When Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s Racial Equity Club began the Hope Project to benefit Haiti last September, at the beginning of the school year, one thing was clear: Despite the fact that the project kicked off at Calhoun, students hoped and planned for it to gain enough momentum to become a districtwide effort.
Even as a child, Sydney Brewer realized that the threat of a tragedy taking place in a school could become a reality for anyone. Now just a few days shy of turning 17, she’s the same age as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting survivors.
She recalls seeing the news about the horrific event that claimed 26 lives in Newtown, Connecticut, when she was in first grade.
Now a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, Brewer, of Merrick, wants to make sure that students, teachers and administrators are prepared for a worst-case scenario situation.
Her fundraiser to purchase Stop the Bleed kits will do just that.
At Kennedy, Brewer is enrolled in the leadership program. Students who are part of the program begin taking leadership classes as sophomores, and they are followed by two more classes in their junior and senior years.
Continued on page 5
On the heels of a 111-day long educational fundraiser that officially concluded in early January, project participants happily point out that their project did just that. Thanks to a collaborative effort involving every school in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, the Hope Project raised over $3,800 for the nonprofit Hope for Haiti. Those who took part, club members said, came out of the experience with a deeper understanding of Haitian culture and values.
Nickolas Mascary, a junior and a club officer, came up with the idea for the project last summer, and brought it to the rest of the club. Mascary is of Haitian descent, and having traveled to the country several times when he was younger, he was inspired to help its people, who have been severely tested by years of natural disasters and political unrest.
“I saw how resilient the country is,” Mascary, 16, told the Herald in October, “because they bounced back from these situations, and they still manage to have a really cool, amazing culture.”
Initial fundraising efforts began quickly, he explained, with several events in September and October. In November, the Equity Club visited Merrick Avenue Middle School, where they discussed the project and, with a stranded-on-a-desertisland exercise, helped students
Continued on page 12
it just really surprised me how much we were able to do with little preparation.
Jill GRoSSBERG Junior, Calhoun
Not even retirement can slow down Peter King. After 28 years in the U.S. House — including a two-year stint as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee — as well as more than two decades serving on both the Hempstead town council and as Nassau County comptroller, King finds himself busier than ever.
He’s working with a Washington law firm, and does consulting work for Northwell Health. He makes regular appearances on the Newsmax cable channel, as well as John Catsimatidis’s 77WABC radio station.
But now King is adding one more job to that list as a new regular columnist for Herald Community Newspapers. The former congressman’s first official piece appears in this week’s Opinions pages.
“It’s not like I have to catch a plane to get to Washington, or I’m at the whim of what’s the last vote going to be on Thursday night or Friday night,” King said. “I pretty much plan my own schedule. And the best feeling I had — and it took me about a month to get used to — is waking up in the morning and knowing I can go back to sleep if I want to.”
These days, King finds himself solely
Jack Healy/Herald fileFORMER U.S. REP. Peter King has kept himself busy since retiring from Congress in 2021, from his regular appearance on 77WABC radio, to now becoming a regular opinion columnist for Herald Community Newspapers. His first official piece — singing the praises of freshman U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito — can be found in this week’s Opinions section.
focused on life here at home. But for nearly three decades, the congressman was caught between the two worlds of Washington and his district back in New York.
The trick in the beginning was making
sure he never lost sight of why he was on the House floor in the first place.
“When you’re in Washington, you’re still responsible for a lot of local issues, because the local mayors and supervisors
and town boards — they’re going to be calling you and reaching out for help,” King said. “I think with a number of members of Congress, they’re so concerned with the international and national aspects of it, they forget the guy living down the block.
“The guy that lives in Highland Park. The guy that lives in Seaford. That’s where you base comes from. So, really, the challenge is to keep all of those things in your mind, and be able to sort through them all.”
King has made no secret about his support of U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, whose congressional district covers much of what King’s did back in the day. In fact, his first column focuses on the high hopes King has of his protégé, and how the sky’s the limit for the former town councilman.
“I mean, Anthony, we talk several times a week,” King said. “I don’t want to sound like I am telling him what to do, or giving him some great advice. But maybe one thing I can be most helpful on is telling him early on which members of Congress you can pay attention to, and which others to just ignore.
“Some of them you try to take seriously, but then you realize after a month or two that these guys are cranks, and nobody else is listening to them, except you.”
The Balloon Mission, a nonprofit founded at the end of last year by North Merrick resident Cynthia Seibold, has launched several initiatives across Bellmore-Merrick, with high hopes for the future.
Seibold, who has a background in insurance underwriting, told the Herald last December that during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, she spent a lot of time outdoors, and noticed the accumulation of debris from helium balloons at many of Long Island’s parks and beaches.
Recognizing that this was a problem, she set out to see what could be done. A few years later, the Balloon Mission was formed, with a goal to educate the community of the damage balloons can have on the environment, and offer solutions for the future.
“Our program is to collect balloons before they end up on the land and in oceans, reducing our carbon footprint and the harmful microplastics that are generated from balloons,” Seibold said. “And for every balloon that is sold and responsibly collected, we feel it’s going to be one less piece of litter that’s harming our wildlife.”
Seibold told the Herald last week that while the nonprofit doesn’t necessarily support balloon usage, change takes time, and as an environmental organization, they understand that. “It is more important to message why balloons are harmful and to raise awareness for alternatives for celebrating,” she added. “Providing a balloon collection program is a real way to bring people together towards real change for the environment.”
One of Seibold’s goals last year was to get into local schools, and start spreading the message of her organization to younger generations. Her children are graduates of the North Merrick School Union Free School District, and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, and that was the perfect place for her to start.
“We’ve proudly launched our balloon collection program,” she said, adding that collection bins would be placed in North Merrick’s elementary schools, and the middles schools and high schools of the Central District. “Both school districts and their superintendents were excited about the Balloon Mission and supporting the environment.
“We’re excited to be sharing our message, and raising awareness among thousands of students and families.”
Seibold and her daughter, Jillian, a recent graduate of Sanford H. Calhoun High School, took time this month to visit local elementary schools for an assembly.
“Our audiences were totally engaged and responsive throughout the 25-minute program,” she explained. “There was a collective ‘wow’ when we showed all the
places balloons could travel to and where they ended up.
“They gasped in horror when we showed them turtles and birds tangled in balloon ribbons — we gently, and with great empathy, showed why these animals don’t survive when they encounter balloons.”
Seibold said the support of her daughter has been tremendous. An alum of Calhoun’s On Tour specialty drama program, Seibold said her daughter’s experience on stage has helped her get out of her comfort zone, and face audiences of
over 400 students.
Some things taught to the students included how they could safely and quietly pop discarded balloons with safety scissors, and to understand that not everyone may be ready to join the Balloon Mission. Seibold also said in general, it was emphasized that picking up litter is a great way to help the environment.
Seibold is building a relationship with the Long Island Children’s Museum, and its new Environmental Task Force, she said. She’s also set for a radio interview
BALLOON MiSSiON, Which was founded last year by North Merrick resident Cynthia Seibold, has started its work in the Bellmore-Merrick community to educate people on the dangers of balloons and how they can effect wildlife. Seibold has connected with local schools, hosting assemblies with her daughter, Jillian, to facilitate the mission of the group.
Local businesses, balloon retailers or children’s event spaces interested in becoming a collection site for discarded balloons can email info@balloonmission.org.
with Nassau Community College’s station, sometime in March.
“People are really responding to the mission,” Seibold said, “and we couldn’t be happier.”
Seibold said the nonprofit is looking to partner with children’s event spaces and balloon sellers or designers, to join the effort and become a “Pop-n-Drop” balloon collection site. Any business that participates will be listed on Balloon Mission’s website as an organization that is partnering with the nonprofit to be sustainable and green.
The Balloon Mission’s partner, ACDS, formerly known as the Association for Children with Down Syndrome, is also collecting deflated balloons at their Merrick and Plainview locations, and will repurpose them responsibly.
Any questions for Seibold, or to host a bin, email info@balloonmission.org.
The Merrick Chamber of Commerce kicked off a new year of business and community connections at its 2023 Installation Dinner last week. At a special ceremony held at Mio Pisto, an Italian restaurant in the heart of Merrick, this year’s officers and board of directors were reinstalled for another year of work ahead.
The chamber welcomed back its president, Ira Reiter, its two vice presidents, Margaret Mueller and Sharon Davis, its secretary, Margaret Biegelman, and treasurer, Andrew Nachamie. Its immediate past president, Femy Aziz, and presidential advisor, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, took part in the ceremonies.
Al Belbol, the former Assistant Commissioner of Sanitation in the Town of Hempstead, known colloquially as the “Mayor of Merrick,” was honored as the chamber’s Man of the Year. Brooke Jones
and Jill Levine, both known for their extensive work within the greater Bellmore-Merrick community through several organizations, were named Women of the Year.
A Community Partnership Award, commemorating 100 years of education in the Merricks, was presented to Dominick Palma, superintendent of the Merrick School District, and Cynthia Seniuk, superintendent of the North Merrick Union Free School District.
The chamber’s honorary advisory board includes Ilene Dixel, Erin Donohue, Susan Helsinger and Salvatore Vassalo, and its administrative assistant is Christine Mooney. The Board of Directors, including Joe Baker, Lori Berger, Marian Fraker-Gutin, Arlene Gregory, Matt Kryder, Julie Marchesella, Douglas Mills, Randy Scotland, and Nelson Tso were all reinstalled.
Parents or grandparents of a disabled child should leave assets in a Special Needs Trust, to avoid the child being disqualified from government benefits, such as SSI and Medicaid. The reasoning behind these Special Needs Trusts is simple — prior to the protection now afforded by these trusts, parents would simply disinherit their disabled children rather than see them lose their benefits. Since the state wasn’t getting the inheritance monies anyway, why not allow it to go to the disabled child for his or her extra needs, above and beyond what the state supplies.
These trusts, however, offer traps for the unwary. Since payments to the child will generally reduce their SSI payments dollar for dollar, trustees of such trusts should be advised to make payments directly to the providers of goods and services. Preserving SSI benefits is crucial since eligibility for SSI determines eligibility for Medicaid.
In other words, if SSI is lost the recipient also loses their Medicaid benefits. In addition, any benefits previously paid by Medicaid may be recovered. As such, one also has to be mindful of bequests from well-meaning grandparents. Similarly, if a sibling dies without a will, a
share of their estate may go to the special needs brother or sister by law. The Special Needs Trust must be carefully drafted so that it only allows payments for any benefits over and above what the government provides.
There are two kinds of Special Needs Trusts – first party and third party. The first party trust is set up by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or court using the child’s own money, either through earnings, an inheritance that was left directly to them or, perhaps, a personal injury award. Recent changes in the law allow the special needs child to establish their own first party Special Needs Trust if they are legally competent to engage in contractual matters. These first party trusts require a “payback” provision, meaning that on the death of the child beneficiary, the trust must pay back the state for any government benefits received.
A third party trust is usually set up by a parent or grandparent, using their own money. Here, no “payback” provision is required because it was not the child’s own money that funded the trust and the parent or grandparent had no obligation to leave any assets to the child. On the death of the child beneficiary, the balance of the trust is paid out to named beneficiaries.
AssemblymAn DAve mcDonough, chamber board members Joe Baker and Douglas Mills, and chamber president Ira Reiter honored Man of the Year, Al Belbol.
Joe Abate/Herald photos both the merrick and North Merrick School Districts were honored at the installation. North Merrick Superintendent Cynthia Seniuk accepted the award from the Chamber.
continued from front page
Through several projects and initiatives, they are encouraged to emerge as young leaders in the BellmoreMerrick community.
Brewer is enrolled in the second installment of the program, and had to plan and execute a civics project — something that would give her a voice in school or community issues.
“I was thinking, ‘What can I do?’” she recalled. “I wanted to help people here so I could actually see the change, and (make) that impact myself.”
Brewer came across a Stop the Bleed website, and learned about training in which people learn how to stop bleeding in an emergency. “There’s these kits that have essential things in them — like a tourniquet, gauze, trauma sheers — that if, God forbid, there’s ever any type of emergency, someone can be saved,” she said.
The school had some items on hand, but Brewer wanted to make sure that every class could be fully stocked with essential, potentially life-saving materials. After discussing her idea with Kennedy administrators and the school nurse, Brewer determined that 60 additional kits would need to be purchased.
“Over the past several years, our school has made it a top priority to train staff and students in various emergency procedures,” Principal Gerard Owenburg said, “including CPR (and) AED, first aid, and Stop the Bleed training.”
She connected with the company iThrive, which supplies the kits. At a price of $50 per kit, Brewer needed to raise $3,000. Working with Kennedy’s student government, in which she’s also involved, she started a raffle, offering people a chance to win a new Apple Watch. From the raffle alone she raised $1,500.
Sydney’s mother, Jessica, added that Kennedy’s PTA
recently had a pretzel sale, and would be donating all of the proceeds to her cause. North Star Auto Body, in Bellmore, also donated $300. The rest of the money, the Brewers hope, will be collected at comedy-night fundraiser at the Brokerage in Bellmore. Tickets for the show, on Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., are on sale for $20, and must be purchased ahead of time. Attendees must be 16 or older. For more info, visit Govs.com or call (516) 7815233.
There’s more to Brewer’s mission than simply raising funds, though. “I’m actually going to get doctors from Northwell Health to come into Kennedy,” she said, “and teach students how to use the kits, and how to act in an emergency situation.”
Jessica Brewer stressed that her daughter became
Some of the potentially lifesaving items found in the kits Sydney Brewer is purchasing include a tourniquet, two pairs of gloves, trauma shears, sterile gauze, an Israeli pressure bandage and a card with instructions.
aware of school tragedies at a young age because of Sandy Hook. “I think that was when she learned about school shootings, and it kind of got real,” Jessica noted. “So many people have supported (Sydney’s efforts), because the reality of it is, this is such an amazing cause.”
In her civics project proposal, which Brewer shared with the Herald, she wrote, “While mass shootings are unpredictable there are measures that we can take to help wounded students and staff, and be as educated as possible.”
Since she’s still raising money, there is no set date or time for her Stop the Bleed training, but she hopes to have more information soon. If the arrangement with Northwell Health is successful, Brewer would like the training class to become a yearly event, offered to all incoming Kennedy students.
“As a student in our school and community leadership program, Sydney has put her leadership skills and compassion for others to work with a plan to place Stop the Bleed kits in every classroom of our building,” Owenburg said. “Sydney’s project has the ability to not only save lives, but is also a wonderful example of altruism for other students.”
Courtesy Jessica Brewer Sydney Brewer’S fundraiSing efforts will help Kennedy High School purchase 60 ‘Stop the Bleed’ emergency kits.Juggling the lineup has been a constant for Elmont girls’ basketball head coach Pete Lawson, who was forced to make another adjustment prior to last Friday’s Conference A2 clash with Kennedy after leading scorer and rebounder Charlotte Hines went down with an injury in the previous game.
MacArthur Senior Wrestling
a CoUNtY seMiFiNalist last winter and eventual third-place finisher in the 189-pound weight class, Velasquez is looking to cap his high school career with a Nassau wrestling crown. Heading into this Saturday’s county qualifier tournament at Bellmore-JFK, he is ranked No. 1 in the county at 215 pounds. After winning 21 of 30 matches last winter, his record this season stands at 36-3.
thursday, Feb. 2
Girls Basketball: Carey at Roosevelt 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Mineola at Wantagh 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Syosset at Freeport 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: West Hemp at East Rockaway 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 3
Boys Basketball: South Side at Kennedy 4:30 p.m.
Boys Basketball: G.N. South at Calhoun 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: V.S. Central at East Meadow 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: East Rockaway at West Hemp 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Port Washington at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Girls Basketball: MacArthur at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Locust Valley at Seaford 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: North Shore at Clarke 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Jericho at Mepham 7 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Westbury at Baldwin 7 p.m.
saturday, Feb. 4
Wrestling: Nassau County Division 1 Qualifying Tournaments hosted by Long Beach, Hewlett, Bellmore-JFK, Plainedge and Uniondale 9:30 a.m.
Girls Basketball: Lynbrook at Mineola 12 p.m.
Girls Basketball: Kennedy at South Side 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Clarke at North Shore 12 p.m.
Boys Basketball: Long Beach at MacArthur 12 p.m.
However, the Spartans still managed to win for the fifth time in six games and stayed mathematically alive for the conference title by completing a season sweep of the Cougars, 42-32. Senior Taylah Farquharson netted a game-high 14 points and senior Chi Chi Chukuezi stepped up for the missing Hines and tied a season high with 12 points and helped Elmont (11-6 overall, 7-2 in A1) dominate the boards.
Gianna Costaro, one of two seniors on Kennedy’s roster, posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Jolie Yablon added 9 points for the Cougars, who slipped to 4-12 overall and 2-6 in A1.
“Our play has been a little up and down but we’ve lost to some strong teams,” Lawson said. “I don’t want to put the blame on absences because every team deals with injuries. We’re just trying to survive and take it game by game.
“The nice thing is we had some girls return recently and we’ve got a deep roster,” he added. “Everyone has given us quality minutes.”
Hines, a sophomore forward who according to Lawson is out indefinitely after suffering an injury late in a 55-38 win over Sewanhaka Jan. 21 following a 19-point effort, would’ve been the focus of Kennedy’s defensive game plan, head coach Mallory Freely said.
“She had a big game against us the first time and we worked on some things in practice to stop her, but she didn’t play,” Freely said of Hines, who scored 15 points in Elmont’s come-from-behind 46-39 win in the first meeting Dec. 20.
“We’re very young and competing every game,” she added. “Scoring has been an issue. We’ve been right there in a bunch of games but just couldn’t close them out.”
giaNNa Costaro, left, scored 11 points and pulled down 11 rebounds last Friday in Kennedy’s 42-32 loss at Elmont.
The Cougars struggled offensively in the first half last Friday and dug a 20-9 halftime deficit. Chukuezi got involved early and often for the hosts, scoring 7 points in the opening quarter and 4 more in the second to account for more than half of Elmont’s points.
Farquharson and classmate Anaise Novembre helped the Spartans extend their lead in the third quarter, combining for 12 points with the former scoring 8. Kennedy countered with some smooth free throws from sophomore Tristan Montalbano, who poured in 20 points to lead a recent victory over Roslyn.
“We’ve shown glimpses of what we’re capable of,” Freely said. “The Roslyn game was wonderful. We hit 11 three-pointers.”
The Cougars were also shorthanded as promising sophomore center Ashley St. Surin, who averages 7.5 points and leads the effort on the glass along with Costaro, was unable to play. She’ll be back this week to take on Great Neck North and South Side.
Elmont welcomed Kyla Moore, a sophomore who missed 14 games, and junior Cassidy Grannum, back into the rotation.
“It would be nice to go into the playoffs with a full lineup,” Lawson said.
ADULT EDUCATION - CONTINUING ED:
Hempstead Adult & Community Education Program
Hofstra University
Molloy University
ART SCHOOL:
Hue Studio
Long Island High School for the Arts
The Art Studio
BEAUTY SCHOOL:
Long Island Nail Skin & Hair Institute
Long Island Beauty School
Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center
CHARTER/PAROCHIAL/PRIVATE:
Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School
Kellenberg Memorial High School
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
COLLEGE PREP SERVICES/ADVISORS:
College Connection
Lockwood College Prep
Pinnacle College Consultants
COLLEGE PRESIDENT:
Dr. Susan Poser - Hofstra University
James Lentini - Molloy University
Maria P. Conzatti - Nassau Community College
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY:
Hofstra University
Molloy University
Nassau Community College
DANCE SCHOOL:
Dance Workshop
Hart & Soul Performing Arts and Dance School
Long Island Academy of Dance
DAY CAMP:
Big Chief Day School & Camp
Coleman Country Day Camp
Lawrence Woodmere Academy
Rolling River Day Camp
DAY CARE:
Big Chief Day School & Camp
Five Towns Early Learning Center
Our Kids Place
DRIVING SCHOOL:
Bell Auto Driving School
East Meadow Driving School
Prosperity Auto Driving School, Inc
GYMNASTICS CENTER:
All Stars Gymnastics Inc
Gold Medal Gymnastics Center
Platinum Athletic
B&B/INN:
Hampton Inn Jericho-Westbury
Holiday Inn Westbury
Ram’s Head Inn
Southampton Inn
EVENT VENUE:
Barnum Ballroom
Bayview Catering on the Water Venue
Epic Escape Rooms LI
HOTEL:
Allegria Hotel
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:
Alexandra Greenberg - George W. Hewlett H.S.
Jennifer Lagnado-Papp - Lawrence H.S.
Richard Schaffer - East Rockaway H.S.
KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES:
Epic Escape Rooms LI
Long Island Children’s Museum
Royal Princess Prep Party Company
LEARNING CENTER/TUTOR:
Cornerstone Behavioral Services
Mathnasium
The Coder School
MARTIAL ARTS:
Champions Martial Arts
Uly Karate & Fitness
Warren Levi Martial Arts & Fitness
MUSIC SCHOOLS/CLASSES:
Our Kids Place Hewlett
School of Rock
The Children’s Orchestra Society
NURSERY SCHOOL:
Bellmore United Methodist Nursery School
Our Kids Place Hewlett
United Church Nursery School
SPORTS CAMP:
Hofstra University
Sportime Lynbrook
The Sports Arena
LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTION:
Jones Beach State Park
Montauk Point Lighthouse
Nunley’s Carousel
MUSEUM:
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum
Raynham Hall Museum
PLACE TO HAVE A PARTY:
The Bayview
PLACE TO WORSHIP:
Temple Avodah
Temple B’nai Torah
Temple Beth El
WEDDING VENUE:
The Bayview
Swan Club On The Harbor
Westbury Manor
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
The Garden City Hotel
Epic Escape Rooms LI
Kombert Caterers
CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE TOP IN SERVICES AND SHOPPING!
To the casual observer, it was just any other day at Jamaica’s Long Island Rail Road station.
But just after 10 a.m., commuters rushed aboard a shuttle train destined for Manhattan, the familiar busy choreography of squeezing through, wedging past, running in to nab a seat.
Families holding their kids in tow. Couples and solo riders clutching their baggage. All of them packed into train cars, filling the aisle seats within minutes. Other late arrivals stood standing. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
But the air — even for a late-morning train ride — was unusually abuzz with chatter. Some kept conversation below a whisper. Others, not so much. But everyone was alive with a quiet knowing that this was no ordinary train ride. Instead, taking place, was a moment in history.
A history that was finally connecting Long island with Manhattan’s East Side.
For the better part of a century, for as long as anyone can remember, LIRR commuters relied on Penn Station to get them into the heart of New York City. So long in fact, it seemed the day for an alternative would never come.
But within the span of 22 minutes, that would all become history.
As the train came to its final stop 150 feet below ground in the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan, the low rattling of the train cars stopped, followed by silence. No one dared to move. Breaking the stillness was the sound of the cheery conductor’s voice coming over the loudspeaker whose five words said it all:
“Welcome to Grand Central Madison”
Applause erupted from the train cars. It was a watershed moment for the MTA as passengers set foot for the very first time on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Manhattan East Side station. A moment that encapsulated six decades of planning, nearly 20 years of construction, and roughly $11.6 billion.
The opening came after a month of delays caused by a faulty ventilation fan. Yet, despite the acknowledged roadblocks, delays and missteps along the way, Grand Central Madison is finally here.
“Grand Central will dramatically change the transportation of the region,” said Janno Lieber, the MTA’s chair and chief executive. “It’s going to benefit Long Islanders with shorter commutes, 40 percent more service, and help Long Island business recruit people from the city with reverse commuting.”
And for Niurka Maldonado of Queens —riding with daughters Nora and Paulina — the prospect of having faster access to Manhattan’s East Side is nothing short of exciting.
“We have several friends that work in that area, and I love some of the restaurants in there,” she said. “So, we’re going to definitely be doing more trips to Grand Central and everything around there.”
For roughly three weeks, shuttle service trains between Jamaica and Grand Central Madison are running every 30 minutes during off-peak hours and on weekends, and once per hour during peak times.
Service runs between 6:15 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays, and between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekends.
Long Island Rail Road riders looking to Grand Central Madison can use their Penn Station tickets, which are the same price.
It will likely be a month before full service comes online, replacing the simple commuter trains. For now, riders looking for a fast way between Jamaica and Manhattan’s East Side can find trains every 30 minutes during off-peak hours, and every 60 during peak times.
“I just want to see if it saves me time going to my office on the East Side,” said Francesco Giovannetti of Glen Head. “I’m hoping to save about 20 to 30 minutes being two blocks away from Grand Central. I want to get acclimated to the station.”
Then there was Ruthanne Terrero of Malverne, sitting placidly with her tote bag in hand, taking in the significance of the moment of new train service to Manhattan.
“It’s just really glorious to see that we have something really beautiful,” Terrero said. “I think a lot of people work on the East Side, and I think it’s also really important that people see that New York is progressing.”
And more progress is still to come. Whether this project was worth its price tag, worth the commuting disruption, and worth the extended wait will be up to the riders themselves. Some have already taken to social media to point out certain mishaps like escalators shutting down midway, and some finding trouble making their way into the LIRR concourse at Grand Central.
It is no doubt looking to be a work in progress.
But Mitchell Schwartz and brother Steven — two young MTA train enthusiasts from Roslyn — wouldn’t have wanted this once-in-a-lifetime moment any other way.
Phyllis Levine, pounced on the chance to hop on the shuttle train to Grand Central if it meant saving time getting to her pharmacology appointment.
“I’m not a subway person, and I gen-
erally like to drive everywhere,” the Queens resident said. “But the easiest way to get to Manhattan from Queens is the express bus or the Long Island Rail Road. So, I figured I should try the ride to Grand Central. See how it goes.”
“Just try wrapping your head around the fact that we are the first of millions to ride a train toward something that has been proposed for over half a century,” Mitchell said. “It’s just an amazing occasion.”
Additional reporting by Andre Silva.
This Valentine's Day Give The Luxurious Gift of Time
25 % OFF All Jewelry
Plus Free watch replacement battery and free Jewelry cleaning with purchase.
It’s certainly been an interesting process getting acclimated to Washington, and his new role as a congressman. But U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is happy to finally get to settle down and tackle his new role on Capitol Hill.
From police officer to detective in the New York Police Department. An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter to fire chief. And now Hempstead town councilman to congressman, the 40-year-old Island Park native describes looking back at his journey as a surreal experience.
Orientation for incoming congressional members like D’Esposito began the Sunday after Election Day — a point where some candidates were still waiting for their races to be called. Still, freshmen members of the House undergo a two-week icebreaker period where they get to know one another and learn how everything we see on C-SPAN operates.
“In politics in general — but specifically in Washington — you look at where people sit on the (House) floor, and it’s literally divided by an aisle,” D’Esposito said. “When we went to orientation, you walked into the hotel or you walked into different events, everyone just had a nametag on.”
It said who they were and where they were from, but there was no “D” or “R” labelling them as Democrats or Republicans.
“I think it gave (us) the opportunity to really meet people with an open mind,” he said.
D’Esposito is now almost a month into office, serving on three House committees: Homeland Security, Transportation and Infrastructure and House Administration.
When it comes to homeland security, the congressman believes the biggest issue the country faces is taking
WITH THE HELP of his 3-year-old niece Sailor, U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito takes the oath of office from former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato. The congressman finds himself on three House committees, including one for homeland security that requires him to get top-secret clearance.
place at the U.S.-Mexico border. There have been a large number of migrants coming to the United States seeking asylum, or at least a better life. While D’Esposito believes everyone should have the opportunity to come to America, it still must be “done correctly.”
That means more funding for border patrol agents and the resources they need to keep the country’s borders safe.
Getting onto the Homeland Security Community meant earning a top-secret security clearance. Before leaving the NYPD in his previous life, D’Esposito was in
The latest Medicaid regulations now permit individuals to set aside a portion of their assets in an irrevocable trust account in order to have funds for future funeral expenses.
When an individual approaches the time when Medicaid coverage seems likely, social workers generally advise families to look into this funeral pre-funding option.
• The Family will make an appointment with us to discuss just what we are to do when the death occurs.
• We discuss options and record their wishes not just about preferred funeral home services but cemetery, church, monument inscription, newspaper notices, etc. We inform the family of exactly what the funeral home and third party costs are at the present time.
• Funds to cover those expenses can then deposited in our FDIC insured PRE - PLAN Trust. The Trust pays sufficient interest to allow us to guaranty those future funeral home costs into the future.
• While the funds remain in the name of the individual going on Medicaid, eligibility to receive Medicaid coverage is not affected.
If we can help you with this important matter, call us and our knowledgeable staff will answer your questions. Moreover, there is no cost involved in establishing a PRE-PLAN Trust.
the process of transferring to the department’s joint terrorist task force.
“In addition to my 20 or so years as a first responder, I think having someone from Long Island and New York on Homeland Security is super important,” D’Esposito said. “We need to carry that mantle of Peter King, who was the chair of Homeland Security following 9/11. And we need to make sure we are able to provide the resources that we need to our local law enforcement agencies — not only here, but throughout the country.”
D’Esposito’s responsibilities with the Committee of House Administration include overseeing management of House operations, federal elections, key congressional offices, and Capitol Complex security — which extends to supervising the U.S. Capitol Police and its management.
The former police officer expressed his excitement in the opportunity to utilize his law enforcement experience when collaborating with officers sworn to protect one of the nation’s three branches of government.
But even with all that work on his plate, D’Esposito still finds himself talking about one of his fellow freshman colleagues from a neighboring congressional district — U.S. Rep. George Santos, and the ongoing reports and investigations into his past and how he raised money for his campaign.
D’Esposito won’t back down on his calls for Santos to resign, and is prepared to provide whatever services constituents in Santos’ district might need, but not comfortable approaching the embattled congressman about.
“People voted for a George Santos that they don’t even know — they voted for the George Santos that George created,” D’Esposito said. “You call, you’re looking for help, regardless of where you live, regardless of where you’re from, what you look like or what party you’re affiliated with — we’re here to help you.”
Tim Baker/Herald
appreciate how many Haitians lack the basics for survival. They visited Grand Avenue Middle School in Bellmore in December.
At Calhoun, “Jean Day,” in November, was popular among the teaching staff. “Any teacher was able to donate $5 in order to dress down — or wear jeans for the day,” Mascary said. “So many teachers were involved with that, and they loved it so much.”
The Equity Club wanted not only to involve schools in the Central District, but also to educate Bellmore-Merrick’s elementary districts. On Nov. 23, club members visit all three North Merrick schools, where they talked with students about gratitude and leadership, and about Haiti.
Ayana Mascary, Nickolas’s twin sister, said she believed the elementary program was a great success. “They were very engaged in the conversation,” she said of the students. “Most of them wanted to answer questions, and basically have that conversation with us.
“We had to sugarcoat it a little bit, since they are in elementary school — it couldn’t be too harsh,” Ayana added. “We read them a book, and most of them wanted to understand what Haiti was like.”
“When we were in elementary school, we didn’t cover topics like that — we
didn’t cover Haiti at all,” Jill Grossberg, 16, a club member, said. “It was an extra lesson they wouldn’t have had if we didn’t have the opportunity to speak to them, which I think is really great.”
Just after Thanksgiving, Nickolas said, the club had its largest fundraiser, Hope Day, collecting over $900. There were bake sales in every school in the Central District, under the leadership of student groups similar to the Equity Club — Kennedy High’s Diversity Equity Inclusion Club, Mepham High’s Equity Alliance, Grand Avenue’s International Culture
Club, and Merrick Avenue’s International Buddy Club. In addition to the bake sale, everyone was encouraged to wear the blue, the color of the Hope for Haiti cause.
Mascary explained that Robyn Einbinder, the social studies chair at Mepham, helped facilitate the connections across the district, and supported the Equity Club’s efforts.
“I was very happy when our message got spread to the whole school, and then to all the high schools, middle schools and the elementary schools,” Grossberg said. “It just really surprised me how much we
were able to do with little preparation.”
Alexandra Levitt, 17, a member of Kennedy’s Diversity Equity Inclusion Club, said it was a joy for them to help spread what started in Calhoun. “It was so powerful to see everyone wearing their pride, with the bracelets students sold that said ‘Stronger Together,’” Levitt said. “We are so grateful for the Kennedy High School faculty and staff for their support in bringing this program into our school, and to the rest of the district for allowing us to be involved with such a worthy organization.”
What’s next?
All of the money collected at the various fundraisers was donated directly to Hope for Haiti, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Haitian people.
Though the Equity Club was founded four years ago, Grossberg said she thinks the Hope Project really helped put it on the map. “The traction started building, with more and more people getting involved and donating and coming to the club,” she explained. “It really got into people’s brains like, oh, I should help.”
Grossberg said that the club’s adviser, Beth Finneran, was extremely helpful, but was also happy to see how studentrun most of the club’s efforts were. “I think it shows how much power kids have,” Grossberg added. “Kids can really do so much if they put their minds to it.”
LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport.
1201961
It’s the biggest sports day of the year. Classic commercials, historic plays and friends are all quintessential elements of the perfect game-day get-together. Whether your gang includes football fanatics or just a few fans, the big game — on Feb. 12 — is a great excuse for casual winter entertaining.
And while there may be a game on the big screen, a lot of the action takes place around the table — keeping everyone well-fed is a sport in itself!
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 cup hummus
Whisk first seven ingredients together (vinegar through paprika). Add hummus and combine thoroughly. Be creative with your dipping options. Potato and tortilla chips go hand-in-hand with tailgating festivities, but beyond these standards is a whole world of other dipping options. For a Mediterranean touch, go with flatbread, pita bread or pita chips. Or opt for more texture with multi-grain crackers that include raw flax, chia or sesame seeds. Or go for double the Buffalo wing flavor by dipping your wing, instead of the traditional blue cheese.
Here’s a zesty take on the football-watching favorite.
• 2-1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces
• 1/2 cup any flavor Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoned spice blend
Bake wings in foil-lined pan at 500° F on lowest oven rack for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy, turning once.
Mix buffalo wings sauce, ketchup and spice blend. Toss wings in sauce to coat.
Tip: You may substitute 1/2 cup red hot sauce mixed with 1/3 cup melted butter for the Wings Sauce.
Alternate cooking directions: Deep-fry at 375° F for 10 minutes, or broil 6 inches from heat 15 to 20 minutes turning once.
Darlene Love is always a welcome stage presence. For more than 50 years, she’s been making rock and roll’s world go ‘round. Since the early ‘60s, as part of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound hit factory, this songstress has done it all — from movies like the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series to Broadway hits like ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Grease.’ She even starred as herself in ‘Leader of the Pack,’ credited as Broadway’s first ‘jukebox musical.’ Love’s career and legacy reached new heights, as a result of being featured in 2013’s acclaimed documentary ‘20 Feet from Stardom,’ when she became the best known ‘unknown”’ in rock history. She continues to captivate audiences with her warm, gracious persona and dynamic performances. Her timeless, soaring voice remains as powerful as ever. Rolling Stone magazine has proclaimed Love to be ‘one of the greatest singers of all time,’ and that certainly rings true, but perhaps Paul Shaffer says it even more concisely: ‘Darlene Love is rock and roll!”
Friday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. $88, $78, $68. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.
A warm batch of Buffalo wings pairs well with this smoky and spicy dip.
• 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 package (19.76 ounces) Italian sausage links
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp. garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 large yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Italian recipe stewed tomatoes
• 1 can (16 ounces) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) butter beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 3/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup cream sherry (optional)
• 1 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking cocoa
• 1/2 to 1 tsp. pepper
Cook sausage according to package directions; cut into half moon slices and set aside.
In soup kettle, saute onion, celery, sweet pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until flavors are blended.
Sprinkle chili with grated asiago, romano, parmesan cheese — or any cheese of your choice — before serving. Makes 12 servings.
The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine was established in Lviv in1902, a city known as one of the great cultural centers of eastern Europe, The orchestra has evolved over the years to become one of that nation’s largest and most internationally known ensembles, now under the baton of principal guest conductor Theodore Kuchar. It reminds us of how music can bridge cultures and bring people together. Their 2023 American tour is a testament to the power of music to overcome adversity. Their program for this powerful concert includes: Ukrainian composer Yevhen Stankovych’s Chamber Symphony No. 3 for Flute and String Orchestra; Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92. Pianist Oksana Rapita is the featured soloist.
Saturday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m.; with 6:45 p.m. Arts Insider preperformance preview. $79, $59, $44. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter. org..
Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” live, via Zoom, Thursday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “The Big Picture: Photography Now.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the program. Register at least 24 hours in advance to receive the program Zoom link. Also Feb. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Cellist and composer Zoë Keating visits the Landmark stage, Friday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. Considered a “one woman orchestra,” she uses a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to loop layer upon layer of cello, creating intricate, haunting, and compelling music; Keating has spent the last 20 years exploring the landscape of sounds a string instrument can make. She coaxes sounds out of the very edges of her cello, adeptly layering them into “swoon inducing” (San Francisco Weekly) music that is unclassifiable yet “a distinctive mix of old and new” (National Public Radio). She is known for her use of technology — which she uses to record and sample her cello onstage and in the studio – and for her DIY approach — composing, recording and producing her works on her own terms, without the help of a record label. $41, $35, $27. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.
Governor’s Comedy Club and GovsRadio.com offer a showcase of the finest comedy acts from Long Island, New York City and beyond, Thursday, Feb. 16, doors open 6 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to see the best comics in one, big show. Tickets are $14. Must be 16 and older to attend, 2 item minimum per table. 2792 Merrick Road, Bellmore. Call (516) 781-5233.
Musiscal duo Gotcha Covered performs at the North Merrick Library, Sunday, Feb. 19, 1:30 p.m. Enjoy tunes from the 70s through the 2000s, including rock and folk hits of the last 50 years. 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick. Call (516) 378-7474 for more information.
Mo Willems’ popular The Pigeon comes alive on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Saturday, Feb. 11, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday, Feb.12, 2 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 15-17, noon. Pigeon is eager to try anything, with the audience part of the action. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Eric Neumann, a rising standup comic who made his debut on The Tonight Show, performs at the Brokerage in Bellmore, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $25. Must be 16 and older to attend, 2 item minimum per table. 2792 Merrick Road, Bellmore. Call (516) 781-5233.
Requests for transportation to private or parochial schools outside of the North Merrick Union Free School District must be received by April 1. Children must be registered in the North Merrick District first before submitting an application. Families moving into the district after April 1 have 30 days to submit a request. Transportation is not provided to those older than 6th grade, children who will not be 5 by Dec. 1, 2023, to schools located further than 15 miles from a child’s home, or to schools located less than 2 miles from a child’s home. All requests must be sent to 1057 Merrick Ave., North Merrick. Applications can be picked up at Fayette School, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Students in middle school or high school should contact the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District. Call (516) 282-3696.
Visit North Merrick Library to learn and discover the safety benefits of new car technology, in a special class offered by AARP, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1:30 p.m., 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick. Advance registration required. Call (877) 805-0548 or email drive@aarp.org.
Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 4849337 or NassauMuseum.org.
The SingStrong A Cappella Festival returns to the New York area, hosted by Adelphi University, Friday through Sunday, Feb. 3-5. Professional a cappella groups perform along with collegiate and high school ensembles. A variety of musical genres are represented, including re-imaginings of barbershop, pop, R&B, jazz, and more. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 8774000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
Enjoy an evening of dinner and readings by psychic medium Robert Hanson at Off The Brook Bistro & Cocktails, Monday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m. $62 per person, with tax and gratuity. Call the restaurant at (516) 608-6543 to reserve or visit OffTheBrook.com.1810 Merrick Road, Merrick.
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.
See the romantic comedy about what happens when an African American and a Latina college student fall in love, presented by Nassau Community College Theater and Dance Department and the Africana Studies Department, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 7-11, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m. Also Feb. 16-19, with talkback session with playwright David Lamb, immediately following final performance. Threaded by the culture of hip-hop, the lovers defend their relationship, as friends and family learn that this “food fight” calls for fusion instead of feud. Nassau Community College’s Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets $10; NCC students free with valid ID; $8 veterans, alumni, seniors 60+, students and NCC employees. For tickets/information, visit NCC.edu or call (516) 572-7676.
Pat McGann
Pat McGann, quickly rising as one of the sharpest standups on the comedy scene, appears at The Paramount, Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing stand-up at age 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father of three young children, his appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
(From left to right) Jodi Turk, event, marketing and brand strategist, and Amy Amato, executive director of corporate relations and events, visited the Barasch & McGarry office to deliver a check to John Feal, founder and president of the FealGood Foundation, and Sara Director, partner at Barasch & McGarry who handles 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claims and a Top Lawyer Honoree. RichnerLIVE donated a portion of ticket proceeds from the Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala to the foundation. The FealGood Foundation protects and assists all emergency personnel injured on the job or in their personal lives through offering financial aid, basic home utilities, medicine and more. On Sept. 12, 2001, Feal was called to assist in the cleanup of ground zero when his foot was crushed and forced to be amputated. After dealing with the hurdles that came with the accident, he decided that no one should struggle after helping with ground zero. Visit www.FealGoodFoundation.com for more information on the organization and how you can help.
”
After several rounds of blistering public hearings and politically pressurized back-and-forths, a temporary redistricting commission’s efforts to explore how new political lines should be drawn for the Town of Hempstead ended last month with its final recommendation. Their choice? Nothing.
After weighing the options between a preliminary map pitched by Hempstead town officials, or alternatives by local civic and law groups, the three-member commission officially urged town lawmakers to produce a final map that keeps communities of interest intact. Still, it stopped short of putting forward an actual map for the town to consider.
“We really sat, each one of us, and it truly was a hearing,” commission chair Gary Hudes told the audience. “We listened.
“I think, in both cases, there is a common thread we are seeing, and that is the idea of keeping communities whole and making them more compact.”
The move was met with a sharp uproar from the small crowd, dashing expectations for a final green light for a town council map.
Mimi Pierre-Johnson, the founder of the Elmont Cultural Center, felt the commission had turned a corner by formally acknowledging the faults of the town’s proposal. But they fell short when they did not deliver on a solid recommendation.
“Our hopes (were) snatched by the fact that they refused to stand behind one of the proposed alternative maps and tweak it as needed,” Pierre-Johnson said. “The resolution is not enough to satisfy everything the public raised a concern to.”
Since the first day of the redistricting process, concerns raised by voters and community activist groups circle back to a single theme: District lines should be redrawn to have a more balanced demographic representation of up to three “minority-majority” districts, and compact historically and culturally whole communities. This is something the Elmont Cultural Center and Legal Defense Fund said they ensured with their five alternative maps.
Commission members admitted that not a single proposed map addressed all the issues people have put forth at various meetings, but claimed the recommendation was enough to communicate the gist of everyone’s concerns.
As it stands, the current map produced
by the town-hired Skyline Demographic Consultants ensures the town’s 22 villages — with the exception of the Village of Hempstead — remain whole in accordance with the municipal “home rule” law. And communities such as East Meadow, Franklin Square, North Valley Stream, Baldwin, Uniondale and Woodmere each contain portions of two council districts, while West Hempstead contains portions of three.
Critics, however, raised doubts about the map’s compliance with federal and state voting rights protections — specifically the Voting Rights Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York,
signed last summer by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Michael Pernick of the Legal Defense Fund, civil rights attorney Frederick Brewington, Randolph McLaughlin and LatinoJustice PRLDEF argued splitting the Black and Latino communities in Elmont and Valley Stream into two separate majority-white districts dilutes minority voting power.
“Over 38 percent of the population in the Town of Hempstead is Black or Latino,” the law professionals wrote in a letter to the commission. “But this demographic can only elect the candidate of their choice in one out of the six districts.”
Pernick and Brewington warned that
Ana Borruto/Herald photos
THE PROPOSED MAP from Hempstead town officials showing where town council districts will be placed was created by Skyline Consulting. It has drawn criticism from civic groups and law experts for what they claim violate federal and state voting rights protections, saying the map fails to keep communities whole, and continues to crack minority neighborhoods into multiple districts.
THE ELMONT CULTURAL Center’s ‘Blue Bird Plan’ keeps Elmont and Valley Stream in one minoritymajority district when it comes to representation on the Hempstead town council, while maps proposed by Hempstead town officials do not.
if Hempstead finalizes the current map as it stands, it could expose the town to costly litigation — all at taxpayers’ expense.
A statement released by the commission acknowledged the Skyline proposal was “problematic in that it splits Hempstead and Uniondale, Baldwin, East Meadow, Franklin Square, West Hempstead and North Valley Stream. It fails to keep the communities of North Valley Stream and Elmont together, and fails to put the communities of Merrick and North Merrick into a single district.
“It is not sufficiently compact, and compactness is an important redistricting criteria under the ‘home rule’ message.”
The resolution is not enough to satisfy everything the public raised a concern to.MIMI PIERREJOHNSON founder, Elmont Cultural Center
Demanding fair contracts with affordable health care costs, dozens of Nassau Community College faculty members rallied outside of the county legislature last week.
They were part of a broader protest from the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, an educators union representing NCC’s full-time faculty, speaking out against higher health care insurance premium costs. They gathered on the steps of the county legislature carrying signs like “We’d rather be teaching right now,” demanding better wages and fair contracts, targeting both the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees and the county itself.
They weren’t out on the steps long before some of the union members were ushered inside the Mineola building with a chance to state their case with county legislators.
The educators union and trustees board have been negotiating full-time faculty contracts since last July, hoping to work out a deal before their contracts expired in August. The union has rallied multiple times since then, expressing frustration with the negotiation process.
As recently as Dec. 13, Siminioff and the union asked the trustees to include salary increases to keep up with rising inflation, as well as include paid sabbaticals. But then, last week, health insurance premium costs jumped for full-time faculty at NCC.
The increase came about thanks to the trustees enacting an old clause in their contracts — written decades ago — allow-
ing the board to charge faculty members working under an expired contract with increased health insurance premiums. The insurance increases, Siminioff said, could cost faculty members between $2,500 and $5,000 — effectively acting like a pay cut.
“So, we’re not getting we’re not getting a wage increase. Our promotions have all been frozen. We’re not getting our sabbaticals. We’re not getting anything. But they’re imposing this on us,” Siminioff said. “I think this provision has been there for 30 years and they have never invoked it. They want to punish the faculty and force us through economic strongarming.”
John Gross, an Ingerman Smith attorney representing Nassau Community College, said the New York State Health Insurance Plan — which provides insurance to all college employees — raised premiums on Jan. 1 by 15 percent for family coverage. That’s about $5,000 each year. Individual coverage rose more than 12 percent, which could cost upward of $4,000 over the next 12 months.
A provision in NCC’s full-time faculty labor contract states if the cost of health insurance premiums increases after a contract expires, Gross said, it’s up to the individual employees to shoulder those costs through payroll deductions.
“The union knew it was in the labor contract because one of the proposals in our current negotiations is to remove the clause,” Gross said. “The board didn’t wake up one day and said, ‘You know what? We’re going to impose these increases on the union.’”
Siminioff said many faculty members
feel the college has strained them to their limits, and has not properly supported them financially. Aside from the imposed health insurance premiums, NCC’s faculty has experienced an average wage increase just over 1 percent in the past decade.
“The starting salary for an instructional faculty member is approximately $60,800, and the starting salary for a noninstructional faculty member is $55,900,” Siminioff said. “According to the MIT wage calculator, a middle-class family of three needs about $96,000 to be middle class in Nassau County.”
Faculty members are teaching more students in larger classes over the past few years, Siminioff said. When she first
started teaching at NCC some 25 years ago, she taught an average of 110 students each semester. Now, professors are being asked to educate an average of 160 students each semester — which Siminioff feels is unfair.
Aside from low starting wages, it typically takes 15 to 18 years for someone on the faculty to start earning $100,000, Siminioff said. Anyone hired now would earn $55,000, taking 15 years to climb to $100,000.
“By the time you get 15 years of employment, it’s still not enough to live middle class in Nassau County,” Siminioff said. “So, they’re condemning college faculty to never being middle class. That’s the bottom line.”
T hey want to punish the faculty and force us through economic strong-arming.
FAREN SIMINIOFF president, Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers
The North Merrick Public Library recently installed an electric vehicle charging station in the rear parking lot of the library.
Library trustee,= Mark Davis said it was a great opportunity for the Library to lead by example as libraries strive to be more environmentally friendly. “Electric vehicle sales are increasing,” he said, “and the library is prepared to meet the need for charging options for the commu-
nity. I have been honored to serve as a library trustee for nearly 20 years and proud of the Board’s vision of building sustainability with environmentally friendly improvements for the community to use.”
The ChargePoint EV Station has a Level 2 Charger and can accommodate two cars. Charging is $1 an hour for the first two hours. Stop by the library or visit NMerrickLibrary.org to learn more.
A non-profit religious organization located in Merrick, NY is seeking sealed bids for sales and installation of security related enhancements. The project includes obtaining and installation of:
1. New solid interior doors with new frames and automatic closing and locking hardware to replace selected interior doors.
2. New double pane locking security windows with shatterproof glass & limited opening hardware
3. Video intercom and physical access control equipment, including remote lock release capability that is compatible with our current systems for selected interior doors.
4. Acquire and install panic buttons in selected areas of the building Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of doors, door installation, security windows & installation, and security systems. Experience and specific knowledge of all or some of items 1, 2, 3 & 4 listed above, adherence to projected work schedules, prior experience, references, and cost. Bids will be accepted for either individual items listed above or any combination of those items.
Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us a t bidstbame@gmail.com.
All firms who intend to bid and are interested in receiving the bid requirements must provide the following information in your email request: firm name, owners’ names, business address, primary contact, telephone, fax, and email address by no later than 5:00pm Friday February 24, 2023.
Bids will be accepted until 5:00pm on Friday March 17, 2023. Work is to commence by Monday April 24, 2023 and be completed by August 15, 2023
137033
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, NRP MORTGAGE TRUST I, Plaintiff, vs. 1480 JERUSALEM LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order
Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1480 Jerusalem Avenue, North Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 540 and Lot 68. Approximate amount of judgment is $685,781.26 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 612453/2021. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.
Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No. 211568-1 137066
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIZATION TRUST 2006-A1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-A UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT
DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2006 Plaintiff, Against JOSPEH NOTO A/K/A
JOSEPH D. NOTO, DIANN NOTO, ET AL.
ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being In Merrick, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau, State Of New York.
Section 55 Block 523 Lot 351
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $685,788.99 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 12-007631
If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. David Woycik, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 1/9/2023 File Number: 272-8951 LD 136638
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2003-3, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-3, Plaintiff, v. KEVIN P. MURPHY A/K/A KEVIN MURPHY, et al., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.
180558-1
136726
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff
AGAINST
Alys Balbes; et al., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 5, 2018 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 28, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2599 Orr Street, Merrick, NY 11566-4745. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, Section 63 Block 135 Lot 861. Approximate amount of judgment $588,637.31 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 014715/2013.
Irene Villacci, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC
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 yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer
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 25, 2023
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.
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.
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.
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Lily J. Sweets, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 11/5/2022. Office: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC, Legal Zoom.com, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY, 11228. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
137059
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/25/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501. This Auction will be held rain or shine on 2/16/2023 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 2394 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, New York 11566, And Described As Follows:
After Inquest and Appointment of Referee duly entered on January 31, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 23, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1811 Bedford Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 123 and Lots 61, 62, 63 & 108. Approximate amount of judgment is $251,553.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 12-007487. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.
George P. Esernio, Esq., Referee
Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792
Dated: December 16, 2022
136926
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that an On Premises Restaurant Wine license, Serial #1356080 has been applied for by Red Door Deli Inc to sell beer, wine and cider at retail in an Restaurant. For on premise consumption under the ABC Law at 241 Smith St Merrick NY 11566.
136904
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE
Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 21st, 2023, 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 16th, 2023 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.
Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 21st day of February 2023 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 08th, 2023. 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
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
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
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 25, 2023
is Seeking Part Time Experienced Servers, Bartender, Seasoned Line Cook for Upscale Italian Restaurant. Walk in interviews: Sunday , Tuesday - Friday Between 5 and 9pm or Call 63- 694-7515 Ask for Sammy.
Erit Gridnev is a savvy real estate agent with over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales. Specializing in relocations, she understands the importance of finding the perfect property for her clients. Because she knows that moving to a new house is a very big change, Erit takes the time to get to know her clients and their specific needs. With a B.A in Human Services, she is able to provide valuable insight into community life and what to expect from different neighborhoods. Her wit and humor make her an enjoyable person to work with, and her expertise ensures that her clients are always satisfied with their purchase. Contact Erit at 510-584-6350 or by email eritg@vipropertiesny.com
Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.
Open Houses
CEDARHURST BA, 332B Peninsula Blvd, 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 in Unit.Pull Down Attic.SD#15. Convenient to Shops, Trans & Houses of Worship...$449,00 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
HEWLETT 257 WILLARD Dr SUNDAY, 2/5, 12-1:30, REDUCED!! Spacious 5 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch With Open Layout.Main Floor Mstr Ste Plus Potential Mstr Ste on 2nd Flr.LR/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att
Loads of Updates!! SD#20(Lyn-
Flood Insurance Req. MUST
Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
Open Houses WOODMERE BA, 29 Woodmere Blvd, #3B, New To Market! Move Right Into This Sunny, Renovated 2 BR Coop Apt in Heathcote Bldg. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit w/ Stainless Steel Appl, LR w/Coffered Ceiling, Dining Area, Spacious Primary BR, Updtd Bth &
516-238-429
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Arare, one of a Kind “AQUA PH.” This penthouse features private elevator to stone floor foyer, magnificent views of the city and Atlantic Ocean from expansive windows. This home boasts utility room with washer/dryer and laundry sink, recessed lighting, hardwood floors in great room and hallways, fire protection sprinkler system, individually controlled high efficiency air-conditioning and heating system, re-circulating hot water system, cable television and telephone outlets. The custom kitchen features European hardwood cabinetry with custom hardware, Quartzite stone floor, distinctive granite countertops and mosaic glass tile backsplash, Wolf gas stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine cooler, Miele dishwasher, Dacor microwave, Undermount kitchen sink with dual compartments, under cabinet lighting. The luxurious master bedroom suite features spacious walk-in closet and terrace, designer Kohler bathroom fixtures including whirlpool tub, walk-in shower with mosaic tile accents, marble appointments, European hardwood cabinetry with custom hardware. There are two parking spots “covered” with bike room and storage. You will enjoy spending a relaxing time in the Hot Tub.
Q. Can you solve a debate I have been having with my contractor about replacing the cracked floor in my garage? The problem is that I want to have steel bars in the slab and make it extra thick, since the existing slab is cracked and damaged from my heavy pickup truck, sometimes filled with heavy construction items. The concrete guy keeps telling me it’s overkill and that just the concrete, 5 inches thick, with a rollout wire mesh, is enough. Can you explain which one I need, and why he keeps telling me that the driveway is concrete, not cement? I want to do this job as soon as it warms up.
A. The first problem to solve is who should be designing the correct slab. Yes, we all know it’s just a slab, but you’ve already seen what happens when someone unfamiliar with the engineering design of even the simplest concrete slab doesn’t apply the correct preventive details.
Concrete is very strong in compression, meaning you can press on it to extremes before it even shows small signs of failure.
Unfortunately, concrete has no tensile strength. Zero. Zip. This means you can easily pull it apart, or bend it to the point of cracking without much force.
Structural engineers and architects, to a lesser extent, are trained to apply specific formulas that predict the success (and failure) of even a slab of formed concrete. Knowing how a slab fails allows professionals to apply the right reinforcement in the right places. Otherwise you’re just guessing.
FDR, EIK & Sundrenched Family Rm w/ Doors to Deck. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. Loads of Updates!! SD#20 (Lynbrook) No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS! REDUCED!! $1,025,000
1608 Ridgeway Dr, BA, Move Right Into This Completely Gut Renovated 4 BR,
3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR w/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed
Porch. Radiant Heated Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!!
SD#20 DRASTIC REDUCTION! $1,469,000
1534 Broadway #103, BA, Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style
Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Rvated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl
There’s a difference in the description of the slab, which is made up of several materials, such as sand, lime, and something called “Portland cement.” Portland Cement is a mixture of mined calcium silicates and a lesser amount of calcium aluminates that form a chemical reaction in the presence of water. The chemical reaction causes the mixture to harden and give off heat, called the heat of hydration. It was patented in England in 1824 by bricklayer Joseph Aspdin, and got the name Portland because when it hardened, it appeared to look very similar to the white Portland stone quarried along the Portland Isle coast of Dorset in southern England. Sorry, Oregon, you get no credit here.
When other silicates, such as sand or different sizes of stone, are added, the characteristics change, and the setting times and strength change as well. Ash has been added in some mixes, and glass fibers, another form of silica, have made our latest bridge and roadway construction projects extremely long-lasting and stronger.
Portland cement can be a part of concrete. To determine the reinforcing, the loads need to be applied to formulas, along with the amount of time and other forces, such as expansion and contraction (due to temperature changes), support material strength, shrinkage and internal stress — in other words, it would be irresponsible to throw some guess at you without knowing more. Keep in mind, more concrete is not better. Good luck!
© 2022 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
MERCHANDISE MART
Antiques/Collectibles
We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464
FINDS UNDER $100
Finds Under $100
COLE HAAN MEN'S Chelsea Boots Black Leather, 7W. Excellent $90 516-320-1906
HEALYS WHEELED SNEAKERS Boys size 7 black and yellow new in box $18. (516) 462-2656
NEW HYUNDAI SUV adjustable cross roof rails. cost $319. $99 firm (516)524-3617
ONE RECTANGULAR GLASS coffee table and two glass/brass octagon end tables, good cond. $99.99. 516-623-5696
STATIONARY EXERCISE BICYCLE -good condition -- $30. 516-826-3727
TWIN BEDROOM SET: Excellent Condition, Blonde Modern Headboard, 3 Dressers, Corner Piece. $99. 516-840-6081
TWIN WOOD TRUNDLE bed excellent condition $99 call/ text for pictures (516) 462-2656
Finds $100-$350 TREADMILL
Home Improvement
BATH &
Tree Services
T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE
*Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning *Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com
Satellite/TV Equipment
OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-398-0526
HANDY DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS
* Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761
Miscellaneous
BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price
Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313
Plumbing
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response.
516-599-1011
GET DIRECTV FOR $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-534-6918
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Education
COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM!
Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required.
TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required
Health & Fitness
VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills
SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574
AUTOMOBILE & MARINE
Autos For Sale
ACURA 2003, 3.2 CLS, 2 door, Silver, Black Interior, 160K Plus. Needs Battery. $1800 516-668-8877 runs great
Autos Wanted
***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call
I’ll bet very few readers remember television shows like “Dr. Kildare” and “Marcus Welby.” Those popular shows featured physicians who made house calls and performed miracles of all kinds. There may be a few of these doctors left, but it’s only a matter of time until such dedicated physicians are no longer in existence. Like it or not, the business of medicine is changing rapidly, and not for the benefit of the average patient.
I recently experienced this sea change in medicine, when two of my doctors announced their retirement. One was my internal medicine doctor, who served me faithfully for 32 years, and the other was a neurologist who had monitored me for about five years. It was obvious from our parting conversations that they were exhausted and tired of the day-to-day stresses of serving patients.
If you visit almost any doctor’s office, you’ll notice that there are walls and
walls of files on display. They may signify how many patients your doctor serves, but they are also evidence of the amount of paperwork the average doctor must do to get paid by an insurance company. Once upon a time, insurance companies gave doctors an appropriate amount of money for the services they performed, but not anymore.
If you’re a doctor in New York City, you may get $1,000 for a medical procedure. But if you practice in, say, Smithtown, you may get paid $180, if you’re lucky. Geography makes a difference in reimbursement, and no rational observer of medicine will defend such an abominable system. These days, doctors need experienced staff members who have to deal with endless piles of documents, many of which are for small reimbursements. The daily practice of medicine isn’t a 9-to-5 operation. Many doctors take their charts home, to review medical histories and also to protect themselves from malpractice litigation. The business of suing doctors is a major enterprise, and the volume of litigation forces doctors to pay
outrageous fees for malpractice coverage. I’ve heard quite a few stories about doctors who quit the practice because they simply couldn’t afford the high premiums.
One way that a doctor can avoid some of these headaches is to become an employee of a hospital. That spares you the high insurance premiums, but life isn’t a bowl of cherries for the employed doctor, either. Large hospitals have rules upon rules, and they can mean plenty of paperwork, and having to handle a much larger caseload of patients then you ever had when you were on your own. One of my longtime, highly respected doctors has taken a leave of absence, because he’s now in his 80s and just can’t handle the caseload he’s been given. But hospitals are businesses, and they have every right to demand a high level of activity of their doctors.
There are many dedicated, newly minted doctors graduating from medical schools, but quite a few of them approach medicine much differently today than their forebears. Many young
doctors would prefer to work five days a week, with no weekend duty. They are willing to take less compensation and have more time for family, golf and vacations. They may be brilliant practitioners, but they don’t want to be so many Marcus Welbys.
And when we talk about medicine, we can’t forget about nurses. The recent strike at some major city hospitals was no surprise. I was in an ER recently, and found out that my nurse had 15 patients assigned to her. She was on the verge of a physical breakdown, but soldiered on, handling all of them with grace and patience. No doubt, she will get a large pay increase and a smaller patient workload, but it’s only fair to give her those benefits.
Like it or not, medicine is changing dramatically. In the next 10 years, we will see changes that we never dreamt of. Some will be good, and others bad. Let’s hope there are more good than bad.
Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
You can believe the hype. Last week, a boutique grocery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side was selling eggs for $17.99 a dozen. They weren’t Faberge eggs, dripping in diamonds and gilt. They were ordinary chicken-hatched, single-yolk, large “organic” eggs.
This news flash is courtesy of The Guardian newspaper in England, which loves to point out the crass and the crazy in American culture. It is given to gloating through stiff upper lips. Still, it has a point.
RANDI KREISS
Egg prices are heating up due to inflation, a surging avian flu epidemic and, some say, price gouging.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one year ago you could buy a dozen eggs for $1.72. Now, nationwide, the price averages $3.59. In some states like California, the average price is more than $7. Apparently in Manhattan, consumers have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. No more cheap, go-to weekday omelet dinners.
The current epidemic of avian flu is
the worst in history, according to NBC News. More than 53 million birds have died of the virus or been put to death. As so-far survivors of the coronavirus pandemic, we must wonder how vulnerable we humans are to this flu.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we’re probably safe. That’s not totally reassuring, but the avian flu has jumped to humans in only rare instances, and has passed from an infected person to other people in only extremely rare cases. Those who’ve contracted the flu after working around infected birds generally experienced mild symptoms, but the disease has been serious in a few people.
of Mexico to the U.S. I don’t know if it’s a Sinaloa cartel operation, but really? Smugglers in competition with the Easter Bunny?
I take my eggs very seriously. Omelets are a regular dinner in my home. I eat an egg every single day, over well, yolk broken. Lillybee the dog gets half a yolk.
Price gouging?
No more cheap, go-to weekday omelet dinners.
Somehow, I want to believe human beings should be OK, but after the waves of half-information and misinformation informing our health decisions in the midst of Covid, I want to keep an eye on this H5N1 virus. Even though it might seem cost-effective now to start raising chickens in our backyards, nah, it’s probably not a good idea.
Last week it was widely reported that dealers have been running eggs out
I had to give up eggs recently and temporarily (for a month) after my friend cracked an egg and discovered a tiny, blackened mini-chicken inside. So gross! I didn’t actually see the monstrosity, but I can’t get the image out of my head. She was so traumatized by the visitation that she gave up eggs forever.
We move on. The most expensive egg product I ever purchased was a painted $25 ostrich eggshell I brought back from South Africa to present to my granddaughter on her 13th birthday. I was feeling quite high-minded about the symbolism of feminism and new beginnings and eternal life. But she sat on it, and that was that.
Two weeks ago, I cracked an egg and discovered it was a double yolker. According to Cackle Hatchery, double yolks are quite rare. They hardly ever
result in two chickens being born, because the eggshell can’t accommodate twins. Still, they are prized for eating. Some boutique chicken farmers specialize in double yolkers, the source of which is a genetic mutation. You can hold a candle to an egg and see what’s inside if you really need to know. If you really want to know.
Hardboiled eggs are worth a book of their own. I always have a few hardcooked eggs in my fridge, you know, in case of nuclear attack or tornado strike. I read about an 83-year-old hiker years ago who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, eating hardboiled eggs he cooked on a tiny camping stove.
In the 1967 movie “Cool Hand Luke,” an outrageously defiant prisoner played by Paul Newman choked down 50 hardboiled eggs on a dare. A few people in real life tried to imitate the feat, and one died. But Joey Chestnut, the renowned competitive eater, consumed 141 eggs in eight minutes in a contest. Miki Sudo broke the women’s world record, eating 104 eggs.
Chestnut, who, remarkably, is still alive — I checked — took home a $1,500 grand prize, which seems not nearly enough.
Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
It was obvious from chats with my retiring doctors that they were exhausted.JERRY KREMER
it was like having security cameras in every room of a house but one. That’s how Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone described to reporters the decentralized, hodgepodge security infrastructure of the county’s computer network, which more than 10,000 government employees, in dozens of departments, depended on.
It was a single unguarded entryway that let hackers in last September, essentially shutting down all operations and reportedly costing Suffolk millions of dollars.
Such an intrusion is enough to scare any business or government entity into fortifying defenses. But is there such a thing as being too scared?
In the days following Suffolk’s revelation that it had been hacked, Bellone’s counterpart, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, bent over backward to ensure that the same thing won’t happen here. Or at least we think he has, given that the details of those efforts are a closely held secret.
What we do know is that the Legislature has hired a cybersecurity consultant. And that’s about it. Who that consultant is, what they have to offer — and, most important, how much it’s going to cost taxpayers — is information only a very select few know.
Revealing too many details about the new cybersecurity efforts could be troublesome, of course. The more information hackers have, the more likely they can
To the Editor:
Re Daniel Offner’s column last week, “We must remember — and teach — the Holocaust”: Offner’s description of his grandmother, “When she was liberated by American troops from Dachau in May 1945, she weighed 45 pounds,” brought back an old memory to me. I remember my dad speaking of two cousins, who somehow made it to America after surviving one of those Nazi killing centers in Poland. He described them as two young guys, each over six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds — combined.
They didn’t last much longer than a year here. The Nazis killed them; they just didn’t die immediately.
And now we have Holocaust deniers, in spite of the films, photos and documents that exist, in addition to the survivors, and the living veterans who aided in their liberation and survival. We also have politicians in both parties telling us lies daily. Now we even have to be aware of a “journalist’s” political affiliations, agenda and beliefs. Sadly, as Offner pointed out, the same goes
find ways to slip past Nassau’s defenses. Yet county officials refuse to say how revealing simple bits of information — like who the vendor is, and how much they’re charging — would help these cyber menaces. And they aren’t budging.
As well, the Herald learned last week that a closed-doors executive session called by the Legislature produced an emergency cybersecurity declaration — its mere existence classified.
It’s perfectly understandable why county officials are on edge, and they should be commended for acting quickly to build Nassau’s technological defenses. And while many of those details should be kept secret, not all of them should be.
There is a reason why who our government does business with — and at what cost — should be out in the open, for all to see. We bear the financial cost of that business, and have every right to ensure that every dollar is being spent appropriately.
Everything about the county’s contract with this mystery cybersecurity firm could be perfectly fine. And it most likely is. But the taxpayers’ right is absolute assurance, not a preponderance of confidence. We have the right — by law — to make sure the Legislature is doing an arm’s-length deal with the right company for the right price.
How was the firm chosen? How was its compensation negotiated? What is the county getting in return? Even if we can’t have specifics, there’s no reason we can’t be clued in on at least some general
aspects.
Shoshanah Bewlay, executive director of the state-funded Committee on Open Government, shared in an advisory opinion last month that details of the contract — like information technology schematics, blueprints, pricing or systems methodologies, and the types of IT monitoring or remediation — can indeed be kept quiet. “However, in our view,” Bewlay added, “it is not clear how the disclosure of other information contained within the contract — such as the name of the selected vendor, or value of the executed contract — would enable a person to adversely impact an agency’s electronic information or IT systems.”
Don’t get us wrong — we honestly believe there is no ill intention on the county’s part to withhold this information. Officials are scared that revealing any of it — even if it’s deemed safe — could upend all their efforts to protect the network. But they have to lift the cloak just enough to let the taxpayers — their true bosses — get a peek to assure themselves that all of this is on the up-and-up.
Nassau County is letting all of its hard work to build these defenses get obscured by this simple request to know who it is working with, and how much they are being paid for that work. That’s basic information that taxpayers shouldn’t even have to ask for.
But they are asking for it, and the county must do the right thing and provide the answer.
arlier this month I had the privilege of speaking at the ceremonial swearing-in of newly elected U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Sitting on the stage that evening, I thought back to when I was first sworn in 30 years ago, and how different this night was from that one, and how different the world had become. This ceremonial event was held at the Nassau County police training center, in East Garden City, instead of in Washington, D.C., and the oath was administered by former Senator Al D’Amato instead of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
D’Esposito had been officially sworn in by McCarthy the week before, but that was at 2 a.m. on Jan. 7, following over four days and 15 ballots of voting in the most acrimonious contest for speaker since the 1850s, the decade preceding the Civil War. During my 28 years in Congress, I cast 14 ballots for speaker — one every two years. D’Esposito exceeded that total in his very first week in Congress!
This rancor and chaos is a sign of what Congress has become, and what D’Esposito must work through. Don’t get me wrong — Congress wasn’t all peace, love and harmony when I was elected. Soon-to-be House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton were firing political rockets at each other, and fiery cable news shows were emerging. But there wasn’t this level of intra-party disunity.
Nonetheless, D’Esposito’s situation isn’t entirely different from what I faced. We have several things in common. We both won close, hard-fought races. I won by 8,000 votes, a margin of 3 percent; D’Esposito by 10,000, or 3.9 percent. The bulk of my district was in the Town of Hempstead and Long Beach. D’Esposito’s district is entirely within those boundaries. And the challenges he will confront are similar to what I faced during my latter 20 years in Congress: preventing another Sept. 11, and fighting to get New York and Long Island their fair share of revenue. Fortunately, D’Esposito’s committee assignments — Homeland Security and Transportation & Infrastructure — position him well for the struggles
for our educational institutions.
I was lucky. The U.S. Navy took me to dozens of foreign nations. If you were born here, count your blessings. There are many tougher places to grow up in. Our most precious resource is America’s children. If we give them our honest best, freedom will reign.
JOHN SCHULTz OceansideTo the Editor:
At a news event on Jan. 11, a parade of Nassau County Republicans took the extraordinarily courageous step of calling on their colleague, U.S. Rep. George Santos, to resign. They suggested that he was not welcome at either their headquarters or their events. They indicated that their other congressional representatives would take it upon themselves to provide representation to the people of the 3rd District — the people Santos was elected to represent.
On Jan. 18, I received an email from my old friend Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who represents the 2nd District, in Suffolk County, advising me that I was one of his “new constituents” and assuring me that I could rely on his office’s
resources. Along with everyone else in northern Nassau and Queens, I live in Santos’s district. I am not officially a constituent of Garbarino’s.
In response, I emailed Andy Garbarino, “While I appreciate you reaching out, you are not my Congressional representative and I am not your ‘new constituent.’ George Santos, with whom and for whom you campaigned, is my Congressional representative. That fact is truly shameful. Thanks again and wishing you well.”
So, to Congressman Garbarino, with whom I worked in the Assembly before he was elected to the House of Representatives, I simply say, “Thanks but no thanks.” For better or worse, Santos is our congressman, and I expect him, perhaps unrealistically, to make some effort to try to live up to his responsibilities.
I am not inclined to reach out to the same Republican politicians who offer assistance but are simply attempting to shield themselves from criticism. As the old saying goes, once bitten, twice shy.
Should Santos be unresponsive to any requests I may have for assistance to the people I represent, I will reach out to Senators Chuck Schumer or Kirsten Gillibrand, or to any number of Democratic congressional representatives.
CHARLES LAvINE Assemblyman, 13th Districtahead.
The Homeland Security Committee was created in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 to coordinate federal, state and local counterterrorism efforts, and to provide necessary funding to areas at highest risk. Every threat analysis showed the New York City-Long Island region as the highestranked terrorist target in the country. Yet we had to fight off other states, which had zero threat levels, for every penny. As a former New York City police detective and Island Park fire chief, D’Esposito has the credentials and the gravitas to win those funding fights, and also to ensure that the committee’s legitimate concern about border control and illegal immigration doesn’t distract attention from the still very serious terrorist threat.
He will have similar struggles on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, to get fair and necessary funding for Long Island’s roads, highways, beaches and waterways.
Over the years, New York has been consistently shortchanged in federal funding, sending far more money to Washington than we get back. My short-
hand political analysis for this inequity was that Democrats took New York for granted and Republicans felt they couldn’t win it, so our hard-earned tax dollars were disbursed elsewhere — most notably, and disproportionately, to southern states. This shortfall in turn increased our state and local tax burden, which was exacerbated when a Republican Congress voted to dramatically reduce our SALT income tax deduction. D’Esposito has pledged to fight hard to restore that deduction.
Besides Homeland Security, infrastructure funding and restoring the SALT deduction, he will have to deal with countless other issues, including senior citizen and veterans benefits, 9/11 health care, tax relief for hardworking middle-income families and supporting law enforcement.
Being a member of Congress, and representing the people of Long Island and addressing their needs and challenges, was the experience of a lifetime for me. No one is more connected to his constituents than Anthony D’Esposito, and I know he will take their thoughts and concerns to the halls of Congress and get the job done. Good luck, Congressman.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Framework by Tim Baker
a newcomer to Congress has two solid committee assignments.
