Parker Schug/Herald Lawrence residents showed their support for reopening MG Craft Kitchen at the Lawrence village board meeting on Aug. 15, after the village shuttered the business.
Five Towns volunteers helping IDF
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
Five physical and occupational therapists from the Five Towns and Far Rockaway were honored last week for their work as volunteers helping injured Israel Defense Force soldiers in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.
Pand is also home to the Kaylie Rehabilitation Medical Center, the first and only rehabilitation hospital in southern Israel.
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
Following a contract review, the Village of Lawrence has closed the doors of MG Craft Kitchen, a kosher restaurant at the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, which led to a livelier-than-usual village board meeting last week.
The village, which owns and operates the club, sent an email to residents on Aug. 6, informing them of the situation.
“MG Kitchen is not a landlord-tenant relationship,” Village Administrator Gerry Castro wrote. “It is a Licensing Agreement to operate Village property. As with all of our Village Licensing Agreements, insurance requirements are mandatory. It was discovered that MG Craft Kitchen — operating since April 1st 2024 — never submitted proof of the required insurance.”
On July 16, after village officials learned of the lack of insurance declarations and
Physical therapists Daniel Aryeh and Robert Weinberg, both of Woodmere, and Moshe Richmond, of Lawrence, and occupational therapists Jesse Vogel, of Far Rockaway, and Sarah Yastrab, of Woodmere, were recognized at an event hosted by Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, in collaboration with ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran, on Aug. 14.
ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran is a 40-acre rehabilitation center for people living with or affected by disability. It has 170 residents and 190 special-education students with severe disabilities,
The volunteers spent time at the Kaylie Center with soldiers who were injured in the war with Hamas. Because of the conflict, staff that were evacuated have not yet returned, leaving the facility short-staffed.
“People from our community, from the Five Towns, sacrificed themselves, their family and vacation time and used it to go to Israel to help soldiers and others at ADI Negev,” said Dr. Shilo Kramer, the center’s director of orthopedic rehabilitation. “They have skills as physical and occupational therapists to treat patients from the Negev and provide high-level training to other therapists in Israel.”
The honorees were awarded certificates and pairs of Shabbat candlesticks hand-made by
Chabad of Beaches at zoning board on Aug. 22
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
After a legal battle with Atlantic Beach village over the property at 2025 Park St, the Chabad of the Beaches will bring its plan to the village’s Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 22.
The Long Beach Jewish group purchased the land in 2021. A legal battle then ensued when the village claimed on eminent domain on the site. Atlantic Beach lost and now has to pay the Chabad $400, 00 over four years. In addition, the village incurred legal fees over $300,000. The First Liberty Institute for free represented the Chabad.
“The Chabad is scheduled for the BZA hearing on Thursday, August 22,” Vincent Amoroso, Atlantic Beach village public works superintendent said at the Aug. 12 village board meeting. “They have submitted their drawings. The drawings have been reviewed. They have been issued a denial letter. They are seeking a number of variances.”
A denial letter prompts the Chabad to go before the BZA to ask for exceptions to standard village building code.
The plans, which are available to the public in Atlantic Beach Village Hall, show that the Chabad seeks to build a community center and event space. The project includes minor additions to the existing building, formerly a Capital One Bank, exterior and interior work, new
drainage, landscaping, lighting, patios, parking, paver walkways and sewage.
At the Aug. 12, a resident asked the village board about the proposed project and Atlantic Beach Mayor George Pappas noted the village board is not allowed to comment on pending applications.
“We look forward to presenting our application to the Zoning Board of Appeals,” Rabbi Eli Goodman of Chabad of the Beaches wrote in an email to the Herald. “We believe that our proposed adaptive reuse of the former bank property will not be a detriment to the commu-
nity as the proposed structure substantially conforms to existing property conditions and, if approved, will beautify one of the gateways to the Village and benefit the residents of Atlantic Beach through the provision of inclusive religious programming, activities, and services in a welcoming and attractive space.”
When the Chabad purchased the property three years ago, they planned to build a community center as previously reported by the Herald.
Weeks later, Atlantic Beach village officials then announced their intention
of acquiring the property through eminent domain, a governmental procedure to convert the property to public use after compensating the owner.
In 2022, the Chabad filed suit against the village in federal court, which ended in the November 2023 settlement, when Atlantic Beach also agreed to drop the eminent domain proceeding and to refrain from interfering with the Chabad’s use of the property.
The settlement generated reaction from village residents who questioned the legal fees, settlement terms and zoning regulations related to the property.
At the Dec. 11 village meeting last year, Jim Miskiewicz, the village’s lawyer in the Chabad case, gave a report on the progress of the case.
“All of the parties have executed the agreement,” Miskiewicz said at the December meeting.
Miskiewicz said that the next steps included the Chabad’s submission of plans to the Atlantic Beach zoning board, then a return to federal court for the case to be finalized.
One resident at the December meeting, voiced concerns that the Chabad could sue the village based on the zoning board’s ruling on the proposed plan, to which Miskiewicz, said no, because of the provisions in the settlements.
The zoning board hearing is at Atlantic Beach Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach, at 7 p.m.
Simon Felder, former Lawrence mayor, dies at 88
Public service at the forefront of his life
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
Former Lawrence village mayor, trustee, neighbor and friend to many, C. Simon Felder died at 88, on Aug. 2.
“Friendly, funny, personable, honest, charismatic,” Aaron Felder, Simon’s son and current Lawrence village trustee said of how many people have described his father.
Simon was a holocaust survivor. He was born in Amsterdam in 1935, lived through a concentration camp in Germany from the age of six and a half to nine, then immigrated to the United States, where he lived in Brooklyn.
His professional life led him to Philadelphia for a decade and then he moved to Lawrence in 1974, where he raised his three children, who lived nearby until his last days.
needs needed to be addressed, specifically the Orthodox Jewish community that was growing there,” Aaron said.
Simon served on the Lawrence village board for 18 years and as part of the Lawrence Civic Association and the village’s Board of Zoning Appeals. In his professional career, he worked as a chemical engineer and later in health care.
A gentleman and a man for all seasons, his dedication to his wife Miriam, his family and the community was unequalled.
tin OlinER, ForMer LAwrenCe MAyor
“We were very close,” Aaron said. “We’ve lived in the same neighborhood together, throughout my life.”
Upon arriving in Lawrence, it didn’t take Simon long to get involved.
“He realized the community was growing very quickly and certain
“His interests were public service,” Aaron said. “He always taught me to be responsible and care for others.”
Michael Fragin, a former Lawrence trustee, served alongside Simon.
“He was a neighbor, he was a real role model, he was a trailblazer for the Orthodox (Jewish) community in local governments,” Fragin said.
Fragin believed that Simon’s success came from his “personal warmth,” and “European gentlemanliness,” he said. Simon appreciated the United States for all that it had to offer, Fragin said.
“It was a real privilege to serve alongside him,” Fragin said. “He was always was a great neighbor.”
Martin Oliner, also a former mayor
of Lawrence village, said Simon was someone admired by all.
“Simon was an extraordinary human being,” Oliner wrote in a text message. “Because of his experiences during the holocaust he was sensitive to everyone he met.”
Before serving on the Lawrence village board, Simon shared his experience in the Holocaust, globally, speaking at academic, political and religious events. He brought the same knowledge to the village board, making Holocaust discussions a priority.
His wisdom and kindness are the two things Aaron will miss most about his father, he said.
“A gentleman and a man for all seasons, his dedication to his wife Miriam, his family and the community was unequalled,” Oliner said.
Simon is survived by his wife Miriam Felder, his sons Aaron and Joseph B. Felder and his daughter Suri Flegmann and their families.
A funeral was held on Aug. 2 at Congregation Shaarey Tefilla in Lawrence.
Courtesy Aaron Felder
C. Simon Felder, a former Lawrence village mayor, was known for his personal warmth and love for the United States.
Courtesy Gregory Kalnitsky, Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP
Chabad of the Beaches will present its plans for the 2025 Park St. property to the Atlantic Beach village Board of Zoning Appeals on Aug. 22.
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Vishnu Dutt Sharma, boutique owner and father, dies at 84
Submitted by Joe Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications & development Mount Sinai South Nassau
The Farmer’s Daughters
A farmer came in to see us recently with this dilemma. He had a working farm where his twenty something daughter and her husband were engaged full-time. His other daughter worked in the arts in New York City. He wanted to keep the farm in the family, but didn’t know how.
He initially wanted to leave the farm and his other assets to the two daughters in equal shares. We cautioned against this since, we advised, no one likes to do all the work and then split the profits. Additionally, real estate prices could be considerably higher on his death and there might not be enough money in the estate for the working daughter to buy out her sister. We also had to consider the sweat equity the young couple would be building up over the years working the farm. Here’s how the matter was ultimately resolved to the client’s satisfaction.
We deeded the farm now to the working daughter (not her and her husband quite yet) reserving a “life estate” in the farmer so that he had a right to live there for the rest of his
life and preserving his senior tax exemption on the property. We established the value of the property today, and made a bequest on his death, from the farmer’s living trust, of a like amount in cash to the sister before the balance of the trust was divvied up.
Now the young working couple are secure in their future, the non-working daughter gets her fair share of the estate and the farmer is protected in his rights for life. Most important of all, he has the peace of mind in knowing that the farm will stay in the family.
If you’re a business owner, and have one or more children working in the business, you have the same issues. We generally like to see the “working” children take over the business and other assets used to even out the estate distribution with the “non-working” children. Where there are not enough other assets to make the distribution even, then life insurance or a mortgage can be used for this purpose, or the “working” children can pay off the “nonworking” children over a period of years at a rate the family business can afford.
LAW FIRM
&
Vishnu Dutt Sharma, 84, a father of three who owned a well-known women’s clothing boutique in Cedarhurst, died peacefully on Aug. 15 in Oceanside, NY after a brief illness, surrounded by his family.
Vishnu came to the United States 55 years ago from his native New Delhi in India, embodying the spirit of determination and hard work to achieve the American dream. He settled in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, later moving to Kensington. He worked for more than 30 years in the garment industry, first as a wholesaler, selling silk and other material to Sach’s Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdale’s.
Later in his career, he opened a popular women’s clothing store, Vingami’s, located in Cedarhurst in the Five Towns on Long Island’s South Shore. The shop sold women’s blouses, dresses and jewelry. He also operated similar stores on the Upper East Side in Man-
hattan and in the downtown financial district.
Among his proudest accomplishments was being able to put his three sons through college. Two sons achieved advanced degrees in medicine and in the law. His son, Adhi, an emergency medicine physician, currently serves as President of Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside. He is remembered with profound affection by his wife of 62 years, Shanta Sharma. The two began their courtship when Vishnu charmingly followed her home one-day, 66 years ago.
He is survived by his wife, Shanta, grandchildren and his three sons, Gan, Adhi, and Ami.
Throughout his life, Vishnu was a pillar of strength and love for his family and community, leaving behind a legacy of enduring values and commitment to his loved ones. His life story is a testament to the enduring spirit of hope and perseverance.
A service was held at Moloney’s Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Center in Lake Ronkonkoma on Aug. 18.
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Courtesy Joe Calderone
Vishnu Dutt Sharma a Cedarhurst boutique owner and father to three, died at 84 on Aug. 15.
Courtesy Marty Vogel
Major Or Maatuk spoke about his injuries and his eight months of rehabilitation at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran.
A life-changing center for rehab in the Negev
the special-needs residents of ADI Negev.
“On behalf of the administration at ADI Negev, we would like to thank you for your unwavering dedication to the people of Israel and to our injured IDF soldiers,” Kramer said.
Vogel said he felt compelled to do something after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. A 13-year member of the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol, a volunteer group that assists local police, Vogel said he felt an overwhelming need to do more.
He heard about the volunteer opportunity at ADI Negev through Israel’s Emergency Volunteers Program. “The cost of the licensing in Eretz Yisrael, the room and board, meals and even the taxi ride to and from the airport were covered,” Vogel said. “I immediately jumped at the chance, once I got my wife’s seal of approval. I had no idea what I was in for, but I was excited, and I couldn’t wait to hit the ground running.”
Vogel praised the design of ADI Negev, which is entirely disabilityaccessible. “It was truly designed to be a community center, where our brothers and sisters can be treated with dignity,” he said.
A highlight of last week’s event was a recounting of the story of Major Or Maatuk, of the IDF, and his rehabilitation at ADI Negev. For 12 years Maatuk was in charge of the Givati Brigade, a unit charged with combating terrorism in the Gaza strip.
Last November, he spent 66 consecutive hours fighting in Faraza, a kibbutz
in southern Israel, battling terrorists and rescuing Israelis from safe rooms. “We eliminated more than 100 terrorists inside Faraza,” Maatuk said. “The terrorists were everywhere.”
Maatuk was critically injured in an explosion of a rocket-propelled grenade, when shrapnel penetrated the left side of his body. “I raised my upper left extremity to protect my face,” he recalled, “and hundreds of pieces of shrapnel fly right through me, wounding me severely in my left shoulder, abdominal area and chest.”
He was taken to Sheba Hospital in Ramat Gan, Israel, where he needed extensive surgery to survive. His spleen was removed, and his diaphragm and pancreas were repaired. After a month and a half at the hospital, Maatuk was transferred to ADI Negev, where he underwent eight months of intensive rehabilitation.
“I arrived in the Negev weak, with poor endurance, and I could barely walk,” he said. “My left arm could barely move, I had open wounds and lots of scar tissue which limited my range of motion.”
Maatuk received around-the-clock care, and devoted his days to getting stronger and improving his range of motion so he could return to the IDF.
“ADI Negev changed my life,” he said. “I was there for eight long months. It was extremely hard, physically and emotionally. They gave me my life back.”
Those who are interested in volunteering can contact the Emergency Volunteers Program, by visiting EXP.org. il/Contact.cgi.
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HERALD SPORTS
Corbett, left, out of Longwood High School, keys Nassau’s ground attack. At right, Jayden Taylor, a Walt Whitman High School product, tops the depth chart at quarterback for the Lions, who play five of their first six games on the road.
New coach leads Nassau C.C. football
By TONY BELLISSIMO
tbellissimo@liherald.com
Jhaleel Oswald, a former Nassau Community College football captain and key member of its 2013 Toro Bowl-winning team, is the Lions’ new head coach after running the defense/special teams under predecessor Jamel Ramsay for the past two seasons.
The Lions, who tackled plenty of adversity in 2023 and finished a disappointing 5-5, have more than 80 in the program and kick off the Oswald era with a trip to Cleveland to face Rochester Community and Technical College this Saturday at 4 p.m. The Yellowjackets are coming off a heartbreaking loss to DuPage in the NJCAA National Championship game.
“Last year we went through a lot of trials and tribulations and didn’t play up to our standards,” said Oswald, a free safety during his playing days at Nassau and LIU. “Our expectations are to put out a product that gets us back on track with our foundation and culture,” he said. “I’m not sure if we can measure that with wins and losses this year since we have a very young team with about 60 freshmen, but I know these guys are going to play hard and also work hard in the classroom.”
With five of the first six games on the road, Oswald likes the idea of a youthful team spending lots of time together and building camaraderie.
“It’s both a blessing and a curse,” Oswald said of the challenging schedule that includes visits to Navy Prep, Hudson Valley CC and Hocking in September. “We’re going to find a lot out about ourselves early,” he
2024 Schedule
Aug. 24 Rochester CC Away 4 p.m.
Sept. 7 Navy Prep Away
Sept. 13 Army Prep Home 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 Hudson CC Away 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 Hocking Away 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 Wagner JV Away 11 a.m.
Oct. 12 Eric CC Home 1 p.m.
Oct. 19 Monroe Home 1 p.m.
Oct. 26 Hudson CC Home 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 Louisburg Away 1 p.m.
added. “At the same time, it’s a good opportunity to grow the chemistry. We’re trying to look at the schedule in a positive way and we’ll have a bunch of home games in the second half of the season.”
The Lions’ home opener at Mitchel Athletic Complex is under the lights against Army Prep on Friday, Sept. 13. They’ll then play three consecutive games at home in October, versus Erie CC, Monroe and Hudson Valley CC. “We’re playing all respectable programs with quality coaches,” Oswald said. “Every week is going to be a battle.”
Some key new faces to the offense are former Suffolk County high school standouts Jayden Taylor (Walt Whitman quarterback) and Caleb Corbett (Longwood running back.)
Taylor, a lefty with a strong arm, mobility, leadership qualities and knowledge of the game, improved every day in camp, Oswald said, to win the starting job. “He’s a great kid who can do a little bit of everything and I’m really looking forward to him leading our offense,” Oswald said.
Corbett will lead a backfield that includes transfer Eric Harris and serve as one of Oswald’s targets. “Caleb is a powerful runner with good hands and he’s stood out in camp,” the coach said.
A pair of sophomore receivers, Elijah Porter and Andre Mottas, 6-foot-3 and 6-1, respectively, are primed to up their production and make their presence felt downfield. “They’re similar players who run well, have good size and excellent hands,” Oswald said.
The offensive line is one of the Lions’ top position groups and can go eight deep according to Oswald. Sophomore Kenroy Hutchinson anchors the unit at center, with sophomore Jaeden Davis-Samuels of Hempstead and freshman Jayden Jagmohan other confirmed starters
On the defensive side, sophomore linebacker Ja’quevios Sam comes off a 49-tackle campaign, sophomore cornerback Dwayne Shulters picked off 2 passes and broke up 6, and could form a shutdown tandem with Abdul Somo.
On special teams, kicker Igor Rzasa and punter Danny Iobo will take care of the legwork.
Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos
Caleb
Water quality in Western Bays improves
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The water quality in Hempstead’s Western Bays continues to show progressive improvement, according to a report presented Aug. 15 by officials from the Long Island Regional Planning Council, the Town of Hempstead, and Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies.
The report, shown at a briefing held at the Town of Hempstead Marine Laboratory, revealed significant decreases in nitrogen, ammonia, and other harmful pollutants that have historically degraded the water and damaged local coastal wetlands.
“Hempstead Bay and its major tributaries, known as the Western Bays, help drive a multi-billion-dollar economy,” said Richard Guardino, executive director of the LIRPC. “It’s fueled by recreation, bathing, boating, fishing, and seafood harvesting. The Western Bays contribute greatly to the quality of life we enjoy right here in the Town of Hempstead, and it’s one of the most beautiful coastal areas in all of the nation.”
Despite the promising results, officials cautioned that work remains to fully restore the bays’ health. They emphasized that multi-level efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution in the waterways should remain a top priority.
Excess nitrogen is recognized as the
An Aug. 15 briefing at the Town of Hempstead Marine Laboratory illustrated a significant decrease in nitrogen pollution in Long Island waters.
leading cause of water quality deterioration in the region, contributing to toxic algal blooms, low oxygen, fish kills, and the destruction of vital marine habitats. It also poses a significant risk to Long Island’s drinking water, because groundwater serves as the island’s source of freshwater.
The Hempstead Bay Water Quality Monitoring Project, initially launched in the 1980s and revived in 2019 under the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan, has been key in addressing water quality issues in the area. The project collects
water samples from various locations in the bays and inland areas to measure levels of nitrogen, ammonia, and other pollutants.
“This is an investment in the environment. This is an investment in the economy,” Councilman Chris Schneider said. “It’s an investment in our safety, and the results we’re seeing, the fruits of the results of that investment, they are terrific, and we’re going to continue it.”
Testing is conducted using a network of 40 surface water stations located
across the Western Bays. These stations help track pollutant levels in the water. In addition, three continuous monitoring sites provide real-time data, and 20 deep-water locations allow researchers to assess conditions below the surface. There are also 12 inland sites to monitor nitrogen deposits from atmospheric conditions and rainwater.
“We’ve seen that the water is becoming cleaner. We’ve seen lately less nitrogen in the water,” Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said. “And it’s through all these combinations — people committed to making sure that the future is bright for their children, programs we run through the town — but it’s through the ability now to test it here that’s going to be most beneficial, and we are so grateful to have this.”
Hofstra Professor Steve Raciti presented data comparing water quality from 1980 to 1985, which showed high levels of nitrate marked in red on the charts, to the period from 2020 to 2023, when the water had largely transitioned to blue, indicating much lower nitrate levels. Areas near wastewater-treatment plants showed the most significant improvements.
With an additional $5 million invested by the state in the Long Island Nitrogen Action plan since 2015, the program aims to continue reducing nitrogen levels across the Island, beyond just runoff and treatment plant discharges.
Angelina Zingariello/Herald
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Gynecology-Oncology
• Breast Surgery
• Urogynecology
•
• Diagnostic Ultrasounds
• Breast Biopsy Procedures
• Bone Density Testing
• Nutrition Services
HERALD NEIGHBORS
NCJW Peninsula Section equips students
By PARKER SCHUG pschug@liherald.com
Toothpaste, socks and underwear are not always the first things that come to mind when getting ready for a new academic year.
National Council for Jewish Women Peninsula Section thought of it all for their ninth annual Back 2 School Store. On Aug. 9 and 11, 600 elementary age children, some with physical disabilities, filled the halls of Caroline G. Atkinson School in Freeport to “shop” the department store style event.
Each child, from pre-qualified households- determined by social service agencies, religious and community organizations- received a complete new outfit including pants, a shirt, shoes and socks, along with books, gloves, hygienic care items, a hat, pajamas, school supplies, stuffed animals, underwear and a winter jacket.
At the Friday session, Hope Coleman, director of the event and Susan Fox, assistant director, presented Nicole Diaks, president of AMC Transfer in Valley Stream, with a plaque, thanking her for her service, transporting the shop’s materials, with her commercial moving business for nine years.
Donations, fundraising and grants sought out by NCJW Peninsula section, made the weekend possible, at no cost to families or agencies.
Over 150 volunteers from NCJW Peninsula Section and Freeport High School were trained, some of which were personal shoppers, escorting the students for the individualized shopping experience.
Michael Coleman volunteered at the event, checking students in.
“I was a public defender my whole life, that’s what I did for a living, public defending was an emotional job, but there’s nothing as emotional as this thing,” Michael said of the Back 2 School Store.
To get involved email office@ncjwpeninsula.org.
Hope Coleman, director of the Back 2 School Store and Susan Fox, assistant director, ran operations of the two-day National Council for Jewish Women Peninsula Section event.
George Herrera, right, a Back 2 School Store shopper, filled his bag with the help of volunteer, Kelli Delucia.
Maureen Lennon/Herald Photos
Alexandra Backlin, a Back 2 School Store volunteer, manned the shoe section of the event, guiding students to their sizes and helping to select colors.
Breiston Bravo Chuc took home a stuffed animal among other items such as clothes, school supplies and sneakers, from BTSS.
Attorneys talking, aiming to resolve issue
endorsements, they sent the restaurant a non-compliance notice, requesting the necessary documents, and MG Craft Kitchen responded by sending the documents to the village’s insurance consultant for review, Castro wrote. He added that some of the businesses insurance coverage was insufficient, and other coverage that it needed did not exist.
On July 18, the village gave the restaurant 48 hours to produce evidence of the necessary coverage, but received no response. Then, on Aug. 2, the village issued MG Craft Kitchen a cease-anddesist order, which was ignored, forcing the village to close the restaurant, Castro wrote.
When the village emailed the letter to residents on Aug. 6, it had received neither proof of the required insurance nor evidence of Workers Compensation and state disability coverage, Castro continued.
On Aug. 15, the village sent another email to residents, informing them of a request for proposal for kosher caterers at the country club.
“As the Village looks ahead to enhance the features and opportunities within the community for residents as well as non-residents,” Castro wrote in last week’s email, “the Village seeks to bring diversity and expand the service choices within the food and beverage department of the Lawrence Yacht and Country Club.”
The club currently features Greenview, the house caterer, and glatt kosher caterers Chap-A-Nosh, of Cedarhurst, and Saffron Culinary.
Kevin Dudleston, the club’s general manager, declined to comment on MG Craft Kitchen’s future at the facility.
At the village board meeting on Aug. 15, Philip Ettedgui, of Lawrence, spoke in opposition to the closure of the eatery.
“I don’t understand why you have to ruin a local business like MG restaurant,” Ettedgui said. “They’re a good business. A lot of people come there. We support them, and suddenly you close
them for some stupid insurance reason.”
Castro reiterated his explanation in the Aug. 6 email.
Lawrence village Mayor Samuel Nahmias said that the village had every intention of working the MG Craft Kitchen matter out.
Abraham David, the attorney representing the restaurant, said that some policies addressed in the village letter had been resolved. “As we sit here tonight, the doors should be open,” David said. “We understand that the village wants MG Craft to go above and beyond, and we’re willing to do that.”
Nahmias asked David if he had spo -
ken with the village attorney, Steven Losquadro, who was not at the meeting, and David said that he had.
“I’m not an attorney that’s going to sit there and tell you what the differences of opinions are,” Nahmias said. “It wouldn’t be my place, and it wouldn’t be right for you to come and just dictate your point without him being here to represent to the people what really is our point of view.”
Some of the attendees held signs in support of reopening the restaurant.
Before the facility’s opening in April, former Deputy Mayor Paris Popack, wrote an article for The Jewish Home, a weekly publication focused on community news, on the benefit of having a kosher eatery at the LYCC.
“The Park Commission and Board of Trustees (BOT) originally wanted to convert the existing non-kosher snack shop to kosher with the goal of having meal options for all to enjoy,” Popack wrote. “After resistance from certain membership, we chose to build a kosher facility so all members could be served.”
Michoel Hayes, the restaurant’s general manager, responded to a request for comment by referring the Herald to their attorney’s, Berg & David PLLC, who had no update as of press time.
Have an opinion on the MG Craft Kitchen situation? Send a letter to jbessen@liherald.com.
Parker Schug/Herald
The closing of MG Craft Kitchen drew a crowd to the Lawrence village board meeting on Aug. 15. Residents pushed for the reopening of the kosher business.
By Diane Schlindwein
Overseeing your child’s academic life is essential, but if you find yourself constantly hovering over him or her at homework time, recalculating every math problem and editing every essay, you might be what educational and psychological experts call a “helicopter parent.”
Being overfocused on your child’s performance and behavior can stem from a few things: anxiety, compensation, fear of consequences or peer pressure, as Kate Bayless writes in Parents magazine. Surely, behind that is a commitment to your child succeeding and being taken care of, though it can have consequences. But how do you be an involved parent without smothering your kids?
Dr. Bill Moredock, a longtime licensed psychologist who is also an elementary school principal, says helicopter parenting isn’t good, but neither is total uninvolvement. Parents should be involved with their children’s academic life but need to act within reason, he says. In other words, constant hovering isn’t necessary, and some involvement is important.
“Parents should monitor their children’s
progress in school starting from day one,” he says. “From preschool through graduate school parents should have a stake in how their children are progressing at every level. Of course, the degree of involvement should vary depending on factors such as age, grade, special circumstances, transitions, and the specific needs of the child.”
“It is an empirically proven fact that children with parental support have a higher probability for success in school than children who lack support,” he says. “Parents who are completely uninvolved set their children up for academic failure. Parents need to set the expectation and standard (for school work.”
Understand your child’s personality and learning style
But when it comes to monitoring schoolwork and overseeing homework time, parents also need to consider their child’s personality and learning style. “Each child is different,” he says. “Ask any parent who has had more than one child. Each child has his or her own set of inherited traits. Some children need a lot of support on school-related endeavors. Others seem to need very little.” Take the time to observe
what kind of support would benefit them before just jumping in.
Dr. George S. Glass, who co-authored the book “The Overparenting Epidemic” with David Tabatsky, says helicopter parents are often invasive, overly attentive and competitive and have trouble separating themselves from their offspring. “Our children are not extensions of ourselves,” he says. “Each of them is his or her own person, no matter what stage of development the individual is at.”
“Children need to be given the space to try things out and experience failure as well as success,” Glass says. “That should begin at an early age and certainly by the time they go to school.”
Give them a break
Moredock adds that no matter what the grade level, having some down time is also important. “Kids do need breaks — time to exercise and have some fun,” he says. And even when children are under extreme pressure to get homework finished and out of the way, parents should not do the work for them. “Parents who do their children’s homework are fostering dependency and perhaps even encouraging cheating,” he says.
Photo: PParents want their children to thrive, be happy and succeed. If you feel you’ve been hovering a bit too much, look for opportunities to take a step back from solving problems
Steps to success Make this the best school year ever Back-to-School — with a focus on Back in the claSSroom
True success throughout life starts with a plan. Implement that strategy with your student early on and results are sure to follow. It’s important to establish some rules from the beginning to follow through the entire year, this will help reduce anxiety and replace it with a sense of calm. Focus on creating good habits rather than only grades, if you do that the grades will happen.
Help your child get organized. Instead of nagging, show him how being organized will pay dividends in life. Let him experience the ease of being able to find things, the joy of being on time, and the sense of control that organization will bring.
Plan ahead so mornings go smoothly. There is an old saying, “well begun is half done,” and it certainly is true about getting off to school. Start your planning the night before by making sure your child gets enough rest. A slightly earlier bedtime may make a big difference to your child’s ability to function in the morning. Have him lay out his clothes before he goes to bed, and put everything else he needs for school in his backpack. It’s a good idea to have him put the backpack right on top of his shoes, so he can’t leave the house without it.
Help your child keep up with his work; avoid procrastination. Share a tip from time-management experts: break tasks into manageable parts, and do one at a time until the job is finished.
That involves getting a handle on homework. Provide a place for your child to do his homework, and make sure he has the necessary supplies for being organized. Keep things like pencils, paper, ruler and colored markers all together in a pencil box or shoe box to save time looking around when doing homework.
Set a time to do homework. Some families like to do homework right after school, while others prefer doing it after dinner. Whatever you decide, find one that works
for everyone, then stick to it as often as possible. If the child has no homework, read! Try some offbeat ways to encourage your child to read. Use a current film as a starting point to encourage your child to dip into the book it is based on. Or help your child to write a letter to the author of a favorite book. (Send it to the publisher most authors are good about replying to letters from children.) Do all you can to foster your child’s love of reading. Video games are fun, but they don’t develop vocabulary
and language skills the way reading does.
Take a critical look at your child’s extra-curricular activities. Look especially hard at team sports, which require long hours of practice. Is your child overscheduled, trying to do far more than a child should do at this age? If so, you may have to consider cutting back to leave more time and energy for learning.
Remember the power of praise. Let it work its magic to motivate your child. Displaying a child’s best work is a form of praise. Add a special touch to an especially good paper by having it laminated. You can do it yourself with clear contact paper.
Celebrate your child’s successes, no matter how small. Learning is not always easy for children, and sometimes their progress may be measured in very small steps. When your child does master a new skill, rejoice together.
Save time for fun. Play restores the body and stimulates brain connections, which makes learning easier in school. After all, there’s more to life than long division.
Photo: Organization is one of the key factors to doing well in school. In fact, disorganization can lead to lower grades, increased frustration and stress, and even lower self-esteem. Students who have better organization habits often perform better on assignments, get more done, and have more free time than their disorganized peers.
Tues. Sept. 3 - Wed. Sept. 11 10:00am - 4:00pm Sat. Sept. 7, 9:30am - 2:00pm
The pervasive smell of the ‘devil’s lettuce’
As restrictions loosen on
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO & WILL SHEELINE of the Herald
The smell of marijuana has sparked division across New York state ever since its legalization under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 31, 2021. While some residents celebrate the change, others express frustration over the strong odor infiltrating public spaces.
According to the New York State Cannabis website, it is legal to smoke or vape cannabis in most areas where tobacco use is permitted, such as private homes or backyards. However, landlords can still ban smoking — both tobacco and marijuana — in apartment buildings. Cannabis consumption is prohibited in motor vehicles, hookah and cigar bars, businesses, restaurants including patios, federal property including public housing, and most public and state parks as well as beaches.
Even with cannabis legalized across the state, the Town of Hempstead has taken measures to restrict its availability. Supervisor Don Clavin and the Town Board unanimously voted to opt out of marijuana sales on Dec. 8, 2021, preventing businesses from selling it within the town’s borders.
This decision is in line with the state’s Cannabis Law, specifically Section 131, which allows towns, cities, and villages to prohibit cannabis businesses if they passed a local law on or before the later of Dec. 31, 2021, or nine months after the effective date of the section.
Medical marijuana dispensaries can only operate in specific zoning districts, and they must be in buildings with active medical offices and receive authorization from the State Department of Health.
No more than two medical dispensaries are allowed in the town at any time. They cannot be within 1,000 feet of schools, child day-care centers, parks, or places of worship, and must be at least 500 feet from residential areas, with some exceptions. They must operate between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and consumption or use of marijuana on-site is prohibited. People under 18 are not allowed on the premises unless they are patients or accompanied by a guardian.
The Town of Oyster Bay and the City of Long Beach also opted out of permitting cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption sites in December 2021.
Despite these laws and restrictions, the smell of marijuana still seeps into prohibited areas, demonstrating the ongoing difficulty in controlling its impact on public spaces.
Avita John, a 24-year-old from Wantagh, has faced significant challenges due to her severe asthma, which is exacerbated by marijuana smoke.
“Smell is something that could trigger anything for me, but especially with, like, weed, since it’s a type of, like, smoking and vaping, you could say, that
the use of marijuana, its odor seems to be wafting almost everywhere
triggers my asthmatic tendencies more,” John said. “And what happens is that when I smell it, I just want to puke. My lungs, everything, my throat just closes up. So, it’s very hard for me to breathe.”
The problem is particularly evident in her work environment, where customers are often under the influence of marijuana. The presence of smoke in the air makes it difficult for her to interact with them, and exacerbates her health struggles.
In addition to the problems caused by the smell of marijuana, John highlighted broader concerns that affect lung health, suggesting that while laws and designated smoking areas are designed to reduce health risks, they may not fully address the broader challenges of environmental pollution and secondhand smoke.
“I don’t think legislation or governments could do anything, per se, because
they will have to interview us, or they’ll have a form for the insurance company to fill out saying that we’re asthmatic, we have lung issues, and we can’t be around smokers,” she said. “We can’t be around air pollution. But then, there’s air pollution everywhere. We don’t have clean air technically. I would say maybe they could help with our medication causes or give us some monetary incentive to help us with our health care, because they can’t provide a safe space for us. They already have spaces designated for smokers, but there are a lot of people who don’t abide by that.”
The potential problems linked to the smell of marijuana aren’t just limited to health concerns. Alison Camardella, president of the North Shore Coalition Against Substance Abuse, emphasized that the risk of normalizing marijuana smoking can risk the normalization of its use by young people.
“The dramatic increase in marijuana
smells in our parks, at our beaches and even, you know, sporting events normalizes the use of drugs for our kids, and that’s our concern,” Camardella said. “So regularly seeing and smelling it gives our kids the wrong message that this is safe and that this is OK and that it’s socially acceptable.”
CASA is a nonprofit that focuses on reducing the abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco among students in the North Shore School District. Camardella emphasized that while the dangers of alcohol and tobacco are well-publicized and acknowledged, the potential risks of marijuana abuse by young people are often underreported and brushed aside.
“The more that they see adults using it, the more they’re at risk of using it at a younger age,” Camardella continued. “There is no question that marijuana use in the teen years is not only bad for their developing brains, but it also increases their risk of addiction later in life.”
Not everyone agrees that this is a public issue however. Anthony G., a construction worker who buys marijuana products from the dispensary Strain Stars in Farmingdale and requested anonymity, argued that smoking marijuana in public is legal. Furthermore, he made a contrast between the smoking of cigarettes in public versus smoking marijuana.
“I’m not breaking any laws — I’m not smoking in people’s faces,” he said. “It feels like a double standard, because people are still smoking cigarettes everywhere.”
As marijuana continues to become more accessible and its smell spreads through public areas, finding solutions to maintain comfort and well-being for everyone in these spaces is becoming increasingly important.
Photos courtesy Metro Creative Connection
Some residents and activists have suggested that the normalization of marijuana use has made it seem safer to children.
The use and sale of marijuana was legalized in New York state following the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2021.
Jordan Wright (AD-70) Stefani Zinerman (AD-56) Michael Benedetto (AD-82) George Latimer (CD-16)
Ducks, JCCs celebrate Jewish Heritage Night
By JEFFREY BESSEN jbessen@liherald.com
Sitting in section 201 of Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, Joe Margolin recalled being at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn and getting to meet the 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers, including the team that won the 1955 World Series.
Margolin’s father, also Joe Margolin, was a lawyer in Brooklyn with an office near Judge Peter B. Hanson, Walter O’Malley’s father-in-law. O’Malley owned the Dodgers then.
“I actually met Sandy Koufax, I was a Brooklyn Dodger fan, Sandy had just come to the Brooklyn Dodgers as a bonus baby,” Margolin said. “He was there with (Duke) Snyder, (Gil) Hodges, the rest of the team.”
Margolin, a Valley Stream resident, who takes part in programs offered by the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC in the Five Towns and a member of the Center for Adult Life Enrichment in Hewlett, was at the Long Island Ducks Jewish Heritage Night with his wife Ellen and members of other JCCs as well on Sunday. The Ducks have held the event for nearly a decade and the JCCs have been involved for the past three years.
“It gives me a chance to get out and identify with my fellow Jews, also to show that we are here and we’re not going anywhere,” he said
His favorite Jewish ballplayer is Hank Greenberg. He and Koufax are the
most recognizable Jewish baseball players.
The night however was much more than about baseball with the shadow of the Israel-Hamas hovering.
Along with the Gural JCC there was the Barry & Florence Friedberg JCC in Oceanside, Mid-Island Y JCC in Plainview, the Sid Jacobson JCC in Greenvale and the Suffolk Y HCC in Commack, which all partners with the UJA Federation of New York.
‘I think it’s incredible when the five Jewish community centers of Long
Island come together to show support for Israel and the Jewish community,” said Stacey Feldman, executive director the Gural JCC, which serves surrounding communities such as East Rockaway and Lynbrook. “We are united and stronger together, and it just makes a lot of sense to celebrate and commemorate together.”
The first favorite Jewish ballplayer that came to mind is Koufax, “along with our hometown hero Jacob Steinmetz,” Feldman added. The Woodmere resident and HAFTR High graduate
became the first Orthodox Jewish baseball player drafted. Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 he is currently pitching for their High-A Hillsboro team.
A somber tone embraced the ballpark when the family of Omer Neutra spoke to the crowd. Neutra, 22, of Plainview, is one of the eight Americans still held captive by Hamas.
“Having a Jewish Heritage Night anywhere is one of the most important things we can do to just reinforce that being Jewish we should be proud to be Jewish, and we’re friendly and want to make sure everybody gets along with each other,” said Rick Lewis, the CEO of the Mid-Island Y JCC.
Nearly 20 Jewish organizations joined forces to create the Long Island Jewish Coalition to advocate for Israel and to be “proactive instead of reactive to today’s current events,” Feldman said.
Dagan Cohen, who heads the Israel center at the Jacobson JCC, is also involved.
“We’re meeting all 19 organizations, all the JCCs, all the big organizations, every two weeks thinking together what can we do,” Cohen said, noting the fundraising.
There was also glatt kosher food, baseballs decorated with the American and Israeli flags and a baseball game. The Ducks lost 7-5 to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, but won their 10th series out of the past 11.
Elizabeth Bessen/Herald
Stacey Feldman, executive director of the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC, being interviewed at Jewish Heritage Night at the Long Island Ducks game. on Aug. 18.
Junior varsity hockey team captures Islander high school crown
By ANDREW FRANCIS Herald Intern
The Rockville Centre/East Rockaway/ Hewlett Cyclones junior varsity ice hockey team clinched the New York Islanders High School Hockey League Championship following a season marked by intense competition and steady progress.
The team, made up of 13- to 15-year-old players, pulled off a dominant playoff run, defying expectations as underdogs.
Sponsored and organized by the New York Islanders, the competition showcases the top high school and middle school hockey talent on Long Island. The league is divided into junior varsity, middle school and varsity divisions, with the Cyclones fielding teams in each.
To secure the championship, the team needed to beat the Plainview/Old Bethpage Hawks, who boasted the league’s best regular-season record, 17-1.
The title match began slowly, however, the Cyclones managed to muster up some early pressure against the Hawks goaltender, forcing 13 saves early into the game.
Following a scoreless first period, it was the Hawks who would strike first, nabbing the go-ahead goal less than two minutes into the second period.
But the lead was short-lived as the Cyclones responded 27 seconds later with a goal by Chase Oliverio of Rockville Centre to tie the game.
Things soon took a surprising turn as the Cyclones scored six unanswered goals
to establish a commanding 7-1 lead into the third period.
The Cyclones would extend their scoring streak to eight off a goal just 24 seconds into the third period.
Although the Hawks managed to rally back, scoring five more goals, including three off the power play, the Cyclones sealed their victory with a late unassisted goal by Gevin Cook, also of Rockville Centre, to win the championship, 9-6.
Five of the Cyclones players, all forwards, contributed to the victory. Nathan Sobel, led the team with a hat trick, Efraim Ilyaich, recorded two goals and two assists and George Chikvanaia, added a goal and three assists, tied for the team leader with four points each. Oliverio also scored two goals and Cook nabbed two
points for a goal and an assist.
Ilyaich, 14, of Hewlett, credited his team’s offensive surge to effective spacing, power play opportunities, and maintaining possession. He also highlighted the importance of winning faceoffs during opponents’ power plays, which helped mitigate the man disadvantage.
“The Hawks had some of the best players in the league,” he said. “No one actually thought we were going to play like we did, and it worked in our favor.”
Despite the high-scoring nature of the game, the Cyclones’ defense played a crucial role. Goalie Matthew Prezioso, of Rockville Centre, made 26 saves while playing all 45 minutes. Defenseman Ethan Epstein also played a significant part, contributing three assists.
“We all started moving the puck,” Ilyaich added. “We all started feeling each other towards the end, and that gave us our drive to win.”
The Cyclones finished the regular season with a record of 10-5-3 placing third in a competitive Western division. The team narrowly made the playoffs, edging out Bellmore/Merrick’s JV team by a single point.
Head coach Tim McManus, who has worked with all three Cyclones teams since 2018, emphasized the importance of turning the season around and making every game count.
“It was a very coachable group, which I believe always helps lead to improvement and eventual success,” McManus said.
He noted that the team’s attendance at practices improved as the season progressed, and the players became more receptive to coaching.
Lauren Sobel, a Hewlett parent, praised McManus and the coaching staff for maximizing each player’s potential.
As the Cyclones look ahead to next season, they face the challenge of replacing players who will age out of the JV league.
McManus said that tryouts later this month will determine the extent of roster changes, with several players likely moving up to the varsity team.
Ilyaich, who will be entering 10th grade, has already expressed his intention to join the varsity squad next season.
Photos courtesy RVC/East Rockaway/Hewlett Cyclones
STEPPING OUT
Forever in tune with the ‘World’s Greatest Entertainer’
AL JOLSON
tribute celebrates 25 years
Disco fever
Boogie along with Disco Unlimited at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. When Disco Unlimited hits the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes and your very best dance moves. And dance you will — when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins. Capturing a time in music that to this day has not been matched, the exhilarating band will draw you in with their powerful vocals, tight harmonies and dance grooves all coupled with a synchronized stage and light show that creates an unforgettable concert experience. Close your eyes and you will truly believe you are listening to the original artists. Hear the best of Tavares, France Jolie, The Trammps, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Yvonne Elliman, Anita Ward, Deney Terrio, George McCrae, Bonnie Pointer, Melba Moore, Maxine Nightingale, Carol Douglas, and so much more. This group of unique musicians love and live this era of music. As always, bring seating.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 7-9 p.m. For information, visit NassauCcountyNY. gov/parks.
By Iris Wiener
Al Jolson was considered the “Greatest Entertainer” of his day, so it is no surprise that the annual Long Island Jolson Festival
is celebrating 25 years next month, Sept. 7.
The unique and lively remembrance of the icon, who was a pioneer in many genres in the 1920s — including music, film (“The Jazz Singer”) and theater (“Hold on to Your Hats”) — will be filled with nostalgia, the musical stylings of beloved Jolson entertainer Tony Babino and by “Mr. Tin Pan Alley,” Richard Halpern, along with many memorable surprises.
The festival, which returns to Lambrou’s Catering Hall in Island Park, will also treat guests to comedic performances, an auction and the camaraderie of being in a space shared with like-minded Jolson enthusiasts. Jan Hernstat, the International Al Jolson Society’s longtime president, says that fans travel to Long Island for this special experience from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and even Virginia.
“Jolson was the biggest star of the ‘20s, ‘30s and much of the ‘40s,” says Hernstat. “The problem is people don’t remember him anymore because there’s no outlet for his work. He was a star before radio, television and talking movies. There was no internet, and yet people all over the world knew who he was! The Al Jolson Festival is our way of letting people know the kind of talent that he was, and the kind of things that he did. There’s still a lot of people who want to come and celebrate him.”
Hernstat has been organizing the event since its inception. “It’s amazing, and we’ve had a lot of different people join us over the years. Soupy Sales, Margaret Whiting, Sheldon Harnick,” he recalls.
• Sept. 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Tickets are $49.95, which includes entertainment and meals; tickets for show only are $29.95
• Information and tickets available at Jolson.org or call Jan Hernstat at (516) 678-3524.
• Lambrou’s Catering Hall, 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park
To everyone’s delight, mainstay Babbino — aka “The Heart of Al Jolson” — is always the grand finale.
“I’ve had the great honor of being a part of it all these years,” says Babino as he considers his history with the festival. “It’s a great tribute to one of the greatest entertainers, and it’s something special to me because I’ve been paying tribute to Jolson my entire life. To be able to do it continually for the people who appreciate it, it’s really an amazing thing for me to experience.”
Hernstat wanted to focus on comedy this year. He’s brought in impressionists taking on Groucho Marx, Rodney Dangerfield and Laurel & Hardy.
“We’re going to recreate a radio skit that was done on ‘Kraft Music Hall’ between Jolson and Groucho,” Hernstat says. “We have an actual script!”
And, of course, there’s memorabilia available for sale, as always. This year’s selection includes items from a long time collector who passed.
“There are many things you couldn’t get otherwise. Between the auction and the sale, there’s going to be an awful lot of things Jolson fans can take advantage of,” Hernstat adds.
“It’s important to keep Jolson’s legacy alive for so many reasons, besides his one-of-a-kind, unique voice that’s easily recognizable,” Babino says.”He came to the U.S. as a little kid and went on to live the American dream. He did it all on his own. He became the biggest star in the country — on Broadway and then in the movies. At a time when it was very difficult to get to New York from other places, Jolson came up with the idea to take a full Broadway show on the road. That became the forerunner of the touring companies we have today. He was the first guy to go overseas and sing for the troops in World War II. He accomplished all these things [and many more] and he was kind of a forefather of modern show business.”
Participating yearly is truly a labor of love for the vocalist.
“We get such joy out of making it fun and interesting, performing some of the great and familiar music that people still love. We make a great day of it,” Babino says.
Hernstat remains intent on keeping Jolson’s legacy front and center in the public eye.
“If you are a lover of old time nostalgic stars of the past, you should not miss this,” he says with enthusiasm. “You’re going to want to come back again and again. We hope to continue to do this year after year, but don’t miss this one. It’s one for the ages!”
‘Good
times never seemed so good’
Neil Diamond is certainly forever — as honored by the musicians who perform as Neil Forever. The 14-piece band delivers an authentic, exciting and joyful concert. Performing Diamond’s music is as much about heart and soul as it is talent; it’s a celebration of the music and the man who created it. Founder David Jacobson (lead vocals/guitar), has a great passion for Diamond’s music and legacy. Jacobson, along with his son and music director Dylan Jacobson and drummer John Cardoso began their journey only recently, in January of 2023. The band is already forging an exciting path, as discovered by excited and passionate fans of all ages. Audiences are thrilled by the authentic renditions of classic Neil Diamond hits, especially“Sweet Caroline,” of course.
Saturday, Aug. 24, 8 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY. com.
Singer Tony B is the featured performer, yearly, acclaimed for his renditions of Jolson’s standards.
Photos courtesy Jan Hernstat Al Jolson with his third wife dancer/actress Ruby Keeler.
THE Your Neighborhood
Aug. 30
Dweezil zappa
Guitarist Dweezil Zappa brings the aptly named “Rox-Postrophy” Tour to the Paramount stage, Friday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. Zappa is celebrating two of his father Frank Zappa’s landmark albums, “Roxy & Elsewhere” and “Apostrophe.”
The tour commemorates the 50th Anniversary of both albums and Zappa has curated a setlist highlighting fan-favorite tracks from each record, replete with unique hybrid arrangements.
“The songs you think you know, may just end up surprising you with parts you’ve never heard before” according to Zappa.
A Grammy-winning musician, Zappa has left an indelible mark on the music industry with over 2,000 concerts performed worldwide. Known for his masterful performances and deep connection to his father’s music, he returning to concert stages for the first time since the 2020 Hot Ratz Live! Tour, continuing to guide fans through the thrilling and sophisticated world of his father’s music. His virtuosity on the guitar is matched only by his prolific compositional skills, which have generated numerous original works spanning multiple albums including “Confessions of Deprived Youth” (1991) and “Via Zammata” (2015). His music effortlessly traverses genres, seamlessly weaving together elements of rock, fusion, and experimental sounds, all while maintaining a signature style that is unmistakably his own. In addition to his solo work, Zappa has collaborated with an impressively varied roster of artists, including Edward Van Halen, Deep Purple, Lisa Loeb, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Steve Vai, among others. $89, $79.50, $69.50, $59.50, $49. 50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Bird walk
See some birds with the South Shore Audubon Society. All are welcome to join members for the next in its series of bird walks, at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, Sunday, Aug. 25, starting at 9 a.m. The group meets at the gazebo. The park is on the north side of Merrick Road, four blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway.
Walk leaders, other birders and nature enthusiasts are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. Bring binoculars. To register, text your name and contact information to (516) 467-9498. No walk if rain. Text regarding questionable weather. For more information, visit SSAudubon.org.
Hewlett Fire Department Breakfast Connect
Join the Hewlett Fire Department for the weekly breakfast connect on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 8-9 a.m. The breakfast meeting is free and open to everyone in the community. Hewlett Fire Department at the Benjamin J. Moleno Hall, 25 Franklin Avenue, Hewlett. For more information and to reserve a spot, call or text Andrew Leibowitz at (516) 790-4829.
Rockin’ Labor Day
Rock on at Point Lookout for a rousing Labor Day weekend celebration, at Town Park Point Lookout, with Mike DelGuidice, Saturday, Aug. 31, 8 p.m. The free concert, hosted by the Town of Hempstead, concludes with a fireworks show.
DelGuidice, known for his appearances with Billy Joel, captivates audiences all over with his renditions of the Joel hits, along with his own tunes. 1300 Lido Blvd. in Point Lookout. For information, visit toh.li.
Sunny Atlantic 5K Run/Walk
Sunny Atlantic Beach Club holds its Annual 5K Run & Family Walk, Sunday, Sept. 29, 8:30 a.m. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. and post-race refreshments will be served. Awards will be given out and free finish line photos will be taken. Register online at CommunityChestSS.org, for more information call (516) 374-5800. Sunny Atlantic Beach Club, 2035 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach.
“CLOSE TO HOME” MOVIES
Movie Night
Enjoy a film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, at the closing screening of the season, Wednesday, Aug. 28, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See “Wonka,” the prequel based on the Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” It tells the story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, the big screen spectacle introduces audiences to a young Willy Wonka, chockfull of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Concert series
The Village of Cedarhurst 27th annual “Tuesday Night Concerts under the Gazebo series continues, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 7 p.m., with Jewish Night presented by Gourmet Glatt, at Andrew J. Parise Park. Mordechai Shapiro performs. With kids pre-show.
Movie in the park
Enjoy summer’s end with a viewing of the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” at North Woodmere Park, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 8:15 p.m. This movie is presented by Nassau County’s “Close To Home Tuesdays” series, beginning at dusk, weather permitting. This is a free event and make sure to bring blankets and chairs for the coziest experience. 750 Hungry Harbor Rd. For more information call (516) 572-0200.
Hewlett Bagel Boss Concert Series
Bagel Boss of Hewlett continues its concert series, Saturday, Aug. 24. 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Acoustic Bam performs. For more information call (516)-569-8600. 1352 Peninsula Blvd, Hewlett.
Game Time
Play canasta, mah jongg or Scrabble during in-person game time, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2-4:30 p.m., in the Bentley Room of Peninsula Public Library. 280 Central Ave., Lawrence. Seating limited. First come, first seated.
Having an event?
Defensive Driving Class
Brush up on your driving skills with a Defensive Driving Course, Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m., atMarion & Aaron Gural JCC. The course, conducted by Morris Wargo, is approved by the NYS-DMV and recognized by all state auto insurers. Recieve 10% discount off your liability, PIP and collision insurance on all your vehicles for up to threeyears, upon completion. $70 course fee; pre-registration is required. To register, email rachayle. deutsch@guraljcc.org., 207 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst.
Cedarhurst Park Car Show
Check out the vehicles at Cedarhurst Park, Sunday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration for cars and motorcycles is $15. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Autism. 35 Cedarhurst Ave., Cedarhurst. Contact Al at (516) 455-9676.
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 exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Art talk
Grab your lunch and join Nassau County Museum of Art Docent Riva Ettus for her popular “Brown Bag Lecture” at the museum, Thursday, Sept. 5, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol.” Participants are invited to ask questions at the end of the in-depth program and also participate in a guided exhibition tour following the lecture. No registration required, but limited seating. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
At the movies
Band together for a song-filled night when the Village of Cedarhurst presents a screening of the DreamWorks movie “Trolls Band Together,” Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m., atAndrew J. Parise Park, The pre-show is a performance from Warren Levi Martial Arts at 7:45 p.m. Rain dates: Thursday, Aug. 29 or Sunday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. 235 Cedarhurst Ave.
service and contributions to programming. Director
Millie Beck, Ruth Hirsch and Mira
celebrated
accomplishments at the Seawane Club.
A true friend to HewlettWoodmere Public Library
Iris Gorenberg, a member of Friends of Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, has lived up to the group’s name.
Library leaders took to the Seawane Club in Helwett Harbor for a celebration of Iris’ contributions to the organization, on July 19.
“In recognition of your love and dedication throughout many years of service by recommending outstanding programs to our community,” Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library wrote on a certificate of honor and apprecia-
tion, presented to Iris.
Over the years in her position as vice president of programming and founder of ‘Discussers’ a book-club-like-group, which has stood the test of time for 25 years, Iris has brought in interesting speakers, art experts, historians and writers of all genres, her daughter Robin Gorenberg wrote in an email.
Iris also lead a painting class, with concluded with a well-attended student art show, at the end of each series, Robin said. — Parker Schug
State grants $500,000 to Far Rockaway hospital
St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, which is part of Episcopal Health Services, will receive $500,000 in state funding attained by Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.
The money will support the development of the hospital’s new Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum. A ceremonial check presentation took place on Aug. 6. The goal is to provide the Rockaway Peninsula, Five Towns and surrounding communities with the highestquality healthcare.
“We are incredibly grateful to NYS Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato for her ongoing support of EHS and the construction of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s new state-of-the-art LDRP unit,” Dr. Donald Morrish, Episcopal Health Services CEO, said in a news release. “This generous contribution will significantly bolster EHS’ ongoing efforts to enhance women’s healthcare services and address the critical needs on the Rockaway Peninsula and beyond. Assembly Member Pheffer Amato has been a faithful supporter of EHS and we are truly appreciative of her long lasting commit-
ment to us and the community at large.”
“It’s my pleasure to donate $500,000 to make sure this unit is everything you want it to be,” Amato said in the release. She was born in the hospital. “This is a magnificent health facility and I am so proud to continue supporting every inch of its growth.”
Construction of St. John’s LDRP unit began in May. The state-of-the-art facility will offer enhanced comfort, privacy, continuity of care, and specialized services for mothers and babies who require extra support. The unit is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
“With construction of our LDRP unit now underway, this donation marks an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare services for women and families in the Rockaways,” Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau, EHS chairwoman, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, said in the release. “We deeply appreciate the continued efforts and contributions from Assembly Member Pheffer Amato, our community, government partners and private donors.”
— Jeffrey Bessen
Courtesy Robin Gorenberg Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library honored Iris Gorenberg, bottom row, for her years of
Michelle Young, top left, Carlene Torron,
Sennett,
Iris’
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
NASSAU COUNTY
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL LOAN TRUST
2018-2, Plaintiff against ILYUSHA KHAIMOV, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF RAKHMIN KHAIMOV, DECEASED, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 28, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 4, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 266 Randall Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559-1231. Sec 40 Block 20 Lot 35 and 36. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate lying and being at Lawrence, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $383,964.81 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 603624/2022.
During the COVID-19 health emergency, Bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of the sale including but not limited to wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Should a bidder fail to comply, the Referee may refuse to accept any bid, cancel the closing and hold the bidder in default. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Darice Guzman Piotrowski, Esq., Referee File # NY202300000275-1 148203
LEGAL NOTICE
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2005-11, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-11, Plaintiffagainst - DARRYL MARCIE GREENBAUM GREEENSTEIN, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on June 6, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or Shine” on the 4th day of September, 2024 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Cedarhurst, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
Premises known as 588 Broadway, Cedarhurst, NY 11516.
(Section: 39, Block: 392, Lot: 463)
Approximate amount of lien $116,259.97 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 616924/2022.
Leslie S. Lowenstein, Esq., Referee.
McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170
Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: June 25, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.
148189
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
NATIONSTAR
MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST JOSEPH DELUCA, PAULA DELUCA, ET AL., Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 6, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 4, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 11 AVON ROAD, HEWLETT, NY 11557. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Hewlett, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, Section 39, Block 439, Lot 15. Approximate amount of judgment $661,525.22 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #002527/2017. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Dan Blumenthal, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-000653 81654 148179
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HERBY GIVEN that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Hewlett Bay Fire District in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, at a meeting held on the 11th of August 2024, duly adopted the following. Resolution, subject to permissive referendum, authorizing the expenditure of monies from the Hewlett Bay Fire District Capital Reserve Technology Fund to purchase Mobile Data Terminals and any necessary mounting equipment for its frontline apparatus at a cost not to exceed $30,000. The equipment will be maintained at the Hewlett Bay Fire District Headquarters, 25 Franklin Ave, Hewlett New York 11557. A complete copy of the Resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours (M-F 9am-2pm) at the office of
the Hewlett Bay Fire District Secretary for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice.
Dated: Hewlett, New York.
August 11, 2024 /s/ Michael Ahern, Fire District Secretary. 148568
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on the annual estimate of proposed expenditures and revenues of Sanitary District No. 14, Town of Hempstead for the period beginning January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025 will be held on September 5, 2024 commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the at the offices of Sanitary District No. 14, 2150 Bay Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, New York. Notice is further given that at the aforesaid public hearing the District may find it necessary to exceed the tax cap and may resolve to override the same as to the District’s annual budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and terminating December 31, 2025. A copy of the proposed expenditures and revenues will be available for public inspection at the offices of the District between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. commencing August 19,2024 and up to the date and time of hearing. The District reserves the right to limit the time made available to any person appearing at the hearing and wishing to present comment regarding the District’s proposed budget.
Dated:August 19, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SANITARY DISTRICT NO. 14, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD. 148567
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, September 12, 2024
Place: _DISTRICT OFFICE
Melissa Rivelli, District Secretary 148570
LEGAL NOTICE
INC. VILLAGE OF ATLANTIC BEACH PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT the Board of Trustees of the Village of Atlantic Beach will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 7:30 PM in the Village Hall, 65 The Plaza, Atlantic Beach, NY to
amend the Code of the Village of Atlantic Beach Chapter 235- Vehicles and Traffic - 235-54 Stop Intersections. A copy of the text will be on file in the office of the Village Clerk. At such public hearing all interested persons will have an opportunity to be heard.
Dates: August 12, 2024 By Order of the Board of Trustees Emily Siniscalchi, Village Clerk 148569
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Commissioners of The Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District will conduct a Public Hearing at the office of the District, located at 2150 Bay Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, New York, on September 5, 2024, 5:00 PM, for the purpose of adopting the 2025 Annual Budget for the District.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the proposed budget will be available for inspection at the above offices of the District between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday to Friday, except holidays. By Order of the Board of Commissioners
The Greater Atlantic Beach Water Reclamation District BY:Scott Mason, Chairman BY: Arnold Geller, Vice Chairman BY:Anthony Licatesi, Secretary
Dated:Atlantic Beach, New York
August 22, 2024 148566
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 4th day of September, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations: BALDWIN
ATLANTIC AVENUE (TH 295/24) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Grand Avenue, then west for a distance of 45 feet.
EAST MEADOW
MARIAN COURT (TH 332/24) North Side -
NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Prospect Avenue east for a distance of 55 feet.
INWOOD LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 32 feet.
LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) East SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the south curbline of Pearl Street, south for a distance of 42 feet.
LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 30 feet.
LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 110feet north of the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 26 feet.
LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at a point 156 feet north of the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 30 feet.
LEVITTOWN MILLER PLACE (TH 317/24) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Elm Place for a distance of 50 feet.
HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE (TH 334/24) North SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 175 feet east of the east curbline of Loring Road, east for a distance of 56 feet.
LIDO BEACH
EDEN ROAD (TH 308/24) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Blackheath Road North, east for a distance of 30 feet.
MERRICK SMITH STREET (TH 304/24) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting at the east curbline of Babylon Turnpike, east for a distance of 35 feet.
CAMP AVENUE (TH 305/24) South SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Meadowbrook Road, east for a distance of 50 feet.
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: August 6, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 148528
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 4th day of September, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Chapter 202 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at the following locations:
EAST MEADOW Section 202-24
CAMBRIDGE STREET (TH 313/24) North SideNO PARKING 8AM TO 4PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 9 feet west of the west curbline of McKinley Avenue, then west for a distance of 46 feet.
HEWLETT Section 202-16
MIDGELY DRIVE (TH 314/24) South SideNO PARKING 12 MIDNIGHT TO 8AMstarting at a point 50 feet east of the east curbline of East Broadway, then east for a distance of 480 feet.
THOMAS STREET (TH 322/24) West SideONE HOUR PARKING 9AM TO 5PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at the south curbline of Franklin Avenue,then south for a distance of 273 feet.
THOMAS STREET (TH 322/24) West SideONE HOUR PARKING 9AM TO 5PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 5 feet north of the north curbline of Crescent Street, then north for a distance of 110 feet.
VIAN AVENUE (TH 331/24) East SideNO PARKING 8:30AM TO 11:30AM - starting at point 15 feet north of the north curbline of Eric Avenue, north for a distance of 148 feet.
INWOOD
LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) West SideSection 202-21 THREE HOUR PARKING 8AM TO 6PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at a point 30 feet north of the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 80 feet.
LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 269/24) West SideTHREE HOUR PARKING 8AM TO 6PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - startingat a point 136 feet north of the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 20 feet.
LEVITTOWN
Section 202-23 (TH 334/24) North Side30 MINUTE PARKING BETWEEN SIGNS 7AM TO 7PM -starting from the east curbline of Loring Road, east for a distance of 170 feet.
HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE (TH 334/24) North Side30 MINUTE PARKING BETWEEN SIGNSstarting at a point 40 feet west of the west curbline of Wolcott Road, west for a distance of 195 feet.
NORTH VALLEY STREAM Section 202-18
MILBURN ROAD (TH 333/24) South SideNO PARKING ANYTIME EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYSstarting at a point 30 feet west of the west curbline of Franklin Avenue, then west for a distance of 75 feet.
ALSO, to REPEAL from Chapter 202 “REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking from the following locations: EAST MEADOW Section 202-24
CAMBRIDGE STREET (TH 535/22) North SideNO PARKING 8AM TO 4PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYSstarting at a point 9 feet west of the west curbline of Mckinley Avenue, then west for a distance of 74 feet.
(Adopted 12/06/22)
HEWLETT Section 202-16
MIDGELY DRIVE (TH 374/16) South SideNO PARKING 12 MIDNIGHT TO 8AMstarting at a point 50 feet east of the east curbline of Broadway, east for a distance of 433 feet.
(Adopted 11/29/16) THOMAS STREET (TH 354/78) West SideONE HOUR PARKING 9AM TO 5PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS - starting at the north curbline of Crescent Street, then north to the south curbline of Franklin Avenue.
(Adopted 1/16/79) VIAN AVENUE (TH 528/07) East SideNO PARKING 8:30AM TO 11:30AM - starting at a point 15 feet north of the north curbline of Eric Avenue, north for a distance of 262 feet.
(Adopted 2/5/08)
LEVITTOWN Section 202-23
MARGINAL ROAD (TH 132/66) North SideONE HALF HOUR PARKING 7AM TO 7PMstarting at a point 40 feet west of the west curbline of Wolcott Road, west to the east curbline of Loring Road.
(Adopted 6/14/66)
NORTH VALLEY STREAM Section 202-18
MILBURN ROAD (TH 387/99) South SideNO PARKING 12 NOON TO 3PM EXCEPT SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYSstarting at point 30 feet west of the west curbline
ICARE, St. John’s is ‘here in the community’
By Taylor Bianca Grayson Correspondent
There were backpacks filled with school supplies, attractions, including archery and onsite health screenings as the grounds in and around St. John’s Hospital hosted its eighth annual ICARE Foundation Back to School Wellness event.
Health-related materials were available and families could also book pediatric appointments on Aug. 16, which was done by students from Ross University, the teaching center across from the Far Rockaway hospital.
The annual event is geared towards supporting families on the Rockaway Peninsula, the Five Towns and surrounding areas with back-to-school preparation. By providing essential school supplies and wellness information to families, the ICARE (Innovation, Compassion, Respect, and Empathy) Foundation aims to forge neighborhood bonds, while making community and wellness interchangeable.
Through offering health appointments, screenings and other wellness
materials the goal is to promote healthier communities and ensure that community members feel ade -
Public Notices
of Franklin Avenue, then west for a distance of 75 feet.
(Adopted 2/29/00)
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: August 6, 2024
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 148527
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
that a public hearing will be held as to the following matter:
Agency: Board of Appeals
Village of Woodsburgh
Date: August 27, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Village Hall, 30 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett, New York
Subject: Application of contract vendees, Martin and Joan Kessler, 184 Bay Drive, Woodsburgh, New York, to construct additions to the existing single-family dwelling, which requires variances of the following Village Code sections: (a)
150-11(A), the proposed addition will be located 13.78 feet from the side property line, where the minimum setback of 20 feet is required, (b) 150-39(B), where the proposed impervious surface coverage will be 10,855 square feet, where a maximum of
8,764.2 square feet is permitted. Premises are also known as Section 41, Block 110, Lot 07 on the Nassau County Land and Tax Map.
At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matters. This application is a Type II Action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
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: August 14, 2024 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Michelle Blandino, Village Clerk 148565
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 4th day of September, 2024, at
10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:
EAST MEADOW
MARIAN COURT - north side, starting at a point 55 feet east of the east curbline of Prospect Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-332/24)
ELMONT
BRADFORD AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 75 feet west of the west curbline of Melrose Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-341/24)
COURT STREET - south side, starting at a point 29 feet east of the east curbline of Covert Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-311/24)
TRAVIS AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 455 feet south of the south curbline of Surprise Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-316/24)
VIRGINIA DRIVE - east side, starting at a point 148 feet west of the west curbline of Robert Avenue, north for for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-310/24)
HEWLETT
THOMAS STREET - west side, starting at a point 273 feet south of the south curbline of Franklin Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-322/24)
ROOSEVELT
EAST PENNYWOOD
AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 169 feet east of the east curbline of Park Avenue, east for a distance of 18 feet.
(TH-318/24)
BRANCH PLACE - north side, starting at a point 50 feet east of the east curbline of Linden Place, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-283/24)
UNION STREET - west side, starting at a point 181 feet south of the south curbline of Forest Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-347/24)
UNIONDALE
PEMBROOK STREETnorth side, starting at a point 40 feet east of the east curbline of Ruxton Street, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-292/24)
WEST HEMPSTEAD
EUSTON ROAD SOUTHeast side, starting at a point 75 feet south of the south curbline of 7th Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-281/24)
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: August 6, 2024
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 148534
ing America and Healthfirst. Over 100 people were in attendance throughout the five-hour event, mostly children and their families. The foundation’s members and the medical students oversaw basketball, archery and baseball. Music blasted and there was much chatter during the games.
Leghart noted that such events build awareness that St. John’s is a part of the community.
“First of all, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital is here in the Rockaways and we’re here to help you,” she said. “We’re really showing people that we care. We want people to know that they can trust us for their medical care. We hope to be bigger and better next year.”
The event is growing and appears to need a larger venue, then immediately outside the hospital, Leghart added.
hird-year Ross University medical student Yasmine Chervin worked the event and is currently fulfilling her core rotations at the hospital.
quately supported by them.
“The key moments of the event are really the families getting that health information and of course the kids getting their snow cones!” said Nancy Leghart, ICARE’s executive director. “That’s probably the highlight of the event, but they need to work for that snow cone!”
After walking around gathering health information, booking any necessary appointments, kids received a “report card” and stamps, their free backpack, and a VIP ticket to grab a snow cone. With a long list of flavors and an even longer line, Pelican’s Snoballs were surely the star of the evening, as predicted.
The foundation partnered with a few groups, including National Grid, Scout-
“I do believe that this community is underserved a lot so it’s great to be a part of,” Chervinsaid. I think we do a great job reaching out to the community and helping them because the need is present.”
The connection between community and St. John’s might have been solidified as
Dr. Donald Morrish, CEO of Episcopal Health Services, the organization that runs the hospital, handed out backpacks to families.
“Healthcare is not just about a person,” he said. “You must look at the whole person. Whether you have affordability, housing, issues otherwise we want to help you. We don’t see you just as patients but members of our community. We’re here in the community because we are the community.”
Taylor Bianca Grayson/Herald photos
Dr. Donald Morrish, CEO of Episcopal Health Services, talked to children and families at the ICARE Foundation Back to School Wellness event on Aug. 16
Later Robin Hoods-in-training day at the Back to School Wellness event outside of St. John’s Hospital received help from Michael Williams, right, council commissioner of the Theodore Roosevelt Council for Scouting America and Peter Shields the assistant council commissioner.
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
$20 - $25/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
Email: info@bellautoschool.com
EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!
RESPONSIBILITIES: Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.
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HomesHERALD
Waterfront Beauty
Welcome to your exclusive oceanfront retreat, where luxury and coastal living converge in perfect harmony. This magnificent townhouse offers four bedrooms and three full bathrooms, providing ample space for both relaxation and entertaining. From the moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by hardwood floors and captivated by the panoramic views of the ocean that grace every corner of this exquisite home. The main living area features a spacious and inviting layout, complete with an oceanfront terrace, and a cozy gas fireplace that adds warmth and charm to the space. The upper level of this unit is an exclusive primary retreat with another private
sun while taking in the stunning ocean views from the two private terraces attached to this home. With four parking spaces, including an attached garage, parking is never a concern, ensuring convenience and ease for you and your guests. Whether you're a car enthusiast or simply value the convenience of ample parking, this townhouse has you covered.
Do we have to replace all the windows?
Q. We have been told that when we add to our second floor, over our one-story garage, we will have to change every window in the house so we can meet the “egress” code. This is going to make our project out of budget, so we have to ask somebody else to know whether this is the case, and whether there’s any way we can keep the windows we have. There is nothing wrong with them, and it seems like a lot of cost when, if we left everything alone, we apparently wouldn’t have to do this. Can you explain this?
A. You don’t need to change every window in your home. You got the easy, simple answer, which was wrong or, at best, only partially right, and misleading. If everything could be explained with a simple answer, like the black-and-white, all-ornothing answer that you received, the world would be a simpler place. But nothing is simple, and, unfortunately, regulations on windows, which make sense, were not explained to you correctly.
First, the building codes exist for occupant and public safety. You need to be able to escape in an emergency, and you also may need to be rescued. Picture a big firefighter with his equipment strapped to him, trying to get in to save a child who is huddled, as many will do, in a closet.
Window size regulations in the building codes for escape and rescue were changed with the issuance of the 2003 version. In that updated code, the previous clear opening size was 4 square feet, but it was changed to 5.7 square feet for floors above or below the first floor. The first-floor windows for habitable spaces were then upgraded to 5 square feet clear opening from 4 square feet. This became required if more than 50 percent of the building was being physically altered, or if the occupancy use of a room changed, such as changing a den to a guest room. All bedrooms are now required, in new construction, to have 5.7-square-foot openings with a minimum height of 24 inches and a minimum width of the clear opening, with the window in the open position, of 20 inches.
Now that you have processed that information, the key is “habitable” versus “non-habitable.” Your bathrooms, laundry room and kitchen are not habitable rooms and are not sleeping rooms. The windows in those non-habitable rooms do not have to comply, and need not be changed. Rooms like your dining area, living room and family room may have access to the outside by doors, so those windows do not need to be changed. This leaves the bedrooms, which may need to be changed, but if the area you are adding over your garage does not constitute 50 percent of the dwelling, the new windows need to be 5.7 square feet, but the ones in the old bedrooms do not. Appendix J allows for the existing windows to remain. Calculate the new areas and compare. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Save a life: drive above the influence
On June 28, the driver of a speeding SUV plowed into a Deer Park nail salon, killing four people, including off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack. Authorities say the driver of the car, a 64-year-old Dix Hills resident, was intoxicated, and had consumed 18 beers just the night before.
Sadly, this tragedy is not unique, as fatal traffic collisions involving intoxicated and impaired drivers have surged on Long Island since the coronavirus pandemic.
Last Aug. 7, an 18-year-old Freeport man was intoxicated when he raced through a red light in West Hempstead and crashed into a parked car, killing Katerine Vanges Hernandez just two days before her seventh birthday.
Just a day earlier, a 33-year-old man from Lindenhurst was under the influence of fentanyl and cocaine when he rocketed his car into a vehicle stopped at a traffic light. The violent collision killed U.S. Marine veteran Patrice Huntley, his 13-year-old daughter, Hannah, his 10-yearold son, Jeremiah, and, eventually, his 6-year-old step-granddaughter Chantel,
Mwho succumbed to her injuries six days later. The driver reportedly reached a speed of 120 miles per hour, and failed to brake until a half-second before impact, hitting the Huntley family car at 95 mph.
Each of these tragedies was devastating, and perhaps even worse, they were all preventable. As news headlines remind us daily, families will have to live the rest of their lives with the physical, mental and emotional trauma and irreparable loss caused by someone else’s poor judgment.
AAccording to a recent report from State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, the pandemic had a negative impact on traffic safety in New York. From 2019 to 2022, the report stated, the state saw a 45 percent increase in the number of fatalities involving drivers with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit, which is 12 percentage points above the national average. In 2022, about two-thirds of traffic fatalities in New York involved a combination of unsafe speeding and alcohol.
changed significantly. Of the drivers who remained on the roads, some engaged in riskier behavior including speeding, failure to wear seat belts, and driving under the influence.”
recent increase in fatalities on the road has been attributed to riskier driving.
According to a recent Newsday report, lawmakers and safe-driving advocates are renewing calls to lower New York’s legal blood alcohol content level from 0.08 to 0.05 percent. But this policy change would place a disproportionate burden on law enforcement. Traffic stops, checkpoints and arrests have their place, but are just one piece of the trafficsafety puzzle.
The state Department of Motor Vehicles and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee could and should be doing more to promote programming and resources to ensure driver, pedestrian and road safety. Culturally, the DMV has been reduced to a bureaucratic, inconvenient, soul-sucking entity, and appears to be divorced from proactive efforts to ensure safety on the roads.
program needs to be better promoted and advertised, and made more accessible.
Safe-driving advocates such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving are also calling for the widespread implementation of driver assistance, monitoring and alcohol-detection systems in vehicles across the U.S.
Driver-assistance technology enables a car to take action such as lane-keeping assistance and collision intervention. Driver monitoring systems include cameras or other sensors that monitor such things as eye movement without compromising privacy, advocates say. Alcoholdetection sensors in the vehicle determine whether a driver is drunk, keeping the public safe while ensuring privacy.
Many of these technologies are on the way, as the Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 authorized the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete a rule-making process and issue final safety standards for impaired-driving-prevention technology on all new cars by November 2024.
The recent increase in fatalities has been attributed to increased risks taken by drivers. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states, “After the declaration of the public health emergency in March 2020, driving patterns and behaviors in the U.S.
For example, the DMV has an Impaired Driver Program available not only through court mandates, but to anyone who wants to join voluntarily. The IDP offers in-depth education on alcohol and other drugs to help participants identify and change high-risk behavior. The
No matter your preference or politics, it will take a comprehensive, all-handson-deck effort to ensure that more children and families are not harmed, and that the victims of these fatal collisions did not die in vain.
Karl A. Valere is chief of staff and senior policy adviser of Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson. He lives in Baldwin.
Students learn history in English, too
y love of reading and history began when I was about 16. Enrolled in an Advanced Placement English class at my high school, I was blessed to have an amazing teacher who taught me how to make sense of the things I read, and consequently fostered my love of writing. It was around then that I began to develop an understanding of things I could never relate to, of experiences I could never begin to comprehend.
A book, or rather a memoir, that left a lasting impression on me was “Black Boy,” by Richard Wright, published in 1945. It depicts Wright’s upbringing in the South and his eventual move to Chicago, where he embarks on a writing career and becomes involved with the Communist Party of the United States.
It’s a difficult but impressive read that dives into Wright’s honest and poignant depiction of racism in the U.S. It pulls at your heartstrings as you read about the considerable distress that Wright experi-
enced — physically, mentally and emotionally — throughout his early life.
The book was both critically acclaimed and strongly disliked. It has frequently ended up on banned-book lists in schools and libraries in a number of states, with those opposed to it arguing that its raw depiction of racism is worthy of censorship.
An early challenge to the book came in 1972 in Michigan, as parents claimed it was unsuitable for teens. A few years later, it was challenged by schools in Louisiana and Tennessee.
s
ome subject matter should make us uncomfortable, but that’s OK.
It was one of the books that parents of students at Island Trees High School — right here on Long Island — wanted removed from the school’s library in 1975. They characterized “Black Boy” and 10 other books as “antiAmerican, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, and just plain filthy.”
That, of course, eventually led to a landmark case in the Supreme Court, the first of its kind to consider the right to receive information in a library under the First Amendment. The court’s decision in 1982 was split, leaving the scope of the right unclear even today.
Across the U.S., there have been more
frequent reports in recent years of books being removed from school shelves, many with content that revolves around race, sexual orientation and gender identity. In Florida alone in 2021 and 2022, school districts instituted 357 bans, according to PEN America, the organization that promotes free expression and protects writers and artists.
As a reader, and a huge supporter of public education, I find the subject of book bans tricky.
I think schools set appropriate standards for what students read throughout the course of their education. The content of books they’re assigned often corresponds well with what they’re learning in history classes, thus fostering a well-rounded understanding of a variety of subjects. By the time most students are in late middle school and high school, their brains are developed enough to understand themes, identify imagery and symbolism, and analyze and evaluate ideas they’ve found in texts. No matter how intense a book’s subject, a student should be able to not only make sense of it, but learn from it.
That’s the magic of reading.
When I think about books like “Black
Boy,” and why they’ve resonated with me all these years later, much of it has to do with comfort. Reading about the atrocities of our past is never easy. Simply put: Some subject matter should make us uncomfortable, but that’s OK. It’s through reading that we learn, and how can we ever learn if censorship runs rampant?
The New York State Legislature has fought book bans, introducing legislation that protects a child’s right to read. There have been no fewer than 13 book bans in four school districts, and the issue has played out in school board meetings and social media, even here on Long Island.
Understanding today’s societal and political landscape is tough, but the foundations of the past can help us make sense of it. As students and young people begin to navigate the complexities of society, it is crucial that their freedom to read, and to be exposed to diverse perspectives, is protected.
It is only through understanding our past and confronting uncomfortable truths that we can move toward building a more inclusive, and more informed, future.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow Heralds. Comments? jvallone@ liherald.com.
KARL A. VALERE
HERALD
HeraLd editoriaL
A relief for Long Island’s senior community
For years, Long Island’s seniors have faced a daunting challenge: the ever-rising cost of prescription medications. In a region where the cost of living already stretches many budgets to the breaking point, our elderly neighbors have often been forced to make impossible choices between their health and their financial stability. now, however, there is a ray of hope on the horizon for nassau and Suffolk counties’ substantial senior population.
The federal government’s recent announcement of negotiated prices for 10 commonly prescribed medications under Medicare marks a significant turning point. For Long Island, where nearly one in five residents is over age 65, this change promises real, tangible benefits.
Consider the impact on our community. The price of Eliquis, a blood thinner used by thousands of area seniors to prevent strokes, will be slashed by 56 percent. For a retiree on a fixed income, that could mean a savings of nearly $3,500 a year — money that can now go toward other essentials like food and utilities, or even small luxuries that improve quality of life.
Similarly, a 66 percent price reduction for Jardiance, a crucial medication for diabetes and heart failure, could be life-changing for many of our neighbors. With diabetes affecting a significant portion of the elderly population, this price cut could mean the difference between managing the condition effectively and facing severe health compli-
cations.
And the benefits extend beyond individual savings. By reducing the financial strain of medication costs, we may see improved adherence to prescribed treatment plans among our senior population. That could lead to better health outcomes, and potentially reduce the burden on our local health care systems, including hospitals like Mt. Sinai South nassau and northwell.
Moreover, these savings could have a ripple effect throughout our local economy. When our seniors have more disposable income, they’re more likely to patronize local businesses, contributing to the vitality of our communities.
It is crucial, however, to address the concerns raised by some about the potential impact on pharmaceutical innovation when the federal government steps in to negotiate drug prices. Critics argue that negotiated prices could stifle research and development, potentially depriving us of future breakthrough treatments.
While this concern is valid, it’s important to put it in perspective. The pharmaceutical industry remains highly profitable, with margins that far exceed most other sectors of the economy. Many breakthrough drugs have been developed with significant public funding through institutions like the national Institutes of Health. And the negotiated prices, while lower, will still provide these companies with substantial revenue.
Furthermore, we must weigh the hypothetical loss of future innovations
against the very real, immediate benefit to our community. For the senior you know who has been cutting pills in half to make them last longer, or the retiree next door who has been skipping doses to stretch their budget, these price reductions aren’t just numbers — they’re a lifeline.
Long Island has always valued innovation, but we also believe in taking care of our own. We can and should continue to support pharmaceutical research, but not at the cost of our seniors’ health and financial security.
As these new prices take effect in 2026, we encourage our senior readers to stay informed and discuss the changes with their health care providers. Those who are concerned about how lower prices might affect their medications can reach out to local resources like the nassau County Department of Human Services for guidance.
This step toward making medications more affordable isn’t just a win for our elderly population — it’s a win for all of us who believe in the promise of a compassionate, equitable health care system. It’s a reflection of our values as a community, showing that we prioritize the well-being of our neighbors over corporate profits.
So let’s continue to advocate for policies that benefit our local seniors while also supporting responsible innovation. Long Island has always found ways to balance progress with compassion, and this is one more opportunity for us to show what makes our community truly special.
Momalas — and more — unite
for Kamala
To the Editor:
Re Randi Kreiss’s column in the Aug. 8-14 issue, “Momalas for Kamala, a thread to unite us”: So many of us are also hoping that “all the disparate political identities will form a cohesive movement to elect (Kamala) Harris president,” as Ms. Kreiss writes.
In the meantime, I humbly add another “mini cell” to the body in case folks are unaware: Seniors for Harris, who, in the interest of protecting our Social Security and Medicare benefits, are holding regular Zoom calls.
JoSIE MARIno Lynbrook
Harris’s
policies will ‘sink this country!’
To the Editor:
In “Momalas for Kamala,” Randi Kreiss listed a few
New Costco policy highlights double standard on ID’s
Costco, the popular warehouse retailer with multiple locations across Long Island, is making a significant change to its membership policy. As of the new update, customers will be required to scan the bar code or QR code associated with their membership cards at store entrances. Additionally, anyone entering a store must be accompanied by a valid member. For those whose membership cards lack a photo, a valid photo ID will also be required.
While this policy aims to enhance security and prevent misuse of Costco memberships, it also underscores a glaring double standard in our societal
debate about identification requirements. It is curious that the same individuals and media who criticize the necessity of showing an ID for voting, claiming it disenfranchises the poor and minorities, seem to accept — if not applaud — the stringent ID checks for entering a Costco.
s
Requiring voter ID at polling stations can significantly reduce the potential for election fraud by ensuring that every voter is properly identified and eligible to vote. By implementing stringent ID requirements, election authorities can verify that the person casting a ballot is indeed a registered voter, and not someone attempting to vote a number of times or impersonate another voter. this process helps to maintain the integrity of the electoral system, and ensures that each vote cast is legitimate, thus minimizing opportunities
Letters
of the groups that would support Kamala Harris in a kind of “political wave . . . a tsunami of relief and joy” that will push people to support her. Kreiss mentioned Black women for Kamala, White Dudes for Kamala, White Women for Kamala.
A few groups obviously were not mentioned: Antisemites for Kamala, Defund the Police Crowd for Kamala, Open Border Supporters for Kamala, Pro-Hamas Rioters for Kamala, Antifa and BLM Rioters and Looters for Kamala.
Did I not mention the Free College, Health Insurance and Social Security for Illegals Crowd for Kamala? How about the Abortion Anywhere and Anytime Supporters for Kamala?
Yes, Randi. It’s a real tsunami of love and support for Kamala Harris that will sink this country!
ROBeRt KRALICK Glen Head
Nassau’s
mask ban is ‘antithesis of freedom’
to the editor:
Nassau County passed a mask ban two weeks ago, just as everyone I know is getting Covid-19 again, and I have to wonder what we stand to gain from this. there are people who have genuine reasons to wear masks to protect their health. I’m one of them. I have asthma, and I do not welcome the notion of being questioned by police for protecting myself from viruses that could destroy my quality of life. I do not trust anyone but my doctors to determine if
for fraudulent activities.
trict rules at a warehouse retailer, but not at the voting booth?
Moreover, voter ID laws can reinforce public confidence in the electoral process. When citizens know that measures are in place to prevent cheating and maintain accurate voter rolls, they are more likely to trust the outcome of elections and participate in the democratic process. By keeping elections transparent and free from fraud, ID requirements contribute to a fairer, more reliable voting system, which upholds the principles of democracy and ensures that the voice of every legal voter is heard and counted.
the argument against voter ID laws often hinges on the notion that requiring identification can marginalize those who face challenges in obtaining it. Yet these same critics accept and even support Costco’s decision to enforce stringent ID verification for its
customers.
this discrepancy raises important questions about consistency and fairness. If we are willing to accept rigorous ID requirements for accessing membership-based services, such as shopping at Costco, should we not also consider the importance of ensuring that every citizen can exercise their fundamental right to vote without having that vote canceled out by the unvetted and the noncitizen, as well as extreme ballot harvesting and ballot dumping?
It is crucial for our public discourse to address these inconsistencies and work toward solutions that do not undermine the rights of lawful individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status. As we navigate these complex issues, let us strive for fairness and equality in all aspects of our public policies. Let the honest voices of our legal citizenry be heard and counted.
Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.
Framework by Joseph Daniel
my exemption is “legitimate,” and that’s not something I should need to worry about.
the county mask legislation claims to have exemptions for religious and medical reasons, but it’s very unclear how that will be enforced. In America, we shouldn’t even be talking about enforcing rules for what people can wear. t hat is the very antithesis of freedom.
AMANDA MuLLeN Oceanside
Reproductive science made me a grandfather
to the editor:
Sixteen years ago, my daughter and her husband were trying to get pregnant for the first time, and after several years they had to use in vitro fertilization. After several rounds, we were blessed with a beautiful baby, my first grandchild. Without the science behind in vitro fertilization, my daughter would not have children, and I would not have had the joy of a grandson.
I recently learned that my congressman in the 4th District, Anthony D’esposito, is pushing an extreme agenda to restrict reproductive freedom. I cannot vote for him this November. Families deserve to be able to have children, and government needs to mind its own business! I will be voting for Laura Gillen for Congress this year, because she will support women’s rights for reproduction freedom.
WILLIAM YOuNGFeRt Franklin Square
One Minion, at least, looks interested in the news — Universal Orlando
