Skip to main content

East Meadow Herald 03-26-2026

Page 1


HERALD east meadow

DEADLINE MARCH 31ST

Flippin’ flapjacks at Kiwanis pancake breakfast

The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow held its annual pancake breakfast on March 15, which raises money to send children to Kamp Kiwanis. Hundreds came out for a morning filled with food, fun and friendly faces. Above, Frank Celentano, Jim Walsh, Roselyn Kaklis, Jack Toledano, Lee Taklis and Ella Walsh, all from East Meadow, enjoyed breakfast. Right, Donna Goldstein, president of the Kiwanis Club, with Bluey from the children’s show, “Bluey.” Story, more photos, Page 3.

attitude in E.M.

Some parents with children attending Barnum Woods Elementary School have received a note from the school regarding their child’s behavior since January — not because the student is in trouble, but to celebrate their acts of kindness.

Barnum Woods has strongly resonated with the district’s new programs suggested by the Character Education Committee.

Tlars to what we’re already doing.”

Barnum Woods adapted the pillars of character for its students. “Paws-itive” behavior is an acronym: P is for practice, respect and trustworthiness; A is for act responsibly; W is for work fairly; and S is for show care to others and citizenship.

he children are very excited.

JENNIFER lASHER Teacher, Barnum Woods Elementary School

The goal of the committee is to find new ways to help impart good life lessons to students throughout their education.

At Barnum Woods, these efforts are spearheaded by first grade teacher Jennifer Lasher, who takes the district’s ideas and applies them in class with the help of fellow teachers.

“The committee decided on the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship,” she said. “Our job is to really understand the needs of our school and try to find a way to connect the pil -

The strategy behind the acronym and vocabulary is to use common language that makes moral lessons simple for teachers to teach while being intuitive and memorable for students.

The concept came to life in Barnum Woods at kickoff pep rallies on Jan. 8, featuring musical performances, interactive demonstrations and presentations that established what behaviors the school would celebrate.

“The first thing we did was we created a buzz in our school,” Lasher said. “We created a teaser bulletin board, and then… we actually worked with the children who are on our student council board. They acted out scenarios, they showed the positive power ini-

Continued on page 13

Stu Goldman/Herald photos
Hablamos Español
Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC

Pancakes and good times at annual breakfast

The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow flipped pancakes and brought the community together for its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on March 15, drawing hundreds of residents to the East Meadow High School cafeteria for a morning of food and fun.

Attendees enjoyed a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausage, while connecting with neighbors and supporting a longstanding community tradition. The event, now more than 30 years running, remains one of the club’s largest fundraisers, second only to the Steven J. Eisman Memorial Golf Outing.

Funds raised from the breakfast help support Kiwanis scholarships for local high school seniors and send underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis, a sleep-away summer camp in Taberg, New York. In addition to the meal, families were treated to special appearances by members of the Star Wars-themed 501st Legion, a perennial crowd favorite.

This year’s event was made possible with support from numerous local sponsors, including Platinum sponsors Leo F. Kearns Funeral Directors, Power Equipment Plus, Grand Stage Diner and Starbucks. Gold sponsors included Coldwell Banker American Homes, Krug Real Estate, Eden II School for Autistic Children, A+C Pest Management, Charles O’Shea Funeral Homes, the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, United Properties Corp. and The Sunrise of East Meadow.

Silver sponsors included Mike Panagatos of Burgerology, Alan Hodish, Jeanne and John Egan Canning, CEMCO, Debra Kirsh of Coldwell Banker, Big Chief Nursery School and Camp, Liz Fries, Kevin Kamper, Tom McKevitt, Mark Papagni of Creative Life Plans, Masters Auto Collision, Beverage Barn, Odd Fellows Mineola/Pacific 125, Joe Dazzo of Dunkin’, Club Pilates of East Meadow, The Bagel Place, EPIC of Long Island and Whitson’s.

The Kiwanis Club supports a wide range of community initiatives throughout the year. For more information, visit EastMeadowKiwanis.org.

–Jordan Vallone

Stu Goldman/Herald photos
The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow served up a good time for a good cause at its annual pancake breakfast.
Kiwanis members Mark Razzano, Catherine Razzano and Sharan Sakhey helped the pancakes.
Past President Joseph Parisi, Councilman Dennis Dunne and Kiwanis President Donna Goldstein.
Cormac Reinhardt, Graham Reinhardt and Colton Reinhardt with mom Jennifer Reinhardt, from East Meadow.
Annette Wilson, Joan Jefferds and Helen Berry, all from East Meadow, enjoyed the breakfast.
Jack Saroniero 7, Isabella Saroniero, 15, Anthony Saroniero and Samantha Saroniero, from Copaigue, with in-laws Bob and Heidi Dearing from Massapequa.

News briefs

Cybertruck vandalized in Eisenhower Park

A Jericho man was arrested in connection with a criminal mischief incident that occurred in East Meadow on March 22, according to Nassau County police.

Detectives said officers responded to the parking lot of the Aquatic Center at Eisenhower Park, located at 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, at approximately 4:33 p.m. for a report of criminal mischief. Upon arrival, a 46-year-old male victim told officers he had left his 2024 Tesla Cybertruck parked in the lot and, upon returning,

discovered damage to the driver’s side front and rear doors, as well as the passenger side front and rear doors.

Following an investigation, police determined that Avesh Vij, 52, of 48 Route 106 in Jericho, was responsible for the damage. He was arrested without incident.

Vij is charged with second-degree criminal mischief and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 23 at First District Court, 99 Main St., Hempstead.

Choir director arrested for alleged

abuse

A Westbury man has been arrested in connection with an alleged sexual abuse incident involving a minor in East Meadow, according to Nassau County police.

Detectives said the incident occurred on Jan. 4 at approximately 12:30 p.m. Selvin Bonilla Navarrete, 43, of 63 March Lane, was at Iglesia Pentecostal Jesus Es Luz, located at 242 E. Meadow Ave., where he serves as a church choir director. During a break, he drove a 14-year-old female member of the church to a parking lot

at 1874 Front St. While inside the vehicle, police said, he inappropriately touched the victim.

Bonilla Navarrete is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. He was scheduled to be arraigned on March 21 at First District Court, 99 Main St., Hempstead.

Detectives ask anyone who may have been a victim of the defendant to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-8477.

–Jordan

State Sen. Rhoads celebrates Lunar New Year

State Sen. Steve Rhoads recently attended the third annual Nassau County Lunar New Year Festival at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength and perseverance.

The event featured cultural exhibitions, traditional calligraphy demonstrations and a semifinalist showcase and awards ceremony for a student art competition highlighting the creativity

of local students.

Rhoads joined representatives from the Nassau County Office of Asian American Affairs in recognizing the cultural heritage and contributions of the Asian American community. Organizers said the festival reflected the diversity and community spirit that continue to shape Nassau County.

Avesh vij

Learn about 2026 Business First financial incentives

mberman@liherald.com

PSEG Long Island is offering 2026 Business First financial incentive programs with grants up to $125,000 and energy efficiency rebates for small businesses, having distributed more than $3.4 million in grants since 2018. Programs include Community Thrive grants up to $10,000, Main Street Revitalization grants of $2,500 to $100,000, Vacant Space Revival credits up to $10,000, and energy efficiency rebates up to $5,000 per apartment for heating and cooling systems. The Transportation Electrification Program provides up to $45,000 per EV charger and up to $200,000 for fleet electrification infrastructure, with personalized support from Business FIRST Advocates.

Substantial financial support for small business growth

Since 2018, PSEG Long Island has distributed more than $3.4 million in grants to hundreds of local small businesses through Business First programs designed to foster vitality and growth. The Community Thrive grants provide up to $10,000 to chambers of commerce, business improvement districts and civic associations for community projects that promote dining and shopping, with awards in NYSERDAdesignated Disadvantaged Communities areas eligible for an extra 25% bonus and nonprofit organizations receiving an additional 10%. The Main Street Revitalization grant offers $2,500 to $100,000 to help encourage investment in local business districts for renovation or expansion projects.

Comprehensive energy efficiency rebates and incentives

For energy efficiency projects in 2026, PSEG Long Island is offering free energy assessments and rebates on heat pump water heaters, refrigeration equipment, heating and cooling heat pump devices, ventilation equipment and compressors. Financial incentives include rebates for multi-family dwellings on heating and cooling systems of $4,000 per apartment, or $5,000 for apartments in NYSERDA-deemed DACs. Heating and cooling rebates of up to $1,200 are available for specified ENERGY STAR listed heat pump water heaters, with additional incentives and enhanced rebates available for other approved energy savings and electrification measures through PSEG Long Island’s Custom Program.

EV charger installation support and fleet electrification programs

PSEG Long Island’s Transportation Electrification Program offers robust financial incentives for business owners installing EV chargers at their places of business, multi-family buildings and other approved locations. Under the EV Make Ready Program, up to $45,000 is available for each Level 2 and DC Fast Charger plug, and up to $100,000 in infrastructure upgrades to install the chargers. For businesses with vehicle fleets, PSEG Long Island offers a complimentary Fleet Advisory Service and the Fleet Make Ready Program, which provides up to $200,000 in incentives. Business customers can connect with PSEG Long Island’s unique Business FIRST Advocates, who offer a personal concierge service providing solutions, information and time-saving account services.

New coach guides experienced Hofstra softball

A Hofstra softball program with a storied history reaching 18 NCAA Tournaments added a coaching legend last year looking to raise more banners.

The Pride appointed Susan CassidyLyke as Hofstra’s new head softball coach in July after 21 years leading the diamond at Molloy University softball where she guided the Lions to three Division II National Championship Tournament appearances.

“I was born and raised on Long Island so I am very familiar with the championship tradition here at Hofstra,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “This is a good experience for me and a good challenge.”

Cassidy-Lyke inherited a Hofstra team that returned 13 players from a 2025 team that went 22-28 and fell in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) semifinals. Hofstra was picked to finish in a tie for first in the CAA North Division with Stony Brook.

Hofstra boasts two preseason All CAA players in senior pitcher Emma Falen and senior shortstop Alanna Morse, a local product out of Mepham High School.

Morse is coming off a 2025 season in which she led the team in hitting with a .343 batting average with 49 hits in 143 at bats. She is off to another strong start during her final season in a Hofstra uniform as a leadoff hitter batting .365 through 25 games with three home runs to lead the team in both categories.

“She is very talented offensively and defensively and just a great kid that seems to do the right thing all the time,” said Cassidy-Lyke of Morse. “She leads by example.”

Falen recorded a 12-10 record with a 3.14 ERA last season after transferring from UC-Riverside. The Folson, Calif. native recorded seven strikeouts in a 2-1 win against Stony Brook on March 7.

Freshman Madison Steppe has emerged as the ace of the Pride pitching staff this season following a standout career at Monticello High School in

Former Mepham star Alanna Morse had a team-high .343 average a year ago.

Charlottesville, Va. Steppe recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts in an 8-5 victory against Buffalo on Feb. 28 in Harrisonburg, Va.

The Hofstra lineup has plenty of balance early in the season with five hitters batting over .290 in Morse, junior third baseman Gabby Sultan, sophomore catcher Gemma D’Orazio and junior second baseman Nicole Cansel. Junior right fielder Lily Yepez, a former Mepham teammate of Morse, has caught fire offensively with a .455 average in 44 at bats after missing the start of the season due to injury.

“She is another homegrown talent and it’s definitely a staple for us,” said Cassidy-Lyke of Yepez. “She really does a lot of different things out of the bottom of the lineup hitting for power, as a slap hitter and can bunt with some good speed.”

Hofstra entered the week at 12-13 overall and 8-1 in CAA play after a sweep at Hampton. The Pride have played the early portion of its home schedule at Farmingdale State due the harsh winter

weather, but are slated to return to Bill Edwards Stadium for a three-game series against Campnell on April 10-12. The regular season concludes with three games against Monmouth at Bill Edwards Stadium from April 30 to May 2.

The six-team CAA Tournament commences from May 6 to May 9 with the winner earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Pride can

qualify for the double elimination CAA playoffs by placing in the top four in the North Division or one of two wildcard teams.

“They’ve come a long way since the beginning of the year and we have faith they can do it,” Casidy-Lyke said. “It’s really just going to be about consistency and not letting the game get bigger than it is.”

Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications/Keith Lucas and Nick DeCastro Emma Falen had 12 wins in the circle for the Pride in 2025.

moms opened a spa. It had one big, on

Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well. *Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.

celebrating women’s history month

Inspiring girls and LGBTQ youth through music

Nini Camps was a solo singer-songwriter in New York City when Kristen Henderson, the bassist for the all-female rock band Antigone Rising, asked her to get together to write music in 2009. The band soon got an offer to open for Joan Jett, and invited Camps to be a vocalist. The opportunity launched more than a decade of performances, and nonprofit work, with Camps as Antigone Rising’s lead singer.

The band was formed in 1993 by sisters Cathy and Kristen Henderson, now Kristen Ellis-Henderson. Several members have joined and left over the years. After Camps joined the Hendersons, Antigone Rising quickly made a record and resumed playing shows after a hiatus.

“It just felt like a good fit,” Camps said. “We had so much fun.” Camps, 54, has lived in Sea Cliff for roughly 15 years with her wife, Brooke. She said that she enjoys Sea Cliff’s thriving music scene.

Before the coronavirus pandemic began in 2020, Antigone Rising band was busy making music, touring and creating a nonprofit, Girl Rising. After the pandemic lockdowns eased, the group continued to play together on a smaller scale.

Girls Rising launched in 2014, after the band was invited by the U.S. State Department to travel to Israel and the Palestinian territory. There Antigone Rising worked in schools and community centers, playing music and talking to students and educators about their creative and musical process.

The trip, Camps explained, helped inspire them to

create the nonprofit. “We were an all-female band, and our crew that we took with us was female, and it was an anomaly,” she said. “… They were like, ‘We’ve never seen this. This is unusual.’ And we realized that as we went along, this was something that we faced a lot, even in the States.”

After returning to the United States, Antigone Rising began visiting LGBTQ centers, community centers and schools as they toured. Camps said the band got so many requests for these visits that they essentially became part of their tours and even events around which they based their schedule.

Girls Rising’s mission is to inspire young girls and LGBTQ youth to pursue nontraditional career paths and encourage all children to think, act and be themselves. Through performances, presentations and workshops, the band carried out the mission for nearly a decade, though it is now in what Camps described as a “pause.” “Things need a chance to sometimes rest and breathe” after operating for so long, she said.

Antigone Rising hosted the Girls Rising Music Festival annually for roughly eight years, first at Sea Cliff Beach and then at Glen Cove’s Morgan Park. It featured female artists, both seasoned musicians and younger ones just starting out.

“We were in a place where we were kind of in the middle,” Camps said, “where we were able to reach out to women who were real game-changers and real trailblazers ahead of us, who are very successful, and we were able to sort of hand that down to young women who were just making their way.”

As part of each year’s festival, the band recognized

women making a difference — who “showed up” — with a Game Changer Award. The band received donations and grants from artists like Joan Jett and Melissa Ethelridge. With that money, Antigone Rising was able to provide instruments and music education in Glen Cove, and help support young women pursuing music education.

Camps said that the band isn’t currently seeking gigs, but will take one if the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, she is working on a solo album, her first since she joined the group.

A lifelong love of science sparked by dinosaurs

Not all scientists begin their careers in labs — some start in the shadow of dinosaurs. For Ray Ann Havasy, 63, of Port Washington, that early fascination led to a career defined by academic achievement, creative outreach and global science engagement.

With degrees in zoology, education and biology, and a doctorate in science education from Columbia University in 1998, Havasy built a foundation that combines rigorous scholarship with a passion for making science accessible.

She began her career in education, teaching science at East Meadow High School and Schreiber High School, in Port Washington, and later at the New York Institute of Technology’s School of Education.

Her interest in dinosaurs led to work with the Dinosaur Society and, in the early 1990s, as a technical adviser on “Jurassic Park,” helping guide how dinosaurs were portrayed while balancing scientific accuracy with cinematic storytelling. She partnered in the development of the touring “Dinosaurs of Jurassic Park” exhibit. Blending film props with real fossils and scientific content, the exhibit toured internationally for nearly eight years beginning around 1993, drawing crowds across the United States and in cities in Europe and the Netherlands. What stood out most, Havasy said, was the universal reaction: Children everywhere were captivated.

“The exhibit was amazing — I went all around the world with it,” she said. “That was a great experience,

also seeing that dinosaurs and science are universal.”

The exhibit also supported paleontological research worldwide, turning public interest into funding for scientific discovery — reinforcing her belief that handson experiences can spark lifelong curiosity.

That philosophy led her to Rockville Centre, where she founded the Center for Science Teaching & Learning in the Tanglewood Preserve in 2000. What began as a teacher-training initiative has grown into a hub for interactive, family-focused learning.

“A lot of museums are ‘look but don’t touch,’” Havasy said. “We’re the exact opposite. Our whole mission is to encourage people to learn about science and like science, because a lot of us went through school thinking science was hard and yucky.”

Today she continues to promote hands-on learning while encouraging more young women to pursue science with animals, nature and interactive experiences for fun learning.

“I wasn’t doing it for accolades,” she said. “I was doing it because these opportunities are exciting.”

Michele Anselmo, a teacher and an educator at the center, has worked with Havasy for over 15 years, on several innovative projects. “Ray Ann’s knowledge of science and education provides a wonderful support system for me and the other educators here,” Anselmo said.

Through her work, Havasy hopes to create a future in which more girls see science as a natural and attainable path. “I think it’s important that we find a way to encourage women to get involved in science,” she said. “I speak a lot to young women about encouraging them to be more attuned to being involved in science, and that would be a dream of mine, to have kids — young women — understand that science, engineering and math is for them, and is something that the world wants them to do.”

Courtesy Nini Camps Nini Camps is currently working on her first solo album since she joined Antigone Rising.
influential women on long island
Joan whitney Payson co-founder and owner new York Mets grace hartigan abstract expressionist painter

celebrating women’s history month

Delivering change as a leader in maternal care

For Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, Women’s History Month is more than a celebration: It is a call to confront one of the nation’s most urgent and persistent health crises.

Marecheau has spent her career delivering babies and caring for mothers, working on the front lines of maternal health in underserved communities. She has been at Episcopal Health Services for six years, and her work is rooted in community health, equity and supporting the teams who care for women and families every day.

Marecheau earned an undergraduate degree in biomedical education from the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education (now the CUNY Medical School) and a medical degree from the SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn.

U.S. continues to have the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations, with Black women facing the greatest risks.

Between 2018 and 2021, Black women were three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to federal health data. Marecheau emphasized that these disparities are rooted not in biology, but in systemic inequities including gaps in care, delayed diagnoses, implicit bias and lack of access to resources.

“I went through my third year of medical school rotations and I fell in love with OB/GYN,” she said. “I realized that I was drawn to women’s health because it interested me in medicine and advocacy. OB/GYN is a field where you can see direct results of action and education, and that’s always been meaningful to me.”

Marecheau’s experience underscores a troubling reality: Maternal health risks in the United States remain alarmingly high. About 22 women per 100,000 die from childbirth-related causes each year, and roughly 50,000 experience severe complications. The

If you’ve

At EHS, which serves the diverse and historically underserved Rockaway peninsula, Marecheau sees these challenges play out daily. The community has long faced barriers to high-quality care, but, she said, the hospital is working to change that narrative.

“I love improving access to pre-natal care, helping women navigate complex health decisions,” she said, “and knowing I can create a safer and healthier outcome for women who haven’t always historically been prioritized brings me immense joy.”

In August 2025, St. John’s opened a new state-of-the-art labor and delivery suite, restoring comprehensive maternity services to the area. The facility features private suites and emphasizes patientcentered care.

Marecheau has championed programs including doula support services, postpartum care initiatives and the Centering Pregnancy model, which combines prenatal visits with group education to improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Tim Baker/Herald

Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau is the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, which serves the diverse Rockaway peninsula.

“My focus these days is making sure services are equitable and culturally responsive,” she said.

Hospital staff have received additional training to better recognize early signs of complications, and systems have been implemented to ensure that patients receive follow-up care after they’re discharged, a critical period when many maternal deaths occur.

“No woman should feel that her pain is ignored or her concerns are dismissed,” Marecheau said.

wondered where balloons end up . . .

For Cynthia Seibold, recognizing the achievements and resilience of women is deeply personal. Raised by a single working mother, she saw firsthand the strength, determination and perseverance it takes to overcome challenges. Today she carries that legacy forward, and takes pride in inspiring strong, capable and resilient women herself.

Seibold’s path to founding Balloon Mission was unconventional. After earning a master’s degree in secondary education, she spent 20 years in the insurance industry, analyzing risk and researching hazards for organizations including the NBA and the NHL. “My mission at that job was to protect people from harm and save money,” she said. The role sharpened her research and problem-solving skills — which would later inspire her environmental advocacy.

The pandemic was a turning point. The health scare forced reflection. “It showed me how precious and fragile life is,” Seibold, 57, said. “Whatever days are left, I want to give back in some way.”

A lifelong Long Islander, she found peace by the ocean, but noticed balloon debris piling up on local beaches. While volunteering at cleanups, she researched the environmental impact of balloon releases. She was stunned by the volume of data on their harm to wildlife, waterways and ecosystems worldwide, with little accountability.

In March 2022, a New York Times article on the surging popularity of balloon decor was published on her late mother’s birthday, and Seibold took that as a sign. “The idea of a solution would not leave me

alone,” she said of the problem of balloon waste. “If not me, who was going to do it?”

So she launched Balloon Mission, the first balloon collection-recycling infrastructure in the United States. “Here I am, an ordinary citizen stepping up,” she said. “Not certified in anything, but I did know how to research.” The early days were challenging,

filled with “soul-crushing” moments and fears of being laughed at for “chasing balloons.”

What began with collection bins in three schools and one library has grown into a regional and national effort. In three years, Balloon Mission has collected more than 65,000 post-event balloons.

Seibold says that collaborative partnerships with strong, inspiring women helped make the initiative possible. “I would not be me without these partners,” she said, citing Allison DePerte, of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, and Maureen Early, of the waste-management company Reworld.

She also praises Tara Moran-Schneider, senior conservation biologist with the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Conservation and Waterways, for installing 20 “No Balloon Release” signs in local parks and on beaches.

“We’ve become the experts in the room through research and data collection,” Seibold said — not because of advanced degrees, but thanks to research, partnerships and persistence.

Women have guided her journey. “It’s vital for young girls to see female leaders in all roles,” she said. “Leading by example shows that positive change is possible. There is no age limit.” Since Balloon Mission started, she has worked with Girl Scout troops, educating communities about responsible balloon practices by expanding “No Release” signs across Long Island.

Seibold’s message to women with a passion for change is simple: “If you have an idea or solution that has latched onto you and won’t shake free, that wakes you up in the middle of the night,” she said, “you have to pursue it.”

influential women on long island
Joan whitney Payson co-founder and owner new York Mets
Courtesy Cynthia Seibold
Cynthia Seibold, the founder of Balloon Mission, at a World Ocean Day beach cleanup in June 2020.

played traditional folk music, including Irish, Scottish and 19th-century nautical tunes.

‘Luck of the Irish’ at the East Meadow library

It’s never a bad time Irish heritage, and that was the case at the East Meadow Public Library on March 17. The musical group Fiddler’s Green took to the stage to ring in St. Patrick’s Day, and play traditional folk music, including Irish, Scottish and 19thcentury nautical songs and tunes that have been inspiring people for generations.

Many of Fiddler’s Green’s members have performed at local libraries, museums, festivals, community events, and of course, the occasional pub. Each member is an accomplished musician in their own rite, who’ve participated in larger projects such as CD recordings and more.

There was no shortage of Irish pride — and of course music — at Friday’s performance. For more on upcoming performances, or cultural events at the library, visit EastMeadow.info. The library is at 1886 Front Street, East Meadow.

Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Fiddler’s Green
Vallone
Larry Moser, on accordion, was part of the ensemble.
Irish heritage was celebrated at the East Meadow Public Library on March 17, as crowds came out to watch a special St. Patrick’s Day concert.
Narcelle Cregg, Jeannette Cregg and John Soculick were festively dressed in green.
Rita and Jerry Hallissey clapped along to tunes in the library.

Being seen elevate the Conversation

every semester, in the context of a documentary that must be screened by my marketing students, there is a reckoning.

The film, “Killing Us Softly,” is one in a series that examine the way women are portrayed in advertising as described in lecture by Jean Kilbourne. The films are decades old and were brought to my attention by a student who saw one as part of a women’s studies course at Nassau Community College in the 1990s.

Yet, despite their dated ad examples, even today’s young adults get the references and recognize how, among other problems, they have been desensitized to images that are blond haired, blue eyed and skinny — meant to define THE attractive and ideal fantasy.

When my children were young, we spent a lot of time watching PBS and Nickelodeon as our “go-to” networks for television. It was then, and admittedly now, that I still marvel over characters who are like our Jewish family. Baby Bear of Sesame Street who celebrated Chanukkah on air. Tommy Pickles and his extended friends and family on “RugRats” discovering Passover. Francine Frensky, friend of Arthur (the aardvark), even “Hey Arnold’s” Harold making his way through the process of becoming Bar Mitzvah. All characters that help people like me be seen by others around us.

In short, without the role models, it’s a struggle to be seen. Acknowledged. Appreciated.

Dove products leaned into this issue with their universal, inclusive and diverse depiction of beauty in their marketing. But how often is it when those who are marginalized in our society, react with joy to any “firsts” that collectively gets them seen?

This season, my daughter taught her pre-kindergarten class about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, just as she has with so many other holidays from Christmas, to Chanukkah, Kwanza and Chinese New Year.

Yet it was a grateful parent who expressed her thanks and appreciation for this acknowledgement of her child’s festive holiday — a chance for all to learn about customs and traditions through books and crafts.

A chance for every child to be seen.

L auren L ev

L.I. representatives gather for a lively debate

Against a backdrop of a military action in the Middle East and a domestic economy that swings up and down as the price of oil steadily rises, Long Island’s congressional delegation took part in a spirited but congenial debate of ideas and issues last week at the Long Island Association’s annual What’s New In Washington panel.

Representatives Andrew Garbarino, Laura Gillen, Nick LaLota and Tom Suozzi spoke on issues ranging from the economy to immigration to energy, with LIA Acting President and CEO Stacey Sikes moderating the March 16 discussion.

“The thing that’s so brilliant about the system, I think, is today we’re going to have [four] Congressional representatives —two Democrats, two Republicans,” Lawrence Waldman, the LIA’s board chairman, said. “They’re going to sit in the interview with Acting President Stacey Sikes, and I’m sure they’ll agree on some of these issues and disagree on some.”

Andrew Garbarino

All of the legislators noted progress on the effort to raise or eliminate the limit on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes, a measure critical to Long Island homeowners facing some of the nation’s highest property taxes, as well as a $1.5 billion infrastructure package for transportation, water quality and storm resilience.

“We have worked together on a bipar-

tisan infrastructure bill, one of the best things we did,” Garbarino, a former assemblyman, said, noting frustrations with Albany over implementation.

His 2nd Congressional District stretches from Massapequa, in Nassau County, east to Shirley, in Suffolk County.

The four lawmakers had differing perspectives on Operation Epic Fury, the military effort against Iran. Suozzi and Gillen praised its objectives, but criticized Congress’s lack of oversight and what they described as the Trump administration’s failure to define a long-term strategy.

“There does not seem to be a plan, and shouldn’t that have been thought of ahead of time?” Suozzi asked.

Ithe finish line, by working together.”

Gillen, who represents the 4th Congressional District, which spans nearly the entire South Shore of Nassau County, noted that the administration’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” has added to the national debt. “It caused the average American to have $1,600 in extra cost,” she said. “We’re not going in the right direction. We can fix that, but there has to be political will.”

’m sure they’ll agree on some of these issues and disagree on some.

L

Garbarino countered, noting that congressional committees are briefed regularly, and that prior administrations have taken similar actions. All agreed that any escalation involving ground troops would require Congressional approval.

Laura Gillen

AwRENCE wALDMAN

Board chairman, Long Island Association

Nick LaLota

Gillen noted the impact of the federal crackdown on illegal immigration on local businesses.

“People are afraid to patronize businesses,” she said, adding that new business in Hempstead is “going to go out of business already, because people — there’s an ICE car parked in an apartment lot across from Main Street, and even if no one’s in there, people see it, and they’re afraid to go out.”

that same part of the world,” he noted, jobs will be created and prices will be lower.

LaLota’s 1st Congressional District stretches from Melville, in western Suffolk County, to Montauk.

Tom Suozzi

Suozzi highlighted his work with the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. The group includes 46 members of Congress, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.

“We have committees that work together on issues, on everything from affordability,” Suozzi said, noting that the caucus also addresses immigration and national security.

Despite those efforts, Suozzi described Washington as increasingly difficult to navigate. “The problem is, the environment is so toxic in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “And the leadership on both sides really is only focused on winning the majority.” He added that the political climate is likely to worsen as the midterm elections approach.

Speaking on her proposed Dignity Act, which would give illegal immigrants what she called “a pathway to legal status,” Gillen said, “If you’re going to do transformative legislation, it’s better to tap in with both sides,” noting that the effort began with 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. “And that’s the way we can get a law like this across

LaLota said that one party doesn’t have a monopoly on “this nation’s most major issues, and we do work together on certain big things.”

With the cost of energy on the minds of consumers, he noted that “the economy is growing, we have more demand, more power here on the Island and across the nation.” LaLota added that there’s “a ton of natural gas” in New York’s Southern Tier. “If we do things the way that Pennsylvania does them in

Suozzi also pointed to several economic concerns facing many Americans, including tariffs, artificial intelligence data centers, and rising health care costs tied in part to the elimination of the premium tax credit.

“The economy is in trouble,” he said. “Everybody knows the economy is in trouble.” He argued that strong stock market performance does not reflect the experience of most households.

His 3rd Congressional District predominantly includes Glen Cove, Oyster Bay and a portion of Queens, and stretches east to Huntington.

Tim Baker/Herald
The Long Island Association held its annual What’s New In Washington panel on March 16.
U.S. Representatives Andrew Garbarino, far left, and Nick LaLota, LIA Acting President and CEO Stacey Sikes, and Representatives Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi discussed several issues.

East Meadow’s character education is a success

tiative, they explained each part of the initiative and created a really, really incredible video. We used that video as part of one of our assemblies.”

Following the debut, a few important changes were made to the school’s daily routine in the form of positive power awards, according to Lasher. If a student goes above and beyond to assist a peer, a staff member will write a positive power card describing the deed and what character trait it represents. The cards are read aloud every Friday, students receive stickers as rewards, their parents receive the card and more.

“The children are very excited,” Lasher said, “They’re very happy to earn a positive power card. They’re very excited to be recognized. Parents are also excited when their child comes home with recognition from our school.”

Reception among parents is strong. Tamara Vance, a mother of four, watched each of her children be a part of the Barnum Woods community, with her youngest currently attending.

“Barnum is where the seed is planted,” Vance said. “Being trustworthy, respectful, responsible, kind, if you can plant those things from young, then you will see them grow with them as they move on to middle school and high school… then they become mentors and examples to the other kids their age as

they grow.”

Vance is an advocate for Barnum Woods’ extracurricular initiatives, showing that teaching and learning go beyond the classroom.

“I think it’s incredibly important for schools to prioritize character alongside academics, because that helps to create a culture where students feel supported.

We all work together to reinforce the values, both in the classroom from the teacher’s perspective and then at home from the parents perspective.”

School principal Amanda Sagnelli explained her pride in the program.

“My educational philosophy is that it’s all about the children,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder to be the building

principal at Barnum Woods because every single day my teachers help to push that philosophy forward. This character education program really speaks volumes to our philosophy because we are educating the whole child and ensuring that all Barnum students leave us as kind, productive, good human beings.”

Barnum Woods students paul St. Lucia, left, massimo amador, Cassandra toscano, Jordana Silva and Sienna St. Lucia introduced their peers to the school’s new ‘paws’-itivity initiative.
Photos courtesy Jen Lasher during Barnum Woods’ character initiative pep rallies on Jan. 8, the Barnum Woods Bobcat made an appearance to hype up the crowds.

Legal win for residents grieving property taxes

The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Division reached an important decision in favor of homeowners last month. The court strengthened residents’ abilities to provide supportive evidence and documentation when challenging their yearly property tax assessments.

The appeal reversed a Nassau County Supreme Court case that had previously complicated the process for homeowners submitting documents, including assessments of comparable properties and completed sales of similar homes, when filing an “unequal assessment claim” during Small Claims Assessment Review proceedings. The appellate verdict went into effect immediately, and applies to the current assessment year, 2027-28.

“This is a very significant case,” said Shalom Maidenbaum, founder of Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group and Maidenbaum and Sternberg, the law firm that brought the case to court. “It could’ve impacted all of Nassau County and curtailed the rights of taxpayers.” The decision affects any Nassau homeowner filing an assessment grievance, and is especially beneficial to residents of certain villages who may have been assessed at an inaccurate or outdated assessment ratio.

In the final order of the matter of Yeung v. Assessor of the Village of Great Neck Estates — the initial case presented to the appellate court — the court wrote in its conclusion, “The hearing officer’s determinations denying the petitioners’ Small Claims Assessment Review applications were arbitrary and

Tim Baker/Herald
“This is a very significant case,” Shalom Maidenbaum said. “It could’ve impacted all of Nassau County and curtailed the rights of taxpayers.”

capricious and lacked a rational basis in the law.”

Mark Miller, one of the most experienced lawyers on the Maidenbaum team, explained that multiple lowercourt decisions throughout Nassau County can now

be clarified, since some hearing officers had been inconsistently applying existing laws to homeowners’ ability to present evidence. “Hundreds of cases can now go back to court,” Miller said. “This decision gives them standing.”

The appellate court’s decision is expected to remain in effect without further challenge. Legal experts say that it would require costly, involved legislation to overturn it.

While the legal victory provides homeowners with invaluable support, experts say they should not misinterpret the ruling as a guarantee that their assessments will be reduced. “They just have the right to present that evidence,” explained Amy Madmon, a partner at both Maidenbaum and Sternberg and Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, explained. “Essentially, it’s confirming the tools that homeowners have. Whether it’s successful or not depends on the case, but a hearing officer does have to hear the argument and take it into account when they’re making a decision.”

The deadline to file a property tax assessment grievance in Nassau County is March 31. There’s no risk for homeowners — an unsuccessful appeal results in no penalties and no increased assessment. There’s also no inherent expense: Homeowners can either submit a grievance at no cost on their own, or hire a property tax grievance firm, such as Maidenbaum, which typically charges no fees if the appeal is unsuccessful, and charges a percentage of the amount of the reduction, often up to 50 percent, for a successful appeal.

More information about filing a grievance, including applications and steps to file, can be found at nassaucountyny.gov/arc/arow.

APRIL 16 • 10AM-12:30PM

DEER PARK KNIGHTS

759 LONG ISLAND AVE, DEER PARK

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND

Register for this FREE event: Deerpark.eventbrite.com or email lcreem@LIHerald.com or call 516.569.4000 x243 AGENDA:

+ Q&A RAFFLE DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

I

Tim

I’m

Caleb Kolanovic Lynbrook, age 9

I get to play baseball when it’s

Tim Baker/Herald photos

I

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Christie Leigh Babirad/ Herald photos
Brittany Dursi Rockville
Antoinette Hatzopoulos Glen Cove

STEPPING OUT

A gentle first step into the concert hall

‘Peppa

Pig’ brings music to life

Oink if you love Mozart! The world’s most famous piggy is trading muddy puddles for the conductor’s baton. “Peppa Pig –

My First Concert” is headed to Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, on Saturday, March 28, offering families a vibrant, interactive introduction to the world of classical music.

Joined by Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George, Peppa leads young audiences through playful romp designed to give toddlers and preschoolers their very first taste of an orchestra — in this case, the Aurora Orchestra. By blending catchy hits from the popular TV series with masterpieces by Mozart and Beethoven, the production creates a bridge between playground favorites and the concert hall. At just 60 minutes long, it’s a perfectly sized musical adventure for “little piggies” as young as 18 months.

Families explore how different instruments create sound in this playful production giving the little ones their first taste of classical music in an engaging setting. From the first notes of the Peppa Pig theme to the soaring strings of the masters, the production invites families to see how an orchestra actually works. Peppa and her brother George learn alongside their audience, discovering the distinct sounds and shapes of the instruments as the music comes to life. It’s an engaging, front-row seat to the wonders of the woodwind, brass and string families.

“This is really an interactive introduction to a live orchestra for very young audiences,” says Stephanie Turner, Tilles Center’s director of education and outreach.

This is a ‘first concert’ in the truest sense — approachable, loud and full of life. Stripping away the formality of a standard concert hall, the production encourages little ones to respond to the music however they feel moved. Children are welcome to participate throughout — whether that means clapping along, dancing in the aisles or simply reacting to the music.

“Anything they want to do,” Turner says. “When kids hear familiar music, they love to get up and dance. Whatever movement or sound kids want to make is totally open.”

The production also introduces a fresh face to the Peppa-verse: Lucy. Played by Evie James, this specially created character serves as the show’s lively narrator, helping children navigate their very first symphonic experience, while interacting with Peppa and her friends.

The show blends puppetry, live music and audience participation, featuring four puppeteers and 12 musicians performing alongside Lucy and the Peppa Pig family. James eplains that the production offers young audiences a whimsical introduction to live theater and classical music through the adventures of Peppa and her family.

“The kids respond to it so well,” she says. “It’s a really sweet and fun show with an educational element.”

Continuing the Tilles Center’s commitment to inclusive programming, this program — part of its “Family Fun!” series — it’s done as a relaxed performance. The atmosphere is intentionally crafted to be welcoming and accommodating, providing a supportive space for neurodivergent audiences to enjoy the arts together.

“These performances feature modified sound and lighting levels,” Turner explains. “There’s also a quiet space with sensory toys if a child gets overwhelmed.”

Families can check out a ‘social story’ before the big day. This visual guide uses photos and simple descriptions to walk children through the entire theater experience, turning the ‘unknown’ into a familiar and exciting adventure. Everyone is also welcome to a free family workshop prior to showtime (for ticket holders), with crafts, games and storytime.

• Saturday, March 28, 2 p.m.

• Tickets start at $39, VIP tickets are $79.50; available at ticketmaster.com

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

“Our goal is to provide the arts to the greater Long Island population,” Turner adds. “Through the Family Fun series, we bring shows like Peppa Pig, along with productions featuring characters like Curious George and ‘Sesame Street, so families can experience live performances together.”

Of course, for many children in the audience, Peppa Pig will be their first live performance.

“It’s age-appropriate, gentle and welcoming,” Turner continues. “You can come at any age or level and enjoy it. Even adults who’ve never been exposed to classical music can learn something.”

For James, the true magic happens after the curtain falls. Her goal is simple: to send the kids home feeling delighted with what’s transpired on stage.

“I hope they just have a fun time,” she says. “Maybe it will inspire them to listen to music, play an instrument themselves or develop an interest in theater.”

discover the magic of live music together at Tilles Center.

Actor-host-writer-fashion designerproducer, performer extraordinaire Isaac Mizrahi is a truly unique talent. He regales his fans — and those just experiencing him for a first time — with song and his signature wit when he appears at Tilles Center. His one-of-a-kind show brings together comedy, commentar and an array of classic and soon-to-be classic songs from Stephen Sondheim to Blondie, Comden & Green to Madonna. He’s worked extensively in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Most recently seen as Amos Hart in the Broadway production of “Chicago,” he heads here after his annual (triumphant) residency at Café Carlyle in Manhattan. Isaac also performs at such venues as Joe’s Pub and nationwide. Among his many credits, he’s the subject and co-creator of “Unzipped,” a documentary following the making of his Fall 1994 collection which received an award at the Sundance Film Festival.

Saturday, March 28, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

The Man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash

With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voic and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker’s uncanny resemblance to the original “Man In Black” revitalizes the true character and spirit of Cash himself, for a one-of-a-kind show. In character throughout the entire evening, he takes the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” and “Ring of Fire,” backed by a full band. Born and raised in a working-class suburb of St. Louis, Barker took a schoolboy love for singing in church with his family and turned it into a career. The path to his current success wasn’t a straight line from gospel choir to Johnny Cash tribute act. After serving his country in the Army, Barker returned home to Missouri, took a job as a carpenter, and spent all of his free time learning how to play the guitar. His act then quickly turned from hobby to profession.

Sunday, March 29, 7 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at

Photos courtesy Logan Westom
Little theatergoers follow along as Peppa and George

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAR

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art joins in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Its landmark exhibition explores how Long Island has reflected and shaped the story of American art. From Revolutionary-era portraiture and folk art to nineteenth-century landscapes, Impressionism, and the bold innovations of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art, the exhibition highlights how every major art movement found expression here. From Brooklyn to Montauk, Long Island’s natural beauty, coastal light, and close connection to New York City inspired generations of artists and gave rise to thriving art colonies and postwar creative communities. Featuring paintings, decorative arts, and historical objects displayed together in immersive settings, the exhibit celebrates the region’s enduring influence and its rich artistic legacy. On view through July 12.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’ Adelphi University Department of Theatre students give a concert performance of the beloved classic. With charm, wit and heart, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy and their friends in the Peanuts gang. This revue of songs and vignettes, based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, showcases Adelphi’s talented students. Musical numbers include “My New Philosophy,” “The Book Report,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime” and “Happiness.”

• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: delphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000

Family Theater

‘…how I wish you were here’

Wish You Were Here celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s album “Wish You Were Here,” acclaimed as “one of the greatest albums of all time,” and cited by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright and guitarist David Gilmour as their favorite album. The band delivers a critically-acclaimed, stunningly authentic and heartfelt tribute experience, faithfully and expertly reproducing Pink Floyd’s timeless musical soundscapes with entirely live music and vocals.

• Where: 1897 Front Street, East Meadow

• Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.

• Contact: StewLeonards.com for more info

APR

4

East Meadow Chamber Easter Egg Hunt

East Meadow Chamber welcomes all to the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Multiple sessions.

• Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 1700 Prospect Ave.

• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: EastMeadowChamber.com

Building Homes for Heroes 5K

Building Homes for Heroes holds its second annual 5K in Eisenhower Park.

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

MAR

Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most

Immerse yourself in this captivating journey through Pink Floyd’s musical catalog with this top-level act! Wish You Where Here continues its 30-year tradition of combining sight and sound to capture the mood, emotions, and intensity of the Floydian theatrical concert experience — in a spectacular tribute of music, performers, lighting, video, lasers and inflatables — performed live with no backing or click tracks. The band is arguably the longest continually-performing Pink Floyd tribute act with an unparalleled history of sold-out concerts, record-breaking festival events and celebrated theater productions. The show utilizes a veteran 10-piece musical ensemble featuring seven vocalists and a Floydian stage production — sound effects and vintage videos on a large circle screen, flying inflatables, theatrical vignettes with props, and a sensational light show with moving lasers, rolling fog and state-of-the-art intelligent lighting — all produced with a fan’s obsession for detail. The band authentically recreates the music from Pink Floyd’s entire career, performing the crowd favorites that all rock fans recognize, interspersed with the show-stoppers that appease even the most ardent Floyd fanatics.

organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 28, April 1-April 2

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

MAR 28

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Stew Leonard’s East Meadow welcomes all to a festive breakfast.

• Where: 1897 Front St., East Meadow

• Time: Various times, also March 29

• Contact: Learn more at StewLeonards.com

South Shore Symphony

The beloved orchestra springs forward with its next concert

“The Rite of Spring.” The program includes Marquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending (Romance for Violin and Orchestra) and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

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

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

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

Hop Into Spring

Families are invited to hop on over to Long Island Children’s Museum to welcome spring! Meet Peter Rabbit and Baby Chick costume characters, explore the museum to collect goodies, interact with live animals, and create themed craft activities. Celebrate the arrival of spring with a day of family fun!

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

‘The Identity Reset’ Join author Ashley Olivia Nelson for an intimate afternoon conversation

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

celebrating the release of “The Identity Reset: A Guide to Discovering Yourself After Loss, Change, and Survival.” It features a moderated conversation with a special guest (to be announced), a short reading by the author, and an audience Q&A exploring how people can move forward when life changes, and how to reconnect with themselves along the way. Attendees will leave with language for what they’ve been experiencing, insight into navigating change with more clarity, and a renewed sense of direction for the season ahead. The afternoon includes light hors d’oeuvres, time for connection, and a book signing with photo opportunities. Each attendee receives a signed copy of the book.

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

• Time: 3 p.m.

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

APR

1

Egg Hunt EggStravaganza Stew Leonard’s of East Meadow invites children ages 8 and younger to join the store’s annual Easter Egg hunt. Tickets are free.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Field 2

• Time: 8 a.m.

• Contact: Register at Events.EliteFeats. com/26honoringheroes

APR

8

Local Producer Education Series

Stew Leonard’s of East Meadow invites children ages 8 and younger to join the store’s annual Easter Egg hunt. Tickets are free.

• Where: 1897 Front St. East Meadow

• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

• Contact: StewLeonards.com

APR

12

Steps Towards Healing 5K Run/ Walk

Take a healing journey during this upcoming 5K Walk/ Run. Proceeds to go to parents, siblings and families in need of free grief resources.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Field 2

• Time: 8:30 a.m.

• Contact: Visit Events.EliteFeats.com

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

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN

ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2007-4, -againstNARDA SILVERA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 6, 2026, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN

ASSET-BACKED

CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2007-4 is the Plaintiff and NARDA SILVERA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 6, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 53 MIDDLE CAMP ROAD, WESTBURY, NY 11590; and the following tax map identification: 11-381-7. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF WESTBURY, TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 618336/2023. Maria Sideris, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158725

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. JOANN O’CONNOR, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report, Amend the Caption, and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 28, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 7, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1595 Midland Drive, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 455 and Lot 2. Approximate amount of judgment is $494,812.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603044/2019.

Scott Siller, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158711

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006OPT1, ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT1 Plaintiff, Against YVONNE APUGAN, DIANA O’CONNOR, et al Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/22/2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 4/15/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 8 3rd Street, Westbury, NY 11590, and described as

follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Westbury, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Section 0011 Block 00166-00 Lot 00118 a/k/a 11-166-118. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $950,621.86 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 001020/2014

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Karl C. Seman, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 219/2026 File Number: 17-301338 CA 158840

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Nassau Flagstar Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Kelvin Puello a/k/a Kelvin R. Puello, Wendy Puello, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 518 Benine Road, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 10, BLOCK: 325, LOT: 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $715,871.39 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602386/2020. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate

Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are requ ired to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Wayne Wink, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-093408-F00 89014 158790

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-1, ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1, -againstTITO MOLINA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 18, 2025, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2005-1, ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-1 is the Plaintiff and TITO MOLINA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on April 16, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 213 BELMONT AVENUE, WESTBURY, NY 11590; and the following tax map identification: 10-183-133. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF WESTBURY, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611237/2017. Paul L. Meli, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

159004

LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff - againstWILLIAM MONGE AKA WILLIAM R. MONGE, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on April 8, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 16th day of April, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, near Hicksville, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 47 Squirrel Lane, Levittown, (Town of Hempstead) NY 11756. (SBL#: 45-228-14) Approximate amount of lien $379,179.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 612397/2022. Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618 Tel. 585/760-8218 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: January 30, 2026

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all

governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 158906

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 16th day of March, 2026, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT SHALL EXPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCEED SEVENTYFIVE THOUSAND ($75,000.00) DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW SECTION 6(G) FIREMATIC EQUIPMENT CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW FORD TRANSIT FIFTEEN (15) PASSENGER PERSONNEL TRANSPORT VEHICLE, ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND RELATED EXPENSES. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless, in the meanwhile, a permissive referendum as provided by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.

Dated: March 16, 2026

BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST: ERIC BECKER Secretary 159077

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on March 18, 2026, and the validity of the

obligations authorized by such bond resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEW YORK, in the County of Nassau, New York, is not authorized to expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this Notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the publication of this Notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.

Judy Kandel District Clerk

BOND RESOLUTION OF THE EAST MEADOW UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, ADOPTED MARCH 18, 2026, AUTHORIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ALL DISTRICT BUILDINGS AND/OR SITES; STATING THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST THEREOF IS NOT TO EXCEED

$71,525,000; APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT THEREFOR; AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED

$71,525,000 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID DISTRICT TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION. Objects or purposes: construction of alterations and improvements to all District buildings and/sites. Amounts of Obligations to be Issued

$71,525,000

Period of Probable Usefulness: thirty (30) years

A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the District Clerk, East Meadow Union Free School District, New York, 718 The Plain Road, Westbury, New York 11590.

Dated: March 20, 2026 East Meadow, New York 159078

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 7179 RESOLUTION NO. 256-2026

Adopted: March 10, 2026

Councilmember Ryder offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALK AREA IN ; BALDWIN, BELLMORE, BETHPAGE, EAST MEADOW, ELMONT, FRANKLIN SQUARE, INWOOD, ISLAND PARK, LEVITTOWN, MERRICK, NORTH BALDWIN, NORTH BELLMORE, OCEANSIDE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, ROOSEVELT, SEAFORD, SOUTH HEMPSTEAD, UNIONDALE, WANTAGH, WEST HEMPSTEAD, WOODMERE IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NY, ADOPTING PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE COST THEREOF. WHEREAS, an assessment roll has been prepared by this Town Board for and in connection with the reconstruction of sidewalk area on: AMBROSE CT, BABYLON TPKE, BALDWIN AVE, BARBARA ST, BAY FRONT DR, BONNIE DR, BROADWAY, CARNATION AVE, CHALADAY LN, CHESTNUT LN, CLEARMEADOW DR, COLONY ST, COLUMBUS AVE, CONDOR RD, COOLIDGE AVE, COURT ST, COURTNEY LN, DALE PL, DAY ST, E ROOSEVELT AVE, EASTERN PKWY, EVELYN AVE, EVERS LN, FARM LN, FENWORTH BLVD, GRAND AVE, GUN LN, HAMILTON AVE, HAMPTON RD, HANCOCK ST, HENRY ST, HOPATCONG AVE, HOWARD PL, HUDSON AVE, IVANHOE DR, IVY CT W, JEFFERSON ST, KINGSTON AVE, LAKEVIEW RD, LAUREL AVE, LINCOLN BLVD, LINCOLN ST, LINKS DR W, LYDIA PL, MANOR PKWY, MARILYN DR, MARJORIE LN, MATTITUCK AVE, MCDONALD AVE, MEADOW LN, MEADOW RD, MERRICK AVE, MERRICK RD, MILBURN AVE, MONACO AVE, MONROE ST, N

Public Notices

JERUSALEM RD, NORTHERN PKWY, ORIOLE AVE, OWL PL, PAMLICO AVE, PARK AVE, PARKER AVE, QUARRY LN, REMSEN ST, ROCKWOOD AVE, ROOSEVELT ST, ROYAL AVE, SCHREIBER PL, SKILLMAN AVE, SPRAGUE AVE, SPRUCEWOOD DR, STEPHEN ST, SUNSHINE AVE, SURREY LN, WADLEIGH AVE, WAUKENA AVE, WAVERLY AVE, WESTMINSTER RD, WILLIAM PL, WOLCOTT RD, WOLFSON DR, WOOD PARK DR

In the TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK, which said roll was completed and filed in the office of the Town clerk of said Town on or about the 10th day of March 2026; and WHEREAS, due notice of the completion of said assessment roll and of the time and place when and where this Board would meet to hear and consider any objection that might be made to said roll and for the purpose of reviewing, correcting and amending the same was duly given by the Town Clerk by publication of due notice thereof in the official newspaper of the Town of Hempstead and the Town Board duly met at the time and place specified and a hearing was duly had upon said assessment roll; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that such expense for the improvement be and it hereby is assessed as a whole pursuant to Section 200-a Article 12 of the Town Law as amended, upon each of the Lots and the parcels of land especially benefited by said improvement in just proportion to the amount of benefit which the improvement confers thereon in the amount listed opposite each such Lot or Parcel in the said assessment roll under the heading “BENEFITED” assessment against each such Lot or parcel of land especially benefited by the said improvement may be paid in five (5) or less annual installments and shall be payable at the time and the manner provided by law for the levy of State And County Taxes with interest not to exceed six percent (6%) of each such

installment; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be instructed to annex to said assessment roll a Warrant which shall be signed by the Supervisor and countersigned by the Town Clerk commanding the Receiver of Taxes to collect from the several persons named in said assessment roll the sum or sums opposite their respective names and to pay the same to the Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. The foregoing resolution was adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) SIDEWALK AREA ASSESSMENT ROLL SIDEWALK AREA IMPROVEMENT ON:

AMBROSE CT, BABYLON TPKE, BALDWIN AVE, BARBARA ST, BAY FRONT DR, BONNIE DR, BROADWAY, CARNATION AVE, CHALADAY LN, CHESTNUT LN, CLEARMEADOW DR, COLONY ST, COLUMBUS AVE, CONDOR RD, COOLIDGE AVE, COURT ST, COURTNEY LN, DALE PL, DAY ST, E ROOSEVELT AVE, EASTERN PKWY, EVELYN AVE, EVERS LN, FARM LN, FENWORTH BLVD, GRAND AVE, GUN LN, HAMILTON AVE, HAMPTON RD, HANCOCK ST, HENRY ST, HOPATCONG AVE, HOWARD PL, HUDSON AVE, IVANHOE DR, IVY CT W, JEFFERSON ST, KINGSTON AVE, LAKEVIEW RD, LAUREL AVE, LINCOLN BLVD, LINCOLN ST, LINKS DR W, LYDIA PL, MANOR PKWY, MARILYN DR, MARJORIE LN, MATTITUCK AVE, MCDONALD AVE, MEADOW LN, MEADOW RD, MERRICK AVE, MERRICK RD, MILBURN AVE, MONACO AVE, MONROE ST, N JERUSALEM RD, NORTHERN PKWY, ORIOLE AVE, OWL PL, PAMLICO AVE, PARK AVE, PARKER AVE, QUARRY LN, REMSEN ST, ROCKWOOD AVE, ROOSEVELT ST, ROYAL AVE, SCHREIBER PL, SKILLMAN AVE, SPRAGUE AVE, SPRUCEWOOD DR, STEPHEN ST, SUNSHINE AVE, SURREY LN, WADLEIGH AVE, WAUKENA AVE,

WAVERLY AVE, WESTMINSTER RD, WILLIAM PL, WOLCOTT RD, WOLFSON DR, WOOD PARK DR

In the TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK. * * * * * * * * * * * *

WARRANT TO COLLECT ASSESSMENT TO: JEANINE C. DRISCOLL, RECEIVER OF TAXES OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to collect from the persons named in the annexed Assessment Roll, the sum set opposite their respective names, as taxes or assessments, payable by them and to pay the sum to the Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. The assessments in the annexed Assessment Roll may be paid in five (5) annual installments with interest thereon, if the benefit is in excess of $100.00 or may be paid in one (1) installment without fee or penalty which shall not be less than thirty (30) nor more than one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date of the warrant on or before the 7th day of September 2026

TOTAL ASSESSMENT: $148,883.11

DATED: SUPERVISOR Of the TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD COUNTERSIGNED: TOWN CLERK 159051

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 16th day of March, 2026, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT SHALL EXPEND A SUM NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY THOUSAND ($50,000.00) DOLLARS FROM THE SECTION 6(G) GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW BUILDING AND GROUNDS CAPITAL RESERVE FUND FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM UPGRADE FOR

STATION NO. 2 AND STATION NO. 4 AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND WORK AND RELATED EXPENSES. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless, in the meanwhile, a permissive referendum as provided by the General Municipal Law is required to be held. Dated: March 16, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS EAST MEADOW FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST: ERIC BECKER Secretary 159076

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. DEBRA GELORUM, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 28, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1845 Grant Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 190 and Lots 27-30. Approximate amount of judgment is $473,454.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 615219/2022.

Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 231516-1 159098

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

Child care at NCC aims to support student parents

Student parents attending Nassau Community College may soon have greater access to child care as part of a statewide expansion announced this week by Kathy Hochul aimed at supporting adult learners across the State University of New York system.

Hochul said the initiative will expand child care services at 11 SUNY community colleges, either by extending hours into evenings and weekends or by creating additional child care spots for infants and toddlers. Nassau Community College is among six campuses that will add more spaces for younger children, a move intended to help student parents balance their academic and family responsibilities.

The effort is designed in part to support participants in SUNY Reconnect, a state program that offers free tuition, fees, books and supplies to New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who do not already hold a college degree and want to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field.

“We are investing in the futures of our adult learners and student parents to ensure they can pursue and achieve their dreams,” Hochul said in a statement announcing the expansion. “Through the expansion of child care across SUNY’s community college campuses … we are reinforcing our commitment to meeting the needs of adult learners and offering them a path to upward mobility.”

State officials say access to reliable child care remains one of the most significant barriers facing adult students, particularly parents returning to school while working or raising young children. By expanding child care availability, SUNY hopes to make it easier for those students to enroll in classes and complete degree programs.

John B. King Jr., chancellor of the State University of New York, said the expansion is intended to give student

parents the support they need to stay focused on their education.

“Student parents should be able to focus on their studies without having to worry about finding safe and affordable child care,” King said. “The expansion of the child care programs across SUNY’s community colleges will work to remove barriers, so all of our students can receive the support they need to pursue the education of their dreams.”

In addition to Nassau Community College, five SUNY community colleges will expand child care hours to better align with evening or nontraditional class schedules. SUNY Broome Community College will create additional evening care hours, while Dutchess Community College plans to add two weeknights of evening care and expand infant and toddler capacity. Finger Lakes Community College will extend evening hours until 9 p.m. two days a week, and Monroe Community College will add 16 hours of evening child care while also increasing capacity for younger children. Onondaga Community College is partnering with the YMCA to provide evening child care spots for adult learners enrolled through the SUNY Reconnect program.

Additional infant and toddler child care spaces will also be created at Jamestown Community College, SUNY Niagara Community College, Rockland Community College, Tompkins Cortland Community College and SUNY Westchester Community College.

The expansion builds on several recent state investments aimed at increasing access to child care across SUNY campuses. In 2022, the state announced $10.8 million to address child care shortages and expand capacity at SUNY schools. More recently, SUNY also expanded child care programs at Dutchess and Monroe community colleges to include evening hours aligned with high-demand academic programs.

Herald file photo
Nassau Community College will add additional infant and toddler child care spaces as part of a statewide initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul to expand child care services at SUNY community colleges.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Building Maintenance

Assistant and Porter needed for Management Co. in Long Beach Experience Preferred Email: humanresoures5771 @gmail.com or Call: (212) 873-7575

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 $17 per hour to $20 per hour.

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

DENTAL ASSISTANT

CHAIR SIDE F/T Lynbrook Office, Immediate Opening. Looking for Experienced Individual Email Resume nylaserendo@gmail.com Call 516-599-7111

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

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

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 from $17 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 $35,360 + 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 $35,360 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

PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED $20 - $25 Per Hour Must Be Available On Weekends April - June 516-902-6258 Randy@LISNYC.com

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE

HomesHERALD

A permit just for my parents?

Village Charmer

TQ. We just moved from the city, and found a notice on our door saying we have to get a permit for my parents to continue living with us. Neighbors were probably the ones who called the building department. My parents have always shared a house with us, in their own separate basement area with a kitchen, where they can come and go as they wish and spend time with their grandchildren, especially while we’re at work. We can’t just send my parents somewhere. What is the easiest way to get what we need?

A. You will need 1) the whole home measured, 2) floor plans drawn, 3) paperwork filed with a building department, 4) rejected for zoning reasons, 5) the application package forwarded to a separate zoning board, 6) wait your turn to get your documents reviewed before you get a zoning hearing, 7) given an appearance date, 8) attend a public hearing to see your case presented, 9) await a building plan review for the necessary safety and code requirements, 10) pay for the approved permit(s) to be issued, 11) get a contractor, plumber and electrician, and 12) arrange for plumbing, electric and final inspections to complete the process.

In some communities, the procedures can take well over a year. You will need patience and trust that you will eventually get to the end.

It’s admirable that you have a family that is appreciative enough to support one another’s needs, like watching the children and spending valuable time together. You might think this kind of extended family unit would be encouraged, but there are reasons it is scrutinized, including safety concerns, home values, parking and monitoring the number of people on a property. Although neighbors do not have authority to reject your living situation, if you are not respectful of everyone around you, including parking considerately, keeping the property neat and quiet, neighbors will complain.

Cooking fires are a leading cause of home casualties. Primary or second kitchens located in a basement are prohibited in nearly every community I have ever dealt with. I just saw that a father and son perished in a basement fire, coincidentally, in a home I wrote a safety report about within the past year. I commented on how the basement was a nonhabitable space, and yet someone cleaned it up, moved in, and now a father and child have died.

The fire chief said it is very difficult, almost impossible, to fight a basement fire, because flames are blasting up at you while you’re trying to get down and into the space. Basement walls can’t be cut to relieve the heat and smoke buildup.

You may think of a home as a place to live, and fortunately, or unfortunately, disasters have shaped strict rules made to prevent more disasters. Not having a basement kitchen can save lives. Your parents won’t be sent away, but you will need to start the process as outlined above. Good luck!

Stuff HERALD

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Professional bookkeeping and accounting for

and

• Monthly & annual bookkeeping

• Payroll & tax preparation

• Bank reconciliation & reporting

• Sage and accounting software support. Reliable. Accurate, Confidential.

Let us handle your numbers, so you can handle your business!

Email us and tell us what your needs are and we will respond acctprotech@hotmail.com | 516-780-4187 1340193

DOLL HOUSE KIT half finished. (balsa wood) All parts and instructions included. $20. 516-643-3623

DRESSER WOOD: W34" D18 1/2" H 30" Walnut, 3 Drawers, Good. $40 S. Freeport 516-279-7696

SEIKO SCHOOLHOUSE CLOCK, 21Hx13Wx4D, VGC, Battery Op, Chimes, like new,, light oak. $65 (516)486-2363

Finds $100-$350

SOFA: LOVE SEAT/ Pull Out Bed, Chocate Brown, Never Used. $350.00. Leave message 516-643-3623

SERVICES

HErald Crossword Puzzle

Cleaning Services

WENDY'S CLEANING SERVICES INC. Commercial/Residential. We Specialize In Houses, Apartments, Offices, Airbnb & More. Good References. Free Estimates. Call/Text Wendy 516-406-5375 Or Email wencruzpa@gmail.com

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Handyman

PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICE

Tired of calling a contractor & they don't call back? I will call you back the same day! 917-822-0225 Ricky Specializing in carpentry, bathrooms, kitchens, sheetrock, flooring, electric, plumbing. Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000

Home Improvement

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641

DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move.

PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 Walk-

In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473

Miscellaneous

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

Services

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER?

STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-833-323-0318. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider.

Services

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells

LAWN SPRINKLERS

Installed & Serviced. Repairs, Installations, Upgrades. EARLY SPRING SPECIALS! FREE WIFI TIMER ($550 Value) w/Any New Sprinkler System Installation Completed by 4/15/26. Satisfying Customers For Over 44 Years. Licensed & Insured. COUNTY IRRIGATION 515-255-9595 www.countyirrigation.com

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

opinions Islamist terrorism remains a clear and present danger

The recent series of terrorist attacks in Austin, Texas; on the East Side of Manhattan, outside Gracie Mansion; at a synagogue in Bloomfield, Mich.; and at Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Va.; send the clear signal that federal, state and local law enforcement must be on full alert, especially for the duration of the conflict with Iran.

Threats and potential terror attacks could range from ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Iranian proxy Hezbollah to radically inspired lone wolves.

Prior to the horrific Sept. 11 attacks, our nation’s counterterrorism efforts were basically uncoordinated, both here at home and overseas. The FBI and CIA, for instance, were effectively precluded by policy and design from sharing information and intelligence with each other. Similarly, the FBI often withheld information from local police departments, including the NYPD. There were also few adequately constructed lines of communication between the United States and overseas intelligence agencies regarding terror threats (Great Britain, Canada and Isra-

el being among the few exceptions).

President George W. Bush and the majority of both parties in Congress agreed on the absolute necessity to tear down existing walls and barriers, and to establish new structures to enhance cooperation and communication.

intrusion. NYPD officers were assigned to key overseas embassies to report back actionable intelligence on possible terrorist plans for action in New York.

The past few weeks have been very distressing for the few of us who have had any experience living in America when a real war took place. There is no doubt that we are not in the middle of a world war in Iran, but that conflict has all the earmarks of a happening that will trigger years of violence that could hit extremely close to our country.

I’m not an expert on military issues. I have no doubt that Iran is a major threat to the world, and every possible step should be taken to curb its efforts to acquire nuclear weapons. I believe that Israel should be protected from a country that has pledged to wipe it off the map. But we must understand that there are consequences to these wars, and we should be aware of them. The problem is no one is telling us whether we should be concerned and why.

At the federal level, this was achieved by establishing the Department of Homeland Security, which incorporated 22 previously separate agencies into one coordinated entity. These bodies included the Customs Service, Immigration and Naturalization, the Coast Guard and the Secret Service. While the FBI and CIA remained independent, protocols were established to enable greater sharing of intelligence and information between them. As well, the Office of National Intelligence was created, and the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency were required to report to the director of national intelligence.

o
ur emphasis has shifted from terrorism to illegal immigration.

This caused some resentment among elements of the FBI and CIA, but proved successful. For example when Al Qaeda carried out a deadly attack in the Madrid train system, an NYPD officer was quickly on the scene, reporting procedures to be implemented in the New York City transit system that proved to be very effective. Overall, under Commissioner Ray Kelly, the NYPD had over a thousand officers assigned to counterterrorism and intelligence, resulting in more than 20 attempted attacks being prevented. Unfortunately progressive-minded elected officials assailed the NYPD’s efforts as “Islamophobic,” resulting in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s cutting back on the NYPD’s counterterrorism and intelligence operations. (Fortunately, much of its basic structure remains.)

2005 and 2006 — and again for another two-year term in 2011 and 2012. During both terms I focused on defending against Islamist terrorism — the main achievements being port and chemical plant security in my first term, and the investigation of radicalization of the Muslim community in my second term. Though key witnesses were Muslim, the radicalization hearings drew extensive media opposition but were successful.

In recent years, funding for counterterrorism programs has been reduced. The emphasis of the DHS has shifted drastically from terrorism to illegal immigration. And elected officials like Mayor Mamdani are threatening to restrict police counterterror efforts.

Action was also initiated at the state and local levels. The NYPD was particularly innovative, creating intelligence and counterterrorism units that in many ways are comparable to the CIA and FBI. Sources were developed in neighborhoods reasonably believed to be subject to terrorist influence and

Following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Congress established a comparable committee to oversee it, similar to the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees monitoring the Defense and State departments. I was elected chairman of the committee in its first two years —

Most significantly, because of an unrelated dispute over ICE, congressional Democrats shut down the DHS at this time of maximum threat, when Islamists are using encrypted apps to circumvent our cybersecurity defenses. This is suicidal. The threat of Islamist terrorism cannot be relegated to the rearview mirror. It is a clear and present danger. Federal, state and local governments must face up to their responsibilities. (I am proud that Nassau and Suffolk are doing what has to be done.) We cannot risk another 9/11.

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

The faraway war in Iran is closer than you think

Iran isn’t just some crazy faraway country like Afghanistan, where a war took place that didn’t represent any kind of serious threat to America. During the American military involvement in that country, no one ever stopped me on the street to express fears about the “Afghanistan war.” Even though we deployed thousands of our troops in that country, there was no concern on the part of our government that it could spill over into our country. In the case of Iran, we are dealing with a bunch of idealogues who are not capable of being fully contained. History shows us that Iran enters into peace agreements and breaks its word almost immediately. Even If this current war ends on some type of settlement, there are other consequences that our nation should be aware of. What are they?

Ehad gone through training programs that prepared it for such an event. The war has stirred up further incidents of antisemitism.

ven if it ends with some kind of settlement, there will be other consequences.

In the past month, there have been two incidents involving people who were true believers. In one, a man drove a truck into a Michigan synagogue in an effort to kill Jews. Luckily, that temple

The proof that the Iran incursion isn’t a faraway event is what we have been experiencing at the gas pump. When you pick a fight in the Middle East, lots of things happen. The war is having worldwide consequences. As energy costs go up, prices on all types of goods go up. No one is telling us what the long-range plan is to blunt price increases.

There are not too many people around now who can talk about what it’s like to live in our country when there was a real war. As an 8-yearold boy, I experienced what happens when a country is at war. We had blackout shades in our house to protect us in the event of an air raid. Food was rationed and our neighbors became wardens in the event that faraway battle reached us in some way. Luckily, we had President Franklin Roosevelt to assure us that all would be well.

The war in Iran is far away from our country, and there won’t be any air raid sirens. But we have a lot to be concerned about because of the events now taking place thousands of miles from this nation. We are dealing with a different type of enemy and must be aware of that. The zealots who embrace Iran can be found anywhere.

There is no reason for us to start hiding in our homes, nor to curtail our daily activities. But we have to be aware of what is going on on this planet and get the comfort that we deserve. We should question our representatives in Washington on what steps are being taken to keep us away from harm. It would help heal the divide over this new war. There is no politics to this story. Our leaders, whether Clinton, Bush, Obama or Trump, must tell us what they want our wars to accomplish and what steps they are going to take to limit our pain. That’s not asking too much.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Established

Joseph d’alessandro

Multi

roBert

2

offiCe

E-mail:

HERALD

aSpring reset should send us outside

fter months of bundling up, shoveling out and watching gray skies linger over Long Island, the arrival of spring offers something more than a change in temperature — it signals a long-awaited reset.

The return of the Major League Baseball season is as reliable a marker as any: fresh grass, open stadiums and the simple joy of being outside again.

But spring’s promise goes well beyond symbolism. It offers a tangible opportunity to improve both physical and mental well-being in ways that winter simply does not allow.

The act of stepping outside — whether for a short walk, a bike ride or an afternoon at the park — can have an immediate and lasting impact. Sunlight helps regulate sleep cycles and boosts vitamin D levels, which are often depleted during the darker months. Fresh air, even in small doses, can sharpen focus, reduce stress and improve mood.

There is also something quietly restorative about reconnecting with the rhythms of the natural world. The budding of trees, the return of birds and the gradual greening of lawns and fields serve as reminders that change, even after the harshest stretches, is inevitable. After a winter defined by confinement, that sense of renewal

letters

Sunshine Week highlighted freedom of information

To the Editor:

The editorial “Sunshine week keeps democracy in the light” (March 5-11) was just what our struggling democracy needs — a timely reminder of the importance of open government.

We should all remember that in some parts of the world, governments routinely operate behind closed doors and keep their citizens in the dark about what takes place there. But not here in America, despite the efforts of some in power to block transparency.

A few months from now, when we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we will also mark the 60th anniversary of another landmark moment: the signing of the Freedom of Information Act. On July 4, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the act into law at his ranch in Texas. As a result of this legislation, Americans can now access many government records — at federal, state and local levels — that were once unavailable to

feels especially meaningful.

Long Island is uniquely suited to take advantage of this seasonal shift. From local neighborhood parks to expansive destinations such as Grant Park in Hewlett, Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead, Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa and Tanner Park in Copiague, there is no shortage of places to stretch your legs and spend time outdoors. Walking paths, ball fields, playgrounds and open green spaces are not just amenities; they are essential parts of community life that come alive again in the spring.

For families, the change in season is an opportunity to reset routines that may have grown stagnant during the colder months. Screen time can give way to outdoor play. Weekends can shift from indoor errands to shared experiences such as picnic, a pickup game or simply time spent exploring a new trail. These moments, often simple and unplanned, are the ones that tend to linger.

For individuals, the benefits are just as significant. Even a brief daily walk can serve as a mental reset, a chance to step away from the demands of work and the constant pull of screens. Outdoor activity has been linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression, improved cardiovascular health and

increased overall energy. And unlike many wellness trends, it requires no special equipment or expense — just the willingness to step outside. There is also a social dimension to spring that should not be overlooked. As temperatures rise, communities begin to reawaken. Youth sports leagues resume, neighbors linger a little longer in conversation, and public spaces once again become gathering places. After months of isolation, these interactions help rebuild a sense of connection that winter often erodes.

Not just a season, spring is an invitation. It encourages people to be more present, more active and more engaged with their surroundings. It asks us to take advantage of longer days and milder weather, to trade routine for spontaneity and to rediscover the simple pleasure of being outside.

The message, then, is straightforward: step outside. Make plans, but leave room for the unplanned. Visit a park you haven’t been to in years. Take a walk after dinner. Sit on a bench and watch a game, or better yet, join one. These small choices add up, shaping not just how we experience the season, but how we feel within it.

After a long winter, the urge to stay inside may still remain. But the better instinct — the healthier one — is to go outside.

opinions

New Yorkers need relief, not another spending spree

as New York’s budget process moves toward its April 1 deadline, the debate in Albany should center on one simple question: How do we make life more affordable for the people who live and work here?

State government should act like families all across New York who have no choice but to carefully manage their budgets. When costs rise, they cut back, make adjustments, and try to stay in control of their finances.

But in Albany, where Democrats control both houses of the legislature and the governor, they do the exact opposite — tax more, spend more and hope no one notices.

At a time when families are struggling with skyrocketing costs for groceries, housing, utilities and fuel, state spending has exploded. Since 2019, when Democrats took full control of state government, annual spending has increased by nearly 60 percent. That’s a $90 billion increase, all of which is paid for — in some form or another — by

Letters

them.

Ironically, President Johnson wasn’t a huge fan of FOIA. In a 2005 speech recalling the circumstances leading to the legislation’s becoming law, Bill Moyers, who was Johnson’s press secretary in the 1960s, noted that Johnson had at first resisted signing it.

“He hated the thought of journalists rummaging in government closets and opening government files,” Moyers said in 2005. “He hated them challenging the official view of reality.”

Nevertheless, Johnson signed the bill, largely due to pressure from the press, which supported FOIA, and Congress, which had overwhelmingly supported the legislation. It was an especially sweet victory for John Moss, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives who’d spent 12 years lobbying for greater access to government agency records, and Donald Rumsfeld, a Republican member of the House at the time who supported Moss in the effort.

But the real winners were the American people. It was a victory for democracy, a genuine “We the People” moment. Remember FOIA on July Fourth.

you, not just this year, but every year. Earlier this month, Senate Democrats released their 2027 spending plan totaling $269.8 billion, with over $5 billion in tax hikes and a staggering $11.5 billion in new spending. Their plan also includes another $5.1 billion bailout of direct aid and tax increase authorizations for New York City and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s radical agenda.

we’ve had enough of taxing more, spending more and hoping no one notices.

Meanwhile, Albany Democrats are ignoring a recent bombshell report from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority — the state’s own energy experts — warning of the staggering costs tied to the Democrats’ 2019 climate mandates.

According to that report, these policies could add another $2.23 to every gallon of gasoline and $2.41 per gallon of diesel fuel. Small-business utility bills could spike by as much as 46 percent, and the average New York family could see annual utility costs rise by up to $4,100 per year. That’s on top of the crushing increases we’ve already seen thanks to the Democrats’ “climate tax” on residents and businesses.

The sad truth is that Albany Democrats have known about these costs all along, yet they have made the conscious

decision that their radical environmental agenda is more important than whether families can afford to put food on the table, heat their homes, or fill their gas tanks. They talk about “affordability” but saddle New Yorkers with the highest tax burden in the nation while creating America’s second-worst climate in which to operate a business and create jobs.

While my colleagues seek to create “affordability” by punishing success and pushing average hardworking New Yorkers to the financial breaking point, people are leaving this state in record numbers. Over a million New Yorkers have moved out since 2020, and millions more — maybe even you and your family — are discussing their New York exit plan.

My Senate Republican colleagues and I have offered a better way forward, introducing countless actionable solutions to deliver real relief for taxpayers and working families. Among them is my legislation to enact the largest personal income tax cut in state history, which would put $5,000 back in the pockets of the average New York family each year, simply by applying the same 2 percent spending cap every other municipality lives by. We’ve proposed exempt-

ing tip and overtime income from state income taxes. We’ve also proposed the elimination of the Democrats’ Health Care Reform Act, which would save the average family $1,400 per year in health care premiums — all common-sense steps that would allow you to keep more of the money you earn.

We’ve demanded greater oversight of government spending by requiring the governor to hire an independent private firm to audit state agencies and public authorities for improper, fraudulent or abusive expenditures. We’ve introduced legislation to slow down unrealistic climate mandates and stop the proposed Cap-and-Invest tax before it drives energy costs even higher. We need to fuel New York’s future with clean, safe, reliable, diverse and affordable energy options. Sadly, these solutions have fallen on deaf ears as the Democratic majority has blocked them.

This budget process continues to prove one thing — our state is driving off an “affordability” cliff under oneparty Democratic rule. If New York is going to change course, either Albany needs to hit the brakes or New Yorkers need to change drivers. Families across this state deserve a government that helps them move forward — not one that forces them to move elsewhere.

Steve Rhoads represents the 5th State Senate District.

Working on that fourth smile at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade — Wantagh

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook