Wantagh Herald 09-02-2021

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SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2021

WWII vet, 99, is honored by community

By JoRDAN VAlloNE and KATE NAlEPINSKI jvallone@liherald.com

Kate Nalepinski/Herald

JEwISH wAR VETERANS Post 652 member Eric Spinner, left greeted fellow member Murray Steinberg, of Wantagh, who turned 99 last week. With them was Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray.

Wantagh resident Murray Steinberg’s 99th birthday was a community affair. Steinberg, a World War II veteran and a member of the Jewish War Veterans — the oldest active veterans’ service organization in the U.S. — had two celebrations last week.

Family, friends and elected officials from Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead honored Steinberg at Congregation Ohav Shalom in Merrick on Aug. 26. He was pre-

sented with a proclamation on behalf of Nassau County

by Legislator Tom McKevitt, who represents the 13th District.

“I was contacted a few weeks ago about a special veteran celebrating their 99th birthday — that’s how this whole day came about,” McKevitt explained during the ceremony. He described Steinberg as a “very resourceful person” who’s always been handy.

Steinberg served in the Army’s 240th Combat Engineers in the Pacific Theater.

Continued on page 4

Jones Beach bridge dedicated to late NYPD detective

By STEPHANIE BANAT newsroom@liherald.com

A Bay Parkway bridge over the Wantagh State Parkway has been dedicated to the late Elizabeth Horner-Miller Cutrone, a Long Island resident and a New York City Police Department detective who died in a car crash on the bridge in 2015.

Cutrone, 51 of Bethpage, was a detective in the NYPD’s 90th and 69th Precincts in Brooklyn and the Brooklyn North Narcotics Division.

Legislation to honor her was introduced by State Assemblyman David McDonough, a Merrick Republican who represents

the 14th District, and State Sen. John Brooks, a Seaford Democrat who represents the 8th Senate District. Bill S4772 was signed into law last month.

The honor for Cutrone coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

She worked at ground zero after the attacks on the World Trade Center.

Cutrone was killed on Aug. 15, 2015, on the Wantagh State Parkway, when a pickup truck crashed into her Jeep while changing lanes, Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, who represents District 17, said.

Cutrone died while being airlifted to Nassau University Medical

Center. Her husband, Douglas, who was also in the car, was severely injured.

The bridge — located in Jones Beach State Park, just north of Fields 4 and 5 — was officially renamed Detective Betsy Horner-Miller Cutrone Memorial Bridge on Aug. 19, when then Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill to do so.

“By naming after her a part of the state highway system near the place where she tragically lost her life,” Cuomo said in a statement that day, “we are paying a subtle tribute to her memory and to her devotion to serving others.”

McDonough, a member of the

Assembly Transportation Committee, said he originally filed the bill two years ago, but it was not voted on at the end of that term. He reintroduced the legislation in February, when it was passed.

“Detective Cutrone had a great career, and there’s a lot to l e a r n a b o u t h e r s t o r y, ” McDonough said. “We are privi-

leged to be able to make sure the memory of someone who served our community so well will live on forever. It will be something for her family, close friends, and husband to look forward to.”

McDonough said that the Department of Transportation was drafting the signage for the bridge, which would likely be Continued on page 16

September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

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Local announces bid for Legis. Rhoads’ seat actually make a change in my community — and that breaks my heart,” Schuster said. “Every single person, even the kids, Twenty-six-year-old Jake Schuster has should feel confident in their voices and announced his bid for Nassau County leg- that their demands and opinions will be islator in the 19th District. The seat is cur- heard and taken into account by their rently held by Steve Rhoads, a Republican local government.” from Bellmore.

Schuster said he would also focus on The 19th District includes parts of infrastructure, governmental transparenBellmore, Merrick, cy and long-ter m Seaford, Wantagh p l a n n i n g fo r t h e and Freeport. future, including Bellmore native potential problems Schuster, a Democrat, caused by storms and said he wants to take weather. a youthful approach Schuster is an to the seat that puts “advocate for bipartiyoung residents at sanship” as well, he the forefront. He is a said. “I don’t believe 2017 Hofstra Universilocal gover nment ty graduate, and Long should be split that I s l a n d ’s h o u s i n g way. We’re all in the affordability impacts same community, and him directly — makwe all have the same ing it a key issue of goal — to have a his campaign. happy, healthy, safe “For our generacommunity. Whatevtion, we have almost er it takes to accomSChuStER mEt WIth County no hope of being able plish that is what Executive Laura Curran at Kennedy to afford to live here,” needs to be done.”

S c h u s t e r s a i d . Memorial Park on July 11.

On housing afford“There’s no way you ability, Rhoads said can plan on buying a house and raising a the issue is “complicated” and that he is a family unless you have a two-family proponent of “transit-oriented developincome of above the median right now. ments,” such as one built near the FarmThe affordability crisis is something ingdale train station that affordably that’s definitely a main focus of my cam- accommodates single occupants. Long paign.”

Island’s high property taxes are what Schuster added that by running for the make the burden unsustainable, he added.

Legislature, he hopes to give young resiIn May, Rhoads took to Merrick Avedents in the area an impactful voice. As a nue to introduce a bill that requires utilicandidate now, he added that this is one of ty companies to fully restore county roads the first times he’s felt he has had a signifi- after they’ve been dug up for the installacant voice in the political conversation. tion of gas and power lines — a common “Right now is the first time in my occurrence across Nassau. That bill is entire life that I feel like I have a voice to now signed into law.

WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

By ANDREW GARCIA agarcia@liherald.com

Photos courtesy Jake Schuster

SChuStER hAS BEEN acting as a representative of Sen. John Brooks office, for which he previously worked.

Schuster said he is in support of that legislation.

Of his time in the seat, Rhoads said he is most proud of his office’s response and outreach to the local community. “If someone calls with questions, they never get, ‘That’s not my problem,’” he said.

“My job is to make government work for them.”

If re-elected, Rhoads said he would like to broaden the legislature’s influence in the state government. “We need to pressure the state legislature to assist us,” Rhoads said.

After receiving a bachelor’s in business administration at Hofstra, Schuster attended the College of Law at University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., where he received his law degree. In 2017, he volunteered for Bellmore resident Jeff Gold’s campaign for the same seat, then worked for State Sen. John Brooks as a legislative aide.

Schuster explained that he learned a lot from Gold’s grassroots campaign and Brooks’ office by individually connecting with residents throughout the area.

“Going door to door, it really opened my eyes on how to better connect with the individual residents in the community,” he said.

At 16, Schuster also volunteered with the Bellmore-Merrick Emergency Medical Squad, then later became licensed as an emergency medical technician at 18.

He also volunteered with the Bellmore Fire Department.

“I’m somebody who is going to make [residents’] voices heard — that will hear the demands that they make, hear their opinions and hear what they want to see happen,” Schuster said. “Democrat, Republican, it does not matter. What matters is what should be happening in the county, and what will make the district a more comfortable and safe district.”

Rosh Hashanah: Time to reflect and look ahead In just a few days, on Rosh Hashanah, the sound of the shofar blasts will be heard. It’s a time for the High Holidays – a time we gather with our families, neighbors, and friends, and concentrate on prayer and introspection. A time to give thanks for the ways in which we have been blessed, and strive to improve our relationships by asking forgiveness and making amends. These are the Days of Awe to acknowledge the Almighty as the creator and ruler of the universe; renew and strengthen our commitment to a spiritual way of life, and pray for healthy and peaceful new year.

The Biblical Moses, on the very last day of his life, at the age of 120, left the earthly world with an everlasting important message: “Choose life!” His ancient message has become more than relevant during history and especially in the past year.

We all have a choice. Each one of us has the free will to decide how to direct our thoughts and actions. Each of us can

choose to hold on firmly to the principles our part to help create a society that is humane and holy. We are fighting the and values of faith and gratitude. Each of us can choose to do one more good deed, darkness of the world with the light of our good deeds. one more act of kindness, to This is a time of return or help tip the balance of the repentance, when we are world toward life. focused on the process of On Rosh Hashanah, we improving ourselves and look to our past, as well as to coming closer to the our future, to grow our spiriAlmighty. By actively engagtual strength and stay coming ourselves through selfmitted to a positive way of evaluation, reconciliation, life. We reach back into our prayer, and giving an extra collective history to draw measure of charity, we are inspiration, and to learn choosing life, just as the genfrom the wisdom of our herieration in the desert did tage. At the same time, we after they heard Moses’s look ahead toward future message. Hopefully then we generations, knowing that abbi will see the good that emergwhat we choose for our own lives today will affect our oshe eisbluM es even in the midst of darkness, and we will recognize children, our children’s chilthat every one of us has the dren, and, indeed, the future power to make meaningful changes by the of the world. choices that we make.

When we choose to align our way of As the High Holidays begin, we look life with the divine presence, we are doing

Guest Column

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back on all the moments during the past year that give us reason for hope. Around the world, a new generation is reaching for their universal healing of the pandemic and all its consequences.

In our community, we’ve responded to our challenges by focusing on what really matters – education, friendship, family and community. This last year was one of hardship for people everywhere. Too many of our friends and neighbors continue to struggle in the wake of difficult health and economic challenges. And beyond our borders, many of our closest allies face uncertainties.

As Jewish tradition teaches us, we may not complete the work, but that must never keep all of us from trying. In that spirit, I wish you and your families a sweet year full of health, happiness and peace.

L’Shana Tova Umetuka, Rabbi Moshe Weisblum, PhD

‘99 years young’: WWII vet celebrated County LegiSLator tom McKevitt, far left, presented Murray Steinberg with a proclamation, alongside JWV Post 652 Commander Gary Glick, Legislator Steve Rhoads and Hempstead Town Councilman Christopher Carini, on Aug. 26 at a ceremony in Merrick.

continued from front page He was a technician, rigger and electrician beginning in late 1942.

One night, he was hanging lights around a coconut tree when he was targeted by snipers. McKevitt recounted the story during the ceremony.

“My first thought is, if a sniper is shooting at me, I get out of there as soon as possible,” McKevitt said. “But the first thing Murray did was, he broke the lights.

If the light is out, the sniper can’t see you.”

McKevitt referred to Steinberg as “99 years young,” and said he was a man still in “phenomenal shape.”

“There were so many times when your life was almost lost,” McKevitt told the honoree. “It is really an opportunity to thank people like you — we thank you very, very much.”

Legislator Steve Rhoads, of the 19th District, said that McKevitt’s words were “a tribute to the amazing life” Steinberg has lived. “This is an opportunity for us to count our blessings,” Rhoads said. “Murray is the perfect example of that. We want to congratulate you, to thank you, and wish you another 99 years of amazing success.”

“Thank you for all you have done, and thank you for your service,” Hempstead Town Councilman Christopher Carini added.

Gary Glick, of Bellmore, is the commander of JWV Post 652 in Merrick. At the Ohav Shalom ceremony, Glick said that Steinberg was originally a member of Post 709 in East Meadow, which merged with the Merrick post a few years back.

“Instead of them breaking away, we took them into our post,” Glick said. “We want to get all the Jewish War Veterans together, because some of them don’t even know we exist.”

The organization, Glick explained, was established in 1895, and celebrated its 125th anniversary in March. “People back then said no Jews had fought in the Civil War,” which was false, he said. “Close to 7,000 [Jewish people] served in the North, and 4,000 on the Confederate side.

Post 652 mostly comprises veterans of the Korean and Vietnam War era, as well as a handful from World War II, Steinberg said. “It’s very sad that younger veterans

Jordan Vallone/Herald

don’t take interest in it,” he said of Jewish War Veterans. “There are so many things you get involved with. We go to hospitals, nursing homes — the normal things to help out the community.”

At the Aug. 26 ceremony, Steinberg thanked his family, Glick and former Commander David Zwerin for organizing the ceremony. Reflecting on the event afterward, he said: “When it came time to say a few words with all those cameras there — I was really flabbergasted.”

Last Sunday, Steinberg was honored once more, this time with a “birthday parade.” A line of motorcycles and cars with American flags flashed their lights and honked their horns as they drove from the Levittown OTB to Steinberg’s home on Jerusalem Road.

Town Clerk Kate Murray, Councilman Bruce Blakeman and Steinberg’s friends and family took photos as the parade rolled past. Before they rushed off to a call, members of the Levittown Fire Department also stopped by to greet Steinberg.

Even as he approaches 100, Steinberg said, he hates to sit still. He remains an active member of Post 652, works in his garden and fixes things around the house for his grandchildren. He said he was

Serving Our Community with:

grateful that most of his family was present for the ceremony and parade.

“I had a few family members who couldn’t come [to the Ohav Shalom ceremony], so they came here,” he joked after the parade, “and they’d better have!”

Glick acknowledged that honoring people like Steinberg is critical to keep the JWV’s message alive.

“We had to do this for Murray.

Not only because he’s 99, but because of everything going on in this country,” Glick said. “There’s been so much anti-Semitism. We organized this as a team. We had all our veterans come, just to prove again, that all veterans are brothers and sisters. For anyone who says we have never fought for America — we have, and we’re all here.”

Kate Nalepinski/Herald

Steinberg at the parade outside his Wantagh home last Sunday.

Wantagh infections from aug. 19-26

77

total infections 2,356

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BACK SCHOOL classroom Beyond the

to

After-school activities The pros and cons of filling your kids’ schedule

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

W

hen Robyn Parets’ two boys were young, she was torn in numerous directions, running all over Boston to take them to extracurricular activities.

Like many parents, she thought her kids needed to be involved in as many activities as possible. But one day at her 7-year-old son Noah’s soccer game, she noticed he was more interested in pulling grass than actually kicking the ball.

“That was a lightbulb moment for me; my kid didn’t love it and he wasn’t good at it,” she says. “Sso why am I even knocking myself to get to those games?”

Since her kids were little, Parets has owned Pretzel Kids, a nationwide kids yoga company that trains adults to teach yoga to kids, so she knew the importance of mindfulness and stress management. Following that aha moment, she focused on guiding her kids to just one activity each that they both were good at and liked — not just what all the other kids were doing.

In recent decades, there’s been increasing pressure on parents to involve their children in extracurriculars. Part of it is the competitive nature of getting into schools and college these days. Another factor is the need for after-school care with today’s working family. There are certainly mental, physical and developmental benefits to being involved in after-school activities like sports or the arts, but overscheduling kids can also do more harm than good.

Keeping your kids so busy outside of school that they lack free time for play or rest can lead to stress, anxiety and depression, says Dr. Harpreet Kaur, a licensed clinical psychologist for kids and teens.

“I think parents feel this pressure to prepare their kids for academic success and make them competitive college applicants and make them successful for a job, but they often miss out on that unstructured playtime that provides some of the skills that kids need to be successful anyway,” she says.

Extracurriculars enrich development There are plenty of compelling reasons to have kids involved in extracurricular activities. Kaur says extracurriculars help improve the overall functioning of children.

Encourage positive habits: Kids do best when they have structure and routine, she says, and those involved in extracurriculars perform better academically and are more likely to finish high school. “These children engage more with their parents and are more active in their community,” Kaur says. “They’re also less likely to engage in drug use or other criminal activities.”

Help develop skills and interests: Jennifer Fink, a nurse-turned-freelance writer, the mother of four boys, says an extracurricular activity “gives children a chance to develop their skills, learn more about their interests and connect with others who may share the same passions they do.”

Foster time-management skills: Fink

After 3 p.m.

has found that getting involved in extracurriculars can also help teach the kids time management.

“Sometimes a kid wants to do a lot of different things, and it may look like too much to us,” she says. "There’s some value in letting them try it and see how it goes. If all of those things are really important to the kid, they may find a way to make it work and learn time management skills in the process — things like how to get your homework done even when you’re playing on a sports team and taking a dance class.”

The downside of overscheduling Unfortunately, overscheduling kids in too many extracurricular activities can take a toll on both the children and their parents, and it’s becoming increasingly common — an alarming trend that Kaur has observed in her practice.

Interrupts valuable unstructured playtime: Kaur says there’s simply not enough information out there about how valuable play is.“Unstructured playtime promotes social skill development, and kids develop problem-solving skills,” she says. “It allows them to be creative thinkers and develop assertiveness, and they learn how to cope with negative emotions.

Kaur says unstructured playtime has become so deprioritized that an American Academy of Pediatrics report recently encouraged pediatricians to prescribe play to help make it more common for children again.

Triggers stress, anxiety and depression: When kids are too overscheduled and stressed, they’re more prone to anxiety, irritability, tiredness and destructibility, Kaur says. She adds that rates of anxiety and depression are already somewhat high in the general adolescent population, and “overscheduling kids just makes those rates increase.”

Devise a realistic plan If your family feels hopelessly overbooked and overstressed, here’s the good

news: There’s a lot you can do to regain a sense of balance.

Create a visual schedule: Kaur recommends that parents create some sort of visual reminder of everything that’s going on, whether it’s a calendar or list of activities, and to color code it by family member. “If one person has too many things going on in their schedule, it’s easy to identify, and it helps families be more aware when they’re creating schedules."

Schedule downtime: Another way to help busy kids, Kaur says, is to schedule at least an hour a week for family time to relax and have quality interactions together. This could be anything from cooking or playing a game to watching a movie as a family, she says.

Practice moderation: While it’s tempting to have your child involved in a million activities in order to look like a stellar college applicant, Kaur says, pay attention to what the children value and where their interests are, and consider picking just one or two activities that are meaningful. It’s wise to focus on quality over quantity and schedule in moderation, Kaur says.

Celebrate kids’ differences and talents: Parets has noticed that many parents fear their kids being “different” from other kids if they aren’t involved in certain activities, and they worry that their kids won’t get into college if they aren’t involved in everything under the sun. But in her experience, tuning into your child’s true talent and nurturing it, even if it’s not the most popular extracurricular, makes them happier and healthier — and there are colleges that are happy to accept someone who shines at one thing rather than is simply involved in 10 things, she says.

Above photo: Afterschool and summer enrichment programs have been a consistent source of support to young people and families who have been juggling a disrupted school routine, dealing with the health and related stressors created by the pandemic and managing the toll that Covid-19 is taking on their overall well-being.

Thriving once that final school bell rings "School” can be defined in many different ways these days, which means the after-school benefits might speak louder to you than others. The simple point is that school is just different than what kids and teens are accustomed to in our post-pandemic “normal” — they’re learning from teachers differently, however that might be; they’re doing homework differently, however that might be; they’re being tested differently, they’ve been socializing differently, etc.

In our new normal, kids may be needing the benefits of an afterschool program more than ever as a result. From online homework to the afterschool routine, and more, there is a lot to consider, and a lot that afterschool actitivies can do in order to help.

A good afterschool program can turn the aimless hours after school into productive learning time. That’s a big benefit, especially for kids who learn and think differently.

Create a sense of belonging If the afterschool program isn’t run by your school district or a local facility, it may be a way for your child to make some new friends. Being away from school can offer a break from any usual cliques or social concerns.

If the program is local or at school, it enables your child to connect with peers in a new setting. Kids in afterschool programs are more likely to be included and feel like they’re part of a group. These programs often have more adult supervision than playground time offers.

Improve social skills A good program promotes cooperation, support, and respect. This can help kids feel more secure about joining a game or starting a conversation. And if they slip up, a sympathetic staffer should be on hand to remind them to take turns or stop interrupting.

Academic support Some afterschool programs provide classroom support, including an opportunity to do homework.

This time can be very helpful for kids who struggle with homework at home or who can’t sit down to do it until late. Getting it done after school can make everyone’s evening more pleasant.

Finding balance

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“A lot of people see a list of all the great things that are being offered,” says Lee “and sign up for everything and then they realize it’s so unrealistic with their time constraints and all the schoolwork that they have.”That’s not good — as Newman notes, it’s no fun for kids “to have so many things that they have to drop out.”

An overload of extracurricular activities also doesn’t bring the perceived benefit a lot of parents and kids are looking for: a goodlooking college application. “What they’re really looking for is applicants who are well rounded and have focus. You can see they are pursuing a goal and they really like what they are doing,” Newman says.“And not just dipping their hand in this and that and the next thing so they can fill out more lines on the application.”

T

By Harry Kimball he vast array of extracurricular activities offered to school-age children can be a headache for kids and parents both. They can help kids develop talents and passions and learn how to push themselves. And, of course, we want them to look like well-rounded, accomplished kids to college admissions committees. But we don’t want to run them ragged or turn them into stressed-out automatons. Even parents of young children,are feeling the pressure.

After school activities have also stepped in to supplant the unsupervised “free time” we’re no longer comfortable allowing our children to have, says Rachel Cortese, a speech-language pathologist and former New York City schoolteacher. And there is a consensus that children should have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of activities in well-delineated blocks — ”structured free time,” as it is called.

But how much should parents push their kids to engage — and how much is too much?

The benefits In general, says Cortese,“kids tend to do really well when they have structure, and part of that structure is having an afterschool schedule.” Educational and learning specialist Ruth Lee also extols some well-known benefits of getting kids together outside of the classroom for more activities — especially the physical kind.

“It gives kids social interactions,” she says, at the same time helping them “get out some of their energy so they can settle and go back to their work” after school. This is particularly important, she notes, as schools are cutting back on recess more and more.

For older kids, after-school activities can be very important as protection against more dangerous activities, says clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Rooney — particularly if parents are busy at work or with other children.“Once kids get into middle school and high school,” she says, “the hour or two after school is the highest risk time for dangerous behaviors like substance abuse, because

it’s the largest chunk of time when kids are unmonitored.”

And of course, more recreational activities outside of school, whether its sports, dance, theater, science, give kids another arena to demonstrate competence and mastery, which is important for their self-esteem and identity development —especially for kids who might be struggling in school.

The drawbacks But what about overscheduling? It is not to be taken lightly, says Dr. Susan Newman, a social psychologist and author of, among many others,“The Case for the Only Child.”

For one thing, Newman warns that mastery might suffer. “If you are spreading yourself too thin you’re not going to be able to focus and get really good at one thing.”

The school-life balance How many activities are too many? “Seven,” jokes clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Bubrick. But really, it’s too much when afterschool activities start interfering with a child’s life. Bubrick notes that in the case of intensive commitments like sports or theater, even one activity can be too much.

Bubrick has a pretty simple calculus for how much is too much.“Can you still do your homework? Can you still get 8+ hours of sleep each night? Can you still be a part of your family? Can you still hang out with your friends? If the answer is ‘no’ to one or more of these, then it’s too much.”

Back to school: What’s a parent to do?

Know your child. “Kids come to us with different predispositions,” Cortese says, and the best activity “depends on the individual child.” And when it comes to scheduling, kids respond better to different kinds of structure. “One kid who is highly scheduled might do very well and another might need to dial it back,” says Cortese.

Courtey Child Mind Institute Above photos: Kids have lots of options these days, but an overscheduled child can go from busy to burned out in no time.

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HERALD — September 2, 2021

Helping kids choose extracurricular activities that work for them, without the stress

September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

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events and activities

community update Thursday, Sept. 2

Public Library at 9:30 a.m. Tai Chi combines slow-moving with deep breathing and is beneficial in increasing body strength, balance, and posture. Tai Chi can also help reduce stress and increase relaxation. Contact Ian Smith at ismith@wantaghlibrary.org with any questions. Attendees will be emailed a Zoom link.

Athletic meeting Seaford High School will host its high school fall parent athletic meeting in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m.

Wantagh Board of Education Wantagh Union Free School DIstrict will host its Board of Education planning session at 8 p.m. Planning sessions are held in the Board of Education Conference Room at Wantagh High School.

Motion in the ocean session Find out how energy moves through the food web and how marine animals use their energy through music and dance with the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is RSVP only. RSVP online at https://www.jonesbeachenc.org/ events/. There is a $4 fee. The Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is located at Jones Beach State Park, West End 2, 150 Bay Pkwy.

Creature Feature Tour Families of all ages can join the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center for a “creature feature” from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

Learn about their reptile species and spend time with them in person. There is a $4 fee. The Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is located at Jones Beach State Park, West End 2, 150 Bay Pkwy.

Thursday, Sept. 9 Candle Box

Friday, Sept. 3 The Groove Gangsters Head down to Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall to listen to The Groove Gangsters. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at www.muls.com. For more questions, individuals can call 516-7837500. Mulcahy’s is located at 3232 Railroad Ave. in Wantagh.

Weekly car meetup The American Muscle Car Club of Long Island and the Rolling Joint food truck meet weekly from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy some good food, cars and friends. Don’t forget to bring a chair. The group will meet at 3333 Sunrise Hwy., in Wantagh.

Saturday, Sept. 4 Beach Combing The ocean has many secrets, and sometimes they wash ashore. Identify the shells, animals, and other treasures during this hike with the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is a

l l l l l

Christina Daly/Herald

Seaford Farmers Market Grab fresh produce at the Seaford Farmers Market from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. The market is located on Washington Avenue near the Seaford Long Island Rail Road parking lot. entry $4 fee. The Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is located at Jones Beach State Park, West End 2, 150 Bay Pkwy.

Sunday, Sept. 5 Pirate Jones’ Treasure Hunt Kids ages 6 to 12 can head to the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center for a treasure hunt from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. During construction of the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, an old torn map from the 1700’s was found. Now, clues from a journal need to be figured out to find the hidden treasure. There is a entry $4 fee. The Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is located at Jones Beach State Park, West End 2, 150 Bay Pkwy.

Monday, Sept. 6 Strength, flexibility and balance session Join the Wantagh library and instructor Barbara Gilmartin from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a class with basic exercises using stretch bands. Participants will build muscles surrounding the joints while improving coordination.

Attendees should bring light hand weights. A class fee of $20 is due at time of registration. The event will take place in the community room.

Sensory walks Children ages 3-6 can explore the beach using their sense from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This is RSVP-only event.

RSVP online at https://www.jonesbeachenc.org/events. There is a $4 fee.

The Jones Beach Energy and Nature

Center is located at Jones Beach State Park, West End 2, 150 Bay Pkwy.

Tuesday, Sept 7.

Yoga and Meditation with Amanda Join yoga instructor Amanda’s online class from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wantagh library and experience 40 minutes of vinyasa yoga and 20 minutes of deep, relaxing meditation. In-person reservations are required and limited 8 patrons in-person. A fee of $20 is payable by check at the time of registration. Attendees attending virtually will be emailed a Zoom link.

Wednesday, Sept. 8

Head down to Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall to listen to Candle Box. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are available online.

Mulcahy’s is located at 3232 Railroad Ave. in Wantagh.

HAVinG An EVEnT? Items on the Community Update pages 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 knalepinski@liherald.com

Virtual Tai Chi Enjoy virtual Tai Chi with the Wantagh

There is a Wantagh Chamber of Commerce meeting on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.

Check out the Wantagh Museum on Sundays located at 1700 Wantagh Ave. The Seaford Chamber of Commerce will hold its Fall Festival on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.

Check out free museum passes from the Wantagh and Seaford libraries.

Sunset Grill in Seaford is having a Spooktacular Sunday Funday special on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.

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in internal medicine.

I’malmost havespecialize been a nurse at Mercy Hospital for an expertand on Covid-19 cholesterol, diabetes, 50 years, wastype truly2the worst crisis atherosclerosis, cardiovascular reduction that I have ever experienced.

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And so the from Rockville Centre to Lindenhurst.

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saves lives.”alongside Once wethese get everyone Working remarkablevaccinated, men and we will was be atruly lot better off. to me . . . I could woman an inspiration of my maineyes, goals to educate seeOne the fear in their butisthey just wentpeople where on disease, because manythey do theycardiovascular were needed most and they did what people don’ttheknow this, to butourheart disease is the best to give best care sickest patients. leading cause death this country.who It’s isvery I would talkof daily withinmy daughter, important that doctors do facility. the testing that they also an ER nurse at another We would talk about and how amazing all nurses have need to doPPE in order to test people’s cholesterol been. We talked about the fear of bringing this levels.

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Covid-19 to let the world know the same.

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HERALD HOMETOWN HERO

LUZ USMAN OTEROKHAN, MD CALDERON

LUZ SCOTT OTEROBODNER CALDERON

EAST MEADOW BALDWIN Dir. of Geriartic Licensed Practical Medicine Nurse, Mount Sinai Glen Cove Hospital South Nasau

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work that we with havethe been doing has hehehospital, along Town been the same, created as far asthis how we care of Hempstead, project, thefor our patients, buttoI think we’ve realized is, Vaxmobile, bring what vaccines to different in such high-stress situations, weWe areare there communities in Nassau County. several for each other showing support, LPNs, and of allinofa sense them, of they chose me to be because it doesfor take toll. an interpreter theaHispanic community.

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GREAT NECK BALDWIN Co-director of Hospital Enfermera práctica con Medicine licencia en Mount Sinai Glen Cove Hospital South Nassau now. we been able to help many. Apart from being I thinkI lend the pandemic did bring to our a nurse, an extra hand because many attention thehow importance of telephone, having close of do don’t know to use the they care conversations and knowing in they advance not know their telephone number, do not what patient wishes they want knowyour any English, they doare, nothow know how to their to what be met.

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HERALD HOMETOWN HERO

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hen covid came didn’t l hospital, junto conto el fruition Town ofwe Hempstead, know what were getting ourselves the crearon estewe projecto, el Vaximóvil, parainto; llevar patients really sick and much en worse than vacunas were a diferentes comunidades Nassau we expected.

County.

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Todos te puede que Employees werepor getting families, people más del 50-60 cientosick, de los pacientes son in community we feltdereally helpless. dethe habla Hispana.— Muchos los Hispanos As time went on and newytreatments started trabajan en restaurantes en otros lugares working, weawere bit día more relieved because que no van cogera un libre para ponerse we of had how to treat ourque unasort vacuna.

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nurses andhemos physicians which wasakey in getting Vaximóvil podido ayudar muchos. us through thisenfermera, — to haveyosomeone to talk to Aparte de ser doy la mano extra was important porque muchosfor nome. saben usar el teléfono, no There’s light at thedeend of the tunnel andnada saben su número teléfono, no saben everyone to do their part in order to de Inglés,has no saben escribir. fight disease. that the deltadevariant Methis encanta lo Now que hago.

Yo vine Puerto is spreading, recommend everyone getYo Rico hace 20 Iaños, y no hablaba Inglés. the vaccine; there has been a fewgente surges tenía un miedo terrible y mucha me in positive Atque the hasta start ofcogí theclases, ayudó.

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We are still continuing to work hard to try and return to some sort of normalcy.

HERALD HOMETOWN HERO

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OCEANSIDE/ISLAND PARK HERALD — May 27, 2021

September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

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Richner hosts vaccine clinic for employees Covid-19 vaccinations are now being administered at businesses, thanks to a new initiative by the Nassau County Department of Health.

On Aug. 27, Richner Communications Inc., parent company of Herald Community Newspapers, hosted a pop-up vaccination clinic at the company’s Garden City office in conjunction with the county-sponsored initiative — referred to by county officials as the “traveling vaccine pod.”

Nassau County communications specialist Vicki DiStefano said many people around the county still do not know where and how to get vaccinated. The new program — which brings vaccines directly to businesses for “in-house” vaccination — quickly grew in popularity, according to DiStefano. Covid infection rates have recently been on the rise in Nassau, hovering around 4 percent.

Interested RCI employees, as well as eligible friends and family, received their first doses of the Moderna vaccine. The second dose will be administered at the RCI office on Sept. 24. If employees had already received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, they were also able to receive their second shot at the pop-up site.

“In Nassau County, 86.7 percent of adults 18 and older are vaccinated,” County Executive Laura Curran told the Herald, making Nassau the leading county in the state for vaccinations, and third in the country among large counties with a population of 1 million people or more.

The first business vaccination pod took place at Café Baci in Westbury on Aug. 3. “Since then, dozens of businesses have reached out to us,” Curran said, adding that officials have seen a solid uptick in the vaccination rate

Sue Grieco/Herald

At A tRAVELiNg vaccination clinic hosted by Nassau County at the Herald Community Newspapers’ office in Garden City last Friday, nurse Jeanne Ost injected RCI pressman Richard Maitland with the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. since the program’s start.

“With the Delta variant, we want to get everyone vaccinated,” Curran explained.

The pods are run by health department nurses, all of whom have been on the front lines of vaccine administration since earlier this year.

Pod manager and nurse Holly Marrano said, “We’re bringing the vaccine to local businesses to make it more

convenient for people to get vaccinated.”

“We are making this as easy as possible — no excuses,” Curran said. “No business is too big or too small.”

Any business interested in participating in the program and hosting a vaccine clinic for employees can reach out to the county health department at (516) 2279570, Monday through Friday.

Among the RCI employees who were vaccinated was Richard Maitland, 46, of Rockaway, Queens. Maitland has been working as a pressman for the company for nine years.

“I’ve been watching the news and seeing what’s going on,” Maitland said. “I’m seeing that it’s the unvaccinated that are transmitting the virus.”

Saying he was never against the vaccine, he thought getting it now was the right thing to do with the infection rate on the rise, and especially since the vaccination pod made it so convenient.

“No one is safe, and I don’t want to be that carrier who gets someone sick,” he added, calling to the Delta variant “round two” of the coronavirus.

“I don’t want to be part of the problem,” Maitland said. “I want to be part of the solution.”

That solution, according to Curran, is to vaccinate as many people as possible.

Covid-19 vaccines are not 100 percent effective in preventing the disease; however, county officials are finding that those who are vaccinated and do test positive for Covid are less likely to end up with a severe case that results in hospitalization.

Pod nurse Camille Laudando said the traveling vaccine clinic is all about “community outreach” and is the “definition of public health.”

“The vaccine is the most effective way to prevent Covid,” Curran said. “Our residents understand the value of the vaccine.”

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jvallone@liherald.com

WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

By JORDAN VALLONE

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September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

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Minor electrical fire breaks out at Jones Beach concert

Wishing you a happy and a sweet New Year

knalepinski@liherald.com

L’Shanah Tovah

Stuart Richner 1142422

Publisher

V.P. Sales

Monday September 6 Erev Rosh Hashana Candle Lighting: 7:01pm

Wednesday September 15

Tuesday September 7

Candle Lighting: 8:00pm Rosh Hashana ends on Wednesday at 8:07pm

Candle Lighting: 6:54pm Shabbos Ends: 8:02pm Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) Candle Lighting: 6:46pm Yizkor on Thursday Yom Kippur ends on Thursday at 7:53pm

Far Rockaway times from White Shul

Ed Weintrob • Editor and Publisher

Wishing The Community A Healthy and Sweet New Year

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From the Staff of the

Rhonda Glickman

Friday September 10

Candle Lighting: 7:06pm Shabbos Ends: 8:13pm

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Happy New Year

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Friday September 3

Candidate For Town of Hempstead Supervisor – Bringing Common Sense Change to the Town of Hempstead

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An electrical fire broke out at the Tunnels to Towers Foundation’s benefit concert at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 21, fire department officials said.

Public Information Officer Kevin Regan said the Wantagh Fire Department responded to a report of an electrical fire at the “Never Forget Concert” around 8:45 p.m.

The fire may have started after high tides caused by Kate Nalepinski/Herald Tropical Storm Henri reached the front of the stage and min- the fire occurred around the time that Rapper Flo gled with electrical equip- Rida took the stage at the Aug. 21 concert. ment, Regan said. This caused an electrical shortage. crews working at the theatre, Regan said.

When rapper Flo Rida’s performed There was no structural damage and no “Wild Ones” around 8:40 p.m., his audio injuries were reported. briefly stopped working. Flo Rida then The fire department ensured that there invited vocalist Jax to the stage to help were no additional hazards and the conhim finish the 2011 tune. cert resumed after about 45 minutes.

In a video recorded by the Herald at All proceeds from the concert went to 8:46 p.m., a small cloud of smoke can be the Tunnels to Tower Foundation, a nonseen near the lip of the stage just before profit that works to provide mortgageFlo Rida started performing “I Cry.” free housing and other benefits to The fire was extinguished prior to the injured veterans, Gold Star families and Wantagh Fire Department’s arrival by first responders.

WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

By Kate NalepiNsKi

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What’s up next door and around the corner

September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

Herald neigHbors

Photos by Lee Goldstein/Herald

Fred roth, shown kneeling, has been a member of the Seaford Fire Department since 1948. Newer members of the fire department surround him, from left: Kristopher Lucians, Brian Winter, Mikey Nicola, Nicholas Luriano, Richie Friedel, John Cantwell, Peter Zabawsis and Jack Golden.

Seaford F.D. hosts annual Sixth Battalion parade The fire departments of Nassau County’s Sixth Battalion was hosted by the Seaford Fire Department last Saturday, Aug. 28. Approximately 13 local fire departments in the Battalion participated, including: Bellmore, East Meadow, Levittown, Massapequa, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Massapequa, North Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford. The firehouses sponsor the parade on a rotating basis and this was Seaford’s first year hosting. A total of 11 marching bands joined in on the event. The parade ran from the Seaford Long Island Rail Road station on Washington Avenue to the Seaford firehouse on Southard Avenue.

GreG hammontree, Brandon Moodie and Steve Wands set the tone of the Seaford Fire Department parade. a rainy aFternoon and a delayed start didn’t damper the enthusiasm at the Seaford Fire Department’s parade. several oF the Fire Departments had instrumentalists in the lead, at the Seaford Fire Department Parade, on August 28, 2021.

mitchell Kuhner, 9, was proud to proclaim his “Pop-Pop” was the grand marshal of the parade on Aug. 28.

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WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

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continued from front page finished soon. He added that he planned to hold a dedication ceremony within the next few weeks.

Brooks said that he enthusiastically suppor ted honoring Cutrone. “When [McDonough] approached me about this, I immediately said yes, let’s do it,” Brooks said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

“It’s unfortunate, on the one hand, that nearly half of the parkways in this state are named after police officers,” he added.

“But it’s important that we don’t forget these losses. I want people to pass the Cutrone Bridge and know who Detective Cutrone was.”

Brooks praised the police officers and other first responders who continuously risk their lives for the community. “Naming these roadways and bridges after our fallen heroes is an important Christina Daly/Herald reminder that the world goes The beTsy horner-miller Cutrone Memorial around because of the contribuBridge, on Bay Parkway, is located in the park, not tions of many people,” he said.

“During the pandemic, hospital far from the water tower. workers put their lives on the line to help save others. We as a socius. It’s wonderful that the state is comety have to realize how super these people memorating her in this way.” are, and not take them for granted.”

Walker said she was thrilled when County Legislator Steve Rhoads, a Brooks and McDonough introduced the Republican representing the 19th Dis- legislation to rename the bridge, and that trict, said the bridge was an appropriate she hoped Cutrone’s memory would be tribute to Cutrone’s “service and sacri- celebrated forever. fice.

“Detective Cutrone was a pillar of the “It’s very fitting that we are creating Bethpage community, and someone who this memorial of Cutrone close to the 20th dedicated so much of herself to our comanniversary of the 9/11 attacks due to her munity,” Walker said. “Hopefully people recovery efforts,” Rhoads said Monday. in generations to come will ask [who she “The fact that we are doing this now puts was], then say her name, read informaan exclamation point on the significance tion about her and remember her legacy.” of her service and what it means to all of

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Carol 516-316-9281

HERALD

Part time teacher Aides at South Side High School Salary: $15.00 per hour

All positions require fingerprint clearance

If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as a personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed.

Phone: 347-713-3552

Applications may be picked up at:

Per Diem Substitute Teachers

$18.50 NYC, $17 L.I., up to $13.50 Upstate NY!

1140773

Malverne UFSD Long Island, New York

vaLLeY StReam ufSD tHiRteeN

Homes Real estate

OHEL CHILDREN’S HOME AND FAMILY SERVICES F/T & P/T work with individuals with developmental disabilities

Medical Escort: 8am-1pm, DSP: 3pm-11pm & Overnight Community Habilitation & Respite Positions

855-OHEL-JOB, www.ohelfamily.org/careers EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted $18.50 NYC, $17 L.I. up to $13.50 Upstate NY! If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. 347-713-3553

A P P O I N T M E N T C O O R D I N AT O R WANTED for Franklin Square Dentist.

Must be Friendly Customer Focused, Organized. Dentrix Knowledge Preferred. Call 516-605-8934

CLEANER NEEDED PART-TIME 17 hours a week/ $15 an hour Call or email clubin@lakeviewlibrary.org 516-536-3071

1142100

IVERS BUS DR TED WAN NEW

IN BRIEF Coach Realtors Of Hewlett Welcomes Janice Sweet

DoN’T MISS The Bus!

STARTING SAlARIES Big Bus Van

$26.18/hr.

1142008

H.S. Diploma or equivalent, must drive, speak and write English. $15-$18/hr. Excellent benefit package.

letter of interest and resume to: Mr. John Murphy Principal of South Side High School jmurphy@rvcschools.org

CODE ENFORCEMENT P/T. Person Wanted For 19 1/2 Hours Per Week. Must Have Valid NYS Driver License And Be Willing To Work Weekends. Interested Parties Please Submit Resume To Inc. Village Of East Rockaway, PO Box 189, East R o c k a w a y, N Y 1 1 5 1 8 O r C a l l 516-887-6300

COMPANION w/ Elderly

Double pay - Holidays Work close to Home P/T and F/T Hours Call AGENCY 516-328-7126 CROSSING GUARDS Needed For

FREEPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT

3 Hours/ Day - $18.00/ Hour Must Be 21 Years Old Retirees Welcome

Call 718-541-6011

FRONT DESK RECEPTIONIST: Knowledgeable With Billing. Part Time. Cedarhurst Ofiice. Call 516-374-2605

Non-Benefit Rate

$23.41/hr.

Non-Benefit Rate

Sign On Bonus $2,500.00 for CDL driver bus and van *Some restrictions may apply.

$500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants

1141611

For additional information please visit www.valleystream13.com

1141879

Please submit your application online at NYSED Fingerprint Clearance required.

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 www.olasjobs.org 5th_floor • Clients • m-Clients • Malverne • 43053 Malverne Richner Communications or email Résumé to: 3.125x 3" Richnershould Communications Candidates email a lderrico@valleystream13.com Pg 1 School Monitors

EDUcATIoNAl BUS TRANSpoRTATIoN 516.454.2300 OFFICE ASSISTANT P/T

Small, Busy College Finance Office Seeking P/T Office Assistant For Answering Phones, Filing, Scanning, Data Entry, Etc. E mail Resume To: reception@ wilsoncollegeconsulting.com

REAL ESTATE SALESPERSONS WANTED

Open F/T & P/T Positions Experience Preferred Virtual Work Environment Make Money From Home Call For Confidential Interview 516-484-2999

RECEPTIONIST

Part-Time, Hours 9-2

Needed For Corporate Office In Valley Stream Must Have Clear Verbal And Written Communication Capabilities. Responsibilities Include: Phone, Mail, Keeping Track Of Supplies, Booking Conference Rooms, Meeting And Greeting Guests Email Resume Or Inquiries To: ReceptionVS@nhca.com

SALES PA R T / F U L L T I M E AVA I L A B L E .

Flexible Hours in a Busy Women's Hosiery & Accessories Retail Store in Cedarhurst NY. Some Experience- Will Train to help customers and promote sales & restocking merchandise.

516-395-5408. Ask for Chuck

Coach Realtors of Hewlett is proud to welcome our newest team member, Janice Sweet. Janice comes to us with over 20 years of experience with selling and rentals on both North and South shores of Nassau County. She raised her 3 children in her 46 year residency of Atlantic Beach while participating in community organizations. Janice is an experienced artist, stemming from FIT’s Apparel to Briarcliffe’s Graphic Design.

A devoted gal, extremely detailed oriented with all issues addressed. Clients and customers are top priority with integrity and honestly equal to each.

Janice can be contacted at 516-456-9062 or jsweet@coachrealtors.com

Realtors are encouraged to send briefs and photographs to: Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.., Garden City, NY 11530.

Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us for our great *specials. 516-5694000, press 5 for Classified Dept. *(private party only)

WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

HERALD

Rethinking a high-rise condo

Homes

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

HOME OF THE WEEK

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Q. My wife and I bought a condo on the top floor in a tall building on the beach and have lived there for seven years. Now she wants to sell because she’s worried about what happened to the building in Surfside, Fla. What went wrong, and how can I persuade her to keep our home, short of hiring an engineer to come take a look and reassure her.

Atlantic Beach

Location! Location! Location!

C

ustom built one family home, currently configured and taxed as a two family house. This East

Atlantic Beach home features 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths and is located on Reynold's Channel. There is a 150' pier, 12,000 lb boatlift, plus an 8' x 24' float for the day slip. You will enjoy a private beach in your own backyard, plus a resident only beach on the ocean.

Located in the Long Beach school district this home boast a lot size is 40 x 140.

Application for tax grievance for 2022/2023 has been submitted. Asking price is $1,375,000. Taxes are $27,707.43. Flood insurance is $919.41.

Rhonda Healy 1025 W. Beech Street Long Beach c: 516-236-7269 o: 516-431-6160

Ronnie Gerber 516-238-4299 OPEN HOUSES SUNday, 9/5/21

1142955

Where Dreams Come Home

WOOdMERE

HEWLETT HaRBOR

267 Channon Rd, BA, REDUCED! 7 BR, 4 Bth Exp Ranch Full FBsmt on Quiet St in SD#20. 2 Car Att Gar ..................................................................................... $1,100,000

HEWLETT Bay PaRK

40 Heron Dr,BA, REDUCED 10,000 Sq Ft Waterfront Property on an Acre of Parklike Grounds Tucked away in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 5.5 Bth Contemporary. Soaring Ceilings.

IGP, Hot Tub. 285' Vinyl Bulkhead Raised & Redone Dock. 3 Car Garage ...$3,699,000

HEWLETT

1534 Broadway #103, BA, NEW! Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bth Condo in Luxurious Jonathan Hall. LR/DR, Large EIK, Laundry Rm, & Pantry. Terrace Facing into Courtyard.

Doorman Bldg with Elevator. Indoor Garage Pkg & Storage .......................... $599,000 395 Serena Rd, NEW! 5 BR, 2 Bth Col on O/S Property. Updtd EIKs. 3 BR Main Level, 2 Upstairs with OSE. SD#14. Possible M/D with Proper Permits. Near All ... $799,000 1610 Hilary Ct, BA, Beautifully Gut Renovated 4600 Sq Ft Colonial in Cul de Sac. 5 BR, 3.5 Bth with Full Fin Bsmt, 2 Car Att Gar. SD#20. Tax Grievance Filed ...........................................................................................REDUCED! $1,279,999 1390 Broadway #102, BA, REDUCED! 2 BR, 2 Bth Coop in Luxurious Hewlett Townhouse. LR/DR,Updtd Kit & Office/Den. Elevator, 24 Hr Drman, Valet Pkg, Pool.

Priv Storage Area. Great Location Near Shops & Trans ................................. $349,000

EaST ROCKaWay

54 Rose Lane, BA, REDUCED! PROPERTY LOVERS DELIGHT! 3 BR, 2.5 Bth Split on Over 1/2 Acre Parklike Property in Waverly Park Area. Updtd EIK, Den/Fpl/Vaulted Ceiling, FDR & Mstr Ste/Updtd Bth & Sitting Rm. 2 Car Gar. SD#20 ............ $899,000

CEdaRHURST

WATERFRONT LAND for sale! Great Opportunity to Build Multiple Homes on One Acre Including 5 Lots. Permits & Bulkhead Required. SD#15 ........................ $599,000

OCEaNSIdE

2808 Willard Ave, BA, NEW! 3 BR, 2 Bth Split on 1/4 Acre in Cul De Sac. LR, FDR, EIK, Den & Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. Low Taxes. Oceanside SD. Won’t Last ............ $629,000

Real Estate Attention Sportsmen! NY-VT Border, Minutes to Bennington, VT. 30 acres, Only $99,900! Open and wooded, trails throughout property. Abundant wildlife, great views with southern exposure. Town road, power, telephone, Owner Financing 802-447-0779

Open Houses EAST ROCKAWAY BA 54 Rose Lane, NEW!PROPERTY LOVERS DELIGHT! 3 BR, 2.5 Bth Split on Over 1/2 Acre Parklike Property in Waverly Park Area.Updtd EIK, Den/Fpl/Vaulted Ceiling, FDR & Mstr Ste/Updtd Bth & Sitting Rm. 2 Car Gar. SD#20...$949,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

NYS Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

Michele Librett-Lawlor, CBR, SFR

1140110

4 Clubside Dr, BA, REDUCED! Renovated 3 BR, 3.5 Bth Townhouse in Cedar Glen.

Updtd Gran/Wood EIK & Baths. HW Flrs. Fin Lower Level. Att Gar. Community Pool & Tennis. Near All. SD#14 .................................................................................... $699,000

55 Merrick Avenue, Merrick NY 11566

John Lawlor, CBR, SFR

NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

BestLiHomes.com • 516-418-3333 “Going Above & Beyond to find your Dream Home”

Rhonda Healy

M: (516) 236-7269

Real Estate Salesperson, abR, SRS E: Rhonda.Healy.VW@gmail.com Verdeschi & Walsh Realty 1025 W. Beech St. | Long Beach, NY

OneKey Multiple Listing Service

1139054

984 Singleton Ave, BA, NEW EXCLUSIVE! Expanded 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Colonial on Oversized Lot in Old Woodmere. Bsmt & 2 Car Det Gar. Near All. SD#14 ..... $899,000

ROCKVILLE CENTRE OFFICES FOR RENT PRIME LOCATION!!!

AMENITIES INCLUDE: • Shared Kitchen • Conference Room • Reception Area • Municipal Parking Open Houses HEWLETT 1610 Hilary Ct, , REDUCED! Beautifully Gut Renovated 4600 Sq Ft Colonial in Cul de Sac.5 BR,3.5 Bth with Full Fin Bsmt, 2 Car Att Gar. SD#20. Tax Grivance Filed.....$1,279,999 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299 HEWLETT BA 1534 Broadway #103,, NEW! Spacious 2 BR,2 Bth Condo in Luxurious Jonathan Hall. LR/DR, Large EIK, Laundry Rm, & Pantry. Terrace Facing into Courtyard. Doorman Bldg with Eleva t o r. I n d o o r G a r a g e P k g & S t o r age...$599,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

CALL US TOdAy!

516-405-3918

1140159

September 2, 2021 — HERALD

18

Open Houses HEWLETT OPEN HOUSE BA 395 Serena NEW EXCLUSIVE! 5 BR, 2 Bth Col on O/S Property. Updtd EIKs. 3 BR Main Level, 2 Upstairs with OSE. SD#14. Possible M / D w i t h P r o p e r Pe r m i t s . N e a r All..$799,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429 WOODMERE BA 984 Singleton NEW To Market! Expanded 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Colonial on Oversized Lot in Old Woodmere.

B s m t & C a r D e t G a r. N e a r All.SD#14...$799,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Ask The Architect

A. You should assure your wife that her concerns are very real and it is all right to be concerned. Validate her feelings and be understanding, because many people in the same situation, in taller buildings, are questioning the safety of where they live.

Questioning and confirming are what keep us safe, onte eeper no matter what the issue is or where we are.

Ignoring or dismissing a potential problem doesn’t make it go away.

Applying knowledge and reason leads to security.

Many people assume, with most things, that some qualified person simply took care of a problem, solved it correctly, and kept us safe. I often share my calculation process with clients, showing them the reasoning behind steps taken to calculate a beam, for example, for two reasons. One is so they understand how buildings work, and also so that when a substitution is requested, they understand why it was rejected.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of assumptions that work is being done with correctness and conscientiousness. With larger buildings, there are many safety procedures, including independent certification by qualified consultant engineering professionals. You might feel better if your building hired an engineer who could explain the building’s structural system and how it keeps you safe. If the people living in the Surfside condominiums could have questioned and acted with a maintenance program, which would have required spending money, things might have been different. The design, review, construction and maintenance all played a part in the failure.

Look at your own building’s track record and ask informed questions. If you have no knowledge of the building process, ask others who do. The more I learn about the investigation of the collapse, the more convinced I am of the reasons for never ignoring the smallest details of how these giant custom jigsaw puzzles fit together. Every failure I have ever learned about had at least two common denominators, confidence and naïveté.

If a reinforcing rod is shown on the drawings to be a specific diameter, don’t substitute a smaller size because it was more available or install separate pieces where a continuous rod was supposed to go. The pool deck of that building was a separate structure that should never have been tied into the columns of the taller adjacent building, just like a deck should have minimal or no attachment to a house. The right force, wind or water, can pull a vertical support column sideways, rendering the column useless and toppling the taller structure.

Listen to your wife and have a happy life!

M

L

© 2021 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.

19

Market Place • •

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

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1139090

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in

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$

HERALD — September 2, 2021

HERALD

HERALD

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 Apartments For Rent CEDARHURST NO FEE Pr ivate Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For O n e B e d r o o m W h e n Ava i l a bl e.

(516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

Cemetery Plots CEMETERY PLOT FOR TWO For Sale: Pinelawn Cemetery. Garden Of Normandy North. Negotiable. 516-872-1508

ANNOUNCEMENTS Garage Sales ISLAND PARK Yard Sale 4 Quebec Rd. Saturday 9/4 & Saturday 9/11. 8am-12pm.

Home Decor, Clothing, Games & More!

MERCHANDISE MART Antiques/Collectibles We Buy Antiques, Fine Art & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 40 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid.

SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

Household Merchandise FURNITURE - CRAFTMATIC QUEEN Bed, never used. $300 WASHED OAK DRESSER Mint. $200.

516-309-0844.

FINDS UNDER $100 Finds Under $100 20" HIGH CYLINDER vase, cr ystal beads, silk flowers, excellent cond. Pd $75.00 asking $35.00 (516)579-9089

BOYS CLOTHES: NEW, Tags. Sizes 3, 4 & 5. $7 each. Text for pics 917-420-5814.

METAL GOLF BAG stand holds 2 golf bags. Has shelves, $20.00 Good Condition 516-221-5374

REDWOOD TABLE, 2 benches, hole for umbrella. table 6'x2', benches 11"x6' $50.00 516-579-9089

TEEN/YOUNG ADULT CLOTHES: Sizes 0, 2. American Eagle, Abercrombie, Hollister. $1 each. Text 917-420-5814

SERVICES

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work, Lic./ Ins. Owner Always Onsite Free Estimates 516-354-5578

Electricians E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas.

Services/Repairs. Violations Removed.

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Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 eMail-Frankcav@optonline.ne

HErald

Crossword Puzzle

Home Improvement

Tree Services

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify.

PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-763-2379

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HANDY DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS *Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761 NEVER PAY FOR Covered Home Repairs Again! Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE Months!

866-440-6501 THE GENERAC PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194 W I R E M A N / C A B L E M A N F L AT T V S mounted, Phone, TVs&Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera &stereos , HDTV – Antennas- FREE TV www.davewireman.com Call Dave 516-433-WIRE (9473) 631-667-WIRE (9473) or Text 516-353-1118

Miscellaneous ANTIQUE LOVERS TAKE NOTE! BRIMFIELD IS BACK– ALL SHOWS! September 7-12. New shows open daily! BrimfieldAntiqueFleaMarket.com 2022 Show Dates: May10-15, July 12-17, September 6-11.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Careers/Training TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

Education COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now!

Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

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AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For Sale CHEVY 2001 SUBURBAN LT, 4X4, Black, 126,000 Miles. Fair Condition.

Needs Brakes. SOLD AS IS. Best Offer Will Be Accepted. If Interested Contact The We s t H e m p s t e a d Wa t e r D i s t r i c t A t 516-483-1180.

Autos Wanted ***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$. All Years/ Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct + Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199. Call LUKE 516VAN-CARS. 516-297-2277 DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

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Deals on Wheels

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1140071

September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

20

Miscellaneous Get DIRECTV! ONLY $69.99/month! 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package.) PLUS Stream on Up to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

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Classifieds All for an amazing price! Your add will run until you sell your vehicle. Just call one of our expert classified account executives today and you will be on your way to making a great deal on your set of wheels!

516-569-4000 press 5, then 2

Answers

to todAy’s puzzle

21

opINIoNS

hirty years ago this week, I hopped on an electric train with a brightred engine, a nervous energy pulsing through my arms and legs straight to my fingers and toes, which fidgeted uncontrollably. My head was spinning.

I carried all I had in my arms — two gray suitcases of clothes, one violin in a worn brown case and one blue duffle bag with running shoes and toiletries. I was 24 and headed to the greatest adventure of my life, a twoyear bicultural SCoTT exchange that excited me, at BRINToN times vexed me and forever changed me.

I served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Veliko Tarnovo, a 5,000-year-old city in central Bulgaria with a medieval fortress that was flanked by white stucco houses, squeezed onto the steep hills above the winding Yantra River.

In the first week of September 1991, I left the safe haven of the training site the Peace Corps set up in Bankya, a spa resort 11 miles outside Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, and headed to Tarnovo, as it’s commonly known. After two and a half months of preparations, I still had no idea what to expect. I loved every minute of the next

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two years.

I was part of the first group of 26 Peace Corps volunteers to enter Bulgaria after the fall of communism there a year earlier. As was the case in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Romania between 1989 and 1990, thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets to protest communist rule. Todor Zhivkov — the longest-serving Soviet Bloc dictator in the post-World War II era, who reigned from 1954 to 1989 — was deposed without bloodshed. In July 1990, then President Petar Mladenov, a former communist leader, quit over accusations that he had ordered tanks to roll against protesters in December 1989.

People rejoiced after Mladenov’s resignation, The New York Times reported on July 7, 1990. “Never again a communist president in Bulgaria!” 5,000 protesters chanted in unison in central Sofia.

To be there, in this place burning with democratic idealism after more than four decades of repressed speech and thought, was the thrill of a lifetime for an American who had freedom of speech and assembly ingrained in him. Bulgaria felt so alive. I felt so alive. People were suddenly free. As an outside observer who was quickly acculturated to Bulgarian beliefs and practices (I married a Bulgarian), I internalized their joy, their relief and,

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sometimes, their fear of a return to communism.

On June 20 this year, most of the original 26 Peace Corps volunteers, our Bulgarian manager, Emil Patev, and my wife, Katerina, who was one of our language and culture trainers, gathered on Zoom to reminisce.

It was perhaps the strangest feeling I’ve ever experienced. Because of the intensity of the experiences that we shared, the names and faces of my fellow volunteers were indelibly etched in my mind. I pictured them as their younger selves, and then we appeared in little boxes on a computer screen, significantly older variations of ourselves, as if this were a “Dr. Who” episode. It was jarring at first.

Then we started to share what we took away from Bulgaria. Many spoke of the Bulgarian work ethic, the slower place of life, the neighborliness or the kindness they were shown by their colleagues at the schools where they taught — we were all English teachers.

Happy memories coursed through my mind — meeting my lovely wife for the first time, soaking in the sights and sounds that were so different than the United States, chatting with my students, who were 17 when I met them and 19 when they graduated from the Vasil Drumev High School of Mathematics and Natural

ecalling a lifealtering stint in Bulgaria after the fall of communism.

Sciences, as they attended a fifth year of high school for advanced studies.

That graduation, in June 1991, was among the most beautiful days of my life, aside from my wedding and the births of my children. It was a simple, short ceremony, full of music. The students poured flowers into their teachers’ hands, as is Bulgarian tradition. Katerina and I taught at the school together, and we came away with so many flowers that our tiny, rented apartment resembled a florist’s shop.

I’m occasionally asked to speak to young people about my Peace Corps experiences. They often ask about the challenges, or whether I had any regrets about signing up. I can sense their trepidation.

Volunteering for the Peace Corps is a monumental, life-altering decision.

I used to speak of the pluses and minuses. There is, no doubt, a financial sacrifice, because you’re volunteering for two years of your life, I would say. Perhaps that was the reporter in me wanting to give both sides of the story.

If they have a strong interest in joining, I tell them now, they should embrace any fears they might harbor and let the river of life take them wherever it might flow.

You needn’t know where it will end up. It could take you to magical lands you never imagined.

Scott Brinton is the Herald Community Newspapers’ executive editor and an adjunct professor at the Hofstra University Herbert School of Communication. Comments about this column? SBrinton@liherald.com.

In the eye of the western firestorm

e’ve been through a lot together, you and I. Now this.

As I wrote last week, my husband and I and Lillybee the dog headed out West to the Northern California mountains on Aug. 10. We drove from Denver through Cheyenne, Park City and Elko and arrived here in Tahoe-Donner on Aug. 20.

We’re in a rental house perched on stilts set into a hillside, a half-hour from anything, including our kids and grandkids, who live in a nearby town. They’re the reason we came, RANDI and they’re the reaKREISS son we’re still here, 10 days into a month-long stay.

We’re in the throes of a wildfire emergency, officially declared by President Biden yesterday. Smoke obscures views of the mountains. The grandkids’ school opening was delayed. The smell of smoke is in our clothes, our hair and even on the dog.

The Caldor and Dixie fires are raging around us, from 45 to 100 miles away. We’re told to stay inside, not exert ourselves and

keep the windows closed.

The obvious move is to leave ASAP, but that means driving back to Denver in our rental car through areas that are now smoky as well. Our children surely aren’t ready to abandon their family home. We hate to run, since the wind could change in a week, and it could be healthy to resume normal outdoor life. We don’t know when we’ll have the chance to sit down at the same table again.

Our kids must figure out if their life out here is sustainable going forward.

These fires aren’t going away, and it’s unlikely that it will be better next year. The snowpack has been lighter every winter, and the ground brush is drier. Tinder. No one has grass, just scrub around the homes, cut back for safety.

Back home, I know you’re struggling with the Delta variant and unusual heat.

We Long Islanders have had our shared disasters, mostly hurricanes, and there will likely be more this season.

This is something else. People who live up here are tough and self-reliant, but everyone is shaken by the hazardous air quality and the danger of encroaching

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fires. We all have alerts set on our phones should the conditions get more dangerous.

Ash falls out of the smoke clouds, irritating our eyes and throats.

We have captured some moments with the grandkids, some meals, a lot of time together playing Rummikub.

They seem able to be outside longer than we can, younger lungs and all that. But they are tuned in to our talk about the smoke and fire and what the options are. These kids just lived through more than a year of relative isolation during the pandemic, and so much of their hope was invested in this summer, to do the swimming and rafting and hiking that is their reason for putting up with life in the semi-wilderness. All of our kids and grandkids have tolerated so much constraint and disappointment. I hope it makes them stronger.

To summon my own resolve, I’ve been reading about people who live in places where the geography or the weather or the terrain is a constant challenge and threat.

Why do they stay? My husband and I can and probably will leave if the air remains unhealthy or the fires get worse; we have

ur kids must figure out if life out here is sustainable going forward.

that option. Our kids will make their own calculation of risk vs. benefit of life in these mountains.

People live on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily, generation after generation, despite the inevitability of lava flows and ash that burn them out of their houses. They rebuild; they stay. Some say the reason is that the volcanic soil is fertile and produces the best olives and olive oil in the world.

People in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., know for sure that periodic super-floods will drive them from their homes, but they come back and they build again. Why does anyone live in New Orleans? Or on any barrier island?

Why didn’t we all flee after Hurricane Sandy?

Ultimately people look around and decide that the benefit outweighs the risk of living near a volcano or in a flood plain or on a fire-scarred mountaintop.

We would not have come to California now if we knew how the smoke and fire would look and feel and taste. The headline in the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday read: “Caldor Fire Knocking on the Door of Tahoe Basin.”

The fire is knocking, and there isn’t much here to keep it out.

Copyright 2021 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

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The two most adventurous years of my life

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Herald editorials

Wantagh

September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

HERALD Established 1990 Incorporating Wantagh/Seaford Citizen Kate NalepiNsKi Editor

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Get your teenagers vaccinated ASAP . . .

ome 87 percent of Nassau County’s adult population, ages 18 and up, has received at least a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Bravo, Nassau! That’s a remarkable statistic, well ahead of the state average of 79.3 percent.

Nearly a million people have been vaccinated here, and we could soon reach that threshold.

But here’s the thing: Looking at all age groups in the county, only 73 percent of the total population has gotten at least one dose. That’s because children are ineligible, and only about 49 percent of teenagers, ages 12 to 18, had received a first dose as of last Friday, even though 16- and 17-year-olds have been eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine since April, and 12- to 15-year-olds since May. Clearly, we must focus our efforts on vaccinating teens. With school starting in many districts this week, and therefore with students starting to congregate in large groups five to six days a week, there is the potential for the virus to spread rapidly in this population, and then to be passed on to unvaccinated adults and even

to the relatively small number of vaccinated people who will get Covid despite being inoculated.

Nassau County government now has an excellent program that brings a team of vaccinators to a workplace on request. It’s all about making the vaccine readily available to people who are too busy or otherwise unable to break away from work to get inoculated. The Herald Community Newspapers took part last Friday afternoon, and the vaccination team did all the work.

Similarly, the county and the Town of Hempstead, each of which has a mobile inoculation unit, should bring the vaccination fight to our schools, one by one, starting in low-income areas, where parents may be unable to take their teens to a vaccination site because they’re working long hours and worry about taking time off.

We’ve already seen mobile units brought to a small number of school districts like Freeport, but the effort should be rapidly expanded to all 54 Nassau districts.

At the same time, parents should seek to have their teens vaccinated. With the

. . . And have a Covid talk with all of your kids

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chool’s starting this week. That’s a scary thought, given that we were supposed to have vanquished the coronavirus by now but simply have been unable to, despite our best efforts. This is one mean virus.

All parents of school-age children, whether they’re kindergartners or seniors in high school, should have a talk with them not only about avoiding strangers and saying no to drugs and

alcohol, but also about staying safe from Covid-19.

Remind them to wear their masks in school, as mandated now by New York state. Tell them to maintain social distancing, and to cover their mouths when they cough, and to stay home when they’re feeling sick. And don’t forget about handwashing — lots of handwashing with good old soap and water.

Conversations should be age-appropri-

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Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine receiving full approval by the federal Food and Drug Administration for those 16 and over, we should all feel confident about its efficacy and safety. It will now be marketed as Comirnaty, according to the FDA. For those ages 12 to 15, the Pfizer vaccine will continue to be available under an emergency-use authorization.

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are likely to receive FDA approval for 12- to 17-year-olds in the coming months.

Clinical trials are still under way to test all three vaccines for children ages 5 to 11.

It’s uncertain when, precisely, they might receive approval under emergency-use authorization for this age group. It could be as early as this fall, though that seems unlikely now. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has said that authorization would more likely come by late December.

The bottom line for parents: Have your children vaccinated as soon as humanly possible.

letters Happy birthday, President Johnson To the Editor: The late President Lyndon Johnson was born Aug. 27, 1908. Many remember him for succeeding President John F. Kennedy after Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Others remember him for his domestic Great Society program, which included civil rights, Medicare, Medicaid, the War on Poverty and public broadcasting. There was also foreign policy, most notably the Vietnam War. Few remember that the success of public transportation can be traced back to one of Johnson’s greatest accomplishments, which continues to benefit many Americans today. On July 9, 1964, he signed the Urban Mass Transportation Act into

ate. There’s no need to scare young children. They need to be reassured that they will be safe in school. Meanwhile, teens might need a more frank discussion.

PBS Kids for Parents has an excellent primer on “How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus” that’s worth a quick read. You can find it at www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kidsabout-coronavirus.

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opinions

n the 1987 movie “The Princess Bride,” Vizzini, a Sicilian assassin, warns Wesley, also known as the Dread Pirate Roberts, “You fell victim to one of the classic blunders — the most famous of which is, ‘Never get involved in a land war in Asia.’”

The United States fell into that classic blunder when it ignored 19th-century British debacles during the First AngloAfghan War (18391843) and the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880) and pretended it could avoid the ALAn fate of the Soviet Union in the SovisinGer et-Afghan War (1979-1988).

A 1979 internal memo to the Soviet Union’s governing Politburo explained why “nation building” by the Soviet Union was doomed to failure. The reactionary forces described in the memo are now known as the Taliban.

“The Afghan reactionary forces,” the memo stated, “are very skillfully taking advantage of the almost complete illiteracy of the population, complex interna-

tional and intertribal conflicts, religious fanaticism and nationalism. Subversive actions, sabotage and the resistance of the overthrown class of exploiters are deepening the economic problems, lowering industrial and agricultural output, as well as hampering business activity, raising prices and reducing the influx of revenue into the state budget.”

The memo warned the Politburo that “the use of Soviet troops in repressing the Afghan counterrevolution would seriously damage the international authority of the USSR.” In his 2010 memoir “Decision Points,” former President George W. Bush tried to justify the 2001 decision to invade Afghanistan and the prolonged war that followed. This wasn’t just about revenge for the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, or a strategy to kill Osama bin Laden and destroy Al Qaeda.

According to Bush, “Afghanistan was the ultimate nation-building mission. We had liberated the country from a primitive dictatorship, and we had a moral obligation to leave behind something better. We also had a strategic interest in helping the Afghan people build a free

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erhaps every candidate for president should be a certified historian.

Letters law. It has resulted in the investment of several hundred billion dollars in public transportation under grants from the Federal Transit Administration, which before 1991 was known as the Urban Mass Transit Administration.

Even with Covid-19, millions of Americans continue using various public transportation alternatives, including local and express buses, ferries, jitneys, light rail, subways and commuter rail services. Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy. Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make.

LARRY PENNER Great Neck Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office.

State is now offering Excluded Workers Fund To the Editor: New York state’s Excluded Workers Fund, which is intended to provide much-needed relief to workers cut off from government unemployment bene-

society. The terrorists took refuge in places of chaos, despair and repression. A democratic Afghanistan would be a hopeful alternative to the vision of the extremists.”

The nation-building task was “more daunting” than Bush and his advisers anticipated because of their ignorance about Afghanistan and because they apparently never consulted either Wikipedia or the CIA World Factbook. It is a mountainous region of tribes, clans and linguistic groups, with millions of people who have little connection to those outside their locality or village. The constitution of Afghanistan, written in 2004 under U.S. auspices, recognizes 14 major ethno-linguistic groups. The largest is the Pashtun, who make up almost half of the population of the country and are the dominant group in the Taliban.

If only the Bush administration in 2001, or policymakers in the Obama and Trump administrations, had watched “The Princess Bride” or had access to the Soviet Politburo memo. I found it, quite easily, translated from Russian to English, on the website of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

The memo, “Our Future Policy in Connection with the Situation in Afghanistan,” became available to the public in 1993.

As President Biden made clear in a speech to the American public, “After 20 years, I’ve learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces [from Afghanistan] . . . There is no chance that one year — one more year, five more years or 20 more years of U.S. military boots on the ground would’ve made any difference.”

After the diplomatic, military and human disaster in Afghanistan, maybe there should be a constitutional qualification for becoming president of the United States: that a candidate be a certified historian. The American Historical Association and the Organization of American Historians could review all candidates the way legal organizations review potential judicial appointments.

Dr. Alan Singer is a professor of teaching, learning and technology and the director of social studies education programs at Hofstra University. He is a former New York City high school social studies teacher and editor of Social Science Docket, a joint publication of the New York and New Jersey Councils for the Social Studies. Follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/AlanJSinger1.

FrAmework by Linda Smith

fits and stimulus checks during the pandemic, is now accepting applications.

Any workers who were not eligible for enhanced Covid-19 pandemic unemployment benefits can apply. The funds do not need to be paid back, and this relief is available regardless of immigration status.

Please visit https://dol.ny.gov/EWF for more information and to apply.

I thank state leaders for their efforts to maximize the scope of our Covid-19 relief initiatives. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to sharing information about the Excluded Workers Fund at community events and with our local faith and civic leaders to ensure that economic relief reaches the maximum number of Nassau residents possible.

CARRIé SOLAGES Nassau County legislator, Lawrence

Thoughts or comments about our stories?

Send letters to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com

OK, we’re persuaded: We’ll work remotely — Maui

WANTAGH HERALD — September 2, 2021

i

There was no winning in Afghanistan

THE VAXMOBILE 5,000 VACCINES AND COUNTING… Coming Soon to a Neighborhood Near You!

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and will prevent you from getting seriously ill, even if you do get COVID-19. Get Your Vaccine Today.

The Vaxmobile is coming soon to your neighborhood.

For the most updated schedule, visit our Facebook page @MountSinaiSouthNassau.

Or southnassau.org/vaccines

This public health announcement is made possible by Bethpage. Together, we can help prevent further spread of COVID-19.

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September 2, 2021 — WANTAGH HERALD

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