Twelve-year-old Trip Flowers of Long Beach, wearing mask above, is battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and to show their support, members of the Long Beach Middle School and Long Beach Lightning hockey teams and PAL lacrosse, Trip’s friends and teammates, surprised him outside his home last weekend, all with shaved heads in solidarity. At right, the salon where the boys left all that hair.
Each year in the United States, roughly 240,000 women, and more than 2,000 men, are diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease has hit one local woman hard, and she is doing something about it. Joanne Ameruoso wants to bring more awareness to the disease, and raise money for research. To do so, she hosted a special night in Long Beach last week, bringing people together with paddles and pickleballs.
ELast Friday, Ameruoso, 56, of Merrick, hosted Pickleball for a Cause at the Long Beach Tennis Center, on Monroe Boulevard, where she once played tennis, inviting participants to grab a pickleball paddle and play, for fun and to support a good cause. There was a $40 entrance fee, and the friendly competition was sold out, with about 40 people, ranging from teens to seniors, packing the courts.
we really did,” she said. “We had food at the end, we had the raffles and fun, you know, we had a couple of big winners win a couple prizes.”
verybody had a great time, we really did JoANNE AMERuoSo Merrick
Ameruoso, an author, motivational speaker and health and wellness coach, was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Valley Stream before settling in Merrick with her family. There is a history of more than one form of cancer on both sides of her family, including breast cancer. But the BRCA gene, which increases a woman’s risk of developing the disease, was not found in her genetic makeup.
Her mother, Mary Jean, died of breast cancer in 2014, at age 73. Reflecting on her loss, Joanne realized that much of her own health history mimicked her mother’s.
She opted to undergo a preventive double mastectomy at 48 — and learned that she had Lynch syndrome, an inherited genetic disorder that increases the risk of several cancers, including stomach, colon, liver,
“Everybody had a great time,
Continued on page 5
Something inspiring and truly surprising has been bubbling up on the Long Island literary scene, thanks to Nassau County Poet Laureate Paula Curci and Poet Laureate emeritus Peter Dugan, editors of the new book Poetry: It’s a ‘Shore’ Thing in an Unsure World — a micro-memoir anthology from the south shore poets of Long Island. This unique collection celebrates a spontaneous creative form devised by Curci and Dugan, co-hosts of the popular It’s a “Shore” Thing spoken word open mic that takes place monthly at the Long Beach Public Library.
“Post-pandemic, Peter and I were looking for a way to draw people back to the poetry platform of open mics, something that would be uniquely ours,” Curci said. “We had noticed that both long form confessional narrative as well as the short form ‘micro memoir’ were becoming popular, so one night we prompted our poets with a theme and asked them to spend a few minutes writing down a memory——on an index card.”
The results were remarkable. “Virtually everyone present shared a memory, right there on the spot. And what we found so extraordinary, once we started reading them, was how positive and uplifting all these remembrances were — especially after three years of utter chaos in our country. We thought that said something amazing about human nature.”
Was this a fluke — or could these initial micro memoirs inspire more? Curci and Dugan decided to find out, prefacing each It’s a ‘Shore’ Thing session by asking those present to offer a written snapshot—straight from the hippocampus onto a 5-by-8 index card. Participants were more than up to the task, and for 10 months, between October 2022 to July 2023, the memories rolled in.
Every time, every index card had an optimistic message. Equally impressive was the memoirists’ diversity—from a trans teenager to a local octogenarian business owner. “We see these overt nonfiction works as a type of folk art,” Curci said. “Naturally we felt compelled to bring them to a wider audience.
That’s come to fruition with Poetry: It’s a ‘Shore’ Thing in an Unsure World , which became available on March 12 on Amazon, which compiles all of the inspirational micro-memoirs on the printed page for all to enjoy.
The anthology will be celebrated by Paula Curci and Peter Dugan at the Poetry Festival held on April 13, at the Long Beach Public Library at 2:30 p.m. Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik, a poet, author, and psychoanalyst, and the books’ forward writer will be featured. An open mic will be followed at 3 p.m. hosted by poet, writer and artist Theresa RosarioBerzner, with a feature reading by poet Doreen Spungin.
This day-long event starts with Keynote Anissa Moore, Nassau’s Deputy County Executive at 10 a.m., with readings from HerStory, NCPLS, L.B. Arts Council’s magazine, and more. Patrons will hear notables like Rita M. Monte from WHPC at 11:30 a.m., John Valenti III from the acclaimed 13 Poets from Long Island poetry anthology at 1:45 p.m. and poet Gary Jansen, debuting his book Meditations at Midnight: Poetry
Peter Dugan, Poet Laureate Paula Curci and Theresa Rosario-BerznerShore are all poets and the hosts of Poetry: it’s a ‘Shore’ Thing. The open mic at the Long Beach Public Library is every second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
and Prose, at 2:15 p.m. Reading circles and information engagement tables will be going on all day, with Lost Island Arts hosting more poetry and music at 7 p.m.. The day-long event is in part funded by poets and writers with a grant from the NYSCA.
–Brendan Carpenter
Long Beach’s police departments try to meet with community members and build relationships at events throughout the year, like International Night Out, which takes place every August. Sometimes, residents try to return the gesture, wanting to meet the officers and show their gratitude for them.
In a special Shabbat at Temple Emanu-El March 15, members of the community gathered to give a special blessing to the Long Beach Police Department and Auxiliary Police.
Despite an unexpected beginning to the night, with one of the special guests, the auxiliary police, having to address a traffic light outage on Lido Blvd. that required some police presence, it was still a night of honor for the two departments.
Led by Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft, the service was a unique blend of tradition, spirituality, and appreciation for the dedicated men and women who serve and protect the community.
“Each and every one of you fits into all of our services here,” Zanerhaft said. “It’s truly a pleasure to see familiar faces, equally pleasurable to see so many new people, some new faces, and of course, our guests tonight have been defined by law enforcement.”
The service began with the lighting of the Shabbat candles, symbolizing the illumination of hope and peace. Zanerhaft drew parallels between the flickering flames and the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites to freedom, emphasizing the timeless significance of light in times of darkness.
As the congregation reflected on the meaning of the Shabbat, Zanerhaft shared a story about humility and ser-
vice. Drawing from ancient texts, he spoke of the importance of remaining humble in the face of success, echoing the sentiments of “Moses who blessed the Israelites for their unwavering commitment to God’s commandments.”
The service took on a special significance as the community expressed their gratitude to the law enforcement officers present. Auxiliary Police Chief Dennis Verzi and newly appointed Acting Police Commissioner Richard DePalma were honored guests, representing the dedication and sacrifice of the entire police force.
DePalma was second-in-command to Commissioner Ron Walsh, who resigned on Jan. 22 after three years on the job. When Walsh departed, DePalma stepped in, being named acting police commissioner for the foreseeable future.
“I would like to recognize all the officers in the police department,” Verzi
said, “and let’s not forget the support staff, the dispatchers, the clerks, the special officers that are there to help and back them up. Once again, I would like to thank the Board of Directors, all the congregants and Rabbi Jack for sponsoring and hosting this event.”
Nearing the end of the service, Temple Emanu-El announced they would be creating a garden to honor the departments. Additionally, two trees will be planted, representing the two departments.
“We will be planting one tree for the police department and one tree for the auxiliary on our temple grounds,” Zanerhaft said. “Again, in a metaphorical way, as the tree grows, our relationship will strengthen, and the bond will grow.”
In his closing benediction, Rabbi Zanerhaft gave a special blessing, offering words of protection, grace and peace to all present.
“As to law enforcement appreciation, due to the surge in anti-Semitism, we have developed a strong connection and deep appreciation for the women and men who have gone above the call of duty to protect us, Zanerhaft said. “We are grateful for those brave public servants who care about all citizens and all Houses of Worship in Long Beach.”
Following the service, attendees gathered in the ballroom for a dessert reception, further creating connections and strengthening the bonds between law enforcement and the community they serve.
“We operate on information,” DePalma said. “The best way for us to get our job done is through information, through events like this, to kind of meet each other face to face. If you’re comfortable talking, feel free to share any information to help us do the job.”
Artists in Partnership hosted the world premier of the documentary “The World I Know,” by filmmaker John Terrascuso, at the Long Beach Public Library auditorium on March 17. The film told the story of 94-year-old Holocaust survivor and local artist Hedy Page, whose artwork has been displayed in museums and collec-
tions around the world.
There was a question-andanswer session with Page, and the opportunity to view her latest painting, which depicts the Long Beach Boardwalk and friends, influencers and changemakers whose stories have special significance to Page.
–Brendan Carpenter
with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger
As estate planners, we consistently meet with people who are suffering from traumatic relationships with their children or grandchildren. Children themselves may become estranged or at odds with parents or their siblings. Sometimes, an in-law is involved that seems to turn the client’s son or daughter into someone completely different from the child they raised. The pain that these clients are going through is palpable.
Some wise sage once said that all pain comes from resistance. Many of these relationship issues may be difficult or impossible to overcome, but one thing we can all do is work on ourselves — by accepting what is. Accepting what is does not mean agreeing with or condoning certain behavior. What it does mean is that you stop saying to yourself that it is not fair, it “should” be otherwise, etc. That will not do you one bit of good and may do you considerable harm. Stress has been called “the silent killer”.
We recall reading a pithy quote a while back that went something like this “when someone disappoints you, you have two choices, you
can either lower your expectations or walk away”. What is disappointment but dashed expectations? Those who learn to expect less are disappointed less.
“Accepting what is” cannot be accomplished overnight. It is a concept or thought process that improves your outlook the more you think about it, work on it and form new neural pathways to forge the new outlook.
Estate planners inevitably become “therapists” for their clients, because estate planning involves social relationships. Over the years, we have observed that many social problems occur between the client’s two ears. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet “There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” Forget about what’s fair or right and what’s not. You are only hurting yourself. The other person is often blissfully unaware of how you’re feeling. Michael J. Fox, the actor known for his optimism despite suffering from Parkinson’s, put it best when he said “My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations”.
Continued from page 1
brain, skin and endometrial cancer.
“Losing my mom in a very traumatic way, I became proactive for myself to take preventative measures to avoid breast cancer,” Ameruoso said, “and in doing so tried to find something in my genetics that was streaming down my family, because there was nobody BRCApositive in my family. So I had genetic testing done to find out that I was predisposed to Lynch syndrome, and, being proactive, I had my mastectomy.”
She loved to play tennis, but now she has a slight case of lymphedema in her wrist from her surgeries, which can be caused by cancer and cancer treatment. Her doctor told her she shouldn’t play tennis anymore, so she took up pickleball — and decided to share the sport, which is easy to learn, with others, and use it to bring awareness to cancer while having fun.
“We had no injuries!” she said. “It was just fun. When you get on the court, we play all ages and all levels. The advanced players will all be on one side of the court. Sometimes someone you’re playing could be a little slower, and then other times you go, ‘Oh, hey, I better watch out!’”
All of the money raised last Friday will go to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s center for cancer research, whose current project, M.J.’s Research, is focusing on Lynch syndrome and is named in
honor of Ameruoso’s mother. Ameruoso said she hoped to host more fundraising events across Long Island. They may not involve pickleball, but she does want to mix advocacy with fun.
“What I’m trying to do is explain to women, and men — men are not excluded from this — your genetics,” she said. I think we focus so much on BRCA, but no, it’s your genetics. That’s what I’m truly reaching for, and to just be a constant
advocate for yourself. Don’t ignore this, because it’s real.”
She said she couldn’t have pulled off the Long Beach event without the support of the tennis center, and sponsors that included the World of Pink Foundation, headquartered in Melville; the Bethpage-based nonprofit First Company Pink; Sunset Printing, in Lynbrook; and the restaurants La Pianna, in Merrick, and Pastosa, in Oceanside.
Ameruoso has been traveling as a
motivational speaker on the subject, and spoke at a women’s forum at the United Nations last March, representing the American Cancer Society. The forum focused on increasing the knowledge migrant women have about health care options. She has also appeared on the Catholic Faith Network, and wrote a memoir, “Faith Over Fear: How my mom’s fear of breast cancer became my fight,” detailing her experience.
Continuing a series exploring the presence of artificial intelligence in our schools — and, over time, in society as a whole. Thoughts? Questions? Ideas? Email us at execeditor@liherald.com.
What place does artificial intelligence have in schools? Should it be feared? Embraced? Somewhere in between?
These are conversations that didn’t even exist a year ago — at least as far as education is concerned. But as AI becomes more and more accessible, students and teachers alike are finding they can use software to ask questions, find answers, and even complete their work faster — and maybe even better — than they ever could.
But no matter how some may feel about AI — or simply not even understand what AI is — the tool is making its way into schools and curriculum. How fast and how much depends on the district. But at this point, it seems teachers and administrators on Long Island are accepting AI rather than running from it.
One of those districts is Bellmore-Merrick Central High School, which is not just introducing AI to its students — it’s already turning it into a college-level course.
Offered through the computer science department at Calhoun High School in Merrick, the magnet course partners with Long Island University to offer the college credit to not only Calhoun students, but also those from Kennedy and Mepham high schools in Bellmore, too.
“Each project is aligned with artificial intelligence topics that showcase the practical applications of AI,” said Danielle Caliendo, the district’s mathematics and computer science chair.
Students learn the Python programming language while creating AI chatbots. They also program a robot created by a French technology company to use AI features like facial recognition. And they fly drones.
Students also completed a linear regression project designed to make predictions based on existing data, like how public company stocks might perform.
Each project is aligned with AI topics that showcase the tool’s practical applications.
Joe Innaco, who leads the district’s administrative and instructional technology efforts, sees technologies like ChatGPT— a free chatbot system designed to provide a human-like response to a prompt— as fascinating possibilities.
try class.
“If you look at the history, there was a lot of resistance because it would eliminate all the thinking of doing trigonometry,” he said. “It was used, and it was embraced. And it saves more time for creative thinking and innovation.”
“Our vision is of opportunity and innovation,” he said. “That’s how we see technologies like these. Opportunities and innovations for teachers. We want to provide training. We want to encourage exploration in model classrooms, spotlight success, and really host conversations about it.”
Embracing AI goes right to the stop of the Bellmore Public Schools district, where superintendent Joe Famularo already serves on several AI advisory boards at institutions like Adelphi University, New Tech Institute and LIU. He also participates in think tanks conducted to discover how to incorporate AI into the classroom in a safe and responsible way.
While change might be daunting to many, Famularo points out that it’s not unprecedented. Just think about how much opposition there was to bringing something as simple as a slide ruler into a trigonome-
Eventually came scientific calculators, and then the internet. Both received significant pushback, but now who could imagine a classroom without them?
Learning responsible use of AI
Instructors at Lawrence Woodmere Academy in the Five Towns are guiding students there in to use AI responsibly. John Tiliakos — who teaches computer science in the middle and upper schools — tends to let his students lead discussions surrounding AI.
AI is coming into his middle schoollevel engineering and technology classes, as well as his more high school-level courses in aviation, aerospace and computer programming.
But even before that, Tiliakos was spreading the word about AI, teaching a class at LWA on how artificial intelligence works in our world.
While that class no longer exists, Tiliakos said he and the other teachers at LWA are still focusing on the same values of providing knowledge for proper use of the technology.
“AI is a great tool,” Tiliakos said. “There’s nothing wrong with it, if it’s used in a positive way.”
That’s why he focuses so much of his attention on inputs — the written instructions given to AI systems. Tiliakos believes that inquisitive nature of teenagers could lead to devious uses of the technology — like writing term papers and the like.
His responsibility, Tiliakos said, is to direct students toward feeding AI prompts that result in helpful information to be used for beneficial causes.
“When you use AI, you see scenarios based on what you did,” he said. “Every action is a reaction.”
But some teachers — even at LWA — aren’t too keen about the AI presence.
“I don’t think it’s positive or negative,” said Christopher Clark, a senior at the school. “It just depends on how you use it.”
One unlikely way of putting AI to use is through another somewhat newer technological offering: podcasting.
“AI is still new. But for podcasting, it’s still very, very new,” said Henry McDaniel, a theatre arts and oration teacher at LWA. “What it can do is help you write a script for your podcast.”
Podcasting students also can use AI to reproduce their own voice to read their scripts, McDaniel said. They then post the productions online.
“Our motto here is ‘at home with the world,’” he said. “What we’re trying to do is give them skillsets, but (also) teach them the responsible way of using those skillsets.”
Implementing AI has been a little slower going in Long Beach, where the discussion on how best to use it continues.
Lorraine Radice, the school district’s literacy director, has worked to alleviate many of the fears some Long Beach teachers might have when it comes to AI, while looking for ways they could try to implement the technology into their respective classrooms.
“Over the summer, I taught two professional development courses in the district and taught teachers how to use ChatGPT,” Radice said. “I surveyed teachers in the fall across the district as to who was using ChatGPT and who knew about it. Even in the fall after about nine months of ChatGPT being in social media circulations and in the news — not as many people had used it as I expected.”
While Radice would very much like developing ways on how AI chatbots like ChatGPT can be used in classrooms, a lot of her time is still focused on educating teachers what exactly the AI software is.
“So, part of the goals of those summer professional development courses was to raise awareness of how to use it,” Radice said,” and then to really start to support teens in thinking about how it could be used from the planning side of being a teacher. And then also how it can be used as a tool to provide support and equitable access to writing and generating ideas for
Ipray it’s not another “here we go again” moment. Regrettably, to a large segment of the Jewish world it feels that because of the raging wave of antisemitism, the incredibly venomous anti Israel backlash as a result of October 7, and the way overall violent Jew-Hatred has been normalized, we are faced with a credible existential threat.
Unfortunately, history has shown over and over that the descendants of the House of Jacob indeed have been relentlessly targeted for genocide. This, sadly, is only a partial list of those that conquered the Hebrews with the goal of eventual total assimilation and/or extinction:
Assyrians (722 BCE), Babylonians (586 BCE), Hellenistic Empire (332 BCE-Chanukah story), Roman Empire (70 CE), Persians (614 CE), Arab Rule (636 CE), Crusades (1099), Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions (1490’s), and of course in more modern times the Holocaust during the Second World War.
On Saturday March 23 at sunset until sundown on Sunday the joyous holiday of Purim will take place. The festival recalls a time in the mid 5th century BCE when the Jews that lived in the Persian Kingdom were designated to be wiped off the map pursuant to a planned mass murder endorsed by the King. However unknown to the
Monarch, his wife Queen Esther was Jewish. And after concealing her identity and remaining silent, Esther ultimately and bravely revealed her heritage and boldly convinced her husband to not go forward with the comprehensive annihilation of the Jewish people. This miraculous averting of disaster resulted in merriment, feasting and a happy celebration of all the subjects across the many provinces of the kingdom. The anniversary of which became crystallized on the liturgical calendar as the holiday of Purim.
The timeliness and the message of this commemoration could not be more meaningful. As Jews and good members of all religions must realize, there is a way to counteract the designs of discrimination, bigotry, and blatant evil. Following the lead of Esther we can no longer hide the best version of ourselves. Let us remove the masks of indifference. Like the royal First Lady of ancient times all of us should be unafraid to speak up for what is right even in the face of a misguided majority. What saved the community of those who practiced the Abrahamic faith then could protect all victims of prejudice today.
Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft is the spiritual leader at Temple Emanu-El of Long Beach.
Long Beach Middle School sixth grader Analise MacKittrick was the mastermind behind this year’s Pi Day T-shirt design. The annual Pi Day T-shirt Design
Competition, organized by Long Beach High School mathematics teacher Jennifer Papetti, is open to all students in grades 6 through 12.
Rabbi Emeritus Barry Dov Schwartz, of Congregation B’nai Sholom-Beth David, recently spent a week in Israel, near the Gaza border, as part of a goodwill mission sponsored by the Israel Law Center.
“It was exhausting, sad and exhilarating,” Schwartz told the Herald. “It will take me weeks to process and absorb everything I experienced.”
Schwartz, 83, led the Rockville Centre synagogue for 37 years before retiring in 2010. He published a memoir, “A Man of Spirit,” in 2022, based on his experiences working alongside a Nazi hunter, marching for civil rights in Washington and serving as a chaplain during the Vietnam War.
When you see it and witness it, it’s altogether different
BARRy SchWAR tz Rabbi emeritus, Congregation B’nai Sholom-BethDavid
On his trip, he visited several places that were attacked by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7.
“They had planned this for years, to attack and infiltrate the kibbutzim,” Schwartz said. “When you see it and witness it, it’s altogether different.”
He visited four communities — Sderot, Be’eri, Kfar Aza and Nirim — that were targeted by Hamas during the earlymorning attacks.
“We saw what they did,” Schwartz said. “How they ransacked and bombed our homes.”
The attacks claimed the lives of at least 1,200 people, who were massacred in their homes, on the streets and at the Nova Music Festival. The attacks, which included numerous missile strikes, were a coordinated assault that took place during Simchat Torah — an annual Jewish holiday following the festival of Sukkot, which marks the beginning of a new cycle of Torah readings — and resulted in the capture of more than 250 hostages.
During his week-long mission, Schwartz saw the impact of the attacks up close. He visited the kibbutzim where Hamas terrorists killed dozens of people. He walked through one of the tunnels used to infiltrate border cities. He saw a police station near the border that was destroyed by terrorists intent on disabling efforts by law enforcement to respond.
Schwartz said that after seeing the impact of the attacks up close, he could not believe that there are so many people in the United States protesting against the victims.
“Many want to reward the enemy for what they did,” Schwartz said. “I know how Israelis feel. They feel alone. They feel isolated. I wanted to show them there are people who care.”
He explained that since there are so many men and women serving in the Israel Defense Forces, there have been shortages in the workforce. That’s why Schwartz and others volunteered to spend an entire afternoon in the fields, picking avocados and Clementine oranges.
“All the time we heard bombings,” he said. “When the red siren went off, you only had 15 seconds to get into a safe area.”
Months after the attacks, Schwartz said, the Israeli people are simply trying to get back to life as usual. Stores are beginning to open again and people are going back to work once more.
“Some might think that the Israelis are angry,” he said. “They’re not. They just want to live their lives. If anything, they’re angry at themselves for not being more vigilant.”
Throughout his mission, Schwartz carried a bag filled with more than 200 letters, written by Rockville
Centre children and adults, which he gave to Israeli soldiers and citizens.
“They asked me if I would distribute them,” he said. “You never thought a letter from a stranger
would be received so enthusiastically.”
One soldier, he recounted, was so taken with the gesture that he affixed his letter to his tank. Schwartz took the letters everywhere he went, even to a hospital where he visited wounded IDF soldiers.
The mission was organized by the Israel Law Center, an organization that fights terrorism in the courts by bringing lawsuits against those who support violent acts and warfare. The group comprises Jews and non-Jews across the United States, some of whom made the trip to show their support.
At each stop, they heard from a number of people about the attacks, and each night, at their hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, they took part in panel discussions with lawyers, journalists and other experts.
“It was very emotionally straining,” Schwartz said. “At the same time, it was beautiful to see the Israeli people united and full of love.”
During one presentation, he recalled, a woman described how her son was killed by friendly fire. She said that she had no hatred in her heart, and that there are friendly-fire incidents in every war. Instead, she suggested that people embrace one another and respond with more love.
“The main concern of every Israeli, no matter what the political nuances,” Schwartz said, “is to get those hostages home.”
He said that in Tel Aviv, people have set up a long table with place settings for the roughly 130 hostages still being held in Gaza, in the hope that they will soon come home and eat with their families once more.
Despite the sadness of his trip, Schwartz said, it was important for him to bear witness to what was happening in Israel, and to show support and goodwill.
“I really don’t know what the solution is,” he said. “The world has to remember we didn’t start the war … because right now there is too much going against the victims and not against the perpetrators.”
Hello Spring! Yes, it’s that time of year when Mother Nature springs into action. A season I now find myself quietly reflecting within, pondering my own inner renewal – and the importance of planting new inner seeds for continued growth and opportunity. So how do I begin this process of inner renewal? I look to Mother Nature for guidance for as we know, mother nature and human nature are deeply rooted and connected, and why it is time to follow her example and “spring forward” into a new season of life!
“The Season of Renewal: To make or become new, fresh or strong again.”
Spring symbolizes a season of renewal and new beginnings for both nature and our inner beings. A time to allow the inspirational beauty of spring, stir a revival within our body, mind and soul. As studies have shown, exposure to nature and increased sunlight can help lift our spirits, clear our minds, reduce stress levels, and increase motivation, all of which impact our overall
emotional health.
“Self-renewal involves nurturing and enhancing various aspects of our lives”:
Physical Renewal: Taking care of our physical health is essential. This includes regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate rest, and maintaining overall well-being.
Emotional Renewal: a process of personal transformation that enables individuals to reconnect with their inner selves and find a deeper meaning in life. It involves a psychological, emotional, and even physical shift that brings about a renewed sense of purpose, direction, and contentment.
to mental renewal. When we challenge ourselves intellectually, we grow and adapt.
Spiritual Renewal: This process of transformation is about connecting with our inner self, values, and purpose. Spiritual practices, such as mindfulness, meditation, and reflection can help us find meaning and improve emotional well-being, increase resilience, as well as reduce stress.
D onna P isacano B rown
Celebrate your successes. Maybe you booked a counseling session, made it back to the gym recently, or re-connected with friends. Make sure you “celebrate” those wins!
mindset and the willingness to move out of our comfort zone. To be patient with ourselves, to focus on each step we take forward, one step at a time. To plant our own emotional seeds with the readiness to dig deep within our hearts the same way we dig into nature’s soil. To nurture our seeds of personal growth with self-love. To celebrate and honor each groundbreaking process of renewal that brings us closer to nourishing our entire being - closer to bringing us home to the heart and soul of who we are yet to be! Yes, renewal is a continuous journey of growth, transformation, and healing be it relating to life, love, and our overall health! Renewal is a gift and spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful “change” can truly be!
Mental Renewal: Keeping our minds sharp and engaged is vital. Continuous learning, reading, problem-solving, and creative pursuits contribute
On a personal note: As I have learned throughout the decades of life, personal growth will always bring challenges. It requires a strong inner desire to tackle all that growth requires relating to our daily
Donna Pisacano-Brown is a Point Lookout resident who has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 1996. She is a passionate advocate for drunken driving awareness, and shining a light on mental health topics.
PUBLIC NOTICE WE, Edward & Lisa Castellano, bring forth our land patent benefits. The complete Patent can be viewed at landpatentpower.com
SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!
Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277
We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464
FREON WANTED: Certified buyer looking for R11, R12, R22 & more! Call Clarissa at 312-535-8384
OAK MEDIA STORAGE Cabinets (2): for CD's, DVD's, etc. IKEA Unassembled, New, $50 each. 516-486-7941
ROOFTOP CARGO CARRIER, Soft Used once.$50. 516-225-9191
WOOD BLINDS, GOLDEN Oak, corded, 22 1/2 X50, 6 available $12 each. 516-354-0317. Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
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.
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty &
CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/ Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011.
CRYSTAL STEMWARE: WATER, Wine, Champagne. 6 of each, Brand New in Original Boxes. $95, 516-225-9191
Call: 866-393-3636
FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415
DIRECTV SPORTS PACK – 3 Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
TAX PROBLEMS: IRS/NYS. Business/ Personal. Tax Letters. Audits. Unfiled Returns. Wage & Bank Levies. Call TaxKingUSA.com at 631-743-4829 for a Solution and Peace of Mind.
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 888-514-3044
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898
VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills
SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717.
AJERRY KREMER
s a lawyer, I have the greatest respect for the American court system. Our country is one of the few in the world whose courts are not used for political vendettas, as is the case in Russia. That system is manipulated by one man, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and there are countless cases in which he has punished his political enemies by using the judicial system. There is no question that some judges appointed to our courts have philosophical or personal views that color their decisions. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who is hearing the case involving former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, has appeared to favor him on a number of occasions. Some judicial observers believe Cannon will find ways to stop Trump from being brought to justice before November’s election.
Many judges, including those appointed during Trump’s tenure, have
shut down multiple attempts to throw out the 2020 election results. Upward of 60 judges have overseen election fraud suits, and all of them have ruled against the team headed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Guliani. That gives me, and countless others, a degree of comfort.
Regrettably, that doesn’t apply to members of the U.S. Supreme Court, which of late has been dominated by a majority that is willing to bend its decisions to fit its philosophy. Our country has had some Supreme Court majorities that have approached most of their big cases with strong personal views, but in the end have chosen more moderate positions.
Will it prevent any prosecution of Donald Trump before the election?
During my lifetime, different Supreme Courts have been known as the Warren Court, the Burger Court, the Rehnquist Court. They get those label based on who the chief justice is, and whether the court is in fact guided by him. In the case of the current court, Chief Justice John Roberts has been unable, in most big cases, to steer the court to positions that fit his philosophy.
Because this court is so strongly guid-
Wed by its five ultra-conservative members, there is no doubt that the decisions it will make in some pending cases may have a strong impact on the November election. There are at least six cases yet to be decided that fit into that category. One, which will stir up the pro-choice movement, involves the legality of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. Considering that more than half of the women in America who have abortions use pills, if that legalization is overturned, it will likely lead to nationwide protests.
Another case in that arena involves the legality of restraining orders that prohibit granting gun permits to people with a history of domestic violence. It is universally agreed that spouses should be protected from a spouse with a history of violent conduct. But this court is so wedded to protecting the Second Amendment that it’s likely that it could rule in favor of gun owners.
Another case involving guns is the challenge to an executive order by then President Trump that makes it illegal to add a “bump stock” to a gun that turns
it into a machine gun. That order came about as the result of a mass killing at a Las Vegas concert. If you took a national poll on this issue, an overwhelmingly majority would express their opposition to the use of bump stocks. But this is another case in which the court could side with gun rights.
One of the biggest cases the Supremes will soon decide is whether a former president is immune from prosecution for an alleged crime he committed when he was in office. A federal court has written a lengthy opinion denying such immunity, but the Supreme Court has taken the case to put its own imprint on this issue. Some court followers have conjectured that it did so to prevent any prosecution of Trump before the election.
People unfamiliar with the courts often aren’t aware of how much mischief a court can create. But sadly, the current highest court in the land has shown that it is anything but a “supreme” court.
Jerry Kremer was an 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.
It’s me, not ChatGPT . . . at least I think so
hy should I work this week? No one works anymore, or if they show up, they bring attitude or the three stages of incompetence: Don’t care, don’t want to be here, don’t notice you standing there at my counter. (I don’t mean you, of course. Herald readers are all diligent, responsible people.)
Anyway, as an experiment with AI, and a way not to work, I thought I’d ask ChatGPT to write my column. What I specifically asked for in the query was: Write a 750-word column in the style of Randi Kreiss.
RAnDi KREissIt took about two seconds, and I got a piece about the idea of detoxing ourselves from our exposure to screens and devices. Not an original idea, not a bad idea, but between you and me, I hope it wasn’t an example of how I usually write, because it was sooooo booooring.
This was the last paragraph of the pseudo-Randi column, written by ChatGPT:
“So let us embrace the digital detox not as a fleeting trend, but as a timeless
reminder of our innate capacity for connection, creativity, and contemplation. Let us reclaim our time, our attention, and our humanity from the clutches of the digital realm and rediscover the beauty of life beyond the screen.”
I mean, there’s nothing wrong with the writing; it’s just so blah-blah-blah. All of which leaves me with no other choice than to abandon AI and deploy my own skills, which are both modest and flawed.
WIf I were going to write about the toxicity of screens and devices — and I am, now that ChatGPT gave me the idea — I would connect it specifically to our current political madness. We are bombarded 24/7 by repetitious news about the threat to our democracy by former President Donald Trump and his acolytes. Is there really anything else to talk about that carries the gravitas of a looming democracydestroying, unhinged presidency? The Orange Man lurks behind us just as he stalked Hillary in the 2016 debates. He is meaner than the last time around. His alleged crimes have earned him dozens of felony indictments. We can’t stand watching the coverage, and we can’t stop.
about President Biden’s age and oratorical misadventures.
hen I asked it to write a column like I might write, it let me down.
For a long time, I tried to see the issues from all sides. I figured that I have more in common with Trump supporters than the issues that divide us. I figured that when he fully revealed himself as an authoritarian wannabe, folks would recoil, seeing the threat to our freedoms. I wanted to stand in their shoes and see what they saw, but Trump’s singular determination to take down our democracy blots out the sun. Legitimate disagreements over immigration, the economy and taxes pale compared to his promise to dismantle the pillars of government and build camps for people he determines are unwelcome or undesirable.
There isn’t a legitimate other side when the other side is a dictatorship.
Trump must be removed from political life, and we must find ourselves again. That means removing ourselves from obsessional newscasts. Watch the candidates’ speeches for yourself, without the filters, and believe what you see. Look and listen to who Trump is. Listen to Biden.
men are too old for the job, but Biden and his team will keep faith with the American public. The country is sound and well-connected to our friends around the world. Biden’s experience has brought us through these difficult years. The alternative is more than a flirtation with authoritarianism and institutionalized racism. Young people do not realize how quickly bellicose talk can turn into tanks rumbling down our streets.
In many homes, the TV is on. It’s always there, in the background, too loud, too repetitive, too insignificant. We all know that news shows ran out of news long ago. Most of the time they reprocess the meat of a story until it comes out like sausage, link after link, hour after hour. Is it news when a know-nothing anchor interviews a reporter who once interviewed a spokesperson who represents an insignificant staff member of a mid-level politician?
We can improve our lives by disconnecting from our devices. Voting is easy and analog. The conflation of politics and screens is wearing us down. Let the candidates speak for themselves.
Thanks, ChatGPT, for priming the pump. I just needed to say it in my own words.
Other news outlets beat the drum
We must retire the would-be dictator, and that means re-electing Biden. Both
Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
t. Patrick’s Day has come and gone, but there is much more to this annual holiday than just the vibrant green decorations, festive parades, pints of beer and corned beef. It is an opportunity to celebrate the rich tapestry of Irish-American heritage, deeply woven into the fabric of Long Island and its communities.
The journey of Irish immigrants and their descendants is a narrative of resilience, contribution and cultural vibrancy. The Long Island portion of that history stretches back centuries, marked by waves of newcomers who left their homes in search of the American dream.
The potato famine in the 19th century led nearly 800,000 Irish immigrants to travel across the Atlantic in search of new opportunities in the United States. Many entered through Ellis Island before finding their way to Long Island, drawn by construction and agricultural work.
Many of those new pioneers faced adversity and discrimination because of their heritage, their religion, and their immigrant status. Still, they persevered, carving out a place for themselves in their adopted homeland.
To the Editor:
The letter from Joseph Varon, “Immigrants make our economy stronger,” in the March 7-13 issue, asks us to “stop the anti-immigrant rhetoric.” What anti-immigrant rhetoric?
Americans, personally, and the United States, officially, are very immigrant-friendly. For many years, the U.S. has admitted hundreds of thousands of immigrants each year, issuing them green cards, which grant permanent residency, and if you want, you can become a citizen in five years, as long as you don’t commit a felony — sooner if you marry an American citizen or serve in the military. That’s an admission policy unmatched by any other country.
Members of my family and my wife’s family have married immigrants. A legitimate case can be made for raising the limit on immigrants due to America’s decreasing birth rate.
I hear no complaints about legal immigrants — only about the illegals and the unvetted, let in, regardless of the costs of housing them and the brutality of the crimes committed, by an administration bent on countering the population loss of blue states caused by their irresponsible fiscal policies. It’s an exodus that would otherwise cause these states a loss of congressional seats and Electoral Col-
Their legacy and contributions to Long Island’s growth and development span many generations, shaping the landscape and leaving an indelible mark on the region’s cultural identity. From building the infrastructure that connects communities, to establishing businesses and institutions, Irish-Americans played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of Long Island.
St. Patrick’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of this heritage. It is a day when people come together to honor their Irish roots and celebrate the legacy of those who came before them. The festivities are a testament to the enduring spirit, camaraderie and pride that characterizes the community. Parades wind through the streets. Music fills the air. And traditional Irish fare delights the senses, adding to an atmosphere of joy and unity.
Beyond the revelry of the holiday, Long Island is home to a vibrant tapestry of Irish-American cultural organizations, events and businesses that enrich the community year-round.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians — the oldest Irish-Catholic fraternal organization in the country — boasts numerous divisions across Nassau and Suffolk
counties. Long Island is also home to several Irish dance troupes and Gaelic sports clubs. They preserve tradition, and foster a sense of belonging among generations of Irish-Americans, providing avenues for cultural expression, education and camaraderie, and ensuring that the legacy of Irish heritage continues to thrive.
Local businesses also play a crucial role in promoting Irish-American culture, offering cuisine, crafts and products that pay homage to the traditions of the Emerald Isle.
Whether it’s a cozy pub serving up a hearty Irish stew or a shop brimming with Celtic jewelry and knick-knacks, these establishments serve as ambassadors of Irish culture, inviting many to experience all that Ireland has to offer without ever leaving home.
Although this year’s St. Patrick’s Day is now behind us, let us not forget all of the contributions and traditions of Irish-Americans that resonate throughout our communities every day.
So, a toast to all of the pioneers who paved the way. The traditions that bind us together. And the legacy of IrishAmerican heritage on Long Island. Sláinte!
lege votes.
The “billions” in taxes quoted, unfortunately, are buying more people in to failing systems that will pay out even more billions than are paid in. I fail to see a hero in one who puts in a dollar and takes out two. DENNIS J.
And the illegal ones are costing us dearly
To the Editor:
Joseph Varon’s letter sang the praises of immigration and why we shouldn’t look down on it. yes, the greatest country