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Chabad’s lighting encourages hope, peace By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
The Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh lit its grand menorah last week, at a celebration that was full of holiday cheer, and also prayers for Israel, amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Members of the Jewish community joined Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh at its annual menorah lighting on Dec. 7, signifying the beginning of the joyous holiday. The evening underscored the idea of bringing light into the world, especially amid the ongoing Hamas-Israel war — which has affected many Jews personally around the world. “Tonight’s evening is dedicated to the safety and security of our family members, our brothers and sisters in Israel,” Richard Soleymanzadeh, who led the evening’s proceedings, said. “Tonight, we will join ConTInuEd on pagE 10
High school students come together to support Global Volunteers By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s Racial Equity Club is once again taking on an ambitious project this school year. On the heels of last year’s Hope Project, which raised $3,800 for the nonprofit Hope for Haiti, the club is back at it this year, now collecting money for Global Volunteers. As its name implies, Global Volunteers is an international program that encourages and enables volunteers to work with and learn from people in communities around the world. On short mission trips, volunteers have helped countless
people in a wide range of countries for over 30 years. At Calhoun, Global Volunteers was chosen as the focus of the Racial Equity Club’s campaign because club member Grace Miller, a senior at Calhoun, had a personal connection to the program. “In the summer of 2018, I traveled to Africa through the organization Global Volunteers,” she told the Herald. “While I was there, I helped t e a ch ch i l d re n E n g l i s h . I worked through the Reaching Children’s Potential program, which aims to eliminate hunger, enhance cognition, and just improve the overall health of children. It especially focuses
on preventing stunting, which can happen through pregnancy, or through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.” Miller, who traveled to Tanzania, said that when she returned home, she realized how important it is to support organizations like Global Volunteers. “Not everyone can travel to Africa and really help firsthand,” she said. “I thought it would be beneficial to start the fundraiser here, so we could still help Global Volunteers and make an impact.” Miller’s trip to Tanzania five years ago wasn’t her first one with Global Volunteers. “My mom and I had been on two
other trips — I had gone to Montana and Peru beforehand,” she said. “And two summers ago, I went to Italy. My mom just really wanted a chance for my sisters and I to see other parts of the world, and to recognize that we’re fortunate enough to do this, and we should use that to help others.” Calhoun social studies
teacher Beth Finneran, the club’s adviser, said she was impressed by Miller’s efforts. “I was so impressed to learn that Grace had volunteered in Tanzania at such a young age,” Finneran said, “and even more impressed by her passion to share her experience with us so we could support her, and children in Tanzania.” Nickolas Mascary, another ConTInuEd on pagE 12
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Crime watCh
December 14, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD
Michele Peltz allegedly hits officer, arrested for assault
Courtesy Metro
A car ended up in the water after it was struck from behind. The driver who caused the crash left the scene of the accident.
Merrick Road crash sends car into Whaleneck Creek A car accident, in which a vehicle ended up in a creek, occurred last week in Bellmore on Nov. 30. According to Nassau County police, a 17-year-old female was driving eastbound on Merrick Road just after 9:10 p.m., and an unknown vehicle — described as red — operated by an unknown driver, struck the rear of her vehicle, causing her to lose control of the car. The collision cause the driver to swerve off the roadway, strike a fence,
cer, striking him in the left An East Meadow woman eye which caused an injury. was arrested following an A struggle ensued, by the incident at the Starbucks on officer was able to subdue Merrick Avenue on Dec. 6 Peltz and place her under around 1 p.m. arrest. According to detectives, The officer sustained a Nassau County police offihand injury. Both the officer cers responded to the store at 1713 Merrick Ave. for a disand Peltz were transported to turbance involving a female local hospitals for evaluation refusing to leave. and treatment. Upon police arrival, offiPeltz is charg ed with cers found Michele Peltz of assault, obstructing governEast Meadow inside the Michele Peltz mental administration and establishment carrying a trespassing. blue crate containing a cat. She was arraigned on Dec. Officers asked that she leave the store, 7 at the First District Court in Hempand she responded by punching an offi- stead.
and continue into the Whaleneck Creek Culvert in Bellmore. She exited the vehicle safely and awaited police arrival. No vehicular fluids were discharged into the creek. The operator of the red vehicle left the scene of the accident without identifying themselves. The female driver was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
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Bellmore-Merrick schools earn top distinction The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District has been named a College Board Advanced Placement District of the Year for being the national leader among medium-sized school districts whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Bellmore-Mer rick Central High School District was one of more than 12,000 school districts across the U.S. and Canada whose schools achieved high placement on the annual AP S ch o o l H o n o r Roll. From this list, three AP Districts of the Year — one for each cate gory of district population size: small, medium, and large — we re s e l e c t e d based on TerrY redican research-based Vice president criteria that AP Program Delivery reflect a comat College Board mitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. Terry Redican, vice president of AP Program Delivery at College Board, was at the Dec. 5 celebration held at Wellington C. Mepham High School. “Your students are brilliant, energetic and also talented,” he said after spending a few days in the district. “With any of the many topics of the AP courses, the larger challenge across all of AP is that it is college coursework
Y
our students are brilliant, energetic and also talented.
Photos courtesy Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District was named a College Board Advanced Placement District of the Year, for being a national leader among medium-sized school districts. that you can take in high school. You are taking courses now that were designed for the next level of learning.” “This accolade is a testament to the district’s commitment to providing high-quality Advanced Placement programs that not only deliver positive outcomes for students, but also focus on expanding access to advanced education,” said Michael Harrington, superintendent of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. “It reflects the dedication of educators, administrators, and students in achieving success in AP courses.”
“It’s also an acknowledgment of the district’s efforts in fostering academic excellence and creating an environment that supports students in their pursuit of higher education,” added Scott Bersin, asssitant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. “Such recognition often highlights the district’s commitment to equity and inclusivity in education, ensuring that a diverse range of students can benefit from and succeed in challenging academic programs.” Longtime Central District Board President and Bellmore Elementary
Terry Redican, vice presidents of AP Program Delivery at College Board congratulated the school district on the honor at a Dec. 5 celebration held at Wellington C. Mepham High School. Redican spent time in the district, and said Bellmore-Merrick’s students were brilliant and energetic.
Schools Board Trustee Janet Goller noted that the district has always been a place that creates opportunities and pathways to enrich the educational experience for all students. “The board works hard to uphold the vision of our superintendent and leadership team,” she said. She credited former Superintendent John DeTommaso for implementing an AP centric philosophy that “provides students with more access to rigor.” Eric Giannaris, a 2021 graduate of Kennedy High School and current student at the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, reflected on his AP experience and how the courses prepared him for college. “My work as an AP student at Kennedy led to a seamless transition into college as I used them to place for electives, as well as some science classes,” he said. Over the past year, in Bellmore-Merrick Central high schools, 74 percent of the graduating cohort is taking at least 1 AP Exam during high school, 52 percent of the graduating cohort scored a 3 or higher on at least 1 AP Exam during high school, and ultimately 100 percent of district schools achieving recognition on the AP Honor Roll. Participating in AP coursework can lead to college savings for families. The typical student who scores a 3 or higher on two AP Exams can save, on average, $2,252 at a public four-year college and over $8,308 at a private institution. In 2023, more than 3,400 colleges and universities worldwide received AP scores for college credit, placement, or consideration in the admissions process. Many colleges and universities in the U.S. offer credit in one or more subjects for qualifying AP scores. — Jordan Vallone
MERRICK HERALD — December 14, 2023
College Board honor granted due to high passing rates and robust curriculum
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What’s neWs in and out of the classroom
HERALD SchoolS Social-emotional learning is key in schools Students, staff and administrators from the Merrick School District met with State Senator and Education Committee Chair Shelley B. Mayer, as well as Sen. John Liu, the chairman of New York City Education Committee and Sen. Steve Rhoads on Dec. 1. Guests observed four lessons and activities relating mental health and social-emotional learning. From whole class instruction that explicitly teaches social-emotional skills to small groups run by school social workers that allows students to practice those skills before generalizing them, Merrick has created its own blended program that fits various pupil needs while creating an inclusive environment that encourages a sense of belonging in every classroom. “Every employee in this school district has an impact on how we function,” noted Dominick Palma, superintendent of schools. Visitors sat in on a morning meeting — the way each class in the district from pre-K through sixth starts their day, as well as an optimistic closure — the way classrooms close the day. “It’s a way that our students and teachers are able to reflect on their school day and set up learning for the next day,” Salvatore Dossena, the assistant superintendent for student servic-
es and technology said. “No matter what happens during the school day, we find a way to reflect on our learning and social interactions, so we can set goals for the following day.” Second grade teacher Lindsay Struss said this has been a new addition to her classroom routine over the last few years. “It has proven to be quite effective,” she added. During a push in with district school counselor, Karen Alaimo, students worked on the executive functioning ability, flexible thinking. Given a paper bag containing everyday items, students were tasked to think of other uses for each item. “You are able to look at something one way,” Alaimo said. “But you could also look at it in another way. These are some of the tools we need to be successful during the day.” Over the last few years, Merrick pulled together a team of 40 school community members to develop the best practices to support students and their families. “You have small enough classes that you can really feel the difference,” Mayer said at the end of the visit “You are doing fascinating work and I’m sure it will show longitudinally.” “The foundation you’re laying here,” Rhoads said, “can really relate to the middle and high school level.”
Courtesy Merrick Union Free School District
Second grade teacher Lindsay Struss demonstrates an optimistic closure to end the school day.
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“Flourish” by Martin E. P. Seligman (Part 2)
For evolutionary reasons, most people are wired to dwell on negative events rather than positive ones. It helped our ancient ancestors survive the far greater and more varied dangers than we face today. As Seligman notes, “So to overcome our brains’ natural catastrophic bent, we need to work on and practice this skill of thinking about what went well…every night for the next week, set aside ten minutes before you go to sleep. Write down three things that went well.” These may be of varying levels of importance but the “why” is an important element in stimulating gratitude. As the author says, “The odds are that you will be less depressed, happier, and addicted to this exercise six months from now.” Professor Seligman describes this and other gratitude exercises that his students report as “life-changing.” Working with psychotherapy and drugs for over forty years, Seligman had never experienced the improvements in mental health that he observed with his positive psychology experiments – all of which led him to the realization of the dirty little secret of drugs and
psychotherapy – they are not about cure, they are about short-term treatments. Not only that, but every drug has the property that “once you stop taking it, you are back to square one, and recurrence and relapse are the rule.” Relieving the patient of suffering misery and negative symptoms -- the disabling conditions of life – is not remotely the same as building the enabling conditions of life – to flourish we must have positive emotion, meaning, accomplishment and positive relationships. Seligman found that once he helped a patient get rid of all his anxiety, anger and sadness he never got a happy patient. Instead, he got an empty patient and that is because the skills of flourishing are something over and above the skills of minimizing suffering. Seligman writes “Positive psychology is the study of positive emotion, of engagement, of meaning, of positive accomplishment, and of good relationships. It attempts to measure, clarify and build these five aspects of life…positive psychology is rooted in scientific experience that it works.”
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News briefs
MERRICK HERALD — December 14, 2023
Herald file
The inaugural Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District STEAM Expo is slated to take place in January at Merrick Avenue Middle School, above.
STEAM Expo for Bellmore-Merrick students An inaugural Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District STEAM Expo is planned for Jan. 31, 2024. The Expo will give sixth graders exposure to the STEAM activities that await them when they enter the central high school district at Merrick Avenue or Grand Avenue Middle Schools next September. Students from the Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick and North Merrick elementary schools and their families
are invited to attend. The Expo is slated to take place at Merrick Avenue Middle School is located at 1870 Merrick Ave., Merrick. It’ll begin at 5:30 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to play with robots, drones and more. For more information, contact Danielle Caliendo at (516) 992-1342 or Robert Soel at (516) 992-1444.
Courtesy Town of Hemsptead
Flag football championship a success The HTB Flag Football Sports League Championship took place on Nov. 5 at Cedar Creek Park. Town Councilman Chris Carini attdended the closing day, and was joined by Commissioners Roger Leahy and Wayne Raso, members Amber Leahy, Andrew Leahy, Migdalia Leahy and Cheryl Raso and Nassau County Legislator Michael Giangregorio.
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Hofstra poised to battle for CAA title By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
Despite losing its top scorer off last year’s regular season conference championship that pulled off an upset win in the National Invitational Tournament, Hofstra men’s basketball has brought back plenty of firepower to make another run at postseason magic. Aaron Estrada, who won Conference Player of the Year honors his two seasons in Hempstead, transferred to SEC power Alabama for his final year of college eligibility after earning his undergraduate degree at Hofstra. Graduate student guard Tyler Thomas has carried the baton from Estrada, and was leading the nation in scoring at 25 points per game in early December. “He’s our hardest worker and puts in the time it takes to be a great player,” said third-year Pride head coach Speedy Claxton, a former NBA point guard who as a collegiate player led Hofstra to a conference title and NCAA Tournament in 2000. “We knew that he was ready for this moment.” Thomas, who transferred to Hofstra from Sacred Heart prior to last season, scored 40 points to go along with eight rebounds in a 97-92 overtime win against High Point on Nov. 22 in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Showcase. He followed that up with 25 points in an 82-63 route against South Florida at home on Nov. 30. The 6-foot-3 Thomas earned All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) First Team honors after ranking second on the Pride in scoring during Hofstra’s run last season to a regular season league championship followed by a first round NIT victory at Big Ten foe Rutgers Junior guard Darlinstone Dubar has also added a big spark on offense averaging 17.7 points over the first nine games. The All-CAA Preseason Honorable Mention Team selection tallied a career high 30 points in a dominant 102-68 win against Buffalo on Nov. 20. The offense is quarterbacked by junior point guard Juan Carlos, who has upped
Darlinstone Dunbar has been a steady offensive spark for the Pride, averaging 17.7 points over the first nine games. his scoring output this season with 18 points in the High Point win and double figures in six other games. He recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists in the South Florida triumph. “He’s a leader and gets everybody involved,” said Claxton of Carlos. “They all look to him on and off the court for leadership.” Claxton added plenty of new talent this season including some size inside in 6-10 graduate student Jacco Fritz, who arrived on Long Island after playing 99 games at Canisius College. The Netherlands big man registered 14 points in an 85-76 victory against Wright State on Nov. 2. The Pride’s roster includes two players with local ties in freshman Jayden Henriquez, an East Meadow High School graduate, and sophomore Aiden Best, a Hempsterad native and former standout at Lawrence Woodmere Academy. To prepare his team for what he hopes will be a lengthy postseason run that culminates in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001, Clax-
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Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications/Evan Bernstein
Tyler Thomas shot the lights out Nov. 22, scoring 40 points in an overtime victory over High Point. ton pieced together a challenging nonconference schedule that included a road trip to Duke on Dec. 12. Hofstra will also face St. John’s for the first time since the 2009-10 season on Dec. 30 with a noon battle at UBS Arena in Elmont. “We like playing in these environments,” said Claxton, who guided Hofstra to an upset win at 24th-ranked Arkansas in December 2021. “It brings out the best
in them.” The Pride open CAA play Jan. 4 at home against defending CAA champion College of Charleston, who Hofstra knocked off in the teams’ lone regular season meeting last year when the Cougars were ranked 18th in the nation. The home conference schedule is also highlighted by a Feb. 1 meeting with Long Island rival Stony Brook.
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HERALD — December 14, 2023
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D’Esposito: New Speaker in touch with L.I. By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito may be hard at work in the halls of Congress, but it doesn’t mean he can’t find ways to connect with his constituents — doing just that last week, as he nears the end of his first full year on Capitol Hill. Using online videoconferencing — that earned mass appeal at the height of the coronavirus pandemic — D’Esposito hosted what he described as a “teletown hall,” part of a series of such events his team has put together in recent months. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to chat about updates, not only in the district, but here in Washington, D.C.,” he said. It’s “a way for you to communicate with your government from the comfort of your own home.” And there was a lot to talk about in the most recent town hall, from the U.S. House’s continuing resolution to keep the government funded and open, the change in the House Speaker’s office, and the expulsion of disgraced congressman George Santos. Some fringe Republicans on the far right of the party pushed for the ouster of Speaker Kevin McCarthy — succeeding in doing that, for the first time in history, with the help of Democrats. Republicans than went through a number of candidates before settling on Louisiana’s Mike Johnson to fill the seat.
D’Esposito supported Johnson’s leadership, telling constituents the new Speaker will prioritize important issues including working on the state and local tax deduction, fully funding a 9/11 health care bill, and continuing funding of the National Flood Insurance Program. “I know that our new Speaker is invested in New York and Long Island, and understands the issues that are important to all of us,” D’Esposito said. But it was impossible to talk about the change in the Speaker’s seat, without talking about the change in the cong ressional district that neighbors D’Esposito — the one that, until last week, was held by George Santos. D’Esposito had called for Santos to step down from the very beginning, he said, and now wants to prevent others from taking a similar path to Congress through what he has called his No Fortune No Fraud Act as well as his No Fame No Fraud Resolution. Both measures are intended to prevent a member of Congress indicted — and later convicted — of criminal charges from financially profiting off what they did, including them losing their congressional pension. If such bills were to become laws, D’Esposito believes they could eventually prevent politicians like Santos from getting rich from their story, all while the constituents they leave behind in
NOW LEASING
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Tim Baker/Herald file
U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito didn’t invite constituents to come find him. Instead, the congressman reached out to find his constituents, beaming himself into their homes through an online town hall last week to answer questions and connect with the communities he represents. Topics included his stance on American support of Israel in its conflict with the Hamas terrorist organization. their congressional district are left without the representation they deserve.
There may not be much happening with the Equinor offshore wind project on the South Shore right now, but it still came up during the congressman’s town hall, thanks to one of his Long Beach constituents. D’Esposito wrote a letter pushing the U.S. Department of Interior to consider additional community forums as well as an expanded environmental and economic review before the energy company could move forward with burying lines from Long Beach to Island Park. Gov. Kathy Hochul later vetoed a bill that would allow Equinor to speed up the process — although the project remains alive. D’Esposito conducted two flash polls of those in attendance, with a vast majority saying they don’t feel better off financially today than they did a year ago, with nearly the same number of attendees saying they don’t agree with how the Biden administration is supporting Israel in its ongoing anti-terror campaign against Hamas. “I’m just happy that I continue to support Israel, and that’s something that I will continue to do,” D’Esposito said. “I know it’s important to the people of my district — obviously, I represent one of the largest Jewish populations of anywhere in the country — and I will continue to make sure that I support legislation that is in support of Israel.”
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Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Chabad Hebrew School students put on an entertaining performance on stage.
Prayers for Israel resonate with Jewish community Continued from page 1
together in unity, and each one of us will bring more light to Israel.” Hundreds gathered to witness the lighting of Chabad’s grand menorah, at the intersection of Broadcast Plaza and Merrick Avenue in Merrick, alongside the gazebo and adjacent to the Long Island Rail Road station. Joined by elected officials, prominent community leaders and members of the Jewish clergy, Chabad’s Rabbi Shimon Kramer assisted in lighting the shamash — the tallest candle on the menorah — and used it to light a smaller candle, for the first night of the holiday. The eight-day Hanukkah celebration, referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and Rabbi Shimon the rededication KRameR of the Second Chabad of MerrickTemple. HanukBellmore-Wantagh kah, which officially began at sundown on Dec. 7, is celebrated with holiday music, food and rituals. “Hanukkah is a time of hope,” State Sen. Steve Rhoads said, “and that is one thing that we could certainly use today.” Berta Weinstein, who leads the South Merrick Community Civic Association, said, “It is a pleasure to see everyone here this evening. May Hanukkah give us light, hope, health, happiness and most of all, peace and kindness.” Kramer said this was the 17th year that the Chabad Center has lit its grand menorah. He then answered a question that many Jews are feeling this year. “With everything going on with the world in Israel, how can we celebrate Hanukkah?” he said. “I think the answer is clear. That is Hanukkah. With this darkness in the world, we cannot push away darkness with a broomstick. We have to push away the darkness the way it was done at the first Hanukkah, over 2,000 years ago, by lighting a candle, illuminating our surroundings.” Congressman Anthony D’Esposito joined the celebration — having just arrived from Washington D.C. earlier in the day.
W
e cannot push away darkness with a broomstick.
rabbi Shimon Kramer, director of the Chabad, shared his thoughts on how the community could bring more light into the world this holiday season.
gary glick of the Jewish War Veterans was just one of the community leaders who offered well wishes during the evening’s ceremonies.
“Many of my colleagues who were also leaving Capitol Hill mentioned that many of the Hanukkah celebrations throughout this country have been canceled, because people were in fear of antisemitic attacks,” D’Esposito said. “I made it very clear that here in New York’s Fourth Congressional District, we are going to stand together against all acts of hate. We will continue to fight to make sure that Israel has every resource to eradicate Hamas from this planet, and we will fight each day to bring every hostage home.” Soleymanzadeh said Chabad has had a special year, having finished building four additional classrooms for its Jewish Early Learning Center, thanks to donations from the community over the last two years, which has allowed the preschool to double its capacity. Also making use of the space are Chabad’s Hebrew school students and Camp Gan Israel in the summer. This year, Chabad’s end-of-the-year campaign will focus on additional security for the building, Soleymanzadeh said. A portion of the donations will go towards a preschool in Israel that’s in need of a shelter, as well as Chabad’s food pantry, the Men’s Tefillin Club, the Hebrew school and other activities at the Chabad.
menorahs. “They are in a dark place,” he said. “We have to light a candle for them, as we should have them in mind. When we light the candle, we should make a prayer for the hostages — for their safety — and for the safety of the entire world.”
the area next to the merrick Long island railroad station was packed with hundreds who came out to celebrate the start of Hanukkah on dec. 7. The campaign opened on Dec. 11 and could be found online at ChabadJewishLife.org. Kramer said that when the holiday’s celebrants are lighting their menorahs at home, they should take time to think about the hostages that are still being held in Gaza, who cannot light their own
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-TH I S H O LI DAY SE ASO N Courtesy Grace Miller
The Racial Equity Club at Calhoun High School is raising money for Global Volunteers, an international volunteer program. Grace Miller, center right in blue, has gone on several trips with the organization, including to Tanzania in 2018.
In Calhoun’s Racial Equity Club, giving back is key The club began raising funds for Calhoun senior who is the club’s event Global Volunteers with a bake sale on and social media chair — and whose Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, a self-described idea last year sparked the Hope Project “global generosity movement” at the — said he saw similarities between the start of the holiday season. The club’s charities the club chose to help. The rea- goal this year is to raise $800, and so far son why members decided to help Haiti it has collected just under $300. All of last year, Mascary said, was simple: He the money raised will go to the Volunteers’ Reaching Children’s is of Haitian ancestry, and Potential program. had visited the country and The organization will seen the need for help. decide how to distribute the “The project kind of hit funds, Miller explained. home and kind of gave peoSome of the money may be ple more motivation to funddedicated to efforts in Tanraise,” he said. “And that’s zania, but also to other what happened here with efforts around the globe. Grace. Grace went to Africa, Coming up, Mascary said, brought back her experithe club plans to sell ence. Equity is literally in T-shirts and other merchanour name. To have equity dise, and will soon have a not just for people within direct link set up on its webour nation, but people from site, CHSRacialEquity.weeother nations across the bly.com, for online donaworld, aligns with our mestions. To follow its upcomsage. That’s a great lesson ing fundraising ef for ts, we kind of learned from the check the website or the whole project.” club’s Instagram page, @ “Having firsthand experiCHSRacialEquity. ences definitely really helps, Miller said she was because it’s hard to say, oh, impressed by the club’s look at what’s happening efforts last year, and hopes across the world, in a life its members maintain that that’s so dif ferent from energy. “I was just totally yours,” Miller added. “But Grace Miller amazed by the amount of when you have firsthand Racial Equity Club money that we raised for experiences and real picHope for Haiti,” she said. tures and real stories about what happens, it really hits home, and “Just seeing our community come hits the heart of the people that you’re together was really inspiring. That also trying to bring in. I feel like it really inspired me to start this project. I didn’t brings us together, and makes people even know it was possible to raise that more passionate, which is really what much money, in just our little club in school.” drives the project.” ConTinuEd fRoM paGE 1
W
hen you have firsthand experiences and real pictures and real stories about what happens, it really hits home and hits the heart of the people that you’re trying to bring in.
Bruce Blakeman
Nassau County Executive
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December 14, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD
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in Tanzania, Miller worked through the Reaching Children’s potential program. Her responsibilities included teaching children English.
STEPPING OUT
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‘Tis ‘The Nutcracker’
Emily King
The festive tradition always delights By Karen Bloom
Those sugar plum fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination charm their way onto local stages. The beloved holiday confection never goes out of style.
Courtesy MCA Photos
The party scene is among the ballet’s many dazzling moments.
New York Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’
New York Dance Theatre’s 41st season of the holiday classic of “The Nutcracker” — on the John Cranford Adams Playhouse stage at Hofstra University — closely follows the tradition of legenday George Balanchine — from storyline through choreography, sets and costumes. Throughout the years, Dance Theatre founder Frank Ohman — a former student and soloist under George Balanchine — set his staging after his mentor’s iconic Lincoln Center version. The production includes the original Sugar Plum Fairy Pas de Deux by permission of the George Balanchine Trust. In addition, Ohman created original dances and scenes that set his production apart from other local versions. Through the years, Ohman created original dances and scenes to enhance Balanchine’s iconic vision. Now Dance Theatre (and Ohman School of Ballet alum) executive artistic director Nicole Loizides follows her mentor’s footsteps in keeping to the Balanchine standard. New York City Ballet soloist Erica Pereira and principal dancer Daniel Ulbricht are featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. They join a cast of cast of 80 children, pre-professional and professional dancers to bring the classic story to life. Children’s roles are danced by Frank Ohman School of Ballet students and those at the School of American Ballet (the home school of New York City Ballet). As an added treat this year, a semi-immersive pre-show experience invites the audience into the Silberhaus home before the curtain rises, with the sights, smells and sounds of the Christmas Eve party that is the setting for the ballet. Loizides returns to the “Nutcracker” stage for the first time in more than a decade, playing the role of Frau Silberhaus. This “Nutcracker” season kicks off the company’s 50th anniversary on Long Island. “This year’s theme is about bringing it home,” Loizides says. “We are bringing to light the direction of the school and company as founder Frank Ohman intended. I am rooted in the vision of bringing a new awareness to dance on Long Island — from classical to folkloric to contemporary. Our roots are alive. Our repertoire is expanding. And our outreach is wide. We are bringing new works to life by world renowned choreographers, restaging many of Frank Ohman’s classics, and staging works by dance icons including George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Agnes De Mille and Jerrome Robbins.” With the elegant Christmas party scene, the drama of the magical growing Christmas tree, the Battle of the Toy Soldiers and Giant Mice, the live snowstorm, and the brilliant dancing in the Land of the Sweets, this is surely a sparkling production that maintains its enduring appeal. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, noon and 5 p.m. $45 and $35 (seniors, children 12 and younger. Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playouse, Hempstead. For tickets, visit OhmanBallet.org, or call (631) 462-0964.
Eglevsky Ballet’s innovative ‘The Nutcracker’
Long Island’s professional dance company, the Eglevsky Ballet, treats families to its inventive staging of Clara at Tilles Center, featuring additional choreography by executive artistic director Maurice Brandon Curry. Curry’s interpretation stars starring Boston Ballet principals Ji Young Chae and Jeffrey Cirio Miller as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Also of note, dance celebrity Buddy Casimano joins the cast of more than 60 students and professionals as Dr. Stahlbaum, Clara’s father. The role of Clara is danced by 16-year-old Eglevsky Ballet student Claire Higgins. Claire has been a student at Eglevsky Ballet for the past 10 productions of the holiday classic. Curry’s interpretation is notable for its take on the central first act pas de deux in the prelude to “Waltz of the Snowflakes.” Usually performed by a Snow Queen and a Snow King in most productions, in this version, it’s Clara and The Nutcracker Prince, who dance to the music (Curry’s personal favorite in the ballet). “Having this pas de deux danced by these two characters intensifies the connection between the two characters,” Curry says. “We see the arc of their relationship, and gives the opportunity for Clara’s dream to have a more poignant and personal effect on our audiences.” This staging is a vibrant representation of the trajectory in which Curry is leading the organization. Eglevesky has presented “The Nutcracker” as a holiday gift for children of all ages since 1961 — which, according to Curry, makes it the longest, continuously running production on Long Island. “Eglevsky Ballet has long been known for its approach to this treasured story,” he says.“I wanted to delve a little deeper into the characters, and also increase the participation of our incredibly talented academy students with our professional dancers. Also, I’ve enriched the production with more theatricality and dramatic elements. And with all of this, I have still managed to keep the dancing as the true star of the ballet.” As always, the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, under the baton of maestro David Bernard, performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious score. Eglevsky Ballet is partnering with Birthday Wishes of Long Island this year, providing a birthday gift and a “Birthday-in-aBox” for children experiencing homelessness. All who attend are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the organization. Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 and 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m. $54-$84. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Route 25A, Brookville. For tickets, visit TillesCenter.org or Ticketmaster. com, or call (516) 299-3100. Courtesy Liza Voll
The Cavalier and Sugar Plum Fairy are an elegant pair.
The soulful pop singer-songwriter visits the Landmark stage on her first solo tour. Emily King has a gift for digging into life’s deepest sorrows and uncovering unexpected beauty and illuminating truth. Since the arrival of her Grammy award-nominated full-length debut album ‘East Side Story,’ the New York City-bred artist has brought ever-evolving levels of depth and nuance to her songwriting, rooting each revelation in her mesmerizing blend of soul, R&B and forward-thinking pop. On her latest album, ‘Special Occasion,’ King explores the endless dimensions of heartbreak. Her lush vocals serve as the perfect vehicle for her carefully crafted compositions. With pop, rock and those R&B influences, King has quickly become a favorite among fellow musicians and fans alike. Saturday, Dec. 16, 8 p.m. $48, $38, $33. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.
Home for the Holidays Christmas Celebration Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a joyous spectacle that is the Madison Theatre’s holiday concert. More than 45 performers celebrate the 10year anniversary of this remarkable show, created by artistic director Angelo Fraboni and developed with Bethany Moore. The lively cast includes Molloy University’s preprofessional Cap21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students and Broadway performers, along with local kids who celebrate the season with more than 40 songs and dances — all in a fast-paced 90 minutes. Enjoy beloved holiday classics such as ‘We Need A Little Christmas,’ ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,’ ‘Frosty the Snowman’ and ‘Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’ An eight-piece band, led by conductor Aaron Gandy, provides the musical accompaniment. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, 2 and 6 p.m. $4-$65; also $85 VIP includes pre-show ‘Coco with Santa.’ Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre, (516) 323-4444 or MadisonTheatreNY.org.
MERRICK HERALD — December 14, 2023
‘Tis the season:
Your Neighborhood
On exhibit
THE Dec.
Get The Led Out
Get The Led Out rocks out with their tribute to what many consider rock ‘n roll’s greatest band, in “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” on the Paramount stage, Friday and Saturday, dec. 29-30, 8 p.m. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The six veteran musicians who make up the Philadelphia-based group delivers Led Zeppelin live with the all passion and fury these blues-soaked, groovedriven rock anthems deserve. Utilizing the multiinstrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. When you hear three guitars on the album, GTLO delivers three guitarists on stage. No wigs or fake English accents, GTLO brings what the audience wants — a high energy Zeppelin concert with honest, heart-thumping intensity with a strong focus on Led Zeppelin’s pivotal early years. They touch on the deeper cuts that were seldom, if ever heard in concert. GTLO’s approach to performance of this hallowed catalog is not unlike a classical performance. “Led Zeppelin are sort of the classical composers of the rock era,” says lead vocalist Paul Sinclair. “I believe 100 years from now they will be looked at as the Bach or Beethoven of our time. As cliche as it sounds, their music is timeless.” $75. $45, $30. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Family theater
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t’s a beautiful sunny summer day in the meadow. Leo Lionni’s beloved children’s books come to life, in “Frederick,” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, dec. 8, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Saturday, dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; also Tuesday through Thursday, dec. 12-14, 10:15 a.m. and noon. Mouse friends Nellie, Sunny, Baby, Ernest, and Frederick are playing their musical instruments and having fun singing, until a leaf falls from the sky — autumn is here! Winter will be coming soon. All the mice get to work gathering supplies for winter, except, where is Frederick? He is gathering supplies, too, in his own unique way. With toe-tapping Americana music inspired by bluegrass, gospel, and folk, Frederick is an engaging, energetic story about the power of the arts, community, and that no mouse gets left behind. $10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Friend
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Our Gilded Age,” examines the appearances and the realities of an era that mirrors our own in many ways. Like the nation’s economy, American art and literature flourished during the Gilded Age. It was an exuberant age of excess with its own secret flaws, including widespread fraud. The art of John Singer Sargent, Childe Hassam, Louis Comfort Tiffany and others adorned palatial residences designed by Stanford White and Ogden Codman Jr., architect of the museum’s own quintessential Gilded Age mansion. Drawing heavily upon the local literary history of Long Island, including William Cullen Bryant, Mark Twain (who named the Gilded Age), Walt Whitman, Edith Wharton and others, the exhibition will include paintings, fashion, decorative arts including period silver and china, photographs, manuscripts, first editions and other historic memorabilia. The “Upstairs, Downstairs” approach to the life of a country house brings to life not only the storied conspicuous consumption for which the Gilded Age was infamous, but also the real lives of these many individuals who maintained the palatial estates where that lifestyle was enjoyed. On view through March 10. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
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Vodka and Latkes Congregation Beth Ohr is hosting Vodkas and Latkes, Friday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. This event is for adults 21 and older. Registration ahead of time is encouraged. 2550 South Centre Ave., Bellmore. Visit CBOhr.org to register.
Jan.
7
Let’s Skate Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, now through Jan. 7. Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Having an event?
‘Scrooge!’ Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption in Sunrise Theatre Company’s production of “Scrooge!,” Sunday, Dec. 17, noon. Also Saturday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. Follow along with Scrooge as he learns the true spirit of Christmas in this holiday musical tradition based on Charles Dickens beloved tale. All tickets $15. Visit the Sunrise stage at The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore. For information/ tickets, SunriseTheatreLI. com or call (516) 218-2782.
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.
Old Westbury Gardens’ Westbury House offers a festive glimpse of early 20th century holiday merriment, before it closes for the winter, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also Dec. 16-17. The “Christmas at Westbury House” celebration reflects what the festive season was like during those opulent decades of the early 1900s when the Phipps family lived there. The period rooms in which John S. Phipps — the eldest son of Henry Phipps, Andrew Carnegie’s partner at Carnegie Steel — and his family resided are impeccably decorated with wreaths, mantelpiece drapes, plenty of greenery, and other horticultural arrangements. Take a self-guided tour through Westbury House and view specially decorated rooms for the holidays, have cookies and cider on the West Porch and meet and take photos with Santa while listening to ambient holiday music. The gardens will also be open, along with other special holiday events, including Holiday Flute Choir concert, Dec. 10, 2 p.m., and Girl Scouts Chorus, Dec. 16, 1 p.m. $15, $13 ages 62+ and students, $8 ages 7-17. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or call (516) 333-0048.
MERRICK HERALD — December 14, 2023
Enjoy a rare opportunity to see a stunning and festively decorated Coe Hall in full holiday splendor and spirit, with natural materials sourced from Planting Fields, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, noon-5 p.m. Experience the magic of the season withholiday music, crafts, activities and more, plus snap a holiday photo with the Grinch! Don’t forget to see the Indigenous Tree with ornaments crafted by local students. On Sunday, visitors who wear festive ugly sweaters receive a candy cane. With enertainment by Dave Brown and the Versatiles, and an interactive children’s set from Strummin’ and Drummin’. Registration required. $15, $10 ages 40-12. Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay. For information and to register, visit PlantingFields. org, or call (516) 922-8600.
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Holiday at Westbury House
Wicked Holiday’ concert Enjoy the season with a trio of Broadway stars, on the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center stage, Sunday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m. Alli Mauzey (“Kimberly Akimbo,” “Wicked,” “Hello, Dolly!”), Jackie Burns (“Wicked,” “If/Then,” “Hair”), and Sam Gravitte (“Wicked”) put a fresh spin on holiday classics along with Broadway hits during “A Slightly Wicked Holiday.” Tickets start at $45, with discounts available to seniors, students, alumni and employees. Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City. (516) 877-4000 or Adelphi.edu/pac.
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.
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Home For The Holidays
December 14, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD
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Beth Ohr spreads light in the community Annual menorah lighting draws large crowd for beginning of Hanukkah Though the air was bitter cold, it was all about spreading light at Bellmore’s menorah lighting on Dec. 7. Last Thursday at the corner of Bedford and Broadway, dozens gathered for the first night of Hanukkah to see the menorah lit. Led by Rabbi Rishe Groner, the evening’s events, along with the lighting of the menorah, also included prayers as well as traditional Hanukkah songs sung by the children of the Hebrew and nursery schools. The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores was thanked for sponsoring the event, including the Hanukkah giveaways and chocolate gelt for those in attendance. Groner, who just joined the Bellmore congregation, Congregation Beth Ohr, as Rabbi in August took the helm of the menorah lighting ceremony with words of inspiration for neighbors. The message: spreading your light into the world. “The Hanukkah menorah we have in our houses is the little bit of light that
shines out to the whole world.” Groner said. “May the light that we lit here go out into the dark and very cold world. We want to send prayers to our family, to our friends, and to Jewish people all over the world. “ The children of the Hebrew and nursery schools also had something in store for those in attendance. After a long time spent preparing for this event, they had the opportunity to share with their families and neighbors the traditional Hanukkah songs they worked so hard to learn. “Hanukkah is all about saying it doesn’t matter what other people think of me, because I am proud of who I am and what I am is proud of my Jewish heritage, my Jewish traditions, and the way that Judaism brings light into the world. And these guys are bringing a lot of light to the world.” Groner said. -- Rachele Terranova
Cristian Paez/Herald photos
Marshall Zucker, Rabbi Rishe Groner of Congregation Beth Ohr, Ellen Agulnick, director of learning, Joseph Weisbord, the synagogue’s president and Gene Judd of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores gathered in the cold to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with songs, prayers, and a little bit of chocolate gelt.
Hanukkah songs, sung by the children of the Hebrew and nursery schools, were highlights of the menorah lighting ceremony last week in wBellmore.
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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Golden Hour Artistry, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 9/17/2018. 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: Golden Hour Artistry, LLC. , 161 Stuyvesant Avenue, Merrick, NY, 11566. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 143403 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, PS FUNDING, INC., Plaintiff, vs. PROPERTY A10 LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 20, 2023 and an Order duly entered on October 17,
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Neighbors gathered at the corner of Bedford and Broadway last Thursday to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the traditional lighting of the menorah.
Gene Judd of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores welcomed dozens to the menorah lighting on Dec. 7.
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Town of Riverhead Surplus Real Estate Auction
REPORTER/EDITOR CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE FT/PT FT/PT Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Page 1 --Composite Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Page 1 - Com 60+ parcels available: Lots, Acreage, Homes,-Commercial Properties 60+ parcels available: Lots, Acreage, Homes, Commercial Pr Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Page 1 - Composite (Salary Range (Salary Range $15 per hour 60+ parcels available: Lots, Acreage, Homes,-Commercial Properties Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Page 1 Composite Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Page 1 - Composite 60+ parcels available: Homes, Commercial Properties $20,000 to $45,000) to $23 perLots, hour) Acreage, 60+ parcels available: Lots, Acreage, Homes,-Commercial Properties Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr PageProperty 1 - Composite Address: 60+ parcels available: Lots, Acreage, Homes,-Commercial Properties Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr -Commercial Page - Composite 60+ parcels available: Lots, Acreage, Homes, Properties Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Auctions_Intnl_Riverhead_2x2.crtr Page Page 11 --1Composite Composite 60+ parcels parcels available: available: Lots, Lots, Acreage, Acreage,Surplus Homes, Homes,--Commercial Commercial Properties Properties Town of Riverhead Real Estate Auction RECEPTIONIST MAILROOM/WAREHOUSE60+ 201 Howell Ave., EVENT Riverhead, NY 11901 ONLINE HELP FT/PT ONLINE ONLYONLY EVENT (Salary Range $15 Town of Riverhead Surplus Real Estate Auction Town Town of of Riverhead Riverhead Surplus Surplus Real Real Estate Estate Auction Auction Online Auction Closing Begins: per hour to $17 per (Salary Range $15 per hour Property Address: Address: ONLINE ONLY EVENT Property Property Address: Property Address: ONLINE ONLY EVENT ONLINE ONLINE ONLY ONLY EVENT EVENT Wednesday, December 27TH, 2023, 10AM hour) to $17 per hour) 201 Howell Riverhead, 11901 201Ave., Howell Ave.,NY Riverhead, NY 119
ONLINE ONLY EVENT TownTown of Riverhead Surplus Real Estate Auctio of Riverhead Surplus Real Estat Town of Riverhead Surplus Real Estate Auc Town of Riverhead Surplus Real Estate Auction ONLINE ONLY EVENT ONLINE ONLY EVENT Town of Riverhead Surplus Real Estate Auction ONLINE ONLY EVENT
Property Address: 201 Howell Ave.,NY Riverhea 201 Property HowellAddress: Ave., Riverhead, 11901 Property Address: Property PropertyAddress: Address:
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT/PT (Salary Range $20 per hour to $30 per hour)
OnlineAve., Auction Closing Begins: 201 Howell Riverhead, NY 11901 Online Auction Closing Begins: 201 Howell Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901 201 201 Howell Howell Ave., Ave., Riverhead, Riverhead, NY NY11901 11901 11901 201 Howell Ave., Riverhead, NY Online Auction 10AM Wednesday, 27 , 2023, Online Auction Closing Begins: Closing ** Action Required **December
DRIVERS FT/PT (Salary Range $17 per hour to $21 per hour)
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Wednesday, December 27 , 2023, 10AM Online Auction Closing Begins: TH
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
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, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $15 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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www.201howellave.com 800-536-1401 800 -536-1401, Ext. 111 www.201howellave.com
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Registration Packet”. Bidder Packet By: Friday, December 22 4PM. , 2023, 4PM. Packet”. Bidder Packet Due Due By: Friday, December 22, 2023, To participate in this onlineRegistration only auction, please visit our website and complete the “Online Bidder www.201howellave.com For complete sale details: For complete sale details: For For complete complete sale details: details: Registration to Packet”. Bidder Packet Due By: sale Friday, December 22ND, 2023, 4PM. 800 -536-1401 , Ext. 111 www.201howellave.com Email Your Resumes www.201howellave.com www.201howellave.com For complete complete salesale details: www.201howellave.com For details: 800 -536-1401 , Ext. 111 Ext. 111 For complete sale details: Online auctions closing daily | www.auctionsinternational.com 800 800 -536-1401 -536-1401 ,,,Ext. Ext. 111 111 www.201howellave.com
For complete sale details: Online auctions closing daily | www.auctionsinternational.com Online Online auctions auctions closing daily daily || www.auctionsinternational.com www.auctionsinternational.com www.201howellave.com Careers@liherald.com 800 -536-1401 ,auctions Ext.closing Online auctions closing daily www.auctionsinternational.com Online closing | www.auctionsinternational.com 800 -536-1401 ,111 Ext. 111|daily www.201howellave.com 800 -536-1401 , Ext. closing 111 daily | www.auctionsinternational.com Online auctions 800 -536-1401, Ext. 111 auctions closing daily | www.auctionsinternatio Online or Call 516-569-4000 ext 200auctions closing Apartments For Rent REAL daily ESTATE Online | www.auctionsinternational.com Online auctions closing daily | www.auctionsinternational.com 1234931
EDITOR/REPORTER
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Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
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TH December 27 , Online OnlineAuction Auction Closing Closing Begins: Begins: Wednesday, Online Auction Closing Begins: , 2023, Wednesday, December 27 To participate in this online only auction, please visit our website and complete the “Online10AM Bidder Online Auction Closing Begins: , 2023, 10AM Wednesday, December 2023, 2023, 10AM 10AM Wednesday, Wednesday, December December 27 27 , ,27 Wednesday, December 27 ** Action Required ** ND , 2023, 10AM TH Bidder Packet December , “Online 2023, 4PM. , 2023, 10AM Wednesday, December 27 ToRegistration participate in Packet”. this online only auction, please visitBy: our Friday, website and complete Bidder **Due Action Required ** 22the ** Action Required ** Registration Packet”. Bidder Packet Due By: Friday, December 22 , 2023, 4PM. ** Action Required ** ** **Action Action Required Required ** ** visit our website and complete the “Online B To participate ** in this online only auction, please Action Required ** To participate in this online only auction, please visit our website complete the “Online ** Action Required ** To Toparticipate participate ininthis this online online only only auction, auction, please please visit visit our ourwebsite website and and complete complete the the“Online “Online Bidder Bidder Registration Packet”. Bidder Packet Due By:and Friday, December 22Bidder , 2023, 4PM. To participate in this online only auction, please visit our website and complete Registration Packet”. Bidder Packet By: Friday, December , 2023, 4PM. in For this online only auction, please visit our website and complete the “Online BidderBidde Registration Registration Packet”. Packet”. Bidder Bidder Packet Packet Due DueDue By: By:Friday, Friday, December December 22 22 , 22 ,2023, 2023, 4PM. 4PM. To participateToinparticipate this ** online only auction, please visit our website and the “Online Action Required ** ND complete sale details: For complete sale details: , 20 Registration Packet”. Bidder Packet Due By:complete Friday, ND December 22
*Outside Sales must have car
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $31,200 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $31,200 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
RECEPTIONIST
Receptionist needed for Publisher and Self-Storage Facility located in Garden City. The ideal candidate should have excellent communications and customer ser vice skills, be professional, dependable and have reliable transportation. Candidate should have computer knowledge and working knowledge of MS Office. Candidate MUST be reliable, punctual and be able to work a CONSISTENT schedule: Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Answering phones and greeting customers, assisting new customers by showing storage facility options and pricing, collecting payments from customers, contacting customers for late payments, applying payments and updating the customer files /data base and other general administrative responsibilities on an as needed basis. Hourly pay $15 to $17 plus eligible for Holiday Pay, PTO, Medical, Dental, 401k with company matching, plus other benefits. Qualified candidates should email their resume, cover letter and salary requirements. No phone calls please. Email your resume to: careers@liherald.com Why Not Print
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Open Houses EAST ROCKAWAY: BA, 45 Judith Ct, 3, NEW! Immaculate & Well Maintained 3300 Sq Ft, 6 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Beautiful Quiet St in SD#20. Won't Last!...$989,000 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 HEWLETT BA,1534 BROADWAY #205, BIG REDUCTION!! MOTIVATED SELLER!!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...$579,000 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 HEWLETT BAY PARK: BA, 190 Meadowview Ave, , Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!.REDUCED!!.$2,700,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas elliman 516-238-4299 HEWLETT BA,1180 E. Broadway #2, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 2 BR, 2.5 Bth Townhouse Tucked away in Quiet Gables Community. Spacious LR,DR & Updtd EIK. King size Primary Ste w/Bth & Lots of Closets. Full Bsmt. Att Garage. Private Outdoor Space w/ Deck. Convenient to LIRR, Shops & Houses of Worship. SD#14...$659,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299 WOODMERE BA, 504 Saddle Ridge Rd.,REDUCED! Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC. Oversized Property! SD#14.Near All!..$950,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299
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
Florida Real Estate DELRAY BEACH, FL: For Sale, opportunity before it hits the market! Single Story Ranch Condo. Beautifully appointed in desirable Emerald Pointe gated community, Approx 1800 Sq Ft. Furnished, All Appliances, 2 Bed / 2 Bath, Eat-In Kitchen, Walk-In Closets, Great Interior Storage and Exterior Storage Room, Screened-In Porch with Dual Interior Access, New Rheem HVAC Jan 2019, Ceiling fans throughout, 4 Private Parking Spots, Clubhouse with Auditorium, Pool, Gym, Tennis, Pickleball (TBD), Game and Card Rms, Interior Walking-Paths, Pet Friendly, 55+ Community, Easy access to Palm Beach International and Ft Lauderdale Airports. Exciting Downtown Delray offers beautiful Beaches, Shopping, Restaurants, and Nightlife. Asking $319,999. Call David at 248-240-8154 SWCGRPMI@gmail.com
Cemetery Plots BETH DAVID CEMETERY: Elmont, NY. 3 Plots. Separate Or All Together. Graves 18, 25, and 32. Purchase Separate $5000; Purchase Together $14000. Negotiable. Call 845-641-7316
Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-569-4000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)
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HOME Of tHE WEEK
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‘Who should I be listening to?’
Q. I was told that I can do a kitchen and bathroom replacement to update both, without a permit, by the person I spoke with in my town. I met with the plumber I will be using for the job, and he said that he can’t get a plumbing permit without my getting a building permit first. I’m so confused, especially because my neighbor, a contractor, never got permits for anything and is laughing at my honesty. Who should I be listening to, and what should I do?
Long Beach
Luxury Living on the Open Bay
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rand new waterfront construction, directly on the bay. This property offers a blend of modern amenities, high end finishes and top of the line systems and appliances, making it an attractive option for a luxurious lifestyle. There are hardwood floors throughout, with immaculate ceramic tile in the 3 full bathrooms. The spacious primary en-suite bedroom features water views, and there are 4 additional large bedrooms. Special highlights include an elevator, fireplace and a dock for your boat. Multiple decks and proximity to the bay and ocean enhance the overall appeal, providing a serene and beautiful environment. Come live in the lap of luxury in this pristine waterfront home.
A. From my perspective as a licensed professional, I could never tell you not to get approvals from your local jurisdiction for anything you do. This scenario is familiar, and I always wonder how people get away with it, because most plumbers I know, if they’re truly licensed plumbers, insist on permits if they are following the rules. onte eeper I know that this is the call of your building department, and you need to speak to an authority, such as a supervisor or plans examiner, to confirm whether this is necessary and when there may be exclusions from permits. In most municipalities I know of, there’s always a permit required for the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms, but because a few jurisdictions allow direct, in-kind replacement, in which the sinks, toilet and bathing fixtures are new replacements in the same position with the same piping, they don’t require a permit. This issue is a question for each separate situation and location. I’m often asked if the plumbing inspector will make the plumber rip open the walls to see that the plumbing was done to code. Although I’ve seen this happen, it seems to be less often and, in any case, the judgment call of the inspector. As I’ve written in recent columns, your honesty is often not rewarded with a prompt review and approval, which is why your contractor neighbor is laughing about your situation. Lately I have seen many more circumstances in which the officials in some jurisdictions have reviewed every little aspect of the history of the home and any potentially missing filings for unrelated items, such as fences, decks, sheds, pools, powder rooms, new boiler and anything else they can find, which makes the homeowner wish they had never told the truth. Be prepared for this possibility, including the chance that full home plans for something as simple as a kitchen or bath will be required by some plans examiners. They often point out that they suspect that changes were made due to the architect truthfully showing the adjacent spaces. Even though we are required to show spaces adjacent to the work area, the typical response is that because the architect showed the adjacent spaces, the examiner now wants more information and the whole floor layout of each level of the home. Their response often appears to blame the architect for also being truthful, but not being truthful serves to make things even worse. Good luck!
Ask The Architect
M
Joyce Coletti Douglas Elliman Real Estate 30A West Park Avenue, Long Beach 516-313-2700 1238746
3.25in wide x 1.5in Height
45 Judith Ct, BA, Immaculate & Well Maintained 3300 Sq Ft, 6 BR, 3 Bth Exp Ranch on Beautiful Quiet St in SD#20 (Waverly Pk Elem). LR/ Fpl, FDR, Huge Family Rm & EIK. Att Gar. Private Yd ....................................................................................$989,000
HEWLETT Bay PaRK 190 Meadowview Ave, BA, Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool. SD#14. Near All. Must See This Unique Home! ...............REDUCED $2,700,000
Leader in Digital Social Media Marketing Get your home noticed & SOLD!
Full Service- In House Title Company & Partner of Contour Mortgage. All offers are vetted & all deals close.
Catherine Lattuca
Lisc. Real Estate Agent Cell- 516-996-7581 Email- clattuca@bhhslaffey.com
HEWLETT
Thinking About Selling Your Home?
1534 Broadway #213, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Move Right Into This 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Spacious Corner Unit. Updtd Gran/Wood Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Gar Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living. Convenient to Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship................................................................. $649,000
DeSmonD mAHoneY
1390 Broadway #117, BA, NEW TO MARKET! Move Right Into This Beautiful JR 4 Coop Apt in Luxurious Hewlett Townhouse. Huge LR & DR, Ren Kit w/ Wood Cab/ Quartz Counters/Stainless St Appl. Encl Terrace Overlooking Garden can Be Rm. Spac BR w/ En Suite Bath. W/D in Apt. 24 Hr Drmn, Elevator, Valet Pkg, Priv Storage. Redone IG Comm Pool. Gar Pkg. Near Shops, LIRR & Houses of Worship .. $359,000 1180 E. Broadway #2, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 2 BR, 2.5 Bth Townhouse Tucked away in Quiet Gables Community. Spacious LR, DR & Updtd EIK. King size Primary Ste w/Bth & Lots of Closets. Full Bsmt. Att Garage. Private Outdoor Space w/ Deck. Convenient to LIRR, Shops & Houses of Worship. SD#14 ............. $659,000 1267 Peninsula Blvd, BA, 5 BR, 2 Bath Exp Cape in SD#14 (Hewlett Woodmere) Living Room, FDR & Updtd Gran/Wood EIK w/ Vaulted Ceiling. 2 Main Flr BRs & Updtd Bth. Upper Level 3 BRs & Updtd Bth. 1.5 Car Det Gar Plus 4/5 Car Drivewy. Priv Yd w/ Deck. HW Flrs, Gas Ht. Near Shops, LIRR, Trans & Houses of Worship ...................................................................................................... $599,000
WOOdMERE 504 Saddle Ridge Rd, BA, Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC. Oversized Property! SD#14. Near All! ................................................................................................REDUCED! $950,000
A BETTER WAY TO BUY AND SELL REAL ESTATE! “Call A Realtor With Proven Experience!” Rob Kolb
1237354
EaST ROCKaWay
EVERYTHING I TOUCH TURNS TO SOLD! call
Licensed RE Associate Broker
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desi@desimahoneyhomes.com Realty Executives Powerhouse 244-06 Jericho Tpk., Floral Park, NY 11001
1233464
OPEN HOUSES SUNday, 12/17/23
16 Offices + 600 Agents = Large network of Buyers & Sellers!
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
1238478
Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299
Results that Move You
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
1239392
December 14, 2023 — HERALD
H2 12/14
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© 2023 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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H3 12/14
Market Place • •
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To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
HERALD — December 14, 2023
HERALD
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DaVe MaRloWe plUMBinG, inC. DBA BOB PHILLIPS PLUMBING
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JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, It’s in the Herald Classifieds... REAL ESTATE & MORE... Call 516-569-4000 JOBS,To Advertise MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... JOBS, MERCHANDISE, REAL ESTATE & MORE... press 5
1232207
& lANdSCApINg • Tree Removal • Stumps • Fertilization • Planting • Land Clearing • Topping
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Sunday, August 02, 2020 11:31:01 AM
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OWA_GotClutter_BW_Bold
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• Faucets • Toilets • Waste Piping • Water Piping • Permits & Legalizations • Certified NYS Backflows • FREE Estimates
December 14, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD
20
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FREON WANTED: Certified buyer looking to buy R11, R12, R22 & more! Call Clarissa at 312-535-8384.
FINDS UNDER $100 Finds Under $100 ANTIQUE DOLL/ PET bed, magnificent details. 18 by 30" inside 15.75" by 26.5". $99 516-295-1548
CRAZY?
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Answers to todAy’s puzzle
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olls, polls, polls. It isn’t even 2024, and we’re bombarded with political polls, one after another. President Biden is a goner and Donald Trump is ahead by 2 points, but that’s within the margin of error, so it’s a statistical tie. Everyone is upset about the economy and the weather and just about everything else. As we enjoy the holiday season, do we need all of these interruptions in our daily lives? I recall that, 49 years ago, the little-known governor of Georgia named Jimmy Carter declared JERRY his candidacy for president, and all KREMER the pollsters laughed. As a member of the Assembly leadership, I was asked to introduce Carter to the party conferences in 1976. I met him at the Albany airport and escorted him to the Capitol, where he got a tepid reception. I drove him back to the airport and wished him well. Nine months later, he was elected president.
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In 1991, Bill Clinton, the governor of Arkansas, declared himself a candidate for the White House. Few people paid much attention to him. In 1988 Clinton had been given a speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention and he spoke for over a half-hour, when he was only assigned 15 minutes. Everyone thought that was so funny that he was invited to appear on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” Four years later he was elected president. What I’m getting at is that right now, no one has the slightest idea what will happen next November. The Republican Party is going through its primary process, which will most likely end with the crowning of former President Trump as its candidate. Biden is juggling two wars, a Republican majority in the House that would like to impeach him — without any evidence, so as to make Trump happy — and a host of other headaches. Next March, Trump is expected to go on trial for his conduct leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. His former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, is expect-
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ed to be the star witness against him. Some legal experts think there is a strong possibility that Trump will be convicted by a jury of his peers. How would voters react to such an event, and would a conviction sway enough of them to make a difference? That will be one of many new factors that the pollsters will have to consider. Right now there are wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Biden has been a strong supporter of both countries, providing them with arms and moral support. Congress is currently in a state of gridlock about helping both countries. What if Ukraine loses the war to Russia? What if Israel wins its war with Hamas, but is stuck with administering the needs of the people of Gaza? These are two more headaches to throw into the 2024 mix. Even though former President Trump is favored to win his party’s nomination, the picture will look very different if and when he does so. Once he is the candidate, voters will begin to focus on all of his actions and statements over the past few years. It’s one thing to talk about wanting retribution
here are too many polls, and war scenarios. Let’s concentrate on the holidays.
against your enemies, but when you’re the nominee, do voters look at you differently? At this moment, the issue of abortion rights is not front and center. Those favoring a woman’s right to choose have won a series of battles in a number of states. Next year the issue will again be prominent in voters’ minds, and they will weigh which of the candidates supports their position. Biden’s and Trump’s stances are well known. Now, however, it’s time to ignore the pollsters and the political columnists. Here’s hoping your observance of Hanukkah was memorable, and let’s wish the same for Christmas. Keep planning holiday parties. If you’re traveling, finish up your packing early. We need a break from all of the distractions coming out of the political world. Let’s have some fun, and be happy and healthy. After three years of Covid and so many other distractions, we need a break. Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
Still standing, cancer treatment and all
y husband is the main character in this story. The recipient of abundant blessings from family and friends, he is festooned in good wishes and prayers these days. This is powerful juju, and he needs it in his fight through cancer. Since his diagnosis in May, we have been living a different life. CanRAnDi cer doesn’t hapKREiss pen to just one person; life takes a hard left for everyone in the family, kids and grandkids, too. A good day, a good time, a good year, all become relative. My husband, Don, always does things in a big way, so he didn’t just get cancer; he got pancreatic cancer, discovered “incidentally” during a routine scan. (He did the scan because of a genetic risk, and I write about this now to remind readers that anyone can test for genetic mutations that might confer a cancer risk. This knowledge has the power to save lives.) His tiny lesion was discovered very early on a CT scan, confirmed with an MRI and an endoscopic biopsy, and
removed in July in a Whipple procedure, a drastic and super-complex operation that removes the tumor and rearranges your innards. In his case, the procedure was done robotically, over seven hours, with two surgeons. The doctors said he would be in the hospital for a week to three weeks since he’s an old dude, and cancer isn’t his only medical challenge. But being an outlier, Don was doing laps around the nurses’ station after four days, and they sent him home with more drains than a steam room after five days. They told me I could change the drains; it would be easy. Not easy. A visiting nurse saved the day. The doctors advised that after the Whipple procedure, his eating and digestion might not be normal for months, or possibly ever. “Small portions. Frequent meals. No spice. No roughage,” we were told. I sat across the table from him at home, expecting some kind of volcanic intestinal eruption, but he just chomped away and digested everything and, in a week or two, started exercising. In August he began chemotherapy
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and immunotherapy. Yes, the surgery and chemo seem like killing a mosquito with a cannon, but even a tiny pancreatic cancer is not your ordinary mosquito. Don is doing it all with grace and remarkable good cheer. He says he’s fine, no problems. One issue is that the steroids they give him with the chemo send him into orbit. He can’t stop moving from room to room or making phone calls or rearranging the silverware in the drawer. For two days, he basically flies low around our house, engines roaring, until, on day three, he comes in for a landing. This time is perfect for cleaning windows. This week, new scans revealed that everything under the hood looks good. No obvious cancer. An excellent finding. “We’re lucky so far,” the doctor says, luck also being relative. It has taken us many months to accept the uncertainty of this life we are living. We can plan, but not too far ahead. We can get out, but we must dodge sneezing people and other germy situations. My husband is the warrior, and I am the worrier. I handle the appointments and records and results and communications with all the medical people who are keeping Donnie up and running.
y husband is the warrior, and I’m the worrier. We can plan, but not too far ahead.
This job does not align with my skill set. Toxic stress is baked into the health care system these days; I feel incompetent juggling patient portals, faxed reports and MRI discs. But it also seems like really, really bad form to complain. He’s doing the hard work. You may be wondering, and I don’t mind sharing, that despite the robust treatment and particular nastiness of this cancer, we don’t talk about it much anymore. We do a pretty good job of doing the day-to-day thing. We go out occasionally, but mostly I cook, and we see some friends, and we talk about the news, which often makes us feel lucky indeed. Don keeps the faith with a group of dear friends who are also going through difficult cancer regimens. Perhaps you or someone you love is undergoing treatment. All the stories speak to an abiding resilience in the human spirit. Each morning, we plan the day. And honestly, we look forward to it, because it’s the only day we can count on. In truth, it’s the only day anyone can count on. We don’t overtalk this new chapter in our story. But occasionally, in the middle of the night, as if by some silent agreement, we hold hands. Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
MERRICK HERALD — December 14, 2023
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It’s time for a break from politics
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December 14, 2023 — MERRICK HERALD
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A tale of two holidays
wo holidays. celebrated by two religions. hanukkah, according to the Talmud, celebrates the restoration of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, where a day’s worth of oil burned for eight. Christmas, according to the bible, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, in a manger in a bethlehem stable from a family escaping the tyranny of King herod. So much has been said over the years about how different these two holidays are, contrasting the differences between Jews and Christians. but yet, hanukkah and Christmas — and the observances and celebrations surrounding them — are more alike than we give them credit for. First and foremost, both are rooted in the same concept: the celebration of a miracle. Following three years of war with King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a hero of the Jewish faith, Judas Maccabeus, re-entered the desecrated Second Temple with the hope of restoring it. The Seleucid king had defiled almost every-
thing inside except for a single small jar of oil — enough to last a single day. It was going to take a week for new oil to arrive, but Maccabeus used the oil in the jar anyway. It didn’t run out that night. Or the next night. Or the night after that. In fact, the oil continued to burn until the new consecrated oil arrived, helping to restore the temple — and the faith of a war-torn people. The birth of Jesus should not have happened. According to Christians, the messiah’s mother was a virgin. Thus the conception and the ultimate birth of Jesus took place through divine intervention. The three wise men who traveled to welcome the new baby into the world were inspired by the light of what we now call the Star of bethlehem. Today, Christians celebrate light with candles and colorful bulbs, reflecting hope, warmth and the triumph of light over darkness. Sound familiar? While hanukkah might not carry the same spiritual weight for Jews as Christmas does for Christians, both holidays
also focus on something very important: family. Dads, moms, daughters, sons, grandparents, cousins — they all gather around the tree on Christmas morning to open presents and share a sumptuous holiday meal. For hanukkah, the lighting of the menorah candles involves the entire family, fostering a sense of togetherness. And we can never forget about kindness and charity. Giving gifts and food to those who wouldn’t otherwise have them, and simply gathering to do good things, are aspects of the holidays that are not exclusive to any single religion, but the effort is heightened at this time of year. Whether you’re spinning a dreidel or hanging stockings on the chimney, this is a chance to not only end the year doing good for both your family and your community, but also looking to continue that once January begins. Take a moment to remember not only the meaning of the holidays, but the spirit of them, too. And focus on finding common ground — all for the greater good.
Letters King was right about our unity To the Editor: Re Peter King’s op-ed essay last week, “Americans must rediscover our unity”: I couldn’t agree more. I think it’s interesting that in these days, social identity and political identity are nearly one and the same. The Republican and Democratic labels are slung about to not only describe political allegiance, but also personal belief/character. Maybe this is part of the problem? While King’s essay provides context from a political perspective, citing how he disagreed with colleagues on a political level but they enjoyed each other’s company on a personal level, it delineates the difference between social and political identity. Part of the issue is the collectivist mindset of hating America that members of the radical left unfortunately perpetuate. I’d like to think it is misconstrued criticism, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and they are vocal about it. I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to nearly every state, and in my conversations with fellow Americans of all socio-economic and political backgrounds, from California’s coast to New England’s shores, I recognize that despite the supposed polarity we face in this country, we share the common ground that we are Americans, first and foremost. The only way to defeat America is from within. That’s why there are bad actors out there — they’ve even infiltrated our own political system — who want to pit countrymen against one another. United We Stand. The United States’ motto, E Pluribus Unum, Latin for “Out of many, one,” symbolizes the unity of our 13 original colonies. Our Founding Fathers knew then the significance of unity. Our country is not without her faults, and should be openly and fairly critiqued — but the only way we move forward is together. So long as the common goal is a better America, our country and her people cannot lose. KOOROSh LEIbOWITz Glen Cove
An open letter to Hofstra’s president Dear Dr. Susan Poser: I would like to thank you for acknowledging the horrific nature of hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel in your Oct. 9 post, found at https://news.hofstra.edu. however, I respectfully request that you give additional context to your Oct. 18 post. While you again acknowledged that Israel was attacked by hamas,
the lack of context created false equivalencies between terrorists and those who seek to defend themselves against terror. For example, while I wholeheartedly agree that we should, as you state, “mourn the loss of life in Israel and Gaza,” you simply lumped all loss of life together without making a key distinction. While Israel attempts to minimize the loss of civilian life, hamas deliberately targets Israeli civilians and uses their own people as human shields. Failing to mention this distinction obfuscates the morality of the former
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ealizing that I’ve been taking something for granted is never an abstraction. It generally happens by whack and
wallop. A crucial part of the realization process is acknowledgment. Maybe even learning something. So pardon the details I’m about to reveal, but I’m trying to figure out what I may have learned these past few days, even as I call out to the universe: “Enough!” I don’t want any more life lessons for a while. (Come on, roBert C. I’m only 77.) My longtime koeHLer buddy Malcolm — we’ve been best friends since 1967 — came to town last week. Wow, cool. Two long-ago hippies on their own in Chicago. The world felt wide open, and I was host. But the day he arrived, as I lay in bed that morning, my right knee woke me up with a piercing poke in my consciousness. Not again! I’d seen a doctor for the knee pain, had X-rays taken, gotten a cortisone injection. The pain stopped, my hobbling stopped, I felt in control of my life again. So for it to reappear a few hours before Malcolm’s arrival — not fair! I
was determined to remain a functioning host. Things weren’t that bad. Just a little pain. I could still drive. I took us to a restaurant for dinner. Yeah, this’ll pass. We’ll have a great time. But then things got worse. Next morning, it wasn’t just knee pain. There was something new, out of nowhere: excruciating ankle pain. Both knee and ankle were in the right leg, basically turning me into a one-legged guy. Standing up was an act of desperation. Moving a short distance was even worse. I was no longer the host. I was the guy on the couch — much of the time asleep, just because awakeness was too difficult. What was going on? I’d be lying there, then the ankle would quiver and twitch in pain and I’d lurch, then slowly drift back out of consciousness. Malcolm took care of everything. He walked to the market, bought some beans, made chili. He got everything I needed. He did the laundry. When he wasn’t working on something — and when I wasn’t asleep — he’d sit next to me on the couch and we’d talk. Oh, life! This wasn’t the visit either of us had anticipated, but he said — with occasional big smiles — that he was enjoying himself. It was as though we were getting to know each other at a level
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painful knee led to a visit with my best friend that neither of us envisioned.
Letters and the immorality of the latter. The problem with moral equivocations such as these is that they stifle critical thinking by sloppily making superficial comparisons, instead of highlighting key distinctions. Moral equivalencies are made for one of three reasons. The first is ignorance. The second is intellectual sloppiness, because it’s easier to lop concepts together superficially than to look for differences beneath the surface. The third is to muddy the waters and manipulate the facts. An educational institution should never abuse the concept of academic freedom by manipulating the facts in order to indoctrinate, but rather should educate. It has an academic responsibility to present the facts truthfully, allowing learners to draw their own conclusions. Your Oct. 18 post also lacked moral clarity. While you are correct in asserting that “there is a complex history and conflicting views about the causal underpinnings of the current crisis,” you failed to state that these complexities cannot be used as a justification for the Oct. 7 atrocities, such as murder or rape. The purpose of education should not only be to prepare people for a livelihood, but to make them better
beyond the ordinary bounds of friendship, even best-friendship. This was something new. He was inside my life. Two days into the visit, we finally decided that I needed to go to the doctor. It was more Malcolm than me deciding this, because I was determined to transcend the pain, be bigger than it — to defeat it, or magically make it go away. The plan was that he’d drive me to an immediatecare clinic that I’d been to several months earlier. But I couldn’t get out to the car on my own, or even with his help. He called 911. Yeah, that was a first. A fire truck showed up, five firemen came to my door with a folding chair, and they ported me down the porch steps — in the rain, no less. And being the liftee, wow, what a strange sense of helplessness. They got me to my car. Malcolm drove to the clinic and wheeled me in. More X-rays. This was anything but easy, lifting myself out of a wheelchair, flopping onto the x-ray table. God have mercy! The doc, who was friendly and positive, remembering me from my previous visit, diagnosed both gout, in the ankle, and pseudo-gout, in the knee. She prescribed pain and an anti-arthritic medication, and shortly we were on our
citizens. If educational institutions can’t make the most elementary distinctions between right and wrong, they are failing in their mission to create an educated citizenry. I encourage you to make a full-throated condemnation of Hamas’ actions, as Sheryl Sandberg recently did at the U.N., declaring that “Rape should never be used as an act of war. Silence is complicity … And in the face of terror, we cannot be quiet.” Sandberg’s remarks were echoed by Hillary Clinton’s statement: “We must respond to weaponized sexual violence wherever it happens with absolute condemnation.” Given that in their recent testimony before Congress, the presidents of Harvard, MIT and Penn, to their shame, could not unequivocally say that calling for genocide against Jews would violate their schools’ codes of conduct, it is more important than ever to speak out clearly against evil. The blatant double standard that allows for Israel and Jews to be demonized must not be tolerated.
Robert Koehler (koehlercw@gmail.com), syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a Chicago award-winning journalist and editor. He is the author of “Courage Grows Strong at the Wound.”
Framework by Tim Baker
RABBI STEvEN SAkS Congregation Sons of Israel, Woodmere RABBI STEvEN GRABER Temple Hillel, Valley Stream
way back home. Malcolm, two years my senior, was my only steadying force in this moment — helping me out of the car, and then helping me walk with a cane and one functioning leg up the steps. This is where the “taking something for granted” part hit with full force. Praise be for walking! When I got inside and collapsed on the couch, I let my mind comb the world and think about … oh, war, whatever. The stolen ability to walk, to simply be. Other people’s struggles are not an abstraction. I knew this like I had never known it before. Let me never take life, theirs or mine, for granted again. Malcolm drove to the drugstore and picked up my prescriptions. When he got back, he said, “My treat.” The next morning, which happened to be my birthday, I couldn’t believe it. Both the knee and ankle pain had vanished. I could walk again. And Malcolm headed off to the airport. As I watched him leave, I found myself swimming in emotional wonder. We’ve been best friends for 56 years. Suddenly the awe I felt for our friendship — our love — was beyond comprehension.
Saluting the season at the Salisbury tree lighting.
MERRICK HERALD — December 14, 2023
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How to learn not to take life for granted
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