6 minute read
Saturday, Jan
January 6, 2022 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD COMMUNITY UPDATE
Thursday, Jan. 6
Dance, Stretch & Tone with Barbara Fraser
Join Elmont Memorial Library and Barbara Fraser at 1 p.m. in meeting room 2 for this class designed for mature adults and active seniors who enjoy dance and exercise. This co-ed, mind/body session will include line dancing and folk dancing to aid in memory retention, coordination, and balance, and conclude with toning and stretching of the major muscle groups allowing participants to perform everyday tasks with ease. Space is limited, and registration is open to Elmont Memorial Cardholders only. In-person or online registration for Elmont Library cardholders. Masks are required for all in-person programs, regardless of vaccination status. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary.org to register.
Friday, Jan. 7
Senior Chat
Join Elmont Memorial Library for senior chat with seniors from the community every Friday morning at 10 a.m. in meeting room 1. Participate or just listen to casual discussions on special interests, concerns, and other topics that happen to come up. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary.org to register.
Lecture: Understanding the Second Amendment with James Coll
Join the Elmont Memorial Library and James Coll at 12:30 p.m. in meeting room 2 for an in-person lecture on the Second Amendment. In this lecture, the impact of Supreme Court cases about the Second Amendment, the role of the legislative initiative at the state and federal levels to regulate on matters related to it, and the evolving status of this debate will be discussed. Registration is required. Limited seating. First-comefirst-seated. Masks are required for all in-person programs, regardless of vaccination status. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary.org to register.
Illustration by Christy O’Connell Learn sign language at the F.S. public library
Illustrations from Franklin Square resident Christy O’Connell’s 2020 book, “Sally the Signing Squirrel” (illustrations by Shereen Said). The Franklin Square Public Library is holding an instructional American Sign Language class with Rosemary Algios on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 10
Chair Yoga with Mary Mazzone
Join Elmont Memorial Library and Mary Mazzone at 1 p.m. in meeting room 2 for a chair yoga class. Registration is required, and there is limited seating. Registration for Elmont Library cardholders begins two weeks before each program. Masks are required for all in-person programs, regardless of vaccination status. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary.org to register.
Online: How to Beat the Winter Blahs
Join the Franklin Square Public Library between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. for an online program about how to beat the “winter blahs.” Discover unique and natural ways to beat the winter blahs. Make your home warm, cozy and comfortable with hygge inspired ideas. Lift your spirits by connecting with nature. Explore movement, variety and connections in your life. Register online at the library’s website, www.franklinsquarepl.org.
Adults: Crochet and Knitting Fun
Join the Elmont Memorial Library at 3 p.m. in meeting room 1 for an in-person crochet and knitting event. Bring your own knitting and crochet ideas and supplies; this is not an instructional class. Registration is required. Limited seating. First-come-first-seated. Masks are required for all in-person programs, regardless of vaccination status. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary. org to register.
Tuesday, Jan. 11
Movie: The Last Leonardo
Join the Elmont Memorial Library in the Elmont Library Theater at 2:30 p.m. for a showing of “The Last Leonardo,” a documentary released during 2021. Please silence your cell phones at the showing if you attend it. Registration is required. Limited seating. First-come-firstseated. Masks are required for all in-person programs, regardless of vaccination status. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary.org to register.
Wednesday, Jan. 12
Join the Elmont Memorial Library and Rosemary Algios at 11 a.m. in meeting room 1 for an in-person American Sign Language lesson. In this beginner course you will learn finger spelling, numbers, vocabulary, facial expressions, basis conversational phrases and Deaf culture. Registration is required. Limited seating. First-come-first-seated. Masks are required for all in-person programs, regardless of vaccination status. Contact adult reference at (516) 354-5280 x 223 or via email at reference@elmontlibrary. org to register. This course will be held on Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26 at 11 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 15
Creatividad
Join the Franklin Square Public Library and Candido Crespo, recipient of the 2021 Huntington Arts Council Decentralized Grant and head of CreativiDAD (the creative Dad), for an art program between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the meeting room that is open to fathers/ male guardians of children within the age range of 3-6. CreativiDAD’s goal is to increase the amount of time creativity plays in parenting, especially for fathers. This program is open to 15 fathers accompanied by one child (3-6 years old). Register online at the library’s website, www.franklinsquarepl.org.
HAVING AN EVENT?
Items on the Community Update pages are listed free of charge. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to rtraverso@liherald.com
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Vivian Zhu and Malik Hyman were named Elmont Memorial H.S. valedictorian & salutatorian. The F.S. school district recently introduced a coding program into its schools’ curriculum. N.H.P. Memorial H.S.’s Leilani Lee performed at the American Protégé Winter Gala Concert. Covert Ave. School celebrated students’ native cultures on Cultural Diversity Day on Dec. 9. Sewanhaka alum Dennis Peron co-wrote a proposal that legalized medicinal marijuana in CA.
Christina Daly/Herald NEW NASSAU COUNTY Executive Bruce Blakeman gave his first speech after his inauguration at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. Bruce Blakeman takes offce
New county executive won’t follow state mask mandate
By TOM CARROZZA
tcarrozza@liherald.com
Hundreds packed into the lobby of the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City on Monday as new County Executive Bruce Blakeman, County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and County Clerk Maureen O’Connell took their oaths of office.
In his first remarks after taking leadership over one of the country’s most populated counties, Blakeman made it clear that he would not abide by Governor Hochul’s mask mandate, which was implemented in early December amid a new wave of cases caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant.
“Starting today, Nassau is normal again,” Blakeman told a largely unmasked crowd. “We have seen the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic, but we can no longer be afraid. Yes, we still have challenges, but they are manageable.”
According to The New York Times’ online tracker, Nassau’s hospitalization rate has increased by 47 percent in the last 14 days, with 58 deaths in that same period. The two-week positivity rate has climbed to 18 percent, as well.
Blakeman said the county would continue to encourage and support free vaccinations and testing for residents. He said this approach would account for the economic, social, and mental health consequences of lockdowns and mandates.
“Nassau County is not in crisis,” Blakeman continued. “Our hospital admissions are rising by a manageable and predictable rate. Reason and common sense must supplant hysteria.” Blakeman promised to lobby Albany to keep students in class without masks.
Blakeman also took aim at the previous administration’s approach to the tax reassessment system, describing it as “unfair” and “secretive,” alluding to the algorithm used by Laura Curran’s office. Blakeman pledged to provide transparency by investigating the previous system with Comptroller Phillips.
“There is no reason why millionaires should pay zero taxes, and then homes that are identical in the same communities pay vastly different tax rates,” Blakeman said. “It’s broken and we will fix it.” Reducing taxes to retain young people and keep older adults comfortable would be another major focus of the new administration, Blakeman said.
Blakeman closed by saying he and new District Attorney Anne Connelly would demand the repeal of the state’s bail reform bill.
