Bellmore Herald 07-20-2023

Fresh

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Hambones

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Twins both off to Virginia Tech

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SNWA holds public meeting

Agency outlines Liberty takeover process as South Shore residents express frustrations

By NIColE FoRMISANo nformisano@liherald.com

The atmosphere was tense in the meeting room of the Lynbrook Public Library on July 11 as dozens of South Shore residents gathered for a public meeting of the South Nassau Water Authority — the first since its creation in November 2021.

Jessica Ren/Herald

Wild Ones’ Long Island Chapter hosted its first ‘Walkie Talkie’ event in Freeport last month, so its members and the community could learn about their trees. Arborist Olivia Calandra, left, discussed the unique characteristics of a maple leaf.

Keeping nature, and trees, in mind Wild Ones holds its first ‘Walkie Talkie’ event

By JESSICA REN Intern

The Long Island chapter of Wild Ones held its first “Walkie Talkie” event last month, in collaboration with the Stearns Park Civic Association of Freeport. While out on a walk with arborists in the Stearns Park neighborhood, 25 participants learned about tree identification and tree care.

Last September, Wild Ones, a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote environmentally sound landscaping practices and preserve biodiversity, held its first meeting at the Merrick Golf Course. Noting an increase in the number of trees being cut down, the group is hopeful that it can work with munici-

palities like the Town of Hempstead to create strict tree-removal guidelines.

“We’ve had a rash of tree cutting,” Frederick Nass, the chapter’s president, said at the mid-June group walk. “We understand people want to have a swimming pool, but if you’re cutting a tree down, you need to replace it. It’s not just what you’re doing to your own property; it affects people around you and affects the community, so that’s what we’re trying to encourage people to understand.

“It’s something we all have to focus on for our neighbors and the health of the community,” Nass added.

The group’s ultimate goal is to collaborate with the town to revise its tree-removal guideCOnTInued On pAge

“I don’t anticipate a very congenial meeting tonight,” Seth Koslow, who is running for county legislator, said. “I think people are going to be upset and loud.”

Koslow was right. The meeting began with John Reinhardt, the authority’s temporary president, offering an overview of the timeline for its acquisition of Liberty Water, which provides water to most of Nassau County and is proposing a rate hike of up to 42 percent in some areas.

In March 2022, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin promised the authority $500,000 in funding so it could move forward with acquiring

Liberty’s assets. That May, the authority completed the first step in a four-step process for the takeover outlined by the state Public Service Commission, sending an introductory letter to Liberty Water to make it aware of the authority’s intent to acquire those assets. Over the following weeks, Liberty provided enough information to the authority to begin the valuation process.

Last week’s meeting continued with Bill DeWitt, an attorney representing the water authority, passing several resolutions, including the appointment of Robert York as the authority’s chairman and Michelle Bocci as its treasurer. Nearly in unison, many attendees asked with frustration why York was not at the meeting. When Reinhardt explained that York was on vacation, there were expressions of outrage, and the next several minutes were full of heated cross-talk, which set the tone for the rest of the evening.

The board continued the COnTInued On pAge 4

This is a half-abillion-dollar house that we’re buying.

JoHN REINHARdT Temporary president, South Nassau Water Authority

$1.00

Students entering grades 4-12 will learn acting basics by playing improvisation games! Enhance listening skills, creativity, public speaking, selfconfidence, risk taking and make new friends!

grades 6-12

Farm stand season returns to Garden at St. Francis

On the heels of Pollinator Week, garden starts selling produce to the public at weekly sales

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

It’s been a busy couple weeks for the Garden at St. Francis in North Bellmore.

Throughout the spring nd into the beginning of summer, garden volunteers led by Kristin Talbot, the garden’s manager, have been hard at work preparing the bustling hidden farm behind the unsuspecting church for its first farm stand of the season.

The garden celebrated Pollinator Day on June 24, by hosting activities all day long that reflected the mission of the garden and its outreach efforts.

Pollinator Day is part of the more expansive Pollinator Week, celebrated annually during the last full week of June. It raises awareness for pollinators and spreads the word about what people can do to protect them, and how pollinators contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Talbot introduced the celebration to the garden last year, and its been in full bloom ever since.

“Pollinator Partnership is a national organization, built by people who are trying to spread resources and knowledge about pollinators, to people who are just living in their neighborhoods that are interested in protecting pollinators, farmers like us, (and) people who are turning to land management and have acres and acres in preservation,” Talbot explained last year. “They’re a really great resource.”

At this year’s celebration, volunteers and attendees helped THRIVE Long Island, a recovery community and outreach center plant a recovery garden. THRIVE also hosted a free Narcan train-

ing.

Tours of the garden’s new memorial garden, designed by intern Lily Yepez and Girl Scout Julia Amon, were also held. And it wouldn’t have been Pollinator Day without talks of pollinators — there were plenty of classes during the day revolving around pollinator health, as well as a question-and-answer session with the garden’s beekeeper.

Vegetables were harvested for the first farm stand which took place the following day on June 25.

Though the Garden at St. Francis is affiliated with the Episcopal Ministries of Long Island, it is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, ability or religious affiliation.

“But even if you are not a Christian,” the church’s spiritual leader the Rev. Grace Flint said during her homily on June 24, “or if you are a person of no faith at all, I believe we can all agree on this quote from a prayer: ‘our common life depends on each other’s toil.’

“We have a responsibility, to our families, friends, and neighbors, and to those who come after us, who will inherit this land and this earth long after we were gone,” she added. “We have a responsibility to care for the pollinators that sustain life on earth, and to do everything we can do to sustain their life in return. Just as a few loaves and fish fed a multitude of people we too can make a big difference starting in a very small way.”

Weekly farm stands take place at 11 a.m. on Sundays, either outside the church or inside its meeting hall depending on the weather. The church is located at 1692 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore. For more, contact (516) 679-1184.

Valerie

above, showed off a great find at the sale, which took place inside the church’s meeting hall due to the weather.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Volunteers at the Garden at St. Francis have been hard at work prepping the bustling farm for its first farm stand. At the garden’s Pollinator Day celebration, Patricia Ladarola worked the land.

We have a responsibility, to our families, friends, and neighbors, and to those who come after us, who will inherit this land and this earth long after we were gone.

ThE REV. GRAcE FLiNT St. Francis Church

Garden Manager Kristin Talbot, left above, with the Rev. Grace Flint, at a farm stand in July. The garden sells fresh produce to the community, and donates remaining items to local pantries.

Skelly,

Rich Smith, left, pulled some produce out of the ground. The first farm stand took place on June 25.

William Tyson and Amy Imken, far left, harvested vegetables together.

Bill Windy/Herald Bill Windy/Herald

Many months after its creation, board offers few updates

meeting by announcing the hiring of consultants, including Walden Environmental Engineering, and then adjourned to meet in executive session. This was met with another uproar.

“Why are we here?” one attendee asked.

“They don’t respect our time,” another said.

One man began making chicken noises as board members made their way out the back of the room.

When they board was gone, David Denenberg, co-director of Long Island Clean Air Water & Soil and a former county legislator, joined by Michael Reid, of the Merrick Fire Department, stood and addressed the gathering.

“We don’t have water service, yet we pay taxes for a service we don’t get,” Denenberg said to the crowd, referring to those in Liberty’s service area who pay utility and other taxes to the county and town, but do not receive public water.

Reinhardt said later that Denenberg’s statement was inaccurate, as those in Liberty’s service area do not have a water line on their tax bill, while those in public water districts do.

Denenberg introduced Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who sponsored a bill to provide the water authority with $1 million in funding for the acquisition. She was met with a round of applause.

“The intention was to make sure the burden of financing is not on the citizen,”

Solages said. “We’ve had many feasibility studies, even done by the state of New York, and we know this is possible. Let’s move forward and get it done.”

After 20 minutes, the board returned from its executive session, and the meeting was opened to public questions and comments. Denenberg asked why it had taken 17 months for the authority to hold a public meeting while the North Shore’s has had four.

“We are well ahead of the North Shore Water Authority,” Reinhardt said.

“They’ve had four meetings so far where they’ve come forward and said, ‘We have nothing.’ Their website says everything is ‘to be determined.’ They’ve taken no action.”

Reinhardt later added that the South Nassau board didn’t want to hold a public meeting without having information available to present because it could create an “angry situation.”

Responding to the questions about the time that had passed since the board’s creation with seemingly no action taken, Reinhardt said, “You don’t buy a house without having it inspected, without knowing the condition of the house. This is a half-a-billion-dollar house that we’re buying.”

“This is this board moving forward potentially with buying a utility company in the names of you and all the other ratepayers in the room,” he added. “We’re doing that after we do due diligence to make sure that there aren’t massive liabil-

ities out there.”

Rabbi Howard Nacht, of Merrick, told the board, “I urge you to move forward expeditiously to accomplish (the acquisition).

“Bring us in line with the other 97 percent of people who are paying for water in this state,” he added, referring to residents who receive public than private water service. Nacht’s comments were applauded by the crowd.

“Right now we’re paying these extreme prices for water, and the ratepayers are suffering,” Solages said, also suggesting that the board request emergency funding from Albany for the takeover. “We have an affordability crisis, and we really need to work expeditiously to ensure that we are saving the ratepayers money.”

Fred Harrison, a volunteer for the

environmental group Food and Water Watch, commended the board’s previously unknown efforts in the acquisition process.

“We’ve waited an awful long time, and that’s why the frustrations are boiling out, even though you gave us good news,” Harrison said. “Because there is good news. I wish I knew that this commission had done that process. I had no idea that you had authorized any investigation.”

“I wish you well, but we’re going to be watching,” he added. “And I know we’re all going to be here at future meetings.”

Those meetings will be announced on the South Nassau Water Authority’s website, SouthNassauWater.org.

For a Q&A addressing specific questions from the meeting, visit LIHerald.com/ Bellmore.

Step One: Send an introductory letter to Liberty Water, notifying it of the water authority’s interest in acquiring its assets. This step was completed in May 2022.

Step Two: Send an offer letter to Liberty that includes a list of its assets and a monetary offer to acquire them. Walden Environmental Engineering recommended at the public meeting that the board move forward with this step.

Step Three: Update past appraisals of Liberty’s assets to reflect its present value.

Step Four: Liberty uses that updated information to present its own information on those assets.

When all four steps are completed, “good faith” negotiations will take place between the parties to see if a purchase will take place.

Nicole Formisano/Herald david denenberg, michael reed and assemblywoman michaelle Solages addressed the crowd while the South nassau Water authority was in executive session.

Community members learn about their trees

lines and promote tree awareness and conservation among residents. Education is important — and the more people learn about their trees, the less likely they’ll be to cut them down, Wild Ones maintains.

“I thought it’d be a great idea to have Fred come and speak at one of our meetings,” said Jill Kaplan, a member of the Stearns Park association, which organized the event with Nass. “That one didn’t work out, but it was meant to be, because here we all are with a bigger group.”

Arborists Olivia Calandra, of the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Kevin Siragusa and Gary Carbocci, of Bartlett Tree Experts, led the group, which met on the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Craig Avenue. The experts identified and discussed the trees they walked past, their importance to the ecosystem, how to care for them — and how to encourage homeowners to plant more of them.

Members of the South Shore Audubon Society also took part, including chapter President Russ Comeau. Its mission is to promote environmental education; conduct research on local bird populations, wildlife and habitat; and to preserve and restore the environment.

“Many birds are in decline because trees are the only homes birds have,” Comeau explained. “There’s a number of bird species that used to breed on Long

Island, and now they just pass by because there’s no place left for them here.”

Nass said his hope was to persuade the Town of Hempstead to pass an ordinance that would make it more difficult to cut down native trees, taking into account the

environmental consequences. It would be enforced, he said, through the use of permits and/or fines, and require either the planting of another native tree on the property of a homeowner who removes a tree, or paying into a

fund to plant a native tree elsewhere in the township.

“It would be beneficial for all of us to get the Town of Hempstead to get on board with North Hempstead, Oyster Bay, and all other townships on Long Island that are protecting trees,” Nass said. “The Town of Hempstead is not, and they don’t seem interested in it. They think their constituents don’t want it, and we disagree, and we want to let them know that we disagree.”

An ordinance reflecting what Wild Ones wants to see implemented was proposed to the town by the chapter, and delivered to the office of Supervisor Don Clavin, earlier this year. As of now, it is still unclear what action will be taken towards the ordinance.

Nass plans to host another tree walk event in Merrick, in collaboration with the South Merrick Community Civic Association. Joe Baker, the SMCC’S former president, was also in attendance.

“Any civic associations or groups that want something developed, we’ll tailor it to what they’re looking to do,” Nass said. “We’ll go wherever people want us to give education, information and guidance.”

A link to a petition to support the proposed tree ordinance can be found on the Wild Ones of Long Island Facebook page. More information on the organization can be found on its website, WildOnes.org. Contact the Long Island chapter via email at WildOnesLongisland@gmail.com.

Jessica Ren/Herald the event featured arborist olivia Calandra, left, who discussed the types of trees that can be found along the South Shore.

HERALD SPORTS

Ducks rally for first-half championship

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

It was an eventful first half of baseball for the Long Island Ducks, who became the Atlantic League’s all-time winningest franchise (1,581 as of June 17), captured the North Division’s first-half title, and had four player contracts purchased by Major League organizations. Ninth-inning magic in two games July 7 allowed the Ducks to snag first place in their division via a tiebreaker with York. Both teams finished 37-26.

Long Island scored three times in the top of the ninth to defeat Southern Maryland, 4-1, while York allowed two runs to Lexington in the top of the ninth and suffered a 7-6 defeat.

“We had one eye on the scoreboard all night,” Ducks manager Wally Backman said. “While we were up in the ninth inning, Dickerson [Alex] informed me York lost. All the guys knew when we took the field in the bottom of the ninth what was at stake.”

The Ducks closed the first half on a four-game winning streak and allowed only nine runs in the process.

The departures of Brett Kennedy and Stephen Woods Jr. left the starting pitching staff in a state of flux but not thin on talent. Stephen Tarpley, Robert Stock and Matt Solter all produced quality starts under pressure in the final week of the first half, Backman noted. Former MLB reliever Al Alburquerque (0.78 ERA, 0.74 WHIP) has been dominant and picked up the win in the clincher after Tarpley fired six strong innings.

Kennedy was the first Ducks player to depart during the season after signing with the Cincinnati Reds. After a six-week stint at AAA Louisville, Kennedy picked up a W for the Reds July 4. “Congratulations to Brett on this well-deserved opportunity to pitch again in the Major Leagues,” Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff said of Kennedy, who tossed five solid innings to defeat the Washington Nationals. “We are thrilled to have helped him achieve this milestone in his career.”

On his way to becoming the 29th Ducks alumnus to be promoted to the majors, Kennedy made three quality starts for Long Island and struck out 16 batters in 11 2/3 innings of work with a 3.09 ERA.

Three others had their contracts purchased by Major League or foreign professional organizations this season: Former three-time MLB All-Star and former New York Mets infielder Daniel Murphy (Angels, Triple-A Salt Lake), nine-year MLB infielder Adeiny Hechavarria (Kansas City Royals, Triple-A Omaha) and pitcher Stephen Woods Jr. (Fubon Guardians, China.) The latter was 7-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 starts.

“We’re going to roll with a six-man starting rotation and not push anyone too hard in the second half,” Backman said.

“That’s one of the luxuries of winning the first half.”

Murphy played in 37 games with the Ducks. He departed tied for fourth in the Atlantic League with 47 hits, sixth in batting average (.331) and 10th in on-base percentage (.410), all of which lead the Flock. He also totaled two home runs, 19 RBIs, 20 runs, 64 total bases, nine doubles, one triple, 14 walks and an .861 OPS. Murphy compiled a 16-game hitting streak from May 16-June 1, the longest hitting streak by a Duck this season, and a 19-game onbase streak from May 12-June 1.

Hechavarria appeared in 38 games with the Ducks. At the time of his departure to the Royals system, he led all Ducks and was tied for fifth in the Atlantic League with 12 doubles as well as tied for sixth in the league with 34 RBIs. He was also tied for the team lead with seven home runs while totaling 29 runs, 43 hits, 78 total bases, a triple, 21 walks and a .920 OPS. The 34-year-old reached base safely in 24 of his past 26 games going back to May 12, earning at least one hit in 21 of them. In that span, he compiled a .295 batting average with a .911 OPS.

Long Island’s offense in the first half was sparked by first baseman Sam Travis, who played all 63 games and batted .288 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs. He also scored a team-high 50 runs.

“Winning the first half was a lot of fun,” said Travis, who played three seasons with the Boston Red Sox. “We still want to go out and win every game we play. We have a lot of season left. It’s a great group of guys. If it’s not one guy getting it done on a given night, it’s another.”

Dickerson is raking at the plate with a .352 batting average, .637 slugging percentage, 13 homers and 44 RBIs in 49 games. Former highly touted Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Chance Sisco has also been dynamic at the plate with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in only 28 games with a .317 batting average. Outfielder Brian Goodwin, with a dozen years of MLB experience under his belt, batted .300 with 8 homers and 9 steals.

Regardless of what happens in the second half, the four-time league champion Ducks will participate in the Atlantic League playoffs for the 16th time in franchise history starting around Sept. 20.

Photos courtesy Long Island Ducks

First baseman Sam Travis enjoyed a huge first half at the plate with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs.

Al Alburquerque has pitched lights-out (0.78 ERA) and earned the first-half clinching victory in relief.

Living through hottest week in 125,000 years

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

The record for the highest global average temperature since at least 1979 was shattered a few weeks ago — and then that record was broken the next day. And then again two days later.

The Earth’s average temperature hovered around 62 degrees Fahrenheit, which would be a chilly day for the summer. Yet, on a global scale, it was a few degrees warmer than where it should be.

These record temperatures have been, in part, due to the forming a weather phenomenon called El Niño. It’s created when the central and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean enter a warming phase as part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle.

There have been at least 30 El Niño events since 1900, according to meterologists, but many observers believe each of the seasons are becoming warmer over the years. And they’re blaming that on global warming.

“The first week of July appears to have been the hottest week on record globally,” said Mark Lowery, a climate policy analyst for the state’s environmental conservation department. “During that week, we saw four consecutive days of new records for the Earth’s hottest days.”

What the Earth experienced at the beginning of July was the hottest the Earth has been in more than 125,000 years, Lowery said. This extreme heat is

projected to get even worse over much of the world in the next couple of weeks, and will almost certainly continue into 2024 as El Niño remains intact.

“Once the Earth moves into the El Niño phase, it lasts about two or three years,” Lowery said. “So, we would have every reason to believe that there will be continued release of heat that will continue to accumulate in the atmosphere through 2024.”

That heat will be felt everywhere, even on Long Island. Alison Branco, climate adaptation director for The Nature Conservancy in Virginia, said that as the air warms, the ocean also warms. And when the ocean waters become warmer they expand. This, in turn, will cause the sea level to rise off the coast of Long Island.

“For a long and narrow, very flat island, sea level rise is a major impact of climate change that we need to be thinking about all the time,” Branco said. “Because it’s really going to change the face of Long Island.”

And it affects not only the South Shore, but the North Shore as well, according to reports. Rising tides will create higher waves, which in turn will erode bluffs, causing them to eventually slide into the ocean.

But warmer water and a fear of higher tides aren’t the only things people living and enjoying Long Island have to worry about. Charles Rothenberg, climate and energy attorney from the Connecticut-based advocacy group Save the Sound, says warmer waters are acting as fuel for tropical systems.

“We can anticipate some significant tropical storms and hurricanes in the months ahead,” he said, adding marine life also be affected by these warmer waters. “There’s been a lot of conversations about the decrease in lobster populations.”

Lobsters tend to like water at specific cooler temperatures — something that won’t be much abundance of if ocean waters continue to warm, scientists say. Some believe more than half the lobster population available for fishing could be decimated within the next three decades.

The climate is changing, and despite best efforts to slow it down, it might be too late to stop it. But there are ways people can adapt, Branco said. First and foremost, they will need to start thinking about ways to cool off. That could mean buying air-conditioning systems, fans, or having access to a pool or ocean they can swim in.

“Our government needs to be thinking about these hotter temperatures, too, and making sure that we have the resources to help people cool their homes,” Branco said.

Storms have been coming, and they’ll continue to come, she added. Because of that, following evacuation orders is essential. Families also need a “go” bag ready for if they need to evacuate, Branco added. Also, a plan for the family to meet at a certain location in case of a disaster is very important.

“Investing in energy appliances, which helps reduce the strain on our electric grid during these very hot sum-

Ways to cool off in a hotter planet

■ Invest in an air conditioning unit

■ Buy a fan for your room

■ Go swimming in a pool or the ocean

■ Take cool baths or showers

■ Have water handy at all times

■ Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing

■ Limit outdoor activity

mers, are very critical,” Rothenberg added.

But in the end, if people really want to help, they should support policies that help curb the impact of climate change, Rothenberg said. It’s vital to address the root cause of global warming, and that can only happen through collective action.

Nassau County is part of the Climate Smart Communities Program, intended to reduce greenhouse gases said to cause global warming on a local scale. But this was an effort supported by former county executive Laura Curran. Her successor, Bruce Blakeman, is not known to have taken advantage of the program, or instituted any of its recommendations.

Ben Fiebert/Herald

The Earth set consecutive record-breaking temperatures during the first week of July, and it’s

not expected to get any better. El Niño is expected to affect weather through next

year, meaning more hot temperatures are on the way.

July in Nassau is now all about rip current awareness

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman took to the sand in Lido Beach Wednesday to announce the month of July now has a new name — Rip Current Awareness Month.

Blakeman was joined by Nassau County Legislator, Presiding Officer Rich Nicolello, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Museums Darcy Belyea and Josephine De Moura, a mother who lost her daughter to a rip current in 2019.

“Here’s a terrible statistic,” Blakeman said. There are over 60 people that have died in the United States just this year from rip currents. So, we have to know how to negotiate our way out of rip currents. That’s what we’re doing here today.”

Blakeman spoke about the dangers of the ocean and how to be safe and signed an executive order declaring the month. De Moura then spoke about her daughter, Alexandria, who drowned in a rip current four years ago.

“Her natural instinct was to is to fight against the current and she tired out not knowing what to do and drowned,” she said of her daughter. “If I can save one family from the devastation that my family and I are going through, it is my mission. Knowledge is power.”

Blakeman and De Moura then debuted a new rip current safety sign at the entrance ramp to the sand at Nickerson Beach. It is one of eight new signs in Lido Beach trying to educate beach goers on how to identify a rip current, how to stay safe and how to respond and react if caught in one.

–Brendan Carpenter

Brendan Carpenter/Herald

Nassau CouNty ExECutivE Bruce Blakeman signed an executive order Wednesday in Lido Beach declaring July “Rip Current Awareness Month.”

Live Music in the Garden series returns to the library The Hambones take to the stage, performing wide setlist with many popular hits

If you are looking for a place to kick back, relax and listen to some free music outdoors in the summer sunshine, this month the Merrick Library offers just that.

The library kicked off its Live Music in the Garden event series on July 13, featuring the Hambones, a roots group based on Long Island. Whether it’s the full group, or just a duo performing, its members deliver a sound they dub “Roots and Rockin” — a unique musical palette with urban and rural influences.

John Kouri and John Pizzicarola took to the stage last Thursday, performing hits originally sung by artists such as the Beatles, Van Morrison and more.

According to the group’s website, TheHambones.com, the Hambones were formed 12 years ago, and its four members have 140 years of combined musical experience. The versatile band has an expansive song list of more than 200 tunes, including classic rock hits by the Grateful Dead, Elvis and Tom Petty, country songs by Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney, and folk hits by Bob Dylan and Glen Campbell, among many others.

The group says its “cemented together through a love of music and a passion for creating.”

In the coming weeks, the library will welcome more artists on Thursday evenings, including Let’s Sing with Barry on July 27. Shows kick off at 6:30 p.m. at the Astarita Garden in the library, located at 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick. For more, visit MerrickLibrary.org.

Kouri, center left, played a variety of instruments throughout the performance. The Hambones have been together for 12 years, and perform locally around Long Island.

There’s more performances in store at the Merrick Library this summer.

Live Music in the Garden is a popular event series at the library. Most of Bellmore-Merrick’s libraries offer music performances during the season.

— Jordan Vallone

Maureen Lennon/Herald photos John Pizzicarola and John Kouri of the Hambones, a musical group that performs a wide range of hits, took to the stage at the Merrick Library on June 13.

Pizzicarola played an acoustic guitar. The performance featured two members of the Hambones.

Kennedy grads — and twins — both off to Virginia Tech

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

It’s not every day that a sibling follows an older brother or sister off the same college or university after high school. But for the Khan twins, recent graduates of John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, things are a little bit different.

Sarina and Sameer Khan, twins from Merrick, are both headed to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia this fall and despite what some may think — attending the same school was not planned.

On the heels of a busy schedule in high school, they both reflected on recent experiences in and out of the classroom, and spoke on how they both ultimately decided that VT would be the right school for them.

Sarina and Sameer both participated in Kennedy High’s Advanced Science Research program, a challenging 3-year course, in which students essentially become young scholars in a particular field of study.

Students dedicate themselves to researching a topic, writing a paper, and completing an extensive application for the Society for Science Talent Search Competition, sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Regeneron.

Sarina’s project was “The Impact of Psychological Stressors on Immigrants’ Well-Being,” and Sameer’s project was “The Impact of Covid-19 on the Frequency of Macrophages found in Atherosclerosis.”

Towards the end of the school year, Sameer participated in the Long Island Science Congress, a poster board format competition, where he presented his

research. He received a Highest Honors award for his findings at the competition’s award ceremony on June 2.

At Virginia Tech, Sameer will be studying Robotics and Mechanical Engineering. “I did some research on it beforehand, and I was like — okay, it seems like a really good school for my major,” he said. “It just had a lot of internship opportunities, which I really value. I think that’s going to help me a lot.

Sarina plans to study architecture and civil engineering, and was researching schools where she could also obtain a Master’s in Architecture. Virigina Tech happened to offer just that.

“They have a five year Master’s program, and they also have courses that I can dive right into architectural engineering, and I thought that was probably the best suited for me,” she said. “It was the one college that both of us actually applied to and we didn’t really know that we were applying to it together.

“It’s kind of funny,” she added. “For us to both end up there, and now we’re going to be dorming in the same building. We’ll be close to each other, but in two entirely different fields.”

Sarina and Sameer also both received scholarships. “It just made sense economically, but also academically,” Sarina said. “The campus is really nice and when you go there, you kind of just feel the spirit of Virginia Tech. It is very much a diverse campus. It’s just really exciting, and the campus itself was really gorgeous, and it’s sectioned out in the best way possible.”

The Khans graduated from Kennedy on June 12, and just a couple days prior, Sarina was named Prom Queen

at the school’s senior event. Earlier in the school year, she was also named Homecoming Queen.

“It was just really cool to be honored by the grade like that,” she said of the titles.

Heading off to college is a lot, but both Sarina and Sameer said they’re grateful for the foundation they received at home, and in school. “Sameer and I would like to thank all the teachers we had for the past four years at JFK, our parents and our younger twin brothers, Amaar and Ryaan,” Sarina said.

Courtesy Sarina Khan Sameer and Sarina Khan, twins, and recent graduates of John F. Kennedy High School, are both headed to Virginia Tech in the fall, to pursue different fields of study.

It was the one college that both of us actually applied to and we didn’t really know that we were applying to it together.

S ARINA KhAN Kennedy graduate

THEATRE

Valbrook founder honored at Newbridge

The Merrick-Bellmore community honored and remembered Anthony Lombardo with a commemorative plague at Newbridge Park, Field 1, this past weekend.

In a Facebook post shared with the Herald by Town Councilman Chris Carini, Carini wrote that Anthony Lombardo was an avid lover of baseball and longtime Merrick resident who founded the Valbrook Baseball Academy.

Valbrook Baseball Academy originated at Firemen’s Field in Valley Stream in 2001, and moved to Town Park, Merrick in 2015, where it continued to grow and

YOUNG BAND

attract young, enthusiastic baseball players. The camp remained at Town Park until the summer of 2021, when it was relocated after the coronavirus pandemic to Newbridge Park in Bellmore.

Lombardo coached varsity baseball at Valley Stream Central High School for over 25 years, inspiring and shaping younger athletes while building a strong baseball program at the school.

“This plaque honors Anthony’s life,” Carini wrote, “that touched the lives of so many.”

— Jordan Vallone

LIIFE collecting items for dogs in need

The Long Island International Film Expo kicked off on July 19 at the Bellmore Movies — with lots in store for movie lovers. But on July 22, dog lovers and rescue advocates might just find there’s something for them to enjoy as well.

On Saturday at 11 a.m. the expo, better known at LIIFE, will present the feature documentary “For Satos Sake” — the recipient of this year’s Alan Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award, as part of the “Reel LIIFE” film block during the expo.

“For Satos Sake” is an informative, inspiring, emotionally intense documentary that gives the viewers an insider look at the homeless animal crisis in Puerto Rico. It also highlights the incredible efforts made by a group of rescuers who have come together from all different walks of life for one common goal: To save the lives of these sentient beings often found struggling to survive on their own.

Filled with heartwarming moments, the documentary explores the resilience, strong will and heart of both the rescuer and their rescues, many of whom despite against all odds and with the love and kindness from their rescuers, fosters and supporters, have secured forever homes where they now live happier and healthier lives.

In keeping with the spirit of the film, LIIFE will be hosting a rescue dog goodie drive at the event, collecting snacks, toys

and other goodies for shelter dogs which will be donated to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, a boxer rescue, and several other local animal advocates.

Some items that can be donated include: Large edible Nyla bones, toys for aggressive chewers and large dogs, large Denta sticks, large bully sticks, jerky treats, Pupperonis, nudgies and soft treats.

For more information on the expo, drive and to see a line up of all the films being screened, visit LongIslandFilm. com.

Courtesy Councilman Chris Carini Anthony Lombardo, founder of the Valbrook Baseball Academy, was honored with a plaque at Newbridge Park, the current home of the camp he created 22 years ago.

— Jordan Vallone

Courtesy Long Island International Film Expo LIIFE is collecting items for animal shelters and rescue groups.

STEPPING OUT

The Sixties Show

That influential decade comes alive in the form of the Sixties Show. This dynamic night of nostalgia features all the sights and sounds of the decade, with a lively ensemble of accomplished musicians who know their way around the beloved hits of the ‘60s. You will be grooving along to note-for-note recreations of some of the greatest songs of that memorable era. Take a trip back to another time and place that was the 1960s, where an AM radio is blasting out the latest sounds from a convertible, on a warm summer starlit Saturday night on any street USA.

Environment as RT

STEPPING OUT

Creative advocacy

By Karen Bloom

By Karen Bloom

n original and compelling voice in contemporary art, Courtney M. Leonard’s artistic perspective takes root in her heritage as a member of the Shinnecock Nation.

Her work amplifies Indigenous knowledge and expresses reverence for the earth and sea while advocating for their protection.

Trained as a ceramic artist, Leonard — who received an advanced degree from Rhode Island School of Design — has evolved her practice to reflect her many interests and pursuits, all in an effort to investigate narratives of cultural viability.

A sculptor, painter and filmmaker in addition to her calling as a ceramicist, Leonard is known for her immersive installations that immediately command attention.

Now her art comes into focus in the first retrospective of her work, “Courtney M. Leonard: Logbook 2004-2023” at the Heckscher Museum of Art, which also is her first solo museum exhibition in the New York metro region.

WHERE WHEN

• Now through Nov. 12

• Open Thursday through Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

project Breach, which she began in 2014. Conceived on the model of records kept by 18th century whaling ships, each “logbook” of Breach records — in ceramic, paint and video — one year of the artist’s experiences of “environmental fragility, shifting adaptations, and/or the ability to simply become anew.”

Pat McGann

The high-energy show is a largescale ambitious multimedia stage production, powerfully dramatized with a combination of special effects, narration, ‘60s archival audio, and newsreel footage and light show — a reminder of how uniquely inspirational, entertaining and historically significant the music and events of the ‘60s were and continue to be. It’s all meticulously recreated, combined with authentic period costumes and ‘60s-era staging and narration.

Friday, July 21, 8 p.m. $40-$55. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

• Emily Lowe Hall Gallery, South Campus, Hempstead. For information and to RSVP, call (516) 463-5672, or visit Hofstra.edu/museum

• $5 suggested admission non-members; members and children under 13 free

• Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington • (631) 380-3230 or Heckscher.org

“When We All Stand,” Hofstra University Museum of Art’s new exhibition, examines the collective power of the arts in society.

Curated by Alexandra Giordano — the museum’s assistant director of exhibition and collection — the exhibit underscores artists’ civic responsibility and influence.

“Her work is extremely beautiful and visually engaging,” says Heckscher Museum curator Karli Wurzelbacher. “It’s so well-made and deeply meaningful. So many important concepts are embedded within each piece.”

The two dozen pieces on view take over three of the museum’s galleries. Of particular note is the debut of her significant new work commissioned by the museum for its permanent collection. Titled “Contact 2,023…,” the approximately eight-foot-long wall hanging focuses on the moment of colonial contact on Long Island, by mapping the contours of the island with thousands of individual clay thumbprints resembling shells.

Sewn onto a cotton canvas with artificial sinew, each thumbprint becomes a “maker’s mark” indexing the artist’s contact with the earth.

A single installation contained in an entire gallery, Breach: Logbook 23|Alluvion takes its name from a legal term meaning the action of the sea or a river in forming new land by depositing sediment. Connecting the concepts of erosion and alluvion, Leonard explains:

“The purple and white of the quahog shell are formed by the water and minerals of a specific place. Alluvion speaks to the history of land, water, place, and to the displacement or disruption from loss of land due to erosion or imposed law. Yet it also speaks to the resiliency of our Shinnecock people and of our shoreline to heal itself.”

“It highlights the vital role that artists have in activating democratic values that promise equality and freedom, encouraging civic engagement, and cultivating unity,” Giordano says. “Artists often lead the charge and expose truths that may otherwise be ignored. The artists in this exhibition take a stand and call out injustices through their art and activism on issues such as immigration, gender, reproductive rights, mass incarceration, voting rights, racial bias, gun violence, and promises unfulfilled. They all combine the making of art with public service that has a grassroots approach in the hope of mobilizing their communities and the nation to ignite movement, create awareness, and inspire others to stand with them.”

Concurrently with the Heckscher exhibit, Leonard created a site-specific outdoor installation for Planting Fields State Park in Oyster Bay, located in the Taxus Field, on display now through summer 2024.

“We’ve integrated the installation into the landscape,” says Planting Fields’ president and chief executive Gina Wouters. There, Leonard has expanded on her Breach: Logbook 23 concept, with full-sized shipping container integrated into the ground. The shape of the container structure itself is meant to evoke the body of a whale. As you enter through the jaws of a Northern Right Whale, you move through the whale’s body.

“It’s one amazing work with over 1,000 components,” Wurzelbacher notes.

This exhibit, which runs through July 28, is in conjunction with Hofstra’s 13th presidential conference on the Barack Obama presidency coming up in April.

This monumental creation is a sister piece to two other artworks in Leonard’s Contact series. The two earlier works both map New York state. She created the first, “Contact 1,609… (2009),” on the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s “discovery” of Manhattan and what is now called the Hudson River. It is co-owned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and The Autry Museum of The American West in Los Angeles. The second, “Contact 2,021… (2021),” was recently on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will next be shown at the New York Historical Society beginning in August.

“We were interested in the idea that the artist has a civic responsibility,” says museum director Karen Albert. “The initial idea for this exhibition was inspired by an Obama Administration White House briefing that took place on May 12, 2009, where more than 60 artists and creative organizers met with administration officials to discuss the collective power of the arts to build community, create change, and chart a pathway for national recovery in the areas of social justice, civic participation and activism.”

“It’s essentially a root cellar, which was a natural refrigeration system and means of food sovereignty for indigenous people,” Wouters says. “She added to that the idea of a shipping container, bringing in the theme of whaling, so important to coastal Indigenous groups, yet abused by colonists. It’s an impressive, ambitious installation because of its scale. It’s wonderful to have this collaboration with the museum, and interpreted into our historic landscape.”

Brandi Carlile

Pat McGann is quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups on the comedy scene. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing standup at 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father of three young children, McGann’s appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four soldout shows at Madison Square Garden. McGann’s relatively short, but impressive resume, includes Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, The Great American Comedy Festival, and more. McGann still calls Chicago home.

Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

The folk rocker is back on tour, appearing on the Tilles Center stage. Singer, songwriter, producer, activist, humanitarian, best-selling author — she’s done it all. Since the release of her breakthrough album ‘By the Way, I Forgive You’ in 2018, Carlile has won Grammy awards, earned Billboard’s Women in Music Trailblazer Award, and received several Americana Music Association accolades. She was honored with her seventh, eighth and ninth Grammys this year, winning for best Americana album with ‘In These Silent Days.’ Her song ‘Broken Horses’ won both best rock song and best rock performance. Don’t miss an evening of iconic songs such as ‘The Story,’ ‘That Wasn’t Me’ and ‘The Joke.’ Seemingly everywhere, Carlile has transitioned from an Americana powerhouse to a major headliner beloved by the industry and the public. Carlile’s career has been on a steep upward trajectory and her ‘Bramily’ — as her fans are known — is with her every step of the way.

Yarn/Wire

To that end, unlike other recent exhibits that showcased the museum’s permanent collection, Giordano reached out to contemporary artists who loaned the museum their selected works. Some 36 pieces are on view — representing all media — from Emma Amos, Molly Crabapple and the Equal Justice Initiative, For Freedoms, Miguel Luciano, Michele Pred, Hank Willis Thomas, and Sophia

Another important exhibit component extends Leonard’s ongoing

Friday and Saturday, July 21-22, 8 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets are $51.50-$481.50; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Now in its 18th year, Adelphi University’s ‘new music’ series welcomes Yarn/Wire. The intrepid New York-based piano-percussion quartet has forged a singular path with

Courtesy Heckscher Museum of Art

Top photo: Courtney Leonard’s large scale map of Long Island is made up of thousands of individual porcelain thumbprints resembling shells.

Courtesy David Almeida/Courtesy Planting Fields Foundation

Right photo: The artist’s first outdoor installation, at Planting Fields, intermingles her art with the landscape.

Can art change the world? It’s a question that’s been at the focus of our collective culture for centuries. Now as society navigates the complexities of modern life, art as a path for social change is at the forefront of artistic expression.

Courtney Leonard brings Long Island’s Indigenous tradition into focus

THE Your Neighborhood

July 28

Penn & Teller

The famed duo steps away from their Las Vegas residency to bring their act on tour, appear on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, July 28, 8 p.m. Penn & Teller’s brand of awe-inspiring illusions mixed with buddy-comedy shtick has kept the duo at the very top of the magic profession for the past 45 years. Their trademark is the updating of worn out or archaic routines, such as bullet catching or their recent adaptation of the classic bag escape trick (their version involved a trash bag and lots of helium). From humble beginnings busking on the streets of Philadelphia to acclaimed sold–out runs on Broadway to the longest running and one of the most-beloved resident headline acts in Vegas history, magic’s legendary duo continues defy labels—and at times physics and good taste — by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy. Constantly evolving and refining their unique take on illusion, the pair’s slight of hand is always amazes, whether it’s a fresh take on an old “trick” or something altogether new. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Tickets are $94, $84, $58, $48; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

On exhibit

View the landmark exhibition “Modigliani and the Modern Portrait,” opening at Nassau County Museum of Art, Saturday, July 22. Devoted to the way that Modigliani powerfully re-defined the art of portraiture, the show includes his masterworks along with paintings and drawings by his Parisian contemporaries (Picasso, van Dongen, Laurencin). Modigliani’s enduring influence on artists even in our own time is shown in a selection of Contemporary paintings by such important figures as David Hockney, Eric Fischl, Elizabeth Peyton and others. The exhibition is being curated by Dr. Kenneth Wayne, founder of The Modigliani Project, which authenticates paintings and drawings (two of the works in the show have been recently approved by the committee). Through Nov. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

27

Life Science of Summer

Kids ages 6-9 can tour Old Westbury Gardens and examine how science is all around us in nature, Thursday, July 27, 2 p.m. Learn how plants grow and take home your own plant, as you participate in experiments of the water cycle and how we can use science to change the color of a flower both naturally and artificially. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

July 21

Summer tunes

It’s night of tributes to musical icons at Eisenhower Park, Friday, July 21, 8 p.m. Enjoy Lamar Peters as Elvis Presley and Beyond Fab with their take on the great Beatles tunes. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.

Aug.

Hot Diggity Dog

It’s barbecue season and Long Island Children’s Museum is feeling in the spirit, Kids can celebrate National Hot Dog Month by making a customized hot dog craft to bring home, at the drop-in program, Sunday, July 30, 1-3 p.m. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Aug. 17

Write on: College essay workshop

Not sure how to get started on your college essay? The Hofstra University Admission Office is offering a virtual workshop to help high school students learn the skills to tell their story in a way that helps them stand out. The final session, Thursday, Aug. 17, 4-5 p.m., is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Hear from Hofstra Admission counselors about how to brainstorm topics, and compose a thoughtful essay that shows your personality, talents and interests. For more information about Hofstra Admission’s other virtual summer workshops, go to Admission. Hofstra.edu/portal/virtual_ admission_webinars. To schedule a summer in-person visit go to: Hofstra.edu/visit.

Moonlight Mile

EliteFeats hosts a Moonlight Mile at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore, Friday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place rain or shine, and runners can get a soft, glow-in -the-dark t-shirt. Participate as a race or walk.$25 registration fee. 2600 Newbridge Road, Bellmore. Visit Events.EliteFeats. com for more information.

Class reunion

Sanford H. Calhoun High School is holding a multiyear reunion for the classes of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 at the Uniondale Marriott, Sept. 30, beginning at 7 p.m. 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale. Visit bit.ly/ Calhoun-Reunion, or email calhounreunion2023@gmail. com for more.

Car Show

Family fun with Darlene Graham

Darlene Graham performs at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore, Monday, July 24, at 10:30 a.m. Join the family music entertainer for a morning of songs in her new show, ‘Singing at the Beach.’ 2600 Newbridge Road. For more, visit HempsteadNY. gov.

Dan Reardon at the Clubhouse

The Clubhouse in Bellmore offers performances by local musicians all summer long. Stop by to hear the sounds of Dan Reardon, Thursday, July 27. 134 Clubhouse Road, Bellmore. For tickets and more information, visit BandsInTown.com.

Friday night car shows with the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores are back. Stop by the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road parking lot, 6 to 10 p.m., to see dozens of cars of all makes and models. Free for spectators to walk through, admission for cars is $5. For more, visit BellmoreChamber.com.

Having an event?

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.

Westbury House Tour

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour, Friday, July 21, noon; Sunday, July 23, 1:30 p.m.; Monday, July 24, noon; Wednesday and Thursday, July 26-27, noon. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Kenny & Claire in Concert

Folk music duo Kenny & Claire, who are based in Nashville, visit the Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Merrick, Saturday, Aug. 12. Join the worshipmusic group for a performance beginning at 6 p.m. 36 Smith Street, Merrick. To reserve a spot, visit KennyAndClaire.com.

Book Discussion

Stop by North Merrick Public Library, Friday, July 28, for a book discussion about “The Netanyahus,” by Joshua Cohen. This amusing historical fiction book received a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. 1691 Meadowbrook Road. To register, visit NMerrickLibrary.org or call (516) 378-7474 for more.

On stage

Plaza Theatricals brings the iconic musical “Rent,” back to the stage, Friday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. The acclaimed reimagining of “La Vie Boheme,” loosely based on Puccini’s opera and set on East Village streets, fire escapes, tenements, and cafes. This groundbreaking roller coaster ride depicting the joys and sorrows of an eclectic, diverse group of young artists and activists is always captivating. It’s performed at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $35, $30 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Newest defense against sharks? Drones

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK Special to the Herald

The water is getting warmed along the southern shorelines of Long Island — the kind of water that attracts all kinds of marine life, including sharks.

The aquatic creatures have made their presence known in recent years, and 2023 was no exception. In fact, state officials warned Long Island beaches in particular could see a lot more sharks — and the sharks delivered.

There already have been five sharkrelated incidents on Long Island beaches this year, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul — most of them occurring around July 4. And there is still plenty of summer left.

Last year, there were eight shark bites on Long Island — for the entire season.

“We went from having one shark encounter in 2012 to eight just a decade later,” Hochul shared at a news conference last week at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. “Sharks are coming closer, and this is good news because the water is pristine, it’s cleaner than it was 50 years ago. But it’s also something that we need to be on-guard about.”

Lifeguards have access to Yamaha WaveRunner jetskis to better patrol the waters, and there has been more training for police and lifeguards on how to deal with sharks. And technology will come into play as well, with Hochul announcing 60 new drones will be deployed to supple ment the existing 18 keeping watch.

“We want to make sure that none of our communities ever appear on ‘Shark Week,’ which premieres at the end of the month,” Hochul said of the popular Discovery Channel series.

Various shark species can migrate to Long Island, according to the state’s environmental conservation department, including the feared great white shark featured in Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws.” But the most common sharks on Long Island

How to avoid sharks

■ Stay close to shore in designated swimming areas

■ Avoid swimming in areas with schools of fish, diving birds, or seals

■ Do not swim at dawn, dusk, or nighttime

an integrated way of monitoring all the shark movements,” he said. “If you take proper precautions like swimming in a protected area, if you don’t go in the water where this schools of fish or seals, you’re going to be completely safe. But on top of that, we in Nassau County have our helicopters in the air, and all-terrain vehicles that are available.”

What’s driving the shark activity on Long Island in recent years? Hochul has two theories — not necessarily at odds with one another.

are sandbar sharks, dusky sharks, and sand tiger sharks.

Sand tiger sharks —the species featured at Riverhead’s Long Island Aquarium — are typically docile, but have been identified as reportedly responsible for a few of the bites this year.

These measures are important for keeping Long Island beaches safe, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “We have a very unified group that has

“Over the last 50 years, extraordinary measures have been taken to clean up the water here to make sure that it’s safe for swimmers and deal with the pollutants,” the governor said. “As a result, the sea creatures that are consumed by sharks are moving in closer — the sharks are following their dinner. I don’t know if this is proven, but the fact that the waters are warmer due to climate change may also be a driver.”

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald

Flanked by Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages and state Sen. Kevin Thomas, Gov. Kathy Hochul shows off some of the drones that will be used to survey the waters on Long Island’s South Shore for sharks.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

New optometrist welcomed to neighborhood

Merrick Avenue Optometry celebrated its grand opening on June 16. Dr. Natalya Rooney and her staff were joined Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, Merrick Chamber of Commerce President Ira Reiter, County Legislator Michael Giangregorio and U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito.

Yianna Foufas honored by town

Yianna Foufas, of North Bellmore, a student at Mepham High School, was congratulated by the Town of Hempstead for winning the 2023 New York State Wrestling Championship. She was honored by Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilmen Dennis Dunne and Chris Carini. Her coach, Ken Richards, also attended.

Taxation of Trusts

Revocable living trusts, where the grantor (creator) and the trustee (manager) are the same person, use the grantor’s social security number and are not required to file an income tax return. All income and capital gains taxes are reported on the individual’s Form 1040.

Irrevocable living trusts come in two main varieties, “grantor” and “non-grantor” trusts. Non-grantor trusts are often used by the wealthy to give assets away during their lifetime and for all income and capital gains taxes to be paid either by the trust or the trust beneficiary but not by them. Gifts to non-grantor trusts are reported to the IRS but are rarely taxable. Currently, the annual exclusion is $17,000 per person per year to as many people as you wish. However, if you go over the $17,000 to any one person you must report the gift to Uncle Sam, but they merely subtract the excess gift from the $12,920,000 each person is allowed to give at death. Most of our clients are “comfortably under” as we like to say. These gifts then grow estate tax-free to the recipient.

Grantor trusts, such as the Medicaid Asset

Protection Trust (MAPT), are designed to get the assets out of your name for Medicaid purposes but keep them in your name for tax purposes. You continue to receive income from the MAPT and pay income tax the same as before. The MAPT files an “informational return” (Form 1041) telling the IRS that all the income is passing through to you.

Gifts to non-grantor trusts take the grantor’s “basis” for calculating capital gains taxes on sale, i.e. what the grantor originally paid and, if real estate, plus any capital improvements.

In the grantor trust, however, no gift is made on the transfer to the trust because the grantor reserves the right to change who they leave it to on death. The gift is therefore said to be “incomplete” until death and is therefore includible in the grantor’s estate. Assets in the grantor’s estate receive a “stepped-up basis”. Instead of the grantor’s original basis, the heirs get the date of death value as the basis, resulting in capital gains taxes being due only on gains arising from the date of death to the date of sale, if any.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. ELSIE ARCOS, et al, Defts., Index #611979/2021.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 7, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on August 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 63, Block 205, Lot 185. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale. FAY MATTANA, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #100505 140414

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS

FUND SOCIETY, FSB AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST

V-D, Plaintiff, vs. DONALD SHERRARD; ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order

Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 25, 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 August 15, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 2451 Walters Court, Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bellmore, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 63, Block 144 and Lots 20 and 21. Approximate amount of judgment is $428,418.89 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 614749/2019. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Alan Gerson, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 191470-2 140692

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 1st day of August, 2023, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations:

ELMONT BUTLER BOULEVARD (TH 245/23) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 23 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Turnpike, south for a distance of 79 feet.

GOTHAM AVENUE (TH 263/23) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Murray Hill Street, south for a distance of 25 feet.

LAKEVIEW

LAKEVIEW AVENUE (TH 241/23) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at the east curbline of Langdon Boulevard east to the west curbline of Woodfield Road.

NORTH BELLMORE NEWBRIDGE ROAD (TH 273/23) East SideNO PARKING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 79 feet south of the south curbline of Coolidge Avenue, south for a distance of 48 feet.

NORTH MERRICK MERRICK AVENUE (TH 207/23) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting from the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, north for a distance of 224 feet.

MERRICK AVENUE (TH 207/23) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 455 feet north of the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, north for a distance of 187 feet.

ROOSEVELT NASSAU ROAD (TH 242/23) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of West Pennywood Avenue, south for a distance of 60 feet.

NASSAU ROAD (TH 242/23) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 60 feet south of the south curbline of West Pennywood Avenue, south for a distance of 85 feet.

WEST PENNYWOOD AVENUE (TH 242/23)

South Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER -starting from the west curbline of Nassau Road, west for a distance of 40 feet.

WEST PENNYWOOD AVENUE (TH 242/23)

South Side - NO

STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 40 feet west of the west curbline of Nassau Road, west for a distance of 101 feet.

NORTH COLUMBUS AVENUE (TH 258/23)

West Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at the north curbline of Forest Avenue, north for a distance of 71 feet.

FOREST AVENUE (TH 258/23) North Side - NO

STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of North Columbus Avenue, west for a distance of 50 feet.

FOREST AVENUE (TH 258/23) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of North Columbus Avenue, west for a distance of 45 feet.

SEAFORD WASHINGTON AVENUE (TH 238/23) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at he north curbline of Taft Avenue, north for a distance of 52 feet.

WASHINGTON AVENUE (TH 238/23) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Taft Avenue, south for a distance of 34 feet.

TAFT AVENUE (TH 238/23) North Side -NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the west curbline of Washington Avenue, west for a distance of 30 feet.

TAFT AVENUE (TH 238/23) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at he west curbline of Washington Avenue, west for a distance of 25 feet.

WEST HEMPSTEAD

HEMPSTEAD GARDENS DRIVE (TH 137/23) East Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNERstarting at the south curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south for a distance of 50 feet.

HEMPSTEAD GARDENS DRIVE (TH 137/23) East Side - NO PARKING ANYTIME - starting at a point 245 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south for a distance of 15 feet.

HEMPSTEAD GARDENS DRIVE (TH 137/23) East Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 361 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south for a distance of 82 feet.

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

ELMONT

BUTLER BOULEVARD (TH 143/23) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 23

feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Turnpike, south for a distance of 132 feet.

(Adopted 5/23/23)

GOTHAM AVENUE (TH 496/89) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the south curbline of Murray Hill Street, south for a distance of 30 feet.

(Adopted 7/24/90)

LAKEVIEW LAKEVIEW AVENUE (TH 151/68) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting from the east curbline of Langdon Boulevard, east for a distance of 102 feet.

LAKEVIEW AVENUE (TH 241/68) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting from the west curbline of Woodfield Road, west for a distance of 64 feet.

(Adopted 7/9/68)

NORTH MERRICK MERRICK AVENUE (TH 350/80) West Side -NO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 130 feet north of the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, north for a distance of 94 feet.

(Adopted 4/28/81)

ROOSEVELT PENNYWOOD AVENUE (TH 511/22) South Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIMEstaring at a point 20 feet west of the west curbline of Nassau Road, west for a distance of 112 feet.

(Adopted 12/6/22)

NASSAU ROAD (TH 266/03) West Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of West Pennywood Avenue, south for a distance of 40 feet.

(Adopted 12/12/06)

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

Dated: July 11, 2023

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

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 140775 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 1st day of August, 2023, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Chapter 202 of the code of the Town of

Neighbors iN the News

Legislature recognizes Top Cops for June

The Nassau County Legislature honored two police officers from the Third Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department as Top Cops at the June meeting of the full legislature.

Officers Andrew Smith and Christopher Riebl were selected for this honor because of their work during a call where an 8-year-old girl walked into the middle of oncoming traffic, while armed with a butcher’s knife, and threatened to kill herself. The girl refused to drop the knife every time police officers directed her to and kept reiterating to the officers that she no longer wanted to live.

The situation was extremely unsafe for the girl, the police officers, and every car that was driving on the road because the incident was happening on a highly trafficked road, so the officers had to make a rapid decision on how to save this girls life without putting anyone else in danger.

One officer distracted the girl while the

other one snuck up behind her and grabbed the knife from the girl. She was then transported to Nassau County Medical Center for a psychological evaluation.

“Thank you to Officers Riebl and Smith for their efforts in making sure that this girl did not harm herself, and that no one else in the situation was injured,” Legislator Laura Schaefer said.

“Thanks to their swift and heroic decision in a split-second, this girl survived and was able to get the help she needed. Thank you and all our great police.”

— Jordan Vallone

Public Notices

Hempstead to INCLUDE “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at the following locations:

NORTH BELLMORE Section 202-15

BELLMORE ROAD (TH 284/23) West SideNO PARKING 8AM TO 4PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS - starting at the south curbline of North Jerusalem Road, south for a distance of 151 feet.

NORTH MERRICK Section 202-11

MERRICK AVENUE (TH 207/23) West Side90 MINUTE PARKING 7AM TO 7PM - starting at a point 224 feet north of the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, north for a distance of 231 feet.

MERRICK AVENUE (TH 207/23) West SideNO STOPPING 8AM TO 4PM - starting at a point 642 feet north of the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, north for a distance of 60 feet.

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

BELLMORE Section 202-15

NEWBRIDGE ROAD (TH 274/07) East Side - 30

MINUTE PARKINGstarting at a point 79 feet south of the south curbline of Coolidge Avenue, south for a distance of 48 feet.

(Adopted 4/22/08)

NORTH MERRICK Section 202-11

MERRICK AVENUE (TH

509/02) West SideNO STOPPING 7AM TO 9PM EXCEPT SUNDAYSstarting at a point 319 feet south of the south curbline of Meadowbrook Road, south for a distance of 62 feet.

(Adopted 9/23/03)

MERRICK AVENUE (TH 541/06) West Side - 90 MINUTE PARKING 7AM TO 7PM - starting at a point 220 feet north of the north curbline of Jerusalem Avenue, north for a distance of 243 feet.

(Adopted 1/23/07 and 2/20/07)

MERRICK AVENUE (TH 350/80) West SideNO STOPPING 7AM TO 9PM EXCEPT SUNDAYSstarting at a point 146 feet south of the south curbline of Meadowbrook Road,south for a distance of 190 feet.

(Adopted 4/28/81)

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

Dated: July 11, 2023

Hempstead, New York

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 140774

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 7/26/23 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED

STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 471/23. - 472/23.

BELLMORE - Helene & Gavin Power, Variance, side yard, maintain two (2) a/c units attached to dwelling; Special exception to construct accessory structure (pavilion) higher & larger than permitted & exceeds horizontal maximum on both sides., E/s Centre Ave., 79’ S/o Clarendon Ave., a/k/a 2311 Centre Ave. N.C.P.C. Local determination.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Bellmore within

Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

140783

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license, number 1365554 for beer, wine and liquor has been applied for Districampo, Inc. d/b/a Mamma Gina’s Colombian Kitchen to sell beer, wine and liquor at retail in restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 2453 Jerusalem Avenue, North Bellmore, NY 11710 Village of Bellmore, Nassau

Courtesy Nassau County Legislature Nassau County recently honored its Top Cops for June.

PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT

EAST ROCKAWAY JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (2 POSITIONS)

12 Month Position

Starting Salary $48,044–$50,462; increase pending contract negotiations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS PER NASSAU COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE

PArAProfeSSioNAlS f/t: $23,736 - $24,286

Salary Commensurate with School Related Experience

fooD Service helPer P/t SubStituteS: $15.58/hr.

cleANer SubStituteS: $18.00/hr.

buS Driver SubStituteS: $22.50/hr.

SecuritY AiDeS (DAYS & eveNiNgS): F/T (7 hours) $22.28/hr.

NYS Security Guard Licensing required, law enforcement background preferred

mAiNtAiNer (7:00 A.m. – 4:00 P.m.)

Salary commensurate with experience

Send Cover Letter & Resume to: egomez@bmchsd.org or eric gómez

Assistant Superintendent – Personnel & Administration

1260 meadowbrook road, N. merrick, NY 11566

Additional information can be found on our website at: www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ASSISTANT TEACHERS: For Yeshiva

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Bellmore-Merrick

Please Email Us office@bellmoremerrickchildcare.com

To Arrange For An Interview

Civil Project Engineer: Involve in document control, safety reports, billings, contracts, subcontract, award letters, bid tabulations, executive summaries. Understand construction process and MEP equipment.

Assemble project turnover requirements submittals, O&M manuals, warranties/guarantees. Coordinate and involve in regular schedule and budget updates; monthly report preparation; and coordination of daily activities. Prepare safety reports. Track daily reporting; assist in monitoring LEED submissions. Prepare and coordinate presentations. Change order tracking; review monthly payment requisitions. Work loc: Port Washington, NY. Travel & relocation possible to unanticipated locs throughout

Training and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university, AND

Four years of satisfactory administrative staff experience, which must include participating in budget preparation, and/or personnel and/or procurement activities.

NOTE: 1. Experience, as outlined above, in excess of the four-year requirement, may be substituted for college education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years.

2. A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for one year of the experience as outlined above.

Anticipated Start Date: Upon Civil Service Approval

Please submit letter of interest and resume to: Ms. Diane Drakopoulos Personnel Clerk 443 Ocean Avenue East Rockaway, NY 11518 516-887-8300, x1-441 Email: ddrakopoulos@eastrockawayschools.org

Manager On Duty

At Blaze, Old Bethpage Village Outdoors From September Through November 5-8 Hour Shifts. Serve As The Primary Point Of Contact For All Issues That May Occur During The Event, Seeing Each Through To Resolution. Serve As The Primary Point Of Contact For Emergency Personnel Hourly Rate $25-$30 To Apply: https://hudsonvalley.org/ employment/

MEDICAL FRONT DESK Monday- Thursday 9am- 6:30pm. Computer Literate. Valley Stream. Fax Info to 516-295-0017

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Part Time, Various Shifts. Retirees Welcome. Duties include: \Patrols throughout the Village, issuance of code violation citations. Qualifications: HS graduate or equivalent. Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record. Contact: Inc. Village of Atlantic Beach 516-371-4600 e-mail office@villageofatlanticbeach.com

Path Monitor

At Blaze, Old Bethpage Village Outdoors From September Through November 5-8 Hour Evening Shifts

Providing A Welcoming Atmosphere And Ensuring Guest Safety. Hourly Rate $20. To Apply:

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PROFESSIONAL TAILOR For Dry Cleaners In Merrick. Flexible Days And Hours. Call 646-593-1357

VALLEY

SCHOOL DISTRICT #24

75 Horton Avenue • Valley Stream, NY 11581

The Board of Education is seeking qualified applicants for the position of:

DISTRICT CLERK

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Good Clerical and Computer Skills, including Microsoft WORD, and speed writing

• Part-time Position – Approximately 15 to 20 hours per week, plus two evenings per month

• Principal responsibility includes preparing all Agendas, taking Minutes at all Board meetings, copying of all documents for Board and maintaining Board of Education records.

• Responsible for all aspects of Annual School District Budget Vote and Election of Board members

Send cover letter and resume to: Board of Education Valley Stream School District 24 75 Horton Avenue Valley Stream, NY 11581

1222852

RECEPTIONIST FULL TIME: Busy OBGYN Office Rockville Centre. Answering Phones, Filing, Checking Insurance. Maureen 516-764-1095

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Can I just start putting up walls?

Q. I’m doing a commercial space to expand my business, and I’m in a quandary about a lot of things I wasn’t expecting. First, the landlord is only giving me two months to build out the space, and I’m being told that’s not enough time to get plans and permits, which the landlord doesn’t seem to care about. If I just start putting up walls, is that acceptable? Will I get a violation if I get caught? Also, I was told I need a plumbing permit for a new sink and toilet — the ones that are there are disgusting. If I hire an expeditor to get the plans and permit, can they also get the plumbing permit so I can do the work myself? I was hoping this would go smoothly, but I can see there are going to be problems. What can I expect?

A. You didn’t say what the business was, and the first step is to confirm, with a search of records, whether the use is permitted. For example, some uses require special approvals, and each jurisdiction has limitations.

Tattoo parlors, animal sales and boarding, auto body work — these are a few of the many types of businesses that require special review, sometimes by a zoning board, a village, town or city board or both in the same municipality.

Just a heads-up: Your landlord only wants to rent the space. A landlord was put on the phone recently while I was going over a similar circumstance, and told me he expected the tenant would eventually get the permit, but it isn’t his problem. To answer your question, if you did get caught, the landlord or owner of the property is the responsible party, and can face violations in court, fines and, in extremely rare cases, conviction and jail for serious violations, especially calamities leading to death. Those are the ones we hear about in the news.

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An expeditor generally won’t be your first choice, since expediting is the handling of paperwork and filing. You need professionally prepared and sealed plans showing the space, fully noted and dimensioned, with code references to specific safety issues for the use. A pharmacy will have different requirements and licensing than a beauty salon or a day care, for example. Usually, a ceiling plan showing locations of lighting, emergency equipment, sprinkler heads, emergency lights and exit signs is required, along with heating and air conditioning vents and diffusers.

Depending on the locality, you may not be allowed to do your own construction or plumbing work, and if you were to ask, local building departments expect the licensed plumber to get their own permit, showing proof of licensing to do work in that community. I know, and building officials are well aware, that work goes on all the time without the delay of the permit process. Just keep in mind that public safety is everyone’s responsibility. Verify that the work is safe and code-compliant. Good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Ask

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At this dinner, true patriotism was on vivid display

Recently I attended the annual Patriot Award Dinner hosted by the Seaford High School 9/11 Memorial Committee. This event, and other 9/11 programs in Seaford, are administered by the Memorial Committee, which was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, with the commitment to “always remember.”

Communities across Long Island were devastated by 9/11. None, however, has been more consistent or wideranging in its dedication to preserving the memory and legacy of that day and its victims than Seaford.

In November 2002, a commemorative plaza was constructed at the entrance to Seaford High School, dedicated to the alumni who lost their lives: New York City Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Haskell, FDNY Firefighter Tim Haskell, New York City Police Officer John Perry, Robert Sliwak and Michael Wittenstein.

Each year on Sept. 11, more than 1,000 people attend a memorial at the plaza — last year, undaunted by a driving rain. Since 2002, Patriot Award scholarships

totaling more than $235,000 have been given to 112 Seaford High seniors who reflect the values of the graduates who died on 9/11. Honorary Patriot Awards have been presented to 59 people who selflessly service the Seaford community.

District students make field trips to the 9/11 Memorial at ground zero.

This year’s dinner was held at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. As always, there was a large turnout, more than 300 people. The mood in the room was a mix of energy and respect. There was the energy of people who have been working for two decades to ensure that the memories and legacy of that day are preserved, along with respect for those who died and their family members, who were at the dinner, as they have been at so many commemorations over the years.

Among those sitting at my table were Monsignor Steve Camp and members of the Haskell family. Camp, now the pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish in Huntington, was a priest at St. William the Abbot in Seaford in September 2001. He officiated at funerals for victims of the attacks, and with his compassion and concern that did so much to help not only the victims’ families, but the Seaford community as well.

Tom and Tim Haskell were heroic FDNY members, as was their brother, Ken, who survived that day, and has dedicated so much to the Memorial Committee as its president. With Ken at the table were his mother, Maureen; his wife, Genene; their sons Kenny and Ryan; Ken’s sister, Dawn; and Tom’s widow, Barbara. No family has endured more than the Haskells. Somehow their spirit remains as strong as ever — as does the spirit of the other 9/11 families.

Seeing so many neighbors, friends and other familiar faces, I was pleased and reassured by the number of young people who were there who weren’t yet born on Sept. 11, 2001. I also gave a special hello to my sister, Barbara, a Seaford High graduate who put so much effort into making the dinner a success.

The student scholarship winners were very impressive, as were the Honorary Patriot Award recipients. Longtime Seaford High officials Tom Condon and Ray Buckley, who played strong leadership roles in forming the Memorial Committee and have continued their efforts to this day, spoke movingly, and then led everyone in an emotional and spirited rendition of “God Bless America.”

All these good, hardworking people gathered to show their unfailing dedication and commitment to their community and country more than two decades after America’s darkest hour exemplify patriotism at its best.

As I left that night, I thought about how wonderful it would be if the spirit of selfless dedication and commitment that these Seaford residents still demonstrate could once again predominate in our divided country. If the sense of unity and respect that Americans had in the days, weeks and months after the attacks could somehow be re-established. If we could work together on issues where we agree, try to find common ground where we disagree and do so respectfully, always remembering that we are Americans.

The terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 could not destroy us or break our spirit. Instead we emerged more united. We owe it to our nation, and all those who were murdered that day, not to divide against ourselves, but rather to do all we can to recapture the unity we had then, and never forget that we are still the greatest nation on earth. As the hundreds of Seaford residents proudly sang at the conclusion of the Patriot Award Dinner, let us all proudly proclaim, “God Bless America!”

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Chimps face N.Y. court test of ‘personhood’

W“hen you meet chimps, you meet individual personalities. When a baby chimp looks at you, it’s just like a human baby. We have a responsibility to them.”

–Jane Goodall, animal right activist

U.S. Some 850 live in laboratories. About 250 chimps are in accredited zoos, 600 in sanctuaries, and 250 in private hands, such as carnivals and low-end zoos.

rarely accelerated new discoveries or the advancement of human health.”

The report added, “The majority of NIH-owned chimpanzees should be designated for retirement and transferred to the federal sanctuary system.”

Randi is on a brief leave. This column was originally published June 11-17, 2015.

Chimpanzee stories invite cheap shots, jokes and memories of J. Fredd Muggs (a regular on “The Today Show”), but the true story of these primates in modern times is both shameful and tragic. The continuing abuse of chimpanzees in research, and a New York state lawsuit arguing the “personhood” of chimps, demand our focused attention and action.

Chimpanzees are one of the four great apes, along with gorillas, bonobos and orangutans. But chimps are closer to humans in their DNA than they are to any of their ape brethren. They know how to use tools, have opposable thumbs and can learn sign language. They pass the “mirror” test, recognizing themselves in reflective glass, and they are self-aware; express grief, depression and joy; and play jokes on one another.

RANDI KREISS

Chimpanzees share 95 to 98 percent of our DNA. They are native to Africa and they are endangered, with only 180,000 to 300,000 remaining. Fifty years ago, there were probably a million chimpanzees roaming Africa. Deforestation, poaching and some people’s taste for bush meat have depleted the population.

Nearly 2,000 chimpanzees live in the

Yet for decades, these animals have been used for research in the U.S., by the National Institutes of Health and by medical schools and pharmaceutical companies. This research rests on the presumption that as higher beings, we have the right to subject other living creatures to pain and suffering to improve our own health and longevity.

The awful irony is that in 2011, the National Academy of Sciences concluded, “Most current biomedical research use of chimpanzees is not necessary.” In addition, a 2013 NIH report confirmed, “Research involving chimpanzees has

We are the only developed country in the world that continues to use chimpanzees in invasive experiments. A number of countries, including Australia, the European Union, Japan and New Zealand, have banned the use of all great apes in experiments.

What got me thinking about the shameful legacy of abuse of chimpanzees was the news in April of a lawsuit filed by the Nonhuman Rights Project seeking “personhood” status for two chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, now being held at Stony Brook University.

If the apes are freed, they will go to Chimp Haven, a sanctuary for retired and rehabilitated chimpanzees in Florida. According to a spokesman, NhRP is not seeking personhood for apes so they can roam the streets. It is seeking only one specific right: the right to one’s bodily freedom, the freedom not to be taken and kept involuntarily for any purpose.

When I brought this subject up for dis-

cussion at a dinner table this week, the reaction of my friends — all kind, wellinformed people — was complete lack of concern for or interest in chimpanzees, abused or otherwise. They trotted out the old argument about it being OK to experiment on animals so people can live better lives. They said they just couldn’t care about what happens to chimpanzees. They asked where I would draw the line. OK to experiment on dogs? Rats? Fruit flies?

I do draw a line. No experimentation on any higher-functioning animal that is sentient, but self-aware and capable of emoting feelings and socialization. I can be OK with experimenting on mice and rats and fruit flies and other lower life forms.

We don’t have the moral right to experiment on chimpanzees. The systematic torture of chimps, once considered “research” and now discredited by the NIH as inhumane and ineffectual, must stop. Please join me in supporting Jane Goodall’s work to save and rehabilitate chimpanzees. Go to janegoodall.org, where you can learn, donate or volunteer.

Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

The U.S. continues to use chimpanzees in invasive experiments.

We need to rekindle the sense of unity we had in the days after 9/11.

HERALD

Staying safe from shark close encounters

it won’t be long before the iconic film “Jaws” turns 50 — a fact that’s just difficult to imagine.

Yet this single movie, from a then unknown director named Steven Spielberg, singlehandedly created the summer blockbuster model many studios work to recreate every year, and proved the big screen could deliver big thrills.

But “Jaws” had another, more lasting effect on society. It made many people fearful — or, at least, more cautious — about going to the beach. And it turned sharks, like the great white featured in Spielberg’s film, from ocean predators to living, breathing and biting beasts of pure evil.

Humans are a land species. Put us in the water and we’re at a clear disadvantage against anything that might mean us harm living in that environment. Especially something that can weigh more than two tons while boasting more than 300 teeth. Vigilance when in the water is essential — but demonizing an animal for simply acting on its nature is not.

In the years following the release of “Jaws,” many fishermen set out to hunt the great white, deeming the slaughter that came with it — cutting the population nearly in half — a way to rid the world of a man-eating predator.

But sharks are sharks, and for us to enjoy the ocean, we have to find ways of sharing it with these creatures, and everything else living below the waves. No one wants to be bitten, and hopefully most of us would rather stay as far away from

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Randi’s tribute to journalists still rings true — even today

To the Editor:

Keep your distance from the sharks

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Florida where more than half of the country’s shark attacks happen each year says it’s always good to stay in groups, since sharks are more likely to bite someone swimming alone. Also, don’t wander too far from shore especially if it isolates you from other swimmers. It also takes you farther away from any help you could receive from land. Avoid the water at twilight or after dark. Those are the hours when sharks are most active. Even during the day, if the water is murky, be extra careful. And most important, stay in areas watched by lifeguards.

sharks as possible. Yet the cleaner, warmer waters splashing onto the beaches of Long Island will indeed attract all kinds of aquatic life, and sharks won’t be far behind.

Drones certainly make a difference, with the state tripling the number of the flying camera-equipped contraptions patrolling local beaches. They can cover more territory in a short time, rather than simply putting lifeguards on WaveRunners, and beachgoers are getting the added protection of both.

Long Island beaches attract a number of species of sharks, although few of them, other than dusky sharks and the great whites featured in “Jaws,” pose any immediate danger. But it’s still imperative to stay away, because if a shark did decide to turn on you, it’s a battle you likely wouldn’t win.

Sharks are the ocean’s dominant predator for sure — and humans should stay far away from them — but they aren’t evil. We shouldn’t be happy when a shark is killed, or wish for a world in which they don’t exist.

In the end, sharks are a key component to our very fragile marine ecosystem. And they are dying, with few people standing up to defend them because of the fear perpetuated by movies like “Jaws” and annual television events like Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week.”

Even Spielberg regrets how the great white was portrayed in his 1975 film. When a British radio personality asked him last year how he’d feel if he lived on a desert island surrounded by sharks, the Oscar-winning director said it’s something he fears. “Not to get eaten by a shark,” he added, “but that sharks are somehow mad at me for the feeding frenzy of crazy sport fishermen that happened after 1975.”

Sharks may not actually hold grudges, but we can share the ocean with them, and keep ourselves safe, by steering clear of them. It’s the only way we can have the fun, relaxing summer we’ve always enjoyed on Long Island beaches.

Re Randi Kreiss’s column last week (reprised from Sept. 11-17, 2014), “Journalists become targets for jihadists”: We, in the field, doing the coverage and writing the story and taking the photographs, know the truth. The courage lies in the reporting of that truth.

Many of us are doing local, community news coverage, and our readers (and viewers) want our presentation of the facts and our intelligent analysis. We are in the same tradition of those who report the news from abroad. We must take chances to offer the public the facts.

I am one of an old breed. It is my personal and deep passion to (try to) make a difference. Whereas building a house, or representing others in court, or even serving as an elected official, can be meritorious, I take photographs. I offer them to news sources all over the world. I imagine when they are displayed in some newspaper, someone, somewhere, may say: “This is truth.”

However, this hopeful wish on my part may be completely false. As more and more photos are cre-

ated and offer images of terrible events in the world, the public may become numb, and people may say, “I can’t change anything in the world, and these terrible photos just make me feel really sad.”

Professor Lauren Walsh, of New York University, wrote about this common public reaction recently in an article in the global documentary magazine Zeke. “What is the value of a photojournalist?” Walsh wrote. In

You have no idea what teachers deal with

His name was David, and he killed himself in my second year of teaching.

The Long Island high school stopped functioning that day. David was an enormous personality. A terrific athlete with a giant grin. Some of his basketball friends read poems they wrote about him at his funeral.

David ended his life 11 years ago, and I still remember him now and then. The time I beat him in an impromptu rap battle between classes. He bounded down the hall, yelling, “Nolan is nice!”

The time I pranked him by pretending that a phone call from the main office directed him to pack his stuff and go to the principal’s office. (David was a habitual linecrosser.)

Or how I tried to teach him about selffulfilling prophecies, perhaps out of some intuition of the storm that surely raged within him.

I see his face, remember specific moments. David was a gifted athlete — not a great student, but what a personality. I spoke at his wake about how he brought people together. He knew every-

one, and everyone knew him. He was kind to other students.

His death remains the single worst experience I had as a teacher. I sought help for him, but I was a second-year teacher and didn’t realize how much danger he was in. No one did, not even his friends. I tried to put the pieces together afterward, to see how I missed any signs, but I only found more questions.

Two weeks ago, a former student of mine died in a dirt-bike crash. Last month, the murderer of a student I knew was sentenced. A year before his murder, two students I knew were attacked in the woods by a group wielding machetes, and left with scars on their necks and scalps.

When I started teaching, I quickly realized how many kids were suffering. Neighbors don’t always fully grasp the depth of hardship in their own communities. Students deal with abusive and drugand alcohol-dependent parents, incarcerated siblings, and violence in their neighborhoods — in addition to run-of-the-mill adolescent angst, which can be turbulent enough.

My wife teaches elementary school, and has come home crying because of the stress some of her students — some as young as 5 — have had to bear.

One time she asked a little girl why

Letters

the end, she stated that it is to offer visual evidence — evidence that offers proof when atrocities are committed by autocratic leaders, and that allows legal action to be taken to compensate the oppressed.

Thus, the photojournalist bears witness to the truth with visual evidence. I offer that critical truth, and I may actually change the world: I take photographs to protect the oppressed! And those overseas reporters, journalists and photojournalists — I believe, in my heart, they are in agreement.

If you want to do your own research on journalists abroad, look into the Committee to Project Journalists, at cpj.org.

JOe ABATe Writer/photographer Island Park

Two bills could expand recycling

To the editor:

New York has a chance to pass two bills that could significantly reduce the state’s plastic waste and improve its current recycling system: the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A.5322/S.4246) and the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill (A.6353/S.237A).

If passed, the Packaging Reduction

and Recycling Infrastructure Act would be the most progressive extended producer responsibility law in the country. The law would reduce packaging by 50 percent over 12 years, and remove 12 toxic chemicals from packaging — including PFAS, lead, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants.

It would also prevent “chemical recycling” — or incineration — to count as recycling.

New York City spends $448 million to export its waste out of the state. Some of this waste ends up at the Covanta incinerator in Newark, where it pollutes an environmental justice community. By shifting the responsibility of recycling costs from taxpayers to packaging companies, the law would also ensure investments in reuse and refill systems and funding to improve recycling.

The Bigger, Better Bottle Bill would expand the current law, first passed in 1982. It would help reduce waste from common containers not currently under the law. To date, there are only nickel deposits on soda, beer and water. This bill would add non-carbonated containers like lemonade, iced tea, liquor and wine.

Moreover, the bottle bill would increase the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents, which has proven to increase recycling rates and reduce bottle waste in states that have passed similar laws. It would also increase

she looked so tired. The answer? Her family had been huddled together all night in a corner of their basement, hiding from a gang that threatened to shoot up the house.

Another year, my wife taught a boy who, as a toddler, had been found by police sleeping on his murdered father’s chest. A group of teens had broken into the house and shot the dad.

This is part of education on Long Island. You can be certain that in just about every school there are students dealing with unimaginable grief and stress.

The mental, and at times physical, stress of helping children cope with grief can be overwhelming for a teacher. Knowing a child will go home — if he has a home — to an empty pantry, a house filled with trash or walls marked by bullet holes isn’t something you can just shelve at the end of the day.

A big part of 21st-century education is emotional learning. Mindfulness is a focus in classrooms, in the form of yoga and lessons on empathy and expressing emotions. Teachers benefit by learning these techniques, and being part of the conversation with their students.

During and after the pandemic, schools were, and still are, stretched to near the breaking point. Teachers have

endured ridiculous stress levels with pandemic-mandated changes, drops in highstakes test scores, being under fire by political groups for myriad illogical reasons, and more.

Yes, other professions are stressful. Highlighting the hardships of one job doesn’t exclude or diminish others. Law enforcement, first responders, social workers, landscapers, nurses, drivers — they all face stress and job-related hardship.

But there is a misconception that teachers are overpaid for four hours of work a day and summers off. How could that be stressful? Some people overlook the fact that teaching is more than time in a classroom, and involves more than helping a student learn the significance of Bastille Day.

Most teachers I know use the summer to decompress, and then plan and reimagine their classroom and teaching style. They take courses, read deeply, and contemplate better ways to motivate students.

As summer kicks into high gear, take a moment to thank a teacher and wish them a well-deserved break. It won’t be long before they’re helping a student with much more than long division.

Mark Nolan, the editor of the Lynbrook/ East Rockaway and Malverne/West Hempstead Heralds, taught high school English for 11 years. Comments? mnolan@liherald.com.

the handling fee from 3 cents to 5 cents per bottle — an increase that would vastly improve the livelihoods of thousands of recyclers known as “canners.”

Passing both bills is crucial, because they would work together to enhance

waste management in New York, leading to substantial waste reduction, improved recycling, and reduced landfill and incinerator use.

MARíA

Framework by Tim Baker

Oohing and aahing at the fireworks show overhead — Rockville Centre

In virtually every school on Long Island, there are students suffering with grief and stress.