Members of Seaford Boy Scout Troop 690 and Cub Scout Pack 690 reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at a solemn Memorial Day ceremony at Seaford American Legion Post 1132 on Monday, honoring the men and women who died while serving their country.
At Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh, congregants of all ages came together to take part in a day of caring and service, Mitzvah Day, on May 19.
Mitzvah means a good deed done as part of one’s religious duty, and throughout the day, temple members were busy with activities that benefited those in need. Several stations were set up at the temple to address different needs in the community, from homelessness to hunger.
“This is extraordinary, what we do,” Cantor Rica Timman said. “It’s an amazing, wonderful
thing that involves every age.”
At one station, congregants created no-sew fleece blankets for residents of Bethany House, which offers emergency shelter and transitional services to women and children in need.
“We’re working with bigger organizations so we can have as big of an impact as possible,”
Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum said.
According to Bar-Nahum, Mitzvah Day was scheduled at the end of the school year to remind children in the temple to make the world better. The idea, he explained, is to kick off a summer in which children remember values that are most important to them, which includes helping
Katherine Black is using a children’s toy to teach her students the basics of computer coding, and to prepare them for the future.
Early this year, Black, 27, a third-grade teacher at Seaford Harbor Elementary, received a $500 grant from the Jovia Financial Credit Union to purchase a unique Lego kit for her students. The Lego Education SPIKE Essential Set creates lesson plans to help students develop critical thinking skills needed to solve complex problems in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, also known as STEAM.
o
The set contains 449 elements including bricks, motors and sensors. There’s also an app, which students use to create a basic code and apply it to a Lego set they build. The code allows the set to come to life.
ur job is to prepare students for the now, but also the future, which is really hard.
KAtHERiNE BlACK
Third-grade teacher, Seaford Harbor Elementary School
Black explained that the set helps students develop a variety of skills.
“Students are working on kinesthetic skills by building with Legos,” she said, “and they’re able to transfer their knowledge of coding into those creations.”
In one scenario, students are tasked with creating a mechanism to move a toy boat. The app gives them instructions on how to build the Lego model, which includes a motor and a Bluetooth sensor. Then the students use dragand-drop coding language on the app to signal the sensor to move the motor, which pushes the boat. The code is based on Scratch, a blockbased visual programming language designed for children.
Scenarios range from building wagons with moving wheels to carnival rides, which Black said students were looking forward to.
“It’s been awesome,” she said. “It’s a kinesthetic opportunity for the kids to actually
Continued on page 5
For a science unit on natural disasters, sixth graders at Seaford Middle School got to choose their presentation method. There were posters, slideshows and even live science experiments.
Teacher Danielle Alveari said that project-based learning gets students more immersed in the content. Each student was assigned a natural disaster to research, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. They first went to the library to do research, using books and digital resources. In addition to learning the details of each natural disaster, students had to find historical examples. Several students also interviewed family members who lived through natural disaster events.
Alveari left it up to the students on how they wanted to present their findings. They could go traditional or high tech. PowerPoint presentations included photos and videos, and one sixth grader who researched volca -
Photos courtesy Seaford School district
Seaford Middle School sixth grader Vincent Maresca chose to do a PowerPoint presentation for his natural disasters presentation
Cricket is a sport not many Americans are familiar with. Around the globe however, especially in Southeast Asian countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies, it is widely enjoyed, watched and played in a variety of adaptive ways.
TWith the International Cricket Committee Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in just a few weeks in Eisenhower Park, Nassau County hosted a Criiio Cricket Social Festival last week in Fields 2 and 3 of the park. The event, inspired by the ICC’s Criiio program, aimed to showcase cricket as a vibrant, inclusive sport that can be played anywhere, by anyone, at any time.
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that is played traditionally between two teams of eleven players. The game originated in the 1500s in England and is played with a wooden bat, a hard leather ball, stumps and bails, as well as protective gear that includes helmets, pads, gloves and abdominal guards.
A common term heard when watching a game of cricket is “the pitch” — which is 22-yard-long strip in the center of the field. This is where most of the action takes place. There are three vertical stumps, topped with two horizontal bails, at each end of the pitch.
The objective is to score a run, and the simplest way to do that is when a “batsmen” or the person holding a bat hits the ball to the opposite side of the pitch. Players can be dismissed, or considered “out,” due to a variety of things. Some include when the ball hits the stump and dislodges a bail, when a ball is caught by someone without it bouncing, or if a ball strikes a batsman’s body before it hits the bat.
Balls are “bowled” to the person hitting it with a bat. A bowler aims to dismiss the batsmen and restrict the number of runs. Each bowler will roll one “over,” which means six legal deliveries from one end of the pitch. Fielders are positioned strategically around the field, to stop runs and dismiss batsmen. A “wicketkeeper” stands behind stumps to catch balls.
Games are broken down into “innings” — just like baseball, and the team with the most runs at the end of a match wins. An inning ends when ten players are out. Twenty20 cricket, or T20 — hence the name of the world cup — is the shortest format of international cricket play, limited to 20 overs per side. Each team will play one inning in this form of cricket, and only 120 balls will be bowled.
Here in the U.S., fans of baseball, bas-
ketball and other sports may play adapted versions of those games with their friends in an informal setting. Stickball, or three-on-three basketball games, are all modified versions of the original sport. For cricket, that’s Criiio.
Criiio is a global campaign that promotes the joy of cricket in its most informal forms — like backyard matches to beach cricket. By integrating Criiio into schools and community programs, the ICC aims to make cricket more accessible to youth around the world.
The Criiio Cricket Festival at the park on May 17 brought communities together. Dozens of people, from all over Long Island, came out to participate in the festivities. The event offered young enthusiasts — or those new to the sport — a firsthand experience of cricket during an exciting time. The festival, according to county officials, celebrated the spirit of cricket but also emphasized the sport’s ability to unite diverse groups through shared play.
Umer Aslam, who attended the social festival at the park, spoke with the Herald about the excitement surrounding the upcoming tournament. Aslam lives in Dix Hills, and was sporting a local jersey for the LI Warriors in the Kings Cricket Club.
“We are super excited,” Aslam said. “I have been playing cricket since I was a kid. This is like a dream come true. I’ve managed to get the tickets for Pakistan versus Canada, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Cricket World Cup is watched by billions of people around the world, and many games in Eisenhower Park, including the highly anticipated match between India versus Pakistan, are expected to draw major crowds.
“It’s going to be a packed house,” Aslam said.
“During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup there will be tens of thousands in attendance and over a billion viewers around the world watching the World Cup matches being held here in Nassau
County,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “This Criiio Cricket Social Festival creates an opportunity for our young people to participate in a workshop where they will learn more about this globally popular sport.”
The ICC provided Nassau County with 100 Criiio kits, which include equipment to play cricket, to be integrated in schools, so students across the county can learn about the game ahead of the tournament.
Cricket games are scheduled to be played from June 3 to June 12 in Eisenhower Park. The venture is entirely funded by the ICC and T20 World Cup USA. For more information on the upcoming festival, call (516) 572-0200.
Additional reporting by Tim Baker
This year’s legacy mural at Wantagh Elementary School is complete, and every fifth grader contributed to the piece that will be admired for generations to come.
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”.
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.
It’s a long-standing tradition at the school for the fifth grade class to leave its mark as they close out the first part of their Wantagh educational journey. This year’s mural, which was painted under the direction of art teacher Taylor Potish, features a large butterfly and the slogan, “Spread your wings and fly.” It is surrounded by several smaller butterflies.
Potish said that the piece symbolizes the fifth graders, who will soon be spreading their wings as they head to middle
school in September.
The mural also showcases how the students have grown as artists over the past six years. It combines warm and cool colors, features shading techniques and shows an attention to detail. The spots in the butterfly are shades of pink, red, orange and yellow, while the background uses green, blue and purple.
Every fifth grader got to paint a section of the mural, whether it was part of the background, a spot on the large butterfly or one of the smaller butterflies. It was created on a blank section of wall in a first floor hallway, near the main office.
News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com
Courtesy Wantagh School District Wantagh Elementary School fifth graders, from left, Victoria D’Allessandro, Warren Klein, Joseph Issa and Catherine Smolyaninova contributed to the Class of 2024’s legacy mural.apply what they know.”
Third-grader Eva Taylor said she enjoys the lessons, and was surprised to see the Lego sets move. “I like it a lot,” she said. “I like the coding part, and making it move.”
Another student, Cillian Perry, said he likes how interactive the program is, and enjoys being able to choose which scenarios he wants to do.
“It’s not that difficult and it’s easy to code, because they give you instructions,” he said.
The technology is a far cry from Black’s generation, when fourth-grade computer science amounted to logging onto a computer with a username and password to play The Oregon Trail, an educational computer game developed in 1971. Today, Black said, second- and third-grade students are familiar with iPads and laptops, which makes it easier for them to understand coding.
Last summer, Black received a certificate in computer technology from Stony Brook University. She realized that coding and computer science are integrated into all of our lives and, she said, she wanted to be part of that conversation and teach her students skills that would benefit them in the future. Her generation grew up with technology, and understands how quickly it changes. As a teacher, she said, developing students’ imaginations and their ingenuity will help them excel when they graduate and enter the workforce.
“Our job is to prepare students for the now, but also the future, which is really hard,” she said. “So how do we prepare students for something that we don’t even know exists yet?”
Black said she has seen how coding is used in innovative industries that impact people all over the world, such as artificial intelligence and, more personally,
health care. She has had Type 1 diabetes since she was 17, a diagnosis that surprised her.
“I wasn’t expecting this major change,” Black said. “You’re like, ‘I’m going to go to college and live my best life,’ and then suddenly you’re in the hospital, and you’re like, ‘Why is everything changing?”’
She now has a glucose-monitoring device on her arm that continuously monitors her blood sugar, and updates a small pump on her waist, which controls the amount of insulin she receives.
“If I’m going low, the pump stops giving me insulin,
and it’s coded to do that,” Black said. “But if my blood sugar’s high, maybe I’m dehydrated or had too many carbs for one meal and I just didn’t realize — it releases a correction insulin without me doing anything.”
That’s one of the reasons, she said, she’s excited to learn coding with her students, and being a facilitator in the process as they get to know the technology. She added that there would be hiccups down the road as they learn about coding, but that’s OK.
“We’ll laugh about it,” Black said, “but there’s going to be a lot of good days.”
The Wantagh and Seaford softball teams were separated by the slimmest of margins this spring.
They split a pair of regular-season matchups as well as the first two games of the Nassau Class A championship series before Seaford took the rubber match and the county title, 6-2, Tuesday afternoon at Farmingdale State College.
The Vikings, who last year won the Class B title, trailed the Warriors in the clincher before scoring three times in the top of the fifth. Kaitlyn Young, Katie Young and Alyssa Rodriguez collected RBIs to back the clutch pitching of junior Skyler Secondino.
“It feels amazing,” said Secondino, who escaped bases-loaded situations in the bottom of the fifth and seventh to preserve the win and finished with eight strikeouts. “We all feed off the energy Katie brings. She’s our catcher and sets the tone.”
Katie Young’s three-run homer over the fence in left in the seventh provided all the cushion Seaford would need. “I was just looking for a pitch in the zone I could hit,” she said. “Once it went over the fence, I felt great about our chances.”
Senior shortstop Alexa Villeck went 3-for-4 with a run scored for the Vikings, who improved to 18-5 and advanced to face Miller Place in Thursday’s Long Island Class A title game in Bellport at 5 p.m.
Wantagh (16-5) forced a decisive winner-take-all Game 3 with a 2-1 extra innings win in Sunday that featured plenty of drama.
Senior second baseman Jacqueline Mundy delivered an RBI single to center field in the top of the ninth in a 1-1 game to drive in Daniella Oranges with the game-winning run. Oranges set the stage to score the decisive run when she walked to leadoff the inning and advanced to third on a single by senior Casey Kissinger.
Seaford was on the cusp of clinching the county title the previous inning after junior Katie Young hit a groundrule double advancing Secondino to third base with one out. Wantagh freshman ace pitcher Lucy Olore, who drove in the first run of Game 3, got out of the jam though inducing a line drive to center field by Rodriguez that appeared it may drop in for the winning hit followed by an infield pop up.
Olore was clutch Sunday pitching a complete-game with 11 strikeouts and surrendering just four hits.
“She is a freshman and pitches like she is 25 years old,” Wantagh coach Christine Moran said of Olore. “She is the real deal with poise and ice in her veins.”
The Warriors grabbed a 1-0 lead in
the top of the third inning when Emma Priest drove in Kissinger.
The lead held up until the bottom of the sixth inning when Seaford tied it on a Rodriguez RBI single to leftfield that plated Villeck.
Secondino tossed a complete game with seven strikeouts a day after tossing a two-hitter in Seaford’s series-opening 3-1 win where she also went 3-for-4 at the plate.
“She is a true competitor,” Seaford coach Joe Nastasi said of Secondino. “She always gives us a chance no matter what and is always great to have someone like can go in there and compete like that.”
Secondino forced a groundout to end Game 1 when Wantagh had the tying run on second base. She also scored the eventual game-winning run on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Katie Young in the sixth inning where she was nearly caught at the plate by a strong throw by Kissinger off diving catch in shallow left field.
“It was an incredible series,” Nastasi said. “We played each other five times this year. Both teams deserve all the credit in the world.”
PFY, the organization formerly known as Pride For Youth, is set to host its annual Pride Gala on June 6. This year, the event is dubbed “Power of Pride: Raising LGBTQ+ Voices to Benefit PFY.” It’ll take place at the Westbury Manor in Westbury.
The gala celebrates the work of PFY, as it is leading, nonprofit, grassroots organization on Long Island. Operating as a subsidiary of the Long Island Crisis Center, it has headquarters in Bellmore, as well as a location in Deer Park. The organization hosts events all year long catered to supporting the needs of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ on Long Island and in Queens. Founded in 1993 as an organization specifically meant for youth, grant funding last year allowed PFY to expand the breadth of its services.
This year’s gala will honor three trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community, who work tirelessly year-round to make sure that members of the community feel safe, supported and seen. Michael Caputo, of the LI Pride Lions, the Rev. Lana Hurst, the first openly transgender pastor to practice on Long Island, and Sarah Kate Ellis, president and chief executive of GLAAD, are among this year’s honorees. In the past year, the LGTBQ+ community has seen a lot of prejudice and legislation aimed at restricting their rights,
across the country — but even right here in Nassau County. Tawni Engel, the associate director of the crisis center and PFY said, especially after County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, the gala wanted to recognize people who are advocating for LGTBQ+ individuals.
“We really wanted to uplift those who we see as trailblazers in the LGBTQ communities — that are really doing a lot of
good work for the community in the face of adversity,” Engel said. “We really looked at people who we feel embody that sort of presence within the LGBTQ community.”
The pride gala committee has been planning this year’s event for several months, and has looked at what’s going on around the country, and right here at home.
“That is what our committee talked about — how ugly things have been,”
Engel said. “Not everybody fully understands what’s going on. If you’re not following the news, if you’re not really paying attention, you might think everything’s just fine. We’re not getting into politics, but we just want to talk about what the social climate has looked like and what we can do collectively to hopefully turn that around.”
Bruce Castellano, who co-chairs the gala committee with Engel, has been involved on and off with PFY was many years, he told the Herald. A retired teacher in the Mineola School District, he and his husband have worked for many years with various LGBTQ+ organizations on Long Island and beyond.
Pivoting off of what Engel said, Castellano said the attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community has shifted in recent years, which is scary.
“I have not seen anything quite this brutal since AIDS — since the 80s,” he said. “It got slowly better, and now the backlash is devastating. It’s not just in other states, it is right here on Long Island.”
Castellano has always fought what he says is “complacency” — people being alright with the way things are.
There are still tickets left for the upcoming gala. Everything will kick off with a cocktail hour on June 6, beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, visit TinyURL.ocm/PFYEvent2024.
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.”
“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 tran-
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
those in need.
“Every group in our community finds a way to target something special and specific,” Bar-Nahum said.
Activities were designed and supervised by several groups in the congregation, such as the Social Action/ Social Justice Committee, which focuses on helping those in the community who are struggling. According to the committee’s Co-chair Rona Kauffman, its members organize collections, educational presentations and other activities that stress civic engagement all year long. For Kauffman, Mitzvah Day is a culmination of all that work.
“We’ve got a lot going on,” she said with a laugh.
This is extraordinary, what we do. It’s an amazing, wonderful thing that involves every age.
CanTor riCa
Timman
Temple B’nai Torah
“It’s kind of a celebration of everything we do all year.”
Grocery sorting was another activity, and congregants boxed donated nonperishable food. The boxes are picked up by Island Harvest, a food bank in Melville.
At another station, children decorated and packed snack bags for young clients of the Interfaith Nutrition Network, a nonprofit in Freeport that provides essential services to those challenged by hunger, poverty and homelessness.
“There’s a lot of kids who come in who are very food insecure, on the brink of homelessness, or maybe they’re in a shelter,” Kauffman said, “so this gives them a little something to feel better about.”
When children are in crisis and taken out of their homes, she said, sometimes they leave with their belongings in a plastic bag. To help them transition to foster care, the temple set up a station to fill backpacks with items such as blankets, stuffed animals, and journals.
The temple’s day of good deeds even extended to its Hebrew school, where second-grade teacher Colette Brancaccio cut her hair for a good cause. She was assisted by her students, who lined up to cut off a lock, and the hair was donated to Maggie’s Wigs for Kids, a nonprofit in Michigan that provides wigs and support services to children and young adults who experience hair loss due to cancer and other disorders.
“This was a great opportunity for me to motivate them to do good deeds while also doing good deeds myself at the end of the school year,” Brancaccio said.
She was also doing it to celebrate her sister, Gabrielle, who has been cancer-free for 15 years.
Brancaccio’s mother, Dana, also participated, with Colette cutting her hair. Dana said that her daughter is an inspiration to her, and she wasn’t surprised that she wanted to get her students involved in her hair donation. Dana added that Colette gives her all when she’s with her students.
“It just made me proud of the teacher she is and the person she is,” Dana said.
Other temple congregants made greeting cards and filled bags with self-care items for seniors; collected prom clothes for students who can’t afford them; and organized dignity bags, personal care items for homeless women, to be delivered to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
For Timman, Mitzvah Day is an extraordinary effort by the temple to help those who are struggling, and she said she hoped it inspires kids to do good deeds of their own.
“It’s really involving the community in a beautiful way,” Timman said, “and this is the message that we want to send our children.”
“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.
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.
Award-winning jazz trumpeter 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.
“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.
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.
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.
Old Westbury Gardens Director Maura Brush leads a 45-minute floral arranging class just for kids, Saturday, June 1, 10-10:45 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.
Wantagh Museum hosts its third annual antique car show, Saturday, July 13. The event, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features cars from the 1970s and older. Refreshments will be on sale and museum sites will be open. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, music and kids crafts from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance fee is $1 for adults 18 and older. 17 and younger are free. The Wantagh museum is located at 1700 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. For any questions, email wantaghmuseum@gmail. com.
The Church of St. Jude in Wantagh holds its yard sale, Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will fresh finds and new treasures to choose from. The yard sale, held inside the Parish Hall at 3606 Lufberry Ave., will have plenty of free parking. For more information, call the church office at (516) 221-2505 or email at SJWantagh1@gmail. com.
Join the JULIETS for Mahjongg and card games at Congregation
Beth Tikvah, Thursdays, noon-4 p.m. Masks optional, proof of Covid-19 vaccination required for newcomers, $5. 3710 Woodbine Ave. Email mahjonggCBT@yahoo.com or call (516) 785-2445 for info.
Bingo everyone! Temple B’nai Torah host fun-filled bingo sessions, every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.; every Thursday, 7:15 p.m.-10 p.m. Prizes, progressive games and refreshments are available. 2900 Jerusalem Ave., in Wantagh. For more information, visit TBTWantagh.org or call (516) 221-2370.
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.
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) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.
Dance the night away with Vinyl Revival, Wednesday, July 10, 8 p.m. at Seamans Neck Park. the band plays the best disco tunes from the ‘70s with just enough classic rock and pop hits to keep everyone on their feet. 2700 S. Seamans Neck Rd. in Seaford. No seating; bring a chair or blanket.
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) 333-0048.
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.
Annual Concert at St. Agnes Cathedral
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
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, -againstMICHAEL MARRON, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on March 28, 2024, wherein BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION is the Plaintiff and MICHAEL MARRON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s).
I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 10, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2608 ISLAND CHANNEL ROAD, SEAFORD, NY 11783; and the following tax map identification: 63-261-604 & 805.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN SEAFORD, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 609978/2022. Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 146645 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
V-D, Plaintiff, vs. DANA
MURCH A/K/A DANA G. MURCH, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order
Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 12, 2023, 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 11501 on June 11, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2130 North Drive, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot, piece or
parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 57, Block 237 and Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $209,832.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604287/2019. 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.
Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 190134-1 146623
LEGAL NOTICE
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR SG MORTGAGE SECURITIES BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FRE2, Plaintiff - againstSUZANNE M. BRADY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on March 15, 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 6th day of June, 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 at Wantagh, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York.
Premises known as 3677 Smith Street, Wantagh, NY 11793.
(SBL#: 57-89-105) Approximate amount of lien $614,197.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 010340/2015. John G. Kennedy, 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: April 11, 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. 146589
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARIE-ALISA SALERNO, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 22, 2024, 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 11501 on June 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1190 Allen Drive, Seaford, NY 11783. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52, Block 457 and Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment is $524,976.97 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615550/2022. Cash will not be accepted. 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.
Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 146807
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE’S FINANCIAL REALTY MORTGAGE SECURITIES TRUST, SERIES 2006-1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-1, -againstJOSEPH GRECO, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 5, 2020, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE’S FINANCIAL REALTY MORTGAGE SECURITIES TRUST, SERIES 2006-1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-1 is the Plaintiff and JOSEPH GRECO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 25, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 3586 MARJORIE LANE, SEAFORD, NY 11783; and the following tax map identification: 57-286-15. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT SEAFORD, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 612236/2017. Lisa S. Poczik, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 146947
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the WANTAGH FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 20th day of May 2024, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law.
State Senator Steve Rhoads attended the Nassau County Firematic Awards Ceremony to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of all the honorees, particularly those hailing from his Senate District.
Rhoads extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Civilian Award Honorees, Daniel Kelly and MacKenzie Anderson from Farmingdale, and Dr. John Zaso from East Meadow, recognizing their exceptional service to their communities. Rhoads also lauded the Fire Unit Honorees, including the East Meadow Fire Department, North Mer-
rick Fire Department, and Wantagh Fire Department, for their unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property. He also commended the Farmingdale EMS unit, the EMS Unit Honoree, for their tireless efforts in providing critical medical care to those in need.
The Senator expressed his gratitude for the dedication and selflessness displayed by all the honorees and emphasized their vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Nassau County community.
— Jack SchwedItems were stolen from a BP gas station on Sunrise Highway in Seaford on May 14.
On May 17, a man stole items from a Stop and Shop on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.
Michael Gruosso, 40, of Wantagh was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
An extract of the resolution is as follows: The Wantagh Fire District has by appropriate resolution established and maintains a certain capital reserve fund, established pursuant to Section 6(g) of the General Municipal Law, in an account for deposit of said Capital Reserve Fund entitled, “The Wantagh Fire District, Section 6(g) General Municipal “Firematic Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund “ in local banks; in which account is sufficient funds to accomplish the purposes herein after set forth, namely, the purchase of one (1) Cardiac Monitor as part of the Lifepak Replacement Project Phase 1 including incidental expenses, advertising, engineering fees, labor, materials, inspections, delivery and attorney’s fees, in order to maintain the efficiency of the Wantagh Fire District in the discharge of their duties in preserving the lives and property of the residents of the Community and the said project is deemed in the best interest of the residents of the Wantagh Fire District. The resolution further provides that there be transferred from the present Firematic
Equipment and Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund of the Wantagh Fire District a sum not to exceed Seventy Thousand ($70,000.00) dollars and the District Treasurer is authorized to effect such transfer from time to time as necessary for the project. This resolution is subject to a permissive resolution and shall not take effect until thirty (30) days, as provided by the General Municipal Law.
Dated: May 20th 2024
By order of The Board of Fire Commissioner Brendan J. Narell Superintendent 147068
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. 361/24. SEAFORD - David Cheesewright, Special exception to maintain accessory structure (gazebo) higher & larger than permitted & exceeding horizontal maximum., E/s Brian La., 89.9’ N/o Peter St., a/k/a 683 Brian La.
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 380/24. - 385/24. SEAFORD - Seaford 4034, LLC, Special exception for proposed drive thru restaurant & outdoor dining (proposed Chipotle) (demolish existing buildings); Variance in off-street parking in conjunction with proposed drive-thru restaurant (Chipotle) & retail building; Special exception to park in a residence “B” district in conjunction with proposed Chipotle & retail building; Use variance, install trash enclosure in a residence “B” district with less than required side yard setback; Install detached, double-faced, illuminated pylon sign 45 sq. ft. per face totaling 90 sq. ft., setback 5’ from property line at Sunrise Hwy. in conjunction with proposed Chipotle; Install
detached, multi-faced, illuminated, digital pickup sign with 0’ clearance from bottom of sign to grade in conjunction with proposed Chipotle., S/s Sunrise Hwy., 253’ E/o Washington Ave., a/k/a 4034 Sunrise Hwy. 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 Seaford 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. 147062
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
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
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
Pediatrician's Office Mon. Wed. Fri. 9am-5pm And Sat. 9am-1pm Office
•
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
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
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
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
Stream $720,000
Place. Cape. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Open layout.
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
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to
pants, Un-
*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*
Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Driveways, Sidewalks, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work, Lic./ Ins. Owner Always Onsite Free Estimates 516-354-5578
SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
HANDYMAN
Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net
Home Improvement
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
DO YOU NEED a Roof or Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs.
WIREMAN/CABLEMAN/HANDYMAN
FLAT TVS mounted, Phone, TVs & Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera systems installed & stereos, HDTV Antennas- FREE TV www.davewireman.com Call Dave 516-433-WIRE (9473) 631-667-WIRE (9473) or Text 516-353-1118
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
PLUMBER! PLUMBER! PLUMBER! FREE ESTIMATES! Heating, Repairs, Installations. $25 OFF New Customers. 24 Hour Emergency Response. 516-599-1011.
Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
Tree Services
FRANCISCO'S TREE SERVICE
AND LANDSCAPING: Tree Removal, Stumps, Fertilization, Planting, Land Clearing, Topping. Free Estimates. Lic# H206773000. Office 516-546-4971, Cell 516-852-5415
Satellite/TV Equipment
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY ONLINE AUCTION: 5/1-5/31 Bar & Grill with Brewery Equipment. 126 N. 3rd Street, Douglas, Wyoming. 10,900 SF Retail, TURN-KEY OPERATION! Sale Info: 800-536-1401, x.401 AuctionsInternational.com Promo code: WESTBID24
Health & Fitness
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582
HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
Health Coverage
FREEDOMCARE. LET YOUR loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556
Legal Services
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept
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.
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.
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-
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
the other week, I attended an extraordinarily interesting lecture at Raynham Hall Museum, in Oyster Bay, by Megan Rhodes Victor, about bars and meeting places for gender-nonconforming people in the 1700s. During Dr. Victor’s lecture, I was struck not only by the fascinating cultural history of so-called molly houses — the 18th- and 19th-century term for places where gay men and others with nontraditional gender preferences could slip away from a society that refused to accept them — but also by how recent the research on this topic was.
For most of the 200 years following the end of the molly house era, the historical records, and even the existence, of such establishments were suppressed and denied, out of fear of “poisoning” the morals of society.
This got me thinking: How much history has been lost, ignored or forgotten simply because it didn’t conform with societal norms, or made people uncomfortable, or didn’t fit a political narrative. Only in the past 20 years or so have historians and archaeologists been able to explore so many fascinating examples
To the Editor:
of different cultures, minorities and characteristics of historical figures without the weight of societal pressure, and expectations of what is “good history,” holding them back.
Army into a professional fighting force at Valley Forge, never married, and had close, intimate relationships with male aides-de-camp and secretaries throughout his life.
our cultural melting pot.
HBecause all history is good history. The more we learn about our past, the better understanding we’ll have of how we got where we are today, and where we’re headed tomorrow. And the more we learn about historically marginalized communities and the fascinating roles their members played in our world story, the more we will learn to accept others who are different from us.
ow much history has been lost because it didn’t conform to societal norms?
To quote a random poster on the internet: “Studying history will sometimes make you uncomfortable. Studying history will sometimes make you feel deeply upset. Studying history will sometimes make you feel extremely angry. If studying history always makes you feel proud and happy, you probably aren’t studying history.”
Such scholarship is also essential in challenging jingoistic, nationalistic and downright bigoted conceptions of history. For example, most people are likely unaware that several of our American Founding Fathers were gender-nonconformers. Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the Prussian-American military officer who molded the Continental
Palestinian Arabs did not create a state, and instead started a war against Israel, the first of many — and they lost all of them.
Alexander Hamilton, who was probably what we would call bisexual today, and his “particular friend,” John Laurens, were also likely lovers, because the language they used when writing to each other was practically drowning in romantic and sexual innuendo, even when a reader today takes into consideration the overtly flowery and dramatic language of the times. Indeed, the letters they exchanged were so spicy that when Hamilton’s son was writing his father’s biography and publishing his correspondence, he blanked out entire sections of the letters, and on one letterhead even wrote, “I must not publish the whole of this.”
Beyond the gender-nonconforming community, there is also the fascinating history of the Muslim-Americans who fought for our country in the American Revolution. Muster rolls listing men with Muslim names, such as Bampett Muhamed, Yusuf Ben Ali and Joseph Saba, who were probably of West African descent, show that as far back as the United States has existed, Islam has been a proud and essential ingredient in
When people argue against gay people being allowed to serve in the military, or that a woman’s place is only in the home, or that transgender people don’t actually exist and are an excuse for predatory behavior, they’re not just being close-minded, they’re also rejecting historical precedents. If gay people aren’t right for the military, how do you explain the conquests of Alexander the Great, whose best friend, Hephaestion, was also his lover? If women only belong in the home, then explain the breathtaking intelligence of Marie Curie. And if being trans is a recent phenomenon, then why do records of transgender or gender-nonconforming people exist in various cultures since before the Vikings?
History shows that our biases against these and other minorities is not only shortsighted, ugly and, frankly, idiotic, but also plain wrong. Which is why it is so important that aspects of historical study that have been suppressed for centuries be allowed to see the light of day. To quote Capt. Raymond Holt from the Fox/NBC series “Brooklyn 99” — played by the late, incomparable Andre Braugher — “Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place.”
Will Sheeline is a senior reporter covering Glen Cove, Glen Head, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff.
Framework by Tim BakerWhy 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
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 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.
