Who’s hitting the beach? She is.
Making that first dance a little less scary
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
It’s wedding season in Long Beach, and one local woman is trying to make sure everyone feels ready for, and comfortable about, that first dance.
and ballroom, and continued throughout high school.
Long Beach teacher finds balance amid many others’ rising stress
By ANGElINA ZINGARIEllo
azingariello@liherald.com
A new national study by Prodigy Education reports that stress on teachers has reached alarming levels. According to the study, 95 percent of educators report some level of stress, and nearly half describe 2024-25 as the most stressful year of their careers.
But for Edward Courtney, a WINGS teacher — What I Need to Grow as a Student — at Long Beach’s East Elementary School, the national narrative doesn’t entirely reflect his reality.
“Yes, it is a stressful career path, but how you
use those challenges and those extra stressors can lead to many positive things,” Courtney, 38, said. “There is a potential there to do rewarding things.”
The data from Prodigy Education, an educational game platform based in Canada, shows that 68 percent of teachers report moderate to extreme stress. Student behavior is the top stressor, followed by low salaries and administrative burdens. These findings match broader concerns, especially among public school teachers. Forty-five percent of teachers view this school year as their most stressful ever, more so
City Councilman Mike Reinhart, far left, City Manager Dan Creighton and Deputy City Manager Phil Ragona congratulated Robin Antila, who, for the second year in a row, was the first Long Beach resident to buy a beach pass for the season. Continued on page 7
Eileen Clarke, 58, grew up in Astoria, Queens, the daughter of Irish immigrants who used music and dance as a way to honor their heritage. Clarke, who has two sisters and one brother, began learning Irish dance when she was 5.
“We did a few nights a week, and the whole family did it,” she recalled.
Idon’t want them ever to feel uncomfortable.
Afterward she attended Boston University, where she studied journalism. For the first semester of her sophomore year, she studied abroad in Madrid for six months. While there, she met a fellow BU student doing the same thing, Jerry Ambroise. They hit it off, and when they got back to Boston, they took a ballroom dance class together. Now they have been married for more than 30 years.
EIlEEN ClARkE
First Dance Long Island
“For them it was a way of just not feeling like they were in such a foreign land. There was always music going on in the house, and we were the entertainment after dinner. The kids were brought out, and it was like, ‘Oh, give us a little show.’”
Though it wasn’t her choice at first, she ended up loving dance, and explored more varieties as she got older. She tried jazz, contemporary, flamenco
After graduating from BU in 1988, Clarke interned at the Queens Tribune, and her first job was with F.I.G.S. Form, a horse racing publication that rated thoroughbreds to help bettors decide which horse to put their money on. She used the Spanish she learned in Madrid from time to time when she interviewed jockeys.
She worked for New York magazine for four years as an editorial assistant, began freelancing for Entertainment
Continued on page 10
Courtesy City of Long Beach
Winning first place for marine phenomena
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
The Nassau Science Teachers Association of New York State holds a marine science poster contest each year, connecting students across all grade levels to local marine phenomena.
The contest submissions are broken up into three groups: the Turtle Group for grades 3 through 5, Fish Group for grades 6 through 8 and Whale Group for grades 9 through 12. The contest was competitive this year, drawing in over 100 submissions, and Long Beach High School junior Riley Fallon’s rose above the rest.
Fallon’s poster focused on the nitrogen cycle, a repeating cycle of processes in which nitrogen moves through living and non-living things. She conducted a lot of research into the effect of local sewer treatment plants on the nitrogen cycle in the local waterways.
“I came up with the idea because I’ve seen how the nitrogen cycle works in a fish tank,” she said. “I’ve seen how it works with composting, and I wanted to see how that would work in a full environment.”
Fallon brainstormed with her marine science research teacher, Megan Grahlfs, and said she thought about how Masone Beach in Island Park is so murky that you can barely see your hand in front of you. She connected that
with sewage and harmful algal blooms — when algae grow out of control and can be toxic — and tied her whole project together.
“Nitrogen cycles through the envi-
ronment between living and non-living organisms,” Fallon explained, “and it starts off with fossil fuels, which are basically car emissions, and it goes up into the atmosphere, and then it gets
rained down and ends up in the water. So what happens is, when you have all that sewage, when you have all those fossil fuels and all that fertilizer, then there are so many plants, and when they die, the problem is that the decomposers use so much oxygen to break it down that the area becomes hypoxic.”
When something becomes hypoxic, it means that tissues and cells are deprived of the amount of oxygen they need. Things can’t survive when this happens, and if they do, they could develop severe health problems, whether for animals or people.
Contestants could have approached the project in a variety of ways. They could have made a poster, presentation slides, mathematical formulas and drawings. Whichever they chose, they had to showcase their understanding of science by modeling, explaining or proposing solutions to a marine-related issue in their community. Fallon made a poster and included some drawings explaining the entirety of the nitrogen cycle.
Fallon was awarded for her firstplace project alongside other students at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center on April 5. She had a great time and got to meet other project winners.
“We are incredibly proud of Riley for this achievement,” her teacher, Megan Grahlfs, said. “Winning is a testament to the dedication, research skills, and enthusiasm Riley brings to the sciences.”
Courtesy Long Beach Public Schools
Long Beach junior Riley Fallon recently came in first place in the Nassau Science Teachers Association of New York State marine science poster contest.
Teaching L.B. children how to ride bikes safely
By BRENDAN CARPENTER bcarpenter@liherald.com
The rain held up and the sun was out for Long Beach’s Kids Bike Safety Rodeo on May 10. The Long Beach Police Department, the Kiwanis Club of Long Beach and Legislator Pat Mullaney hosted the day
Long Beach is a unique city, and in the summer, sometimes cars even seem obsolete, with people riding bicycles to get to wherever they need.
With all of the bike riding, the day was to try to ensure people are riding as safely as possible.
“Long Beach, in particular, is a unique community. People are very outdoorsy. People are very into not just health, but being outside most of the time,” Mullaney said in a past interview. “Teaching our kids bike safety will be the first step towards that, whether it’s understanding the rules of the road to wearing the proper helmet type.”
Raisig and the Kiwanis Club approached the police department last year with the idea, bringing it back to the city after about 20 years. The rodeo is for children ages 4 through 12, and acts as a way to teach them bike safety skills by using simulated real-life situations.
There were different stations where kids learned all sorts of things, including staying in the boardwalk walking lanes, walking bikes up and down boardwalk ramps, getting started, turning, and obstacle courses to practice it all in a fun way.
“There are all sorts of things they should learn and some different techniques if they find themselves in trouble when they’re riding a bicycle,” Acting Police Commissioner Richard DePalma said. “We actually get the material from AAA. They have a syllabus that we use, and we go right off that; we just put a lit-
tle Long Beach vibe in it.”
Before they started pedaling, each child had their bike and helmet inspected and fitted. The tires and tire pressure, brakes and seat height were all checked to ensure they’re safe. If any child did not have a helmet, they were given one, while supplies lasted. Each bicycle was also be registered with the police department, so they can be tracked if ever lost or stolen.
“It’s really amazing that we can do this, and how many people pull together to make this happen,” Kiwanis President Marianne Raisig said. “We just felt that a bike safety program for children in our community would be beneficial.”
The Kiwanis Club works with and sponsors the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Centers at both hospitals. The trauma centers donated 24 helmets that were given out at the event and Apple Bank’s sponsorship allowed the club to give out
even more helmets and raffle off two bicycles.
Through all the fun, Raisig and DePalma hoped the event helped bridge the gap between residents and police.
“I think it is very important to have the interaction with something fun, with the police department and the children and their families,” Raisig said. “It helps make the police more accessible to a child, should they be in need. It opens up those lines of communication.”
The Kiwanis Club has made it a priority to focus on “improving the world one child at a time.” Over the past few years, the club has sent children to summer camps, provided schools with necessary supplies, offered scholarships, sponsored Little League teams, donated books, collected donations and even more.
Mackenzie, 10, and Andie Pastuch, 8, joined County Legislator Pat Mullaney, Councilman Mike Reinhart, Kiwanis President Marianne Raisig, City Manager Dan Creighton and Acting Police Commissioner Richard DePalma at the bike rodeo.
Bob Arkow/Herald photos
The Kiwanis Club of Long Beach was an integral part of the bike rodeo.
Kevin from Buddy’s Bikes in Long Beach conducted a safety check on Mia Mitic’s, 4, bicycle.
Andie Pastuch, 8, learned bike safely when riding in the city streets.
Memorial Day - A wish list GUEST COLUMNN
It’s 2025 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars - John F. O’Grady Post 1384 on Park Avenue is celebrating its 100th anniversary. One hundred years of helping Veterans and their families right here in Long Beach. Our Post has been a part of the fabric of this great city for a long, long time!
A Forgotten American Treasure
Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac appeared from 1732 to 1758. Amongst other information, it provided pithy sayings and proverbs, many of which have withstood the test of time.
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom a good one.”
“Anoint a villain and he’ll stab you: stab him and he’ll anoint you.”
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”
“Eat few suppers and you’ll need few medicines.”
“Great almsgiving, lessens no man’s living.”
“Happy’s the wooing that’s not long a doing.”
“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
“If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.”
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.”
“The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.”
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
In fact, Post 1384 was chartered on August 5, 1925, and just as all other posts throughout the world, founded on the purpose of providing fraternity, patriotism, history, charity and education. In other words: to provide a place where veterans and active military can join together bonded by their common experience of war; to help their brothers and sisters in need, to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead; to assist their surviving spouses and orphans; to maintain allegiance to the U.S. and fidelity to its constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend institutions of American Freedom and to preserve and defend the U.S. from all enemies. Our pledge is to Honor the Dead by Helping the Living. What a hefty but worthwhile agenda! Don’t you wish more of us had at least some of those items on our agenda?
J ackie e rvolina
As President of the VFW Auxiliary 1384, I am proud to say that our members take this pledge seriously and pursue the VFW goals in all that we do as an organization. Anniversary year cele-
brations include: March 29 - National Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration; May - distribution of the iconic red Veteran poppy and Veteran Poppy Power field; 26 - Memorial Day Parade and Commemoration Service; September9/11 Patriot’s Day; 13 - Veteran Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk on the boardwalk; 14 -Gala anniversary celebration; November 11 - Veterans Day; December 7 - Pearl Harbor Day. As Memorial Day approaches, I invite you to join the VFW in celebrating our 100th anniversary by participating in these events. For example, “plant” a poppy in honor of your military person. (see flyer). As American citizens, we have an obligation to remember and never forget the sacrifice and bravery of our military men and women who have and continue to serve and defend our country. We have a duty to remember those who are missing in action and those who died in battle. As adult citizens, we have a responsibility to teach our young what it means to be a good citizen. Long Beach is a very patriotic and generous but busy city. It’s easy to forget a one-hundred-year-old institution that still works hard on that “hefty but worthwhile agenda.” But, don’t worry, I’ll remind you.
Jackie Ervolina, President VFW Post 1384
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long beach
VALENTINA KESABIAN
Clarke Senior Lacrosse
IT’S BEEN AN IMPRESSIVE rise for Clarke’s girls’ lacrosse program since it endured a winless 2022 campaign, and Kesabian has been a major part of the turnaround. Last spring she helped lead the Rams to 10 wins, scoring 26 goals and earning All-Conference honors in the process. This season, both the third-year attack and the team continued to flourish. Kesabian finished with 39 goals and 13 assists, and Clarke won 12 of 15 games.
GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, May 15
Softball playoffs: First round at higher seed ...................TBA
Boys Lacrosse: Freeport at Kennedy .........................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Elmont at Lawrence
Baseball: Elmont at West Hempstead
Baseball: Roosevelt at Uniondale .............................5
Baseball: G.N. South at V.S. Central ..........................5
Friday, May 16
Boys Lacrosse: Garden City at Carey....................4:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Oceanside at Farmingdale................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at South Side ...................5 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Massapequa at Syosset ...................5 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
Softball: Nassau quarterfinals at higher seed ................TBA
Monday, May 19
Softball: Nassau semifinals GM1 at higher seed ...........TBA
Tuesday, May 20
Softball: Nassau semifinals GM2 at lower seed.............TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class A quarterfinals GM 3................TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class B semifinals GM 2 ...................TBA
Baseball: Nassau Class AAA play-in games ...................TBA
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.
Long Beach earns conference title
By GARRETT D. URIBE sports@liherald.com
Speaking midweek ahead of his team’s regular-season finale, Long Beach softball coach Carmine Verde pointed to his club’s most recent outing – a 13-4 league win May 7 over Nassau Conference 5 foe Valley Stream North –as suitable to serve as the perfect model of Marines dominance this spring.
Then the weekend happened.
Tacking on late to her Nassau-leading wins total, Marines right-hander Bella Gray gave Long Beach (16-1, 15-0 Conference 5) its signature win – adding an exclamation point – as the All-Conference junior fanned a career-high 14 in no-hitting non-league host South Side in a 4-0 victory last Saturday.
The finale win – which boosted Gray’s county-best record to 16-1 –sends conference champ Long Beach into this week’s playoffs sporting a 14-game win streak, while marking the Marines’ best regular-season showing since 2004.
“Bella sets the whole pace for our team,” said Verde, whose club this season won its first league title since 2019 (AA2). “We follow her lead offensively and defensively; she’s our only pitcher and also our leadoff batter.”
Before Gray’s no-no had placed an indelible stamp on her team’s breakout season, Verde held up last week’s Long Beach win against VSN as a kind of standard blueprint, as in it were displayed key hallmarks of Conference 5’s top offense (10.5 runs per game), alongside 11 strikeouts from Gray – league leader on the season with 124.
In addition to Long Beach second baseman Andie Spiteri going four-forfour with three runs batted in, the May 7 Marines win saw fellow co-captain Myla Sanchez club her conference-best seventh homer to rank No. 2 in Nassau. The senior first baseman – a shoo-in for first-time All-County honors – leads the Marines with 25 RBIs.
“Myla really matured as a player this year; she’s been really locked in,” Verde said. “She’s got such quick hands and so
much power. I’ve been doing this 38 years, and she’s hit some of the longest home runs I’ve ever seen.”
“(Sanchez’s) hard work paid off,” Verde added. “But this year, lots of our players improved. Everyone’s a threat. Our lineup’s proven to be very deep, I think the deepest in the conference.”
A cursory glance at numbers leaves little wonder at Long Beach attaining its elevated perch. Sophomore center fielder Brianna Bothel leads the team batting a blistering .579, with Sanchez second at .488 ahead of Spiteri (.457) and senior outfielder Delaney Gravina (.452). Gray’s .413 clip from the leadoff spot has led to a team-high 23 runs scored.
Junior catcher Jorjia Domingo (.382) – an Honorable Mention All-County
honoree last season – leads Long Beach with seven doubles. But, according to her coach, the second-year backstop has talents possibly even more valuable than her bat.
“Jorjia’s really great at framing Bella’s pitches,” Verde said. “Bella’s always around the strike zone. So if you have a girl good a framing, it’s even harder on other teams.”
Aware that his club heading into the playoffs may encounter stiffer tests than those it faced in Conference 5, Verde nonetheless paused to acknowledge the Marines’ fine achievement.
“We didn’t have to play the top conferences,” he said. “Now we will, and we’ll see what happens. But any time you go undefeated (in league), it’s special.”
Erik Lee/Herald
Junior Bella Gray capped the Marines’ regular season with a no-hitter and 14 strikeouts at South Side last Saturday.
L.B. educator encourages staying optimistic
than even at the height of the pandemic.
Courtney, who grew up in North Massapequa, graduated from, St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington and studied education at Fordham University, started teaching in Long Beach just before the pandemic hit. He acknowledges the unique stress of those early months. But instead of becoming overwhelmed, he saw it as a moment to re-evaluate and restructure his approach. He attributes his long-term success to maintaining a strong worklife balance and setting boundaries.
“For myself, and the example that I can use when I leave this building, work ends there,” Courtney said. “I don’t check my email. I establish the boundary that I will get back to you within 24 hours if I see an email, but I don’t harp on it. I don’t open it up past work hours. It will be there tomorrow.
“I will go home, and I will work out, I will go out for a run, I’ll take my dogs for a walk,” he continued. “… I’ll sit on the couch and carve out an hour to watch my TV shows. Having those boundaries and that structure to establish work is work, home is home, that is so important.”
East School faced prolonged uncertainty about its future, a situation Courtney described as a “dark cloud” that loomed over the faculty and staff for over a year. Despite the uncertainty,
he said, the crisis united the community. Parents, teachers and administrators rallied around the school, which gave everyone a renewed sense of purpose and pride. The staff focused on positivity and solidarity, and on projecting that energy to their students. That mindset, Courtney believes, helped lift morale.
Seventy-eight percent of teachers attempt to practice self-care, the Prodigy Education study found, though 43 percent said they feel guilty about it.
Courtney believes the key lies in removing guilt from the equation, and treating personal time as a necessity, not a luxury.
Nearly one in 10 teachers plan to quit this year, according to the study, and 23 percent are considering it. Courtney acknowledges that challenges in the profession are real and ongoing, but he said he believes that finding personal purpose and joy in teaching can help counterbalance the difficulties.
“I think knowing the reason why you’re in this field, why you’re here, that will start to chip away at the bigger challenges,” he said. “It may sound cliche, it may sound very optimistic, but that’s where we need to live, that’s where we need to thrive, is in the positive optimism, and be proactive and know that challenges are thrown at us all the time.”
Teacher appreciation was another key theme in the report, with many educators saying they feel undervalued. Courtney, however, points to Long Beach as an exception, highlighting strong support from fellow staff and administrators as well as parents. As the teacher liaison for the Parent Teacher Association, he works closely with parents who are consistently supportive and involved, he said.
From Spirit Weeks to plans for redesigning the faculty room, Courtney said, he feels heard and appreciated, factors that contribute to a more positive work environment.
While the study highlights significant stress levels among teachers, Courtney’s experience shows the importance of community support in helping educators manage these challenges. A positive school environment and active engagement can contribute to better handling of the pressures that come with the profession.
Attend Hofstra’s Virtual
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 7, 2025 10 a.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students grow the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit
Courtesy Edward Courtney
east elementary School won a statewide competition hosted by prodigy, answering 44,414 questions correctly. above, edward Courtney with his WingS class.
Chalk S. State crashes up to bad judgment
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Second story in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
Ana Marte, 67, said that a fatal car accident on the Southern State Parkway in January changed her life.
Her grandson Anthonie Marte, 23, was severely injured in a one-car crash shortly after 11 p.m. on Jan. 12, in the eastbound lanes not far from Exit 30, near Farmingdale and Massapequa, according to the New York State Police.
Investigators said that the car in which Marte was a passenger, a black 2016 Dodge Dart, was traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving between lanes before the driver lost control and crashed into a tree.
Two rear-seat passengers, ages 23 and 21, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Jaden Dsouza, 19, of College Point, Queens, and Marte, of East Elmhurst, Queens, who was in the front passenger seat, were both extricated from the vehicle and transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition.
Marte’s grandmother said he suffered major head injuries, and she still takes care of him daily, feeding him and giving him pain medicine. He is slowly recovering, with doctors’ appointments and physical therapy. “He’s like a baby again,” she said. “He doesn’t want to go outside because he’s scared, and all he does is sleep.”
Marte does not remember the accident, his grandmother said.
Dsouza was later charged with one count of driving while ability impaired by drugs, second-degree manslaughter, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault and aggravated vehicular homicide, police said.
Crash data from the New York State Police shows a fluctuating, but persistent, pattern of accidents on the Southern State Parkway over the past six years, with the number of fatal crashes in a year reaching as high as six.
Crashes resulting in serious personal injury in Nassau have remained relatively low throughout the period, with no more than two reported in any given year.
While most incidents are non-fatal, serious crashes often involve an added risk: intoxication. Speed and distraction remain consistent contributing factors, but impairment by drugs or alcohol increases the potential for deadly outcomes.
“It’s on the driver for the most part,” State Police Capt. Mike Rhodes said. “If they’re inattentive, if they’re speeding, if they’re not following the vehicle and traffic law, they do not understand the severity of what could happen.”
Rhodes oversees 56 state troopers and eight sergeants, many of whom patrol the 25.3-mile long Southern State. Most accidents, he said, occur during peak congestion, at around 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Crash data from the state police show a fluctuating but persistent pattern of accidents on the parkway over the past six years, with fatal crashes increasing in 2024.
In 2019, there were 3,127 crashes on the Nassau County stretch of the parkway, including six fatalities. That number dropped to 2,331 in 2020, but rose again in subsequent years, reaching 2,716 in 2022 and 2,725 in 2023. In 2024, state police recorded 2,549 crashes and five fatalities. Thus far this year, there have been 328 crashes and one fatality.
“A lot of these things, they hit every single age category,” Rhodes said.
To combat the persistent problem, state police focus on enforcement and outreach. Not every traffic stop results in a citation; many serve as opportunities for education.
Personal injury attorney Stephen Cohen said that in his more than five decades of handling lawsuits, most of those that involve accidents on the Southern State involve intoxicated drivers.
Cohen, a partner at the law firm Cohen and Jaffe, in New Hyde Park, said that speed, intoxication and reckless driving continue to be the common factors in the region’s most serious accidents.
“I don’t believe road design is an issue at all,” Cohen said. “Posting more signs to slow down isn’t an answer, because when somebody is either speeding or just intoxicated, they don’t really care what the sign says.”
Many collisions during rush hour, he explained, stem from traffic congestion and insufficient braking distance. “People are gliding along, and they hit a certain spot, and all of a sudden they weren’t prepared, because they’re going 70 miles an hour,” Cohen said. “So you
see a lot of rear-end collisions, not necessarily death-related.”
Fatal crashes, he noted, often involve younger drivers, high speeds and intoxication or impairment.
“You don’t see fatalities at 11 o’clock in the morning,” Cohen said. “You just don’t. You may see them at 4 in the morning. When your ability to observe is not sharp because of either impairment or intoxication, the car is going to go airborne. And if there happens to be a tree there, that’s the next thing you’re going to hit.”
In his practice, Cohen said, the firm represents victims or passengers, but not intoxicated drivers.
Under state law, he noted, lawsuits require plaintiffs to meet the “serious injury” threshold defined in insurance law. In cases involving fatalities, death, families must petition a Surrogate’s Court to appoint a representative for the estate before filing a lawsuit. That process can take over a year, he said.
Insurance coverage limits often dictate how quickly a case can be resolved. “If somebody has — let’s say, the responsible party — has a $100,000 policy, that case is going to be over in two seconds,” Cohen said.
Efforts to reform wrongful death laws in New York have repeatedly stalled, despite advocacy from legal organizations.
Despite changes in laws and vehicle technology over the years, Cohen said, the root problems remain unchanged.
“It only seems to get worse because cars are faster than they were 20, 30 years ago,” he said. “There’s more people drinking or doing some sort of drugs. And that’s what you see in all horrific accidents.”
Additional reporting by Mohammad Rafiq.
Accident data from the New York State Police
2019 – Total: 3,987
(3,127 Nassau, 860 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 2 (Nassau)
Fatal: 8 (6 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)
2020 – Total: 2,977
(2,331 Nassau, 646 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 3 (2 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)
Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2021 – Total: 3,566
(2,782 Nassau, 784 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)
Fatal: 9 (6 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2022 – Total: 3,552
(2,716 Nassau, 836 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury:
5 (1 Nassau, 4 Suffolk)
Fatal: 13 (5 Nassau, 8 Suffolk)
2023 – Total: 3,500 (2,725-Nassau, 775-Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 1 (Nassau)
Fatal: 6 (3 Nassau, 3 Suffolk)
2024 – Total: 3,405 (2,549 Nassau, 856 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury:
2 (1 Nassau, 1 Suffolk)
Fatal: 15 (5 Nassau, 10 Suffolk)
2025* – Total: 426 (328 Nassau, 98 Suffolk)
Serious personal injury: 0
Fatal: 3 (1 Nassau, 2 Suffolk)
* To date
Tim Baker/Herald
Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the U.S.
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Cardinals in the Vatican have selected Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Prevost, 69, who has adopted the papal name Pope Leo XIV, is the first pope from the United States.
The conclave, comprising of 133 cardinal electors, reached the required two-thirds majority in just over a day, signaling their decision with the traditional white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney on May 8.
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, and received a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University. A member of the Order of St. Augustine, he took his first vows in 1978 and his solemn vows in 1981. He earned a master’s degree in divinity in 1982 from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
He has spent much of his career as a missionary in Peru, eventually becoming a naturalized Peruvian citizen and serving as Archbishop of Chiclayo. In 2023, he was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops, an important role in overseeing the selection of bishops around the globe.
Upon his first appearance as pope on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the thousands assembled with the words, “Peace be with you” in Italian and Spanish.
AP News reported that Pope Leo XIV was formerly the leader of the Order of St. Augustine, formed in the 13th century as a community dedicated to poverty, service and evangelization.
Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue efforts toward modernization and inclusivity within the Catholic Church.
As well-wishes poured in from global and local leaders, The Most Reverend John Barres, Bishop of Rock-
ville Centre, said: “With my brother bishops, the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, I give thanks to the Almighty God for the gift of our new Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.
“As the 267th Successor of Saint Peter, we pray Pope Leo XIV will receive every grace to strengthen the Church in unity and peace, preach Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and confirm the Faith.
“With years of global missionary experience in Peru and leadership in his Augustinian community here in the United States, we pray, too, that his evangelizing pastoral charity and wisdom will guide the mission of the Church he now serves as Supreme Pontiff.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman said: “Congratulations Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and proud son of Chicago. His election marks a new chapter of hope, unity and spiritual leadership for Catholics around the world.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we pray for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his sacred mission to guide the Church with wisdom, compassion and strength.”
State Sen. Steve Rhoads, who leads a youth group at St. Pius X RC Church in Plainview, said “Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his election as the first American pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. As he begins this sacred journey, we pray his leadership brings renewed hope, unity and faith to Catholics around the world.”
Beach Catholic in Long Beach wrote on Facebook, “Lord Jesus, bless and guide Pope Leo. Fill him with courage and strength as he leads your Church on earth. May his witness ignite the faith of America and draw hearts to you. Through Mary, Mother of the Church, keep him close to your Sacred Heart. Amen.”
Courtesy Press Office of the Holy See
After a conclave that lasted just over a day, Robert Francis Prevost, 69, from Chicago, was selected as the next pope. He selected the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
Eileen Clarke teaches couples how to dance
Weekly in 1996 and transitioned to a full-time position as an editor from 1998 to 2008. She and Ambroise moved to Long Beach in 1999, and had three children, Dylan, Stella and Summer. Clarke wasn’t happy with her work-life balance, so she started looking for something else.
“I started teaching dance when my girls were little, and I really wanted them to learn flamenco, because I had studied that for many years,” she said. “I started studying flamenco when I was 30, because I saw it at the Y in the city, and I was like, ‘What’s that sound?’ I saw these women in beautiful black skirts playing castanets, so I did that. I would go to Spain every few years and study intensely there, doing workshops. There were also great teachers in New York City, from Spain, so that became my thing away from being a mom, that I could do that was for me, and I loved it.”
Her love turned into teaching more than just her children. She began teaching a children’s dance class at Círculo de la Hispanidad in Long Beach in 2010, and took a job with Dancing Classrooms Long Island, an East Patchoguebased nonprofit, that year. She taught 10-week-long dance courses at Long Island schools, and even became Dancing Classrooms’ executive director, until 2021.
Clarke always gave people she knew, or those who sought her out, private lessons as well. She eventually decided that she wanted to do more of that, so, last September, she started her own company, First Dance Long Island. But she needed to find a space where she could teach, so she called almost every church and temple in Long Beach. She now rents out the basement of St. James of Jerusalem Episcopal Church, on West Penn Street.
She teaches group classes every other Wednesday, and changes the style of dance being taught every two months. Currently it’s East Coast Swing. She continues to offer private lessons for those who want to learn to dance for anniversaries, sweet 16s, bar and bat mitzvahs and, of course, weddings.
Clarke sometimes helps couples explore song possibilities for their first dance. Others come in with a song they want, but just don’t know how to dance to it. No matter what they need, she’s ready to help, and teach.
“I see what their abilities are, and I give them a dance that suits them,” she explained. “I don’t want them ever to feel uncomfortable. I want them to look natural while they’re dancing — that’s important to me. I want them to feel like, ‘Hey, we got this.’”
Bryan Pujol and Casey Peus are one
neither peus nor pujol had any formal dance experience, but now they feel comfortable about their big day.
of those couples, getting married at the end of the month. Neither has any background in formal dance, and they came to Clarke in February. All they knew was the song they wanted, “Lavender Girl,” by Caamp. Now, six classes later, they’re ready to wow on the dance floor.
“She really made us feel calm and comfortable,” Peus said. “She’s so inviting, and she really breaks the steps down for us in a way that we can understand. She’s very conscious of our skill level, and I feel like she suits the dance to what we can do.” Continued from page 1
With their wedding coming up at the end of the month, peus and pujol now feel ready for their muchanticipated first dance as a married couple.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Casey peus and Bryan pujol have been taking lessons from eileen Clarke since february, preparing for their first wedding dance.
Clarke, who started first dance Long island last September, showed peus and pujol some final pointers in their last lesson before their wedding.
EilEEn ClarkE
Long-standing event back for the 39th year
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, joined by Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Legislators Samantha Goetz and John Ferretti, announced the return of the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged for its 39th year.
The games will occur May 30 through May 31 at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex and Nassau Community College.
“This year, the Games for the Physically Challenged will be celebrating its 39th Anniversary,” Susan Gordon Ryan, founder and former director, said. “Nassau County has been the home of the first program of its kind in the nation. The Games would not be possible without the support of Nassau County, the local community and the many volunteers who come out every year to cheer on our star athletes, who inspire us. The games are an opportunity to celebrate our talented, diverse athletes who never cease to amaze us. Congrats to all.”
Student athletes from the Henry Viscardi Center helped launch the announcement, highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding the long-standing event. Over 1,200 participants from across New York State are expected to attend the weekend celebration of athletic competition and community spirit.
Despite eliminating New York State funding several years ago, the event has been kept alive through the support of the Nassau County Executive’s Office and a range of private sector sponsors.
“Each year, I’m truly inspired by the remarkable athletes who compete in the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged. It’s a sight to behold,” Blakeman said. “I invite all Nassau residents to join
me at Mitchel Field on May 30 and May 31 to witness these incredible athletes in action and enjoy the festivities. I would also like to thank our generous sponsors who have allowed us to keep the Games alive here in Nassau County.”
The games will feature competitions in track and field, slalom, archery, swimming, wheelchair basketball and table tennis. Athletes between the ages of 5 and 21 will participate, many of whom face physical challenges such as blindness, hearing impairment, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, and limb loss.
Sponsors, including King Kullen, Hofstra University, Nassau Community College and NICE Bus, are playing a critical role in the success of the 2025 Games. King Kullen will once again help feed the athletes, while Hofstra University will provide housing at minimal cost. Nassau Community College will host several
RichnerLIVE and Herald Gives Back
On April 8th the Herald and RichnerLIVE hosted the Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala at the Heritage Club of Bethpage. The WE CARE Fund, the charitable arm of the Nassau County Bar Association, which supports a range of local nonprofits was the evening’s charity beneficiary and the recipient of $2000.
From left to right: Herald publisher and CEO Stuart Richner; RichnerLIVE executive director Amy Amato, Elizabeth Post, Jeffrey Catterson and Sandy Strenger of the Nassau County Bar Association.
sporting events and NICE Bus will offer shuttle service to participants.
“What an honor it is for the King Kullen Family to continue the tradition of being a sponsor for the Games,” Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc., Bernard Kennedy, said. “We look forward to attending and watching real heroes competing for the gold. Best wishes for a successful day for all participating athletes.”
The games, which are free to all athletes, rely heavily on the dedication of -volunteers, families, teachers and coaches who return year after year. Medical support will be provided by the Nassau County Department of Health and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers.
For more information about the 2025 Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged, visit nassaucountypcgames.com.
Herald file photo
Alumni athletes Logan Lopez, Aahil Ahsan, Ahad Ahsan, K.E. Plunkett, Isaiah Roman, Yazdaan Ahsan and Brian Firners at the 2023 games.
Water providers are tested in taste contest
By CHARLES SHAW cshaw@liherald.com
What’s the best-tasting tap water on Long Island?
That was the question posed to students at Farmingdale State College during the Long Island Water Conference’s 37th annual drinking water tasting contest, held during National Drinking Water Week.
The conference, also known as LIWC, is made up of members of public and private water suppliers across Long Island. According to LIWC Commissioner Robert McEvoy, the event has taken place at the Farmingdale campus for the past four years, sparking student interest in water quality.
“It draws in a lot of the students,” McEvoy said. “They’re interested in where the water comes from, and if there’s any variance in taste. We also try to promote tap water as being the most regulated and tested, even more so than bottled water.”
The finals, held on May 7, featured 16 Long Island water providers competing for the title of best-tasting drinking water in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Students, faculty and staff on campus participated in a blind taste test, sampling water from each provider and casting their votes.
The Oyster Bay Water District won the Nassau County competition, while
Charles Shaw/Herald
Oyster Bay Water District Secretary Michael Rich, second from right, and Treasurer Nick Niznik offered samples to students during the Long Island Water Conference’s annual water tasting event at Farmingdale State College.
the Greenlawn Water District took the top spot in Suffolk. Both districts will advance to the New York State Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Contest in New York City in August, where they will compete for a spot in the statewide competition held later that month at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.
LIWC representatives at the event also took the opportunity to educate attendees about the water supplied to their homes, and assured them that Long Island’s drinking water remains of high quality.
McEvoy, who is also a commissioner
Nine & Dine Teeing Off for Change
and the chairman of the Oyster Bay Water District, said that frequent testing is conducted by the state Department of Health to ensure the water’s quality.
“It’s safe, it’s highly regulated and it’s extremely affordable,” McEvoy said. “It’s something that should be utilized by the public, and it’s a far greater value than bottled water.”
Michael Rich, a commissioner and the secretary of the Oyster Bay district, has taken part in the competition for the past 10 years, educating the community about local water supplies.
“It’s great to come out to the commu-
nity and have everyone get involved with local water,” Rich said.
He noted that most people aren’t aware of where their water comes from. On Long Island, drinking water comes from an aquifer system, a naturally formed underground storage area.
In an aquifer system, unwanted chemicals are capable of seeping into the water supply. The LIWC urges residents to dispose of hazardous household waste properly at designated town drop-off sites and never pour it down drains, into storm sewers or on the ground.
“Anything that we put on the ground will ultimately find its way into the aquifer,” Rich stated.
Lawn irrigation, he said, accounts for much of Long Island’s water use. He urged residents to follow odd/even watering schedules, watering on days that match their house numbers. He also highlighted the importance of leak detection, noting that undetected leaks can waste hundreds of thousands of gallons each month, making it vital for both residents and water providers to monitor and address them.
Rich added that it doesn’t take much water to maintain a healthy lawn.
“You don’t have to water your lawn for a half-hour a day,” Rich said. “You’ll get the same results 15 minutes a day, so we try to stress that.”
For more information on the local water supply, visit liwc.org.
HONORING MEN & COMPANIES ADVANCING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Focusing on
Alcohol and cancer — what will you do?
In a recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” public health poll, 51 percent of metro area residents said they would consider drinking less as a result of the advisory by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, linking alcohol use to certain types of cancer.
According to the Surgeon General’s advisory, alcohol consumption contributes to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths each year in the United States. Studies show alcohol use increases the risk for breast, colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, and voice box.
The poll, sponsored by Four Leaf Federal Credit Union, has sparked a debate over the benefits of reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, highlighting the tough road ahead for public health experts trying to shift behaviors. Although 58 percent of respondents agree that alcohol can lead to overeating and smoking, fewer than half—46 percent—said they believe it increases the risks of cancer. Meanwhile, 58 percent believe there is a safe level of alcohol that can be consumed without raising one’s risk of cancer.
“Alcohol is a carcinogen, so the more alcohol a person drinks — particularly over time — the greater their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “It would be prudent to add the cancer risk to the warning label, which could have a dual effect of reducing alcohol-related accidents as well as a range of serious health complications, such as liver and heart disease, stroke, depression, and brain damage.”
Studies show that alcohol may increase cancer risk by disrupting cell cycles, triggering chronic inflammation, damaging DNA (which controls cell growth and function), and elevating hormone levels, including estrogen, which plays a role in breast cancer development.
“As a hepatologist and gastroenterologist, I remind my patients
that while complete abstinence is the safest path, reducing consumption (no more than 1 standard drink for women and no more than 2 for a man), staying hydrated, avoiding binge drinking, and supporting liver health with a balanced diet might help mitigate some of alcohol’s toxic effects,” said Pruthvi Patel, MD, Associate Program Director of Outpatient Hepatology, Division of Gastroenterology, Mount Sinai South Nassau, and Associate Professor of Medicine (Liver Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “But there’s no completely safe level when it comes to cancer risk.”
According to the American Association of Cancer Research’s 2024 Cancer Progress Report, 40 percent of all cancer cases in the United States are associated with modifiable risk factors like alcohol consumption. The Surgeon General affirmed in the advisory that, “The largest burden of alcohol-related cancer in the United States is for breast cancer in women, with an estimated 44,180 cases in 2019, representing 16.4 percent of the approximately 270,000 total breast cancer cases for women.”
Adding the cancer risk warning to alcohol labels may be the inspiration some need to quit drinking alcoholic beverages, as 54 percent of poll respondents say they generally trust warning labels on food and beverages. Seeing the warning in print could provide the motivation for the 20 percent (of those who said they drink alcoholic beverages) to act on their desire to cut back on alcohol.
“I strongly encourage everyone to make it a priority to consider whether they should reduce the amount of alcohol they drink,” said Aaron Glatt, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “Additional benefits of drinking less include lowered blood pressure, weight loss, a healthier complexion, sharper mental clarity, balanced mood, reduced anxiety, and better liver function.”
Mount Sinai South Nassau has provided behavioral health and substance use disorder services to Nassau County residents for more than 50 years. The hospital is committed to providing the highest-quality treatment and support to children, adults, and
A recent Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” public health poll revealed that 51 percent of metro area residents said they would consider drinking less as a result of the advisory by former U.S. Surgeon General, linking alcohol use to certain types of cancer.
families with a wide variety of symptoms and diagnoses, from substance abuse to anxiety and depression to attention deficithyperactivity disorder and more.
The hospital counseling centers offer outpatient, in-person, and telehealth services in Baldwin and Hempstead; they accept a variety of payment options and use a sliding scale for uninsured patients. Treatment is provided in English and Spanish, as well as in more than 100 other languages via interpreter services. Call (516) 3775400 to schedule an appointment.
One Healthy Way Oceanside, NY 11572 • 877-SOUTH-NASSAU (877-768-8462) • www.mountsinai.org/southnassau
Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.
Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore
The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.
The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.
To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion
By Maureen Salamon
Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness It may even lengthen lives
Several evenings a week, as Tyler VanderWeele gathers around the dinner table with his wife and two young kids, the family deliberately pauses during the meal to do something simple but profound. Each shares several things for which they’re grateful — an act that VanderWeele, codirector of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, feels changes his family dynamic for the better.
“I do think it makes a difference and can be a very powerful practice,” he says. “
Gratitude, health and longevity
How can the power of gratitude affect our lives? Recent research has pointed to gratitude’s myriad positive health effects, including greater emotional and social wellbeing, better sleep quality, lower depression risks, and favorable markers of cardiovascular health. Now, new data from the longterm Nurses’ Health Study shows that it may extend lives.
“Gratitude has been one of the most widely studied activities contributing to well-being, but we couldn’t find a single prior study that looked at its effects on mortality and longevity, much to our surprise,”
says VanderWeele, research co-author. Published July 2024 in JAMA Psychiatry, the new study drew on data from 49,275 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study. Their average age was 79. In 2016, participants completed a six-item gratitude questionnaire in which they ranked their agreement with statements such as, “I have so much in life to be thankful for,” and “If I had to list everything I felt grateful for, it would
be a very long list.”
What did the researchers find?
Participants with gratitude scores in the highest third at the study’s start had a 9 percent lower risk of dying over the following four years than participants who scored in the bottom third. This did not change after controlling for physical health, economic circumstances, and other aspects of
mental health and well-being. Gratitude seemed to help protect participants from every cause of death studied — including cardiovascular disease.
But what does this actually mean?
“A 9 percent reduction in mortality risk is meaningful, but not huge,” VanderWeele says. “But what’s remarkable about gratitude is that just about anyone can practice it. Anyone can recognize what’s around them and express thanks to others for what’s good in their life.”
While the study couldn’t pinpoint why gratitude is associated with longer life, several factors may contribute.
“We know that gratitude makes people feel happier. That in itself has a small effect on mortality risk,” he says. “Practicing gratitude may also make someone a bit more motivated to take care of their health. Maybe they’re more likely to show up for medical appointments or exercise. It may also help with relationships and social support, which we know contribute to health.”
Courtesy Premium Health News Service
Gratitude can be a health game changer. It can be a powerful practice to cultivate, especially for those who struggle with anxiety or depression.
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A bipartisan effort to protect IVF access
Gillen leads push for bill safeguarding fertility treatments, hoping for congressional momentum
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, a Democrat representing New York’s 4th Congressional District, and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, of the 17th District, have reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting access to in vitro fertilization across the country.
The Access to Family Building Act, which Gillen is shepherding with support from Lawler and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, seeks to federally codify the right to access IVF services. The legislation is in response to growing concerns that reproductive technologies like IVF are being threatened by recent state-level legal developments and court rulings.
During a virtual press conference on May 7, Gillen emphasized the importance of ensuring legal certainty for families relying on reproductive technology. Infertility, she said, is a widespread issue affecting Americans of all backgrounds, and she called for Congress to act swiftly to protect the procedure.
“We believe, like most Americans do, that the right to start and grow family through IVF should be protected,” Gil-
len said. “The Access to Family Building Act will simply ensure that IVF remains accessible to families in every state.”
Lawler echoed Gillen’s sentiments, sharing his own family’s experience with fertility challenges. He reaffirmed his support for protecting IVF access, calling it a nonpartisan issue with widespread public backing. Lawler also referenced other related legislative efforts he supports, including tax credits and insurance mandates to reduce the financial burden of IVF treatments.
“Access to IVF should not be a partisan issue,” he said. “We want to help people through this journey and certainly make sure that their right to IVF is protected.”
The press event also featured Barbara Collura, president and CEO of Resolve: The National Infertility Association, who stressed the emotional and financial toll of infertility and the need for guaranteed nationwide access to IVF.
“There are so many challenges that our communities face in building their families,” Collura said. “Our goal is to reduce and eliminate those barriers. We know firsthand that our communities want to know that IVF is protected in all 50 states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, IVF accounted for nearly 3 percent for U.S. births in 2022, with over 91,000 babies born through assisted reproductive technology.
Democrats that year introduced the Right to Build Families Act, to protect access to IVF and other fertility treatments amid concerns after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The bill was blocked by Senate Republicans.
The lawmakers emphasized the bipartisan nature of the new legislation, with Gillen noting that Republican support like Lawler’s is vital to passing it in the current Congress.
When the Herald asked about the path forward, both lawmakers said they planned to advocate within their parties and with the congressional leadership to advance the bill through committee and onto the House floor.
The legislation comes amid renewed national attention to IVF following recent court rulings in states like Alabama, where embryos created through IVF were legally recognized as children, prompting clinics to suspend services due to the legal risks.
“I think it’s really important to dem-
legislation to protect nationwide access to in vitro fertilization at a virtual press conference on May 7.
onstrate that this is not a partisan issue,” Gillen said. “This is an easy one for us to agree on. We want to support couples and individuals who want to bring a child into the world. IVF may be the only way that they can do that.”
Herald file photo
U.S. Representatives Laura Gillen and Mike Lawler announced bipartisan
STEPPING OUT
Young imaginations shine
Little Learners Art Lab at Long Island Children’s Museum is filled with year-round creativity
By Danielle Schwab
Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a colorful hub of creativity for some of its smallet visitors, every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Its Little Learners Art Lab welcomes young artists — and the grownups with them — for a handson art adventure designed to spark curiosity and imagination.
Whether it’s painting, planting or playing with textures, sessions offer an inviting space where toddlers and preschoolers can explore the world through art. This is more than about creating something beautiful — it’s about growing minds and nurturing self-expression.
“We try to infuse in all of the themes different mediums, exposure to different artists and different approaches to art,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education.
Each week, children are introduced to artists, techniques, and styles through engaging projects and materials, led by museum educators. Parents and grandparents are welcome to join in the fun, making it a bonding experience that’s as enriching for adults as it is for kids. Through these immersive projects, the tots explore their creativity and even make new friends.
“Around a third of our visitors are under the age of five. It’s important for early childhood development to have activities that are process-focused to give them that expressive freedom [to create],” Niver explains.
In each class, young learners are encouraged to ask questions, try new things and take the lead in their creative journey. The program mixes play with gentle guidance, helping children explore big concepts in age-appropriate ways.
The activities act as a gateway to talk about new concepts for young learners as they discover the world around them, combining inquisitive thinking with instructional supervision. On the schedule, May 22, families can explore the lifecycle of a plant while decorating terracotta pots during Art In Bloom. Kids will plant seeds in those pots and take their tiny gardens home to watch, water and nurture as litle sprouts grow into blooming plants.
That’s followed by Crystallized Creations on May 29. The salt-based art project allows kids experiment with textures and observe how salt and paint interact — adding a rocky twist to their creativity.
“Science isn’t just happening behind the scenes. It can
‘Murr’ goes solo
Get ready to laugh — and laugh you will. Prepare for an unforgettable night filled with comedy, chaos and wild antics as Impractical Jokers’ James “Murr” Murray hits the stage on The Errors Tour. Known for his outrageous pranks, laugh-out-loud moments and unpredictable humor, Murr brings the party to you with a show packed full of hilarious stories, ridiculous mishaps and plenty of jaw-dropping moments. With his signature style of comedy and a few unexpected surprises, Murr will have you in stitches from start to finish. It’s surely a non-stop ride of comedy, antics and pure fun you won’t want to miss. For more than a decade, Murr and his lifelong Friends — Sal, Joe and Q — have been making audiences laugh across the country, and now he’s bringing the laughs to you. Murr Live is hysterical — of course, interactive — stand-up comedy, in true Impractical Jokers style. Hangout with Murr as he tells funny stories, shows off his own personal never-before-seen videos from Impractical Jokers and plays Jokers “live” on stage with the audience.
• Weekly Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Admission: $18 adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, free to members and under one year; additional fees for theater and special programs may apply
• For more information, visit licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
happen when you’re mixing paint and looking at changes in color or how, for instance, the salt disperses the paint pigment,” Niver says.
Other sessions examine techniques like pointillism or even introduce self-portraits in a thoroughly kid-friendly approach.
“When the parents see these ‘sticky moments’ for younger kids where they’re ingrained in these memories and these experiences, they are right there for the ride,” Niver adds.“They’re going through it with their children, and seeing their children light up and experience joy and learning of these new concepts connects the parents to the activities.”
Of course, art doesn’t have to happen in a classroom or museum space, it can also be done right at home! Niver encourages families to use these classes as an accessible way to bring the creativity back to their households.
“We want to give the opportunity for parents to incorporate making art in easy forms at home that may be less daunting for them,” Niver says.
And often, the youngsters can try materials and methods they may not have access to elsewhere. The sessions offer an introduction to new media as well.
“We also try to balance with materials that maybe they wouldn’t be exposed to normally at home. We could bring in easels one day and have the kids do canvas painting,” she adds.
The fun doesn’t stop when class ends. The museum’s exhibits and upcoming events are often tied into the weekly themes. So, when the class concludes, there’s plenty more to explore!
For example, in celebration of National Zoo and Aquarium Month, in June, kids can make majestic underwater creatures using recycled materials and bubble wrap. This is a creative “sneak peek” teaser what’s to come as the museum prepares to open its newest permanent exhibit, “Saltwater Stories,” in October.
Accessibility is another important component of the museum’s approach to arts programming. Little Learners Art Lab provides families with high-quality early childhood education at a fraction of the cost of private art classes or specialized preschool programs, according to the leadership team. The program’s affordability ensures that all children in the community have access to enriching artistic experiences that contribute to cognitive, social, and emotional development.
“Our whole point is to bring people in, and celebrate and cater to the audience that is coming to us daily, and that is the early childhood audience,” Niver says.
“We hope that for years to come families will bring back other children in their family, as their family grows, and continue to value the museum.”
Photos courtesy LICM
Kids and their adult partners play and create together at the Art Lab. Artistic inspiration involves developing young motor skills as everyone fully engages in the moment.
Friday, May 16, 7 p.m. $65, $55, $45, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
and Chad Hoopes
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Artistic Directors David Finckel (piano) and Wu Han (cello) have assembled a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature. Starting as frequent collaborators, Finckel and Han have been married since 1985. As a duo, they began to tour regularly while retaining residencies in New York. In this program, volin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras are performed by the young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bed�ich Smetana.
Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
David Finckel, Wu Han
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY
Garden Days Garden lovers, green thumbs and spring seekers: Old Westbury Gardens’ beloved Garden Days return. Four vibrant days are filled with plants, programs, and purpose, highlighted by the much-anticipated Plant Sale Preview Party on Friday evening. On May 16 (6-8 p.m.), guests are invited to sip, shop and stroll through the gardens during this exclusive first-look event, featuring live music, sweet and savory treats, and early access to a lush array of rare perennials and signature plants grown right here on Long Island. The two-day plant sale runs May 17-18, (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), where shoppers can select from a curated selection of garden favorites with expert guidance from the Gardens’ horticulture staff. Addition highlights include a panel discussion, Guided walks and garden tours and spring celebration chamber concert.
•Where: 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
•Time: Ongoing, May 15-18
•Contact: Visit oldwestburygardens.org/2025garden-days for full schedule and ticket details
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
‘Elephant & Piggie’s
We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved awardwinning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
Jon Lovitz
Comedy legend Jon Lovitz brings his signature wit and unforgettable characters to the Paramount stage for a night of nonstop laughs. Best known for his Emmy-nominated run on SNL and roles in hit films like “A League of Their Own” and “The Wedding Singer,” Lovitz has been a staple of comedy for over 30 years. He got his start acting in high school productions, developing his skills at the University of California, Irvine where he earned a B.A. in Drama. He also studied acting with Tony Barr at the Film Actors Workshop. At the advice of Tony Barr, Jon decided to concentrate solely on comedy. From there his trajectory took off. He began taking classes with the famed improv comedy group The Groundlings in 1982. One year later, Jon got his first acting job on the television show “The Paper Chase: the Second Year.” Two years followed and then he was accepted into The Groundlings main company. In March 1985 The Groundlings appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” where Jon premiered his character “Tommy Flanagan of Pathological Liars Anonymous. SNL and numerous other offers followed and Jon was on his, working non-stop since. Along with his comedy, Jon is well known for his distinctive voice. It has served him will in his varied TV and film career. He is one of the few performers to start as an actor and then become a stand-up comedian who successfully headlines venues nationwide. Jon’s humor is unique, which is attributable to his quirky personality, and he is sure to entertain. $59.50, $49.50, $39.50, $29.50.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: Also May 17 and May 20-22, times vary
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Porchfest
MAY 17
Come hear your favorite local bands and musicians play from your neighbors’ porches at Long Beach’s PorchFest. Walk, bike, stroll from one porch to another and listen to these talented musicians.
•Where: TBD
•Time: TBD
•Contact: longbeachny.gov
Farmers’ Market
The Kennedy Plaza Farmers’ Market returns to Kennedy Plaza, in front of Long Beach City Hall, every Wednesday and Saturday. Come check out locally grown fruits and vegetables!
•Where: 1 W. Chester St.
•Time: Ongoing Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
•Contact: Call (516) 889-1300 for more information.
Concert of Contrasts
Join the Long Island Choral Society and Music Director Michael C.
Haigler for their final concert of the season. “From the Sublime to the Ridiculous”, offers the beautiful melodies of Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes as well as the ridiculous antics of P.D.Q. Bach’s Liebeslieder Polkas. Liebeslieder translates as Love Song and this concert will give two very different visions of musical expressions of love. Act I features Brahms lush waltzes, scored for 4-hand piano and sure to elicit emotions and romantic memories through its lush melodies and sublime poetry. Act II presents P.D.Q. Bach’s interpretation of love songs through energy driven polkas scored for 5-hand piano in such a manner as to create chaos, musical mayhem, visual hijinks and some seriously bad puns. $20, $10 youth. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at door.
•Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: lics.org or call (516) 652-6878
Art Explorations
Converse, collaborate and create at Nassau County Museum of Art. Kids and their adult partners can talk about and make art together. Enjoy reading and play in the Reading Room, and contribute to The
MAY
21
Ask the tech guy
Do you have questions about your computer or laptop? Want to learn more about Zoom, streaming movies, or downloading ebooks to your device? Join Long Beach Library’s Tech Guy, every Wednesday, to get answers to your pressing tech questions.
•Where: 111 W. Park Ave.
•Time:Ongoing Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.
•Contact: longbeachlibrary.org.
MAY
22
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mercy Hospital offers a peer-to-peer breastfeeding support group facilitated by a certified counselor. Open to new moms with babies from newborn to 1 year. Registration required.ay be going on in the area.
•Where: St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre.
•Time: Ongoing Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
•Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Lobby Project, a collaborative art installation. Registration required.
•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
•Time: noon-3 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
MAY 20
City Council meeting
Long Beach City Council meets, at City Hall. The meeting will also be streamed on YouTube. Join to learn about projects that may be going on in the area.
•Where: Sixth floor at City Hall
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: longbeachny.gov
Jazz Tuesdays
If you love jazz and standards, come experience the Sunset Trio in the L’Onda Bar at the Allegria Hotel, every Tuesday. Enjoy the incredible layered sounds of their jazz stylings on the piano, drums and bass. No cover/no minimum. Full food menu and bar bites available.
•Where: 80 W. Broadway.
•Time: Ongoing Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
•Contact: Call (516) 889-1300 for more
•Contact: Call Gabriella Gennaro at (516) 705-2434
MAY
23
Little Learners’ Flowers
Planting Fields Little Learners series continues with a blooming adventure for the little ones. Families explore the vibrant world of flowers in this hands-on program. Uncover the magic behind how flowers grow and the important role they play in our environment. Your little learner will be enchanted by the beauty of blooming flowers and the fascinating creatures that rely on them, from buzzing bees to graceful butterflies. Together, you’ll create stunning flower artwork, then get your hands dirty making seed balls: tiny, nature-filled creations that help give back to the earth. For ages 2-5. Registration required. $15 per child.
•Where: Education Center, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay.
•Time: 1-2 p.m.
•Contact: plantingfields.org or call (516) 922-9210
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.
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT
NASSAU COUNTY
ATCF II NEW YORK
LLC, Plaintiff against 316 EAST FULTON STREET, LLC, et al
Defendant(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216.
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 25, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 22, 2025 at 4:30 PM. 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 in the State of New York. Premises known as 316 East Fulton St., Long Beach, NY 11561. Sec 59 Block 136 Lot 13 (Group Lot: 13-14). Approximate Amount of Judgment is $5,851.43 plus interest, fees, and costs and Attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 603982/2024. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”
Chad Lupinacci, Esq., Referee File # 20-0384 153087
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSRMF MH MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST II, Plaintiff AGAINST ROBERTO ARROYO, MEDALIA RIVERA, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of
Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 24, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 369 East Pine Street, Long Beach, NY 11561 AKA 369 Pine Street, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements 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 134 and Lots 71-72. Approximate amount of judgment $442,349.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609825/2 023.
Christine M. Grillo, Esq, Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003458 85345 153193
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU SUNWEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff, Against THE NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AS ADMINISTRATOR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; JOSEPH WILLIAM AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; SAM O CHERRY AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; MICHELLE LEE LONG AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; ANITA DAWNHEALING AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; EDWARD LEN CHERRY AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; ROSIE KAROM AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF OMAR KAROM; et al, Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 02/17/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 6/5/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 205 Maple Boulevard Long Beach, Long Beach, New York 11561, and described as follows:
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 59 Block 215 Lot 72
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $921,669.23 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine; Index # 004836/2015 Scott H Siller, Esq., Referee.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573 Dated: 4/29/2025 File Number: 16-302301 MB 153278
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -againstSCOTT UNGER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated April 25, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court “Rain or Shine” located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 3, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING
at the corner formed by the intersection of the Easterly side of Lafayette Boulevard with the Southerly side of Hudson Street; being a plot 100 feet by 60 feet by 100 feet by 60 feet. Section 59 Block 44 Lot 1, 2 and 3. Said premises known as 520 LAFAYETTE BOULEVARD, LONG BEACH, NY 11561
Approximate amount of lien $830,835.20 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 014534/2012.
MATTHEW HUNTER, ESQ, Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 9024.106 {* LONG BEACH*} 153174
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR HILLDALE TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST MARY MARKS, RON MARKS AKA RON EVAN MARKS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 16, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 47 East Beech Street, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements 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 99, Lot 61-64. Approximate amount of judgment $1,405,702.49 plus
interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600924/2018. Fay Mattana, Esq., Referee Gross Polow y, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-005692 85259 153189
LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF OBJECTION TO NOTICE OF SALE.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that I, Martin Piotr Nowak, the real party in interest in this matter, formally object to the Notice of Sale issued pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure concerning real property located at: 113 New York Avenue, Long Beach, New York 11561, Section-59, Block-265, Lot-28. Said property is the subject of foreclosure proceedings under case number 602421/2019 filed in the Supreme Court, Nassau County. I, Martin Piotr Nowak object to the pending sale scheduled for 6/5/2025, asserting that equitable claim has been brought forward in this matter and notice to exercise the equity of redemption and equitable subrogation served upon all parties. Further, it is objected on equitable grounds that no bona fide purchaser for value may rely upon the Notice of Sale, as the sale and bargain deed have been accepted by Martin Piotr Nowak, grantee, and title rights have vested accordingly. Notice of said acceptance has been published in the Long Island Business News as legal notice 4018831 on 1/17/2025-1/24/2025-1 /31/2025 and recorded in Columbia County, New York Instrument#: 20250002136 3/12/2025. Any attempt to proceed with sale or transfer in contravention of this notice will result in further equitable action. By, Martin Piotr Nowak, May 1, 2025. 153415
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, -againstMATTHEW CASALE
A/K/A MATTHEW DOMINICK CASALE A/K/A MATHEW CASALE, 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 October 15, 2024, wherein PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION is the Plaintiff and MATTHEW CASALE A/K/A MATTHEW DOMINICK CASALE A/K/A MATHEW CASALE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 10, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 751 WEST PARK AVENUE A/K/A 751 WEST PARK AVENUE #120 F/K/A 751 WEST PARK AVENUE #20, LONG BEACH, NY 11561; and the following tax map identification: 59-250-143U A/K/A 59-250-143, UNIT 120. THE RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNIT KNOWN AS UNIT NO. 20 IN THE BUILDINGS (“BUILDINGS”) KNOWN AS THE BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM, LOCATED AT 751-789 WEST PARK AVENUE, LONG BEACH IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITY OF LONG BEACH, STATE OF NEW YORK, AND ALSO DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS UNIT NO. 20 IN THE DECLARATION ESTABLISHING THE BAY CLUB CONDOMINIUM (HEREINAFTER CALLED THE “PROPERTY”) MADE BY GRANTER UNDER THE CONDOMINIUM ACT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND AMENDED (ARTICLE 9-B OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED 5.0 PERCENT INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN SAID DECLARATION, 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 Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 606001/2023.
Scott H. Siller, 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. 153378
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
Place a notice by
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff - against - MARTIN P. NOWAK, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on May 29, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 5th day of June, 2025 at 2:00 PM. 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 known as 113 New York Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561.
(Section: 59, Block: 265, Lot: 28) Approximate amount of lien $362,438.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 602421/2019. Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: April 24, 2025
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 153327
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF THE LONG BEACH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing on the proposed school district budget will be held on May 13, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the Long Beach High School Auditorium, 322 Lagoon Drive West, Lido Beach, New York, and can also be viewed remotely at tinyurl. com/proudtobeLB; for the transaction of business as authorized by the Education Law, including the following items:
1. To present to the voters a detailed statement of the amount of money which will be required for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. 2. To discuss all the items hereinafter set forth to be voted upon by voting machine at the Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to Education Law of the State of New York and acts amendatory thereto.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the statement of the amount of money required for the ensuing year for school purposes (school budget) exclusive of public monies may be obtained by any district resident beginning May 6, 2025, between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM, prevailing time, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays at the Office of the District Clerk, 235 Lido
Public Notices
Boulevard, Lido Beach, New York, at Long Beach Public Library, at 111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, New York, and on the District’s internet website. A copy of the statement of the amount of money that will be required for the Library purposes exclusive of public money will be available at the Long Beach Public Library and the Library’s district clerk’s office for the year beginning July 1, 2025. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said Budget Vote and Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the school election districts indicated below, between the hours of 7:00AM and 9:00PM, prevailing time, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machine upon the following items:
1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2025-2026 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
2. To elect one member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028, to fill the positions held by Anne Conway, whose terms expire on June 30, 2025.
3. To vote on the following proposition: CAPITAL RESERVE FUND EXPENDITURE PROPOSITION “SHALL THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE LONG BEACH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT (the “School District”) be authorized to appropriate and expend: a sum not to exceed $2,877,971 representing monies from the 2018 Capital Improvement Fund for the following purposes: replace ceramic tile pool deck including mud setting bed, install new waterproofing membrane, reline entire pool shell with Murtha pool PVC liner system including new main drain and gutters; replace pool bleachers; replace gym bleachers , as well as preliminary and other costs incidental thereto?
(Because the funds to be expended hereunder are from the referenced Capital Reserve Funds, approval of this proposition will not require a tax levy upon the real property of the district.)”
4. To elect one (1) trustee of the Long
Beach Public Library for a five (5) year term commencing on July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2030. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that, per resolution of the Board of Education adopted on February 8, 2022, this vote and election will be held at the following school election districts (the accurate description of the boundaries is on file and may be inspected at the Office of the District Clerk, Administration Building, 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, New York 11561):
LINDELL SCHOOL
ELECTION DISTRICT
LINDELL SCHOOL
GYMNASIUM 601 LINDELL
BOULEVARD, CITY OF LONG BEACH
This election district embraces the territory bounded on the West by a line parallel to and sixty (60) feet westerly from Malone Avenue, on the North by Reynolds Channel, on the East by the center line of Long Beach Boulevard and on the South by the Atlantic Ocean.
EAST SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT
EAST SCHOOL
GYMNASIUM 456 NEPTUNE
BOULEVARD, CITY OF LONG BEACH
This election district embraces the territory bounded on the West by the center line of Long Beach Boulevard, on the North by Reynolds Channel, East to the easterly bounding line of the City of Long Beach, and on the South by the Atlantic Ocean.
LIDO/MS SCHOOL ELECTION DISTRICT
LIDO COMPLEX
AUDITORIUM LOBBY 239 LIDO BOULEVARD, LIDO BEACH, NEW YORK
This election district embraces the territory of the area known as Lido Beach, bounded on the West by a line commencing due east of the City of Long Beach, on the North by Reynolds Channel, on the East by the easterly boundary line of Point Lookout and on the South by the Atlantic Ocean.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how the total assessed value of the final assessment roll used in the budgetary
process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted by the statutory authority, and show the cumulative impact of each type of exemption, the cumulative amount expected to be received as payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. In addition, said exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that petitions nominating candidates for Board of Education trustees and Library Board trustee are available from the Clerk of said School District at her office in the Administration Building, 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, New York, 11561. Nominating petitions must be filed with the Clerk of the School District not later than April 30, 2025, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. Vacancies on both the Board of Education and the Library Board are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions for Board of Education trustee must be directed to the District Clerk, must be signed by at least 100 qualified voters of the District; must state the name and residence of each signer; and must state the name and residence of the candidate.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that applications for early mail ballots and absentee ballots for the school district election are to be completed on a form prescribed by the state board of elections and may be obtained by visiting the New York State Education Department’s Website (http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-english.pdf; http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-spanish. pdf), or by contacting the District Clerk by email or phone at sfamiletti@lbeach. org or 516-897-2108. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than April 21, 2025 and at least seven (7) days before the election, May 13, 2025, if the ballot is to be mailed to the
voter, or the day before the election, May 19, 2025, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. A list of persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 4:00p.m., prevailing time, on each day prior to the day set for the annual election, except Sunday, and on May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER
NOTICE that any person who is not registered under permanent personal registration on or before January 1, 2018, or supplemental registration lists furnished by the Nassau County Board of Elections, or has not voted at an intervening school district election, must present himself or herself personally for registration in order to be entitled to vote on May 6, 2025 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm; at Long Beach Middle School Auditorium Lobby, 239 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, New York 11561.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any person who has moved from one school election district in the Long Beach City School District to another, and who has not registered in the new school election district, and who is still registered in the district from which he or she moved, may vote in the election district in which he or she registered. Such people must advise, at the time of voting, the election inspectors of his/her new address to correct such registration.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that only those qualified voters whose names appear on the registers prepared for
said school district election will be entitled to vote on Election Day. The register will be filed in the District Clerk’s Office and open to inspection by any qualified voter of the school district from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. on weekdays from May 6, 2025 to May 20, 2025, and Saturday May 10, 2025, when it will be available from 9 A.M. to 12 noon by appointment only.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. An application for registration as a military voter can be requested by contacting the District Clerk by telephone (516) 897-2108, facsimile (516) 771-3944, email sfamiletti@lbeach. org, mail to 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, NY, 11561, or in person (during regular office hours or between the hours of 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM); the application for registration must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 pm on May 6, 2025. In the request for an application for registration, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for registration by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that military voters who are qualified voters of the district may submit an application for a military ballot by requesting an application form from the District Clerk; in order to receive a military ballot, the military ballot application must be received no later than 5:00 pm on May 5, 2025. In the request for an application for a military ballot, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for a military ballot, and the military ballot, by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. All qualified military voters’ ballot applications and military ballots must be returned by mail or in person. Ballots for military voters shall be distributed to qualified military voters no later than May 6, 2025. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and must show
a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or must show a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or (2) not later than 5:00 pm on the day of the election and be signed and dated by the military voter and one witness, with a date ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.
A list of persons to whom military ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, May 15, 2025, between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 4:00p.m., prevailing time, on each day prior to the day set for the annual election, except Sunday, and on May 20, 2025, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with Section 2035 of the Education Law, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Education at the District Office, Administration Building, 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, New York 11561, in sufficient time to permit notice of the proposition to be included with the Notice of the Public Hearing, Budget Vote and Election required by Section 2004 of the Education Law or on or before April 21, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., prevailing time; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District; and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, which is unlawful, or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the
expenditure of monies is required by the proposition, or where other valid reason exists for excluding the proposition from the ballot.
Dated: Lido Beach, New York, March 25, 2025 By Order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE LONG BEACH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lido Beach, New York Susannah Familetti, District Clerk 152703
LEGAL NOTICE
ANUNCIO DE AUDIENCIA PUBLICA, VOTACION DE PRESUPUESTO Y ELECCION DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE LA CIUDAD DE LONG BEACH, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que se llevará a cabo una audiencia pública sobre el presupuesto propuesto del distrito escolar el 13 de mayo de 2025 a las 7:00 p.m. en el Auditorio de la Escuela Secundaria de Long Beach, 237 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, Nueva York, y también se puede ver de forma remota en tinyurl. com/proudtobeLB ; por la transacción de negocios según lo autorizado por la Ley de Educación, incluyendo los siguientes artículos:
1. Para presentar a los votantes una declaración detallada del monto de dinero, el cual será requerido para el año fiscal 2025-2026. 2. Para discutir todos los artículos que se establecen a continuación para ser votados por máquina de votación en la Votación y Elección del Presupuesto que se llevará a cabo el martes 20 de mayo del 2025.
3. Para tramitar cualquier otro asunto que pueda presentarse adecuadamente ante la reunión de conformidad con la Ley de Educación del Estado de Nueva York y las leyes que la modifican. POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que cualquier residente del distrito puede obtener una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero requerida para el año siguiente para propósitos escolares (presupuesto escolar) sin incluir dinero público a partir del 6 de mayo del 2025, entre las 8:00 a.m. y 4:00 p. m., horario vigente, excepto los sábados, domingos o feriados en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, 235 Lido Boulevard,
Lido Beach, Nueva York, en la Biblioteca Pública de Long Beach, en 111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, Nueva York , y en el sitio web de Internet del Distrito. Una copia de la declaración de la cantidad de dinero que se requerirá para los fines de la Biblioteca, sin incluir el dinero público, estará disponible en la Biblioteca Pública de Long Beach y en la oficina del secretario del distrito de la Biblioteca para el año que comienza el 1 de julio del 2025.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADICIONALMENTE que dicha Votación del Presupuesto y Elección se llevarán a cabo el Martes 20 de mayo del 2025 en los distritos electorales escolares que se indican a continuación, entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p.m. Se abrirán urnas para votar por máquina de votación en los siguientes artículos:
1. Para Adoptar el presupuesto anual del Distrito Escolar para el año fiscal 2025-2026 y autorizar que la parte requerida del mismo se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad imponible del Distrito.
2. Para elegir un (1) miembro de la Junta de Educación por un término de tres (3) años comenzando el 1 de julio del 2025 y expirando el 30 de junio del 2028, para llenar la posiciónes mantenida por Anne Conway, cuyo término expira el 30 de junio del 2025. 3. Para votar en la siguiente propuesta: PROPUESTA DE GASTOS DE FONDOS DEL CAPITAL DE RESERVA “¿SE DEBE AUTORIZAR A LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN del Distrito Escolar de la Ciudad de Long Beach (el “Distrito Escolar”) a asignar y gastar: una suma que no exceda $2,877,971 que representa dinero del Fondo de Mejoras de Capital del 2018 para los siguientes propósitos: reemplazar la cubierta de la piscina de baldosas de cerámica, incluido el lecho de barro, instalar una nueva membrana impermeabilizante, revestir todo el vaso de la piscina con el sistema de revestimiento de PVC Murtha, incluido un nuevo desagüe principal y canalones; reemplazar las gradas de la piscina; reemplazar las gradas del gimnasio, así como los costes preliminares y otros costes incidentales? (Dado
Public Notices
que los fondos que se gastarán a continuación proceden de los Fondos de Reserva de Capital mencionados, la aprobación de esta proposición no requerirá una exacción fiscal sobre los bienes inmuebles del distrito).
4. Elegir a un (1) fideicomisario de la Biblioteca Pública de Long Beach por un período de cinco (5) años a partir del 1 de julio de 2025 y hasta el 30 de junio de 2030.
TENGA EN CUENTA
ADEMÁS que, según la resolución de la Junta de Educación adoptada el 8 de febrero del 2022, esta votación y elección se llevarán a cabo en los siguientes distritos electorales escolares (la descripción precisa de los límites está archivada y puede ser inspeccionada en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, Edificio Administrativo, 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, Nueva York 11561):
DISTRITO ELECTORAL DE LA ESCUELA LINDELL
GIMNASIO ESCOLAR LINDELL
601 LINDELL
BOULEVARD, CIUDAD DE LONG BEACH
Este distrito electoral abarca el territorio delimitado al oeste por una línea paralela y sesenta (60) pies al oeste de Malone Avenue, al norte por Reynolds Channel, al este por la línea central de Long Beach Boulevard y al sur por el Océano Atlántico.
DISTRITO ELECTORAL DE LA ESCUELA EAST
GIMNASIO ESCOLAR EAST 456 NEPTUNE BOULEVARD, CIUDAD DE LONG BEACH
Este distrito electoral abarca el territorio delimitado al oeste por la línea central de Long Beach Boulevard, al norte por Reynolds Channel, al este hasta la línea límite este de la ciudad de Long Beach y al sur por el Océano Atlántico.
DISTRITO ELECTORAL DE LAS ESCUELAS LIDO/ MS
VESTIBULO DEL AUDITORIO DEL COMPLEJO LIDO
239 LIDO BOULEVARD, LIDO BEACH, NEW YORK
Este distrito electoral abarca el territorio del área conocida como Lido Beach, delimitada al oeste por una línea que comienza al este de la ciudad de Long Beach, al norte por Reynolds Channel, al este por la línea fronteriza este de Point Lookout y al Sur con el Océano Atlántico. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE
DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que, de conformidad con la Sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre la Propiedad Inmueble, el Distrito Escolar debe adjuntar a su presupuesto propuesto un informe de exención. Dicho informe de exención, que también formará parte del presupuesto final, mostrará cómo el valor catastral total de la nómina final utilizada en el proceso presupuestario está exento de tributación, enumerará cada tipo de exención otorgada por la autoridad estatutaria y mostrará el impacto acumulado de cada tipo de exención, el monto acumulado que se espera recibir como pago en lugar de impuestos (PILOT) y el impacto acumulado de todas las exenciones otorgadas. Además, dicho informe de exención se publicará en cualquier tablón de anuncios mantenido por el Distrito para avisos públicos y en cualquier sitio web mantenido por el Distrito.
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que las peticiones de nominación de candidatos para miembros de la Junta de Educación y miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca están disponibles en la Secretaría de dicho Distrito Escolar en su oficina en el Edificio de Administración, 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, Nueva York, 11561. Las peticiones de nominación deben ser presentado ante el Secretario del Distrito Escolar a más tardar el 30 de abril de 2025, entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m., hora vigente. Las vacantes tanto en la Junta de Educación como en la Junta de la Biblioteca no se consideran cargos específicos separados; los candidatos corren en general. Las peticiones de nominación para el fideicomisario de la Junta de Educación deben dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito, deben estar firmadas por al menos 100 votantes calificados del Distrito; debe indicar el nombre y la residencia de cada firmante; y debe indicar el nombre y la residencia del candidato.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de boletas de voto anticipado por correo y de voto en ausencia para las elecciones del distrito escolar deben completarse en un formulario prescrito por
la junta electoral estatal y se pueden obtener visitando el sitio web del Departamento de Educación del Estado de Nueva York (http:// www.counsel.nysed. gov/common/counsel/ files/absentee-ballotapplication-andinstructions-english.pdf; http://www.counsel. nysed.gov/common/ counsel/files/absenteeballot-application-andinstructions-spanish. pdf), o comunicándose con el Secretario del Distrito por correo electrónico a sfamiletti@ lbeach.org o al 516-8972108. El Secretario del Distrito debe recibir las solicitudes completas no antes del 21 de abril del 2025 y al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección, el 13 de mayo del 2025, si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día anterior a la elección, el 19 de mayo del 2025, si la boleta se va a entregar personalmente al elector. El secretario del distrito debe recibir las boletas de voto en ausencia a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m., hora vigente, el Martes 20 de mayo del 2025. Un listado de las personas a las que se les emitieron las boletas de voto anticipado por correo y de voto en ausencia estará disponible para su inspección por parte de los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del Jueves 15 de mayo del 2025, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la elección anual, excepto el Domingo, y el 20 de mayo del 2025, día fijado para la elección. Cualquier votante calificado que esté presente en el lugar de votación puede oponerse a la votación de la boleta por motivos apropiados, dando a conocer su impugnación y las razones por las cuales el Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. No se puede impugnar una boleta de voto ausente basándose en que el votante debería haber solicitado una boleta de voto anticipado por correo.
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que cualquier persona que no esté registrada bajo el registro personal permanente el 1 de enero del 2018 o antes, o las listas de registro suplementarias proporcionadas por la Junta Electoral del Condado de Nassau, o
que no haya votado en una elección del distrito escolar intermedio, debe presentarse o ella misma personalmente para registrarse para tener derecho a votar el 6 de mayo del 2025 de 2:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m.; en el vestíbulo del auditorio de la Escuela Media Long Beach, 239 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, Nueva York 11561.
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que cualquier persona que se haya mudado de un distrito escolar electoral en el Distrito Escolar de la Ciudad de Long Beach a otro, y que no se haya registrado en el nuevo distrito escolar electoral, y que todavía esté registrado en el distrito de donde proviene movido, puede votar en el distrito electoral en el que se registró. Dichas personas deberán informar, al momento de votar, a los inspectores electorales de su nuevo domicilio para corregir dicha inscripción.
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS que solo aquellos votantes calificados cuyos nombres aparecen en los registros preparados para dicha elección del distrito escolar tendrán derecho a votar el Día de la Elección. El registro se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito y estará abierto a la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del distrito escolar de 8:00 a.m. a las 4:00 p. m. los días laborables del 6 de mayo del 2025 al 20 de mayo del 2025, y el Sábado 10 de mayo del 2025, cuando estará disponible de 9 a.m. a las 12 del mediodía solo con cita previa.
Y POR LA PRESENTE SE DA AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que no están actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Se puede solicitar una solicitud de registro como votante militar comunicándose con el secretario del distrito por teléfono (516) 897-2108, fax (516) 771-3944, correo electrónico sfamiletti@ lbeach.org, correo a 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, NY, 11561, o en persona (durante el horario normal de oficina o entre las 8:15 a. m. y las 4:00 p.m.); la solicitud de registro debe recibirse en la oficina del secretario del distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 6 de mayo del 2025. En la solicitud de registro, el
News brief
The Long Beach Fire Department and the Point Lookout-Lido Fire Department rescued an injured fisherman whose boat ran aground in Point Lookout Tuesday.
Fisherman rescued in Point Lookout Tuesday
The Long Beach Fire Department assisted the Point Lookout-Lido Fire Department in rescuing a fisherman whose boat ran aground on Tuesday.
The rescue happened just before 3:30 p.m. at the West Marina in Point Lookout. The Town of Hempstead Bay Constables removed the boat from the water. The fisherman was injured and was brought to a nearby hospital.
–Brendan Carpenter
Public Notices
votante militar puede designar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico.
POR FAVOR TENGA EN CUENTA ADEMÁS
Un votante militar que esté debidamente registrado puede solicitar una boleta militar solicitando un formulario de solicitud al Secretario del Distrito; para recibir una boleta militar, la solicitud de boleta militar debe recibirse a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 5 de mayo del 2025. En la solicitud de una boleta militar, el votante militar puede designar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de boleta militar, y la boleta militar, por correo, transmisión por facsímil o correo electrónico. Todas las solicitudes de boletas de votantes militares calificados y boletas militares deben devolverse por correo o en persona. Las boletas para votantes militares se distribuirán a los votantes militares calificados a más tardar el 6 de mayo del 2025. El Secretario del Distrito (1) debe recibir las
boletas militares antes del cierre de las urnas, el Martes 20 de mayo del 2025, y deben mostrar un marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o debe mostrar un endoso de recibo fechado por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección y estar firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección.
Una lista de las personas a las que se emiten las boletas militares estará disponible para su inspección por parte de los votantes calificados del Distrito en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 15 de mayo de 2025, entre las 8:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p. m., hora vigente, todos los días anteriores al día fijado para la elección anual, excepto el domingo, y el 20 de mayo de 2025, día fijado para la elección. Cualquier votante calificado que esté presente en el lugar de votación puede
oponerse a la votación de la boleta por motivos apropiados, dando a conocer su impugnación y las razones por las cuales el Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. Y POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA ADICIONALMENTE que, de conformidad con una regla adoptada por la Junta de Educación de conformidad con la Sección 2035 de la Ley de Educación, cualquier referéndum o proposición para enmendar el presupuesto, o que de otro modo se someta a votación en dicha elección, debe ser presentada ante el Secretario de la Junta de Educación en la Oficina del Distrito, Edificio Administrativo, 235 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, Nueva York 11561, con tiempo suficiente para permitir que el aviso de la propuesta se incluya con el Aviso de la Audiencia Pública, Votación del Presupuesto y Elección requerida por la Sección 2004 de la Ley de Educación o antes del 21 de abril de 2025, a las 4:00 p. m., hora
vigente; debe estar escrito a máquina o impreso en el idioma inglés; debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe estar firmado por al menos 25 votantes calificados del Distrito; y debe indicar legiblemente el nombre de cada firmante. Sin embargo, la Junta Escolar no considerará ninguna petición para presentar a los votantes ninguna propuesta cuyo propósito no esté dentro de los poderes de los votantes para determinar, que sea ilegal, o cualquier propuesta que no incluya una asignación específica donde el gasto de la proposición requiere dinero, o cuando existe otra razón válida para excluir la proposición de la boleta. Fechado: Lido Beach, New York 25 de marzo del 2025 Por Orden de la JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE LA CIUDAD DE LONG BEACH Lido Beach, Nueva York Susannah Familetti, Secretaria del Distrito 152706
Courtesy Long Beach Fire Department
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Redoing a basement, Part 3
Q. We bought our home three years ago, and are finally ready to finish our basement to make a family room, guest bedroom and a bathroom while enclosing our laundry. Right now it’s just a big open space with a lot of columns. The ceiling is low, and we’ve had estimates to cut down the basement floor. It seems like a lot of money to do all these things at once, but we understand that we need to do it before the prices for materials, as we’ve been warned, go a lot higher. We want to know what needs to be done if we want to lower the floor, take out two columns so our recreation room is bigger, and put in a bathroom. Is there any way to save money?
A. This third column ties together the previous two to state that, basically, you get what you pay for, and sometimes less. I explained that basement bathrooms may not be allowed to have a bathing fixture, tub or shower, depending on the municipal requirements, and that many communities also won’t allow a bedroom in a basement, for safety reasons. I also outlined the process for figuring out beams so that columns can be removed, and that while “guessers” may save you some money up front, repairs can erase the savings.
Now we’re up to lowering the basement floor. “Saving money” and “lowering a basement floor” should rarely be in the same sentence, except for when writing an answer as to why. In general, you want more living space, structurally sound and waterproof. Both of those needs are hard to achieve if any part of the process is left out.
It’s always best to gain the most amount of interior space, and I can often tell when either saving money was the focus or amateur work was done when I see a foundation wall projecting into the basement like a concrete bench. To avoid this look and to get the most use out of the space, you have to start with knowing where the underground water table is. Unless you dig a hole or order a soil-boring test from a professional company, you may soon find out why the floor wasn’t lower to begin with. This test could save you great expense.
The process of correctly supporting the exterior concrete foundation walls is called “underpinning.” The excavation can be done from the interior side of the foundation wall if the exterior isn’t accessible. Either way, the underpinning process must be done in sections, not all at once. There would be complete collapses of walls and floors above if entire foundations were removed at one time. When this is done, it usually causes tremendous damage, possible death and news coverage.
Engineered sections, with waterproofing to the exterior, have to be planned. The old sections are carefully cut out, and then replaced several feet apart before the next sections are removed. Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Local voices matter, and the RAPID Act listens
Last month, a handful of Nassau County town supervisors stood in front of a firehouse on Barnum Island and took the low road, whipping up fear, distorting facts and conflating fallacy and fantasy with reality to try to block progress. Their target was the Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment, or RAPID, Act, a new state law designed to streamline the approval process for large-scale renewable energy and electric transmission projects.
The RAPID Act creates a more efficient and transparent process for reviewing the major infrastructure projects we desperately need. If we’re serious about clean energy, grid reliability and energy security, this is our path toward resiliency and sustainability. It’s good for consumers and developers because the streamlined process reduces costs, making investments in the grid more affordable. Unfortunately these days, facts don’t seem to matter much to some. But here are the facts.
Before the RAPID Act became law in April 2024, New York state had a patchwork of laws that made siting energy
projects difficult, confusing and expensive. Today there is a clear, easy-to-follow, streamlined system under the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission. The new system saves time and money, increases consistency, and gives communities a meaningful voice from the very beginning.
Here’s how it works.
Before even submitting an application, developers are required to consult with local officials. Throughout the process, the public is invited to comment. Each project must have meaningful community outreach in which residents are invited to participate, along with ORES.
Tfor clean, reliable energy.
The reality is that most projects comply with local laws almost entirely, and the few disputes thus far have largely been resolved through mutual agreement. Waivers aren’t done casually. They must be fully justified. And towns can challenge them. As of last month, only five towns in the entire state had appealed such rulings, and all five rulings were upheld.
here have been over 50 energy project siting hearings across the state.
To date, there have been over 50 hearings across the state. That’s not secrecy. That’s real public engagement. Your comments have been heard, as have developers — who often modify projects in response to public feedback.
Another fallacy is how the RAPID Act treats local laws. It did not create new authority for the state to waive local laws — that ability has been part of the siting process in New York for decades. The act was designed to make those waivers less likely by addressing points of conflict early. And the law allows ORES to waive those laws only when they are unreasonably burdensome and conflict with the state’s goals
If that sounds like a heavy-handed state bulldozing towns, you might want to check the script the town supervisors are reading from, because it’s fiction. What we saw last month was not thoughtful concern for our future infrastructure needs. It was a political strategy that assumes that every environmental policy from Albany is a threat, every clean-energy initiative a conspiracy and every step forward something to block. Lumping everything together and crying foul to whip up outrage doesn’t benefit the New Yorkers that we public servants are here to serve. Meanwhile, our infrastructure is aging, and doing nothing is no longer an option. The RAPID Act moves us forward. It helps make sure our homes have power during extreme storms. It helps reduce pollution. It helps create good-paying jobs in clean energy. That
should be something we can all get behind.
If the supervisors want to sit down and talk seriously about how to improve the process, our door is always open. But yelling about non-existent dangers doesn’t help anyone. It misleads the public. It slows progress. And it makes it harder to build the kind of energy future Long Island deserves and desperately needs.
We believe in transparency, community input and in building a future in which Long Island is stronger, safer and cleaner. The RAPID Act is a big step in that direction.
It’s time to stop the political games. Time to stop pretending that doing nothing is somehow safer. I know firsthand that Long Islanders care about their communities, and the environment. They’re smart enough to see through rhetoric designed to instill fear, and they deserve better: They deserve leadership that tells the truth about the very real needs and demands of our infrastructure and its impacts on growing our economy. As I’ve said in countless hearings and committee meetings, the RAPID Act isn’t about taking power away from towns. It’s about keeping the lights on, making sure everyone has a seat at the table, and making sure we’re ready for the future.
Let’s move forward together.
Rory Christian is chairman of the New York State Public Service Commission.
Companies that produce packing waste must recycle it
Consumers have changed our shopping habits across New York state. The transition to online shopping has significantly increased plastic, paper and cardboard packaging waste. Those materials go to Reworld, which takes our trash, and are turned into ash. The ash needs to go somewhere, but where?
On Long Island, most of the ash goes to Brookhaven Landfill, but that clock is ticking. The Brookhaven facility will soon reach its capacity for ash, and that means it will close in the next few years, leaving towns such as Hempstead and North Hempstead with no ash-disposal options on Long Island. As packaging waste increases, recycling rates remain lackluster, which adds to our solid-waste burden. The good news is that we can reduce packaging waste and increase recycling rates to help address this challenge. Citizens Campaign for the Environment
chairs a statewide coalition of environmental leaders, local governments, stakeholders and elected officials who have joined to back state legislation called the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. This important bill is urgently needed.
p ass the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act!
New York is experiencing a solid-waste crisis, with skyrocketing costs to municipalities, abysmal recycling rates, and plastic pollution littering our communities and waterways. Our state generates more than 17 million tons of municipal solid waste annually. Long Island is responsible for 1.6 million tons per year, 205,000 tons of which go to landfills off Long Island, and 1.4 million tons are sent to waste-toenergy facilities, resulting in 400,000 tons of ash that must be landfilled. There is currently no plan to manage this ash once the Brookhaven landfill is closed. The one wise choice everyone agrees on is to reduce our waste stream, and this legislation would do just that.
The financial burden of managing recyclable waste falls on local taxpayers. Municipalities are struggling with
recycling costs and outdated infrastructure that significantly limits the volume of materials that are recycled. It is estimated that local governments statewide spend more than $200 million each year to keep local recycling programs going. That is not sustainable.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act would revolutionize New York’s approach to solid waste by shifting the responsibility of managing plastic, paper and packaging waste to corporations, not taxpayers and local governments. Those that put packaging into the waste stream are best positioned to reduce the amount of packaging that’s created in the first place.
The measure would require large corporations to reduce consumer packaging by 30 percent in 12 years, increase post-consumer recycled content in packaging and invest in new reuse/ refill infrastructure. The bill includes strong oversight and enforcement provisions to ensure that corporations comply.
Other states, including California,
Colorado, Maine and Oregon, have passed such laws, and similar policies have been in effect in parts of Europe and Canada for over 30 years. Where fully implemented, recycling rates exceed 70 percent, and the cost of consumer goods has not increased one penny.
It is time for corporations take out their own trash! Each year, companies ship billions of products with excess packaging, exacerbating the solid-waste crisis, yet they bear no responsibility for managing the waste they create. This sensible legislation promises to save money for municipalities and taxpayers, remove toxic substances from packaging, increase recycling and require producers to reduce waste.
We need to modernize New York’s recycling system and make producers take responsibility for managing their packaging waste. We need the governor, the State Senate and the Assembly to support this critical bill and get it signed into law this year. Every year we do nothing is another year we waste money, and allow our solid-waste management problem to grow.
We can do this!
RoRY CHRisTiAn
Adrienne Esposito is executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
We must restore Musk’s cuts of the 9/11 health fund
it is essential that Congress do all it can to fully restore the World Trade Center Health Program. I commend Long Island Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota for leading a bipartisan effort to undo the damage, intentional or not, to this program by Elon Musk’s chainsaw cuts of government health programs.
During my years in Congress, no issue was more vital or intensely personal to me than ensuring that all of the surviving victims of the attacks of Sept. 11 — police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, construction workers and civilians — receive the care they require and deserve for the illnesses caused by the toxins they breathed in at ground zero in the days, weeks and months afterward.
It wasn’t until several years after 9/11 that evidence emerged of a growing number of blood cancers and lung and breathing disorders suffered by 9/11 first responders and nearby residents and students. The concern was bipartisan. Democratic Representatives Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney and
ARepublicans Vito Fossella and I were the original prime advocates. We introduced legislation in 2005 and again in 2007 to establish and fund a 9/11 illness detection and treatment program.
ed a rare and fatal blood cancer after working together at ground zero. The chances of this being a coincidence were infinitesimal. And there were countless similar situations.
session, our efforts paid off: Zadroga passed both the House and Senate.
TToday we know that more people have died from 9/11 illnesses than from the attacks, but in those early years, the numbers of victims weren’t yet especially high, and there was no proof of direct linkage to 9/11, which made it difficult to generate strong interest or support outside the New York and New Jersey congressional delegations.
hey’re causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated.
Soon enough, however, there was too much evidence to ignore. Anecdotally, I would see FDNY and NYPD neighbors who had worked at ground zero wearing oxygen masks as they watched their kids’ Little League games or stopped by 7-Eleven for coffee. Those scenes were repeated across Long Island and the entire downstate region, and there would eventually be victims among rescue workers who had come to New York from almost all 50 states. To make our case, we asked 9/11 heroes to visit Congress to make direct appeals to individual members. I particularly recall NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly sitting in my Washington office telling me about two cops who contract-
The enormity of what was becoming a 9/11 health crisis could no longer be denied. In 2008, we thought our legislation — named the Zadroga Bill, after James Zadroga, who was believed to be the first NYPD officer to die from a 9/11 illness — would be included in a large year-end package of legislation agreed on by Congress and the White House. Unfortunately the combined tumult of a Presidential election and a stock market collapse prevented it from coming to a vote, and there was no opportunity to salvage it.
After close but disappointing nearmisses over the next two years, primarily because of opposition from Republicans in Southern and Western states, I and others fought furiously to get Zadroga passed. I had no tolerance for opposition from the crowd who primarily represented states and districts that received disproportionate levels of federal assistance at the expense of donor states like New York, which effectively subsidized them. Finally, on Dec. 22, 2010, the last day of the congressional
Unfortunately the bill had a five-year limit, so we had to wage the fight again in 2015. This time the struggle wasn’t as difficult, and Zadroga was extended. But then, in 2019, we learned there were many more victims than expected, and the fund was running short. With the bipartisan support of Democrats like then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and House Republicans like then Whip Steve Scalise and Representatives Doug Collins and Mike Johnson, Zadroga was extended to the end of the century. I was proud to be with President Trump when he signed this legislation at a ceremony on the White House lawn.
Now the fund is seriously threatened by Musk’s misplaced cuts, which, probably made unknowingly, are causing many of the 9/11 doctors and experts to be terminated, including program Director Dr. John Howard.
Though the White House has promised to fully reinstate the program, so far it has not been done. Victims are being denied necessary testing. This insanity must end. Our nation’s commitment to the victims of 9/11 must be honored!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
The new state budget is a victory for Hochul
merica is fixated on picking winners and losers. We use that term every day, applying it to sports, the stock market and every other field of endeavor. I heard it during the trial of O.J. Simpson, and I remember hearing it as far back as the 1960s, when, following a massive snowstorm, some parts of Queens were the last neighborhoods in New York City to see snowplows. Winners and losers are proclaimed extensively in politics, because politicians are tested on an almost daily basis.
Which leads to a discussion of the long-delayed New York state budget. Over the years, when there was an agreement between the three leaders — the governor, the leader of the State Senate and the Assembly speaker — they would all show up at a much-heralded news conference, at which each would take credit for some portion of the budget bill. For the past few years, that practice has changed, because the only person who has been taking the
media spotlight is Gov. Kathy Hochul. Before talking about winners and losers, it’s worth looking at this year’s budget process. The new spending plan budget is the latest to be finalized since 2010. Since the April 1 deadline, there have been 11 legislative extensions, which assures state employees that they can collect their paychecks.
LCould the governor have refused to delay the passage of an agreed-on budget and submitted her own spending plan on a take-itor-leave-it basis? The answer is yes. During the administration of Gov. David Paterson, the courts decided that if the Legislature can’t agree on a budget by March 31, the governor can force a vote on his or her own plan with no further delays.
cation, housing, mental hygiene and tax reform. When the dust settled, the two leaders got their asks, but the governor got the lion’s share of what she proposed back in January.
ooking to next year’s election, she set aside money for every region of the state.
But in the spirit of harmony, succeeding governors have chosen to go through the arduous process of countless meetings and formal extensions until all of the parties sign on to a final accord. This year, Hochul made it clear that she had a long list of priorities, and had no plans to give in on them. She presented the Assembly and Senate with a long list of programs covering criminal law, edu-
With an eye on next year’s election, Hochul set aside money for every region of the state. She addressed subway crime, and sided with the state’s district attorneys on their demand for reforms that will allow them to prevent the dismissal of pending cases. Taxpayers can anticipate expansion of childcare tax credits and many other goodies, including $400 checks for families on limited incomes. School districts will get a hefty increase in education aid, and students won’t be unable use their cellphones from the first school bell to the last.
During a typical give-and-take that is part of the negotiating process, each of the parties shows some willingness to bend on their key issues. But this time, the governor stuck to her guns and yielded on very few issues. Facing what could be a very tough re-election campaign next year, Hochul dug in on almost every proposal she made and
gave little ground, which added to the delays. Albany insiders were surprised at her insistence on winning on so many issues, but she has powers, and used them.
An outsider might wonder why budgets take so long these days, compared with the process 20 and 30 years ago, when spending plans were adopted days and weeks before the deadline. Once upon a time, the state budget was strictly a numbers game. The leaders would promote their pet programs, and possibly sneak in a new program or two. But in the late 1980s, the leaders began to introduce items that were controversial and had little to do with the budget. Wrapped up in one big bill, these nonfiscal items would pass, because the members would have no choice but to swallow the whole document.
Is there a chance that state budgets will once again become just a numbers package? That’s highly unlikely, because all of the leaders have developed an appetite for inserting proposals in the budget that would have no chance of passing as stand-alone bills.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.
Welcoming home your freshman
as college dorm rooms empty across the nation, millions of parents are preparing for a significant homecoming. Your freshman is returning — perhaps changed, certainly tired, and undoubtedly with more laundry than you thought humanly possible. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter in your family story, one that requires delicate navigation, open communication, and occasional deep breaths as you adjust to your evolving relationship.
The transformation that occurs during college’s freshman year is nothing short of remarkable. The timid student who needed reminders about deadlines may return with strong opinions about political systems you’ve never discussed. The picky eater might come home raving about kimchi or curry. The once-shy teenager might stride through your door with newfound confidence and independence. Your child has spent months making independent decisions, forming new social circles, and discovering aspects of themselves that may surprise you — and them.
What parents sometimes fail to acknowledge is that we’ve changed, too. We’ve adjusted to quieter evenings, reclaimed bathroom counter space, and perhaps discovered new routines or even aspects of our identities that had been subsumed by active parenting. Your student’s return disrupts not just their new normal, but yours as well.
The first summer home represents uncharted territory for both generations. Your student has grown accustomed to complete autonomy — deciding when to eat, sleep, study and socialize without consultation or explanation. Meanwhile, you’ve maintained a household with certain rhythms and expectations. Within the first few days of your college student’s homecoming, have a detailed conversation with them about expectations to prevent misunderstandings.
What routines did they develop at college? What do they need to feel comfortable at home? How will household responsibilities be shared? This opens the door to compromise rather than confrontation.
For many freshmen, college is their first opportunity to define themselves beyond their family context or high school reputation. They’ve experimented with new identities, beliefs and social circles. Coming home can feel like stepping backward, especially if you still see them as the person they were before they left.
This identity navigation works both ways. Your student may struggle to integrate their college self with their home self. They might seem different with college friends than with family. They might challenge family traditions or political views that once went unquestioned. These explorations, while sometimes uncomfortable, represent healthy development and should be met with curiosity rather than defensiveness.
Don’t be surprised if your student spends the first week home sleeping extraordinary hours, eating everything in sight, or displaying emotional volatility. Freshman year is physically and emotionally exhausting — particularly its conclusion, with final exams, packing and goodbyes to new friends. The transition home often reveals the school year’s toll. Students maintain a frantic pace during the semester, running on adrenaline and caffeine. When they finally reach the safety of home, their bodies and minds demand recovery time. Parents should view excessive sleeping or emotional sensitivity as necessary healing, not regression or laziness.
The social landscape for your adult child has likely shifted dramatically as well. High school friendships that once seemed permanent may have drifted. New romantic relationships may have formed. Your student might spend little
time at home as they reconnect with local friends or process the changes in these relationships. Alternatively, they might seem isolated if their primary social connections now exist at school. Both scenarios require your patience and understanding.
And while your instinct might be to recreate family traditions exactly as they were before, this summer presents an opportunity to develop new ways of connecting that honor your student’s developing adulthood. Ask them to teach you about their newfound passions. Take them to places that were once offlimits — a sophisticated restaurant, an art exhibit — that signal your recognition of their maturation. When they share stories about college experiences, practice active listening without immediately offering advice. Questions like, “How did you handle that?” communicate respect for their problem-solving abilities and invite deeper conversation. There’s a poignant truth most parents discover during this first post-college summer: Each homecoming from now on will be temporary. Your child’s primary residence increasingly exists elsewhere — in dorms, apartments and, eventually, their own home. The full nest you’ll experience this summer will empty again, with each cycle of departure becoming more permanent.
This realization, while sometimes painful, also brings opportunity. The time-limited nature of these summers encourages making the most of the moments you share. Rather than focusing on the inevitable goodbye at summer’s end, embrace the gift of time together, even if it seems fleeting.
What awaits in these summer months is a delicate dance of holding close and letting go — a choreography that, when performed with grace, becomes the foundation for a relationship that will sustain you both long after the last box is packed for sophomore year.
WWe have to be cautious while supporting sustainability
To the Editor:
As communities across New York and the nation explore ways to transition to cleaner energy, there is growing momentum behind battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion technology. However, we must not let the promise of sustainability blind us to the inconvenient truths of our present reality.
The concept of a circular battery economy — in which batteries are reused, repurposed, and ultimately recycled to recover key materials — is a commendable goal. Yet we are far from achieving it. Our current
during have a sonal experience of the behind My arrived hope and
nal, someone and deserves is far more
HerNesto GaldaMeZ
opinions
Not all immigrants are criminals
when we hear the term “illegal immigrant,” it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the individual is a criminal, someone who has broken the law, and deserves punishment. But the truth is far more nuanced. For many immigrants, coming to the United States without legal documentation isn’t an act of criminality, but an act of survival — an effort to escape violence, political persecution or a situation so dire that the only option is to flee. As the child of immigrants who fled El Salvador during its civil war in the late 1980s, I have a perspective that is shaped by personal experience and an understanding of the deeper human motivations behind these decisions.
My parents, both from El Salvador, arrived in the U.S. with nothing but hope and fear for their lives. They
understood the risks they were taking by entering this country without legal documentation, but the alternative was staying in a country where the government was killing its own people.
FEl Salvador’s civil war, which began in 1979, was marked by brutal violence, corruption and ruthless repression. The Salvadoran government, heavily supported by U.S. military aid, waged war against leftist insurgents and civilians it accused of being sympathetic to them. Throughout the conflict, military and paramilitary forces committed countless atrocities — massacres, forced disappearances and the destruction of entire villages. Thousands of innocent civilians were murdered or disappeared simply for being suspected of opposing the government.
wasn’t just about seeking a better life; it was about survival. It was about fleeing a government that viewed its citizens as expendable.
or my parents, staying in El Salvador meant living in constant fear.
This is not to say that I support illegal immigration or that breaking the law should be excused. But I believe it’s essential to understand the perspective of those who make the difficult decision to flee their homeland. My parents did not come here to exploit the system or cause harm. They came to escape unimaginable violence, and to find a place where they could live without the constant threat of death.
the mechanic, my father was the only one in his family to leave, and he never got the chance to see his parents again. A few years ago, he and I stood at their graves for the first time — a painful reminder that the cost of leaving isn’t just physical, but deeply emotional and enduring. His journey wasn’t about breaking the law; it was about survival.
It’s easy to forget that behind every “illegal immigrant” label is someone with a story, and usually with pain, sacrifice and hope for a better future. These people don’t come here to break the law. They come to escape the laws and systems that were oppressing them. And for every immigrant like my father or that mechanic, there are countless others who face the same impossible decision every day.
For my parents, like many others, staying in El Salvador meant living in constant fear — fear of being killed, of losing loved ones, or of being caught in the crossfire of a war they had no part in starting. Their decision to leave
Letters
infrastructure for battery recycling is still in its infancy, and the environmental and economic costs of lithium extraction remain extraordinarily high.
Lithium mining is not benign — it consumes vast amounts of water, devastates ecosystems, and often occurs in regions with poor labor and environmental protections. Meanwhile, the lack of cost-effective and widely available recycling facilities means that today’s lithium-based storage systems could become tomorrow’s toxic waste problem.
Until we have robust recycling infrastructure, updated fire and safety codes, and enforceable end-oflife regulations for BESS, policymakers must exercise caution. Approving large-scale lithiumbased projects now, without these safeguards, risks trading one environmental crisis for another.
Sustainability must be more than a buzzword. It requires fullcycle accountability — from cradle to grave and, ideally, cradle to cradle. Let’s not build the clean-energy future on the unstable foundation of unresolved waste and extraction.
These are my beliefs as a private citizen, and do not reflect the official stance or opinion of the Village of Sea Cliff.
BrUCE KEnnEdy Glen Cove Sea Cliff village administrator
We must urge Israel to cease its military campaign
To the Editor:
I am not a Jew, but I am a Zionist, in that I support Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state.
I regard Hamas as a terrorist organization guilty of a barbaric attack on Israeli civilians in October 2023 as well as vicious repression of the people it purports to represent. Hamas must free all hostages immediately and unconditionally.
But the time has come for American Jews and gentiles alike who share these views to publicly urge the Israeli government to cease its military campaign in Gaza. Our voices can be powerful — if we exercise our moral duty to speak out.
Even if Hamas has inflated the death count, it is incontestable that many thousands of non-combatant Palestinians, including children and aid workers, have been killed in Israeli strikes. It is likewise certain that civilian suffering, already acute, is intensifying as a result of Israel’s two-month-long blockade of food and medicine deliveries to Gaza. And any escalation of the war is sure to further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, according to the Israeli forum of families of the hostages.
There’s nothing antisemitic
My father eventually found work managing an apartment complex in roslyn, contributing to society, paying taxes, and respecting the country that took him in, belying the false narrative that immigrants don’t pay taxes or contribute to the economy.
My parents’ story is far from unique. not long ago, I met a mechanic who had fled Venezuela to escape violence — just as my father had decades earlier. Like
Framework by Tim Baker
So, I ask: If you were living in a country where your government was killing its own people, where staying meant a likely death, would you remain and accept your fate, or would you flee in search of safety? Would you risk breaking the law for a chance at survival?
Hernesto Galdamez is editor of the Baldwin Herald.
about opposing Israel’s disproportionate response to Hamas’s atrocities. Indeed, this stance should rest firmly upon the core Jewish values of rachamim (mercy and compassion) and chesed
Alex Candon and her momentarily airborne daughter, Lilli, at the L.I. Marathon — East Meadow
(loving kindness).
KEVIn J. KELLEy Atlantic Beach
Hernesto GaLDameZ
