Merrick Herald 12-17-2020

Merrick

CommuNIty uPDAtE Infections as of Dec. 11, 2020

2,606

Infections as of Dec. 4, 2020 2,327

HERALD

Studio gyms feel weight of Covid

Chabad marks Hanukkah

Superintendent on medical leave

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DECEmBER 17- 23, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 51

N. Merrick fire commissioner dies at age 64 residents cast their votes for the next North Merrick fire commissioner. His term was set to end in “He’s been in the fire depart- January. ment for as long as I’ve been “It was like his medicine — around,” Anthony Vicario said that was the only thing he was of his father, Joseph, a former passionate about,” said Anthony, chief and commissioner of the 24. “He always had to make sure North Merrick Fire Department he was doing the right thing.” for 25 years. Vicario’s legaJoseph Vicario cy will live on was a pivotal leadthrough his son, a er in the departfirst lieutenant ment. He boosted who joined the team morale and department as camaraderie, and soon as he turned taught profession18. Vicario swore a l f i re f i g h t i n g Anthony in as a skills to more first-time officer than one generaat the NMFD’s tion of firefightannual installaers, fellow memtion last year. bers said. Speaking for On Dec. 4, the department, JoSEPH VICARIo Vicario died at c u r re n t N o r t h age 64 of health Merrick Fire complications linked to his Commissioner Paul Wilders response at ground zero after the said, “The Fire Department has Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. suffered a tremendous loss. Joe He was a department commis- leaves a void in our department sioner — even attending virtual in many facets — namely with meetings while he was in treat- leadership — because he was a ment — since 2013. former chief, commissioner and If Vicario had been in good emergency medical technician, health, he would have liked to and a great friend to so many. He run for commissioner again, was the ultimate civil servant.” according to Anthony. Vicario was cremated on Dec. 8, the day Continued on page 9

By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com

Andrew Garcia/Herald Life

BIll, loRAINE AND Andrew Alderman, in foreground at right, cut the ribbon for Dress for Recovery, the first clothing bank for cancer patients in the tristate area.

Dress for Recovery clothing bank opens in Merrick By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com

You might guess that clothing banks for cancer patients, offering special items designed with cancer treatments in mind, would be as common as wig banks are — but they’re not. When Loraine Alder man was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she searched beyond New York’s borders for a brick-andmortar retail outlet that sold such items. She didn’t find

one. Alderman, of East Meadow, was limited to ordering online, so the shirts and other articles of clothing were never quite the right fit. Now, Alderman’s goal of ensuring that other cancer patients have access to treatment-friendly clothing is a reality. On Tuesday, Dress for Recovery, the first clothing bank for cancer patients in the tristate area, opened at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick.

“On May 28, 2019, when I received a call informing me that my two biopsies both came back positive for breast cancer, I could not think or perceive that something positive could come out of my new nightmare,” Alderman said to a small gathering before the ribbon was cut. “I could not believe that there was not one store in all of New York or New Jersey where I could go in and buy the shirts that I needed after Continued on page 14

December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

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Chabad safely celebrates Hanukkah Families in Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh enjoyed a safe celebration to mark the first night of Hanukkah. On Dec. 10, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life hosted its 15th annual Hanukkah Experience, which was planned with careful attention to social distancing guidelines. As mask-wearing congregants anxiously awaited the lighting of the 12-foot menorah at the Merrick Gazebo, volunteers handed out pre-packaged jelly donuts and Hanukkah flags that guests could attach to their vehicles to participate in the Great Menorah Car Parade. In between greetings from local dignitaries, Hanukkah music played. Families watched from inside their cars or socially distanced outside as the grand menorah was lit. Once the lights shone over the scene, a group of dancing rabbis took over the town square. Dozens of cars then followed the parade procession, which culminated at the Chabad. To watch the full experience on YouTube, visit chabadjewishlife.org/chanukahlive. Compiled by Alyssa Seidman

A group of Chabad students celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with jelly donuts and mini light-up menorahs.

SiSterS ellA, 8, and Hillary, 6, of Merrick, wore matching Hanukkah masks to the celebration. ChAnie KrAmer, direCtor of Chabad’s Jewish Early Learning Center, far left, anchored the Great Menorah Car Parade. merriCK reSident AlAn Stewart, at left, led the parade in his Mustang Boss 302. He donates his services to Chabad every year.

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MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

rAbbi Shimon KrAmer, far left, accompanied Chabad supporter Steve Horowitz as he said a blessing over the grand menorah.

December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

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Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life

north merrick resident Stuart Schneiderman, who owns Steel Fitness, on Grand Avenue in Bellmore, said the pandemic has cut the number of personal training sessions his staff conducts per week by more than half.

Small gyms feel the weight THAT’S A WRAP! of the Covid-19 pandemic Season 1 of Herald Inside LI

By AlyssA seidmAn

In August, Herald Community Newspapers launched a weekly webinar series called Herald Inside LI. Each episode of Herald Inside LI welcomed community leaders to discuss a range of topics and analyzed how industries and roles have changed during the pandemic. As we close out the year, we’d like to extend a THANK YOU to our sponsors, panelists and listeners.

HERE’S WHAT WE BROUGHT YOU THIS YEAR: AUGUST 12: K-12 Education: Back to School AUGUST 21: Higher Education: Back to School SEPTEMBER 3: LI Housing Market, Buy or Sell? SEPTEMBER 9: Lockwood College Prep Virtual Event SEPTEMBER 17: K-12 Education Update SEPTEMBER 23: A Fall Without Sports OCTOBER 8: Home Buying 101 OCTOBER 14: Health + Wealth Virtual Event OCTOBER 15: Pink Power: Breast Cancer Awareness OCTOBER 21: Next Steps in Nassau: An Update from Elected Officials OCTOBER 29: Economic Development NOVEMBER 10: Coping for Kids: Mental Health Awareness NOVEMBER 12: Not-for-Profit Summit NOVEMBER 19: Applying to College DECEMBER 3: Power of 5G Part I DECEMBER 10: Power of 5G Part II

aseidman@liherald.com

Although gyms were allowed to reopen on Aug. 24 after a months-long shutdown, smaller fitness studio and boutique gym owners are still feeling the weight of state-mandated restrictions intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus. In New York, gyms can operate at 33 percent capacity as long as they provide proper ventilation and adhere to socialdistancing rules. Masks are also mandatory. Additionally, on Nov. 12, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that gyms, along with restaurants or bars with a state liquor license, must close by 10 p.m. North Merrick resident Stuart Schneiderman, who owns Steel Fitness, in Bellmore, said the curfew does not affect his business. He reopened the Grand Avenue studio at the end of August. Since then, his trainers have conducted close to 1,200 personal training sessions — and none has resulted in a positive Covid-19 case, he said. The mandates “lumped us in with bars, restaurants, movie theaters and bowling alleys using a broad stroke

brush, and they made it sound like if you step foot into a training facility, you’ll get Covid,” Schneiderman said. “People started getting scared, and this is one of the things that we’re fighting against.” Steel Fitness opened in 2008, offering clients one-on-one sessions in its 2,300-square-foot studio. To comply with state mandates, Schneiderman bought a MERV 13 air filter, installed three handsanitizing stations and wipes down all equipment with a cleaning solution every two hours and after each session. He offers disposable facemasks and rubber gloves at the front desk, where clients must complete a Covid-19 health screening before working out (see box). While outfitting the space cost about $1,500, Steel Fitness lost almost $200,000 in income because of the shutdown. Before the pandemic, the studio typically saw 200 clients a week. Now “we’re lucky if we do 80” sessions, Schneiderman said. Sandi Vega has been a trainer at Steel Fitness for more than three years. Although her clients have become accustomed to the new restrictions, she said, she believes smaller fitness studios Continued on page 16

Missed an episode or want to re-watch? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all past episodes at LIHerald.com/Recordings. The first episode of Season 2 airs Thursday, January 7* at 10am to discuss the spike in prospective college students opting to stay local, rather than leave the area for their higher education. To sign up, go to LIHerald.com/StayingLocal.

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MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

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December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

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events and activities

community update Saturday, Dec. 19

Tuesday, Dec. 29

Santa Claus is coming to town

Virtual Game Show for Kids

Santa Claus will be making his routine stop in Merrick alongside the famous Hess Fire Truck. Try to catch him on his route throughout Merrick with Merrick Fire Department Truck Co. 1.

Join the Merrick Library at 11:45 a.m. for a fun game show hosted on Zoom. Kids will feel like they are on live T.V. as they play the game together. For children in grades K-6. For more information and to register, visit www. merricklibrary.org.

Virtual Radical Reptile Show Learn all about what makes a reptile, a reptile — what special features and adaptations allow these incredible animals to survive in the wild? What reptile species call Long Island home? In this interactive program, presenters from Volunteers for Wildlife will help children answer these questions and more while getting up close to some extraordinary local species of turtles, terrapins and their corn snake, Mikey. Recommended for children ages 3 and up. Register on the Bellmore Memorial Library website, www.bellmorelibrary.org.

Monday, Dec. 21 Blood Drive The North Bellmore Public Library (1551 Newbridge Road) will host a blood drive in the Community Room from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Blood supply has dropped to urgent levels — please donate and be a holiday hero. For questions, contact Mrs. DeFrancisci at (516) 785-6260 or at rdefrancisci@ northbellmorelibrary.org.

Noon Year’s Eve in a Bag Everything you need to enjoy the Merrick Library’s annual “Noon Year’s Eve” party will be available at home. No registration is required, but supplies will be provided on a first-come, firstserved basis. Materials will be available in the Children’s Room beginning Dec. 21 through Dec. 30 during regular library hours.

Teen Cooking Workshop Teens can join this virtual Bellmore Memorial Library program to learn how to make gingerbread cookies at home. Those that register will receive a recipe and instructions regarding ingredient

Picture Book Storytime Ms. Michele from the North Bellmore Public Library is back with picture books and more for children ages 3-5. This virtual event includes songs, games and crafts. Register at www.northbellmorelibrary.org.

Thursday, Dec. 31 Virtual Noon Year’s Eve Party

Courtesy North Bellmore School District

Park Avenue students start book drive

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Bellmore Memorial Library with stories and crafts. This program will include a countdown to 12 noon. Craft kits will be available for pickup in the Children’s Department from Dec. 21-31.

Generosity Monday in the North Bellmore School District started a week’s worth of giving as a holiday toy drive began on Dec. 7 at the district’s five elementary schools. New, unwrapped toys are being collected through Dec. 16, which will be donated to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation. Collection centers are located in the lobby of each school.

pick-up via email. Recommended for students in grades 6-12. To register, visit www.bellmorelibrary.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

Gingerbread Cookie Baking

The North Bellmore Public Library will host a virtual Zoom session at 7 p.m. on optical illusions. Teens can see the hypnotic effects and make one of their own. For grades 6-12. Register at www.northbellmorelibrary.org.

The North Bellmore Public Library will host a virtual Zoom session at 7 p.m. to help teens and young adults learn to bake for the holiday season. Ingredients will be provided and instructions for pickup will be sent via email. Open to grades 6 to 12. Register at www.northbellmorelibrary.org.

Warm & Cozy Virtual Storytime The North Merrick Library children’s librarians invite you to warm up with cozy winter stories and a craft. Recommended for children ages 3-6. Crafts will be available for pickup in advance. Register at www.nmerricklibrary.org.

The Wonder of Optical Illusions

Wednesday, Dec. 23 Afternoon Snack and Story Bring a snack and relax for an afternoon break and listen while Miss Elly of the Merrick Library reads aloud from “Because of Winn Dixie” by Cate DiCamillo on Zoom at 4 p.m. No registration required. Find the Zoom invite link at

www.merricklibrary.org, or email childrensroom@merricklibrary.org for an invitation. Recommended for children in grades K-5.

Monday, Dec. 28 Year in Review Trivia Join the North Merrick Library staff for their “Big Fat Quiz of the Year.” Test your knowledge of all things 2020. Participants will need a device to join this virtual Zoom session and a second device to participate in the quiz. The program begins at 1:30 p.m.

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

Some donation spots for the holiday season include . . . l The Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard located at Brookside School (1260 Meadowbrook Road). l La Pink (2947 Merrick Road, Bellmore), collecting unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots through Dec. 16. l Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s annual MLK Day of Service events. l A toy drive at the North Merrick School District, in partnership with the Merrick Kiwanis. l The North Bellmore School District, collecting toys until Dec. 16.

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MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

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Bringing local sports home every week

Herald sports Nassau H.S. football approves 6 games By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Nassau County high school football, slated to begin practice March 1 of 2021, announced it will play six regular-season games, down from the standard eight, and also eliminate scrimmages and one round of playoffs. In addition, no Long Island championships will be played against Suffolk County, which will conduct only five regularseason games. “We’re preparing for the season as if it’s going to happen and will have some things to address such as transportation and spectators as we get closer to March,” said Nassau football coordinator Matt McLees, who noted the decision to pass on the LICs was made with all 50 programs in mind. “We like the model we’re using,” he added. “It was most important to play six meaningful regular-season games above all else. With the power rankings we use, at least six games are necessary.” Playing six games, as opposed to five, also gives each team three home games and three road games, instead of an unbalanced schedule, McLees explained. “The football committee deserves a lot of credit for the effort they put in,” he said. “In the end, all the decisions will benefit hundreds and hundreds of kids.” The season is scheduled to kick off Saturday, March 13, though McLees said some games could be played on the 12th if teams wanted to give up a day of practice. Freeport (Conference I), Garden City (II), Plainedge (III) and Seaford (IV) are the defending county champions. Freeport, which has captured back-to-back Long Island Class I titles, is the only one of the four not seeded No. 1 after losing some key contributors who transferred out of state to play this fall. Oceanside is the top seed in Conference I and will open on the road against Farmingdale. “I think the six games is good,” Oceanside head coach Rob Blount said. “It appeals to the majority of schools, rather than catering to the top of each conference with more playoff games. I hope we can get the season in. A small percentage of kids will continue to play in college, but most will play their last games. It’s something they will cherish for the rest of their lives.” Garden City, which has won four straight county crowns, opens at Carey. MacArthur, the 2019 runners-up in Conference II, is seeded second and will take on South Side in the opener. Other local matchups in Week 1 include Calhoun at Mepham, Valley Stream Central at Long Beach, and Kennedy at Elmont. “It’s always fun lining up against one of the other teams in our district,” Mepham head coach Anthony Cracco said. “We didn’t have the opportunity to play either of the Bellmore-Merrick teams last year so our seniors are really looking forward to it.”

Anthony Hughes/Herald

MEphaM aNd CarEY will renew their Nassau Conference II football rivalry on April 10. Plainedge, which nipped Freeport in the 2019 Rutgers Cup voting, kicks off at Lynbrook. Seaford opens at North Shore. The regular season is scheduled to conclude Saturday, April 17. The number of playoff teams in each of Nassau’s four conferences has been cut in half, from eight to four. The semifinals are scheduled for April 24, followed by the county championship games May 1-2.

eight teams switched conferences Of the eight programs taking on new conference rivals for the upcoming season, half were part of Conference III a year ago. Runner-up South Side jumps to Conference II, while perennial powers Wantagh and Lawrence, along with North

Shore, bounced to Conference IV. New to Conference III are Manhasset and Valley Stream South. East Meadow and Herricks are back in familiar stomping grounds in Conference I after competing in Conference II in 2019.

Jv remains on saturday mornings The majority of Nassau’s junior varsity football games in 2018 kicked off Monday afternoons, but last year the action returned to traditional Saturday mornings at the opposite location of that day’s varsity game. It’ll remain that way in 2021. Should any freshmen, sophomores or juniors not step on the JV field on a particular Saturday morning, they would be eligible to play in the varsity game.

10 games to watch ■

March 13: Garden City at Carey

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March 13: Plainedge at Lynbrook

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March 13: MacArthur at South Side

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March 20: Lawrence at Seaford

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March 27: Freeport at Oceanside

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March 27: Elmont at V.S. Central

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March 27: West Hemp. at Clarke

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April 10: Mepham at Carey

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April 10: Freeport at Baldwin

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April 17: Wantagh at Seaford

Former fire chief dies of 9/11-related illness et and hat and a big white The loss is felt personally beard to play Santa Claus, by Wilders, too — he consid- touring the community on ered Vicario one of his best the department’s engine. He friends. Vicario also entrust- was also a coach of the Belled Wilders to be Anthony’s more-Merrick Little League, godfather. according to Wilders. Wilders was a department “He was just an overall member before great person to Vicario joined, be around,” and taught him said Ryan Kellethe basics. As her, 23, a North Vi c a r i o r o s e Mer rick firethrough the fighter and a ranks, Wilders close friend of witnessed many the Vicarios. “If of his “firsts,” you were ever including the paul Wilders feeling upset, he first time Vicar- NMFD commissioner could always io led a battle turn it around.” against an “He instilled active fire. the family aspect,” Kelleher Wilders also witnessed added. “He made sure we did Vicario serve at ground zero, things right.” where he spent four 12-hour “He went with what he tours. Wilders recalled “mass believed in, no matter what,” hysteria” as the team ran Anthony Vicario said, “and toward potential catastrophe, I’m going to continue moving but said Vicario helped to up until I accomplish just keep the crew’s integrity about everything, too.” intact. A visitation for Vicario “He was always driven by was held at the firehouse on the ‘doing-the-right-thing’ Dec. 6 and 7. His funeral was gene,” Wilders said. “It made held at Sacred Heart Church him an even better leader.” in Merrick on Dec. 8. E ve r y ye a r, Vi c a r i o donned a red and white jack-

MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

Continued from front page

h

e was the ultimate civil servant.

Photos courtesy Anthony Vicario

a funeral serviCe was held for Joseph Vicario at Sacred Heart Church, above, on Dec. 8. North Merrick Fire Department members also honored his legacy with an engine procession. viCario’s son, anthony, near left, joined the department as soon as he could. He plans to reach the ranks his father did.

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December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

After the SweAring-in, Police Benevolent Association President James McDermott, right, at lectern, offered words of advice for the recruits.

Photos by Scott Brinton/Herald

NCPD swears in one of its largest cadet classes By Scott Brinton sbrinton@liherald.com

Nassau County officials swore in 185 cadets at the Police Academy in Massapequa Park last Friday morning — one of the largest classes to enter the county’s tough, seven-month officer training program ever. It was a socially distant affair, with 49 of the masked cadets seated on aluminum folding chairs in the auditorium of the former Hawthorn Elementary School, which Nassau leases from the Massapequa School District. The remaining recruits were separated in groups of 15 or 16 and spread out among surrounding classrooms to watch the ceremony via livestream. The county police force now stands at 2,259, without the new recruits. The cadets will study both in the classroom and through a series of intense simulations at various venues, which will imitate policing on the streets, including car chases, said one of the trainers, Chris Boccio, who grew up in Lynbrook. He stood by fellow trainer Joe Monez, of Mineola, in a hall as cadets sat in their classrooms nearby after the swearing-in. The two noted that the NCPD requires a significantly more rigorous training program than New York state mandates — Nassau puts cadets through 1,050 to 1,200 hours of training, compared to the minimum 639 hours that the state requires for basic police training. County Executive Laura Curran greeted the cadets during the ceremony. “Welcome to our Nassau County family,” she said. “We will have your back,” adding, “Your success is our success.” The age of the Hawthorn building was apparent in the auditorium where Curran spoke, with its dim lighting, worn linoleum floor and exposed heating duct above, wrapped in silver insulation. A $54 million, 89,000-square-foot academy is now under construction on the campus of Nassau Community College in Garden City and is expected to be complete in May. The current class will be the last to train at the Massapequa Park facility and the first to graduate at the new Garden City center, said Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, who grew up in Lynbrook

and now lives in Wantagh. He also noted it is the first to enter the academy amid a pandemic, and will be the first to graduate under new state policing reforms enacted after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, which stress the need for community policing that requires officers to understand and engage with people at the local level. At the same time, the reforms made the use of a chokehold a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison if an officer injures or kills a person, and opened police misconduct records to the public, among other measures. It’s also expected that the cadets will wear body cameras when they patrol the streets after graduation, Ryder said. The county and Police Benevolent Association recently came to terms on the requirement. Officers are to be paid a $3,000 annual cash stipend to wear the cameras. The union membership, county Legislature and county fiscal control board must still sign off on the agreement. Ryder, now in his 38th year in policing, said he “embraced the culture here” during his time at the academy in 1986, after having spent four years in the New York

cAdet MichAel ShAnnon was among the 185 recruits who were sworn in to the NCPD’s academy on Friday. Police recruit chelSeA Penn was joined at the swearing-in by her brother, Derrick Penn, an officer with the NCPD’s 8th Precinct.

Police Department. The NCPD’s culture, he said, is one “of community service.” Cadet Chelsea Penn, 26, who was not permitted by academy rules to give her hometown, said, “I’m a little nervous but super-excited” about starting police training. She had been at the academy since

early that morning and had gone for a run before the swearing-in. She stood beside her brother, Derrick Penn, 28, an officer in the 8th Precinct in Bethpage, who has been with the department four years. “She’s a perfect asset to this department,” Derrick said, smiling.

Hempstead Town’s IT’S FREE! Winter Movie Festival

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MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

Drive-in Theater COME T0

Fri

HEMPSTEAD TOWN’S WINTER MOVIE FESTIVAL

Sat

Sun

TOWN PARK POINT LOOKOUT

FREE WINTER DRIVE-IN MOVIES All movies will be shown at Town Park Point Lookout, 1300 Lido Blvd., Point Lookout

Almost Christmas Friday, December 18 5 p.m.

Donald X. Clavin, Jr. Supervisor

Frank Zangla Commissioner, Parks & Recreation

Saturday, December 19 5 p.m.

Frozen 2

Sunday, December 20 2 p.m. Council Members Dorothy L. Goosby Bruce A. Blakeman Anthony D’Esposito Dennis Dunne, Sr. Thomas E. Muscarella Christopher Carini

Kate Murray Town Clerk

Jeanine C. Driscoll Receiver of Taxes

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The Town of Hempstead is teaming up with Toys for Tots this holiday season. We are asking residents who attend one of these drive-in movies to bring an unwrapped gift to donate to Toys for Tots to help underprivileged children.

The Grinch

Northwell hosts 2nd Gun Violence Prevention Forum sbrinton@liherald.com

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords stood outside the Safeway supermarket northwest of Tuscon, Ariz., on Jan. 8, 2011, chatting with constituents about Medicare reimbursements, when a 22-year-old gunman opened fire, killing six and injuring 11, including Giffords, who was the target of the attack. A bullet sliced through the left side of Giffords’s head, and she was placed in a medically induced coma to ease swelling on her brain. When she awoke, she could not speak. She needed two months of speech therapy to mouth the words, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” according to USA Today. Nearly 10 years later, her speech is still labored. “Words once came easily, but today I struggle,” she told the audience at Northwell Health’s second Gun Violence Prevention Forum last Thursday, broadcast over the internet. Some 1,200 people from throughout the country registered for the event, which was intended, in part, to reframe the debate over gun control from a battle over the Second Amendment right to bear arms to one of public safety. The two-hour event featured a long line of speakers from the government, the medical community and private industry, including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, long an outspoken proponent of gun control, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat of Connecticut. Nearly 40,000 Americans die of gun

Former U.S. rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was nearly killed in a 2011 shooting, was among the featured speakers during Northwell Health’s two-hour virtual Gun Violence Prevention Forum last Thursday. Joining her was U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican of Pennsylvania. violence annually — more than a hundred a day — two-thirds by suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, said Americans must recognize that the country is — and has been for a long time — in the middle of a “pandemic of gun violence.” At Northwell’s first Gun Violence Prevention Forum, held last December in Manhattan, the health system pledged $1 million to fund gun violence research and prevention, and Dowling called on other major health systems across the country to join in the effort and provide funding as well.

Last December, Northwell established the Center for Gun Violence Prevention, headed by Dr. Chethan Sathya, a pediatric surgeon and associate trauma medical director at Cohen Children’s Medical Center on the Queens-Nassau border. “We have to get behind the root causes” of gun violence, Sathya said at the Dec. 10 forum. To that end, Northwell is undertaking a major research study at three of its hospitals, asking patients questions about the firearms they might have in their homes to help determine their risk of injury by gun. The study is funded by a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

“Progress has been made, but there is so much more to do,” Dowling said, emphasizing that the intent is not to deny anyone the Second Amendment right to a firearm, but rather to determine what concrete measures can be taken to reduce gun violence nationally, including which ones must be enacted through federal legislation. High on the priority list, according to a number of forum speakers, is enacting a federal law to require a universal background check for anyone who purchases a firearm, without loopholes. Among the speakers supporting a universal background check was U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Langhorne, Pa., who appeared with Giffords. On gun safety, Fitzpatrick, a former FBI special agent, said Democrats and Republicans “can come together on areas that we agree,” including background checks, estimating that 70 to 80 percent of Americans support them. Other speakers, however, spoke of political paralysis in Congress, where special interest groups like the National Rifle Association, which opposes universal background checks, hold sway. That is why, Giffords said, Americans must remain politically engaged and apply pressure to lawmakers to act. After she was shot, she said, “I found one word, and I found another.” People can make their voices heard, she said, at the ballot box. “We can let this continue,” Giffords said, “or we can act. We can vote. We can be on the right side of history. Vote, vote, vote.”

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nassau County exeCutive Laura Curran attended the event, and praised Alderman for starting Dress for Recovery.

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Clothing bank for cancer patients opens in Merrick Continued from front page

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my mastectomy,” she continued. “The only place to get these shirts was online, and they were expensive.” Dress for Recovery is the newest addition to Chabad’s Circle of Hope initiative, which was founded in 2012, offering a wig bank, free meals and counseling to families coping with breast and other types of cancer. “We contacted the rabbi and the rebbetzin, and they said, ‘This is the missing puzzle piece to the Circle of Hope,’” said Alderman’s husband, Bill. “This is for every single person — anybody can come here and borrow the clothing that they’re going to need to ensure that they can dress for recovery.” Loraine “went through very hard times, very dark times, but she decided to light a candle,” said Rabbi Shimon Kramer, leader of the Chabad Center. The opening of Dress for Recovery occurred during Hanukkah — a tradition that also means “dedication,” Kramer said, a perfect time to debut a clothing bank dedicated to those battling cancer. “Taking something that’s beyond imagining and turning it into something that is a source of hope for other people —

you’re seeing a need and you’re filling the need,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. “What we’re seeing tonight is a perfect example of the power of community,” said County Legislator Steve Rhoads, of Bellmore. “It’s been a difficult time for all of us. It’s people like Loraine who are bringing light to our community and dispelling the darkness.” Tiffany’s Dry Cleaner, in Merrick, has agreed to dry-clean all the clothing for free, and those who mention Dress for Recovery in the store will have 10 percent of their bill donated to the organization. “I hope that clothing banks become as available as wig banks are for people needing wigs during chemotherapy,” Alderman said. “The first wig bank had to start somewhere — this is the first clothing bank.” As of press time Tuesday, the Chabad’s annual campaign to raise money, which will benefit Dress for Recovery this year, had reached nearly 70 percent of its $100,000 goal. Three families in the community agreed to match every donation. The campaign runs throughout Hanukkah. For more information, visit www.chabadjewishlife.org/unity.)

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Fitness studios chafe at Covid restrictions Continued from page 4

should operate under a different set of rules than larger chains. “We’re quite different than the big corporate gyms, since we don’t have hundreds of people coming in and out of the door,” Vega, of Wantagh, said. “I work early mornings doing one-on-one sessions, and I have one person in the whole place with me. They should be personalizing restrictions, especially for a place that’s not an actual gym.” Over the summer, the New York Fitness Coalition brought a class-action lawsuit against Cuomo to pressure the state to allow gyms to reopen. More than 1,500 gym owners from across the state signed on, including Schneiderman. NYFC President Charlie Cassara told the Herald that until gyms can operate at 100 percent capacity, owners would still lose money. “The best question is, who can survive it?” he said of the restrictions. “Big-box gyms have money behind them, but the little guys can’t afford to claim bankruptcy — we’re just mom-andpop places making a living.” Vega encouraged residents to tour Steel Fitness if they are skeptical about breaking a sweat during the pandemic. “We’re keeping our distance, wearing our masks and following the rules to keep everybody safe,” she said. “If they could see what we’re doing, it might give them a little peace of mind.”

Health screening survey Steel Fitness’s Covid-19 health screening survey asks clients four yes or no questions before they begin a personal training session: 1. Have you knowingly been in close contact in the past 14 days with anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19? 2. Have you tested positive for Covid-19 through a diagnostic test in the past 14 days? 3. Have you experienced any symptoms of Covid-19 in the past 14 days? 4. Have you traveled within a state with significant community spread of Covid-19 for longer than 24 hours within the past 14 days? Alyssa Seidman/Herald Life

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Hofstra selects first female president bstieglitz@liherald.com

After a yearlong search with 270 candidates, the Hofstra University Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Susan Poser as its ninth president — making her the first woman to fill the role. Stuart Rabinowitz, who has been the university’s president for the past 20 years, announced his retirement at the end of last January. In search for his successor, the university formed a committee of 13 members, including representatives from the Board of Trustees, university faculty and Student Government Association. “In Dr. Poser, we have found a higher education leader of exceptional experience, a collaborative and visionary person, and a scholar of great depth and intellect,” said Board Chair Donald Schaeffer, who made the announcement on Dec. 9. Poser, who will begin her tenure on Aug. 1, recently spoke to the Herald about her experience in education, goals in her first year as president and plans for a postpandemic Hofstra. “I was really amazed by what’s going on at Hofstra,” Poser said. “It’s also incredibly well-managed financially and in a really great place coming out of the pandemic.” Poser lauded the advancements Hofstra made during Stuart Rabinowitz tenure, including the university’s partnership with Northwell Health to create the Zucker School of Medicine and Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. Analogous in Poser’s leadership was UIC’s acquisition of the John Marshall Law School, which established the first and only public law school in Chicago. What also stands out to Poser about Hofstra is its commitment to liberal arts and the humanities. “Students need to be encouraged to pursue a liberal

Courtesy Hofstra University

SuSAN PoSER wILL be Hofstra University’s ninth — and first female — president. arts education and also need to know that they could get a job with it,” she said, adding that Hofstra provides this to students through internship opportunities, five-year

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December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

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CHSD board grants super medical leave Education president, said Heidenreich had tested negative for the coronavirus. Speaking to the Herald, Pomerantz The Valley Stream Central High declined to say whether Heidenreich’s School District board voted on Dec. 8 to request for medical leave was related to grant Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill the alleged gym incident, citing legal Heidenreich a 12-week medical leave and restrictions in discussing personnel appointed Assistant Superintendent Clif- issues. ford Odell as acting superintendent. On Dec. 6, Heidenreich sent an emailed Heidenreich, who may have been apology to the Central High School Disexposed to someone with Covid-19, alleg- trict community, saying he had been dealedly threatened to cough on ing with a personal family people at his Merrick gym matter. when personnel there said “I acted inappropriately they would start charging to the messages from the him for a membership that gym, which I felt were he wasn’t using. harassing in nature,” he The vote was 5-4 in favor wrote. “My family has of granting Heidenreich recently been addressing a medical leave, with board dif ficult and traumatic John maie Vice President John Maier issue, however, there is no joining with fellow District CHSD board vice excuse for my comments.” 24 trustees Armando Her- president Heidenreich could not be nandez and Lisa Pellicane reached for comment. along with District 13 trustThe incident prompted a ee Patricia Farrell to vote against the swift backlash in the Valley Stream Cenmeasure. Maier voiced his opposition tral District community, with at least ahead of the vote, saying, “I feel this is the some parents calling for Heidenreich to wrong move here.” resign or for the Central board to termiThe split decision came four days after nate his contract. As superintendent, his publication of a New York Post article salary for the 2020-2021 school year is detailing how Heidenreich, in a series and $281,000. text and voice messages sent to the gym On the same day of Heidenreich’s apolin mid-November, threatened to potential- ogy, Franklin Square parent Lauriel Orsaly infect staff and gym-goers at Orangeth- no-Morales circulated a petition calling eory Fitness, on Merrick Road, with the on him to resign, saying, “Our children coronavirus. deserve better than to have their leader “I’m demanding that you freeze my say such disturbing remarks.” membership for another month,” HeidenAs of Tuesday, the petition had reich said in one voice message obtained received 578 signatures. by the Post. “If you don’t, I’m going to Sharon Yhap-van Dijk said the incicough all over everyone.” dent exhibited “inappropriate behavior “I’m happy to come in there and spread for a school superintendent. This man is the disease and cough all over everyone,” responsible for the education of our chilhe said in another message. dren. It was a threat — a verbal threat to In response, the gym notified Nassau cause harm to others.” County police, but decided to cancel his “He needs to be fired — period,” Ursumembership rather than press charges, la Winter said. the Post also reported. “He should be ashamed of himself,” Heindenreich, who lives in Merrick, is Rachel Nicole Jaworski said. formerly a Bellmore-Merrick Central Others, however, were more sympaHigh School District assistant superinten- thetic. “He was clearly being sarcastic,” dent. Anayo Michel said of Heidenreich, “and I After the vote, Toni Pomerantz, the don’t think he would actually cough on Valley Stream Central District Board of the members.”

By Peter Belfiore pbelfiore@liherald.com

i

feel this is the wrong move here.

Sue Grieco/Herald

the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Trustees approved a 12-week medical leave for Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich.

Public Notices

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LEGAL NOTICE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO BIDDERS VENDOR ___________________ Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Education, BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Merrick, New York, at the Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York ll566-1500, for the following categories up to the times on the dates indicated: January 15, 2021 10:30 A.M. Literary Magazines COVID-19 EMERGENCY ADVISORY In order to comply and address current local, federal, and state mandates related to social distancing, the following advisory is submitted as part of the bid: 1. The Bid Opening will be conducted via a live video/audio streaming. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud virtually. 2. T h e information necessary to participate in the meeting via video/audio streaming will be included in the vendors bid information. Contact must be made via

email only to mstiles@bellmoremerrick.k12.ny.us relative to this advisory. All information for bidders, specifications and bid forms may be obtained at the abovementioned address. The Board of Education, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid, or any part of that bid, which in its judgment is for the best interests of the School District. All bid awards are pending budget approval. The School District may receive bids for the above listed items periodically during the 2020-2021 school year, if necessary. These bids will not be readvertised for this purpose. The frequency of bid solicitations will be determined by operating requirements. By order: Board of Education Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District By: Melisa Stiles School Business Administrator & Purchasing Agent 124128

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO BIDDERS VENDOR ___________________ Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Education, BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Merrick, New York, at the Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York ll566-1500, for the following categories up to the times on the dates indicated: January 15, 2021 10:00 A.M. Program & Miscellaneous Printing COVID-19 EMERGENCY ADVISORY In order to comply and address current local, federal, and state mandates related to social distancing, the following advisory is submitted as part of the bid: 1. The Bid Opening will be conducted via a live video/audio streaming. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud virtually. 2. T h e information necessary to participate in the meeting via video/audio streaming will be included in the vendors bid information.

Contact must be made via email only to mstiles@bellmoremerrick.k12.ny.us relative to this advisory. All information for bidders, specifications and bid forms may be obtained at the abovementioned address. The Board of Education, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid, or any part of that bid, which in its judgment is for the best interests of the School District. All bid awards are pending budget approval. The School District may receive bids for the above listed items periodically during the 2020-2021 school year, if necessary. These bids will not be readvertised for this purpose. The frequency of bid solicitations will be determined by operating requirements. By order: Board of Education Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District By: Melisa Stiles School Business Administrator & Purchasing Agent 124129

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. Search by publication name at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

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Real estate

T

his large Hi-Rance features 5 bedrooms and 2 full baths. The main level includes 2 bedrooms and a full bath, EIK and private side entrance. The 2nd level of the home includes a large extended kitchen with skylight, formal dining room which is perfect for large family gatherings and a formal living room with hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings and tons of natural light. The large master bedroom has huge double closets and a private balcony. There are also 2 additional bedrooms plus a1 Full Bath. This could easily be a Mother/ Daughter with proper permits. Asking $595,000

IN BRIEF Douglas Elliman of Rockville Centre is proud to announce that Alexandra Porter has joined their growing team

Alexandra Porter, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson formally with Laffey Fine Homes in Manhasset, is thrilled to be selected as one of the newest agents to join the new office of Douglas Elliman in Rockville Centre. Under the leadership of fellow Sacred Heart Academy alumni, Donna O'Reilly Einemann, Alexandra will be working as a dedicated full-time agent targeting new buyers and home sellers in Rockville Centre and surrounding communities. Alexandra is local expert! She is a Rockville Centre resident, was born and raised in Garden City, and attended Adelphi University where she graduated with a BFA in Acting. She most recently was pursuing a career in the performing arts in Manhattan before utilizing the downtime she had during quarantine to pursue a Real Estate career. She became a licensed Realtor in August. She believes her unique experiences will give her the advantage she needs to stand out as an agent. She plans on applying the skills she's learned and nurturing the relationships she's built over the last decade to excel as a real estate professional. Alexandra loves taking on challenging work so that the client does not have to. She wants to be a superstar in the eyes of those who know her and that means working harder than anyone else. We are thrilled to have Alexandra's passion, humor, work-ethic, and commitment on our Team. You can reach Alexandra at 516.238.3455 or at alexandra.porter@elliman.com.

Mathias Coni Real Estate Sales Person Cell: 516-587-3283 Offie: 516-223-2525 Century 21 American Homes 2911 Long Beach Rd. Oceanside, NY

LUXURY CONDOS and CO-OPS NYC Living In RVC

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

OPEN HOUSES BY APPOINTMENT SUNdAY, 12/20/20 EAST ROCKAWAY

O

ND

CO

77 Maple avenue 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1,540sf, Terrace, Formal Dining Room, eat In Kitchen, Washer/Dryer pRICe: $679K

1 Thompson Dr, BA, 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Ranch w/Open Layout in Waverly Park Area. Updtd EIK. O/S Prop w/Deck. Att Gar. SD#20 ............................ $599,000 101 Emmet Ave, BA, WATERFRONT! Rebuilt in 2010, 4 BR 3.5 Bth Split w/ Pool, Outdoor Kit & Deck. Open Layout. Private Mstr Ste, 2 Car Gar, SD#20 ................................................................................................. $1,250,000

HEWLETT

1657 Warwick Rd, BA, NEW TO MARKET! Outstanding 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col Built in 2012. Soaring Ceilings Throughout. Open Layout Perfect for Entertaining. Radiant Heated Flrs. Fin Bsmt with Hi Ceilings. SD#20 ................................................................................................. $1,250,000

WOOdMERE

946 Midwood Rd, BA, NEW! Renovated 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Colonial in Academy Area. Gran/Wood EIK, LR/Fpl, FDR & Den. Fin Bsmt. Gar .................... $899,000

402 MeRRICK ROaD

P

-O

CO

WOOdSBURGH

185 Bay Dr, BA, NEW! 5/6 BR, 4.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Parklike 1/2 Acre Prop. Guest Quarters, Full Bsmt, 2 Car Gar. SD#14 .................................... $1,450,000 891 Keene Lane, BA, Magnificently Renovated While Retaining Charm, Stone Cottage. 3 BR, 2.5 Bth with Tremendous Potential for Expansion. Brand New Mstr Bth. Over 1/2 Acre Property! Near All...................................................... REDUCED & MOTIVATED!! $999,000

HEWLETT HARBOR

3 Payne Circle, BA, 5 BR, 3.5 Bth Spacious Split on Beautiful Street in Cul de Sac. State of the Art EIK, 2 Dens, Bsmt, & 2 Car Gar. SD#20 ............$1,190,000 236 Richards Lane, BA, 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary Home on an Acre Of Resortlike Prop with IG Pool. Open Floor Plan. Full Fin Bsmt. Main Flr Master. SD14 .................................................................................REDUCED! $1,499,000

Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

1 Bedroom, 2nd Floor, updated Kitchen, Freshly painted, new Carpet pRICe: $259k

516-764-2601

1113513

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

e s t. 1 9 1 1

REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

Open Houses

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

Buyers are enjoying lifetime low interest rates. Sellers are getting multiple offers at and above asking prices. Housing inventory is extremely low and buyer demand is strong.

Gus Allotti realtor ® 43 N. Park Ave

1099323

NYS Licensed Real Estate Salespersons

BestLiHomes.com • 516-418-3333

Call me for a free professional consultation.

Sherlock Sherlock Homes Homes

Melinda Beauchamp

Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

516-790-6633 516-764-2601

lirealtorgus@gmail.com www.Century21SherlockHomes.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

Mobile: 516.721.7805

mbeauchamp@coachrealtors.com mbeauchamp.coachrealtors.com 1113386

HEWLETT HARBOR ba, 236 Richards Lane 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary Home on an Acre Of Resortlike, IGP, Open Floor Plan. Full Fin Bsmt. Main Flr Master. SD14...$1,499,000

2119 Bedford Ave. John Lawlor, CBR, SFR Bellmore, NY 11710 Michele Librett-Lawlor, CBR, SFR

REAL ESTATE

Now is the time to buy or sell a home.

Where Dreams Come Home

HEWLETT BAY PARK

NEW TO MARKET!! 10,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Property on an Acre of Parklike Grounds. 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary. IG Pool ................................. $4,650,000 70 Heron Dr, BA, 6 BR, Contemporary with Open Layout on an Acre of Parklike Property. Move Right in! SD#14 .......................................... $1,699,000 159 Meadowview Ave, BA, Stately 5200 Sq Ft Colonial Featuring 6 BR, 6.55 Bths on Acre Of Resortlike Prop with IG Pool, Tennis Ct, & Outdoor Kit. Fin Bsmt, 2 Car Gar, Fabulous Location in SD#14............................................................................. REDUCED!! $2,699,000

REAL ESTATE

1113385

HOME OF THE WEEK

1112423

December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

20

314 Sunrise Highway Rockville Centre NY 11570

Melinda & Thor

HERALD

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

75 SEAMAN AVENUE, ROCKVILLE CENTRE o: 516.766.7900 | signaturepremier.com

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

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? Contact one of our hardworking professionals today for all of your real estate needs!

516.431.0799

aboveallgutters.com

We look forward to providing home buyers and sellers with the highest level of personalized service and support.

1112911

Safe Roof and Exterior Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning, Repairs, Installations

947101

1106049 JUAN JARA Licensed RE Broker Associate Cell: 516-318-0142 Juan@AllStarRealEstateBrokers.com CAMILLE GIARDINA Licensed RE Broker/Owner Cell: 516-318-1392 Camille@AllStarRealEstateBrokers.com

1109112

We’re Keeping the American Dream Alive. www.AllStarRealEstateBrokers.com

“Going Above & Beyond to find your Dream Home”

Rhonda Healy

Mention this ad and get

EAST ROCKAWAY WATERVIEW! 3Bds, 2Bths, EIK, FDR, LR, Den, FBasement, Garage,,Large Yard. Zone X-no flood insurance. Too Much To List! 516-241-6075 MLS: 3271059/ Coldwell Banker

Mature - Single

FREEPORT 3 BDS, 2 Bath, Bright DR, LR, Finished Basement, Enclosed Yard, Detached Garage.. Credit Check, First /Last Months Rent $3100 Utilities Included 646-515-5131

HIRING?

Place Your Ad in the Herald Help Wanted Classifieds. Call 516-569-4000, press 5 to speak to an Account Executive.

Non-Smoking Woman Seeking 1-2 Bedroom Apartment with Long-Term lease. I Have a Steady Job at the Same Company for the past 20 years. I am Recently Separated and I am Looking for IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY. I am Quiet, Responsible and Extremely Reliable. Please Contact me with any Opportunities at cassiesmom810@aol.com. I have Plenty of References that I would be happy to supply to you upon request.

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

Commercial Prop./Rent EAST ROCKAWAY: 131 Main Street 2nd Floor Offices. 100-1500 sq.ft. 24/7 access. Utilities included. Starting $350/ month. Retail Space 1350 sq.ft. $3,000/ month. OWNER 516-637-2182

One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.

Call the USA Classified Network today!

1-800-231-6152

• Permits & Legalizations • Certified NYS Backflows • Licensed Master Plumber • Insured • FREE Estimates

OffiCe: 516-766-4583 Call/TeXT: 516-840-9432 A Fresh CoAt For A Fresh stArt!

1092109

Apartments Wanted

on labor only

CAll JD PAINtING & reMoDelING CorP

Specializing in: • Interior/Exterior Painting • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Basements • Wall Paper Removal • Power Washing

516-297-1885

1110755

House For Sale

Houses For Rent

10% Off

jairorzc58@gmail.com licensed and insured

FUTURE WINDOWS & SIDING 718-224-7079 917-945-7079 SPECIAL!

$189

Installed

FLAT ROOFS SHINGLE ROOFS

1109243

OneKey Multiple Listing Service

1110798

Verdeschi & Walsh Realty 1025 W. Beech St. | Long Beach, NY

HEWLETT BAY PARK NEW TO MARKET! 10,000 Sq Fet. Waterfront Property on an Acre Of Parklike Grounds. IGP, 5 bds, 5.5 Baths Comtemp., $4.650,000 Ronnie Gerber 516 -238-4299 Douglas Elliman

Dave marlOWe Plumbing, inC. DBA BOB PHILLIPS PLUMBING

Real Estate Salesperson, abR, SRS E: Rhonda.Healy.VW@gmail.com

A. You don’t need a towel to throw in or even clean up the mess; you just need to know that not all insulation is the same. Either the insulation was the wrong type or thickness, or it may have been installed incorrectly. In the past decade, the federal Department of Energy has issued more stringent guidelines on what thermal ratings must be onte eeper installed for floors, walls and roofs. Your state, following the DOE, sets codes based on regional requirements to save energy. If you look at the plans, there should be information about what R value was designed and approved. R stands for resistance, and is printed on each bale of fiberglass. If the insulation installed was a lower number or was jammed into a narrower cavity, that may be a reason to fail. Another common failure is using open-cell foam insulation when closed-cell, which has a higher resistance, and cost, was specified in the drawings. Another common error is when air gaps allow cold air to creep right through. I often see where fiberglass insulation is forced into the gaps around windows, and when fiberglass batting is compressed, it loses insulation value because the thermal resistance is in the air pockets, not the material. Due to the formulas and calculations we professionals have to provide “online” for each job, this is taken seriously, so if the installer ignored the required insulation, the inspector could not pass noncompliant work. I respect your inspector for trying to protect your interests. Fire stopping is an important safety factor in protecting occupants. All pipe and duct penetrations, by law, have to be sealed completely to prevent flames from drawing into cavities, seeking oxygen and rapidly consuming the building and trapping people inside. Anyone who builds must build legally, whether there’s a note on the plans or not. Although building officials like to see more and more informational notes to cover everyone in case of liability, site enforcement by inspectors is important. Your builder has an equal responsibility to follow all the laws. As a professional witness, I remember hearing a judge once state, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Trying to say that “it wasn’t in the plans,” doesn’t relieve a party to the construction of responsibility for building to the letter of the law. So check for gaps, insulation type and markings to verify you’ve got the right stuff. Stay warm!

M

Over 100 Years Of familY Plumbing Oil to Gas • Toilets • Faucets • Repairs & Replacements Waste Piping • Water Piping

M: (516) 236-7269

Q. We’ve had construction on our home going for what seems like forever. We got stopped by the pandemic in April (after starting right before, in March), and didn’t really get going again until July. A building inspector told us the insulation didn’t pass, and there was no “fire stopping.” The contractor said he followed the plans. We looked at the plans and the permit, and it doesn’t say anything about fire stopping. First, why didn’t the insulation pass, and second, what is fire stopping? We’re about to throw in the towel. Help!

Ask The Architect

*If your property is currently listed with another brokerage, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokerages.

2949 Long Beach Road, Suite 8 • Oceanside, NY, 11572 Phone 516.766.8200

We failed on insulation and fire stopping

$999 VINYL SIDING Up to 1000 sq ft

L

© 2020 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.

MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

Homes

HERALD

21

HERALD

Market Place • •

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

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

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

Switch To Electrolyzed Restructured Water It's Healthier For You, Your Family, And Your Pets!

UNWAN

conSuMer reportS:

1107248

It may not always be as pure as you think, and your tap water may be cleaner than you realize. What you need to know.

CARS, TRUCKS AND UNWANTED UNWANTED CARS UNWANTED CARS VANS. CRASHED OR CAR

the Best for Less!

QUICK CASH CASH QUICK CASH QUICK CASH FOR ALL YOUR JUNK

FREE ESTIMATES

ALFREDO’S CONSTRUCTION Specializing

at Se Habla Espanol

in

Call For Fall Specials

516-889-3200

516-424-3598 516-807-3852

Free estimates

(516) 766-1666 FREE • Chimneys Repaired, Rebuilt & Tuckpointing ESTIMATES • Stainless Steel Liners Installed

631-255-8335

Expert Watch Repair 1108705

SEAmLESS GuTTERS & LEADERS

HEATING OIL

WeNK

• Installed • Repaired • Cleaned • Vinyl Siding • Roofing • Trim • Over 30 Years Exp. • Lics./Ins.

HOME • COMMERCIAL

RELIABLE • 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 65 YEARS

PIPING & HEATING CORP.

516-234-4388 / 516-623-8447

Any Service Call For New Customer

1105410

(516) 379-2727

Carpentry & Painting Specialist

Residential and Commercial - All Phases

“Anthony & J Home Improvement, Inc.” Also specializes in ★ Kitchens ★ Bathrooms ★ Finished Basements ★ Flooring ★ Repairs ★ Woodwork/mouldings ★ Siding ★ Gutters

CALL FOR MORE INFO No service in Long Beach

1081114

CALL NOW FOR LOWEST PRICE

OFF

ALL CLEAR DRAIN & SEWER SERVICE

(516)409-9696 • (631)422-9696 Sinks • Tubs • Toilets • Sewer Lines

516-678-6641– Licensed & Insured 1066253

CLUTTER

1078401

Chimney King, Ent. Inc.

(516) 766-1666 FREE • Chimneys Repaired, Rebuilt & Tuckpointing ESTIMATES • Stainless Steel Liners Installed

Chimney Cleaning & Masonry Services Done By Firefighters That Care chimneykinginc.com

Fully licensed and insured Nassau • Suffolk • NYC

WWW.LIHERALD.COM

CRAZY? driving you

Sell your merchandise in no time! Email your Ad to the Herald and PrimeTime Classified Department at

sales@liherald.com to run a FREE "Finds Under $100"

1113433

wenkpipingandheating.com

1112267

Fully licensed and insured Nassau • Suffolk • NYC

FREE ESTIMATES • 4 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE

BRIAN CONNELLY

1112267

• Oil to Gas Conversions • Hot Water Heaters • Boilers All Plumbing & Heating Work For House Lifts • Licensed and Insured!

Free estImates...call anthony romeo

631-255-8335 CALL

Chimney Cleaning & Masonry Services Done By Firefighters That Care chimneykinginc.com

Father & Son Owned

Exp. 12/31/20

senior Citizen Discounts

Chimney King, Ent. Inc.

Call The WeNKS!

$25

BLACKTOP

BeSt priceS in town

• ConCrete • BriCk Patios • stooPs • stuCCo • Belgium BloCks • sidewalks • drainage ProBlems • Cellar entranCe • waterProofing • driveway sealing demolition • dumPster serviCe • Powerwashing • handyman rePairs

Licensed & insured

If Your Plumbing STINKS

the

1109793

RYAN 516-695-4527 917-697-3647

1110703

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Painting Roofing • Sheetrocking • Plumbing Electrical • Concrete • Powerwashing Carpentry • Basements • Baby-Proofing Ikea Furn. Assembly • Computer Repairs

RUNNING CARS •NO TITLE • NO KEYS • NO PROBLEM PROMPT PROMPT SERVICE, CALL SERVICE, CALL PROMPT SERVICE 631-255-8335 FOR ALL YOUR FOR ALL YOUR JUNK FOR ALL YOUR JUNK CARS, TRUCKS AND CARS, TRUCKS AND JUNK CARS, VANS. CRASHED CARS, TRUCKS ANDOR VANS. CRASHED ORCARS TRUCKS, AND VANS. RUNNING VANS. CRASHED OR •NO TITLEOR • NO KEYS RUNNING CARS CRASHED RUNNING CARS • NO PROBLEM •NO TITLE • NO KEYS RUNNING CARS PROMPT SERVICE, CALL •NO TITLE • NO KEYS •• NO PROBLEM • NO KEYS • NO NO TITLE PROBLEM 631-255-8335 PROMPT SERVICE, CALL • NO PROBLEM

1111085

Over 15 Years Experience Licensed • Insured

HANDYMAN SERVICE

516-668-3607

QUICK CASH Cell:

www.lucyluulivingwater.com FOR ALL YOUR JUNK

COMPLETE RENOVATIONS

Sunday, August 02,Too 2020Small!" 11:06:29 AM "No Job Get

lucy MenSAh

Email: gaby1234@optonline.net to own the Enagic Ionizer Machine. 1109488

OWA_Purge_BW_Bold

1.99 Per Gallon

$

1112012

AlkAline WAter Sold

Is Bottled Water Safer?

1103000

December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

22

Stuff

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

Finds Under $100

Adoption

CAMERA BUNDLE: KODAK Easyshare V550 Digital w/Memory Cards, Batteries, C h a r g e r s , C a r d R e a d e r, m o r e . $80 516-794-4712

Single woman looking to build her family by adoption. Any ethnicity welcome, expenses paid. Please call (347) 470-5228 or my attorney: (800) 582-3678 for information

CROCK POT HAMILTON Beach 6qt. Both brand new. $15. 516-297-2420

MERCHANDISE MART

CRYSTAL WINE DECANTER with 6 glasses brand new,must see Paid $50.00 asking $25.00 (516) 579-9089

Antiques/Collectibles

DESK- SOLID WOOD (not veneers) 6 large draws. Excellent condition. 46"wide 27"ht $50 516 314-6535

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 40 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid.. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Wanted To Buy I BUY OLD AMERICAN MOTORCYCLES UP TO 1999. Please Call Dan 516-639-1027

FINDS UNDER $100

DISHES, IKEA BRAND New in box. Service of 6, Blue $35. 516-225-9191 DOLL HOUSE BEAUTIFUL, handmade, wood, 8 rooms plus bathroom, two story, all furnishings! $99 516-314-6536 DOLL HOUSE MINIATURES & ACCESSORIES. Accessories $2-$10. Furniture $10-$50. Call Joy Evenings, 917-743-7695 Leave Message GIRLS CLOTHES: SIZE 5, New with Tags. Jeans, hoodies, long-sleeve Tshirts Call/text 917-420-5814. $8

Finds Under $100

JEWELRY: BRACELETS, EARRINGS. Silver And Costume. $10-$30. Great For Gifts!! Call Joy Evenings, 917-743-7695 Leave Message

2 MIRRORS: 24X36 - color 1) gray 1) silve r, p e r fe c t c o n d i t i o n , $ 1 5 . e a c h 516-297-2420

LAPTOP CQ60- 215DX: Win-10 64X, 4gb Mem, 250gb HD w/case; $90 516-794-4712

B E N C H , B E AU T I F U L LY U P H O L STERED Solid wood. $85 516-225-9191

ORIGINAL TIFFANY ASHTRAY with certificate 4 1/2 " triangle shape, paid $100.00 asking $25.00 516-579-9089

BOYS CLOTHES: SIZES 3T-4, New with Tags. Gap, Old Navy, Macy's Call/text 917-420-5814. $7

PEA COATS: GAP Kids, Wool Boys, Medium, Navy Blue. Girls, Large, Red.. Each $25 516-825-0069

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

Home Improvement

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos Wanted

SHARK ROTATOR PROFESSIONAL corded liftaway Vacuum with accessories (3). $95 516-427-9021

BRIAN CONNELLY SEAMLESS GUTTERS

Autos For Sale

DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

TV LG 32": Model 32LJ500B, Like New, Seldom Used. $60.00 516-221-5374 WIRELESS 5-IN-1 FAST charging station, multiple phone dock stand, charging pad, 4USB ports. $25 516-825-0069

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

SERVICES Electricians 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 MIKE THE HANDYMAN: Light JobsPlumbing, Electrical, Specializing Vinyl Tiles, Gardening, Powerwashing, Painting. Interior And Exterior. Experienced. Reliable And Honest. Call Cell 516-225-8107; 516-837-3436

Helping you find a HOME or sell a HOME … a place to call your own.

Your Hometown Newspaper

To Place an Ad Call: 516-569-4000

HErald

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

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

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

Miscellaneous

Suburb or country, house, condo, townhouse or apartment, our Classifieds can help you find a HOME that fits your style, your budget and Real Estate needs... it’s a MUST SEE!

Call us today!

Cleaned, Repaired & Replaced Also Specializing in Roofing & Siding No job too big or small Lic. #H2709920000. Ins. Free Est. 516-234-4388 or 516-623-8447

•

Press 5

Crossword Puzzle

DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice R e m o t e . S o m e r e s t r i c t i o n s a p p l y. 1-888-609-9405 GET DIRECTV! ONLY $35/month! 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

Plumbing PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011 PLUMBING & HEATING ALL TYPES Boilers, Bathrooms. Small/Large Jobs. Licensed. Call Chris 516-697-8001 or Tony 347-843-9243.

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

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Careers/Training TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

Education COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

Health & Fitness HEARING AIDS!! BUY one/get one FREE! High-quality rechargeable Nano hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Nearly invisible! 45-day money back guarantee! 833-448-0751. VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99. 100 pills for $150. FREE shipping. Money back guaranteed! 1-855-579-8907 WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED HHA, LPN, Nurse's Aide, Childcare, Housekeeping & Day Workers. No Fees to Employers. Call Evons Services 516-505-5510

BUICK ROADMASTER 1994: Leather Interior, Excellent Working Condition, Must See To Appreciate. $3750. 516-428-3915 MERCEDES BENZ E350, 2006: 4-Matic, 70K Miles, Excellent Condition. Must See! $12,000. 516-603-8697

Autos Wanted ***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highe$t Ca$h Paid$ All Years/Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277 CARS, TRUCKS, SUVS & VANS WANTED. I Buying All Years, Running or Not! NO TITLE, NO KEYS NO PROBLEM! Same Day Service!! CALL CASH CARS GUYS 631-417-5040 Call us last,We will Match or Beat any Legit Quote!

Junk Cars Wanted

HIGHEST CA$H PAID All Cars Bought 24/7 FREE Pickup

Serving Nassau County 41 Years No Title, No Keys=No Problem ID Required. CALL US LAST!

MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

HERALD

23

Call us at 516-766-0000

To Place Your Ad in the Herald Classifieds. Call 516-569-4000, press 5 to speak to an Account Executive.

JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, It’s in the REAL ESTATE & MORE... Herald Classifieds ... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, To Advertise 516-569-4000 REALCall ESTATE & MORE... press 5 JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE &’sMORE... Answers to todAy puzzle JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE...

24

v

Merrick

Herald editorial

Merrick

December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

HERALD HERALD and Merrick Herald News Established 1994

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It’s time for America to come to its senses over guns

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istening to Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords speak, you’re quickly overcome by the urge to cry. The former congresswoman was once known for her incisive rhetoric, delivered with a magnetic smile. Then, at age 40, she was shot one sunny January day in 2011 outside Tucson, Ariz., while chatting with constituents in front of a Safeway supermarket. The 22-year-old gunman, angered by Giffords’s political views, had targeted her. Six died in the attack, and 10 others besides Giffords were injured. Giffords may have survived, but her speech did not. Her words once flowed easily, but now she measures each one, rehearsing phrases to string them together in coherent sentences before speaking in public. It is a miracle that she is able to utter a word. The bullet that struck her pierced the left side of her brain, leaving her unable to talk for two months. Through speech therapy, she regained the ability to speak, but only in short, labored bursts. That challenge was obvious during Northwell Health’s second Gun Violence Prevention Forum, a two-hour meeting of gun safety experts, medical practitioners, policy makers and elected leaders from around the country on Dec. 10. Giffords spoke alongside U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican who supports a federal universal background check for firearm purchases, and whom Giffords, a Democrat, has endorsed for Congress. We applaud Northwell Health — in particular Michael Dowling, its presi-

dent and CEO — for taking a leading role in fostering dialogue about gun safety, while also funding gun violence research: Northwell put up $1 million last December to study America’s “pandemic of gun violence,” as Dowling calls it. We also applaud Giffords, who, despite the physical pain and mental anguish she endures, has been an outspoken proponent of common-sense gun laws that are intended not to take away anyone’s right to bear arms, but rather to enact safeguards — like background checks — to ensure that guns do not end up in the hands of criminals or those suffering from mental illness. No doubt, we need to understand the root causes of our nation’s crisis of gun violence, which kills an average of 110 people a day — two-thirds by suicide. With a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Northwell is conducting a major research study at three of its hospitals, asking emergency room patients about the presence of guns in their homes to assess their risk of injury or death by a firearm. Our nation desperately needs studies like this one. From 1996 to 2019, Congress, tied up in knots by the powerful gun lobby, refused to fund firearms research. Only recently, thanks to the monumental efforts of gun safety activists like Giffords, is Congress starting to parcel out research funds. In its 2020 budget, it earmarked $25 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health to study gun violence. Over the past two and a half decades,

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How did we almost re-elect Donald Trump? To the Editor: Thanks to Randi Kreiss for being brave enough to write about the man currently in the White House (“We’re on Trump time for seven more weeks,” Dec. 3-9). I doubt he will ever go to prison, although I agree that he should, with almost 300,000 people dead. What a shame that he was almost voted back into office had we not pulled out all the stops to educate and organize. Happy to hear that not everyone on this island is a Trump supporter! CAROLANN PEREz Freeport

LIRR should rethink its plans To the Editor: In our new Covid-19 world, Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Rail Road and New Jersey Transit must re-evaluate anticipated future ridership growth projections. The

roughly a million people have died by gun in this country, with about 170 mass shootings. After the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in 2012 — in which 26 died, including 20 6- and 7-year-olds — Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, who was recently elected in Arizona to the U.S. Senate, founded a nonprofit, simply called Giffords, to raise funds for gun violence research, lobby government to enact sensible gun legislation and educate the public about firearms safety. Writing recently on Giffords.org’s blog, Kelly Drane noted that gun sales have surged during the coronavirus pandemic. We see this at any time of potential unrest in our nation — fear drives firearms sales to ever higher levels. In November, some 2 million gun sales were recorded — a 48 percent increase over the same month last year. More guns, Drane rightly noted, do not make us safer. Quite the opposite. We know that economic calamities such as the Great Recession of 2007 to 2010 increase the likelihood of suicide, according to the medical journal The Lancet. We also know that people who die by suicide are significantly more likely to use a gun than any other means. At the same time, according to Harvard University School of Public Health, more guns bring more homicides. Therefore, stemming our nation’s all-too-easy access to firearms should — and likely would — reduce gun violence. The best way to effect change, Giffords noted last Thursday, is to “vote, vote, vote.”

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ews about an FDA approval for the coronavirus vaccine is monumental, but we must not allow it to lull us into a false sense of complacency. This war isn’t over — in fact, there are still a few battles ahead. We are not immune to the nationwide Covid19 surge, and in the past month we have seen positivity and hospitalization numbers that are the highest they’ve been since we reopened in May. Our data is beginning to show a more even distribution of disease activity among all age groups across the county. This Laura virus doesn’t disCurraN criminate, and its reach is once again widespread across all our communities. I know that this has been a long and tiring battle, but now is not the time to let our guards down. We can’t allow Covid fatigue to get the better of us when we’re so close to the finish line. We have reached a clear point of community

spread that calls for increased vigilance from all of us. I continue to ask all residents to stick with the common-sense measures we know will keep us, and our loved ones, safe: Wear a mask, stay six feet apart and avoid unsafe gatherings. These simple measures can prevent us from going backward. Furthermore, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, has said that Covid-19 will continue to disrupt lives until an “overwhelming majority” of people get the vaccine. Polls show, however, that as many as half of Americans have reservations about the shots. In response, Nassau County is launching the “We Can Do It, Nassau” campaign, a public-awareness campaign promoting confidence in the U.S. vaccine effort, emphasizing unity and patriotism and the importance of the vaccines to ensure that schools return to normal and we continue on the path toward a strong economic recovery in the county. The campaign is a tribute to Rosie the Riveter, the cultural icon representing women

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who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II. During the war, defense workers on Long Island turned out hundreds of military planes a month for Grumman, in Bethpage, and Republic Aviation, in Farmingdale. The county’s campaign seeks to remind the public of the extraordinary challenges that Americans — including Long Islanders — have overcome in the past and inspire residents to likewise step up for their country today. As county executive, I’ve made keeping schools and businesses open one of my highest priorities. As we manage the increase in cases because of the holidays and cold weather, the county will do everything in its power to keep education and commerce operating, but we need your help. Robust testing is key, and I am committed to continuing to assist schools in meeting testing requirements so we can keep our kids in school safely and keep our business community open through the winter. At the moment, hospital capacity isn’t a pressing threat in Nassau County, but

’ve made keeping schools and businesses open one of my highest priorities.

Letters same applies to any new proposed system capacity-expansion projects. Clearly, more people are going to telecommute from home on a permanent basis. Add the increasing crime and the declining quality of life in New York City, making working in Manhattan less desirable. Many Manhattan-based corporations, including some in the Wall Street area, are considering relocating some employees to satellite offices in the surrounding suburbs. The ridership growth for LIRR when the $11.8 billion East Side Access to Grand Central Terminal opens in December 2022 will be thousands less than anticipated. That start date assumes there are no more delays in the most recent project-recovery schedule. Our new commuting world calls into question the value of investing $8 billion or more in Governor Cuomo’s proposed Penn Station South project, comprising four new platforms and eight new tracks. LARRY PENNER Great Neck Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office.

Stay strong, New York To the Editor: The federal Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine last Friday, and New York received its initial allocation of 170,000 doses over the weekend. As part of the distribution, the state is setting up 90 cold-storage sites as regional distribution centers that are capable of storage at the required temperature. This vaccine distribution will be a massive

the trend is in the wrong direction. To save lives and prevent further restrictions on restaurants and other businesses, we must do everything we can to hold the line. At the peak of the pandemic, we had almost 2,600 patients hospitalized with Covid-19, and 505 of them were on ventilators. As of Monday, we had 419 people hospitalized, with 36 on ventilators. We expect those numbers to go up, and the county is ready to increase capacity for hospital and ICU units as needed. I’ve been in constant conversation with hospital executives to ensure preparedness for a potential surge cases as well as the upcoming pivot to vaccine storage and distribution. I know that the holiday season brings unique challenges, but if we follow the guidance of our trusted public health professionals, we can save lives and keep our businesses and schools open while we eagerly await the distribution of the vaccine, our light at the end of the tunnel. We have worked so hard to contain this virus — let’s not lose our progress now. Lauran Curran is the Nassau County executive.

Framework by Christina Daly

undertaking. At the same time, we will need to manage our hospital capacity and continue to stop the spread of the virus. The vaccine is the weapon that will win the war. We will get it produced, we will get it distributed and we will be successful. But it will take months for the entire vaccination process to be completed. Meanwhile, New Yorkers should continue to wear masks, social distance, and avoid small and large gatherings. On Dec. 10, I announced new metrics by which micro-cluster focus zones will be determined to help control Covid-19 spread and ensure hospital capacity. Red zone: A red zone will be implemented when a region, after the cancellation of elective procedures and a 50 percent increase in hospital capacity, is 21 days away from reaching 90 percent hospital capacity on the current seven-day growth rate. Orange zone: A geographic area will be designated an orange zone if it has a 4 percent positivity rate (seven-day average) over the previous 10 days, and it is located in a region that has reached 85 percent hospital capacity. Alternatively, a geographic area may also become an orange zone if the state Department of Health determines that the region’s rate of hospital admissions is unacceptably high and a zone designation is appropriate to control the rate of growth. Yellow zone: A geographic area will be designated a yellow zone if it has a 3 percent positivity rate (seven-day average) over the previous 10 days, is in the top 10 percent in the state in hospital admissions per capita over the previous week and is experiencing week-over-week growth in daily admissions. GOv. ANDREW CUOMO

Celebrating the holidays patriotically — Freeport

N. MERRICK HERALD LIFE — December 17, 2020

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Let’s keep up the great work in Nassau County

December 17, 2020 — MERRICK HERALD LIFE

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N.J. just legalized pot. N.Y. needs money. Well, then, why not?

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ew York state is facing a $9 billion budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic, with severe cutbacks and tax hikes likely on the way. Although there should be some relief coming at the federal level once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, New York definitely needs to develop some new revenue streams, and fast. Nearly two years ago, I argued in a Herald op-ed that the state should legalize the recreational use of marijuana, and that Nassau County leaders Nick and residents BuglioNe shouldn’t be so quick to shoot the notion down, as they so frequently do. I also wrote that it was about time the state legalized sports gambling, an activity that so many people take part in illegally already. Not surprisingly, two years have passed and little has changed. The recreational use of marijuana is still illegal. And while the New York State

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Gaming Commission made sports gambling legal about six months after my first op-ed ran — you’re welcome — bets can only be placed at a handful of upstate casinos. Nobody is getting off their couch on a football Sunday to drive to the Catskills so they can bet that the Jets are going to lose again. Now, more than ever, we need to legalize marijuana and online sports gambling. Obviously, we desperately need the tax revenue. But more important, both are now legal in nearby New Jersey. Two years ago I pointed out that a friend of mine who lives in Jersey City was taking my bets all football season long. He still does. I send him cash through Venmo and text him my bets. He keeps a ledger, and at the end of the season we settle up. But two years ago, recreational marijuana use was illegal in New Jersey. Not anymore. In an Election Day referendum, New Jersey residents voted overwhelmingly to legalize pot. Now, before I propose this scenario,

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I would like to make clear that I don’t smoke marijuana. But if I wanted to, what would stop me from calling my friend and asking him to pick up some weed for me at his local dispensary? Maybe we could meet at Penn Station, have a bite to eat, catch up on our lives and make a quick transaction. And couldn’t any enterprising person who has a friend in New Jersey place an even larger marijuana order, pick it up and sell it on the streets of Nassau County at a markup? To be clear again, I’m not suggesting that anybody do this. I’m merely pointing out the obvious: Now that marijuana is legal in New Jersey, it is tantamount to being legal here. The stuff is going to pour in over the border anyway, so why don’t we join the party, so to speak? The same thing goes for online sports gambling. If people want to do it, they’re going to do it, regardless of what the law says. So let’s legalize it and cash in. I’m not alone in my thinking. I was heartened to hear Gov. Andrew Cuomo

he stuff is going to pour in over the border anyway, so why don’t we join the party, so to speak?

recently say he thought marijuana would be legalized soon. Meanwhile, State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, a Queens Democrat, likes his odds of getting State Senate Bill 17d passed, which would legalize online sports betting. Although neither measure would pull New York state completely out of its fiscal crisis, it’s safe to say that both would generate billions of dollars in revenue. Oh, but I can almost see the Nassau County curmudgeons seething as they read this. I sure felt their wrath two years ago, when I first weighed in. One Herald reader wrote in and all but called me a drug addict. I even got an email from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, who wrote that, while she enjoyed reading my columns (I’m kind of a big deal), she respectfully disagreed with my opinion. Look, write your letters. Call me names. Say whatever you want to say. It isn’t going to change the fact that the recreational use of marijuana and online sports gambling are here to stay. So let’s legalize them. New York sure could use the cash. Nick Buglione is a teacher, freelance journalist and former editor of the East Meadow Herald.

Lost and found in the pandemic

think somewhere around the end of October, my husband and I ran out of things to say. Sitting across the dinner table from each other over plates of Costco soup and a homemade Greek salad with wimpy lettuce, our eyes met and … that was it. Our eyes met. At breakfast we had already covered news about the grandkids and news from the news. We have a rule about no TV during meals, so we ate in companRaNdi ionable silence, kReiss which felt both OK and a little sad. When you’re out and about, seeing friends, going to an office, getting your hair cut or your car serviced or planning a weekend away or going to weddings and funerals, there is an ongoing narrative to your days. Normal life is grist for the conversation mill. But these days we’re not cutting our hair or mingling or going shopping. We walk our dog, but don’t stop to chat with the neighborhood dog friends out for a stroll. Conversation requires material, and our material is growing

thin: “Did you speak to the kids?” “Do you want pepperoni or mushrooms?” “Did you sign the health care proxy?” We have lost more, too. Underpinning our lives is the sense that things will work out OK. We have believed in ourselves, that we can work through problems and survive life’s challenges and even tragedies. But the pandemic has eroded some of that confidence in ourselves and in the future. We wobble a bit from time to time. After 52 years of marriage, after decades of living in one community and creating friendships that form the fabric of our lives, that fabric is fraying, as friends are lost. At our age, we expect that people will get sick and some will die, but during a pandemic there is no satisfying way to grieve as a community of friends. Three dearest friends died since we began isolating ourselves, and we didn’t get to see them within weeks or months of their passing. We said what we could in messages and emails and photos, but one hug would have obviated the need for words. My grandkids, ages 10 to 17, are spinning in their own galaxies of online school and virtual reality and friend

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bubbles and much too much downtime and isolation. No one can give them back this year, and while they have learned patience and resilience, I wouldn’t suggest global pandemics to teach character building. I miss them. I find I work hard to catch their attention with nottoo-annoying texts and offers with homework and pitches for group activities and games. They’re a tough sell, and nothing virtual compares to seeing them face to face. It is important, I think, to be honest with ourselves and authentic with our kids and grandkids, not just cheerleaders for pandemic silver linings. I will say, however, that much has been found during this time. Reference the same patience and resilience, which all of us have had to summon. “New York tough” resonates these days. I am more disciplined about getting out and exercising, between clouds and raindrops, whenever I find a patch of blue. Just about every day, I move, somehow and somewhere, just to change the scenery and push away unwelcome thoughts. I keep close with friends nearby and far away, giving more time to more

e’ve lost time with family and dear friends, but found the time to try new things.

expansive emails and the sharing of photos and memories. It helps. All these threads weave the fabric tighter. I have started crafting books. What an incredibly satisfying thing it is to begin by folding papers and adding photographs and snippets of poetry and passages from old letters and collaging together something meaningful in an original book. It absorbs my free time, of which I have a lot. I appreciate the luxury of time to do art. What I also place in the “found” column is the challenge of baking complex desserts, like the cranberry lemon bars I made from a New York Times recipe. Every part, from the fresh cranberry puree to the lemon curd to the crust, had to be prepared separately and then composed. Now I have 24 bars in the freezer. Since I eat them only occasionally, they should last me until we get the vaccine. If you’re reading this, and since I am writing it, we are still here, and still riding this crazy wave. As a new year approaches, even as we grieve for what has been lost, it feels exhilarating to watch the first people getting vaccinated, offering us all the promise of a healthy 2021. Copyright 2020 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

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Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

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