Merrick Herald 01-12-2023

Using hockey to give back Page 3

Schumer outlines goals for new year Page 4

Students learn to help others Page 5

Seeking new homes: beloved monk parrots

By RokSANA AMiD ramid@liherald.com

For decades, many visitors strolling in South Shore parks have heard loud squawking from emerald green birds that, the strollers may have later learned, are not indigenous to Long Island.

Monk parrots, native to Argentina and eminently adaptable, have found homes in various parts of southern Long Island. Hundreds are thriving in Merrick, and have become something of a fixture in the community. In recent weeks, however, sightings of the birds

have declined, leaving those who frequent Merrick parks wondering where they have gone.

Opinions differ on precisely how and when the South American parakeets made their way to the South Shore, so the real or imagined details of their arrival in the U.S. have become fodder for urban legend. Some claim that an incident involving a broken crate bound for New York pet stores at JFK Airport in the 1960s or ’70s was the beginning of their unintended stateside residency. Others say the birds escaped from homes

Putting faith over fear: New book aims to inspire women

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

Joanne Ameruoso understands the fear that comes with a breast cancer diagnosis.

As she has watched several family members succumb to the disease, she has seen firsthand what happens when someone gives up hope.

In an effort to change the public perception of breast cancer, Ameruoso began journaling, before realizing that she had enough thoughts and ideas to write a book detailing her own journey.

In her newly published memoir, “Faith Over Fear: How my

mom’s fear of breast cancer became my fight,” Ameruoso sought to tell an educating and inspiring story about determination and faith, to help women like her overcome the fear associated with cancer. The book was released in November, and her hope is to get her name and story out there, and eventually create enough momentum to touch the lives of many people.

Her story

Ameruoso, 54, was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Valley Stream before settling in Merrick. She told the Herald that several cancers ran on both sides of her family, the most promi-

nent being breast cancer — despite the fact that the BRCA genes, which put women at a much higher risk for developing disease, do not run in her family.

Joanne’s mother, MaryJean, died of breast cancer nine years ago, at 73. Reflecting on her loss, Joanne realized that much of her own health mimicked her mother’s.

“I literally followed my mom’s genetic footprints,” she said. “My mom had endometriosis — I had endometriosis. My mom had four miscarriages — I had four miscarriages. My mom had a hysterectomy at 31 — I had a hysterectomy at 32.”

Ameruoso opted to undergo a

preventive double mastectomy at 48 — and learned that she had Lynch syndrome, an inherited genetic disorder that puts those who have it at risk for several cancers, including stomach, colon, liver, brain, skin and endometrial cancer.

“When you look into the factors of the DNA,” she said, “you dig deep, and you find answers.”

While recovering from her mastectomy, and dealing with lingering depression and anger associated with her mother’s death, Ameruoso’s health spiraled downward in other ways.

“Through all my surgeries, there was this deep depression, and I gained weight, and I was so unhealthy,” she recounted. “My

Herald file photo

MoNk pARRotS, NAtiVE to Argentina, have called various parts of southern Long Island their adopted home for decades. They are known for their ability to adapt.

Sharing her story to inspire those with cancer

doctor was like, ‘We escaped breast cancer, but what the hell is going on?’”

So Ameruoso decided to turn her life around, and became a health coach. Years later, she was in a much better place, mentally and physically. But the anger about her mother’s death lingered.

“I was harboring all this anger, and I just started journaling,” she explained, “and eventually I went to the computer, and it became a memoir.

“It’s beautiful,” she added, “and that’s because it’s mine.”

Putting faith over fear

“I lost my mom very traumatically to breast cancer,” Ameruoso said. “She was a person who never saw the hope or the faith. She was (so) overcome by the fear that she didn’t even try to save herself, which just destroyed my heart.”

Ameruoso’s grandmother was a two-time breast cancer survivor who died of the disease during her second relapse. She said that her mother, knowing the family history, always more or less anticipated her fate, which was hard to watch.

“My mom, when she discovered she had a lump, dictated her own end result,” she said, “because she let the fear stand in the way.”

Ameruoso’s narrative of her own experience became her memoir. “It’s very compelling,” she said. “Knowledge is power. I just need to get the word out there. I did the preventative measure before it got me, and I didn’t have a lot of support.

“When I look back, I wish I had more people to help me,” she added. “One of my biggest goals is to provide women with as much resources and support as I can. And the only way to do that is to get people on my side, and net-

work with me, and get this message out.”

The memoir took her about three years to write, and is now available on Amazon. To purchase a hard copy, or a version for a Kindle, visit TinyURL.com/JoanneAmeruoso.

Ameruoso and Joe Baker, president of the South Merrick Community Civic Association, are planning an event, likely sometime in March, to introduce the community to her book. She has had a few book signings in the area, the first one in Massapequa. Another is planned for Jan. 19 at Uva Rossa, a wine bar in Malverne.

Ameruoso has also started a group called the Pink Ribbon Project, which sends ribbons to people who have survived cancer, in the hope that they will make a $25 donation. The money will go to people and places that either research breast cancer or support those who are diagnosed with it.

“We can make strides,” she said. “That’s what we need to do.”

What Ameruoso most fervently hopes to do is just what the title of her books says — inspire women to put faith over fear. “You get many hurdles thrown your way, but you can try and get through them, holding onto faith,” she said. “Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and you always have to be strong enough and be prepared.

“When something negative comes along, just look at it and say, ‘How can I flip it?’” she added. “What I’ve learned is everything in life is a journey, and we learn from our lessons.”

Joanne ameruoso has watched several family members battle breast cancer, and succumb to the disease. She took her health in her own hands and wrote a book about her experience, hoping to inspire women to put faith over fear.

Courtesy Joanne Ameruoso

On and off the rink, Zinman gives back

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Much of Noah Zinman’s life revolves around one thing — hockey.

The 16-year-old from Merrick has been playing the sport for many years. A junior at John F. Kennedy High School in South Bellmore, he plays for the Bellmore-Merrick school district’s varsity hockey team as well as two travel teams, the Long Island Arrows and the New York Aviators.

So when it came time for Zinman to figure out what to do for his civics project in a leadership class at Kennedy, the choice was fairly simple. He wanted to do something that gave back to the Long Island Blues, a special needs hockey team with which he has volunteered for just over a year.

The leadership class seeks to create what the name implies — young leaders in the community, who work with fellow students and school programs to create a difference.

Students can enroll in the class as sophomores, if they’re recommended to take it by their ninth-grade social studies teacher.

BRAD SEiDmAN, Teacher, Kennedy High School

As a junior, Zinman is in the second installment of the class, referred to as Leadership II.

“Students in the Leadership II class were tasked with the responsibility to implement and lead a civic-based activity,” Brad Seidman, an instructor for the course, told the Herald. “It is a part of the program goal to help students understand what it means for them to have a voice in school and community issues.”

As a regular volunteer for the Blues hockey team, which has programs for several age groups, Zinman said he knows how expensive hockey equipment can be. Just before Christmas, on Dec. 20, he launched a campaign to collect equipment — either new or gently used — at several hockey facilities in Nassau County.

“I talked to the manager of the Blues,” Zinman explained. “He gave me a list of what could and could not be included.”

Except for helmets, equipment that was free of rips and noticeable damage generally was accepted. “It didn’t necessarily have to be brand new,” Zinman said, “but it just couldn’t be totally used to the point that it’s not wearable anymore.”

Zinman’s dad, Michael Zinman, said they figured a good time to run this drive would be during the holiday season.

“The thought process about doing this is, you know, it’s around the holidays and some folks are getting new equipment, and we figured, why not?” he said. “Rather than throw out their old stuff, it could be a really good opportunity for others to give back and donate their old stuff, or their used stuff.”

The Blues practice and train at the Town of Oyster Bay skating rink in Bethpage, where Zinman volunteers every other Sunday. Collection bins for the equipment drive were set up there, at the Newbridge Road skating facility in Bellmore, and at the Long Beach and Freeport ice arenas.

The drive, which officially ended Jan. 5, received countless donations, including nine sticks, 15 chest protectors, and 21 pairs of skates, among several other items. Michael said that the number of items collected in the bins represented a massive success.

“We’ve collected some at our house that people have dropped off,” Michael added, “including sticks, skates and whatnot.”

Michael plays in an adult hockey league every weekend at the Newbridge Road rink, and he let his teammates there know about the drive too, resulting in more

NOAh ZiNmAN, A junior at John F. Kennedy High School, is enrolled in the leadership classes offered at the school. For his civics project, he ran a drive to collect new and gently used hockey equipment for the Long Island Blues, a special needs hockey team.

equipment collected.

The Zinmans said not many people are aware the Blues exist, another reason for the drive.

“It’s such a really good organization that I don’t think a lot of people are aware of,” Michael said. “It’s one of those things that maybe if the word gets out that this type of organization exists, that more folks will be drawn to it and take advantage of what’s right in our backyard.”

Seidman said Zinman’s project really embodied the point of the leadership class.

“I applaud Noah for choosing a project to address the inequities in youth sport activities, namely the sport of hockey which he plays for our district,” he said. “Noah is a terrific young man, and this noble project is a testament to his character.”

NOAh ZiNmAN pLAyS hockey on two travel teams, as well as for Bellmore-Merrick’s varsity school team. A volunteer with the Long Island Blues, he understands how expensive hockey equipment was, which sparked the idea for his civics project.

NOAh ZiNmAN hOpES the drive will bring positive attention to the Blues, because he feels that many don’t know the organization exists.

Photos Courtesy Michael Zinman

Noah is a terrific young man, and this noble project is a testament to his character.

Schumer promises push for tech, environment

By JAMES BERNSTEIN jbernstein@liherald.com

Chuck Schumer has three goals for the new year: improve mass transit, ensure water and air quality are safe, and promote high technology on Long Island.

The New York Democrat who maintained his role as majority leader in the U.S. Senate after last year’s mid-terms, told more than 1,000 people attending last week’s Long Island Association breakfast in Woodbury that he has, in the past two years, secured federal money to help the Metropolitan Transportation Authority recover from the worst of the Covid pandemic, while still getting money earmarked to protect the Long Island Sound and even clean up aging lead pipes.

The event at Crest Hollow Country Club was LIA’s annual State of the Region gathering that attracted both movers and shakers, as well as elected leaders like the executives from both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Schumer’s participation comes after he was elected to a fifth six-year term in the upper chamber of Capitol Hill, defeating Joseph Pinion, a conservative columnist who claimed Schumer had been in office too long with too little to show for it.

But history is written by the victors, and Schumer had a lot of history to share.

“We had one of the most productive legislative sessions in years,” the senator

said, ticking off a list of legislative wins that included his role in shepherding through President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill, as well as securing $15 billion for the MTA, which operates the Long Island Rail Road.

“No one was riding the trains” during the pandemic, Schumer added.

“For the first time, New York state got back more money that it gave out,” the senator said, referring to the give-andtake of funding with the federal government. New York has traditionally been a “giving” state, meaning its federal dollars usually went to help other states. This past year, the state was more of a receiver.

How productive the next two years will be is a big question. Republicans took control of the U.S. House — but only by a slim margin. That might mean pushing through bills that could win over at least some moderate Republicans.

One of those efforts will focus on improving transportation. The MTA funding, for example, would pay for repairs and upgrades of cars, tracks and electronic systems. Money also would be directed to portions of the Sunrise Highway in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Another $5 million will build a transit hub in Ronkonkoma.

Schumer also budgeted $106 million to clean up Long Island Sound, and that’s just the beginning. He also plans to use $60 million to help remove some of the contami-

nants from the Long Island aquifer.

Yet, the Senator sounded most enthusiastic about a project to install electricitygenerating windmills off Long Island’s South Shore — likely within the next few years.

Equinor, a multibillion-dollar Norwegian conglomerate specializing in petroleum, hopes to build a wind energy farm just a few miles off the coast with a substation delivering power directly to Island Park — a plan that has aroused controversy with neighbors.

The $3 billion project must still pass a plethora of bureaucratic hurdles, however.

“Long Island will be the capital for offshore wind,” Schumer said, “not just in New York, but across the country.”

The senator also wants to promote two of Long Island’s largest high-technology institutions — Brookhaven National Lab and SUNY Stony Brook.

“Long Island can be the center for (microchip) production and manufacturing,” Schumer said. “BNL and Stony Brook are at the cutting-edge of technology.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, told the Herald there was more in the works for this part of Long Island as well. He’s heard chatter about a strong interest in securing a casino, possibly at the Nassau Hub.

But for that to happen, anyone developing it would need to make sure the facility is first acceptable to the community.

“We wouldn’t be interested in anything but a first-class hospitality venue with a casino,” Blakeman said.

Additional reporting by Daniel Offner.

Daniel Offner/Herald U.S. SEN. ChUCk Schumer told the Long Island Association last week he would seek to promote the environment, transportation and technology this term.

Herald Sc H ool S

Bike books brings charity mindset to sixth graders

A book about a bicycle sparked a desire among sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School to help others. They researched ways they could make a difference while living up to the North Bellmore School District’s mission statement, “Contributing to our global community with creativity and compassion.”

In Tiffany Zocchia and Kristin Henchel’s class, students read “The Red Bicycle” by Jude Isabella, about a boy who donates his bike. It is shipped by an organization to Africa and finds many new owners over time.

Zocchia said that the book prompted discussions within in the class about practical ways they could give back. It also happened to coincide with a time of year known as the “season of giving.”

The teachers provided students with an article that listed 11 different charities that help children. Some of them take monetary donations while others accept items likes toys and stuffed animals.

“Once they read the book, they were really inspired,” Zocchia said. “We saw that there was such as a passion, so we decided to take it a step further.”

Zocchia said that students were asked to select one charity that appealed to them and do further research. On a sheet, each sixth grader identified an organization, its mission and ways to donate. She and Henchel added that they hoped this project would lead to conversations in students’ homes about charitable giving.

–Jordan Vallone

Happy New Year to all!

There have been significant changes in the law in a number of areas as of January 1, 2023.

The gift tax exclusion, which many people still think is $15,000, is now $17,000, up from $16,000 in 2022. Each person may give up to $17,000 to as many people as they want to without incurring any Federal gift tax liability and without using any of their Federal estate tax exemption at death.

Speaking of the Federal estate tax exemption, that has been raised from $12,060,000 to $12,920,000. Since the exemption amount is adjusted for inflation, and inflation was high in 2022, there was a large jump. Same for the New York estate tax exemption which jumped from $6,110,000 to $6,580,000.

The higher Federal exemption is due to tax reform initiated by President Trump commencing in 2016. Fiscal restraints required that the higher Federal exemption expire after ten years. At the end of 2025 then the Federal exemption is slated to return to

New York levels. Since you can use any of your now almost $13,000,000 per person as a tax-free gift while you are living, many savvy clients have moved and are continuing to move family wealth to trusts for their children. Often, the parents choose to maintain control of these trusts, and they not only get the assets out of their estate while the getting is good, they also get all of the growth on those assets out of their estate.

Medicaid rates have changed so that an individual who needs care, either at home or in a nursing facility, may keep up to $28,133.00 in assets. If one spouse is at home, and the other spouse is in a nursing home, the spouse at home may keep up to about $150,000 in assets. The value of the home, up to $1,033,000 is exempt from Medicaid if a spouse is living there (while the other is in a facility) or for an individual receiving Medicaid for home care.

Finally, the age at which an individual must take their IRA required minimum distribution has been raised from age 72 to 73.

Courtesy North Bellmore School District

Saw Mill Road Elementary School sixth graders Cody Gaskin and Elizabeth O’Toole researched different charity that benefit children.

spotlight athlete

Herald sports

Calhoun sinks Long Beach

By toNY BellissiMo tbellissimo@liherald.com

The performances and leadership qualities of Calhoun’s Matt Kalfas, Sean DiPaola and Tommy Bello has carried over from one court to another and is a big reason why the Colts are in the early driver’s seat in Nassau Conference A-1 boys’ basketball.

JaMes DesiMoNe

Clarke Senior Basketball

a thiRD-YeaR vaRsitY starter, DeSimone is a major part of Clarke’s impressive 9-1 start. An All-County selection last season after earning a Nassau coaches award in the Covidshortened campaign, he’s averaging close to 16 points per game to go along with 4.4 assists. He’s scored in double digits in every game so far while hitting 21 three-pointers. He hit for a seasonhigh 23 against Long Beach on Dec 5.

gaMes to WatCh

Friday, Jan. 13

Boys Basketball: G.N. North at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Lynbrook at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Friends Academy at V.S. South 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Hewlett at Carey 5 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Long Beach at New Hyde Park 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Lynbrook 5 p.m.

Boys Swimming: Long Beach at Jericho 5 p.m.

Girls Fencing: Valley Stream at Hewlett 5 p.m.

Girls Basketball: East Rockaway at Malverne 5:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Malverne at East Rockaway 6:30 p.m.

Boys Basketball: South Side at Garden City 6:45 p.m.

Boys Basketball: East Meadow at Baldwin 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Plainview at Oceanside 7 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Jericho at Calhoun 7 p.m.

saturday, Jan. 14

Wrestling: Baldwin Tournament 9 a.m.

Wrestling: V.S. Central Tournament 9 a.m.

Boys Basketball: Wheatley at West Hempstead 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Port Washington 12 p.m.

Boys Basketball: Oceanside at Plainview 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Baldwin at East Meadow 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Farmingdale at Freeport 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Seaford at Carey 12 p.m.

Girls Basketball: Port Washington at V.S. Central 12 p.m.

With Bello, its starting center, nursing an injury suffered the previous week, Kalfas poured in 23 points and DiPaola added 21 to lead Calhoun to a 62-53 victory over visiting Long Beach on Jan. 4. All three seniors were major pieces to the Colts’ winning their second volleyball county championship in three years a few months ago.

“Those three kids are coming off a very long volleyball season and for the last three weeks they’ve been coming on strong,” head coach Jay Kreutzberger said after Calhoun (6-5 overall, 3-0 in A-1) won for the sixth time in its last seven games. “They’ve been scoring and they’ve been leaders,” he added. “Now we might have to learn to adapt without Tommy for a while, but I really like where this team is at.”

Senior Jack Shields (15 points) and juniors Michael Main (13) and Blake Solice-Mitchell (10) all scored in double figures for Long Beach (4-5 overall), which slipped to 1-3 in conference games.

“The effort is always there, but we need to be more consistent,” Marines head coach Scott Martin said. “Tonight we couldn’t hit free throws and that was probably the difference in the final score. In the second half they switched away from zone and limited our three-point shots, which is something we do well. And those two kids [Kalfas and DiPaola] were tough to stop.”

Kalfas scored 18 first-half points, including a dozen in the opening quarter, to set the tone for the hosts, who were also without sophomore starting guard Riley Bhunut due to illness. Senior Adam Gardner’s three-pointer just before halftime gave Calhoun a 36-31 lead at intermission.

“We might have been down two starters but we had other kids step up,” said Kreutzberger, noting the play of senior PJ

Kakalos (7 points) and juniors Joey Goodman and Josh Edouard.

Long Beach scored 21 first-half points from behind the arc, with Shields nailing three long-distance shots and Main and senior Sebastian Muzikar two apiece, which led to Kreutzberger adjusting his defensive approach. “We have excellent versatility on defense,” he said.

The Marines had just one trey in the second half and that came from Shields with just over two minutes remaining after the Colts built their largest lead at 59-43. Long Beach never led after half -

time but got within 38-37 early in the third quarter before Calhoun scored seven straight.

“These guys might be the team to beat in the conference,” Martin said of Calhoun. “We’ll see them down the road in our gym. At 1-3 in the conference, we’ve got a hole to dig out of.”

Said Kreutzberger: “We played a very difficult non-league schedule against Syosset, Harborfields, North Shore and Floral Park and started 0-4. Those are the kind of games that make a team stronger in the long run.”

Donovan Berthoud/Herald seNioR Matt KalFas, right, scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the first half Jan. 4 as the Colts stayed hot with a 62-53 victory over Long Beach.

DINING

Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island! Check back each week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023. Did your favorites make it to the top? Visit www.LiChoiceAwards.com! *Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

MEXICAN FOOD: Frida’s Mexican Grill Margaritas Cafe

The Cabana Mexican American Restaurant

NEW RESTAURANT: Casarecce Italian Tap Room

The Chef’s Table - Lynbrook

ORGANIC/NATURAL FOOD: Bob’s Natural Foods Fit by Globish Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery

OUTDOOR DINING: Lazy Lobster Point Lookout Clam Bar

SALT - Merrick PIZZA: Friendlier 76

Lia’s Pizzeria - Oceanside Vincent’s

Churchill’s

IHOP-Oceanside

Toast Coffeehouse

BUBBLE/BOBA TEA: Bubble Hut

Kung Fu Tea

YAAAS TEA

BUFFET: China Buffet King

Diwan Indian Restaurant and Bar

Flaming Grill & Supreme Buffet

BURGER: American Burgers Ay! Caramba! Burgerology

BUSINESS LUNCH: City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill

Frank’s Steaks

Remy’s Italian Restaurant

BUTCHER SHOP: Charlie’s Butchers

Chubs Meats

Sons of a Butcher

CATERER: Bagel Boss

Barnum Ballroom

Bialystok & Bloom

CHINESE FOOD: Danny’s Chinese Kitchen

Little Fu’s

Omandarin

COCKTAILS: Da Nicola

Dirty Taco + Tequila

Lia’s Pizzeria - Oceanside

DELI/SANDWICH SHOP:

Ben’s Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterers

Farmer Joel’s

Pantano’s Gourmet

DESSERT: Dolce Confections

Frank’s Steaks

Sugarberry Bakery Cafe

DINER: Apollo Restaurant Diner

Imperial Diner

The Pantry

Artie’s South Shore Fish Market & Grill

Hewlett Fish Market Inc. Jordan Lobster Farms

FRENCH FRIES: All American Hamburger Drive In Brooklyn Dip & Burger Press 195

FRIED CHICKEN: Chicken Carnival Swingbellys Beachside BBQ Zorn’s of Bethpage

GERMAN FOOD: Das Biergarten Oak Chalet Plattduetsche Park

GREEK FOOD: B Greek Kitchen

GREEKTOWN Mykonos Greek Restaurant HAPPY HOUR: Dirty Taco + Tequila J Paul’s Terrace Cafe Michael’s Billiards

ICE CREAM: Carvel - Merrick Dolce Gelateria

Marvel Frozen Dairy INDIAN FOOD: Color of Spices Diwan Indian Restaurant & Bar

Raagini

ITALIAN FOOD: Friendlier 76

Lia’s Pizzeria - Oceanside

San Marzano Brick Oven Pizza & Fresh Pasta

JAPANESE FOOD: Himawari

Izumi Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse Kashi

LATIN FOOD: Cabo RVC

Island Empanada of Merrick

The Cuban

LOCAL COFFEE SHOP: Coffee Booths Heavenly Coffee Kookaburra Coffee Co

PRETZEL: Knot of this World Pretzels

Philly Pretzel Factory

Pretzel Stop/Pretzel Town USA

RAMEN: 8RAMEN MB Ramen - Huntington Ni Ramen

ROMANTIC RESTAURANT: Da Nicola Livorno Remy’s Italian Restaurant

SEAFOOD: Artie’s South Shore Fish Market & Grill Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood and Bar Jordan Lobster Farms

SMOOTHIE: Fit by Globish SoBol Hewlett Tropical Smoothie Cafe

SPECIALTY PIZZA: Friendlier 76 Lia’s Pizzeria - Oceanside Vincent’s

STEAKHOUSE: Frank’s Steaks

Jimmy Hays Steak House

Rothmann’s Steakhouse

SUSHI: Himawari

Izumi Sushi & Hibachi Steakhouse

Sushi Palace

THAI FOOD: Ra-Kang Thai Cuisine Seeda Thai Thai Station Restaurant Thai Table Restaurant

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN: Bob’s Natural Foods

Energy Fuel Garden City Organic Krush Lifestyle Eatery

WINGS:

Croxley’s Ale House

Pearsall’s Station Swingbellys Beachside BBQ

YOGURT: Hewlett Station Yogurt Swirls & Twirls

TCBY

Healthy outlook for a healthy year

NResolve to achieve a better you in 2023

ew Year’s resolutions are full of expectations. Common goals like eating healthier or losing weight are admirable, but there are plenty of other goals you can set in 2023 as well, like upping your sleep regimen, talking with a friend every day, or going on more walks.

Since the emergence of Covid, it has become more essential than ever to take care of yourself and enhance your immunity. In addition to physical health, mental health is equally important. Many people make New Year’s resolutions that they soon forget. It can be due to a lack of commitment, self-doubt, or unrealistic goals. So, start by making short-term and realistic goals you can achieve without putting too much pressure on yourself. Once you list what you want to achieve this year, stick to it and believe in yourself to accomplish them.

Exercise more

Much like changing a diet, exercising is often seen as a means to weight loss. While that’s a positive side effect of daily exercise, daily or frequent exercise is an all-around health benefit.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, exercise helps lower the risk of heart disease and hypertension by 40 percent while lowering the risk of depression by 30 percent. In addition, men and women with a family history of diabetes should know that regular exercise lowers their risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent. So while exercise is a great means to losing weight, it’s even better at helping reduce the risk for serious disease.

When incorporating exercise into a daily routine, start slowly and gradually work your way up to more vigorous exercise regimens. Going full speed from the outset is a great way to increase risk of injury, and no one wants that.

Find 30 minutes a day to walk

Getting the recommended 30 minutes of exercise each day can be as simple as taking a walk. If you’ve got a busy schedule, take three 10-minute walks throughout your day.

“That’s 10 minutes before work, 10 minutes at lunch and then 10 minutes after work. Make it fun! Grab a partner at work to get you through your lunch routine. Then have a friend or family member meet you for an evening stroll,” suggests physical therapist Stacie Page.

Your diet matters: healthy and well-balanced is achievable

This year, promise to eat right. Choose whole foods instead of packaged ones. Crash diets and eliminating foods from your daily intake can deprive you of needed nutrition and may not be effective in the long run.

Keep your mental health in check

Mental health is as vital as physical health, and it needs attention. The daily stress of life and other factors may lead to serious health issues, including depression and anxiety. Mental health issues can make it hard for you to cope with everyday life and interfere with your work and relationships.

If you feel something is wrong, believe your instinct and get help. Practicing self-care techniques can also help combat mental health issues. Try to find the positives and adopt habits that can benefit your well-being, such as meditating.

Manage stress

Stress is a cause of many serious illnesses, such as heart disease. It can negatively impact your physical and mental health. Stress can become regular if you are always busy or have other problems related to finances or relationships. It is crucial to take steps to manage your stress. You can manage stress through meditation, exercise, or other relaxation techniques.

Sleep well

Improve the quantity and quality of your sleep. Getting enough sleep enhances your health by ensuring the smooth functioning of your body. It is also critical that you have a sound sleep. Regular interruptions can disrupt your sleep pattern, causing low energy and fatigue during the day. Getting a good night’s sleep is definitely something you should add to your 2023 checklist.

Limit social media usage and screen time

Just as you’ve decided to finish a task or go to sleep, you receive a social media notification alert. As you check the notification, something else catches your attention, and before you know it, you’ve spent an hour doomscrolling. Invariably, this leaves you feeling worse than before. If this resonates with you, you are not alone.

Social media, particularly when used for long hours, is reported to have contributed to an increased risk of a variety of mental health concerns like anxiety and low mood. This could be because of social comparison, isolation and cyberbullying. It also increases screen time, which can impact sleep and leave you less time to engage in other activities. Reducing your social media usage might help your anxiety, depression, loneliness, sleep problems and the fear of missing out.

Practise meditation and mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness give you space to pause and reflect, allowing you to slow down and increase your emotional awareness, in a chaotic and bustling world. In fact, practising meditation and being mindful can help you in improving emotional regulation, reduce physical pain and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Meditation and mindfulness require consistent effort. Starting with mindfulness for even one minute every day can be helpful. You can slowly increase the time as you see fit. Mindfulness and meditation apps like have also proven to be useful in improving mental health.

Create (and keep) those resolutions

Taking a good, hard look at daily behavior is the key to setting realistic self-improvement goals

The early Babylonians believed that what people did on the first day of the year affected what they did for the rest of that year. Many of us see the New Year as a perfect opportunity to start over or to change bad habits.

According to several surveys, the most popular resolutions people make are related to health and fitness (eating better, losing weight, and exercising), reducing consumption of alcohol, caffeine, quitting smoking, and becoming more financially responsible by promising to spend less and save more.

Unfortunately, over 70 percent of resolutions are broken by the end of January, and this can leave a person feeling discouraged.

You might even consider New Year’s resolutions like romantic relationships: They’re easier to start than maintain.

One in four people who makes a New Year’s resolution will drop out within the first seven days, statistics show. About half jump ship within six months.

Resolutions are complicated, and being able to achieve them usually requires taking a hard look at our thoughts and behaviors. Setting goals keeps us on track, but stamping out old habits is difficult, and may even require the help of a professional for some.

But there’s hope.

Striving for self-improvement and setting goals for ourselves gives us a sense of purpose and hope for the future. Be sure to make your goals a priority, be specific, and work at them daily.

Your goal should be specific and measurable. Make your goal concrete, and if necessary, break it down into smaller steps.

Setting vague goals such as “I want to lose weight” can be ineffective. Instead, ensure your resolution is quantifiable. If your goal is to shed some pounds, identify the number you’d like to lose within a specified period of time. If your aim is to exercise more in 2023 set a specific objective for the number of hours you’ll work out each week.

Or, if your resolution is to consume fewer carbohydrates, resolve to eat carbohydrates only at one meal per day rather than resolving to eliminate carbohydrates entirely. Once you are successful, begin to decrease your consumption further.

Don’t set unrealistic resolutions that will be impossible to keep. If you resolve to eat healthier by cutting down on desserts, switch to an alternative you enjoy rather than forcing yourself to eat a vegetable you’ve hated since childhood. For example, swap ice cream for Greek yogurt or fruit rather than raw cauliflower sprouts (unless you enjoy them, of course).

Be nice to yourself. Changing habits isn’t easy, so you’re likely to struggle at some point in your journey. Take it easy. Minor bumps are normal. The important part is jumping back on the bandwagon and continuing momentum forward.

Write your resolution down and put it somewhere where you can see it on a daily basis. This will help you to stay focused.

Keep it manageable. Keep the scope of your New Year’s resolution practical by working toward changing one or two behaviors at a time.

Have coping strategies in place to deal with obstacles that may arise along the way. For example, if your goal is to drink less alcohol you may consider skipping parties or events that involve a lot of drinking or bring a sober friend along to provide you with support and to help keep you on track.

On the bright side. Stay focused on the benefits of the change you’re making rather than what you’re giving up. Rally your mind around how much better you’ve been feeling instead of lamenting the loss of your daily chocolate-chip muffin.

Photo: Sometimes it’s the littlest things that make the biggest impact. Rather than setting a major health or fitness goal that takes you far out of your comfort zone, start the new year by committing to small changes here and there.

Hold yourself accountable and lean on others. Use a support network to help stay motivated. Discuss your resolution (and the accompanying struggles) with friends and family members. Consider joining a group with common goals, whether a collection of friends teaming up to quit smoking or an exercise class at the gym.

New

resolutions to help reduce your risk of dementia

It is that time of year again. A time for new beginnings, to start fresh. A time to make positive changes to improve our health, and how we live our lives. There are many things we can do to improve our physical and cognitive (mental) health. It never makes sense to attempt dramatic changes because we are likely to break our resolutions if the challenge is too great.

The good news is that making healthier choices can also help reduce your risk of dementia. While some things that affect your risk of dementia can’t be changed, such as your age or genes, there are many things you can change. Here are simple steps to help yourself, and your loved ones. They’re especially important if you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s –although they are certainly relevant to everyone.

1. Stop saying ‘huh? And ‘What?’ It’s true, one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia is taking part in regular audiology exams and to treat a hearing condition at the first signs of loss.

2. Get moving. Another easy way

to take care of yourself and to reduce the risk of dementia is taking part in regular physical exercise. It’s good for your overall well-being.

3. Eat well. A healthy, balanced diet is likely to reduce your risk of dementia, as well as other conditions including cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and heart disease.

4. Quit smoking and cut down on alcohol. If you smoke, you’re putting yourself at much higher risk of developing dementia later in life, as well as other conditions such as cancer and stroke. But you likely already knew that. Make this the year you quit, or helped your loved one get over their

nicotine addiction.

5. Keep your mind active. Much like exercising your body, it is important to workout the brain as well – and doing so can also help reduce your risk of dementia! Years of research suggests that regularly challenging yourself mentally seems to build up the brain’s ability to cope with disease. Find an activity you enjoy, as you’re more likely to keep it up.

Your HealtH — with a focus on resolutions and Winter HealtHY living

Herbs for life

Spice up your health this year

Many of us will make the resolution to eat healthier this year, adding more fruits and vegetables, and less salt and fat, to our diet. But if you really want to spice up health and those healthy foods don’t overlook herbs. Try adding a dash of basil and oregano, or a few cloves of garlic to your diet too.

Using more herbs and spices and fewer traditional seasonings like sugar, salt and fat, can help to improve the overall health benefits and flavor of the foods we eat every day, says Suzanna Zick, N.D., M.P.H., a naturopathic physician and researcher.

“Adding herbs and spices can help you maintain a healthy weight. Plus, they can help prevent certain cancers, and even lower blood pressure, control blood sugar and improve cardiovascular health.”

To help add a dash of “spice” to your life, Zick offers these tips for picking the best spices for your overall health.

Instead of salt, use herbs. Common herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and garlic can really bring out the natural flavors in a meal. Zick recommends replacing salt with a tasty combination of basil and oregano on food.

Use fresh garlic for maximum benefit. Garlic appears to help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.“For maximum benefit, you need to have about three medium cloves of garlic per day. Dry garlic or garlic left out too long, lose their healthy benefits,” says Zick.

Fight aging: Eat rosemary. Rosemary is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, says Zick. It’s also thought to help with memory, and research is currently underway to determine rosemary’s potential cancer-prevention properties.

Basil, oregano and rosemary can help fight colds. Since these three herbs contain strong essential oils, Zick says they potentially can fight against colds and flu.“All three are powerful antioxidants as well,” she notes.

Treat chronic coughs with thyme. ”The health benefits of thyme are unique. It has been traditionally used to treat coughs, even whooping cough. Thyme is often drunk as a tea,” she says.

Got back pain? Eat curry. Research has shown that the substance commonly found in turmeric – a common, bright red spice added to curry mixes – has known anti-inflammatory properties. The substance, curcumin, works in a very similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Zick says.

Fight cancer: Eat more curry. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, research on curcumin has also shown it to shrink pre-cancerous lesions known as colon polyps. Zick says the amount needed for its health benefits is unclear, she suggests including a generous helping of curry or turmeric in a meal.

Lower your blood pressure with “warming spices.” These include ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, pepper, cayenne pepper and others. These can make a person feel warm because they bring blood from the center of the body to the skin. This disperses blood throughout the body more evenly, which may decrease blood pressure, according to Zick.

Soothe your aching tummy with ginger. Ginger contains gingerols, which decrease oxidative products in the digestive tract that cause nausea. The key is to eat real ginger and not things flavored artificially like many ginger-ales, in order to reap the benefits, Zick says.

Reduce the sugar, add the spice. If you need to cut back on sugar, Zick suggests adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to your sweet snacks instead of sugar. For instance, if you buy unsweetened applesauce, add cinnamon to give it an extra kick.

Photo: Boost food’s flavor and your health by incorporating herbs into your diet on a daily basis.

STEPPING OUT

Culinary inspiration for a wintry weekend

By Karen Bloom

January is the ideal time to decompress and get into the kitchen and work on those “Top Chef” skills. It’s not that difficult with some great comforting — healthy — foods to nourish and warm our soul.

Experiment with new culinary creations that incorporate bold flavors for delicious results. Nothing pleases the senses quite like a hearty dish on a chilly evening. Try adding these recipes to your repertoire.

Rustic Roasted Winter Vegetable Chowder

• 1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch dice (about 2 cups)

• 3 medium parsnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup )

• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup)

• 2 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup)

• 1/2 fennel bulb, quartered & sliced thin (about 1 cup)

• 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt

• 2 tablespoons plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 1 medium onion, diced (about 2 cups)

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 4 cups vegetable broth

• 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch dice (about 2 cups) 4-5 fresh thyme sprigs

Hearty Beef Stew

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 1/2 lb beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup Burgundy, Zinfandel or other red wine

• 3 cups beef broth

• 1 1/2 cups ready-to-eat baby-cut carrots

• 4 medium parsnips, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1/2 pound small red potatoes, cut in half

• 2 dried bay leaves

• 6 sprigs fresh thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

In 4-quart Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Cook beef in oil 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove beef to bowl; cover to keep warm.

In Dutch oven, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic in oil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Return beef to Dutch oven. Sprinkle with flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Add wine; cook 1 minute, scraping to loosen any browned bits from bottom of pan. Stir in broth, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper.

Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves before serving.

• 1 cup milk or unsweetened plain almond milk

Additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

More pepper and thyme leaves for garnish

Heat oven to 400 F.

In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, and fennel with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast until tender and browned in places, about 40 minutes, turning a couple of times while roasting.

While the veggies are roasting, prepare the base of the soup. To a large saucepan over low heat, add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and a bit of pepper, then cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Stir in the vegetable broth. Add the potatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium heat then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Remove from heat. Pick out the thyme stems and discard.

Stir in the roasted vegetables. Carefully transfer about 3 cups of the chowder to the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the pot and stir to combine. The soup should be thick, rich, and creamy.

Stir in the milk. Place the pot back on the burner, and, with the heat on medium-low, return to a simmer, stirring often to prevent burning.

Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve garnished with an additional turn of cracked pepper and thyme leaves.

Lucky Chops

This big, brassy and unapologetically bold six-piece band comes at you with every hue in the rainbow. Their sound pays homage to New Orleans brass band tradition while incorporating eclectic rock, Caribbean, Arabic, Eastern European, funk, jazz, ska, gospel and EDM influences. Their irresistible groove is led by co-founder Josh Holcomb’s soulful trombone, Daro Behroozi’s soaring sax and Joshua Gawel’s powerful trumpet. Their high-energy brassy funk has attracted listeners since forming in New York City in 2006. Starting in the underground halls of subway stations, Lucky Chops went viral when a video of their mash-up of Lipps Inc.’s ‘Funkytown’ and James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’ amassed hundreds of millions of views across social media, and led to an online subscriber base almost two million strong. They’re now back on tour for the first time since the end of 2019.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. $33. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

America

The perennial classic rock favorite enters 2023 on the road again as founding members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell celebrate the band’s 53rd anniversary. The pair (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song ‘A Horse With No Name.’ More than 40 years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners discovered there was always much more to America than surface perceptions. The combination of Beckley’s melodic pop rock and Bunnell’s use of folk-jazz elements, slinky Latin-leaning rhythms and impressionistic lyric imagery contrasted well with Peek’s more traditional country-rock leanings and highly personal lyrics.

Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. $99, $79, $69, $59. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter.org.

ith the holidays behind us, cozy up to some comfy winter nesting. And, of course, it’s time to refocus on healthier eating now that we’re finished with weeks of festive over-indulgence.

THE SCENE

Art talk

Jan. 19

Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” live, via Zoom, Thursday, Jan. 19, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “The Big Picture: Photography Now.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Also Feb. 23. Register at least 24 hours in advance to receive the program Zoom link. Also Feb. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Seasonal Showcase — School of Rock

In concert

David Alterman returns to the stage with Altzim, Friday, Jan. 13, at My Father’s Place supper club. Enjoy an evening of music that Alterman describes as “Dylan with a twist,” with special guest Cathy Rose Virgilio. Rich Demand and his band also appear. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert is at 8 p.m. The Metropolitan, 3 Pratt Blvd., Glen Cove. For tickets/information, visit MyFathersPlace.com or call (516) 580-0887.

Tracy Locke

Branford Marsalis

The renowned saxophonist visits the Madison Theatre, on the Molloy University campus, with his quartet, Friday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m. The NEA Jazz Master, triple Grammy Award winner and musical polymath with his stellar ensemble — pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner — bring the brilliance that has made this quartet one of the most revered and influential in jazz. After more than three decades of existence with minimal personnel changes, this celebrated ensemble is revered for its uncompromising interpretation of a kaleidoscopic range of both original compositions and jazz and popular classics. $40-$95.1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. For tickets and information visit MadisonTheatreny.org or call (516) 323-4444.

The Bellmore Movies is hosting a seasonal showcase for Rockville Centre-based School of Rock. There will be performances Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 , including old school punk, funk and reggae, and other hits by well known artists and groups. 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore. Performances on both days start at 10 a.m. Visit SchoolOfRock.com for more.

See Tracy Locke, a standup comedian for 15 years, who has done everything from selling out shows at Radio City Music Hall to comedy clubs across the nation, when she performs at the Brokerage, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2797 Merrick Road, Bellmore Doors open at 5 p.m., show is at 7 p.m. Admission is $22, must be 16 or older to enter.. Visit Brokerage.govs.com for tickets and more info.

Jan. 19 Jan. 24

Jewish War Vets Meeting

The Jewish War Veterans meet at Congregation Ohav Shalom, Thursday, Jan. 19, noon, 145 S. Merrick Ave., Merrick. Lunch will be served. Attendees are requeted to enter through the side door. New members are welcome. For additional information, call (516) 2180316 or email JWV652@gmail. com.

On exhibit

Chamber Installation

Forest Bathing

Meet author

Graham E.E. Bailey

Long Island author Graham E.E. Bailey visits the Bellmore Memorial Library, Saturday, Jan. 21, noon. Event includes the reading of an except from the book, a question and answer session with the audience, and opportunity to purchase a signed book. 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore. Call (516) 785-2990 to learn more and to register.

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

Having an event?

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce holds its installation, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m., at Mio Pisto, 16 Merrick Ave., Merrick. The Chamber will honor its Man and Women of the Year, and hand out additional community centric awards, as well as reinstall officers and the board. Contact the Chamber directly for more information, or visit MerrickChamber.org.

SEPTA Workshop

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s SEPTA is hosting two virtual workshops for parents with children who have special needs. The webinars will take place on a Google Meet video call only, Tuesday, Jan. 24; the first at 7 p.m., the second at 8 p.m. For additional information and to receive the Google Meet link, call (516) 992-1075 or email bellmoremerricksepta@gmail.com.

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

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m. Based on the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Pre-registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

Let Freedom Ring with MLK

Visit Long Island Children’s Museum for a workshop honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., Monday, Jan. 16. Families will learn about MLK beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech and gain a better understanding of his impact on the civil rights movement. Also participate in a gallery walk of images from the Civil Rights Movement and then create a bell to “let freedom ring.” $4 with admission, $3 members. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Town will erect platforms for displaced birds

or were intentionally released by their owners. Either way, they have flourished.

To keep warm in the winter, the birds construct massive nests in park light towers and oak trees, each one home to dozens, perhaps hundreds, of the parakeets. Flocks of the birds can be seen swirling above Merrick Road Park, in Merrick, and Newbridge Road Park, in Bellmore.

For years, they have been the subject of discussion on local social media. But lately, Joe Baker, of Merrick, president of the South Merrick Community Civic Association, has seen multiple Facebook posts in community groups, wondering where the birds are. He and other residents who frequent local parks have confirmed the birds’ near-disappearance.

“I was concerned,” Baker said,

“because I saw the nests weren’t there anymore.”

As it turns out, the birds didn’t disappear, but rather were displaced in midDecember as a result of maintenance work in the parks on old lighting and sim-

ilar platforms where the birds built their nests. Incandescent lighting fixtures have been removed and replaced with new LED lights that do not have nestfriendly platforms — and, just as significantly, do not generate heat.

John Di Leonardo, an anthrozoologist and the president of Humane Long Island, first heard about the birds’ absence from this Herald reporter, who called to ask him about the mystery. Di Leonardo became worried about the birds, because he has seen other incidents of displaced monk parrots in other Long Island towns. In Lindenhurst, for example, park lights were changed during breeding season, which harmed many recently hatched birds.

When he found out about the park light maintenance, Di Leonardo said that the tropical birds had their only shelter ripped away from them right before a deep freeze last month.

“They have enough trouble trying to survive our cold winters without people tearing out their shelters,” he said.

According to Hempstead Town Councilman Chris Carini’s office, the town contracted Anchor Electric Inc. to replace the lights in Merrick Road and Newbridge Road parks. Carini’s office also said that all of the work had been completed, and that no birds had died as a direct result of the maintenance, but they did scatter elsewhere. Many are now nesting in transformers and electoral boxes, which generate heat.

Di Leonardo said he was in talks with the town to investigate alternative heating for the birds. “I think they made a mistake, and they realized that they made a mistake,” he said, “and they’re willing to do better moving forward.”

Di Leonardo has met with Town Supervisor Don Clavin’s chief of staff, Jack Libert, and, Di Leonardo said, the town has agreed to erect new, heated platforms for parakeets in Merrick Road Park, and pledged not to change lights again during the winter or nesting seasons. The town will also work with Humane Long Island to have a wildlife rehabilitator on hand during future projects that might affecting the parrots.

Di Leonardo stressed that residents can help by keeping an eye out for coldstunned birds. Anyone who finds a parrot that is not moving or appears unwell should stay with the animal, and contact Karenlynn Stracher, a Merrick wildlife rehabilitator and a member of the

Humane Long Island advisory board, at (516) 729-7263.

Hundreds of tHe birds are thriving in Merrick, and have become a common sight in the community.

JoHn di Leonardo Anthrozoologist and president of Humane Long Island

Herald file photos

some say tHe first parrots made their way to Merrick after escaping a flight at John F. Kennedy airport.

New town redistricting long way from finish

By ANA BORRUTO aborruto@liherald.com

Voters talked, but at least according to them, a committee tasked with drawing new boundaries for Hempstead town elected officials didn’t listen.

At least that was the takeaway during the latest public hearing last week over the state of redistricting in the town.

Yet, it was a meeting just before the winter holidays that took most of the attention — a meeting where a number of speakers during public comment demanded lines be redrawn for the six town districts in what they called a more balanced representation through the inclusion of three “minority-majority” districts. That is, where an overall ethnic minority would be grouped into a majority as a way to help diversify a leadership board like the town council.

That same week, new map proposals were released. Yet, after further review, critics of the earlier drafts claimed most of their recommendations were ignored.

“While I hope that the commission changes course on these maps, I doubt (they) will because (they) have to show us that (they’re) listening to what residents are saying,” said Amil Virani of Valley Stream.

But there were changes. For example, the committee has proposed grouping together Elmont, North Valley Stream, a portion of the Five Towns and Franklin Square into a single district. Baldwin — which went from three to two representatives on the latest maps — was split in half.

The idea, according to Hempstead town attorney John Maccarone, was to ensure villages were kept whole, in accordance with the law. However, hamlets like Baldwin don’t enjoy the same protections.

Elmont, Valley Stream and Franklin Square are per-

fect for this new district, said Elmont resident Mimi Pierre-Johnson, but it should also have included Bellerose, Bellerose village, South Floral Park, Floral Park and New Hyde Park.

“That would’ve been a perfect minority-majority,” she said. “Everyone in that district would have had a fair share of choosing their elected official.”

Baldwin has been split into three council districts since the 2010 census. The Baldwin Civic Association collected more than 400 signatures on a petition urging the committee to place the entire hamlet of Baldwin under the 11510 ZIP code and one Town of Hempstead council district.

“Again, (the redistricting committee) has cracked Baldwin,” Janet Poretsky said. “My vote in Baldwin Harbor won’t count, it will be canceled out by someone in Wantagh-Seaford. I don’t think that’s fair, and I have nobody who is really representing my area.”

The last time officials got together to redraw district lines, it was done to benefit legislators without any concern for the needs of Nassau County communities, said Karen Moskowitz, cochair of the League of Women Votgers of Nassau County’s redistricting committee — specifically communities of color.

The lATesT RedisTRicTiNg map for Hempstead town elected officials reveals little change to what a number of people asked for ahead of the revision last month. Their desire is to see a better chance of creating a more diverse town council by creating ‘minority-majority’ districts.

As a town where 40 percent of its residents are people of color represented by a council that is mostly white, Moskowitz added that the latest map proposals show this intention has not changed in Hempstead.

The 2020 census revealed a 12 percent drop in the town’s white, non-Hispanic population, according to supporters of the minority-majority district concept. At the same time, the Hispanic and Latino population grew 32 percent, while the Black population increased by 4

percent.

“The league takes positions on a variety of policy issues, but never supports or opposes any political party or candidate,” Moskowitz said. “Our review of the commission’s proposed maps reveals deliberate manipulation of district lines.”

Another redistricting meeting was scheduled for Jan. 9, and the town attorney confirmed more such meetings will be scheduled before the board votes on a new map.

Ana Borruto/Herald

January 12, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD 16

LMER1 0112

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

MERRICK U.F.S.D.

NORTH BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

NORTH MERRICK U.F.S.D.

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU

NOTICE TO BIDDERS:

In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Transportation Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for: Bellmore-Merrick Cooperative School Year 2022-2023

Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 10:00 am.

Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district.

By order: Board of Education

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

MERRICK U.F.S.D.

NORTH BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

NORTH MERRICK U.F.S.D. 136637

described SW 20.37 ft. to its point of intersection with the new northerly line of Jerusalem Avenue; running thence along the new northerly line of Jerusalem Avenue SE, 94.57 ft. to its point of Intersection with the old northerly line of Jerusalem Avenue; running thence along the old northerly line of Jerusalem Avenue NW, 96.28 ft. to the point or place of beginning. Approx. amt. of judgment is $133,277.57 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the auction. WILLIS CARMAN, Referee. THE MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Ptlf., 165 Eileen Way, Ste. 101, Syosset, NY 11791. #100025 136494

Foreclosure Auction. David Woycik, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 1/9/2023 File Number: 272-8951 LD 136638

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

Plaintiff, v. YANA SLUTSKY A/K/A YANA ABRAMOVICH, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT

In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on October 13, 2022, I, Lisa Goodwin, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on February 2, 2023 at The North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:00 PM the premises described as follows: 107 Byron Ct Merrick, NY 11566

SBL: 62-27-202 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.

Students have the quick ability to purchase a snack from vending machines in between their stressful periods, and they help schools raise additional funds. However, unhealthy snacks that are not a part of a balanced diet are frequently available in vending machines.

Should students be permitted to buy snacks at the school vending machines? Or should schools outlaw the machines to protect students’ health while on school grounds?

nient items that let them skip long lines at the cafeteria or give them the energy they need to finish the school day strong. Additionally, school vending machines can stop children from leaving the building to get a quick snack or beverage.

LEGAL

NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. ASPEN PROPERTIES GROUP, LLC AS TRUSTEE FOR ASPEN

G REVOCABLE TRUST, Pltf. vs. KEVIN OLIVA, et al, Defts. Index #600072/2019. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Feb. 4, 2020, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY February 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a 1018 North Drive, Merrick, NY 11566 a/k/a Section 50, Block 588, Lot 6 & 15. Lot 6 beginning at the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of Jerusalem Avenue with the westerly side of North Drive, being a plot 74.89 ft. x 76.03 ft. x 97.17 ft. x 93.97 ft. Lot 15 beginning at a point said point being the intersection between the westerly line of North Drive and the old northerly line of Jerusalem Avenue, said point also being a P.C. of a curve, running thence along the easterly line of the parcel herein

LEGAL

NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIZATION TRUST 2006-A1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-A UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2006

Plaintiff, Against JOSPEH NOTO A/K/A JOSEPH D. NOTO, DIANN NOTO, ET AL.

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/25/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 2/16/2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 2394 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York 11566, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being In Merrick, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau, State Of New York.

Section 55 Block 523 Lot 351

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $685,788.99 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 12-007631

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, 2006-GEL2, Plaintiff AGAINST LINDON BROWN, CHANEL GREENE, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 22, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 19, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2282 SYCAMORE PLACE, NORTH MERRICK, NY 11566. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 56, Block 102 Lots: 120 and 121. Approximate amount of judgment $994,893.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002541/2007. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Charles John Casolaro, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-075196 74648 136105

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF THE CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2004-J9, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-J9,

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 004047/2016 in the amount of $960,146.38 plus interest and costs.

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

Richard S. Mullen Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Plaintiff’s Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 136382

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, v.

ANY UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, DISTRIBUTEES OR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE LATE ALEXANDER RATNER, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

According to previous studies, there are vending machines at 43 percent of elementary schools, 74 percent of middle schools, and 98 percent of high schools nationwide.

A University of Illinois study discovered that simply removing vending machines without taking any additional actions may not truly help students veer toward healthier food products. Students, as resourceful as they are, will find another method of purchasing their preferred snacks and drinks if the schools will not keep it in stock.

To further improve vending machines, schools should start the trend of supplying some healthier options. Students benefit from having these vending machines nearby since it gives them access to nutritious snack selections. Making healthier eating choices can support brain growth and function as well as enhance concentration and memory, which would in reality be advantageous for both kids and teachers.

Talya lippman

By sustaining energy and boosting immunity, these foods are also particularly advantageous for the next cold and flu season.

The survey included more than 8,200 high school students from 27 different states. The study’s findings revealed that 23 percent of kids who had access to vending machines at their schools consumed at least one soda every day. Yet, 28 percent of high school students who did not have access to vending machines still consumed at least one soda nearly everyday.

In general, vending machines offer kids a selection of fast, conve-

Additionally, eating healthily gives students more natural energy. As a result, students won’t experience sugar crashes that induce midclass naps; instead, they’ll have the energy they need to get through the day. Also, students involved in athletic programs will have the fuel they need to complete long afterschool practices.

As long as schools work to ensure a balance of delicious and nutritious snacks kept in the vending machines, having a few around the school would be convenient for all.

Talya Lippman is a student contributor to the Bellmore & Merrick Heralds.

follows:

SBL No:

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

Richard S. Mullen

LEGAL NOTICE

of JOni Consulting LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/30/2022.

Formation

Purpose: Any lawful activity. 136178

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Notice is hereby given that a license number pending for beer, liquor and wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine and liquor at retail restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 68 Merrick Avenue, Merrick New york 11566, Nassau county for on premise consumption. 22.5 Doughballs LLC/dba Riko’s Pizza 136517

Guest Column

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Hewlett

Spacious Side Hall Colonial Near All

Nestled in the prestigious school district 14, you will find this bright and airy Side Hall Colonial that also offers plenty of space. This home features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a finished basement that provides additional living space for entertainment. The formal dining room and living room are perfect for hosting guests while the kitchen with an island allows for plenty of prep space when cooking up your favorite meals. The backyard deck and lush lawn provide a great spot to relax or entertain friends. You're also just minutes' walk from Grant Park - perfect for enjoying a beautiful day outdoors. This home is conveniently located close to transportation, shops, and restaurants. Don't wait - come see this wonderful home today! For a private tour contact us at 516.791.1313.

Adding to the attic

Q. A few contractors have looked at my attic so I can finish it for more bedrooms and a family room. The 1920s house has a very large attic with stairs to the second-floor landing. The attic stairs are much steeper and narrower, and the contractor says the walls will need to be taken down and wider and longer stairs put in. Is this necessary? The stairs are already there, and even though they’re steep, they work. Also, one of the contractors said that the horizontal 2x4s going across the attic, which are too low to walk around, could be removed or raised. Is that true? He said we could put them higher and add more so we can add finished wallboards to them. Do you agree, and is there anything I should know about doing this before we start?

A. Good thing you asked before you started. Instead of starting, you need to stop and take a few steps back. What you’re describing has multiple issues that you have to address.

Ask The Architect

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Monte Leeper

First, your state building code doesn’t allow the occupancy of a third floor in a single-family, woodframed dwelling. This is because of the many dangers involved in surviving a fire at that level. In the process of getting the permit to occupy a third story, which you left out of the description of your investigation, you would need to have a licensed architect or engineer prepare plans that include specific methods of escape, including the correct size and number of windows, distances to exterior and interior levels below to escape to, sprinkler locations along the entire path of travel to get out of the dwelling, heights of ceilings and fire-rated materials to be installed. This is because, as I have often written, the chances of surviving a fire in the third floor of a wood-framed dwelling are statistically remote, only 5 percent. That means you or your loved ones could be among the 95 out of 100 who will die from smoke inhalation or burns.

The plans for a finished third story are submitted to both your local building department, which will rightfully reject them, and to the State Codes Division for a public hearing, where your case will need to be represented by a code-knowledgeable professional. I have seen people represent themselves, which generally doesn’t go very well, since safety is the reason for the codes, and there are many laws and standards that the average owner is unaware of.

The stair access must be 3 feet wide, and the tread must be at least 10¼ inches, while the risers cannot exceed 8¼ inches. The horizontal 2x4s you described are collar ties, and they serve the important function of holding the roof together, especially in high winds and under snow loads. Moving or removing them can be dangerous. The higher up, the less effective, and without first calculating several factors, it should not be done.

© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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Education

OpINIONS LIRR to Grand Central Madison? We’re still waiting.

Once again, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has left coal in the stockings of Long Island Rail Road commuters.

Every Christmas since 2011, the MTA has failed to initiate the promised East Side Access to Grand Central Madison service. The original Federal Transit Administration capital investment — or New Starts — grant agreement with the MTA was approved in 2006.

time in the coming weeks.

The ESA project cost has grown to $11.6 billion. This doesn’t include debt service payments of $1 billion for borrowing costs buried in the MTA’s operating budget. There are also $4 billion worth of LIRR readiness projects to support the start of service — including such things as third-track construction and capacity improvements at Jamaica Station — which are separate from the official budget. Without these projects, the LIRR lacks the expanded operational capabilities to support the new service.

LARRY pENNER

It included a project cost of $6.3 billion, with the start of passenger service — including a promise to run 24 hourly trains on the LIRR’s 10 branches to Grand Central Madison during rush hour — in 2011. We still don’t know when that service will begin.

The temporary shuttle service that did not start last month, as promised, will come nowhere close to meeting this commitment. I can just imagine the overcrowding on shuttle trains between Jamaica and Grand Central Madison when this service begins — likely some-

Even when East Side Access service begins, thousands of potential new LIRR customers will continue to be out of luck in Hunters Point, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Elmhurst and Woodhaven, Queens because of limited or no service. The LIRR currently runs a handful of morning rush-hour trains westbound from Jamaica to Hunters Point and Long Island City, returning east in the evening rush hour. There is no rush-hour, hourly off-peak or evening bi-directional service to those other communities.

Another problem: Penn Station is a

24/7 facility. Grand Central Terminal is closed overnight from 2 to 5:15 a.m. Unlike the LIRR, Metro North provides no service in or out during that time period. The LIRR has the advantage, but Long Islanders who commute at odd times — or come home late from events in Manhattan that end well after midnight — and want to use Grand Central will lose that advantage to incomplete service. A simple analysis of the proposed schedules reveals that depending on your branch or station, there will be no LIRR service to or from Grand Central Madison for three to five hours overnight on weekdays or weekends.

Catherine Rinaldi is the first MTA official to serve as president of both the LIRR and Metro North. Those extrahours riders might want to ask her why the LIRR must be subject to the Metro North’s schedule shortfalls. Isn’t it time to make Grand Central, too, a 24/7 facility?

As well, whenever East Side Access service to Grand Central Madison begins, the LIRR will suspend virtually all direct, one-seat, ride-through service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal

Brooklyn. Thousands of LIRR riders bound for downtown Brooklyn, Wall Street, the World Financial Center, the World Trade Center or other destinations in downtown Manhattan via Atlantic Terminal Brooklyn will now have longer commutes. One rider’s gain in time savings — being able to get to Manhattan’s East Side via Grand Central Madison instead of Penn Station — will be a loss for another rider trying to access destinations via Atlantic Terminal Brooklyn. Was investing $12.6 billion in East Side Access worth it? The verdict is still out. It is doubtful, in a post-Covid-19 world, that there will be anywhere near the anticipated 160,000 daily riders using Grand Central Madison, as the MTA predicts. Time will tell if commuters and taxpayers will see all of the benefits from this project, which has been promised for decades by elected official and MTA and LIRR presidents. When it comes to East Side Access, the LIRR’s 1960s motto, “Line of the Dashing Dan,” should be changed to “Line of the Slow Moving Sloth.”

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who worked in the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management for three decades.

Writing predictions in disappearing ink

As I look back on my New Years’ columns over these last many years, I might as well have been writing in disappearing ink. Pretty much nothing I expected came to pass, and a whole lot of stuff I never saw coming changed my life and yours, too. So why even try to predict? It’s in our DNA, I suppose, conferring the illusion of control when we have none.

ies is and will be zero.

With that as a caveat, let me hope rather than predict that we will not have a recession; that the markets will rally in 2023 and, somehow, all the thousands of people who are literally dying to get into our country will be matched with all the jobs that are begging to be filled.

Will Covid surge again? Will some new bug emerge from the virulent epidemic in China? I wonder if Kim Jung-un will hold on to his rockets or let them fly. When will Ukraine find peace, and will it be before Putin snaps? How will our children and teenagers recover from the grief and academic setbacks of the pandemic lockdown? When can we feel safe in our lives again?

No one, except for Bill Gates and some epidemiologists who were ignored, predicted the greatest catastrophe of our lifetime, the coronavirus pandemic, the more than 1 million deaths here at home and more than 6 million deaths worldwide.

Everyone predicted a huge Republican sweep in the midterms, and that didn’t happen. And with the MAGA loonies running the GOP, to predict what will happen in 2023 would be folly indeed.

Bullish? Bearish? Last week the big dailies posted predictions for the markets. Inflation, recession, deflation, higher mortgage rates? Columnist Jeff Sommer wrote in The New York Times: “It’s simply impossible to forecast the path of the markets six months or a year ahead with accuracy and consistency, as many academic studies have shown. That the financial services industry continues to label these unreliable numbers as forecasts is a triumph of breathtaking chutzpah — a technical term for shameless audacity.”

RANDI KREISS

In politics, too, the prediction business is bust. We — all of us — lived through the 2016 presidential election, in which pretty much everyone with an opinion, from columnists to people on the street to professional pollsters to Las Vegas bookies and even many supporters of Donald Trump, absolutely did not believe that he would or could win. How many times did we hear pundits say that his path to victory was slim to none? How much airtime and ink were wasted on the assumption of a Hillary Clinton victory and how that would play out? Folks thought DJT would ride that escalator into oblivion.

On New Year’s Eve we toasted 2023 with wishes for good health and peace on earth and peace of mind. Wishes. As hostages to fate and dysfunctional politics, that’s the best we can do. We humans have never tolerated the existential uncertainty of being a person alive on earth. So we turn to exit polls and Svengalis and any grifter who hangs out a palm-reading sign. The truth? I’m even down on Punxsutawney Phil.

I can’t and won’t believe anyone who ever again purports to know the future of an election or an economy or the course of a disease or the likelihood of an earthquake striking any particular location at any particular time.

We are in the game, and it changes day to day.

Yearning for a seed of certainty, yesterday I booked a hotel in Dallas for April 8, 2024, when a full solar eclipse will be seen for two minutes and 20 seconds. I predict, with 100 percent certainty, that it will occur.

Which leads me to predict that the value of their elaborate algorithmic stud-

The very least we could take away from that election was healthy skepticism. Pollsters, even the academic knowit-alls, have little success predicting the results of an election or anything else.

In our personal lives, it’s painful to accept that we cannot know what the future will bring. Life reads like a mystery, not an itinerary. We can’t know what comes next or if we’ll make an appearance in the next chapter.

The track record of clairvoyants is abysmal.

What isn’t sure is if I will get to see it. There may be clouds overhead, or clouds in my life. I am choosing to have faith that the eclipse will occur as scheduled, on April 8 in Dallas. I plan to be there. It’s a small thing, but I’m counting on it.

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

Life reads like a mystery, not an itinerary. We can’t know what comes next.

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We all deserve a chance to pursue our dreams

the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for 14 years — a time period during which mere adjustments for inflation would now have it over $10.

Congress isn’t expected to act on raising that wage anytime soon, so many municipalities and states — like New York — have taken matters into their own hands. New York City and Long Island both have a $15 minimum wage, as does Westchester County. Last week, upstate New York rose to $14.20.

In fact, 27 states raised their minimum wage at the beginning of 2023, according to the National Employment Law Project, with new baselines ranging from $9.95 in states like Montana to $15.74 in Washington state.

We hear a lot about the minimum wage. What we don’t ever talk about is something that many may not even know exists: the subminimum wage.

It’s real, and it has been since the Fair Labor Standards Act, which first established a federal minimum wage, was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938. Many have credited the law with helping to guide the United States out of the Great Depression. And the framework of the Fair Labor Standards Act — 40-hour work weeks, child labor restrictions, extra pay for overtime — fuels our labor economy to this day.

But if you look closely at the law — particularly at Section 14(c) — you might be surprised to learn that not everyone is eligible for the minimum wage. Even at $7.25. It allows employers to apply for a certificate from the federal government to pay less than minimum wage to workers with disabilities.

It’s an archaic law based on an archaic

way of thinking when it comes to people with disabilities.

When the legislation was first passed, “it was assumed that a worker with a disability was less productive than a non-disabled worker,” former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge wrote in a 2021 opinion piece in USA Today. “In retrospect, it was a flawed assumption. We want to be fair to the intent of the original legislation, which was to provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to enter the workforce.”

When the former Pennsylvania governor wrote those words, he was nearing the end of a long chairmanship of the National Organization on Disability, an advocacy group for a class of people who are, more often than not, overlooked. Ridge described paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage as “no less than another critical civil rights issue.”

And he was right. Treating an entire group of people differently from everyone else simply because they have disabilities is a relic of the distant past that should stay in the distant past.

Yet efforts to eliminate this disparity over the years, by both Republicans and Democrats, have come up short on the federal level. Most recently, President Biden tried to remove the subminimum wage as part of the American Rescue Plan at the beginning of his administration, but never got it through Congress.

Since then, however, more than a dozen states have abolished the subminimum wage, according to the Association of People Supporting Employment First. But New York isn’t one of them. Not that our legislators haven’t tried — it’s just that none of their efforts have ever made it out of committee.

Closer to home, there are many who are trying to make a difference — like the Backyard Players & Friends of Rockville Centre, which describes its mission as seeking “unity without uniformity, and diversity without fragmentation.” The organization opened the Front Porch Market next to its headquarters on North Long Beach Road, conceived to provide creative work in a retail environment, treating everyone equally no matter what they bring to the table.

The market officially opens Jan. 17, and will feature crafters from around the community, classes on creating things like candles and soap, along with small retailers like Popcorn for the People and Smile Farms Hot Sauce.

The percentage of people with disabilities finding jobs is growing, but only 1 in 5 in that community is working. And of those, more are finding employment because they’re working for themselves rather than getting hired by someone else — a rate far higher than those without disabilities.

Even if the subminimum wage were finally abolished, there are many other hurdles that must be swept away for those with disabilities, and they can’t be ignored, either. But right now, hundreds if not thousands of our neighbors and community members aren’t getting the same consideration for pay as those without disabilities.

That must change. And if it can’t happen on the federal level, we need to focus our efforts much closer to home, blocking the availability of subminimum wages in our state.

Because as Tom Ridge made very clear, “all Americans should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

letters

Elected officials should resolve to be transparent this year

To the Editor:

Many will start the new year with goals to exercise more, eat better and lose weight. January will also be when newly elected public servants or incumbents starting another term take office across New York state.

Old habits are hard to change in people — and especially hard to change in government. The biggest issue in government today is the lack of trust the public has in their elected leaders. The best way to build trust as an elected official is through transparency.

Elected officials should begin 2023 by conducting the public’s business in an open and transparent way. To show their commitment to open government, elected officials serving on a village board,

Long Island’s energy future: vision vs. mirage

Follow the money. This adage never gets old.

For decades, gas pipelines and other delivery infrastructure have been a reliable cash cow for utility companies, which recover the costs of building their distribution systems from our utility bills, which give them a fat return on their investments. This traditional utility profit model is now at odds with a climate-driven energy transition, creating all kinds of perverse incentives. And while hikes in heating costs are grabbing the headlines, the jostling over the future of heating isn’t getting much attention.

In order to succeed in the challenging but essential task of decarbonizing its economy in the coming decades — as mandated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which it passed in 2019 — New York state will need to embrace an all-electric future and eschew fossil fuels, including natural gas. Utilities like Con Edison and the Long Island Power Authority, which together serve about 60 percent of the state’s electric customers, have endorsed this scenario. Many builders and households are already going all-electric, because gas fouls our homes and communities, and modern electric homes are cheaper and superior.

This is the approach espoused by almost all experts because, as the electric grid becomes cleaner, the rest of the economy will naturally follow. This is also the most cost-effective and energy-efficient decarbonization strategy for buildings, because electric heat pumps use only a fraction of the energy of their fuel-based counterparts.

Heat pumps and Long Island are a match made in heaven. With relatively mild winters, Long Island homes don’t need the top-gun units for efficient, reliable heating and cooling. LIPA’s electric load peaks at around 5 gigawatts in the summer, but barely makes it to 3 gigawatts in the winter. Adding winter load will spread the fixed grid costs over more usage and reduce per-kilowatt-hour prices.

In an effort to conserve their profitable gas distribution system, some utilities have floated their own “clean energy vision” involving green hydrogen and biomethane, marketed as renewable natural gas, or RNG — a so-called fossil-free duo that could supposedly flow through their pipeline network forever.

But consider the science and the economics of this vision. It took NASA months to fix hydrogen leaks on its recent Artemis 1 moon mission. Any proposal to pump highly explosive hydrogen, which

Letters

town board, City Council, community board or county legislature should introduce and pass a New Year’s resolution stating they will:

■ Post timely notice of all meetings at least one week prior to those meetings.

■ Post online meeting agendas and all meeting documents at least 24 hours before a meeting.

■ Post draft meeting minutes online, no more than two weeks after a meeting.

■ Allow members of the public to speak at the beginning of a meeting regarding agenda items and non-agenda items — whether they attend in person or remotely.

■ Livestream meetings by video and post the video recording online afterward.

■ Only conduct private executive sessions on rare occasions, in accordance with the New York State Open Meetings Law.

Just because you can hold an executive session doesn’t mean that you have to. A motion to hold an executive session to discuss “litigation,” “personnel” or “collective bargaining”

isn’t sufficient, as the Open Meetings Law requires motions to state more information when holding an executive session.

■ Agree not to hold private political party caucus meetings. There is no reason, at the local level, to hold private political party caucus meetings to discuss political business or public business. Secret meetings build a lack of trust among the public.

■ Have information regarding the Freedom of Information Law posted in a visible place on their websites. Proactively post documents online as much as possible so the public can access information without having to file a FOIL request. Post an easy fill-inthe-blank form that assists the public in filing a FOIL request by email on the website.

■ Commit to ensuring that all FOIL requests are acknowledged within five days, as required by law, and that information is provided to the public promptly.

PAUL WOLF Amherst

Wolf is president of the New York Coalition for Open Government.

has the tiniest molecules in the universe, through 50,000 miles of pipe in New York should raise serious doubts. Multiple studies have also warned of the risk of damage to the steel in pipes and appliances posed by gas blends with significantly more than 5 percent hydrogen.

Moreover, it shouldn’t take a NASA scientist to question the wisdom of heating homes by burning the stupendously expensive green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity, when that electricity can directly power energysipping heat pumps. Not surprisingly, expensive experiments and demonstration projects involving the use of hydrogen for heat, the kind of boondoggles being developed in the Town of Hempstead, are already being scrapped or failing in other parts of the country and the world.

Hydrogen’s partner in crime, RNG, is produced by capturing and refining the naturally produced biogas in landfills and wastewater treatment plants. But naturally derived biomethane can meet only a minuscule fraction of the home-heating demand, so much of it will need to be artificially generated from organic waste streams. Its global warming potential isn’t much lower than that of fossil gas because of inevitable releases and leaks of methane, which is much more destructive to the climate than carbon dioxide.

Fossil-free doesn’t mean emissionsfree, and the scheme doesn’t satisfy the science-based methane accounting methodology of New York’s climate law.

Produced naturally or intentionally, RNG is significantly more expensive than fossil gas, and its supplies will be limited by feedstock availability. Even the rosiest projections in the gas utilities’ own studies show that there won’t be enough of it for every possible use that those companies are touting it for, home heating being the least practical one.

The gas utilities’ so-called fossil-free clean-energy vision based on hydrogen and RNG is a mirage that doesn’t pass scientific, technical, economic or legal muster. To make matters worse, burning hydrogen would produce high levels of nitrous oxide, a health hazard, and RNG would cause indoor pollution from leakage and combustion akin to fossil gas, which is linked to myriad health risks, with the latest research attributing almost 19 percent of all childhood asthma in New York to gas stoves.

Pollution for profit shouldn’t have a place inside homes and businesses.

Anshul Gupta is a Steering Committee member of the Climate Reality Project’s NYS Coalition. Gordian Raacke is executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island.

Framework by Tim Baker

At the Twin Lakes Preserve — Wantagh

ansHUL GUpta

GorDian raaCke