Nassau Herald 07-06-2023

standing up against smoking in Hewlett

Page 5

Chipping in for Oliver Miller

GoFundMe campaign has raised over $24,000 for Missy’s son

By HeRNesTo GAlDAmeZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Atlantic Beach resident Melissa Miller endured the death of a daughter, Melanie, in 1997. Then, two years later, seven weeks after her son, Oliver, was born, she learned that he had suffered a stroke in utero.

Community center head resigns as its future remains unclear

By HeRNesTo GAlDAmeZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Change has begun at the Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence, as its executive director, K. Brent Hill, has resigned after three and a half years of leading the 116-year-old institution, Hill’s last day is Friday.

His resignation comes amid uncertainty about the center’s future, after Nassau County, apparently planning to take the facility in a different direction, issued a request for proposal in January seeking people or entities to provide youth-oriented activities and services there.

“I moved out of state,” Hill said, who relo-

cated to Connecticut near Danbury a few months. “Otherwise I would still be here fighting the fight with everyone else, but I’m no longer living in the community.”

The community center building and property, at 270 Lawrence Ave., are owned by Nassau County, which has leased the site to the center since 1974. It was not offered a renewal.

County Legislator Carriè Solages, who represents the area, said he believed there was more to Hill’s resignation than simply a desire to move.

“In my opinion, it is a forced resignation, because of the lack of support from the board and also from the county administration,”

Continued on page 7

According to Miller, known to many as Missy, who served in the State Assembly from 20172022 and is now a Hempstead town councilwoman, Oliver’s prognosis was poor: Doctors said he wouldn’t live past his second or third birthday. He proved them wrong, and over the years Miller has immersed him in feeding, physical and speech therapy, which pushed him to do things that doctors never expected him to do. He is now 23.

tain hormones that you need to live,” his mother explained. “His brain stem was injured, so a lot of the signals that need to go from the brain to the body for normal functioning don’t get there correctly.”

Miller and her husband, Brandon, have another daughter, Katy, 29, who has no health issues. And instead of asking herself, “What happened?” or “Why us?” she said, she has been inspired by something author Gary Zukav said on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 2012.

ANDRew leVY Atlantic Beach

“We’re not in control of what happens in the big picture,” Miller remembers Zukav saying. “We have no control of it. The only thing we have control over is how we respond to what happens, how we respond to the big picture.”

But as a result of his stroke, Oliver experienced developmental delays, and is blind and suffers from daily seizures. “A lot of the structures in his brain are injured, so he doesn’t make cer-

As Oliver entered his tween years, Miller described it as hitting a “brick wall” due to the limitations of traditional treatment for him. “Doctors were saying, ‘There’s nothing else we can Continued on page 16

Herald file photo

FiVe TowNs CommUNiTY Center Executive Director K. Brent Hill has resigned after three and a half years in the job. Above, Hill greeted a Head Start program class in 2019.

we’re superappreciative of all the love and support that we’ve had coming out.

Preventing the summer slide through reading

Hindi’s libraries are helping kids across the country avoid the summer reading slide. Since April, Hindi’s has looked to increase literacy efforts and will be shipping 200 boxes and 10,000 children’s books to different organizations in states across the country.

The summer slide is a term used to highlight how during the summer break from school, students read less often. By the time they return to school, they significantly regress in their reading abilities.

Hindi’s Libraries is a Five Towns-based nonprofit organization that collects new and gently used books and donates them to children across the globe at no cost to the recipients.

According to readingrockets.org, low-income students experience significant summer learning losses in reading comprehension and word recognition. On average, children from low-income families lose nearly three months of grade-level equivalency during the summer months each year.

Hindi’s Libraries typically provides books to children in low-income communities and ships to groups every two or

three months but since the beginning of May, the group has paused their regular donations to help kids countrywide avoid the summer slide.

“When you talk about children in low-income communities, where classrooms are oftentimes the only places they have access to books, and now during the summer that environment is taken away from them,” said Hindi’s Libraries co-founder, Leslie Gang. “Now they’re home for the summer, where there are typically no books or very few books available to them during the summer months.

Gang and Dovid Kanarfogel founded Hindi’s Libraries in 2018 in memory of Kanarfogel’s wife, Hindi Krinsky, an English teacher at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway. She died that same year from a complication of Crohn’s Disease.

The organization selected a school or nonprofit group from each state. Since April, recipients have received roughly 200 books and received donations of over $1,000, earmarked to help ship books across the country.

Volunteers have met weekly and spend

about three hours a week going through donations and shipping 25 boxes every week, with the goal of shipping four boxes, containing 50 books to an organization in every state across the country for a total of 10,000 books and 200 boxes by the end of July. As of press time, Hindi’s Libraries has shipped to 23 states, nearly halfway to its goal.

“We’ve partnered with about 800 groups,” Gang said. “Some of them do not

qualify for this specific initiative because they’re not official organizations or nonprofits but the great news is that even though people may not have qualified who applied we’ve now grown our database so that when we resume our regular shipment, in August and onward, we now have made connections with so many more wonderful groups that we can start shipping to.”

–Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Leslie Gang

Hindis Libraries is aiming to shipping boxes of books to every state by the end of July.

We’ve partnered with about 800 groups. We now have made connections

LesLie GanG co-founder, Hindi’s Libraries

Gural JCC talks successes and the future Volunteers honored, status of RFP proposal and sensory gym is on the way

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

There was a lot to celebrate at this year’s annual meeting for the Cedarhurstbased Marion & Aaron Gural JCC on June 27. For starters, it was the first meeting since 2018.

But the purpose of the get together was to showcase what the nonprofit has accomplished within the last year and what it hopes to accomplish in the future.

With its Grove Avenue headquarters in Cedarhurst and the Harrison-Kerr Family Campus in Lawrence, the Gural JCC offers assorted services for children, teens, adults and seniors. The family campus includes an early childhood center and the JCC uses the ballroom in side Temple Israel for events. In 2016, the JCC acquired the temple property.

Board of Directors President, David Kaye spoke about current new programs and JCC partners.

“We have 220 Holocaust survivors in our (Chaverim Program for Holocaust Survivors) program, distributed 840,000 pounds of food to those in need, 7,100 people visited our kosher food pantry, supported 115 caregivers, almost 6,500 hours of mental health services, 700 seniors participate in our group for older adults and 300 children in our early childhood program,” he said. “In addition, we’ve also partnered with a few highlighted programs such as Nafshenu Alenu and the Jewish Women’s Leadership Council.”

Nafshenu Alenu, which translates to “spirits united,” was a program founded by Young Israel of North Woodmere senior Rabbi Yehuda Septimus and Stuart Katz that promoted mental well-being with meetings across the Five Towns.

Volunteer Services Manager, Laurie Brofsky, recognized the JCC’s volunteers.

“To this date, this year, we’ve had almost 600 volunteers providing the Gural JCC with well over 8,000 hours of service,” she said. “They have been helping us help our communities.”

Volunteer Zachary Bernstein said it felt good to be appreciated.

“It felt very nice,” he said. “It’s more fulfilling actually doing the volunteering.

Bernstein volunteers by helping donate food during the Jewish holidays.

“So what’s the future hold?” Kaye asked.

Early this year, the Gural JCC submitted a proposal in response to the Nassau County’s Request for Proposal for the county-owned Lawrence property where the Five Towns Community Center has operated since 1972, seeking a new ten-

ant/operator that can provide youth-oriented activities and services at a more modern facility.

“We’re waiting to hear from Nassau County on the proposal,” he said. “The 55,000- square-foot facility would enable us to really build out a full-service JCC for this community.”

The deadline for RFP submissions was March 1 and County Executive Bruce Blakeman appointed a committee to review submitted proposals and make a recommendation. The other proposal was from the Lawrence school district.

The JCC’s proposal included spending a minimum of $6 million on capital improvements for the gymnasium, lighting, lobby and classrooms. In it’s proposal, the existing center at the location would be able to operate independently and continue its services.

As the JCC awaits a response, one incoming facility they are most excited about in the next coming months at the Lawrence location is a sensory gym.

Craig Spatz, the board’s chairman, said the Barbara Harrison Sensory Gym will be an extension for the current early childhood services at the site.

The gym would benefit children who need a structured environment to build their sensory, communication and motor skills.

“Out of the 300 students we have here, each and every day, 70 children require some type of therapeutic exercise,” Spatz said. “It’s about 25 percent. Why? Because we don’t have the room. They’re doing it on stairs, in hallways and there is no specific area for these children. The therapists need it, the children need it and we want to be able to have something very unique.”

Spatz said this was an idea that was thought about over the years and it will soon become a reality in the next coming months.

“We felt it was time because our school is the largest pre-school within the Five Towns,” he said. “They need a centralized place.”

The gym is named after Barbara Harrison, a teacher and second in charge of

the preschool within the last 20 years. She was named the JCC’s Person of the Year at this year’s gala and is recovering from a stroke.

“We thought it was the right and thoughtful thing to do to make sure Barbara is here for life,” Spatz said. “Her name is attached to it because this is something she wanted and she is a valuable asset.”

In an email, Melissa Wienerkur, associate executive director for Early Childhood, wrote about the significance of naming the soon-to-be gym after her colleague.

“Barbara Harrison, one of the pillars of our Early Childhood Center, has always valued herself on the relationships and cherished the connection we have with our families,” she wrote. “As we were preparing to open up school in the midst of the Covid pandemic, Barbara suddenly suffered a stroke which left her unable to return to the school that she helped build and nurture for 26 years. Anyone who had the privilege to know Barbara knows how dedicated, caring and completely focused she was on the ever changing needs of the JCC Early Childhood students.”

THE CEDARHuRSTBASED MARiON & Aaron Gural JCC are expected in the next coming months the opening of it’s Barbara Harrison Sensory Gym,

be an extension for the current early child-

services at

We thought it was the right and thoughtful thing to do to make sure Barbara is here for life.

CRAiG SpATZ chairperson

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the site.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald VOLuNTEER SERViCES MANAGER Laurie Brofsky,, not pictured, Gural JCC volunteers to stand and be recognized for their efforts.

Courtesy Marion & Aaron Gural JCC

MARiON & AARON Gural JCC President David Kaye presented this year’s annual meeting for community members. The first since 2018 and teased what’s to come for the Cedarhurst-based non-profit.

Hewlett Harbor’s new Village Clerk: Nicole Giacopelli

Nicole Giacopelli is Hewlett Harbor’s new Village Clerk replacing Michael Ryder, who retired after seven years.

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Taking Back Control with a Living Trust

In the fall of 1990, some thirty plus years ago, your writer first heard of the proposition that if you set up a living trust your estate doesn’t have to go to court to settle – the so-called probate court proceeding for wills. Having spent the previous eleven years as a litigation attorney, and having faced numerous problems probating wills, this sounded too good to be true.

At the time, some of the best estate planning lawyers were in Florida. Perhaps you can guess why. In any event, off I went to Florida to train as an estate planning lawyer and, upon returning, closed the litigation practice and founded Ettinger Law Firm in April 1991, to keep people just like you, dear reader, out of probate court.

The reason I was so excited about the living trust, and continue to be so to this day, is the concept of taking back control from the courts and government and giving it back to you and your family. After all, who doesn’t want control over their affairs?

When you go to court, who’s in charge? The judge, right? Now tell me, does the judge always act in your best interest? Does the judge ever make a mistake? And when the judge says jump, you know what the answer is!

Not only do you pay considerably for this privilege, but it can take many months and often years to complete the probate court proceeding. Meantime, houses cannot be sold, bank accounts accessed, or investment portfolios managed – at least without the judge’s permission which involves additional time and resources to request. Of course, that permission may be denied as well.

With a living trust, your trustee (formerly your “executor” under the will) may act immediately upon death to sell the house, pay the bills and handle the investments – no permission required! An additional benefit is, in the event you become unable to handle your affairs later in life, your trustee may take over by simply getting a letter from your doctor showing you are incapacitated.

Essentially then, a living trust gives you back control.

“Nicole brings tremendous experience to her new position, having worked first as an assistant to our Deputy Clerk, and then as Deputy Clerk under Mike Ryder, said Mark Weiss, Mayor of Hewlett Harbor in a news release. “Not only does Niki have a tremendous grasp of the major issues our residents face daytoday, she has cultivated a wonderful working relationship with many of the contractors and utilities operating within the Village.”

Doreen Grace will work as an assistant to the Village Clerk after working on a part-time basis with Giacopelli.

“I am honored to have been chosen to serve as Village Clerk by Mayor Weiss and the Board of Trustees,” Giacopelli said. “While not a resident of Hewlett Harbor, I consider the Village to be my second

home, and the Village’s residents as my extended family. Hewlett Harbor is one of the most beautiful communities on Long Island, and I look forward to playing an increasingly important role in enhancing the quality of life for all who live here.”

It’s nomination time for H-W’s alumni association

There are business people, doctors, lawyers, philanthropists and scientists among their ranks and now the HewlettWoodmere Alumni Association is looking to add to the illustrious list as the organization is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Hall of Fame class.

The alumni association’s Hall of Fame honors the achievements of outstanding Hewlett High School graduates as professionals and community service.

Inductees, who must be present at the

induction ceremony, will be part invited to be part of the Homecoming parade on Sept. 23. The ceremony will take place as part of that Saturday’s football game.

To nominate someone, go to HewlettWoodmere.net/domain/1683.

For more information contact the alumni association at Hewlettwoodmerealumni@gmail.com.

The nomination deadline is July 12.

— Jeffrey Bessen

–Hernesto Galdamez

Courtesy Village of Hewlett Harbor Nicole Giacopelli was appointed Hewlett Harbor’s Village Clerk after Michael Ryder retired after seven years.

Sam Horowitz

Hewlett High students take a stand against smoking

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Hewlett High School students and alumni are acting against smoking and lung disease. Graduating senior Brandon Salazar, 17, and rising seniors Daniel Tkach, 16, and Ryan Weinman, 16, joined the New York chapter of For Future Lungs, the parent organization that seeks to promote the risks associated with smoking and tobacco use for teens and promote events dedicated to discussing the risks of tobacco.

For Future Lungs is based in California and Vietnam. The organization was formed last August and since has worked with 400 schools across the U.S. and in other eight countries, showing presentations from volunteers.

Weinman’s grandfather struggled with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after smoking for 50 years. Tkach’s uncle and my grandpa were smokers who developed lung cancer. Tkach’s uncle is in remission but after years of battling with cancer, his grandfather died last August.

Salazar, Tkach and Weinman decided they wanted to prevent teenagers from suffering similar illnesses down the line by addressing teen smoking and vaping.

“After we went to parties, we saw young teenagers like 15- and 16-, 17-yearsold who smoke,” Tkach said. “We would go to the bathrooms in various schools and smell cotton candy, mint, and strawberries with puff bar packs on the floors. That disgusted us and brought our attention to spread awareness against the use of tobacco and smoking among teens, which they said is prevalent within their local schools and community.

Tkach found For Future Lungs’ website and after reviewing the organization’s information, it was clear to the trio that sharing similar goals it was the right group for them to support.

The boys reached out to the nonprofit about starting a chapter in New York and have been working with the group since March. For Future Lungs co-founders, Natalie Nguyen,19, and Jason Ni, 20, started the organization after seeing a prevalent issue with tobacco in their home country, Vietnam.

“Coming from an Asian background, I saw, both here and back home, a lot of misinformation and not enough education about tobacco, “ Nguyen said. “There are a lot of harmful stereotypes associated with tobacco news, especially in Amer-

ica with E-cigarettes and in Asian countries with traditional cigarettes. We want to get rid of those harmful stereotypes and reinforce that there are a lot of dangers associated with tobacco.”

Weinman, Salazar, and Tkach created the Instagram account ForFutureLungsNY, will be creating a website, and are creating their own merchandise. They will have an event with CTeen, a network for Jewish teens, where they will meet with teenagers and young children across the area.

“We have different activities for kids and young adults and presentations setup,” Weinman said. “We’re going to be teaching them about the different effects of smoking, and how it’s detrimental to their health.”

The group also has plans to reach out to pulmonary doctors and allow them to share the effects of smoking on young adults and plans to reach out to the local government and the County Commissioner of Health to potentially propose legislation relating to smoking prevention.

Although Nguyen is a California resident and will be a junior at Cornell University in the fall, she has a weekly checkin with the group to see how they progress with their plans.

“They tell me all the things they have planned, what I can help with and I bounce ideas on what they can do to grow and get more exposure,” Nguyen said.

“They seem to have a lot of really good ideas. They’re very motivated, involved and I’m excited for them.”

To help, go to ForFutureLungs.org/ join-the-cause.

Courtesy Daniel Tkach

HEwLEtt HIgH ScHooL rising seniors Ryan Weinman and Daniel Tkach wearing their For Future Lungs NY T-shirts. Proceeds from the shirt sales will benefit For Future Lungs.

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick visits Lawrence

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick spent the last six months in Albany. Now returning home, she is getting personal with her District 9 constituents by having one-on-one sessions at select areas.

Her newly launched Mobile Office Hours came to Lawrence on June 28 at Peninsula Public Library. She visited Long Beach session last month.

“You’re in Albany from January until early June and we ended around June 10, but now, the rest of the year, I will be in the district,” she said. “During the summer into the fall, I really want to be more engaged in the district holding events, so I think in the summer and the fall, I’ll be able to be more engaged.”

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a lifelong Malverne resident, former village trustee and deputy mayor, brought a local-government view to Albany politics after she won the seat last November.

Now in new territory, she said the experience is very different. But, her experiences as a certified public accountant, an attorney, business owner and a mother of four have allowed her to speak out and advocate on different issues.

“The transition is very different from local government to the state level,” she said. “I am very honored to be a senator. I speak out and ask questions because it’s okay for me to not know because I did

come from local government to now the state level. I really have enjoyed it and I love doing this.”

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick shared a proud moment as a state senator, opposing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s controversial housing plan to build 800,000 new homes and

Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 6 p.m.

“Speaking out on the housing issue that would have changed Nassau County and getting that to not go through in the budget was an incredible accomplishment,” she said. “A lot of people on Long Island spoke out against it. The fact that I’ve been able to speak out about different

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick told a story about how one person joked with her saying she had spoken the most in the first two weeks than someone else had spoken in five years.

“I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” she chuckled.

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said the constituents she spoke with spoke about various topics that concern them, such as the housing plan, traffic, state of the economy, safety and general direction of the state.

“It makes me more confident to speak out when legislation is passed that affects those issues,” she said. “Now I’m in touch with my constituents and that’s why I think is important about these mobile office hours is knowing that I’m representing what their interests are and that I’m in touch with what they want.”

Lawrence mayor Alex Edelman attended the senator’s mobile office hours and thought the idea of her meeting with her constituents was a great opportunity for the community.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to find out who you district senator is and what they are capable of for the community. The senator was nice enough to give everybody 10 to 15 minutes for discussions and it was very nice.”

Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said she plans on continuing her district tour. She will announce her next date on her Facebook,

At this event, you will have the opportunity to speak with Hofstra faculty, and learn about services offered by Residence Life, Student Financial Services, and the Center for Career Design and Development. You can also virtually tour our beautiful 244-acre campus.

For event details and to RSVP, please visit hofstra.edu/gradoh.

Courtesy office of Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick

STATE SENATOR PATRiciA Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick made a visit to Peninsula Public Library in Lawrence on June 28 as part of her Mobile Office Hours sessions with Senate District 9 constituents.

Hill resigns amid uncertainty at center

Solages said. “Based on information and belief, the board is being influenced by outside actors to make these decisions.”

“By no means did we force him out,” board President Gwynn Campbell said. “That is untrue. We really adore him.”

Solages has been an advocate for the community center as a legislator and as a board member for the Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County, which offers a Head Start program at the center. “Mr. Hill saved countless lives in our community and during the pandemic by providing personal protective equipment and making access available to the vaccines,” Solages said. “He has gone above and beyond … and it’s a shame that Nassau County, and specifically the Inwood-Lawrence community, are losing a good man.”

County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in March he would appoint a committee to review proposals submitted in response to the county’s request, and make a recommendation about the center’s future occupants.

The Lawrence school district and the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC responded to

the RFP, with the Gural JCC proposing to partner with the existing center.

The center’s board of directors, Hill said, has tried reaching out to the county, but doesn’t know the status of the committee’s work if one was formed, which puts the center at a disadvantage, he said.

As of press time, Alyssa Lark, assistant of Blakeman, did not respond to request for comment on whether the committee was formed and if so, had reached a decision.

“We have several federal and state contracts and multiyear contracts that need to know whether we will be physically in this building or another space,” Hill said. “It would be helpful if we can get some information sooner rather than later, and they’ve not been responsive at this point.”

Solages compared the potential change of management at the center to changes in the Lawrence school district.

“This is the same systematic practice and pattern that we see in the Lawrence school district is depriving Latino children from a quality education,” he said.

“There’s a systematic effort to gentrify the Five Towns, and it’s no coincidence

that they have achieved this through a racist redistricting map to remove the minority legislator for the area.”

After the county issued the RFP, community center volunteers and neighbors voiced their support for the facility. They gathered at a protest in January, and there were community meetings, which Hill attended.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity

to be able to live, work and advocate for the community,” he said. “I’m going to stay in touch with the board of directors and offer any support that I can with the challenge of continuing services in light of the uncertainty in the building.”

Have an opinion on who should operate the Five Towns Community Center ? Send a letter to jbessen@liherald.com.

Hernesto Galdamez/Herald EmployEEs and voluntEErs from the Five Towns Community Center were joined by community members at a rally on Jan. 20 in response to Nassau County’s request for proposals to take over the property. K. Brent Hill was at far right, in green cap.

n assau County, and specifically the InwoodLawrence community, are losing a good man. Carriè solagEs Nassau County legislator

David Hance aids team from Trinidad and Tobago

A team of karate experts from Trinidad and Tobago were stranded with no place on Monday after their flight back home was cancelled at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Inwood Civic Association President and local businessman David Hance was able to provide housing and more to the karate team at an investment home of his.

At North Woodmere Park on Thursday, County Executive Bruce Blakeman acknowledged Hance’s efforts.

“He is an outstanding citizen and is always one to step up to the plate when called upon to help people in the community and outside the community,” he said. “His friend Lenny who he does business with lives in Lawrence and Lenny told David about their flight and David sprung into action to make sure that they would be taken care of.”

Lenny Panan also provided housing for the karate experts. Panan obtained a black belt at the same Trinidad School.

The team’s coach, Christoper Francis, presented Hance with a gold medal for his

efforts in helping them secure temporarily housing.

“This medal is what we give to presidents or prime ministers and this medal is fitting for someone like David,” Francis said. “The students want to give (this) to the man who rescued them.”

The team was taking part in an international competition where they won over 40 medals, including 18 gold medals.

19 members flew back home on June 30 and 11 boarded a flight the following day.

–Hernesto Galdamez

Courtesy David Hance Inwood resIdent davId Hance was honored by the karate team from Trinidad and Tobago.

What’s up next door and around the corner

Herald neigHbors

Revving up the classic cars in Lawrence

The sun-drenched front lawn of Rock Hall Museum was filled with car enthusiasts who showed and gawked at a bevy of older vehicles at the Vintage Antique Fun Car Show sponsored by the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America on June 25.

Through the five-hour Sunday event there were antique, classic and custom cars, hot rods and vintage trucks. Cool engines and stylish interiors.

Rock Hall Museum, that includes the main house of what was originally an 18th century plantation named Rock Hall is a Town of Hempstead owned and operated museum at 199 Broadway in Lawrence.

— Jeffrey Bessen

Daniel Tommasino/Herald photos Antique vehicles dotted the large front lawn of Rock Hall Museum in Lawrence on June 25.

From coloniAl-style rock Hall Museum to motorized horsepower, the Vintage Antique Fun Car Show underscored classic American history. ed WilmArth iv behind the steering wheel of his grandfather Ed Wilmarth II’s Mercury sedan.

ed WilmArth’s 1956 two-door Mercury sedan drew a crowd at the Sunday car show.

Getting mental health help when needed most

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

The term “mental health” is often misunderstood, with many often thinking it’s limited to having a mental illness or being mentally ill.

But mental health is about how good people feel emotionally, and the behaviors associated with them. It helps determine how people handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

Just like how people take care of their bodies, they also need to take care of their mind and emotions. More often than not, people don’t think of their mental health until it is something they must deal with.

In fact, a Truth in Medicine poll released last year by Oceanside’s Mount Sinai South Nassau, found that 36 percent of Long Island residents say they or their adult family member faced challenges accessing mental health services care, like simply getting an appointment.

Limited access to health insurance is often the biggest challenge in accessing such care, county officials said. A recent town hall by Nassau County’s mental health, chemical dependency and developmental disabilities services department held at Nassau Community College, shared some of the options people might have, health insurance or not.

The gathering outlined a plethora of resources available within the county beginning, of course, with calling 911 for medical, police, fire, or rescue emergencies. But there’s additional help available — 988 — for confidential emotional support involving thoughts of suicide or any other emotional distress.

For those seeking to seek help in-person, Nassau County offers more than 50 resources, organization that have pledged to help the community, even if paying for those services might be an issue.

One of those newest resources set to begin next year is with the Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services. Jaclyn McCarthy, the center’s division director, said there’s often a genetic component for poor mental health, where people may be predisposed to developing some of the inabilities to manage stress or difficult situations in their life. Environmental factors, as well as sleep deprivation, or social factors like unstable relationships or substance abuse, can influence someone’s need to seek treatment.

But McCarthy also notes people often don’t seek help because of the stigma associated with addressing mental health. For instance, cultural taboo can deter people who desperately want to better themselves.

“People don’t feel as though they are going to be perceived in the same way by family or friends — or their employer — if they say that they’re struggling,” McCarthy said. “So people don’t speak up about it, and people don’t access the resources. But part of what all of us here today are really here to talk about is how to stand up and talk about it, and allow people to feel more comfortable with it so that we can help reduce that stigma for everyone.”

Treatment is different for every person, but individual therapy is a standard practice for those seeking help. McCarthy notes treatment is assessed on a spectrum to cater to each person’s needs.

Five Mental Health Resources in Nassau

■ Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services

— Projected to open in early 2024

■ Family Treatment and Recovery Center — (516) 746-0350

■ Long Island Addiction Center — (516) 788-6449

■ Mercy Recover House — (516) 868-2244

■ The Charles Evans Center — (516) 622-8888

“We ask what do they want to get out of these sessions, and what are their biggest struggles so that we can help tailor intervention specifically for them,” she said. “Not everyone needs to take medication or is even encouraged to take it. It depends on their situation.”

Patients seeking treatment for substance use or behavioral issues hang on to the patterns and habits that don’t suit them because they’ve used them to cope with their stress,” McCarthy said. A major part of a patient’s treatment is to help them understand that relapse can potentially happen.

“We try to help them identify it before it happens so that they can put their coping skills in place prior to struggling with a relapse,” she said.

“We all want the same goal. We all want to make sure that individuals have help for whatever they need help within the moment, when they’re ready for that help.”

Jaclyn McCarthy

STEPPING OUT

Cruising through summer OysterBay welcomes back

By Will Sheeline

Car shows are a summertime staple. You’ll find them most everywhere.

Cold Beer on a Saturday Night

STEPPING OUT

One that certainly attracts attention — from locals and car enthusiasts from all over — is Cruise Night. The most popular car show on the North Shore is back, and folks from across Long Island have begun making their weekly pilgrimage to Oyster Bay each Tuesday to enjoy the sights and sounds of cars from every decade.

Creative advocacy

A vast range of vehicles are on display, from Ford Model Ts to 1960s Thunderbirds and exotic Maseratis and Lamborghinis. According to George Hanley — who has participated with his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 for more than a decade — it’s not just the cars that draw people, but the sense of community among the car lovers that makes Cruise Night unique.

“The cars are a good reason, but the old friends are also a fun thing to run into,” Hanley says. “It’s a nice night. It’s not rowdy. It’s a real good old-fashioned car show.”

Wandering through Audrey Avenue in the heart of the hamlet is something to behold. Visitors are surrounded by the beautifully refurbished and lovingly cared-for cars, with bright paint jobs and popped hoods. The aromas of beer from the local brewery and cigar smoke waft over. Music played on the street lends a lively backdrop.

The event, organized weekly by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, also puts the lovely and historic hamlet on display. From the classic architecture and smalltown feel, to the numerous restaurants and stores of all sorts, Cruise Night offers car enthusiasts — and those who drop by — to check out the scene. Not just the vintage cars, but an opportunity to enjoy the many amenities Oyster Bay has to offer.

By Karen Bloom

WHERE WHEN

• Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Emily Lowe Hall Gallery, South Campus, Hempstead. For information and to RSVP, call (516) 463-5672, or visit Hofstra.edu/museum

Stand,” Hofstra University Museum of Art’s new exhibition, examines power of the arts in society.

Whether you want to take a break from the heat and pop into Theodore’s Books to browse their wide collection, or get a bite to eat at local favorites like Taby’s Diner or 2 Spring, the evening is not just a celebration of great cars, but a showcase of Oyster Bay itself. Ravin Chetram, vice president of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich chamber, says it doesn’t just put the hamlet on the map, but strengthens the many local businesses by drawing crowds to the community.

Alexandra Giordano — the museum’s assistant director of exhibition and exhibit underscores artists’ civic responsibility and influence. the vital role that artists have in activating democratic values that and freedom, encouraging civic engagement, and cultivating unity,” “Artists often lead the charge and expose truths that may otherwise be in this exhibition take a stand and call out injustices through their art issues such as immigration, gender, reproductive rights, mass incarceration, bias, gun violence, and promises unfulfilled. They all combine the making service that has a grassroots approach in the hope of mobilizing their the nation to ignite movement, create awareness, and inspire others to which runs through July 28, is in conjunction with Hofstra’s conference on the Barack Obama presidency coming up in April. interested in the idea that the artist has a civic responsibility,” says Karen Albert. “The initial idea for this exhibition was inspired by Administration White House briefing that took place on May 12, 2009, 60 artists and creative organizers met with administration officials to collective power of the arts to build community, create change, and chart national recovery in the areas of social justice, civic participation and unlike other recent exhibits that showcased the museum’s collection, Giordano reached out to contemporary artists who loaned selected works. Some 36 pieces are on view — representing Emma Amos, Molly Crabapple and the Equal Justice Initiative, Miguel Luciano, Michele Pred, Hank Willis Thomas, and Sophia climate is now, this exhibit could not be more timely than Albert adds. highlights, she points to the series of prints from the Freedoms. Their four large scale photos are based on 1943 oil paintings inspired by President Franklin D.

“It’s such a great event, it really brings people out to enjoy Oyster Bay

Pat McGann

during the summer,” Chetram says. “Cruise Night is just one of those things that makes our community so special.”

This year also marks the first time that Cruise Night is partnering with Rallye BMW, which has taken on a more active role in the hamlet since the recent closure of Oyster Bay BMW. Nick Soldo, Rallye’s senior client advisor, and his team are on-site, pleased to be involved with the community.

“We’re here for everybody,” Soldo says.

“We want to make a bigger presence in Oyster Bay for both the clients of BMW, and the residents of Oyster Bay.”

Top: Debbie Dugan and her 19-year old dog Sammy drove from Glen Head in her 1951 Chevy pick-up.

Bottom left: Danny Grella, right, and his son Donato came out from Glen Cove and had a great time at Cruise Night.

Bottom right: Cruise Night is Shangri-la for car enthusiasts.

Pat McGann is quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups on the comedy scene. A relative latecomer to comedy, he began doing standup at 31 after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging. He hustled his way to become the house emcee at Zanies Chicago, where he distinguished himself as especially adept at working the crowd. A husband and father of three young children, McGann’s appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable take on family life and marriage. In 2017, McGann began touring as the opening act for Sebastian Maniscalco, moving with him from clubs to theater, to arenas, including four soldout shows at Madison Square Garden. McGann’s relatively short, but impressive resume, includes Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, The Great American Comedy Festival, and more. McGann still calls Chicago home.

It’s always 5 p.m., somewhere, so get into the vibe with Jimmy Kenny and his band. They’Il provide the soundtrack for an evening of summer fun, playing the best of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown, as well as country favorites, summer pop, yacht rock, reggae, and tropical classics. The Long Island-based band has been delighting audiences with their beach country sounds for more than 12 years. Popular up and down the Northeast coast — from Maine to Maryland — their appealing mix of singalong hits and feel-good, easy living vibes always gets everyone in the groove. Get that ‘toe-in-thesand while wasting away with a margarita’ feeling and party on with Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn) on lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios on lead guitar and backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp on keyboards and backing vocals, drummer Mike Vecchione, and Dan Prine on bass.

BALDWIN HERALD — February 9, 2023

Saturday, July 8, 8 p.m. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Kim Mancuso/Herald photos

Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. $40, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Yarn/Wire

Now in its 18th year, Adelphi University’s ‘new music’ series welcomes Yarn/Wire. The intrepid New York-based piano-percussion quartet has forged a singular path with endlessly inventive collaborations, commissions and performances that have made a significant contribution to the canon of experimental works. The quartet features founding member Laura

Swingtime Big Band

Those vibrant sounds of the swing era can be heard at the Madison Theatre, when Swingtime returns with another high-octane concert. Since their 2012 debut performance here, Swingtime is proud to have become known as the Madison’s ‘house band.’ Their ‘homecoming’ includes a host of swingin’ hits from the Great American Songbook — all connected to the concept of ‘home.’ The band expertly recreates the music of Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Harry James, and Gene Krupa, along with their engaging vocalists saluting such legendary singers as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, and the immortal Frank Sinatra.

Swingtime maintains its tradition of celebrating the 100th birthdays of the iconic musicians who created this quintessential American art form — their 2023 centennial spotlight is on the amazing trumpeter, composer/ arranger and bandleader Thad Jones.

Sunday, July 9, 3 p.m. $30-$40. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. MadisonTheatrenNY.org or call (516) 323-4444.

Barger and Julia Den Boer on

change the world? It’s a question at the focus of our collective centuries. Now as society the complexities of modern life, path for social change is at the artistic expression.

THE Your Neighborhood

Those disco nights

Get your boogie on with The Disco Nights, appearing on The Paramount stage, Friday, July 7, 8 p.m.

If you like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Chic and the whole Studio 54 soundtrack, you’re going to love The Disco Nights. Everyone will feel like dancing at this tribute to an unforgettable era. Relive those “Saturday Night Fever” moments with this dynamic act, featuring vocalists Alessandra Guercio, Jerome Bell and Adam Bastien from “American Idol” and “The Voice.”

They’re backed by one of the tightest bands around, veterans of the New York City music scene. The band includes Musical Director and Billboard charting superstar JJ Sansaverino on guitar, Stanley Banks on the bass, Etienne Lytle and Patrick Firth on the keys, Damon DueWhite on the drums, and Danny Sadownick on percussion. Throw on top of that a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props and costumes — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. The beat goes on and on, with overthe-top renditions of the decade’s most vibrant songs as Studio 54 comes to life once more. $35, $30, $25, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or

Art talk

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, PhD, for a Director’s Seminar, Sunday, July 9, 3 p.m.

He’ll discuss “Oscar Wilde: The Critic and His Artists,” examining the endlessly fascinating author who was connected to a glittering circle of artists. His friends included Toulouse-Lautrec (who painted his portrait on the eve of his legal demise), the Pre-Raphaelites BurneJones, Morris and Millais, Whistler and Sargent (his neighbors on Tite Street in London’s Chelsea), and the naughty prodigy Aubrey Beardsley. Participation is limited; registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s exhibition, “Eye And Mind: The Shin Collection,” highlights the extraordinary collection masterworks assembled by 31-year-old connoisseur Hong Gyu Shin, an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares his treasures, including works by Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Klimt, Schiele, Balthus, Warhol, de Kooning, Gorky and many other important names from art history provocatively juxtaposed with the painting and sculpture of our own time from both Asia and the West. On view through July 9. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or

Splish Splash… Animal Baths

Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents,” Saturday, July 8, 1:30-2 p.m. Join an animal educator in the Yellow Studio in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animals. Observe animal bath time. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Cyndi and Glenn

Cyndi and Glenn perform the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Neil Young as part of the Hewlett Bagel Boss concert series, Saturday, July 8, at 10 p.m. 1352 Peninsula Blvd, Hewlett. Free admission.

Movie matinee

See the movie that made the line “what we have here is a failure to communicate,” famous as Paul Newman stars in “Cool Hand Luke” as part of the Flashback Friday series, Friday, July 7, at 1 p.m., at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. Also stars Strother Martin, who said the line, and George Kennedy. 1125 Broadway, Hewlett.

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.

Lawrence village

The Lawrence village board will welcome two new trustees – Aaron Parnes and Tammy Roz – and reorganize for another of governing the Five Towns municipality. The meeting is on Thursday, July 13, at 8 p.m. in Village Hall. 196 Central Ave., Lawrence.

Having an event?

July 8

Family Bat Walk

Stroll Old Westbury Gardens with Gabriel Willow, a New York Citybased urban naturalist and environmental educator, Saturday, July 8, 7:309:30 p.m. He will lead a walk through the gardens to listen and look for bats while discussing bat ecology and conservation. All ages are welcome. Space is limited and reservations are required. Rain date is Saturday, July 15. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

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.

On stage

Plaza Theatricals brings the iconic musical “Rent,” back to the stage, Friday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. The acclaimed reimagining of “La Vie Boheme,” loosely based on Puccini’s opera and set on East Village streets, fire escapes, tenements, and cafes. This groundbreaking roller coaster ride depicting the joys and sorrows of an eclectic, diverse group of young artists and activists is always captivating. It’s performed at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $35, $30 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

July 27

Mindful mornings

Practice the “art” of looking at art at Nassau County Museum of Art, Thursday, July 27, 10-11 a.m., with NCMA Director of Education Laura Lynch. Mindful looking invites you to observe, question, and calmly reflect in a relaxed and supportive environment free of distraction. It’s an opportunity to experience and enjoy the art in the galleries or sculpture garden, together, making personal connection. $10. Space is limited and registration required. Also Aug. 3. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

In-person Game Time

Play canasta, mah jongg and Scrabble in the Bentley Room of Peninsula Public Library, 280 Central Ave., Lawrence, Monday, June 19, 2-4:30 p.m. Seating is limited and is first come, first seated. Masks recommended.

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY

LAKESIDE THEATRE CONCERTS

Friends unite to raise funds for ‘Saving Oliver’

offer,’” she recalled. “‘We don’t know what else to try.’”

Not satisfied with that, Miller conducted her own research, seeking alternative therapies. Some were too expensive, and others weren’t legal in the United States.

Eventually she found a treatment that helped protect Oliver’s brain and improved his quality of life: an infusion of stem cells that helped him walk and make other physical improvements, and to communicate. Initially the Millers traveled to the Dominican Republic until the treatment was halted there, and then they went to Tijuana, Mexico, for stem cell infusions.

The restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic ended that decade-long effort.

SATURDAY | JULY 8 | 8:00PM

EISENHOWER PARK

FREE ADMISSION | Parking Field #6 | Bring Chairs

All concerts 8:00-10:00pm unless otherwise noted. All events weather permitting, call 516-572-0201 for up to date information.

Years without treatment created major challenges for Oliver, but now, a new stem cell infusion treatment has come to light which is FDA approved and available in the United States. The problem is its cost — roughly $15,000 per dose. Miller said the protocol he needs would be one dose per month for three months.

Determined to help his nephew, Andrew Levy, Miller’s brother, created a GoFundMe page for Oliver, to help the family afford the treatment.

“He’s spent probably more time at Winthrop Hospital this year than any prior year,” Levy said. “Oliver is a fighter, and when the chips look like they’re in the worst possible way they can be, he rebounds somehow in some way. He fights his way through it.”

The GoFundMe campaign is titled “Saving Oliver,” and as of press time, it had raised over $24,000 of its goal of

$26,000.

“We’re super-appreciative of all the love and support that we’ve had coming out,” Levy said. “That goal that we put this GoFundMe at is a goal to get this treatment. You know, he may not make the year with us. We’ve come to that realization, but there’s never going to be a stone that we’re not going to turn to try to see what we can do.”

Levy added that despite their fears, his sister inspires him. “I’ve been fortunate enough to know some very amazing women in my life, my mother being one of them, and I always say that you can take 10 of the most amazing women that you’ve ever seen and have them stand on each other’s shoulder’s, and they would reach my sister’s waist,” he said. “You can’t put it into words. An unbelievably strong, amazing woman.”

“Everyone deserves any and all medical treatments available to help them get through tough times and continue on with their lives as healthily as they can,” Miller wrote on the gofundme page.

She said she was touched by the support community members and friends have shown for her son. Some of those who donated wrote words of encouragement on the page.

“It’s been overwhelming, the amount of support that keeps coming in,” Miller said. “Anybody that takes the time to connect with him, is rewarded for it,” she added of her son, “and I think that’s a reflection of what we’re seeing, and people have been touched by Oliver because he’s so special.”

To donate, go to GoFund.me/40982366.

Courtesy Melissa Miller

A GoFundMe cAMpAiGn has raised over $24,000 for treatment for 23-year-old Oliver Miller. With him from left were Brandon, Melissa and Kathy Miller.

continued FroM Front pAGe

oliver Miller

EXECUTIVE

NASSAU COUNTY SUMMER FUN SPONSORED BY

As a kid our Israeli friend, Evan Tzur, would always preface every remark and response with the line “just a minute.”

Beyond that linguistic idiosyncrasy (or maybe because of it) growing up we used to joke that Evan had rocks in his head. Truth be told, while Evan may not have had rocks in his head, he sure had rocks on his mind.

Having decided at the age of 12 that he wanted to be a geologist, Evan made rocks a rock-ribbed part of his life that after “just a minute” he was happy to share.

Thus, following a brief stay in Far Rockaway, he moved to Rockland County and vacationed in Colorado (the Rocky Mountain state).

Though he loved to Watch Rock Hudson at the Roxy, he favorite movie (and squirrel) was “Rocky.”

His favorite songs were “Rock of Ages” and “Rockabye Baby,” while his favorite treats were rock candy and ice cream (Rocky Road, of course).

One of his heroes was Knute Rockne and his walls were adorned

On his rocker

with paintings by Norman Rockwell.

Lounging in his Rockports with his “Rockweiler” beside him, Evan would sit in his grandfather’s ricking chair, sipping a seltzer on the rocks, listening to rock music, rock and roll and (on rare occasions, “Rochmanoff”) before stepping out to the Hard Rock Café or Rockefeller Center with his girlfriend, Roxanne.

With his trademark “just a minute,” Evan never rocked the boat. Even when things got a little, if you will, rocky, he never hit rock bottom. Claiming that when you fell off a (rocking) horse, you had no choice but to wait a just a minute and then remount in order to take off like a … rocket.

One snowy winter’s day, while Evan was spreading rock salt on a real rocky road, I asked him to explain his fascination with rocks.

After asking me to wait “just a minute,” he replied that rocks were the epitome of strength. In a world of fragility, rocks were a symbol of stability and fortitude. Rocks were like the human spirit: you could build a foundation upon them that could endure forever; yet hard as they were they could still be chipped and even broken.

Rocks were like a family or an idea: one giant, united mass of matter eventually reducing itself to grams of sand that still contained the essence of their source even as the spread far and beyond.

Finally, and after another “just a minute,” he concluded that at an early age rocks had demonstrated to him how life was to be believed. It seems he was passing by as three even younger boys were sitting before a huge heap of rocks.

One boy collected several rocks

and just pushed them about pointlessly and aimlessly. The second boy took his batch of rocks and immediately began to throw them at birds, cars and the first boy. The third boy, meanwhile, assembled a large pile of various rocks and proceeded to build a little house with a stone fence and a roadway.

It was then, Evan insisted, that he realized that, while for others they might be other things, for him rocks were to be the medium through which he was to decide whether his was to be a life that was aimless or harmful or constructive.

After that conversation I still couldn’t understand why such a Rock of Gibraltar, such a rock-steady fellow who was do rock-solid in his beliefs began almost every sentence with “just a minute” … that is until I discovered that in Evan’s native Hebrew “just a minute,” was, as I should have guessed, “rock rega.”

©2023 Ron Goldman

R on G oldman

No matter the industry, businesses around the world are undergoing dramatic changes to the way they operate. From technology and skills development, to cultural barriers, self-care and mental health, every organization must adapt and evolve, or risk being left behind.

As we navigate a time of pivotal change, the Herald’s 2023 WE Summit presented by Bank of America brings together thought leaders, innovators and barrier-breaking women for conversations around this year’s theme: The Future is Now.

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

For more information about WE Summit or sponsorship opportunities, contact Amy Amato:

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. CARISBROOK ASSET HOLDING TRUST, Pltf. vs., EDUARDO B. LEITE

A/K/A E.B. LEITE, et al, Defts. Index #15-010238.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered December 17, 2018, I will sell at public auction on the north side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on July 26, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., prem. k/a 110 Cedar Road, Inwood, NY 11096 and Baywater Blvd., Lawrence, NY, 11559 a/k/a Bayswater Blvd., Inwood, NY 11096. Parcel A: All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Inwood, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Parcel B: All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Inwood, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, a/k/a Section 40, Block 125, Lots: 38 & 39 and Section 40, Block 125, Lot 144. Approx. amt. of judgment is $797,826.21 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. JANINE T. LYNAM, Referee. PINCUS LAW GROUP PLLC, Attys. for Pltf., 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY File No. 05082023.56946#100511 140256

LEGAL NOTICE

Resolution to dispose of Real Property Less than $20,000 BE IT RESOVED that pursuant to section 176(30) of the Hempstead Town law, the Inwood Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, state of New York, does hereby declare that this real property is owned by the District located at 188 Doughty Boulevard, Inwood New York and is to relinquish one Western Pro Plus 8’ snow Plow, including Halogen head Lights and handheld Controller. This equipment is no longer necessary for use in the fire District. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based upon an appraisal utilizing Trius equipment services this real property is valued less than $20,000, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant to Hempstead Town law the Inwood Fire District is authorized to dispose and sell the aforementioned property of the Fire District to the highest sealed bidder following an advertisement in our official printed publication the Nassau Herold following a 30-day notice of sale. This Equipment is to be sold as is and picked up from fire Headquarters by the successful bidder upon payment. For information, bid sheets, viewing and examination of the Equipment, please contact Dennis Verriello

during the hours of 9am to 2pm Tuesday - Friday at Inwood Fire Headquarters

188 Doughty Blvd. Inwood N.Y 11096. or call 516 239 4324. The bids are to be opened and read aloud in the District office at 10 AM on July 14, 2023. Minimum starting bid ($4,500) 140319

LEGAL NOTICE

Resolution to dispose of Real Property Less than $20,000 BE IT RESOVED that pursuant to section 176(30) of the Hempstead Town law, the Inwood Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, state of New York, does hereby declare that this real property is owned by the District located at 188 Doughty Boulevard, Inwood New York and is to relinquish one 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicle identification # 1GNSK2E07DR361256 due to it being no longer necessary for use in the fire District. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based upon an appraisal utilizing the Kelly Blue book services this real property is valued less than $20,000, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pursuant to Hempstead Town law the Inwood Fire District is authorized to dispose and sell the aforementioned property of the Fire District to the highest sealed bidder following an advertisement in our official printed publication the Nassau Herold following a 30-day notice of sale. This vehicle is to be sold as is with existing engine damage and picked up from fire Headquarters by the successful bidder upon payment. For information, bid sheets, viewing and examination of the vehicle, please contact Dennis Verriello during the hours of 9am to 2pm Tuesday - Friday at Inwood Fire Headquarters 188 Doughty Blvd. Inwood N.Y 11096. or call 516 239 4324. The bids are to be opened and read aloud in the District office at 10 AM on July 14, 2023. Minimum starting bid ($4,000) 140321

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. ELM LIMITED, LLC., Pltf. vs. ITZHAK HERSHKO, et al, Defts. Index #608671/2019. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 23, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on July 24, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 39, Block 344, Lot 222. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or

there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale.

JEFFREY W. HALBREICH, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #100448 139622

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

THAT THE Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Harbor will hold a public hearing on July 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM on the question of adopting the following local law: Local Law No. 1 - 2023:

A local law to amend Chapter 145 of the Code of the Village of Hewlett Harbor, to provide for regulations for residences used as gathering places. These local laws may be examined at any time during 9AM - 4PM at the office of the Village Clerk of the Incorporated Village of Hewlett Harbor at Village Hall, 449 Pepperidge Road, Hewlett Harbor, New York. All residents and professionals wishing to attend the public hearing are directed to contact Village Hall at 516-374-3806 for further information/instruction or visit our website at www. hewlettharbor.org. At such hearing, all interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard. Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in any of the hearings should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. Nicole

Giacopelli Village Clerk

Dated: June 23, 2023

140432

LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR

NOTICE OF MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hewlett Harbor will meet in both public and via Zoom on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 7:00PM, Eastern Standard Time, for the purpose of holding the Village’s regular monthly meeting. An agenda for the meeting will be made available to the public on the Village Website.

All residents wishing to attend via Zoom can visit www.hewlettharbor. org for instructions.

Residents wishing to speak via Zoom or in person must notify the Village Clerk in advance. Dated: Hewlett Harbor, New York June 23, 2023 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF HEWLETT HARBOR NICOLE GIACOPELLI VILLAGE CLERK 140436

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO.44-2023

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 6th day of June, 2023, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 44-2023, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Local Law No. 44-2023, to amend Section 190-4 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead by the addition of a location to subdivision “A”, in relation to twenty miles per hour school speed limits, 7 AM to 6 PM, school days as follows: INSERT: “A” - 20 mph school speed limits WOODMERE, Irving Place - between West Broadway and Broadway.

(TH-120/23) Dated: Hempstead, New York June 6, 2023. BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk

140479

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency:Board of Trustees, Village of Woodsburgh Date: July 24, 2023 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place:Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York Subject Bill WDS 2302. A local law to amend Chapter 150 of the Code of the Village of Woodsburgh, to prohibit the installation of synthetic turf in front yards and areas visible from the public rightof-way. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. The proposed law is an Unlisted Action pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, as to which the Board has determined that the law would not have a significant environmental impact. Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours. Dated: July 6 2023 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 140486

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter: Agency:Board of Trustees, Village of

Woodsburgh Date: July 24, 2023 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place:Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York Subject Bill WDS 2303B. A local law to amend sections 1-15, 77-9 and 85-12 of the Code of the Village of Woodsburgh regarding penalties for certain offenses. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. The proposed law is an Unlisted Action pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, as to which the Board has determined that the law would not have a significant environmental impact. Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance and participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York, during regular business hours. Dated: July 6 2023 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk

140487

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 7/12/23 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

----- THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 450/23. WOODMEREEsther Gottlieb, Variances, lot area occupied, side yard, construct addition & 2-story addition both attached to dwelling., E/s Derby St., 129.69’ N/o West Broadway, a/k/a 308 Derby St. 451/23. HEWLETT - Andrew & Reva Kaner, Variance, rear yard, maintain deck attached to dwelling., W/s Lakeview Dr., 78.60’ S/o Prospect Ave., a/k/a 1724 Lakeview Dr. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 464/23. EAST ATLANTIC BEACH - Sean McDermott, Variances, lot area occupied, side yards aggregate, rear yard, construct 3-story dwelling with utility platform attached thereto (demolish existing dwelling)., W/s Malone Ave., 600’ S/o Beech Blvd., a/k/a 17 Malone Ave. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING

ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in East Atlantic Beach, Hewlett and Woodmere within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny. gov/509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https:// hempsteadny.gov/576/ Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

140509

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received by the Village Clerk of the Village of Woodsburgh at the office of the Village Clerk located at Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York 11557 until 10:00 AM (prevailing time) on Monday, July 24, 2023 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practical for: BID:2023 Roadway Resurfacing Woodsburgh, NY Instruction to bidders, plans and specifications, proposal sheets and form of contract may be seen or procured at the Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York 11557 beginning Thursday, July 7, 2023, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. There will be a required deposit of $50.00 in the form of a business check payable to the Village of Woodsburgh for the bid package. The terms of the return of such deposit are set forth in General Municipal Law §102. 2023 Roadway Resurfacing must be clearly marked at the lower corner of the bid envelope. Each proposal must be accompanied by either a certified check on a solvent bank or trust company, doing business in New York or an acceptable Bid Bond in an amount equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the total amount bid, made payable to the Village of Woodsburgh as assurance that the Contract will be executed if awarded to such bidder. The Contractor will be required to complete the form of “Evidence of Successful Completion of Similar Projects” included in the proposal. The Contractor will be required to comply with the Labor Laws of the State of New York. Public liability and property damage insurance and

performance and payment bond will be required.

The successful bidder will be required to enter into a contract for the performance of the work that may be awarded to said bidder for the total amount of the awarded contract price. Each Bidder must indicate how much of the contract will be completed by the Bidder themselves and how much by subcontractors.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, a bid may be rejected in the interest of the Village based on the extent of proposed delegation of the performance of the contract to subcontractors or based on the level of qualification and experience of the proposed subcontractors. The Village encourages minority and womenowned businesses to participate. Bids not timely submitted will be rejected.

NOTE:The Village will not reimburse any firms for any costs associated with the preparation of this bid proposal. By Order of the Board of Trustees Village of Woodsburgh Michelle Blandino/ Village Clerk Village Clerk Dated: June 26, 2023 140483

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETING OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE INWOOD FIRE DISTRICT, INWOOD, NEW YORK, 11096. There will be a General Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Inwood Fire District as follows: Time:7:00

P.M. Date: Thursday, July 13, 2023 Place: DISTRICT OFFICE Melissa Rivelli, District Secretary 140517

LEGAL NOTICE

VILLAGE OF HEWLETT BAY PARK LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF CANDIDATES FOR VILLAGE RUN-OFF ELECTION VILLAGE OF HEWLETT BAY PARK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the run-off election of the Village of HEWLETT BAY PARK will be held on July 11, 2023, at Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York. Polls will open at Noon, and remain open continuously thereafter until 9:00 p.m., at which time they will close. The office and terms to be filled at such election are as follows: One (1) Trustee, for a term of two (2) years The following are the names and addresses of the candidates: Renee Zylberberg 203 Woodside Drive Hewlett Bay Park, New York 11557 Stella Gershfeld 1265 Veeder Drive Hewlett Bay Park, New York 11557 By Order of the Board of Trustees Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk Dated: June 28, 2023 140536

LEGAL NOTICE

Village of Lawrence

Legal Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Appeals of the Incorporated Village of

Lawrence will hold a work session beginning at 6:45 P.M. followed by a public meeting on July 19, 2023 at Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, 101 Causeway, Lawrence, New York 11559 beginning at 7:30 P.M. to conduct the following Public Hearings and to attend to such other matters as may properly come before the Board:

“Abittan, 81 Sealy DriveSection 70-11.B of the Village Code states that it shall be unlawful to alter, change, add to or remove from any site soil or other material which will result in any deviation from the original grade of the property. “WG Woodmere LLC, 99 Meadow DriveSection 212-13.1K of the of the code of the Village of Lawrence states, in the Coastal Conservation District - Woodmere Club, No residential homes are permitted within the open space/recreation sub district. Lot #45, Lot #46, Lot #47, Lot #48, Lot #49, Lot #50, Lot #51, Lot #52, Lot #60, Lot #84, Lot #85:Section 212.13.1M of the code of the Village of Lawrence states, in the Coastal Conservation District- Woodmere Club, the minimum lot area is 15,000 sq. ft. Section 212.13.1M of the code of the Village of Lawrence states, in the Coastal Conservation DistrictWoodmere Club, the minimum street frontage is 100 ft. Section 212.13.1M of the code of the Village of Lawrence states, in the Coastal Conservation District- Woodmere Club, the minimum lot width at 125ft. in depth is 75 ft. “Badian, 145 Harborview S - Section 212-12.1 of the Schedule of Dimensional Regulations states the maximum building coverage for a lot size of 9,061 sq. ft. in area is 2,643 sq. ft. Section 21216.D(1) of the Village Code states, in Residence B District the minimum front yard setback for a lot size of 9,061 ft. is 30 ft. Section 212-16.D(1) of the Village Code states, in Residence B District the minimum side yard setback for a lot size of 9,061 ft. is 15 ft. Section 212-16.D(1) of the Village Code states, the minimum aggregate yard setback for a lot size of 9,061 ft. is 30 ft. Section 212-16.D(2) (a) of the Village Code states, the maximum front yard height setback ratio for a building on a lot sized of 9,061 ft. is 0.74. Section 212-16.D(2)(c) of the Village Code states, the maximum side yard height setback ratio for a building on a lot sized of 9,061 ft. is 1.5. Section 212-39.C of the Village Code states, the maximum exterior wall height from the base plane to the underside of the eave is 23 ft. Section 212-16.B of the Village Code states, in a Residence B District no single family dwelling shall be erected or altered to have more than 2 ½ stories. The order in which the listed applications are

Lawrence High graduate awarded science scholarship

Luis Mejia-Velasquez, a 2023 graduate of Lawrence High School, was presented with a $2,000 scholarship from Daikin, considered a global leader in heating and cooling technology, at the Daikin Comfort Design Center in Lynbrook on June 14.

Mejia-Velasquez was one of the five Long Island high school students who were given scholarships as part of the Daikin Science Scholarship program that focuses on graduating seniors who demonstrate academic excellence in the sciences, technology, or mathematics and who are pursuing one of these majors in college.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, they have provided $40,000 in scholarship awards to 20 graduating high school students across Nassau County.

“Daikin greatly values the importance of education and is pleased to provide financial support to the next generation of scientists, engineers, and other professionals,” Kim Do, Daikin’s strategic marketing manager said in a news release.

Mejia-Velasquez’ academic excellence is showcased in his demanding classes and his abundance of extracurricular activities. He also holds a steady job to help fund his future college education at Hunter College in New York City as a health sciences major.

Daikin Industries officials say the company is the world’s No. 1 air conditioning company with over 76,000 employees worldwide, providing heating and cooling systems for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

NewS brief

Honoring generational heritage at HAFTR

The annual third grade M’Dor L’Dor Generation to Generation event was considered a memorable day for celebrating the connection between family generations of students at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns Lower School on June 6.

As students expressed their culture through objects and documents, young learners had the opportunity to trace their ancestry and explore the past of their family tree. Third-grader Daniel Aspis was given the chance to show an impressive sterling silver Torah breastplate that had belonged to his greatgreat grandfather and had been retrieved post-war that, as Daniel said, represented his “faith and belief in Hashem (God).”

To showcase the students’ understanding of their family history, they

created heritage pages and personalized family crests with the help of art teacher Royce Maron, and her assistant, Naomi Eltherman.

The heritage pages and family crests represented not only an expression of family identity and artistic skill, but also an understanding of the use of both Hebrew and English. Students also took part in an orchestrated musical performance with the help of music teacher, Janet Goldman.

Generation to Generation is viewed as a cherished tradition at HAFTR Lower School that offers third grade students and their families an opportunity to instill a sense of pride in their heritage.

— Lauren Maggiore

Courtesy Jack McCoy

Lawrence HigH ScHooL senior Luis Mejia-Velasquez received the Daikin Science Scholarship Award from Kim Do.

— Lauren Maggiore

Towns

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What to do with a funky addition?

Q. We’ve been homeowners for three years, and from Day One we wanted to open the kitchen to this strange back room that steps down and has two different roofs with different angles. The room steps down from the kitchen, and then steps down again to the second half. Both roofs are very low pitched, with low ceilings, and we want to change the addition so we can make the kitchen bigger, and have an island and one floor level for everything. We have a lot of questions, like whether we need a permit (because the seller already got one), whether we can raise the roof to be close to the upstairs windows, how close we can go, and whether you would recommend a deck and sliding glass doors, or a patio with concrete stairs to the backyard?

A. It sounds like a mishmash of ideas and avoiding a professional went into this addition to begin with. It also sounds like the two rooms were built at different times, with different roofs. Saving money means doing things twice, and you’ll definitely need a permit for the work.

The roofs have to come off, and I generally try to keep the roof approximately six inches below the window trim or frame. The key is to avoid average snow buildup at the windows, while allowing for snow clearing if the windows start to be blocked by deeper snow. Usually, snow will melt from heat escape at the windows, but deeper snow will turn to ice, and freeze you in from emergency escape, and create the potential for water leakage at the windowsill when the ice melts.

The foundation should be checked by digging at a corner to see if the foundation wall is at least to the frost line at three feet deep. If it isn’t, as part of the cheaply built construction you described, you may need to rebuild the entire addition. Not having a deep enough foundation will lead to movement that presents cracking where the one-story portion meets the two-story building.

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The low-sloped roofs also present problems that must be prevented. Roofs should be sloped as much as possible to facilitate better rain runoff, and if a roof is below a 2-inch-high to 12-inch-horizontal ratio, referred to as a “2 in 12 pitch,” you’ll need a commercial membrane roll roof. This means that roofing material that comes in 3-foot-wide rolls, not regular shingles, must be used. The code is the bare minimum requirement, and I recommend not using shingles at less than 3 in 12 pitch, and even then putting down a self-adhering, flexible roof membrane, often referred to as ice and water shield, although that’s actually the name of a product made by W.R. Grace.

Work with an architect or engineer. Get the project done professionally with permits. I’ll have more about door sizes and decks vs. patios next week. Good luck!

© 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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How many ways can the Mets disappoint us?

Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said that “being Irish means knowing that somewhere, somehow, the world is going to break your heart.”

The sports world equivalent of this Irish fatalism is being a Mets fan. I say this with all the authority of someone who has stood with the Mets since their opening day of spring training in 1962. That inaugural Mets team went on to lose a modern-era record 120 games — a record that still stands, and that was immortalized by New York’s classic wordsmith and blue-collar raconteur, Jimmy Breslin, in his masterful work “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?”

In fairness to the ’62 Mets, however, there was no reason to expect an expansion team to do well, since its roster comprised players rejected by all the other teams in the major leagues. Just seven years later, the 1969 Mets, under the leadership of manager Gil Hodges, stunned the baseball world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in the World

Series. A dynasty was born!

Or so Mets fans thought.

Instead, what we hoped would be a dynasty came undone. Johnny Murphy, the Mets’ general manager and the chief architect of the championship team, died of a heart attack in 1970. Then, in April 1972, Hodges, the team’s heart, soul and unquestioned leader, suffered a massive heart attack and died.

Except for a late-season surge that got the Mets into the 1973 World Series, their fans had to endure more than a decade of mediocre, losing baseball. Nothing personified the fans’ frustration and despair during those uninspiring days and years more than the front-office decision in 1976 to trade away Tom Seaver, perhaps the greatest pitcher of his era, for nonentities. That was a white flag of surrender.

Our hopes rose again in the early 1980s, when Frank Cashen took over as general manager, creating an outstanding farm system that produced the likes of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, and making trades for future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter and MVP first baseman Keith Hernandez. This time Mets fans were convinced that a dynasty had been created, as the squad, under

Manager Wally Backman, finished a close second in the National League East in 1985, won a classic World Series over the Red Sox in ’86, finished second again in ’87 and captured a division title in ’88.

But this bubble burst as well, with the precipitous decline of superstars Gooden and Strawberry, brought on by cocaine addiction.

oOur hopes soared yet again in 1992, when the Mets gave mega-dollar contracts to stars including Bobby Bonilla, Vince Coleman, Bret Saberhagen and Eddie Murray. Pre-season experts had the Mets winning it all. Instead, the “Best Team Money Could Buy” failed miserably, winning only 72 games and finishing in fifth place in the NL East.

Fast-forward to 2015 and 2016, when the team assembled a young pitching staff of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz, which appeared to have unmatched and limitless potential. Once more, we Mets fans were thinking dynasty. Instead, the star hurlers were all beset by arm injuries, and now they are no longer even with the team.

This year it was all going to be different. Building off last season’s 101 wins, owner Steve Cohen added future Hall of

Fame pitcher Justin Verlander to a staff headed by another future Hall shoo-in, Max Scherzer, and the incomparable reliever Edwin Diaz. Combined with slugger Pete Alonso, batting champion Jeff McNeil and established stars Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte, this seemed to guarantee at least a solid playoff berth, if not a pennant and a World Series title. Expectations were the highest they have been in years.

Instead, Diaz wrecked his knee celebrating a victory by Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, and Verlander and Scherzer were sidelined by injuries, and still aren’t pitching near what was expected of them. The team’s hitting has yet to get untracked, and the bullpen has no depth. Bottom line: As of last Friday, the Mets were in next-to-last place in the N.L. East, 17-1/2 games behind the firstplace Atlanta Braves.

I know the season is barely half over, and miracles happen. But it looks like another disappointing summer ahead of us. How many times can the Mets break their fans’ hearts? Pat Moynihan might as well have been talking about our team. As for me, I’m afraid I’ll never learn. I’m hanging in there.

Let’s go, Mets!

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

Malaria, mobs and other travel buzz-kills

Ihave begun to worry about malaria, and I’m taking malaria prophylaxis, even though I’m not about to leave for a safari or the wilds of Myanmar anytime soon.

I’ll wager, right now, that I am the only non-traveling person in our entire reading area who is taking malaria prophylaxis. The disease is not endemic to the U.S., so why take a preventive? (Explanation to follow.)

ly (and this is what got me thinking), there has been serious concern about the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus, a disease the bugs contract from infected birds.

Last week, in an effort to mitigate that threat, Nassau County sprayed vast tracts of the South Shore during the overnight hours. Go, big government!

in hours, and I didn’t get malaria, although I traveled for two more weeks through India. This led me to the logically flawed conclusion that I don’t need protection from malaria.

Randi is on a brief leave. This column was originally published Sept. 4-10, 2014.

RANDI KREISS

Even those who don’t venture beyond the bridges and tunnels, and don’t fancy foreign travel, know there are places in this world where the Anopheles mosquito carries malaria. It threatens 3.4 billion people, half the world’s population, almost all of whom live in developing countries. The disease killed some 650,000 people last year. You get a bite, a few days later your fever spikes and you begin to shake with bone-rattling chills. In many countries, there is no treatment available; people suffer and die.

Here on Long Island, we have relatively benign mosquitoes that crash our backyard barbecues, tormenting those who forget to use repellent. For decades they have been no more than a nuisance. But recent-

In the past, there have actually been small, isolated outbreaks of malaria in the U.S., caused by healthy mosquitoes biting sick people who carried the malaria parasites from their travels. The mosquitoes then bit other humans, spreading the disease. Those outbreaks were all easily contained, because we have a relatively efficient public health system.

While West Nile is a homegrown problem and our government is effectively addressing the threat, malaria is out of control in many areas of India, Southeast Asia and Africa.

We’re planning a trip to India and Africa later this year. Our doctor is adamant about requiring malaria prophylaxis. The best choice is Malarone, he says. Unfortunately, Malarone and I have a history. Several years ago, I took it when I traveled to Cambodia. On the fifth day of taking the pill, I got really sick. I figured it was the pill, and stopped taking it. I felt better with-

The doctor believes I may have gotten sick from something other than the medication. So he suggested I take Malarone for 10 days while I’m home and safe in my own neighborhood. Thus, the malaria prophylaxis. So far, so good. If the test goes well, I’ll take the pills every day during the trip. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even the prophylaxis is only 90 percent effective, and travelers who visit African game parks are advised to wear cover-up clothing and to use repellant with DEET.

All this anticipatory medication has made me rethink the entire enterprise of foreign travel these days, especially to places like India and Africa. Fear of mosquitoes, I realize, is a metaphor for all the dangers of such travel. When I read the newspaper, I realize that malaria is probably the least-worst thing that might happen on a trip to sub-Saharan Africa. Is there a vaccine against al-Shabaab?

It’s easy to make the argument for staying stateside. And some of our friends and

family are urging us to reconsider our plans. Here at home we have clean food, pure water and relatively safe streets. There is good oversight of public services and infrastructure and transportation. Our doctors are well trained and available. There’s no Ebola.

On the other hand, you probably won’t see a rhino in the wild unless you travel, and you definitely won’t see Cape Horn or the lemurs of Madagascar.

I think the desire to travel beyond the I-95 corridor, the willingness to put up with inconvenience and risk and cost and medications, has to do with one’s basic philosophy of life. Or perhaps it’s just foolishness; I’m not sure which. Maybe it even has to do with one’s sense of mortality. We can play it safe, or we can seek out new experiences. I find myself thinking about people who live in Mumbai or Mombasa, and I want to see what their lives look like up close. I want to see the colors of another culture. I want to see the children’s faces.

After all, you and I won’t get to do this dance again. While we’re out on the floor, shouldn’t we kick up our heels?

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

All this medication has me rethinking the entire enterprise of foreign travel.

nce again, a team with so much promise is near the bottom of the NL East.

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Summer traditions aren’t always safe traditions

Fireworks are a fun summer spectacle the whole family can enjoy. Millions across the country gathered to watch these colorful displays light up the night sky last weekend and on Tuesday, and similar shows will continue all summer.

HERALD

Unlike some other parts of the country, however, New York does not allow the purchase or use of fireworks by anyone who is not a licensed professional with a permit.

Not that this law stops anyone, however. It may be illegal to buy, use, sell or transport fireworks in the state, but it’s not hard to make a quick run to a nearby state like Pennsylvania or Massachusetts, where buying them is legal, and simply bring them back home.

“I know many New Yorkers are eager to celebrate Independence Day this year, but we must ensure our celebrations are safe and fun,” New York Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez has said. “Around this holiday, the biggest threats to safety are very close to home. The Fourth of July is one of the holidays with the highest number of accidents.”

No matter how they’re obtained, these pyrotechnics can be extremely dangerous. Every year, nearly 10,000 people around the country — many between ages 20 and

Our work continues in Albany

To the Editor:

It’s no secret that over the last several years, Albany’s one-party rule has been taking the state in the wrong direction. Higher taxes, increased spending, new mandates, and policies that favor criminals over community safety are just some of the actions forced on Long Islanders by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the New York City politicians who control the State Legislature and their supporters in Albany.

Fighting for our communities and standing up for the issues that matter most to us is exactly why I wanted to serve as a state senator. Throughout the 2023 legislative session, that’s exactly what our team did.

We began the year by introducing the Rescue New York agenda — a comprehensive plan that provides sensible, commonsense solutions to fix the serious problems confronting our state. The plan would make New York safer, stronger, more affordable and more free. It would repeal the disastrous, broken cashless bail law that created a revolving door for criminals and prioritized them over law-abiding residents. It

24 — are treated for fireworks-related injuries. That’s one every hour of every day. The injuries can range from minor to severe burns and lacerations to the loss of limbs and, in rare cases, even death. While the use of firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and other fireworks is illegal and highly discouraged, there are still far too many people willing to take the risk. That’s why the state’s Division of Consumer Protection advises anyone handling fireworks take necessary safety precautions:

■ Follow instructions on the packaging.

■ Keep a supply of water nearby.

■ Light only one firework at a time.

■ Never attempt to relight a “dud.”

■ Never, under any circumstances, point or throw fireworks toward anything or anyone.

In some parts of the state, groundmounted and handheld sparklers — known for their shower of colored sparks and crackling sound — are permitted outdoors, provided they meet guidelines governing the amount of pyrotechnic material inside. But that doesn’t mean these sparklers are harmless and safe for children to use. They can heat up to 800

degrees — hot enough to melt gold — and can easily set fire to clothing or hair.

In Nassau County, it is illegal to use, possess or sell fireworks — including sparklers. Doing so without a permit can be punishable as a misdemeanor or felony, and can include fines of $1,000 or more, and possibly even jail time.

Not only are fireworks illegal to use and own, but they are also a nuisance for neighbors and pets. Loud noises can traumatize animals, and in some instances even set off car alarms. The incendiary devices can also lead to property damage and fires in addition to injuries.

Let’s face it, nobody wants to spend a summer night in the emergency room — or weeks of the summer in a hospital burn unit. Parents should talk with their children about the hazards that can occur when handling illegal fireworks.

To protect yourself and your family, celebrate responsibly by attending one of the dozens of licensed fireworks displays conducted by professionals across Long Island.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder also remind all of us that in the event that illegal fireworks are taking place in your neighborhood, call your local police precinct.

Threats to LGBTQ crowd loomed large this Pride month

each June, the LGBTQ+ community proudly celebrates our strength, unity and visibility during Pride month. From Hewlett to the Hamptons, Long Islanders joined their LGBTQ+ neighbors once again last month to honor our historic struggle for equality.

As usual, Long Island and New York showed up for Pride, but for many in our community, this year felt different.

A wave of bills targeting our rights have garnered widespread attention and outrage, sparking a dangerous rise in anti-LGBTQ+ incidents locally and nationally. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, nearly 500 such bills have been introduced in state legislatures so far this year.

In contrast, New York leaders are taking meaningful action on behalf of our community. Flanked by queer icons and elected officials from across the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation into law that will safeguard protections for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers – just moments

before marching in one of the world’s largest Pride celebrations.

While state leaders remain steadfast in their support, a largely unknown fight over our rights is currently playing out in federal courts, and it could have a devastating impact on the health of LGBTQ+ people here on Long Island.

In March, a decision by a federal judge in Texas, in Braidwood Management v. Becerra, ripped away nocost preventive health care from over 150 million Americans. If the decision is allowed to stand, health insurers will no longer be required to cover preventive screenings for serious conditions including HIV, cancer and heart disease.

In particular, the decision struck down access to PrEP, a life-saving medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV from sex by 99 percent. PrEP is a key prevention strategy for ending the HIV epidemic in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Siding with the plaintiffs — a group of anti-LGBTQ+ business owners — the judge found that the Affordable Care Act’s coverage of PrEP violates religious freedom, which will allow individual

insurers to deny access to it.

The Braidwood ruling came a month before the entire Long Island congressional delegation voted for a default plan that could have put 2.3 million New Yorkers at risk of losing access to Medicaid.

Both the Braidwood decision and the nation’s neardefault on its debt make clear that Long Islanders’ care is under attack. Unfortunately, when given the chance to show independence and protect vital health services, U.S. Reps. George Santos, Anthony D’Esposito, Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino instead fell in line with the House leadership’s devastating proposal.

This is a critical moment for the LGBTQ+ community, and the changes brought on by Braidwood present an existential crisis. Our community is disproportionately affected by HIV infections. Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health found that the ruling could result in more than 2,000 entirely preventable HIV infections in the next year.

Here on Long Island, access to PrEP is crucial. Recent reports show that Nassau and Suffolk counties have the highest suburban rates of HIV infection in the state. A staggering 5,300 Long Islanders

Letters Framework

would also cut taxes for residents, control state spending, and create jobs by improving New York’s worst-in-the-nation business climate.

This plan is essential to change many of the factors that are leading New York in the wrong direction — reckless criminal justice policies, runaway spending, and high taxes — and we will continue to fight for its passage.

We protected our suburban quality of life and worked in a bipartisan manner to defeat Hochul’s plan to override local zoning laws and force the construction of high-density, highrise housing within a half-mile radius of Long Island Rail Road stations. Under this proposal, residents of single-family would have seen apartment buildings put up next to their houses, eliminating our communities’ ability to determine for themselves how they grow, and virtually destroying the suburban character of our neighborhoods — the very reason many of us decided to live here in the first place.

Faced with the latest state budget in 13 years and spending that has increased by 35 percent under one-party rule in just five years, we spoke out, and voted against some other completely misguided proposals that are moving the state in the wrong direction, including Hochul’s plan to ban natural gas in newly constructed homes; congestion pricing, which is just another tax on commuters; the Clean Slate Act, which enables convicted felons to hide their criminal backgrounds; public financing of campaigns; legislation providing free health care benefits to illegal immigrants; and radical changes in election laws and the way Long Islanders cast their votes in local elections.

We continued the fight for more affordable water for South Shore residents by introducing legislation to provide state funding for the South Nassau Water Authority to fulfill its mission to study, negotiate and report on a possible transition from Liberty Water, a private, for-profit company, to public water so voters can make an informed decision — just as the

by Tim Baker

live with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis.

If the Braidwood ruling is allowed to stand, many LGBTQ+ Long Islanders, especially those struggling to make ends meet, people of color and people with disabilities, will instead decide to forgo basic preventive services like PrEP simply because they can no longer afford them. While 66 percent of eligible white people in America are prescribed PrEP, just 16 percent of eligible Hispanics and 9 percent of eligible Blacks are prescribed the lifesaving drug. The Braidwood ruling will inevitably worsen existing disparities in New York and on Long Island.

Legal experts have highlighted that the Braidwood case was brought on by opponents of the ACA. Despite 79 percent of Americans supporting no-cost preventive care, Republicans in Congress continue to wage a war against the ACA, even as 214,000 New Yorkers rely on it.

On Long Island, we need Santos, D’Esposito, Garbarino and LaLota to stand up against this dangerous and deeply unpopular ruling. If they don’t, LGBTQ+ Long Islanders and our families will have to fight for our right to access life-saving health care next Pride Month.

David Kilmnick, Ph.D., is the president and founder of the New York LGBT Network, and assistant professor and chair of the Online MSW Program at the University of South Florida.

state is already providing for the North Shore Water Authority for the same purpose.

We successfully delivered-much needed funding for local food banks to address food insecurity in our communities, a serious problem that is being worsened by sky-high inflation that is driving up food prices.

These are just a few of the actions we took this year

to put our state back on the right track. The session may be over, but our work isn’t done. We will continue standing up for the issues that matter most to our communities and hard-working taxpayers.

Rhoads, a Republican, represents the 5th Senate District

our state leaders are supportive, but it’s another story in the federal courts.

DaViD kiLmniCk

STATE SEN. STEVE RHOADS