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Franklin Square/Elmont Herald 03-11-2021

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SPRING FORWARD at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Remember to change your smoke detector batteries.

HERALD Infections as of March 8

CoMMuNIty uPDAtE

7,423

Elmont man starts a gym

Hats for Black History Month

7,296

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Infections as of March 1

$1.00

MARCH 11 - 17, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 11

Town proposes vaping law Elmont mom lobbied for change instead of what is easy.” The legislation would prohibit the sale of e-cigarette or vapTif fany Capers marched ing products within 1,000 feet of down to the Town of Hemp- a school, playground or park, stead’s tax office a year and a and would change the town’s half ago, when then Receiver of zoning laws to restrict these Taxes Donald Clavin had just businesses to light manufacturbeen elected town supervisor, to ing or industrial zones. show him how vape shops were “They’re putting them near targeting teenagers with their these schools for a reason, folks,” a dv e r t i s e m e n t s Clavin said of the and to express her vape shops, noting concer n with a that they could be shop that had found near many opened across the of the town’s 36 street from Elmont high schools. Memorial High “They’re targeting School. these areas beClavin’s staf f cause they want to spent over a year get them hooked on collaborating with DAVE NEuBERt this stuff very, very Capers on the young, and this legissue, and on Mon- Medical director, Town islation is clearly day he announced of Hempstead going to take [them t h a t t h e To w n to] task and Board would enact address that.” legislation restricting where the If approved by the town board electronic cigarette stores could on Tuesday — after the Herald operate. went to press — the zoning “The Safer Routes legislation changes would be enacted next is what happens when local gov- Jan. 1, and two months earlier, ernment and the community on Oct. 31, the restrictions on work together to do something,” where vape shops could operate Capers, an Elmont mother, said would go into effect, Clavin said, at a news conference in front of at which point the Smoking Facthe Smoking Factory, on Elmont tory would have to cease operaRoad, adding that the measure tions. Not only is it across the was an “example of what hap- street from the Elmont High pens when you do what is right Continued on page 3

By MElIssA KoENIg mkoenig@liherald.com

t

hese are very dangerous nicotine delivery devices

Melissa Koenig/Herald

gEoRgE BlAttI, A former doctor from Rockville Centre, was escorted into the Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola on March 4. He was charged in the deaths of five of his patients.

Doctor charged with murder

Officials: Five patients overdosed on opioids By MElIssA KoENIg mkoenig@liherald.com

Geraldine Sabatasso was a smoker with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who began seeing Franklin Square-based Dr. George Blatti in 2007 for acute pain she suffered as a result of a neck surgery. He started prescribing her opioids in 2010, and by February 2016, Nassau County prosecutors said, she started complaining of dizziness and

shortness of breath, but still, they allege, Blatti continued to prescribe Sabatasso, of Baldwin, opioids. She died on March 22, 2016, at age 50. Among the other four patients to die under Blatti’s watch were residents of Valley Stream, Hempstead and Floral Park, according to prosecutors. B l at t i p re s cribed the drugs from a number of locat i o n s, a u t h o r i t i e s s a i d , including an old Radio Shack in Franklin Square and the

parking lots of a hotel in Rockville Centre, where he lived at the time, and a nearby fast-food restaurant. Now Blatti, 75, originally from Malverne, faces murder and reckless endangerment charges for overprescribing opioids to Sabatasso and the four other victims, who died between 2016 and 2018, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced on March 4. Blatti was charged with Continued on page 4


V.S. native Naomi Osaka wins Australian Open By Peter Belfiore pbelfiore@liherald.com

Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, who spent a portion of her childhood in Valley Stream, won the Australian Open last Saturday, beating out former champion Serena Williams, and earning a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the final over Jennifer Brady. The win gave Osaka her fourth championship and placed her in the No. 2 spot of the Women’s Tennis Association. Born in Japan, Osaka and her sister, Mari, moved with Haitian father Leonard Maxime Francois and Japanese mother Tamaki Osaka to Valley Stream in 2000 when Naomi was 3 to live with her father’s side of the family. They lived there for six years during which time her father, using local tennis courts and gyms, looked to launch her and her sister’s tennis careers. In 2006, the family moved to southern Florida to focus on tennis full time. Osaka recounted memories of her life in Valley Stream in a 2018 interview for the New York Times Magazine. “I grew up surrounded by both Haitian and Japanese culture,” she told The Times, noting that her grandparents spoke only Creole and that her home often smelled of spicy Haitian stews. Meanwhile, her mother continued to speak to her and her sister in Japanese and would make them seaweed-and-rice-ball snacks for lunch at Alden Terrace school, where she attended from age 5 to 8. The 23 year old first broke into the upper rankings of the sport in 2016, and rose to further prominence in 2018, when she defeated Serena Williams in the U.S. Open to earn her first championship. Although she spent much of her life in the United States, Osaka plays for Japan.

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tennis suPerstar naomi Osaka with her father Leonard Maxime Francois. Osaka spent a portion of her childhood in Valley Stream to be with her father’s side of the family.

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Law would restrict vape shops in town fields, but it is also adjacent to the Martin de Porres School for Exceptional Children, and only a few hundred feet from St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church and the St. Gregorios Orthodox Church. Smoking Factory Owner Rajat Loonia, however, noted that some of the shops have been at the same locations for more than 30 years, and that while he agrees that the town should pass this kind of law, it should only apply to new stores. The Smoking Factory opened in the summer of 2019, prompting Capers to research the town laws on e-cigarette sales. She discovered that the town did not regulate the proximity of stores selling age-restricted products to schools, even though both the Village of Floral Park and the Town of North Hempstead did. Then Capers created an online petition to persuade town officials to draft similar legislation. She collected nearly 530 signatures, including comments like, “The vape shop does not belong in this neighborhood, let alone across from a high school” and “Our kids have a lot of pressure, they definitely don’t need the lure of a smoke shop in close proximity.” Elmont High Principal Kevin Dougherty said that several hundred students pass the Smoking Factory on their way home after school, at a time when more teens are using vaping products. Their use among eighth- through 12th-graders has more than doubled since 2017, according to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey, with 27.5 percent of high schoolers and 10.5 percent of middle schoolers reporting using e-cigarettes. More than 20 percent of high schoolers reported vaping

The risks of vaping in adolescents ■ Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which can harm a developing adolescent brain. ■ Nicotine can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control. ■ Nicotine changes the way the brain’s connections are formed.

Melissa Koenig/Herald

Tiffany Capers, aT lectern, petitioned the Town Board to create legislation limiting where smoke shops can operate. She was joined by town officials at a news conference on Monday to announce the legislation. on a nearly daily basis. The Town Board has since created an Anti-Vaping Action Plan, with increased code enforcement efforts, an educational anti-vaping forum series at local schools and libraries, and a multimedia campaign. In addition, the town has passed laws requiring “No vaping” signs at town parks and beaches, and requiring businesses that sell vape pens and e-cigarettes to post signs explaining their potential health hazards. “These are very dangerous nicotine delivery devices,” said Town Medical Director Dr. Dave Neubert. “The companies that make these, they make them so they deliver nicotine, a highly addictive chemical, and they’re designed to deliver that . . . into the bloodstream, where peo-

ple get a very quick high off of it and get very quickly addicted to it.” The chemicals in these products, which cause serious lung damage and cardiovascular problems, go unregulated, Neubert said. And since the coronavirus pandemic began, the Truth Initiative — an organization that promotes tobaccofree lives — has reported that those who have used e-cigarettes are five times more likely to contract Covid-19 than those who do not use tobacco products, and that those who use both e-cigarettes and cigarettes are nearly seven times more likely to contract the disease. “That’s why it’s just so important that we have community activists, and we have the Town Board, and we have our medical team working together to put

■ The use of nicotine by adolescence may increase the risk of future addiction to other drugs. ■ Some e-cigarette flavorings may be safe to eat, but not to inhale because the gut can process more substances than the lungs. ■ Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused fires and explosions, a few of which have resulted in serious injuries. ■ Children and adults have been poisoned by swallowing, breathing or absorbing e-cigarette liquid through their skin or eyes. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Preventio

laws like this out there,” Neubert said, “because it’s protecting our children, it’s protecting everyone around us and it’s the right thing for town government to be doing.”

UBS Arena to include electric vehicle infrastructure By Melissa Koenig mkoenig@liherald.com

UBS Arena developers have partnered with Boston-based XL Fleet to build 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations at the site and deploy fleets of electric vehicles for use by New York Islanders fans and concert-goers attending events at the new 19,000-seat arena. The partnership provides arena officials with the ability to “quickly and cost-effectively deploy a large-scale electric vehicle infrastructure,” UBS officials announced on Feb 25, which could be used not only by the arena guests, but also by nearby fleets that can use the site to charge their vehicles during offpeak hours. It would be one of the largest electric vehicle stations in the United States, and would help meet New York’s growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations. “Lack of access to charging infrastructure is one of the top obstacles to electrifying more vehicles, and we are proud to partner with UBS Arena and the Islanders to solve that problem more quickly in the New York metropolitan area,” Colleen Calhoun, XL Fleet’s general manager of its XL Grid division,

Courtesy UBS Arena

The uBs arena at Belmont Park is the future home of the New York Islanders hockey franchise. said in a statement. “Through this partnership, we can help optimize access to charging infrastructure and scale that capacity as the need grows.” As part of the partnership, XL Fleet will also deploy “a robust suite of electrification infrastructure,” officials said, including solar power generation and energy storage. “XL Fleet’s ability to provide a full

scope of electrification services will be a huge advantage for our patrons as well as the commercial and municipal fleets in the surrounding communities who could rely on this infrastructure,” said Hank Abate, president of arena operations at UBS Arena, with Tod Hynes, the founder and president of XL leet, adding that the location provides an opportunity to deploy “critical electrical vehi-

cle infrastructure” that can be replicated throughout the country. XL Fleet is a leading provider of vehicle electrification services in the United States, and its technology is proven to substantially increase fuel economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, while helping customers reduce their energy use and meet their sustainability goals.

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

ConTinued froM fronT

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Doctor faces murder charges in opioid deaths scriptions pursuant to a waiver he was five counts of second-degree murder and granted by the state health commission11 counts of reckless endangerment, in er to avoid using the state’s secure elecaddition to the 22 counts of criminal sale tronic prescription system, which is genof prescriptions for a controlled sub- erally required under New York state law stance, six counts of second-degree forg- to provide greater oversight of the flow ery, two counts of first-degree reckless of drugs. “If his drug-addicted patient asked for endangerment, two counts of secondmore drugs, he simply wrote them more degree reckless endangerment and 22 scripts,” Singas said at a news confercounts of fourthence, alleging that de g ree criminal this practice led to diversion of prethe premature scription medicadeaths of Sabatasso, tions that he was Michael Kinzer, Robpreviously charged ert Mielinis, Sean with in November Quigley and Diane 2019. Woodring. He pleaded not “They’re our guilty to the new neighbors, they’re charges at the Nasour family, they’re sau County Courtour loved ones,” Sinhouse in Mineola gas said of the five last Thursday. Offivictims. “They were, cials with the disfor the most part, in trict attor ney’s their 30s and 40s, office said they struggling with believe this was the their own personal first time that a doctor was charged in Melissa Koenig/Herald demons and looking for help.” New York with mur- NaSSau DiSTRicT aTToRNey Blatti, she said, der in the second- Madeline Singas alleged that Blatti ignored documented de g ree under the ignored three patients’ requests to overdoses and illicit theory of depraved stop prescribing opioids. drug use found in indifference to his patients’ medical human life. Singas said the Nassau County Police records; disregarded a stack of letters he Department’s Asset Forfeiture and Intel- received from pharmacies, insurance ligence Unit began investigating opioid companies and Medicaid — which he overdoses in August 2018, and found that had billed for the drugs — about his several people had obtained prescrip- excessive prescribing habits; and refused tions from Blatti, a general practitioner at least three patients’ pleas to stop prewho had no specialized training in pain scribing him the medications. He also continued to prescribe the drugs, Singas management. He met with people at the former alleged, after he was interviewed by the Radio Shack in Franklin Square, which New York State Office of Professional officials said still had a sign for the store Medical Conduct. “Basically he’s a serial killer, in our and merchandise racks on the walls, until 2019, when he lost access to that opinion,” Singas said. “His prescription space, and began prescribing medica- pad was as deadly as any lethal weapon.” He had prescribed his patients a “stagtions without a physical examination from the parking lots in Rockville Cen- g e r i n g a m o u n t o f o p i o i d s, ” s h e explained, which “no amount of willpowtre. There, officials said, patients would er could overcome.” ask for drugs in specific quantities, The district attorney’s office is now which Blatti would fill without examin- looking into the possibility that Blatti’s ing them or referring them to a specialist overprescribing practice led to other for their conditions. He used paper pre- patients’ deaths.

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The alleged victims According to Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas, the following patients died because of Dr. George Blatti’s overprescribing of opioid drugs: Geraldine Sabatasso, of Baldwin Sabatasso was a smoker with a history of COPD who began seeing Blatti in 2007 for acute pain. He allegedly started prescribing her opioids in 2017, and by February 2016, she was starting to feel dizzy and suffer from shortness of breath. She died on March 22, 2016, at the age of 50. ■ Total prescriptions filled — 35 ■ Total pills prescribed — 4,230 Michael Kinzer, of Valley Stream Kinzer was a smoker who suffered from back pain, asthma and COPD. During an Oct. 21, 2016, visit, Blatti allegedly prescribed 90 doses of morphine and 90 doses of clonazepam. He was then hospitalized for an overdose, and subsequently developed pneumonia, but Kinzer still allegedly prescribed him 20 doses of alprazolam and 15 doses of oxycontin on Nov. 15, 2016. Kinzer died two days later at the age of 44. ■ Total prescriptions filled — 13 ■ Total pills prescribed — 1,025 Robert Mielinis, of Hempstead Mielinis was a smoker with a history of breathing problems who had been a patient of Blatti for nearly eight years. He had lost 40 pounds in the last months of his life, and one of his relatives allegedly demanded that Blatti stop prescribing him opioids because

His attorney, Mineola-based Jeffrey Groder, declined to comment, but argued in court last Thursday that Blatti should not be immediately incarcerated because he has metastatic prostate cancer and

he might be addicted. Blatti had also allegedly received notices from insurers that he was overprescribing opioids to Mielinis, to whom Blatti had prescribed nine times the recommended daily dose of opioid painkillers. He died on Jan. 21, 2017, at the age of 55. ■ Total prescriptions filled — 79 ■ Total pills prescribed — 10,620 Sean Quigley, of Floral Park Quigley was a volunteer firefighter from Floral Park who had struggled with opioid abuse dating back to at least 2008, which Blatti was allegedly aware of, but decided to prescribe him large doses of oxycodone. In 2017, Quigley started suffering from liver failure and had trouble retaining water. Blatti prescribed him a diuretic and potassium supplement for the liver failure on Nov. 21, 2017, as well as allegedly prescribed him 180 oxycodone pills. He died on Dec. 2, 2017, at the age of 31. ■ Total prescriptions filled — 79 ■ Total pills prescribed — 10,620 Diane Woodring Woodring died at the age of 53 of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, alprazolam, mirtazapine and valproic acid — all of which were prescribed to her by Blatti — on Sept. 11, 2018. ■ Total prescriptions filled — 153 ■ Total pills prescribed — 18,060

had not yet received a Covid-19 vaccine. Blatti had voluntarily surrendered his medical license to state authorities in June 2019. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.

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The Coliseum vaccination site is scheduled to open later in March and will be located on the lower-level exhibiNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum tion hall. will become a Covid-19 vaccination site, Earlier, Curran had released a stateC o u n t y E xe c u t ive L a u r a C u r r a n ment on the first anniversary of Nasannounced over the weekend. sau’s first confirmed Covid-19 case that “We’re focused on conread: “We remember the tinuing to ramp up our 2,935 precious lives lost [in capacity for vaccination as the county] and look forward more supply is anticipated to to the future with renewed arrive in the coming weeks,” hope. Nassau continues to Curran said in a statement. lead the way among major “All of our residents must New York counties in getting have access to the Covid-19 residents vaccinated, which vaccine, and this iconic site is a very positive signal for gives us the ability to deliver our recovery.” the vaccine rapidly. I would As of Sunday, 22 percent, like to thank the New York or a little more than oneIslanders for so graciously fifth, of Nassau residents sharing their home with the had received at least one dose community, as well as the LAurA currAn of the Covid-19 vaccine, management team at Nassau County executive according to Curran. Live for helping pave the way She noted, however, that to Nassau’s comeback.” N a s s a u re s i d e n t s m u s t The Coliseum will be the third major remain vigilant in the fight against the vaccination site opened by Nassau Coun- coronavirus and continue to wear masks ty. The county is already operating sites a n d m a i n t a i n s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g . at Nassau Community College and the “Although we’ve seen a major decline in Yes We Can Community Center in West- cases and hospitalizations since our winbury, in addition to one-day pop-up sites ter peak,” she said, “we’re not out of the in communities of color that have been woods just yet.” most affected by the pandemic.

By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

A

ll of our residents must have access to the Covid-19 vaccine.

NICE Bus offering purchase option on app

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York (“Diocese” or “Debtor”) has filed bankruptcy in order to restructure its nonprofit organization. Please read this notice carefully as it may impact your rights against the Diocese and provides information about the case, In re: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). This notice is a short summary.

Who Should File a Sexual Abuse Claim? Anyone who was sexually abused, on or before October 1, 2020, and believes the Diocese may be responsible for the sexual abuse must file a claim. This includes sexual abuse in connection with any entity or activity associated with the Diocese. Sexual Abuse Claims include, but are not limited to: sexual misconduct, touching, inappropriate contact, or sexual comments about a person or other behaviors that led to abuse, and regardless of whether you thought the behavior was sexual abuse or not.

When Should I File a Sexual Abuse Claim?

Regardless of how old you are today or when the sexual abuse occurred, you need to file your claim so that it is received by 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 14, 2021. If you do not file a timely Sexual Abuse Claim, you may lose rights against the Diocese and against Diocese Related Entities, including any right to compensation. If you have a sexual abuse claim against any such Diocesan parish, school or affiliated ministry, you may have a claim against the Diocese. Note that only the Diocese is in bankruptcy. If you have a claim against any Diocese Related Entity, you must take separate action to preserve your rights. Your information will be kept private. For more detail, including lists of names of clergy that have been identified in connection with sexual abuse claims, go to https://dm.epiq11.com/drvc or call 1-888-490-0633. The Sexual Abuse Bar Date of August 14, 2021 is not subject to further extension if the window created by the Child Victims Act is lengthened by the State of New York.

When Should I File a General Bar Date Claim? If you have a non-sexual abuse claim, you will need to file so that it is received by 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) on March 30, 2021. More information for general claims is available at https://dm.epiq11.com/drvc.

ACT NOW Before Time Runs Out: You can download and file a claim at the website or call the toll-free number listed below for help on how to file a claim by mail. WWW.

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File a Proof of Claim.

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Have questions? Call or visit the website for more information.

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With nicE BuS’S Transit app, riders can now buy tickets directly to their phones.

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If your claim is approved, you may receive compensation from the bankruptcy.

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Nassau Inter-County Express Bus officials last week announced expanded mobile ticketing with the launch of the Transit app’s fare payment option. Riders can now purchase tickets using Transit app, which combines fare payment with trip planning, real-time tracking and multimodal connections. More than 40,000 NICE Bus riders use Transit app monthly to plan and track trips. These riders can now purchase their tickets directly in the app by using the “Buy Ticket” button at the bottom of their screens. Users can create a Transit app account and enter their credit card information to purchase a ticket. When boarding, riders display the activated pass to their driver for visual validation. The new feature was made in partnership with Masabi, developer of the NICE GoMobile payment app. In addition to the Transit app, payment options include NICE GoMobile, MTA MetroCard and cash. “By enabling riders to plan, track and pay for their trips in one place, NICE Bus is providing customers with reliable and intuitive service at every step of their journey,” said Jack Khzouz, NICE Bus CEO. “This new partnership with Transit will allow us to better connect with ridership while providing data on multimodal ridership demand.”

Sexual Abuse and General Claims in The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York Bankruptcy

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

Nassau Coliseum to be Covid-19 vaccination site

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Official Approved Notice from U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York


March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

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Bringing local sports home every week

Herald sports Kickoff time for Nassau County football By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Are you ready for some Nassau County high school football? A six-week regular season kicks off Friday night with three games, including Glen Cove at Hewlett, and 46 more teams will be in action this Saturday for the first time since the fall of 2019. Only the top four finishers in each of the four conferences will advance to the playoffs. Here’s a rundown of the 27 south shore teams in the Herald’s coverage area. For schedules, visit www.secviii.org.

Baldwin Bruins

Coached by Steve Carroll, the Bruins’ biggest weapon is senior All-Conference running back/linebacker Trey Parkins. Seniors Kenny Ojeikere (wideout/cornerback) and Keyon Wingate (running back/ linebacker) are also returning two-way starters. Baldwin is seeded No. 10 in Conference I and opens at Port Washington.

Calhoun Colts

The Colts, coached by Brian Moeller, attempt to rebound from a difficult 2019 behind MVP Ryan Baci, a senior captain and starting defensive end/receiver, senior running back/linebacker Timmy Mack, and senior running back/cornerback Markus Bautista. Calhoun, the No. 11 seed in Conference II, opens at rival Mepham.

Carey Seahawks

The Seahawks are perennial contenders hoping to dethrone four-time defending Conference II champion Garden City, which happens to be their first opponent. Leading the way for coach Mike Stanley is All-County senior linebacker/running back Anthony DeNicola, senior defensive end/tight end Joseph Todaro, and senior wideout/safety Nick Cowen.

Clarke Rams

Seeded sixth in Conference IV, the Rams and coach Tim O’Malley will lean on the senior leadership and work ethics of linebacker/fullback John Kern, lineman Kevin Henning and running back/linebacker Joe Dieppa to make a playoff push. They host East Rockaway in the opener.

East Meadow Jets

Back in Conference I as the No. 7 seed, the Jets, coached by Doug Bange, host Herricks in the opener. They feature twoway senior standout Chris Barry, who has 12 touchdowns in his past 12 games, senior running back/defensive end Marc Giraud and senior O-lineman/linebacker Alvaro Lopez-Salinas.

East Rockaway Rocks

The Rocks have their work cut out in Conference IV as the No. 10 seed but have experience at quarterback with senior Jordan Palmer and senior rushers Franklin Infante and Robert Welch. Junior line-

backer Jack Mistretta sparks coach Russ Pajer’s defense. They open at Clarke.

Elmont Spartans

Senior All-County lineman Jason Richardson is the heart and soul of the Spartans, the No. 8 seed in Conference II. They open against Kennedy and return senior Jonathan Maldonado at quarterback. Coach Jay Hegi is high on senior wideout Ted Phebe and junior running back/linebacker Tyler Myers.

Freeport Red Devils

Coach Russ Cellan’s Red Devils haven’t lost a game since 2017. The two-time defending Nassau and Long Island champs lack experience but not talent. The Red Devils, who open against Massapequa, will lean on senior cornerback/ wideout Christian Quinn, senior two-way l i n e m a n Wi l dy B a e z a n d s e n i o r linebacker/O-lineman Tyrek Rawls.

Hempstead Tigers

The Tigers, coached by Sylas Pratt, are seeded No. 8 in Conference I. They’re led in the trenches by two-way starting lineman Kevin Garcia and feature a dynamic offensive weapon in senior Donovan Levenir. They hit the road for the opener at Hicksville.

Hewlett Bulldogs

Junior nose guard Jacob Maiorano will set the tone for the coach John Palladino’s Bulldogs, the No. 8 seed in Conference III. The offense will look to establish balance with senior wideout Manny Richards and junior signal-caller Mark Winkler. They host Glen Cove in the opener on Friday night.

Anthony Hughes/Herald

BaLDwIN SENIOR KENNY Ojeikere is a weapon in the passing game.

Kennedy Cougars

Coach John McGuire’s defense will look to set the tone. The Cougars are the No. 12 seed in Conference II and open at Elmont. Senior safety Ryan Draude was their defensive MVP in 2019. Senior twoway lineman John Leone and senior running back/linebacker Zaid Kaileh also play vital roles.

Lawrence Golden Tornadoes

Part of Conference IV for the first time, coach Jason Supple’s squad is aiming for a playoff berth behind senior twoway starters Luke Kirchner (center/linebacker), Mikell Henry (wideout/safety) and Yuri Martinez (lineman.) The fifthseeded Golden Tornadoes open at home against Cold Spring Harbor.

Long Beach Marines

The Marines are rebuilding but coach Scott Martin returns senior safety Izzy Maldonado, who led them in tackles in 2019, as well as senior running back/safety Ryan Buonocore, and senior running back/linebacker Jahmeke Primer. The Continued on next page

Keith O’Reilly/Herald

CaREY’S aNTHONY DENICOLa earned All-County honors as a junior in 2019.


9

Bringing local sports home every week

continued from previous page No. 10 seed in Conference II opens against Valley Stream Central.

Lynbrook Owls

Senior tailback Ethan Hoyte totaled 834 yards and 9 touchdowns in four wins in 2019 and leads their Conference III playoff hopes. Coach Steve LoCicero is also counting on senior quarterback Dante Quilca and senior linebacker/O-lineman Jonathan Rivas. The Owls open against defending champion Plainedge.

MacArthur Generals

The Generals, who open at South Side, reached the Conference II title game and won 10 straight games in 2019. Senior Andrew Calderon is an All-County lineman, and senior Greg Milau is his partner in crime. Senior Ryan Isom gives coach Bob Fehrenbach a dynamic running back/linebacker.

Malverne Mules

The Mules, who visit Island Trees in their Conference IV opener, feature senior Michael Warren Jr., who had 9 touchdown receptions in 2019. Senior Gerardo Delligatti is a strong two-way lineman, and junior DeAndre Blagrove is a talented running back/linebacker for coach Kito Lockwood.

Mepham Pirates

The production of senior quarterback Billy Kender (13 touchdowns in 2019) will go a long way in determining the success of coach Anthony Cracco’s team. The fifth-seeded Pirates open against rival Calhoun. Additional keys are senior lineman Jack Savalli and senior wideout/cornerback William Molloy.

Oceanside Sailors

The Sailors are the favorites on paper in Conference I and kick off the campaign at Farmingdale. Coach Rob Blount boasts an exciting set of skill position talent led by junior quarterback Charlie McKee, senior tailback/slot receiver Thomas Flavin, and senior running back/linebacker Andres Duran.

Seaford Vikings

The defending Conference IV champs open at North Shore. They’re led by senior All-County linebacker Craig Ackerman, who had 97 tackles and 5 sacks in 2019. Coach Rob Perpall is also counting on senior tight end/defensive end Brendan O’Hagan and senior two-way lineman Nick Luciano.

Sewanhaka Indians

Defensive end/wide receiver Frantz Compere is a leader on and off the field for the Indians, the No. 7 seed in Conference II hosting New Hyde Park in the opener. Coach George Kasimatis has

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

Herald sports Six-game season begins this weekend senior Holy Gaboton anchoring both lines and senior Brian Lowry at running back/ linebacker.

South Side Cyclones

The Cyclones are returning to Conference II after going 16-5 the past two seasons in III. They open against MacArthur. Coach Phil Onesto has emerging senior quarterback JohnJude Considine, who’ll work behind a line led by senior two-way starters Nick Tesar and Jack Temple.

Uniondale Knights

The Knights bring back their leading tackler, senior linebacker Isaiah Lee, and he’ll set the tone on defense along with senior safety/wideout Nathaniel Moorer. Coach Phil Coppola’s front lines will be led by junior Deomiee Scales-Melvin. Seeded ninth in Conference I, they open at Syosset.

V.S. Central Eagles

The Eagles, who open at Long Beach, come off a memorable 2019 season that saw them reach the Conference II semifinals. They’re seeded sixth. Coach Mike Rubino has seniors Dawin Fanor (cornerback), Reese Kaufman (lineman) and Wakeem Jackson (wideout/safety) to keep the momentum going.

V.S. North Spartans

New coach Mike Paolillo looks to get the sixth-seeded Spartans to the Conference III playoffs behind seniors Noah Etame (running back/linebacker) and Peter Mura (lineman), as well as junior wideout/cornerback Andrew Lusterino. North kicks off the campaign with a trip to Mineola.

Jeff Wilson/Herald

SENIOR THOMAS FLAVIN is part of a dangerous Oceanside offense.

V.S. South Falcons

The Falcons, who visit Bethpage in the opener, are rebuilding. Coach Joe Guastafeste has senior running back/cornerback Yasir Shabazz-Allah, who had 7 touchdowns in 2019, to spearhead the effort along with two-way senior lineman Tyler Van Etten and senior tight end/linebacker Malik Rowe.

Wantagh Warriors

Coach Keith Sachs’s team slides into Conference IV where its seeded No. 2 and opens at Locust Valley. The Warriors will try to overcome their inexperience behind the efforts of senior Joseph Fontana (tight end/defensive tackle) and junior linebackers Liam Casey (over 100 tackles in 2019) and Tyler Martini.

West Hempstead Rams

The Rams, coached by Dom Carre, are seeded No. 8 in Conference IV and open at Friends Academy They return starting quarterback Peter Theodoratos, who’ll lead an offense that includes two-way starters Zadrian Budhoo, a junior running back/safety, and senior Ak Kargbo, a linebacker/fullback.

Keith O’Reilly/Herald

LyNbROOK’S ETHAN HOyTE is among Nassau’s most talented rushers.


March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

10

events and activities

community update Ongoing

Irish song celebration Francine Evans and Joel Slenik will perform your Irish favorites in a lively and engaging virtual performance from the Elmont Memorial Library on March 16 at 12:30 p.m. Registration is required, and a link will be sent to all participants prior to the show.

Show some library love Teenagers in grades seven through 12 can earn two hours of community service by filling out a short survey about why they love the Elmont Memorial Library and showing a Young Adult librarian their confirmation at any time through March 31.

Thursday, March 18

Girls who code

Improve your resume

Girls in grades six through 12 can learn basic coding skills every Saturday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. until April 17. Please visit the Elmont Memorial Library website to sign up. Registration is required.

Join Grow with Google Speaker Petia Abdur-Razzaaq and learn to read a resume like a hiring manager in an online program from the Franklin Square Public Library on March 18 at 4 p.m. Abdur-Razzaaq will provide guests with four strategies to improve their resume and a checklist of tips to help them communicate their strengths. Registration is required.

Sew a potholder Teenagers in grades seven through 12 can learn all about the women of the Freedom Quilting Bee who used their sewing skills to support the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and make thier own potholder using the women’s techniques and design. Registration is required to reserve a kit between March 16 and March 31.

Thursday, March 11 Destress Teenagers in grades seven through 12 can pick up a stress-relieving kit from the Elmont Memorial Library on March 11. Registration is required to receive a kit.

Financial planning workshop Representatives from the New York Life Insurance Company will be at the Franklin Square Public Library on March 11 at 2 p.m. to teach guests about financial planning. Registration is required.

Learn about Keith Haring Children in kindergarten through sixthgrade can learn about famous pop artist Keith Haring and create their own artwork based on his style in an online program from the Elmont Memorial Library on March 11 at 7 p.m. Registration is required, and all registrants will be contacted when they can pick up their craft supplies.

l l l l l

St. Patrick’s Day BINGO Pixabay.com

Singing their legacies Brandy Hart will perform a selection of songs recorded by some of the greatest female vocalists of all time in a virtual performance from the Elmont Memorial Library on March 14 at 2 p.m. Registration is required to attend the concert, and a link will be emailed to all participants.

Friday, March 12

Saturday, March 13

Learn about nutrition

St. Patrick’s Day trivia

Teenagers in grades seven through 12 can watch a video on the Elmont Memorial Library’s website on March 12 to learn about nutrition. Reigstration is required.

Compete against other Elmont residents in a St. Patrick’s Day trivia match on March 13. Register by emailing Theresa from the Elmont Memorial Library at theresaowens8@gmail.com on March 12 with the subject line “ELMONT/ ST. PATTY’S DAY.” All questions will be holiday related and will be emailed to all participants on March 13, who will have until 11:50 p.m. to submit their answers. Everyone who plays will be eligible to win a $25 Amazon gift card, regardless of score.

St. Francis Outreach Bus The St. Francis Hospital Outreach Bus will be at the Elmont Memorial Library’s parking lot on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide adults 18 and older with a brief cardiac history, blood pressure test and a simple blood test for cholesterol and diabetes. Free flu shots will also be available, and no registration or appointment is required.

Sunday, March 14 Women’s History Month concert Brandy Hart will perform a selection of

songs recorded by some of the greatest female vocalists of all time in a virtual performance from the Elmont Memorial Library on March 14 at 2 p.m. This show covers all genres of music and is sure to please audiences of all ages. Registration is required, and a link will be emailed to all participants before the program begins.

Tuesday, March 16 Make Irish soda bread Register with your email to receive the recipe for Irish soda bread, which will be posted on the Elmont Memorial Library’s Adult Services page on March 16. Registration to receive the recipe ends the day before program.

Children in second through sixth-grade can play St. Patrick’s Day BINGO in this online program from the Elmont Memorial Library on March 18 at 7 p.m. and earn prizes. Registration is required, and participants will be notified when they can pick up their cards and chips.

HavING aN eveNt? Items on the Community Update pages 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 mkoenig@liherald.com

Daylight savings time begins on March 14. The Elmont UFSD was profiled on Long Island News Radio. The Sewanhaka Central High School District has started a districtwide book club. A third Covid vaccine has been approved by the FDA. Elmont Principal Kevin Dougherty wrote op-eds about the need for more resources in schools.


11

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Getting fit in a pandemic

13

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

Elmont man offers personal training from his garage gym By Melissa Koenig mkoenig@liherald.com

When everyone was stuck inside during the coronavirus pandemic last spring, Stephane Rony Casseus made sure his fellow Elmont residents had access to physical fitness training by opening a gym in his garage on May 26. He was inspired to do so, he said, because he saw people try to “transform their bodies” and make themselves healthier at a gym across the street from his house when he was a child living in Haiti. He was never able to attend the gym, however, Casseus recounted, because his mother thought it was “too dangerous.” So, after he moved to Elmont and worked for Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages for seven years, he decided it was time to open up a gym of his own for Elmont residents to improve their health during the pandemic. Casseus, 23, now has more than 50 clients who visit the gym in his garage on a regular basis for personal training sessions, which cost $35 per hour or $100 per month. “A lot of people started training” during the pandemic because they had the time and opportunity, Casseus said, and knew they had to maintain their health. As part of the personal training sessions, Casseus conditions his clients in activities such as boxing lessons, weights, running and push-ups. Over the summers, he also uses his entire backyard for strength training programs, like pushing a tire around, and teaches personal nutrition classes. “It was good to work out in the winter,” said Mar-

Melissa Koenig/Herald

stephane Rony Casseus, left, coached Kevin Mondesir in push-ups last Wednesday. vin Mondesir, who had a training session with his brother, Kevin, last Wednesday, during which Casseus turned on some music and coached the Mondesirs in their push-ups, before starting their boxing

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elMont MeMorial high School student-musicians Jenna Prashad and Oluwatamilore Akano were some of the local students who participated in the Performance Readiness Virtual Workshop on Feb. 6.

Staying Local for College

Elmont, Sewanhka musicians participate in virtual workshop Student-musicians from Elmont Memorial High School and Sewanhaka High School participated in a Performance Readiness Virtual Workshop, hosted by the Nassau Educators Music Association, on Feb. 6. As part of the workshop, students from across Nassau County were able to learn from talented musicians, including wind quintet Imani Winds, New York Philharmonic performer Rebecca Young and sopra-

no Kelley Nassief. The students were also able to perform for the workshop leaders and receive feedback on how to further hone their skills. The Elmont Memorial students who participated are Oluwatamilore Akano, Matthew Hardy, Richard Maldonado and Jenna Prashad. The Sewanhaka students who participated are Sean Andrade and Sofia JeanFrancois.

Sewanhaka raises awareness of heart health Sewanhaka High School has been honoring Cardiovascular Awareness Month throughout the month of February. On Feb. 9, the Students and Teachers Against Cancer Club gathered together

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March 11, 2021

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Hearing and Vision

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

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March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

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FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

Listen up!

H

Lifelong hearing health starts with you

earing is the gatekeeper to human communication — it is one of the primary ways in which we connect with other people. Those of us who hear clearly probably cannot appreciate how difficult hearing loss can be. It can even lead to isolation and withdrawal from many pleasurable activities. While not all types of hearing loss are preventable, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing age-related hearing loss and/or noise-induced hearing loss. It’s never too early — or too late — to begin wearing hearing protection around loud noises. And adopting a healthy lifestyle and following your doctor’s advice can go a long way to protecting your hearing health. Your inner ear contains delicate hair-like cells that are quite sensitive to changes in blood flow. If these cells are damaged, you experience hearing loss. The healthier you are overall, the better you can prevent hearing loss — or preserve the hearing you do have, if you already have hearing loss. Manage your blood pressure and cardiac health High blood pressure and heart disease can damage the fragile mechanisms that help you hear. If you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, follow your doctor’s treatment orders to get it under control. Stop smoking and vaping, and limit drinking Studies definitively show that cigarette smoke — whether directly, secondhand, or even in utero — can have a big impact on a person’s hearing health. Likewise with heavy alcohol use, which can create a toxic environment in the ear. Vaping and hearing loss isn’t as well-studied, but there are anecdotal reports linking it to sudden hearing loss. Keep diabetes under control Research has shown that people with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss. Just as with high blood pressure, diabetes can damage the cells in your inner ears. Keep your blood sugar under control and follow your doctor’s orders for managing diabetes. Exercise and practice stress reduction What isn’t exercise helpful for? Exercise improves blood flow and helps your body — and your ear health — in countless ways. Just be careful about loud music while working out and incorrect

weightlifting; both are linked to hearing damage. And because chronic high levels of stress aren’t good for your hearing (or the rest of you), do what you can to keep stress levels under control. Eat foods high in certain vitamins and minerals Did you know that certain vitamins, especially B12, are vital to good hearing? The same is true of minerals including potassium and magnesium. Iron-deficiency anemia is also linked to losing your hearing. Know your family history While knowing your family history won’t directly prevent hearing loss, it will help you know if you’re at elevated risk. Catching it early can reduce your risk of the negative impacts of hearing loss, such as cognitive decline, depression and social isolation. Be aware of drugs that cause hearing loss Hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription drugs are linked to hearing loss. These ototoxic drugs range from ordinary, over-the-counter medications like aspirin to chemotherapy drugs and IV antibiotics. In some cases, you may be able to take an alternative drug to reduce your risk of drugrelated hearing loss. Lower your risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) Even if you’re as healthy as an Olympian, you still risk hearing damage if you don’t protect your hearing in noisy environments. Regardless of your age or your hearing status, it’s always a good idea to protect your hearing when you’re going to be exposed to loud sounds. Noise-induced hearing loss can have many sources. Blasts, like gunfire or fireworks, can cause immediate hearing loss. Less explosive sounds, such as airplane engines, rock concerts, or even high-pitched dentist drills, still cause damage, just more slowly. Either way, the damage is almost always irreversible and cumulative. One common source of hearing damage you might not even realize? Your earbuds and headphones, especially if you don’t take the right precautions when you listen to music. Above photo: Hearing loss prevention begins with healthy habits like regular exercise.

Living with hearing loss No need to fear communications breakdowns Hearing loss can seem daunting, with its ability to affect relationships, selfconfidence, physical health, and more. Taking charge of it, however, can go a long way toward keeping you feeling empowered and engaged. There are many different cues that we receive that help us to understand speech and language. People with normal hearing don’t always receive all the cues, but the English language has enough redundancies that they often get enough cues to correctly identify the message. However some cues are unheard due to the hearing loss. Increased reliance is then placed on the remaining cues to understand conversation. This becomes more difficult when hearing is compromised and frustration often occurs between family members as everyone struggles to understand the rules of communication. Instead of getting frustrated, use the following tips to help you communicate more effectively and take your hearing loss in your own hands. Be an advocate for yourself Others cannot guess what you need. By hiding a hearing loss you will miss conversation and may respond inappropriately and cause further miscommunication. Ways to be an advocate: √ Tell others if you are having difficulty understanding. √ If you don’t understand what someone has said ask him or her to rephrase the message, not just repeat it. √ Educate others regarding hearing loss. Many do not understand why you can hear that they are talking but cannot understand what they are saying. They also don’t know what they can do to help. Ask others to talk more slowly and clearly and not to obstruct their mouths. Manipulate your environment to your advantage. Hearing clearly when there is background noise is probably the biggest challenge for people with hearing loss. When

you can, choose quiet listening environments. In a restaurant, request to be seated in a quiet area away from the door and the kitchen. Partitions and low ceilings may be helpful to reduce noise. Also carpet and upholstery may help to reduce echo, which may help you to understand speech more clearly. Good lighting may also be helpful so that you can see the speaker’s face and gestures. √ If you have a good ear, place yourself so that it is facing the speaker. √ Different environments pose unique challenges. Get creative and make each environment work to your strengths. √ When attending a meeting, get an agenda so that you know the topics that will be discussed. This will give you a few key words to work from when listening. √ In a lecture, record the speaker so that you can review the details later if you missed something. Investigate assistive listening devices. These devices often allow the listener to receive the sound directly from the source, thereby eliminating background noise. They are often available at many theaters, churches and other public venues and are free to use. You may also purchase personal assistive listening devices for use at home or elsewhere. These may include amplified telephones, smoke detectors and alarm clocks, as well as personal devices to listen to the TV. Your audiologist may be able to help you investigate these devices. You may need plenty of hands-on experience with these devices to become comfortable using them outside of home, but once you are comfortable with them, they offer dramatic results in terms of improved communication, increased selfesteem, and reduced negative feelings surrounding communication. Above photo: Better hearing requires more than just hearing aids. Hearing your best means having the right technology — fit specifically to your unique hearing needs — for the environments you find yourself in most often, and maximizing that technology with better communication strategies.


HEALTH HEALTHMEMOS MEMO

March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

18

D

Five reasons to make better hearing a priority

id you know? An estimated 466 million children and adults live with a disabling hearing impairment, according to the World Health Organization. As one of the top chronic public health challenges facing families and communities on a global scale, it’s much more common than people realize. Many also may not realize how far-reaching hearing loss can be, with its links to physical, mental, social, and even financial issues that could affect quality of life. Consider these five examples of problems associated with hearing loss, showing the importance of staying atop your hearing health. Cognitive Decline: A growing body of research connects hearing loss to reduced brain function. Older adults with hearing loss, for example, are up to five times more likely than their normal-hearing peers to develop dementia, per a study by Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging. Another study finds that seniors with a hearing condition may experience faster-than-usual brain shrinkage. The good news? Proper use of hearing aids may slow down cognitive decline as much as 75 percent, per a study published in 2018. Social Isolation: Hearing plays a big role in everyday interactions with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues, so it’s no wonder

that hearing loss can impact your sense of engagement. Those with untreated hearing loss are less likely to participate in social activities, per a study commissioned by the National Council on Aging. This can help lead to social isolation and other problems. Conversely, seniors treated for hearing loss report significant improvements in their social life, relationships, sense of independence, and more. Depression: Multiple studies support a connection between hearing loss and depression. Seniors with hearing loss, for example, may have a 57 percent greater risk of experiencing deep depression, according to a

Johns Hopkins and National Institute on Aging analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Researchers have also found, however, that the odds of depression may be lower with hearing aid use. Falls: Ears not only help with hearing but also contribute to your balancing ability. Research points to the increased likelihood of falls among middle-aged and older adults with hearing loss. Even mild hearing impairment can triple the risk of falling, and every 10-decibel increase in hearing impairment might mean a 1.4-fold increase in the odds of sustaining a fall. Mortality: Hearing loss goes hand in hand with higher mortality. One study published in the Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences found a 20 percent greater risk of mortality among adults 70 years and older with hearing impairment. Other research has estimated the increased risk at an adjusted 21 percent or even an adjusted 39 percent, depending on the severity of hearing loss. As you can see, hearing loss isn’t an isolated concern. It affects your communication and, potentially, your overall health and well being. So don’t wait. Just as you would for your eyes and teeth, schedule regular checkups to help keep your ears and hearing health in optimal shape.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 516-387-4000 or at comprehensiveaudiology. com/make-appointment/. Follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Google, or Instagram @comprehensive_audiology, or visit us at www.comprehensiveaudiology.com.

Dr. Esther Fogel Owner/Director

261 Broadway, Lynbrook 516-387-4000 www.comprehensiveaudiology.com

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

HEALTH MEMO

HEALTH MEMO

Protect eyes from sports-related injury

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lose to 40,000 sports-related eye injuries occur each year, with approximately half requiring emergency room care. School-age competitors are particularly prone to eye injuries since their developmental skills of coordination, balance, reaction time; speed and strength are still being fine-tuned by your coaching efforts. As you know, when a student participates in aggressive sports, an opponent’s fingers, hands, and elbows suddenly become a threat to a student’s visual safety. Baseballs, racquets, hockey pucks, and especially soccer balls and the feet kicking them are a potential danger to the unprotected eye. The good news is that you can help prevent a young person from being sidelined because of a serious eye injury. You can make the decision to help protect their eyes by adding protective sport goggles to their equipment bag. Remember, while protective sports eyewear can provide significant protection; they cannot guarantee to be unbreakable or guard against all foreseeable impacts. However, a quality pair of RecSpecs equipped with 3mm thick polycarbonate lenses and transition lenses, which change from sunglasses to clear in minutes, can be sight savers since they help keep the eyes and surrounding ocular region protected. Accent on Eyes is your sports vision specialist, with a full line of RecSpecs Rx sports goggles to meet the needs of your up and coming superstars! Call for more information for all of your sportsrelated eyewear products. Accent on Eyes also carries a full line of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses, including Oakley, Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Nike, and more.

Are your financial and tax advisors talking?

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Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

e’re now entering tax season. As you prepare your tax returns, you might be wondering how you could improve your taxrelated financial outcomes, now and in the future. One key opportunity is to connect your tax professional with your financial advisor. This collaboration can benefit you in several ways. For example, your tax advisor, working with your financial advisor, could help you determine if a Roth or traditional IRA makes more sense for you. Your financial advisor can then help you choose the right investments within the IRA. Also, your tax professional can identify how much you need to contribute to an IRA to possibly lower your taxable income. Your financial advisor can then plug this figure in to your projected retirement savings as part of your total financial picture. Your tax and financial advi-

sors can also work together to address issues such as capital gains taxes from sales of mutual fund shares. Your investment and tax pictures have many overlaps. And by ensuring your team of advisors is working together, you can boost your chances of getting the results you desire.

Marie L. Taylor, CRPC, AAMS Edward Jones Financial Advisor 365 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead 516-538-4338 • 866-400-4338 www.edwardjones.com marie.taylor@edwardjones.com

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.


Eat right, help your sight

19

Eating healthy is good for your whole body — especially your eyes! There’s so much more to eye nutrition than just the carrots that mom always told you to eat. Everybody knows that eating right is the way to keep your heart healthy. The good news is that the same diet that helps your heart is probably also good for your eyes. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can pay benefits not only to your heart but to your eyes. The connection isn’t surprising: your eyes rely on tiny arteries for oxygen and nutrients, just as the heart relies on much larger arteries. Include an abundance of these foods in your diet and help protect against sight-threatening diseases.

Fish Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may help protect against dry eyes, macular degeneration and even cataracts. If you don’t eat seafood, you can get a good supply of omega-3s by using fish oil supplements or taking vegetarian supplements that contain black currant seed oil or flaxseed oil.

Leafy Greens Spinach, kale and collard greens, to name just a few, are packed full of lutein and zeaxanthin, important plant pigments that can help stem the development of macular degeneration and cataracts. Broccoli, peas and avocados are also good sources of this powerful antioxidant duo.

index (GI) can help reduce your risk for agerelated macular degeneration. Swap refined carbohydrates for quinoa, brown rice, whole oats and whole-wheat breads and pasta. The vitamin E, zinc and niacin found in whole grains also help promote overall eye health.

strawberries, pumpkin, corn and cantaloupe are excellent sources of vitamins A and C. And carotenoids — the compounds that give these fruits and vegetables their yellow, orange and red pigments — are thought to help decrease the risk of many eye diseases.

Citrus Fruits and Berries Oranges, grapefruits, lemons and berries are high in vitamin C, which may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Legumes Kidney beans, black-eyed peas and lentils are good sources of bioflavonoids and zinc — and can help protect the retina and lower the risk for developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

Eggs The vitamins and nutrients in eggs, including lutein and vitamin A (which may protect against night blindness and dry eyes), promote eye health and function.

Nuts Pistachios, walnuts, almonds — whichever type tickles your fancy — are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E that boost your eye health.

Whole Grains A diet containing foods with a low glycemic

Colorful Fruits and Vegetables Foods such as carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers,

Sunflower Seeds Help keep your eyes healthy and disease-free by snacking on sunflowers seeds, which are excellent sources of vitamin E and zinc.

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March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

HEALTH MEMO

T

Twelve NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery physicians named to 2021 Castle Connolly list

welve of the 28 physicians associated with NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery have been named to the latest edition of Top Doctors: New York Metro Area, an annual reference guide published by Castle Connolly, a New York City research and information company. They are: Jeffrey A. Brown, M.D. (Neuropathic Facial Pain Surgery), Jonathan L. Brisman, M.D. (Neurovascular and Brain Surgery), Benjamin R. Cohen, M.D (Spine Surgery), Vladimir Y. Dadashev, M.D. (Spine Surgery), Zachariah M. George, M.D (Spine Surgery), John A. Grant, M.D. (Pediatric Neurosurgery), Sundeep Mangla, M.D. (Endovascular Neuroradiology), Stephen T. Onesti, M.D. (Spine Surgery), Sachin N. Shah, M.D. (Spine Surgery), John Pile-Spellman, M.D. (Endovascular Neuroradiology), Brian J. Snyder, M.D. (Pain and Parkinson’s Surgery), and Alexandros D. Zouzias, M.D (Spine Surgery). “It’s a pleasure to congratulate our colleagues and partners for receiving this honor,” said Michael H. Brisman, M.D., the chief executive officer of Rockville Centre-based NSPC. “Our practice has provided patients from Long Island, and elsewhere, with the most compassionate and comprehensive brain, back, and neck care available for over 60 years. The selection of these twelve physicians to the 2021 Top Doctors: New York Metro Area listing confirms a tradition of clinical, and patient-centered excellence, at NSPC.” For decades, Castle Connolly has been conducting a peerreview survey to select the region’s top doctors based on the

Connolly was acquired by the Everyday Health Group, a division of J2 Global Inc. The Top Doctors: New York Metro Area guide lists those whom Castle Connolly has determined to be in the top ten percent of the region’s physicians — approximately 6,000 in all.

theory that medical professionals are best qualified to assess the qualifications of other practitioners. Licensed physicians vote online for those doctors they consider outstanding. A Castle Connolly doctor-led research team then counts the nominations and vets the nominee pool with the aid of a number of screens, including confirming board certifications and investigating disciplinary histories. Last year, Castle

About NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery Founded in Freeport in 1958, NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery has grown to become one of the largest, private neurosurgical groups in the U.S. with seven conveniently located offices on Long Island, including offices in Lake Success, Rockville Centre, West Islip, Commack, Port Jefferson Station, and Riverhead. The practice’s experienced neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists are experts in “Bloodless” brain and spine surgery, including laser spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, ultrasonic spine surgery, radiosurgery, and other advanced minimally invasive techniques which are used to treat brain tumors, brain aneurysms, trigeminal neuralgia, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, chronic back pain, and other conditions. Please visit www.nspc.com to learn more.

100 Merrick Road, Suite 128W, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 • 844-NSPC-DOC Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

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Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness

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HERALD — March 11, 2021

Don’t skip eyecare checkups

Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits. Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components: 1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping 2. Loss of visual field 3. Usually increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG) People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes. The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eye drops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.

Screenings are essential All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients. If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, but for patients over 60, you might want to begin with a telehealth visit, if you’re high-risk and remained concerned about venturing into medical offices. “Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts. “A healthy brain function requires a healthy

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What’s neWs in and out of the classroom

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

Herald ScHoolS

Taking their hats off for Black History In celebration of Black History Month, Alden Terrace School students in kindergarten through third grade, as well as those in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program and those in Monica Perrone’s class, participated in a live webinar from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on Feb. 5. The webinar, entitled “Hats, Hair and Headwear,” was part of the museum’s Joyful Fridays program. As part of the webinar, the students learned about famous milliner Mae Reeves, who was one of the first Black women to own a large business in downtown Philadelphia. The students were shown images of Reeves’ hats, which were lauded for their artistic and intricate designs. A collection of those hats is on display at the museum, in its “Power of Place” exhibit. Museum representatives also spoke to the students about how hair and headwear could express Black creativity and culture, and the webinar concluded with a craft activity, in which the students created hats inspired by Reeves. They used construction paper, crayons or colored pencils and regular household items to make the hats represent themselves.

Photos Courtesy Elmont Union Free School District

Alden TerrAce School students participated in a webinar from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture about Mae Reeves for Black History Month. PrinciPAl ShAwnée wArfield, right, joined in on the fun

Your LocaL communitY

WantS You! KindergArTener JonAThAn Alex, above, made his own hat. KAelyn BAiley-cArrASco, AnoTher kindergartener, left, made her hat out of construction paper, crayons and feathers.

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Throughout the pandemic, healthcare workers, first responders, grocery and pharmacy personnel, and so many others, have been dedicated to supporting and assisting our community. They are true heroes who deserve our respect, praise and recognition. As many remain on the front lines in 2021, we invite you to nominate a Hometown Hero to be featured in Herald newspaper editions throughout the year.

To nominate, go to LIHerald.com/NominateAHero today!

Herald Community Newspapers seeks an experienced journalist to report for and edit one of our newspapers. The focus of our paper is community news; on the people in the neighborhoods we serve, covering the schools, events, government and the people, places and events that make our communities tick. Qualified candidates must have at least two years of newspaper or wire service experience in reporting and editing. Long Island residents a strong plus. Candidates must have driver’s license, own car and cell phone. As a community journalist, you will be required to cover meetings and other evening events in the local community. Good salary and benefits.

Qualified applicants should e-mail their resume and salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com with EDITOR/REPORTER position as the subject line. 1122816

NOMINATE


March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

24

a look at Franklin Square’s past

OBITUARIES

Remembering Thomas Hetzel Benita Caridad Celestin By Dr. Paul Van Wie

Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a series that will give everyone a front-row seat to the collection at the Franklin Square Museum, which will open to the public as soon as possible. Firefighter Thomas Hetzel, a Franklin Square resident, died as a hero at the World Trade Center in Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001. HetCourtesy Bill Youngfert zel was active in the Franklin Square and Munson Fire The FireFighTer’S CoaT worn by Thomas Hetzel, a Department, as well as in Franklin Square resident who died in the Sept. 11 other local organizations. attacks, will be on display at the Franklin Square There is a plaque dedicated Museum. in his memory at the Septemhonored by the community for its extraorber 11 Memorial at Rath Park, and there dinary efforts. The coat represents a movis also one at Plattduetsche Park, which ing and enduring memorial to one of recognizes his heroism as well as his Ger- Franklin Square’s true heroes. man-American heritage. The Franklin Square Historical SociThis firefighter’s coat, which will be ety invites all residents of Franklin on display at the museum, was used by Square to join our society and receive our Thomas Hetzel in his work with the monthly newsletter with details of the Franklin Square and Munson Fire upcoming grand opening of the museum. Department. It was presented to the Check our website for updates on the Franklin Square Historical Society by the museum opening at: www.fshistoricalsoFranklin Square and Munson Fire ciety.org . Department at the Society’s Annual DinDr. Paul Van Wie is the president of the ner in 2002, when the fire department was Franklin Square Historical Society.

Public Notices

LFRA1 0311

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that an order granted by the Supreme Court, Nassau County, on the 8 th day of February, 2021 bearing index Number 000670.20, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY grants me the right to assume the name A’Nuri Genesis Lopez. The city and state of my present address are Elmont NY; the month and year of my birth are May, 1989; the place of my birth is New York City, New York; my present name is Ashley Arlene Lopez 124915

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given in accordance with Section 103 of the New York State General Municipal Law, that the Elmont Public Library Board of Trustees, Elmont, New York 11003 will accept sealed bids at the Elmont Public Library, Business Office, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, New York 11003, on Wednesday, April 7, 2020 at 10:30 a.m., at which time the bids will be opened and read aloud. Bid: EPL 2021-1, Carpet Tile

The bid documents are available and may be examined at the Elmont Public Library, Business Office, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, New York between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. All bids must be submitted on the Bid Forms supplied by the Elmont Public Library and subject to all detailed specifications, terms and conditions stated herein. The Elmont Public Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids in part or whole and waive any informality, and to accept the bid which is deemed most favorable to the interests of the Elmont Public Library, Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau. Dated:03/11/20201 By Order of the Elmont Public Library Board of Trustees 124929 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 23rd day of

March, 2021, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations: EAST ATLANTIC BEACH MALCONE AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 32 feet north of the north curbline of Park Street, north for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-4/21) ELMONT HOFFMAN AVENUE north side, starting at a point 177 feet west of the west curbline of 2nd Street, west for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-19/21) FRANKLIN SQUARE FENWORTH BOULEVARD - south side, starting at a point 76 feet west of the west curbline of Cleveland Street, west for a distance of 17 feet. (TH-20/21) WOODMERE FULTON STREET - south side, starting at a point 372 feet opposite the northeast curbline of Hickox Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-24/21) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped

persons: EAST ATLANTIC BEACH MOHAWK AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 185 feet south of the south curbline of Beech Street, south for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-324/12 - 11/27/12) (TH-30/21) ELMONT HERALD AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 193 feet east of the east curbline of Meacham Avenue, east for a distance of 23 feet. (TH-52/13: 8/06/13) (TH-1/21) It may be viewed on the Hempstead website, at www.hempsteadny.gov ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard in person in accordance with applicable social distancing regulations, or real time telephonic communication, see instructions at www.hempsteadny.gov Dated: March 9, 2021 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 124829

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com TO PLACE AND AD CALL 516-569-4000 x 232

Benita Caridad Celestin died on Feb. 3 at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital at the age of 90. She was born on Aug. 2, 1930 in Santiago de Cuba to Philogene and Immaculate Celestin, and was the youngest of eight siblings. At the young age of 18, she married Fernand Medina, with whom she had her only child, Jacqueline Thomas Medina. In the 1960s, Benita immigrated to the United States and lived in Miami, Fl. She worked as a hotel manager at the Carriage House for 15 years before moving to New York to live with her daughter. Celestin enjoyed social gatherings, dancing and going to the casino. As she got older, she grew a deeper love for church. In her

f r e e t i m e, s h e watched the TBN channel while eating her favorite food, KFC. She is survived by her daughter, Jacqueline Medina Benita Caridad Va s t e y ; t h r e e grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A funeral was held for her on Feb. 19 at the O’Brien-Sheipe Funeral Home in Elmont, and she was interred at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale.

Rose Liliane Samedy Rose Liliane Samedy (nee Preval) died was a fan of American hip-hop music, and on Feb. 4 at the age of 96. liked to listen and dance to Cardi B. An She was born on Sept. 27, excellent wife, mother, Samedy 1924 to the late Martial Preval had an unwavering faith in God and Thelisma Thelismene she was a member of St. Solon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Joachim and Anne Roman In 1944, she married the late Catholic Church. Emmanuel Samedy, and she A funeral service was held immigrated to the United States for her on Feb. 13 at the St. to join him in 1977. She enjoyed Joachim and Anne Roman cooking, gardening and travelCatholic Church, and she was ing with her church group. She buried at the Pinelawn Memoriwas also a huge fan of wresal Park in Farmingdale tling and American sports. Samedy is survived by her rose Samedy Samedy loved when her grandchildren, Heneck, Jack Sr, Frankids would visit so she could cy Sr, Ernest, Gessy, Ronald and tell them stories. Nasser Samedy; 20 grandchildren and nine Samedy loved to laugh and smile. She great-grandchildren.

David R. Abbate He was a devoted dad to Benjamin and step-dad to Emanuel and Jason. He lived in Elmont for nearly his whole life, and leaves behind many quality friendships. He was a retired buyer and worked in the retail industry for many years. He also enjoyed going to Jones Beach, cooking, family parties and his yearly trips to Las Vegas. Abbate was also a Vietnam War Veteran He was generous, enthusiastic, thoughtful, reliable and always put others first. A funeral was held for Abbate at the Krauss Funeral Home in Franklin Square on Feb. 17, and he was interred at the Calverton National Cemetery.

David abbate

Larry Henry Mazzoni Larry H. Mazzoni, a loving raised four children, Caroline, husband, father of four and Lisa, Larry and Pamela. grandfather of 12, died on Jan. Mazzoni had a passion for 30 at the age of 89. spending quality time with his Mazzoni was born on March family, and he enjoyed taking 13, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York cruises with his wife. He loved to Theresa and Henry Mazzoni. to sing during family weddings He received an Associates and events and on the cruises. Degree from Pace University in Mazzoni was preceded in business, and was drafted to death by his father, Henry, and serve in the United States his mother, Theresa. He is surlarry Mazzoni Army during the Korean War. vived by his wife Marion; his He continued to serve our counfour children, Caroline, Lisa, try for a total of 32 years in the reserves. Larry, and Pamela; and twelve grandchilMazzoni also worked for more than 30 years dren. as a chauffeur letter carrier for the United A funeral was held for him on Feb. 5 at States Postal Service. the St. Catherine of Sienna Church in He married the love of his life, Marion Franklin Square, and he was buried at St. Schober on June 2, 1964, and together they Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.


25

Employment

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Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail you ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

To pLACE your AD CALL 516-569-4000 - press 5

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify and ad.

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Beach Terrace Care Center In Long Beach, New York Part-Time On All Shifts For Our Neuro-Behavior Unit. Must Have Experience In Hospitals Or Nursing Homes With Psych Units Or Related Field. $14.00 Per Hour Please Fax Resume To: 516-431-2105 Attn: Greg Pimentel Or Email GPimentel@beach-terrace.com CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANT/SUPERVISOR. Assist General Contractor. Drivers License. Knowledge Of Construction. Call Mike. 516-887-8877. PIZZA MAKER: F/T, Exper ienced Needed For Busy Syosset Pizzeria. Ask For Glen 516-802-0333

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com SALESPERSON F/T, P/T - Immediate Good Sense Of Style For Busy Mens Boutique. Cedarhurst.. 201-805-3168. SEAMSTRESS/ SEWER With Experience To Follow Basic Dress Pattern And Do Small Production. Call 917-797-2270 SEWING MACHINE OPERATOR And AWNING INSTALLER For Awning Manufacturing Business. Experience Necessary. 516-250-8094; tgawnings@aol.com TRUCK DRIVER NEEDED F/T, CDL Class A License And 1 Year NYC Driving Experience Req. Home Every Evening! RC Supply Corp. Freeport. 516-415-7733

Health Care/Opportunities CNA: MALE & FEMALE CAREGIVERS Will provide Proof of Negative COVID Test. Exp. w/Dementia, Alzheimer's & Parkinson Patients. Caring & Dependable. Driver References Available. Derrick@917-363-8924 One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country. Call the

USA Classified Network today!

1-800-231-6152

RICHNER C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

INC

liherald.com

real local, real news

1104975

DOn’T miss The Bus!

CUSTOMER SERVICE F/T

ARROW EXTERMINATING CO. NEEDS BRIGHT, MATURE PERSON • Heavy Phones • Diversified Office Duties • Computer Knowledge A Must • Phone Sales Experience A Plus

GOOD SALARY & BENEFITS Pleasant Lynbrook Office Call 516-593-7770 REAL ESTATE Open Houses HEWLETT BAY PARK BA, 70 Heron Dr, 6 BR, 4.55 Bth Contemporary with Open Layout on an Acre of Parklike Property. SD#14, REDUCED..$1,650,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman RE 516-238-4299

HEWLETT HARBOR BA, 236 Richards Lane 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary Home on an Acre Of Resortlike, IGP, Open Floor Plan. Full Fin Bsmt. Main Flr Master. SD14...$1,499,00 Ronnie 516 238-4299 Douglas Elliman

WOODSBURGH 185 BAY Dr, OPEN HOUSE BY Appt, 5/6 BR, 4.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Parklike 1/2 Acre Prop. Guest Q u a r t e r s , F u l l B s m t , 2 C a r G a r. SD#14...$1,450,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Homes Real estate

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

IN BRIEF Sharona Beck Realty Welcomes Sharon Lovy

After Sharon graduated from New York University with a Master’s degree in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology, she pursued a meaningful career in Human Resources Management. Upon buying a home in West Hempstead with her growing family, Sharon realized that something was missing from the real estate transaction: the human touch. Sharon joined Sharona Beck Realty in order to gain access to the most listings in the neighborhood. She specializes in residential and commercial sales in the West Hempstead/Franklin Square area. She is very active in many facets of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County and she is co-chair of the Simcha Connection, a matchmaking group (she has set up 9 married couples so far!). Sharon can be reached at 516-652-1999 or by email at lovy96@optonline.net. Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

1122710

neW

1121837

Runn

to join our outside sales team, contact Rhonda glickman. send your resume today. rglickman@liherald.com, 516-569-4000 x250.

HERALD

SAY YES TO THIS HOUSE!

House For Sale HEWLETT BAY PARK 40 Heron Dr, NEW TO MARKET!! 10,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Proper ty on an Acre of Parklike Grounds Tucked away in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary. Soaring Ceilings. IG Pool, Hot Tub. 285' Vinyl Bulkhead Raised & Redone, Dock. 3 Car Garage...$4,650,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman RE 516-238-4299 HEWLETT HARBOR 105 Lake Dr, NEW TO MARKET!! Spectaular Water & Golf Course Views. 4 BR, 4.5 Bth 4500 sq Ft Contemporary w/ Open Layout & Soaring Ceilings, 2 Car Gar, SD#14..$1,995,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman RE 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent CEDARHURST NO FEE Pr ivate Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For O n e B e d r o o m W h e n Ava i l a bl e. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

This Lynbrook Village Home Offers 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, Living Room, Renovated Kitchen With All New Appliances, Dining Area. New Roof, Siding, Windows & Doors. Hardwood Floors, Finished Basement With Wet Bar, Separate Laundry Room, New W/D And New Hot Water Heater. Beautifully Landscaped on 50 x 100 Corner Property With In-ground Sprinkler System. Detached Garage. Excellent SD 20, Walk To LIRR. $548,000

Call Geri Lipsman, Lic. Broker Neponsit Realty 917-751-8476, geri@neponsitrealty.com

WWW.LIHERALD.COM

1124411

ISLAND PARK UFSD

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

HERALD


We don’t want our floor to expand

Homes

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Q. We read your column about flooring (“Our floor is expanding,” Feb. 25-March 3) and are concerned because our new floors were done last summer and show little rises at the edges. We chose the floor because we have allergies and felt it was easier to clean. The floors were coated with urethane, and we’ve been cleaning with a Swiffer and a Roomba, which uses water. Will this be a problem, since we don’t want to see the floor start swelling? Covid has us thinking we need to clean more often, so please let us know what you think.

Long Beach

HOME OF THE WEEK

Old Meets New…

A. As with most wood maintenance, follow two basic rules: 1) consult experts to confirm the best practice and 2) don’t do anything you have doubts about. Water causes wood to react by swelling, mainly because the nature of exposed wood is to draw in water. Remember, the flooring used to be the center of a tree, and is composed of onte eeper millions of straw-like fibers that drew water from the roots of the tree high up to the leaves in order for the tree to survive. Ask any tree, and it wood sway toward telling you it couldn’t imagine giving up its innards to be a floor, but it happens every day. Because the fibers have such a strong tendency to pull moisture in, any moisture beyond the stabilized room humidity level is going to make the planks swell. Coating the fiber of the wood is a good start, but I often see the edges begin to turn color because the seal coating urethane or other materials can develop gaps. For this reason, it’s best not to saturate the finished planks with water. If you’re able to use liquid cleaners that combine less water with other ingredients that increase evaporation, such as alcohol, and damp mop with furniture-grade cleaners more, it will help to avoid some of the swelling. I recently came to a conclusion, thinking about the current pandemic, about the last pandemic, the influenza of 100 years ago. It was around that time that the modern architecture movement began, and I realize that part of the influence was a reaction to the need to create healthier living environments in our homes and workplaces. Even though most of us remember all the knickknacks and tchotchkes our grandparents had on their shelves, window sills and mantels, not to mention the coveted corner glass cabinets containing show pieces of crystal and figurines, the stark departure to the modern architecture movement was slowly taking hold. It was based on the need to eliminate dust-catchers. The Persian rugs disappeared and tile, marble and wood floors became more common. The first home I remember living in had hard, granite-like terrazzo floors and a projecting flat roof held up at one corner by two angled columns forming a V. Now we’re returning to hard, washable surfaces, so we just need to understand where the materials come from and how to treat them. Good luck!

Ask The Architect

M

A

newly renovated throughout beachside gem! On the upper floor you will enjoy a sun drenched room with windows on all sides, a formal dining room with high ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows. There is a large sunken double height living room also with stained-glass windows, wood-burning fireplace, brand new Chef’s kitchen with top grade appliances and wine cooler. In addition, you will find three bedrooms and a brand-new bathroom, master bedroom with new private spa-like bathroom. On the lower floor you will enjoy three bedrooms with new one and half bathrooms and all newly remodeled floors. There is plenty of parking along with a garage plus a four car driveway. This house is a must see. There are too many extras to list. This home is located one block from the ocean and a short distance to LIRR. $1,289,000

Agent:Mazal Amram, LAB Email: jamram123@aol.com Phone:(516) 782-6331 Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

HEWLETT BAY PARK 70 Heron Dr, BA, 6 BR, Contemporary with Open Layout on an Acre of Parklike Property. Move Right in! SD#14 ..................................................REDUCED $1,650,000 40 Heron Dr, BA, NEW TO MARKET!! 10,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Property on an Acre of Parklike Grounds Tucked away in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary. Soaring Ceilings. IG Pool, Hot Tub. 285' Vinyl Bulkhead Raised & Redone Dock. 3 Car Garage ..................................$4,650,000 HEWLETT HARBOR 267 Channon Rd, NEW EXCLUSIVE! 7 BR, 4 Bth Exp Ranch w/ Full Fin Bsmt on Quiet St in SD#20. 2 Car Att Gar. Won’t Last! .......................................................................$1,198,000 105 Lake Dr, BA, NEW TO MARKET!! Spectaular Water & Golf Course Views. 4 BR, 4.5 Bth 4500 sq Ft Contemporary w/ Open Layout & Soaring Ceilings, 2 Car Gar, SD#14 .................................................................... $1,995,000 236 Richards Lane, BA, 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary Home on an Acre Of Resortlike Prop with IG Pool. Open Floor Plan. Full Fin Bsmt. Main Flr Master. SD14 ..REDUCED! $1,499,000 WOOdSBURGH 185 Bay Dr, BA, 5/6 BR, 4.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Parklike 1/2 Acre Prop. Guest Quarters, Full Bsmt, 2 Car Gar. SD#14 .................................................................... $1,450,000 EAST ROCKAWAY 1 Thompson Dr, BA, 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Ranch w/Open Layout in Waverly Park Area. Updtd EIK. O/S Prop w/Deck. Att Gar. SD#20 ......................................................... $599,000 Vacation Rentals/Prop. Apartments For Rent

ROSEDALE: 3 BEDROOM, Newly renovated. Minutes away from LIRR. 516-805-4202

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of full/partial week rentals. FREE Color Brochure. Holiday Real Estate, Inc: 1-800-638-2102 Online reser vations: www.holidayoc.com. $50 discount - new rentals. Code: "ToTheBeach2021" (Expires 2021-06-01)

Sherlock Homes Sherlock Homes E . RO CK AWAY OPE N HOU S E SATURDAY MARCH 13TH 1:00 - 3:00 SUNDAY MARCH 14TH 12:00 - 2:00

17 WEST BOULEVARD WATERFRONT

ALL NEW CONSTRUCTION 3 Bedrooms 3 Full Baths Decks from both Master Bedroom & Living Room with Gas Fireplace Open Dining Area & Eat-in Kitchen Hardwood Floors with Radiant Heat 2 Car Garage & All New Systems Price: $899,000

1124407

OPEN HOUSES BY APPOINTMENT SUNdAY, 3/14/21

Listing Agent: Lia Miele 516-382-7037 43 N. Park Ave. Rockville Centre • 516-764-2601

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR HOME IS WORTH?

Call for Your FREE Home Market evaluation now!

Lisa a. Fava CBR, sRs, aBR

LiCensed assoCiate BRokeR

50 Hempstead avenue Lynbrook, nY

1123083

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

Topper Realty Corp. 84 East Park Avenue Long Beach , NY Direct: (516) 889-6677

516-815-2434

“Going Above & Beyond to find your Dream Home”

L

Rhonda Healy

M: (516) 236-7269

Real Estate Salesperson, abR, SRS E: Rhonda.Healy.VW@gmail.com Verdeschi & Walsh Realty 1025 W. Beech St. | Long Beach, NY

OneKey Multiple Listing Service ®

1120869

e s t. 1 9 1 1

1123087

March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

26

© 2021 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.


27

Market Place • •

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

HERALD — March 11, 2021

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

CONTINENTAL TAX e PLANNERS thWanherae ytaoux ’rreetumrnor!!!! TAX AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES Personal Tax Filing • Small Business Specialists • Payroll Services • Stimulus Review • Open Year Round

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CALL FOR MORE INFO No service in Long Beach

Carpentry & Painting Specialist

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Page 2 is 4C constructed in InDesign. This page is a PDF exported from page 2 and converted to grayscale. Use 600 dpi for exporting.

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CRAZY?

1120792


HERALD

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 MERCHANDISE MART Antiques/Collectibles We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 40 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid.. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Miscellaneous For Sale COCA COLA MACHINE 1960's VENDO HA56C Square Cornered. Good Condition $175. 516-596-0465.

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Finds Under $100

Home Improvement

Finds Under $100

GLOCKENSPICH VINTAGE 60'/ 70's Jenco 2 Octaves with carrying case, mallet and shoulder strap $95.00 516-705-4313

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

BOYS CLOTHES: SIZE 3T & 4T. New w i t h Ta g s. Tex t fo r p i c s. $ 7 e a c h . 917-420-5814

SOCKET SET, 3/4 inch drive, heavy duty. hardly used. with case. .35.00 516-593-2249

FINDS UNDER $100

BRAND NEW FURLA Tote Bag from Italy Chocolate Brown Asking $99 call 516-509-2710 BRAND NEW STONE Mountain ARTESIA Bucket Bag Chocolate Brown Sug. Price $140 Asking $99.l 516-509-2710 CRAFTSMAN 4 CYCLE snow blower, used little. Easy Start, Light to medium duty $95.00 516-705*4313 GIRLS CLOTHES: SIZE 5. New with Tags. Jeans, hoodies. Text for pics. $8 each. 917-420-5814

SERVICES Cleaning Services M A R I N A ' S C L E A N I N G S E RV I C E S : Cleaning Homes, Apartments, Condos, Offices. Experienced. FREE Estimates. Serving Long Island. 516-670-7764

Electricians

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

6HOO \RXU PHUFKDQGLVH LQ QR WLPH OO K GL L L

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

CRAZY? (PDLO \RXU $G WR WKH +HUDOG DQG 3ULPH7LPH &ODVVLÀ HG 'HSDUWPHQW DW VDOHV#OLKHUDOG FRP WR UXQ D )5(( )LQGV 8QGHU WR UXQ D )5(( )LQGV 8QGHU

Home Improvement

HANDY DANDY NO JOB TOO SMALL! *Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

HErald

Crossword Puzzle

Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work, Lic./ Ins. Owner Always Onsite Free Estimates 516-354-5578 THE GENERAC PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194

Miscellaneous BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 7/21/21. 1-888-609-9405

Tree Services T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning *Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

SCHALMONT CSD SCHALMONT SURPLUS REALCSD ESTATE SCHALMONT CSD SURPLUS REAL ESTATE ONLINE ONLY AUCTION ONLINE ONLY AUCTION SCHALMONT CSD SURPLUS REAL ESTATE SCHALMONT CSD Property Address:

401 ONLINE Duanesburg Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 AUCTION SURPLUS REAL ESTATE 401 DuanesburgONLY Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 SURPLUS REAL ESTATE Property Address:

Approx. 104,000+ sq ft building | (4) Warehouse sections | Multiple Loading Docks Property Address: RailroadLoading Docks 4.88 acres miles| East of I-88 | Adjacent Approx. 104,000+ sq |ft1.8 building | Multiple (4) Warehouse sectionsto 4.88 acres | 1.8 miles East of I-88 | Adjacent to Railroad Property Address: Property Address: Approx. 104,000+ sq ft building | (4) Warehouse sections | Multiple Loading Docks Property Address: 4.88 acres | 1.8 miles East of I-88 | Adjacent to Railroad Approx. 104,000+ sq ft building Approx. 104,000+ sq ft building || (4) Multiple Loading Loading Docks Docks (4) Warehouse Warehouse sections sections || Multiple Approx. 104,000+ sq ft building Multiple Loading Docks | (4) Warehouse sections | Railroad 4.88 Adjacent to to Railroad 4.88 acres acres || 1.8 1.8 miles miles East East of of I-88 I-88 || Adjacent 4.88 acres | 1.8 miles East of I-88 | Adjacent to Railroad

ONLINE ONLY AUCTION 401ONLINE DuanesburgONLY Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 AUCTION 401 Duanesburg Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 401 Duanesburg Rd, Rotterdam, NY 12306 Online sale begins to close Fri., March 19th at 10AM Online sale begins to close Fri., March 19th at 10AM

**Specific Registration Requirements, Take action today!** **Specific Registration Requirements, Take action today!** Online sale begins to close Fri., March 19th at 10AM

Online auction conducted by: For complete sale details:Requirements, **Specific Registration Take action today!** Online auction conducted by: For complete salebegins details:to Online 401DuanesburgRd.com Online sale sale begins to close close Fri., Fri., March March 19th 19th at at 10AM 10AM 401DuanesburgRd.com OnlineRegistration sale begins toRequirements, close Fri., MarchTake 19thaction at 10AM (800) 536-1401 x110 **Specific today!** Online auction conducted by: **Specific Registration Take action today!** For complete sale details:Requirements, (800) 536-1401 x110 Broker: Russ J. Scherrer **Specific Registration Requirements, Take action today!** 401DuanesburgRd.com Broker: Russ J. Scherrer Have real estate you want sold? Contact us, we can help! Online auction conducted Online auction conducted by: by: For sale details: (800) 536-1401 x110 For complete complete sale details: Have real estate you want Contact us, we can help! Online auctions closing daily sold? | www.auctionsinternational.com Online auction conducted by: 401DuanesburgRd.com For complete sale details: Broker: Russ J. Scherrer 401DuanesburgRd.com Online auctions closing daily | www.auctionsinternational.com (800) x110 401DuanesburgRd.com (800) 536-1401 536-1401 x110 Have real estate you want sold? Contact us, we can help! (800) Broker: Russ J. Scherrer Broker: Russ J. Scherrer Online536-1401 auctionsx110 closing daily | www.auctionsinternational.com

1123271

March 11, 2021 — HERALD

28

Have can J. Scherrer Have real real estate estate you you want want sold? sold? Contact Contact us, us, we weBroker: canRusshelp! help! Online auctions daily || www.auctionsinternational.com Have estateclosing you want Contact us, we can help! Onlinereal auctions closing dailysold? www.auctionsinternational.com Online auctions closing daily | www.auctionsinternational.com

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516-569-4000 press 5, then 2

Answers

to todAy’s puzzle


29

OpINIONS

ow strange the past 12 months have been, for us all. Personally, I’ve been holed up for most of it at my desk in my bedroom, papers stacked up around me, my cellphone always at the ready, resting against my computer. I’m not complaining. I know how fortunate I am during this coronavirus pandemic to be able to work as a newspaper editor from home most of the time. My two adult children, both in college, Zoom in to their classes from their bedrooms one floor below. My wife, a teacher, SCOTT works at her school, but on occasion has BRINTON been called to teach virtually from home. I can’t help but feel cloistered, hemmed in by my bedroom walls. There’s a world outside, waiting for me, but I can’t venture far very often. So few of us can these days, our lives dictated by the ebbs and flows of an insidious viral invader. I leave my house in Merrick only for short, well-planned errands — no more browsing in stores — to teach three hours a week at Hofstra University, to take walks around the neighborhood or at a local park

with my family, or to report a story. I’ve realized that I’ve never before spent so much time by myself. I had grown accustomed to the nervous energy of a newsroom on deadline, the constant tapping of fingers on keyboards, the chatter of reporters speaking at breakneck pace with sources on the phone, the sound of footsteps moving hurriedly across a carpeted floor. Then, suddenly, seated at my home desk, there was only quiet whenever I stopped to listen. I could hear nothing but the faint sound of cars on the Meadowbrook Parkway nearby or, here and there, the howling wind. There was no movement, only stillness. At first, I felt alone. Then, as the months passed, a funny thing happened: I started to embrace the aloneness. My mind was less cluttered. I found I could think faster, write faster. I became a more efficient editor. As still more time passed, my mind started to wander during the precious moments of free time between editing and writing stories or teaching classes. Often it turned to the woods of my childhood in Yaphank, in Suffolk County — the hundreds of acres of oaks and pines behind my family’s home where I trekked off for hours, learning, by trial and error, to differentiate between poi-

I

son ivy and Virginia creeper or to navigate by paying close attention to unusual landmarks. It was the only other time when I was as alone as I am now. It was also when I was most at peace — when I could think freely. As a child, I spent more time than most in the woods. Not only did I grow up surrounded by forest, but also, as a Boy Scout, I ventured into many an upstate park, from the Catskills to the Adirondacks, always feeling a sense of oneness with the earth in the woods. That was, in part, why I spent four summers as a Fresh Air Fund counselor in Fishkill. I could do good for the world — the camp was for underprivileged children from the inner city — while living entirely outdoors. It was also why, the week I finished my master’s degree, I headed off to northern Maine to climb Mt. Katahdin — alone. The early days of the pandemic are a blur to me, a rapid-fire succession of hard-news stories that I had to write or edit. Over the summer, I marched alongside the Black Lives Matter protesters for miles to document that history-making movement, never stopping to think whether I might become infected with Covid-19 while walking among so many thousands of people. Then, during the fall, I began to settle into my lonesome routine, sending my mind

’ve grown used to the the quiet of my bedroom, in stark contrast to a newsroom.

in search of my past. I wondered why I thought so often about the woods. The answer, I believe, is simple: In the forest, I was without fear. We are all, I think, searching for some modicum of peace now. We must cling to some form of past happiness, because in it, we find hope, which we so desperately need to give us the inner strength to endure these final months of the pandemic before we reach herd immunity — we hope, sometime over the summer. In the future, I determined, I must return to the woods more often — to live, as Henry David Thoreau implored us, deliberately. In the woods, as Thoreau wrote, I can “front the essential facts of life.” I decided to buy a pair of Vasque Sundowner hiking boots — beautiful, brownleather, Italian-made hiking boots — the same pair that I purchased before I drove off to Maine, but somehow lost as a Peace Corps volunteer. I hope to climb Bear Mountain, Mount Marcy and Mount Katahdin again, and perhaps others as well. I hope. I hope. I hope. We must keep hope alive to remember why we should do all we can to survive these terrible and terrifying times. Scott Brinton is the Herald Community Newspapers’ executive editor and an adjunct professor at the Hofstra University Herbert School of Communication. Comments about this column? SBrinton@liherald.com.

Fighting the good fight against conspiracies (Part 2)

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merica has been fertile ground for conspiracy theories. Some social scientists say that the conspiracy world began to flourish with the Kennedy assassination in 1963. A succession of violent events shocked a public that demanded an explanation. Before our eyes, our young president was shot down, and days later the shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, was killed on live TV by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner. Who was Oswald, the strange guy in the Texas Book Depository who took out JFK as he RANDI rode in a motorcade KREISS through Dallas? Dozens of books and movies fed the “real” stories. Enter the internet in the 1990s, and suddenly strange ideas, random sightings and pseudo explanations for phenomena of all kinds proliferated, striking roots in dark places, where they thrived. Who said men ever walked on the moon? How many humans have actually been snatched by aliens for visits to outer space? Elvis is really alive, and Paul McCartney is really dead. Apparently, the earth is flat. Or possibly

hollow. Or probably inhabited by beings who live in the netherworld below. You can’t even begin to count the vampires in the royal family, and some believe that a footman found human remains in the queen’s family freezer. Snack food? Most conspiracy propaganda is ridiculous and not particularly threatening, but what happens when a lunatic fringe goes more mainstream? What happens when a dangerous conspiracy theory gains traction with hundreds of thousands of people and more? What is the consequence of a conspiracy group getting one of theirs elected to the United States Congress? Well, here we are, folks, with Marjorie Taylor Greene, late of QAnon, in the House of Representatives. Early on, she allied herself with the group that believes that prominent elected officials and Hollywood celebrities are devil worshippers and child molesters. Greene expressed her support for threats of violence against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. How do you counter a new, popular, destructive belief system? The solutions are neither quick nor easy. The only antidote to the proliferation of conspiracy theories and hate groups is universal, robust education. It’s no coincidence

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that QAnon has surged during a pandemic when everyone is trapped inside with little to do but weave webs of deception online. Do you love America? Help make our education system the best in the world, not just in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, but also in civics. We have to teach constitutional democracy, and make it come alive for kids as a living, breathing way of life. Please read “America must embrace civics and history instruction for the sake of our democracy,” an editorial in the Washington Post on March 2. As adults, we have a lot to learn about how to support our freedoms and recognize authoritarianism when it emerges. We can all help our children become sharper, more critical thinkers instead of classroom sponges. As a former teacher, a parent and a grandparent, I have both experienced and witnessed the droning boredom of rote learning and “teaching to the test,” and lifetime jobs for teachers who long ago cashed in their chips. When we send our kids to school, we are entrusting their minds and futures to teachers who must inspire and sow creativity. A child who learns from their parents to be curious about the world, to ask questions,

niveral, robust education will help our children become critical thinkers.

to pursue proof in the face of dogma is someone who can resist conspiracy theories with intellect and moral courage. Actively curious children become intellectually healthy adults. We can all learn better to question assumptions, be aware of our own biases and evaluate evidence. According to the Foundation for Critical Thinking website, “Critical thinking is just deliberately and systematically processing information so that you can make better decisions and generally understand things better.” I don’t know how we get there from here, but I am absolutely sure that quality education blows the cobwebs out of the corners and engenders creative thinking and questioning in the face of false information and demagoguery. Did you know that Finland doesn’t exist? That Meghan Markle is a robot? That 5G causes Covid-19? That 9/11 was an inside job by the U.S. government? And so on. People believe this stuff, and generally their flights of fantasy do no harm. But today QAnon has emerged, raising a big tent for haters and fear-mongers from every corner of America. Many of our fellow Americans are buying what Q is selling. We must do better than this as a nation. Change begins with teaching our children how to learn. Copyright 2021 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

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Reflections on a pandemic year


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March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

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Cuomo’s days in office appear numbered

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year ago, the coronavirus pandemic arrived in New York, and fear and confusion ensued. People had no real idea what this terrible disease was — how deadly it could be or how, precisely, it spread. We needed a calming voice to talk us through the crisis. Gov. Andrew Cuomo was that voice. Day after day, week after week, he spoke directly to New Yorkers at daily televised news conferences, which quickly became popular not only here, but also across the country. He told us hard truths and offered credible solutions that brought calm — and results. By summer, New York’s Covid-19 infection rate, once the highest in the nation, had plummeted to 1 percent. That is, in part, why it has been so disturbing and disheartening to hear a series of accusations against the gover-

nor — first, that his administration may not only have under-reported nursing home deaths, but also altered the reports, and second, that he may have sexually harassed four women. If the growing number of accusations against Cuomo and his administration are proven true in the independent investigations now taking place, then he should resign, so as not to put the state through the long agony of an impeachment proceeding. U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat from Garden City who represents the 4th Congressional District, has already called on Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, to step down. Rice made the announcement on Twitter March 1. Meanwhile, her House colleague Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from Glen Cove who represents the 3rd District, is taking more of a wait-and-see approach, allowing the investigations to

Undocumented immigrants need relief, too

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hey rip roofs off houses under repair, wash dishes in restaurants and pick fruit and vegetables, among countless other jobs, working 12- and 16-hour shifts for poverty-level wages with no benefits. They often live in tiny illegal basement apartments, or in multi-family houses that are stretched beyond capacity, or, in some cases, in the woods along our parkways. They are undocumented immigrants, existing in America’s shadows, afraid to speak up for themselves for fear that they might be deported to their home countries. Many pay taxes — the IRS estimates that 6 million undocumented immigrants file individual income tax returns — but they receive little in the way of services or

benefits. That has been the case even during the coronavirus pandemic that has devastated New York and the nation. Undocumented immigrant workers were excluded last year from the $2.2 trillion federal CARES Act, which provided aid to struggling businesses and most American workers. States could offer pandemic aid to these workers — and California did, setting aside $75 million for disaster relief aid for them. The California Department of Social Service selected 12 nonprofit groups to help undocumented immigrants apply for disaster funds, amounting to $500 per adult, or a total of $1,000 per household. New York, however, has not provided a

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play out. According to a Quinnipiac poll last week, 55 percent of New Yorkers said they believe Cuomo should not resign, though the results were released the day before revelations that his aides may have changed death reports to reflect more favorably on the governor, so we may see that number drop. At the same time, 59 percent of New Yorkers said they do not want to see him run again. Cuomo is a fighter who doesn’t back down, so we don’t expect him to resign, though the allegations against him are mounting daily, so he may have no choice. New York has been through hell over the past year, and we don’t expect the coming year to be much easier. We will recover, but it will take time. What we need now is a strong leader at the helm, not one so damaged by scandal as to become ineffectual.

letters Health care for all New Yorkers To the Editor: Re the Feb. 25-March 3 editorial, “A year later, lessons learned from the pandemic”: The question is asked, “When we are past the pandemic, who will we become?” We are all challenged to ponder this question. Upon examination, there is no way that we can look back on the last year and think that our health care system is not in dire need of change. Our current health insurance system doesn’t work. The tragic and preventable statistics and stories of people losing their life savings due to cancer, or families resorting to GoFundMe for medical bills, remind us that this system had already failed for too many before the coronavirus pandemic. Now the failures of this system are even clearer. We

similar aid package to undocumented immigrants. The statewide campaign #FundExcludedWorkers is calling on lawmakers in Albany to do just that. A measure now sits in the State Senate Labor Committee, but it has gone nowhere. We’re calling on New York lawmakers — in particular, our Long Island Democratic senators — to push for and pass this legislation as part of the state budget, due April 1. Providing aid to the people most in need, who so often labor in the jobs that put them most at risk for contracting Covid-19, would be the right thing to do. Our lawmakers should set politics aside and summon their better angels to ensure that this measure passes.


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opinions

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n case you haven’t noticed it, there are all kinds of battles going on between legislators and governors all over the country. As far south as Texas and as far north as Albany, elected officials are fighting over electrical power and political power. Unlike a boxing match, when the dust has settled and the fighters retreat to their corners, there will be no winners. The most horrible case of government malpractice has occurred in Texas. It’s hard to believe that the most energy-rich JerrY state in the nation can go into a deep kremer freeze impacting the lives of 28 million people. Wherever you travel in Texas, you’ll find oil rigs, natural gas facilities and ancient coal plants. With all those sources of power, a major cold wave hit the state in mid-February and froze much of the energy-generating equipment. When the temperature dropped, the state’s public utility corporation was totally unprepared to stop its generators from freezing. This is especially discon-

certing considering that in 2011, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the federal agency in charge of America’s energy resources, told Texas energy officials that they had to winterize their power facilities to prevent them from freezing over if hit by a major storm. Texas has always taken the position that its power plants shouldn’t be regulated by the federal government. They have gone as far as to decline to be tied into any power system in a neighboring state. New York, for example, is connected to a national grid, and when the state suffers a power loss, it can buy excess power from our surrounding states. During a typical summer heat wave, utilities such as Con Edison and PSE&G buy out-of-state power. When the cold descended on Texas, the first thing the Republican governor and lieutenant governor did was to blame the freeze on the wind and solar industry, claiming those energy sectors had caused the shutdown. They even attacked the so-called Green New Deal, which is a proposal and not a law. After a few days of ducking and weaving from Democratic assaults, Lt. Governor Dan

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f it’s not electrical power, there’s always Covid restrictions to battle over.

Letters all feel the insecurity, as employment is more uncertain, health care is increasingly expensive and an unfortunate diagnosis can have dire consequences. The pandemic and the associated economic crisis exposed the inadequacy of employment-based, profitdriven insurance. Meanwhile, health insurance companies, and New York’s billionaire class, enjoyed a lucrative 2020, reaping profits while health care workers were overworked, working families were stretched further than ever, and Covid19 cases and deaths escalated. The New York Health Act, proposed in the State Senate and Assembly, would replace these costly and inefficient systems with one comprehensive health care plan for all New York residents and workers. This would leave more money in the pockets of 98 percent of people, save billions in administrative costs and provide relief for small businesses that struggle to afford health insurance for their employees. New York is a great state, and it should have a great health care system, and now we have a chance to lead the way for the rest of the country by passing this legislation. Ensuring that your family and community have health care is essential. What is not essential is for-profit health insurance, or protecting the tax

Patrick conceded that the state-owned system needed to be winterized. In the interim, some homeowners are getting energy bills in the thousands of dollars due to the breakdowns in the system. Back here in New York, there’s a fistfight going on between the Long Island Power Authority and PSE&G, which has a contract to run the power system. Their battle is focused on Tropical Storm Isaias last August, which left record numbers of homeowners without power for almost two weeks. LIPA is suing PSE&G, and the politicians are talking about creating a publicly owned power system. If I had a choice between PSE&G or Con Edison and a publicly run system, I’d stick with private enterprise. The other battle for power is going on between numerous governors and their state legislatures over Covid restrictions. It seems that a number of legislatures, including New York’s, are tired of their governors dictating to the states on mask wearing, business openings and a variety of other restrictions. It has gotten so bad in some states that Republican legislators are battling Republican governors,

calling them “dictators.” The New York legislative battle between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the leaders of the Legislature has been temporarily resolved with an agreement that Cuomo’s executive powers will be suspended by the end of April and the Legislature will play a greater role. Much of what will happen is linked to the fate of Cuomo, who is under fire amid allegations of sexual harassment. There is more to this power struggle than just a tug of war for control. Individual legislators have claimed that Cuomo has threatened them personally, and they are looking to restrict his powers. It’s no secret in Albany that Cuomo has a reputation for being a tough boss, and he never hides his feelings, but new laws will not settle this brawl. I’m not an expert on health issues, but it seems that the Covid-19 has another side effect. It causes politicians to go into fits of rage and attack each other for weeks on end with little to show for it. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.

Framework by Lisa Melillo

rates of New York’s hyper-wealthy. Our Long Island representatives need to hear the message from us all: Pass The New York Health Act. DR. DANIEL COLACURCIO Westbury

Cuomo should practice what he preaches To the Editor: Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn’t always practice what he preaches. He is asking New Yorkers not to pass judgment on the accusations of sexual harassment against him until State Attorney General Letitia James completes her investigation. Remember the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh? Cuomo wasn’t so charitable in that case. As for sexual harassment training, employees receive a certificate upon completion. May we see a copy of Cuomo’s certificate? It would include who provided the training and the date he completed the session. He needs a refresher course. LARRY PENNER Great Neck

It seems like just last week — Bayville Creek Beach

FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD — March 11, 2021

The pandemic gives states one more thing to fight about


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March 11, 2021 — FRANKLIN SQUARE/ELMONT HERALD

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