Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 04-20-2023

Pushing for property tax cut

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Preview of W.H. street fair

Huge win for Malverne softball

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More room to play, and more room to learn

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

Community members are rejoicing after the completion of a three-monthlong renovation of the children’s room at the West Hempstead Public Library.

Library Director Regina Mascia said she worked as quickly as possible to get the renovations finished, even though work could have been disrupted by a water pipe that had burst. Although it damaged parts of the library, the rupture did not delay work on the children’s room. Reopened on March 24, the room has even more

Continued on page 10

From trustee to councilwoman, her selflessness remains

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

Laura Ryder’s volunteerism as a village trustee is over, but her passion to help others has intensified as she takes a seat on the Hempstead Town Board.

Ryder, who was appointed a month ago to represent the 4th Councilmanic District, which includes parts of Malverne, is well known in the Lynbrook community. Many will remember her humanitarian efforts in the village, which she will continue as councilwoman. Ryder knows what it is like to be part of a close-knit community and provide help wherever she can.

“I am extremely motivated to take on my new responsibilities as councilwoman and to give the time and attention needed to handle the needs of my constituents in the 4th district,” Ryder said.

Ryder, 54, remembers being involved in the Lynbrook community most of her life. “When I was a little girl, for many years I was a Girl Scout,” she said. “I have vivid memories of visiting local nursing homes and bringing seniors handmade cards and cookies.”

The happiness and joy that Ryder felt after doing these selfless acts as a child fueled her to continue to help others as she

got older. “I will never forget the happiness and joy it brought to them,” she said. “And it made me feel wonderful to bring others joy.

“Throughout my entire adult life, I have dedicated myself to volunteering with many different organizations and committees within the village,” she added. “Serving others has always been extremely satisfying, and it brings so much joy into my life.”

Ryder is honored to have been able to serve with Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach. “Working with his team as a trustee has afforded me an opportunity to enhance Lynbrook and improve

local services,” she said. Some of these enhancements were projects that she said she was “100 percent” committed to.

“There is one project in particular that I hold dearest to my heart,” Ryder said. “Lynbrook’s 9/11 Memorial.” A committee of residents who lost loved ones in the attacks created the memorial.

“The committee’s goal was to create a beautiful, serene place, surrounded by nature, honoring those Lynbrook residents lost on 9/11,” Ryder explained. “A special place where Lynbrook families could sit and reflect.”

This project was completed with the help of several local contractors and businesses.

Continued on page 14

Ben Fiebert/Herald

KERRy NugENT WITH new furniture in the renovated children’s room of the West Hempstead library, which reopened last month.

D’Esposito introduces cops ‘bill of rights’

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

He’s calling it the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights, a direct jab at what he calls the “defund the police” movement. And as a former cop himself, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito says his new legislation introduced on Capitol Hill last week is exactly what police departments need to move forward in a new world.

The Republican lawmaker surrounded himself with officials from the local Police Benevolent Association union at their Mineola headquarters to share details of H.R. 285, which has already attracted a dozen GOP cosponsors — including U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino.

The bill, if passed, is intended to give privileges and securities to officers not offered before, D’Esposito says, such as the right to self-defense against physical threats and legal recourse if a civilian attempts to assault them. The congressman hopes other lawmakers will follow suit on the state level to create similar bills.

“It condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle or abolish any police agency,” D’Esposito said. “It encourages dialogue between law enforcement and their communities to improve public safety, and engage all of the society’s stakeholders. And lastly, it respects the rights of police officers to carry out their duties, to protect our communities with integrity, and have essential protections during investigations.”

D’Esposito quoted a statistic from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund that found 224 law enforcement officers died in 2022. He also claimed many more are at risk of being hurt because of the “defund the police movement” in minority communities, where officers keep seeing “body bag after body bag removed.”

The most recent significant calls for police reform emerged following the death of George Floyd while being arrested by Minneapolis police officers in May

2020. One of the police officers was later found guilty of murder and manslaughter, and sentenced to more than 22 years in prison.

The number of officer fatalities in 2022 has remained slightly above levels in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s save the early 2020s, which included a large number of deaths related to Covid-19.

Thomas Shevlin, president of the Nassau County PBA, said it’s time to “get back to common sense.” He also called on politicians from both sides of the political aisle to support the bill.

Brian Sullivan, the president of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, said that for years he and other law enforcement and court officers have been sounding the alarm about the harm of bail reform, discovery reform, and the implications of the reforms endangering not only officers, but society. He said the issue shouldn’t be seen as law enforcement against liberals, and that what matters is helping the general public

who is suffering because of previous litigation.

“We have a very low headcount,” Sullivan told the crowd that gathered for the news conference about the population behind bars. “What does that tell you? You see it in that the proof is in the pudding, the criminals are in the streets. We need to mobilize the base of the citizenry to support their law enforcement and realize what’s going on behind the scenes here.”

Sullivan cited the “insanity” of bail reform by offering an example he saw in the news recently where a Bronx judge, Naita Semaj, let the accused killer of a teenaged boy go free on his own recognizance without bail.

“The judge in the Bronx, because of what’s going on in this state, disregarded the cries and the pleas of not only the prosecutors,” Sullivan said, “but of the boy’s mother to hold this guy in jail.”

The bill was officially introduced April 10, and was immediately referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Karina Kovac/Herald

U.S. Rep. ANthONy D’Esposito introduces his Law Enforcement Bill of Rights legislation alongside local police and correction officer benevolent associations at the Police Benevolent Association headquarters in Mineola last week.

New bill could ease property tax burden

Reps. D’Esposito, LaLota, Garbarino introduce SALT tax cap proposal

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

Three of Long Island’s four Congressmen are pressing for legislation to raise the SALT tax cap — which would allow homeowners to deduct a greater portion of their state and local property taxes.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino and his colleagues, Reps. Anthony D’Esposito and Nick LaLota, are introducing a bill that would increase the $10,000 cap, bringing some relief to their constituents. Though Republicans hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives, they said they believe that the SALT Deductibility Act of 2023 would receive bipartisan support.

overtaxed New Yorkers deserve better policymaking decisions from their federal leaders.

AntHonY D’ESpoSIto

U.S. Representative

Garbarino, whose district lands mostly in Suffolk County but covers a portion of Nassau County, is a cochair of the House’s SALT Caucus, a committee created to provide SALT relief to constituents. The caucus comprises 32 representatives, with a delegate from Washington D.C.’s at-large district as its 33rd member. Including the District of Columbia delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton, the caucus counts 23 Democrats and 10 Republicans, two of whom are D’Esposito and LaLota.

“This topic is especially timely with texting next week, marking another year that Long Islanders are getting the short end of the stick,” Garbarino said during an April 14 news conference held in front of the home of a Franklin Square resident. “This legislation, named the SALT Deductibility Act of 2023, will amend the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on state and local tax deductions.

“Long Islanders pay some of the highest property taxes in the country,” Garbarino added. “And for the hard working families in my district and all over Long Island, the $10,000 cap means they are only able to deduct a portion of their real property taxes and income taxes.”

According to Garbarino, the current SALT cap adds to the idea of New York being a “donor state.” He said that the constituents residing within the districts of the three congressmen pay property taxes far exceeding the $10,000 cap.

LaLota’s district is entirely in Suffolk County, but he stood by his colleagues, as well as Franklin Square resident Ellen Andrasick — during the conference outside of her house — to support the bill. LaLota claimed that New York leads the nation in two categories — out-of-state migration and the highest tax burden at 12.47 percent.

Even though LaLota’s out-of-state migration claim is in dispute since

numerous sources put California ahead of New York in that category, LaLota said he hopes the bill would bring relief to New York on both fronts.

Rep. George Santos, who has been under fire for his alleged fabrications and has been publicly denounced by Garbarino, D’Esposito and LaLota for them, has

SALt Deductibility Act of 2023

by passing the SALT Deductibility Act. Those of us behind this podium will fight hard to ensure the SALT cap is repealed and New York neighbors are once again treated fairly by the federal government.”

Andrasick, who moved to Franklin Square in 1968, said she could recall a time when property taxes only amounted to $600, as opposed to the $13,000 she spends today.

introduced his own bill, the SALT Relief Act, which can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ SantosSALT.

“Overtaxed New Yorkers deserve better policymaking decisions from their federal leaders,” D’Esposito, who represents the Fourth Congressional District, said. “Congress can enact positive change

“The little salaries that we’re making are being taxed,” Andrasick said. “The government is getting better, but we’re getting poorer. We’ve got to get that tax rate back (down) so that people can stay here on Long Island.”

According to Garbarino, the bill was introduced last week, and it could take some time before it is enacted. But the congressman said he hopes it goes through before the current SALT cap expires in 2025.

Michael Malaszczyk/Herald photos

JoInIng REp. AntHonY D’Esposito, far right, were Reps. Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino, as well as Franklin Square resident Ellen Andrasick, to introduce the SALT Deductibility Act of 2023.

REp. AntHonY D’ESpoSIto says the current SALT tax cap has devastated his constituents in the Fourth Congressional District.

Introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, whose district represents a portion of Seaford, and co-sponsored by 45 other representatives, this bill aims to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the limitation on deduction for state and local taxes. It can be viewed at tinyurl.com/SALTDed2023.

RecruitNY weekend to return to Long Island

Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors to residents April 22 and April 23, as part of the 14th annual RecruitNY weekend. RecruitNY is a major initiative of the Firefighters Association of New York designed to help increase volunteer membership in local fire departments.

The past several years have been challenging for volunteer fire departments throughout New York, and it is estimated that there are 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were twenty years ago. It has become increasingly challenging to recruit new firefighters and retain existing ones due to the turbulent economy, busy lives and schedules, and other factors.

Today’s firefighters are responding to more calls than ever before. Volunteers answer the call for medical emergencies, flooded basements, downed power lines, automobile accidents, and of course — fires. More firefighters are needed to help meet these challenges, and bolstering their ranks is critical to providing optimum and necessary levels of protection for residents.

FASNY has worked hard over the years to develop and implement programs and events to assist New York’s 1,700-plus volunteer fire departments with recruiting new volunteers. This includes utilizing federal SAFER grant funds for programs such as the “Fire in You” outreach campaign, property and income tax breaks for

volunteers, and recruitment training classes. FASNY is also presently pursuing several pieces of legislation in Albany that would acknowledge the service of volunteer firefighters with increased benefits and incentives.

“This year’s annual RecruitNY campaign comes at a time when we are in need of volunteer firefighters the most,” FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr said. “We invite all New Yorkers to head down to their local departments and see what being a volunteer firefighter is all about. This weekend is a great time to meet neighbors who are volunteer firefighters and learn about how rewarding it is to help the community.”

Members of the public are invited to visit their local firehouses, where volunteer firefighters will be conducting tours of their facilities, demonstrating firefighting techniques, and allowing visitors to try on turnout gear. These activities give visitors a taste of what it means to be in the fire service. Volunteer firefighters will also be on hand to discuss the requirements and rewards of joining.

Individuals looking to find out if their fire department is participating can visit RecruitNY.org/participation-area. For more information, contact your local volunteer fire department via a non-emergency phone number or its website.

Thus far, the North Bellmore, Bellmore, Rockville Centre, Wantagh, East Meadow and South Hempstead fire departments are participating.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000

■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/malverne or www.liherald.com/westhempstead

If You Don’t Understand the Plan, You Don’t Have a Plan

So many people who come in to see us do not understand the estate plan they have or do not know what is in their current plan. Some of the reasons for this are (1) time has inevitably blurred their memories, (2) the plan may be written in legalese and was never properly explained to them, (3) they may have misconceptions and misunderstandings of what their plan is; and (4) their lawyer may have lacked the knowledge required to find the right solution for their family in the event of death and disability. To this we say, “if you don’t understand the plan, you don’t have a plan.”

Ettinger Law Firm developed a process, in use for over thirty years, to avoid these problems. First, we offer a free initial consultation to go over the pros and cons of having a will or a trust and the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts. So many people have misconceptions about trusts based on what friends have said or what they have read on the internet. For example, many clients are afraid to create an irrevocable trust because they think they will lose control. We explain why that is incorrect and how you can still

change the trustee, change who you leave it to, take money out and even how you can revoke an irrevocable trust!

After the overview provided in the initial consultation, we give you a copy of our plain English book, “Elder Law Estate Planning”, and advise which chapters apply to your situation -maybe an hour or so of reading. We also invite you to watch the thirty minute estate planning video at trustlaw.com.

We arrange for you to come in about two weeks later for a second free consultation to have any remaining questions answered, draft an estate plan together with the new “knowledgeable” you and give you a written proposal. Once you accept, we arrange for the signing and completion of your estate plan two or three weeks later. From start to finish the process usually takes about eight weeks.

Finally, we call you in for a free review every three years to review your plan, refresh your recollection and update where necessary so your estate plan works when you need it.

Metro Creative

Fire departments across Long Island will open their doors later this month for the RecruitNY initiative, which encourages community members to join their volunteer fire departments.

Attorney

West Hempstead street fair promises family fun

The third annual Nassau Boulevard Street Fair will be held Sunday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., an event that draws plenty of families and kids in search of outdoor spring fun.

The event, hosted by the West Hempstead Community Support Association, will take place from Hempstead Avenue to Gaynor Place. There will be free ice cream to the first 500 kids under 12, vendors, a kids fun zone, live entertainment, and much more.

“The annual street fair sponsored by the West Hempstead Community Support Association is important to the community to bring families together in a festive setting,” said Maureen Greenberg, president of the association. “Families spend time not only outside at the event enjoying food trucks, children’s activities and live entertainment, but meet neighbors and merchants during the event.”

Greenberg credited volunteers with making the event a much-anticipated highlight in the community.

“Without Santos Welti or Kim Graffeo, the Nassau County Auxiliary Police 5th Precinct Unit, and the Lakeview Fire Department, as volunteers we would be unable to give the community the opportunity for this event,” she said.

Student volunteers from the West Hempstead Secondary School help with setting up the fair, and cleaning afterward as part of their service graduation requirement. Greenberg said volunteers are what make the association able to provide events like the Nassau Boulevard Street Fair, with a reach into the entire community. Greenberg said 10 volunteers provide service to the more than 7,000 homes in the West Hemp-

stead community.

“Without volunteers it is not possible to keep community events like this running and keeping our town clean and safe,” Greenberg said. “We look forward to meeting our neighbors at this event and hope that more will be able to volunteer some of their time for their community. People can also stop at the Community Sup

port Association table to see how we are involved with the community and sign up to be a member.”

Vendors are still wanted for the fair. Call (516) 6445615 or visit LIFairs.com for more information. The rain date is May 7.

Courtesy West Hempstead Community Support Association A flyer promoting the annual street fair.

spotlight athlete

Malverne tops VSC in slugfest

By DaViD patalaNo sports@liherald.com

Malverne’s softball team took care of business against a spirited Valley Stream Central squad in a weekday Conference 6 matchup.

peteR thoMaNN

Calhoun Senior Lacrosse

a loNg stick midfielder who helped the Colts reach the Nassau Class B championship game last spring, Thomann leads Calhoun’s defensive effort and was Honorable Mention AllAmerican in 2022. The two-time AllCounty selection is headed to play at the University of North Carolina. “Peter is the heart and soul of the squad,” coach Jim Femminella said. “He has size, skill, speed and strength, and plays with an edge.”

gaMes to watch

thursday, april 20

Baseball: Island Trees at Wantagh 4:45 p.m.

Baseball: Oceanside at Baldwin 5 p.m.

Baseball: V.S. South at Malverne 5 p.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at Mepham 5 p.m.

Baseball: South Side at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Flag Football: Roslyn at Bellmore-Merrick 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Hicksville at Freeport 5 p.m.

Softball: Kennedy at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Softball: Calhoun at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Boys Tennis: Wantagh at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Girls Flag Football: Valley Stream at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Friday, april 21

Girls Flag Football: Westbury at Freeport 4:30 p.m.

Baseball: Floral Park at Hewlett 5 p.m.

Baseball: V.S. Central at West Hempstead 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Garden City at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Oceanside at Mepham 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Seaford at Carey 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Clarke 5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: South Side at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Bethpage at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Boys Tennis: Massapequa at South Side 5 p.m.

While Valley Stream Central couldn’t pull off the comeback, it exploded offensively in the third inning with seven runs in the 25-13 road defeat April 13. The Eagles were led by second baseman Melanie Bolasingh and first baseman Elize Quezada, who batted leadoff and second respectively. Bolasingh was responsible for three runs scored, and Quezada had two RBIs, including a two-run homer in the second inning.

“Melanie and Elize are two important returning seniors for us,” VSC coach Steve Sharkey said. “Melanie’s been a role player for the past couple of years and she’s really stepped up this year. She’s been really productive in getting on base and scoring runs. Elize is a great kid with a great attitude and she’s someone to absolutely look out for.”

The Mules exploded offensively in the win and were led by tablesetters Anyely Rijo, Nathaly Uribe, Julia Brienza, and Samantha Frey, who smacked a two-run homer in the second inning. The top of the lineup combined for eight hits, seven RBIs and eleven runs scored.

One of the best stories for Malverne, and possibly all of Long Island softball, is that its leadoff hitter, Rijo who had a triple, a double, and four RBIs, had never played softball prior to this season.

“She really set the table today,” coach Nick Moreno said. “We’re really proud of her because we just got her going this year. She never knew how to hit, really. Now all of a sudden she’s getting on base, she’s stealing bases, and she’s playing good second base.”

Nirvana Cole got the win for Malverne and threw 140 pitches in 85-degree heat, striking out seven.

A key to Malverne’s success was running the bases. All day it was stealing bases, taking advantage of wild pitches, and moving station to station on throws that came in from the outfield.

“Be aggressive, take a two-step lead. I want them to make sure they’re watching the pitch all the time,” said Moreno. “Just try to keep their heads in the game. A lot of times early in the season, they weren’t moving off the base. Now they’re taking a two-step lead. I think they really got that today. You know, they were running the bases well today and it really helped us win.”

When looking forward to the rest of the reason, Moreno and Malverne are very optimistic.

“We lost five seniors, five position players for us last year. We have young players like Nathaly Uribe, and our first baseman Olivia Brown,” he said. “These girls are really coming up and it’s as good as it looks for the end of this year. I think it looks even more promising for next year if I can work with them a little bit.”

Valley Stream Central (1-5) takes on Roosevelt, Uniondale, and Hempstead this week, while Malverne (4-3) hopes to stay hot against Elmont, Westbury, and Roosevelt.

Media Origin Inc./Herald

saMaNtha FRey cRackeD a two-rum homer in the second inning to help set the tone in Malverne’s big win over Valley Stream Central April 13.

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 04/11/2023. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

School daze

Keep kids focused during the summer months — and all year round

There’s nothing kids look forward to more than vacation, especially summer vacation. But summer can also be a prime time for the “summer slide” when students forget the reading and math skills they learned during the school year, according to the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL).

Kids not exposed to ongoing summer learning, such as reading and solving math problems, can lose anywhere from one to three months of what they learned in the previous grade. When that happens, children start the next year playing catch up. If they suffer the slide continually in the early years, it creates a potentially life-long problem. We already know that children who are not reading proficiently by third grade tend to stay behind in future grades, and that they are four times less likely to graduate from high school.

The summer slide is especially devastating to children from low-income families. Summers without academic practice contribute to the big achievement gap that exists between disadvantaged kids (who qualify for free or reduced lunch) and their more advantaged peers.

That learning gap forces teachers to play catch-up when school starts again in the fall.

“Parents can play critical roles in ensuring children maintain their academic skills in reading and other subjects over the summer,” the NCFL emphasizes .”The key is to associate learning with fun activities.”

The good news is, there are many rewarding, enriching educational experiences for families to halt the summer slide. Reading is the single most impactful activity for children in the summer. A summer reading program helps maintain and advance reading and language comprehension from one grade to the next grade. Make it a family effort with siblings, parents and relatives devoting regular time to reading and reading aloud to young children.

Encourage Bright Spots

Parents and students often associate the summer with remedial classes. But encouraging your children’s interests and strengths is a great way to associate fun with learning. Try enrolling them in classes or camps that focus on their strengths and let them develop lifelong hobbies that are fun and good for them.

Be creative: A quick search online should yield a lot of great suggestions for creative, fun learning activities both online and off. For example, the nonprofit website Wonderopolis. org encourages children and parents to explore the things they wonder about with daily content, like “Why Do You Get Ice Cream Headaches?” or “How Can You Be a Human Compass?”

You and your children can also nominate your own “Wonder of the Day” on Wonderopolis. org by submitting your own curious question. You can even create your own video and include the link to it in your submission.

Let them run wild — in the library: Make a big deal out of frequent trips to the library where kids can pick out anything they want to read that is age-appropriate. Experts say reading four or five books over a summer will maintain reading skills, so long as the selections are challenging enough.

Plan learning adventures: Take excursions to museums, national parks, zoos or aquariums. Or try a hike that focuses on birds, plants or any special theme. Tie a book or educational program to the adventure (either before or after), so your child will connect real life to learning. Alternatively, you can expose a child to a new piece of music before a concert the whole family can enjoy.

Embrace Family Time

Enjoy excursions to museums, parks, local historical sites, the beach, etc. as a family. Challenge your child to think about what they learned from the experience by describing interesting details of what they learned or what they still want to know. Ask them questions

that stretch their thinking, such as “Why do you think that?” or “What would happen if…?”

Cook together and have the children reference the recipes and make shopping lists using their creativity and emerging writing skills, even if they are only able to draw pictures and “scribble”. Each one of these early steps prepares them for writing in school.

While at the grocery store, challenge your children to find items on the shelves by looking for the first letter in the title or a picture of the item. Ask children to guess how many pasta shells are in a box or ask them questions about what they notice – like the cold and warms parts of stores.

Whatever you do, make it fun and interactive. Your child will enjoy new adventures, especially if they are with the people they love most in this world their parents and families.

Photo: That break from the school year routine is great time to relax and let loose, but it’s still essential to keep kids’ minds working during when school’s not in session — and throughout the year.

naled the ingly the lar projects admissions. events over best so lenge.

be focused Consider strategies success. home by assignments, for that study haphazard ners books up don’t space a set tines. regular breaks). play, and what’s end-of-school be ners

Spring Open House

Saturday, April 29th OR Thursday, May 4th 10am-12pm 6pm-8pm

Academically Rigorous: College

Preparatory

All-Girls: A Lifetime of Sisterhood

Catholic High School Matters

360-Degree Support: In and Out of the Classroom

Leadership and Confidence Grow Here

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Girls and their parents choose from 15-minute workshops on topics such as:

Why Catholic HS Makes a Difference College Prep Starts Now

5 Reasons All-Girls Schools Lead Choosing an Academically-Rigorous Path

New furniture,

in larger children’s room

space than before.

“There will be new furniture, a new play area, and I think it’s going to be good for the community,” Mascia said in late January.

Along with these upgrades, the flooring in the children’s room was replaced. With the new deep blue-colored floors installed, the library is ready to bring back various services to the children’s

room, such as story telling, sing-along events, Lego play, and more, library officials said.

“We service about 40 to 45 babies and toddlers for story times,” Kerry Nugent, head of children’s services, said.

According to Nugent, the renovations will help accommodate the community’s needs. “We’re really excited about the increased play space,” she said. “We didn’t increase the square footage, but the play space has been updated, increased in size, with many new fun and educational toys.”

One community member, Miriam Donath, said she plans to make use of the updated facility. Prior to the renovations, she would visit the children’s room “pretty frequently” with her daughter. “My now 8-year-old daughter has enjoyed browsing for books there since she was a toddler,” Donath said.

Donath said the children’s room “feels nicely updated,” adding that, “I’m in favor of anything that encourages more families with kids to use the library.”

Victoria Terranova, the children’s librarian, said she is extremely excited about the updated children’s room. “I’m looking forward to families coming in to get books and seeing them use the new play space as well,” Terranova said.

Terranova said she believes that the renovations will be beneficial to the development and education of young children.

“It has been stated through research that children learn through play,” Terranova said. “There are many toys in the new play area that will help with a child’s fine motor skills.”

She said that some of the upgrades to the children’s room include an expanded play area. “We received new furniture in the room as well,” she said.

Some of this furniture includes a new bench, tables and chairs for children to feel comfortable while they learn new things.

Terranova listed the stories and songs for toddlers in the children’s room among some of her favorite programs offered at the library. “All the programs are great,” she said.

Terranova said she “noticed a slight increase” in the number of children using the room now than before renovations started. “It tends to be busy on days when we have programs going on,” she said.

Nugent agreed that more children are making use of the room now. “I am seeing more families and some of the older kids coming back,” Nugent said.

One of Nugent’s favorite programs is story time because she said that kids can “meet new people and new friends.”

Nugent mentioned that in the future, she hopes to renovate the outside area for children to utilize. She wants to make it more “user friendly by adding benches and some fencing.”

Nugent said she is very happy how the children’s room turned out and is looking forward to seeing more people using the room’s services.

furniture installed during the children’s room renovation.

Ben Fiebert/Herald

STEPPING OUT

home of

As seen through the artists’ eyes

By Karen Bloom

Our spaces have taken on a new importance in recent years. “Home,” in all its variations, has inspired us — and renewed us. Heckscher Museum of Art explores the spaces we inhabit in its latest offering, “Raise the Roof: The Home in Art,” on view through March 2024.

Asbury Short Film Concert

The latest edition of the short film showcase has made its way back to Long Island. With a lineup of classic shorts from Asbury’s past combined with film festival winners currently on the circuit — and in many cases, featuring up-and-coming filmmakers — audiences can get a peek at these “smaller” films that don’t often get a big-screen showing. The eclectic mix of films offers a look at the best in short film comedy, drama and animation, highlighting emerging filmmakers along with seasoned directors. The fast-paced evening includes such stand-outs as ‘The Waiting Room,’ produced, directed and written by former Nassau County film commissioner Debra Markowitz. The multiple festival award-winning 12- minute dramatic comedy reunites a woman and her exhusband in heaven.

Friday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. $15. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

STEPPING OUT

Home.

personalities and the values of the people who lived there.

Creative advocacy

“It’s a life-size piece that takes up an entire wall,” Bennett says. “It makes you feel immediately at home. “Everyone responds to it. They recognize the scenes and tell us it reminds them of their own house.”

The exhibit — featuring more than 50 works — reflects the many meanings of home, as it delves into how artists creatively define life at home.

“This exhibit came out of the pandemic,” says Justyce Bennett, the museum’s curatorial assistant. “The idea of home really shifted. It became our office space, our leisure place, our everything. The same thing happened with artists, it became their studios. Over the past four years, we’ve deepened our understanding of what home looks like.”

From that shift in how we live, an exhibit evolved.

“The majority of the artworks on view were created before the pandemic, demonstrating the central role that our homes have always played in our lives and in art,” says curator Karli Wurzelbacher. “In light of the recent pandemic, home continues to evolve. And we connect to this artwork with new eyes.”

The exhibit includes what Bennett describes as “old favorites” with never-before-seen works. “This show combines the tried-and-true with new art — the classics and recent additions to our collections”

Raise the Roof debuts significant works by contemporary artists such as Courtney M. Leonard, Kenji Nakahashi and Stella Waitzkin. Never-beforeexhibited photographs by Larry Fink, prints by Robert Dash, along with works by Romare Bearden, Salvador Dali, Olafur Eliasson, Miriam Schapiro, and Esphyr Slobodkina are also featured.

“She also remembered the artwork her grandparents had in that house, so it represents art in art — in a really cool way.”

Englishtown Project

By Karen Bloom

Centerport-based Pat Ralph, an artist with a longtime connection to the museum as a trustee collections committee member, is represented with “The Visit Home.” Bennett describes the piece, which shows a man reclining in his childhood home, as”bright and dreamy.”

Also of note is Robert Carter’s mixed media painting “Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More.” It’s a powerful maternal work that pays tribute to the role of mothers.

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

“Robert also has a long history with the museum and this is only the second time it’s been on view,” Bennett says.

“We’re so happy to show his piece. It’s my personal favorite in the show.”

WHERE WHEN

• Now through March 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visitors are immediately drawn to the exhibit’s anchor, Becky Suss’s large-scale painting “Living Room,” a recent acquisition (actually six paintings) that is based on Suss’s memories of her grandparents’ house in Great Neck. The array of artwork and objects she depicts captures the

Englishtown Project visits the Landmark stage with their dynamic tribute to a classic unforgettable concert. This all-star jam band commemorates one special concert. The group — featuring members of New Riders of the Purple Sage, Zen Tricksters, and Max Creek, recreates the legendary Sept. 3, 1977, show in Englishtown, New Jersey, which was headlined by the Grateful Dead, who had just completed its legendary Spring/Summer 1977 tour featuring a batch of new material from ‘Terrapin Station.’ They were joined by the Dead family’s New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the good-time, southern rock Marshall Tucker Band. This tribute extravaganza includes healthy ‘doses’ of selections from each band’s sets that day in a relaxed, festival-style program.

•

•

“It highlights the vital role that artists have in activating democratic values that promise equality and freedom, encouraging civic engagement, and cultivating unity,” Giordano says. “Artists often lead the charge and expose truths that may otherwise be ignored. The artists in this exhibition take a stand and call out injustices through their art and activism on issues such as immigration, gender, reproductive rights, mass incarceration, voting rights, racial bias, gun violence, and promises unfulfilled. They all combine the making

Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m. $35, $30. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444, or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Courtesy Heckscher Museum of Art

• Top left: Becky Suss, Living Room from the Collection of Ninah and Michael Lynne.

Top right: Pat Ralph, The Visit Home, 1983.

Bottom right: Robert Carter, Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More, 2007.

It’s where the heart is, where our lives unfold — and where imagination takes flight.

THE SCENE

April 22

Make art out of recycling

Itzhak Perlman

May 46 Rockaway Ave , Valley Stream NY, 11580 (516) 872-8485 www HearingCenterofLI com

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s new exhibition, “Eye And Mind: The Shin Collection,” highlights the extraordinary collection masterworks assembled by 31-year-old connoisseur Hong Gyu Shin, an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares his treasures, including works by Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Klimt, Schiele, Balthus, Warhol, de Kooning, Gorky and many other important names from art history provocatively juxtaposed with the painting and sculpture of our own time from both Asia and the West. On view through July . Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Make something fun out of what normally would be thrown away to celebrate Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m. to noon, at the Lakeview Public Library. 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre. Call Ivy Reckson at (516) 536-3071 or email ireckson@lakeviewlibrary.org for more information or to register.

Passion for Pride

MALVERNE/WEST HEMPSTEAD HERALD THE HEARING CLARITY SOLUTION: Improving your mental acuity and quality of life with better hearing clarity. WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 AT 6:00PM

Support PFY, a division of Long Island Crisis Center, at a 30th Anniversary Benefit celebration, Tuesday, June 13, 6-10 p.m. With drag bingo and performances by Ivy Stalls and Syn; also special guest honoree actor-author-activist Maulik Pancholy. The event, honoring PFY’s 30 years serving Long Island/Queens’ LGBTQ+ communities, is at Westbury Manor, 1100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury. For more information and tickets, go to tinyurl.com/ pfyevent2023.

Dr. Lawrence Cardano, Au.D Doctor of Audiology Hearing Center of Long Island PRESENTS 1212610

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.

Monthly board meeting

The Village of Malverne holds its monthly board meeting, Wednesday, May 3, 7:308:30 p.m., at Village Hall, 99 Church St. Call Village Hall at (516) 599-1200 for more information.

Narcan training

Nassau County hosts a Narcan training seminar, Thursday, April 27, 6 p.m., at Malverne Public Library. 61 St. Thomas Place, Malverne. Call the Town of Hempstead’s EMS office at (516) 897-4110 for more information.

May 23

Art talk

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, May 23, 4 p.m. He’ll discuss ‘Balthus and Neo-Classicism,” in a session that is keyed to Balthus, along with Derain and such figures as Nijinsky and Prokofiev, who were experimenting with the re-invention of classical forms and motifs, notably those of the Renaissance. A decadent in the manner of Wilde, an Old Master painter among the Cubists (Picasso considered him a great talent), Balthus also became associated with the fiction of Nabokov, a literary connection that will also be consideredarticipation is limited; registration required. $40, $20 members. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit NassauMuseum.org or call (516) 484-9337.

Having an event?

Clean up Mother Earth

Support the environment in honor of Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 10-11:30 a.m., at Hempstead Lake Start Park by helping to clean the park. Grab a picker tool, garbage bag, and some gloves courtesy of the park and head out to make the environment a little nicer. This event is free for the entire family. 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead. To register, visit Eventbrite.com. Call (516) 7661029 for more information.

Fishing fun

Want to learn to fish? Join the folks at Hempstead Lake State Park, Sunday, April 23, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn basics of fishing and new techniques with park staff who explore new topics to help everyone become better anglers. These free programs are available through a partnership with the Department of Environmental Conservation. All materials will be provided. To register, visit Eventbrite.com. 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead. Call (516) 7661029 for more information.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On stage

Back by popular demand, families will enjoy a musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, April 21, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, April 23, 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, April 26-27, 10:15 a.m. and noon.Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences. Cautious Gerald and playful Piggie share a day where anything is possible in an imaginative exploration of of friendship. Together with nutty backup singers, The Squirrelles, the comedic duo even gets the audience involved in the action. $9 with museum admission ($7 members), $12 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Dancing into spring

Adelphi Department of Dance students present their semi-annual dance showcase on the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center stage, Wednesday through Friday, April 26-27, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 30, 2 p.m. Dancers are working with guest artist Alberto “Tito” del Saz, artistic director of The Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance, to present “Four Brubeck Pieces,” featuring music from Dave Brubeck’s classic album “Time Out.” The performance also features choreography by dance faculty members Frank Augustyn, Orion Duckstein, Adelheid B. Strelick, and adjunct faculty Bivi Kimura. The show will be also livestreamed during the Saturday matinee and evening performances. Tickets are $30, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. Livestream access is $20. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.

April 26-27

PRESENTS

Ryder remembers her favorite local project

According to Ryder, they “sponsored certain elements” of the project, such as the water foussntain, benches, and a flagpole.

“Lynbrook’s hardworking and talented Department of Public Works employees constructed the Memorial Garden and continue to maintain the Memorial in impeccable condition,” Ryder said. “Flowers and shrubs are added yearly, resulting in a Memorial Garden that continues to

FIGHTING AGAINST FRAUD: Learn the 411 on Recognizing a Scam

Help protect yourself from fraud and scams! This FREE webinar series will cover identity theft, elder fraud abuse and how to recognize the warning signs. Representatives from AARP Long Island and United States Postal Inspectors will also provide information about scams targeting people age 50-plus and their families, tactics fraudsters use, and resources available to help prevent fraud.

Advance registration is required.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023

12-1PM

IDENTITY THEFT:

Each year thousands of Americans fall victim to Identity (ID) Theft. Consumers reported losing nearly $8.8 Billion to scams in 2022. This webinar will focus on:

• Understanding Personal Identifiable Information (PII)

• Scams that target your PII

• Tips to safeguard your identity

WATCH THE RECORDING at www.LIHERALD.com/identity

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

12-1PM

ELDER FRAUD ABUSE:

Con artists don’t really care about your age or your needs. Their only goal is to separate you from your hard-earned money. Learn how to recognize scams. We’ll cover:

• Grandparent or Relative in Need scams

• Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams

• Investment Scams

REGISTER at www.LIHERALD.com/elder

FREE AARP LONG ISLAND IN-PERSON SHREDDING EVENTS

Shred your personal and financial documents at a location near you. Register and reserve your spot for a FREE drive-through contactless shredding event. (Limit 3 bags per car)

SATURDAY APRIL 22, 2023

10AM-1PM • IN-PERSON

LOCATION: Nassau Community College

One Education Drive • Garden City, NY (Entrance to parking lot at Miller Place)

REGISTER at https://bit.ly/ShredGardenCity

SATURDAY MAY 6, 2023

9AM-12PM • IN-PERSON SATURDAY MAY 20, 2023

LOCATION: Michael J Tully Park 1801 Evergreen Avenue • New Hyde Park, NY

REGISTER at https://bit.ly/ShredNewHydePark

Macias Associate State DirectorLong Island AARP New York

grow and expand.”

The 9/11 Memorial is a reflection of one of her greatest attributes. “One of my strengths, perhaps my strongest, is my work ethic,” Ryder said. “This was instilled in me, and all of my siblings, from our loving parents Peter and Susan.”

With her strong work ethic, Ryder vows to “work tirelessly for the residents of the Town of Hempstead.” As councilwoman, Ryder says she “would like to enhance intergovernmental collaboration between the Town of Hempstead and local villages.” With the background of being a village trustee, Ryder believes there are “synergies that can be realized to more cost-effective and efficient operations in both the town and villages.”

Going from village trustee to filling a seat in the biggest town on Long Island is a big leap, but Ryder said she has “always been wiling to take on additional responsibilities” and she is confident in her “ability to handle new challenges effectively.”

She has started working on various issues.

“I am already working with Supervisor Don Clavin on crafting a tax freeze budget for 2024,” Ryder said. “What’s more, I am working with Don Clavin, opposing the Governor’s Urban Housing Plan, which would dump tens of thousands of highdensity housing units in our communities.”

Ryder said that her goal is to “build upon” her “strong working relationships with all of the residents of the Council District” that she has the “honor of serving.” She also looks forward to “holding the line on taxes and enhancing services for the residents of the Town of Hempstead.”

10AM-12PM • IN-PERSON

LOCATION: Farmingdale Library

116 Merritts Road • Farmingdale, NY

REGISTER at https://bit.ly/ShredFarmingdale

For more information regarding this program, contact Rachel Leoutsakos at rleoutsakos@liherald.com or 516.569.4000

Michael V. Del Giudice Postal Inspector Team Leader New York Division

Some ways that Ryder says she wants to improve the 4th district is repaving roads, upgrading parks, and enhancing services to senior citizens. “Further, I will aggressively improve grant monies to minimize the cost of Town projects on our taxpayers,” she said.

As Ryder moves on, she said she will miss her fellow Lynbrook Village board members. “Each of them are incredible people and dear friends,” she said. “I have a deep love for our Village and its success and I look forward to continuing to serve Lynbrook residents, but now in a different capacity.”

Courtesy Laura Ryder

Laura ryder, is sweon in as councilman by Kate Murray, with her father, Peter Ledwith, by her side. After being a Lynbrook village trustee, Ryder now represents the 4th Councilmanic District.

i am extremely motivated to take on my new responsibilities as councilwoman and to give the time and attention needed to handle the needs of my constituents in the 4th district.

Laura ryder Councilwoman

HOST

Michael Hinman Executive Editor Herald Community Newspapers SPEAKERS

Bernard

SPONSORED BY:

Donna Harris Public Information Representative United States Postal Inspection Service Headquarters

It was enough fentanyl to kill 2 million people

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Three kilograms of pure fentanyl might not seem like a lot. But as a powerful synthetic opioid that is at least 50 times more potent than morphine — that much fentanyl can kill. A lot.

That’s likely why the Nassau County Police Department and county officials are calling the arrest of Juan Cruz, who they say was holding all three kilos, a “historic seizure of pure fentanyl.”

“This is a story about triumph and tragedy,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. Tragedy that young people are unwitting victims to peddled pills. Triumph in the form of stopping those pills from hitting the street.

The 50-year-old Cruz lives in the Bronx, but is said to be a citizen of the Dominican Republic. Police reportedly stopped him after Second Squad detectives received a tip that he was bringing the drug into the county last week, police commissioner Patrick Ryder said.

A single kilo of fentanyl has the potential to kill up to 500,000 people, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Three times that could kill the entire population of Nassau County, with

enough fentanyl left over to kill 100,000 more.

“Fentanyl is cheap,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “It’s plentiful. And it’s coming into the county in droves.”

Cruz pleaded not guilty to felony counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a narcotic drug, as well as a traffic infraction for operating an unregistered vehicle. He is being held behind bars without bail.

Cruz was not known to Nassau detectives before his arrest Wednesday, Ryder said, but they now believe he is a “major dealer” operating in the county.

The drugs reportedly come from Mexico and South America — something Blakeman says supports his position of stopping immigration.

“It’s going to be a continuing problem unless we close our borders,” Blakeman said. “We have crime rings that are operating here from south of the border. They’re stealing cars. They are stealing catalytic converters. They’re doing organized burglaries. And of course, they are dealing in very, very, very dangerous drugs.”

Cruz reportedly made it harder for

police to identify him because he had burned his fingertips, they said, mutilating his fingerprints. Doing that was a way Cruz had hoped not to be deported again something officials last did in 2012. Because it’s an active investigation,

Donnelly said she was “extremely limited” on what she could comment on.

“What I will tell you is this,” she said. “Defendants like Juan Cruz are peddling this poison in our neighborhoods to our children.”

Roksana Amid/Herald NASSAu COuNty ExECutIvE Bruce Blakeman, far left, joined Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly, Nassau County Legislator Tom McKevitt, Nassau County Police Department commissioner Patrick Ryder, and county legislator Rose Walker to share news of what they described as a historic seizure of fentanyl.

Juan Cruz

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT.

NASSAU COUNTY. L & L

ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. JOHN W. PANIN, et al, Defts. Index #602877/2020. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 10, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north front steps of Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 3, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 35, Block 403, Lot 225. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the auction. LISA

SEGAL POCZIK, Referee.

LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #100236

138294

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT.

NASSAU COUNTY. L&L

ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. GESNER SEJOUR, et al, Defts. Index #608202/2022.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 24, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 35, Block 456, Lots 582-584. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale. MARY

ELLEN DIVONE, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #100208

138536

Remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 5/18/2022, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 5/16/2023 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 807 Iris Place, West Hempstead, NY 11552, and described as follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Lakeview in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York

Section 36 Block 606 Lot 15

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $371,052.71 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 005785/2015

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. Jerry Merola, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Heather D. Crosley, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 220855-1 138724 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OFAMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, ASTRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Plaintiff’s Attorney

500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604

Tel.: 855-227-5072

138884

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX #614887/2020

FILED: 3/31/2023

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Hundreds attended Shaaray Shalom in West Hempstead this past Saturday as the temple hosted a Holocaust Remembrance Day event.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.,

Plaintiff, Against PAYTON PRITCHARD

A/K/A PAYTON N. PRITCHARD AS ADMINISTRATRIX HEIR AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA

J. PRITCHARD, DECEASED, JOSEPH PRITCHARD AS HEIR AT LAW NEXT OF KIN AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SANDRA PRITCHARD

A/K/A SANDRA J. PRITCHARD, DECEASED, et al. Defendant(s)

Dated: 3/16/2023

PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

File

Number: 16-302311

LD 138726

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF CABANA SERIES V TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. KAREN ROMERO

A/K/A KAREN E. ROMERO

A/K/A KAREN E. PATTERSON, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 28, 2016 and an Order Amending Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 26, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 16, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 316 Woodfield Road, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 380 and Lot 158. Approximate amount of judgment is $462,912.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 016493/2011. This

2005-1, Plaintiff,

v. ASHA DIN A/K/A ASHA DIN SINGH, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

THAT

In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on July 03, 2018, I, Francis X. Moroney, Esq., Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on May 24, 2023 at The North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:00 PM the premises described as follows:

11 Goshen Street Elmont, NY 11003

SBL No: 37-547-37

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 014853/2013 in the amount of $519,881.95 plus interest and costs.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held Rain or Shine. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the foreclosure auction.

Richard S. Mullen

Plaintiff designates NASSAU County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is: The location of real property being foreclosed. ONEMAIN FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., Plaintiff, against MARLENE ROPER, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint; SECURITY CREDIT SERVICES, LLC; PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION CONSULTANTS INC; NORTH STAR CAPITAL ACQUISITION LLC; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; and “JOHN DOE No. 1’’ through ‘’JOHN DOE No. 100’’ inclusive, the name of the last 100 defendants being fictitious, the true names of said defendants being unknown to plaintiff, it being intended to designate fee owners, tenants or occupants of the liened premises and/or persons or parties having or claiming an interest in or a lien upon the liened premises, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the complaint herein, Defendant(s). To the above named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a

Shaaray Shalom partnered with the Jewish Community Relations Council and a dozen other Jewish groups on Long Island to bring together multiple communities. Marvin Kalb was the keynote speaker at the event, which was titled “My Conversations with Elie Wiesel: Lessons Learned for our World Today.” Kalb is a journalist that interviewed Elie Wiesel, who was a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Kalb reflected on the life and teachings of Wiesel at the event. This event occurred on Yom HaShoah,

which is known by the Jewish community as a day of remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust. People attended the event in person and virtually to hear about Kalb speak on Wiesel’s life as well as learn about holocaust survivor Goldie Schwartz’ testimony. Along with these testimonies, the Nassau Lower Voices of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestras performed various choral selections.

The event concluded with the lighting of six memorial candles to represent the millions of Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust. There was an additional candle lit to represent the non-Jews that died during the Shoah.

— Ben Fiebert

Public Notices

notice of appearance on the plaintiff’s attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable David P Sullivan, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Nassau County, granted on the 27th day of March, 2023, and filed with the Complaint and other papers in the office of the County Clerk of Nassau County. The object of this action is to foreclose a consolidated mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by MARLENE ROPER to AMERICAN GENERAL HOME EQUITY, INC., bearing date March 26, 2007 and recorded in

Book M 31736 at Page 585 in the County of Nassau on April 4, 2007, which was modified by loan modification agreements dated July 16, 2010, and recorded July 19, 2010 in Book M 34988 at Page 428, and dated February 1, 2014, and recorded March 19, 2014 in Book M 39577 at Page 764, which was assigned to ONEMAIN FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. by instrument executed May 10, 2018 and recorded June 7, 2018 in Book M 42877, at Page 891. Said premises being known as and by 156 Garden Place, West Hempstead, NY 11552, bearing tax map designation Section: 0033, Block: 00601-00, Lot: 00053, which is more fully described in the Schedule “A” attached to the Complaint. To the above named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. There is due and owing to plaintiff the sum of $620,784.97, of which $300,829.34 is noninterest bearing deferred and $319,955.63 is interest bearing from October 1, 2017, in addition to those accumulated late charges and those recoverable monies advanced by Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff’s predecessor-in-interest on behalf of Marlene Roper together with all costs, including but not limited to, attorneys’ fees, disbursements, and further allowances provided pursuant to the underlying loan documents and applicable law in bringing any action to protect the Mortgagee’s interest in the Subject Property. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt described above. UNLESS

YOU DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER YOUR RECEIPT HEREOF THAT THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, IS DISPUTED, THE DEBTOR JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU AND A COPY OF SUCH VERIFICATION OR JUDGMENT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU BY THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR. IF APPLICABLE, UPON YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHIN SAID THIRTY (30) DAY PERIOD, THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT, YOU ARE NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR THE UNDERLYING INDEBTEDNESS OWED TO PLAINTIFF/CREDITOR AND THIS NOTICE/DISCLOSURE IS FOR COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the Summons and Complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the Summons and Complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney or your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE

The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid, there are government agencies, and non-profit

organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by New York State Department of Financial Services’ at 1-800-269-0990 or visit the Department’s website at http://www.dfs.ny.gov Rights and Obligations

YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. ?You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process. You are not required to leave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale. Regardless of whether you choose to remain in your home, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay property taxes in accordance with state and local law.

FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services.

Aldridge Pite, LLP, Attorneys for the Plaintiff, 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 File 1012-32117B 138834

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Administrative Assistant Various Office Duties

Must Be Proficient In Word And Outlook

Monday, Wednesday 12-6 Tuesday,Thursday, Friday 9:30-3:30 Will Train Right Candidate Email Resume To: jwpersonal@ wilsoncollegeconsulting.com No Phone Calls Or In-Person Inquiries

AUTO TECHNICIAN FT

4 Day Work Week

Experienced And Reliable. NYSI A Plus. Busy Merrick Shop. Call 516-781-5641

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

LIBRARY CIRCULATION CLERK P/T,

Up to 17 hours per week at the Baldwin Public Library, depending on Library’s needs. May include mornings, afternoons; includes at least 1 evening per week, rotating Saturdays. This is a non-competitive Civil Service position. $15.50 / hour.

Please send resume to: dkelly@baldwinpl.org, by August 5.

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED

OUTSIDE SALES

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team!

This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry.

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. We offer salary, commission, bonuses, health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Will consider part time.

Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com

Call 516-569-4000 X286

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Will Consider Part Time.

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

Help Wanted

RECEPTIONIST - FULL TIME

Receptionist (full-time) needed for Publisher and Self-Storage Facility located in Garden City. The ideal candidate should have excellent communications and customer service skills, be professional, dependable and have reliable transportation. Candidate should have computer knowledge and working knowledge of MS Office. Candidate MUST be reliable, punctual and be able to work a CON-

SISTENT schedule:

Monday and Wednesday 8am to 4pm

Tuesday and Thursday 8am to 6pm Friday 8am to 5pm

Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Answering phones and greeting customers, assisting new customers by showing storage facility options and pricing, collecting payments from customers, contacting customers for late payments, applying payments and updating the customer files /data base and other general administrative responsibilities on an as needed basis. Hourly pay, plus eligible for Holiday Pay, PTO, Medical, Dental, 401k with company matching, plus other benefits. Qualified candidates should email their resume, cover letter and salary requirements. No phone calls please. Job Type: Full-time.

Salary: $15.00 /hour

Email your resume to: careers@liherald.com

Eldercare Offered

LOVING PERSON TO Care For Your Loved One. Own Car. Live-out. References. Novelette 347-285-5053 Or Antoinette 347-653-3980

REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

HEWLETT BA, 1599 Lakeview Dr, NEW! 4 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Tree Lined St in SD#14. Spacious LR, DR & Family Rm, EIK & Fin Bsmt. Att Garage. HW Flrs. Near Park, Trans, Shops & Houses of Worship...$829,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT BA 257 WILLARD Spacious 5 BR, 3, 4/2, Bth Exp Ranch With Open Layout.Main Floor Mstr Ste Plus Potential Mstr Ste on 2nd Flr.LR/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. Loads of Updates!!

SD#20(Lynbrook)No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS!..$1,025,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

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

Open Houses

ROCKVILLE CENTRE 4/23, 2-3:30, 55 Lenox Rd, # 2J, FIRST SHOW! Spacious 2 Bedroom Coop in Prestigious Bldg in the Heart of RVC. Corner Unit Features Large Entry Foyer, Living Rm/Dining Rm & EIK. Loads of Closet Space. HW Flrs. Assigned Pkg. New Elevator.. Close to Shops,

HEWLETTE 1608 RIDGEWAY Dr, BA, Drastic Reduction! Motivated Seller!Move Right Into This Completely Gut Renovated 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR w/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed Porch. Radiant Htd Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!!

SD#20...$1,399,000 ALSO AVAILABLE FOR RENT $6,500 per month Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

LYNBROOK 4/23, 12-1:30, 125 Sherman St, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Immaculate, Well Maintained 3 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Cape in the Heart of Lynbrook.Spacious Entry Foyer Leads to LR w/ Fpl, Formal DR & Updtd Gran/Wood Kit w/ Stainless Steel

Appl. 2 Main Flr BR & Upper Level Primary Ste/Full Bth/WIC.Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Det Gar. Manicured Yard w/ Brick Patio.

SD#20 (Lynbrook)...$629,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman RE 516-238-429

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

Hewlett Bay Park

New Modern Colonial

New and fully renovated 8,919 square foot home, including basement, beautiful amenities, and convenience. This home is located on a large .78 acre lot. You couldn’t ask for more! A stunning seven bedroom, seven and a half bath modern Colonial that features many upgrades and luxury finishes; creating the perfect combination of opulence and livability. Top-quality porcelain radiant flooring flows from one impressive room to another, highlighted by the abundance of natural light pouring in through the high end windows. The quiet cul-de-sac neighborhood is located minutes from top-performing schools and shopping, The Seawane Club, Atlantic Beach clubs, and area businesses allow entertainment and work to be convenient but far enough away to enjoy your privacy.

Sara Abikzer

Signature Premier Properties

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Cell-516-984-6798 Office-516-741-4333 info@saraabikzer.com @SaraSellsLI

Are windowstriple-pane worth it?

Q. We’re planning to replace our old windows, and are doing research online to make sure we make the right decision. I saw that there’s an option for “triple pane” windows instead of double panes. It appears to be much more money, but the writer of one article says it’s well worth it. Are you familiar with triple panes, do we need permits to change our windows and is it worth the expense? We’ve lived in our current home for five years and plan to be here for the rest of our lives, hopefully a long time, while we raise our family. What do you think?

A. I could simply say that you get what you pay for, but I’m certain you need more of an explanation, since you’ve taken the time to investigate and educate yourself. In your investigation, I’m sure you saw engineering data, lots of comparative numbers and U-values, the rating acronym for glass unit values. The lower the U-value, the better the insulating value of the glass.

The Architect

Because the majority of heat or cool transmission or loss of energy is through the windows, while the walls, floor and roof are more insulated, it’s most important to do something to prevent losing all that energy you’re paying to create. Whether it’s your air conditioning or your heat, the outside of your house, referred to simply as the “envelope,” is of critical importance to insulate, especially with ever-rising energy prices. While most building departments don’t require a permit for changing out the windows “in kind,” meaning in the same size and location, some will require a permit for any little thing, like sanding your floors or adding closets, and I’m not kidding, so it’s best to check their rules online, or call your local building department directly.

Another thing to be aware of is that changing windows can trigger fire safety escape rules, referred to as egress windows, and most up-anddown, or double-hung colonial windows don’t meet the requirement if you don’t have at least one window in every habitable room with a size of 5.7 square feet. The window must have a clear escape opening of 20 inches in width and a minimum height of clear opening of 24 inches. Remember that a large fire rescuer must be able to save you.

Triple pane is a great value, because you’re always losing costly energy, so the return on investment, especially if this is your long-term home, makes it well worth it. Windows lose the most energy at the edges, so the type of gasket joining the windows to the frame is critical. The most effective frames have insulation blocking, not just a thermal break in the frame. A thermal break is usually a thin gasket between the outside and inside frames. Adding insulation, instead of leaving open air spaces in the frame, saves more energy, so it’s important to look for.

© 2022 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.

Ask

Monte Leeper

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Garage Sales

MERRICK APRIL 29th, APRIL 30th 1548 Little Whaleneck Road. 10am-4pm. PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT CHILDHOOD CANCER.

MERCHANDISE MART

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & 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

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Finds $100-$350

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

JB MASONRY : Driveways, Patios, Stoops, Sidewalks, Retaining Walls, Pool Areas, Stucco, Cultured Stone, Brick Work, All Types Pavers, All Concrete Slabs Restorations. FREE Estimates. 516-428-6388

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Driveways, Sidewalks, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work, Lic./ Ins. Owner Always Onsite Free Estimates 516-354-5578

Decks

DECKS DECKS Our Only Business COMPOSITES/WOOD Excellent References & Many Photos Lic./Ins. Free Estimates C & S DECKS 516-729-5859

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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.

Handyman

HANDYMAN: All Kinds OF Interior Repairs. Baths, Kitchens, Tiles, Plumbing, Sheetrock, Painting, Carpentry. Licensed And Insured. Emergency Work. 516-810-0067 l handynyman.com

HANDYMAN

Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112

E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

Home Improvement

HANDY DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS

* Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

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Home Improvement/ Construction 10% OFF ANY JOB OVER $2,000 Masonry, Brick Work, Stone Decor, Pointing, Tile, Driveways, Sidewalks, Steps, Framing, Foundations, Remodel Interiors, Extensions, Bathrooms, Basements. Licensed/ Insured. Free Estimates. 516-564-8315, 516-376-9365

Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale

ACURA 2003, 3.2 CLS, 2 door, Silver,

Home Improvement

ROOFING GREAT PRICES ! NEW ROOF SPECIALS SIDING- Best Prices

RENOVATIONS & ALL REPAIRS

SUPER COMPETITIVE PRICES!

Licensed / Insured. Free Estimates

Nassau License. # H-0102710000

Call John - 516-852-9830

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES:

Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

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

‘The Things They Carried,’ and the lessons they taught

I’m known as a surly crank. I’m blunt but honest, satirical yet sympathetic. I can be both acerbic and considerate.

In my 20s, I was called “curt and condescending” in an employee evaluation. My parents laughed. I wore it like a medal.

Time hasn’t tempered my temper. So when Vietnam War veteran Carl Johnson of West Hempstead told me that an Army lieutenant — a “real schmuck” — was the reason why it has been hard for him, as a civilian, to go along to get along, I knew I had met a fellow crank.

Johnson said the lieutenant’s ineptitude resulted in the deaths of Johnson’s three best friends in combat one day in 1970. “That lieutenant really screwed me up mentally,” Johnson recalled, “with the ability to tell the difference immediately whether somebody was really sharp, and someone I wanted to work for, or not.”

On April 27, 1970, while Johnson was on jungle patrol, one of the soldiers near him was shot. Johnson was the

radio operator, and he asked the lieutenant for orders to radio the captain. “He’s frozen,” Johnson said of the lieutenant. “We’re laying on the ground and he can’t talk because he’s so shaken.”

When Johnson had time to reflect on the battle, he realized his platoon shouldn’t have been on point that day. But because the lieutenant was what the soldiers called “shake ’n bake” — a noncommissioned officer who wore his lieutenant bar visibly despite the danger of being identified by snipers — he put the platoon in danger.

“He was a jerk, to put it mildly,” Johnson said. “He’s the reason my three buddies got killed.”

When he came home, there were no parades or bands greeting him at the airport. Johnson earned a degree from Adelphi University, and shifted jobs over the years. “Sometimes I would get in trouble,” he said. “My wife says it’s hard for me to take orders.”

Johnson got married, raised children, and learned how to cope with his grief. He became active in veterans organizations, and continues to help his fellow veterans — even those he meets by chance. He has spent decades volunteering with veterans groups. He initiat-

ed and researched a Vietnam War Memorial at Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, his alma mater, to honor nine of its graduates who were killed in Vietnam.

He talks about his war experience as a cathartic and therapeutic way of coping.

A few years ago, Johnson was asked by a Sewanhaka student to speak to her AP literature class. The class was reading the Vietnam War novel “The Things They Carried,” by Tim O’Brien — a book about the possessions soldiers kept with them and the emotions they grappled with.

Johnson agreed, of course, to help teach the students about the meaning of service to country.

Johnson prayed in Vietnam, and carried a Bible he passed on to his grandson, who is now enrolled in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He said the war made him a flag-waver. He tears up when he sees the flag.

As I sat in the dining room of the Johnsons’ home, I heard earnest concern in Carl’s voice as he talked about the country he defended with literal blood, sweat and tears. He spoke of fractured friendships because of his political beliefs. One friend got up and walked

away after Johnson made a political comment.

Carl and I talked about how the Pledge of Allegiance isn’t required in school, and how kids don’t salute the flag. We agreed on the meaning of the quote often attributed to Voltaire — “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” — even though we realized we aren’t cut from the same political cloth.

We agreed that the pervasive divisiveness in the country is dangerous, though we likely disagree on the causes of that divisiveness.

Carl and I share an inability to suffer fools and a love of country. We agreed that if there is a way to repair the deep divide between Americans, it begins with being able to find things that we have in common.

At a time when every comment is scrutinized through a political prism, it was refreshing to be able to have an honest and respectful conversation with someone with different views.

Carl defended my right to disagree with him. I do so with profound respect, and an inability to ever repay his debt of service.

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

Living the life between alone and lonely

Last week, a woman described as an “extreme athlete” emerged from a cave in Spain after 500 days in total isolation. A human being — in this case, Beatriz Flamini, a 50-year-old woman — had voluntarily descended into a 70-meter-deep cave when she was 48 and popped out a year and a half later.

RANDI KREISS

She had spoken to no one, had no showers, heard no other human voices (aside from auditory hallucinations), and spent her time reading, knitting and exercising. She said she lost track of time after two months. That was 16 months ago!

According to the BBC, she was monitored by researchers, but no one made contact.

What if everyone on earth had been wiped out by a virus or an asteroid while she was underground? But that’s a different movie, I guess.

Was this purely an endurance challenge, pushing the boundaries of experience to an extreme? Or did it also suit her on some level to disappear and be alone,

buried away from the world?

We’ve heard cave survival stories before. In 2010, 33 miners spent 69 days trapped underground before being rescued from a copper and gold mine in Chile. In 2018 the whole world witnessed the rescue of an entire team of teenage Thai soccer players trapped in a flooded mine. The thing is: These people all wanted to get out. Their entrapment was horrific. The Spanish spelunker shut the door on the world.

What would make a person choose this challenge? I can only recall the time my kids were 6 and 4, and they were both heaving with a nasty stomach virus and my husband was on a business trip and it was snowing and the dog came back from the groomer with fleas. No question, I would have dived into the cave thing. In a heartbeat I would have been underground, knitting sweet little nothings and reading books.

Sometimes I want to escape a large gathering where there’s just too much noise and chatter signifying nothing. But a cave? For 500 days? One hopes this extraordinary feat may yield good data. When it comes to isolation, I see people

divided into camps, determined most probably by genetics. My husband, for example, does not like being alone. As soon as he finds himself in a room with no possibility of immediate plans, he turns on the TV, cranks up the iPhone and flips open the computer, preferably all at once. Lots of noise. Chatter to the level of chaos.

My hunch is that people who need people all the time and in big numbers often partner up with people who get easily overwhelmed by too much talk and socializing. I don’t know why.

But caves are a unique challenge.

Fifteen years ago, we were on a driving trip in the Lascaux area of France. I persuaded my husband, who is awfully good-natured about these things, to join me on a tour of one of the caves that have prehistoric drawings. One problem was that the tour was in German, but I thought, how difficult can that be? Lots of German words are similar to English. I told my husband I thought I could translate. We were a group of about 20 (18 Germans, two Americans). We descended 40 steps into a dark, narrow passage. I heard

the sound of the massive wooden doors slamming shut at the top of the stairs.

“I’m out of here,” I said to my husband.

“You can’t leave,” he said. “I can’t speak German.”

But I was on automatic pilot, in the grip of a panic attack. I ran up the stairs and banged on the door until someone opened the vault. My husband was stuck on the tour, and got to see the petroglyphs, but the spiel? Nein!

The cave woman in Spain said her experience was “excellent” as she stepped into the light. I want to hear more of her story, to know what it was like without having to do it myself.

Apparently, some of us just want to mix it up, go out to a bar, invite 20 people for dinner, and some of us want to turn down the noise and enjoy being alone.

But a cave for 500 days? Nein.

Much has been written about loneliness and isolation, and its effects on teenagers and older people locked down by the pandemic. Perhaps the significant factor is choice. What feels like loneliness to many is the peace of aloneness to others.

Thoreau had his cabin in the woods, and he said that nothing was as companionable as solitude.

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

Some of us want to turn down the noise and enjoy being alone. But 500 days in a cave?

Carl Johnson prayed in Vietnam, and carried a Bible he passed on to his grandson.

Lithium-ion batteries pose a real threat

Buyer beware. Many of today’s most popular electronics — including Tesla cars, e-scooters and smartphones — are powered by lithium-ion batteries, due to their ability to store large quantities of energy in a small space.

If used correctly, these products are harmless. Many are laboratory tested to be safe, and have functions that can detect when they have received enough juice to hold a charge.

It’s a modern marvel to use the internet from almost anywhere in the world using a portable device and the push of a button, or travel to work without the impact of harmful carbon emissions. But no product is without its faults. As more and more of us come to rely on these batteries for energy, the potential for fires — and in some instances, even explosions — increases.

The growing popularity of micromobility products like electric scooters and bikes has created some concern, particularly in New York City, where, in the past year, more than 200 fires were started by lithium-ion batteries, killing six people and injuring nearly 150 others. But the trend extends beyond the boroughs.

Last September, a woman died in Hempstead in a fire caused by a lithiumion battery. Another home burst into flames in Rockville Centre in January.

“It has absolutely been a problem here on Long Island,” James Hickman, Nassau County’s assistant chief fire marshal, said. “With lithium-ion batteries,

letters

Randi goes to Mars!

To the Editor:

What a cruel joke Randi Kreiss played on me (I cannot speak for others) as I read her op-ed, “It’s a go for the voyage of a lifetime” in the March 30-April 5 issue.

I was filled with glee as she announced that her chances of going to Mars were excellent. I was almost weightless as I read that she made it through psychological and psychiatric screenings at the space center last spring. I grabbed a table to hold myself down and read on.

Food allergies? Gastrointestinal disorders? I knew Randi would soar over those obstacles. Have you read any of her recipes?

I smiled as I read that she’d received permission to go public with the information about her trip to outer space. I wondered how many hundreds, or thousands, of Herald readers would have highly recommended that she be taken on this Mars mission. Or to the moon.

I thought of Randi putting together green salads as she discovered lichens on the Martian sur-

when they fail, they burn very quickly, and very hot . . . and will ignite nearby combustibles.”

The biggest concern about the batteries, according to fire officials, is the use of after-market batteries and chargers. They are typically not manufactured to the same safety standards as name-brand products.

In order to prevent such fires from occurring, Nassau County firefighters recommend purchasing batteries and chargers from reputable companies, and always following their safety instructions. If they need to be repaired, make sure they are returned to the manufacturer, and only use the battery designed for the device.

It is important not to store electronics near anything that could catch fire or help a fire spread. This includes leaving laptops or other electronic devices on a bed. Even under the best circumstances, these products will get warmer, because the heat from the battery doesn’t have a chance to dissipate. That’s why, in the event that something goes wrong, it’s safer to keep them away from household items that are easily combustible.

And with summer approaching, it is highly recommended not to store any electronics in direct sunlight. Not only can this damage a device and cause it to fail, but it can trigger a chemical reaction known as a “thermal runway,” where the temperature of the battery increases faster and faster until it catches fire.

Another safety tip is to make sure not to charge electronics near your front

door. This could cut off an entrance and exit in the event of an emergency.

Damaged lithium batteries are extremely volatile. They emit harmful gases that can speed up the spread of a fire, and in some cases even reignite one, making it challenging to extinguish.

“Sometimes we’re our own worst enemies,” Hickman said. “We have to charge everything these days.”

While the batteries themselves can be a fire hazard, plugging in too many devices at once — overloading the power supply — can exacerbate the danger. Surge protectors can be helpful in keeping this from happening, but they, too, can be ineffective if they’re off-brand or counterfeit. Plugging in certain electronics — particularly portable space heaters — is a leading cause of fires nationwide.

The National Fire Prevention Association recommends that you stop using a battery at the first sign of odor, change in color, overheating, change in shape, leaking or odd noises. If it is safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.

To properly dispose of a lithium battery, do not put it in the trash. Take it to a battery recycling location, or contact community officials for proper e-waste disposal instructions. A number of retailers also accept these batteries for disposal, like select Home Depot, Walmart and Macy’s stores, according to state officials. Visit Call2Recycle.org/locator for more.

For more safety tips on lithium ion batteries, visit NFPA.org, or contact your local fire department.

Time to give the Five Towns some respect

Long Island is made up of hundreds of communities that proudly proclaim their famous past and any special historical facts that would attract new homeowners. The Five Towns has always stood out as an affluent and well-respected region in southwestern Nassau County. But its political status has been overlooked.

According to Wikipedia, the informal grouping of Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Inwood, Lawrence and Woodmere has been called the Five Towns since 1931. The name was born when Community Chest groups, organized for charitable giving, banded together to form the Five Towns Community Chest. Over the years, all manner of organizations have embraced the Five Towns designation. Many other local communities have, too, including Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck and Woodsburgh. Ask any residents of North Woodmere what geographic conglomerate they’re part of, and they’ll

claim the name Five Towns as well.

There is lots of fascinating history associated with the area. Many buildings there date their origins to the early 1920s, when developers built summer homes in Hewlett. Alexander Cartwright, a Woodsburgh resident, published the first rules of baseball in 1845 for the New York Knickerbockers. Mobster Arnold Rothstein opened a casino in Hewlett Harbor in 1916. Between 1937 and 1941, the Five Towns hosted the professional Negro league baseball teams the Black Yankees and the Brooklyn Royal Giants.

Some real estate brokers eager to associate themselves with the Five Towns named their enclave West Lawrence, as distinct from Far Rockaway. Over the past 20-plus years, a large number of Orthodox families have been attracted to the Five Towns, which has caused a major jump in real estate values. Anyone who has followed the history of the area can attest to the fact that “Back Lawrence,” as it was once called, has been home to many wealthy bankers and developers.

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face, and mixing them in white plastic trays filled with NASA-green pasty spacecraft foods as her fellow astronauts looked like they’d just bitten into lemons. Remember guys: In space, no one can hear you scream.

Other pleasurable visions came to mind, but they all crashed to earth when I read, “Happy April Fools’ Day.” Randi, you had me over the moon for you. I have to thank you for that.

JOHN SCHULTz Oceanside

Every vehicular mistake, caught on camera

To the Editor:

I thought now would be a good time to update you on the latest and greatest in regard to Nassau County’s ongoing venture into dystopia. A few years back, I was advocating against red-light and speed cameras. Let’s repeat upfront: Nobody is advocating for lawlessness. That’s why we have police officers. I said good luck regaining a right you’ve given up, so let’s fight for it.

The silence was deafening.

So what do you say we update where our local surveillance state is today? I do so hope you’re enjoying those $150 redlight tickets. The actual fine is $50, but ya

gotta love those added fees. It seems that in 2015 and 2016 (the only years I could find numbers for; I didn’t do a deep dive), Nassau pulled in, get ready for it, $82.2 million of our money. Were you then surprised to see that that time you didn’t make a complete stop on red before turning at 3 a.m. on a completely empty road got you another $150 bill? Fun stuff.

We’re getting our pockets picked for millions. But did you really think that was going to be the end of it once the powers that be saw the money they were raking in? You’re better off trying to take blood away from a vampire.

So, to update, have you checked out a school bus lately? That’s right, they now have cameras on the sides, and should you pass one with its stop signs deployed, wait by your mailbox for the $288 bill.

But wait, there’s more. Now there are proposals for not only speed cameras, but license plate-reading cameras on the Southern State Parkway as well. And you wonder why our children can’t move away from here fast enough?

Heck, the absolute least they could do would be to install countdowns clocks underneath every traffic light where there’s a camera, to give us half a chance of avoiding a ticket — and getting rearended!

I don’t want to be an I-told-you-so, but who are we kidding? I told you so.

FRED GEFEN Woodmere

census figures, the legislative district lines of the Five Towns have been redrawn, and elections for the Assembly, State Senate and Nassau County Legislature have been dramatically impacted. Once upon a time, the Five Towns was treated with the greatest respect by government mapmakers. Sadly, however, it has been carved into many pieces, and it no longer has the political clout that it once claimed.

I recall many political names that were connected to the Five Towns. Presiding Supervisor Palmer D. Farrington, along with U.S. Rep. Herbert Tenzer, Town Councilman Eugene Weisbein, State Sen. Karen Burstein and Assemblyman Eli Wager were among its prominent elected officials. In the mid-1960s, Barbara Boxer deserted the Five Towns for California and eventually became a U.S. senator.

From 1972 to 1989, I had the honor of representing the Five Towns in the State Assembly. I knocked on hundreds of doors as a candidate, and attended dozens of events sponsored by the Community Chest and other worthy charities. I viewed the Five Towns as an important

power base. The Herald Community Newspapers, now read across Nassau County and beyond, were born in the Five Towns.

The reason for this walk down memory lane is to lodge an informal protest that no current local elected official has ever aggressively fought to keep the Five Towns as one political unit. The Assembly and Senate district lines, as well as the County Legislature, have been crafted with no respect for the historical identity of these very closely knit communities. This isn’t some form of snobbism; just a commentary on why people who want your vote don’t speak out at the time when new voting districts are created.

We should hope that in 2030, when the next federal census takes place, some dynamic local official will take up the cause of once again making the Five Towns into one united political region. Its great history deserves some extra respect.

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.

Framework by Tim Baker

A momentary pose in Arthur J. Hendrickson Park — Valley Stream

County and state district lines have divided these closely knit communities.

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JerrY kremer

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