______________ VALLEY STREAM _____________
CoMMuNity uPdAte infections as of March 22
7,350
infections as of March 12 7,067
$1.00
HERALD
V.S. firefighter dies at 70
Valley Streamer turns 100
learning wellness at Forest Road
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Vol. 32 No. 13
MARCH 25 - 31, 2021
Third shot’s a charm? New round of federal aid on its way to businesses, schools helps.” “We’re trying to hold our own,” he said, “and thank God With the recent signing of the we’ve got a good community and $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus customers to help us through this stimulus package — the third hard time, but we’re still just tryround of economic stimulus ing to pay our bills.” since the coronavirus pandemic Some $28.6 billion will go to began last March — New York is New York restaurants in grants due around $100 biladministered by the lion, to be apporSBA, according to tioned between S e n at e M a j o r i t y direct payments to Leader Chuck residents and fundSchumer. An addiing for state and local tional $1.25 billion is governments, busislated for performing nesses and schools. ar ts venues and The aid will offer movie theaters, a lifeline to local res- ANtHoNy which have spent taurants and bars, diSteFANo much of the last year which have struggled shuttered. Co-owner, with state capacity The package also restrictions and cus- Valbrook Diner includes $825 million tomers who have for the state’s villagstayed away for fear es, to be distributed based on popof infection. ulation. While details are still In Valley Stream, Anthony vague, Valley Stream Village DiStefano, co-owner of the Val- Treasurer Mike Fox said he anticbrook Diner on Merrick Road, ipated around $109 per resident, said the Small Business Adminis- in two installments. The money, tration was still reviewing his he said, would help fill gaps in the application for aid from the sec- current budget year, which ends ond round of federal stimulus, on May 31, and he does not anticiwhich was signed into law Dec. pate the aid affecting the upcom27. Once that has been approved, ing village budget, which is to be DiStefano said, he would apply voted on in April. for funding from the latest package, noting that “every little bit Continued on page 13
By PeteR BelFioRe pbelfiore@Liherald.com
W
Christina Daly/Herald
Just watch these sticks Acting Band Manager Juan Pimentao, of the New York Naval Cadet Corps, directed the band during drills in Valley Stream on Saturday, when the Valley Stream American Legion invited the group to its hall for practice. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Hopes for a virus-free future
Vaccinated Valley Streamers inch closer to freedom By NiCole AlCiNdoR nalcindor@liherald.com
As of Monday, nearly 242,000 people in Nassau County had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to New York state figures. Free from the threat of dying of Covid-19, some in Valley Stream are switching up their lifestyles and are planning the future. “I feel so free after taking the vaccine that I now go to small
gatherings, indoor dining, and I even booked a trip to Hawaii in May because my fear is gone . . . I’m liberated,” said Katiuscia Gray, 45, a Valley Stream therapist. As a health-care worker, Gray said, she was eligible to be vaccinated in January. While she had concerns about the vaccine’s safety, she booked her first appointment to serve as an example for her clients. “The nurse and doctor at my
vaccination site calmed my fears because they explained to me that taking the vaccine will lower my chances of getting super sick and dying if I get Covid,” Gray said. “I’m very excited for more and more people to get vaccinated . . . I’m looking forward to seeing people smile again.” After receiving her first shot of the Moderna vaccine, she felt minor soreness in her arm, but Continued on page 12
e’re trying to hold our own.