed by members from both sides of the aisle who had learned well and understood the power of those news outlets. If you want to do the right thing, subscribe to your local paper. (If you’re reading this, I’d like to think you already have.) And if you’re a local business owner, think about buying an ad. I’ve been fortunate enough to be an unpaid columnist for the Herald for over 20 years, and I’ve wanted to write this tribute to weekly papers for the longest time. They need your support, and like any business that serves the community, they also merit your help in keeping them as a great asset.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

HHERALD

This Saturday, shop local

eld each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving — Nov. 29 this year — Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to shift their attention from big-box and giant online retailers to the locally owned businesses that are the backbone of our neighborhoods. These local businesses create jobs, spark innovation and keep more dollars circulating in the local economy, strengthening the very places we call home.

Founded by American Express in 2010 and embraced by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Saturday has grown into a nationwide tradition. It’s nestled between the commercial frenzy of Black Friday and the digital deals of Cyber Monday, and it’s crucial that all of us make a concerted effort to shop at our favorite corner store or buy a gift card for our beloved neighborhood restaurant.

The impact of Small Business Saturday, of course, reaches far beyond economics. When people support a local bookstore, bakery, boutique or service provider, they’re investing in relationships and affirming the value of personal connection — the friendly wave from a shop owner who knows your name, the sense of pride in discovering a one-of-akind product crafted nearby, the feeling of belonging that comes from familiar streets buzzing with activity. These are experiences you simply can’t replicate

letters

Mamdani is on to something, Republicans

To the Editor:

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s electoral appeal, centered on his affordability agenda, has prompted some of his opponents to start emphasizing this issue. Republican State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is among those proposing actions to rein in New York’s cost of living in her Herald commentary last week, “The cost of living is driving families out of New York.”

Some of her suggestions make sense and, if adopted, might make Long Island living marginally more affordable. But CanzoneriFitzpatrick offers only Band-Aids for the hemorrhaging housing crisis that forces young families to look elsewhere for starter homes. As a professed capitalist, the senator should understand that a grossly inadequate supply of housing cannot meet demand, thus causing prices to spiral ever upward. The solution is obvious: build thousands of new homes.

with anonymous online transactions.

Small Business Saturday reminds us that thriving communities don’t happen by accident — they grow through intentional support and shared commitment. By shopping local, we help build vibrant neighborhoods where businesses and residents lift one another up, strengthening the community fabric, one small shop at a time.

Small businesses account for a significant portion of job creation across the country, and on Long Island they are essential to the economic ecosystem. When shoppers choose small over large, more money stays in the community. Studies show that when you shop at a small, locally owned business, more of your money stays here on Long Island — supporting infrastructure, schools and friends, and even reducing your tax burden. For every $100 spent at a small business, about $67 stays in the community. At a large chain, only about $43 does.

But most importantly, small businesses help define the identity of a place. Neighborhoods with bustling local shops tend to have stronger social ties, safer streets and greater civic engagement. Choosing to support a local business is choosing to support a stronger, more connected community.

Participating in Small Business Saturday is simple and enjoyable. Consumers explore local shops, take part in spe-

cial promotions, share their experiences on social media and leave positive reviews of their favorite spots. Spot a great bargain? Tell a friend! These small actions have big ripple effects, helping local entrepreneurs gain visibility, attract new customers and employ local workers.

Business owners can prepare for Small Business Saturday by using free marketing materials provided by the SBA and American Express, such as fliers, posters and social media graphics. Local governments, chambers of commerce and community groups also do their part by organizing events, hosting holiday markets, and creating interactive maps to guide residents to participating businesses. Many of the best local businesses and deals can be found right here, on the pages of the Herald, or at LIHerald.com.

This Saturday, Long Islanders have the opportunity to demonstrate what makes our communities so special: We show up for our neighbors and they show up for us. Our local small businesses are the ones donating to school fundraisers, sponsoring youth sports teams, hosting community events, providing teenagers with summer jobs, and paying taxes that help keep our local downtowns alive.

So shop local, Long Island — because when small businesses thrive, we all prosper.

The clear choice: understanding laser vision correction

Laser vision correction has revolutionized how millions of people see the world, offering a lifechanging alternative to glasses and contact lenses. For many, it represents the freedom of waking up with clear sight. But what exactly is this procedure, and is it the right choice for you? How laser vision correction works. Clear vision depends on the eye’s ability to correctly focus light onto the retina, a process called refraction. In cases of nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism, the light focuses incorrectly, resulting in blurred vision.

Laser vision correction, often referred to as laser eye surgery, uses a highly precise, computer-controlled laser to reshape the cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye. By subtly altering the cornea’s curvature, the procedure enables the eye to correctly bend light and focus it sharply on the retina, thus correcting the refractive error.

There are two main forms of laser vision correction:

■ LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis). During LASIK, a surgeon creates a thin, hinged flap on the cor-

nea’s surface using a laser, folds it back, uses a second laser to reshape the underlying tissue, and then gently repositions the flap. The entire process is quick, often taking less than 30 minutes for both eyes, and is known for its rapid visual recovery.

■ PRK (photorefractive keratectomy). Instead of creating a flap, the surgeon removes the cornea’s outermost layer (the epithelium), which naturally grows back. PRK is often preferred for those with thinner corneas or highly active lifestyles, as there is no flap-related risk, but the recovery time is longer and may involve more initial discomfort.

Tthan the accumulated cost of purchasing and maintaining corrective lenses.

■ Rapid results: With LASIK, many patients notice dramatically improved vision within 24 hours.

he main allure is less — or no more — reliance on glasses and contact lenses.

Benefits and rewards. The main allure of laser vision correction is the significant reduction or elimination of reliance on glasses and contact lenses. For suitable candidates, the benefits are numerous and can profoundly impact daily life:

■ Convenience: Enjoy activities like swimming, hiking or simply waking up without searching for your glasses. Some patients have issues like allergies, which are worsened by wearing contact lenses. This may be somewhat alleviated after having laser vision correction.

■ Cost savings: Over a lifetime, the onetime investment in surgery can be less

LeTTeRs

But Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick has nothing to say about the extreme nimbyism that makes it so difficult to build housing anywhere in Nassau County. It’s particularly egregious that right-wing politicians have succeeded in blocking transit-oriented developments. Building housing near Long Island Rail Road stations would help make Long Island more affordable without worsening traffic congestion.

Republicans should adopt a variation on a mantra favored by their leader: “Build, baby, build!”

KEVIN J KELLEY Atlantic Beach

Trump’s ‘outrageous’ commutation of Santos

To the Editor:

Re Jerry Kremer’s column in the Oct. 30-Nov. 5 issue, “Presidents make mistakes, but this one was a doozy”: What

message was being sent to hardworking, honest people when President Trump excused former Rep. George Santos from serving a seven-year prison term after only three months? Santos was proven to be a liar, a cheat, a thief — a dishonest individual who harmed and deceived many people by falsifying everything he touched.

How do we know that he didn’t fabricate the conditions of his prison stay, inasmuch as he is a pro at making up stories? It appears that Trump commuted his sentence due to his being a good Republican supporting Trump.

In my eyes, Santos’s crimes are worse than those of a bank robber. His deceit is now being forgiven, and will Trump, in his generosity, assume the more than $300,000 in restitution that Santos is liable for? It is ludicrous that the president of the U.S. takes his time from government affairs to release an admitted criminal back into society. Outrageous indeed.

GRACE SEARBY Oyster Bay

Thoughts or comments about our stories? Send letters to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com

■ High success rate: Modern laser procedures have a very high success rate in achieving 20/20 vision or better, or at least excellent vision that significantly reduces the need for correction.

Who is a candidate? You must be at least 18 to undergo the procedure, and have stable vision, with a prescription that has not changed for at least a year. (Refractive surgery can treat myopia up to -12.00 D, astigmatism up to 6.00 D, and hyperopia up to 6.00 D.) Your cornea needs to be thick enough for the procedure. If it’s too thin, LASIK can increase the risk of corneal ectasia and long-term vision loss.

For women who are pregnant or nursing, hormonal changes can affect your eye shape and healing.

Considering the risks. Like any surgical procedure, laser vision correction carries potential risks, which should be thoroughly discussed with your surgeon. While complications leading to vision loss are rare, minor side effects are common, especially during the healing period:

■ Dry eyes: This is the most common side effect, and can last for several months, often managed with lubricating eye drops. In rare cases, it can be permanent.

■ Visual disturbances: Patients may experience glare, halos or starbursts around lights, particularly at night. These symptoms usually improve over time, but can be persistent for a small percentage of people.

■ Under- or over-correction: In some cases, the laser removes too much or too little tissue, meaning the patient may still need a minor prescription or a second “enhancement” procedure.

■ Flap complications: Specifically with LASIK, there’s a small risk of issues with the corneal flap, such as displacement, though modern technology has made this uncommon. Patients who have an active lifestyle sometimes opt for PRK to prevent these complications.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue laser vision correction is a personal one. It requires a detailed consultation with a qualified eye surgeon who can assess your overall eye health, prescription stability and lifestyle to determine the best path to clear vision.

Dr. Carolyn Shih is an assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and works at South Shore Eye Care, a member of the Northwell Health Eye Institute.

CARoLYn sHiH

FRAmewoRk by Tim Baker

Singing “Master of the House” in Hewlett High School’s production of “Les Misérables.”

Be a part of our life-saving mission

Bring Heart Home This Holiday Season

We will be bringing Mount Sinai’s top-ranked open heart surgeons to Oceanside beginning next year, so patients and their families don’t have to travel to NYC or to the North Shore for advanced cardiac care.

The Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan ranks No. 2 nationally for Cardiology, Heart, and Vascular Surgery, according to 2025 U.S. News & World Report ® That expertise is coming to our Oceanside campus.

If you or a loved one have suffered a cardiac event, consider making a donation in their name today.

Scan the QR code, visit bringinghearthome.org , or call Anne Fernandez in our Development Office at 516-377-5360 to learn more.

Donate today.

Together, we can bring the of Mount Sinai home to the South Shore.