Oceanside/Island Park Herald 05-30-2024

Remembering our fallen heroes

oceanside hosted its Memorial day parade Monday to honor those who have fallen in war.

Author unveils ‘The Perfect Sister’

O’Side’s Stephanie DeCarolis is set to release new novel

By KEPHERD DANIEl kdaniel@liherald.com

Oceanside resident Stephanie DeCarolis is ready to captivate readers with her latest psychological thriller, “The Perfect Sister,” slated for release by Ballantine Books on July 16. The book delves into the mysteries surrounding a young woman’s disappearance in the Hamptons.

A lifelong resident of Oceanside, DeCarolis, 38, initially pursued a career in law, specializing in medical malpractice. But her passion for writing eventually led to a career change. Her journey to becoming a bestselling author is as intriguing as the plots of her novels.

“Writing has always been something I loved, and it was sort of a hobby for me,” DeCarolis said. “It was a hobby that I fell back into after having my two daughters. I had taken a step back from my career. If I was ever going to write a book, now was the time to do it, before I went back to work full-time.”

Her leap of faith paid off: Her debut novel, “The Guilty Husband,” published by Ballantine, a division of Random House, in 2021, became a USA Today bestseller. She followed it with “Deadly Little Lies” later that year, quickly building a reputation in the genre of suspense.

“I got very lucky that first book that I wrote

He’s a Joe of all trades

By KEPHERD DANIEl kdaniel@liherald.com

Joe Pontecorvo’s extensive involvement in local organizations and his commitment to his community have made him a well-known figure in Oceanside, Island Park and Long Beach. His decades-long contributions were honored by the Oceanside Kiwanis Club at its meeting on May 1, when “Ponte,” as he’s affectionately known, and other members were awarded the Legion of Merit commemorative lapel pin and certificate.

“Joseph Ponte is always a familiar face in the community,” Hempstead Town Councilwoman Laura Ryder said. “If Kiwanis or another organization is hosting a charitable event, there are two things you can be sure of: One, it will be a huge success, and two, Joe Ponte will be there. Our community is fortunate to have a thriving Kiwanis organization, and it’s all thanks to the volunteer members who work diligently in serving the community.”

Pontecorvo, 76, was one of three Kiwanis members recognized for 15 years of service at the meeting — in his case, for his combined service with the Oceanside and Island Park clubs.

“Joe Pontecorvo being awarded the Legion of Merit commemorative pin comes as

no surprise to me,” State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “After 15 years of dedicated service to Kiwanis, his contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has significantly enhanced, enriched and positively impacted the youth of Oceanside and Island Park, as well as all of us in these remarkable communities. His leadership reminds us of the profound impact we can have when we commit ourselves to serving the next generation.”

Pontecorvo was born and raised in Long Beach, and his first job at age 12, delivering newspapers for Newsday, marked the beginning of his connection to community affairs.

“I enjoyed it, except for the winter,” Ponte recalled of the experience, which, he said, shaped his work ethic.

He attended East Elementary School in Long Beach, where he shared classrooms and a friendship with the future comedian and movie star Billy Crystal — who mentioned Pontecorvo in his Broadway show “700 Sundays.” Pontecorvo eventually served as a Long Beach building and fire inspector and in the city’s parks department, as well as with the Nassau County Department of Minority Affairs.

“Working in government

Continued on page 5

Daniel Tommasino/Herald

ERASE Racism to honor Harmony Healthcare

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

ERASE Racism, a leading advocacy organization dedicated to racial equity will honor Harmony Healthcare Long Island at its 19th Annual Benefit on June 5 at the Garden City Hotel. The event, themed “Shine A Light: Illuminating Paths to Equity,” will recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to social and racial justice. Honorees include Civil rights legend Hazel Dukes, Harvard Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Harmony Healthcare Long Island.

Harmony Healthcare Long Island will be honored with ERASE Racism’s Corporate Leadership Award for providing accessible, quality and culturally sensitive health care on Long Island. Harmony Healthcare Long Island has locations in Oceanside, Elmont, Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt, and Westbury.

The organization was chosen for their longstanding commitment to providing quality healthcare in underserved and minority communities across Long Island. It has been operating for 15 years and has remained dedicated to equitable healthcare access. Harmony Healthcare collaborates with local communities, sits on commissions addressing health inequities, and provides a range of healthcare services. They also engage in advocacy efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce disparities.

“One of the things we try to do with the corporate award, we go for organizations and corporations who have been going into communities of color and under-

The work we’re doing in fighting to eradicate racism and structural racism is working to make Long Island better for all of us.

L AuRA HARDINg President, ERASE Racism

served communities and providing a necessary service,” said ERASE Racism President Laura Harding. “This year, Harmony Health Care is particularly important, given the issues we’re having around hospitals on Long Island. Here you have an organization that for 15 years has been committed to ensuring that all Long Islanders have access to quality health care, especially those in underserved and black and brown communities. We felt that they needed to be honored and amplified. They’re doing the right thing and that’s what we like to honor.”

Representatives from Harmony Healthcare participate in various commissions and initiatives aimed at tackling health inequities. The award will be accepted by Harmony Healthcare Long Island’s President and chief executive David Nemiroff.

Despite their significant contributions, both ERASE Racism and Harmony Healthcare face challenges. Harding pointed out that ERASE Racism is a

small organization with limited resources, often misconstrued due to the weight of its mission. Similarly, Harmony Healthcare operates in an environment where there are pervasive misconceptions about the aims of equitable healthcare and affordable housing initiatives.

“The work we’re doing in fighting to eradicate racism and structural racism is working to make Long Island better for all of us,” Harding said. “Right now because of all the exclusionary zoning laws and the challenges, Long Island has an affordability crisis. Couples are moving in with their parents and they’re leaving Long Island and creating lives in other places and that affects our economic health for the region. All we’re saying is, build some affordable housing and open up some of these communities, that are predominantly white, to everyone.”

For those looking to support Harmony Healthcare Long Island, Harding suggests participating in their 50th-anniversary celebrations and making donations to sustain their essential services.

“After they’ve supported ERASE racism’s 19th annual benefit, go over the Harmony HealthCare’s website and buy a ticket for their benefit or make a donation,” Harding said. “I think that far too often, people think that we are getting paid exorbitant amounts for the important work that we’re doing and many times we’re underpaid and overworked, and we do this because we’re committed to the success of our communities.”

Visit www.harmonyhealthcareli.org for more information on how to support the organization.

JCC run raises money for Parkinson’s

Runners of all ages gathered early at Baldwin Park for the Friedberg JCC’s 5K Run for a Cause, supporting Parkinson’s disease. The event on May 19 raised nearly $14,000, with hundreds of participants supporting the JCC’s mission of inclusivity and accessibility for people of all abilities.

The JCC offers a variety of Parkinson’s programs focused on brain health, cultural enrichment, fitness classes, and support groups. These initiatives are designed to help individuals maximize their abilities, all of which were celebrated on race day.

Jonathan Kay of Baldwin emerged as the overall male winner of the 5K. The youngest runner, eight-year-old Sarah Paige, and the oldest participant, 77-year-old Joanna Moore of Long Beach, highlighted the event’s wide-ranging appeal.

–Kepherd Daniel

Brittany Krilov/Herald photos

Hundred’s were off to the races for the Friedberg JCC’s annual 5K Run for a cause for Parkinson’s disease on May 19.

Audra Fordin, Ed and Samantha Dewalters came from Roslyn Heights.

Sarah Paige of Lynbrook earned 1st Place among the kids who ran at Baldwin Park.

Joanna Moore 77 of Long Beach was the oldest participant.

Three-year old Summit, Donny, and five-year old Harli ran to support the JCC. 1st Place Jonathan Kay of Baldwin crossed the finish line with pride.

Nassau educators develop lessons on peace

Nassau County educators have collaborated over the past several months to create a comprehensive curriculum focused on tolerance and peace for students in grades K-12. This initiative, driven by the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents’ Curriculum Writing Committee, aims to combat hate and discrimination within Long Island schools.

The Nassau County Council of School Superintendents, a professional organization representing 56 school districts including Nassau BOCES, spearheaded the project. The Curriculum Writing Committee, chaired by Vincent Randazzo, superintendent of Island Park Public Schools, and Mary O’Meara, superintendent of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, included several superintendents from across the county. The Council’s Committee members were Superintendents Phyliss Harrington of Oceanside school district, Lorna Lewis of Malverne, Kusum Sinha of Garden City, Ted Fulton of Hicksville and Danielle Gately of East Williston.

Participating teachers unveiled their curriculum projects on May 13 at a half-day program held at Nassau BOCES Robert Lupinskie Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology in Westbury. The presentations focused on educating students about the symbols and speeches of peace and hate, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and respectful school environment. Topics addressed included the various biases students face and effective strategies for educators to handle these issues.

The newly developed lessons will be distributed across all Nassau County school districts, ensuring a consistent approach to teaching tolerance and peace. This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward creating safer and more welcoming schools for all students in Nassau County.

Subtitled “The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen,” author Brooks explores the art of human connection. To connect with others, to make them feel seen, heard and understood, and to be understood ourselves, is a learnable skill.

Of a pastor friend named Jimmy he says, “when Jimmy sees a person, any person…he also sees a soul of infinite value and dignity… as a result, Jimmy is going to greet people with respect and reverence…if you see people as precious souls, you’ll probably wind up treating them well”.

Exploring the concept of “accompaniment” your interactions with others should be marked by willingness, not willfulness, allowing the other person to be perfectly themselves. There is a realization that everyone is in their own spot, on their own pilgrimage and your job is to meet them where they are, helping them chart their course. “Sometimes we need to hitch a ride on someone else’s journey, and accompany them, part of the way”.

“We appreciate the dedication and attention to detail given in every curriculum writing project shared today,” said Maria Rianna, president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents and the superintendent of the Glen Cove City School District. “Through this shared project, educators have developed

Citing Aldous Huxley, Brooks observes “Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you.” Or, as the writer Anais Nin put it, “We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.”

In trying to understand others, it is helpful to ask “how are they perceiving the situation? How are they experiencing this moment and constituting their reality.” People who are lonely, who feel unseen, become bitter and mean. Hostility and callousness are rising along with our social isolation. Surveys show to 60 – 70 percent of people put themselves on the negative emotion side of the meter –empathy and compassion are needed when many people you meet are suffering within.

“Human beings, John Stuart Mill writes, are under a moral obligation to seek the improvement of our moral character.” Will we be generous and considerate or judgmental and cruel? To become a social, humble, understanding and warm person, David Brooks’ new book illuminates the way.

innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are paramount for all students, teachers and staff throughout Nassau County school communities.”

— Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Nassau County Council of School Superintendents

Educators from across Nassau County worked together to develop lessons of tolerance and peace to be shared with districts across the region.

Book Review:

Pontecorvo honored by Oceanside Kiwanis

gave me an insight into how I could help people,” he said.

Pontecorvo found his calling in real estate, working for Coldwell Banker American Homes, which has offices in Long Beach and Oceanside. He is still a busy real estate agent.

“I enjoy meeting people and trying to place homebuyers and homeowners, to help them, because the hurdles today are much more than yesteryear,” he says, emphasizing his commitment to helping to ensure his clients’ financial stability.

And Pontecorvo’s community involvement is extensive. He serves as Long Beach’s historian, preserving the history of his hometown. He is certified by the Nassau County Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT, trained to respond to emergencies or disasters. He is president of the Island Park Library Board, and has been a member of Library board for 20 years.

He has been active in a number of chambers of commerce, including those part of my assignment was working with chambers as outreach,” Pontecorvo said.

“It was interesting, because the chambers are “made up of” small entrepreneurs and mom-pops, and I enjoyed helping them with a Q&A, or if there’s an elected official there to talk to them, and I tried to intervene to help them understand. There’s no profit, but it’s very

In 2004, the Oceanside/Island Park

Herald named Pontecorvo its Person of the Year. Over the years he has volunteered for the Long Beach Historical Society and the Oceanside Knights of Columbus, and always made a point to promote activities at local businesses, libraries and organizations.

“Joe’s a huge supporter of the JCC,” Jackie Ruiz, director of wellness and membership for the Friedberg JCC, said. “He’s always looking for ways to get us

new members, and to draw attention to our programs. He was one of our sponsors for our 5K run. Overall, Joe is a great guy, and always looking out for the JCC and all of our members.”

At the core of Pontecorvo’s extensive community work is the philosophy of helping others. Despite his extensive commitments, he shows no signs of slowing down, and said that being involved allows him to pursue a calling he never followed: local reporter.

“We need the media, and we need local publications,” he said. “Community papers are a vital source to a municipality. The news is 95 percent positive, but the negative has to be there also — but the media is a very important asset to our communities. The community should know what’s going on, and we have to keep everything alive.”

He encouraged others to take participate in local meetings and events, emphasizing the long-term benefits of staying informed and involved.

“I try not to slow down because that’s my energy,” Pontecorvo said. “I’m a people person. Every time I slow down, I get a call to come to a meeting. But I advise others to make the time to go to local organizations. If it’s a town, city, school or library meeting, go there and see what it’s about, because you’ll learn something, or you can bring something to the table. I believe in building bridges and working together.”

Daniel Tomassino/Herald

oceanside Kiwanis president michael d’ambrosio, left, with Joe pontecorvo and club member Seth Blau, whom pontecorvo credits with inviting him into the club.

PARK HERALD — May 30, 2024

DeCarolis’ next book release set for July 16

wrote ended up being picked up by a publisher, and I’ve had a lot of success with it,” DeCarolis said. “Now I’m extremely fortunate that I get to do this full time.”

“The Perfect Sister” is her third novel, and she considers it her best work yet. The story follows a woman as she investigates her sister’s mysterious disappearance while working a summer job for a wealthy Hamptons family. The book explores themes of sisterhood, family dynamics, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth.

“When I was a kid, my parents used to take me to Montauk every summer,” DeCarolis recalled. “That’s a tradition that I still keep with my husband and our own kids. Driving through the Hamptons, seeing those grand houses behind gates, I couldn’t help but wonder about the secrets they might hold. That curiosity was the seed for this story.”

One of the hallmarks of DeCarolis’ writing is her ability to create complex yet relatable characters. “The Perfect Sister” features a mix of personalities, and she says it includes characters readers will love and others they’ll love to hate.

“I really love to write a good villain,” she said. “In this book, there are a few of

stand why they act the way they do and why they are the way they are. And that’s something that I think readers will be really excited about.”

DeCarolis credits her love for thrillers to their edge-of-your-seat excitement.

“Lucy Foley has been a big influence on my writing,” she said, referring to the author of such books as “The Paris Apartment” and “The Hunting Party.”

“She’s another author who is phenomenal at writing these first-person, multiple-first-person perspectives, where she incorporates dual timelines, and I think her writing kind of had a big influence on mine. I’m also a really big fan of Lisa Jewel and her mystery writing or thriller writing. Within the thriller genre, I read as much as I can, and cast as wide a net as I can. I think there have been so many books that have inspired me to want to write my own, and have had an influence on my growth and progression as a writer.”

Beyond her writing, DeCarolis is an active member of the Oceanside community. She frequently collaborates with the library, taking part in book club discussions and author talks. In recognition of her contributions, the Friends of the Oceanside Library presented her with the library’s Founder’s Award in March.

“It was a very nice surprise,” DeCaro

meet with their book clubs, and I’ve come in and done author talks. They’ve been so supportive since I started my writing journey, and I’m excited to con-

To celebrate the launch of “The Per-

fect Sister,” DeCarolis will participate in a book signing at Beginnings Restaurant, in Atlantic Beach, on July 18 and another, at Book Hampton in East Hampton, on July 27. She is also planning an event with the Oceanside Library later this fall, coinciding with its grand reopening after its three-year renovation project.

Looking ahead, DeCarolis has more thrilling tales in store. She has signed a multi-book deal with Ballantine.

“It’s been such an amazing kind of whirlwind experience,” she said. “I know how difficult it is to get a shot in the world of traditional publishing. It is so hard to have a book be noticed, and there’s so much luck that goes into it. You have to find the right agent who can connect you with the right publisher. I got very lucky that my first book ended up with a traditional publisher, and that it ended up being as successful as it was, and it’s now set me up with a career that I can do full-time. It’s something that I don’t take for granted. I wake up every day saying, wow, I can’t believe that this is my actual job.”

“The Perfect Sister” is available for pre-order on Amazon and other major retailers. While details about which stores will stock the book are still being finalized, readers can be assured that both digital and hard copies will be widely available.

Courtesy Nicole Chiarelli

oceanside resident Stephanie deCarolis will release her next book, ‘the perfect Sister,’ this summer.

Oceanside High School teacher, Alexandra Vollaro ,center, standing, surrounded by colleagues and her supervisor, Tara Mauer, at the Nassau County Math Teachers Association awards reception, where she was named High School Math Teacher of the Year.

Courtesy Oceanside School District

O’Side teacher named County Math Teacher of the Year

Alexandra Vollaro of Oceanside High School is the Nassau County Math Teachers Association’s 2024 High School Math Teacher of the Year.

She was nominated by Oceanside School District’s Director of Mathematics, Tara Mauer. In her nomination letter to the organization, Mauer cited Vollaro’s mastery in the classroom and ability to teach a variety of subjects under the mathematics umbrella, including algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, AP computer science principles, math research, and college statistics.

Mauer also credited Vollaro’s interactive and engaging teaching style, use of technology, and leadership in the classroom and school community.

Vollaro was celebrated at the annual NCMTA spring reception and will be recognized by the Oceanside Board of Education at its June meeting. In 2022, Rocio Saborido, also an Oceanside High School math teacher, was named the NCMTA High School Teacher of the Year.

–Kepherd Daniel

Kristen Ciaravolo, Adriana Kijko, Fred Akel with the Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital booth at the Oceanside Library.

O’Side Library highlights mental health awareness

May is National Mental Health Awareness month and the Oceanside Library took time to raise awareness with a mental health and wellness day on May 4.

The event, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 17 in Long Beach had several local clubs and organizations set up tables to give out resources and information on mental

health.

Participating organizations included National Alliance on Mental Health, Oceanside SAFE, Mount Sinai South Nassau, Parker Jewish Institute, Molloy University Health, Extraordinary People in Care and Wellness and South Shore Guidance Center.

–Kepherd Daniel

Skye Margies/Herald

Retailers, electeds get together to talk retail crime

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

There’s shoplifting. And then there’s organized retail crime.

Both are bad, of course, but organized crime — where goods are stolen in a coordinated way before being resold elsewhere — is costing major retailers hundreds of billions of dollars each year.

And that’s why U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and other elected leaders sat down with major retailers from places like Home Depot, Walmart and Walgreens at the David Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Garden City last week to try and get a handle on it.

“I want to be clear to everyone that I am not talking about petty shoplifting,” D’Esposito said. “Not theft for need, but theft for greed. And in many cases, to fund ongoing criminal enterprise.”

Customers already feel the impact of such crime when they find even simple supplies like shampoos and deodorant behind locked cases on aisles. And it’s not a good feeling for customers or employees,

“This is premeditated,” said Joe Stein, the director of asset protection solutions at Walgreens. “This is calculated, and it is done on an international and global scale.”

Those involved come into stores with a list of specific brands and products. And even worse, they come in with a plan.

“This is their occupation,” Stein said.

“This is not someone who’s going in to steal for subsistence. This is their job that they’re doing.”

Having so much inventory stolen also has a more direct impact on shoppers — it raises prices.

“There’s definitely an impact that transitions to consumers in the back end,” said Sean Browne, senior manager of asset protection investigations with Home Depot.

Yet, efforts have been made to reduce that influence. On Capitol Hill, that has come in the form of a bill D’Esposito has introduced, called the Supporting Law Enforcement Officers’ Ability to Combat Organized Retail Crime Act. It’s intended to tackle this kind of crime at the federal level by better training law enforcement officers, and direct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to research and develop new technologies to better stop it.

And it can’t a moment too soon, according to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, as organized retail crime grows into a real problem.

“This affects the retailers by making it more expensive for them to operate,” Blakeman said. “It puts their employees in harm’s way. It affects the consumers, because obviously that loss has to be passed on to someone, so it results in higher prices for goods.”

And then there is LEARN — the Law Enforcement and Retail Network, where law enforcement — like Nassau County Police Department commissioner Patrick Ryder and Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. — and major retailers meet to discuss security and gather information on repeat offenders.

Getting a full handle on how much of an impact organized retail crime might have is tricky — primarily because there is no standard definition of the crime in use across the country. Retail theft in New York overall has jumped 54 percent in New York, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. But in other places, like San Francisco are experiencing declines in such theft.

“This is right versus wrong,” Blakeman said. “Our legislators should be on the side of right, and not on the side of wrong. And they need to change our laws to protect our whole community, and make sure that people understand that if you commit a crime, you should have consequences.”

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, and major retailers gather to talk about organized retail crime — something that is much different from just plain shoplifting. And something D’Esposito says he’s doing something about.

Developing growth through group therapy

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Oceanside resident and clinical social worker Paul Engel and several groups, recently facilitated an eightweek-long group therapy session, “Healing from Emotional Anger and Relational Trauma”. The sessions organized by the Queens Long Island Community Services, in collaboration with the Flushing Jewish Community Council and FamilyKind, were designed to navigate personal challenges, develop coping strategies, and foster a supportive community environment.

“I’ve found that really, people have prized the group for the environment because we are talking about some heavy stuff,” Engel said. “We are talking about trauma, which is not easy to do, but in a context and people with shared experiences. Certainly, that’s the focus of many groups. This is all something that’s helpful in our healing and as part of all this, I and my staff learn from them as well.”

Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value of shared experiences and professional guidance in overcoming life’s hurdles. Lindenhurst resident Vir-

ginia llanos participated in the therapy sessions offered by Engel’s group as a means of coping with the emotional trauma resulting from a divorce and custody battle.

“I would say that in this session that we just finished there were many just beginning their process of healing,” Lllanos said. “Those that have been in prior sessions were able to be compassionate and share their own experience and how they overcame certain situations with the narcissist in their lives.” The sessions taught about dealing with a narcissist and allowed for self-reflection among participants. “Overall authentic emotions were shared which reflects the trust and support you gain in the group,” Llanos said.”If one falls, the other one can help him up. Which ultimately is what we all seek and need in life and the group gives us.”

“We recognize there’s a significant lack of support for parents in our society,” said Leslie Friedland, Executive Director of FamilyKind. “We want to fill that gap by offering highly qualified parenting educators who provide tailored support based on the specific needs of the participants.”

The parenting workshops will be segmented into different age groups, catering to parents of children aged 0-5, 6-12, and 12-18. Each session runs for eight weeks and adapts a core curriculum to meet the unique needs of the group. The workshops are structured to be flexible and responsive, ensuring that each participant receives relevant and practical advice.

eight-week session for parents of children aged 6-12,” Friedland noted. “Soon, we’ll be starting new classes specifically for parents of children with disabilities. We also just finished a session for parents of children aged 0-5.”

In addition to group workshops, FamilyKind offers Individualized Parenting Education for those seeking personalized support. This service is available to individuals, couples, and co-parents or guardians looking for tailored advice to address specific issues.

Friedland and Engel’s partnership traces back to their shared experiences working at a summer camp decades ago. After losing touch for 30 years, they reconnected and discovered a mutual commitment to supporting families through nonprofit work.

Building on the success of the recent therapy workshops, a new program, titled “Successful Parenting with FamilyKind,” is being offered and is specialized to give support to parents.

One of the features of the now ongoing program is its focus on parents of children with disabilities. FamilyKind will offer specialized workshops for parents who are experiencing marital challenges and have children with disabilities. These sessions will be led by educators with expertise in trauma-informed parenting and special needs education.

“We’re currently in the middle of an

I think we’re both really enjoying the ability to reconnect and realize we can do our jobs better by working together.” Friedland said. “Our partnership enhances the work we do,”

The workshops are offered on a rolling basis, allowing parents to join when new sessions begin. For the most current information and to sign up, parents are encouraged to visit FamilyKind’s website, familykind.org and join the mailing list.

O’Side raises money with Autism walks

To celebrate Autism Acceptance month in April, School Four and School Eight both held fundraising walks this month. The donations have now been collected and counted and together, the two schools have raised close to $6,000 -- $3,498 at School Four and $2,396 at School Eight as of May 10.

The funds will be donated to charities that promote appreciation of autism and to provide support for individuals with autism and their families.

–Kepherd Daniel

Principals Frank Zangari of School Eight and Jacklyn Graham of School Four said they are proud of their students’ efforts and grateful for the generosity of their students’ families and their staff.

Students and staff walked the perimeter of the playground at School Eight for its autism appreciation fundraising walk.

Photos courtesy Oceanside School District

A group of School Four students pose after completing their portion of the school’s autism appreciation walk.

PAuL ENgEL

STEPPING OUT

A sweet time with

SWEET CHARITY

Life’s heartbreak in the Big Apple is told with humor on the Madison Theatre stage

By Danielle Schwab

“If they could see me now, that little gang of mine ...”

Audiences at the Madison Theatre can see “her” now, as Madison Theatre Productions brings the iconic musical “Sweet Charity” to its stage this weekend, May 31 to June 2.

The “her,” of course, is Charity, the exuberant gal desperately seeking love in 1960s New York City. The award-winning show, with the legendary Bob Fosse’s captivating choreography, is brought to life by director Angelo Fraboni — the Madison Theatre’s artistic director — with a cast of young actors honing their craft at Molloy University’s renowned Cap21 Musical Theatre Conservatory.

With a name like Charity Hope Valentine, it comes as no surprise that this sassy, diehard romantic dance hall hostess’s naivety and overeager embrace of every man she meets keeps getting her in hot water, in her search for sweet romance.

“She just wants to be loved,” Fraboni says. “She finds love, and then it doesn’t find her, but she still stays optimistic.”

Charity, played by rising senior Avery Bank, crosses paths with Oscar Lindquist, a square and claustrophobic accountant with a sweet nature and a gentle touch, played by 2024 graduate Riley Brennan, of Merrick. A budding romance between the two develops.

Chris Botti

Award-winning jazz trumpeter

many ‘60s artists and personalities of the day, among them Andy Warhol and Gloria Steinem. Through its popularity, the musical has become a cultural reference in its own right, according to Fraboni.

For the 24 actors in the cast — their first contracted performance — this production is an important first step in their budding professional life.

“It’s a really cool show. Actually, it’s been one of my personal favorites for a long time,” Brennan says, of his role as Oscar. “It’s a bit niche, but I like the togetherness of everything — the music, the dancing. Oscar is a really fun, weird part.”

While the musical numbers are big, the story itself is simple.

Chris Botta is always in the groove. Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. Coming to prominence with the 2001 recording of his Night Sessions CD, he gained repute as a versatile musician for his ability to fuse jazz and pop together. For nearly three decades he’s demonstrated why he’s established himself as one of the most important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world; he’s collaborated with many superstars including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Herbie Hancock and Yo-Yo Ma. Botti’s first album in over a decade finds him coming back to his roots, focusing on acoustic jazz and classic standards.

Sunday, June 2, 8 p.m. $99.50, $89.50, $74.50, $64.50, $59.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Written by Neil Simon and based on Federico Fellini’s film “Nights of Cabiria,” the star of the show truly is the choreography. Fosse staged and choreographed the musical for Gwen Verdon, his third wife, who took on the role of Charity in the original 1966 Broadway production. And, of course, there are those classic musical numbers: “Big Spender,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” “I’m a Brass Band” and “Baby, Dream Your Dream.”

“If a Brass Band” and “Baby, Dream

“It’s not very grand, but it has grand moments.It’s intimate in what Charity’s going for, what she wants, what she’s striving for and how she’s facing so much. We’re rooting for her,” Brennan says.

• Friday through Sunday, May 31-June 2, times vary

The dance sequences — choreographed by Bethany Moore, the Madison Theatre’s assistant director — are an ode to Fosse’s signature jazz style.

Bonnie Raitt

“It was sort of (Fosse’s) love story for his wife. He built it for her,” Fraboni explains.

• Tickets $45-$65; available at MadisonTheatreNY.org, or call the box office at (516) 323-4444

Since its debut, the musical has been nominated for 16 Tony Awards and has won four, including Best Musical Revival in 1986. This is the first time Fraboni has staged the musical at the Madison Theatre. It speaks to him as a universal story of trying to achieve your dreams.

Since its debut, the musical has been for Tony to their own lives and seen it, experienced it. I

• Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

As Fraboni put it: “It’s ‘Fosse-esque.’ very distinct and stylized. It’s maximum effect with minimal movement. There’s a lot of humor and funny bits in the choreography because it is a comedy.”

While this is tale about love, it’s also a story that relates to the strength and courage of 1960s women coming into their own. Female empowerment, you might say.

“This is the sort of musical where women take back the power from men and take control over their own lives,” Fraboni adds.

Moreover, it’s about hope.

“What the journey is in the show, everyone has been through in their own lives and seen it, experienced it. I think it’ll really resonate with them,” he says.

“Life is hard,” he says. “I want people to walk away knowing that they saw a wonderful, heartfelt production that leaves them with hope.”

from the broken-down dance halls

Audiences move through the many realms of 1960s Manhattan: from the broken-down dance halls to Central Park to New York City’s subway system.

More than just a best-selling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, Bonnie Raitt is an institution in American music. She has cemented her icon status, named one of the ‘100 Greatest Singers of All Time,’ and one of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ (Rolling Stone). She’s headed back out on the road again with members of her longtime touring band, arriving on Long Island with her ‘Just Like That’ tour. Many would think Raitt might be eager to rest and take some downtime after headlining 75 concerts in 2022 and another 50 in 2023 spanning the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland and Canada, and winning numerous awards that year. The fact is, though there are always healthy breaks built into each tour, Bonnie itches to get back to what she loves most — traveling and playing live. Luckily her band, crew and fans feel the same way.

Photos courtesy Madison Theatre

“It goes from playful to sensual, to aristocratic, to hippie,” Fraboni adds.

It’s also considered an homage to

The cast finds their steps in rehearsal. Audiences can share in the romantic trials and tribulations of Charity Hope Valentine, ‘a girl who wanted to be loved,’ in this spirited production of the hit musical.

Saturday, June 8, 8 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com or call (516) 247-5200.

THE Your Neighborhood

‘The Rocketman Show’

Remember when rock was young?

You will after this enthralling show, on the Paramount stage, Friday, June 7, 8 p.m.

Prepare to blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself.

With a nostalgic setlist that’ll take you right back to when rock was young, this is the perfect night out for Elton John fans — of all generations. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with the flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself.

Enjoy an evening of Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics. Anderson recreates the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. Storming around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, part soccer player, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. Experience one of the most detailed re-creations of Elton John’s ‘70s shows — from uncanny vocals and staging. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing colorful, spectacular costumes, including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from 1984. $65, $45, $35, $30. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Family theater

Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, May 31, 10:15 a.m. and noon; also Saturday, June 1, 11:30 a..m. and 2 p.m. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to help Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat comedy based on Willems’ popular Pigeon books.

Featuring a live band to bring Deborah Wicks La Puma’s jazzy score to life, audiences will thoroughly enjoy singing and flapping along with The Pigeon and friends. The audience is part of the action, in this innovative mix of songs, silliness and feathers. It’s an ideal way to introduce kids to theater and the humorous stories from Willems’ books.

$10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only.

Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.

Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.

Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists. On view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

June 1

Floral design for kids

Old Westbury Gardens Director Maura Brush leads a 45-minute floral arranging class just for kids, Saturday, June 1, 1010:45 a.m., to explore their creative side. Fresh flowers will be used, and she will teach proper care and handling, water, and how to make sure your floral arrangement lasts and looks beautiful. Discuss flower names and fun facts about each flower. For ages 5-12. $30. Registration required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Flag Day

All are welcome attend Flag Day ceremonies at Island Park Public Library, Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. Scouts BSA Troop 215B, Scouts BSA Troop 215G, and Cub Scout Pack 51 participate to raise a new flag at the library in honor of Flag Day. Following the ceremony, the library dedicates a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in memory of the late Edward “Doc” McGann. 176 Long Beach Road. Visit IslandParkLibrary.org for more.

HOPE Day

Join a day of HOPE at Full Gospel Church in Island Park, Saturday, June 8, noon-3 p.m. With family entertainment, lunch, a kids zone, music, a grocery, clothing and house wares giveaway to those in need in Island Park, Long Beach, Oceanside, Baldwin, and anywhere else on Long Island. 4101 Austin Blvd. For more information, contact Susan Antelis at (516) 521-4339 or Susan.Antelis@gmail.com.

Oceanside High School car show

Oceanside High School hosts its 3rd annual car show, Sunday, June 9, at south parking lot, With food trucks. 3160 Skillman Ave. Call (631) 8063169 for information.

Summer Luau

Enjoy the 7th annual summer luau at Dox, Thursday, June 20, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free food, live music, raffles and silent auction will be a part of the fun. General admission tickets are $50 pre-sale. Free admission for kids age 12 and under. 10 Broadway, Island Park.

Having an event?

Nature walk

Explore Sands Point Preserve’s environment, observing its unique physical features and wildlife, and discussing critical conservation issues, led by environmental educator Hildur Palsdottir, Saturday, June 1, 10-11:30 a.m. This walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, focuses on “Birds, Bees and Blooms.” Participants engage in hands-on nature discovery activities. $15, $5 child ($10 members, children free). Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.

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

On stage

Plaza Theatrical brings back its acclaimed Broadway series. With the recent passing of Stephen Sondheim, regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre for reinventing the American musical, Plaza honors him with a staging of “Into the Woods,” Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, June 1, 2:30 p.m.; also Thursday, June 6, 2 p.m. See it at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre. 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 5996870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a storybook adventure, Saturday, June 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Stroll the gardens and listen to Mélina Mangal’s modern tale “Jayden’s Impossible Garden.” Later create a unique take home craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 3330048.

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, June 13, 1 p.m. She’ll discuss the current exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution.” 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, at 2 p.m. No reservations required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Island Park Little League Fun-Raiser

Island Park Little League hosts’ the annual Little League Day event. The Hudson Valley Renegades vs. Brooklyn Cyclones, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn. Free Cyclones cap for each guest. Francisco Alvarez flex bobblehead for the First 1,500 fan. Join the Cyclones on the field for the National Anthem. Everyone runs the bases post-game Tickets are $15 each. Deadline for ticket purchase is June 1. To purchase tickets, please email iplittleleague11558@gmail.com.

Annual Concert at St. Agnes Cathedral

THE SOUTH SHORE SYMPHONY

“SOUND VISIONS: MUSIC AND ART”

ADAM GLASER MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR WITH MICHAEL BOWER, ORGANIST

SUNDAY JUNE 2, 2024 • 7:00 PM

PROGRAM - MUSIC INSPIRED BY ART

Respighi: Church Windows

Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute

Granados: Intermezzo from Goyescas

Liszt: Battle of the Huns

at St. Agnes Cathedral

29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre, NY

Suggested donation $20 per person at the door

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY.

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF UPLAND

MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST

A, Pltf. vs. UNKNOWN

HEIRS AT LAW OF

RODNEY BUNNEY A/K/A

RODNEY PAUL BUNNEY, his next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, et al, Defts. Index #606362/2021.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 16, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 251 Perkins Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572 a/k/a Section 43, Block 307, Lot 243.

Approximate amount of judgment is $960,699.94 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law.

BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 165 Eileen Way, Ste. 101, Syosset, NY 11791. #101399 146609

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

The Bank of New York Mellon as Trustee for CIT Mortgage Loan Trust 2007-1, Plaintiff AGAINST Santiago Ramirez; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 18, 2017 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, New York, 11501 on June 20, 2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 3068 Morrow Road, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 43

Block 350 Lots 53 and 54.

Approximate amount of judgment $591,771.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 006490/2015. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Keith P. Brown, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: March 26, 2024 146809

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. JSU PROPERTIES LLC, et al, Defts. Index #603435/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered January 11, 2023, I will sell at public auction on the north front steps of Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 17, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. prem. k/a 450 Morea Street, Oceanside, New York a/k/a School District 11, Section 43, Block 220, Lot 147. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. LOUIS B. IMBROTO, Referee. BRONSTER, LLP, 156 West 56th Street, Ste. 703, New York, NY 1019. File No. 308765.205. #101373 146801

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 26-2024

Public Notices Public

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held May 7th, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 26-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 26-2024, amending Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.

Dated: May 7, 202 New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor KATE MURRAY

Town Clerk 147047

at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 6/05/2024 at 9:30 A.M. & 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. 390/24. OCEANSIDE - St. Anthony’s R. C. Church, Amusement Rides (Special Event) duration June 6, 2024 - June 9, 2024 with tents., N/E cor. Anchor Ave. & Lincoln Ave., a/k/a Church Parking Lot. 370/24. - 373/24. OCEANSIDE - Daniel Realson, Variance, side yard, maintain generator attached to dwelling; Variance, side yard, maintain two (2) a/c units attached to dwelling; Variance, lot area occupied, maintain gazebo higher & larger than permitted & exceeding horizontal maximum on all sides; Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (outdoor kitchen) exceeding horizontal maximum., S/s West Waukena Ave., 452.43’ W/o Fulton Ave., a/k/a 191 West Waukena Ave. THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 377/24. OCEANSIDEFernando Canari, Use variance to maintain 2family dwelling., S/W cor. Brower Ave. & Allon St., a/k/a 3204 Brower Ave. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Oceanside within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video

Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.

147057

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

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S LEGAL NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, A/K/A M&T BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER WITH HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff - againstFREDDY ORMENO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 22, 2023. 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 9th day of May, 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 Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 78 Concord Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. (Section: 43, Block: 385, Lot: 7)

Approximate amount of lien $1,010,540.33 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 003398/2017.

Louis B. Imbroto, 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: March 13, 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.

What is ‘emotional safety’ GUEST COLUMN

It’s May! The festive month of year when we celebrate: Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day –along with Mental Health Awareness Month”!

I found my heart being emotionally redirected to a topic inspired by the most sacred gift I have received in my emotional life. “What it means to be emotionally safe with someone”! To be able to share your most vulnerable heart with another human being, trusting they will not use it against you. Beautiful souls who choose to lift your heart simply because they genuinely care. People, we often refer to as our “Earth Angels”! Selfless people, who make it their mission to share positivity, especially with those who are hurting.

What is Emotional Safety?

■ Feeling valued.

■ Being yourself without the risk of judgment.

■ Showing vulnerabilities without being taken advantage of.

■ Sharing and expressing yourself freely.

■ You feel seen, heard, and understood.

Emotional safety is the foundation for a loving and healthy relationship, “starting within ourselves” as this can help us feel comfortable in our skin and emotionally safe wherever we go.

Feeling safe with someone:

■ Is a foundational element in any strong relationship, be it romantic or platonic.

■ Signifies a sense of security and emotional stability.

■ Requires a high level of empathy, respect, and consideration.

■ Means feeling free to be your true self, without any fear of being judged or rejected.

To understand, we need to feel emotionally safe before we can be vulnerable with another person. Feeling this emotion with at least one person in your life is important to feeling okay.

What are the benefits of an emotionally safe relationship?

When you find yourself in an emotionally safe relationship, chances are you will experience many advantages. Benefits of emotionally safe relationships include:

The above sale, originally scheduled for 5/9/2024 at 2:00 p.m. has been postponed. The new sale date is June 06, 2024 at 2:00 pm. at the same place. Louis B. Imbroto, Esq., Referee.

Dated: April 19, 2024 147019

www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 25-204

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held May 7th, 2024 , by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on

■ A stronger connection.

The lack of emotional safety and its impact.

To your brain, physical and emotional pain is practically the same thing. So, when you do not feel emotionally safe, you feel emotionally threatened, which causes the same bodily reactions as feeling physically threatened, resulting in the “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” response.

On a Personal Note: I wish to dedicate this guest column to all the Earth Angels I have been blessed to have in my life, both past and present. Beautiful, inspirational souls who authentically shared with me what it means to be “seen, heard, and understood” in an emotional safe zone. The kind of emotion that for me is so deeply sacred, rare, and powerful that it brings tears of deep gratitude to my eyes. Compassionate souls who see me and others beyond the “heart-wounds” we each carry, offering us a healing space like no other; a space where we feel worthy and that we are enough.

To acknowledge compassionate souls everywhere who genuinely choose to help lift the vulnerable hearts of others, for inasmuch as the human heart is resilient, it still needs emotional safety to thrive! Now, more than ever, especially in today’s ever-challenging world!

Donna Pisacano-Brown is a Point Lookout resident who has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 1996. She is a passionate advocate for drunken driving awareness, and shining a light on mental health topics.

the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 25-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 25-2024, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.

Dated: May 7, 202 New

D onna P isacano B rown

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

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

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED

Will Certify And Train

HS Diploma

NYS License Clean 3 Years

$20 - $25/ Hour

Call 516-731-3000

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

HANDYPERSON WANTED

Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location

DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry

Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530

Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MECHANIC NEEDED Auto Experience A Plus With Tools Must Be Reliable Will Train Right Person Minimum 40 Hours A Week Have Valid Drivers License Own Transportation Benefits Available Oceanside 516-764-2552 Fax Or E-mail Resume To: 516-678-9087 butchbpms@aol.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

RECEPTIONIST P/T

Pediatrician's Office Mon. Wed. Fri. 9am-5pm And Sat. 9am-1pm

To place an ad call 516-569-4000

Exquisite Cape Cod Home

Elmont $825,000

Level. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Home office. First floor master bedroom. Possible mother/ daughter with proper permits. Convenient location on dead end street, near schools and Averill Pool.

Taxes: $12,076

REAL ESTATE

Industrial Property

ISLAND PARK / AUSTIN BOULEVARD 1000- 5000 Sq. Ft, Parking,1 Story, Driveins, Gas, Offices, Sprinklered, Near Railroad. Immediate. Price On Request.Tony 718-937-8100 Ext.101 CROSSTOWN REALTY

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

ISLAND PARK: 1 BR, ground floor, all renovated, water/heat included. No Pets. $2200/ month. 516-316-6962

Cemetery Plots

BETH DAVID CEMETERY: Elmont, NY. 3 Plots. Separate Or All Together. Graves 18, 25, and 32. Purchase Separate $4000; Purchase Together $11000. Negotiable. Call 845-641-7316

Hewlett $722,000

Fenimore Road. Cape. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room. First floor bedroom.

Taxes: $15,761

Lido Beach $1,300,000

Lagoon Drive. Splanch. 5 bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Waterfront property. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Open layout. Formal dining room. Den/ family room. Updates include cathedral ceiling and skylight. Taxes: $15,482.16

Malverne $760,000

Drake Street. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. New gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Large living room. Large formal dining room. Front room den/office. Updated central air conditioning.

Taxes: $12,726

Merrick $1,300,000

Maeder Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Eatin kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room and home office. Many high-end updates including cathedral ceiling and skylight.

Taxes: $12,500

Oceanside $755,000

Waukena Avenue. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room and home office. Security system.

Taxes: $13,456

Rockville Centre $1,175,000

Hollywood Court. Tudor. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room and wet bar. Ample storage. Taxes: $25,326.58

Valley Stream $720,000

Edwards Place. Cape. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in

The landlord isn’t taking any responsibility

Q. I bought a previous business, as a tenant, and made changes, because even though it was a gym, my business is nutrition. I was told that the business is different, and now I need a “change of use” zoning variance. I also learned from the fire alarm company that even though I am not changing the interiors, I am going to have to add wall covering to both sides of the wall because it is required to be two-hour rated and the current space is one hour. This is unfair. My landlord says it is up to me, that they rented it “as is,” and I should have checked everything. My attorney is looking into how to get the landlord to make the building code-compliant, and I don’t understand why I need a zoning variance. How could I have avoided this, how do I deal with it, and how much time and money is it going to cost?

A. Let’s start with the time. If all of the issues you described take place, you could be looking at five to nine months, typically, and possibly more, depending on the many factors involved. Your landlord has to be part of the process by providing information and, depending on the jurisdiction, signatures on the paperwork for the processes.

There are several processes: plans, a building permit application process, zoning board process, site work and inspections, and then final sign-off are the normal procedures. Again, depending on the cooperation and decisions of all the parties, the process could take much longer. When this happens, which is quite often, I have to warn the tenant that a year for this process is not unexpected, because we rarely see the landlord lending a hand or the government processes moving quickly. You should plan accordingly by deducting the costs for not being open, paying rent and utilities and incidentals.

I am certain that this is not what anyone wants to hear, but the reality is that few people engage a professional to assess zoning or record drawings of what exists and what governmental procedures will become involved. To compound the problem, the levels of approvals from different authorities are scattered, not in one jurisdiction. There are county, local and fire marshal requirements, all separate from one another. Health department, fire marshal and county road requirements are outside the requirements of your local jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, the search and sales process often overlooks the research necessary to understand what you are really supposed to know before the rental or purchase transaction is completed. Compounded with the problems is that policies, procedures and building codes are not stagnant. They evolve based on health, safety and cost factors including taxes and other forms of government funds. This is the reality of taking a property, and I have often asked government to communicate their changes to all the people involved with sales, legal transactions, building design, owners, etc. Instead, it is “buyer, beware.” Good luck!

© 2024 Monte Leeper

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INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

opInIons

We must back the blue, now

more than ever

Across the United States today, law enforcement agencies are being forced to contend with a previously unforeseen convergence of crises:

An explosion in fentanyl and other illicit drug trafficking. Millions of migrants who have recently crossed the southern border. And a criminal recidivism problem fueled by progressive prosecutors and their allies in elected office.

These challenges have created a worrying national trend in law enforcement morale and a deteriorating public safety situation in many corners of America, including right here in New York. It is incumbent on all levels of government to support the men and women in blue who faithfully defend the communities they have sworn to protect.

As a retired New York City police detective who now has the pleasure of serving in Congress, I will continue fighting on Capitol Hill for solutions to

Inever really thought of myself as being the product of a large family until much later in life.

When I was growing up, most knew only of my younger sister, Renee. Maybe an older brother or an older sister. But in reality, I have six brothers and sisters, which is hard to fathom — especially since I didn’t grow up with most of them.

And we only have time to blame for that.

My oldest brother, Randy, was already an adult when I was born, and welcomed his first son — my oldest nephew — when I was barely out of the crib.

He and I share our father in common, as do my two other oldest sib-

the problems plaguing police officers nationwide.

Americans of all backgrounds travel to Washington to advocate for a host of policies that are important to them.

Between May 12 and May 18, thousands of law enforcement professionals converged on the Capitol to speak with legislators in support of pro-police legislation, highlight the need for additional federal assistance for policing agencies, and memorialize law enforcement heroes who died in the line of duty.

islation, the Police Our Border Act, passed in the House of Representatives on May 17.

This bill would require the Justice Department to compile a report on the experiences of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officers working on issues related to immigration along the country’s southern border.

I will continue to fight for solutions to the problems plaguing officers nationwide.

During this year’s Police Week, I was honored to meet with representatives of several policing agencies, including former colleagues from the NYPD, to lay a wreath in memory of fallen police professionals at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, to stand alongside fellow House Republicans with law enforcement experience in support of pro-police House legislation, and to memorialize the life of fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was murdered in March during a traffic stop in Queens.

In addition to those activities, I am especially pleased to report that my leg-

Regretfully, law enforcement agencies across the country are being forced to contend with the consequences of the ongoing influx of migrants, with many local police departments thrust onto the front lines of this national crisis thanks to the Biden administration’s inability to secure our homeland.

The Police Our Border Act would provide Congress a clear picture of the new burden placed on law enforcement professionals as a result of the migrant crisis, and help legislators determine where best to divert critical federal resources law enforcement officers so desperately need.

The national conversation about policing has been volatile in recent years, and far too many officers have been unjustly targeted by an unholy alliance of radical legislators, soft-on-

crime prosecutors and district attorneys, and the perennially out-of-touch progressive activist class that have been advancing their abolish-the-police agenda.

Indeed, we have seen the fruits of these dangerous leftist ideologues in the form of New York’s disastrous “bail reform” legislation, the ascendancy of seemingly pro-criminal Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and antisemitic rioters on many college campuses targeting law enforcement professionals who were deployed simply to protect Jewish students and keep the peace.

The burgeoning anti-police alliance in American society today underscores the need for pro-police Americans and their elected representatives to make their voices heard, publicly support the nation’s law enforcement professionals, and stand up to those who seek to undermine the men and women in blue.

During my time in the NYPD, we were often called to remember the department’s motto, fidelis ad mortem — “faithful unto death.”

For as long as I have breath, I will fight for the men and women in blue, because they need our support, now more than ever.

Anthony D’Esposito represents the 4th Congressional District.

Watching life move too fast

lings, Christine and Ricky. We never shared a household. By the time I was old enough to remember anything, they were already on their own, starting their own families.

The siblings that I share with my mom, however, were younger, though not by much. Her oldest son, Rich — yes, I have two brothers with the same first name — is nine years older than me. My sister, Lynette, isn’t too far behind. We all did share a home together — that is, until they grew up and moved out, all while Renee and I were still in elementary school.

been even better.

Not having children of my own, I never had to experience that “empty nest” syndrome I’ve heard so much about. That is, until last weekend, when my youngest niece, Laci, picked up her high school diploma at a rural Pennsylvania school.

D on’t wait until so much of it has passed to appreciate it the most.

I sometimes imagine what it would’ve been like if we had all grown up together. Yet I’m glad life turned out the way it did. Growing up with my many nephews and nieces has been a fantastic experience. Seeing them start their own families and find success has

I am so proud of my niece and all that she’s accomplished in school. She’s already a certified nurse assistant, and she’ll attend Penn State University in the fall. Her brother, Ryan, is working to establish himself as an electrician. My sister and her husband, Ben, have raised some great kids.

But still, did they all have to grow up so fast? I still have a picture of me holding baby Laci in my arms for the first time some 18 years ago. I still have a picture of a note when she asked, as a

very young girl, when “Unkle Mike” was coming to visit.

Laci is smart (graduating with honors), knows what she wants, and for her, the sky’s the limit. But even she will soon experience the same thing all of us have felt — how the older we get, the faster life moves. Where, in one minute, she’s an infant in your arms, and in the next, she’s a young woman ready to start her post-high school life. It won’t be long before Laci and Ryan have families of their own, and they’ll scratch their heads, wondering how it all went by so quickly.

That’s where living in the moment really becomes valuable. Taking a breath. Pausing everything. Just enjoying what’s in front of us.

God has created a beautiful world, and filled it with so many beautiful things. Don’t wait until so much of life has passed to appreciate it the most.

Michael Hinman is executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? mhinman@liherald.com.

AnTHonY D’EsposITo

MICHAEL HInMAn

HeraLd editoriaL

Keep showing up to vote

We just voted on school and library budgets — and the trustees to manage them — but our work isn’t over. Not yet.

All of us need to get out and vote again in just a few weeks, in the primary election on June 25. And some of will also have an earlier vote as well, on June 18, for political offices in our own communities.

Yes, that’s a lot of voting. But it’s the very essence of democracy, and what helps make our country so amazing.

Voting is often described as a cornerstone of democracy, a fundamental right that empowers all of us to shape our government and its policies. While presidential elections draw significant attention, local and primary elections frequently suffer from lower voter turnout.

Many people question the importance of these smaller-scale elections — especially if the outcome seems predetermined. But voting in local and primary elections is crucial for a number of reasons, and every vote truly does matter.

Local elections directly affect our daily lives in ways that national elections do not. They determine who will make decisions about schools, public safety infrastructure and local taxes.

Letters

By participating in these local elections, we have a direct hand in shaping our neighborhoods, and ensuring that their specific needs and concerns are addressed.

Primaries — like the ones involving Assembly and State Senate seats on June 25 — are another critical juncture of the democratic process. They determine which candidates will appear on the ballot in the general election, effectively shaping the choices available to voters.

The primary is often the most competitive phase of an election, particularly in areas where one political party dominates. Yet by voting in primaries, we can influence the selection of candidates who best represent our views and values.

This is especially important when considering the diversity of opinions within a political party, whether you’re Republican or Democrat. A broad spectrum of candidates can lead to more nuanced and representative governance.

A common misperception is that an individual vote doesn’t matter, particularly if the outcome seems predictable. History, however, is replete with examples of elections that were decided by a handful of votes. Local and primary elections often have much lower turn-

The debates will answer questions

To the Editor:

On Feb. 5, Merrick Garland, the U.S. attorney general, received Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report and conclusions following his interviews with President Biden about the classified documents found at Biden’s home in Delaware and other locations.

Hur concluded there was insufficient evidence to justify charging the president with criminal misconduct. The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Kentucky Republican Congressman James Comer, requested and received from the Justice Department the 250-page transcript of the two interviews, which extended over a five-hour period.

On March 12, the House Judiciary Committee — chaired by Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Jordan — held a public hearing in which members of the committee questioned Hur about the interviews and his conclusion. At no point during the hearing did Hur, armed with a copy of the transcript, state that it was incomplete or inaccurate in any way.

Nevertheless, in May, Comer — whose months-long efforts to come up with crimes and misdemeanors sufficient to impeach the president have come to naught — demanded that the Justice Department give the committee the audiotapes of the interview, ostensibly to confirm that the transcript did not leave anything out or was inaccurate.

Citing executive privilege, the White House has refused to comply with Comer’s request.

On May 16, the Republican members of the Oversight and Judiciary committees voted to hold Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to hand over the audiotapes. That same day, Comer sent out an email seeking donations from his con-

out than national elections, meaning that each vote carries more weight. Close races can — and do — happen, and a few votes can tip the balance. At the same time, higher voter participation can lend greater legitimacy to the elected officials and the democratic process itself, fostering a more engaged and responsive government.

And, if nothing else, these local elections set the stage for future national leaders. Look at U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. The former New York Police Department detective and volunteer firefighter was first elected to the Hempstead town council in 2016. Now D’Esposito is helping to make decisions not just for parts of Nassau County, but the entire country.

Congressman Tom Suozzi is another product of local elections. He was elected mayor of Glen Cove in 1993, and moved on to become the Nassau County executive in 2001. He went to Congress in 2016, left in 2022 for a gubernatorial run, and then returned this year to replace his disgraced successor, George Santos.

Voting in local and primary elections is essential. Even if the outcome seems certain, showing up to vote is a powerful statement of engagement and commitment to the democratic process.

stituents and others in which he claimed that Biden and his advisers were “terrified that I, James Comer, will release the recordings, forcing the media and the Democrats to answer for the dismal decline of Biden’s mental state.”

Obviously, since the transcript is complete, the only reason that Comer and his fellow Republicans want the audiotapes is to use edited parts of

them in ads, in attempts to prove Biden’s diminishing mental competence.

Perhaps the first televised presidential debate between Biden and former president Donald Trump, scheduled to take place on June 27, will reveal to some degree the mental competence of both candidates.

MIRIAM LEVINE HELBOK Bronx

iThe echoes of Kristallnacht in New York City

ari Brown

n the early hours of May 15, an unsettling event transpired in New York City. Rothschild TLV, a kosher restaurant on Manhattan’s Lexington Avenue, was targeted by vandals. The incident came on the heels of antiIsrael protests, casting a grim light on the surge of antisemitism that has beset the city. The restaurant’s chef, Guy Kairi, recounted how passersby hurled vitriolic comments, linking their hate speech to the state of Palestine. Such remarks reflect an alarming rise in hostility toward the Jewish community. This act of vandalism was more than just a broken window; it was a stark reminder of darker times. Broken glass has a poignant meaning for the Jewish people, evoking memories of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, in 1938. Nazis terrorized Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues and homes in Germany, marking a significant escalation in the

persecution of Jews. What happened at Rothschild TLV was a chilling echo of those atrocities, reminding us that hatred, if left unchecked, can escalate into widespread violence.

The parallels to Kristallnacht are not drawn lightly. On Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, the Nazis orchestrated a series of pogroms under the guise of spontaneous public outrage. This coordinated attack on Jewish lives and property marked the beginning of a more intense phase of the Holocaust. The violence seen on Kristallnacht was a precursor to the horrors that followed, because it emboldened Nazi officials to pursue even more aggressive anti-Jewish policies. Today, we must be vigilant to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

when looting of our Democratic-run cities was the norm, sometimes encouraged, and for the most part not prosecuted.

Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, there has been a noticeable uptick in antisemitic and anti“establishment” incidents in cities across the country. These acts of hate, whether they manifest as vandalism, hate speech or physical violence, threaten the fabric of our diverse communities.

t he seeming normalization of antisemitic incidents is what’s so disconcerting.

The echoes of the past are reverberating in our present. The attack on Rothschild TLV was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a worrying trend of increasing antisemitic and anti-American acts in our city and, for that matter, in our country. Let’s remember the Summer of Rage in 2020,

Letters

Let’s put aside the ignorance

To the Editor:

Why does ignorance about the history of Palestine and Israel still persist? Palestine was an ancient land, named by the Romans, and was home to the Jews for thousands of years. The indigenous Palestinians were the Jews.

In 1923, the British decreed that 70 percent of the Palestine Mandate — which they won by defeating the Ottoman Empire in World War I — should become an Arab state, and named it Transjordan, later shortened to Jordan.

In World War II, the Nazis — who were supported by the Arabs of Palestine (the Mufti of Jerusalem spent the war years in Germany as Hitler’s guest) — were defeated. Then, after much deliberation, the United Nations decided to divide what was left of the land of the Palestine Mandate.

The Jews of Palestine were offered roughly half of what was left of the mandate territory (perhaps 10 percent of the original land) in order to establish their own state. And the Arabs were offered the other part. The population settlements were considered.

In 1948, the Jews created Israel. The Palestinian Arabs did not create a state, and instead started a war against Israel, the first of many — and they lost all of

them.

According to international law, all territory lost by the aggressors in a war that they started belongs to the defenders. The Israelis should own Gaza and the West Bank. They don’t want it. They just want to be left alone, in peace, having absorbed more Jews who were forced to leave Muslim lands than the total number of Arabs who left Palestine/Israel during the wars that the Arabs started.

The Jordanians controlled the Palestinian part of the land for 19 years, but in all that time, the Palestinian Arabs never created a state. They had several chances to do so, but each time they refused.

Now they are chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Most of the protesters now don’t know the name of the river or the sea, but their stated goal is to destroy Israel, and create yet another Arab state, without any Jews, as they declared in their newly proposed charter.

To say this is justice is ludicrous!

The Palestinian Arabs have exported their “intifada” to the world. They rely on people’s ignorance of their history to justify their absurd grievances. They have created no viable companies or societies on their own.

The United Nations and Israel have paid for their housing, food and living expenses. The Arabs maintain “refugee camps” 75 years after they lost the war they began, instead of creating peaceful societies. They are the only people, in the

fervor, with music and festivities filling the streets, signaling that fear will not silence the Jewish voice.

But resilience alone is not enough. We need actionable steps from our city’s leaders to combat this hate, and that begins with ending cashless bail and replacing the Soros-bought district attorneys.

What is most disconcerting is the seeming normalization of such acts.

The New York City Police Department’s initial lack of information about the incident at Rothschild TLV underscores a broader problem: Antisemitic acts are becoming so frequent that they risk becoming part of the city’s backdrop.

It is imperative that we address this rising tide of antisemitism head-on. The Jewish community’s response to the attack on Rothschild TLV has been one of resilience and solidarity. Celebrations of Israeli Independence Day on May 14 were marked with even more

New York City must stand united against antisemitism in all its forms. We must ensure that our law enforcement agencies have the resources, the training and the public and judicial backup necessary to identify and respond to hate crimes effectively. And we must promote educational initiatives that foster understanding and tolerance among our diverse populations, and that begins with the immediate removal of educators who teach and encourage this hate.

The echoes of the past are indeed haunting, but they also offer us a chance to reaffirm our commitment to a future of peace, tolerance and mutual respect. As I am often heard saying, “This is how it all began. We must ensure it never happens again, and if it does, it will be punished.”

Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.

Framework by Tim Baker

history of civilization, to demand they still be designated ”refugees” generations after the war they initiated had ended.

Ignorance is not bliss. Hamas and the Palestinian Arab protesters have used “useful idiots” to advance their cause, as

described by a former member of Hamas.

The time to stop that is now.

At Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve — Merrick

WINNER

HERALD