Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 12-08-2022

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Fire district commissioner race

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The Hempstead town board voted unanimously Nov. 22 to lease Dish Network land for a telecommunications building that will provide the Levittown Water District $72,000 a year for five years.

The lease allows Dish Network to build a 100-square foot telecom munications facility at the Levit town Water District on Azalea Road. The lease, which will increase 3 percent each year, is effectively for 20 years as the town resolution states the lease will be automatically renewed for up to four additional terms of 60

months each term.

Dish Network will place three antennae on the existing town water tanks. The town already leases to several wireless provid ers at several locations in the town. Verizon has a similar lease with Hempstead Town at the same Levittown location. The Verizon lease was signed March 13, 2017 and is for $5,000 monthly with a 3 percent yearly increase.

The Levittown Water District tank on Azalea Road is 120 feet tall. The antennae will be roughly 6 feet in height atop the tower. Lease revenue from Dish Net work will be used by the Levit town Water District to offset dis trict expenses, according to a

Mark Nolan/Herald

or

Malverne student Michael Lawless selected to National Honor Choir

By MARK NolAN mnolan@liherald.com

Malverne High School soph omore Michael Lawless said he felt a mix of surprise and excitement when he was recently selected to participate in the prestigious National Honor Choir Conference.

When Lawless told family members that he was chosen for one of the most selective high school conferences in the country, they weren’t sure what to say.

“They knew that I sing, but I guess they didn’t expect (this),”

Lawless said. “I don’t think my sisters really knew I was audi tioning for this until they found out.”

Lawless said he’s involved in a myriad of responsibilities and commitments, so it’s hard for his family to keep track of what he is doing on any given day. He plays two sports and two instruments, is a member of more than seven school clubs and activities and main tains grades above a 95 average. Plus, he has a part-time job scooping ice cream.

Dish Network lease agreement will yield $72,000 yearly

DoN ClAViN Hempstead town supervisor Sign

town spokesperson. Surveys con ducted as part of the town resolu tion declare that any construc tion as a result of the lease will not damage or impair wildlife, the quality of the neighborhood, or air and water quality.

“Partnering with telecommu

nication companies on this ini tiative is a win-win,” said Hemp stead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “We’re able to keep cell service strong in our neighbor hoods while earning some reve nue. Additionally, the antennas are placed out of the way, so they do not interfere with the every day suburban quality-of-life we enjoy in America’s largest town

ship.”

Continued on page 4 P artnering with telecommunication companies on this initiative is a win-win.

Hempstead Town currently has numerous leases with tele communications companies at Greenfield Cemetery in Union dale, the animal shelter in Want agh, and elsewhere. There are existing leases for the following water districts: East Meadow, Uniondale, Levittown, Lido/Point Lookout, and Roosevelt Field.

MAlVERNE HigH SCHool sophomore Michael Lawless will represent the school district at the National Honor Choir Conference in February. He is just the second Malverne student ever selected to participate in the conference.

Singing his way to the top

Herald Sc H ool S

Career Day at Malverne High With 40 Professionals

Malverne High School recently welcomed representatives from over 40 businesses and organiza tions to the annual Career Day, which gave students the opportuni ty to gain insight and interact directly with professionals in a variety of fields.

The guest presenters related their personal career journeys and challenges, their daily responsibili ties and the necessary skills and educational credentials required to follow their chosen path. Industries represented at Career Day included health and wellness, financial, state and federal law enforcement, fash ion, education, construction, mili tary, and more.

LiANNe webb, behAvior Therapist and Miss Long Island 2023, speaks with students about education, fashion and her recent experience competing the Miss Long Island competition at Malverne High School Career Day.

Photos courtesy Malverne School District

A New York State Trooper speaks with students about the variety of opportunities available within the New York State Police Department at Malverne High School Career Day.

One-stop shop for Hempstead job seekers

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

Searching for a new job at any stage of your career can be a daunting endeavor. Among the myriad challenges are cold calls, maintaining contact lists, constantly updat ing your social media profiles and customizing your resume, and recruiting references. It’s enough to give even the most stalwart job hunter a feeling of timidity.

Job seekers often upload a resume on one or two readi ly known websites and cross their fingers. But there are resources available for Town of Hempstead residents through the town’s Department of Occupational Resourc es and its HempsteadWorks office. HempsteadWorks pro vides assistance at all phases of a job search to help resi dents hunting for their next position.

Among those services are workshops on resume and cover letter writing; interviewing strategies; social media sites such as LinkedIn; professional presence; computer skills; and training and certification programs. The ser vices are available for free to Hempstead and City of Long Beach residents.

“If someone doesn’t have computer skills, we help them,” Mary Drangel, a business services representative for HempsteadWorks, said. “Some don’t have a computer at home, so they can come in and use the computer resource room and work on their resume. We have inter viewing skills workshops, a resume workshop, a Linke dIn workshop if you don’t know how to create a LinkedIn account.”

HempsteadWorks, Drangel said, offers services for a wide range of professions, from truck driving to engi neering. “They are matched with a career counselor,” she said of job hunters, “and we find out what their needs are and what career path they want to take, and from there we have all of the services that they might need.”

While unemployment rates nationally and locally remain near record lows, there are still plenty of people in need of jobs, or even a new job. HempsteadWorks helps not just the unemployed, but the underemployed as well.

“For the adults, we have training and workshops so they can get a certificate or credential in any field,” Dran gel said.

HempsteadWorks is especially skilled at helping young and at-risk job seekers, Drangel said. The office offers programs specifically designed to help young people and those with criminal records. The Youth Services program is currently helping 145 Hempstead youths with job train ing, as well also transportation and child care. It’s a com prehensive program designed to eliminate any and all potential barriers to getting hired.

“We want them to be self-sufficient,” said Nene Alame da, another business services representative who has worked side by side with Drangel. “Some of the youth we work with have been involved with the justice system. We find companies that are willing to give them a second chance. We try to identify barriers and mitigate them. We want to help them find a sustainable wage to live on Long Island.”

The Youth Services program helps job seekers ages 18 to 24 who dropped out of high school, have a criminal record, are homeless, pregnant, or economically disad

vantaged. HempsteadWorks also has a program designed to help those trying to escape from the influence of gangs.

“We have a pro-bono attorney to help them clean up their rap sheet,” Drangel said.

There are also services for those with physical and learning disabilities, as well as English language learn ers. Job seekers must, of course, have a legal right to work in the United States.

Job searches would be fruitless without jobs. Drangel and Alameda said that HempsteadWorks develops great relationships with businesses to meet their needs, and not just the needs of those looking for jobs. A recent job fair in Freeport, Drangel and Alameda said, attracted 1,500 job seekers and 70 companies.

“I always feel like we’re a bit of a professional match maker,” Alameda said. “We work with companies to understand their needs, but we’re also working with par ticipants who have workforce needs. How do we find that perfect fit?”

A change of leadership, not changing priorities

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

One of Hempstead Town’s most influ ential employment recruiters will soon find herself out of a job.

Mary Drangel will retire from HempsteadWorks offi cially on Jan. 31 after an extraordinary career high lighted by helping people.

Drangel, a resident of Oceanside, started with HempsteadWorks in 2008. She previously worked in purchasing and procure ment, the Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes office, and real estate. Her passion has been helping people find a job, and she exudes excite ment when talking about helping job hunters with hurdles.

“It has been challenging, but also rewarding at the same time,” Drangel said. “I have to say, I feel proud of what I’ve done here.”

Drangel plans on moving to Florida with her husband, Scott, who recently

retired from the New York City Depart ment of Environmental Protection. Their son, Michael, is a Rockville Centre resident, and Mary’s mother and two sis ters live on Long Island, so Mary and Scott plan on spending plen ty of time visiting Long Island. Drangel said she plans to continue her pas sions for nature photography and hiking.

Drangel’s replacement, Nene Alameda, a Farmingda le resident, has worked with HempsteadWorks since June and is intimately aware of all the programs and resources the office provides. Still, she is only grudgingly celebrating Drangel’s retire ment. “When they invent the machine for downloading of brains, I want to connect to Mary and keep downloading everything she knows,” Alameda joked. “Everything she touches turns to gold.”

Alameda has been largely responsible

Mark Nolan/Herald

NeNe ALAMedA, Left, and Mary Drangel, review plans for upcoming job fairs offered by the Hempstead Town Department of Occupational Resources.

Mark Nolan/Herald HeMpsteAdWORKs eMpLOyees LiLy Dou, far left, Tamia Anderson, Maria Reed, Kurt Rockensies, Eric Mallette, Mary Drangel, Nene Alameda, Christopher DeRita and Jeanie Robano-Stocker provide comprehensive career services.

i have to say, I feel proud of what I’ve done here.

MARy dRANgeL Business Services Representative, HempsteadWorks

Lawless finds a way to balance activities

bass for the American Choral Directors Association’s National Honor Choir. The conference will be held in Ohio in Febru ary. Lawless was one of 300 high school students nationwide selected out of 4,000 applicants, and just the second Malverne student ever chosen.

Lawless said he was cautious about his chances because it is rare for an underclassman to be selected for the National Honor Choir, and the application process is rig orous.

“I set my expectations very low just because of the pure amount of applicants,” Lawless said

Malverne High School chorus teacher Ken Zagare called Lawless, who is a member of the high school’s choir, orchestra and band, to his office one morning recently.

“I figured it was just about choir stuff,” Lawless said. “When ultimately he told me, I was really shocked. I was quite surprised. I didn’t real ly know what to say in the moment. It was exciting to find out.”

Now that his family has had time to celebrate the news, they will likely be mak ing the trip with Lawless in February.

Michael Messina, Mal verne School District’s super visor of music, fine arts and family & consumer sciences, said Law less earned his selection to the confer ence, ranking as one of the top music students in the history of the school and certainly in Messina’s 27-year career.

“I’d say he is definitely one of the top 10,” Messina said. “He’s one of the top students we’ve ever had, and he’s one of the top in all three areas (chorus, orches tra and band).”

Messina said he has been extremely impressed with Lawless and wasn’t sur prised when he learned Lawless was

selected to the National Honor Choir Conference.

“I will say that as music educators, we had very high expectations for him,” Messina said. “We knew he had a very good chance. We knew he had the talent and, more importantly, the drive to work towards it.”

Lawless’s track record makes it easy to understand why Messina and Zagare have so much confidence in his abilities because they said he is dedicated in everything he does and works to improve himself constantly.

“When I do something, I don’t want to do it so-so,” Lawless said. “I want to fully commit myself to everything I do. If I decide to do some thing, I make sure I can fully commit to it. That’s some thing I hold myself to. So whenever I get done with homework or anything, if I have extra time, I practice because it’s something I enjoy. Instead of going on my phone for hours, I spend time practicing and getting better.”

Lawless first started sing ing in middle school, inspired by watching his older sisters’ performances in the Malverne music pro gram and watching them at competitions.

“I saw them both go through band for four years,” Lawless said of his sisters, Shannon and Elizabeth, who are both in college. “I went to all those band competitions and it just brought up this really big interest for me. In elementary school, music is more laid back. So once I got into high school with kids who really wanted to be in music, it made me want to pursue music. There are a lot of differ ent opportunities the program offers.”

Messina estimated that about 225 stu dents — roughly a third of the high school’s study body — participate in the music program in some capacity. One of

the benefits of the music program is pro viding students the opportunity to par ticipate in more than one music program at the same time.

“It’s amazing how much of the school has participated in music,” Messina said. “In Malverne we set up the program so students can effectively be in the band, the chorus and the orchestra at the same time. Many schools are not like that. We’re creating a musician with such a comprehensive music education.”

Being named to the National Honor Choir made Lawless realize that he can pursue music in college and beyond. Music is a passion for Lawless, and rehearsing is in many ways its own reward.

“The joy that music gives me is sort of fuel in and of itself to practice and put in all this work,” he said. “I do listen to a lot of classical music. It doesn’t need lyrics to portray emotion. And I like learning the stories behind the different pieces.”

Mark Nolan/Herald

Michael Messina, right, Malverne School District’s music supervisor, and choral director Kenneth Zagare (not pictured) were instrumental in helping Michael Lawless, left, earn a spot at the National Honor Choir Conference.

lawless sophomore, Malverne High School

Malverne seniors donate toys

Members of the Malverne Seniors Club gathered Dec. 1 at the Malverne Library to donate toys for the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The Club has collected and donated toys annually. A collection bin was located at the Malverne Library, and the Club estimates it collected a few dozen toys. Malverne Seniors Club President Diane Callahan is second from right.

Fourth Battalion Supports Burn Center

The Fourth Battalion Fire District recently raised $17,000 to benefit the Nas sau County Firefighters Burn Center Foundation at its 16th annual fundraiser. The Fourth Battalion Fire District is composed of the East Rockaway, Lakev iew, Lynbrook, Malverne, and Rockville Centre fire departments. The Fourth Bat talion has raised nearly $200,000 for the

Burn Center Foundation over the years. Presentation of this year’s checks to the Foundation was made at a Battalion meeting held in Lynbrook Nov. 30. The Nassau County Burn Center is located at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

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Presenting checks for the Burn Center were, from left, ex-Chief and Battalion Treasurer Kevin Bien of the Lynbrook Fire Department; ex-Chief and Vice-Chairman Joe Mihalich of the East Rockaway Fire Department; Chief Dominic Pignataro of the East Rockaway Fire Department; Burn Center Foundation Director Barry Scheu; ex-Chief and Fourth Battalion Chairman Mark Murray of the Rockville Centre Fire Department; ex-Chief and Secretary James Lang of the Malverne Fire Department; and ex-Chief and Burn Center Director John Hennig of the Rockville Centre Fire Department.

Courtesy Malverne Seniors Club

Clavin, Khzouz, Richner honored at gala

Money raised will help Nassau Community College feed the hungry

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

It was a night to remember, and a night to recognize the people and businesses that help make Nassau Community College what it is.

It was the annual gala of the Nassau Community College Foundation, taking place not far from the campus at the Cra dle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Among those honored were Hemp stead town supervisor Don Clavin, NICE Bus chief executive Jack Khzouz, NCC administrator Charmian Smith, and Richner Communications, the parent company of Herald Commu nity Newspa pers.

ChARmIAN SmITh

interim VP, academic student services, NCC

Adorned in their best suits, ties and dresses, guests were immediately offered cham pagne and given a chance to pose for photos in front of a red carpet display. From there, it was a tour of the model planes and his toric aviation displays before being invited to sit at their respective tables in the main dining room.

Leading the night off was Donna Drake of her self-titled inspirational tele vision show introducing guests like Joy Dedonato, an NCC alum, and executive director of the NCC Foundation.

“I’ll never forget the people I met and the values I learned at Nassau Communi ty College,” Dedonato said. “This place taught me to hit the wall, where you can not go further, and then go further any way.”

NCC president Maria Conzatti then introduced the honorees, selected for their support. Like Clavin and Richner Communications, both of which publi cize important notices to students, while also providing advertising and market ing.

Clavin, in fact, is a staunch supporter of the college, Conzatti said, thanking him for what he has done as an elected official. Like helping to organize The Nest at NCC — a non-profit organization that aims to alleviate hunger for stu dents, employees and their families.

“Some people say it takes a village to raise a child,” Conzatti said. “And were proud that this village raised so many students who come back to support our college.”

Baldwin’s Charmian Smith is NCC’s interim vice president of academic stu dent services, telling the crowd she was honored to know her colleagues recog nized her in such a way.

“This gala helps to bring us all togeth

er after the years of the Covid-19 pan demic,” she said. “It’s a great time to cel ebrate each other, our accomplishments, the community, and our families.”

Clavin is an NCC alum, and has count ed some of the professors there as actual members of his family.

“So many of my friends started their lives at this institution,” the town super visor said. “To be recognized is just hum bling.”

Stuart Richner talked about the importance of providing well-rounded learning experiences.

“Educating young adults takes a team of professionals and advisers, which we understand,” the Herald Community

Newspapers publisher said. “Here at Richner, we work as a team to pro vide hyperlocal news to our commu nities.”

Khzouz described his being hon ored by the foundation “amazing.” NICE Bus employs more than 1,000 people, transporting more than 70,000 each day in 450 vehicles. That’s more than a million miles a month.

“We have a mission, which we live every day,” Khzouz said. “That mission is to make sure our bus services are an asset to Nassau County institutions and its citizens.”

And now NICE is celebrating 10 years

in Nassau County.

“We use large complex vehicles to drive through Nassau County and Queens at peak rush hour with impatient New Yorkers. What could go wrong?”

Khzouz joked. “Yet, we prevail anyway.”

Proceeds from the gala will help The Nest at NCC food pantry. To make a dona tion, too, visit tinyurl.com/GiveNCC.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

ThE NASSAu CommuNITy College Foundation honored Hempstead town supervisor Don Clavin, NICE Bus chief executive Jack Khzouz, NCC administrator Charmian Smith, and Richner Communications, parent company of Herald Community Newspapers, during a fundraising gala last week.

mARIA CoNzATTI, pRESIDENT of Nassau Community College, honored Baldwin’s Charmian Smith during the Nassau Community College Foundation Gala last week.

SuppoRTERS AND INVITED guests gathered to celebrate four honorees at the Nassau Community College Foundation’s annual gala last week at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

It’s a great time to celebrate each other, our accomplishments, the community, and our families.

A Malverne gala of historical proportions

The Malverne Historical and Preservation Society celebrated its annual gala Dec. 2. The event is held every year in the backyard of the Historical House. There was plenty of holiday cheer, singing, dancing, and raffles.

The Society’s stated mission is to “obtain, organize, preserve, dis play, and make available to the public, all historical information and artifacts pertaining to Mal verne and surrounding areas. In addition, the Society endeavors to preserve, whenever possible, older structures and landmarks within the membership perimeters, and to promote the identity of Mal verne as a community.”

For more information about the Society, including upcoming events, visit malvernehistoricalsociety.org.

Village Historian DaViD Weinstein, left, Mayor Keith Corbett, and Historical Society President Phil Ballin.

MalVerne Village anD Historical and Preservation Society members at the culmination of another successful gala.

Susan Grieco/Herald photos

Dorean Fellin anD friends showed that history is exciting.

Holiday cheer in Malverne

Malverne Village celebrated its annual tree lighting and holiday events, including Breakfast with Santa and Bowling with Santa, Saturday throughout the Village. Fr. Jim Stachacz, Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, fourth from left, joined village officials and others at the Christmas tree.

Fourth-graders selected for festival

Three fourth-grade students from the Malverne School District’s Davison Ave nue Intermediate School were selected to participate in the Nassau Music Educa tors Association’s All-County PEAK (Par ents, Educators and Kids) Music Festival at Freeport High School.

Kameron Blackmore, Elany Cales and

Raechelle Graham joined student musi cians and teachers from across Nassau County for a full day of interactive and collaborative music workshops led by music educators. At the conclusion of the festival, the students performed a concert together.

Davison avenue interMeDiate School fourth graders Kameron Blackmore, left, Elany Cales and Raechelle Graham celebrate their invitation to the All-County PEAK Music Festival with District Supervisor of Music, Fine Arts and Family & Consumer Science Michael Messina, left, and music teacher Kristen Burgner.

LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer — from novel chemotherapy techniques to first in the nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

Susan Grieco/Herald

Courtesy Malverne School District

Dowling most influential health care leader

Michael Dowling, who championed innovation to combat the Covid-19 pan demic as president and chief executive of Northwell Health, has been selected as America’s most influential leader in health care by Modern Healthcare magazine.

Dowling was chosen as No. 1 as part of the maga zine’s annual list of the 100 most-influential people in health care, putting him ahead of national brand leaders like CVS Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Moderna as well as Presi dent Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra.

The magazine’s rank ing is determined by peers and the publication’s editors based on leadership and impact. Dowling has now appeared on the list 16 times, earn ing a second-place national ranking in 2020, and third last year.

Northwell is New York’s largest health care provider and private employer with 21 hospitals, 850 outpa tient facilities and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians.

It’s one that has worked to upend health inequalities Dowling has said were laid bare by the pandemic. One of those initiatives was the Center for Maternal Health, unveiled earlier this

“Of course, our daily focus is on our sickest patients. But to serve our broad er community, we also look at health trends both looming on the horizon, and lurking under the cover of darkness.

“That’s why we’ve taken a stand against gun violence. That’s why we’ve opened Northwell’s Center for Maternal Health to reduce maternal mortality — especially among Black Americans.”

Incumbent unopposed in West Hempstead

West Hempstead Fire District

Commissioner Scott Clark is run ning unopposed for a five-year term in the district’s Dec. 13 election. Vot ing takes place from 4-9 p.m. at the Fire Headquarters Building at 295 Hempstead Tpke., West Hempstead.

Clark was appointed to a vacant commissioner seat nearly three years ago, and won election for the remainder of the term. He is now seeking his first five-year term.

One of his priorities as commis sioner is the purchase of a new tower ladder truck. Clark said the current truck is 20 years old, and with potential housing construction in West Hempstead, he said the fire district and department would be able to better serve the community with a new truck. “We would be able to effect high-rise rescues in a safer manner,” Clark said.

Clark will also continue to work to ensure the fire department has coverage around the clock. “We have hired a medic full-time and we are look ing at bringing in a part-time medic in January to fill those tough hours when we’re a little sparse,” he said. “Volun teering used to be a second job, but now people need a second and third job to pay for their mortgage.”

A volunteer fireman with Hempstead for the past 27 years, Clark has served 13 years as a chief officer and 5 as a department officer. His son, Daniel, just finished his first year in the West Hemp

stead Fire Department.

“I am actually a fireman in Hemp stead for 27 years, but I live in West Hempstead,” he said. “I love the compa ny I’m in. I love everything I do. This is a way to give back to the community where I live. I enjoy what West Hemp stead provides. I’m excited about having the opportunity to get back in and work with the other commissioners to contin ue to provide outstanding fire service that West Hempstead provides.”

Michael Dowling

CoMMissioner unopposed for a five-year term.

STEPPING OUT

Neil deGrasse Tyson

The festive tradition continues to delight arrives on

By Karen Bloom

local stages

How real is what you’re seeing up on the big screen? Astrophysicistlecturer Neil deGrasse Tyson knows and he’ll clue us in, separating fact from fiction — in a new installment of ‘An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies: The Sequel.’ Derived from yet another set of 30 films/television shows that range from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to ‘Mary Poppins’ to ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘The Lion King,’ this lecture is an entertaining and enlightening review of all the science that our favorite entertainment got wrong, combined with some of the stuff they got right. This lecture also incorporates the latest films as well as some classics that you may not have known had any science in them at all.

Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. $250 (VIP), $100, $75, $50. $250 VIP ticket includes a post-show Q&A. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Route 25A, Brookville. (516) 299-3100, or TillesCenter.org.

New

its 40th season of the holiday classic, presented in the style of the legendary George Balanchine, on the John Cranford Adams Playhouse stage at Hofstra University.

The dance theatre closely follows the Balanchine tradition — from storyline through choreography, as well as sets and costumes. It is the largest production on Long Island, according to new artistic director, — and dance theatre alum Nicole Loizides Albruzzese.

The dance theatre’s version keeps to the tone set by company founder Frank Ohman, which remains true to the spirit of New York City Ballet’s Lincoln Center production. As a former student and New York City Ballet soloist under George Balanchine, Ohman was one of a select few authorized to use the original pas de deux choreography of his mentor, which continues to distinguish this production.

Through the years, Ohman created original dances and scenes to enhance Balanchine’s iconic vision. Now Albruzzese — who was a student at the dance theatre’s Ohman School of Ballet under Ohman and performed most of the children’s roles in “The Nutcracker” during her time there — returns as a professional dancer in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy before her international dance career, follows in her mentor’s footsteps in keeping to the Balanchine standard.

Special guest artists New York City Ballet principal dancers Indiana Woodward and Daniel Ulbricht take on the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, joining a cast of Ohman School students to bring the holiday classic to the stage.

With the elegant Christmas party scene, the battle of the toy soldiers and giant mice, the intense snow storm, and elaborate dancing in the Land of the Sweets, this “Nutcracker” is sparkling treat that maintains its enduring appeal.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, noon and 5 p.m. $42, $32 seniors and children 12 and younger. Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playouse, Hempstead. For tickets, call (631) 462-0964, or visit OhmanBallet.org.

Curry’s interpretation at Tilles Center stars New York City Ballet soloist Miriam Miller as the Sugar Plum Fairy and New York City Ballet principal Tyler Angle as her Cavalier. Also of note, Fox Weather meteorologist (and Instagram and TikTok sensation) Nick Kosir joins the cast of more than 60 students and professional dancers as Dr. Stahlbaum, Clara’s father.

The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, under the baton of maestro David Bernard, performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

“This year, I’ve taken some elements and changed them to keep the production fresh,” Curry says. “Our professional dancers, along with our incredibly talented academy students, have accepted the challenge of these new variations and character developments. I’ve enriched the production with more theatricality and many new dramatic elements.

“Having our guest artists from New York City Ballet and the wonderful Nick Kosir is like having a very sweet cherry on top of an already decadent sundae.”

Company member Briana Laman dances the role of Clara, with fellow company member Ryan Cavaline as Nutcracker Prince. For this production, Curry has reinterpreted the central first act pas de deux in the prelude to Waltz of the Snowflakes (usually danced by a Snow Queen and a Snow King) for Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.

“Having this pas de deux danced by these two characters intensifies the connection between the two,” he says. “We see the arc of their relationship and gives the opportunity for Clara’s dream to have a more poignant and personal effect on our audiences.”

Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 and 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. Tickets are $89, $69, $59, $49. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Route 25A, Brookville. For tickets, call (516) 299-3100 or visit TillesCenter.org or EglevskyBallet.org.

Kenny G’s The Miracles Holiday & Hits

Ring in the holiday season with smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G. The crossover jazz icon has enjoyed phenomenal success across the pop, jazz and R&B charts for more than three decades. Known for his lyrical and emotive style, his music has garnered a devoted fan base and made him one of the biggest-selling instrumentalists of all-time. The sound of his sax is as iconic as his curly coif. Indeed, both are instantly recognizable. Expect an evening filled with a festive spirit and contemporary classics. A reprise of last year’s successful outing,’The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour’ features a mix of holiday hits and fan favorites infused with his captivating and distinctive blending of genres. The tour follows the release of his 19th studio album, ‘New Standards,’ and the acclaimed HBO documentary ‘Listening to Kenny G.’

Thursday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m.

NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road., Westbury. TheTheatreAtWestbury.com or LiveNation.com, or (516) 247-5200.

New York Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’

York Dance Theatre offers

Those sugar plum fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination come alive this month. The beloved holiday confection never goes out of style.

Courtesy New York Dance Theatre

Photo: Clara is enchanted with her nutcracker in the party that opens the ballet.

Eglevsky Ballet’s innovative ‘The Nutcracker’ Long Island’s professional dance company is known for its inventive staging of Clara’s delightful journey, featuring additional choreography by Executive Artistic Director Maurice Brandon Curry.

Courtesy Eglevsky Ballet

Photo: The enchanting snow scene is a shimmering showstopper.

THE SCENE

Shrek The Musical

See the uplifting tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey, presented by Nassau Community College Theater Department, now through Sunday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. All the beloved characters you know from the film are brought to life on stage for an incredible adventure that includes a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand — and that’s Shrek, of course. Nassau Community College’s Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets $18; NCC students free with valid ID; $15, veterans, alumni, seniors 60+, students and NCC employees. For tickets/information, visit NCC.edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Christmas Tree of Lights celebration

Mercy Medical Center Council of Leagues invites the community to its annual Christmas Tree of Lights celebration, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m. Enjoy some of your favorite holiday songs sung by Mercy’s carolers and refreshments. The festivities take place in front of the hospital, 1000 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre. Proceeds from the event will support the Endowment for Nursing Leadership and Education at Mercy Hospital. For information visit CHSLI.org/mercy-hospital.

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 4849337 or NassauMuseum.org.

LI Warriors Sock Hockey Clinic

Add some skills to your sock skating game with members of the LI Warriors recreational hockey league at Long Island Children’s Museum, Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn about stick handling and passing as you master wrist and slap shots on the LICM “ice” in a hockey clinic for ages 3 and up. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Holiday fun

Visit the streets of 19th century London during the darkest days of the year, in this adaption of the classic “A Christmas Carol,” with the Experiential Theater Company, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 8-9, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 14-15, 10:15 a.m. and noon, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. Meet the Cratchit family, Scrooge, and the ghosts of past, present and future in this interactive show. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

West Hempstead BOE meeting

The West Hempstead School District Board of Education meets Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., in the

Sugar Plum Ball/ Galactic Gala

Bring the kids to celebrate the season at festivities hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Sunday, Dec.11, noon-4 p.m., at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place. Kids ages 4-12, accompanied by their adult guest (Mom, Dad, grandparent, etc.), will enjoy a unique party featuring food, fun and some special guests including princesses, fairies and visitors from a Galaxy Far Far Away. With lunch, DJ, magic show, dancing, raffles, games, photo ops, and more. Cost is $75 per child, $100 per adult. Advance reservation only. All proceeds benefit CP Nassau. Register online at CPNassau.org or call CP Nassau at (516) 378-2000 ext 651.

Having an event?

Malverne BOE meeting

The Malverne School District Board of Education meets Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m., at administration offices located at 301 Wicks Lane. Call (516) 8876405 for more information.

Jewish war veterans meeting

The next meeting of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Post 652 takes place, Thursday, Dec. 15, noon, at Congregation Ohav Shalom, 145 S. Merrick Ave, Merrick. Lunch will be served. Enter through the side door. For additional information call (516) 218-0316 or email JWV652@gmail.com

Kwanzaa celebration

Author/artist/educator Marcia Odle-McNair hosts a free Kwanzaa celebration, Saturday, Dec. 17, 1-4 p.m., at Westbury Arts. The event, at 255 Schenck Ave., Westbury, includes and entertainment and an opportunity to make hand-crafted gifts that signify the true meaning of Kwanzaa. Registration is required. Tickets are free and can be obtained on EventBrite.com.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald

Menorah lighting

Celebrate the Festival of Light’s at Malverne Village’s Lighting of the Menorah, Sunday, Dec. 18. 5:30 p.m., at the Malverne LIRR Station. Call Village Hall at (516) 599-1200 for more information.

Snacks for students

The Lakeview Public Library Lakeview Public Library holds its After School Dish every Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. for students grades 6 and under. The event features discussions of learning, games, crafts, and snacks. An adult must stay with any children under twelve (12) years of age. Register before each session by calling (516) 536-3071 or emailing ireckson@ lakeviewlibrary.org. The event takes place in the Children’s Room of the library, at 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre.

Matinee time

Join crafty Jack Frost on a magical, musical winter adventure, in Plaza Theatrical’s production, Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.;Sunday, Dec. 12,

Photo: Angel A. Perez

Balloon Mission is up and away to save

In its early stages, nonprofit sets tone for future

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Where do helium-filled bal loons go when they’re released into the sky?

Cynthia Seibold had that same question. And she discovered that the old axiom was true: What goes up must come down. But not in ways people might like.

The North Merrick resident with a background in insurance underwriting, spent a lot of time outdoors at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. She noticed, however, that among all the litter found in the various parks, preserves and beaches she visit ed, one category stood out: bal loons.

CyNthiA SEiBOLD Founder, Balloon Mission

Or rather, shreds of bal loons. Seibold found their strings and what was left of their plastic or rubber bodies impacting trees and plants and, of course, wildlife — animals that could easily mistake bal loon pieces for food.

It’s not that bal loon releases — or how they poten tially threaten the environment — is something new. But the pandemic created a new surge of such helium-intensive events as a different way to share birth days, graduations and retirements.

“Balloons are (a) leading cause of pol lution in our waters and our air,” Seibold said. “They break down into microplas tics and nanoplastics. I kept saying to myself, ‘There has to be a better way.’”

She found it with her nonprofit, Bal loon Mission.

“Our program is to collect balloons before they end up on the land and in oceans, reducing our carbon footprint and the harmful microplastics that are gener ated from balloons,” Seibold said. “And for every balloon that is sold and respon sibly collected, we feel it’s going to be one less piece of litter that’s harming our wildlife.”

Still, Seibold wants to make one thing very clear: She is not “anti-balloon.”

“This is a growing issue,” she said. “I think people need to know that there are options of ballooning responsibly. We’re not telling you to not have your balloons, but discard them in an appropriate man ner.”

Although the nonprofit is in its early stages, Seibold has already received a great deal of support while building rela tionships with local and statewide organi zations. That includes the Hempstead town sanitation department, and the state environmental conservation department.

One of Seibold‘s primary goals is to

the get the message out that Balloon Mis sion is collecting balloons with plans to set up collection bins as early as January so people can properly dispose their holi day balloons.

Those bins will be cardboard boxes with Balloon Mission signage, Seibold explained. Locations are still being deter mined, but she hopes to have them in community-oriented locations like fire houses, Veterans of Foreign Wars halls and libraries.

On a national level, Seibold said, peo ple are noticing the effects balloons have on the environment.

“There was actually a New York Times article that came out in March of 2022 that talks about this surge in balloon fren zy,” she said. “We couldn’t celebrate and we couldn’t do things when we were in lockdown.

“We did these big balloon displays, and they’ve gotten even bigger, and it’s not going away. People want this — they want a balloon collection. They want options. They want to feel like they’re part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

Through her research and communica tion with Hempstead town officials, Sei bold learned the municipality actually passed a local law prohibiting the inten tional release of balloons in 2019. Yet, bal loon releases still happen, she said, mak ing it important that signage goes up — perhaps sometime next spring — advising

against such activities.

Seibold is working closely with ACDS, an organization that offers lifetime services to people of all ages with intellectual disabilities. Formerly the Association for Chil dren with Down Syndrome, the organization has locations in North Merrick and Plainview.

Jane Cohen, the day habilita tion services supervisor at ACDS, says it’s important for her group to offer volunteers to various envi ronmental organizations, and that its members are excited about helping Seibold’s nonprofit.

“In January, we’re going to start collecting (balloons) from various pickup sites, and then we’re going to bring them back to our hub sites and sift through them,” Cohen said. Volunteers “can work on their office skills and note-taking, so they can feel like they’ve accomplished some thing. It’s very rewarding for our individ uals.”

ACDS plans to provide some 200 volun teers to Balloon Mission.

“We feel this is a symbiotic relation ship,” Seibold said, adding it “works in keeping with ACDS’s goal of increasing life and social skills, and work readiness for their participants.”

She also hopes to educate people on alternatives to balloons.

MANy ARE uNAwARE the helium-filled balloons they release can harm the environment.

Sea turtles and other animals can mistake the balloons for food.

past.

“I’m not looking to get rid of balloons — they make people light up,” she said. “I would like to start thinking of alterna tives. Can we blow bubbles? Can we send up a nice waft of smoke or sage into the air? It’s about finding these other ways of commemorating those moments in our life.”

Seibold hopes her nonprofit will get people thinking about ways to help find solutions.

“There are people that are smarter than me out there,” she said, “and I need those people in on the Balloon Mission.”

Photos courtesy Cynthia Seibold

CyNthiA SEiBOLD, fOuNDER and executive director of the nonprofit Balloon Mission, found an abandoned balloon at Lido Beach, a Hempstead town park. Seibold is on a quest to raise awareness about how damaging to the environment helium-filled balloon releases are, with hopes of making that a practice of the

LEGAL NOTICE

Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU Action to Foreclose a Mortgage INDEX #: 609858/2019

REVERSE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, INC. Plaintiff, vs HOWARD HARRIS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, WHO WAS THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF ARTHUR H. MYERS, KAREN TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, RODERICK TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, ERVINA TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, MAMIETT TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, REGINALD TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, CHRISTOPHER TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, EBONIK TUCKER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, TATIANA KINARD AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN WIFE, WIDOW, HUSBAND, WIDOWER, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES,

CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, UNKNOWN HEIRS AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS, WHO WAS THE SURVIVING SPOUSE OF ARTHUR H. MYERS IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN WIFE, WIDOW, HUSBAND, WIDOWER, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING THROUGH THE IRS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY LLC, SLOMIN’S INC, WILLIAM HACKETT, APRIL JACKSON Defendant(s).

MORTGAGED PREMISES: 243 COVENTRY ROAD SOUTH WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552

To the Above named Defendant: 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 Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of

New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO TATIANA KINARD AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ERNESTINE TUCKER, WHO WAS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAMIE LEE MYERS Defendants In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. David P. Sullivan of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the First day of November, 2022 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by Arthur H. Myers (who died on March 27, 2017, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) and Mamie Lee Myers (who died on January 22, 2019, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) dated the April 23, 2012, to secure the sum of $300,000.00 and recorded at Book 37419, Page 539 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk, on the July 5, 2012. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed February 11, 2016 and recorded on March 28, 2016, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 41108, Page 639. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by a corrective assignment executed October 18, 2017 and recorded on November 10, 2017, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book 42495, Page 330; The property in question is described as follows: 243

COVENTRY ROAD SOUTH, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552 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 your mortgage company will not stop this 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. DATED: November 16, 2022 Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221

The law firm of Gross Polowy, LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose.

74423 135657

LEGAL NOTICE

Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Nassau Action to Foreclose a Mortgage Index #: 602511/2020 Nationstar Mortgage LLC D/B/A Mr. Cooper, Plaintiff, vs Unknown Heirs Of Daniel Gause Of Daniel Gause If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, Unknown Heirs Of Lena N. Gause If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of

Drangel assisted job seekers

for HempsteadWorks’ social media cam paign designed to attract younger job seekers. Alameda plans on continuing the work Drangel implemented while advancing new programs. Alameda implemented HempsteadWorks’ QR codes and created new flyers. “Our flyers are very dynamic,” Drangel said. “When you look at them, you’re attracted right to them. Nene is phenomenal at creating flyers.”

Drangel emphasized that Hempstead Works will be in great shape to help job seekers and employers with Alameda as

her successor, but Alameda was quick to credit Drangel for much of the pro gram’s success, especially after covid-19.

“I said, ‘Why don’t we just think out-ofthe-box and do a job fair on Zoom?’ ” Drangel said. “Kurt [Rockensies, Hemp stead Town Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Occupational Resources] said, ‘How are you going to do that?’ I said, ‘I don’t know. I’ll figure it out.’ And it turned out that it really took off.”

“Who would have thought that a job fair online right after the pandemic start ed would take off,” Alameda said. “I don’t want her to leave!”

Public Notices Public Notices

Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, Fannie Mae Gause As Heir To The Estate Of Lena N. Gause, Who Was Heir To The Estate Of Daniel Gause, Antoinette Kirkland, As Heir To The Estate Of Lena N. Gause Who Was Heir To The Estate Of Daniel Gause And As Appointed Guardian Of Anne D. Kirkland As Heir To The Estate Of Lena N. Gause Who Was Heir To The Estate Of Daniel Gause, Teachers Federal Credit Union, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America Acting Through The IRS, ETR Inc D/B/A Empire Tax Reductions, Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group LLC, John Doe (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.), Defendant(s).

Mortgaged Premises: 468 Barbara Lane West Hempstead, NY 11552 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, an d to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be

taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Daniel Gause, and Unknown Heirs of Lena N. Gause, Defendants In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. David P. Sullivan of the Supreme Court Of The State Of Ne w York, dated the Seventh day of November, 2022 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated January 30, 2007, executed by Daniel Gause (who died on February 3, 2018, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) to secure the sum of $398,610.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book 31601, Page 433 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on February 28, 2007. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed May 20, 2014 and recorded on May 23, 2014, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 39706, Page 940. Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Daniel Gause on October 6, 2017 and recorded October 24, 2017 in Book 42460, Page 684 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk; The property in question is described as follows: 468

BARBARA LANE, WEST HEMPST EAD, NY 11552

HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW 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 office, 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 the New York State Depart ment of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at 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. § 1303

NOTICE 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 your mortgage company will not stop this 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. DATED: November 15, 2022 Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney(s)

For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221

The law firm of Gross Polowy, LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 74367 135655

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

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Broadway Management, LTD,

Broadway, Hewlett, NY 11557.

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More complications from Superstorm Sandy

This unique home boasts 2,494 livable interior square feet with 4 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms. The main floor offers a primary bedroom with ensuite, additional bedroom and full hall bathroom, bright living room with woodburning fireplace, eat-in kitchen with brick oven cooking, laundry room, den/family room with access to backyard patio and 2 car attached garage. 2 Additional bedrooms, den/office/exercise room and shared bathroom are found on the second level. There is also a full basement with utilities, storage, full bathroom, wet bar and endless possibilities. This home also boasts wood floors throughout, ample closets/storage on a 116 x 63 lot. Call for a private showing.

Q. We purchased our home with minor damage from Hurricane Sandy, and were told that because there was little or no damage, just mold in the unfin ished basement and new boiler, the house was fine, no title problems. But when we tried getting a permit for a shed, we were told we needed a permit for stormrelated repairs, including proof of our home’s value. We decided not to get the shed because of this, but we got a letter saying we still need the storm repair per mit, regardless. None of the neighbors we spoke to ever got this permit. It seems we’re being punished for being honest and trying to do the right thing. Is there a way around this problem? What if we do nothing?

A. My answer may be as confusing as your situ ation. I have seen no con sistency in this dilemma as I go from one munici pality to another, and I’ve asked why some impacted jurisdictions don’t require as much paperwork and scrutinizing as others. The answer from officials was generally that each jurisdiction made assess ments of the specific properties, and then recorded which ones were uninhabitable compared to which ones had various levels of needed repairs.

It may have been that at the time, when people were so devastated by their personal property loss es, it seemed like a bad policy to hurt homeowners further with permit requirements and lots of administrative paperwork. The concerns for peo ple’s emotions at that time have, seemingly, dimin ished. Your jurisdiction chose to notify people to submit estimates and property value statements, over a decade later, mostly when they apply for per mits for unrelated projects.

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I sat down to a Sunday-morning breakfast chat in a diner with the top elected official in your juris diction in February of 2013, four months after the storm, as a concerned citizen as well as a licensed professional and columnist. It was nice that they paid for breakfast, but I’m not sure they acknowl edged the level of problems I was seeing, from the lack of communication and enforcement with the public. I suggested that it was better to notify every one with specifics, not randomly ambush people when they applied for other things in the future, like you’re now experiencing.

I advised that everyone damaged by the storm could file basic repair letters, be contacted by block and lot numbers instead of all at once, and put the effects of the storm behind us all as quickly and painlessly as possible, but in a way that officially recorded people’s repairs in letter form and in a simple way. Building departments were extremely helpful in assisting people to get backup docu ments, and I saw an earnest effort to help the pub lic. But many homeowners ignored letters, did nothing and seem not to be affected by require ments.

Your story is an example of the result I predict ed. I wish I knew the answer. It may take another decade to figure this out. Good luck!

© 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 The Architect

Monte Leeper

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opINIoNS

Facing life — and death — with peace and love

John Casciani died last weekend. You don’t know him, but trust me, he wouldn’t want anyone to fuss over him. He came into this world quietly 88 years ago, and I’m sure would prefer the same exit now.

But you can’t have such a profound effect on someone’s life — to the point that you almost single-handedly changed it for the better — and expect them to experience your passing as an afterthought.

Casciani doesn’t deserve to be remem bered, but because I simply don’t know how to express my sadness that someone who touched and transformed so many lives as a teacher over the years no longer shares the same plane of existence we do.

with “peace and love” — something you always felt around him. Peace and love.

I can usually write a column like this practically in my sleep, but nothing seemed right to honor this man who did so much for everyone, yet didn’t want anyone to notice.

So, that’s what I did. I cried. Tears of sadness. Tears of happy memories. Tears of who I am. Tears of what I might have been if it weren’t for Mr. Casciani.

MICHAEL HINMAN

Writing isn’t just a profession for me. It’s how I cope. And the moment I learned of Mr. Casciani’s passing, I put pen to paper, sharing an anecdote from the very first time I met this fascinating chemistry teacher and photography club adviser from my high school days, and how he introduced me to the magical world of the darkroom.

I talked about the value of teachers, who are key to our self-discovery of who we are. I even shared Mr. Casciani’s way of making even the most mundane interest ing, like when he would wager his chemis try classes he could drink a glass of boiling water — and then actually do it.

But the moment I typed the final words of that piece, I closed the document and then dumped it in the trash. Not that Mr.

I was going through a bad time when I first met Mr. Casciani. We all remember being teenagers, and few of us can say it was easy. But Mr. Casciani truly changed my life. Not just teaching me the skills that helped me land my first newspaper job — the fact that I could devel op my own film and print my own pictures helped get me through the door of a daily newspaper when I was still in high school — but being someone who taught me it was OK to be fascinated by the world around us. That we shouldn’t be ashamed of that sense of wonder.

Yet I simply couldn’t find the words to express any of that. Outside of a few Face book interactions, I hadn’t had a direct conversation with Mr. Casciani since I graduated from high school in the early 1990s. But he would occasionally send me a note, usually asking me to help him remember some details about projects we worked on — like our school’s television program in the days when creating televi sion at the high school level wasn’t so easy to pull off — so he could reminisce.

He would sign each of those messages

But then I remembered something else Mr. Casciani taught me. Strength doesn’t come from not needing to ask for help — it comes from seeking help when you need it. Something pride inter feres with all too often.

So, I sought that strength inside of me and asked for help. Marcie Schellhammer is the assistant managing editor of the Bradford Era in north-central Pennsylvania, about 30 miles from where I grew up. She’s written so many beautiful columns about people that I cite her work to my own reporters when we need examples of the best way to honor people with our words.

I did everything I was supposed to do. I shared a favorite memory, and how what I learned from it changed my life. I shared the moment my eyes opened, and even talked about how Mr. Casciani helped mold me into the man I am now. But it still wasn’t working.

“That’s because you wrote it to write a column,” Marcie told me. “You didn’t write it with your heart. At least that’s my pro cess. I can’t write a memorial column with out crying.”

As always, Marcie was right. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn’t take the traditional approach in honoring Mr. Casciani. I can scream from the hilltops how important our educators are — and they indeed are. But the truest way to honor a man like Mr. Casciani is to put what he taught me into practice.

To admit when I’m struggling. To face it. To seek out help. And to never, ever be ashamed of it. I joke from time to time that Mr. Casciani would tell me the skills I was learning in the darkroom would be skills that would help me the rest of my life. And then, in my mid-20s, darkrooms went extinct in the shadow of digital pho tography.

But that has changed my life. I haven’t stepped inside a darkroom in about two decades, but the skills I learned there opened the doors at the beginning of my career that allowed me to sit here and write these words today. And for that, I will be forever grateful to Mr. Casciani.

We all have a Mr. Casciani in our lives. And we can never thank them enough for making the impact they did. So, if you can still thank them, please take a moment and do it now.

Peace and love.

Michael Hinman is executive editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Com ments? Execeditor@liherald.com.

No, Gwyneth, I will not buy your face cream

In this season of marathon shopping, I started wondering why I buy what I buy. There are millions of choices when it comes to our cosmetics and cars and food and OTC meds and clothing and shoes and TV series and movies and furnishings and technology, and travel and education.

So why do I scan the shelves and pick out one sneaker among the many sports shoes for sale?

celebrity flogs a product, my avoidance mode kicks in. I love Matthew McCo naughey, but I’m not buying a Lincoln because he looks dreamy sitting behind the wheel in the TV commercials. I am not buy ing Gwyneth Paltrow’s skin cream thinking it will make me look like her.

I mean, why would I buy a Dior product because Charl ize Theron is their public face? She’s a gorgeous 8-foottall South African beauty. My life, inside this body of mine, bears no resemblance to her existence. Dior face cream will not help. I resist.

does she know about shoes or me or the value of her product? As for the Kardashi ans, well, how much time do you have? Who are they, exactly, and how many of them are in the public eye, and what is their skill set? They endorse various hair products, and I imagine their pitch is to young people, but why? They are the most famous people who are famous just for being famous.

ing crosses, and stigmata. After an outcry from religious groups, Pepsi canceled its ad.

My friends are my greatest influencers. I buy what they tell me to buy; I watch the TV that they suggest; I read the books they send my way.

I also take seriously consumer reviews from reliable websites. I have found new doctors by reading online reviews.

We think we have the power of choice, but we are bedazzled by influ encers. Psycholo gists say that we are especially moti vated by celebrity endorsements that suggest we can acquire good looks, wealth, friends and celebrity itself by buying the car that George Clooney drives or wearing the ath letic shoes that Selena Gomez wears or drinking the Coke that LeBron James, Penelope Cruz or Michelle Kwan drinks.

RANDI KREISS

I’m crazy about Reese Witherspoon and I love Crate & Barrel products, but I’m not buying a new couch because she’s their “brand ambassador.”

Various media put enormous money into advertising campaigns that feature celebrities touting their products. For me, it’s a waste of their time and money. When a

I can’t argue that celebrity endorsements don’t work, because apparently they pay off big time, or companies wouldn’t seek out famous people to push their products. I just don’t think it works for me, and I would urge others to look at their prospective pur chases in a clear-eyed way, setting aside the celebrity glam factor.

Drew Barrymore has associated herself with Crocs. What the heck? Should I buy a clutzy shoe because she tells me to? What

Epic flops and scandals have haunted the celebrity endorsement industry. Kanye West recently unraveled with his nonstop antisemitic rants. He lost Adidas, Balen ciaga, Foot Locker, Gap, and others. Michael Phelps was dropped by Kellogg’s years ago, after a photo circulated of him smoking marijuana. Today, with a net worth of some $80 million, he can boast associations with Intel, Sub way, Under Armor, Beats and Visa. The weed factor is passe.

Years back, according to E-News, Madon na landed a one-year contract as the celebri ty spokesperson for Pepsi. A two-minute family-friendly ad premiered wherein the singer revisited her eighth birthday. But the next day, Madonna’s video for “Like a Prayer” debuted. The video featured burn

I have one friend whom I love who has mysterious powers over my purchasing decisions. When we’re together, we some times shop. I find myself buying what she tells me to buy — even the outsized blouse with a geometric print that makes my eyes burn. Sometimes there’s a pricey item I don’t need, but if she tells me I need it, boom, it’s in the shopping bag. I don’t know what it is. My only defense is not to go shop ping with her too often. Because if she tells me I need the striped balloon pants in neon green, it’s circus time for me.

As we go about our Christmas and Hanukkah shopping, it might be wise to consider who is influencing our purchases. One of the oldest and longest-running celeb rity endorsements was launched by Jell-O in the early 1970s, when they hired a 37-yearold actor named Bill Cosby. Presumably JellO has wiggled onward without him.

Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

I can’t argue that celebrity endorsements don’t work. Apparently they pay off big time.

W e all have a Mr. Casciani in our lives, and we can never thank them enough.

Established 1994

Incorporating: Malverne Community Times 1964-1994 West Hempstead Beacon 1950-2020

rhoNda GlickMaN

Vice President - Sales oFFice 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530

(516)

Roosevelt’s address to the nation, Dec. 8, 1941

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speak er, members of the Senate, and of the House of Repre sentatives:

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliber ately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor, looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japa nese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secre tary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese gov

ernment has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false state ments and expressions of hope for con tinued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many Ameri can lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported tor pedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area.

The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the impli

cations to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all mea sures be taken for our defense. But always, will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us?

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute vic tory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend our selves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

letters

Taking the air out of balloon releases

To the Editor: Thank you to Senior Reporter Jordan Vallone for her well-written piece, “Balloon Mission is up and away: Planning initial projects, nonprofit sets tone for future” (Bell more and Merrick Heralds, Dec. 1-7, liherald.com/merrick/stories/bal loon-mission-is-up-and-away, 152602). And bravo to Cynthia Sei bold, of North Merrick, for using the pandemic to start a nonprofit group, Balloon Mission, committed to stopping the inane practice of releasing balloons into the environ ment as a form of celebration.

Balloons are made of rubber, latex or nylon fabric, which does not break down easily — a polyure thane balloon can take up to 450 years to decompose, according to the University of Melbourne. In the wild, balloons get caught in trees and underbrush, where they are shredded by branches. Over time, they appear to disintegrate, but what is really happening is the bal loons are further breaking down

into microplastics, which then become ingrained in soil and water systems. From there, they are ingest ed by animals and marine creatures — and then by we humans at the top of the food chain.

In 2019, the Town of Southampton passed a law

banning the intentional release of balloons — with a fine of $350 or imprisonment for up to 15 days for a first offense. Subsequent offenses would receive harsher penalties. The Town of Hempstead has a similar ordinance on the books, also passed in 2019,

opinions

The red wave that wasn’t, and the crime wave that isn’t

Despite expectations, Republi cans ended up underperform ing on Nov. 8. Although Republi cans narrowly captured the House, Democrats kept the Senate and even managed to flip multiple state cham bers blue, including capturing the gover nor’s office in Arizona, of all places.

Peculiarly, however, Republicans had one of their best nights in none other than the deep-blue Demo cratic stronghold of New York. They flipped a stagger ing one-fifth of all Democratic con gressional seats here, and nearly unseated Demo cratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

How did they pull it off? Fear of crime. While in most of the nation, inflation and preserving democracy were the top two issues, poll ing from New York City in May showed that the No. 1 issue on people’s minds was crime — and it wasn’t even close.

Leading up to the election, the Republi cans unleashed a barrage of fear-monger

ing on the good people of Nassau County. For their part, the Democrats, as usual, were yet again unable to show a spine and attack the Republican narrative. But at any rate, it seems the Republican assault on our collective psyche was successful.

There’s just one problem. There’s no actual crime wave.

It’s completely normal to be worried about crime; we all deserve to be safe in our neighborhoods. But the facts just don’t bear it out. Did you know that the num bers of murders, rapes and sexual crimes have all gone down this year compared with last, according to offi cial Nassau County Police Department data? Surpris ing, I know. And all things considered, we’re actually in one of the safest periods ever in our county.

There have been increases in crime, but they’ve been related to property, not violent crimes. And even with the increase in property crimes, it is still exceedingly rare for a Nassau resident to be a victim of such a crime. The most common crime defined as “major” this year was grand larceny. You know what

your chances of being a victim of grand larceny are? About 0.002 percent.

But I can definitely understand the claim that we all feel an air of crime here in Nassau. Blame the media: 2022 saw a spike in the media coverage of shootings in New York City that went far beyond the actual num ber of shootings.

It sickens me. You turn the page, a shooting. Anoth er page, a corpse. The third page, a guy arrested for beating his girlfriend. The media fills us with dread, all to make money. And I see how my neighbors increas ingly construct their own fortresses, replete with video cameras, dogs and floodlights, all out of fear of passersby.

This fear has serious consequences, increasing anxiety, social withdrawal, and unraveling the social fabric of neighbor hoods. This is no way to live.

At the same time, I don’t want to live in a county where we see an increasing number of desperate people turning to theft to survive. After all, if you can’t work, you go hungry, and stealing catalyt ic converters beats going hungry.

Framework by Tim Baker

So what can we do?

Let’s start with a price cap on gas in Nassau County, to fight inflation and bring relief to millions at the pump. Next, the county should put people to work at a good wage to finally fix these damn pot holes. And thirdly, let’s keep kids off the streets by fully funding schools, and lower violent crime by having Nassau replace our lead pipes, which contribute to lead poisoning, which researchers have tied to aggressive and impulsive behavior.

Too bad the Republican-led County Legislature won’t do any of that. In fact, when adjusted for inflation, Nassau’s 2023 budget actually has less funding for spe cial education and early-intervention pro grams. Nothing about lead pipes, or gas price caps. Don’t the Republicans care about preventing crime?

It’s OK to have a healthy fear of crime, and it’s OK to take measures to keep your self safe. But I implore my friends: Don’t let politicians and the media manipulate you. It is imperative that we do not fear our neighbor.

Matthew Adarichev is a public policy major at Hofstra University, a political activist and an aspiring journalist whose work has appeared in the Hofstra Chroni cle and the Anton Media Group.

but the fine for intentional release cannot exceed $100, and there is no provision for jail time. I would like to see Hempstead pass an ordinance with stronger teeth.

As a town resident, though, I am heartened to see Hempstead working with Balloon Mission to educate the public about the myriad dangers that balloon releases present — particularly to the 17,000 acres and 180 miles of coastal waterways under the town’s jurisdiction.

Finally, each of us can play our part in helping to reduce plastics in the environment. When you see a plas tic bottle or rubber balloon on the street in your neigh borhood, pick it up and throw it away. I’m a runner. When you run and collect garbage, it’s called plogging, a Swedish fitness term. Hempstead would do well, though, to add more trash cans for recyclables at its parks, like those at the Levy Preserve in Merrick. This way, when folks are out collecting garbage, they could easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

SCOTT A. BRINTON Merrick

Randi nailed it on air travel

To the Editor:

I really love Randi Kreiss’s columns in the Herald, and the one that I specifically liked was “Flying the notso-friendly skies” (Nov. 24-30), about JetBlue and the way they’ve changed their system so that they don’t really accommodate people very well.

I went on a trip about three weeks ago, and it was really hard to book a flight because I had a couple of problems, and, like you said, to reach somebody, it’s like reaching God. And yes, the snacks are pretty sad.

Thank you so much for your articles, Randi.

JuDITH WEITz Long Beach

Here’s hoping they’re bundled up out there — Sea Cliff Yacht Club

the numbers of major crimes in Nassau County have actually gone down this year.

mattHew aDaricHev

Buy a Brick

Celebrate or honor your loved ones this holiday season and give the gift of a lasting legacy in the Mount Sinai South Nassau garden, located at the corner of Oswald Court and One Healthy Way. Purchase an engraved brick, tree, or garden bench, or name the entire plaza and garden space that thousands of patients, visitors, and employees will see every year as they enter and exit the hospital’s front entrance

Honor a loved one or someone who made a di erence in your life. Remember a special person or celebrate a special occasion. Support Mount Sinai South Nassau’s mission and vision for a healthier tomorrow.