HERALD SEAFORD
Jordan Vallone/Herald
Chris Carini was a police officer for 22 years before he joined the Town Board in 2019. He advocated for quality-of-life initiatives in Hempstead, and was a proud supporter of fellow law enforcement officials.
Councilman Chris Carini dies at 49
A champion of quality of life, he represented Seaford
By JoRDAN VAlloNE and CHARlES SHAW of the Wantagh/Seaford Herald
Town Councilman Chris Carini, a familiar face to many in the Town of Hempstead and the 5th Councilmanic District, died unexpectedly on Sunday, while visiting family in Florida. He was 49.
The Republican, who lived in Seaford, was first elected to the Town Board after former Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney dropped out of the race six weeks before the 2019 election. Carini had long been involved with the Wantagh/Seaford Homeowners Association, which often focused on qualityof-life issues.
“There’s no words to express how heartbroken we are in this loss,” Ella Stevens, president of the homeowners association, said. “He took his watch over Wantagh and Seaford and spread it to other communities.”
Carini spearheaded the town’s Quality of Life Task Force in 2023, which evolved from
a graffiti task force that Carini also created. Every day, crews travel around Hempstead to remove graffiti, collect trash and debris and take down illegal signage from utility poles and fences, thanks to Carini’s efforts.
“Councilman Carini was a dedicated public servant,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said in an emailed statement, “whose commitment to the communities he represented was unwavering.”
“Today is a profoundly sad day for all of us whose lives were touched by Councilman Chris Carini,” State Sen. Steve Rhoads emailed in a statement. “As an elected official and as a friend, I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone who was more passionate or took more enjoyment out of helping his neighbors and trying to make his community better than Chris.”
Rhoads added that Carini’s energy was “boundless” and his humor “infectious.” “I will miss his friendship, his leadership, and
Now a sport for everyone Town unveils adaptive pickleball court
By CHARlES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
The Town of Hempstead unveiled a new pickleball court in Forest City Park, in Wantagh, last week, but what’s unique about this court is that it was built with the disabled community in mind.
The court was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park on July 11, when Town Supervisor Don Clavin spoke of the rising popularity of the game.
The Town of Hempstead now has 58 pickleball courts, but Clavin said that this one would be the first on Long Island to accommodate people with disabilities.
As the demand increases, the realization that everybody wants to enjoy the sport is very, very important.
game’s health benefits have been a key factor in its rising popularity. As a low-impact sport, it puts minimal stress on joints and muscles, and improves heart health and circulation, according to a Town of Hempstead news release. The adaptive court is larger than a standard one, which is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, according to USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport. The new court is 74 feet long and 44 feet wide, with additional space surrounding it for more accessibility.
DoN Cl AViN
Town of Hempstead supervisor
“As the demand increases, the realization that everybody wants to enjoy the sport is very, very important,” he said.
Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and is played on a small court with paddles and a perforated plastic ball.
According to Clavin, the
Clavin was joined at the ceremony by Councilman Dennis Dunne, Councilwoman Missy Miller, Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll and members of the Aviators of Nassau County wheelchair softball team, an organization whose goal is to create, promote and expand opportunities for people with physical impairments. Its president, Drew Scopelitis, and
ConTinued on page 9
The Astros celebrating their win during the Ripken Experience tournament in
Maryland. Throughout the event, the boys team carried around a Super
LSW Astros win division at Ripken Experience
The LSW Astros 11U baseball team traveled to Aberdeen, Maryland, for the Ripken Experience tournament during the July 4 weekend and won their division for the second straight year.
The team, whose members are from Wantagh, Seaford, and Levittown, won all six of their games, adding to their 5-0 record in the 10U division in 2023 to complete the back-to-back. The team is now 11-0 over the last two tournaments they’ve participated in at the Ripken tournaments in Aberdeen.
They won several close games at this year’s event, including a come-from-behind 4-3 win in the championship game.
The team’s effort was also helped by their good luck charm, a plush Super Mario doll that one of the boys won at the team hotel on Friday night. The doll was in the dugout for each of the team’s games, wearing an LSW Astros chain.
The team has been together since 2021 and will look to add another big event title next summer at the Ripken
tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y.
The LSW Astros are coached by Eric Prezzano, with Chris Cohen, Artie Panetta, Mike Baglieri, and Charlie Verderosa. Team members are Brandon Mundy, Ryan Verderosa, Aidan Leahy, Michael Baglieri, Colin Byrne, Anthony DeTiberus, Zach Prezzano, Chris Cohen, Dylan Corey, Luca Pavlou, Ryan Panetta, and Mikey Byres.
Attend Hofstra’s Virtual
GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 6 p.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students plant the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
— Charles Shaw
Photos courtesy Sean Leahy
LSW Astros Coaches Eric Prezzano, left, with Chris Cohen, Artie Panetta, Mike Baglieri and Charlie Verderosa during the Ripken Experience tournament.
Aberdeen,
Mario Doll as a good luck charm.
Fun games and rides at Maria Regina carnival
The Maria Regina Roman Catholic Church in Seaford hosted its annual Family Carnival on the parish grounds on June 29.
The event featured an array of rides, games, and food for attendees of all ages. Families enjoyed classic carnival games like ring toss, while children
thrilled on roller coasters and carousels. The event provided parishioners and visitors alike with a fun day out during the hot summer months in Seaford.
— Charles Shaw
9-yearolds Jake, left, and Oliver riding the dragon coaster at the family carnival.
Mike Monahan/Herald photos
Anthony Anzano hits a ring toss shot.
Robbie, 3, left, and Justin, 4, enjoying the rides at the Maria Regina Family Carnival on June 29.
Families enjoyed rides and games. Aubrey, 1, left, with Gavin, 6, having a laugh on one of the rides.
The Strauss family having a good time on the carousel.
Attendees enjoyed music and carnival rides at the Maria Regina Family Carnival on June 29.
Rhoads hosts book drive to promote childhood education
New York State Senator Steve Rhoads is hosting a weeklong book drive at various libraries in the 5th Senate District to promote childhood education.
This drive, which will take place from July 21 to July 27, is being run in partnership with Book Fairies, an organization that redistributes books to under-resourced communities on Long Island. Rhoads says he hopes to foster a lifelong love of learning among children on Long Island, especially those who may not currently have access to books.
Both new and used books are being accepted at the Levittown, Island Trees, and Seaford Public Libraries. All donations are appreciated and will contribute to educating children and enriching their learning experiences.
For more information about the program, contact Senator Rhoads’ district office at 516-882-0630 or rhoads@nysenate.gov.
Next Vegan pop up on July 28
The vegan community gathered in full force for the Long Island Vegan Pop Up, a lively event showcasing the best in plant-based living.
The Pop Up event, located at 3434 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, delighted attendees on July 14 with an array of 100% vegan offerings, including nachos, tacos, and sweets.
The pop-up also featured vegan can-
Second Marriage Planning
In second marriage planning, a co-trustee is sometimes recommended on the death of the first spouse. While both spouses are living and competent they run their trust or trusts together. But when one spouse dies, what prevents the other spouse from diverting all of the assets to their own children? Nothing at all, if they alone are in charge. While most people are honorable, and many are certain their spouse would never do such a thing, strange things often happen later in life. A spouse may become forgetful, delusional or senile or may be influenced by other parties. Not only that, but the children of the deceased spouse tend to feel very insecure when they find out their stepparent is in charge of all of the couple’s assets.
If you choose one of the deceased spouse’s children to act as co-trustee with the surviving spouse there is a conflict that exists whereby the stepchild may be reluctant to spend assets for the surviving spouse, because whatever is spent on that spouse comes out of the child’s inheritance. Then what if stepparent gets remarried? How will the stepchild trustee react
to that event? What if it turns out the stepchild liked the stepparent when his parent was living, but not so much afterwards?
Here is where the lawyer as co-trustee may provide an ideal solution. When one parent dies, the lawyer steps in as co-trustee with the surviving spouse. The lawyer helps the stepparent to invest for their own benefit as well as making sure the principal grows to offset inflation, for the benefit of the deceased spouse’s heirs. The stepparent in this case takes care of all their business privately with their lawyer. The trusts cannot be raided. These protections may also be extended for IRA and 401(k) money passing to the spouse through the use of the “IRA Contract”. Surviving spouse agrees ahead of time that they will make an irrevocable designation of the deceased spouse’s children as beneficiaries when the IRA is left to the surviving spouse, and further agrees that any withdrawals in excess of the required minimum distribution (RMD) may only be made on consent of the lawyer.
Second marriage planning offers numerous traps for the unwary.
PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid FREE CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 x117 or email info@trustlaw.com
dles, perfumes, jewelry, and more. Numerous vendors were present, and pets were welcome. Another pop-up is scheduled for July 28th from 2 to 7 p.m. Entry is free, making it a perfect opportunity to explore vegan products and enjoy a pet-friendly outing.
— Charles Shaw
Serving Our Community with:
• Funerals that are dignified, personalized and affordable
• Pre-arrangement planning in your home or our office
• Traditional Cremation options
• Specialized in Veterans Benefits
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Event organizer David Lockworth, left, with John Di Leonardo – President of Humane Long Island – and Juliana Di Leonardo.
Courtesy office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads State Sen. Steve Rhoads is partnering with
Carini
we will all miss his good common sense,” Rhoads said. Before Carini joined the Town Board, he was a decorated veteran of law enforcement, serving for 22 years as a police officer in the New York City, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police departments.
Councilwoman Missy Miller described Carini as “the epitome of the phrase ‘larger than life.’” “With a cup of coffee in hand, he was energized — always,” Miller wrote on Facebook. “He was the best kind of public servant, selfless.”
Carini was well known in the communities he represented, and seen frequently at civic association and Chamber of Commerce meetings. He was extremely proud of the town’s finances, which helped fund renovations of a number of recreational facilities in his district, including Seamans Neck Park in Seaford and Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore.
HTown of Hempstead neighbors” and an “unwavering supporter of law enforcement.”
“This one hurts deeply,” D’Esposito wrote. “I will miss you, my friend.”
“Chris was an amazing person who worked so hard in all aspects of his life to make this world a better place,” John Theissen, founder and executive director of the John Theissen Children’s Foundation in Wantagh, said. “My prayers are with his wife and children. This is just so sad, and a tremendous loss to this community.”
e was the best kind of public servant, selfless.
Missy Miller Town of Hempstead councilwoman
Among the many hats Carini wore, being a family man was perhaps his greatest joy. He and his wife, Danielle, had two children, Ava and Joey.
“Chris was a loving husband, adoring father, and a dedicated public servant,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in an emailed statement. “He had an outstanding career with the Port Authority Police Department protecting our region. I was honored to serve with him on the Hempstead town board.”
U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who also served with Carini on the board, said he was “one of the finest dads” D’Esposito had ever seen. On Facebook, D’Esposito called Carini “a tireless advocate for his
Tom Condon, chairman of the Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee, said that Carini was a tremendous supporter, and embodied the committee’s themes of service, character and commitment.
“He certainly represented those qualities,” Condon said, “and it’s certainly going to be a great loss for not only Seaford, but for his family and the Town of Hempstead.”
In a roundtable interview with Herald reporters last fall, Carini prided himself on his ability to talk to people and listen to their concerns.
In his tenure, he got to know the many school districts in his jurisdiction well. “On behalf of myself, the board of education, and the entire district, I extend my deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Councilman Christopher Carini,” Seaford Superintendent Adele Pecora wrote in an email to the Herald.
County Legislator Seth Koslow also expressed his condolences. “We are all devastated to learn of his sudden passing,” Koslow said in an emailed statement. “I extend my prayers and condolences to his wife Danielle, his children Joey and Ava, and all of his friends,
Tim Baker/Herald Chris Carini, the Hempstead town councilman in the 5th Councilmanic district, has died unexpectedly. a husband and a father of two children, he was 49
colleagues and loved ones as they mourn this terrible tragedy.”
As of press time, it was not known how Carini died, and details on his funeral service were not yet available. Flags were to be flown at half-staff in his honor, according to the town.
–
Ducks pursue second-half turnaround
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
Gutted by roster departures and injuries, the Long Island Ducks completed the first half of the Atlantic League baseball season July 5 with a 30-33 record, 13 games behind the North Division-winning York Revolution.
First-year Ducks manager Lew Ford, the franchise’s all-time hits leader with 1,036 and a key member of three championship teams, witnessed plenty of second-half turnarounds in his 13 seasons and is hopeful for another.
“I try to look at the positives and so far we’ve helped eight guys sign to play either in a Major League organization or professionally overseas,” Ford said. “We’ve had a ton of turnover and some injuries, but I like our roster entering the second half.”
The offense, led by outfielder Tyler Dearden and first baseman Frank Schwindel, did its part through the first 63 games averaging 5.25 runs. Dearden and Schwindel finished first and third in the league in batting, hitting .361 and .353, respectively,
Dearden, who spent his first six professional seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization and played at the Triple-A level in 2023, appeared in 55 first-half games and cracked 12 homers with 46 RBIs and 37 runs. His contract was purchased July 2 by the Minnesota Twins organization.
Schwindel, who has 145 games of Major League experience, appeared in 39 games and belted 11 homers and drove in 38 runs in the first half.
“Those guys were our MVPs in the first half,” Ford said of Dearden and Schwindel.
The most accomplished player Ford has penciled into the lineup is outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who appeared in 1,182 MLB games and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He totaled 109 homers, 449 RBIs and 69 stolen bases over an 11-yer career.
A lower body injury forced Bradley Jr. to miss 35 games thus far. When healthy, he’s raked to the tune of a .360 average, 7 homers and 22 RBIs.
Catcher Chance Sisco, with nearly 200 MLB games under his belt, hit a team-leading 14 homers in the first half. Ivan Castillo has been steady with the glove and batted .298 with 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 7 steals in 42 first-half games.
Improving a team ERA of 5.34 and a league-worst .280 opponents’ batting average will go a long way in the Ducks’ chances of getting back to the playoffs. By far their most impressive arm to date is reliever Ramon Santos, who carries a 0.71 ERA with 3 wins (one shy of team leader Stephen Woods Jr.) and 45 strikeouts in 25 innings.
“We have to pitch better and the staff knows that,” Ford said. “They’re all capable.”
Ducks reach 9 million fans all-time
The Ducks welcomed their record 9 millionth fan through the gates of Fairfield Properties Ballpark June 18 prior to their
Tyler Dearden, signed by the Minnesota Twins July 2, hit .361 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs in 55 games with the Ducks.
game against the Staten Island FerryHawks.
“This is another special day in the history of this great franchise,” Ducks General Manager Sean Smith said. “Reaching 9 million fans is a testament to the incredible support from our fan base since we first opened the gates in 2000 and to the fun and excitement Ducks baseball continues to provide Long Islanders every year.”
Five-year-old Ethan Oldham from Islip entered through the West Gate at 5:56 p.m. with his mother, Katie; father, Craig; and baby brother, Nolan. In doing so, Ethan became the 9 millionth fan in franchise history to attend a Ducks game in their home ballpark.
Long Island became the first club in Atlantic League history to reach the milestone attendance figure despite having begun play in the league’s third year of existence (2000). The Ducks are also currently the league’s all-time leader in sold out crowds with 707, have led the league in attendance 17 times and currently lead the league in 2024 attendance as well with an average of more than 4,500.
Ethan was recognized during a VIP onfield ceremony for being the 9 millionth fan. Sheldon Ellison, General Manager of the Levittown P.C. Richard & Son location, presented the lucky fan with a $1,000 gift card to use at any of the Ducks charter sponsor’s locations. In addition, the Ducks presented Ethan with a jersey featuring “9 Million” as the name on the back and the number “24”, representing this season. Ethan threw out a ceremonial first pitch, received a 2024 Ducks team-signed baseball, and he and his family were upgraded to VIP tickets for the night.
Photos courtesy Long Island Ducks
Reliever Ramon Santos pitched to a 0.71 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 25 innings through the season’s opening half.
Registration dates won’t help Jewish voters
Two Saturdays in the fall — and one Thursday — will conflict with Shabbat and Rosh Hashana
By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com
Voter registration programs aim to make voting more accessible for people, and to encourage them to participate in the democratic process. But a recent directive from the state Board of Elections has done just the opposite for Jewish constituents, county executive Bruce Blakeman says.
A statewide voter registration date — this year, Thursday, Oct. 3 — is required by state law. A second, local voter registration program also takes place in Nassau County, but the dates that program may take place is up to the state Board of Elections, rather than the county’s. The state gave the county board two options to choose from: Sept. 28 or Oct. 5. Both are Saturdays.
That makes the voter registration program inaccessible for observant Jewish people, as well as Seventh-Day Adventists, and is antithetical to the program’s purpose of diversity and inclusion, Blakeman said at a news conference last week.
Blakeman appeared with county legislators Bill Gaylor and Mazi Pilip; the Legislature’s presiding officer, Howard Kopel; Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Rabbi Yossi Lieberman, of the Chabad of West Hempstead, on July 11 at Halls
Pond Park, in West Hempstead, to urge Attorney General Letitia James to step in and take action to correct the state election board’s decision.
“We are here in West Hempstead, which has a very large Jewish population,” said Blakeman, who is the county’s first Jewish executive. “And quite frankly, Nassau County is home to probably the third-largest Jewish county in population in the United States, and we
have a very large population of SeventhDay Adventists, especially in the Elmont and Franklin Square areas. So we believe that the state is making a big mistake, and we would ask them to correct that mistake.”
“As we welcome a voter registration program and we encourage everyone to participate in an election, I would expect from our state leadership to be sensitive for Shabbat,” Pilip said. “Shab-
bat is a day for many Jewish people, they are resting, they are going to synagogue, they don’t work, they don’t use phones, they don’t do anything that typically they’d do on a regular day.”
Even the statewide voter registration date of Oct. 3 is problematic for Jewish constituents, Kopel said.
“Nobody’s saying it’s necessarily deliberate,” Kopel said, “but let’s also remember that not only is that Thursday date a workday, it is also, as it happens, the day after Rosh Hashana. It is a fast day. Some people don’t feel well — they’re fasting, they can’t get out, they’re not up to it.”
Because the Saturday dates for the county program were finalized by state legislation, they cannot be changed without legislative action. The state Board of Elections, however, has the power to change the statewide registration program from a Thursday to a Sunday, so it is not on a working day. Blakeman called on James to direct the state board to make that change.
“It should be a very simple thing to do,” Kopel said. “Just go ahead, make the change. And I would also urge our officials to be a little bit more sensitive and a little bit more careful, and think about what you’re doing before you go ahead and do it. Because this was just really careless.”
Courtesy Office of Bruce Blakeman
The State Board of Elections gave Nassau County two Saturdays to choose from for a local voter registration program, making the program inaccessible to observant Jews, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at a July 11 news conference.
town of Hempstead officials gathered in Wantagh’s forest City park on July 11 to unveil a new pickleball court designed to be accessible to people with disabilities.
New pickleball court offers accessibility
members offered feedback during the court’s construction, according to Clavin.
Scopelitis said he was amazed by the new court’s accessibility for disabled people. More space around the court, he said, makes it convenient for players to transfer from their normal wheelchairs to sports chairs, specialized wheelchairs designed for increased mobility and maneuverability.
“Having room to bring their sports chair and their everyday chair to a court and leave it off on the side is
amazing,” Scopelitis said.
Scopelitis was born with spina bifida. While he is a wheelchair user, he is not confined to one, but needs one for activities such as pickleball. Other members, he said, are in similar situations, and having a place where they can play pickleball helps to bring more people into their organization.
“It’s just special to have something like this right here,” Scopelitis said.
Miller is a lifelong advocate for the disabled community, according to Clavin. One of the benefits of her advocacy, he noted, is that she helped broad-
en her colleagues’ outlook on making the experience of living in the Town of Hempstead great for everybody. Miller has a child with special needs, which has made her more aware of the disabled community’s needs.
“You don’t know that things aren’t accessible because they’re accessible to those who are capable of accessing them,” Miller said.
tive play. According to Clavin, wheelchair users prefer lighter paddles with specialized grips and a softer ball that has a more controllable bounce.
It is the responsibility of local government, Clavin said, to make sure groups with disabilities have a space to enjoy such activities. He said he hoped this would be the first of many adaptive pickleball courts.
•
Use of the court is free, and it is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Equipment is not provided, so participants are encouraged to bring specialized paddle and balls for adap -
“We’re hoping, as we continue to build more of these facilities, the other municipalities across this region will follow suit,” he said, “because everybody has a passion for this game.”
Continued from page 1
Charles Shaw/Herald
A fun block party on Thursday nights
Thursday nights are looking a little livelier in Wantagh.
To kick off the summer fun, Mulcahy’s is hosting a series of block parties on Railroad Avenue in Wantagh. At the June 20 event, vendors, food trucks and local restaurants provided delicious meals while bands rocked out on an outdoor stage. With face painting and a bounce house, the block party provided
entertainment for all ages.
Thursday Night Live will take place throughout the summer on Railroad Avenue in Wantagh. The next event will take place on July 25. Remaining dates for the block party are Aug. 8 and Aug. 22.
— Charles Shaw
Joseph Mauro of the Milk & Sugar Truck scooping up a cold treat for attendees on a hot summer day
Railroad Avenue.
Marie Kropp paints a cat face on Logan Torres at the Wantagh street fair on June 20.
Mulcahy’s Thursday Night Live street fair offered entertainment for all ages, including a bounce house for children to jump around.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Michael Thomas and Chris Perrotta of Uncle Frank’s Pizza and Cocktails in Wantagh serving up pizzas at the street fair.
on
Claire Carney, left, with Grace Carney, Olivia Galdante and Tara Harkin enjoying the festivities at the Thursday Night Live street fair in Wantagh.
Attendees gathered at Railroad Avenue near Mulcahy’s in Wantagh to enjoy food and music during the Thursday Night Live street fair on June 20.
STEPPING OUT
Local musicians and
fans
gather in tribute to the beloved musician
By Karen Bloom
Harry Chapin’s tragic death is now many decades behind us, but his music and philanthropy remain forever enshrined in Long Island’s collective consciousness. Stuart Markus, a longtime fixture on the local folk-acoustic scene, cherishes his role as guardian of Chapin’s legacy, organizing the yearly memorial concert each summer. Markus, who is based in Malverne, remains just as passionate about Chapin’s music and his humanitarian zeal as when he began this tribute event — taking on the role of concert organizer — 21 years ago. It has now moved on from its longtime home at Chapin’s namesake theater in Eisenhower Park — following last year’s well-publicized kerfuffle with Nassau County officials — to the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. Some 30 musicians will gather with fans on Sunday, July 21, regrouping for this year’s edition of “Just Wild About Harry.”
“I’ve long thought it would be wonderful and extremely appropriate to do the show in Huntington, where Harry and Sandy lived and raised their family,” Markus says. “Harry is still held in such beloved regard by residents of the town and public officials at all levels.”
Despite the years that have passed since Chapin’s shocking death on the Long Island Expressway en route to his ill-fated performance in Eisenhower Park in July 1981, the man and his music still resonates. In fact, several show regulars were among the crowd when what was supposed to be a joyous event turned into a vigil, according to Markus.
“Harry is so beloved in memory on Long Island,” Markus says. “You don’t have to look too hard to find someone who met him, whose school he did a benefit for, or someone who’s been helped by one of his charities. It’s so meaningful for the music community to come together and, in effect, do the concert he might have given.”
And come together they do — year after year. “I never expected it would go on this long,” Markus says. “When I first started doing the show I thought it would run its cycle. Instead, each year it keeps growing and keeps getting better. It’s such a wonderful concert and everyone has a great time, which is a tribute to what a great man he (Chapin) was.”
• Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m.
Admission is free.
• Heckscher Park, located off Main Street (Route 25A) and Prime Avenue, Huntington
• Long Island Cares’ staff and volunteers will be collecting donations of nonperishable food at a tent at the entrance to the Chapin Rainbow Stage
The troubadour’s song catalogue is creatively interpreted by each act, who make it their own, while honoring Chapin. “We’ve had some amazing arrangements, from folky to country, torch-song style to hard rock,” adds Markus. “Throughout the two decades that we’ve been presenting the show, I’ve always encouraged everyone to make the songs fresh, however they imagine them. They’re not just reproducing them the way Harry did.”
Markus is pleased to welcome Chapin’s daughter, singer-songwriter Jennifer Chapin, in her first performing appearance at this year’s concert. She’ll do “I Wanna Learn a Love Song,” which tells
story
“It means a lot to her and the family that we’re doing this in Huntington, where they grew up,” Markus adds.
In another first, the lineup also includes Cantor Lisa Wharton, of Temple Beth Emeth in Mount Sinai, who appears with her husband, percussionist Akiva Wharton, and Cantor Judy Merrick, of Plainview Jewish Center. They’ll perform “I Wonder What Would Happen,” which Markus describes as very appropriate as “it’s a spiritual, gospel feeling song.”
Also Cantor Talya Smilowitz, with Oyster Bay’s Congregation L’Dor V’Dor, also graces the stage; Markus accompanying her for “Saturday Morning.”
“She has an amazing voice and in the chorus melody it just soars,” he enthuses.
Also participating, as always, are stalwarts of the local music community — including returnees Roger Street Friedman, Frank Walker, Patricia Shih and Stephen Fricker, Robinson Treacher, MediaCrime, Judith Zweiman, Martha Trachtenberg, Robin Greenstein, Christine Solimeno, and Grand Folk Railroad. They are joined, of course, by Markus, who performs with his longtime trio Gathering Time.
As is their signature, Markus, with Gathering Time, arrive on stage at the end to conclude the concert. They’ll perform “Cat’s in the Cradle,” which marks its 50th anniversary this year; also on the “Verities & Balderdash” album. Then, as always, in the true spirit of Harry Chapin, Gathering Time is joined by the entire group for their annual rendition of “Circle,” Chapin’s traditional closing.
More than just a concert, the free event, of course, involves a food drive. Concertgoers are asked to bring donations of nonperishable items to support Long Island Cares, the regional food bank and humanitarian organization Chapin founded n 1980.
Bring seating to the concert, held rain or shine. It will also be livestreamed on Facebook and the Harry Chapin Foundation YouTube channel.
Courtesy Keith Rossin
Top photo: Gathering Time’s Stuart Markus leads his fellow musicians in the spirited tribute.
Courtesy Doug Otto
Bottom photo: Everyone gathers to salute Harry
Comic showcase
Laugh the night away at Mom’s Night Out, presented Long Island Comedy Festival. You’ll enjoy standup delivered by four clever comics. Talia Reese, (pictured) an Orthodox woman, is one of the edgiest comedians on the circuit. Also a lawyer and a mom, she’s more than capable of not only wearing many hats, but mixing offbeat comedy, motherhood and Orthodox Judaism together. She’s joined by Carla Ulbrich, a singersongwiting comedian known as a “professional smart-aleck, with a love of the absurdities of ordinary life; Rockville Centre’s own Laura Patton, who encourages everyone to laugh along with her as she lives her dream; and national headliner Maria Walsh, “America’s Naughtiest Mommy,”known for her quick wit.
Thursday, July 18, 8 p.m. $45. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or call (516) 323-4444.
His ‘New York State of Mind’
and their
during the rousing finale that closes the
Mike DelGuidice is, of course, forever known for his connection to Billy Joel. One of Long Island’s most celebrated singer/songwriters continues his “residency” on the Paramount stage, DelGuidice and his band always give it their all, especially when playing the iconic Billy Joel songs. Like his idol, DelGuidice has become one of the area’s most popular performers, balancing his schedule between doing his own thing and touring with Joel. DelGuidice, as with Joel, grew up mastering several instruments including bass guitar, guitar, piano, and drums. He’s renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of the Joel catalog, which caught the attention of Joel himself, who ultimately brought him on stage with him. DelGuidice and his band pack hit after charttopping hit, along with his own tunes in a high energy show that’s always a crowd pleaser.
Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, 8 p.m. $60, $40, $25, $20. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
the
of Chapin meeting his future wife Sandy Cashmore in 1966
romance. It was included on his 1974 album “Verities & Balderdash.”
Chapin
concert.
‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’
Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band are back on the Paramount stage, Friday, July 26, 8 p.m., with their beachy vibe. With summer in full swing, keep the mood going with their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along.
The Long Island based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rio, lead guitar/ backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. It’s a show that connects everyone to good times and good friends. And, of course, you’ll know all the tunes. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Dramatic Play
Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, July 22, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed.
Kids express themselves as they create characters, stretch their imaginations and build selfconfidence. This week’s theme: Pirates and Princesses to the Rescue. Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
Wantagh Warrior 5K
Wantagh School District hosts the inaugural Wantagh Warrior 9/11 Memorial 5K, Sunday, Sept. 22. The event will take place on the high school track at 9:30 a.m. Children can participate in a kids 400M dash at 8:30 a.m. 3297 Beltagh Ave in Wantagh. For race, volunteer, donation and sponsorship opportunities, visit tinyurl.com/ WW911Run.
Movie Night
Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, July 31, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See the recent 3D animated musical fantasy “Trolls 3: Trolls Band Together.” The film serves as the threequel to Trolls, the sequel to Trolls World Tour, and the continuation of DreamWorks Trolls franchise. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
July 28
by The Brotherhood of Temple B’Nai Torah, Sunday, July 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse among handcrafted items, handmade jewelry, women’s apparel, local merchants, antiques and collectibles and more. Free admission. 2900 Jerusalem Avenue in Wantagh. For more information, please contact Ben at bencernese@gmail.com or (516) 322-8130.
Tunes in the garden
Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens and listen to some stirring sounds, as Old Westbury Gardens’ summer music series continues, Sunday, July 21, 3-4 p.m. The Cambiata Cello Duo performs compositions spanning styles and centures at the Barn. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Bingo at Temple B’Nai Torah
Temple B’nai Torah hosts a fun-filled bingo session, every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-1p.m., and every Thursday, 7:15 -10 p.m. Prizes, progressive games and refreshments available. 2900 Jerusalem Ave., in Wantagh. For more information, call (516) 2212370.
Best of Broadway
Sounds of the Great White Way return to Eisenhower Park with Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway,” Saturday, July 20, 7-9 p.m., at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. The lively musical revue, hosted by Neil Berg, on piano, shares those dynamic showstopping tunes performed by a cast of Broadway actors and actresses. These energetic talents light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred.
Berg presents creatively revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling numbers from some of the newest hits, along with his fascinating commentary and historical notes in between songs. Bring seating. Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.
Having an event?
Shabbat on the Beach
To welcome in Shabbat, members of the Congregation Beth Tikvah Band will perform at Friday night singalongs. All are welcome to join Congregation Beth Tikvah for a musical Shabbat experience, July 26 and Aug. 23, 6-6:45 p.m., at Jones Beach Field 6. These free services follow traditional Jewish Shabbat rituals and are open to anyone who calls Long Island their home.
Park on the west side of the comfort station and meet members of Congregation Beth Tikvah on the boardwalk. Bring seating. There is no parking fee after 4 p.m. 1 Ocean Pkwy., in Wantagh. For more information, call the office at (516) 785-2445.
Game time
Enjoy Mah Jongg and Canasta, every Thursday, noon to 4 p.m., at Congregation Beth Tikvah, $5 contribution, no outside food, as snacks and drinks will be supplied. Bring your games and cards, lessons available. 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh. For more information, email mahjonggCBT@yahoo.com or call (516) 785-2445.
Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.
On exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition
“Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. It opens July 20 and is on view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Creatures of the Bay
July 20
Seaford Historical Society Museum invites families to “Creatures of the Bay,” a hands-on experience with ocal sea creatures, Saturday, July 20, noon. 3890 Waverly Ave.
Pet Adoption Program
Adopt your “fur-ever” friend this summer. There’s no better time to adopt a new pet than during the ”summer of love” at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. Now through Sept. 1, all pet adoption fees are waived and include free spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. There is a $10 license fee for dogs. Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cats before stepping foot in the shelter online at HempsteadNY.gov/179/Animal-Shelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page at Hempstead Town Animal Shelter. For more information, contact (516) 785-5220.
A Mineola rededication for Nassau’s 125th
By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com
Despite pouring rain outside the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola on July 12, there was a joyful rededication ceremony for the building, a highlight of Nassau County’s yearlong 125thanniversary celebration. Attendees reflected on the county’s journey from its separation from New York City, in 1899, to its present-day status as one of the bestknown, busiest, most vibrant and culturally diverse counties in the United States.
Moderated by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the event brought together elected officials, local historians, and Tweed Roosevelt, the great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, to honor the rich history and legacy of both the county and the former president.
“Today we reaffirm our commitment to the memory of Theodore Roosevelt, a great president, a great governor, a police commissioner, a state legislator,” Blakeman said. “Someone who was a war hero, and someone who overcame tremendous adversity to achieve so many great things.”
The county’s origin story was, in effect, an act of secession, according to historians. In 1898, when New York City annexed Queens County, its three eastern towns — Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay — pushed to split away, drawing an invisible boundary between themselves and the newly expanded city. On Jan. 1, 1899, Nassau County was born, and its suburban future firmly secured.
The county building, designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, best known for designing the Empire State Building, is historically significant, because then Gov. Teddy Roosevelt himself helped lay the cornerstone in 1900. When U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi was
Tim Baker/Herald
Tweed Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt’s greatgrandson, honored the rich history and legacy of both the county and the former president.
serving as county executive in 2002, he announced that the building, a former county courthouse, would be renamed in honor of Roosevelt.
In 2005, a replica of a 17-foot statue of Roosevelt that stands on Theodore Roosevelt Island, in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., was installed outside the building in Mineola. Now the statue’s plaque recognizes the county’s historic milestone.
Roosevelt’s legacy as a public servant and leader is extensive. He was born in New York City on Oct. 27, 1858, into a wealthy family. Though he was frail and asthmatic as a child, he was determined to pursue a vigorous lifestyle that would define most of his life.
Roosevelt’s education was a mix of private tutoring and formal schooling, culminating in his graduation
from Harvard in 1880. His political career began with his election to the State Assembly in 1882, where he earned a reputation as a reformer. As president of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners in 1895, he fought corruption and modernized the police force through hands-on inspections and reforms.
Appointed assistant secretary of the Navy in 1897, Roosevelt prepared the Navy for the Spanish-American War, and subsequent leading the Rough Riders, the first U.S. volunteer cavalry. His heroism propelled him to the governorship of New York in 1898, where he implemented significant labor, health care and conservation reforms.
Roosevelt’s New York-honed leadership led to the vice presidency in 1900, and the presidency just a year later, when William McKinley was assassinated. His progressive policies, including trust-busting and conservation efforts, were influenced by his New York experiences.
Roosevelt’s connection to New York remained strong throughout his life. His home at Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay, was his retreat as well as a hub of intellectual and political activity, and played a large role in his personal and political life. The name of the main house on the 150-acre estate, which he bought in 1880, is Native American for “chief,” and it was the scene of many milestones in Roosevelt’s life, from family moments to political decisions.
“He spent the better part of his life here,” his greatgrandson, Tweed Roosevelt, said during the event. “He’s reputed to have said on the day he died to his wife, ‘Dear, you have no idea how much I love Sagamore Hill.’”
“Teddy Roosevelt is a man that we all should try to emulate,” Scott Fairgrieve, president of the Nassau County Historical Society, said. “He was a family man. He was a great president of the United States, and he loved this country.”
‘Bring your own bottle’ for new hydration station
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Town of Hempstead parks just got a little bit greener.
Schools are out and the summer season is officially here, and last week the Town of Hempstead announced the addition of an eco-friendly water bottle refilling station at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in South Merrick, helping to reduce the number of plastic bottles discarded at the park while keeping residents hydrated.
Town Supervisor Don Clavin, who was joined by Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll, made the announcement on June 26.
The preserve is among the most popular recreational spaces in the Town of Hempstead. Tucked behind the town’s sanitation facilities off of Merrick Road, what is now a bustling preserve used to be a landfill, before it was transformed into a park in 2000. It boasts walking paths, kayak launches, fishing piers, a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats and more, and also has the highest summit on the South Shore of Long Island, offering those who visit the park panoramic views of Nassau County’s bays, beaches and more.
The park’s “roots” are in recycling, making it the perfect place for the first hydration station to be installed.
“We started seeing a heavy increase in foot traffic during the Covid-19 pandemic, as residents were looking for a
safe activity to do outdoors,” Clavin said. “Attendance at the park continues to grow, so we continue to introduce new initiatives, such as this eco-friendly way to keep residents safe and hydrated while combating the rise of single-use plastic bottles discarded at the park.”
The installation of the hydration station was made possible through a Marine Debris grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in a bid to reduce the amount of plastic discarded in waterways. The grant was awarded to a network of recipients, according to town officials, from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean.
gram,” Clavin said.
In a 2022 International Coastal CleanUp report, plastic bottles were listed as the second most collected item and plastic bottle caps were listed as the fourth most, town officials said. Since Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve is located next to Merrick Bay, discarded debris can end up in the waterways, which funnel into the ocean.
Town of Hempstead parks are always getting greener, and the hydration station at Levy Park is a part of the town’s greater, environmental efforts.
In recognition of World Refill Day on June 16, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation shared a post on its Facebook page, stating that in partnership with the New York Department of State, the Town of Hempstead and Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, four water refill stations were purchased for popular parks on Long Island. This was thanks to the regional council, which supplied funding and planning for the project.
“This is a really good, green pro -
crime WAtch
Auto LArceny
On July 23, a victim reported that a catalytic converter was stolen from her car parked on Fifth Street in East Meadow.
A pair of sunglasses were stolen from a car while parked on Water Lane North in Levittown on July 5.
Two license plates were stolen from a car parked on Colridge Road in Wantagh on July 9
Petit LArceny
On June 27, a man stole beer from a Walgreens on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa.
A man stole various items from a CVS on Seamans Neck Road in Seaford on June 27.
Two cases of beer were stolen at a CVS on Jerusalem Avenue in North Bellmore on June 28.
Arrests
Feruza Khan, 42, of East Meadow, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on June 27.
Charles McClendon, 52, of Roosevelt, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Burlington Coat Factory on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa on June 29. Gabrielle Silver, 56, of East Meadow,
was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Stop & Shop on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow on June 29.
Steven Torres, 36, of Flushing, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on July 1.
Donna Sarra, 58, of Levittown, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Shoprite on Woodbury Road in Plainview on July 4.
John Johnson, 42, of Uniondale, and Tiffany Johnson, 31, of Baldwin, were arrested for alleged shoplifting at Target on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on July 4.
Louise Fecentese, 66, of Levittown, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Home Depot on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on July 5.
Salvatore Mistretta, 30, of Shirley, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at King Kullen on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown on July 10.
criminAL mischief
A victim reported damage to her front window screens with eggs at Russell Court in Seaford on July 2.
DWi
Hamad Binaziz, 29, of Queens, was arrested for driving while intoxicated on Carriage Lane in Levittown on July 5.
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.
Two additional hydration stations will be installed at Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore and the Marine Nature Study Area in Oceanside. The hydration stations, all of which provide filtered water free of charge, will be installed at these parks in the coming months, and will help cut down on marine debris by encouraging park patrons to utilize refillable water bottles over single-use bottles.
LEGAL NOTICE
“This will be the first three, and we’re hoping to expand it through federal funding, as well as dedicated town funds at parks throughout the Town of Hempstead,” Clavin said. “We’re hoping our friends at the county level and other towns join us.”
Clavin said the town is “dedicated” to the environment and clean waterways.
“That’s one thing I see over and over, every initiative we do here in the town,” he said. “The town residents embrace it because they care.”
Clavin quelled any concerns about the water quality coming out of the hydration stations, stressing that it’s “clean, filtered water.”
“We want you to be comfortable making the investment in the environment,” he said, “so we’re making that investment for you.”
The hydration station at Levy Park is located on the left side of the ranger station, which is just outside of the preserve’s entrance in its parking lot.
For more information on the town’s parks and environmental efforts, visit HempsteadNY.gov and see the “Parks & Recreation” tab.
Public Notices
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, -againstJOSEPH FIORELLO, 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 July 5, 2022, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and JOSEPH FIORELLO, 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 July 25, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 3835 MARION COURT, SEAFORD, NY 11783; and the following tax map identification: 52-370-18. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN SEAFORD, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 008439/2016. Dominic A. Villoni, 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. 147643
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK TRUST N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF11 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff against VICTOR RUANO A/K/A VICTOR M. RUANO, et al Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 5, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 3883 Franklin Avenue, Seaford, NY 11783. Sec 52 Block 295 Lot 4. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Seaford (unincorporated area) in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of
Judgment is $619,956.33 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 612877/2022. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules.
The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Lisa Segal Poczik, Esq., Referee File # AYSN385 147784
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 07/24/2024 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.
492/24. SEAFORDRaymond Reichel, Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (2nd detached garage not permitted) & not permitted forward of dwelling with less than side yard setback., N/W cor. 1st Pl. & Cedar St., a/k/a 3437 1st Pl. 502/24. SEAFORD - Ryan Pastore, Variances, lot area occupied, rear yard, maintain wood deck attached to dwelling., N/s Niami St., 260’ W/o Anchor Dr., a/k/a 3805 Niami St. 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 a t 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. 148001
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
EDITOR/REPORTER Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com
HANDYPERSON WANTED
Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530 Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211
LIBRARY AIDE FULL TIME Are you customer-service focused? Do you love libraries? Apply for a FT Library Aide position at the Baldwin Public Library. This is a rare opportunity in our Circulation department that does not require a Civil Service exam. Job is 35 hrs per week with at least one night per week and rotating Saturdays. $35,000-40,000 depending on experience. Possibility of Sunday hrs. Send resume and cover letter to dkelly@baldwinpl.org by Fri, July 26.
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP
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
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $33,280 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $33,280 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
PERSONNEL CLERK/ ACCOUN T CLERK ASSISTANT. $20-$23 per hour. 17 hours per week. Monday and Tuesdays 9:30-3:30. (remaining shift TBD w/ candidate) Occasional Saturday may be required depending upon payroll schedule Duties include Payroll, Benefits
$710,000
4th Avenue. 2 Story. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Spacious 2 family house on quiet dead end street. First floor has 3 bedrooms, with eat-in kitchen and living room. Second floor has a large living room and gourmet kitchen with many cabinets, plus 2 bedrooms. Basement recently updated with a bar, family room, laundry, utility room and plenth of extra space. Fenced-in yard with shed. Double driveway with parking for 4 plus cars.
Taxes: $13,862
Franklin Square $860,000
Delmar Avenue. Tudor. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Security system.
Taxes: $10,668.97
Hewlett Harbor $3,900,000
Thixton Drive. Estate. 9 bedrooms, 8.55 bathrooms. Gourmet chef-style eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Exercise room with sauna/steam room. Other features include wet bar, guest quarters, elevator, security system.
Taxes: $84,610
Long Beach $1,985,000
W. Penn Street. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Gourmet eat-in kitchen. Ensuite master bedroom with walkin closet. Three levels of luxury with rooftop deck and lounge. Panoramic city views. Steps away to beach.
Taxes: $11,073
Malverne $675,000
Linmouth Road. Cape. 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. First floor master bedroom.
Taxes: $14,503.12
Merrick $750,000
Hanover Place. Expanded Cape. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. New eat-in kitchen with stylish farmhouse chic cabinetry and quartz countertops. Formal dining room. Updated great room with fireplace. Updates also include bathrooms and cathedral ceiling. Trex deck overlooking sweeping yard.
Taxes: $14,774.54
Q. We have a siding problem that nobody, so far, seems able to solve. We added a second floor three years ago, and redid all our siding. The siding representative came after the siding people couldn’t figure out why our siding began to distort and hang, almost as if it had melted. We don’t keep our barbecue near the house because we learned the hard way, after the siding melted, when the barbecue was too close. This is different, and nobody has any idea why our siding is sagging. The representative took pictures but hasn’t gotten back to us. Have you ever heard of this, and is there anything we can do to stop it? We did replace two sections, but after a year it began happening again. We even checked to see if maybe an appliance was overheating indoors, but there’s nothing nearby that could have caused this. Any ideas?
A. I can shed some light on this, literally, by confirming that your siding, is indeed, melting, but for a reason you didn’t mention: the sun. In the past, when there were mysteries like this, they created fear of the unknown, and your may have thought your home was possessed, but as long as the mortgage is paid, the house isn’t possessed, and it won’t be repossessed. I’ve only seen this problem three times over the 50 years I’ve been in the field, and each one was solvable, but with some rethinking and extra expenditure.
If you were to check to see the orientation of the house and monitor where the sun reflects in either the early morning or late afternoon — and I have seen both phenomena — you’d notice that the sun is especially intense at certain angles. In each case I’ve traced, the sun hit an upper window and reflected with great intensity — like holding a magnifying glass over an innocent bug — off a neighbor’s window and back onto the siding of the first house. This “house of mirrors” phenomenon was intense enough to melt the vinyl siding, which simply wasn’t able to resist the heat.
In one case, the solution was to add a trellis to the side of the house to shield it from the sunlight. This can be done with a freestanding trellis instead of puncturing the siding and causing potential leaks with invasive hardware. Ironically, in that case you could be solving one problem while creating another.
You could also add tall shrubs or short trees between the houses if you have the room. The most expensive way is to side the area with a different, more durable, siding material such as cement board, which looks like vinyl siding, brick or stone. As we experience more intense sunlight due to climate change, I anticipate seeing more of this problem, but it’s still rare, because the windows have to align just right, and it usually happens when the sun is oriented to the Earth just right, possibly only twice a year. Good luck!
© 2024 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
Ask The Architect
Monte Leeper
Stuff HERALD
FREON WANTED Certified buyer looking for R11, R12, R22 & more! Call Clarissa at 312-535-8384
YARD SALE 129 East Walnut St, Long Beach. Every Thursday-Sunday from June 27-July 28, 12-5pm. Something for everyone, kids and adults.
GLEN COVE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF '79 45th Reunion September 21, 2024 6PM Contact Barry Feldman for details. (215) 534-7368 verythinguy2@gmail.com
SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS!
Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277
BABY BREZZA FORMULA Pro Advanced Mixer, $50, 516-884-9994.
BISELL ELECTRIC CARPET Shampoo Cleaner with Supplies. Like New. $85. 516-486-7941
ERNIE KEEBLER WATCH, like new, for boy or girl, great graduation gift. $35. 516-486-2363
HAMILTON ALTO TENOR Saxophone stand with Clarinet Peg, VGC. $40. Jack Taylor (516) 486-2363
RADIAL TIRE R255/65R16 In New Condition. $20 Firm! 516-486-7941
SCUBA WATER SHOES,
We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464
THOMASVILLE COUCH AND Love SeatGreat Condition, Redecorating Must Sell! $500. Call 516-457-6046 Lynbrook/Cash and Carry
TORCHIERE LAMP, DALE Tiffany signed, stained glass shade, $75, $516-884-9994.
WROUGHT IRON RAILINGS for 3 step stoop, free. 21" electric start snow thrower $35.00 516-481-1384
YOUTH WETSUIT, AKONA shorty size 7/8, 2 mm. Worn twice, $30. Call 516-695-8360.
*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
Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069
MARINA'S CLEANING SERVICES: Cleaning Homes, Apartments, Condos, Offices. Experienced. FREE Estimates. 10% Off With This Ad. Serving Long Island. 516-670-7764
E-Z ELECTRIC 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
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
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.
POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641
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 revv less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060
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! 1-855-3 85-7556
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your
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
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
In a medical emergency, we were in experts’ hands
Iam writing this with the strong encouragement of my wife, Rosemary, who just underwent emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder. She believes it is important to express gratitude to the medical profession, and stress the benefits of early medical attention and detection.
Three Sundays ago, early in the morning, Rosemary began feeling mild but persistent stomach pain and discomfort, which continued into midafternoon. She wasn’t concerned, but she contacted our family physician, Dr. Eric Barth, in Wantagh, to see if he could prescribe something to address her discomfort. Even on a Sunday afternoon, Barth got back to her within minutes.
As she answered his questions, he told her this could well be a serious gallbladder issue, and that she should quickly go to an emergency room for an MRI and blood tests. (Interestingly, it was Barth’s brother, Dr. Michael Barth, a
gastroenterologist, who discovered a cancerous tumor in my stomach wall during a routine endoscopy last year.)
Still not overly concerned and having only mild pain, Rosemary calmly got dressed and sat down in the front seat of our car, which I was driving, joined by our 20-yearold grandson, Jack, who took the back seat. Barely five minutes into the drive to the North Shore University Hospital emergency room, we suddenly realized how accurate Barth’s diagnosis had been. Rosemary was struck with severe abdominal pains, causing her to scream and kick like she never had before, including during labor. At almost the same time, it started raining, and there was an accident on the LIE, which made Waze divert us off the expressway as I tried to maneuver through the rain and reassure Rosemary while Jack navigated from the back seat. When we arrived at North Shore, the doctors and nurses worked calmly but feverishly to relieve the pain and determine the course of treatment. Melissa Zimmerman, a retired police detective who was on my security detail when I was in Congress and has become a close
Ifamily friend, joined us in the emergency room and stayed with us at the ICU, where Rosemary was taken next and excellently cared for.
My wife initially wasn’t concerned about her mild but persistent stomach pain.
She was operated on late Tuesday afternoon by an outstanding surgeon, Dr. Geraldo Tamayo Enriquez, who had initially hoped to remove her gallbladder in a laparoscopic procedure rather than by opening her up. Several hours later, though, Enriquez was in the waiting room, explaining to my sister Barbara and me how complicated, difficult and extensive the surgery was and how it could not have been done laparoscopically. (Barbara is a retired nurse who is always there and invaluable to our family in stressful health care situations.)
The next few days were rough for Rosemary, but she received excellent care and is on her way to full recovery. I cannot begin to thank Barth for his initial diagnosis and the doctors, assistants, nurses and support staff at North Shore for all they did for Rosemary from the moment we arrived at the emergency room to the day of her discharge. She was truly fortunate.
Now that the crisis has passed, she
and I have the chance to appreciate what a teaching experience the surgery has been. There is no substitute for staying in contact with a trusted family physician and other doctors you deal with regularly and know you well. This was proven true this month with Rosemary and Dr. Barth, and last year with me, when his brother detected a stomach tumor when I had no symptoms whatsoever.
Just as important were the skilled medical professionals at North Shore, who began immediate emergency treatment and then conducted so many tests and procedures over the next several days, including the complicated surgery itself, to restore Rosemary to good health. I admit my bias as a consultant to Northwell Health, but I maintain that the American health care system and its hospitals do extraordinary work that could not have been imagined even several years ago. (I say this as someone who grew up in the old Irish tradition of avoiding doctors.)
We should be grateful to the medical profession, and diligent and attentive to our individual health.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
If you like horror stories, read Project 2025
don’t watch horror movies, and even if my friends recommend them to me, I take a pass. I try to avoid anything else that is gory, including news photos and some Facebook posts. But one horror story that has captured my attention is a political document known as Project 2025.
Project 2025 is a 922-page manifesto created by the Heritage Foundation. It has been described as a road map for any new Trump administration. It outlines, agency by agency, the federal programs and projects that should be eliminated, and what the policies of a second Trump administration would be.
Over the past few weeks, officials in former President Donald Trump’s campaign have attempted to disavow any connection between themselves and this recipe for a government revolution, but those denials do not have any substance. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was willing to say anything or do anything to be Trump’s running mate, called Project 2025 “a bunch of recommendations by
scholars and has no substance.”
The facts belie all of the protestations by the Trump team. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank that had enormous influence on the first Trump administration. It recommended all three of the justices whom Trump appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Foundation Chair Kevin Roberts has bragged that 64 percent of the organization’s 2016 recommendations were adopted by the administration. Roberts has attracted national attention with his recent statement that “we are in the process of a second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”
n o federal agency is spared from the Heritage Foundation’s governing plan.
There is much more to the Project 2025 blueprint. It recommends that upward of 50,000 federal civil service workers be reclassified so that they can become political appointees. It recommends that Medicare and Medicaid funding be reduced, and that the president take total control of the FBI, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission.
ernment is overlooked, Project 2025 advises that all climate-change regulations favor fossil fuel production, and that Medicare be banned from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug costs. To make Medicare less costly, it calls for a new health insurance tax, and concludes by recommending that “Christian Nationalist policies be incorporated into the administration’s mission.”
Project 2025 is the work of a team composed almost exclusively of former Trump appointees, including the former chief of staff of the Office of Personnel Management, Paul Dans. Many of its planks are identical to speeches made by Trump on the campaign trail. They include instituting tariffs on all imported goods; setting up deportation camps for non-citizens and so-called Dreamers, even those married to American citizens; and deploying the military for local law enforcement.
No agency would be spared the wrath of Project 2025. It suggests that the Department of Education be abolished and reconstituted as a way of “enhancing parental rights in education and reclaiming the funds from students whose college loans were forgiven.” While it does not suggest that abortions be banned, it recommends that the abortion pill mifepristone be removed from the market. It urges that 100 current government workers have their names publicly posted so that citizens can comment on whether they will be loyal to the new administration. Parts of the document sound like they were written during World War II.
To make sure that no function of gov-
When questioned about Project 2025, Trump, who followed many of the Heritage Foundation’s previous government and court reform strategies, stated, “I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they are saying.” That’s not much of a denial. Trump campaign operatives can deny any connection to Project 2025, but the facts say otherwise. One of its loudest supporters has been Steve Bannon, a Trump confidant, who is currently in federal prison. “This is not empty rhetoric,” Bannon recently stated. “This will be the manifesto of the new administration. Take it seriously.”
Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.
HERALD
HeraLd editoriaL
The key to safe swimming? Paying attention.
Last week we offered tips on fire safety, and this week we’re focusing on another summer activity that is usually fun, but nevertheless requires responsible behavior in order to keep it safe as well. There were three backyard swimming pool deaths on Long Island in just 24 hours earlier this month, and another incident a few days later in which a 2-year-old fell into a pool and, fortunately, was rescued.
Swimming pools are supposed to be places of joy, not tragedy. They offer respite from the summer heat, host family gatherings and are a place for those of all ages to play and exercise — but they also present significant potential dangers, especially for younger children and inexperienced swimmers.
The recent drownings — like those we hear about every summer across the country — underscore the absolute necessity of an annual focus on swimming pool safety. A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month reported that over 4,500 people drowned in pools or other waterways each year from 2020 to 2022.
The allure of a swimming pool is undeniable, but it is essential to recognize its inherent risks. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children, and it usually happens not amid a flurry of attentionattracting splashing and shouting, but unnoticed and all but silently. Unlike the dramatic portrayals seen on TV or in
Letters
movies, many real-life drownings are quick and quiet, making it all the more critical for adults to remain vigilant when their children are swimming. Lapses in supervision for even mere seconds at a time simply aren’t unacceptable.
A responsible adult should always be within arm’s reach of young children who are in or near the water. Designating a “water watcher” can ensure that there is always someone focused on the pool, free from distractions like phones or animated conversation. This simple yet effective practice can be a lifesaver. Equally important are physical barriers and safety devices. A pool should be surrounded by a fence that is at least four feet high, with self-closing and selflatching gates. This is the first line of defense against accidental drownings, particularly for toddlers, who are naturally curious and drawn to water. Pool covers and alarms can add extra layers of security, alerting homeowners to potential dangers before they escalate.
Swimming lessons are another crucial component of pool safety. Teaching children to swim when they’re young — most can become comfortable in deep water at age 6 or 7 — not only equips them with the skills they need to stay safe, but also instills a sense of respect for a pool’s potential dangers. Community centers, clubs and other organizations offer swimming lessons, and investing in them brings lifelong benefits.
Do the math: There’s a better way to conserve water
To the Editor:
I applaud any effort endorsed by local government to conserve water, but I find the recent Town of Hempstead rain barrel campaign a bit of a stretch and, after careful analysis, downright foolish, shortsighted and inherently a waste of time and money.
A plastic container with a 50-gallon capacity and an overflow outlet requires installation by skillfully cutting your roof downspout pipe to position it on a firm and level base. If you have the tools, time and expertise, go for it.
In the spring and fall, when we get plenty of rain, it will fill quickly, just in time to water your plants that somehow don’t need watering because of all the rain. The surplus will simply overflow, with no benefit. In the hot, dry summer months, those 50 gallons will be used up in a few days with no replenishment in sight. Turn on the garden hose!
The math: The barrel costs you $65. For that price you can buy about 6,500 gallons of water from Liberty Water, or about 130 barrels full. And this water is available on demand when needed. My guess is that you’ll be lucky to end up collecting, storing and actually using
In addition, educating pool users about risks and safety protocols is essential. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, for adults and older children can mean the difference between life and death in the critical moments before emergency responders arrive in an actual emergency. Anyone whose regular summer routine includes time at the pool should know how to respond when someone is pulled unconscious from the water. CPR courses hosted by schools, public pools, and the offices of the American Red Cross and many other organizations, should be a regular part of teens’ and adults’ summer preparation in every community.
The recent deaths on Long Island serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting pool safety. Each represents not just a statistic, but a family shattered by an avoidable tragedy — emphasis on avoidable. Public-awareness campaigns can play a vital role in the effort to eliminate those tragedies altogether, and those efforts should involve local governments, schools, community centers, service clubs, health clubs and police and fire departments. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment in which memories of joyfilled days in the pool will be the highlights of your children’s summer. Make sure they learn to swim — adding some incentive, perhaps, by taking a lesson or two yourself — and keep a close eye on them whenever they’re in the water.
about 10 full barrels per season. And don’t forget to drain, move and reattach that section of drainpipe before winter, or you’ll end up with a 50-gallon ice block that may well crack your
investment. Are there better alternatives? There most certainly are. It’s called a well-andpump system, connected to your lawn sprinkler — and most of us have one of
opinions NUMC is on the road to financial recovery
the treatment is working. For the past year, the leadership of Long Island’s largest safety-net hospital has buckled down to demonstrate that this beacon of hope for so many residents can survive, and thrive. That may not be the message of some politicians, Albany bureaucrats and media often content to push misinformation, but the facts tell a story of resilience. The Nassau Health Care Corporation and Nassau University Medical Center are demonstrating the power of strategic reform and unwavering dedication in the face of intense financial strain.
The comprehensive reforms implemented over the past year have been nothing short of transformative. We overhauled NUMC’s ancient billing and collections processes, updated financial standards and practices, strengthened quality controls, and upgraded our information technology systems. All were longstanding areas of deficiency in hospital management that needed reform.
Today NUMC boasts on-time budgets, comprehensive audits, greater transpar-
ency and daily financial reporting that have enabled us to identify more than $100 million in savings in the past year.
those, right?
The math: A well/pump system will pay for itself in about three years, from savings of metered water use. Ironically, a shallow well also actually recycles rainwater, storing it in a trillion-gallon natural aquifer rather than a 50-gallon molded plastic barrel. You decide.
GARY CAPARELLI Lawrence
Minimizing the risk of shark interactions
To the Editor:
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is promoting public safety at ocean beaches by educating the public to help minimize the risk of negative interactions between people and sharks.
The annual summer migration of sharks into New York’s coastal waters is underway, and sightings of shark activity in the nearshore ocean waters are expected to increase during the summer months through September.
DEC encourages New Yorkers to be aware of their surroundings in the water with the potential for sharkhuman interactions, and to follow DEC
The recent audit by Grant Thornton confirms that our reforms are working. NHCC is on a path to long-term fiscal sustainability. The numbers speak for themselves. Despite what has been reported by Newsday, our cash on hand increased from $23 million to $67 million in just the first six months of 2024.
we’ve identified more than $100 million in savings in the past year.
Net patient service revenue saw a significant boost, rising by $76 million to $536 million in 2023. We also managed to reduce our operating losses by $30 million, and reduced overtime costs by $4 million. These aren’t just dollar figures; they represent our commitment to responsible stewardship and our dedication to providing quality health care.
For 2023, NUMC was projected to have a $179 million budget gap. We’ve closed that projected deficit by more than half.
This remarkable progress underscores the efficacy of our Financial Sustainability Reform Plan, initiated last year, and highlights the potential for more success if health care is prioritized over political gamesmanship.
This dramatic reform program has
Letters
guidelines to minimize the risk of negative interactions.
■ Avoid areas with seals.
■ Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds.
■ Avoid swimming at dawn, at dusk or at night.
■ Avoid murky water.
■ Swim, paddle, and surf in groups.
■ Stay close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom.
■ Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff.
Sharks have existed in New York’s marine waters for millions of years. Today there are more than a dozen shark species that migrate through New York’s marine waters.
Each shark species has unique habitat and food preferences, and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and balanced marine ecosystem. Sharks can prevent other species from monopolizing limited resources and degrading the marine environment. The presence of sharks in New York’s marine waters is a positive sign of a healthy marine ecosystem.
Humans assume risk whenever they enter any wild environment, whether on
been a team effort led on a daily basis by our interim president and CEO, Megan Ryan. Her leadership, combined with the tireless efforts of our new chief financial officer and the entire NHCC management team, has been pivotal in demonstrating that despite chronic challenges, the hospital can thrive, giving peace of mind to future generations.
It is important, however, to acknowledge that our journey is far from over. While the audit results are encouraging and key metrics are positive, there is an underlying and inescapable truth that seems inconvenient for some Albany leaders. As a safety-net hospital, NUMC cannot continue to serve its more than 275,000 patients per year without state aid and higher Medicaid reimbursement rates. We serve a diverse community, including Nassau’s most at-risk patients, many of whom cannot afford to pay for care.
Even though the Legislature just increased the state budget by $8 billion, there continues to be reticence to commit to ensuring that our hospital survives. Our progress shows clearly that our stated goal for NUMC of relying on less aid over time is achievable. But we still need help to provide care for those
who cannot afford to pay.
Claims that the state doesn’t have the money are nonsense. Claims that management isn’t making reforms are patently false. Cutting our staff by 90 percent, which was recommended by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority in 2020, would be an insult to the people who rely on us for care. Caring for our most vulnerable should be government’s top priority, not political jockeying for control over vital institutions.
Nassau needs NUMC. No other hospital can serve our patients. There simply isn’t enough capacity. Other local hospitals are disincentivized from treating Medicare and Medicaid patients and won’t treat the uninsured. While we wait for Albany to recognize that, our team will continue to protect this vital institution. We are determined to address the challenges we face head-on, with the same commitment and resilience that have brought us this far.
Despite what you’ve heard, the future of NHCC is indeed promising. The hospital is treating what has ailed it for decades. This success should be a rallying cry for bipartisan support now for a healthier tomorrow for all we serve.
Matthew J. Bruderman is chairman of the board of directors of Nassau Health Care Corporation, which operates Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.
Framework by Tim Baker
land or in the water. Although it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, ocean users can modify their behavior to minimize potential interactions with sharks and reduce overall risk. When in the ocean, follow DEC’s shark safety guidelines to minimize the potential for negative interactions with sharks.
Learn more about New York’s shark species at DEC.ny.gov.
CHRISTOPHER SCOTT Supervising biologist, Division of Marine Resources New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Now this is what summer’s all about — Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
