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Merrick ‘bears witness’ to affects of war in Middle East By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Jordan Vallone/Herald
David Sussman, of David Sussman Israel Tours, gave an informative presentation during the Jan. 17 meeting of the South Merrick Community Civic Association. A resident of Israel for nearly two decades, he spoke about what it was like to experience the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.
The South Merrick Community Civic Association is continuing to do its part to promote Jewish unity and community pride at home during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The civic association welcomed David Sussman, of David Sussman Israel Tours, to its first meeting of the year on Jan. 17. A Boston native and an Israel Defense Forces veteran who has lived in Israel since the early 2000s, Sussman shared his experience of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas — and what life has been like in the months since. He has led efforts to raise money to help those affected by the war. In Sussman’s early days living in Israel, COnTInueD On pAge 2
Racial Equity Club encourages voter pre-registration for young students By RACHElE TERRANoVA rterranova@liherald.com
Students at Sanford H. Calhoun High School took part in a voter registration event on Jan. 18, org aniz ed by the school’s Racial Equity Club, in honor of the Week of Service the district celebrates to accompany Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With voting requirements in N e w Yo rk s t a t e a l l ow i n g 16-year-olds to pre-register, 30 Calhoun students are now registered future voters, and will look forward to casting their first ballots when they turn 18. Founded in 2020 in the wake of the Black Lives Matter dem-
onstrations across the country, the Racial Equity Club strives to give all students a voice, and a safe space to discuss justicerelated topics. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is observed on the third Monday in January. In schools, classes and student clubs implement lessons and programs centered on King’s work in the civil rights movement. And last week, Racial Equity Club members decided that the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s MLK Week of Service was the perfect opportunity to register young voters. “A lot of people decided to maneuver themselves away
from discussing politics and partaking in it,” Nickolas Mascary, an officer of the club, said. “We didn’t see a lot of students registering. So we were, like, let’s have this voter registration drive. Let’s get this done. And it was just such a great opportunity.” The club partnered with the Civics Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to integrate voter registration into high schools across the U.S. The center urges students to get involved in politics and gover nment, no matter what issues they care about. The organization provides free training and resources to students and educators who
want to host student-led voter registration events, and provides them with a “Democracy in a Box” toolkit to run the drive. The Calhoun club was provided with a special clipboard, “I Registered to Vote” stickers, pins, and an “I Vote Because…” poster, on which, by way of Post-it notes, students shared why they registered — or why they vote if they’re 18 or older.
“I was really trying to encourage people,” said Ayana Mascary, Nickolas’s twin sister and another member of the Racial Equity Club, who helped run the voter registration table. “If we’re able to do this again, I feel like we’ll be able to get more people to register next time and create a more lasting impact.” Across the nation, 50 percent COnTInueD On pAge 9
January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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Jewish communities still grieving, healing Continued from page 1
he worked as a bartender at an establishment called Mike’s Place. In 2003, two terrorists from England entered Israel with British passports, planning to blow themselves up inside the restaurant. They couldn’t get in, Sussman said, so instead they detonated the bombs outside, killing three people and injuring dozens. “I hadn’t actually become a citizen of Israel (yet),” Sussman recalled. “I was there for a good time, not for a long time. I was just having the best time, living on the beaches of Tel Aviv, bartending. Why would I want to be anywhere else?” But the attack on Mike’s Place changed him, he said. At age 27, he joined the IDF in an artillery unit, and was called up to serve in the 2006 Lebanon War. As a longtime resident of the country and a veteran, Sussman said he had seen Israel attempt ceasefires many times with Palestinian authorities and other outside threats. Israelis, and Jews around the world, deserve to live freely and safely, Sussman said, without fear of terrorist attacks. “And it’s something that the people in Judea and Samaria, and the Arabs that live in Judea and Samaria, and the Arabs that are living in the Gaza Strip, also deserve,” he added. In a presentation titled “Bear Witness,” Sussman showed photos and videos taken in communities near where Hamas entered Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 200 captive. Men, women and children were subject to horrific acts — murder, looting, rape, arson. That morning, Sussman recounted, he was praying in a synagogue when a rocket was shot down directly overhead. But the sound of rockets and explosions was normal, he explained, and many people were numb to it. “It should never have come to this,” Sussman said. “We should have never allowed ourselves to be con-
Jordan Vallone/Herald
david Sussman showed images of homes burned to the ground — many that had people still inside them. stantly shot at that we had to develop multibillion-dollar systems in order to protect ourselves.” When alarms sounded, signaling that residents should enter the bomb shelters in their homes, Sussman and his family didn’t panic, he said. “Three thousand rockets were shot — it causes some casualties, some damage, some panic,” he said. “But what we now know is that those rockets really only served as a distraction, to distract us from what Hamas was really about to do. And that was to breach our security barrier in 34 different points and attack the com-
munities in the south, and try to penetrate Israel as far as possible.” Months later, in grieving communities that are still trying to heal, Sussman has met with people who were at the front lines of the massacre, who have lost friends and family and are trying to make sense of what is left. Sussman showed images of families taken captive, homes that were burnt to the ground with people still in them, and posters that bear the names and faces of the dead. In the rubble, Sussman said, people worked tirelessly to find any evidence of human remains. Those who have traveled to Israel, he said, are likely familiar with archaeological sites where children can sift through sand and look for pieces of pottery. “This is what they were doing here,” Sussman said, referring to an image on the screen, “but they weren’t looking for pottery. They’re looking for a piece of a bone — something — that they could do some type of DNA analysis, in order to determine that this person was in this building, and was killed on this day.” Sussman called the people working in these areas “unsung heroes.” The impact of the war, he said, has been felt around the world, and citizen heroes in Israel have created a feeling of togetherness that will help Jews everywhere. “To be able to experience this unity — it’s that unity that’s going to enable us to heal,” he said. The South Merrick Community Civic Association is open to all residents of Merrick. It installed a new secretary of membership, Terri Cohen-Lieberman, at the Jan. 17 meeting, and she will be overseeing efforts to encourage more people to join. For more on the organization, visit SouthMerrickCivic.org. For more on Sussman and his efforts in Israel, go to DavidSussmanIsraelTours.com.
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MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024 Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
Zachary Sirof navigated a drone in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s new artificial intelligence elective course.
Bellmore-Merrick launches artificial intelligence elective Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s new elective course, artificial intelligence with Python, is underway at Sanford H. Calhoun High School. This is a new, one-year course for upper grades students covers the basic principles of artificial intelligence through exposure to machine learning algorithms in Python. “We started this course because introducing Python and concepts of artificial intelligence in high school prepares students for college courses and careers in STEM,” explained Danielle Caliendo, a math and computer science chairperson. “It also equips them with the skills necessary for today’s world, where artificial intelligence is shaping the way we live and work.” Teacher David Hendler is currently working on a Chatbot unit. “We first go through the com-
ponents of drones, how they work, putting them together and safety precautions before we start flying,” he noted. Zach Sirof, a junior interested in pursuing computer science or mechanical engineering in college, said he has always been interested in coding but had never been exposed to AI. “Before the drones, we worked on Chatbot creating a tic tac toe game, where I can basically play against the computer,” he explained. “With the algorithm we made, the computer will always beat you or tie.” Under a curriculum created by Long Island University, students can obtain college credit from the university. This class is considered a magnet offering, held during first period so that students from the district’s other high schools can also enroll.
Zachary Sirof and Castanza Arevalo worked on finish building their drone ahead of a flight.
Vasileos Patiniotis and Vincent Reboron flew the drone as teacher David Hendler looked on.
Ari Bloch and Joseph Andreano worked togther during class on a project.
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Planning for Those You Are Responsible For A client came in to see us for their followup consultation. The client shared that, in between their two meetings with us, the husband‘s brother had suffered a stroke and was now in a rehabilitation facility. He was a bachelor. He had no power of attorney or health care proxy. He may or may not have had a will -- they didn’t know. Further, they were unable to get access to his apartment to clean out the fridge and get his clothes because he had failed to put them on the list of persons approved to enter in the event of an emergency. One of the most overlooked areas in estate planning is the question of who you are responsible for. Do you have a friend or relative who you know will need to rely on you if something happens? Either they have no one else or everyone else is too far away. If you have the responsibility, then make sure that you have the documents you will need to carry out that responsibility. Otherwise, the challenges become of a magnitude greater. Similarly, so many of our clients have adult
children with young families. Do you know whether your children have wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies? There are serious pitfalls for young families if one spouse dies without a plan. Roughly half of their assets go to their surviving spouse and half to the children. The court will appoint a legal guardian for the children’s money and the unused portion must be turned over to them at age eighteen, ready or not! A potentially more serious problem for older adults is whether their sons and daughters who have families possess adequate life insurance. If your son or daughter dies without sufficient life insurance, you may be called upon to support and educate your grandchildren out of your retirement money. Finally, if you are responsible for the care of an elderly parent, then make sure it is you who has the power of attorney and health care proxy and not another sibling who may end up controlling the situation from afar, much to your dismay.
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stablished in 2000, Churchill’s Pub & Grill has long been a popular icon in Rockville Centre. It changed hands during the summer of 2020. Chef/Owner Maurizio Vendittelli set out to restore Churchill’s to its finest version, while retaining its staff members and warm, friendly atmosphere. That fall, Vendittelli also acquired Winston’s (next door), renaming it Mangia Bene, turning it into an Italian restaurant serving robust pizzas and fresh pastas, to more upscale entrees. Physical restoration came first at Churchill’s — modernizing restrooms, painting, replacing outdated equipment. Vendittelli now focuses on updating and expanding menus and offerings. “We use only the freshest, finest quality ingredients. We run a scratch kitchen,” he says. Extremely passionate about cooking, he enjoys the ability to engage and supervise both restaurants’ kitchens. Fare-wise, Churchill’s brunch menu give options for any penchant, be it egg-based breakfast favorites, a salad, burger or something handheld. You’ll find a Benedict Bar, French Toast Fondue, and even Short-Rib Hash and Eggs with Hollandaise sauce. Spanning far beyond common pub-style choices, the regular menu brings starters like Thai Shrimp Skillet and Reuben Empanadas. Endless salad and burger choices join all types of entrees and the ultimate comfort of a homemade Chicken Pot Pie. Churchill’s has become much more than a place to dine. There’s a
different special each day of the week, and they never miss a holiday or special event to celebrate. On the calendar is a Super Bowl party, Date Night for Valentine’s Day, Pipes & Drums for St. Patty’s Day, Easter Brunch, and a Kentucky Derby Watch Party. They serve German food throughout October, and of course, honor Mother’s and Father’s Day with a brunch. Being an OTB betting site, they showcase all the races. Check the website for Restaurant Week, calendars, and menus. As for days of the week, kids eat free on Mondays. Tuesday is Burger Night. Wednesday is Prime Rib Night, and Taco Thursdays gives you a complimentary beer or Margarita (if you order tacos). On weekdays, Happy Hour happens 3 to 6pm, and Early Bird menus are offered 4 to 6pm. Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday nights feature live music (a singer or band) set up in the corner of the main dining area. Open from Memorial Day through November is a covered patio (behind both restaurants) with electric heaters and fans. Thursdays will be “Yappy Hour”— dogs are welcome outside. Catering is available as both take-out trays and in-house. Churchill’s can accommodate parties up to 50 inside, and outside, up to 450 (both patios can be merged).
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■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 207 E-mail: merrickeditor@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: circ@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Merrick Herald life USPS 017651, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Merrick Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Newsstand Price: $1. Subscription rates: $60 for 1 year. Annual Subscription Rates, $9.75 per quarter auto-pay or $50 one-time payment within Nassau County or $60 outside of Nassau County. Copyright © 2024 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Hewlett avenges loss to Kennedy By TONY BELLISSIMO sports@liherald.com
DARRIAN JACKSON Uniondale Senior Basketball A FIVE-YEAR VARSITY player for the Knights, Jackson is in the midst of an All-County type of campaign after earning Honorable Mention AllCounty last winter while leading them to the playoffs. Heading into this week’s action, Jackson ranked among the top five scorers in Nassau, averaging better than 20 points per game, helping lead Uniondale to an impressive 12-2 record. She’s aslo third in the county in three-pointers made with 40.
GAMES TO WATCH Thursday, Jan. 25 Girls Basketball: Academy Charter at Freeport.......... 7 p.m. Wrestling: Hewlett at Long Beach.............................. 7 p.m. Wrestling: East Meadow at Calhoun ......................... 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 26 Boys Basketball: Baldwin at Farmingdale ................. 5 p.m. Boys Basketball: Lo. Valley at West Hempstead ........ 5 p.m. Girls Basketball: Mineola at Wantagh ....................... 5 p.m. Girls Basketball: Lynbrook at V.S. North .................... 5 p.m. Girls Basketball: Malverne at North Shore ................ 5 p.m. Boys Basketball: V.S North at Lynbrook................6:45 p.m. Boys Basketball: Lawrence at Seaford ...................... 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Uniondale at Baldwin ..................... 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Island Trees at Clarke...................... 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 27 Boys Basketball: New Hyde Park at Elmont ............10 a.m. Girls Basketball: Mepham at V.S. Central ................10 a.m. Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Hempstead .............12 p.m. Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at Mepham................12 p.m. Boys Basketball: East Meadow at MacArthur..........12 p.m. Girls Basketball: Herricks at Long Beach ................12 p.m. Girls Basketball: Calhoun at Sewanhaka ................12 p.m. Boys Basketball: C.S. Harbor at East Rockaway ......12 p.m. Boys Basketball: Freeport at Massapequa ............... 1 p.m.
Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete” High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
Hewlett boys’ basketball head coach Andy DeBernardo likes to refer to its starting backcourt tandem of sophomore point guard Justin Ortiz and junior Justin Ogilvie as the “J.O. combination.” And in a pivotal Conference AA-V matchup Jan. 18, they provided a lethal 1-2 punch to lead the Bulldogs to a 54-45 victory over visiting Kennedy. Ortiz scored 18 points and Ogilvie hit for 10 of his 17 in the third quarter as Hewlett (9-5 overall, 5-3 in AA-V) won for the fifth time in six games while also avenging a loss to the scrappy Cougars (7-8, 4-5) a month ago. “J.O and J.O. were awesome tonight and everyone else contributed,” DeBernardo said. “I’m not gonna lie, we definitely pumped up the revenge factor leading up to this game. We really couldn’t afford to let them sweep us and own any tiebreaker.” Senior Leo Ferry (18) and junior point guard Jake Wexler (14) scored in double figures for Kennedy, which won the first meeting between the teams Dec. 15, also by a nine-point margin, 52-43, behind Ferry’s 32. “Tonight was almost the complete opposite of the first time we played,” Cougars head coach Rory Block said. “We played hard but didn’t shoot as well and they shot much better and were more aggressive. We made them earn it. The result wasn’t because of a lack of effort.” Hewlett held the largest lead for either team at 42-27 early in the fourth quarter following a three-pointer from senior Frantz Limage and a putback from senior Luke Rochler, who had a strong night on the glass with 8 rebounds. That’s when the Cougars enjoyed their most impressive stretch of the night, an 11-4 run sparked by three-pointers from Ferry and senior Zachary Cohen and a couple of buckets by Wexler. “Ferry destroyed us the first time and we didn’t want to let him beat us again,” said DeBernardo, who called timeout with 4:04 remaining and the Bulldogs leading 46-38. “I thought we did a nice job holding him to one three and held him
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Junior point guard Jake Wexler eyed the rim for two of his 14 points in Kennedy’s hard-fought 54-45 defeat at Hewlett Jan. 18. below his average [22] and that’s all I could ask,” he added. Ortiz sank a trey from the corner following the timeout, but Kennedy responded once again with back-to-back field goals from Ferry and a pair of Wexler free throws to get within 49-44 with 1:41 left. The visitors had two chances to make it a one-possession game in the final minute but had a three-pointer fall just short and a damaging turnover. “We’re hanging tough,” Block said. “The playoffs are possible, but we’re not
looking beyond the next game.” Ogilvie and Ortiz went a combined 5-for-8 from the line in the final 38 seconds to seal the outcome. Rochler finished with 7 points. Senior Michael Mezzone had 7 rebounds and 5 points for the Cougars, who’ve more than doubled last season’s win total. “We’re coming around and building some momentum,” DeBernardo said. “We’ve cleaned up a bunch of little things the past few weeks and we’re excited for the last five games.”
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Cricket fans get first look at new stadium Eisenhower Park to host world’s third-largest sporting event By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
It’s the world’s third most-watched sporting event behind only the FIFA World Cup and the Tour de France. And come June, portions of the beloved T20 Cricket World Cup tournament will be played right here in Eisenhower Park. Nassau County announced plans to bring the International Cricket Council tournament to Long Island last fall after plans to build a temporary stadium in the Bronx fell through. And now — less than six months before the games are set to start — officials have unveiled renderings for a temporary, modular stadium, expected to accommodate up to 35,000 fans. “When the International Cricket Committee reached out to us about six months ago, I’m going to be perfectly honest: I didn’t know very much about cricket,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman told reporters last week. “I had no idea just how popular it was.” Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world behind soccer, and was introduced in the United Kingdom during the 16th century. It has since grown in immense popularity in South Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Southern Africa and the West Indies — many parts of the globe that have been influenced by British imperialism over the centuries. The upcoming tournament will have games played not only in East Meadow, but also in Dallas as well as southern Florida. The rest of the tournament will be played in the West Indies. The ICC told Blakeman while 250 million people may tune in to watch the Super Bowl every year, the cricket audience is larger by about a billion people, while other estimates say viewership for cricket is actually a lot closer to 2.6 billion. The tournament is expected to bring international attention to Nassau, which will host a number of international dignitaries from the countries playing games at Eisenhower, like Pakistan, India, Canada and Bangladesh. It is also expected to generate a large amount of revenue for the county. “What an opportunity for Nassau County to showcase to over a billion people throughout the world our beautiful park — all our parks, our beaches,” Blakeman said. “We have everything here in Nassau County to showcase. We’re selling Nassau County as a destination.” One of the most highly anticipated games of the tournament — India versus Pakistan — will be played in Eisenhower Park, Blakeman said. The countries consistently field some of the best players in the sport. Harry Singh, the president and chief executive of Bolla Management Corp. — which operates a chain of convenience stores in the area — is serving as chair of the local host committee. “Eisenhower Park has hosted some amazing events in the past — I think ICC
Jordan Vallone/Herald photos
Nassau County officials and members of the local host committee for the T20 Cricket World Cup unveiled the renderings of a temporary cricket stadium intended to be built in Eisenhower Park, holding up to 35,000 fans. Games will be played in East Meadow between June 3 and June 12.
Schedule of T20 Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park June 3 – Sri Lanka vs. South Africa June 5 – India vs. Ireland June 7 – Canada vs. Ireland June 8 – Netherlands vs. South Africa June 9 – India vs. Pakistan June 10 – South Africa vs. Bangladesh June 11 – Pakistan vs. Canada June 12 – United States vs. India Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman revealed more details about the cricket tournament scheduled to take place in Eisenhower Park. The T20 Cricket World Cup is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans when it comes to the county beginning June 3. should be proud they’re going to run their World Cup,” Singh said. “As an immigrant from India myself, I’m feeling super proud to be here today, standing in front of all of you … and making sure that we connect with the communities, that we connect with locals. “It’s going to be an amazing event to watch. We’re looking forward to working with each of our community members and board members of this awesome community to make this a special event for all of us.” Don Lockerbie, the T20 World Cup development director, said work has already begun to build the stadium. It’ll be constructed on the field directly across the road from The Lannin, and situated behind the park’s indoor swimming pools. Modular, temporary stadiums are not a new concept, he emphasized — golf and car racing events have utilized simi-
lar designs in past. The stadium will be complete by spring, Lockerbie added. “It is a temporary facility,” he said. “The ICC elected to do something large in the New York area. Working with Nassau County has been an absolute delight.” Populous — an architecture firm that designed Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and the UBS Arena, among others — will design the Eisenhower Park stadium, Lockerbie said. While he was mum on how much the stadium would cost, Lockerbie said the entire initiative will be “privately funded,” with the structure disassembled by the end of July. Blakeman noted concerns by some about safety and parking, but said the county is used to accommodating large events. Last summer, the park’s Harry Chapin Theatre was the venue for a Boyz II Men concert, which attracted 40,000
people. There will be a number of park-andride programs set up in nearby lots, including one at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. Security will be provided by the county’s law enforcement services, primarily through the Nassau County Police Department. “We are also working with other local agencies, and our federal partners will also be involved in the protection of everybody’s who at the stadium or on their way,” Blakeman said. “We will be ready for this major, major event, and it will have all the security measures that you would expect of an event like this, such as the Super Bowl.” Tickets are not yet available to the public, and when they are, all will be handled by the ICC. Those interested in attending or learning more about the tournament can visit NassauCountyNY.gov/cricket.
Event helps 30 students register to vote
MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
Continued from page 1
of teenagers live in states where they can register to vote at 16, according to data from the Civics Center. But few school districts have voter registration programs — which means that youth are not given the tools, including a meaningful civics education, to register, or to understand why registration and voting are important. The Civics Center argues that teens and young adults do care about politics, and that registration programs in high schools are an efficient and equitable way to get young people registered. “I’m so proud of these young individuals who are so eager to participate in our democracy,” said Beth Finneran, a social studies teacher at Calhoun and the adviser of the Racial Equity Club. Many students at Calhoun weren’t aware they were eligible to register early, Nickolas Mascary said, but club members let them know about the opportunity, and their hard work paid off: A total of 30 of their peers registered. For more information on voter pre-registration, and registration for those of all age, visit TheCivicsCenter.org.
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Photos courtesy Nickolas Mascary
members of the racial equity Club at Calhoun High School — from left, senior Jillian grossberg, junior mia marchlowska, junior Jack messinger and senior nickolas mascary — ran a voter registration drive last week, as part of the district’s martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service.
during the voter registration drive at Sanford H. Calhoun High School run by the racial equity Club, students shared why they vote on post-it notes, which they stuck on a poster.
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January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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Newbridge Road says ‘Thank You!’ to police School community grateful for department’s response to swatting incident By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
A scary incident at a North Bellmore elementary school last week turned into a joyous event, celebrating the bravery, compliancy and support of students, teachers and staff — while honoring and thanking the Nassau County Police Department for doing its part to keep everyone safe. Police officials said they received a 911 call on Jan. 16 at 11:25 a.m. for a male with a gun and possible shots fired at Newbridge Road Elementary School. The department responded swiftly, and the school entered a lockdown, while nearby schools put a lockout in place. Authorities conducted a comprehensive search of the Newbridge Road school building, utilizing numerous police department resources. By early afternoon, the call was deemed a “swatting incident,” and the threat of a shooter or weapon on school grounds was unfounded. According to the FBI, swatting is a hoax call, or a fake threat, made to an emergency service, with most indicating the immediate danger to human life. The number of swatting calls has increased drastically in the last few months. Last week, emergency services were called to the White House AmANDA Licci after a report of a fire — Principal another call that was deemed unfounded. There is no clear reason why there’s been more swatting incidents, but as of last year, the FBI has developed methods and a database to track them. But in North Bellmore, what was almost an apparent tragedy turned into a heartwarming morning of celebrating the resiliency of Newbridge Road. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder brought an “NCPD Police Interactive Day” assembly to the school last Friday — much to the delight of hundreds of children and staff who packed into the gymnasium. “Commissioner Ryder and the police department asked if we would be open to having an assembly so that we would end the week on a positive note,” Marie Testa, North Bellmore School District superintendent, told the Herald. “There was something traumatic, yet it worked out. We’re coming together to celebrate our partnership and safety and security.” Joining Ryder were officers from the department’s Bureau of Special Operations, Problem-Oriented Policing and community affairs, as well as the Emergency Services Unit, the mounted unit, the K-9 unit and Homeland Security Unit. Walking down a makeshift “runway” between crowds of students, officers doled out high-fives and were handed dozens of cards of gratitude. A K-9 officer walked down the center of the gymnasium with a dog named “Moose,” who listened to commands and performed a few tricks, and two horses from the mounted unit also popped their heads inside to greet students. “Newbridge Road is a home away from home for many of us,” Principal Amanda Licci said. “Our students, our staff — we enter these doors each day and just spend hours of our day here together. In North Bellmore, we believe that a safe and healthy environment optimizes learning. It’s essential that we feel safe and secure here. “And thanks to the leadership of the North Bellmore School District — along with the partnership of the Nassau County Police Department, we do,” she
O
n Tuesday, the members of the police department did more than protect and serve.
Jordan Vallone/Herald photos
Newbridge Road Elementary School was a victim of a swatting incident last week. The Nassau County Police Department quickly showed up to the scene to ensure the safety of everyone. To thank the school for its actions during the incident, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder held an assembly last week, meeting hundreds of students who were impacted. added. “On Tuesday, the members of the police department did more than protect and serve.” Licci presented the department with a Newbridge HEART Award. HEART stands for “Honor,” “Empathy,” “Acceptance,” “Respect” and “Teamwork.” Winning this award in school is a point of pride for many students — and Ryder graciously accepted it, announcing that he’d be hanging it on the wall of his office. Ryder said he was impressed by the students’ response during the incident, and proud of how they acted. He added that he was also tremendously proud of his officers that responded, who without hesitation, showed up to ensure the safety of everyone in the school. “We rely so much on you guys doing your part,” Commissioner Ryder told the students, “and you guys were awesome — awesome. My cops came back and said, ‘This school did everything we do to practice with.’ I don’t ever want to play the game for real, but I do want to keep practicing. “We decided to come back here today to say thank you — thank you to all of you kids for doing your part,” Ryder added.
Much to the excitement of everyone in Newbridge’s gymnasium, a horse from the mounted unit popped its head inside to say ‘hello’ to all of the students.
Students showed off signs that they made for the department.
Multiple candidates seek democratic bid doffner@liherald.com
Democrats on the south shore of Long Island are preparing for the June primaries with six candidates seeking contest against U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito in New York’s Fourth Congressional District. Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead Town Supervisor and Rockville Centre-based attorney, who lost to D’Esposito by a less than four percent margin in the 2022 midterm elections, is feeling confident about the primaries and has already started to meet with community leaders about the race. “We are not taking anything for granted and will be out working for every vote, in both the primary and the general election,” Sarah Carlson, the campaign manager for Laura Gillen, said. “Laura has a strong record as supervisor of fighting corruption, protecting the environment, and working to lower costs for Long Island families. Laura will be campaigning around the district highlighting her past work and how she’ll work in Congress on the issues that matter most.”
Carlson said that Gillen’s team is laying the ground work to build a strong campaign, with the main objective of flipping the seat from red to blue and making sure that people come out to vote in the June primary. Based on a district-wide survey of 464 Democratic primary voters, conducted by Public Policy Polling in October 2023, Gillen is favored 43 percent higher than her opponents. New York state Sen. Kevin Thomas, a Levittown native who represents the sixth district on Long Island, announced his intentions back in July. Since then, his campaign spokesperson said, they have hit the ground running. “In our first fundraising quarter we outraised our primary opponent,” Alexa Kennedy, campaign manager for Kevin Thomas, said. “With our proven track record of delivering for the NY-4 and winning tough races in this district, we are confident and committed to winning this race and better serving Long Island.” Thomas will be putting it all on the line for the opportunity to run ag ainst D’Esposito in November, leaving a vacancy in the sixth Senate district, which covers Rockville Centre, Baldwin,
Tim Baker/Herald phptos
Congressional candidate Laura Gillen speaks with the Herald staff during her 2022 campaign against incumbent U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Freeport, Uniondale, Hempstead, Lakeview, Roosevelt, Westbury, West Hempstead, Garden City, Carle Place and a portion of Oceanside. Two candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring—Assemblywoman Taylor Darling and Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe—who have both expressed an interest in running for the Democratic Party line in the June primary.
New York State Senator Kevin Thomas meets with the Herald staff during his 2022 re-election campaign.
Leading up to the Democratic primary on June 25, other candidates have thrown their hats in the ring seeking the party endorsement including Patricia Maher of Baldwin, Gian Jones of Rockaway Beach and Lawrence Henry. Olympic gold medalist figure skater Sarah Hughes, a native of Great Neck who had initially expressed an interest in running for the Congressional
seat, announced in September that she decided to bow out, citing a frustration with politics. Former Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, also filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 10, making him the sixth entry for the primary on June 25. Denenberg was accused of falsifying documents in an attempt to steal more than $2 million from one of his former law firm’s clients. He would later resign from his position in Nassau County government in 2015, before pleading guilty to eight felony counts of mail fraud. The incumbent, Congressman D’Esposito, despite having the support of the Republican majority has had to navigate many unexpected challenges during his first year in office, including the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the expulsion of George Santos. He has also represented the south shore communities of Long Island against plans for an offshore wind farm project, the implementation of congestion pricing, and efforts to repeal the $10,000 State and Local Tax Deduction cap.
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MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
By DANIEL OFFNER
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CATHOLIC SHOOLS WEEK
January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
Live your faith
and share it with others The timeless values that create better prepared, more capable, and more confident young adults. An important part of your child’s program is the learning of values. This is often the most easily observable difference in a ‘Catholic school kid’. While the specific order and organization of when these values are taught might differ from school-to-school, the values and the discipline to live them are enduring qualities and are taught consistently across all Catholic elementary schools. The schedule below details how one of our schools creates a focus on two values in each in of the nine years of elementary and middle school. Kindergarten – Courtesy and Respect: Learning the importance of politeness and good manners in dealing with others, as well as the need to respect one another, and personal and public property. First Grade – Punctuality and Neatness: Being on time for school and with assignments and being neat in both school work and homework. Second Grade – Kindness and Generosity: Understanding the need to reach out and help one another and realizing the joy in giving more than is expected. Third Grade – Hard Work and
Choosing and committing to the right Catholic school for your child can be daunting. While visiting the open houses offered systemwide during Catholic Schools Week is an excellent way to discern Catholic school possibilities for your child, there are also many ways to research school options from the comfort of your home and at a time of your choosing. The 35 Catholic elementary schools on Long Island provide a strong, well-rounded education for students from nursery through eighth grade. You will find welcoming early childhood centers and rigorous middle school programs. As evidenced by the Morning Star Initiative’s four pillars, you will see that each school is robustly Catholic, academically excellent, safe and supportive, and here to stay. At the same time, each school has its own special charism that you can learn more about when you visit a school or speak to a school representative. Our administrators and faculty are looking forward to welcoming you and your family! Start with an open house During Catholic Schools Week each school will be hosting an open house, where families are welcome to visit, learn more about the school, and meet administrators and faculty. During each open house, information about the school’s academic, extended day, and extracurricular programs will be shared as well as how you can register your child. You can also learn more about the open houses by visiting lischools.org. Of course, you can always contact any of the
Catholic elementary schools to learn more. To get started, visit lischools.org. Here you can briefly learn about each school and then directly access each school’s website. You will also be able to make appointments for personal tours and request information online! You can also visit each school’s Facebook and Instagram social media pages to learn about the wonderful experiences available. Get to know the schools Once you’ve narrowed down your list of prospective schools, you are encouraged to reach out to each school directly. The principals are waiting for your call. They are happy to answer any questions you have. If you are unable to attend the open house or would like a more personalized tour, be sure to set one up with the school. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about each school. Following your tour, please do not hesitate to follow up with each school with any additional questions you may have. If you are concerned about affordability, you are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance through the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation. Since 2005, the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation has provided over $27 million in tuition assistance to nearly 22,000 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Visit thfny.com to learn more. Photo: The values instilled in a Catholic education will pay dividends throughout students’ lives.
to choose Catholic Schools
We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring and effective.
We have a 99 percent high school graduation rate. 85 percent of our graduates go to college.
We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.
We provide a safe and welcoming environment for all.
11 10 9 8
We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.
We offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence.
12 1
7 6
We teach children respect of self and others.
3 4 5
We instill in students the value of service to others.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
NCEA.org/csw
We partner with parents in the faith formation of their children.
2
EA©
Determining what’s best for your child
a dozen reasons
NC
The right choice
Perseverance: Recognizing the importance of diligence and a good work attitude, the satisfaction of doing our best and the need to keep trying despite obstacles. Fourth Grade – Honesty and Responsibility: Being truthful and keeping our word, doing the right thing even when no one else is looking, accepting the consequences of our actions and meeting our obligations. Fifth Grade – Patience and Discipline: Learning to be patient with ourselves and others, saying “yes” to the right things and “no” to the wrong things, and taking charge of ourselves by controlling our actions and emotions. Sixth Grade – Tolerance and Justice: Learning to accept and appreciate the differences in others and treating them with equality and fairness. Seventh Grade – Thoughtfulness and Compassion: Understanding the needs and feeling of others and treating them with equality and fairness. Eighth Grade – Loyalty and Courage: Caring about our relationships with others and being willing to show it through our actions; having the strength and will to do what is right even when we’re afraid or it’s unpopular.
We set high standards for student achievement and help them succeed.
We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture and life.
We use technology effectively to enhance education.
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MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional Catholic School .
2341 Washington Avenue Bellmore, NY 11710 516-785-5709
At SEAS we trust in our Faith, Family, and Academic Program.
Join Us for OPEN HOUSE ! Sunday, January 28th 10:30AM Mass 11:00AM – 1:00PM Open House
For more information visit us online:
Our students are safe, happy and well educated.
https://www.steas.com
The administration and teachers do an amazing job at making the students and their families feel safe, welcomed and loved. ~ Current SEAS family
Choosing a Cognia accredited school means you have chosen a program that will create a world of opportunities for your young learner.
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Even after 30+ years my love and loyalty to SEAS still remains. Most of my best childhood memories took place at this school, with the development of lifelong friendships, morals and values. ~ SEAS Alumni & current parent
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is filled with new and innovative technologies and communications. We prepare students for Catholic High School based on the principles of Respect, Responsibility and Reverence.
CATHOLIC SHOOLS WEEK
On a path to success Find their way through young adulthood The move from elementary school to middle school marks the beginning of a new set of expectations and a new world of opportunities. Challenging academic curriculum, inspired Catholic teachings, and an array of new afterschool activities give each student the intellectual, spiritual and social preparation needed for greater achievement in high school, college and beyond. A renewed focus on study skills and research skills begin to prepare students for the rigors of high school, and the programs and activities the students once participated in, they now lead. They mentor younger students, assume larger roles in liturgies, and lead activities ranging from science fairs to drama productions. From captaining sports teams to supervising community service work, middle school students learn to motivate and manage others. Maintaining academic superiority The middle school program continues the student’s challenging academic curriculum. Rigorous literature, math, computer, art, music and foreign language classes continue to engage all students, and qualifying students can enhance their studies with accelerated programs. Middle school students consistently score in the top percentages on national and state testing and most schools boast a 100 percent acceptance rate into prestigious Long Island Catholic high schools.
Putting their faith into practice The moral and spiritual lessons students have learned along the way guide them in charitable activities and community service. From stocking food banks to sharing with those less fortunate, Catholic school students put their faith into action by responding to others in a caring, respectful and helpful manner every day. Middle school students also play an important role in the school by mentoring others through participation in buddy programs and by modeling their faith for younger students. Giving back to the Parish community As students reach middle school they begin to assume more important roles in their faith community. Middle school students assist with the Parish ministries including Parish Outreach, they function as altar servers, and they participate in prayer groups. Seventh and eighth grade students mentor younger students, they lead the Student Government, staff the Safety Patrol, participate in the National Junior Honor Society and lead prayer services. It is in the middle school level that lifetime bridges between our students and the parish are created. A broader range of sports and activities In addition to continuing some of the interests students have been cultivating since Early Education in language, band and choir, middle
school students get to help their fellow students by supporting the school’s labs as a member of the Technology Club, they assist other students as Library/Media Club members, and the can participate in STEM Science Fairs and Math Bees. Aspiring journalists create and produce school newspapers or produce radio or TV broadcasts. The athletic types participate in CMSAA (Catholic Middle School Athletic Association) organized interscholastic sports programs. And there are new and more advanced extracurricular activities exclusively for middle school like the drama club that supports each year’s theatrical production and trips and retreats become more advanced and more frequent.
Becoming the young men and women who will shape the future Confident in their abilities, Catholic middle school students spread their wings and begin to soar. With values built on a rock-solid foundation and an exceptional education that has engaged each child’s unique abilities, students begin to blossom into young man and women of character.
Photo: A Catholic education is a challenging education. High standards, strong motivation, effective discipline and an atmosphere of caring combine to foster excellence.
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January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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STEPPING OUT
15
with
Danielle Sepsy By Karen Bloom
Her world is tastier than ever. Danielle Sepsy, aka the Queen of Scones, bakes her way into 2024 with aplomb. The chef-entrepreneur was on quite a ride in 2023. She catapulted to fame, following her appearance on Dan Levy’s “The Big Brunch” on Max. All eight episodes were devoured by folks who quickly discovered the dynamic, bubbly Sepsy. The cooking competition, created by Levy (of “Schitt’s Creek” fame), highlighted the stories of 10 chefs and their impact on their local communities as they competed to win a $300,000 prize. Like many, Sepsy was familiar with Levy from “Schitt’s Creek.” As Sepsy tells it, “He created his next project because he was passionate about food and telling people’s stories who didn’t have a chance to tell their stories. They needed to be heard. He posted he was looking for chefs, and people urged me to apply.” Sespy, who certainly has the competitive chops, had applied to other reality cooking shows — including Food Network’s “The Next Food Network Star” — over the years, but hadn’t yet made the cut. “I always came close but didn’t get it,” she relates. “I think this happened for a reason. The second I read about it, I felt ‘this is me.’ It felt different, very well-intentioned. Super-positive. “There’s a risk in any reality show that you’re portrayed as something you’re not. I emailed the casting company before even submitting an application. They must have looked at my Instagram right away, wrote me back immediatley, and wanted to have an interview the next day.” What followed was a four-month whirlwind of cooking tests, background checks, even psych evaluations. Plus Sepsy still had her growing bakery business, The Hungry Gnome, based in Long Island City, to run. Shes the founder and creative genius behind her innovative wholesale bakery and catering company. Growing up in the kitchen with her Italian grandmother, Sepsy’s love of cooking began at a young age. “An amazing baker, my grandmother spent all her time creating recipes,” she says. “She saw this was something I was passionate about, and spent her time with me cooking. She was my inspiration.” As a 13-year-old, she started a home business selling her delicious scones to friends, neighbors and local cafes. She had found her calling. That passion led her to begin her career in hospitality. She spent 10 years managing fine dining restaurants in some of New York City’s elite luxury hotels, after graduating from Penn State University’s School of Hospitality Management. Her resume includes The Peninsula, and the iconic Plaza and Waldorf Astoria hotels. Yet, she longed to return to baking. As she explains, the coronavirus pandemic actually presented her with that opportunity. “I had lost my job unexpectedly,” she said. “This was the push that I needed. I knew it wasn’t a sure thing, but this was a sign. Overnight, I started to email coffee shops. I started bringing them samples. And, within a week, I ended up signing one of the biggest coffee shop chains in New York City, which had over 20 stores, and I was in business.” The pandemic happened simultaneously. “It actually helped me because all my customers that had just signed with me said we’re going to be closing for a while. And it was perfect for me, because it allowed me to get myself ready. I hired people who lost their jobs due to Covid. I found
a commercial kitchen. I started expanding my menu of baked goods, which initially was scones and banana bread, and then it became muffins and cookies. I started developing my recipes and working with my new team. By that July, I was in business and started doing wholesale.” More than three years later, the Hungry Gnome sells to 150 stores wholesale and ships direct to consumer through her website. “It’s grown tremendously,” Danielle says, proudly. “I went from me and two other employees in the kitchen to 22 and counting.” Her explosive success has led her to recently move to a larger bakery space in Long Island City. “I spent 10 months building from scratch,” Sepsy says. “Our own space tailored to our needs, with new equipment, more square footage so that means we can hire more people and expand further.” Meanwhile the Queen of Scones marvels at how it’s all happened in a relatively short few years — transformed by what she describes as the “life- changing experience” of “The Big Brunch.” “It was a challenging journey as far as self-confidence,” she said. “I started out feeling insecure. Even though I do savory cooking, too, I’m really a baker by trade, and everyone around me had a lot of fine dining background. I felt like Betty Crocker in this sea of Jacques Pepins. I began to realize challenge after challenge I had a place there. Everyone loved my food.” She began to thrive, reaching the finals. “Although I didn’t win, I very much feel like a winner as corny as that sounds,” she says. “It impacted life tremendously.” Sepsy’s social media presence certainly benefited at that point. “I was the only chef (on the show) you could purchase from,” she said. “I had started my website, so I had products available to be shipped direct to your door. Once people started watching, online sales grew 5,000 percent. I started getting recognized on the street, and was seen as a ‘real chef.’ It gave me this boost of confidence and motivated me.” Since then, Sepsy has been a frequent media presence, appearing on “Good Morning America” and “Anderson Cooper Live,” among others, dispensing what she describes as “food talk” and culinary tidbits. “I’ve become a baking guru and correspondent as far as food goes,” Sepsy says. “It’s a dream come true.” As far as those famous scones, if you haven’t yet had the opportunity to sample, you may find the recipe in her upcoming cookbook — her first — due out next year. It’s among the many new projects underway for Sepsy and her “gnomies.” Or, visit her website at TheHungryGnome.com. Her baked goods are now also available at newly opened Pantano’s on Seventh Street in Garden City. The whirlwind continues for Sepsy. “My life has completely changed in the past year,” she says. “It’s hard to sometimes realize in the midst of constantly moving and reaching for what’s next. When I stop to look back on the course of one year, it’s been tremendous. I’m so grateful.”
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra visits Long Island on its 2024 tour, with soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason. The orchestra’s new music director Vasily Petrenko conducts, on the Tilles Center stage. As a respected cultural ambassador, the RSO enjoys a busy schedule of international touring, performing in the world’s great concert halls and prestigious international festivals. They are recognized as being the United Kingdom’s most in-demand orchestra, and count passion, versatility and uncompromising artistic standards as hallmarks, and are celebrated as one the world’s most open-minded, forward-thinking and accessible symphony orchestras. In great demand internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, Kanneh-Mason was an ECHO Rising Star in 2021-22, performing in many of Europe’s finest halls and is also the recipient of the coveted Leonard Bernstein Award and an Opus Klassik award for best young artist. Friday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m. Tickets are start at $4. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
Rick Springfield and Richard Marx Grammy winners Rick Springfield and Richard Marx have hit the road and leaving the electric guitars behind as they co-headline their acoustic tour. The ‘80s legends share the stage for ‘An Acoustic Evening,’ highlighting their many influential years of music-making. Over the past four decades, Springfield has created some of the finest power-pop hits of the ’80s and has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, including ‘Jessie’s Girl,’ ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers,’ ‘An Affair of the Heart,’ ‘I’ve Done Everything for You,’ ‘Love Somebody,’ and ‘Human Touch.’ Marx has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, starting with his self-titled debut, which spawned many popular top singles, including ‘Hold on to the Nights’ and ‘Don’t Mean Nothing,’ earning him a Grammy nomination. Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster. com or ParamountNY.com.
MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
Baked for success
Your Neighborhood
On exhibit
THE
Merrick After School Kids in grades 5-12 can make Valentine’s cards for hospitalized children, at Merrick Library, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 3:304:30 p.m., in the Teen Space. Earn 1 hour of service credit. No registration necessary. 2279 Merrick Ave. Visit MerrickLibrary. org or call (516 377-6112 for more.
Art talk
Feb.
Jessie’s Girl
It’s time to drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage, Friday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive 80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Jessie’s Girl has mastered over-the-top renditions of the some of world’s most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade. This is theater meets live music, covered in ‘80s glitz. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com or www.paramountny.com.
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Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” at the museum, Thursday, Feb. 15, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “Our Gilded Age.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the in-depth program and also participate in a guided exhibition tour following the lecture. Registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Our Gilded Age,” examines the appearances and the realities of an era that mirrors our own in many ways. Like the nation’s economy, American art and literature flourished during the Gilded Age. The art of John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Louis Comfort Tiffany and others adorned palatial residences designed by Stanford White and Ogden Codman Jr., architect of the museum’s own quintessential Gilded Age mansion. Drawing heavily upon the local literary history of Long Island, including William Cullen Bryant, Mark Twain (who named the Gilded Age), Walt Whitman, Edith Wharton and others, the exhibition will include paintings, fashion, decorative arts including period silver and china, photographs, manuscripts, first editions and other historic memorabilia. The “Upstairs, Downstairs” approach to the life of a country house brings to life not only the storied conspicuous consumption for which the Gilded Age was infamous, but also the real lives of these many individuals who maintained the palatial estates where that lifestyle was enjoyed. On view through March 10. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
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January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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Enrichment Through the Arts
Jan.
‘Parallel Perspectives’ View Molloy University Art Gallery’s current exhibition, a duo exhibit displaying artwork of noted Long Island artists Holly Gordon and Ward Hooper. Various complementary paintings and prints are on view. Upon meeting, it became obvious that both Gordon and Hooper were deeply inspired by Long Island’s fascinating environment and natural beauty. Together, they toured the island and captured the same places, each interpreting the scenes in front of them through their distinctive artistic styles. Their creations not only influence one another but also blend unique aesthetics in their collaborative artistic journey. Gordon and Hooper’s partnership yielded numerous accomplishments, one of which was the publication of their book “Parallel Perspectives: The Brush/Lens Collaboration.” Through Feb. 16. Kellenberg Gallery, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Call (516) 323-3196 or email artgallery@molloy.edu for more.
Willing Hearts Helpful Hands (Alzheimer’s Caregiver Initiative) offers a session on “Utilizing Music & Art to Enhance the Lives of Those with Dementia,” Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Bellmore Memorial Library. Explore how the creative arts can be a vital and lifegiving pathway to joy, expression, and peace for a loved one with memory impairment. We will offer some ideas and hands-on experiences to try with your loved ones. This program is for caregivers and families. Registration required. 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore. Visit BellmoreLibrary.org for more.
Bingo at Ohav Shalom Congregation Ohav Shalom hosts Bingo games every other Sunday. All are welcome. 145 S. Merrick Ave., Merrick. Visit Ohav. org/bingo for upcoming dates. For more information, contact (866) 222-1920.
Breastfeeding Support Group Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.
Prepare for your healthiest year yet, because every beat matters. Mercy Hospital kicks off Heart Health Month, with screenings courtesy of St. Francis Hospital bus, Thursday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn about cholesterol, HDL, casual glucose, blood pressure and BMI. Also discuss healthy eating and nutrition with a dietician and participating in a food demonstration. Meet with a stroke coordinator and obtain additional available screenings. Registration encouraged. 1000 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre. Visit chsli.org/mercyhospital or call (516) 626-3729 for more information.
Merrick-Bellmore Little League/Kennedy Cougars Baseball and Softball Clinic Kids can get ready for spring sports at JFK High School, Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 11. Clinic is run by Kennedy Varsity Baseball Coach Michael Gattus and staff. Open to ages 4-6,ages 7-9 and ages 10-12; times vary. Partiipants must bring a glove, bat, and helmet. For more information, contact info@ merrickbellmorelittleleague. org; to register visit MerrickBellmoreLittleLeague.org.
Bellmore-Merrick STEAM Expo Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District hosts the inaugural STEAM Expo, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 5:30 p.m., at Merrick Avenue Middle School. The Expo gives sixth-graders in elementary schools in Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick and North Merrick elementary schools exposure to STEAM activities that await them when they entered the central district in either Merrick Avenue or Grand Avenue Middle Schools. Contact Danielle Caliendo at (516) 992-1342 or Rob Soel at (516) 992-1444 for more information.
Norman J. Levy Preserve Hike
Having an event?
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.
Friend
Take in a hike with the South Shore Walking & Hiking Group, Saturday Jan. 27, 3-4:30 p.m., at Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve . The walk takes place every 2 weeks in the preserve at an easygoing pace. No registration necessary. 1600 Merrick Rd, Merrick.
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Hearth Health Screenings
Your orthopedic questions answered here By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
Orthopedic surgery — a branch of medicine focused on conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. You know, cartilage, tendons, muscles and connective tissues. It’s one of the broadest medical disciplines, and one the doctors with Northwell Health LIJ Valley Stream take very seriously. So much, the facility is the first hospital in America to receive all five orthopedic specialty certifications available from the Joint Commission. Three surgeons who helped lead the way — Dr. Giles Scuderi, Dr. James Germano and Dr. Alfred Faust — joined Herald Community newspapers executive editor Michael Hinman to discuss just what sets LIJ apart from other medical institutions when it comes to orthopedics. Certification in the specialties of advanced spine surgery, advanced total hip and knee replacement, total shoulder replacement, total ankle replacement and hip fracture care surgeries really is a big deal, said Scuderi, vice president of the orthopedic service line at Northwell. “It just brings to everyone’s attention the quality of the work that we do and what we’ve achieved,” he said. “And this is a major collaborative effort by all the staff. It’s not just the surgeons alone. It’s
DR. GIles scuDeRI
DR. JAMes GeRMAnO
the nursing care, the physical therapists, and all our other ancillary services. It’s a major testament to all our team at the hospital.” Orthopedics has come a long way, even in recent years, especially when it comes to knees — a specialty of Germano. “Probably about 98 percent of my business is arthritis or some deformity around the hip or the knee,” said Germano, who chairs LIJ’s orthopedic surgery department. “It’s not uncommon for a patient to see two or three other surgeons who feel like they can’t take care of it. That’s when they send them to me. That’s kind of my enjoyment, thinking about the complex stuf f. Thinking outside of the box.” Germano described hip replacements as “probably one of the best, if not the best, surgery ever made. Even Medicare will admit to it.”
DR. AlFReD FAust
That’s because the procedure not only helps people with their pain, but it also helps patients get back to their normal lives. Even patients who first walked into Germano’s office 15 years ago are very different patients today, he said. And something many exploring this type of surgery may not even realize: 95 percent of Germano’s patients go home within the first 24 hours of surgery. Faust doesn’t typically handle knees or hips. Instead, he’s LIJ’s spine surgery chief, focused primarily on the lumbar spine — also known as the lower back — as well as the neck. “The spinal column is usually what gets diseased or worn,” Faust said. “Nerves get pinched. The spinal column gets compressed. Patients come in with numbness and tingling.” But in those cases, the problem typically is related to the musculoskeletal
system, and not the nerves. A lot of Faust’s time in the operating room is spent on surgical disk replacement. It’s a surgery less likely to sacrifice movement than a spinal fusion, which surgically joins two or more vertebrae. Still,a spinal fusion sometimes can’t be avoided. Faust says he typically only performs spinal fusion when “mobility has already been completely lost.” That way he doesn’t have to risk patients losing further mobility. As much as these doctors have already learned over their lifetime and long careers, there is still more than can absorb — and impart. Faust, for example, recently took part in a lecture series with two other spinal surgeons. “We’ll continue to do things of that sort,” he said, but still prefers to sit patients in a conference room and “just answer questions as they come.” “These patient facing lectures we give are really meant to welcome people in,” Faust said. “I don’t know that anyone’s really making themselves available the way we are to invite people in to learn more.” Learn more about LIJ’s orthopedics program by visiting ValleyStream.Nothwell.edu. To learn more about upcoming Herald Inside LI webinars — or to watch the LIJ orthopedic surgeons — email heraldinsideli@liherald.com.
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January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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Public Notices
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LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX # 609165/2022 FILED: 7/13/2022 SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial based on the location of the mortgaged premises in this action. Plaintiff’s principal place of business c/o Celink, 3900 Capital City Boulevard, Lansing, Michigan 48906. FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC, Plaintiff, against MOLLY BLUNT RIZZATI AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN TO KRISTINE RIZZATI; JEANNINE RIZZATI A/K/A JEANNINE BALNIS AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN TO KRISTINE RIZZATI; DENNIS RIZZATI AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN TO KRISTINE RIZZATI; JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE 1 THROUGH 50, INTENDING TO BE THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DISTRIBUTEES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, TRUSTEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF THE ESTATE OF KRISTINE RIZZATI, WHO WAS BORN IN 1952 AND DIED ON MAY 8, 2022, A RESIDENT OF NASSAU COUNTY, WHOSE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WAS 1586 MAEDER AVENUE, MERRICK, NEW YORK 11566, THEIR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST IF ANY OF THE AFORESAID DEFENDANTS BE DECEASED, THEIR RESPECTIVE HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE AFORESAID CLASSES OF PERSON, IF THEY OR ANY OF THEM BE DEAD, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE HUSBANDS, WIVES OR WIDOWS, IF ANY, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF; FEDERAL HOUSING COMMISSIONER, PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES LLC; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF
TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; “JOHN DOE #1” to “JOHN DOE #10,” the last 10 names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the complaint, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, One Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 4N25, Melville, NY 11747. (631) 812-4084 (855) 845-2584 facsimile. File # 22-300951. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE
SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department`s website at www.dfs.ny.gov RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process. You are not required to leave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale. Regardless of whether you choose to remain in your home, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay property taxes in accordance with state and local law. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner`s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE 144134
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, V. NORA SALVAGNI AS ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF DANIEL SALVAGNI, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 10, 2023, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County
of Nassau, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and NORA SALVAGNI AS ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF DANIEL SALVAGNI, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 20, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1841 GARDENIA AVE, MERRICK A/K/A NORTH MERRICK, NY 11566: Section 55, Block 515, Lot 37: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT NORTH MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 009706/2012. Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 144347
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 20th, 2024, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 15th, 2024 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property. Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien
Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount y n y. g o v / 5 2 6 / C o u n t y Treasurer Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 20th day of February 2024 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer. A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-TaxLien-Sale A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 07th, 2024. Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715. Dated: January 24, 2024 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork ___________________ TERMS OF SALE Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts. However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased. The Purchaser
acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership. The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed. The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk. The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further
notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding, 1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates. 2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates. 3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid. 4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited. Dated: January 24, 2024 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 144440 Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT, NASSAU COUNTY INDEX NO.: 612596/2018 DIME COMMUNITY BANK f/k/a THE DIME SAVINGS BANK OF WILLIAMSBURGH v. MICHAEL D. COSTANZA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PETER J. TOMAO, JOHN DOE and JANE DOE, Defendants. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, dated April 3, 2023 and entered on April 4, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, “Rain or Shine”, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York on the 26th day of February, 2024 at 2:00 P.M., the premises directed by said Judgment to be sold, being in Section 55, Block 75, Lots 1190-1191 on the Tax Map of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, and known by the street number 1789 Gianelli Avenue, Merrick, New York. 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. The approximate amount of Judgment is $115,055.79 plus interest, costs, attorneys’ fees and advances. Said premises will be sold subject to the provisions of the filed Judgment and the Terms of Sale. BRIAN J. DAVIS, ESQ., Referee. SANDERS, GUTMAN & BRODIE, P.C., Attorneys for Plaintiff, 18 North Central Avenue, Suite 204, Hartsdale, New York 10530 (718) 522-0666 144416 LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-WMC2, V. TODD C. SCHLEGEL, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 10, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of NASSAU, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-WMC2 is the Plaintiff and TODD C. SCHLEGEL, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction
MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. MARGARET RICE, et al, Defts. Index #6006962023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered December 6, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 13, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a Section 62, Block 4, Lots 70-71, 269 Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. MARK RICCIARDI, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #101033 144219
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What’s neWs in and out of the classroom
January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
HERALD SchoolS
Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
At Calhoun High School, senior Nick Mascary addressed Beth Finneran and Mike Pisano’s co-taught ninth grade global class.
Bellmore-Merrick CHSD marks Day of Service After weeks of organized donation drives for the Community Cupboard, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District marked the legacy and message of Martin Luther King Jr. with a week’s worth of inspirational events. “Through the lens of food insecurity, the importance of speaking up against injustices of any kind and service, the students conveyed the message of the significance of working to improve our community,” explained Robyn Einbinder, a social studies chairperson and Day of Service organizer. At the high school level, Leadership students pushed into social studies classes, teaching engaging lessons. Jordyn Classie and Massimo Sustick, seniors at Wellington C. Mepham High School, educated and enlightened peers in Kerry Dennis’ Participation in Government class about the lack of food resources, subsidies and government programs available to many across the nation. “More than 40 million people each month rely on SNAP benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” Class-
ie said. At Sanford H. Calhoun High School, senior Nick Mascary addressed Beth Finneran and Mike Pisano’s co-taught ninth grade global class. “While no one demographic is immune to poverty, it does not strike all equally,” he noted. “In fact, 16.2 percent of children live in poverty.” Throughout his lessons, Mascary challenged students to think about why they should want to make a difference and how it would be possible for them to do so. “The community cupboard helps people in our communiPhotos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District ty — in Bellmore and MerKennedy’s leadership students spoke to social studies classes on Jan. 12 about food insecurity. rick,” he said. “They regularly collect and distribute food, throughout the entire year. hygiene, pet and other necessary items to During social studies classes at more than 50 local families.” the middle school level, students also Student ambassadors at John F. Kenne- learned about King’s legacy of serdy High School encouraged peers to vice and “how we, as a caring com“make a resolution” to help others munity, have acted in service to improve the lives of our neighbors,” explained Principal Carlo Conte. Students in middle school Art Clubs also created messages of peace in honor of Martin Luther King. Each student used watercolor and wrote what was meaningful to them. Solomon, Esq. - Referee. distancing and mask At Merrick Avenue, Student Council Robertson, Anschutz, wearing. *LOCATION OF members collected change during Schneid, Crane & SALE SUBJECT TO Partners, PLLC, 900 CHANGE DAY OF IN lunch periods and donated the money Merchants Concourse, ACCORDANCE WITH to the Community Cupboard. Suite 310, Westbury, New COURT/CLERK Mepham High School seniors Jordyn Classie Students throughout the district York 11590, Attorneys for DIRECTIVES Plaintiff. All foreclosure 144511 and Massimo Sustick educated and continued to honor Dr. Martin sales will be conducted in enlightened peers in Kerry Dennis’ Luther King Jr. as they engaged in Place a notice by phone at accordance with Covid-19 516-569-4000 x232 or email: Participation in Government class about food activities that promote making conguidelines including, but legalnotices@liherald.com not limited to, social nections to others. insecurity.
Public Notices
LMER2-2 0125
RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 28, 2024 at 2:30PM, premises known as 1747 CHESTNUT STREET, MERRICK, NY 11566: Section 55, Block 155, Lot 34:
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 001064/2015. Rita
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Employment
CLASSIFIED
MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
HERALD
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Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York
VALLEY STREAM UFSD 30 Seeking Candidates For The Following Position:
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE FT/PT (Salary Range $16 per hour to $23 per hour)
MAILROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP FT/PT (Salary Range $16 per hour to $17 per hour)
EDITOR/REPORTER
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Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York
Typist Clerk
Part Time/Substitute Hours: 15-27 hours per week Salary: $16 - $19 per hour
Malverne UFSD Office of Human Resources 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 or Call 516-887-6419 dlawlor@malverneschools.org
1244635
Applications may be picked up at:
Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted
DRIVERS WANTED
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Email: info@bellautoschool.com Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. DRIVING INSTRUCTORS Must Have a Clean License and WANTED BoxTruck Driving Experience. Will Certify And Train Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour HS Diploma 5th_floorNight • Clients • Malverne • 47513 Malverne Availability•ism-Clients a Must. NYS License Clean 3 Years 3.125x Please Email Resume3" to • The Herald • p2 $20 - $25/ Hour careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239 Call 516-731-3000
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
EXPERIENCED DOG WALKER: 5 Days/ Week. Star ting 7:30am. $20/ Walk. N. Merrick. Call 917-319-2202 MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MEDICAL SECRETARY/ ASSISTANT PT/ FT: Garden City. Responsible. $18-$20/ Hour. Computer Experience Helpful, Will Train. Call 516-739-0333: Fax 516-739-0344; mdinfo@modlinent.com
Eldercare Offered SANTA CRUZ SERAG Caregivers Provide The Best Male/ Female Caregivers In America. Certified HHA's, Professional. Experts In Dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons Cases. Live-in/Out. Gertrude 347-444-0960
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Malverne Union Free School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Proof of High School Diploma required.
DRIVERS FT/PT (Salary Range $17 per hour to $21 per hour)
516-569-4000
Malverne UFSD Office of Human Resources 301 Wicks Lane, Malverne, NY 11565 or Call 516-887-6419 dlawlor@malverneschools.org PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Email Your Resumes to
or Call
Applications may be picked up at:
Valley Stream UFSD 30 is currently accepting applications for Teacher Aides. Those interested will be required to comply with Nassau County Civil Service and New York State fingerprinting requirements.
Salary Range $33,280 to $100,000 including Commissions & Bonuses
(Salary Range $20 per hour to $30 per hour)
Starting Immediately!
Flexible Days/ Hours Call the 20-25 Hours. $16.00/Hour USA Answer Phones, Light Clerical • Malverne • Classified 5th_floor • Clients • m-Clients 47513 Malverne Network 3" • The Herald • p1 Call Mr.3.125x Gregoris
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Start A New Career For The New Year! Mortgage Origination, Financing And Real Estate Positions Available
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Homes
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A BETTER WAY TO BUY AND SELL REAL ESTATE! OFFICE PERSON FT: Mon-Fri. Input Orders, Computer Skills. Wholesaler. Warehouse Setting. Island Park. Star ting $18/Hour. Email Resume: appcoem@gmail.com 516-608-9200 Eric
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
“Call A Realtor With Proven Experience!” Rob Kolb Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Tripodi Shemtov Team
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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1245284
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School Monitors Part Time
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Be A Part Of A Growing Multi Media Company Based in Garden City
22
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Hewlett
HOME Of tHE WEEK January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
Classic Center Hall Colonial
S
Keeping indoor air clean
Q. Every winter I get terrible colds, and this year I got a postcard from a company that cleans air conditioning ducts. Does this help? I’m concerned about stirring up more dust. What else can I do except buy one of those portable air cleaners?
unny and spacious classic Center Hall Colonial situated on a quiet tree-lined street. This 2300+ square foot home is new to the market! It features 3+ oversized bedrooms, extra-large closets, 2.5 baths, an extra-large family room, a formal dining room, an eat-in- kitchen with skylight along with hardwood floors. You will also enjoy a full dry basement with high ceilings, gas heat, central air conditioning, large deck, attached garage, and an in-ground sprinkler system. This lovely home is conveniently located to railroad, public transportation, schools, restaurants, shopping and houses of worship. For more information call Alissa Lurie listing agent 516-967-8828
A. These days, with all the requirements for home energy savings, airtight homes and pressurized air testing, homes are much more likely to have impurities in the air. Homes used to be built with alkali-laden plaster, which mold couldn’t live on. People wore sweaters, because windows leaked cold air and homes were cooler. It seems that modonte eeper ern materials and methods actually brought on more sickness. The paper backing on gypsum wallboard provides an excellent place in a dark wall cavity for mold spores to live. Inert, sprayed-in foam does help, but most people are intimidated by the cost. Carpets gather dust and, when vacuumed, may release more impurities into the air. Cleaning hard-walled metal air ducts is a good idea after a couple of years of continuous use. If you only use the system in midsummer heat spells, the main reason to clean the ducts is because dust settles there and adheres to the sides of the air ducts. Spores and other mold prosper in the layers of dust, and can remain inactive until moisture is present, which is why, at certain times of the year, condensation from cold meeting warm air allows the mold to develop. You should be aware that some air conditioning companies make life easier for themselves by putting in flexible, soft, round duct, which comprises an inner lining of foil attached to a wire spiral frame covered with a thin layer of fiberglass insulation and a plastic sheeting cover. The system installation costs less if the installer passes on the savings to you, and is simpler to install. By simpler, I mean that duct tape is used instead of mechanical fastening with bends of metal and screws. Unfortunately, you can’t clean flex duct, since the devices used to clean duct apply pressure, with vacuum and scraping techniques that will destroy your flex duct and render your system useless. You should consider cleaning the main “trunks,” which are probably made of metal duct. Duct cleaning is the first step to better breathing in the home. Then, after cleaning, have a reliable mechanical contractor install a filter in your central air conditioning unit, so you have “in-line” filtration. Ask about the different types of filter systems, such as an electronic, static-type unit that catches dust like a magnet, and also how often the filter requires cleaning or replacement. Don’t just look for the lowest-priced unit, since the maintenance or replacement of the filter may be much more than the savings. With the electrostatic filter, you may be able to simply wash the filter and put it back. Once the filter is installed, you won’t require the portable type, and you should breathe easier, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Ask The Architect
M
EaST ROCKaWay
1 Newkirk Ave, BA, Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR,2.5 Bth SH Col on Beautiful St. in SD#20 (Lynbrook). New Quartz/Wood EIK w/ St Steel Appl, LR/Fpl, DR, Den & New Powder Rm. Spectacular Primary Ste with Hi Ceiling/Rad Htd Bth/2 WICs. Fin Bsmt w/Playrm & Office. Newly Lanscaped Yard w/Pavered Patio/Stone Fire Pit. Att Gar/2 Car Drvwy. Must See! ...............................................................................$936,000 45 Judith Ct, BA, Immaculate & Well Maintained 3300 Sq Ft, 6 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Beautiful Quiet St in SD#20 (Waverly Pk Elem). LR/ Fpl, FDR, Huge Family Rm & EIK. Att Gar. Private Yd ................................................................. REDUCED!! $939,000
HEWLETT Bay PaRK
190 Meadowview Ave, BA, Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14. Near All. Must See This Unique Home! ................................................. REDUCED $2,700,000
HEWLETT
1554 Moffitt Ave, BA, WHOLE HOUSE RENTAL! Updtd 4 BR Col w/ 2 New Bths. LR/ Fpl, FDR, Den & Kit. Main Flr BR/Off. Newer W/D, Ductless AC Units, Gas Ht. 2 Car Det Gar. Enclosed Yard. SD#14 (Hewlett-Wood). Great Location Near Schools, Park, LIRR & Houses of Worship ............................................................................. $4500 per month 1534 Broadway #213, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Move Right Into This 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Spacious Corner Unit. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Gar Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living. Convenient to Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship .................................................................................$649,000 1390 Broadway #117, BA, NEW TO MARKET! Move Right Into This Beautiful JR 4 Coop Apt in Luxurious Hewlett Townhouse. Huge LR & DR, Ren Kit w/ Wood Cab/ Quartz Counters/ Stainless St Appl. Encl Terrace Overlooking Garden can Be Rm. Spac BR w/ En Suite Bath. W/D in Apt. 24 Hr Drmn, Elevator, Valet Pkg, Priv Storage. Redone IG Comm Pool. Gar Pkg. Near Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship ......$359,000 1267 Peninsula Blvd, BA, 5 BR, 2 Bath Exp Cape in SD#14 (Hewlett Woodmere)Living Room, FDR & Updtd Gran/Wood EIK w/ Vaulted Ceiling. 2 Main Flr BRs & Updtd Bth. Upper Level 3 BRs & Updtd Bth. 1.5 Car Det Gar Plus 4/5 Car Drivewy. Priv Yd w/ Deck. HW Flrs, Gas Ht. Near Shops, LIRR, Trans & Houses of Worship .....................$599,000
$
“Taking The Mystery Out Of Real Estate Since 1983”
This Robin won’t rest until you are in your new NEST! How’s the market?? Please contact me for your free market report and personalized service!
“Leading Edge Award Winner” Robin Reiss
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Cell: 516.510.6484 Office: 516.623.4500 Robin.Reiss@elliman.com
Results that Move You
CEdaRHURST
332B Peninsula Blvd, BA, Move Right Into This Updated 3 Br, 2.5 Bth Coop Townhouse. LR, DR, Gran/Wood Kit w/ Stainless Steel Appl. Trex Deck Off LR.Primary Ste Features Updtd Bth & WIC. Att Gar Plus 1 Pkg Spot incl in Maintenance. W/D. Pull Down Attic. SD#15. Convenient to Shops, Trans & Houses of Worship ...........$449,000
REAL ESTATE Open Houses EAST ROCKAWAY BA, 1 Newkirk Ave, Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR,2.5 Bth SH Col on Beautiful St. in SD#20(Lynbrook). New Quartz/Wood EIK w/ St Steel Appl, LR/Fpl,DR,Den & New Powder Rm. Spectacular Primary Ste with Hi Ceili n g / R a d H t d B t h / 2 W I C s. F i n B s m t w/Playrm & Office.Newly Lanscaped Yard w/Pavered Patio/Stone Fire Pit. Att Gar/2 Car Drvwy. Must See!...$936,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429 EAST ROCKAWAY BA, 45 Judith Ct, 3, NEW! Immaculate & Well Maintained 3300 Sq Ft, 6 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Beautiful Quiet St in SD#20. Won't Last!...$939,000 R o n n i e G e r b e r, D o u g l a s E l l i m a n 516-238-4299
Open Houses HEWLETT BA, 1534 Broadway #213,.! Move Right Into This 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Spacious Corner Unit. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Garage Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living. Convenient to Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship....$649,000 R o n n i e G e r b e r, D o u g l a s E l l i m a n 516-238-4299
1240700
Houses For Rent HEWLET BA 1554 Moffitt Ave, OPEN , WHOLE HOUSE RENTAL! Updtd 4 BR Col w/ 2 New Bths. LR/Fpl,FDR, Den & Kit. Main Flr BR/Off. Newer W/D, Ductless AC Units, Gas Ht. 2 Car Det Gar. Enclosed Yard. SD#14(Hewlett-Wood). Great Location Near Schools, Park, LIRR & Houses of Worship...$4500 per month Ronnie Gerber. Douglas Elliman 516-238-429hewlett
Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)
HEWLETT BAY PARK: BA 190 Meadowview Ave, , Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!.REDUCED!!.$2,700,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas elliman 516-238-4299
1245747
OPEN HOUSES SUNday, 1/28/24
S SOLD at 61,000 Over Asking Price! O Closing Date: 1/11/24 L List Price: $549,000 D Sold Price! $610,000 2843 Weeks Avenue, Oceanside Listing Agent : Lia MieLe Cell: 516-382-7037
1243267
Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299
1242985
Alissa Lurie Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 516-967-8828 1315 Broadway Hewlett, NY 11557 516-374-0100 coachrealtors.com
Apartments For Rent CEDARHURST NO FEE Pr ivate Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For O n e B e d r o o m W h e n Ava i l a bl e. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
Cemetery Plots BETH DAVID CEMETERY: Elmont, NY. 3 Plots. Separate Or All Together. Graves 18, 25, and 32. Purchase Separate $5000; Purchase Together $14000. Negotiable. Call 845-641-7316
Call the One phone call, one order, USA Classified one heck of a good price Network to run your ad in any state, today! or across the country. 1-800-231-6152
L
© 2024 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.
23
H3 01/25
MarketPlace • • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
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HERALD
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516-678-6641– Licensed & Insured
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To Place Your Card in the
Here’s My Card Directory Just call 516-569-4000 press 5, then 2
JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, It’s in the Herald Classifieds... REAL ESTATE & MORE... Call 516-569-4000 JOBS,To Advertise MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... press 5
HErald
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Wanted To Buy FREON WANTED Certified buyer looking for R12, R22, Halons & more! Call Clarissa at 312-535-8384
FINDS UNDER $100
MERCHANDISE MART Antiques/Collectibles We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464
H4 01/25
Finds Under $100 CRYSTAL STEMWARE: WATER, Wine, Champagne. 6 of each, Brand New in Original Boxes. $85, 516-225-9191
SERVICES
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Handyman
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Home Improvement AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-920-9937 BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636 CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/ Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641
Plumbing PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011
Email your Ad to the Herald and PrimeTime Classified Department at
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sales@liherald.com
DIRECTV SPORTS PACK – 3 Months on Us! Watch pro and college sports LIVE. Plus over 40 regional and specialty networks included. NFL, College Football, MLB, NBA, NHL, Golf and more. Some res t r i c t i o n s a p p l y. C a l l D I R E C T V 1-888-534-6918
to run a FREE "Finds Under $100"
HErald
Crossword Puzzle
1243304
January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
24
Deals on Wheels
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NEED A CAR? Find it in the HERALD Classifieds.
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516-569-4000 press 5, then 2
Answers to todAy’s puzzle
25
opINIoNS
hen I was in prison for my nonviolent anti-nuclear actions, one of my disciplines was to write something for publication every day — a letter to the editor, an opinion piece, a book review, or even mediocre poetry. One hundred percent of my writing was in opposition to nuclear weapons. I couldn’t vote while I was incarcerated. But I refused to stop participating in our democracy. If I could persuade even two people to care enough to vote who had not been voting even ToM H. though they were able to, and if HASTINGS they voted for a candidate who was opposed to nuclear weapons, I felt like this was how I was still part of the democracy of my country. Who are the people who couldn’t or can’t vote but who are yet a part of how
A
s we leap, scoot, crawl or get dragged into 2024, the ceaseless message in our heads is that we need improvement. Apparently, our face, our furniture, our travel plans, our friendships, our dog food, our recipe for coq au vin are not quite right. We as human beings, struggling along in the most challenging times, are not quite enough. We’ve all been eating, sleeping, dressing ourselves and forming relationships for ages, yet those with the pens and platforms are telling us we are sevRANDI eral inches off plumb, not thin KREISS enough or bold enough or bright enough or present enough or chill enough. If we were, why would we be receiving dozens of self-help suggestions every day? Not since third grade, when Mrs. Heller wrote on the arithmetic column of my report card that “Randi needs improvement,” have I felt so underremediated. Not since I got married and left my mother, the Great Influenc-
our democracy functions? Here’s an incomplete list, but one that I hope gives some hope to those who wish they could vote in our American elections: ■ Students who survived the horrific 2018 Valentine’s Day mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Florida, were too young to vote, and yet started a movement that built enough pressure on politicians to achieve some legislative victories.
F
students skipped school in Birmingham, Alabama, to protest segregation and the anti-democratic Jim Crow voter suppression that Black people endured in Alabama. They couldn’t vote because they were too young, and their parents were routinely stopped from voting because they were black. Yet their campaign, called the Children’s Crusade, was instrumental in inspiring mass support across the U.S. for both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
ive minutes of action per day by millions of us can be its best protection.
■ Greta Thunberg is a Swedish girl who began the climate strike movement that prompted governments far beyond her own to act. She was too young to vote, not a citizen of anyplace except Sweden, and yet she profoundly participated in democracies from the United Kingdom to New Zealand to the United States and beyond, so influential that she was Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2019. ■ In the spring of 1963, more than 1,000
■ In Liberia, dictator Charles Taylor rigged “elections” and maintained his iron grip on power, so there was no democracy in which to participate during his rule, which featured a particularly brutal 14-year civil war with child soldiers on both sides, rape and massacres. Liberian women united in nonviolent resistance, rose up and stopped the war, and created a new — real — democracy. The countless stories of disenfran-
chised people around the world making a difference in their democracies — or helping create democracy where there had been none — can help motivate us when we feel like it’s hopeless. It is never impossible to participate in democracy. People like Rosa Parks, John Lewis, Alice Paul and so many more are still influential, even though they’ve passed on. This is your democracy, even if you are 15, even if you are undocumented, even if you are incarcerated. We all own it, and we all can make it stronger and more responsive to what we need, to justice, to a world fit for life. Five minutes of action per day by millions of us can be the best protection of our hope, our rights, our freedom from fear, our freedom to love and live. Democracy is way deeper than one vote every few years. It will live or die depending on our commitment to it. We are powerful, every one of us. Dr. Tom H. Hastings is the coordinator of the undergraduate program in conflict resolution at Portland State University and the senior editor of the Oregon Peace Institute’s PeaceVoice.
I love us just the way we are er, behind have I felt so naked and afraid in the world. The bombardment of criticism, both explicit and implied, comes from every corner of the media world — presented, slyly, as “help.” After all, why not learn to braid hair better, change your running stride, find a good therapist, get more years out of your carpet or erase those wrinkles? From newspapers to TV to the Internet, with all its social media threads, the constant offerings of how to be better tell me I am not enough as I am. So I am here to tell you, and myself, that I love us just the way we are. (There are some exceptions. For example, as I write this, Alaska Airlines has grounded its 737 Max 9 planes after a door panel blew out of one in flight. They can do better.) At the risk of adding to the chorus telling you how to improve, I would make the tiny suggestion that we jump off the wannabe train and think about what a good job we’re doing of being humans in an inhumane time. Thank you, but I do not want to count my steps every day and respond like Pavlov’s dog to reminders from my
I
watch to stand up and walk around every 20 minutes. While I curl up with a book and read through a drizzly afternoon, let my blood settle, that’s what I say. What are we doing to ourselves? We seem to have lost confidence in our basic competence and ability to negotiate our way through our days. I don’t need 12 more cooking hacks or YouTube videos on how to declutter. My clutter reminds me who I am. And I am not Marie Kondo. Parents are turning themselves inside out, stressing over their parenting skills. Folks, we do our best and we make mistakes, and we fail, and we would do it differently if we had the chance to do it all again, but most kids grow up fine, despite everything that goes sideways in everyone’s life. Someone gave me a book on how to do nothing. Just sit in place, no book or media or puppy or changing scenery — just sit and let the mind go where it will. In my case, the book was superfluous. Nothing? I can do that. Zillions of improvement articles focus on sleep. Dear friends, people have been sleeping for many years.
don’t need 12 more cooking hacks or YouTube videos on how to declutter.
Skip the meditation and the calming podcasts and the drugs and the weighted blankets. (See paragraph on how to do nothing.) Eventually you’ll sleep. Believe me, your car most likely will not get stolen, your house is clean enough, you don’t have to put your suitcases in the hotel bathtub, and you’re probably getting enough vitamins from your regular diet. True, the sun will burn out, but not for a while. Covid will persist, but we are most likely to survive. Our kids will do well enough in school and get into college, if that’s what they want, or land jobs that will support their lives. We have become so hard on ourselves because we’re absorbing all the voices telling us how to “improve” how we jog, how we smell, how we pack for trips and how we take care of our friends. I would change the message: How we are is fine. We’re doing the best we can. Time to put the wrinkle cream entrepreneurs and body influencers out of business. One message I received offered an article on how to die better. What chutzpah. We’re getting criticized even on our way out. Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
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We must act like we own this democracy
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HeraLd editoriaL
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January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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A new form of domestic terrorism is on the rise
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t was a cold, overcast Tuesday, with temperatures below freezing, as students and teachers arrived at Newbridge Road Elementary School in North Bellmore. But the holiday break was still fresh in many minds, and many had renewed energy to get a good jump on their studies in 2024. But then, just before 11:30 a.m., the world of the 330 or so students was turned upside down. Heavily armed officers from the Nassau County Police Department swarmed the campus, which was immediately put in lockdown — no one allowed in or out. Someone had called 911, reporting a man with a gun and possible shots fired at the school. With safety in the forefront of their minds, police raced to the school and conducted an investigation. Fortunately, there was no shooter. But unfortunately, finding yourself fleeing for shelter, scared that your life may be in danger, can be traumatic in its own right. To the point that the FBI began formally tracking these so-called “swatting” incidents last summer. The Oxford dictionary defines “swatting” as a “prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address.” Many law enforcement agencies go as far as calling it criminal harassment. But swatting is really much more than that. It’s domestic terrorism, and the students and teachers at Newbridge Road Elementary are hardly alone when it comes to being victimized. There were 446 swatting incidents
reported at schools across the country during the 2022-23 academic year, according to the Educator’s School Safety Network, comprising 64 percent of all incidents reported at schools. Actual shooting were just 8 percent of that total, while all other calls made up the other 28 percent. That means that on a typical school day nationwide, at least two campuses are targeted by swatting. Last February, a string of schools in Michigan were hit with swatting attacks, pulling law enforcement resources away from where they were needed and creating chaos in educational institutions where none existed. Jessica Borelli, a clinical psychologist from the University of California-Irvine, told WLNS-TV, in Lansing, that the emotional impact of swatting — especially on children — can’t be ignored. “Everyone in this situation has strong reactions, but it sends a very important message to talk to your children,” Borelli said. “It tells them it’s OK to talk about these things. That there’s a space to talk about these things. And their parents are people they can talk to about these things.” For many of these students, this could be their first time ever directly dealing with police officers — and likely could plant seeds of fear when it comes to law enforcement, instead of seeing them as a force of protection. That’s why, just a few days after the swatting incident at Newbridge Road, NCPD Commissioner Patrick Ryder hosted an impromptu “Police Interac-
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Letters Suozzi is not ‘the Squad’ To the Editor: Mazi Pilip’s recent campaign ads make a ridiculous claim that Tom Suozzi joined the far-left “Squad” during his time in Congress. Nothing could be further from the truth, as Tom was one of the most moderate members of Congress, serving as the vice chair of the Problems Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group that seeks policy solutions by reaching a middle ground — the antithesis of everything the Squad stands for. In fact, he was one of the leading critics of the Squad in Congress, including by going on CNN immediately after Rep. Ilhan Omar’s noxious “Benjamins” comment, in which she claimed that Jewish money influenced her colleagues’ votes on Israel policy, to fiercely criticize her and stand against her antisemitic remarks. Suozzi responded by relating his own family’s story as Italian immigrants who were once treated as disloyal Americans, and reiterating that he supports Israel because it is good U.S. policy. Suozzi was one of the strongest allies of the U.S.-Israel relationship during his time in office, co-sponsoring multiple pieces of legislation and consistently speaking out against Israel’s detractors, and traveling to Israel in a show
tive Day” at the school. Students had a chance to become acquainted with the county police force, including the K-9 dogs as well as the horses from the mounted unit. A number of officers were there as well, in uniform, armed with smiles and support. The department had no obligation to do this — they were only doing their jobs. But it wasn’t something they did because they had to. Ryder and his team of those who serve and protect did this because they wanted to. And it was important to make sure everyone on campus knew the police are there to protect all of us from danger. It was good thinking — and no surprise when it comes to Ryder, who has made a career of putting people first. Stopping swatting may not be so easy. Some cities have put together databases to which people can add their address if they feel they could be targeted. And a number of states have passed anti-swatting laws — typically charging it as a felony if there are injuries. But no federal law exists, and many observers say there needs to be one, as well as more mental health resources made available, because tough laws on their own may not be enough to stop it. This can’t be a problem just left to the states. Swatting incidents have been on the rise since the early 2000s, and it’s expected to get worse before it gets better. If we don’t do something about it soon, what happened at Newbridge Road could very well become a common occurrence in our schools.
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opinions
atching the war between Israel and Hamas continue, I am heartbroken. Like any person of goodwill, I am pained by the babies, young people, women, elderly and all people taken hostage by Hamas, including my neighbor Omer neutra. I am angry that some 1,200 Israeli civilians were murdered in ways that the most twisted minds couldn’t imagine. However, I am also grieving for Palestinians held eriC hostage by post Hamas. Women, children and others who didn’t ask to be part of this conflict. People whose homes, schools, hospitals and even
mosques have been turned into weaponsstorage facilities and bases to fight Israeli soldiers. It is particularly important, when speaking about the conflict, for both supporters and detractors of Israel to uncouple Hamas from innocent Palestinians in Gaza. Yes, there are child soldiers, and many children are inculcated to hate from a young age, but they, too, are victims. Victims of a terrorist group that puts a higher priority on the death of Israel than the lives of its own civilians. There is another reason to distinguish between Hamas and innocent Palestinians. On Oc. 7, while homes in southern Israel were still burning and Hamas terrorists were still inside Israel,
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many anti-Israel protesters didn’t make the distinction between Hamas and innocent Palestinians. We rarely heard condemnation of the Hamas attack. When calling for a better life for the Palestinians in Gaza, or a ceasefire, there was no mention of Israeli hostages or murdered civilians. We’ve seen similar language on college campuses nationwide and in rallies in new York City. We have seen posters of hostages torn down, we have seen anti-zionist phrases like “From the river to the sea” uttered, and violent mobs that look nothing like the peace vigils of those who support Israel. This in itself is a microcosm of the Hamas-Israel conflict. I am led to believe that without caveats, without
e must recognize the difference between Gaza’s terrorists and its victims.
Letters of solidarity following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. What supporters of Israel need now are representatives looking to build a bipartisan consensus in favor of the U.S.-Israel relationship, something that Suozzi has done and will do again if he is elected on Feb. 13. Pilip’s charges reek of projection, because despite her remarkable personal story, she has failed to offer critical information during her campaign to explain to residents what type of representative she would be. She has declined opportunities to participate in numerous debates that would allow voters to assess her policy positions, refused to say who she voted for in the 2016 and 2020 elections, or how she came to support former Rep. George Santos, despite the red flags about his background and support for the Jan. 6 rioters that he expressed during the campaign, as he defrauded our district and is the very reason this special election is even occurring. I am supporting Tom Suozzi because of his strong, consistent and outspoken support of Israel, and because he has the experience needed to deliver on the issues most important to our community. PeTeR FISHkInd Great Neck
This Republican voter conducted his own research To the editor: For the past 12 months, constituents of new York’s 3rd Congressional district effectively had no representation in Congress, and Long Islanders have been the laughingstock of the entire nation. My friends outside new York still ask, “How did this happen?” and “did you vote for him?” referring to George Santos. My clients continue to ask, “How did no one not know his background?” “did the Republicans know?” On Feb. 13, the voters of the 3rd district have the opportunity for a do-over vote. As a
clarifying statements, many of Israel’s detractors do not support a Jewish state, and may even support the murder of innocent Israelis. I hope I’m wrong. If we can’t agree to disagree here, how can we ever imagine a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Middle east? So my request to Israel’s supporters and detractors is this: If you support a long-term solution to this conflict that allows Israelis and Palestinians alike to thrive, distinguish between those in Gaza who are terrorists and those who are victims of Hamas. As Israel seeks to destroy Hamas, a goal it will achieve, it is incumbent on all of us to separate those who will be defeated with Hamas, and those who deserve a better way of life moving forward. Eric Post is the Long Island regional director of the American Jewish Committee.
Framework by Tim Baker
Republican, and especially for this election, I couldn’t rely on my party again to vet the candidate, so I needed to do my own research. I examined both candidates’ stances on the issues, reviewed their track records, and assessed their political experience to determine who is best to serve the community. Here’s what I found. Right from the start, at the announcement of her candidacy, Mazi Melesa Pilip was ushered off the stage without taking any questions from the press. That bothered me. That should bother you, too. I continued my research and discovered more of the same. She was evading hard questions and frankly, not-so-hard questions. I also could not find any actual political accomplishments for Pilip over the past two years. What skill does she have to be in Congress other than to vote along party lines? I wonder if my fellow Long Islanders understand this is a Congressional seat in Washington, d.C. This is not some on-the-job trainingtype position. In this election, I am supporting someone who I know can deliver — not just voting for Pilip because she’s a Republican. I’m voting for someone with experience — a former mayor, county executive and, yes, a former Congressman. I urge all to do your own research — and vote for an effective leader with a proven track record. Without a doubt, that person is Tom Suozzi. Ben MARzOUk Great Neck
Happy Anniversary to NICE To the editor: This month marks the 13th anniversary of nassau Inter-County express, or nICe, bus service, operated by Trans dev under contract with nassau County. It’s been 51 years since the county took control of all bus routes from private operators. Over that period, the county, Albany and
The Manhattan skyline, as seen from Norman Levy Park and Preserve — Merrick
Washington have invested a combined $840 million-plus in capital improvements. Operating subsidies easily top $1.5 billion. nICe services continue to be one of the best bargains around. Since the 1950s, the average cost of riding a bus in nassau County has gone up at a slower rate than either the consumer price index or inflation. The Metro Card, introduced in 1996, offers free transfers between nICe buses and new York City Transit buses or subways. Before that, riders had to pay two full fares. Purchasing either a weekly or monthly
pass further reduces the cost per ride. Many employers offer transit checks, which pay even more of the costs. There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch — or, in this case, bus ride. nICe services continue to be a great bargain. LARRY PenneR Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer and a former director of the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.
MERRICK HERALD — January 25, 2024
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Separating Hamas from the Palestinians
January 25, 2024 — MERRICK HERALD
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