Long Beach Herald 04-23-2026

LONG BEACH

Odyssey of Mind team seeks to rule world again

By CHRIS ColUCCI

ccolucci@liherald.com

Ask some 12-year-olds to tell you an epic story, and you might hear a loosely paraphrased plot of a recent movie. Ask a 12-year-old member of the Long Beach Odyssey of the Mind team, and you might hear about a bachelorette party whose trip to Aruba goes awry, leading them to a supernatural ghost realm where they rely on the power of friendship, otherworldly “soul sisters” and a robot dog to find their way home.

That’s the type of creative thinking that is once again taking Long Beach Middle School and elementary school students to the world stage of one of the most unique competitions in international education. At the end of May, the local team will head to Iowa State University to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind world finals. In past years, the Long Beach team — known as Team Believe — has competed, and won, against teams from France, India, Korea, Mexico and Poland, among ConTinued on pAge 15

Long Beach announces school budget for 2026-27

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Long Beach School District Board of Education trustees voted unanimously last week to adopt a proposed budget of $162.5 million for the 2026-27 school year, a 2.5 percent increase over the current spending plan.

The public vote on the proposed school district and Long Beach Public Library budgets, as well as the election of two school board trustees and one library board trustee, is scheduled for May 19. Voting will take place at Lindell and East Elementary School and the

middle school.

The spending plan includes a 2.2 percent increase in the tax levy, the total amount the district needs to collect in taxes to fund its planned spending. The increase is below the state cap, and is down from this year’s 2.4 percent tax levy hike.

“We always try to balance appropriate fund balance with the tax levy at the level that the board wants and is comfortable asking the community for,”

Michael DeVito, the district’s assistant superintendent of finance and operations, said.

“Next year’s budget was created to maintain strong programs and preserve quality education

for all of our students.”

The spending plan will add Academic Intervention Services teachers and physical education programs at the elementary schools. The middle school will also have its own wellness room. The district will add a varsity game-day cheer coach, an assistant coach for the girls’ wrestling team at the high school and a field hockey coach at the middle school.

In the new Bloomberg Lab at Long Beach High School, students will use the Bloomberg terminals that investment bankers, hedge funds and corporations use worldwide. They will also see live movement on

the stock market, global currencies and other commodities.

In secondary programs, the district approved funding for participation in a new BOCES co-enrollment program for high school students, including a barbering program. The district will also add rock band, guitar, fishing and water polo clubs.

Next year’s budget includes $1.7 million for facility and capital projects — upgrading the high school pool and bleachers, an additional custodian at the high school and enhanced security staffs at the elementary schools.

Funding for central data processing will increase by $1.53

Chris Colucci/Herald

The Long Beach Middle School team tackled a problem that took them from Aruba to a ghost realm.

Lido Beach wind turbine, 15 years later

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

In Dec. 2011, a wind turbine standing more than 120-feet tall was installed at the Point Lookout Department of Conservation and Waterways building. The turbine was one of the town’s first steps in a clean energy initiative, which would also include the installation of solar panel arrays at town facilities, a transition to roughly 50,000 LED streetlights and more.

The decisions led to the Town of Hempstead being recognized in 2016 as a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, as well as recognition in 2020 as a bronze-certified Climate Smart Community through the New York State Department of Conservation.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti explained some of the turbine’s performance metrics in a written statement. “Over its lifetime, the turbine has generated 3,481,233 kWh (3.5 GWh) of clean energy — averaging 242,518 kWh annually, or 181% of its original estimate — resulting in nearly $700,000 in electricity bill savings for the Town, in addition to the avoidance of over 930 tons of CO2 emissions.”

For context, one home could run its entire electrical needs — powering every appliance, lighting up every room, blasting the A/C all summer, etc. — for more than 20 years on the total output generated by the turbine in a single year. The CO2 emissions avoided total as much as burning more than 19 gallons of gasoline every day for 15 years.

“It was always intended to be a supplemental part of the energy mix in the town and it’s acting quite well in that capacity,” said Adrienne Esposito, the executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the

Environment. “It’s one tiny wind turbine that’s just meant to add electricity onto the grid that’s clean and safe and emissions-free, and it’s doing that.”

“The unit maintains a remarkable 98% uptime,” the statement continued, “with pauses typically due only to low wind speeds (under 7 mph) or PSEG grid stability requirements.”

A turbine’s “uptime” is, essentially, its ability to be operational and capture available wind whenever weather permits. The Lido turbine has met expectations and performed as efficiently as possible given the climate, which has recently been more favorable to wind power. “We’ve had more wind over the last several years than we traditionally have,” explained Esposito.

Throughout its functional lifespan, the turbine at Lido Beach has required no major repairs, even after Hurricane Sandy devastated the area less than a year after it was installed. The operational maintenance has been routine, including standard part replacements including yaw motors and sensors.

One recurring critique of wind turbines, in general, is their potential effect on migratory birds and the flight paths of local wildlife. Recently published research could indicate the concern may not be as worrisome as it otherwise appears.

Last month, Vattenfall, a green energy company based in Sweden, released the results of monitoring one offshore turbine for 19 months. After reviewing more than 2,000 bird paths, no collisions were found between birds and the turbine. In 2023, the Public Library of Science published research based on similar data compiled over a 13-year period and found just over 3,700 bird deaths attributed to wind turbines. As the paper went to press, specific bird data was not available for the Lido turbine.

Over the past 15 years, the eye-catching wind

has exceeded expectations and overdelivered results.

Chris Colucci/Herald

turbine

Boardwalk “Blessing of the Water” ceremony

Water is an essential part of Long Beach life. Last Sunday, artists and thankful residents gathered on the Boardwalk to recognize and “thank” the local waterways after the creation of more than a dozen painted murals on and around the abandoned Hebrew Academy of Long Beach between Lindell Boulevard and Washington Boulevard.

The mural event was a coordinated effort, pulling together Long Beach resident and homeschool teacher Susan Gallo; her three children and several other students; her husband Darren Gallo, who manages the former Hebrew Academy property; Artists in Partnership; the Long Beach Arts Council and a number of professional artists.

“All of the artists have donated their time which is, to me, mind-blowing,” said Caroline Bailly, board member of the Long Beach Arts Council. “Some of their artwork is very valuable. We have some big-time artists in there. We got really excited. They all came together for the Long Beach community and I think it’s beautiful.”

The murals also served as a fundraiser for the Bioswale Club, created by Gallo and her students, to potentially install a bioswale — a native plantbased garden which filters contaminants from water run-off — along Grand Boulevard.

“I heard about the bioswale and the children,” said Long Island-based artist Jedidiah, who painted a large Triton guarding the sea on the streetfacing side of the building. “We have to save our ocean and I feel like our families are the one thing we look to save first. We always want to save our families, so if we treat our oceans like our family, we’ll want to save that just as much as them.”

The ceremony also helps to kickoff the Earth Week Art Trail across the city. On Wednesday, Michael Albert will lead an interactive workshop assembling cereal box collages at the Long Beach Public Library. On Thursday, Melinda McKee, who painted one of the boardwalk murals, will teach library attendees how to create living terrariums inside vintage teacups.

Friday will feature an Arts Council fundraiser at Bright Eye Beer Co. featuring live music and jam sessions. The weeklong event also showcases a self-guided walking trail until Sunday, with more than two dozen art installations scattered across the city.

–Chris Colucci

The distinct boardwalk-facing mural was created with handprints from countless volunteers, one sun, two dolphins, three birds and a four-pointed compass.

The artist Jedidiah said he hoped that people treat the ocean with as much care as they do their own family. The Long Island-based pro was inspired by the young students who helped to kickstart the mural project as a fundraiser for environmental cleanup. Nearly a dozen artists donated their time and skills to help beautify the boardwalk.

A “thank you” to Aboff’s Paints, which donated nearly $5,000 in supplies, was incorporated into one of the larger murals.

Artist John Echo created a striking pair of chromatic fish on a canvas more than 20 feet wide.

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Crew program gets students rowing toward hard work

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Students at Long Beach High School are testing their physical skills through the athletic department’s crew program, a 10-week enrichment program offered under the direction of Concept Fitness’ Lizzy Carson.

The program attracts dozens of interested students twice a week, exposing them to rowing techniques while growing their athleticism and conditioning.

Health Benefits of Forgiveness

Each one of us experience countless injustices in the course of everyday living. Like other experiences, it is not the experience itself so much that counts, but how you process it. The Mayo Clinic addresses the health benefits of “forgiveness” which they define as “an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger”. Letting go of grudges and bitterness can lead to:

Everett Worthington, Profession Emeritus of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, provides a free workbook at for whom forgiveness may be difficult (most of

Recall: Recall the hurt. Look at the incident in an objective way and don’t try to push aside your feelings.

Empathize: Empathize with the offender without excusing the action or invalidating your own feelings. Maybe the person was having a bad day or was raised in dire circumstances.

forgiveness. Think about a time when you were rude or harsh, and recognize that everyone has shortcomings.

Commit: Make a decision to forgive. You can write a letter that you don’t send to help yourself make the commitment.

Hold:

how you react to those feelings will.

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned”

“The rowing program presents students with an opportunity to try something new,” Arnold Epstein, Long Beach’s athletic director said.

Since the program’s inception in 2022, Long Beach has produced four collegiate athletes in rowing and will be adding another come this fall — Torrence Feehan, a freshman rower on University of Delaware’s rowing team who graduated last year, and her younger sister, Caelin Feehan, a Long Beach senior, who just signed her letter of intent to row at Loyola University Maryland.

Caelin Feehan said she wanted to focus on her physical well-being. Joining as a freshman when the program first formed, she enjoys the opportunity to see the program grow.

Feehan, who had no prior rowing

experience, said the program is built well for beginners, adding it prioritizes fundamentals and learning over competitiveness.

“I’ve noticed a lot of students who come in who’ve never touched a weight before or are looking to get in shape,” Feehan said. “You can see them start to enjoy working out.

Carson, who oversees the program at 7 Hampton Road, in Oceanside, said it’s an opportunity for kids to grow their interest in rowing.

“Some of the students show tremendous progress and interest,” Carson said. “From the program, we work with those students to get them more training, like Regattas.”

Once per session, students can complete a 2k test that measures endurance and power. Feehan and her sister have spent a lot of time testing. Caelin scored an 815, and her sister a 745.

“A lower score means a better placement,” Carson said.

When asked to reflect on her experience, Feehan thanked Carson for her continued support and willingness to show students how to improve themselves physically and mentally.

“You are encouraged to lift heavy and be in shape in the way that you could throw a tank,” Feehan said.

Courtesy Lizzy Carson Long Beach students are learning the sport of rowing through the Athletic Department’s crew program.

CHARLOTTE WEBSTER EAST ROCKAWAY Senior SOFTBALL

ALREADY A TWO-TIME All-Conference selection, Webster appears well on her way to at least a third if not an All-County season. Heading into this week’s action, the Rocks’ fourth-year starting shortstop leads Nassau County in home runs with 6 and RBIs with 28 while batting .700 through nine games. Webster blasted a pair of homers against Baldwin on March 21 and repeated the accomplishment April 11 versus Freeport.

games to watch

Thursday, April 23

Flag Football: Oceanside at East Rockaway 5 p.m.

Flag Football: Bell-Merrick at Massapequa 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 24

Softball: Clarke at Farmingdale 5 p.m.

Softball: Malverne at Uniondale 5 p.m.

Softball: North Shore at South Side 5 p.m.

Baseball:Calhoun at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Baseball: Elmont at Kennedy 5 p.m.

Boys Tennis: South Side at Hewlett 5 p.m.

Flag Football: East Meadow at Freeport 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Carey at Kennedy 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: West Hempstead at Clarke 5 p.m.

Saturday, April 25

Softball: Wantagh at Oceanside 10 a.m.

Softball: Hicksville at Long Beach 10 a.m.

Softball: West Hempstead at Lawrence 10 a.m.

Softball: Lynbrook at Freeport 10 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Herricks at Baldwin 11 a.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Roslyn at Long Beach 1 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: East Meadow at Oceanside 1 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at V.S. District 1 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Seaford 3 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Lynbrook vs Hewlett 6:30 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

HERALD SPORTS

Long Beach navigates power league

By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

Long Beach boys lacrosse is embracing the challenge of competing in a power league this spring and looking to find its rhythm before the playoffs.

The Marines entered the week 4-5 overall and 0-3 in Conference 1B battling against the top competition in Nassau County. While the league wins haven’t materialized yet, Long Beach coach Jason Pearl said the schedule should prepare the team well for the Class B playoffs next month where it will look to make the semifinal stage at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.

“The expectation entering the season was to get a couple wins in this power League and show we belonged,” said Pearl, who guided Long Beach to a conference title in Conference II last season. “We knew they were going to be challenging games.”

Senior attackman Charlie Conway has led the offense so far with 19 goals including a hattrick in a 13-7 loss at Farmingdale last Friday. Conway, who was All County as a midfielder last season, stepped up big in a 9-8 non-league overtime win against MacArthur on March 28 with five goals including the game winner.

Junior attackman Cian Donaghy is also shining with 14 goals and 11 assists after an All County sophomore campaign while sophomore Dylan Brown has added further punch to the attack unit with seven tallies. The Marines have also gotten plenty of scoring from the midfield including junior Ryan Farrell, sophomore Johnathan Hayes and junior Brody Riedel.

The defense is anchored by senior goalie Aiden DeRupo, an Adelphi commit who garnered All County honors as a junior with 215 saves. Junior Jax Wagner is also a capable net-minder who splits time with DeRupo in non-league games.

“Both goalies are very solid players,” Pearl said. “It’s a good problem to have two goalies that are equally as good that have different strengths and weaknesses.”

through nine games.

The goalie duo shined in a dominating 13-2 win at Lynbrook on April 8 with DeRupo making seven saves and Wagner recording six stops.

Senior Timmy Miller leads the close defense guarding the opposing teams’ top scorers while also splitting time as a long stick defensive midfielder with senior Bohdee Wardana.

Senior Tyler Parker has taken the bulk of the faceoffs with sophomore Anthony Marra also making progress and taking some draws. Pearl said both Parker and Marra are working hard to hone their craft for going up against some of the top faceoff specialists in

the state when playing Conference I competition.

Long Beach visits Bethpage on Thursday and will then host Roslyn Saturday at 1 p.m. and Seaford on April 30 for 5 p.m. faceoff. The Marines conclude the regular season with challenging road games at Garden City and Cold Spring Harbor before hosting South Side on May 15 at 5 p.m. in the final tuneup before the postseason.

“We’re hoping we just continue to get better and are playing our best lacrosse when playoff time comes,” Pearl said. “I’ll take the lumps now and hopefully we get hot at the right time.”

Grace Hughes/Herald

Cian Donaghy is off to a strong start for the Marines with 14 goals and 11 assists

LIRR workers may strike in coming weeks

By BRIAN KACHARABA & CHRIS COLUCCI of the Herald

A potential Long Island Rail Road strike is looming for May 16 if no deal is reached between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its union employees.

At the center of the dispute is a gap regarding pay and working conditions. Union leaders are seeking a 9.5% wage increase covering the past three years, along with an additional 5% raise going forward, as well as retroactive pay for time worked without a contract.

The MTA, meanwhile, is offering raises but wants changes to work rules and productivity standards in return, saying it must control costs and protect the system’s long-term financial stability.

Two Presidential Emergency Boards were convened to help resolve the conflict between the LIRR and a coalition of five rail unions representing a majority of its workforce. Both boards sided with the unions, rejecting the MTA’s proposed work rule changes and recommending wage increases.

The dispute involves more than 3,500 workers represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen; the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division; the Transportation Communications Union/IAM; the Brotherhood of Rail -

road Signalmen and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Michael Sullivan, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, said negotiations have stalled in recent weeks, with no follow-up meetings currently scheduled.

“I’m frustrated because we didn’t really speak about anything of substance, and they were not able to even put anything on the calendar,” Sullivan

said. “They said that they would reach out to us and they have not.”

The two sides last met on March 20, continuing negotiations under federal oversight to potentially avoid the LIRR’s first strike since 1994.

MTA CEO Janno Lieber stressed the financial impact of a potential walkout and urged continued negotiations.

“It is insane for us to have a strike, not just because the harm it does to

Long Islanders and to their economy, but because three days of a strike will wipe out 1.1% of wage raises that you are fighting for,” he said. “The nurses just finished a strike, and they had it for several weeks. And it’s no secret that a lot of people lost the value of several years of wage increases because of the duration of the strike.”

If no agreement is reached by midnight on May 16, workers would be allowed to strike, a move that could disrupt commutes for more than 270,000 daily riders and affect surrounding businesses.

“It would hurt us tremendously,” said Ray Burns, a dispatcher for Long Beach Taxi, which is based just steps away from the Long Beach station platforms. “A big part of our business is commuters that go back and forth to the city every day. I’d say it’s maybe 20 to 25 percent of our business.”

Long Beach resident Carrie Hall is worried about commuter costs rising to offset potential salary increases. “It’s expensive now,” she said. “I don’t think that they need to ask for an increase every year or every two years. I don’t think that’s fair to the commuters.”

According to MTA payroll data from 2024, the average pay for LIRR employees is over $121,000 per year before overtime. 259 LIRR employees received more than $100,000 in additional overtime during the same period.

Chris Colucci /Herald

Commuters at the Long Beach station worried about a potential shutdown if workers follow through with the strike. Without daily train access, many will be left stranded.

FASNY sounds alarm for new recruits

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

As part of a statewide effort to address declining volunteer firefighter enrollment, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York launched its 17th annual RecruitNY campaign with a news conference and a live firefighting demonstration at the Melville Fire Department April 15.

The initiative comes as the number of volunteer firefighters across the state has dropped by roughly 33 percent over the past two decades, from about 120,000 in the early 2000s to 80,000 today — even as emergency calls continue to rise. Recent data compiled by FASNY shows a 16 percent increase in house fires and a 37 percent jump in overall fire calls over that time, putting added strain on departments.

“It is very important for all of our communities to understand that fire and rescue service is staffed by volunteers who are will-

ing to go out 24/7 and respond to medical and fire emergencies as needed,” the association’s president, Gene Perry, said.

“While some departments are doing very well, others face challenges and are trying to get more people and younger people involved.”

Nearly 90 percent of fire departments statewide — including about 70 in Nassau and 100 in Suffolk — rely on volunteers, making recruitment a growing public safety concern.

As part of RecruitNY, departments across Long Island opened their doors for demonstrations and outreach events aimed at attracting new members. Officials said the effort is critical to maintaining staffing levels and emergency response capabilities.

At the Long Island kickoff, FASNY representatives joined local officials and firefighters to highlight recruitment efforts and encourage residents to consider volunteering. They also conducted a demonstration on how firefighters extinguish

dangerous car fires.

In a survey conducted by the association two years ago, 49 percent of New York residents expressed an interest in becoming volunteer firefighters. As well, 66 percent of respondents said they would visit their local fire station to learn more, and 55 percent reported that they would begin with an online search for information.

“What we need are more incentives to encourage people to volunteer, like tax

BRANDED CONTENT

breaks on homes and priority for affordable housing for volunteers,” Assemblyman Steve Stern said. “These are critically important, but we need to go much further, and I want you to know that we see it and we hear it, because not having enough volunteers is a direct hit on us all — our families and our communities — and it puts our safety at risk.”

For more information on volunteering, contact your local volunteer fire department or visit fasny.com.

Why Battery Storage Is Key to Long Island’s Energy Future

As Long Island’s energy system modernizes, battery storage is becoming a central piece of how electricity is generated, delivered and managed.

At its core, battery energy storage systems (BESS) capture electricity from the power grid — including solar and wind — when demand and prices are low and store it for later use. When demand increases, instead of turning to costly and dirty peaker plants, batteries can discharge, selling their power at a lower price. The result is a more flexible system that can better match supply with demand, saving ratepayers money.

For a region like Long Island, where aging infrastructure and high energy use have long posed challenges, that flexibility is increasingly important. Storage supports the expansion of clean energy while reducing reliance on older, fossil fuel-based generation the region has depended on for years.

“One very, very critical element into the clean energy transition is energy storage,” said Melissa Parrot, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island.

Safety Built Into Every System

Paul Rogers, a retired FDNY lieutenant now with the Energy Safety Response Group, said today’s systems are guided by rigorous standards, extensive training and coordination with local fire departments. Updated fire safety codes adopted in 2025 are the most stringent in the country, reinforced by a highly trained local workforce.

This is not theoretical. According to the New York State Energy

Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), more than 7,400 BESS facilities are already operating across New York State, supporting grid reliability with minimal safety issues reported.

Stabilizing the Grid, Lowering Costs

Beyond safety, battery energy storage is helping stabilize Long Island’s aging grid. By storing energy when supply is abundant and releasing it during peak demand, these systems reduce

strain on infrastructure, limit outages and decrease reliance on costly peaker plants.

“Battery energy storage helps stabilize the grid and keep pricing down,” said Carrie Meek Gallagher, CEO of the Long Island Power Authority.

For residents and businesses, affordability remains a key benefit. By reducing price spikes and improving system efficiency, storage creates more predictable energy costs.

“Battery energy storage, in my opinion, is the silver bullet for us over the next decade,” said Billy Haugland II of the Haugland Group.

Paul Rogers, retired FDNY lieutenant and founding principal of Energy Safety Response Group, gives a tour of a battery storage facility in Brooklyn to members of FASNY.

Carolyn James/Herald photos

Melville firefighters demonstrate procedures used in putting out a car fire safely at press conference April 15.

FASNY President Gene Perry speaks at press conference about the importance of recruiting more volunteers to local volunteer fire departments across the state.

Serene views at Lido Beach Passive Nature Area

“It’s beautiful,” said Caitlyn Mullooly, a resident of East Atlantic Beach. “I leave my phone in the car. It’s just nice watching all the different birds and getting a moment of quiet.”

Just off the Loop Parkway, tucked quickly off Lido Boulevard, is a 40-acre bounty of nature which officially opened in 2005. It provides tidal wetlands, native animal habitats, pollinator gardens, bird houses and more. A full 75 percent of the area is marshland, to the benefit of the South Shore’s ecosystem.

The area is also part of the Atlantic Flyway, a critical path for waterfowl migration patterns during the spring and fall. Wading birds such as herons and egrets can sometimes be found fishing for a meal in the waters. Ducks, geese, and songbirds can also be seen, and heard, in abundance.

Whether you pop in for a quick lunchtime respite, a leisurely weeknight stroll or a patient birdwatching expedition, follow steps to keep yourself and the habitat safe. Stay on the designated pathways, be cautious for ticks during appropriate seasons and avoid distressing any birds, crabs, turtles or other wildlife you come across.

The area is open to visitors free of charge from sun-up until sundown, all year long — it’s not just a warm weather scenic escape. For the benefit of native animals, dogs are not allowed on the trail. Several garbage cans can also be found throughout the walk, ensuring no reason for trash to be left in the precious habitat.

–Chris Colucci

Chris Colucci/Herald photos

The nature area is nestled among marshland, grassland, greenery, and hosts a pair of pollinator gardens for butterflies and bees. For safety, not all of the area is walkable.

A variety of birds made nests in the countless trees and flew overhead in the clear sky.

A pair of archways and a small bench can be found — a rare reminder of human intervention. Take a quick rest or enjoy the view and continue down the trails.

East Atlantic Beach resident Caitlyn Mullooly took in the waterfront sights during a warm Friday afternoon.

Thumb-sized crabs can sometimes be found scurrying all along the marsh’s edge. Don’t bother them and they won’t bother you.

Budget proposal brings program changes

million, or 40 percent. The funding will cover updates to the high school’s television media lab.

Because of a school bus driver shortage, the district proposed a 29.7 percent decrease in contract transportation, citing a reduction in student need and the use of existing bus drivers.

The library budget totals just over $5 million, a 21.7 percent increase over the current spending plan. Its tax levy increase of 2 percent will exceed the state cap, so in addition to needing the approval of more than 50 percent of voters to pass, it will necessitate an additional $25 in library fees.

The extra funding will expand library materials and programs, upgrade technology and support library and building operations.

Library board President Mary Ellen Guarini said the increase in funding will combat a problem that other Nassau County libraries are facing. Baker and Taylor, a book distributor for over 200 libraries, ceased operations earlier this year. To keep shelves stocked with books, Guarini explained, libraries have had to purchase books through Amazon and other distributors.

Courtesy Long Beach Public Schools

this years budget proposal includes funding for a new Bloomberg Lab at Long Beach High School, to familiarize students with the work of investment bankers, hedge funds and corporations worldwide.

Where to vote

Lindell School election district

Lindell School gymnasium

601 Lindell Blvd., Long Beach

East School election district

East School gymnasium

456 Neptune Blvd., Long Beach

Middle School election district

Middle School auditorium lobby

239 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach

For more information, visit lbeach. org/school_board/electionvoting_ materials.

“The library is committed to keeping Long Beach taxes low, but we are in a bind because of challenges with book distributors,” Guarini said. “We are proposing a budget that pierces the tax cap for a year but is fiscally responsible for our patrons.”

The budget was approved unanimously in March by the library board of

trustees.

Next month’s ballot will also include the election of two Board of Education trustees. Nora Bellsey and Dennis Ryan, both incumbents, have submitted petitions to run again for three-year terms.

The deadline to submit petitions is April 29. At the library, Anita LaSpina’s trustee seat is open, but as of press time, she did not intend to run again. The seat is a five-year term. For more information on the budget, visit lbeach.org/school_board/budget_ finance_operations.

Jennings focuses on reliability, cost as he leads PSEG Long Island pseg l.i.

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Scott Jennings was appointed president and chief operating officer of PSEG Long Island in January, overseeing electric service for about 1.2 million customers. He joined PSEG in 1998 after starting at Deloitte, and held leadership roles in finance and energy investments. He helped develop PSEG’s Long Island agreement, leading to its 2014 launch, and most recently served as senior vice president of finance, planning and strategy. He earned a degree in business administration and an MBA in accounting from Pace University.

Q: From a business degree in accounting, how did you get into the power industry?

A: I started with Deloitte, and PSEG was one of my clients. The engagement showed me how critical the energy industry is to the overall economy and every family. At PSEG I’ve been able to see every part of the business as I moved into several different roles in finance supporting the overall company, and directly managed a number of our business areas.

Q: Having been involved in creating PSEG Long Island’s operating structure in 2014, how does that influence your current priorities?

A: Yes, it was a great experience to lead our pitch to LIPA to serve as the operator more than a decade ago, and I’m really happy to move out here and join and lead the PSEG Long Island team. I think this publicprivate partnership brings great value to the customers of Long Island. With the utility system owned by LIPA, they have access to FEMA funding to recover the costs of storms and support grants for investments, they don’t pay federal or state taxes, and they have access to low-cost debt financing. That’s real value. And then engaging a private company, like PSEG, brings the expertise to operate the utility efficiently and effectively. So my first priorities are aligned with that: leading the utility to bring value to our customers by providing strong reliability and customer service at an affordable price.

Q: Being responsible for PSEG-New Jersey’s high standard in the industry, how do you lift PSEG Long Island to that level?

A: Over our first 12 years on Long Island, we’ve made great strides — this is a very, very different electric system and process compared to the past. Reliability has greatly

improved — PSEG Long Island is now in the top 10 percent of the country for reliability, just behind our sister in New Jersey. We see this in fewer sustained outages, fewer momentary outages, and lesser impacts and quicker responses during recent storms.

Similar on the customer satisfaction front. When we took over in 2014, the Long Island utility had the lowest customer satisfaction in the industry. Since then, PSEG Long Island has been recognized as having the most improvement in the entire country, and was even ranked No. 1 in the 2025 J.D. Power Business Customer Satisfaction Study among large utilities in the East.

And finally I’d point to affordability. When we took over, Long Island electric rates were about the highest in the country. Since then, through good cost control, New York state actions on property taxes and LIPA refinancing its debt, our rates are now lower than our neighboring utilities in NYC and Connecticut.

So we’ve made great progress, and my focus will be to continue to improve our service while managing costs.

Q: From your 30 years of experience, what lessons are

most relevant as you take on this position?

A: It’s about putting the right people in the right positions and keeping focus on what is most important for customers: reliability, service and cost.

Q: Under your leadership, what does success look like, and how can PSEG Long Island help strengthen the L.I. region?

A: I look for success in two timeframes. First is the nearterm of maintaining continued strong reliability and customer service while managing costs effectively. The second is positioning the Long Island electric utility for long-term success. We’re making additional system reliability investments so the strong reliability performance we’ve recently delivered can be maintained. Similarly, we’ll be assessing our longterm energy needs and the generation supply needed to meet them reliably and affordably, while also balancing environmental considerations. These actions and more will position Long Island for reliable and affordable service for years to come, which will help support the region’s continued economic development and great communities for our families.

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TPS bill backed by Gillen advances in House

Measure that would extend protections for Haitian immigrants through 2029

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

House Democrats secured enough bipartisan support last week to pass legislation to extend temporary protected status for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States. Since Rep. Laura Gillen assumed office last year, she has backed a bill that would allow Haitian TPS holders legal status for three more years.

During a roundtable discussion in Elmont just days before the pivotal vote on April 16, Gillen acknowledged the limitations of temporary measures and pointed to broader legislative efforts, including bipartisan immigration proposals aimed at creating pathways to legal status.

The latest legislation would mark a transformational moment for TPS holders seeking clarity about their future. Haiti was first designated for TPS following a devastating 2010 earthquake, and ongoing instability has kept the designation in place.

Last week’s House effort, led by Rep. Ayanna Pressley and backed by Gillen and original co-sponsor Rep. Mike Lawler, secured the required 218 signatures earlier this month, triggering the House vote, in which it passed, 224-204.

“Our immigration system has been

Rep. Laura Gillen, left, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages at a roundtable hosted by Gillen at Le Spot Cafe in Elmont, where advocates gathered to discuss legislation that would extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants.

broken for a long time,” Gillen said.

Mimi Pierre-Johnson, a community leader and activist in Elmont — home to one of Long Island’s largest Haitian populations — emphasized the importance of bipartisan support.

“This should be something that galvanized folks to understand it doesn’t matter about the people who’s trying to divide you, it’s what’s important to you, right?” Pierre-Johnson said. “So if your

neighbors that are going to work, paying taxes, you know, building a family, building a life, and the only thing stopping them from doing all of that is a piece of legislation.”

In January, Gillen signed a bipartisan letter urging the Trump administration to extend TPS for Haitian nationals ahead of the Feb. 3 expiration. She also met with White House officials to advocate for continued protections, efforts

heads to the Senate

that coincided with a federal court ruling issued one day before the deadline that preserved TPS.

Gillen reiterated the need for broader reform, noting the limits of temporary protections. She is also among the Democratic co-sponsors of the bipartisan Dignity Act, which aims to create a pathway to legal status for long-term U.S. residents.

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, whose 22nd District encompasses Elmont, became the first person of Haitian descent elected to the New York State Legislature in 2012. Solages wrote in a statement that although the House vote should be applauded, progress “isn’t anywhere near the finish line” — referencing to the bill’s possible fate in the Senate and the likelihood of a presidential veto if it passes there.

“We may take this moment to rejoice at the progress made, but we cannot lose focus,” Solages said.

For advocates of the House bill, the push for TPS protections is about more than passing legislation; it reflects the realities of immigrant communities and the uncertainties they face.

The bill is now expected to move to the Senate for consideration, though a date for a vote has not yet been scheduled. Its aim is to protect Haitians who hold TPS through April 20, 2029.

Friday, April 24: Rides 6 PM - 10 PM

Saturday, April 25: Rides 11 AM - 9 PM

Sunday, April 26: Rides 11 AM - 7 PM

Vendors Sat. & Sun. 10 AM - 6 PM

Hailey Fulmer/Herald

things to know about national poetry month

Annual April observance highlights poetry’s relevance

By Allyson Ferr Ari

aferrari@liherald.com

Each April, National Poetry Month invites readers and writers of all ages to engage with poetry, from timeless classics to contemporary voices. Established to celebrate the art form and expand its reach, the month-long observance highlights poetry’s role in culture, education and personal expression. From classrooms to libraries to social media, poetry takes center stage through readings, workshops and creative initiatives designed to make it more accessible. The celebration also serves as a reminder that poetry is not confined to books, but lives in everyday experiences — offering a way for people to reflect, connect and share their voices.

A nationwide celebration of poetry

National Poetry Month was launched in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets to highlight poetry’s impact on American culture. The idea was first developed in June 1995, with the inaugural celebration held the following April. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest literary observances in the world, with millions of readers, students and educators participating each year. Throughout April, schools, libraries and literary organizations host readings, workshops and educational programs aimed at making poetry more accessible and engaging. Many initiatives — including Poem in Your Pocket Day — encourage people to share poetry in everyday settings. Readers and writers of all ages can explore different styles, discover new voices and connect through a shared appreciation of language.

Family Owned & Operated

Since 2008

Poetry continues to evolve

While traditional poetry remains widely taught, the art form has expanded through spoken word, slam poetry and digital platforms. Social media has introduced poetry to new audiences, particularly younger generations drawn to its rhythm, storytelling and emotional immediacy. Contemporary poets, including Amanda Gorman and Rupi Kaur, have helped bring poetry to wider audiences in new and visible ways.

Poetry’s roots date back thousands of years, with the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” from Mesopotamia, widely considered the earliest known epic poem. Today, 21st-century poets push boundaries, blending performance with digital tools and experimenting with structure, language and subject matter. The result is a form that is more flexible, inclusive and accessible than ever.

Opportunities to get involved

National Poetry Month encourages participation at every level, whether by reading a favorite poem, attending a local event or writing original work. Organizations nationwide offer daily prompts, virtual readings and interactive challenges throughout April, making it easy for beginners and experienced writers alike to take part. Libraries across Long Island host programs that invite community members to engage with poetry in creative ways. The Long Beach Public Library held its third annual Making Waves Poetry Festival earlier in the month, highlighting original work and offering poetry workshops. Initiatives like this underscore a central goal of National Poetry Month: poetry is not only something to study, but a form of expression that can build connection, confidence and community.

invites you and your family to visit the

Come learn about local disability rights pioneer Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. and explore over 125 artifacts highlighting the fight for equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

The museum provides an inclusive, fully accessible experience for all visitors and is the perfect place to spend a fun and educational day with your family. School field trips and group tours welcome.

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Odyssey of the Mind tests creative thinking

others. Team Believe first captured the world title in 2020, and repeated last year.

The Odyssey of the Mind blends theater, problem solving, technology and engineering, and communication skills. The unusual format presents teams with a choice of five distinct problems, each with detailed scenarios and challenges. In one of this year’s problems, for example, teams explored an unexpected location after experiencing a GPS malfunction, while dealing with translation difficulties. During the competition, this challenge was Problem 2.

A seven-member crew must produce a skit, running no longer than eight minutes, that addresses the problem’s challenges and meets judging criteria ranging from effectiveness in solving the problem to creativity and costume design. Team members are responsible for creating every aspect of the solution, including the scene’s plot details, a script and props.

Each team competes with multiple smaller teams categorized into grade-based divisions. Long Beach is active with two teams in Division 1, kindergarten through fifth grade, and two teams in Division 2, sixth through eighth grade. High school and college teams have divisions of their own. The entire team is coached by East Elementary teacher Douglas MacConnell, Long Beach High School teacher Eric Fox and Andie Techera, a Lido Elementary teaching assistant.

During a practice session at East Elementary this week, Fox explained that students focus on refining their presentation nearly all year long as they progress from regional competitions to the world finals. The state finals were held last month at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Because teams work on the same problem throughout the entire competition series and receive detailed judges’ scorecards,

Chris Colucci/Herald

Long Beach’s division 1 team included students from Lido, Lindell and West elementary schools, pulling together students who never met before the competition.

they have the opportunity to refine their presentation in each phase. “They’re working on their props right now from the state competition,” Fox said. “We have three state champions here.”

The Long Beach students secured three state titles in two challenges, with four of their teams qualifying for the world finals. “The middle school kids took third place for Problem 3 and first place for Problem 2,” Fox said. “And we had first place for elementary for both.”

One of Long Beach’s Division 1 teams answered Problem 2 by voyaging to the underwater city of Atlantis in search of a sundial which could reverse melting ice caps, but were mistakenly transported to a hotel and casino. Long Beach’s Division 2 team responded to the same problem with a bachelorette party’s detour to the land of the dead.

One underlying principle with every problem is the need for communication among team members, cooperation and even a degree of persuasive arguing. “I like to see the arguing,” MacConnell said. “Because when we get older, it’s not always our way. We’re not working independently here. We’re working within a group. To be able to figure out conflicts and have resolutions, to have the end goal of state titles and world titles appearances, that’s the coolest thing.”

Will Cohen, a Lido Elementary fourth-grader, summed up the team-building lessons succinctly. “I learned you can always be friends with people even if you don’t know them,” he said. “You just have to get used to them.”

The team’s next step is to refine their projects before the world finals kick off next month on the Iowa State campus in Ames. Registration begins on May 26, with opening ceremonies the following day and competition taking place May 28 to 30. The Long Beach School District is covering registration fees for the 28 competitors, with fundraising events throughout the year helping to further offset the cost of flights and hotels for students, parents and coaches.

A global field of competitors is expected to send nearly 50 teams in each division — for each problem — leading to a stadium packed with thousands of curious, creative minds presenting innovative solutions to abstract scenarios.

STEPPING OUT

Rooted in springtime Blossoming out at Planting Fields

By Abbey Salvemini

As spring moves forward towards its peak, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay bursts into a vivid celebration of color, nature and community. This weekend, April 25–26, the inaugural Branches in Bloom Festival invites visitors to stroll beneath sweeping canopies of magnolias, cherry blossoms and other flowering trees.

Blending longstanding tradition with new experiences, the festival refreshes the site’s beloved Arbor Day celebration of years past. Guests can explore the historic estate in colorful bloom while enjoying guided tours, live entertainment and familyfriendly activities, making it an easy spring highlight for visitors of all ages.

The new festival is both a tribute and a transformation.

“Branches in Bloom is a reimagination of a 40-year-old tradition here at Planting Fields,” Communications and Marketing Manager Kayla Cheshire says. “It’s still in honor of Arbor Day, but now we’re really able to focus on our spring flowering collection, something thousands of visitors come to see each year.”

That shift is most visible in the festival’s new setting. Instead of hosting activities away from the colorful trees, organizers moved the entire event to the West Lawn, placing everyone directly among the site’s most stunning seasonal displays. That change will have an immediate impact, according to Stewardship Director Lilly McGurk.

“The focus on the spring blooms is really going to knock everybody’s socks off,” she says with enthusiasm.

The refreshed format also reflects a broader push to make the festival more engaging and accessible to all audiences. While hands-on tree education and environmental programming remain at its core, the expanded offerings are designed to be inviting for families, younger visitors and those discovering the grounds for the first time.

“We wanted to create something that feels contemporary and welcoming to all,” McGurk explains. “People are looking to get outside, enjoy nature and spend time together. This brings in that wellness aspect while still celebrating the environment.”

Over the course of the weekend, the festival

Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories Live

blends learning with leisure, offering something for both the curious and the casual visitor. Guided tours led by expert horticulturalists, including Arboretum Director Vincent Simeone, provide behind-the-scenes insight into the site’s celebrated collections, while interactive demonstrations and displays offer practical inspiration for gardeners at every level.

Music, magic shows, jugglers and roaming performers keep the grounds buzzing with energy throughout the day. Anchoring the schedule are performances by Strummin’ and Drummin’ (spanning late morning into the afternoon), complemented by face painting, caricatures and a lineup of food trucks offering plenty of casual bites and treats.

For families, interactive experiences are a major draw. The Kids Tree Climb run by longtime sponsor Wonderland Tree Care + Landscapes returns as a centerpiece activity, giving children the chance to safely scale trees under professional supervision. Due to high demand, last entry is at 2:30 p.m. to ensure all finish by the 4 p.m. close.

• Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Admission is $30 per car, or if taking the LIRR to Oyster Bay, $5 per person (kids under 3 free); learn at plantingfields.org

• 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

Craft stations include simple coloring and imaginative projects like wearable “bee crowns,” designed to spark creativity and connect visitors to nature.

“We design activities with everyone in mind,” McGurk says. “There are things for kids, adults and families to enjoy together.”

The festival also underscores the broader mission of the Planting Fields Foundation, which works in partnership with New York State Parks, to preserve and maintain stewardship of the site. Beyond its celebrated horticulture, the organization continues to highlight the estate’s layered history, art and culture — threads that run throughout the programming and shape the visitor experience.

“There’s so much more here than just the plants,” Cheshire adds. “There’s history, there’s art, there’s culture. Events like this allow us to showcase all of that while making the site accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”

Accessibility remains a priority. This year, organizers pilot a shuttle from the Oyster Bay LIRR station making it easier for visitors from throughout the region to attend without a car. Supported by a state tourism grant through I Love New York, this expands the festival’s reach.

“We want everyone to feel welcome here,” Cheshire says. “This is about creating access not just to the festival, but to green space and nature in general.”

Even with its expanded offerings, Branches in Bloom remains firmly rooted in its Arbor Day heritage. Tree giveaways, educational exhibits, a plant sale, and environmental partnerships continue to anchor the festival, preserving its mission-driven focus while allowing it to evolve and resonate with a new generation.

With blooms in full display, immersive activities and a renewed focus on community connection, organizers aim for the festival to take root as a lasting seasonal celebration.

“It’s a new take on a tradition that means a lot to us. At the end of the day, it’s about bringing people together, celebrating the season and sharing this incredible place with as many people as possible,” Cheshire says.

In the long tradition of American roots music family groups, the Chapin family holds a distinctive place. Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily Chapin) are all accomplished artists with a shared commitment to family and music that connects deeply with audiences. Their performances together bring that spirit into focus in a powerful and personal way at this special concert honoring Harry Chapin’s legacy. Two generations of his family come together to perform his songs, joined by The Harry Chapin Band, featuring Big John Wallace and Howard Fields.His iiconic works are performed lwith the energy and intimacy they were written with in mind. In keeping with Harry’s lifelong commitment to fighting hunger, everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable items, to be donated to a local food bank.

Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. $91, $71, $51. JLandmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Wild days in the Bronx

Chazz Palminteri returns with his electrifying solo performance of “A Bronx Tale,” the autobiographical one-man show that launched his career. Raw, riveting and deeply personal, the play draws on his bruising childhood in the Bronx, including the moment — at just nineyears-old — when he witnessed a gangland killing that forever shaped his world-view. Onstage, Palminteri inhabits 18 vividly drawn characters, seamlessly shifting between friends, foes and family members to conjure an entire neighborhood with nothing but his voice, physicality and storytelling prowess. First written and performed in 1989, A Bronx Tale quickly became a sensation, hailed as one of the most sought-after stage properties since Rocky. The original production paved the way for the acclaimed film adaptation — directed by Robert De Niro—and later a hit Broadway musical.

Sunday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. The Paramount. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Photos courtesy Planting Fields

Photos: Visitors wander the West Lawn at Planting Fields as spring blooms frame a weekend of music, art and family activities.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

APR 23

Spring Blood Drive

Blood donors are urgently needed. The City of Long Beach host a blood drive with New York Blood Center to support the local supply. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be permitted if capacity allows. Visit donate.nybc.org or call to schedule an appointment.

• Where: Magnolia Center, 2nd Floor, 650 Magnolia Blvd.

• Time: 2-8 p.m.

• Contact: (800) 933-2566

Point Lookout Civic Association Meeting

As the busy spring/summer season approaches, hear updates on what’s in the works around Point Lookout, including committee updates, upcoming Civic sponsored events, guest speakers, etc. These meetings are always best when residents come ready to hear updates on projects, ask questions, raise concerns and pitch ideas.

• Where: Bishop Malloy Rec Center, 15 Parkside Dr, Point Lookout

• Time: 7-8 p.m.

• Contact: pointlookoutcivic.org

APR

24

Astronomy Night with AOSNY

Join the Amateur Observer’s Society of New York for an evening of night skies. On the back deck of the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center, multiple telescopes will be provided to focus on the various celestial bodies above. RSVP required. Admission is at no cost, but registration begins April 5.

• Where: Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, Wantagh

• Time: 8-9:30 p.m.

• Contact: jonesbeachenc.org

Scott

Litroff Jazz Trio

Join Dr. Scott Litroff, internationally-renowned saxophonist and Adelphi University Senior Adjunct Faculty, as he performs a vibrant and lively concert on the Adelphi University stage. He plays contemporary/smooth jazz, fusion, funk, pop, and original works alongside some of the finest musicians in the jazz and pop scene today. Drawing upon his multiple influences from jazz, pop, and the classical arts, Scott is known for his impressive lyricism, improvisational prowess, and high virtuosity. It is sure to be a captivating evening as Scott and his band move and groove as they interpret the works of Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Kenny

MAY 2

George Thorogood and The Destroyers

APR

Family theater Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon— you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also April 30-May 1

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

For the past five-plus decades, over 8,000 live shows and more than 15 million albums sold, George Thorogood and The Destroyers have been “The All-American Rock & Roll Party Band” (Goldmine Magazine). In celebration of 53 years of “playing rock ‘n roll hot enough to melt the polar icecaps and flood the world’s major population centers” (Rolling Stone), the group continues The Baddest Show On Earth Tour — a stage-shaking, roofraising, guitar-snarling blast. For an artist whose music honors the blues, rock and country legends of the past, Thorogood’s forward momentum is now stronger than ever. And along with longtime Destroyers Jeff Simon (drums), Bill Blough (bass), Jim Suhler (guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone), they continue “to slap a custom flame paint job onto those classic sounds” (Blues Blast Magazine) like never before. The band has lways delivered on their promises. In 1976, they debuted as the most explosive indie breakthrough act of the decade. Throughout the ‘80s/’90s MTV era, Thorogood was the epitome of snakeskin and shades guitar-slinger cool. And with chart-topping hits like ‘One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer’, ‘Move It On Over’, ‘Who Do You Love?’, ‘I Drink Alone’, ‘Get A Haircut’ and the ultimate badass anthem ‘Bad To The Bone’, the band soon became undeniable cornerstones of classic Rock. Meanwhile, their album catalog continues to dominate streaming charts worldwide.

G, and others.

• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000

APR

25

The Lovin’ Spoonful

Fondly known as “America’s answer to the Beatles,” the band brings their chart-topping folk-rock hits to the Madison Theatre. Formed in New York’s Greenwich Village, The Lovin’ Spoonful, made up of original band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler, and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first seven singles soaring onto Billboard’s Top-10 virtually overnight. Their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic,” flew to the top of the charts, followed by an unprecedented string of hits. Today, The Lovin’ Spoonful tours with founding member Steve Boone, along with Jeff Alan Ross (Badfinger, Peter Asher), Bill Cinque (Neil Diamond), longtime drummer Mike Arturi, and Rob Bonfiglio (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson Band, Wilson Phillips).

• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000

Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Drug Take-Back Program

The City of Long Beach Police Department has once again partnered with the DEA and Long Beach Aware to hold a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Drop off potentially dangerous prescription medications at the site. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps may not be accepted depending on available services. The DEA will accept vaping devices and cartridges at its drop-off locations provided lithium batteries are removed.

• Where: City Hall, 1 West Chester St.

• Time: 10 a.m.-noon

• Contact: (800) 933-2566

Indoor Market

Kennedy Plaza farmers’ market continues at Bright Eye Beer Co. Come sip and shop your way

through the colder months with an incredible lineup of local farmers, makers, food vendors, and small businesses you know and love. Grab a craft beer, stock up on local goodies, and support the community.

• Where: 50 W. Park Ave.

• Time: 10 a.m-1 p.m.

• Contact: brighteyebeerco. com or (516) 543-5736

APR

Long Beach BOE meets

28

The Board of Education holds its next meeting. The public may address the Board regarding any specific agenda item; also any matter of concern after the Board of Education completes agenda items. Meetings take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month throughout the school year. This meeting’s agenda includes the school budget adoption as well as a regular meeting.

• Where: Lido Elementary School, 237 Lido Blvd.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: District Clerk Susannah Familetti sfamiletti@lbeach.org or (516) 897-2108

MAY

7

Spring Fling By The Bay Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center welcomes all local Long Beach residents and seniors ages 50+ to an afternoon of fun and festivity. Enjoy fresh BBQ, live entertainment, dancing from The Pacemakers senior dance team, musical bingo, and local community partners and vendors. In event of inclement weather, the rain date is May 14.

• Where: 375 E Bay Drive

• Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 431-3510

Having an event?

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

Compiled By Herald Staff

Charlotte Jacobs Massapequa Park

I like to do doodles and to color with my mom and my sister. Sometimes my sister gets markers on my pictures, but that’s okay.

Mackenzie Alessandro

Glen Cove, age 11

I like to go to Claymation and paint.

Tim Baker/Herald

Charlie McDonald

Rockville Centre, age 8

I like to go to the library and play on my iPad and look for books.

Tim Baker/Herald

Aviana Mannino Lynbrook, age 12

Calling my friends and playing Roblox and watching Hannah Montana.

Tim Baker/Herald

Alonnah Joggy East Meadow I love being in my room listening to the rain while playing music and falling asleep.

Abbey Salvemini/Herald

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, -againstROGER M. SARMUKSNIS, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 4, 2026, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and ROGER M. SARMUKSNIS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 6, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 629 WEST BEECH STREET, LONG BEACH, NY 11561; and the following tax map identification: 59-015-36.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601945/2023. Jeffrey Toback, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159293

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that pursuant to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, JOHN ROMAN, Auctioneer, MICHAEL CAMPBELL, Auctioneer, RICHARD J. CANTWELL, Auctioneer, or RICHIE SCHULTZ, Auctioneer will sell at public auction with reserve to the highest bidder, on the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 29, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., security consisting of 580 shares of NEPTUNE TOWERS COOPERATIVE, INC., in the name of PAUL GILGANNON, and all right, title and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease for Cooperative, located in a building known as and by the street address 25 NEPTUNE BOULEVARD, UNIT 4F, LONG BEACH, NEW YORK 11561, between PAUL GILGANNON as Lessee, NEPTUNE TOWERS COOPERATIVE, INC., as Lessor.

This sale is held to satisfy an indebtedness of the unpaid principal balance, interest, attorney fees, and advances through April 29, 2026, and to enforce the rights of the U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR PRET 2024-RPL2 TRUST, the “Secured Party”, arising under a Security Agreement dated February 13, 2017, executed by and between PAUL GILGANNON and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. The Secured Party reserves the right to bid.

The Co-op Apartment will be sold “AS IS”, subject to open common charges, and possession is to be obtained by the purchaser.

DATED: March 31, 2026 Knuckles & Manfro, LLP

Attorneys for SECURED PARTY

120 White Plains Road Suite 215 Tarrytown, NY 10591 (914) 345-3020 159544

TRUSTEE OF LB-FLAT SERIES VI TRUST, Plaintiff -againstUNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF JEAN AVIDON; ILENE J. CLAUDE A/K/A ILENE J. AVIDON, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JEAN AVIDON; LISA SCHLICH /K/A LISA AVIDON A/K/A LISA H. O`HARA, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HARVEY AVIDON; DANIELLE C. LEMIEUX A/K/A DANIELLE CMAYLO A/K/A DANIELLE C. PAPPAS, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PETER A. PAPPAS; JOSHUA A. CMAYLO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF PETER A. PAPPAS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT) O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF LIDO BEACH TOWERS CONDOMINIUM; “JOHN DOE” AND “JANE DOE” said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of the premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants Index No. 621005/2025.

Mortgaged Premises: 2 Richmond Road, Unit #3HH Lido Beach, NY 11561 a/k/a 2 Richmond Road, Unit 234 Lido Beach, NY 11561 Section: 59 Block: 66 Lot: 15A Unit: 234 a/k/a Unit #3HH and Section: 59 Block: 66 Lot: 15B TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded

in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a reverse mortgage to secure $915,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on October 23, 2009, in Liber Book M 34296, on Page 500, covering the premises known as 2 Richmond Road, Unit #3HH, Lido Beach, NY 11561 a/k/a 2 Richmond Road, Unit 234, Lido Beach, NY 11561. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the reverse mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Nassau as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located.NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 159546

SCHOOL 28-03-00-01-0-005-037

- LINDELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Bids will be received by the LONG BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, on MAY 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the District Administrative Offices, 235 Lido Blvd, Lido Beach ,NY 11561 , at which time and place where all bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud. The work shall be as follows:

Contract No. 1- Site Reconstruction Contract No. 2-General Construction Contract No. 3Plumbing Reconstruction Contract No 4- HVAC Reconstruction Contract No. 5Electrical Reconstruction

Complete digital sets of the Contract documents may be obtained online (with a free user account) as a download for a nonrefundable fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) at the following website www.jagplanroom.com under ‘public projects’ beginning on APRIL 23, 2026. Optionally, in lieu of digital copies, hard copies may be obtained directly from Island Digital Reprographics, 200 Broadhollow Road, Suite One, Farmingdale, New York 11735 (631-753-3000) upon a deposit of Fifty ($50.00) Dollars for each complete set. Checks for deposits shall be made payable to Long Beach Public Schools. All Bid Addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at the above referenced website. Plan holders who have obtained hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. The bid deposit for hard copies will be returned upon receipt of plans and specifications, in good condition, within 30 days after bid date, except for the lowest responsible bidder, whose check will be forfeited upon the award of the contract. Bids must be made on the standard proposal

form in the manner designated by the Instructions to Bidders. Bids must be sealed in an opaque envelope clearly marked with name and address of Bidder, contract name and number, opening date for bids, and addressed to the Long Beach Public Schools.

Bids received after the time stated in this Notice will not be considered and will be returned unopened to bidder.

Each Bidder must deposit, with their sealed bid, security in an amount not less than 10% of the base bid and all Alternate Bids in the proper form subject to the conditions set forth in the Instructions to Bidders (Section 8). All certified checks or bid bonds must be paid to Long Beach Public Schools

The Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder or the proposals will be rejected within 45 days of the date of opening proposals. Bids shall be subject, however, to the discretionary right reserved by the School District to waive any informalities in, accept or reject any alternatives, reject any proposals and to advertise for new proposals, if in its opinion, the best interest of the School District will thereby be promoted.

Bidder may not withdraw its bid until 45 days after the bid opening, except in accordance with General Municipal Law § 103(11).

By Order of: Board of Education Long Beach Public Schools 159817

Richner Communications, Inc. public notice rates will increase at a minimum of 9% for all notices published on or after May 1, 2026, to reflect rising production and distribution costs. To place a public notice contact 516-569-4000 x232.

A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR SOUNDVIEW HOME LOAN TRUST 2007OPT1, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1, Plaintiff, AGAINST ASHANTI RANDOLPH,

EXECUTRIX AND HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES RANDOLPH A/K/A JAMES A. RANDOLPH, JAMES RANDOLPH A/K/A JAMES RANDOLPH JR., AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JAMES RANDOLPH A/K/A JAMES A. RANDOLPH, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on November 21, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 545B W Broadway Unit 205, Long Beach, NY 11561.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0059, Block 00028-00 and Lot 00184. Approximate amount of judgment $695,803.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #005461/2014. Karen C. Grant, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 159818

LEGAL NOTICE INDEX NO.: 620167/2025

Date Filed: 09/19/2025

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS WITH NOTICE

MORTGAGED

PREMISES: 185 West Park Avenue, Unit 203, Long Beach, New York 11561

SBL #: 59-070-71U aka 59-70-71.-203

Plaintiff designates NASSAU County as the place of trial; venue is based upon the county in which the mortgaged premises is situate.

STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU

Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Marisa Bichler, as heir at law and next of kin; Matthew Bichler, as heir at law and next of kin; Unknown heirs of the Estate of Steven M. Matlick a/k/a Steven Matlick all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; Bethpage Federal Credit Union; The Board of Managers of The Park Place Condominium; The Board of Managers of Park Place Condominium; The Board of Managers of Park Place Condo; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; United States of America o/b/o Internal Revenue Service; John Doe #1 through #6, and Jane Doe #1 through #6, the last twelve names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.

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

—

April 23, 2026

Public Notices

Amended Complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME.

SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY.

SENDING PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $292,500.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Nassau on August 8, 2017, in Book M, Volume 42295, Page 466, and as Document Number 2017-00077695, covering premises known as 185 West Park avenue, Unit 203, Long Beach, New York 11561, SBL #: 59-070-71U aka 59-70-71.-203

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to

satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. The Plaintiff also seeks a deficiency judgment against the Defendants and for any debt secured by said Mortgage which is not satisfied by the proceeds of the sale of said premises.

TO the Defendants

Unknown heirs of the Estate of Steven M. Matlick a/k/a Steven Matlick all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated, the foregoing Supplemental Summons with Notice is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein, A.J.S.C. of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau, dated March 11, 2026 and filed March 12, 2026.

Dated: April , 2026 /s/ Deborah M. Gallo

Deborah M. Gallo, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, New York 10170

Phone: 347.286.7409

Fax: 347-286-7414

Attorneys for Plaintiff, Nationstar Mortgage LLC HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS

NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.

The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department’s website at www.dfs.ny.gov. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS

Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or

sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services.

159719

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST

Caron Maldon; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 28, 2026 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 27, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 134 Coolidge Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 59 Block: 195 Lot: 7. Approximate amount of judgment $698,761.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 616260/2023.

Paul Meli, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: April 3, 2026 159813

Top patient safety award for South Nassau hospital

By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com

Mount Sinai South Nassau has been named among the nation’s top hospitals for patient safety, earning the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades and placing in the top 10 percent nationwide.

The recognition places the Oceanside-based hospital among 438 facilities out of nearly 4,500 evaluated across the country that met the criteria for the award, according to Healthgrades, an independent online platform that compares health care providers.

Healthgrades determined recipients by analyzing risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates across 13 patient safety indicators, each representing serious but preventable complications. The analysis found that Mount Sinai South Nassau performed at a high level in preventing infections, medical errors and other avoidable conditions.

“Our entire team — physicians, nurses and support staff — are focused on patient safety every day,” said Dr. Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “We’ve made quality care a priority, and we are constantly reviewing ways to improve.”

Dr. Alan Wong, chief medical officer and senior vice president for medical affairs, said the recognition reflects years of coordinated effort.

READ THEM

“This really takes the efforts of everyone in the hospital to achieve, especially our nursing and physician staff,” Wong said. “And it doesn’t happen overnight. We have been working toward this goal for several years now.”

Hospital leadership and its advisory board have emphasized patient safety as a long-term priority, said Joseph Fennessy, a member of the Mount Sinai Health System Board of Trustees and former chair of the hospital’s board of directors.

“When you have to go to a hospital —

for an emergency or elective procedure — you often have anxiety,” Fennessy said. “Our patients should rest a little easier, knowing that patient safety at Mount Sinai South Nassau is a priority.” Healthgrades’ broader analysis highlighted a significant gap between topperforming hospitals and lower-performing facilities nationwide, underscoring the importance of safety ratings for patients choosing where to receive care.

Between 2022 and 2024, more than 167,000 preventable safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals, according to the study. Four key indicators accounted for nearly 78 percent of those incidents.

Patients treated at top-performing hospitals such as MSSN were significantly less likely to experience major complications, Healthgrades reported. Those included a 52.4 percent lower likelihood of in-hospital falls resulting in fractures; a 57.5 percent lower risk of collapsed lung related to procedures; a 67.8 percent lower risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections; and a 71.9 percent lower risk of developing pressure sores during hospital stays.

In addition to the patient safety recognition, Mount Sinai South Nassau has also earned the Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention Award for the third consecutive year.

The hospital has received multiple quality recognitions as well, including 10 “High Performing” ratings from U.S. News & World Report in areas such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, pneumonia, maternity care and blood cancers.

MSSN officials said the latest recognition reinforces their ongoing commitment to improving care and ensuring patient safety remains at the forefront of operations.

Herald file photo

Mount Sinai South Nassau has been named among the nation’s top hospitals for patient safety with the 2026 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades.

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CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

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Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

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Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour

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EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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I don’t have a permit yet, but I do have an impatient contractor

Q. I have been through a year of permits. My architect warned me it could take this long, but I didn’t believe them. My neighbor did the same addition and told me it would only take a few weeks for a permit, but then I learned they didn’t even get permits, and I’m really wondering if I should have done the same thing. I follow your column and can now attest to what you’ve been saying. We had to get a zoning variance, and it took many, many months certainly not a few weeks. Now we’re right at the end, and I’ve been assured by the building department that we’re “almost there.” Funny thing is, I still don’t have a permit, and my contractor is ready to move on to another project if we don’t start now. Should I just get started, to keep my contractor, knowing I’ll have the permit soon, or will there be problems if I do?

A. Getting started ahead of having a permit in hand is problematic. A licensed professional should never advise someone to deviate from an ordinance, law or building code. This issue ties directly into my last two columns about the New York state campaign to “Let Them Build.” Delays are costly. Between fuel increases and tariffs, every day makes a difference when it comes to the cost of construction.

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Building authorities won’t directly tell you that you could start without your permit, even if the permit is almost there. They do, however, have a method referred to as a “maintain” permit, where they recognize work that was already done and review it with an increased fee, in most cases. By doing so, they’re accommodating people to start construction without permits, even if they wouldn’t say so. It’s understandable that you feel you’re doing everything right, and shouldn’t be penalized for having done so, and therefore want to just start, already.

When you look over at your neighbor’s home, you may be compelled to follow their example, but remember, they, or some owner of that property in the future, will still have to file with building plans, even after the fact. When that happens, the building codes may have changed, or things that they did may not be compliant and will need reconstructing. This isn’t always the case, but when a professional is called to figure out what someone constructed and then to draw plans, after the fact, they find things that don’t always work out smoothly. It isn’t uncommon, when plans haven’t been reviewed and permitted, to find structure undersized, room sizes and ceiling heights smaller than allowed, not enough windows or the wrong-sized windows to meet light, ventilation and fire escape requirements, and more.

You’re doing this project the right way, and even though nobody will tell you that you can just start, there seem to be ways to condone your doing so.

Good luck!

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The tumor was malignant — but then it was gone

Three years ago this week, I had what I’ve called my “unexpected medical adventure.” As I described to readers then, it was a life-altering experience with a very good ending.

It all began innocuously enough, with a routine endoscopy for acid reflux in the summer of 2017 by my gastroenterologist, Dr. Michael Barth. As expected, the procedure turned up nothing, and Barth simply prescribed a medication, which I took regularly. Over the next few years, I had few symptoms, and put off my fiveyear follow-up endoscopy.

Finally, at Barth’s insistence, I scheduled another endoscopy in March 2023. I had no concern. Just closing the loop. Just another test guys my age go through. Imagine my surprise when I woke up from the procedure and Barth told me that he’d found a protrusion in my stomach wall. While he thought it was benign, he recommended that I see Dr. Arvino Trini-

dade, a specialist at Northwell, who scheduled a biopsy at Long Island Jewish hospital.

Melissa Zimmerman, a retired Nassau County Police Department detective who’d been on my security detail when I was in Congress, offered to drive me and Rosemary to the hospital. Before I was taken into the operating room, Trinidade told me he thought there was nothing there. But when I woke up, he told me there was a tumor, and it was probably malignant. Four days later, Barth and Trinidade called to confirm it. But they were confident of a good outcome, and told me the surgery would be done at LIJ by Dr. Matthew Weiss, a premier cancer surgeon.

iWABC-AM studios in Manhattan and attended a political dinner at King Umberto’s in Elmont. I told almost nobody about the upcoming surgery. With a day to go, I began a liquid diet, with Jell-O being the closest thing to solid food.

’ve become more aware of those who receive more severe diagnoses than mine.

That afternoon, Weiss called and told me I should be confident of complete success. He casually told me to “enjoy the weekend.” That evening, Rosemary and I had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan with Zimmerman and her husband, Lance.

The following week, I had appointments at Northwell, saw my cardiologist in Manhattan to get his sign-off on the operation, did several radio shows at the

Early Monday morning, Zimmerman again drove us to the hospital. By 6:30 I was ready for showtime. Lying on a gurney with an intravenous tube in my arm, I was wheeled into the operating room, a science fiction-style enclosure crowded with doctors, nurses, bright lights and a table filled with knives and scissors. An epidural was painlessly inserted in my spine, and an anesthesia mask placed over my face.

The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room, and Rosemary was telling me that Weiss said that all had gone well. I had no significant pain — unless I moved or reached for something. Each day the pain receded, and I was able to walk a little more. When I was discharged the following Saturday, I walked from the hospital to the car.

At home I was able to eat regularly, felt nothing more than soreness at the

incision site and, after a week or so, was outside, walking a few more blocks each day. As the doctors had predicted, all follow-up tests showed complete success. I recounted much of this to readers at the time. Now, having had three years to reflect and put it all in perspective, I appreciate more than ever how fortunate I’ve been: Barth urging me to get the “routine” endoscopy; Trindade and Weiss being ultimate professionals; and having strong family support from Rosemary; my son, Sean; my daughter, Erin; and my sister, Barbara, who’s a nurse. There were also the friends who took the time to visit me in the hospital or call to wish me luck.

I’ve also become increasingly aware of the many people who receive much more severe diagnoses than I had, which do not end well. I was also fortunate to have access to outstanding medical care at a first-rate hospital. (To the naysayers and critics, I didn’t have any congressional or federal health insurance.) I’m also grateful that I broke loose from the traditional Irish suspicion and distrust of doctors and hospitals.

Yes, I’m a lucky guy!

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

Trying desperately to avoid the stress of TV news

These nearly two months of war in Iran have me, and countless others, more on edge than we have ever been. The idea that a conflict in the Middle East could become World War III is very unsettling. When a war is that far away and the parties themselves have a long history of bickering, our lives become unsettled, and we need diversions.

To blot out the talking heads on Fox, MS Now and CNN, I found myself looking for other distractions beyond my work as a government-affairs specialist. I watched some sports events, tuning to NCAA baskeball’s Final Four, hoping to relax. To my surprise, those games could ruin your sleep if you watched every upset. I was rooting for St. John’s, and when the junior point guard Dylan Darling sank a driving, buzzer-beating layup to beat Kansas and send the Red Storm to their first Sweet 16 in 27 years,

I almost fell off my chair.

A lot of the other games had surprise endings, and when the final ended with a Michigan victory, I realized that watching the tournament wasn’t the best way to avoid nail-biting. So I turned to other sports, and anything that would distract me from all the news about the Israelis killing Iranian leaders one by one. I got some initial relief watching a women’s pro hockey game between New York Sirens and the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden. It was nice to watch a no-nonsense game that attracted a record crowd of 18,000 .

pages unnerved me, when he lavished praise on the recently ousted attorney general, Pam Bondi.

s t. John’s basketball. Women’s hockey. Testing Negative for Stupid — and more.

I also watched the women’s basketball national championship. There were quite a few nervous moments until the final game, when UCLA won its first national title.

Then I decided to do some casual reading, and started with Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy’s new book, titled “How to Test Negative for Stupid, And Why Washington Never Will.” Most of its 224 pages are a lot of fun, thanks to Kennedy’s folksy humor, but the last 30

Rather than move on to a new book, I turned my attention to my streaming television services, Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, in the hope of finding some feelgood movies. When I opened them up, they offered me such calming films as “Supernatural,” “Scream,” “Send Help,” “Sinners” and “The Substance.” I know there are other offerings, but most of the feel-good movies are old and I’ve already seen them. All my life, I’ve loved good comedy. I cherish the great old names like Jackie Mason, Henny Youngman, Buddy Hackett, Jerry Lewis, Jackie Gleason, George Carlin, Don Rickles and Lenny Bruce. Occasionally I stumble on one of these legends on Facebook, and try to share their comedy with people around me. Regrettably, there are no comedians these days that give me the same belly laughs that I got from those giants. My grandson in Los Angeles heads up a unit of Netflix that promotes a number of comedians, but I

haven’t adapted to their new style.

So where do I go for some badly needed diversion? I’m a devout Knicks and Yankees fan, but there’s no way I can get a Knicks playoff ticket without paying big dollars. I love going to Yankees games, too, but their tickets are getting pricier, so I limit my purchases to no more than three games. I enjoy watching major golf tournaments, but sometimes you feel as if the announcers will put you to sleep with their commentary. I am looking forward to the U.S. Open in June, though.

Some of us are lucky to have hobbies that help us escape the pressures of today’s headlines. I love writing and making speeches, but neither lulls you into a peaceful state of mind. Short of moving to Antarctica, where I imagine you can avoid the daily news horrors, I’ll keep trying to find some other relaxing activity. I still watch TV for the weather reports, but goodbye to the other channels.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Playground safety for kids requires vigilance

as spring returns and families stream back to neighborhood parks, playgrounds quickly reclaim their place as a focus of community life. They are where children test their limits, build confidence and simply enjoy being kids.

But beneath that joy lies a sobering reality: More than 200,000 children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, are injured on playgrounds each year in the United States — many in ways that are preventable.

That’s why National Playground Safety Week, April 20-24, should be treated as more than a symbolic observance. It is a necessary prompt for parents, caregivers, schools and local officials to refocus on safety as playground use surges.

Playgrounds were never meant to be spaces for careless behavior. In fact, they were created with safety and development in mind. In the 19th century, educators such as Friedrich Fröbel promoted the idea of structured play as essential to childhood growth, helping to instill cooperation, coordination and social skills.

As cities grew more crowded and streets more dangerous with the rise of motor vehicles, playgrounds became protected environments where children could play away from traffic and other hazards. Early efforts by civic groups and park advocates helped establish designated play areas as a public safety measure — a mission that still resonates today.

Your opinion Matters

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.

We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

In the U.S., the Outdoor Recreation League funded the building of playgrounds on parkland after newspapers reported on the high number of children run down by cars in New York. One of the first recreational areas in America was built in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in 1887.

Yet even within these safer spaces, risks remain — especially after months of winter wear and limited use. Equipment may have loosened, surfaces can degrade, and aging structures may no longer meet modern safety standards. The playgrounds’ young users, meanwhile, return with pent-up energy, eager to climb higher and move faster than conditions safely allow. Caregivers often distracted by cell phones only add to the challenge.

Preventing injuries doesn’t require diminishing the joy of play, but does require managing the environment around it. The National Program for Play Area Safety is a nonprofit organization that emphasizes practical, researchbased strategies that communities can adopt. Chief among them is active, attentive supervision. Its “ABC” model — Anticipating hazards, Behaving in ways that guide safe play and Considering the unique needs of each playground — makes clear that safety is not passive. It is intentional.

The program builds on a 30-year initiative started at the University of Northern Iowa to help communities and organizations ensure safe, high-quality

playgrounds. It promotes best practices grounded in research, guidelines and standards while collaborating with agencies at the local, state, national and international levels.

Equally important is age-appropriate design. When younger children use equipment meant for older users, the risk of falls and misuse increases. Clear guidance and thoughtful layout can help families make safer choices without limiting exploration.

Communities must also prioritize proper surfacing and regular inspections, particularly in early spring. What lies beneath a child’s feet can determine whether a fall results in a minor scrape or a serious injury.

Safety extends further still. Accessibility ensures that all children can benefit from outdoor play, while attention to thermal comfort — such as shaded areas and heat-safe materials — helps protect children from high temperatures.

National Playground Safety Week offers a timely reminder, but it should also serve as a starting point. The original purpose of playgrounds — to give children a safe place to grow, learn and play — demands ongoing attention.

A quick inspection, a watchful eye and a renewed awareness can go a long way. With thoughtful action at the start of the season, communities can ensure that playgrounds remain what they were always meant to be: spaces of safe discovery, not preventable harm.

We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Long Island’s ‘hidden workforce’ has visible needs

Long Island’s “hidden workforce” of family caregivers faces very visible challenges. The term is frequently used to describe family caregivers who, while not employed by our health care system, play a critical role in it. They don’t wear uniforms or ID badges, but this massive workforce of more than 329,000 Long Islanders provides over 307 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $5.7 billion, per year, according to AARP New York data released in February.

Nationally, nearly one in four American adults provided ongoing care to an adult or child with a complex medical condition or disability in the past year, a 2025 report, by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, found. Almost 25 percent of those people reported giving more than 40 hours of care per week, the equivalent of a full-time job, for free. Taking on the unpaid labor of love of caring for a family member can be both extremely rewarding and enormously straining. Emotionally, caregivers may struggle with stress, anxiety, guilt and social isolation. Physically, they may

increase their own health risks with the stress and exhaustion of helping loved ones with daily activities they can no longer manage alone.

Financially, that can cause hardships such as reduced work hours, loss of employment or new debt to cover care-related expenses, especially for middleaged people balancing their caregiving responsibilities with the demands of jobs and raising children.

Like all workers, family caregivers need breaks, but they frequently forgo their own needs to prioritize someone else’s. Repeatedly making this sacrifice, while well-intended, is ultimately detrimental for both them and their loved ones. Self-care is a necessity, not a luxury.

w

hen it comes to caregiving, Rosalynn Carter couldn’t have said it better.

The workload is even greater for the 60,000-plus Long Island families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness. Roughly 80 percent of people living with dementia receive care at home, primarily from unpaid family members. Along with assisting with medication management, bathing, dressing, transportation, meal preparation and financial oversight, dementia family caregivers also face unique challenges caused by the disease’s impact on a person’s memory, behavior and independence. Sufferers may forget who their loved ones are, manifest personality changes like agitation, aggression and hallucinations, and wander from safety. Their caregivers face higher risks of anxiety, depression, burnout and declining quality of life.

Framework by Tim Baker

One of the most important things caregivers can do is take advantage of support resources. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers free caregiver support groups at its AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center in Amityville, where people caring for loved ones with dementia can connect and share with others who are going through similar experiences. Caregivers can learn more and register by calling the Center at (631) 223-4000. AFA also has a free Helpline — (866) 232-8484 — that provides caregiver support seven days a week.

Nassau and Suffolk counties’ Offices for the Aging are available to provide support and guidance to family caregivers about local, state and federal assistance programs. Local nonprofit organizations, libraries and religious institutions often have caregiver services available, which can include support groups, educational and training pro-

grams or financial assistance.

Finally, don’t be afraid, reluctant or embarrassed to ask for, or accept, help. Seeking help is a sign of neither weakness nor failure; it is an essential step toward sustaining the ability to care for a loved one. Other relatives or friends are often eager to help but don’t know exactly how; embrace these offers and explain specific things that would be helpful, such as spending time with the person so you can run errands, assisting with meals or providing transportation. Offering options allows the volunteer to decide what they are comfortable doing, while ensuring that it’s something that will be helpful.

If you know someone who’s a family caregiver, check in on them periodically and offer your help. Seemingly little things can make an enormous difference.

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, a lifelong caregiver advocate, once said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Her words reinforce the crucial need to support and prioritize Long Island’s “hidden workforce” that all of us will either be part of or depend on one day.

Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. is president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and a Merrick resident.

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