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Members of the Baldwin community came together to support Toys for Tots for children in need during the holiday season at the Irish Pub. Story, additional photos, Page 10.
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Students at Lenox Elementary School in Baldwin participated in a unique cultural experience before the winter break, exploring holiday traditions that are celebrated across the globe.
The event, dubbed Holidays Around the World and organized by first-grade teacher Michelle Victoria and second-grade teacher Jessica Katsoulakis, introduced students in kindergarten through fifth grade to the diverse ways other countries celebrate the holiday season.
“Holidays Around the World at Lenox not only celebrated diversity but also instilled a life-
long appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry that unites us all,” Sheilah Jefferson-Isaac, the school’s principal, said in a news release.
The school day began with an announcement over the public address system, prompting students to grab their “passports” and head to classrooms that were transformed into cultural stations. Each classroom offered students a look into how holiday traditions are marked in different countries, with activities designed to engage students in learning about these global celebrations.
The event was part of Lenox’s Joyful Wednesdays, a program providing students with hands-
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
During the day, Alexandra Francois is a junior at Baldwin High School. But five nights a week, she takes the train to the Harlem School of the Arts, where she dons her dancing shoes.
Alexandra, or Allie, as she prefers to be called, is 15 and in her third year at the School of the Arts.
On Dec. 16, she and other members of the Harlem School’s Dance Program performed as the one-night-only opening act for the Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan. Their performance included a rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).”
made the decision, with her mother’s support, to further explore her passion for dance at the Harlem School, and to try to make it into something more.
W hen I hear that we’re going to be invited again, it’s an exciting thing.
AlExANDRA FRANCoiS Baldwin
“I was becoming more serious in dance than before,” Allie said. “Before the school, I used to do competition around Long Island and Atlantic City, so during that time I was asking myself, ‘OK, do I really want to do dance or stay on the competition side?’ I realized by staying in competition, I wouldn’t be getting as much technical in ballet training.” Three months into joining the school in Harlem, she and other members representing the school graced the stage at Radio City. This year was the third year in which she was part of the troupe opening for the Rockettes.
Allie has been dancing since she was 5, but in 2022, when she was a freshman at the high school and her mother, Martine Perrin-Francois, first asked her, “What do you want to do after high school?” she thought long and hard. That year she
The school has taken part in the Rockettes’ Community Partner Performances program for the past two years. Through the initiative, the Rockettes expand access to people from all backgrounds see themselves
Continued on page 16
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
Students and faculty at Nassau Community College are voicing their frustration over the lack of course offerings and departmental cuts.
Faculty packed the college’s multipurpose room to hear colleagues and students voice their concerns at the annual winter luncheon on Dec. 17.
The event was hosted by the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, a local union affiliated with New York State United Teachers. Frustrations over course cuts and departmental reductions were highlighted.
According to NCCFT president Faren Siminoff, the campus is not meeting its mission, which is to offer a “robust offering of courses” scheduled throughout the day for students.
Administrators have doubled since last year, she said, but the college has eliminated 21 departments, cut funding to student services and clubs, all while limiting its schedule of classes.
Jerry Kornbluth, the vice president for Community and Government Relations at Nassau Community College, said in a statement that the college aims to preserve and expand course offerings while retaining tenured professors despite a nationwide decline in college enrollment. He noted that the college has reduced its budget deficit from $14.8
million to $4.8 million, while boosting enrollment by 8% over the past year.
Department mergers, he said, were carefully planned in alignment with union agreements to improve efficiency.
In addition, Kornbluth stated that the theater and dance department will not be eliminated, and will continue to offer majors and seasonal productions, ensuring its ongoing presence on campus.
“Our priority remains preserving and enhancing the affordable, high-quality education that Nassau Community College is known for,” Kornbluth said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to be a place where students thrive, whether they are entering the workforce or transferring to a four-year institution.”
Siminoff claims that students have found it difficult to find courses that fit their busy schedule, especially for those who work. The college, she said, would reportedly cancel a course offering early, sometimes a week or two after registration opens, even though students register weeks later.
“If there’s nothing there for them, they’re not going to register,” Siminoff said. “This is totally counter to the rhythm and needs of the community that uses this college.”
Joining students and staff were County Legislators Thomas McKevitt and Siela Bynoe, who spoke of the importance that community colleges
Charles Shaw/Herald
Richard Ginsburg, chair of the theater and dance department at Nassau Community College, at the Dec. 17 luncheon hosted by the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers.
provide for middle-class students. Bynoe was elected to state senate in November. McKevitt said he wished people could see the college’s potential as a place where students, who might not be able to afford tuition for private institutions, can succeed and be tomorrow’s leaders. Richard Ginsburg, chairman of the theater and dance department at NCC, claimed administration planned to “deactivate” the program. Ginsburg had
instructed and guided students for over 40 years throughout the department’s 61-year history, adding that the arts are essential to education, and the state owes it to itself to sustain and encourage such programs.
Simran Gil, an international student and president of the Filipino Cultural Society, said at the beginning of this semester, her club allegedly received “zero dollars in funding” despite submitting all their paperwork on time.
Gil said her club addressed this issue to the Faculty Student Association and Student Government Association and eventually received $250, which Gil said was “far too little” to support the club’s activities, which was half of what they received in 2021, she added.
Bynoe is a graduate at Nassau Community College, who worked full-time while attending courses in the evening. She described her experience as a foundation that led her to a master’s in public administration at Long Island University and wants the college to be sustainable for current students and generations to come.
“We want to make sure that their children and their children’s children have an opportunity to have an affordable, quality education,” Bynoe said, “One that can allow them to springboard to other universities and go into vocations of their choice.”
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By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Nassau University Medical Center will begin 2025 with women holding its three top leadership positions.
Iothink
The East Meadow-based hospital’s board of directors appointed Megan Ryan as president and chief executive, Dr. Grace Ting as chief medical officer and Shannon Costello as chief nursing officer during its Dec. 5 meeting. All three executives previously served in these roles on an interim basis and have extensive experience at NUMC.
it’s still going to be a year of transition and growth.
MEg AN RyAN President and chief executive
Nassau University Medical Center
In a December interview with the Herald, the leaders discussed their long-standing connections to the hospital, their career journeys at NUMC, and their visions for the institution as they formally step into their administrative roles.
Their backgrounds
Ryan, an accomplished attorney in the private sector who is admitted to the New York State Bar Association and the U.S. Supreme Court Association, began her career in health care as the chief compliance officer for the Nassau Queens Performing Provider System, before becoming general counsel at NUMC seven years ago. Prior to working at NUMC, Ryan served as an inhouse corporate counsel for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She was named interim president and chief executive in January of 2024, a position she helped the hospital flourish in, until her appointment in December. Ryan will continue serving as general counsel.
Ting began her career at NUMC as an attending physician in the hospital’s emergency department, later becoming one of the associate directors for operations in the emergency department. Having served on various committees, Ting was named NUMC’s interim chief medical officer in 2022.
Costello, both an executive vice president and the chief nursing officer, started her professional career as a critical care nurse at NUMC in 2006. Through that position, she discovered a passion for teaching and education, she said, which led to her role as a critical care nurse educator in 2018, in which she oversaw multiple units at the hospital including the intensive care unit, special procedures unit and burn unit, among many others. Costello was named NUMC’s deputy nursing officer in January of last year and promoted to the interim chief nursing officer in May.
What working at NUMC has meant to them
Before she was a registered nurse, Costello said she completed her clinical rotations while still in nursing school at NUMC.
“This is where I learned to love nursing,” she said, “and this is where I learned about the mission of the hospital and the values here. I got to experience the work first hand and all the wonderful people that work here. And that’s what led me, after graduation, to seek an opportunity here.”
NUMC is Nassau County’s only public hospital, which serves as a safety net for medical care, providing services for the uninsured and vulnerable patients. The hospital provides care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
“I was lucky enough to be one of the first student groups, first out of school, that they allowed to work in critical care,” Costello said. “And I had a wonderful experience in terms of being educated and being taught in that very specialized area of nursing.”
NUMC is a teaching hospital, Costello said, but it also provides services that you won’t see in other facilities. From a water birthing suites in the hospital’s maternity ward, to being a regional leader in hyperbaric medicine, Costello said NUMC is a vital institution.
“What drew me here was the mission of the hospital,” Ting said, “in serving our patients, the people that can’t afford to pay, as a doctor in the emergency department. That is a really integral part of what we do.”
There’s a camaraderie among NUMC’s staff, Ting added.
“We work really heard and we develop relationships,” she said. “You go
The hospital’s administration, she said, is poised to help NUMC succeed. “These are all people that have their hearts in this place,” Ryan said, “and they’re experts in their field.
NUMC’s future
Ryan said her goals have always been clear: She wants to work with New York state as a partner in health care. For the first time in years, NUMC’s staff rallied in Albany last March with local legislators, advocating for the funding it needs to thrive.
The hospital employees 3,600 employees, Ryan said, and she feels both a commitment to them and the broader Long Island community. Looking ahead, hospital departments are working on sustainability plans, Ryan said, so the administration at NUMC can best assess needs across the board and roll out plans to help every part of the hospital succeed.
NUMC has named new department heads in different health care sectors, is getting its finances in order with its chief financial executive, Perry Sham, and working on increasing its visibility and outreach in the communities it serves.
home, and the next day you come in and you’re happy, and I was happy to come in.”
The appointments come at a crucial time for NUMC, which has faced years of financial instability and management challenges. Under Ryan’s interim leadership over the past year, the hospital has made significant strides in strengthening both its financial position and quality of care. Over the last five years, the hospital has not received hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding that it needs to survive.
“Our reputation hasn’t been very good and it’s unfair,” Ting said. “We’re trying to change the culture — change our reputation. I think we’re doing that. Our scores are better, our quality is better. We have real leadership, and yet we’re having so much trouble receiving funding from the state.”
Ryan said she took a “leap of faith” entering health care, but said her role really began to change at NUMC after the coronavirus pandemic. “I wasn’t the lawyer that was writing contracts or reviewing things or telling people no,” she said. “I was you know, doing the fundraising, and then I was going to all the different floors to see what they needed. I will be the first to say I’m not clinical — I leave the clinical stuff to the clinicians — but it was nice to work together.”
Her leadership role at NUMC has really cemented the belief that the hospital’s role in Nassau County is vital.
“I get frustrated when people are like ‘it’s a poor person’s hospital,’” she said. “As a Catholic, I love our mission. We treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — it is a saintly thing to do. It is a moral thing to do.”
“I think it’s still going to be a year of transition and growth,” Ryan said of 2025. “There is a lot of work to be done.”
“The team that has been assembly by Megan over this last year — everyone is invested,” Costello said. “Everyone is dedicated to this facility and to the mission of the hospital. It’s all of us working together, and we all have the same goals in mind.”
Megan Ryan:
■ Named president and chief executive
■ First woman to lead Nassau Health Care Corporation
■ Served for nearly a decade as general counsel and interim president and chief executive since January
Dr. Grace Ting:
■ Veteran NUMC physician named chief medical officer
■ Previously served in the role on interim basis
Shannon Costello
■ Appointed chief nursing officer
■ Experienced nurse leader who had been serving in position on an interim basis
Sonny’s Canal House in Baldwin hosted a festive Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 21, bringing holiday cheer to families in the area.
Guests enjoyed a breakfast while children had the chance to meet Santa Claus, share their holiday wishes and take pho-
tos. The cozy atmosphere, complete with holiday decorations and festive music, made for a memorable experience for all who attended, spreading joy ahead of the Christmas holiday.
— Hernesto Galdamez
The Corporate Transparency Act came into being this year as part of the AntiMoney Laundering Act. This act is designed to combat terrorism, tax fraud and moneylaundering. Under the act, corporations and LLC’s are required to report who their “beneficial owners” are in a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOI report) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement network (FinCEN) on an annual basis. The BOI report is due by January 13, 2025 for entities formed before 2024 and within 90 days of formation or registration for entities formed in 2024. For entities formed after 2025, the BOI report is required to be filed within 30 days.
The BOI report must contain the following information:
1. The entities’ full name (and any alternative names which it is doing business under)
2. Address
3. Where it was formed or registered
4. Its tax id number (EIN)
The BOI report must include the following information for each “beneficial owner” — defined as any individual who has “substantial control” over the entity or owns or controls at least 25%. “Substantial control” means serving as a senior officer, having authority to remove a senior officer or a majority of the board of directors, or in charge of or having substantial interest over major corporate decisions. The trustee of a trust may be a “beneficial owner” if the trust owns an interest in the entity.
The “beneficial owner” must report:
1. Full legal name
2. Date of birth
3. Home or business address
4. Identifying number from passport or driver’s license along with scanned copy of the document.
For help in reporting, search fincen.gov, call the helpline at 800-949-2732, or google “help with fincen reporting” to locate online services that will assist with the application for a fee.
ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com
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East Meadow Senior Basketball
AFTER HELPING LEAD the Jets to a historic 2023-24 season that ended in the state semifinals, Twible got her senior campaign off to a roaring start by reaching the 1,000-career point milestone Dec. 10. She was named Frist Team All-Long Island as a junior and was a major part in East Meadow’s first-ever Nassau County and L.I. championship teams. Twible has avearged close to 20 points per game over the past two seasons.
Thursday, Jan. 2
Wrestling: Plainedge at MacArthur 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Sewanhaka at Manhasset 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 3
Boys Basketball: Friends Aca. at Long Beach 12 p.m.
Wrestling: Kennedy at Hewlett 4 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Farmingdale at West Hemp 5 p.m.
Wrestling: Lawrence at North Shore 6 p.m.
Wrestling: Lynbrook at Clarke 6 p.m.
Wrestling: East Meadow at Long Beach 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Freeport at Seaford 6:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Hewlett at Oceanside 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Oceanside at South Side 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4
Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Lynbrook 10 a.m.
Girls Basketball: Calhoun at Division 11 a.m.
Girls Basketball: Malverne at Mineola 11 a.m.
Boys Basketball: Plainedge at Clarke 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Jericho at Kennedy 1 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 6
Wrestling: North Shore at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Hewlett at Carey 5 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Baldwin wrestling produced five finalists, including 285-pound champion Jayden Young, in a strong showing at the Paul P. Grammatico Tournament hosted by Valley Stream South Dec. 14. Young, a junior, pinned Tiernan Ferrick of South Side in the finals in 3 minutes, 30 seconds, to take home the crown. The Bruins also had junior Nahkin Stevens (116), junior Frantz Byron (145), sophomore Leonard Budden (170) and senior Matt Feeney (215) finish runnersup in their respective weight classes.
“Kids are improving every day,” Baldwin first-year coach Jake Horton said. “I’ve been happy with the progress so far. Half of our starters didn’t wrestle varsity last season, so it’s good for them to go through these early tournaments and get lots of experience. It can get tiring with four or more matches in a day, but it’s part of the growing process.”
Horton said Young, who helped lead Baldwin’s football team to the playoffs, is always in the weight room working to get stronger. “He’s a hard-working kid who’s strong as an ox and stays focused on the game plan for every match,” the coach noted.
Stevens is considered pound-for-pound the most-talented wrestler on the roster. He’s placed second in each of the first two tournaments — MacArthur and Valley Stream South while competing at a weight disadvantage. “Nahkin always seeks out the toughest competition,” Horton said. “He pushes himself to be better every day. He has excellent technique and does all the little things well.”
Byron, also runner-up in the first two tournaments, brings great character to the practice room and is a leader away from the mat, Horton said. “On the mat he’s a beast,” Horton explained. “He’s a difficult kid to score against. I’m expecting him to have a big season.”
Budden just missed making the finals at MacArthur and was in a 12-12 deadlock in the finals at Valley Stream South before ultimately falling to Roosevelt’s Sauricio Romero. “Leonard is an aggres-
Baldwin junior Nahkin
sive wrestler with a lot of potential,” Horton said. “If he puts everything together, he’s dangerous.”
Feeney, another integral part of the football team, is one of just a few seniors in the starting lineup. He was also runnerup at MacArthur. “Matt is our senior leader and a strong kid who moves well,” Horton said. “He can brawl like a heavyweight but also mixes in quickness.”
Seniors Jordan and Julius Mullins are expected to contribute in the 108-124 range, depending on how the roster shakes out over the next few weeks.
“We still have some guys figuring out what weights they’re going to land,” Horton said. “Right now we have a few logjams.”
Junior Caleb Chambers (138) has shown flashes so far, placing third at MacArthur and fourth at Valley Stream South. “He has talent and athletically can hang with anyone,” Horton said.
Sophomore Adam Hillburger also impressed at Valley Stream South with a clutch win in the quarterfinals and a lead over top-seeded and eventual champ Luciano Norman in the semis.
Shari Camhi, superintendent of the Baldwin school district, has been named a “Champion of Education” by the Horace Mann League of the USA for her commitment to advancing public education.
“Superintendent Camhi is an outstanding school district leader with an unwavering dedication to public education, the students in her learning community, and the entire country,”
Jeanné Collins Deweese, executive director of the Horace Mann League, wrote in a news release. “Dr. Camhi’s innovative leadership in Baldwin Schools and her influential advocacy on a national stage make her a true champion for public education. Her work continues to make a profound difference in the lives of young learners, educators, and families throughout the U.S.”
Camhi, who served as president of AASA, The School Superintendents
Association, during the 202223 school year, has more than 30 years of experience in both business and education. She has earned numerous accolades for her contributions to kindergarten through 12th grade education, including recognition from Education Week as one of its “Leaders to Learn From,” the National School Public Relations Association’s “New Superintendents to Watch” and Education Dive’s “Administrators to Watch.”
She was also honored with the Sylvia Charp Award from the International Society for Technology in Education.
Founded in 1922, the Horace Mann League honors leaders who advocate for public education in the spirit of Horace Mann, an educator who helped establish the American public school system.
Hernesto Galdamez
The AP Environmental Science class at Baldwin High School recently participated in the course’s annual “Leaving2Learn” field trip at Hempstead Lake State Park. Partnering with the Seatuck Environmental Association and Adelphi University, students used seine nets and laboratory tools to study aquatic life, water chemistry, biodiversity and weather conditions in the Mill River. Their research contributed data to a website developed by Seatuck that provides environmental statistics to the community.
“Being able to work with both an environmental agency and a university allows students to collaborate with professionals in the field to study and discuss real-world challenges and our impact on the environment,” Susan Ferrigno, science department supervisor for grades 6 through 12, wrote in a news release. “For example, they were able to see how dumping an invasive species like Elodea from fish tanks into the water system impacts the ecosystem.”
Baldwin High School students left the classroom and participated in its annual ‘Leaving2Learn’ field trip at Hempstead Lake State Park.
ing the pond. The data they gathered will help Seatuck build a database that students can use to analyze patterns and trends.
Students collected physical data, measuring tidal changes, temperature, wind, and cloud cover, with guidance from experts. They also performed chemical analyses of the water and conducted biological sampling to identify organisms inhabit-
Baldwin has participated in the “Leaving2Learn” program at Hempstead Lake State Park annually since its launch in the fall of 2016.
Galdamez
on learning experiences beyond the typical classroom curriculum.
In the Swedish-themed classroom, students learned about St. Lucia’s Day, a winter celebration focused on the festival of lights and traditionally celebrated on Dec. 13. They crafted paper versions of Tomten, the Swedish Christmas gnome, and explored the significance of light during the long winter nights.
Students then made their way to Australia, where they discovered how Christmas there is celebrated in the summer. They compared traditions observed in the Northern Hemisphere with those in the Southern Hemisphere and learned about the popular Australian custom of holding a Christmas barbecue on the beach, a stark contrast to the snowy scenes often associated with the holiday.
In the classroom transformed into Italy, students were introduced to La Befana, the witch who brings gifts to children on Epiphany Eve, which is the night of Jan. 5. They read “The Legend of Old Befana” by Tomie dePaola and created their own star ornaments, symbolizing the light of Jesus Christ and the hope that He brings to the world.
Students visiting the classroom dedicated to Mexico witnessed a celebration of both color and tradition. Each then decorated a poinsettia, the flower native
vals celebrated around the world.
In the station dedicated to Hanukkah, students learned about the significance of lighting the menorah and the miracle of the oil, and took turns spinning a dreidel.
to Mexico that plays a role in the country’s Christmas festivities, symbolizing good will and community spirit.
Meanwhile, the England-themed classroom taught students the tradition of Christmas crackers, a British holiday custom.
The event at Lenox also included several stations focused on cultural festi-
At the Diwali station, they created lanterns symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, while learning about the rich traditions and customs of this important holiday for millions around the world.
In the Kwanzaa station, students learned about the seven principles of this African-American holiday, designed and created their own kinara, or candle
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Students at Lenox elementary School, from kindergarten through fifth grade, explored the diverse ways other countries celebrate the holiday season.
holder, and discussed the importance of community, culture and heritage.
Finally, in the classroom dedicated to the Lunar New Year, students immersed themselves in the customs of the festival, crafting Chinese lanterns symbolizing fortune and good luck and learning about the importance of family gatherings.
Throughout the day, students collected stamps for their passports, marking each new experience they encountered.
“The excitement and joy on their faces were undeniable, marking a perfect conclusion to the school’s holiday season,” Jefferson-Isaac said.
The Irish Pub in Baldwin hosted a festive Toy Drop-Off and Car Show on Dec. 15, bringing the community together in support of Toys for Tots.
Guests were treated to a stunning display of classic cars, with car enthusiasts and families alike enjoying the variety of vintage vehicles on display. The event also featured a free buffet, where attendees could indulge in food while spreading holiday cheer.
Founded in 1947, Toys for Tots is a charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve that collects and
distributes new toys to children in need during the holiday season. The initiative aims to ensure that children, regardless of their family’s financial situation, can experience the feeling of receiving gifts during Christmas. The program relies on donations from individuals, businesses, and community organizations, with toys typically collected at drop-off locations and distributed to local children in need.
— Hernesto Galdamez
The Samanea Mall transformed into a winter wonderland on Dec. 14 for its third annual Christmas Village, Fair and Market.
The free event offered something for everyone, with highlights including photos with Santa, arts and crafts, and sweet treats available for purchase. Children can enjoy free gifts, while shoppers browse more than 50 unique vendors offering a variety of goods and holiday finds.
The Christmas Village has become a beloved seasonal tradition at the shopping center, providing families and visitors with a festive experience to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Families flocked to the Samanea Mall in Westbury on Dec. 14 for a festive holiday fair. Theo Kritikos, Raqueba Secharan, Marina
Gabriella
and Nicholas Moreno, 10, had fun in some of the mall’s holiday displays.
Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live Show is back at Nassau Coliseum for another year of car-smashing, ramp jumping, wheel-revving action
By Danielle Schwab
Get ready, everyone. Gather up the kids and shake up those January doldrums when the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow party lights up Nassau Coliseum once again. Witness the raw power of epic machines when the iconic Hot Wheels toy vehicles transform into unstoppable monster trucks for the “Glow-N-Fire” competition.
“Kids” of all ages can watch their favorite Hot Wheels trucks come to life when the action returns to Long Island, Jan. 20-21. As the arena darkens for this glow-in-the-dark party, each truck revs up with its unique LED lights. And, in true “It’s Not The Same Without The Flame” fashion, pyrotechnic effects light up the arena, adding even more intensity to the action.
• Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19; times vary
• Tickets start at $63.85 adults, $35. 15 children (also “Me + 3” family discount option); available at ticketmaster.com and hotwheelsmonstertruckslive. com
• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale
It’s an especially big day for one particular truck: The classic blue vintage-style pick-up Bigfoot turns 50. Everyone is invited to the birthday bash. Plus, have the chance to be celebrated alongside the iconic monster truck. Bigfoot would love to see everyone’s creativity — so fans are encouraged to bring homemade birthday cards to wish Bigfoot a happy birthday. And show off those homemade birthday signs at the show for a chance to win prizes during the bash.
“Bigfoot is known as the original monster truck because this monster truck is what started monster trucks in general,” says Caleb Janezich, Bigfoot’s driver since July.
Owner-operator Bob Chandler first began building Bigfoot in 1975, and a legend was born. The modified 1974 Ford F-250 started its career at local mud runs and truck and tractor pulls. It quickly launched a worldwide phenomenon and its legions of fans. Chandler continued to make improvements and modifications until it grew into the massive behemoth known and loved today by multiple generations of fans.
“There are people that come up to us and the dad knows who Bigfoot is, and then maybe the kids are exposed to Bigfoot for the first time. Even the grandpas come up and they remember Bigfoot,” says Janezich, on Bigfoot’s popularity.
There’s surely no better way to commemorate the original monster truck than with incredible stunts performed by Bigfoot along with all his mechanical monster pals, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Boneshaker, and Gunkster.
Expect to see wheelies, donuts, and long jumps, along with a freestyle Motocross demonstration.
And of course, be prepared for plenty of good ol’ car crushing!
Also witness as the show unleashes its newest addition, Skelesauraus, a truck that takes the spine-chilling form of a giant skeleton head.
This is Janezich’s first time appearing at Nassau Coliseum, however he is no stranger to the Hot Wheels monster truck circuit. An avid collector of Hot Wheels since childhood, Janezich worked as a Bigfoot crewmember before taking up the driver’s seat.
“Bigfoot was always my favorite. I grew up around pickup trucks and four-wheel drives. My dad got me into it.” he says.
“It’s pretty humbling, and it’s really a dream come true. Honestly, they say, ‘if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life’ and that’s pretty much what I live by now.”
While the trucks may seem invincible, it take a dedicated team behind the scenes to keep them crushing to the max.
“The stuff that can be challenging is the unknown. You never know what these trucks are going to do sometimes, and the biggest challenge sometimes can just be just keeping them going and just making sure that we’re ready for the next show all the time, which we try to do very well,” Janezich adds.
Opportunities to go behind the action add to the spectacle. At the Pre-Show Party, held two-and-a-half hours prior to every performance, get up close and see the outrageous designs and epic size of the Hot Wheels behemoths on the arena floor. Meet favorite drivers and performers. Also check out the new VIP Backstage Experience. It’s a behind the scenes guided tour of what goes on before all the smashing and crashing.
Everyone becomes a kid at the show, which is geared to five to 10-year-olds.
“That’s the part that’s always cool because families are coming down and the parents get involved. When the parents are having fun, the kids are having fun, that’s what keeps them coming year after year,” Janezich says.
Courtesy Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Photos: Bigfoot, driven by Caleb Janezich, headlines the latest edition of the spectacle. The iconic truck is joined by many Hot Wheels favorites to thrill fans with exciting car-crunching feats, flying more than 35 feet in the air. Plus, the fiery Skelesaurus roars into the arena ready to “chomp.”
‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’
Keep those winter doldrums at bay with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. It may seem like we’ve got too long to wait ‘til we’re back on the beach, but Kenny comes to the rescue. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/ backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — gets everyone into the groove as only they can.
Friday, Jan. 3, 8 p.m. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
‘…Your voice is heard’ Broadway comes to Tilles Center. “Dear Evan Hanson,” the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it, has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere. If you’ve yet to see it, now’s your opportunity. Declared “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post, it’s the first musical to take a groundbreaking look — from the point of view of both the parents and young people — at our complex, interconnected, and social media-filled lives. It features an uplifting score, including some of the most iconic musical theatere songs from the last decade: “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through A Window,” and “For Forever.”
Thursday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets available at tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Jan. 8
The kings of ‘70s tribute hit the road with an authentic throwback to the era, on the Paramount stage, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10-11, at 8 p.m. Yacht Rock Revue, hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” invites listeners on a nostalgic voyage through the sun-soaked melodies of the ‘70s and ‘80s. The dynamic Atlanta-based 10-piece ensemble blends impeccable musicianship with a deep reverence for the yacht rock genre. Their original album “Escape Artist” is a bold homage to this iconic sound. Each side of the album encapsulates the band’s ability to transport audiences to a simpler, more carefree time. Lead singles like “Tropical Illusion” and “Passengers” set the tone, evoking sunsets and salty breezes with their lush instrumentation and ethereal vocals.
Collaborations with yacht rock legends Elliot Lurie and Robbie Dupree underscore the band’s status as innovators within their genre. YRR continues to captivate audiences nationwide with their infectious energy and unabashedly joyous performances. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, YRR has emerged as a pivotal figure in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Whether performing in intimate venues or rocking arenas, their concerts promise an immersive musical journey that celebrates the timeless allure of smooth grooves. $55, $40, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com. Jan. 10
Nassau BOCES, Long Island’s state-of-the arts career and technical education high school, opens its doors to all students with a passion for hands-on careers, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. Nassau BOCES GC Tech prepares students for a future in the workforce by providing them with the skills, knowledge and professional qualities they will need to be successful in their chosen career fields. The school boasts a new spa where aspiring estheticians learn skin care and massage techniques. There is also a newly revamped auto shop.
Prospective students and families from Nassau County are invited to tour the GC Tech campus and to meet with expert teachers, counselors and administrators. Additional open house sessions are offered in February and March. Interested students and their families can register for an Open House at nassauboces.org/gctech or call the school for more information at (516) 604-4200. 150 Abbey Lane, Levittown.
Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents,” Sunday, Jan. 5, 1:30-2 p.m., at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Yellow Studio’s Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.”
Observe animal bath time. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or licm.org.
Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art’s Manes Education Center. The drop-in program continues, Saturday, Jan. 4, noon-3 p.m. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators to explore and discover different materials to create original artwork. Kids and their adult partners connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org for more information and to register or call (516) 484-9337.
Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades.
Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.
Let your creativity shine at painting classes offered by the Town of Hempstead, Feb. 10 through May 5, at Baldwin Park. Registration opens Thursday, Jan. 23, at 9 a.m. Visit hempsteadny.gov/261/ Online-Registration for more information and to register. 3232 Grand Ave.
There’s no better time to adopt a new pet than during, “Home for the Holidays” at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. All fees are waived and include free spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, now through Sunday, Jan. 5. Licensing feels still apply. Prospective adopters can browse photos and profiles at hempsteadny.gov/179/animalshelter and also on the shelter’s Facebook page. 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh. For more information, call (516) 785-5220.
Kick off 2025 by creating a vision board and setting meaningful goals, at Baldwin Public Library, Thursday Jan. 7, 7-8 p.m. A vision board is a creative and inspiring way to visualize your dreams and turn them into tangible goals. In this relaxing session, you’ll have the opportunity to cut out pictures, add motivating quotes, and design a board that reflects your personal aspirations. For more information, visit baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228. 2385 Grand Ave.
The South Shore Audubon Society welcomes all to join its members for another in its series of bird walks, at Hempstead Lake State Park, Sunday, Jan. 5, starting at 9 a.m. Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. The group will meet The group will meet in parking lot #3, off Exit 18 of the Southern State Parkway.
To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain or snow. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit ssaudubon. org.
The Baldwin Board of Education next meets on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 8 p.m., at Baldwin High School. Attend and make your voice heard. 841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive.
Items on The Scene 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 thescene@liherald.com.
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition spans various world cultures through a range of media.
It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the backdrop for the 2025 unique chamber music series, “Four Seasons in Music,” Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m. The duoJalal ensemble-in-residence led by Kathryn Lockwood on viola, with percussionist Yousif Sheronick, violinists Deborah Buck and Emma Frucht and cellist Caroline Stinson presents a German flavored. Celebrating Germany’s rich history of extraordinary composers, including Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms, to the less traditional, this concert will warm you up on a winter afternoon.
A reception follows. $56, $45 members. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For tickets and information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff AGAINST FRANCESCA POLITO, JOHN JACOBERGER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 8, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 5, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2671 Wilddale Road, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54 Block 523 Lot 3. Approximate amount of judgment $494,919.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617653/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held
Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-002515 83486 150741
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, vs. VICKIE REINA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 24, 2019, 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 January 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 3186 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54., Block 566 and Lot 37. Approximate amount of judgment is $702,079.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #001788/2017. Referee does not accept cash. Ellen Savino, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 180341-1 150341
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF STARWOOD MORTGAGE RESIDENTIAL TRUST 2019-INV1, Plaintiff, vs. SILVIA PANTON, Defendant. Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 19, 2023, 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 January 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 746 Allwyn Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 575 and Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,725.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604010/2022. Mary Ellen Divone, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 234326-1 150540
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC., Plaintiff AGAINST LUKE SHEPPARD, LUBONA SHEPPARD, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 31, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 28, 2025 at 3:00PM, premises known as 2739 Park Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, Section: 54 Block: 286 Lot: 105 and 106. Approximate amount of judgment $263,100.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614918/2022. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-002513 83564 150598
‘It’s about all the people who come after you’
represented on the Great Stage. The program also makes it possible for Harlem School students as well as those from other schools in New York City to perform on the Radio City stage. More than 100 student dancers from across the city participate in the program.
“We had been invited two years ago to open for them for the first time,” Allie recalled. “It was a crazy experience, and ever since, we’ve been brought back, doing a different routine.”
Her school’s first performance was a mix of emotions for her, because she had left behind the world of competitive dancing.
“At first, I didn’t think I was ready!” she chuckled. “I just got here! But because our training is so precise and intense, our teachers had us ready and what type of training needed to happen to touch foot on that stage.”
past three years at radio City music Hall, opening for the rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular.
Members of the Rockettes have visited the school in both the fall and summer, hosting Q&A sessions with students and practicing with them for the Christmas show.
“When I hear that we’re going to be invited again, it’s an exciting thing,” Allie said. “You’re counting down the days for Radio City to show these people your routines, and the audience is so amazed. They compliment us, and are something we look for each December.”
In 2022 she also served as an “ambassador” for Brown Girls Do Ballet, a nonprofit based in Fort Worth, Texas, which aims to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in ballet
programs. During her ambassadorship, she spearheaded several projects on Long Island, including the creation of a Black History Month display board at the Capezio Dance Theatre Shop in Rockville Centre. She also performed an African dance on “Saturday Night Live.”
As Allie looks back on her performances at Radio City, she recognizes their significance for her and for people of color.
“You’re not just representing yourself — you’re representing all people of color and dancers of color,” she said. “You’re inspiring those who aspire to do what you’ve done, showing them they’re part of that journey and process. It’s not just about you. It’s about all the people who come after you.”
Interested Applicants should contact: lsveda@sewanhakaschools.org for an application.
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
Full Time/Part Time
Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.
STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com
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
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
Help Wanted
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour.
Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com
Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
Welcome to an extraordinary waterfront home that masterfully blends contemporary design with unmatched resilience. Constructed on 42 pilings with steel-reinforced block concrete, this 5,600-square-foot residence is built for exceptional energy efficiency and minimal maintenance. Inside, you'll find 5 spacious bedrooms, 3.5 luxurious baths, and three expansive decks, two front-facing and one rear, complete with a gas hookup. The open floor plan is beautifully appointed with hardwood floors, a gas-burning fireplace, and high-end appliances. For year-round comfort, the ground and lower levels are equipped with radiant heat. The expansive yard is a true retreat, with a versatile cabana that can be enjoyed in any season. Perfectly located close to the LIRR and the west end, this home is on the open bay, adjacent to a scenic waterfront walking path, and minutes away from a platinum selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, and more.
WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
Q. After much research, we chose brick for our new house. It has been a nightmare getting satisfaction from the mason who did the work. We noticed after only a few months that there were white powder-like streaks across the brick walls in many places. We spoke with the brick manufacturer, who said it sounded like an installation problem or streaking from other materials around it. The mason came back and looked at it. He used acid and brushed one spot and it lightened up but didn’t go away. He seemed annoyed with us, and said he could “send someone” to brush and put more cleaner on, but the whiteness would remain and it would have to “weather” after that. We had a sample wall built to make sure the color was right, and really went to a lot of effort for our choices. We are upset that the mason acted like it was our fault for complaining. We selected brick for high durability, weather resistance and low to no maintenance, and now we have this problem. What could have caused it, and is there any other remedy?
A. Brick was a great choice for all the reasons you described, and will outlast generations of occupants if installed correctly. The whiteness may be caused in a few ways. You have to first know what caused it.
Trim materials, above and around brick, will streak from the wrong paint on roof-edge or topof-wall trim. If the paint used was interior latex water-soluble paint, it will separate and run. Prefinished metal, factory finished, will also start to chalk and run. If a highly pigmented paint with low-resin binder was used, then the same results occur. The brick will be somewhat cleanable, but will have to be exposed to many cycles of rain, heat, freezing, etc., also known as weathering.
Because the mason did not mention the runoff of paint from trim, I suspect that your problem is the worst-case scenario, and all the cleaning with muriatic acid and a steel brush will not solve the staining entirely. Wire brushing or high powerwashing actually harms brick, because that amazingly strong fired-finish on the brick, the reason brick is such a good resister of the elements, is now going to be broken down to a grainy finish that can harbor mildew.
Sadly, the issue was completely preventable, either by using trim that did not lose color or by the brick installation. Yes, the brick installation. It starts with not having the correct width of the foundation to carry the brick, so it is installed too close to or right against the exterior plywood. That airspace is supposed to be 2 inches, clear, behind the brick, so rain that gets sucked into the mortar joints can drop behind the brick and “weep” from weep holes at the bottom of the wall. If you do not have weeps, then the wall was installed incorrectly and the problem will continue. Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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As the season of giving comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on not just all we have to be thankful for, but on those who still need our support. While there are certainly plenty of domestic issues, and Americans in need, we cannot forget the people of Ukraine, who are nearing the end of their third year of war with Russia.
The conflict, which has cost the lives of roughly 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers and over 11,000 civilians, has put on display the very real threat authoritarianism is posing to democracies all around the world today. And the people of Ukraine, who spent decades under Soviet rule and centuries under czarist rule before that, know how important their right to self-determination is, because they know what it means to live under a regime without rights. Here in America, where we’ve had the luck and privilege to live under a democratic government for our entire history, it can be easy to brush aside these kinds of conflicts by claiming that certain areas or certain cultures
Gare used to conflict. We hear it about the Middle East all the time: so-called “experts” who assert that the region has “always been at war,” and that one ethnic group or another “doesn’t understand democracy.”
I don’t buy it.
As our Founding Fathers knew too well, human beings are born with an innate desire, and a right, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. While we may think of these words as uniquely American, I’ve always believed that they were written not just with our country’s population in mind, but as a fundamental fact of the human condition.
Wmyr Zelensky chose to stay in Kyiv in 2022, when the capital city refused to fall, and every day since, his people have had one message for Putin and the world: We will not go quietly.
e can’t turn our backs on a country that is fighting for its sovereignty.
When our nation was in its infancy and fighting for its existence, we relied heavily on the support not only of foreign nations like France and Spain, but on the extraordinary efforts of individuals from around the world who recognized that our fight for independence wasn’t just a local conflict, but a global one, that of freedom vs. tyranny.
There are hundreds of international charitable groups that are on the ground in Ukraine providing humanitarian aid, from UNICEF to the Red Cross. Other organizations, such as United Help Ukraine, Nova Ukraine and Razom for Ukraine, provide medical aid to tens of thousands of people and soldiers across the country.
And the people of Ukraine have shown their desire for these universal rights with a determination and tenacity that has allowed this country of only 37 million to face down, and frequently defeat, a richer and larger nation with nearly five times its population. And Ukrainians are fighting not just for their own rights and sovereignty. They are the first line of defense against the deranged, ahistorical and plutocratic worldview that Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian oligarchs are so desperate to spread.
When Ukrainian President Volody-
The analogy isn’t perfect. Ukraine isn’t fighting to win its independence from its mother country, but is fighting instead to maintain its sovereignty in the face of foreign aggression. But the fact remains that its people, who have seen family members’, friends’ and loved ones’ lives destroyed by the aggression of a brutish dictator, deserve not only our respect and admiration, but our help.
You may think, “But I’m only one person — what could I possibly do?” And obviously, no one person can end this conflict overnight (except maybe Rocky Balboa). But there are plenty of ways for us to do our part.
There are also nearly 300,000 Ukrainian refugees now living in the United States, part of a diaspora of nearly 4 million Ukrainians, predominantly women, children and seniors, who have been forced to flee their homes in the face of ruthless Russian aggression. While many of these people have been kindly fostered by Americans, Europeans and people everywhere, there are always more people in need.
To learn more about how to host Ukrainian refugees, visit SupportUkraineNow.org.
Ukrainians are fighting not just for their own right to exist, but for the rights of people around the world struggling against conquest and the threat of extermination. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously declared, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” — and we can all do more to help Ukrainians restore peace in the country they love.
Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? WSheeline@liherald.com.
ov. Kathy Hochul has been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save one of our planet’s greatest unsung heroes, the horseshoe crab. Early in 2024, the State Senate and Assembly passed a bill that would prohibit taking horseshoe crabs from New York waters for bait or for biomedical use.
Hochul has until the end of the month to sign the bill into law, and time is running out for us to persuade her to do so.
Horseshoe crabs have existed relatively unchanged for roughly 450 million years — 200 million years longer than dinosaurs — and they have survived five mass extinctions. They are a keystone species, which means that if their populations were to dwindle to numbers that are unsustainable, the repercussions for other species would be devastating. Every year, numerous species of migratory shorebirds rely on horseshoe crab eggs for food on their long journey to
their breeding grounds in the Arctic. For half a century, humans have depended on horseshoe crabs for our survival, because they have played a major role in modern medicine. Their unique copper-based blue blood contains a clotting agent that immediately forms a clot when it comes into contact with bacteria. Because of this, horseshoe crab blood has been used for decades by the biomedical industry to test for infection-causing bacteria in injectable drugs, intravenous solutions, vaccines and medical implants. Their blood was also used to develop the Covid-19 vaccines that have saved millions of lives. Luckily, a synthetic alternative to horseshoe crab blood has been developed and approved for biomedical use, but the changeover in the industry has been slow.
This keystone species helped scientists develop the Covid vaccines.
sive animals, grazing across the seafloor like ancient vacuum cleaners, looking for the small aquatic insects, mollusks and detritus on which they feed. There are four species of horseshoe crabs, and the Atlantic coast is the only place in the Western Hemisphere that is home to one of those species, the Atlantic horseshoe crab, or Limulus polyphemus
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s benchmark stock assessment of horseshoe crabs in 2019, and the recently updated stock assessment in 2024, both show the crabs’ stock status in New York as poor. Of all the states on the Atlantic coast, New York is the only one where that is the case, and there is no evidence that the population is rebounding.
the crabs, which puts even more pressure on the New York stock and puts them at a higher risk of poaching by outof-state fishermen. Bait alternatives exist, but fishermen won’t be compelled to use them unless a ban is enacted.
Entrusting the state Department of Environmental Conservation to regulate the harvesting of horseshoe crabs is a mistake. Regulation depends on enforcement, and with only 30 to 40 environmental conservation officers patrolling the entire Long Island coastline, there is ample opportunity for overharvesting and poaching to take place.
Although there are misconceptions that they are poisonous or that they use their tails as weapons, horseshoe crabs are completely harmless. The tail serves a very important purpose: to flip a crab over if it gets turned upside down. That’s why you should never pick one up by its tail. They are completely pas-
Horseshoe crabs cannot legally be harvested for biomedical use in New York state. Their dwindling population here is due mostly to their harvesting for use as bait in the eel and conch fisheries as well as the loss of their spawning grounds due to sea level rise and shoreline hardening. New Jersey and Connecticut have both banned the harvest of
Friends of the Bay is asking you to urge Governor Hochul to sign the Horseshoe Crab Protection Act into law Friends of the Bay is an environmental conservation and advocacy organization headquartered in Oyster Bay. Our mission is to preserve, protect and restore the ecological integrity and productivity of the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and the surrounding watershed. Please visit friendsofthebay.org/ horseshoe-crab-protection-act to learn how you can help, and to get a copy of a sample letter that you can sign and mail, or email, to the governor.
anew year always arrives freighted with emotion. It carries the accumulated hopes, frustrations and lessons of the previous 12 months, paired with the tantalizing possibility of transformation. This year, as we look ahead, we find ourselves grappling with familiar challenges while daring to believe in the promise of better days.
One challenge we must confront is the growing fragmentation of our shared experiences. Increasingly, the global and local spheres seem to exist in parallel universes. A catastrophe halfway across the world — whether a climate disaster, political upheaval or humanitarian crisis — has the power to shape economies and policies closer to home, yet often feels distant, reduced to a fleeting headline.
Meanwhile, our more local and personal concerns — the cost of living, caring for family and doing well at work — demand urgent attention but risk being overshadowed by the constant churn of global issues. Bridging this gap requires a recalibration of priorities. The new year demands both outward-looking empathy and a renewed focus on strengthening the foundations of our own communities.
Economically, the year ahead will likely test the resilience of all levels of
To the Editor:
our government. Trust in institutions has eroded, but there are also glimmers of progress worth celebrating: advancements in green technology, a renewed emphasis on workers’ rights, and shifting societal attitudes toward mental health and well-being. These trends suggest that positive change, while slow, is possible.
We need to be optimistic, but that demands resolve. The climate crisis, for instance, is no longer a future threat but an immediate reality, underscored by the fires, floods and record-breaking temperatures of recent years. The urgency to act cannot be overstated, and yet real solutions remain politically fraught and logistically complex. We face the challenge of balancing personal responsibility with the recognition that systemic change requires collective action.
At the same time, the new year also offers a chance to reimagine what progress means. Growth, long equated with economic expansion, is being reconsidered in light of its environmental and social costs. These ideas challenge deeply entrenched narratives about success and prosperity, but they also open up the possibility of more inclusive, equitable futures.
Many of us also enter 2025 grappling with uncertainty. The relentless pace of
I agree with everything that Peter King wrote in “Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly” (Dec. 19-25). Though I never had the chance to meet the cast of “Blue Bloods,” they did feel like family. There has to be a show for people like us — born in Queens, my grandfather was with the Manhattan mounted police in the late 1920s, my cousins were with the Port Authority Police during the Colin Ferguson bloodbath on the LIRR and on Sept. 11.
We love the Police Department and everything they stand for. They are our angels on earth in these crazy times. I appreciated grace before meals as a practicing Catholic. So there are many people who loved “Blue Bloods,” but I’m sure the network needed to try to make even more money! No one cares about the audience, just the dollar sign.
NANCY ALBERTELLI East Meadow
To the Editor:
My father, like Mr. King’s, wore NYPD’s blue. Like Mr. King, I consider ‘Blue Bloods’ more nuanced than many cop shows. But his speculations about imagined opponents of the show, and his “unanswered questions,” are dubious.
technological change, the aftershocks of a pandemic and the simple unpredictability of life can feel overwhelming. Yet amid this turbulence, we find moments of connection and meaning. A neighbor’s kindness, a shared laugh, the rediscovery of an old passion — these small, often overlooked moments remind us why we persevere.
How do we handle the bad while making room for the good? We need to balance action with rest and contemplation, and ambition with gratitude. This requires recognizing that while we cannot solve every problem, we can contribute to their solutions.
As we step into the new year, we should resolve to move beyond empty platitudes. Instead of vague aspirations for “better days,” let’s strive for tangible progress: a stronger sense of community, a commitment to justice, and a willingness to adapt to changing realities. We should allow ourselves moments of joy, not just as a distraction from life’s difficulties, but also as a reminder of its possibilities.
It isn’t easy. There are always setbacks and frustrations, but there are also breakthroughs, large and small, that remind us of our capacity to endure, to grow and to create a better future. The new year’s gift gives us the opportunity to begin anew.
No doubt, the cast members are all outstanding people and first-class actors, but they were performers acting out dramatic scripts. It’s all fiction, and we can enjoy “as if” for the hour, but to extend the imaginary past the credits is delusional.
Americans generally tend to romanticize both our lawmen and our crimi-
nals, clouding our view of reality. Our fiction is out of sync with our nonfiction, and we get confused. If real police were “Blue Bloods” police, we would not have had a Bernie Kerik as commissioner; there would be no need for civilian complaint review boards, body cameras and millions spent on misconduct settlements; and less turnover in
since the november election, I have been eager to resume my work as the assemblywoman in District 21 and tackle the tough issues affecting families across long Island. Most recently, one of my primary focuses has been addressing the complex challenges of equitable funding for public schools and meeting the needs of our local school districts.
I recently attended an education forum of the Southwest Quadrant, which encompasses districts in southwestern nassau County. The key topics there were the future of foundation aid, funding challenges, infrastructure and school safety, and charter schools. The forum provided invaluable information, including insight from superintendents, administrators, Board of Education trustees and PTa leaders. Their combined expertise offered a comprehensive understanding of the issues our schools face and the support they need from the state.
Since I began representing the 21st district in 2019, I’ve observed that our school districts share many challenges. Space limitations are a significant issue, with many districts forced to host universal pre-kindergarten programs at off-
district sites. The rockville Centre school district recently addressed this issue through an inter-municipal agreement with the village, creating 36 new pre-K seats at the village recreation center. Previously, the district relied on the Friedberg JCC, in Oceanside, to accommodate all families in the district. The Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC, in lynbrook, and the Tiny Tykes Early learning Center and Tutor Time, in East rockaway, also host pre-K for local districts.
In recent years, local districts have also faced rising numbers of English language learners, often from economically disadvantaged or homeless families. The demand for special-education services, mental health support, and health care accommodations has also surged. at the same time, schools are grappling with escalating costs of building maintenance, school and cybersecurity, technology upgrades and transportation.
an idea that warrants further consideration.
While many districts are experiencing declining enrollment, the number of students with substantial needs continues to grow. Foundation aid calculations should not rely solely on population metrics.
s pace limitations, more demand for special ed and rising costs, to name a few.
Schools today are tasked with addressing a broader range of needs than ever before. yet long Island districts consistently contribute more in taxes than they receive in state aid, increasing financial pressures at the local level.
Despite these challenges, I am inspired by the progress our schools are making. To support these efforts, I’ve met with superintendents and school leaders from Hewlett, lynbrook and East rockaway, and plan to meet with others soon.
Transportation costs, in particular, have become a significant financial burden, especially in districts that transport large numbers of non-public-school students. Some districts also struggle with the financial impact of charter schools, which can divert resources from public schools. One local administrator suggested revising the state’s charter school approval process to limit expansions and regulate tuition rates —
the top brass. “Courtesy cards” would be in museums, not wallets.
Distractions from reality allow speculations like Mr. King’s suggestion that scriptwriters were pressured “to portray cops in a negative light,” as if any producers care at all about what viewers see between the commercials. There are other shows for that. Equally dangerous is his question about the series’ cancellation. Instead of noting the fact that the noble cast accepted a 25 percent pay cut to subsidize season 14, Mr. King conjures the demon of “woke” from nothing.
It’s true that the show’s fans will always have the memories, but we must hope our nostalgia doesn’t distract from the realities of 21st century law and its enforcement.
BrIan KElly Rockville Centre
To the Editor:
l ong Island r ail road commuters should be concerned about insufficient funds being earmarked to bring bridges,
During tours of lynbrook and East rockaway schools, guided by Superintendents Dr. Paul lynch and Dr. James DeTommaso, I witnessed how these districts are supporting students of all abilities. Their innovative approaches to addressing mental health challenges, accommodating Ell students, and meeting the increasing needs of children with special-education requirements were remarkable. a standout moment was observing the student cafés in lynbrook and East rockaway, where educators and special-ed students collaborated seamlessly to serve drinks and snacks to the school population.
On Dec. 18 I attended a legislative briefing hosted by the nassau-Suffolk School Boards association and the long Island Education Coalition, on the rockefeller Institute report, a comprehensive study on recalculating the foundation aid formula. The session focused on the report’s recommendations, and also offered a platform to discuss key issues impacting public schools on long Island. It was an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas with experts, administrators and fellow legislators.
The briefing was extremely important as we enter 2025 with the prospect of recalculating the foundation aid formula in this year’s state budget. The formula’s base calculations have not been updated since 2016-17. But no change should be made in a vacuum, and must account for the many variables that have been added in the past decade to balance the formula. It’s clear that the growing changes in demographics and the variety of new metrics need to be considered in recalculating the formula. This will be challenging, and will require much more discussion, deliberation and reflection.
I look forward to discussing this more extensively in albany, and hope to form a working group in the hopes of delving further into the topic with my colleagues on long Island and throughout the state’s suburban areas at the next roundtable on Jan. 30.
Judy Griffin represents the 21st Assembly District.
viaducts, tunnels and other basic infrastructure that are in poor or marginal condition up to a state of good repair in the Metropolitan Transportation authority’s proposed $68 billion 2025-2029 Five year Capital Plan. This also applies to Metro-north railroad and new york City Transit.
It’s questionable whether $600 million is sufficient funding for l I rr critical infrastructure projects under the proposed plan. Can this eliminate the growing backlog of critical infrastructure repair? Too many critical capital assets remain in daily service beyond their anticipated useful life. There is still a $33 billion shortfall to fully fund the plan.
Safety, state of good repair, and reliable, on-time performance with a minimum of service disruptions at a fair price should be higher priorities than system expansion projects. The $7.7 billion Second avenue Subway Phase 2, the $5.5 billion Brooklyn-Queens light-rail Interborough Express and the $3.1 billion Metro n orth Bronx East Penn Station a ccess projects all need to be put on hold. Funding for all three would be better spent on critical infrastructure projects benefiting over 4 million nyC Transit subway, 200,000-plus lIrr and 200,000plus Metro north daily commuters. MTa
Chairman Janno lieber and board members have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the interests of riders and taxpayers.
larry PEnnEr Great Neck
Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.
mountsinai.org/southnassau