Rockville Centre Herald 11-24-2022

Nothing beats a good book

Daniel Offner/Herald

Pantry combats food insecurity

MLK Center provides Thanksgiving dinners for hungry neighbors

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

The cupboards inside the Martin Luther King Jr. Commu nity Center, on Centre Avenue in Rockville Centre, were stocked with canned goods and other food last Friday in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Within three weeks, however, all of the boxes will be gone and the shelves will once again be bare, according to Rena Ribeck, one of the organizers of the pan try and a co-founder of the non profit Anti-Racism Project.

“Today is unusual, because today you’re seeing people donat ing for Thanksgiving,” Ribeck

said. “There’s that spirit of giv ing, so people will dig a little deeper. But other months, it’s a struggle.”

Food insecurity impacts roughly 228,000 people on Long Island, according to Long Island Cares, a nonprofit organization and food bank dedicated to serv ing the hungry and food inse cure population. They include the unemployed, the homeless, the working poor and veterans — children, adults, seniors and families who have a hard time securing their next meal.

Dozens of people who faced the prospect of not having enough to eat on Thanksgiving

Much-loved RVC ice cream shop will close next month

By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Five Pennies Creamery, in Rockville Centre, will close in December, after more than a decade at its Park Avenue loca tion.

“It’s bittersweet,” Five Pen nies owner Dan Levine said. “I will miss this place and the peo ple of Rockville Centre.”

Since it opened in 2010, the mom-and-pop, boutique-style ice cream shop has become known as a community fixture. It is known for its homemade ice cream, and people have traveled from far and wide to try a scoop.

On sultry summer days and

nights, there was often a line of customers that stretched out the door and down the block.

Levine, 69, said that when he started the business, it was his goal to capture the nostalgia and appeal of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, and that, his cus tomers said, is what he did.

Named after the 1959 film starring Danny Kaye and Louis Armstrong, Five Pennies became more than just a vintagethemed storefront in the commu nity. It was a destination. And it was also a place where you could grab a handmade treat on your way home from the movies or the train station.

Despite managing to stay

afloat for the past two and a half years during the coronavirus pandemic, Levine acknowledged Covid’s negative impact as well as the challenge of increasing expenses, which made it difficult to stay in business.

“Its heartbreaking for me, too,” he said. “I put my heart and soul into this, and there are so many wonderful customers who I’m going to miss.”

Levine also said that he recently moved from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley, and was com muting more than an hour and a half to get to Long Island.

He announced his plans to close next month with a letter recently posted in the window of

the store. “I share this message with a heavy heart and bitter sweet nostalgia,” it reads.

Levine wrote that serving the community has been one of the proudest accomplishments of his life. “I’ve seen generations of kids and families grow; I have grown with them,” the letter reads. “While these past years have proven tumultuous for our

country, ice cream has stood as the great unifier. Day in and day out, I have served smiling faces who laugh in the face of dark ness. Thank you for helping shape the community around the shop and supporting us for so many years. I’m humbled by your collective kindness, hon ored to serve so many, and proud

St. Agnes Music Director Michael Bower reads to students for Community Readers Day on Nov. 18. See page 19 for more photos.

Rockville Centre

Nancy Slavin for being ranked the #1 Agent at Douglas Elliman Real

Rockville centRe Resident David Putterman, 40, gets the gold, finishing the 5-kilometer race with the fastest overall time of 17 minutes and 57 seconds.

November 24, 2022

RVC runners met with fierce competition

David Putterman takes home the gold at the annual 5K race and Family Fun Run

By daniel offneR doffner@liherald.com

Runners filled the roadway along Front Street in Rock ville Centre on a brisk Satur day morning for the start of the annual 5K and Family Fun Run competitions sponsored by the RVC Rec reation Department.

Hundreds gathered by the LIRR train station for the start of the event, which began with the 1-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by the highly competitive five-kilometer relay at 9:30 a.m.

In total, 241 runners completed the 5K run, based on the results provided by Finish Line Road Race Technicians.

David Putterman, 40, of Rockville Centre finished in first place this year with a time of 17 minutes and 57 sec onds.

Just seconds behind, Greg Rachman, 28, of Huntington Station (17:59) and James Albarella, 20, of Rockville Centre (18:10) came close to finish in second and third place respectively.

Maria Marascia, 31, of West Babylon was the first female to cross the finish line, placing in fourth overall with a final time of 18 minutes and 42 seconds.

Younger runners who finished in the Top 20 overall included 15-year-old Bren dan Fitzatrick of South Hempstead (9th place, 19:51), 16-year-old Claire Bohan (10th place, 19:52), 15-year-old Lana Jew ett (11th, 19:56), 14-year-old Finley Prince (15th, 20:50), 14-year-old Patrick Curran (18th, 21:21), and 15-year-old Michael Riomao (19th, 21:23). For more race results, visit FLRRT.com.

and they’Re off. Racers take off from the starting line to complete the annual 5K and Family Fun Run in Rockville Centre on Nov. 19.

the Pizzigati family — Laura, Melissa and James crossed the finish line together.

Rockville centRe dePuty Mayor Kathy Baxley, with Village Trustees Emilio Grillo and Katie Conlon, hand out medals to the fun runners.

Sue Grieco/Herald photos

Pantry provides food to hungry neighbors

gathered at the MLK Center early to secure a spot in line for the pantry. The tables inside were filled with a wide vari ety of cereal, pasta, bread, milk and fresh produce. There were also plenty of tur keys and chickens, provided by Island Harvest, the largest hunger-relief organi zation on Long Island.

Sharon’s MLK Pantry was created in April 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic worsened. Seeing the growing need in the community, Ribeck and the other cofounder of the Anti-Racism Project, Judy Rattner, a former editor of the Herald, got together with Sharon Sheppard, the asso ciate director of the MLK Center, to try to do something about the growing trend.

“What started with 22 families now varies between 80 and 100,” Ribeck said. “There have been some incredible people that have been helping out.”

Sheppard was instrumental in plan ning and preparing the pantry, which she considers one of her many passion proj ects. But in July 2020, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and was forced to reduce her role. To help with the pantry, which now bears her name, she enlisted her sister, Karen Mobley, to keep her vision alive.

“You could be a couple and still be struggling,” Mobley said. “Rents are skyhigh. Everything is doubling. Butter is $7. Whatever you do to add to your cabinet or cupboard can be a blessing.”

The pantry primarily serves needy families and Long Islanders who are working but have limited incomes, but it is open to anyone. Most families pick up food in person, but in the past, volunteers have made deliveries to elderly residents.

“Before we were doing the community and seniors, but due to the economy, even people that are working can’t afford to eat,” Sheppard said. “So it’s open for

everybody.”

What sets Sharon’s Pantry apart from others is that it runs solely on donations of money and food, the latter mostly col lected at food drives. All of the money that is raised is used to buy meat, produce and other items every week.

Food donations often come from com munity organizations, including the National Council of Jewish Women,

Rockville Centre Boy Scout Troop 40, Temple B’Nai Sholom-Beth David, Sons of a Butcher in Oceanside, and the Sister hood of Central Synagogue Beth Emeth, which provides $300 worth of cereal each month. Produce is provided at cost by Fruit Tree Farms.

“We’re very thankful for all of the donors,” Rattner said.

Due to increasing demand, however, the facility often struggles to stock enough food. The cost of meat typically runs about $500 to $1,000 per week, Ribeck said, and produce can cost $150 to $250 per week. Volunteers put together a list of needed items each week, which they share on social media with the hope of soliciting donations.

This month, thanks to the help of Island Harvest, they were able to stock the pantry with 65 turkeys and 30 chickens, enough to provide a proper Thanksgiving meal for everyone who showed up. “This week we were really lucky,” Ribeck said last Friday. “Combined with what we bought . . . we have enough for everybody.”

But there is always a need for more. Anyone interested in donating food can drop it off at the MLK Center, at 150 N. Centre Ave., on Friday mornings between 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Monetary donations can be sent by check to the Anti-Racism Project, at 30 Seaman Ave. in Rockville Centre, or elec tronically via Zelle at antiracismproject li@gmail.com.

Daniel Offner/Herald

The Sharon’S PanTry team, from left, Karen Mobley, Sharon Shepherd, Rena Ribeck, Carol Fisher and Judy Rattner, volunteer at the pantry every Friday.

GOP, Dems can’t agree on district maps

As comments close, voters beg for more time to decide

By KarINa KOVaC kkovac@liherald.com

Nassau County Republicans and Demo crats remained far apart when it comes to redistricting the county legislature. And as a final map is expected to be released this week — if not already — some who gath ered to see drafts proposals in Mineola seemed displeased, too.

Redistricting happens once every decade, coinciding with the census, and happening at all levels of government. Bat tles raged earlier this year over statewide maps determining congressional districts and state officeholders. And it was no dif ferent last week when the public had a chance to speak out about the maps used to determine who will represent them in the county legislature.

It was, of course, a meeting that also included claims of “gerrymandering,” from people like SUNY Binghamton politi cal science professor Daniel Magleby, who defined the term as districting that typical ly gives one political party “an unfair advantage by diluting opposition’s voting strength.”

“This is a textbook, example of what a packing gerrymander looks like,” Magleby said of the maps, comparing them to the last time the county redistricted, and what he described as an “extreme partisan ger rymander and an outlier relative to this ensemble of maps.

“Both maps — the 2013 map and the Nov. 10 Republican proposal — show pat terns of systematic bias against Democrat ic voters in ways that underweighs their influence on elections in this county.”

Even Francis Moroney, chair of the committee in charge of reviewing the maps, agreed with Magleby.

“We all know that their proposal is bla tantly illegal,” he said. “So it is not surpris ing that they are trying to shield the map from public view, and it made it impossible for the public to understand why they are proposing what they are proposing. We cannot ignore the fact that the severe seg

regation and discrimination in Nassau County is a result of gerrymandered maps.”

But if there was a lack of transparency on the Republican side, it wasn’t much dif ferent than what was happening on the Democratic side, said committee member Peter Bee.

“They ambush you,” he said. “That’s their job. They’re trying to paint a picture that doesn’t exist. From our point of view, a Democratically controlled Assembly, a Democratically controlled Senate, to the Democratic governor enacted a law that said redistricting shall be done in a partic ular manner.”

The main goal, Bee explained, is “one person, one vote,” that is that “each legisla tor should represent roughly the same number of people.”

“I think our map has a smaller devia tion in population than does the Democrat ic map,” Bee said. “The state law also says that you are not to deny racial or language minority groups their participation in pol itics. We do not think that our mapping has done so.”

But each map has its flaws, according to

civil rights lawyer Frederick Brewington, describing those problems with terms like “stacking,” “packing” and “cracking,” which he says creates an unequal balance of power.

“It’s very important for you to under stand that the reason why so many people are here, there is no hope that you’re going to do the right thing,” Brewington said. “But there is hope that we can take this to a place where they will say that you did them wrong. And as a result, we made the record for you, so you can’t say you weren’t warned.”

Brewington implored the committee to think of voters when designing the maps, while also looking inward.

“When you take a look at your own map, please, everybody, look at it in the mirror,” he said. “Look at yourself and evaluate whether or not am I, as a human being with authority and power, will hand this map over to the legislature so that they can do their dirty work?

“And if that’s your vote, shame on you. But God bless.”

The committee was expected to finalize its maps on Monday.

what the people are saying

Proposed redistricting maps for the Nassau County Legislature has drawn mixed reactions from some of the people it

“Possible 10,000 simulated maps using the gold standards method known as ensemble it was found to be more extremely gerrymandered in favor of Republicans that all of the maps run methodology recognized by the courts. The mapmaker then attempted to debunk the methodolo gy by saying that it doesn’t take pub lic comment into consideration, but neither do his maps. When asked if he believes a map would comply with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, he said, ‘I don’t have to apply the law to this map.’”

Fleischer,

“Last time I spoke to this body, I asked you to redistrict by the interest of the people, not party. It seems that that has gone by the wayside. You’re dividing communities. You’re diluting our community representa tion and our ability to get anything done for our community. I look to our neighbor over in South Hempstead — they’re even smaller than us, and they are three parts. That’s crazy. How you divided up Freeport? Oh my gosh, crazy. I know firsthand the diffi culty of trying to get something done when you are divided up.”

–Karen Montalbano,

liaiso

Karina Kovac/Herald photos

There were a number of unhappy people attending last week’s meeting in Mineola of the committee in charge of creating districting maps for the Nassau County Legislature. A final decision was expected as early as this week.

POlITICal sCIeNCe PrOfessOr Daniel Magleby tells a Nassau County Legislature redistricting committee last week its maps from both Democrats and Republicans show clear gerrymandering. Final maps determining who will represent who at the county level are expected as early as this week.

would represent.

–Arlo

Nassau County Civil Liberties Union organizer

Baldwin Civic Association government

That’s right, girls can play hockey, too

Islanders’ elite travel program celebrates Title IX

By MALLORY WILSON mwilson@liherald.com

It’s just 37 words long, but its impact has lasted 50 years and counting.

The civil rights law known as Title IX opened the doors to legal equality for women in educational insti tutions — including sports — and was celebrated at Garden City’s Cradle of Avi ation last week when more than 100 girl ice hockey players and their parents gath ered to talk about how this federal legisla tion afforded these girls the opportunity to play a sport that has typically been male-dominated.

They are members of the New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey program run at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow — the same facility used by the cherished local NHL squad. The teams have girls ranging in ages from 8 to 19,and was started in 2016 by Alexis Moed, the general manager of the Pre mier Hockey Federation’s Connecticut Whale.

“It was just my feeling that things weren’t being done the best way that they could be, or the way that was the most beneficial to the players,” Moed said. “So, I took all of my experiences and what I went through, and taking everything that I didn’t have growing up, and putting it together for them in the program.”

The young players come from all over Long Island. Some started with Girls Elite Hockey, while others might have first dropped pucks in boys’ leagues before eventually finding themselves with the newer league. Either way, the consensus is clear — they like where they are, and they like having their own league.

Debbie Curry started playing with an Oyster Bay town league before joining a travel hockey team with the Long Island Sharks in New Hyde Park. But after three years playing with them, the 12-year-old goalie from Seaford was let go.

“She was so dedicated, and we were very involved,” her dad, Keith Curry said. “And then she got cut along with most of the other girls on the team.”

Moving Debbie to Girls Elite Hockey was the best thing to happen to her, said her mom, Christie.

“She always had a target (on) her for being a girl in a boy sport,” Christie said. “Here she can be recognized and have a chance to go somewhere with hockey in the future because they’re giving the girls a chance to shine. I’ve never seen her so happy, and she can just be herself.”

Debbie wants to eventually go pro, and feels like this Islanders group gives her that chance because “they accepted me much quicker than the boys did.”

Being accepted and feeling more com fortable were common themes.

“I felt welcome on the boys’ teams I played with, but there were definitely some boys who would tell me that they were better than me because I was a girl,” said Emily Stein, a 12-year-old from Bell more. “It’s so much better with girls because you feel more comfortable. And

it’s like a second family.”

Adrianna Morabito says she can com pete at the same level as boys, but cama raderie is what led the 12-year-old Want agh player to the all-girls league.

“At any other organization, I could’ve been at 12U and quit because I didn’t like anyone on my team,” she said. “But because I was here, the friendships have been really good, and they’ve made me a much better player.”

Last week’s panel, moderated by Jamie Hersch of the NHL Network, pre sented perspectives of Title IX’s impact from women in different fields. Among those joining Hersch were Girls Elite Hockey founder Moed along with UBS Arena human resources head Lea Del Rosario, Dr. Amy West from Northwell Health Orthopedic Institute in New Hyde Park, and Kelly Nash, the head coach of Long

ice

JAMIe heRSch, Of the NHL Network, asked each panelist a list of questions for them to give their input on.

AdRIANNA MORABItO, 12, far left, and teammates Megan McCarthy, 14, and Emily Stein, 12, joined those participating in a panel to talk about Title IX’s impact on women in sports at the Cradle of Aviation in Garden City.

hockey team.

“I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more growth in the last 50 years,” Moed said. “But we recognize that the change can be slow. And we’re all committed to pushing that along.”

Island University’s women’s

Tim Baker/Herald photos

MeMBeRS Of the New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey program joined their parents and coaches celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX last week with a panel of women who spoke about how the groundbreaking law shaped their professional careers.

Hofstra law dedicates Abrams Fensterman Lobby

For 16 years, the law firm provided money to support students at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. And now the lobby there will be named after the firm.

The dedication of the new Abrams Fensterman Lobby is part of Hofstra Law’s Vision 2020 campaign. Samuel Fer rara, executive partner at the Lake Suc cess-based firm, was a member of the campaign’s leadership board.

“We as a firm are truly honored by this recognition from Hofstra Law,” said Howard Fensterman, the firm’s manag ing partner, in a release. “We are proudly committed to continuing our support of the law school and their talented and ded icated students.”

The first law school campaign was suc cessfully completed more than 22 years ago — around the same time Abrams Fensterman was founded, and has since raised nearly $22 million, surpassing its initial goals of $12.5 million, and even its “stretch” goal of $17.5 million. The cam paign was created as part of the law school’s 50th anniversary.

Funds were raised through alumni, friends, organizations, faculty and staff members. Hofstra also hosted a hall of fame and 50th anniversary celebration that supported the campaign.

Money is used to fund recruitment efforts as well as provide scholarships while expanding cutting-edge programs in areas such as legal technology. Funds

were also used to create new interdisci plinary programs within Hofstra’s gradu ate schools.

The current campaign has been underway the last four years and has

been credited with increasing support to more than 200 named scholarships and fellowships. That includes the Dean’s Legal Tech Fellowship Program for law and engineering students to work on arti

ficial intelligence projects within the school’s research lab while adding five new legal tech courses to the curriculum.

The campaign also supported faculty scholarship and hiring, and adapted to virtual and hybrid teaching during the coronavirus pandemic with upgraded “lecture capture” technology in newly modernized classrooms with a new stu dent lounge and public event spaces.

Attorneys from Abrams Fensterman — including more than two-dozen Hofs tra Law alum — routinely serve as adjunct professors and guest speakers. They also participate in the law school’s mentorship programs and mock inter view events.

The firm was founded in 2000 and has offices in Brooklyn, White Plains, Albany and Rochester.

The Abrams Fensterman Lobby is a multifunction space where students study, collaborate, and gather for law school receptions and communityfocused events.

“We are grateful for visionaries like Howard Fensterman, and everyone at Abrams Fensterman for their investment in Hofstra Law and their commitment to mentoring, training and hiring our stu dents,” said Gail Prudenti, dean of Hofs tra Law, in a release. “Their support ensures these efforts will continue to grow far into the future.”

–Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Brooke Walker

The main enTryway into the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University is now known as Abrams Fensterman Lobby after the Lake Success-based firm that has provided money and instruction at the school. Joining in the dedication were, from left, Abrams Fensterman managing partner Howard Fensterman, Hofstra Law dean Gail Prudenti, and Abrams Fensterman executive partner Robert Abrams.

Bowling organization gives back to veterans

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

John LaSpina, president of the Maple Family Centers in Rockville Centre, recently presented a $250,000 donation to the National Association of State Veterans Homes on behalf of the Bowlers to Veter ans Link.

“Bowling and the people who serve have a long history together,” LaSpina said.

In addition to owning and operating five bowling alleys across New York and Florida, including Maple Lanes RVC, LaSpina is also chairman of the Bowlers to Veterans Link board of directors.

The bowling industry’s national charity organization, Bowlers to Veterans Link, was first created in 1942, when bowlers nationwide helped raise funds to purchase planes to bring wounded men and women in the service home from World War II.

Since that time, the organization has helped raise more than $55 million for rec reation and therapeutic programs and services to address the emotional and physical needs of veterans and activeduty military.

Through this donation, the National Association of State Veterans homes will provide state-of-the-art virtual reality equipment and content created by the com pany, MyndVR, at 50 state veteran homes across the country.

“Today, we are enabling veterans to vir

tually land on the USS Eisenhower in the Atlantic Ocean, go skydiving in a wing suit, travel the world, and engage in a whole new range of experiences as part of their recreation therapy activities,” LaSpi na said in a press release. “We are excited to join forces with MyndVR to bring this incredible state-of-the-art technology to brighten the lives of as many veterans as possible.”

LaSpina referred to VR therapy as “tomorrow’s penicillin,” noting specifical ly how it can be applied and the many uses it will have for people with PTSD and other mental health concerns.

“Virtual reality is on the cutting edge of healing therapy,” LaSpina said.

Having witnessed the VR therapy pro gram in action, he recalled how it was used to help one patient who had been

struggling to grasp certain objects, to suc cessfully improve his dexterity catching butterflies.

MyndVR Founder and CEO, Chris Brickler, said that it is an “absolute honor” to be able to provide its brand of therapeu tic virtual reality to veterans all across the nation.

“These veterans have earned this tech nology that provides emotional comfort, cognitive engagement, and even physical exercise in long-term care. The therapeu tic power of VR is truly limitless,” Brick ler said in a release.

Thanks to the generosity of the Bowl ers to Veterans Link organization, veter ans living in state homes, like the one in Stony Brook, will soon have the opportuni ty to experience this state-of-the-art thera py for themselves.

“Veterans have many scars,” LaSpina said. “Some you see. Some you don’t see.”

Through their innovative virtual reali ty devices, MyndVR is able to provide orig inal and licensed therapeutic content that is sensitive to the specific needs of veter ans, and encourages engagement and well ness in seniors.

In addition to providing virtual reality therapy to veterans, the organization is asking bowling alleys to round up their sales, or collect a $1 donation, to help raise money for veterans this month.

For more information about the organi zation, its 80-year history, and the other programs they support, visit BVL.org.

Courtesy of Bowlers to Veterans Link BOwLERs tO VEtERANs Link presents a $250,000 check to the National Association of State Veterans Homes to fund virtual reality therapy programs for veterans. From left: Jonathan Spier, deputy executive director of Long Island State Veterans Home, John LaSpina, president of Maple Family Centers and Bowlers to Veterans Link board chairman, Chris Brickler, MyndVR founder and CEO, and Fred Sganga, executive director of Long Island State Veterans Home.

Odd Fellows make a donation

On Saturday, Nov. 19, members of the Rockville Centre Odd Fellows Lodge No. 279 donated 150 turkeys and over $1,000 of non-perishable food items to the Rockville Centre Recreation Center, Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, and the St. Agnes Food Pantry.

RVC Odd Fellows Lodge No. 279 members, from left, Jim Supple, Andre Farr, Scott Ketler, John Pucciarelli, Ryan

The cheF is found dead in the mansion. Who could’ve dunnit?

SSHS students perform ‘Clue: The Musical’

There has been a murder in the man sion and its up to you to determine who is behind this devious act, where the crime took place, and what device did the killer use as a weapon.

Was it Colonel Mustard? Professor Plum? Mrs. Peacock? The classic board game from the Parker Brothers came to

life on the stage at South Side High School from Nov. 17 through Nov. 19, when stu dents in the drama program dressed up as their favorite color-coated game piece for the three night production of “Clue: The Musical.”

Photos courtesy David Ajello

Courtesy of RVC School District

–Daniel Offner

STEPPING OUT

Usher in the Thankful for feasting and festivities

By Karen Bloom

Feasting Native American-style

Early on in our nation’s history Native Americans handed down time-honored practices to rejoice over nature’s bounty at harvest time, even though it certainly wasn’t Thanksgiving as we know it. Yet, there was plenty of feasting and festivities as these early Americans gathered to commemorate their harvest before preparing to settle in for the approaching winter.

An annual holiday event — one that has been popular here for more than 25 years now — takes place at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve yearly around Thanksgiving.

• Garvies Preserve Native American Festival, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove

• For information, contact (516) 571-8010 or GarviesPointMuseum.com

• Old Westbury Gardens

Shimmering Solstice, select dates through Jan. 1, beginning 5:30 p.m.

71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

Saturday’s hands-on program — held both indoors and out — gives visitors a first-hand look at Native American life through a glimpse of how the state’s earliest inhabitants lived. Everyone can participate in tool and pottery-making, stone drilling and the use of the atlatl (a spear-throwing tool). Primitive fire building (without matches!) and some on-site cooking are among other activities always enjoyed by all who take part.

• For tickets/ information, contact ShimmeringSolstice.com or OldWestburyGardens.org or (516) 333-0048

Families can also explore the process of creating “dugout” canoes, along with corn grinding and storytelling (at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.) with Chief Redfeather of eastern Long Island’s Montaukett tribe. Also check out displays of artifacts from the museum collection and the authentic reproduction of a wigwam, always a favorite with kids and parents.

While there, be sure to take a look at the museum’s permanent exhibits, which showcase Long Island’s Native American culture and archaeology, as well as the geology of Long Island and New York state.

Shimmering Solstice

The famed lush grounds that define Old Westbury Gardens are festively lit up for the holiday season. The walk-through seasonal light show, “Shimmering Solstice,” returns for a second year, opening Friday, through Jan. 1.

This year more visuals have been added, including a re-designed interactive area with three new exhibits to engage adults and children alike; seasonal music throughout the expanded illuminated path, along with an illuminated water element on the West Pond. Also the Garden of Appreciation will be turned into a comfortable warming area with a concession stand for seasonal snacks and drinks.

The custom-built experience — created by Lightswitch, a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers — has been specially fashioned to highlight Old Westbury Gardens’ uniquen characteristics.

“Shimmering Solstice was designed to be a celebration of our space,” says Maura Brush, director of horticulture at Old Westbury Gardens. “The features that define Old Westbury Gardens such as the formal allées, ponds, and statuary are all illuminated so visitors can view them in a completely different light. Instead of flowers, the gardens will be blooming with light. This is truly an enchanting combination of the beauty of the gardens and the magic of the season.”

The family-friendly experience is intended to be explored at your own pace. For the exciting finale, everyone will be dazzled to see Westbury House’s south facade come alive with magical lights and seasonal sounds. And this year an exciting twist is promised, according to the design team.

The Doo Wop Project

The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning: tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. Featuring stars from Broadway hits ‘Jersey Boys,’ ‘Motown: The Musical’ and ‘A Bronx Tale,’ The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate — and in some cases entirely reimagine — the greatest music in American pop and rock history.

It’s a musical journey featuring foundational tunes from the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to ‘DooWopified’ versions of modern hits from Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and Sam Smith.

Sunday, Nov. 27, 3 p.m. $40-$65. Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

Straight No Chaser

It’s been 25 years since Straight No Chaser introduced their signature style of a cappella to the world. If the phrase ‘male a cappella group’ conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses ... think again. These gents are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch.

They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fan base and a long list of accomplishments including two RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide. SNC is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music — and with a sense of humor Now, these delightful fellas are on tour celebrating their milestone anniversary.

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, 59.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

WHERE WHEN

Courtesy Garvies Point Museum

Photos: Garvies Point Museum’s annual Native American Fall Festival is a seasonal tradition.

Now that we’ve enjoyed the big feast, all the spectacle and delights of the festive season have arrived. Yes you can head out and start that holiday shopping — or venture out to explore some of the many holiday-themed events nearby.

Courtesy Old Westbury Garden

Photo: Old Westbury Gardens’ meandering paths along the famed Walled Garden, the Rose Garden, and the South Lawn are aglow with holiday splendor.

THE SCENE

Fresh food at the farmers market

Visit the Rockville Centre Farmers Market each Sunday, through Dec. 18, from 7 a.m. to noon, in the parking lot across from Bigelow’s Clam Bar on Sunrise Highway and Long Beach Road. Operated by the Long Island Growers Market, vendors include Norman’s Best Pickles, Orwashers Baked Goods, Natural Hounds Wet Dog Food, and Lithology Brewing Co. For more information, call (631) 323-3653.

On stage

Plaza Theatrical continues its season with “Grumpy Old Men: The Musical,” Saturday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 27, 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. Also Dec. 1-4. Based on the beloved 1993 film, which starred Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret, this stage adaptation captures the lovably crotchety characters through twinkling humor, great songs, and the affectionate depiction of a small town that feels like home to everyone. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Wooden House Decor Workshop

The

Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., performing a selection of his favorites from the Great American Songbook while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music. In this joyous evening of glorious songs and personal storytelling, on the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, Danza combines timeless music with wit, charm, storytelling, and a dash of soft shoe and ukulele, backed by a four-piece band.Tickets are $62, available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Sing your heart out

It’s karaoke night in Rockville Centre. Show your stuff at the Taqueria and Tequila Bar, 19 N. Park Ave., every Wednesday, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. featuring Dave G.

Join Hue Art Studio, Friday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for a special workshop on designing and decorating your own freestanding wooden home holiday display, 326 Sunrise Highway. Cost is $50 to participate; advance registration is required online at HueStudioArts.com.

Tony Danza

actor-entertainer bring his “Standards & Stories” concert to Tilles Center, Friday,

Holiday fun

Visit the streets of 19th century London during the darkest days of the year, in this adaption of the classic “A Christmas Carol,” with the Experiential Theater Company, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; also Wednesday, Nov. 30, 10:15 a.m. and noon, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. Meet the Cratchit family, Mr. Scrooge, and the ghosts of past, present and future in this interactive show that weaves together music, humor, puppetry and collaboration. Celebrate the change of seasons through this beloved literary tale. Performances continue through December.

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

Watson Winter Concert

On exhibit

Students at Floyd B. Watson Elementary School host their holiday concert, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m., in the school auditorium, 277 N. Centre Ave.. For more information contact the school at (516) 255-8904. Dec.

Tree LIghting

Join the Village of Rockville Centre for its annual Christmas tree lighting Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., on the Village Green, lalong Maple Avenue.

Art talk

Happy Thanksgiving

All school and municipal offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, for the holiday.

Having an event?

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, PhD, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. He’ll discuss “Photography: Beauty and Truth,” in a session that examines the intensely emotional approach to photography taken by many of the greats, including Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans, and the analytic, formal path of the Bechers, Struth, Hofer and many Contemporary artists. Participation is limited; registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

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

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

On stage

Everyone’s favorite candy man lights up the stage, in Plaza Theatrical’s family-friendly production of “Willy Wonka,” Saturday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m. This scrumdidilyumptious musical features the enchanting songs from the film starring Gene Wilder. Tickets are $16. Grab your golden ticket and visit the Plaza stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

a sign of the times: Five Pennies hung a For Rent sign

Five Pennies set to close for good next month

of any joy Five Pennies may have brought to your life. I know it has changed me for the better, forever.”

Shannon McComb, the owner of the Lucky Finds Boutique on Park Avenue, said that she opened her consignment shop almost a year after Five Pennies.

“It’s a staple in the community, and we are very sad to see it go,” McComb said. “Any time people came in from out of town, I would send them to Five Pennies for their absolutely delicious ice cream.”

Lisa Umansky, president of the Rock ville Centre Chamber of Commerce and the owner of Polka Dot Pound Cake, on Long Beach Road, said that the pandem ic’s impact on small businesses has been

especially treacherous for restaurants and other food establishments.

“The past three years have certainly been tough,” Umansky said. “The everincreasing cost of ingredients and utili ties makes it challenging to continue to run a business on a day-to-day basis.”

Umansky added that it was sad to see a wonderful establishment like Five Pen nies leave the village after so many years, and that Levine and his staff always did their best to make customers feel wel come.

“I am sorry to see them go,” Umansky said. “They will definitely be missed by the business community. We wish Dan and his staff all the best in their future endeavors.”

LoyaL customers showed their support for Five Pennies Creamery in Rockville Centre before it closes in December.

in the window of the Park Avenue establishment.

Daniel Offner/Herald photos

The Bristal Assisted Living has been serving seniors and their families in the tri-state area since 2000, offering independent and assisted living, as well as state-of-the-art memory care programs. We are committed to helping residents remain independent, while providing peace of mind that expert care is available, if needed. On-site services and amenities include daily housekeeping, gourmet meals, a cinema, salon, plus so much more. Discover a vibrant community, countless social events with new friends, and a luxurious lifestyle that you will only find at The Bristal.

Herald Sc H ool S

Students at Covert Elementary School give back

The core classes at the William S. Covert Elementary School did something recently that is sweet to “the core.”

Students walked from class-to-class selling apple cider to classmates for only a dollar a glass during its “Sweet to the Core” sale on Nov. 1.

The refreshing and sweet treat brought a lot of smiles to students’ faces. All of the proceeds collected during the apple cider sale were donated by the students to Love, Nana, a community service project presented by the Backyard Players and Friends.

Love, Nana is a local volunteer and donation based non-profit group, which assists local families in-need by providing gently used clothing for newborns. It also offers inclusive skills training and community experi ence for all of their volunteers.

Students presented their donation to Nana and her daughter Ellen at Covert Elementary School on Thurs., Nov. 17. The Raymar Children’s Fund helped out by matching the donation raised by the students.

“Our school district is a community organization and partnerships with local organizations like Love, Nana and the Backyard Players provide benefits to both our students and these local organizations,” Rockville Cen tre schools Superintendent Matt Gaven said when the donation was presented to Love, Nana. “We are proud of the efforts of our students and are appreciative of the matching donation of the Raymar Foundation.”

Over $500 was donated to the Love, Nana project. The money donated to Love, Nana will be used to help out families in the community.

Courtesy RVC School District Covert elementary students present a donation to Love, Nana and the Backyard Players alongside Principal Darren Raymar and Superintendent Matt Gaven.

Community Readers Day returns to St. Agnes

More than 30 different members of the community — including village trustees, retired principals, local busi ness owners, police officers, and librari ans — were all invited to share their love of reading with the students at the St. Agnes Cathedral School.

Readers gathered in the school cafe teria with their selected books early Friday, Nov. 18, for the annual Commu nity Readers’ Day event. Students helped escort each of the special guests to a different classroom where they could share the book of their choice.

“It’s a joy because we couldn’t do it because of the pandemic,” St. Agnes

Mary Hope FriederMann’s book came with an interactive lesson for the students, where they challenged classmates to a game of “rock, paper scissors.”

School Principal Christine St. John said. “We’re very grateful. It has been a tough couple of years for the students.”

Due to the pandemic, this was the first time in three years that the school hosted Community Readers’ Day.

St. John said that when it first start ed, the goal was to try and help students build on their relationship and connec tion with the community, while also encouraging them to read.

“The children had a wonderful expe rience spending time with these special guests,” Colleen Whaley, president of the St. Agnes Cathedral School ParentSchool Association, said.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer from novel chemotherapy techniques to first in the nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport. Northwell.edu/NoLimits

Daniel Offner/Herald photos

Village Justice WilliaM Croutier reads to students during Community Readers Day at St. Agnes Cathedral School.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL ELECTION LAKEVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE LAKEVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance with Chapter 403 of the Laws of the State of New York for 1977, an election will be held in the Lakeview Public Library District on December 6, 2022, the polls to be open between the hours of 4 p.m. o’clock p.m. and 10 o’clock p.m. standard time, at the Lakeview Public Library, 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, New York, in said District for the purpose of electing one (1) Library Trustee for a term of five (5) years to succeed Ka’re Akins which term expires on the 31st day of December 2022. The voting will be by paper ballot. The polls will be opened at 4:00 p.m. and remain opened until 10:00 p.m. and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballot.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that pursuant to a resolution adopted at a meeting of the Trustees of the Lakeview Public Library District held on the 19th day of October 2022, candidates for Library Trustee shall file their names with the District Clerk at the Lakeview Public Library, 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, New York, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such election, subscribed by twenty-five (25) qualified electors (as defined below) of the District. A qualified elector is a person who is registered to vote and who has resided in the Library District at least 30 days prior to the Library District election. Only resident qualified electors are eligible to hold office of Library Trustee or to vote at a Library District election. Sample petition forms are available at the Library.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots for the Lakeview Public Library election may be made at the Lakeview Public Library at 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570.

Completed applications must be received by the Lakeview Public Library at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or one (1) day before the election; if the ballot is to be personally delivered to the voter.

Absentee ballots must be received at the Lakeview Public Library no later than 5:00 p.m. on December 6, 2022. A list

of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection in the administrative office of the Lakeview Public Library between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election except Sundays, and between the hours of 10a.m. and 12 noon on the Saturday prior to the election, and such list will also be available for inspection at the polling place at the election of members of the Board of Trustees.

By Order of the Board of Trustees of the Lakeview Public Library District.

Dated: October 19th, 2022

Rockville Centre, New York District Clerk Lakeview Public Library 135266

LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE ELECCIONES ANUALES DISTRITO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE LAKEVIEW DE LA CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

A LOS ELECTORES HABILITADOS DEL DISTRITO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE LAKEVIEW: SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con el Capítulo 403 de las Leyes del Estado de Nueva York de 1977, se celebrará una elección en el Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview el 6 de diciembre de 2022, con las urnas abiertas entre las 4 p.m. y las 10 p.m., hora estándar, en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview, ubicada en 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, Nueva York, con el fin de elegir un (1) administrador de la biblioteca para un período de cinco (5) años para suceder a Ka’re Akins cuyo término caduca el 31 de diciembre de 2022. La votación se realizará con papeletas. Las urnas se abrirán a las 4:00 p.m. y permanecerán abiertas hasta las 10:00 p.m. y todo el tiempo que sea necesario para que los votantes presentes puedan emitir su voto.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con una resolución adoptada en una reunión de los Fideicomisarios del Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview celebrada el 19 de octubre de 2022, los candidatos a Fideicomisario de la Biblioteca deberán presentar sus nombres ante el Secretario del Distrito en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview, 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, Nueva York, al menos diez (10) días antes de la fecha de dicha elección, suscritos por veinticinco (25) electores habilitados (según se define a continuación) del Distrito. Un elector habilitado es

una persona que está registrada para votar y que ha residido en el Distrito de la Biblioteca por lo menos 30 días antes de la elección del Distrito de la Biblioteca. Sólo los electores habilitados residentes reúnen los requisitos para ocupar el cargo de Fideicomisario de la Biblioteca o para votar en una elección del Distrito de la Biblioteca. Los formularios de petición de muestra están disponibles en la Biblioteca.

TAMBIÉN SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de votos en ausencia para la elección de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview pueden hacerse en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview en 1120 Woodfield Road, Rockville Centre, Nueva York 11570. Las solicitudes completadas deben ser recibidas por la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview por lo menos siete (7) días antes de la elección si la papeleta se le debe enviar por correo al votante o un (1) día antes de la elección; si la papeleta debe ser entregada personalmente al votante.

Las papeletas para votos en ausencia deben ser recibidas en la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 6 de diciembre de 2022. Una lista de todas las personas a las que se les han emitido las papeletas en ausencia, estará disponible para su inspección en la oficina administrativa de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview entre las 10 a.m. y 5 p.m. en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores al día de la elección, excepto los domingos, y entre las horas de 10 a.m. y 12 del mediodía del sábado anterior a la elección, y dicha lista también estará disponible para su inspección en el lugar de votación en la elección de los miembros del Consejo de Administración.

Por orden del Consejo de Administración del Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview.

Con fecha: 19 de octubre de 2022 Rockville Centre, Nueva York

Secretario de distrito Biblioteca Pública de Lakeview 135268

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on June 19, 2019.

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 13th day of December, 2022 at 2:30 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 Rockville Centre, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Premises known as 30 Fonda Road, Rockville Centre, New York 11570. (Section: 36, Block: 363, Lot: 202)

Approximate amount of lien $1,060,130.14 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 608735/2018.

Julianne Bonomo, Esq., Referee.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409

Dated: October 21, 2022

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.

135219

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

Joan Campagna

Joan Campagna, 85, of Glen Cove died on Oct. 20, 2022. Beloved mother of Lynn Miranda and Suzi Campagna; dear sister of Carol (Paul); proud grandmother of Emily; loving aunt of Stephen (Rachel) and Stacey (Mike). Cherished great aunt of Emma, Lola, Alex, Rhianna and Owen.

Joan was a brilliant and incredibly loved therapist. She was a very talented interior designer and painter with a zest for life. She was dearly loved and inspired all who knew her. We will miss her.

Arrangements entrusted to Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home, Glen Cove. Service and Interment are private.

Patrick J. Molloy

Patrick J. Molloy of Rockville Centre died on Nov. 17, 2022. He was a devoted hus band of 44 years to his wife Kathleen. Lov ing father of Erin (Thomas) Fennell, Ryan (Justin Hale), and Patrick (Ashley). Cher ished grandfather of Aislinn, Devon and John Patrick. He is survived by siblings Casey, Sheilagh, Sean, Megan and his many loving nieces and nephews. Preced ed in death by his twin sister Michele. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering. Mass of Chris tian Burial was held on Nov. 21, 2022 at St. Agnes Cathedral, followed by burial of ashes at Calverton National Cemetery.

Public Notices Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-HE2, Plaintiffagainst - MATTHEW P. ROBERTI A/K/A MATTHEW PAUL ROBERTI, et al Defendant(s).

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2006-4, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-4, Plaintiff AGAINST SANDRA LUCAS A/K/A SANDRA GLOVER, AS EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY LUCAS A/K/A ANTHONY J. LUCAS A/K/A ANTHONY JURRAY LUCAS; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 25, 2022, 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 December 13, 2022 at 2:30PM, premises known as 432 LOCUST COURT, ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 38 Block: K Lot: 804. Approximate amount of judgment $459,893.03 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008751/2013. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov /Admin/oca.shtml) 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”. Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 103N Westbury, NY 11590 SPSNY225 73193 135229

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST VII, Plaintiff, vs. ALEXIS LIBEROVSKY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 30, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public

auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on December 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 29 Seaman Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Rockville Centre, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 38, Block 274 and Lot 329. Approximate amount of judgment is $342,559.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 6202/12. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

John K. Moss, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No. 193083-6 135314

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notice for Liquor License

Notice is hereby given that a license, pending, has been applied for by Polkadot Pound Cake Company LLC to sell beer, cider, and wine at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 217 N Long Beach Rd Rockville Centre, NY 11570 for on premises consumption. 135499

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU INDEX NO.: 613354/2020

DATE FILED: 11/18/2020 SUMMONS L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP.,

Plaintiff, -againstJOAN H. RUGGIERI, if she be living, if she be dead, her respective heirs-atlaw, 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 JOAN H. RUGGIERI, if she be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FNANCE; NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12”, the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York), and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. David P. Sullivan, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered October 26, 2022 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office.

THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a tax lien and to recover the amount of the tax lien and all of the interest, penalties, additions and expenses thereon to premises k/a Section 36, Block 187, Lot 271-274.

Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: November 18, 2020 LEVY & LEVY Attorneys for Plaintiff 12 Tulip Drive Great Neck, NY 11021 (516) 487-6655

BY:JOSHUA LEVY, ESQ. #99889 135142

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DRIVERS WANTED

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper grouphas several administrative job openings: Receptionist (P/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk

Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible)

Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok.

Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs.

If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

ASSISTANT TEACHER

Needed For Early Childhood Education And Care Center

In Rockville Centre

Full Time Position High School Diploma Needed E-mail Resume: rlychildhoodctr@aol.com Call 516-536-5674

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

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What’s the best way to clear the air?

Q. I saw an article in a magazine about how I may be able to add air and water purifiers in my office to minimize sickness and infections. Is this for real? Can air purifiers limit things like Covid, and does it pay to put in a full water purifier instead of just having a bottled-water cooler station, even in my home or in my office (for my employees)?

A. There is a lot of misinformation and mis understanding about levels of purification and, depending on the source of the information, like an advertisement instead of research reports, the facts are unclear. I couldn’t tell anyone, definitively, what works best, or even the spe cifics as to why, only that there are systems that are required and units that do have benefits for employers and homeowners, accord ing to industry reports.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

For example, it almost always comes up during the design phase of offices and retail spaces that the owner wants to put in a bottled-water cooler instead of a drinking fountain, but the plumbing code, which is a law, states that two drinking fountains or a dual unit, the high and low kind, are required to be installed. (The reason for the low drinking fountain is to avoid discrimination, along with many other regu lations, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into federal law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.) A bottle station is nice to have but not required.

Water purification will be a healthy solution for your employees and family, since it removes chlorine, sediments and multiple trace minerals. There are many different types of purifiers on the market. For commercial purposes, consider a cartridge-type puri fier specific to your commercial space, and for a resi dence, a whole-house system such as the ones from PurifiedSolutions.net, which use a seven-stage reverse-osmosis process. Just remember, these sys tems all require the replacement of filters, so factor in replacement costs so you aren’t surprised later.

As for the bigger question, air purification, it is a much broader and more questionable issue, since dif ferent systems filter air in different ways, and even though advertisements tout all the wonderful particu lates that can be removed, virus particles aren’t nec essarily one of them. Smoke from cigarettes and dust have a much larger mass, and are more easily removed with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters than bacterial or viral-laden particles. Even though microscopic-sized allergens can be removed, unless they are treated with either damag ing light or chemical containment, just catching the allergens doesn’t necessarily get rid of them. Make sure you find out what the filtration unit will do from an independent testing source report before spending the money on one.

Recent studies do show the workplace benefits for having enhanced ventilation and filtration. Some 90 percent of maintenance costs are for keeping people productive at work, increasing profits by reducing infection, sickness and missed days by employees. Choose systems wisely and it will benefit you. Good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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OpINIONS

I’ll take the GOP agenda — without Trump — any day

Like most people, I don’t like Trump. I’ve disdained him ever since then-developer Donald demanded drastic concessions at my beloved Jones Beach State Park so he could build a catering hall at the main mall to make more big bucks. He revealed an unappealing, obnoxious acquisitiveness.

It was all about his deal, with a disregard for the good and welfare of generations of us lesser mortals. Worse, he wanted residents and state officials to believe he was doing us all a favor, but his mendacity was obvious. It took Superstorm Sandy to sweep away his avaricious plan and his oily conceit.

Trump’s personality, I had absolutely zero doubt about how duplicitous and deceitful Hillary Clinton was. Trump was openly, shamelessly vain. Clinton was a backstabbing, secretive, supercilious, lying, characterless cypher. I could trust him to act to benefit my country as long as it also served him self. I couldn’t trust her (and her malign cabal) with any thing, least of all my coun try. And more important, I opposed all of the national policies she embraced.

gieg-Ilhan Omar ticket vs. Trump-Kristi Noem or Trump-Nikki Haley or TrumpJoni Ernst or Trump-Winsome EarleSears? Any of those GOP teams would destroy Buttigieg-Omar.

JOHN O’CONNELL

And yet I voted for him in 2016. His promises, the possibility of gaining origi nalist Supreme Court nominees and his declared support of conservative causes were consistent with my social, cultural and political preferences. We Trump vot ers realized it would take an arrogant bully to barge through the rock-solid bureaucracy that Washington had become. He’d be our bully, as it were.

And besides, as insufferable as I found

Now he’s running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. I wish it were not so. Trump is a minor-league version of lit erature’s classic tragic fig ure: a man who — while accomplishing great things — destroys himself with his own hubris.

If Trump gets the GOP nomination (and I think that’s a big if), whom the Democrats choose will be critical for the country. Obviously it shouldn’t be Presi dent Biden. If they pick a far-left version of Trump, someone like California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Biden’s useless trans portation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, most voters, sick of liberal Democrats’ failed leadership, will gag violently and go for Trump. (Even if, again, he can’t win the popular vote, he could prevail in the Elec toral College.) Can you imagine a Butti

I mean, really, look at how unappealing the Democrats’ presidential and vice-presidential bench is: Kamala Harris, Adam Schiff, AOC, Stacey Abrams, John Fetterman, Cory Book er, Hillary, Rashida Tlaib, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand (New York’s invisible sena tor), Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Bill de Blasio and others who are so light they defy gravity. Puhleeze! How about the quintessentially Democratic bicoastal, affir mative-equity pairing, Harris-Hochul?

Non-radical Americans, i.e., almost all of us, want someone smart, articulate and tough who’ll try to keep us out of wars, reduce inflation, faithfully and fairly exe cute the laws, defend the Constitution, support the police, keep taxes as low as possible, respect and care for our veter ans, spend prudently, regulate only when required, maintain a strong national defense, trade well but with a sharp eye on national security, curb the domestic abuses of the so-called intelligence com munity, and put a hard stop on our dan gerously wide-open southern border.

Someone who salutes America’s great ness. That definitely won’t be the Demo crats’ platform in 2024. It certainly will be the GOP’s agenda, and Trump would sell it. He’s usually good at selling things (his Jones Beach fiasco notwithstanding). I mean, he sold the Abraham Accords, a peace treaty among Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, for heaven’s sake.

We will be voting again in 24 months (unless I missed something and early vot ing starts next week). Actually, the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire prima ry are in January 2024. No one knows what will happen in the world between now and then. Will Biden finish his term? Will Kamala visit the wizard in Oz and get what she needs? How disastrous will Trump’s self-inflicted stumbles on the campaign trail be? Will better, brighter lights shine in either party?

For newsies like me, it will be a fasci nating and important two years. I hope everyone, young folks particularly, find serious, un-opinionated journalism and read and think critically about all the pol itics. We must use these two years to brush up on our civics studies and see how America is supposed to work. Then learn how it really works, and vote to try to make it better than that.

John O’Connell is a former executive editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? oconnell11001@yahoo.com.

Flying the not-so-friendly skies

Iwrote to Pete Buttigieg this week. I thought that the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation should know what’s up.

Last week, Secretary Buttigieg announced some $600 million in fines against the airlines for bad behavior dur ing the continuing pandemic. It’s a start.

on our wedding trip in 1968, we flew East ern Airlines to Bermuda. I wore a match ing coat and dress, white gloves, high heels and a hat. The “stewardesses” wore perky outfits and heels and little cha peaus, and they were all super-attractive and into providing excellent service to the customers.

Seen through today’s lens, it was sexist and white and stiffly formal. We enjoyed tasty little meals served on individual trays, even in coach, and the crew happily did all the heavy lifting. We have fallen out of the sky, in terms of standards for pas sengers and crew.

But that’s a low bar, right? The crews are nice enough, which isn’t nice enough. No crew member offers a hand to help place a suitcase in the overhead bin. Then they try to sell you stuff. You get your drink when the wagon rolls by, and a dis mal choice of snacks. Heav en help us, the Terra Blue potato chips, basically the most compelling reason to fly JetBlue, are gone.

That’s when I decided to write to Butti gieg.

First, no customer should have to wait 90 minutes to speak to an agent. If they can’t run the airline better than that, with all the money they got from us, they should shut down and turn the planes into affordable housing.

Apparently, the airlines took bil lions of bailout dollars, and failed to pass on the goodwill or the big bucks to their cus tomers. In fact, they canceled or delayed oodles of flights and didn’t refund the fees to passengers. Some times — and this took chutzpah — they rebooked folks on other flights with out finding out whether those new book ings were good for the travelers.

Supply chain issues? The airlines got a gazillion dol lars from the government. Open a damn potato chip factory!

RANDI KREISS

I hate to pick on JetBlue, but I must, because that’s the only airline I’ve flown recently.

But let’s back up the plane. My bias is that my airline experience began when flying was a special treat. When we went

Two weeks ago, I flew Jet Blue back and forth from New York to Florida. While I was waiting for my flight, an announcer at the gate said that the flight before mine, on the same route, would be turbulent, passengers should expect to stay seated, and there would be no bathroom breaks. This is bad, I thought. I’m about to get on this flying tube to ride 1,500 miles at 600 mph at 36,000 feet into a hurricane. I nearly bolted, but I talked myself down.

Turns out, we were on time, and there were no violent outbursts by passengers or inappropriate behavior by crew members.

My real and serious issue is with the JetBlue website and its reservation process. In recent months, the web site has been buggy. The fees for “extras,” like being able to bring a carry-on in “basic blue,” are excessive.

When I needed to change my flight on the return, it took two hours online to book the change and pay for a seat. Then I got a message that I had the flight but no seat. I tried to call. It was a 90-minute wait to speak to a person, and I was informed that booking or changing or canceling a flight on the phone with a human being would cost me $25.

Second, how dare they charge $25 to speak to someone to book a flight? I know many people, especially older folks, who don’t use computers. They don’t know how to book a flight online. They need to talk to a real person, and they can’t wait 90 minutes on the phone. This is unfair to fli ers who don’t have the necessary technolo gy skills. Why should they be penalized with a $25 fee for what should be a basic service to a paying customer?

Years ago, I wrote to JetBlue in the name of my dog, requesting frequent flier points for her even though she traveled under the seat. They had a sense of humor. They said they couldn’t offer points, but they did give Zoe and me a free flight. Just like that. Goodwill.

JetBlue needs to drop the $25 phone fee, hire enough agents to reduce the phone wait time, and please, please, bring back the Terra Blues.

Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

O ne slight after another led me to drop a line to Secretary Buttigieg.

Trump is a minorleague version of literature’s classic tragic figure.

50 years of a better world thanks to Title IX

He’s a man you’ve likely never heard of. The son of an Indiana State University basketball coach who excelled in sports himself — primarily as a boxer and a col legiate baseball player — Birch Bayh was sworn in as a U.S. senator from his home state on Jan. 3, 1963.

Bayh spent 18 years in that office, becoming the only non-Founding Father to author two amendments to the U.S. Constitution: the 25th Amendment, han dling presidential succession, and the 26th, which lowered the federal voting age to 18.

But it was his days playing sports that occupied the senator’s mind. Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 tackled all kinds of discrimination when it came to employment and public accommodation, it bothered Bayh that the bill failed to address sex discrimination at schools.

He set out to change that, crafting the 37 words that would make up what we now know as Title IX: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimi nation under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assis tance.”

While we might see Title IX today as a law focused on sports, what Bayh and his House counterpart, U.S. Rep. Edith Green, pushed through Congress did more than that. No more could schools legally favor one gender over another in any respect, including pay and employment opportuni ties. If it was good enough for a man, it was good enough for a woman.

But yes, some of the most visible impacts came in the world of sports,

letters

Thanks to all who uplift and help others

To the Editor:

changing what was once a male-dominat ed enterprise into something that could be enjoyed by anyone. Like Elizabeth Serra, who just finished her first season with the Woodland Middle School football team in East Meadow.

Elizabeth scored 16 points as a kicker, and even broke a tie to give Woodland a final win over the Seaford Vikings. Yet being the only girl on the team didn’t faze her a bit.

“I was a little bit nervous, but then I realized what I really wanted to do,” the 13-year-old said. “I just really wanted to play football. So it didn’t really bother me that much.”

Even a few years ago, a girl kicking field goals for a football team was consid ered a novelty. Today it’s just another day on the gridiron. Elizabeth is far from alone.

Before Title IX, just 300,000 girls took part in high school sports, according to a report last summer by NPR. Today that number is 3.5 million. And while Title IX focuses on schools, it has a much wider reach.

Like with the New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey program, started in 2016 by Alexis Moed, the general manager of the Connecticut Whale, a team in the womenfocused professional Premier Hockey Fed eration. Working with the NHL’s Island ers, the league is filled with girls ages 8 to 19, all playing on the same ice at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Mead ow as the four-time Stanley Cup champi ons.

The league has become a second home for Debbie Curry, a 12-year-old from Sea ford, who started her hockey career on boys’ teams.

“She always had a target (on) her for being a girl in a boy sport,” Debbie’s moth er, Christie, said. “Here she can be recog nized and have a chance to go somewhere with hockey in the future, because they’re giving the girls a chance to shine.

“I’ve never seen her so happy, and she can just be herself.”

Title IX has helped girls come a long way, but the fight is far from over. Many schools still don’t know how to properly enforce Title IX compliance, while others have chosen to cut programs rather than expand them to include everyone. Retalia tion runs rampant, and the U.S. Depart ment of Education believes there are more areas of improvement needed, including the end of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.

Birch Bayh died in 2019, at age 91. But he lived long enough to see the impact his 37 simple words had on the lives of mil lions. An impact that literally brought him to tears.

Kelly Krauskopf is an assistant general manager of the Indiana Pacers. But in 2000, she made her mark helping to bring the Indiana Fever into existence in the WNBA. They sold out their first game with 16,000 people filling the arena, and Krauskopf invited Bayh to join her on the hardwood before the tipoff.

“I said to him, ‘Look at this place. Can you believe this?’” she told the Indianapo lis Star. “‘This would never have happened had it not been for you.’

“He looks at me and he has these big tears in his eyes. And he said he had no idea (Title IX) would have this kind of impact. It was just one of the coolest moments.”

In this season of hope and gratitude, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all Long Islanders who give of themselves to help others here in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and beyond.

Nearly every day, Red Cross volunteers are at the scene of fires, floods and other disasters that occur all too regularly on Long Island, providing urgent assistance to those coping with loss and uncertain ty. In addition to responding to local emergencies, this past year, many of my colleagues traveled far from home to offer a helping hand following wild fires in California, tornadoes and flash floods in Kentucky and, most recently, Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in Florida. Our volunteers also work to prevent future disas ters by installing free smoke alarms, providing fire

Millions in opioid-fighting funds are still available

nassau County continues to hold Big Pharma accountable in the courts for the wave of destruc tion that the pharmaceutical companies’ highly addictive opioid drugs unleashed on families and children across the country, and right here in our own backyards.

On Nov. 7, the county took the first leg islative step toward approving a $68.25 million settlement with Actavis LLC and Actavis Pharma Inc., Watson Labo ratories Inc., Anda Inc., Teva Pharma ceutical Industries Ltd., and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. Once this settlement is approved by the full Legislature and County Executive Bruce Blakeman — which I anticipate will occur this month — it will supple ment the $70.4 million the county has already received through various Big Pharma settlements.

Drawing from the funds now at the county’s disposal, Blakeman in mid-Sep tember announced plans to distribute $15 million per year for the next four years to agencies that offer addiction prevention, treatment or recovery services. Approxi

mately $2.4 million per year was immedi ately earmarked, with the lion’s share going to Nassau University Medical Cen ter. The remaining $12.6 million per year will be awarded to agencies that respond to a Request for Expressions of Interest that closed on Monday.

Above and beyond Blake man’s announced plans, there is still approximately $10.4 million that has not been designated. The Teva Pharmaceutical settlement will add significantly to that sum, as will the pro ceeds of future settlements as additional pharmaceuti cal companies are held responsible for their gross negligence and complicity in this ongoing public health crisis.

While I have consistently expressed my frustration with the slow pace of allo cating these funds, this influx of new resources gives us a golden opportunity to proactively plan for how we can get life-saving resources where they need to be as expeditiously as possible. My frus tration is amplified by my concern for all our friends, loved ones and neighbors who are suffering at this very moment.

I’m a mother of three daughters who are now young adults, and the opioid drug crisis remains one of my greatest fears. We have had countless conversa

tions as a family to instill vigilance as they navigate the world. As parents, we do so motivated by awareness of the stark reality that addiction is an indiscrimi nate killer — that there is no race, creed, religion, sex or economic background that substance abuse does not impact.

In Glen Cove, I have grown close to a group of women who have estab lished a local chapter of Families Anonymous, an organization that gives peo ple navigating the trauma of living with a loved one suffering from addiction a safe space to meet and share their experiences, strength and hope with one another. I have introduced friends to Families Anonymous, and the warmth, support and generosity of spirit they received was truly remarkable, and life-affirming.

Several members of the organization came to the Legislature on Oct. 24 and courageously shared their stories. They have seen their children arrested and sent to prison, and fought with insurance companies to secure long-term treatment upon their release. Several have seen their loved ones come through the tem pest one day at a time and achieve longterm, sustainable sobriety. Sadly, far too many have endured the unthinkable trag

edy of losing a child to the disease of addiction.

What they shared offers some impor tant insights into our next steps. With the funds from our opioid lawsuit settle ments, Nassau County would be wise to look closely at supporting organizations that provide drug rehabilitation pro grams with longer terms of stay beyond the customary 28-day term; dual-diagno sis approaches that get to the complicated and often intertwined root causes of the disease; and aggressive early-interven tion strategies.

It is also crucial to keep talking openly about addiction, so we can continue chip ping away at the stigmas that can hinder people from seeking the help they need. Addiction is a public health crisis, not a moral failing.

Thanks to its advocacy and willing ness to confront Big Pharma in the courts, Nassau County has created tre mendous opportunities for progress.

Armed with these resources and more on the way, it is more important than ever for us to work together as parents and leaders to act on decisions that will make a significant, lifesaving impact on the tra jectory of the opioid addiction crisis.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, a Nassau County legislator representing the 11th District, is the ranking member of the legislature’s Committee on Health & Social Services.

safety and emergency preparedness edu cation and teaching first aid and CPR.

Through our Service to the Armed Forces program, a dedicated Red Cross team provides 24/7 support for military members, veterans and their families at home and around the world.

The life-changing work our volunteers carry out day in and day out would not be possible without our financial donors and our civic-minded partners. I want to recognize them as well for their generosi ty and community spirit.

Finally, I want to give special thanks to our military heroes, who sacrifice so much, and to our first responders, who work to ensure our safety and well-being.

As we enter this holiday season, let’s give special thanks to all those who make our communities stronger and safer all year long.

Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving!

JOSE DOMINGUEz CEO, American Red Cross on Long Island

Shop local this weekend

To the Editor:

In these difficult economic times, as a result of inflation, it is especially impor tant to patronize your neighborhood

Lettersbusinesses. Do it not only on annual Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, but every day of the year.

I don’t mind occasionally paying a lit tle more to help our local stores survive. The employees go out of their way to help find what I need. Customer service is their motto.

Independent mom-and-pop stores don’t have bulk-buying purchasing power that Amazon or large national chain stores have. The owners can’t negotiate lower prices from suppliers. They’re at the mercy of those suppliers, especially third-party brokers, who con trol the prices they have to pay for mer chandise. That’s why they sometimes charge a little more. But it’s worth the price to avoid the crowds and long lines at larger stores in exchange for the con venience and friendly service your neighborhood store offers.

Remember, these people are our neigh bors. They work long hours, pay taxes and keep as many employed as possible. Many maintain the tradition of offering job opportunities to students during the holidays and over the summer.

Customers also patronize other com mercial establishments on the block. Foot traffic is essential for the survival of any neighborhood commercial dis trict. If we don’t patronize our local stores and restaurants to shop and eat,

they don’t eat, either. We help keep our neighbors employed and the local econo my growing.

The owners of independent, momand-pop stores are the backbone of our

neighborhood commercial districts. Show your support by making a pur chase.

LARRy PENNER Great Neck

Framework by Tim Baker

A flapping, chattering gathering — Long Beach

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