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HERALD
Celebrating
LOOK InsIde
May 4, 2023
Celebrating Mom Celebrating nurses
Inside
VOL. 23 nO. 19
Appreciating McVey’s teachers
Clarke’s deCA club is on to nationals
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MAY 4 - 10, 2023
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ROOTED IN STRENGTH
Learning to jam at Lot More Guitar Studio By MALLORY WILsOn mwilson@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
GABRIeL ROdRIGuez, 9, of East Meadow, played ‘Winning,’ by Santana, in the Lot More Guitar Studio Student Jam last Saturday. Marc Viola, the studio’s owner, joined him on stage.
What started out as an informal way to showcase what they’ve lear ned has since turned into a much-loved student jam for Marc Viola’s guitar students at Lot More Guitar Studio. More than 50 family members and friends of 17 student performers of a variety of ages gathered last Saturday to show their support at this year’s Student Jam, which took place at the Warehouse in Amityville. “It’s a really fun event for everybody — my business isn’t
just for kids, and that’s what I really like about it,” said Viola, who has been teaching guitar lessons in his East Meadow home for over 10 years. “It’s really grown into an event where everybody’s families come, and there’s a stage and lights — it’s not Madison Square Garden or anything, but it’s a great event.” Viola got into teaching after he had some success as a musician. He started out as a singer in high school, and went on to sing in a cappella groups in college. He also took up the guitar in college, and once he started Continued on page 4
Nassau County takes a gamble on Las Vegas Sands By MALLORY WILsOn mwilson@liherald.com
Plans to redevelop more than 70 acres at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale took a huge step forward on April 26, after Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman revealed that the county has come to terms on a lease agreement with Las Vegas Sands. The agreement would give the Sands control over the land where it plans to spend $4 billion on a resort that would include hotels, community centers, a performance venue, convention spaces, restaurants and a casino. “We are going to develop the Coliseum site with a world-class
hotel, a world-class entertainment center, and that is going to be funded by a casino,” Blakeman told reporters at a news conference in Mineola. “We believe that that will bring jobs, economic prosperity, tax relief, and improved safety here in Nassau County.” The agreement is still subject to the approval of the Nassau County Legislature, which likely won’t take it up until next month. But, if it’s passed, the county could potentially make millions in revenue. And local unions are happy about the jobs that the project could provide. “This is something that is bold, and it’s big,” Blakeman
T
his is something that is bold, and it’s big. But it’s needed.
BRuCe BLAKeMAn
Nassau County executive said. “But it’s needed.” But that doesn’t mean Sands will break ground right away. In fact, it won’t even be soon. This is just the first step for the Sands, Blakeman said. They still need to get the approval of the legislature, the zoning from the Town of Hempstead, and their gaming
application from the state licensing board for the proposed casino. “This will be an economic driver for this county,” Blakeman said. “Creating jobs, providing revenue to the county, providing revenue to the Town of Hempstead, providing revenue to all of our community groups that surround the Coliseum site — and
those are the things that are important to the people in Nassau County.” Immediately following approval from the county legislature, the Sands will start paying an annual rent of $5 million until they get their gaming license. Then rent doubles to $10 million. Within 60 days of approval, Continued on page 2