Merrick Herald 03-16-2023

__________________ Merrick _________________

HERALD A ‘60s theme at Chabad for Purim

Rhoads responds to state budget

Eiffel Towers soar in French class

Page 3

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Page 7

Vol. 26 No. 12

$1.00 $1.00

MARCH 16 - 22, 2023

Follow the yellow brick road to the Brookside School

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

For three years, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented the North Merrick School District’s theater program from putting on a full production.

But on March 17 and 18, Bellmore-Merrick residents will have the opportunity to take a stroll down the yellow brick road — and escape to another world — by viewing the district’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Two former teachers, Joyce Kelley and Gail Appel, oversee

the theater program. Kelley taught sixth grade, and Appel was a vocal music instructor.

Though they are now both retired, they continue to lead the program, out of their love for working with the kids and helping stories come to life on stage.

The story of how the theater program began is a funny one, they said.

“We had an interesting beginning,” Kelley recalled.

“Both Gail and I started teaching in the North Merrick School District, in September

3URSHUW\ WD[ VDYLQJV IRU RXU QHLJKERUV DQG IULHQGV Tim Baker/Herald

SixTH-gRADERS, FRoM lEFT, Nathan Cook, Tyler Cruise, Emma Klein, Michael Martino, Joseph Lentini and Mia Mucci, dressed in character, for North Merrick schools’ production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’

Continued on page 4

*HW 5HVXOWV 6LJQ 8S 7RGD\ At John F. Kennedy High, sophomores are ‘Medical Marvels’ $&7 12: Ɯ '($'/,1( $35,/ hey went out of their

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

In John F. Kennedy High School’s Advanced Science Research program, accolades and recognition for students’ hard work typically come during their senior year.

But for a team of five sophomores, the honors started early: On March 3, they placed first in the Medical Marvels competition — a collaborative science program sponsored by Northwell Health that encourages ninthand 10th-grade students to think outside the box, and come up with smart solutions to common problems.

ASR teacher Barbi Frank told the Herald last week that this was the first time Kennedy students had taken part in the competition. When she lear ned about it in early December, she messaged the program’s sophomores, asking if anyone wanted to form a team. Ellie Gelman, Jack Levitt, Mark Prainito, Jayden Simon and Mason Tso, all 15, quickly volunteered.

The team was tasked with a “prompt,” provided by Northwell, that they knew before they agreed to compete: They were the collective “superintendent” of a large school district, who had just met with the New York State Department of Energy (a

T

5'

comfort zones.

BARBi FRANk

Advanced Science Research teacher fictitious agency).

“We were told that we can do more to be more sustainable,” Levitt explained. “So we had to come up with a proposition to implement policies that could make our district eco-friendly.”

The 10th-graders had decided to join ASR for a variety of reasons, including to challenge

themselves, and to join a community of students that resembles a family. When the opportunity to take part in Medical Marvels presented itself, they wanted to get a taste of research, and working under pressure, they said.

“I think a reason we all wanted to do it is because it was just something different,” Tso said.

“We just wanted the experience of doing something new.”

Some of the boys on the team are interested in focusing their personal research projects on climate change, but Gelman added that the concept of the task didn’t relate to her line of study, which focuses on decision mak-

ing, at all.

“My project has nothing to do with climate change,” she said.

“But it’s good to practice presenting.”

“That’s one of the nicest things, is that there are additional skills that come out of things like this,” Frank said of Medical Marvels. “For instance, they approached different people at the competition to talk to. They went out of their comfort zones.”

In total, 120 students from 19 Long Island and Manhattan schools took part in the research competition. A question that many had — including KenneContinued on page 2

__________________ Merrick _________________

HERALD A ‘60s theme at Chabad for Purim

Rhoads responds to state budget

Eiffel Towers soar in French class

Page 3

Page 5

Page 7

Vol. 26 No. 12

$1.00 $1.00

MARCH 16 - 22, 2023

Follow the yellow brick road to the Brookside School

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

Tim Baker/Herald

SixTH-gRADERS, FRoM lEFT, Nathan Cook, Tyler Cruise, Emma Klein, Michael Martino, Joseph Lentini and Mia Mucci, dressed in character, for North Merrick schools’ production of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’

For three years, the coronavirus pandemic has prevented the North Merrick School District’s theater program from putting on a full production.

But on March 17 and 18, Bellmore-Merrick residents will have the opportunity to take a stroll down the yellow brick road — and escape to another world — by viewing the district’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Two former teachers, Joyce Kelley and Gail Appel, oversee

the theater program. Kelley taught sixth grade, and Appel was a vocal music instructor.

Though they are now both retired, they continue to lead the program, out of their love for working with the kids and helping stories come to life on stage.

The story of how the theater program began is a funny one, they said.

“We had an interesting beginning,” Kelley recalled.

“Both Gail and I started teaching in the North Merrick School District, in September Continued on page 4

At John F. Kennedy High, sophomores are ‘Medical Marvels’

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

In John F. Kennedy High School’s Advanced Science Research program, accolades and recognition for students’ hard work typically come during their senior year.

But for a team of five sophomores, the honors started early: On March 3, they placed first in the Medical Marvels competition — a collaborative science program sponsored by Northwell Health that encourages ninthand 10th-grade students to think outside the box, and come up with smart solutions to common problems.

ASR teacher Barbi Frank told the Herald last week that this was the first time Kennedy students had taken part in the competition. When she lear ned about it in early December, she messaged the program’s sophomores, asking if anyone wanted to form a team. Ellie Gelman, Jack Levitt, Mark Prainito, Jayden Simon and Mason Tso, all 15, quickly volunteered.

The team was tasked with a “prompt,” provided by Northwell, that they knew before they agreed to compete: They were the collective “superintendent” of a large school district, who had just met with the New York State Department of Energy (a

T

hey went out of their comfort zones.

BARBi FRANk

Advanced Science Research teacher fictitious agency).

“We were told that we can do more to be more sustainable,” Levitt explained. “So we had to come up with a proposition to implement policies that could make our district eco-friendly.”

The 10th-graders had decided to join ASR for a variety of reasons, including to challenge

themselves, and to join a community of students that resembles a family. When the opportunity to take part in Medical Marvels presented itself, they wanted to get a taste of research, and working under pressure, they said.

“I think a reason we all wanted to do it is because it was just something different,” Tso said.

“We just wanted the experience of doing something new.”

Some of the boys on the team are interested in focusing their personal research projects on climate change, but Gelman added that the concept of the task didn’t relate to her line of study, which focuses on decision mak-

ing, at all.

“My project has nothing to do with climate change,” she said.

“But it’s good to practice presenting.”

“That’s one of the nicest things, is that there are additional skills that come out of things like this,” Frank said of Medical Marvels. “For instance, they approached different people at the competition to talk to. They went out of their comfort zones.”

In total, 120 students from 19 Long Island and Manhattan schools took part in the research competition. A question that many had — including KenneContinued on page 2

March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

2

Students secure first place in competition ConTinued from fronT page dy’s student — was how sustainability and climate change relate to medicine.

Simon said that the connection is actually something that grew out of the coronavirus pandemic. Teresa Amato, the competition’s keynote speaker and a head doctor at Northwell, explained it to the participating students.

“Basically, during Covid, there was a lack of oxygen,” Simon said, referring to bottled oxygen tanks. “And it was the first time that’s ever happened in (Amato’s) career. She was like, ‘How do we preserve the oxygen?’”

So the medical community came up with programs that focused on resource management. One small example was the concept of re-wearing facial coverings to reduce pollution and, again, preserve the supply.

Those concepts are what led to the students’ task, because it focused on sustainability. To help their imaginary school district become eco-friendly, the team came up with a simple solution: purchasing Rocketbooks.

Rocketbooks are reusable smart notebooks. They look like a typical notepad, with either lined or gridded pages, that are written on with a special pen. Users can upload their notes by scanning them into an app, or taking a photo of the page. When they’re done using the book for a class, the notes wash away with water. A Rocketbook is essentially a book that never runs out of pages, and preserves all past notes online.

Prainito, who said he’s used one for several months, introduced the device to the team. “It’s kind of the major idea that set us apart from other people — it’s what made us different from other projects,” he said. “It’s a cheaper alternative to a Chromebook, because it allows you to reuse it, and save notes to the web with a lower price point. And it’s also just lighter and easier to carry.”

A Chromebook, Google’s version of a laptop, costs

Courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

The winning Team, on the day of the competition, after presenting its sustainability research on Rocketbooks — a type of reusable, eco-friendly notebook. around $350. Rocketbooks can be purchased for as little as $20 apiece.

For many weeks during and after school, team members worked on perfecting their ideas and research. In the end, they submitted an eight-page paper, and gave a three-minute presentation to a panel of judges and fellow students, and were prepared to answer any questions about the project.

The team worked so well together, Frank said, because they really cared about performing well, and they walked away from the experience feeling more prepared for future competitions.

“They set high expectations for themselves and achieved together — which was really cool,” she said.

“Sometimes you set high expectations, and it comes easy.

They worked hard for it, and they had fun.”

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3

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

Tim Baker/Herald photos

rabbi ShiMon KraMer, and his wife Chanie, with their kids, from left, Leibel, Mirel, Leah and Sarah. Each came dressed in 60’s apparel to celebrate the festive night.

Shai SaroSi, 15-MonthS of Merrick, had fun on the Twister mat.

Chabad’s Purim celebration turns back time

K

eeping with tradition of creating incredibly fun and exciting holiday programs for the entire Jewish community, the Chabad of Merrick-BellmoreWantagh hosted its 17th annual Purim celebration on March 7.

Purim celebrates the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an official of the first Persian empire, who was planning to have all of Persia’s Jewish subjects killed. The earliest observances of Purim are believed to have taken place in the 5th century, and the holiday is usually celebrated in March.

This year’s party had a 60s theme, and combined Jewish traditions with a fun throwback feel. “Every year, there’s a fun theme to make the Purim celebration even more exciting and memorable,” Rabbi Shimon Kramer said in a release.

Queen Esther, the Jewish wife of the Persian King Xerxes, is

credited as the heroine in the Purim story, alongside her cousin Mordecai, for saving the Jewish people. Today, the holiday is celebrated by reading the Book of Esther — or the Megillah — and by completing five mitzvot, or commandments.

These mitzvot include attending a Megillah reading during the evening on the day Purim begins and attending a second reading the following morning.

The additional mitzvot include giving gifts to the poor, doing the same for friends and family members, and enjoying a traditional Purim feast.

Purim is a festive day of merrymaking, and is a time for those celebrating to dress up in costumes. Wearing of costumes allows these seeking help to dress up and hide their identities while collecting charity. In this way, their dignity is best preserved.

— Roksana Amid

Marianna Liberov, director of the Jewish Early Learning Center, attended the party with her kids, Blake, Emma and Landon. rabbi KraMer, dreSSed in tiedye, read the Megillah with a Yeshiva student at the Chabad of MerrickBellmoreWantagh’s Purim celebration. eMMa aburdarhaM, 9 of Merrick, far left, listened to the Megillah reading, and blocked out Haman’s name.

Retired teachers still lead theater program Continued From Front page of 1998 — hired at the same time. At the orientation, they had told me about this new music teacher coming in, so I spotted her, eyed her, and deliberately sat next to her.”

They then established a bond as teachers, and Kelley, who enjoyed working in theater, wanted to pair up with a music teacher to run a program.

“She hasn’t divorced me yet,” Kelley said, laughing. “This is our 25th year.”

Students from the district’s three schools — Old Mill Road, Harold D. Lafayette and Camp Avenue — share the efforts to put on the production. Only sixth-graders take part in the program, with auditions for the show having taken place in December.

The cast and crew of more than 100 students then work together after school, rehearsing at the Brookside building, the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s administrative headquarters.

“We’re really fortunate because we’re the only district around that has that,” Kelley said. “It’s, of course, about kids learning theatrical arts and respecting one another. But what happens is all three schools start to intermingle — and they become friends.”

Appel added that the students are scheduled to attend the Central District’s Merrick Avenue Middle School together next school year, and they will already know many of their classmates. Since

starring cast Emma Klein, as Dorothy Joseph Lentini, as Scarecrow Tyler Cruise, as Lion Michael Martino, as Tin Man Mia Mucci, as Wicked Witch Nathan Cook, as Wizard Allison O’Lenick, as Glinda

Tim Baker/Herald photos

For months, the entire cast and crew have been hard at work preparing for the performance. Last week, members of the ensemble rehearsed some of their songs. they live in North Merrick, they’re also zoned for Calhoun High School, which is known for its highly regarded specialtydrama program, On Tour.

Starting them early is key for the future of the drama programs in Bellmore-Merrick, Kelley said.

on stage, some of the leading cast members.

_________________ bellmore ________________

HERALD

“It’s a confidence booster, because you’re getting them at the right age where they think they can’t try new things — and then they do it, and they have a lot of confidence,” Kelley said.

The district was excited to put on “The Wizard of Oz” this year, for a number of reasons.

“The superintendent was eager to do a show that would, let’s say, bring multigenerations together — grandparents, parents and kids,” Kelley said. “There’s an element of history in this show. We talk a lot about the Great Depression, and how people were suffering and how they would use music and theater to get through it.”

Even though the theater program was unable to put on its production of “Shrek” in 2020, Kelley and Appel said they refuse to consider it a missed year.

When the pandemic shut down everything in March 2020, they quickly rescheduled the show to debut in May. “I was telling everyone, ‘Okay, we’re taking a week or two off — not a problem,’” Kelley said. “Then May fell through. Then I had an idea we’d do an

outdoor performance in the back of Fayette, in the end of June. And then that fell through.”

“That was a wonderful show,” Appel added. “We had a wonderful cast. The kids still got the whole experience of working as a team and learning.”

The program was unable to produce a show in 2021, but last year, Kelley and Appel came up with a show called, “We’re Back,” featuring excerpts from “Annie,” “Bye, Bye Birdie,” and “Shrek.”

This year, they said it’s finally nice to come back together and have the kids put on a real, full show. Appel provides most of the music on her own, while playing the piano, which sets the production apart from others. No audio from CDs or cell phones is played, and every kid must learn the music they’ll be singing, they added.

The program receives tremendous support from volunteers, teachers, and even older students who’ve participated in past productions. Cynthia Seniuk, the superintendent of schools, has always supported the theater program, Kelley added.

“Theater arts is such a wonderful and valuable program for our sixth-graders,” Seniuk said. “The students have the opportunity to share their talents as part of a theatrical production, as well as form friendships with their peers in the other schools, just as they are poised to close one chapter of their education journey and start a new one together in middle school.”

Performances are set to take place at 7 p.m. on March 17 and 18 at the Brookside Auditorium in North Merrick, 1260 Meadowbrook Road. For tickets and more information, visit NMerricSchools.org.

__________________ merrick _________________

HERALD

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March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

4

Rhoads expresses issues with budget proposals

By MICHAEL MALASZCZYK

A More Affordable new York

mmalaszczyk@liherald.com

S

en. Steve Rhoads has gotten to work aiming to fulfill his campaign promise for a more affordable New York, with an initative named just that. “A More Affordable New York” is part of the Senate Republican Conference’s “Rescue New York” agenda. In a news release on Feb. 13, the conference claimed that Gov. Hochul and the Democrats are continuing their “same old tax and spend routine,” whilst the Republicans are aiming to deliver real solutions.

The release called out specific executive budget proposals the Republicans claim would exacerbate New York state’s low affordability. Some of these proposals include eliminating enhanced Medicaid payments to local governments, increasing unemployment taxes on small businesses, increasing payroll taxes in the MTA region, and giving state money to New York City to pay for the migrant crisis.

Gov. Hochul has claimed that this state money is aimed at mitigating those crises, including resettlement of migrants and proper funding of the MTA. “The New York City economy drives the state of New York, MTA helps drive the New York City economy,” Hochul said during her budget presentation. “So it’s critically important to all of us.”

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, this money is crucial to fixing the migrant issue — and simply letting up is not going to help anything.“We will continue to need our federal and state partners to do their part, and we look forward to working in partnership with them,” Adams said.

But Rhoads is not buying any of it, and is looking to

■ Eliminating costly unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes ■ Protecting businesses from unemployment insurance tax hikes by creating an Unemployment Insurance Solvency Reserve Fund and repealing the interest assessment surcharge, which is the assessment on businesses to pay back the UI Trust Fund’s deficit ■ Repealing Congestion Pricing ■ Providing relief from heating costs geared toward the middle class Michael Malaszczyk/Herald file

StAtE SEn. StEvE Rhoads campaigned on delivering a more affordable New York, and restoring Long Island to its former glory. He has begun to work on delivering on that promise, starting with an initiative called “A More give financial relief to New Yorkers immediately.

“With inflation raging, Governor Hochul continues to push radical policies that make New York less affordable to live, work, grow a business, and raise a family,” Rhoads said in the news release. “It’s no mystery why New Yorkers are fleeing. Democrats are poised to continue the familiar pattern of reckless spending and high taxes designed to punish Long Islanders and suburban resi-

dents and businesses across this state. That’s why I was happy to work with my Senate Republican colleagues to come up with an actionable plan that makes New York more affordable for middle-class families. Our plan includes eliminating costly unfunded mandates that drive up local property taxes, protecting small businesses and promoting organic business growth, repealing congestion pricing, and providing relief from heating cost during these upcoming cold winter months. Taxpayers deserve to have their voices heard and the Senate Republican ‘More Affordable New York’ initiative will put money back into their pockets and help make our state affordable once again.”

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State senator criticizes governor’s budget proposals, unveils plan for a more affordable New York

5

Guest Column

t

Talya lippman

School Daze with Talya Lippman

oday’s classrooms utilize technology just as frequently as in work, personal finances, and various other areas of life. What is found in a backpack today is completely unlike what was found only 20 years ago. If you were to stop a middle school student in the hallways today, you would likely find one of the following devices: an iPad, a laptop, or Chromeboo — the list goes on.

As a high school sudent myself, I would rather carry one iPad in the place of three

or more textbooks. Let me tell you, the back pain is real! However, technology offers advantages that go beyond merely lightening the load of a book bag.

The method of educating students in a way that takes into account their unique differences, impairments, and special needs is known as special education. The necessity for technology support in the classroom is even greater for students who have developmental and learning difficulties. Every child has the right to the same

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March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

6

learning opportunities as others. Children with learning difficulties benefit greatly from special education because it allows them to receive a high-quality education that is tailored to their particular needs.

Each and every student can achieve their full potential and obtain a high level of independence through special education.

There is a wide range of disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, motor impairments, blindness, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, that are common in schools in America. According to recent estimates, more than 7 million students with disabilities attend public schools in the United States, and the majority of these students have specific learning impairments. Technology in special education can assist students in need, as well as keeping them at a similar level with their peers.

For students with special needs, there are multiple ways technology can be implemented.

Firstly, students with autism may benefit from virtual reality surroundings when dealing with crowds in crowded places.

Part of the school experience goes beyond the walls of the classroom and into the hallways and lunchrooms. Crowded areas such as cafeterias, school assemblies, and the hallways can be a stressful environment. These students can progressively become accustomed to circumstances such as this by experiencing them in a safe virtual environment, which will better equip them to react calmly and correctly in future situations. Students with motor difficulties can likewise operate objects in virtual reality that they are unable to in the real world.

Secondly, tablets or handheld touch screens can be used for reading, writing, drawing, and watching videos. With textto-speech apps, students with reading challenges can be better provided for and have a better understanding of written material. Additionally, students with motor impairments improve their coordination through the use of iPads or tablets.

Technological advances have improved classrooms for students with impairments or special needs in an effort to encourage equal participation from all students and a well-rounded learning environment overall. I believe that as technology continues to be instituted, it can help all students, whether it be introduced into mainstream classrooms or classrooms specifically catering towards special needs students.

E

very child has the right to the same learning opportunities as others.

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

7

What’s neWs in and out of the classroom

S

Students in Denise Schleith’s seventh grade French classes at Merrick Avenue Middle School became engineers during a March 7 lesson.

Using dried spaghetti and marshmallows they recreated the Eiffel Tower.

These world language learners brain-

stormed ideas before setting off on their task and used a wire model for reference.

“We worked on a reading about the Eiffel Tower prior to the challenge and I thought this would be a great exercise in team building,” Schleith said.

“Students learned to problem solve and work together to achieve a goal.”

Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

niCole and erin, left, worked on the planning of their Eiffel Tower build.

Ureil, Chloe and Irene, above, with their completed Eiffel Tower.

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MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

Herald ScHoolS Eiffel Towers soar in Merrick Avenue Middle School

March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

8

New LIRR rollout gets mixed reviews The good, the bad, and the bumps in-between

By JUAN LASSO & KEPHERD DANIEL of the Herald

For weeks, the ideal stage had been set for the full launch of Grand Central Madison, finally connecting the Long Island Rail Road to the bedrock of Midtown Manhattan.

Or so it seemed.

Limited shuttle service between Jamaica station and Grand Central Madison gave commuters roughly four weeks to try out the new travel routes in advance of the big day, warming them to the idea of the $11 billion East Side terminal.

But as the new service rolled out, some reinforced their concerns. While a number of service lines have been expanded, others have been completely rescheduled. And there were those who worried about inadequate direct service to Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal after timed connections would be eliminated at the Queens station, as well as through direct transfers across platforms at stops like Jamaica under the new schedules.

Then, full-service started Feb. 27, and contrary to the MTA’s calculated expectations, the ensuing first days of its historic Midtown terminal turned into the most dizzying and distressful for commuters in recent memory.

Riders — coping with the rush-hour meltdowns at Jamaica station and onboard Penn Station-bound trains — poured their anger and disbelief onto social media.

Images and posts showed commuters cramming into train aisles. Others making frantic sprints to catch their connecting lines. And many finding themselves tightly jammed inside an antsy crowd of riders on waiting platforms.

By the end of the first week, MTA officials rushed to provide relief in the form of extra train cars added to roughly 30 of its busiest trains, most of them rush hour excursions on the Penn Station service routes, as well as ramping up the frequency of shuttle service between Brooklyn and Queens.

While the adjustments have managed to ease overcrowding and quell a frantic commuter flow, the fumbled full launch of Grand Central Madison has left some commuters scratching their heads — and shaking their fists — at what went wrong.

The reason, according to Long Island Rail Road interim president Catherine Rinaldi, can be chalked up to a miscalculation on how many commuters would actually shift from Penn Station to Grand Central.

The LIRR’s original service plan was designed to accommodate a “60-40” split of ridership, with most still traveling to Penn Station. So far, however, the split has been more “70-30,” although new ridership figures are still pending.

For all the initial bumps, however, Barry Kleinworm — a diamond inventory manager in Midtown Manhattan — said full service to the East Side was a “home run” decision.

“Grand Central station is only five minutes from my office, so I’m loving it,” the Woodmere commuter said.

“Before, I had to walk 20 minutes from Penn Station. So this is a benefit for me for sure.”

It’s something that should have happened 30 years ago, said Jack Halpern, who rides the Far Rockaway branch.

“I’m a lawyer, and my office is in the Grand Central area,” he said. “But of course, I don’t go all the time what with hybrid work. It would have been really helpful to have this service pre-Covid when I was going five days a week.”

Despite the benefits, however, Halpern did note that finding his way in and out of Grand Central has proven difficult.

“When exiting the station, going up the escalators is ridiculous, so I use the elevators. But they’re not all in the same area,” he said. “Entering the station, there is no clear signage on the street level to point you to what looks like a temporary construction elevator that takes you

Courtesy Marc A. Hermann/Metropolitan Transportation Authority

MEtROPOLItAN tRANSPORtAtION AUtHORIty chief executive Janno Lieber and Long Island Rail Road interim president Catherine Rinaldi are re-routing four Grand Central Madison trains back to Penn Station after higher-thanexpected ridership on the West Side. down into the station, so they have to make the signage a little clearer.”

Melvin Medina says commuting on the Babylon branch is “not so bad,” but feels the benefits tilt toward Grand Central commuters at the expense of everyone else.

“There used to be an express train straight to Penn Station,” the commuter from Bay Shore said. “Now, by around 8 a.m., I have to transfer to Wantagh to get to Penn, and the train stops at every stop.

“At the end of the day, you’ve just got to plan ahead.

But I don’t really agree with all the changes made.”

Then there are commuters like Debby Washington who say navigating the new train schedule changes has been nothing but daily stress.

“I hate it. It’s just so much confusion going on,” the Wantagh commuter said. “It’s just not organized right now. The schedule is crazy, and the trains come out of nowhere with no announcements.

“I’m paying a lot of money in taxes, and my service is not that great. In fact, it’s getting worse.”

But a lot of that might simply be a resistance to change, based on long-term familiarity to what’s already been in place — even if what’s there now wasn’t all that great.

“I think people are used to what they had before, and so if you’ve been commuting to Penn Station for decades, it definitely throws a wrench in your regular routine,” said Amy Zervas of Merrick. “I travel to both stations, but I prefer Grand Central because there are fewer people on those trains. Either way, I’ve had no issues.”

While opinions appear sharply divided, Rinaldi reassured commuters that changes are being made as needed.

“We are going to be continuously making adjustments based upon ridership and loading data. We look at it every single day,” she said. “The Long Island Rail Road team is all over the rollout in terms of looking for trends, what ridership is looking like, what trains are popular, and adjusting accordingly.”

What lawmakers have to say Assemblyman Brian Curran “Clearly the opening of Grand Central Madison is a benefit, but my office has received numerous complaints regarding schedule changes, specifically additional travel time for our commuters on the West Hempstead line where riders at Malverne and Westwood now experience an approximate hour gap in travel times from the old schedule.

Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and myself were informed that the Long Island Rail Road would reevaluate scheduling times for the West Hempstead line if data was provided regarding commuters’ preferred changes. We decided to hand out voluntary surveys to commuters about the issue.”

Assemblyman Charles Levine “We have all known for years that the Oyster Bay line is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s biggest loss leader. With the advent of East Side Access, the MTA has had to reroute and reprogram any number of trains from the Oyster Bay line. The biggest challenge is that the OB line runs on diesel-powered trains that need to stop at Mineola where there is a transfer for riders to get on electric trains to go into the city.

We do not have express trains running directly into Penn Station as we had in the past before the new train schedules. The result is there is less availability for Oyster Bay commuters to travel than there was before, and riders are not pleased — nor should they be pleased. I’m confident, however, that the MTA leadership is aware of this issue and will be addressing it.”

‘Power On’ program improves grid reliability

■ Bellmore Road between N Jerusalem Road and Alice Avenue ■ Old Britton Road between Bellmore Road and Columbus Avenue

Courtesy PSEG Long Island

PSEG LonG ISLand crews perform storm hardening work as part of the company’s multi-year effort to strengthen the grid.

■ Columbus Avenue between Old Britton Road and Armand Street ■ Newbridge Road between Cliff Lane and Capri Place ■ Jerusalem Avenue between Vollkommer Place and Pea Pond Road ■ Maple Avenue between Bellmore Road

ready, set, Go...

and Pea Pond Road ■ Pea Pond Road between Maple Avenue and Anderson Street ■ Anderson Street between Pea Pond Road and Mona Court PSEG Long Island prepares year-round for extreme weather to maintain reliable

service for its 1.1 million customers. Since 2014, the company has made significant investments in strengthening the electric infrastructure. Using funding from both FEMA and LIPA, PSEG Long Island has completed storm hardening and reliability work on more than 1,000 miles of distribution mainline circuits.

Power On, a five-year program that started in the spring of 2020, continues the work now that the FEMA program has concluded. Since the launch of Power On, more than 256 miles of the most vulnerable distribution mainline circuits on Long Island and in the Rockaways have been storm hardened with stronger poles, thicker wire and other modern equipment.

The investments have strengthened the system so that fewer customers experience outages and, when they do occur, the duration is shorter, especially during extreme weather.

In 2022, the sections of circuits that are storm hardened saw a 48.5 percent reduction in damage leading to outages compared to the rest of the distribution system.

Power On focuses on mainline circuits, the backbone of PSEG Long Island’s distribution system. The main lines feed the many branch lines that power the homes and businesses in individual communities.

For more project details, visit PSEGLINY.com.

MAKING ROOM FOR SPRING!

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MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

PSEG Long Island is improving the reliability of the energy grid in North Bellmore. The storm hardening work on this distribution circuit is part of many system improvements included in the “Power On” program.

“PSEG Long Island is strengthening the electric lines that directly power homes and businesses because we know that electric reliability is more important than ever to our customers,” Peggy Keane, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Construction and Operations Services, said. “This Power On infrastructure improvement project in North Bellmore is part of our ongoing, multi-year effort to continue to improve electric reliability for our customers.”

The work began in mid-February and will last for approximately nine months.

PSEG’s licensed and approved contractors will work along mainline distribution lines in North Bellmore.

To ensure traffic moves safely, PSEG will provide cones, flaggers and signage at the worksites, as needed.

Local officials also will be notified in advance regarding any potential traffic concerns.

Crews will be working on the following streets in North Bellmore:

9

March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

10

Beckham, Lloyd share soccer skills in Nassau

T

hey flocked from all over Long Island to learn from one of soccer’s greatest — Carli Lloyd. But the 400 or so young athletes who gathered at the Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale this past Saturday got an added bonus, with a chance to bend it like David Beckham — with David Beckham.

The two soccer stars paid the weekend visit to talk about teamwork, sportsmanship and fitness. And, of course, to show a few moves to the kids, who ranged in age between 9 and 12.

Afterward, they broke into two sessions led by Lloyd and Beckham, teaching some soccer fundamentals and techniques, before posing for pictures with players and teams.

The visit was part of Sands Cares and its Sands Youth Empowerment Initiative — an organization active in communities where facilities owned by the Las Vegas Sands are situated.

The Sands is pursuing a massive redevelopment project at the nearby Nassau Coliseum, where it hopes to transform 80 vacant acres into an entertainment complex. It would include a hotel, restaurants, convention space and performance venues, as well as a casino.

Lloyd is a four-time Olympian, winning gold medals in 2008 and 2012. She has also won two FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019. She retired from the national team in 2021, but not before becoming the oldest player to score a goal for the United States in a 4-0 victory over Jamaica — a month shy of her 39th birthday.

Beckham was a soccer prodigy beginning as a teenager when he played for Manchester United who also appeared in three FIFA World Cups, and was known to be one of soccer’s best-paid players during his career.

Although retired as a player, Beckham is co-owner of Inter Miami CF, which competes in the Major Soccer League.

one might Say David Beckham has learned everything there is to learn about soccer over a long, storied career — but then again, he hasn’t had a chance to interact with some of the future soccer stars from Long Island.

Daniel Tommasino/Herald photos

Soccer icon DaviD Beckham snaps a selfie with some of Long Island’s best up-and-coming young soccer players during a surprise visit to the Mitchell Athletic Complex on Saturday, as part of the Sands Youth Power Initiative.

Soccer StarS DaviD Beckham and Carli Lloyd took plenty of time to pose for pictures with the young soccer players and teams that traveled from across Long Island to see them at the Mitchell Athletic Complex on Saturday — but the stars also took a moment to pose with some of the adults there, too. That includes Nassau County’s labor relations director Jose Lopez, far left, and Ted Sempepos from County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office.

Leaders: Housing plan undermines neighborhoods ramid@liherald.com

Many on Long Island already are having a tough time finding affordable places to live. The elderly are priced out of affordable homes, and younger generations are fleeing to more affordable locales — many times out of state.

Lawmakers have tried a number of ways to keep rents low, but the latest plan offered by Gov. Kathy Hochul to build 800,000 new homes across the state over the next decade isn’t meeting with a lot of support. Especially on Long Island.

“We don’t want Hochul control, we want local control,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin told a crowd of local elected leaders at the Port Washington Long Island Rail Road station earlier this month.

Clavin believes the governor’s proposal is a power grab and doesn’t take into consideration the differences between upstate and downstate communities. He worries Hochul’s plans will force Long Island to become the sixth borough of New York City.

While the proposal speaks to creating high-density housing, officials say it doesn’t address upgrading the existing infrastructure to accommodate the population increase — like roads and utilities. There also seems to be little attention from Albany about how such fast growth could impact schools, which might not be able to keep up.

Rents have risen 30 percent since 2015 in New York City, while home prices have grown 50 percent. The situation is even more dire outside the city where rents are up as much as 60 percent, with some existing home sales rising as high as 80 percent over the last eight years.

According to the Population Reference Bureau, more than half of the state’s renters are paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent, the second-highest rate

Roksana Amid/Herald

HeMpSteAD tOwN SupeRvISOR Don Clavin says he’s not alone in his opposition to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to push affordable housing. Officials believe forcing development — even near transit hubs — doesn’t consider additional concerns neighbors face such as infrastructure and crime. in the nation.

Hochul wants to battle that through what she’s calling the New York Housing Compact. It’s intended to eliminate many of the barriers stopping development of affordable housing — especially around Metropolitan Transportation Authority rail stations — including plans for the state to step in if local government refuse to act.

But that’s what really have many local leaders like

Clavin fired up. The town supervisor says Hochul’s proposal eliminates the public hearing process, and will allow an “unaccountable, bureaucratic board located hundreds of miles away in Albany to make decisions over what belongs in your neighborhood.”

The governor, however, believes the state’s housing crisis requires bold actions and an all-hands-on-deck approach.

“Every community in New York must do their part to encourage housing growth to move our state forward and keep our economy strong.” Hochul said, according to a release. “The New York Housing Compact is a comprehensive plan to spur the changes needed to create more housing, meet rising demand, and make our state a more equitable, stable and affordable place to live.”

The compact, however, suggests local leaders aren’t doing enough to address the housing crisis. And that’s wrong, said Jennifer DeSena, town supervisor for North Hempstead.

“We have a hearing process,” DeSena said. “There are always projects that are being considered Nassau County is the densest suburban community in the country. We have a lot of housing, and wanting to add an arbitrary number like 3 percent every three years, it’s just not realistic.”

Pamela Panzenbeck said she’s worried about a devastating scenario for the city she leads, Glen Cove, where giving the governor the power to rezone property within a half-mile from a train station to 50 units of housing per acre will hurt more than it will help.

The mayor also believes Long Island towns and cities should be able to decide for themselves what the appropriate land use is.

“Changes such as she suggests would destroy our way of life,” Panzenbeck said, “the historic nature and beauty of Glen Cove, and our Long Island communities.”

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

By ROKSANA AMID

11

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HERALD INSIDE LI

Strokes, aneurysms, and headaches — oh my!

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Headaches are the worst. They come at the worst time, but can be treatable with a pop of Tylenol or Advil. But have you ever asked yourself if it could be something more?

If it is, knowing when to seek medical attention is what those who tuned in to the recent Herald Inside LI webinar were looking for as Dr. Kimon Bekelis shared his expertise on the critical differences between a brain aneurysm and a stroke — and how to treat or prevent either one.

A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in the blood vessel in the brain that can burst. An estimated 30,000 people in the United States suffer a brain aneurysm rupture each year, according to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation.

“Because it’s a fairly rare disease,” Bekelis said, “I think it hasn’t been as mainstream.”

Symptoms of a brain aneurysm can be confused with a headache. If it’s allowed to rupture, it could mean everything from brain damage, to coma, or even death.

Bekelis is a certified neurosurgeon with training in invasive endovascular neurosurgery. He is also the chairman of neuro-interventional services for Catholic Health Services of Long Island, and co-director of the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital.

He’s also the director of the Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, located in Babylon. With all that experience, if Bekelis comes across someone with a stiff neck, blurred or double vision and confusion, he knows he needs to take action right away. The feeling of an aneurysm is like someone hitting you with a hammer.

“It is a very severe event when they rupture,” Bekelis

Courtesy Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island

DR. KiMON BEKELiS from the Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island in Babylon, recently discussed the differences between a stroke and brain aneurysm. said. “But people do survive.”

Preventing an aneurysm varies from not smoking or using tobacco products, having a healthy diet, and checking your blood pressure and exercising regularly.

But if worrying about aneurysms aren’t enough, Bekelis also warns about strokes. They are caused when blood supply is blocked in part of the brain, or when a blood vessel bursts.

More than 795,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Detecting and identifying a stroke fast is the most

BREAKING DOWN BOUNDARIES WITH CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS

important factor in guaranteeing that somebody is not going to have a deficit,” Bekelis said The American Heart Association created an acronym it believes will help determine if someone is having a stroke. “FAST” is short for face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to call 911.

The “deficit” of a stroke can vary from impaired speech, limited physical abilities, weakness or limb paralysis. But just like aneurysms, there are ways to prevent strokes, Bekelis said.

Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol. Cut cigarettes.

Monitor weight. And, of course, exercise. And there could also be a “magic” pill that might help, too.

“When it comes to aspirin, it used to be a general recommendation that if you’re over the age of 55, they would put you on a baby aspirin,” Bekelis said. “Nowadays, it’s been modified a little because aspirin has been founded to slightly increase the risk of bleeding if you don’t have any risk factors.”

Thinner blood might be good for strokes, but could be bad for other conditions. So, adding a baby aspirin regimen is something Bekelis says should be monitored by a doctor.

It’s challenging to know what the brain is trying to tell us in a headache. But when you know something doesn’t seem right, Bekelis says it will be hard to miss.

“When it comes to a stroke, the symptoms — you can’t miss them,” the neurologist said. “When it comes to a headache, things are a little bit more murky, and headache is a symptom of aneurysm rupture possibility.

“An aneurysm headache is like the worst headache of your life. If it’s one of those, seek immediate medical attention.”

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March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

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STEPPING OUT

13

Lay of the land

A true Broadway legend returns her Long Island roots, visiting Tilles Center with her acclaimed one-woman show. ‘Don’t Monkey with Broadway’ is a celebration of her life-long love affair with Broadway, as she indelibly interprets classic theatre tunes by the likes of Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Jule Styne, Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin. She explores her love affair with Broadway and offers up her opinion and concerns for what the Great White Way is becoming today, in this intimate concert, which includes behind-thescenes anecdotes.

Courtesy Heckscher Museum of Art

Eyes on nature

Sunday, March 19, 7 p.m. $110, $75, $55. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

(516) 299-3100 or TillesCenter.org.

By Karen Bloom

TEPPING OUT

13

ve advocacy

Pat McGann

BALDWIN HERALD — February 9, 2023

Since the invention of the camera, photographers have been enthralled by interpreting the natural world.

We (viewers), in turn, are captivated by what their cameras reveal.

As we spring forward, we’re all eager to enjoy the landscape as it emerges from its winter “hibernation.”

It’s the subject of Heckscher Museum of Art’s current exhibition, “Viewfinders: Photographers Frame Nature,” on display through April 16.

Viewfinders explores artists’s varied responses to the relationship between nature and humans. These lens-based works reveal the divergent ways in which nature continues to fuel documentation of the human experience and imagination — from images symbolizing the untamed power of nature, to those where the landscape has been abused for human consumption. The exhibit — featuring 64 works from 34 artists — traces the lure of photography through the centuries, culminating in contemporary times where every person with a smartphone has the power to “frame” nature.

Guest Curator Susan Van Scoy, associate professor of art history at St. Bloom

By Karen WHERE Joseph’s University, combed through the museum’s permanent collection to hange the world? It’s a question WHEN explore the myriad ways artists respond the landscape their responses n at thetofocus of and ourhowcollective ••Now through 16 noon-4 Saturday andApril Sunday, have shaped our perception of nature.

• Open p.m.;Thursday Tuesday through Friday, centuries.“Landscape Now as society have and photography Sunday, noon-5 11 a.m.-4 p.m. p.m.

••$5 suggested admission Emily Lowe Hall Gallery, always been closely intertwined. In fact, the complexities of modern life, non-members; members and South Campus, Hempstead. the world’s first automatic photograph children younger than free For information and 13 to RSVP, was a landscape and photography ath for social change is at the • Heckscher call (516) Museum 463-5672,oforArt, visit was first referred to as ‘sun pictures’ 2Hofstra.edu/museum Prime Ave., Huntington f artisticor expression. ‘drawings from nature,’” Van Scoy (631) 380-3230 or Heckscher.org says. “Artists have long used landscape as a University vehicle toMuseum explore other issues l Stand,” Hofstra of Art’s newsuch exhibition, examines as poetry, spirituality, philosophy and er of the arts in society. environmentalism.

Theassistant images director in Viewfinders are noand exception. They are exandra Giordano — the museum’s of exhibition teeming withcivic hidden meaning.“ xhibit underscores artists’ responsibility and influence.

Legendary photographers such as Edward Steichen, Larry Fink he vital role that artists have American in activating democratic values that and Berenice civic Abbott are represented, as are newly acquired photographs nd freedom, encouraging engagement, and cultivating unity,” by the Kenjicharge Nakahashi and Jeremy Vanotherwise Scoy alsobe selected a substantial rtists often lead and expose truthsDennis. that may s in this exhibition takeofaworks stand by andnotable call outLong injustices their art number Islandthrough image makers. sues such as immigration, gender, reproductive rights, mass incarceration, Beyond traditional forms of landscape photography, Van Scoy was l bias, gun violence, promiseswhat unfulfi lled.

They allascombine the making takes,” which excited and to introduce she describes the “contemporary service that has a grassroots approach in the hope of mobilizing explore environmental issues such as climate changetheir and reclaiming the land. the nation to ignite movement, create awareness, and now inspire “Everyone enjoys seeing landscape, it’sothers beingto used as a background for protest,” she says. “Artists have an important role to help hich runs through July 28, is in conjunction with Hofstra’s onference on the Barack Obama presidency coming up in April. erested in the idea that the artist has a civic responsibility,” says

Patchange McGann is quickly rising as one people shape the future of the environment and our behaviors.” of the sharpest stand-ups on the Visitors will notice a “local flavor” to the exhibit, such as N. Jay Jaffee’s comedy scene. A relative latecomer photo of Lloyd Harbor’s Caumsett Park Preserve. to comedy, he began doing standAs Van Scoy explains: “The Olmsted family up landscape architectural firmwas not Willie Nile at 31 after realizing he The singer-songwriter comes to the created some of the most famous and unnatural ‘natural’ sites in the world, very good at selling packaging. including New York City’s Central Park and Caumsett Statehis Historic Park He hustled way to become the Landmark on Main Street stage for Preserve. Yet some visitors view these parks as nature its untouched house in emcee at Zanies state.

Chicago, an exciting evening of roots rock, with special guest James Maddock. he distinguished himself as Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve has been where a favorite subject of artists Nestled somewhere between especially adept at working the such as Jaffee and Neil Scholl, whose photographs capture the landscape power-pop and American folk, A husband and father of architects’s signature picturesque landscapes in crowd. the park. you will find Willie Nile strumming McGann’s “Visitors just love the Caumsett shot,” shethree says.young “Manychildren, people don’t his guitar. A true believer in appeal stems from his quick wit rock ‘n’ roll, over the years Nile realize its history.” and relatable take on family life has made admirers out of such Picturesque scenes are just one aspect of what’s on view.

From the and marriage. In 2017, McGann names as Bruce Springsteen and whimsical — such as Barbara Roux’s mise-en-scènes wooded areas with act began in touring as the opening Pete Townshend who personally frames or mirrors placed against a leafy ground, natural images that moving fortoSebastian Maniscalco, requested him to tour with The show the power of nature in Kenji Nakahashi’swith abstract take on Hurricane him from clubs to theater, Who, among others who sing Gloria — nature in all its forms is documented.to arenas, including four soldhis praises. The New York Times shows Madison Square “I want people to be able to look at theseout works andatrelate to them,” called him ‘one of the most gifted relatively she says. “I love when you can relate an imageGarden. to yourMcGann’s everyday life and short, singer-songwriters to emerge from also learn something new at the same time.” but impressive resume, includes the New York scene in years,’ Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs among the many accolades he has The takeaway from Van Scoy: “We are reminded that humans are Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, The received. The timeless qualities of always small in relationship to the power of nature.”

Great American Comedy Festival, melodic craft, lyrical insight and and more. McGann still calls emotional engagement that have Chicago home. endeared Nile to listeners around the world throughout a three-andTop left: N. Jay Jaffee’s Long Island Sound Saturday, from Caumsett (1990) Feb. 11, 8 p.m. $40, $35,a-half-decade recording career — a gift of Paula W. Hackeling — is an example of landscape $30, $25.

The Paramount, 370 York17th Ave.,century Huntington. (800) continue to be prominent in his live photography that follows a formula used New in early 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or performances. paintings.

ParamountNY.com.

Saturday, April 1, 8 p.m. $30, $25.

Top right: Barbara Roux’s Night Rises Up (1998) Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark merges the subjective individual with the natural world. on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Bottom: Kenji Nakahashi’s Decoration for Hurricane Gloria (1985) Washington. (516) 767-6444 or reflects nature’s untamed power.

LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

Patti Lupone

Your Neighborhood

THE SCENE

March

26

The Brubeck Brothers

Jazz giant Dave Brubeck’s sons celebrate their dad’s life and career, with “The Brubeck Brothers Quartet Celebrates Dave Brubeck’s Centennial,” on the Tilles Center stage, Thursday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. Chris and Dan Brubeck bring their multimedia show to the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. To honor Brubeck’s legacy, the Brubecks, who performed and recorded with their father since the 1970s, curate this memorable concert with their own Brubeck Brothers Quartet. Through their stories, with music performed by the quartet, the show invites audiences to travel along the timeline of Brubeck’s extraordinary life and career. Tickets are $52; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

13

30

The Manhattan Transfer

Best of Broadway

April

March

Adelphi performing arts students perform their semiannual Broadway revuew, on Adelphi University Performing Arts Center stage, Sunday, March 26, 4 p.m. Under the direction of KT Thomas and Steven Altinel, this contemporary-themed show will highlight hits from pop/ rock shows, including”Rent,” “We Will Rock You,” “School of Rock,” to songs from contemporary classics like “Wicked,” “Mamma Mia,” “The Prom” and “Next to Normal.” Students perform large group numbers as well as individual solos. Tickets start at $30, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi. edu/pac.

The 10-time Grammy winning vocal group celebrates their 50th anniversary, performing at The Space, Thursday, March 30, 8 p.m. The group looks back on a career that has spanned genres from pop to jazz to rock and roll and more, in this special evening that highlights their long and dazzling career with their signature pitchperfect vocals and impeccable style. Tickets are $65-$175; available at Ticketmaster.com or TheSpaceAtWestbury.com. The Space, 250 Post Ave. Westbury.

CPR Training The Robbie Levine Foundation and the North Merrick Fire Department are hosting a free CPR training on Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m.-noon.

Open to anyone interested in learning CPR. It will take place at the fire department’s headquarters, 2095 Camp Ave., North Merrick. No experience or equipment is necessary. To register, email rblforever9@ optonline.net.

CONNECT • COLLABORATE • CELEBRATE

are needed to see this picture.

Produced By

RICHNER

Join Us

WEDNESDAY • MAY 17 6PM at The Heritage Club At Bethpage Long Island’s best and brightest legal professionals will be recognized at the Fourth Annual Herald Top Lawyers Awards Gala. Nominate yourself or another deserving legal professional who has achieved excellence and given back to their communities.

NOMINATE TODAY at RichnerLIVE.com/Nominate For more information or to sponsor contact Amy Amato at aamato@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 x224

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March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

14

Transportation requests

North Bellmore Union Free School District provides transportation for students in kindergarten through third grade living a distance greater than a half mile up to 15 miles and in grades fourth through sixth living a distance greater than one mile up to 15 miles from the school they attend. Transportation to a day care is also provided under certain circumstances, also to private and parochial schools. Transportation requests to schools outside of the district must be made by April 1 — the child must be registered in the district. Applications are online at NorthBellmoreSchools.org or call 516) 992-3000 for info. Requests should be sent to 2616 Martin Ave., Bellmore.

Breastfeeding Support Group Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot.

Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.

Singer-songwriters Kala Farnham and Lara Herscovitch share the bill and swap songs during the monthly Hard Luck Café series, co-presented by the Folk Music Society of Huntington and the Cinema Arts Centre, Wednesday, March 15, 7-10 p.m. An open mic precedes the concert, in Cinema’s Sky Room, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. $20. For tickets and information, visit CinemaArtsCentre.org.

Plaza Theatrical is ready to spring forward with “Forever Plaid,” an affectionate musical homage to the close harmony guy groups that reached the height of their popularity during the ‘50s, Saturday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 19, 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, March 23, 2 p.m. The show features such hits as “Three Coins in a Fountain,” “Heart and Soul,” “Catch a Falling Star,” and “Love is A Many Splendored Thing.” It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

S.T.O.P. Collection On stage

In concert

15

‘Forever Plaid’

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

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.

N. Bellmore transportation information

Mo Willems’ popular The Pigeon comes alive on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday March 17, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, March 19, noon. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Dispose of hazardous materials such as antifreeze, drain cleaners, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs,and more, at the Town of Hempstead’s collection, Saturday, May 13, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2600 Newbridge Road, South Bellmore, Visit HempsteadNY.gov for more.

Having an event?

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

Family theater Everyone’s favorite cat comes to mischievous life in this theatrical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic, presented Plaza Theatrical Productions, Sunday, March 19, noon. See what goes on during that rainy day when two siblings are home alone with their pet fish while their parents are out of town, and the tall cat wearing a hat appears. Tickets are $15. Visit the Plaza stage at The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore. For information/tickets, go to PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 5996870.

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HistoRy MontH Kerri Scanlon is a leader in Long Island medicine

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By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

K

erri Scanlon knew from a young age that she was destined to be a nurse.

Her mother, Mildred O’Connor, had a successful career in the field. And she convinced her daughter to follow in her footsteps.

“Seeing her love of the career, and then seeing her in action in the facility she worked at,” Scanlon remembered, “she just had this incredible love for what she did.”

Scanlon was fortunate to receive a scholarship that allowed her to study at Columbia University. It was there she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and then a master’s in advanced practice nursing.

Now the executive director of Glen Cove Hospital, Scanlon celebrates her 30th year as a nurse.

For the last 25, she’s been an integral member of Northwell Health, New York’s largest health care provider that oversees the operations of Glen Cove Hospital. Having worked closely with Northwell’s leaders for years, when Scanlon was offered the opportunity to lead the hospital in 2019, she couldn’t turn it down.

“Glen Cove, at the time, was really a hospital in transition and needed direction,” she said. “I love Glen Cove. I love the community. I love the people. I was welcomed with great arms.”

Just months into her new role, Scanlon — and health care professionals like her around the world — would face a much different problem: the coronavirus pandemic. As early as February 2020, Scanlon told her Glen Cove team to get ready. And expect the worst.

Epidemics were nothing new for Scanlon. Her career included HIV/AIDS as well as the avian flu in the 2000s.

But the first wave of Covid-19 was something she’d never seen before. Glen Cove did all it could to offer the best possible care to its patients, collaborating and completing

HistoRy MontH

Courtesy Northwell Health

GLEN COVE HOspitAL executive director Kerri Scanlon, center, addresses a crowd of health care professionals, working in a unit converted to treat coronavirus patients. research with larger hospitals, and opening up an acute rehabilitation facility to treat patients who’d spent months in intensive care.

“It kind of defined us as the little engine that could,” Scanlon said.

The pandemic helped Scanlon identify areas of growth for the hospital, and she says it’s now better fit than ever to advance into the future.

“Is Glen Cove thriving?” she asked. “Is Glen Cove going to be here 10 years from now? Heck yes. We just celebrated our centennial, and the health system is more than ever investing in Glen Cove. We’re budgeted this year to make money, not lose money. And that’s a huge change.”

The 247-bed community hospital offers a lot, including a state-of-the-art brain injury unit, but Scanlon wants people to know the full scope of care Glen Cove provides. It has renowned doctors in the fields of gynecology, endocri-

nology and breast care — areas of the body where typically women encounter conditions.

A geriatric-only facility is opening in Oyster Bay, she added, to offer age-friendly services to older adults.

Employee happiness is key to running a successful hospital.

“We want to continue to focus on our patients, and focus on our customers, and the only way to do that is to focus on our staff,” Scanlon said. “Because if they’re not happy, our patients aren’t going to be happy.”

A mother of two, Scanlon resides in Nissequogue. Her 26-year-old daughter also works in health care, so Scanlon is used to giving advice to young women wishing to advance in the field.

“My greatest advice always is to focus on doing the best that you can do today,” she said. “Everybody is so focused on what’s the next thing — it’s this generation. They’re constantly under so much stress. The opportunities are greater for women, but I think the level of stress is even greater.”

Women have made excellent strides in health care, Scanlon said, but there’s always work to be done.

“There’s not enough women at the table for (health care) decisions across the country,” she said. “I think its constantly focusing on that, and diversity and inclusion — ensuring that it’s all women we’re including at that table.

“Historically, as women, we didn’t pay it forward to other women. I think that’s changed dramatically — I’m so happy to see this. My biggest thing is mentoring other women.”

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NCC follows through on insurance increase

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

It had to be done, and they did it. Nassau Community College’s board of trustees made a plan to increase health care premiums for its faculty and staff official — something the employees union that has spent months negotiating a new contract says could effectively reduce salaries by as much as $5,000.

The new insurance premiums begin March 23, and simply reflect a cost increase by their carrier, NCC officials said. They were allowed to pass on the increase despite a lack of a new contract based on a past agreement that allowed the board to make such increases under an expired contract.

The insurance increases, according to union president Faren Siminoff, could effectively act like a pay cut.

“These are the actions of people with no soul,” Siminoff said. “The college was asked by Nassau County if they needed more funding, and the college told them they do not need supplemental income. Instead the college decided to bleed its faculty dry.”

The educators union and trustees board has been negotiating full-time faculty contracts since last July, hoping to work out a deal before their contracts expired a month later. The union has rallied multiple times since then, but there is still no new contract on the table between NCC and its full-time faculty.

NCC attorney John Gross said the imposed health care provisions were not “pulled out of thin air.” In fact, the union knew about the existing contract provision, which was negotiated decades ago.

“The college board is a public agency, and they have a fiduciary responsibility to effectuate what’s in the contract,” Gross said. “If the (college board) said no to this (imposing health care premiums), they would be giving up thousands and thousands of dollars.”

N O R T H A M ER I CA’S

Tim Baker/Herald file

This time around, the union is entertaining a proposal for new employees to pay about 20 percent of health care premiums, and existing staff members are willing to give roughly 2 percent of their salary toward the cost of premiums during their last negotiation sessions.

But the college has known health care premiums were rising since last December, Siminoff said, and that those costs would be passed along to employees. So why did the school wait until after the new year to notify faculty members of the change, during the open enrollment period?

“Usually in November or December, if you have an insurance policy through your job, you’re permitted to change your policy,” Siminoff said. “So, while most of us

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are the college’s plan, there are many faculty members who could be covered under a partner’s plan. In order for them to switch coverage plans, they have to do it during open enrollment.”

Although NCC denies the increase being nothing more than ensuring they’re good stewards of their accounts, Siminoff is convinced the health insurance increase is being used to help with the school’s negotiating position, or at the very least retaliate against and punish the union members.

“It’s really a huge pay cut,” the union president said.

“Many faculty members told me, ‘If I had known they would charge us healthcare premiums in December during open enrollment, I would have changed my policy.’”

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What’s up next door and around the corner

Herald neigHbors

Chatterton students get up close to the wild kind

T

hird and fourth graders at Chatterton School in the Merrick School District became animal experts on March 8 after attending assemblies presented by a regional environmental educator from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

For third graders, Ron Gelardi reviewed the different strategies animals and insects use to protect themselves. The interactive assembly ties into portions of the science curriculum. He reviewed how shells, armor and exoskeletons protect skin and bones, as well as other anatomi-

cal features of certain animals.

“Some animals, like armadillos and hedgehogs, can even roll up into a ball and their entire body is protected by the armor or quills,” Gelardi said.

Lukas, a student in Ms. Colfer and Ms. Zaita’s third grade class, said he found the camouflaging animals the most interesting. Valentina, another student, added that she did not know that some animals can mimic others to avoid being captured or eaten.

The fourth graders learned all about Long Island bats.

Photos courtesy Merrick Union Free School District

Ron GelaRdi, a regional environmental educator from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, showed off a stick bug to third graders at Chatterton.

Public Notices

LMER1 0316

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY TAXCTCO LLC, Plaintiff against ANTHONY BOPP, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Law Office of Michael Ehrenreich PLLC, 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 18, 2020, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 4, 2023 at 2:30 PM, all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York, the Premises known as 59 Winifred Dr., Merrick, NY 11566. Sec 56 Block A05 Lot 36. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $57,732.95 plus interest, fees, and costs and attorneys fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 615070/2019.

The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules.

The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing

cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Roger Hausch, Esq., Referee 16-3252 137677 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: ALVAC HOLDINGS LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 01/02/2023.

NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 2000 Fisher Ave, PO Box 46, Merrick, NY 11566 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity.

137866

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 April 18, 2023 at 2:00PM, 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 at Merrick, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, 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.

The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Irene Villacci, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: February 13, 2023 137972 To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 2007-6, Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-6, Plaintiff AGAINST Danielle Borgia; Kenneth M. Borgia; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 10, 2019 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 April 19, 2023 at 3:30PM, premises known as 1710 Rugby Road, Merrick, NY 11566. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 55 Block 178 Lot 116.

Approximate amount of judgment $371,193.83 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 008635/2016.

The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Gerard DeGregoris, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: February 16, 2023 137970

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

a ReGional enviRonmental educator from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation visited Chatterton on March 8 to present assemblies about how animals avoid becoming prey.

With thiRd GRadeRs, Ron Gelardi reviewed the different strategies animals and insects use to protect themselves. students said What they found most interesting was how certain animals can camouflage into their environment.

21

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Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

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• Reporter/Editor • Drivers • Pressman/Press Helper

1204568

Mail Your Resumes to Careers@liherald.com or call 516-569-4000 ext 239 *must have a car

BOOKKEEPER P/T EXPERIENCED 5-10 Hours Per Week. Handle Real Estate Property Management, Personal Finances.

Computer Skills Necessary. Can Work From Home Or Office. Lawrence. Call 516-375-9642

S RIVER D S U B ED WANT NEW

DoN’T MISS The Bus! STARTING SALARIES Big Bus Van

$27.18/hr.

Non-Benefit Rate

DENTAL ASSISTING/ FRONT OFFICE: No Experience Necessay. Monday, Tuesd ay, We d n e s d ay a n d Fr i d ay. H o u r s 3 p m - 8 p m . $ 1 8 / H r. L o n g B e a c h .

516-849-4710

Non-Benefit Rate

Sign On Bonus $2,500.00 for CDL driver bus and van *Some restrictions may apply.

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department.

Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.

For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

$24.41/hr.

$500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants

1208020

ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING, AR/AP Do you have accounting, bookkeeping, or AR/AP experience? Are you tired of being retired, or need a few days a week to keep your mind occupied? If so, please send us a quick email and we will call you to discuss more details. We are a Customs Broker looking for someone who can support our everyday accounting needs and who doesn’t necessarily need or want to work every day. We look forward to talking with you!!! Email: Jobs@agraservices.com

OUTSIDE SALES

MOTOR VEHICLE CLERK FT

• Receptionist

1207801

FULL TIME & PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE RNs • LPNs • CNAs PHYSICAL THERAPISTS PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS BEHAVIOR ASSISTANTS RECREATION LEADERS Experience In Long Term Care Preferred Competitive Salary Beach Terrace Care Center • Long Beach, NY Call 516-431-4400 Ext.223 Fax Resume 516-431-2105 Or Email: beachterrace640@yahoo.com

Help Wanted

INVESTIGATOR

Marketing Analyst (Melville, NY):Partner with clients & internal teams to understand business & marketing goals, leveraging analytics to advance these goals; use testing & custom analyses to measure impact of digital media campaign; analyzes complex data sets & extracts key insights using various economic, financial, customer & marketing methodologies; collaborates with the Marketing Analytics team to communicate recommended approaches to senior leaders, & anticipate the future needs of our customers; performs cost-benefit & needs analysis of existing &/or potential customers to meet their needs. Req’s Master’s (or foreign equi. deg.) in Marketing, Business, or related with knowledge of directing & controlling the implementation of airport service standards, policies & procedures; functional activities such as cargo operations, catering & security services, as well as development of marketing force & operational team. Apply HR, Choice Aviation Ser vices, Inc. 786 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY-11747.

5.75 OR 3.75 HOURS PER DAY (High School Diploma required)

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Skip Tracer, Asset Locator. 3Yrs. Experience. Bi-lingual A Plus. Work From Home. mgal2@verizon.net 516-868-9888

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Fingerprint Clearance Required For All Positions

Help Wanted

EDUcATIoNAL BUS TRANSpoRTATIoN EOE 516.454.2300

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Night Availability is a Must.

Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED Will Certify And Train HS Diploma

NYS License Clean 3 Years

Call 516-731-3000

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team!

This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry.

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. We offer salary, commission, bonuses, health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Will consider part time.

Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286 OFFICE WORK P/T LAWN SPRINK;ER COMPANY. Monday-Friday 10am-2pm.

Small 1 Person Office, Customer Relations, Scheduling Appointments, Light Computer. Lynbrook. 516-561-1981. mkd2@optonline.net

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships.

Salary, Commission, Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Will Consider Part Time.

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250 PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key.

Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com PROPERTY and OPERATIONS MANAGER WANTED Freeport. Experienced Professional in Property Management, Operations and Maintenance. 4pm-7pm.

Saturdays. 646-481-3076 EMAIL eagertoserve@verizon.net https://eagertoserve.site/

RECEPTIONIST/ P/T: SEASONAL, Warm, Friendly, Excellent People Skills, Office Work/ Customer Service, Beach Club. 516-239-2150

SHORT ORDER COOK DELI EXPERIENCE PT 25-40 HOURS A WEEK FLEXIBLE & MORNING HOURS AVAILABLE AT THE GOLF CLUB AT MIDDLE BAY

516-766-1880 TEACHERS

B-2 Certified- Preferably Or With B.A. In Early Childhood In A Study Plan.

Salaries Will Be Determined By Education Level. Send Resume To: info@atozcentertoo@yahoo.com Or Contact Michael Budhoo At 718-740-8400

REAL ESTATE

HERALD

Homes

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

Opening DOOrs & Changing Lives!

HEWLETT Fabulous Location! 4 Br, 2.5 Bath Colonial. Close to LIRR and Shopping! ...... $989K EasT ROCKaWaY CO-OP Under Contract 9 days ......................................................$155K LYNBROOK Under Contract 5 days . ..............$619K

Lisa Fava Licensed AssociAte Broker 516-815-2434

1208194

JOIN OUR TEAM!

LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LisaFava1@yahoo.com • LisaFavasellshomes@gmail.com Becker realty, 50 hempstead avenue, Lynbrook, nY

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

HERALD

22

H2 03/16

Woodmere Park

Stunning Hi-Ranch

March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

HOME Of tHE WEEK

E

Bad advice from another ‘expert’

Q. We just received a permit for our construction. The contractor asked why we also got a permit for a finished basement, which was there when we bought the house. He told us it’s just a Building Department “money grab,” and could have been avoided. We’re wondering why we had to spend money, and, since the basement was already finished, why we ended up with a second permit we didn’t need. The contractor said people call it “finished storage” all the time, and we’re wasting money to put in an expensive escape well, which we could have avoided, right?

njoy the finer things with this luxurious 6 bedroom, 4 full bathroom home. Create culinary masterpieces or just relax in style. This home features an eat-in kitchen complete with top-of-the-line appliances and a magnificent backyard oasis where you can soak up the sun or enjoy relaxing in the in-ground pool!

Plus, there is a separate master suite upper level and a lower level equipped with its very own sauna. Call today 516.791.1313 to schedule a viewing!

A. It all sounds good, even though it’s not true, but if it sounds too good … You got bad advice from yet another ”expert” who knows just enough to sound confident. Telling you how much should be done should only be from their perspective as a contractor. Advising you to skirt the law (and get the architect to go along with it) is fine for them, since onte eeper they have no responsibility if something bad happens.

A finished basement without an escape well is considered a potentially dangerous and illegal use.

Just like smoke detectors, an escape well is retroactive, required even after a permit has been issued if the use of the basement is “habitable,” such as a recreation room, exercise room, music room, hobby room or any other type of space you can occupy other than a utility room, laundry room or closet.

These are rooms where people don’t generally spend a lot of time, unless of course they really like to do laundry, listen to their boiler hum or hide in small dark spaces, but that should be discussed with a different kind of professional.

Think about it. You spend hundreds of dollars a month on home insurance you’ll never see again, in most cases. Add to that the fact that in a disaster, which we collectively experienced during two hurricanes, insurance companies, which charged increasing fees for building values, turned around and then devalued the same buildings when it came time to pay out. Insurance companies don’t just write you a big fat check — maybe a “lowball”-value check, but not the full amount — and will spend money to investigate whether your home, and the way you used it, were legal.

Illegal use is just one of many ways to challenge the payout you thought you’d receive. I wonder if that came up in your conversation about avoiding the escape well. That escape well isn’t just a child’s only way out when the interior stairway is blocked by fire; it’s also the only way into the death trap for a rescuer. Taking the advice you quoted in your question is like going into a hospital and getting your diagnosis at the information desk. If you would take that advice, then this wasn’t the kind of hospital you needed to go to. Be wise and at least ask the professional. Good luck!

Ask The Architect

OPEN HOUSES SUNday, 3/12/23 HEWLETT 1608 Ridgeway Dr, 12-1:30, Move Right Into This Completely Gut Renovated 4 BR, 3.5 Bth Col on 1/4 Acre Prop. New Kosher EIK, FDR, LR/ Fpl, Den & Enclosed Porch. Radiant Heated Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!! SD#20 .........DRASTIC REDUCTION! MOTIVATED SELLER! $1,399,000 ALSO FOR RENT $6,500 per month 1267 Peninsula Blvd, BA, NEW TO MARKET! 5 BR, 2 Bth Exp Cape in SD#14 (Hewlett-Woodmere) Living Room, DR & Updtd Gran/Wood EIK & Bths. Det 1.5 Gar & Driveway for 4/5 Cars. HW Floors. Gas Heat. Near LIRR, Shops, Trans & Schools. A Steal!.....................................................................$599,000 257 Willard Dr, BA, 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 Gar. Loads of Updates!! SD#20 (Lynbrook) No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS! ............................................................................. REDUCED!! $1,025,000

M

HELPING YOU ON YOUR REAL ESTATE JOURNEY

Rob Kolb

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Tripodi Shemtov Team

Douglas Elliman Real Estate 30 West Park Ave | Long Beach, NY 11561 Cell: 516-314-1728 • Office: 516-432-3400 Rob.Kolb@elliman.com • Elliman.com/RobKolb

1207130

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299

1208195

V.I.Properties, INC 1208 Broadway Hewlett, NY 11557 516-791-1313 vipropertiesny.com

Results that Move You

1193 E. Broadway # M23, BA, NEW TO MARKET! Move Right Into This Stunning Gut Renovated 2 BR, 2 Bth Coop in Garden Town. Gourmet Kit W/ Thermdore St Steel Appl Opens Into DR & LR. Primary BR w/Bth Plus Spac 2nd BR. W/D in Unit. New Self Controlled CAC. Oak Flrs, LED Lights. Near LIRR. Parking Avail. SD#14. You Don’t Want to Miss This .................$379,000

1534 Broadway #205, BA,Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom (Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit.

Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living ..............................BIG REDUCTION!! MOTIVATED SELLER! $699,000

CEdaRHURST 332B Peninsula Blvd, BA, Move Right Into This Updated 3 Br, 2.5 Bth Coop Townhouse. LR, DR, Gran/Wood Kit w/ Stainless Steel Appl. Trex Deck Off LR. Primary Ste Features Updtd Bth & WIC. Att Gar Plus 1 Pkg Spot incl in Maintenance. W/D. Pull Down Attic.SD#15. Convenient to Shops, Trans & Houses of Worship ...............................................................................$449,000

Open Houses HEWLETT BA, 257 WILLARD Dr 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 Gar. Loads of Updates!! SD#20(Lynbrook)No Flood Insurance Req. MUST SEE THIS!..$1,025,000 R o n n i e G e r b e r, D o u g l a s E l l i m a n 516-238-4299 H EW L ET T 1 534 B ROA DWAY # 20 5, Open House By Appt! Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom(Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses HEWLETT 3/19 12-1:30, 1608 Ridgeway Dr, Drastic Reduction! 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 Htd Flrs. Full Fin Bsmt. 2 Car Att Gar. MUST SEE!!

SD#20...$1,469,000 RENTAL $6500 PER MONTH Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429 HEWLETT BA, 1267 Peninsula Blvd, BA, NEW TO MARKET! 5 BR, 2 Bth Exp Cape in SD#14 (Hewlett-Woodmere) Living Room, DR & Updtd Gran/Wood EIK & Bths. Det 1.5 Gar & Driveway for 4/5 Cars. HW Floors. Gas Heat. Near LIRR, Shops, Trans & Schools. A Steal! .....$599,000 RONNIE GERBER 516 238-4299

1208557

This Robin won’t rest until you are in your new NEST! How’s the market?? Please contact me for your free market report and personalized service!

"Leading Edge Award Winner" Robin Reiss

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Cell: 516.510.6484 Office: 516.623.4500 Robin.Reiss@elliman.com

Open Houses HEWLETT BA, 1534 Broadway #103, REDUCED AND MOTIVATED! Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator.

Just Move into This Gut Renovated, 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 Cour tyard and the Garage Parking is Incl..$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

House For Sale P O I N T L O O KO U T: WAT E R F RO N TLARGEST Selection of Beach Homes, Sale/ Rent. Our Home Listings Sell FA$T! V I D E O S. H U G R . E . 5 1 6 - 4 3 1 - 8 0 0 0 www.hugrealestate.com

1208339

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 ............REDUCED & MOTIVATED!!..$699,000

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

(516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

L

EAST ELMONT: 1 BR Cottage, New Carpets/ Flooring. No Smoking/ Pets. $1400 Plus Utilities. 516-437-7608

Out Of Town/Real Estate NINEVEH NY: 25 Acres With Cabin And Bluestone Quarry. Hunting, Farming, Mining. Below Market. Must Sell. $75,000. Ben 347-866-5619, 718-266-9700

© 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.

23

H3 03/16

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

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

If Your Plumbing STInkS

ALFREDO’S CONSTRUCTION

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at the BeSt priceS in town Call Today For Spring SpecialS

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1208108

1208495

Wenk

senior Citizen Discounts

For New Customers Exp. 4/30/23

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1207696

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

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

HERALD

516-424-3598 516-807-3852

Free estimates

A-1 CARTING OWA_GotClutter_BW_Bold

A ny J o b B i g O r S m A l l We D o Th e m A l l . g i v e U s A C a l l .

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WINFIELD

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1207455

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WINFIELD

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1202213

jdpaintremodeling.com

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1109488

AURA PAINTING

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OffiCe: 516-766-4583MAR 30 @8PM Call/TeXT: 516-840-9432 YOUR ORDER Enter METROPOLITAN NEW YORK, INC. License#: 41413 - www.fidelifacts.com NYPA20 114 Old Country Rd. Ste 652 - Mineola, NY 11501 checkout CENTER FOR THE ARTS Background Investigations for Employment Screening - Criminal HistoryatChecks 1199567

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

#1206991

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on labor only

1207358

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Call 516-431-0799 Book Online at aboveallgutters.com

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For Pricing call US!

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1208073

We have A-1 CAR roll oFF TING containerS for Waste removal

1208073

Sunday, August 02, 2020 11:31:01 AM

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Free estImAtes...call Anthony romeo 1205843

Directory Just call

516-569-4000 press 5, then 2

March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

24

HERALD

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 MoneyTo Lend ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

MERCHANDISE MART

FINDS UNDER $100

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid.

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

Finds Under $100 DINING ROOM FURNITURE wood espresso color $99. (516) 462-2656 DOG CRATE, 24" x 20" x 22" tall, metal tray. $29. call 516-798-2098 FIREWOOD SEASONED MAPLE Cut Logs $40 S. Freeport 516 279 7696 FREE PIANO! IN good condition. You just have to transport. Call 516-596-1078

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H4 03/16

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JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE...

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JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... press 5

HErald

Crossword Puzzle

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Home Improvement

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Autos For Sale

Education

JEEP 2012 LIBERTY: 79,000, Navy Blue, MUST SELL! As is $7500.00.

516 435 3461

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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.

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Please text 732-858-5592 or email dfinnegan89@gmail.com with any inquiries

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 LUKE 516VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277 DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755 WHEELS FOR WISHES benefiting MakeA-Wish® Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever!

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25

opINIoNS

o one has given me a riddle to consider for a long time. But I can think of one. What’s the difference between U.S. Rep. George Santos and Fox News? The answer is that there is none. Neither can handle the truth.

Santos is two and a half months into his term in Congress, and even though some of his colleagues have condemned him, there seems to be no possibility that he will be removed from public office in the near future, so the lies will conJERRY tinue until the prosecutors call.

KREMER With Republicans controlling the house by a very slim margin, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is badly in need of every vote.

Even if Santos were a real-life Jack the Ripper, no effort would be made to oust him.

Fox’s case is much more serious. It’s one thing for a candidate to lie his way into office. It’s another thing for a network to knowingly distort the news to

“Y

millions of Americans and have no one who can discipline it.

The whole world knows what happened on Nov. 6, 2020, and on Jan. 6, 2021.

There was a national election, and when the final tallies were in, Joe Biden won the presidency by roughly 7 million votes. The election deniers, led by Fox, ranted and roared, but Congress certified the election. It was done, over. But faced with a potential catastrophic loss of viewers, and profits, the network knowingly and willfully lied about the results, continuing to spread the nonsense that the election had been “fraudulently” conducted.

As if the election denialism wasn’t enough, Fox’s Tucker Carlson, armed with 40,000 hours of security video, now claims that the Jan. 6 insurrection was really a peaceful protest.

There are people like former President Donald Trump who want you to believe that, but the footage that Carlson will never show tells the horrible story of the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The next phase of Fox’s big lie was its promotion of the falsehood that Dominion voting machines were manip-

I

ulated to change votes from Trump to Biden. Fox gave airtime to numerous people who claimed that the voting machines were controlled by the government of Venezuela and other countries, which compounded the notion that the election had been stolen.

Dominion now has a major defamation suit against Fox. The litigation has resulted in the release of hundreds of pages of sworn testimony of Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch, wherein Murdoch states that he knew Fox was falsely claiming that the election had been stolen. Also among the evidence are emails and texts exchanged between Carlson and other Fox voices, admitting they had few doubts about the election results.

It’s one thing for a member of Congress, one of 435, to lie all the way from the campaign to the Capitol. It is a much bigger thing for a federally licensed television network to knowingly spread falsehoods about an election and a subsequent riot to millions of gullible people who are willing to believe those distortions.

t’s one thing to lie your way into office.

But a network that knowingly distorts news?

It will be extremely difficult, under defamation law, for Dominion to prevail and for Fox to be punished for its deliberate conduct in its zest for profit and viewers. So, when you compare one man’s falsehoods with a television network’s commentators knowingly distorting the truth about issues of worldwide concern, there’s a big difference.

Santos will eventually meet his fate, but what will happen to Fox? Eventually, Murdoch will be forced to write a check for millions of dollars to compensate Dominion for its claimed damages. That will be considered little more than the cost of doing business, and in time the story will fade away.

But, sadly, there is no mechanism to adequately punish a network for its willful neglect of the truth. In the end, the only group that will have any say over Fox’s future is its viewers. If they fail to punish the network, it is a message to all the George Santoses of the world that blatant lying is permissible conduct.

Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

The sun shivers and shudders northward ou can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”

–Pablo Neruda

Don’t believe me. Don’t believe the National Weather Service. But come hell or high water (and both are coming!), you better believe the Farmers’ Almanac.

Those dudes, with their secret algorithms and witching sticks, are forecasting a challenging spring, followed by a beastly hot summer.

Spring will officially arrive next RANDI Monday at 5:24 KREISS p.m. EDT, when the sun crosses the equator, sailing north. However, the Farmers’ Almanac says cold temperatures, freezing rain and even snow may dot the northern landscape well into April. You were expecting daffodils and lilacs? You know very well that nothing rolls the way it used to, including the weather.

Eventually the lilacs will bloom and our hearts, slowed and steadied by hours and days in sedentary hibernation, will dance to a livelier beat. We will have sur-

vived, and only sunny days will lie ahead. At least, that’s what the poets say.

Have you seen any of the early signs of spring?

According to the Almanac, worms begin to emerge from the ground this month. Indeed, the March moon is called the full worm moon.

Birds are migrating northward, along the path of the sun. Apparently, the increasing sunlight inspires birdsong.

Of course, trees, shrubs and flowers are reactive to temperature and sunlight.

According to the F.A., since ancient times, people have used flora as indicators of when the time is right to plant. For example, when the crocus blooms, it’s the cue to plant radishes, parsnips and spinach.

The agonizing turn from hard winter to early spring feels hopeful. You don’t have to live on a farm to study the Farmers’ Almanac and appreciate the old-time folk tales and wisdom. Did you know, for example, that you could balance an egg on its end during the vernal equinox? It’s true. You can balance it on other days as well, but it makes a good story.

Many of us have been suffering serious winter fatigue or worse, exacerbated

M

by Covid isolations. Too many older residents in our communities have been shut in all winter, hindered by the cold and the fear of falling on the ice. People have been afraid to drive. For several weeks, amid successive storms, cabin fever went viral.

I offer an it-can-alwaysbe-worse story. We have kids and grandkids out West in a small High Sierra mountain town you may be reading about. The teenage grandkids have had two days of school in the last two-plus weeks. High walls of snow line the few roads that have been plowed. The interstate that connects them to the rest of the world has been closed on and off for weeks. In the last 10 days, 12 feet of snow fell. That isn’t a typo. And last weekend they were expecting another three feet.

The kids have been entertaining themselves by jumping off the roofs into the snow. They dug a path out of the house for the dog, who would rather stay inside by the fire, thank you. My grandson’s high school closed for a time because the roof was caving in. People who live there to ski can’t ski. No hiking.

No biking. No skateboarding. Epic cabin fever abounds.

y teenage grandkids have had two days of school in the last twoplus weeks.

Even here on Long Island, you can admire the pristine mornings for just so long. Cravings for carbs have driven our meal choices. Our skin is pasty, our muscles like Jell-O. I have faith that any day now, the mercury will start rising and the sun will dry out the soggy flowerbeds where spring flowers are trying to set roots. The season may not have turned yet, but we have reason to hope, and I will predict a balmy end to April.

The Almanac agrees. They say it will be a slow and stormy warmup, but it will come. What will also come is another blast of wicked weather this summer.

According to the F.A., “Another threat of severe weather, this one more widespread, is forecast around the time of the June solstice, as a surge of very warm, humid, and unstable air triggers showers, violent thunderstorms and possibly even a twister or two” in the central and eastern parts of the country.

Let’s ground ourselves in this moment. The rule is: When the sun takes its place over the equator, it is spring in the northern hemisphere. Winter is all memory; summer is just over the horizon. It is inevitable, and it is elemental.

As Neruda says, “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep Spring from coming.”

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

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

N

A depressing tale of two fibbers

26

Herald editorial

Merrick

March 16, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD

HERALD and Merrick Herald News Established 1994

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Jordan Vallone Editor roksana amid Reporter robert Cummings Multi Media Marketing Consultant offiCe 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: merrickeditor@liherald.com Copyright © 2023 Richner Communications, Inc.

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Trouble waking up? You know who to blame.

W

here did our collective societal grudge against mornings come from?

Our fictional universe presents mornings as bright sunlight pouring through our curtains. Birds happily chirping outside our windows. The smell of freshly brewed coffee — and, if we’re lucky, a hearty breakfast of pancakes and eggs.

Reality, however, includes tightly pulled curtains. Birdsong drowned out by the 12 alarms we’ve set on our iPhones.

And by the time we get that coffee, we’re already in the car and stuck in the drivethrough.

Yet we as a society don’t truly show how much we dislike mornings until it comes to daylight saving time — when we push our clocks ahead an hour at the start of spring, with the hope of enjoying more sunlight and fewer stars.

In fact, the whole idea of daylight saving is to push more sunlight into the evenings, and less into our mornings. So, if we were hoping for more sunlight to fill our bedrooms as we wake up, we better consider sleeping in.

If your day starts at 6 a.m., then you’re experiencing what it was like at 5 a.m. just a week ago, when standard time was still in effect. And really, it is still 5 a.m.

— just not in the reality where the Uniform Time Act of 1966 exists.

Twice a year, we revisit the same argument: Why is moving our clocks backward and forward still a thing? We debate the origins, the supposed environmental benefits, and how all of that applies — or

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letters It’ll take more than novelists and playwrights, Randi To the Editor: Re Randi Kreiss’s column last week, “Writers will tell the story of our times”: We don’t have the luxury of time, since we’re off the rails already.

What good will it be if novelists and playwrights find the truth and bring it to us, if fewer and fewer people are reading?

Our media has to step up and present the truth in an unvarnished manner, and let the people be swayed by the facts. Media bias, by holding back on reporting certain stories, is the poison of our time. The media should be questioning everything and holding everyone accountable, regardless of party.

We have been plagued by censorship and the demonization of people who have alternative views. The shouting and screaming at meetings does no one any good. We must step back and put our country and its people first,

doesn’t apply — to today. In general, we come to the same conclusion: We don’t like moving our clocks back and forth twice a year.

Why do we still do it? Blame Congress.

And not just for the 1966 bill signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, but for not ending this nonsense once and for all in the decades since then.

We actually came very close to making daylight saving time permanent across the United States with a Senate bill introduced by Marco Rubio. Modeled after a similar bill that had passed in Rubio’s home state of Florida, the Sunshine Protection Act earned support on both sides of the political aisle — from Democrats like Sheldon Whitehouse, of Rhode Island, to Republicans like then President Donald Trump himself.

The bill was actually passed by the Senate last year through unanimous consent, although some senators later complained that they didn’t know the bill was part of a consent package, and that if they had, they would have voted against it.

Yet all the Sunshine Protection Act needed was a thumbs-up from the House, and President Biden’s signature. It got neither, and thus, last weekend, we got to experience once again a shift in time for no other reason than to make evening daylight longer.

Is this all much ado about nothing? No, says neurologist Beth Ann Marlow, who teaches at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. She has studied clock-changing across the country for the past five years,

and found that “the transition to daylight saving time each spring affects health immediately after the clock change, and also for the nearly eight months that Americans remain on daylight saving time.”

Marlow shared these findings with TheConversation.com last year, saying that the question shouldn’t be whether to end clock changes, but whether we should stick with standard time or daylight saving. Her choice? Standard time, which is closer to geological time, when the sun is highest at noon.

While daylight saving might allow for more sports to be played in sunlight after school, it also means that many who wake up before 8 a.m. to catch a bus are doing so in the dark.

Having the sun set earlier — at least according to our clocks — could help with sleep, too. Extended light in the evening delays the brain’s release of melatonin, the hormone that promotes drowsiness. It’s even worse for teenagers in the throes of puberty, Marlow adds, when melatonin already gets a late release, meaning our young minds are getting even less sleep.

Too often, we continue to embrace practices because they’ve always existed — Black Friday, scrambling an egg, making our beds in the morning only to mess them up again at night. But there are some practices that should indeed become a remnant of the past. And changing our clocks twice a year to accommodate daylight saving time can’t be eliminated fast enough.

27

opinions

t. Patrick’s “Day” is actually several weeks of events commemorating Irish culture and traditions and Irish-America’s contributions to the American mosaic.

The highlight event, of course, is the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, on the actual St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. But there are parades throughout the metropolitan area in the weeks leading up to and following the big day.

I can recall marching in numerous peter parades in communities includkinG ing Bethpage, Glen Cove, Islip, Mineola, Rockaway, Rockville Centre and Wantagh.

These were festive, upbeat events. What drew attention and controversy, however, was when, as Nassau County comptroller, I was elected by parade delegates to be grand marshal of the New

York City parade in 1985. The centuriesold struggle between the Irish and the British, euphemistically called the Troubles, was then in the 17th year of its latest manifestation in Northern Ireland, which included shootings, bombings, mass imprisonments and hunger strikes to the death.

I had visited Northern Ireland numerous times, including a fact-finding trip to Belfast with Senator Al D’Amato in December 1980, just after his election.

Then I served as a member of a tribunal in Belfast investigating abuses by the British army and observing trials of accused Irish Republican Army members in non-jury courts. From these visits, where I met with people on all sides, and from my own study and analysis, I concluded that the main cause of the violence in Northern Ireland was British oppression and denial of human rights to the Catholic community. I concluded that the only solution would be all-party talks, which would include

o

n St. Patrick’s Day in 1985, I needed a police escort and a bulletproof vest.

Letters and not be scared to say that. Too many self-serving agendas must be the next balloon that has to be shot down.

TONY GIAMeTTA Oceanside

Don’t try to pin T.R. down to ‘labels’ To the editor: Re the editorial in the Feb. 23-March 1 issue, “Teddy Roosevelt: a president who defied labels”: Roosevelt didn’t defy labels; it’s we who seek the simplifying tags. As the editorial mentions, T.R.’s “American” was an amalgam — not to be qualified by hyphen or purpose.

He also said “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” Roosevelt’s pioneering conservationism was toward that end.

That principle could be a useful guide through the coming year — more useful than simplistic labels like “liberal” or “conservative.”

BRIAN KellY Rockville Centre

Sinn Fein, the party representing the IRA and a majority of the Catholic population in Northern Ireland.

Not surprisingly, the British government of Margaret Thatcher denounced my election as grand marshal of the 1985 parade. So, too, did the Irish government, which announced that it would boycott the parade and not allow any Irish official to march or participate in it in any way. Both governments pressured Cardinal John O’Connor to break with tradition and refuse to greet me on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on the day of the parade. This led to a one-on-one meeting between the cardinal and me just days before the parade, following which O’Connor agreed to review the parade and recognize me as the duly elected grand marshal.

This incensed British officials, who increased the pressure on O’Connor, which only moved him to support me more strongly and make our public

Long Islanders, support Bigger Better Bottle Bill

handshake (labeled by British media as the “handshake of shame”) the centerpiece of parade coverage. A consequence of all this controversy was death threats, which made it necessary for me to wear a bulky bulletproof vest and be escorted by Nassau County Police Department detectives and NYPD undercover officers along the 40-block parade route and then the rest of the day on the reviewing stand.

Fast-forward 13 years. By then a congressman, I had worked closely with President Bill Clinton and British and Irish officials to advance the Irish peace process, culminating in the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998, which brought peace to Ireland for the first time in almost 800 years. Sinn Fein had been a party to the talks, and was a key signatory to the agreement. Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, the prime ministers of Great Britain and Ireland, the leaders of the countries that years earlier had condemned me as grand marshal, thanked me for my efforts!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Framework by Tim Baker

To the editor: New York state is considering the Bigger Better Bottle Bill.

The bill is a proposal currently working its way through the State Senate. led by Sen. Rachel May, it is intended to reduce litter and increase recycling by raising the deposit on returned cans and bottles from 5 to 10 cents.

The deposit has been 5 cents for 40 years.

The bill would also expand the types of bottles that are eligible for return to include almost all beverages, including wine and liquor bottles.

Many environmental groups are advocating for the bill. I urge our readership to contact their state legislators and urge them to support this important piece of legislation.

JOSePH M. VARON Member, Food and Water Watch, Long Island chapter, and Beyond Plastics West Hempstead

Comments about our stories?

Send a letter to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com.

In the newsroom, a papier mâché proofreader (and a mouse-sized Herald) — Garden City

MERRICK HERALD — March 16, 2023

s

My mixed memories of leading the parade

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ERIKA L. CONTI, ESQ.

CEO MTN Matchmaking

DEANNA M. EBLE, ESQ.

Chief Deputy County Executive Office of the Suffolk County Executive

COO, Associate General Agent Forest Hills Financial Group

HEALTHCARE & WELLNESS

DAVI TSERPELIS

SVP Business Banking Manager City National Bank

THERESA DILLMAN, DNP (C), MSN, MHA, RN, NE-BC Associate Executive Director and Chief Nursing Officer Glen Cove Hospital, Northwell Health System

Founder Long Island Breakfast Club & Show

DR. ODETTE R. HALL

JESIKA KALIKA

LISA MIRABILE

EDUCATION

MARIA P. CONZATTI

BARBARA J. HOLAHAN

MIMI BISHOP & JACKIE GHEDINE PEI-SZE CHENG

DR. YEOU-CHENG MA

HUMAN RESOURCES

President & CEO Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

STACEY I. SIKES

Vice President of Government Affairs & Communications Long Island Association

TOURISM

KRISTEN REYNOLDS President & CEO Discover Long Island

TRANSPORTATION

SHELLEY LaROSE-ARKEN

Aviation Commissioner Long Island MacArthur Airport

ELLEN PELLEGRINO

Entrepreneur/Movie Producer Windows on the Lake Beach Club Estate Age of New Beginnings

LEGACY AWARD

MEREDITH WALDNER STERN President Waldner’s Business Environments

NEXT GENERATION: UNDER 30 KATHLEEN DONNELLY

Senior Associate Long Island Architecture Studio, DPC

President & CEO Health & Welfare Council of Long Island Director of Business Development The Bristal Assisted Living

Dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Adelphi University

DANA ARSCHIN KRASLOW

Emmy® Award-winning reporter NBC 4 New York’s investigative unit, the I-Team

JULIE WEXLER

MARYANNE HYLAND

MEDIA

CEO & Co-Owner Theralympic Speech

REBECCA SANIN

Vice President Financial Affairs, CFO & Treasurer New York Institute of Technology

Director of State Government Affairs Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

STEPHANIE MONTANO M.S., CCC-SLP

CHRISTIANA NEOPHYTOU M.S., CCC-SLP

Acting President Nassau Community College

NICOLE L. WEINGARTNER

Co-Founders Modern Gen X Woman

CEO & Co-Owner Theralympic Speech

TAMMY SEVERINO

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

NITZA KAHALON HASIS

Clinical Director New Horizon Counseling Center - Valley Stream

President & Founder Vertigo Media Group

President & CEO Urban League of Long Island Inc.

SPECIAL AWARDS

DINA L. VESPIA, ESQ.

2x Emmy-Winning Journalist Holocaust Storyteller The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC)

Chief Medical Examiner Suffolk County Office of the Medical Examiner

Marketing Communications & Business Development Consultant

KAREN J. TENENBAUM, ESQ.

DR. MICHELLE A. CHESTER Optometrist

VALENTINA JANEK

Partner Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP

Partner Cullen and Dykman LLP

DR. GAIL CORREALE

CEO & Founder Senior Living Renaissance, LLC

LAUREL R. KRETZING, ESQ.

MELANIE BASILE

Senior Director Operations, Occupational Health Services Northwell Health

SANDRA BRENNAN

Partner Russo Law Group, P.C.

Founder Tenenbaum Law, P.C.

Chief Growth Officer The Smilist

ADVERTISING, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

STEPHANIE A. CLARK, ESQ.

Nutrition & Weight Loss Specialist Innovation Weight Loss & Healthy Market

LISA M. BLACK

ANDIE PERLMUTTER

THERESA SANDERS

PAULA PARRINO, ESQ.

JOSEPHINE FITZPATRICK

GOVERNMENT

BANKING & FINANCE

LEGAL

BETH DONNER

President Beth Donner Design

Tax Partner Marcum LLP

ELIZABETH EINHART

Chief Administrative Officer & Vice President of Operations Nationwide Court Services, Inc.

ENTREPRENEURS

Senior Manager PKF O’Connor Davies

CATIA ALATI

LIANNE WEBB

Miss Long Island 2023 Miss Long Island Pageants

MUSIC

RISING TEEN AWARD

Executive Director The Children’s Orchestra Society

Miss Long Island Teen 2023 Miss Long Island Pageants

NATALIA SUAZA

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

TRAILBLAZER AWARD

President & CEO HIA-LI

Founder National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)

'21 7 0,66 7+( $35,/ '($'/,1(

MAURIE McINNIS

ELIZABETH MARIE SAITTA

President Stony Brook University

Executive Director SHRM Long Island Chapter

TERRI ALESSI-MICELI

5'

DANI RYLAN KEARNEY

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

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