Long Beach Herald 05-28-2026

LONG BEACH

HERALD

Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach

diane, left, and erin Mcpartland pushed each other to academic excellence and graduated from Hofstra university together, both with master’s degrees, on May 17.

L.B. resident and her mother graduate with Hofstra pride

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

It’s not every day that you get to share the same commencement stage as your mother. But earlier this month, Erin McPartland, of Long Beach, and her mother, Diane McPartland, of Levittown, did just that when they both received master’s degrees from Hofstra University.

Erin, 30, who lives in the East End, earned her Master’s of Science in Higher Education in a year and a half. Through the experience, she said, the two motivated each other to keep going, and noted that graduating together showed that accomplishments

have no age limitations.

“My mom gave me so much motivation to push through with her determination,” Erin said. “To be from different generations of people, graduating together really showed you can do anything at any point in your life.”

Like her mother, who has worked as an administrative assistant in Hofstra’s Allied Health and Kinesiology department since 2016, Erin knows Hofstra well. After graduating from Division Avenue High School in Levittown in 2013, Erin studied communications and media at Hofstra. She graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in mass media

Continued on page 7

East School: 1926 to 2026 and still going

By CHRIS ColUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

“I went to school here in 1962,” Long Beach resident Michael Ponte said. “Miss Henderson was the principal. Lunch was 35 cents, milk was 3 cents and an ice cream sandwich was 10 cents.”

Ponte was one of nearly 300 people — students, parents, alumni, current and former staff — who filled the East Elementary School playground in the early evening of May 19. The crowd gathered to celebrate a once-in-alifetime occasion, the Neptune Boulevard school’s 100th anniversary.

Wmunity block party — outside, music, things for the kids to run around and be part of the celebration.”

The festivities had a Long Beach block party theme, including food trucks, face painting, and the band Track 9 playing hits from across the school’s timeline. The evening began with a recorder concert and singing by the students, before City Council President Brendan Finn presented an official proclamation to honor the school’s achievement.

e are thrilled to celebrate 100 years of East School with the people who have helped shape its history.

KAtHlEEN CoNNollY

“We planned it for eight months or so, since the beginning of the school year,” East Elementary PTA CoPresident Joanne Kapp recounted. “During one of our PTA meetings, we formed a committee of 15 to 20 people. Everybody collectively decided that the vibe here was a com -

Principal, East Elementary

The centennial has been a classroom focus all year long. “One of the programs we have in school is called WINGS — what I need to grow as a student,” Principal Kathleen Connolly explained. “Students in grades three through five have been researching the decades and what the school looked like long ago, in each decade, and Continued on page 16

Courtesy Erin McPartland

Wastewater spills into Reynolds Channel

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

The barrier island’s north shore experienced a brief influx of contaminants after the city’s water treatment plant overflowed into Reynolds Channel last week. Over the course of 15 minutes, the facility, located at the north end of National Boulevard near the bay, was flooded with nearly 30,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater.

At 10:30 a.m., May 17, a plant operator failed to secure a valve, which led to a secondary tank backflowing into a primary processing tank. By 3:30 p.m., an alert was issued through New York State’s NY Alert system and clean-up had already begun. Despite a quick response, a portion of undisinfected material made its way into local waters.

At the May 19 City Council meeting, City Manager Daniel Creighton addressed the incident. “The Department of Public Works followed all protocols and regulations, and was in close coordination with the proper authorities,” Creighton explained. “An alert was sent out and remained in effect for 24 hours. The plant is running normal at this time and there is no residual impact.”

While roughly 10,000 gallons were handled on-site, the remaining 20,000 gallons of overflow found its way into

the channel via storm drains, where it diluted into the waterway, which contains more than 2 billion gallons of water.

“No immediate impacts to wildlife or

marine life were observed,” wrote the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in a statement discussing the event. “On [May 21], the city completed flushing and cleaning the

entire length of impacted storm sewers and all catch basins that were intermittently discharging an unknown amount of residual partially digested sludge along the route of the sewers into Reynolds Channel. There are no further impacts to Reynolds Channel.”

Local residents had mixed opinions regarding its potential effects. “We take our kids down in Point Lookout, to Buoy Bar and some of the other places where they will play in that water,” said Dee Santos, a local mother. “It’s certainly a concern. We live in the canals, my family, so it’s something we would like to know.”

Mike Byrne, a Baldwin resident who frequents East Marina in Point Lookout up to three times per week in the summer said he’s “just a cabin cruiser guy,” not a fisherman. “The water looks pretty good,” explained Byrne. “It’s still pretty blue. I didn’t smell anything and never saw anything.”

In 2025, a DEC report listed Reynolds Channel as being “impaired” — not suitable — for fishing or swimming due to elevated nitrogen levels. The state agency said it will continue to monitor the area after the recent spill. To receive alerts about instances of major events throughout the state, including weather warnings, major traffic closures, and hazardous material spills, visit alert.ny.gov.

Chris Colucci/Herald

10,000 gallons of last Sunday’s spill was cleaned up on-site, with nearly 20,000 gallons of the partially treated wastewater escaping and diluting into the channel.

Arts In The Plaza reopens for the season

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

A dreary morning with impending rain wasn’t enough to squash the artistic spirit in Kennedy Plaza. Arts In The Plaza held its opening day last Saturday and, despite the disagreeable weather, artisans showed up to display and offer their handmade wares.

“It’s great because it’s an opportunity for shoppers to have this live interaction with an artist, which is very special,” explained Arts In The Plaza Director Sammi Metzger. “And to make a human connection. Not only that you’re buying it from an actual person, but you’re meeting the person that made it. That’s part of the beauty and the love that’s happening here.”

The event, which began in 2010, will take place at Kennedy Plaza every Saturday, from Memorial Day until October 24. More than 30 artists typically set up shop, offering a variety of handmade art, jewelry, clothing, pottery and more. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each week, concurrently with the farmers market, making the shared space a weekend adventure full of fresh food and inspiring artwork.

Island Park resident Elliot Marcucci explained how he got involved with the Long Beach art scene. “I fell in love with Long Beach through beach volleyball,”

Abbey Carpenter, center, offered hand-drawn, hand-painted bookmarks and postcards featuring Long Beach landmarks for her first appearance at Arts In The Plaza.

Marcucci said. “I was coming here every weekend. I was here all the time, made a lot of friends here, fell in love with the city.” The graphic designer initially created a shirt just for himself. After receiving feedback, he decided to start a small business designing shirts

2023.

and hats to represent the city. “I started making more designs and that’s how this became a thing,” he explained. “Just because I wanted to make some cool Long Beach stuff for myself.”

Local resident Abbey Carpenter had an optimistic start to her first Arts In

The Plaza presentation. “I’m doing a series of postcards for businesses in Long Beach,” Carpenter said. “I try to do places that I know or small businesses that people in town really like. It’s good, it’s more busy than I thought. It’s been going better than expected.”

Roper Walk heads to PLO for a good cause

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

Helen Roper might not have the kind of name recognition as Chandler Bing, George Costanza or Dwight Schrute, but the classic TV character from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s sitcom “Three’s Company” — and her own short-lived spinoff, “The Ropers” — had one of the most eye-catching wardrobes in television history.

Mrs. Roper, portrayed by the late Audra Lindley, was recognizable by her iconic curly red hair and boldly colored caftans. This Saturday, Point Lookout will see the striking ‘70s style up close and personal when the third annual Roper Walk comes to town.

Participants will copy the flamboyant look — particularly the wig and multicolored, flowy robe — and enjoy a multistop walking tour of several local pubs and restaurants. The event is one-part cosplay, one-part fundraiser. This year’s Roper Walk will raise funds for Hewlett House, the locally based nonprofit which supports cancer patients through every stage of their treatment.

Point Lookout resident Nicole Koenig has organized two previous Roper Walks in the area, and she has a strong personal attachment to this year’s cause. “I am a very recent survivor. I finished radiation in February,” said Koenig. “I knew I wanted to align with a

Courtesy Nicole Koenig

Three may be company, but 150 is just another Roper Walk. The crowd turned out in full force in 2025 and is expected even bigger this year.

breast cancer charity and a friend of mine suggested Hewlett House, which is fabulous.”

The walk will begin at 4 p.m., taking

off from J.A. Heneghan’s. The route will include scheduled stops at Reynolds and Vine, the Point Lookout Clam Bar, Ted’s Fishing Station, and an arrival at Buoy

Bar by 7 p.m. for live music and raffles. In total, the walk is nearly a half-mile with stops for rest and refreshments along the way.

Each location will feature a chance to win door prizes, with nearly three dozen raffle prizes — each valued at $250 or more — announced at the final destination. All proceeds from raffle ticket sales, $20 per person, will be donated to Hewlett House. More than 140 people have signed up ahead of the event, with dozens more expected to show up on the day.

“It’s not even just a Long Beach thing,” Koenig explained. “It’s very much women all over Long Island that have really enjoyed doing this. It’s been a lot of camaraderie and a lot of sisterhood.”

While the idea of dressing up like a supporting character from a 50-year-old TV show may sound random, Roper Walks have been a nationwide phenomenon for nearly 15 years. Mrs. Roper’s unique fashion inspired Bud Moore of New Orleans to create the first Roper Walk, sometimes called a Roper Romp, in 2013 — intended as a gathering that encouraged locals to dress up in her garb for a high-energy, positivity inspired pub crawl across town.

Fans of the show will remember there was a Mr. Stanley Roper, as well, so men are always welcomed to participate in any outfit they feel comfortable.

Chris Colucci/Herald photos Island Park resident and graphic designer Elliot Marcucci has operated his Long Beach-focused clothing shop since

Chris Colucci/Herald Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, center, continued her office’s annual support of the Long Beach Police Department’s enforcement of DWI and DUI laws.

Potatoes (3.8 oz.)

4 Caramel Apple Tartlets (4 oz.)

1 Omaha Steaks Seasoning (3 oz.)

8

Nassau County D.A. delivers $30K grant to fight DWI

Subtitled “The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half”, this book reflects the natural progression of our desire to increase our lifespan (the number of our years), to increasing our healthspan (the number of our healthy years), to increasing our joyspan (the number of our joyful years). The author defines joy as an inner feeling of well-being or contentment, as opposed to happiness, which comes and goes, often according to external circumstances.

Burnight writes, “To thrive in old age means to live a fulfilling, purposeful, and satisfying life despite the challenges of aging. It involves maximizing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, social connections, and a sense of meaning. Thriving doesn’t mean being free of all health problems or challenges, rather, it emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy and value in life.”

Research shows that those who thrive late in life:

Grow: They continue to explore and expand

Connect: They put time into new and existing relationships

Adapt: They adjust to changing and challenging circumstances

Give: They share themselves

As a Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Dr. Burnight was struck by the radical difference in how people experienced their own aging process. “For some it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.”

The thieves of joy are (1) comparison with others (2) frustration with health and mobility limitations (3) feeling like you are a burden (4) feeling heartbroken over the loss of a loved one, and (5) feeling defeated as if your best days are behind you. Nevertheless, she says, “Like the sun, joy is always there. But when it’s hidden by clouds, we mistakenly say it’s gone. Joy is resilient and can break through the clouds because it’s an innate part of the human experience.”

“One might say that following this doctor’s prescription will increase your “joyspan” and decrease your “oyspan”!

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly is turning seized criminal assets into crime-fighting patrols. During a May 22 news conference held in front of City Hall in Long Beach, Donnelly announced a total of $60,000 in grant money, pulled from her office’s criminal forfeiture fund, to be divided evenly between the Long Beach and Freeport police departments. The money will specifically aid their fight against DWI and DUI offenses.

Freeport and Long Beach were chosen to receive the grants after applying for the annual support, which was available to any police department in Nassau County. Both departments have received similar funding from the D.A.’s office multiple times in recent years, in an ongoing effort to curtail drunk and impaired driving.

The funds are earmarked to boost police enforcement during the 100-day period between Memorial Day and Labor Day — informally known as “the 100 deadliest days” due to increased drivers on the road and increased social drinking.

“This short three-month window accounted for more than half of the total DWI arrests made last year here in Long Beach,” said Donnelly. “In Free -

port, it’s nearly the same story. 43 percent of their total DWI arrests in 2025 occurred during this same period over the summer.”

According to Donnelly, since the year began, five deaths and 15 injuries have already been attributed to impaired driving, with the summer season opening the door for more potential incidents.

“These are the times when we need the patrols the most,” said Long Beach Police Executive Officer Inspector Michael Corbett. “Being a summer getaway, our population swells and we see an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and, unfortunately, an increase in traffic crashes.”

Corbett explained that the funding will be applied to additional patrols featuring officers specifically trained in field sobriety testing, as well as breath analysis technicians. The city of Long Beach is home to its own breath analysis center and city court, making testing faster and processing more efficient.

“We’re so appreciative of District Attorney Donnelly,” said City Councilman Michael Reinhart. “She has shown a commitment over the years to really help us stem the tide of driving under the influence. Especially because of where we are, it’s a destination. People are looking to have fun, but they have to have fun responsibly. This kind of grant helps us attain that.”

A new canine companion for Liz Treston

By AIDAN WARSHAVSKY awarshavsky@liherald.com

Many people in the Long Beach community know former city councilwoman Liz Treston to be an activist and a leader. But even superheroes need sidekicks — and Treston got one through Canine Companions, a service dog provider, on May 15 at a service dog graduation in Medford.

Treston, 65, uses a motorized wheelchair because of an accident which damaged her spinal cord more than three decades ago. Shortly after, she became involved with Canine Companions. Before being united with Lucas, a Labrador-Golden Retriever cross, she had a fellow Canine Companion graduate, MacGyver, who died last May.

Without help from a service dog, Treston said going about her day-to-day is not easy.

“It’s like being re-paralyzed again without a service dog,” Treston said. “My independence was taken away.”

John Bentzinger, public relations and marketing manager at Canine Companions, said they are committed to helping those in need, one canine at a time.

“We’re proud of our many success stories from clients like Liz Treston, whose six Canine Companions service dogs have allowed her to live a more independent life,” Bentzinger said.

The journey for Lucas and his 12 fel-

low doggy graduates began as 8-weekold puppies. Robin Liberty, Lucas’ instructor, said volunteers raise the young canines until they are 18 months old, teaching them basics like potty training and proper etiquette in public spaces — which includes visits to public spaces such as grocery stores and movie theaters.

“They do all the things they might encounter in their lives as a service dog,” Liberty said.

From 18 months, dogs like Lucas are trained over 40 commands by instructors, including picking up dropped times, flipping light switches and opening or closing doors. From the time he was a puppy, Liberty said, he was well-behaved

and fit what Treston was looking for.

“Liz was looking for a confident dog that would be happy to meet people while focusing on her needs,” Liberty said. “During our two-week team training class, it was apparent Lucas would be a great fit for her.”

Though they’ve lived together for less than a month, Treston said, she can already feel her partnership with Lucas. Treston noted he weighs 58 pounds, which is slightly less than the 80 pounds MacGyver and her previous four service dogs weighed.

Treston said that Lucas will accompany her in her community service quest, which includes her nonprofit, Long Beach COAD — a local network dedicated to disaster preparedness and community recovery — as well as her work advocating for those in need.

“Lucas is small, mighty and perhaps a little bit mischievous,” Treston said. “But he seems to like people a lot. He will get along in Long Beach very well.”

Liberty, who has worked at Canine Companions for seven years, said the effort to match service dogs with people is a lot of hard work, but extremely rewarding.

“We take these dogs and mold them with the hope that they’ll do well in the world,” Liberty said. “When our service dogs are matched with their person and you see changes in their life, that’s why we do it.”

Courtesy John Bentzinger

Tiffany Gordon, center, the volunteer puppy raiser from northern Virginia who trained Lucas, passed Lucas’ leash to Liz Treston at the puppy graduation on May 15.

things to know about pride month

Pride Month shines a spotlight on community and inclusion

By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & AIDAN WARSHAVSKY

Every June, Pride Month brings communities together to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity, history and advocacy through parades, educational events, performances and community gatherings. In Long Beach and across Long Island, the month also serves as an opportunity to promote visibility, inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ residents.

Looking

back on Pride Month’s roots to

Stonewall

The origins of Pride Month date back to the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. On June 28, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. Raids targeting LGBTQ+ gatherings were common, but this encounter sparked resistance from patrons and neighborhood residents, leading to days of protests. The demonstrations became a defining moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. In the months that followed, advocacy groups formed across the country. On the first anniversary of Stonewall, the Christopher Street Liberation Day March took place in New York City, considered the nation’s first Pride march. Similar events followed in Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco, helping establish Pride Month traditions.

Pride Month highlights celebration, awareness

and support

Pride Month highlights the history of LGBTQ+ advocacy and the ongoing push for equality, visibility and acceptance. Advocacy efforts have contributed to expanded legal protections, increased representation in media and public life, workplace protections and the legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015. Pride Month also emphasizes the continued efforts LGBTQ+ individuals make toward equal treatment. Throughout June, schools, libraries and local organizations frequently host educational programs, performances, panel discussions and community events designed to promote awareness and support. Many events focus on encouraging dialogue, celebrating identity and creating spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

Local Pride Month events and outreach

Temple Emanu-El will host guest speaker Rachel Engel on June 5, as part of their Shabbat service Friday night. Engel, a Long Beach resident and temple congregant, will share her personal story and her connection with her sexuality and her faith. Since his tenure as rabbi at Temple-Emanu-El began in 2017, Jack Zanerhaft said he’s invited guest speakers to create inclusion for all. “We believe everyone should have a place to pray, celebrate holidays, learn about heritage, and have a warm welcoming place for friendship and support,” Zanerhaft said.

In Rockville Centre, RVC Pride, an LGBTQ+ organization, will host events throughout Pride Month. For more information, visit RVCPride. org.

Mother, daughter and two master’s degrees

studies — but her search for a job in communications, she said, was unsuccessful.

At 25, Erin was working as an administrative assistant for NYU Langone Health at an outpatient office in Bethpage. “I was not happy with what I was doing,” she said. “It wasn’t in my field.”

She sought advice from her mother, who encouraged her to think about the happiest period in her life. That was Hofstra, which she eventually returned to in 2023, working as a financial aid coordinator at the Zucker School of Medicine.

“I applied to every single job on Hofstra’s website,” Erin said, “Thankfully, I found this one with the medical school that I really fell in love with.”

Erin maintains a busy schedule, participating in kickboxing, volleyball and kickball recreationally in Long Beach while balancing work, school and her social life. When she fully committed to cramming close to four classes a semester to finish her master’s ahead of schedule, she said it created a challenge.

“It definitely became a little bit difficult to navigate,” Erin said. “Managing my time, and understanding that I have multiple deadlines, really tested my organizational skills. But thankfully, I was able to get through it.”

Rebecca Natow, Hofstra’s director of higher education, leadership and policy

studies, said that Erin approached her studies with passion and dedication.

“Erin wasn’t just interested in the subject matter,” Natow said. “She took theory and applied it. That skill will help her elevate her professional practice.”

Erin said she knew how hard her mother was working on her graduate degree, which motivated her to finish alongside her. “I knew it meant a lot to her to graduate together,” Erin said.

In 2022, Diane, now 64, decided to pursue a master’s degree in gerontology.

Though she enjoys her work as an administrative assistant, she eventually

wants to work with veteran associations across Long Island, such as the future Veterans Village, in Island Park, and the Long Island State Veterans Home, in Stony Brook. And when the gerontology program was paused due to low enrollment, Diane knew she needed to pivot.

“I switched over to health administration at the start of 2023, because I felt like that would be another avenue towards helping the veteran and senior population,” she said.

Her strong work ethic, Diane said, helped her even more during her graduate work than when she attended Molloy

BELMONT PARK VILLAGE

College, now Molloy University, in the early 1980s, and earned a degree in business management. While her Hofstra classmates used their laptops to take notes, Diane preferred the old-fashioned method, paper and pencil.

Through it all, she said, she has had a great support system. Her husband, Thomas McPartland — whom she called her “biggest cheerleader” — helped her balance family responsibilities, work and school. Diane also credited her coworkers and administrators at Hofstra with supporting her.

Corinne Kyriacou met Diane in 2016, when Kyriacou chaired the Allied Health and Kinesiology department and Diane worked as an administrator. As part of a six-person team, the two collaborated on faculty matters, student issues and logistics. McPartland, Kyriacou said, always greeted people with a smile.

“Diane and I talked a lot about what it meant to go back to graduate school and what it would be like,” Kyriacou said. “And then, with each course, that excitement just kind of grew in her, and I am just so thrilled that she did it.”

Diane said that her daughter’s commitment inspired her as well. “When Erin told me she’d double up on classes to graduate together, I realized how important it was to her,” she said. “It was so important to her that it made it important to me.”

Courtesy Erin McPartland

diane and erin mcpartland have over a decade of combined working experience at Hofstra university. the two coordinated hectic schedules to synchronize graduation.

Israeli Elite hockey comes to UBS arena

With late third-period rally, Jerusalem Capitals capture Challenge Cup, defeating HC Tel Aviv 6-5

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

No matter who scored, fans throughout UBS Arena jumped to their feet, waving Israeli flags, proudly cheering on competitors from the Israeli Elite Hockey League last week during the Challenge Cup championship between the Jerusalem Capitals and HC Tel Aviv. In a thrilling game, the Capitals mounted a late comeback to win 6-5.

The Challenge Cup, originally scheduled for February but postponed because of a blizzard, finally brought the two teams together on the ice in Elmont for a hard-fought game.

The atmosphere inside the arena on May 17 felt like more than just a hockey game. Families packed the stands dressed in blue and red, and there was loud chanting and spirited flag-waving throughout the crowd, creating a strong sense of pride and unity among fans celebrating both the sport and Israeli culture.

“It’s nice when you get to see support a lot for Jews and the country,” said spectator Hillel Kober, who was rooting for HC Tel Aviv.

Brooklyn resident David Silverberman said the game provided a comforting atmosphere amid a culture of rising antisemitism. “It’s a good game,” he said.” It’s very competitive scoring, but not too much. The fans are into it. It’s an exciting day, and you know, if you’re Jewish, there’s so much antisemitism going on right now, it feels very comfortable to be here. It’s nice to see the families too.”

The IEHL, founded in 2020 and approaching its sixth season this summer, was founded by Marc Brunengraber, a former goaltender for the Israeli national team. Brunengraber said the league was created not only to develop hockey talent in Israel, but also to highlight another side of the country.

“The goal is to raise Israel from the world championship Division II level to Division I,” Brunengraber said. He added that the league aims to positively represent Israel beyond the conflict-focused narratives that often dominate coverage of the country, emphasizing that its citizens continue to live everyday lives as ordinary people.

The championship game was intense from start to finish, marked by heavy physical play, shifting momentum and a UBS Arena crowd that fed off every moment of drama. Tel Aviv controlled play for much of the first two periods, keeping Jerusalem players on their heels and forcing them to fight just to stay within reach heading into the third.

Capitals player Nathanel Peretz described the surreal feeling of stepping onto the ice at UBS Arena.

“There’s kids growing up dreaming of this moment, and you’re seeing Jerusalem against Tel Aviv, and a bunch of Jewish people just playing the sport they love,” he said.

Peretz admitted that the locker room atmosphere was tense after the second period with Jerusalem trailing by two goals. “It’s the second year that we [were down by] two goals going into the third,” he said. “We trusted our coaches, we trusted our captain, we trusted our players, and we got out there in the third.”

Late in the third period, the Capitals suddenly took over. Two goals came just seconds apart, and suddenly Tel Aviv was scrambling to keep up. The energy in the arena flipped instantly as fans rose to their feet, and the game intensified dramatically in the final minutes.

Capitals head coach Craig Brunengraber said the team had to manage intense emotions to complete the comeback. “You have a lot of strong personalities,” he said. “At the end of the day, we won the game, and that’s the hardest part about being a coach.”

He also praised Peretz’s performance, saying, “Peretz is all heart and soul. He shows the world he can do this on a world stage.”

Despite the loss, Tel Aviv captain Mike Gennello reflected on the broader meaning of the game. “Guys can get on the ice and it can be an absolute war out there, and then we get off and it’s all smiles,” he said.

As Jerusalem celebrated its comeback victory on the ice, fans throughout the arena remained standing, waving Israeli flags, giving the scene a powerful sense of pride in their country — and the game of hockey.

HC Tel Aviv’s Johnny Lazarus controlled the puck, with Jerusalem’s Zach Sprung on his heels.

Erik Lee/Herald photos

The Jerusalem Capitals and goaltender Yonatan Reisinger pulled out a win over HC Tel Aviv on May 17 at UBS Arena.

HC Tel Aviv’s Zach Freeman, right, collided with Jerusalem’s Jeremy Sprung.

Free summer fun is back at Eisenhower Park

ZZ Top, Cole Swindell and more among biggest music names. Outdoor movie nights for the family.

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau County’s free summer entertainment series is returning with concerts, movie nights and international celebrations at Eisenhower Park and parks across the county.

The 2026 Nassau County Free Summer Fun Guide, presented by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, features live music, family-friendly movies and cultural events throughout the summer. Most Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre concerts at Eisenhower Park begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

“Enjoy live music and family-friendly movies under the stars at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre and parks across Nassau County,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote. “Join us all summer long for unforgettable nights of entertainment.”

Some of the biggest names on the schedule include Cole Swindell on Friday, Aug. 7; Loud Luxury on Friday, Aug. 21; Flo Rida on Monday, Aug. 31; ZZ Top on Tuesday, Sept. 1; The Lords of 52nd Street on Thursday, Sept. 3; and Los Lobos on Friday, Sept. 4.

The Lakeside Theatre lineup also includes Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Blessid Union of Souls on Sunday, June 7; a freestyle and salsa night featuring Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente Jr., TKA/K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band on Saturday, June 27; and reggae night with Inner Circle,

Wayne Wonder and IRIEspect on Sunday, June 28.

Dozens of additional shows will take to the stage throughout the duration of the summer.

A Celebrate America fireworks and drone show is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m., with live music by

Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock. The rain date is Friday, July 3.

Families will have several options beyond concerts. Movie nights at Eisenhower Park include “Elio,” “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “A Minecraft Movie,” “Bad Guys 2,” “Zootopia 2,” “Freakier Friday,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Wicked” and “Wicked for Good.” Movies begin at dusk, starting in July.

International Nights at Lakeside will celebrate a range of cultures, including Ukrainian American, Indian American, Israeli American, Greek American, German American, Creole American, Italian American, Caribbean, Irish American, Bangladeshi American, Pakistan American, African American, Chinese American, Turkish American, Korean American and Latino American nights.

Neighborhood concerts and movie nights will also be held at Wantagh Park, Cedar Creek Park, Grant Park and North Woodmere Park. The county will also offer noontime concerts Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Eisenhower Park’s mobile stage near Field 1. For updates, call Nassau County Parks at (516) 572-0200 or visit NassauCountyNY.gov/parks.

Tim Baker/Herald file

The Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park will host concerts and celebrations all summer long. Above, Don Felder on stage during a previous show.

Farmers market in full swing at Kennedy Plaza

Warm focaccia bread and freshly gathered honey, tangy pickles and spicy salsa, handmade candles and hanging plants — the Long Beach farmers market features more than 30 locally based small businesses providing a wide range of food, drinks and goods.

Earlier this year, the market shifted indoors and took over the first floor of Bright Eye Beer Co., to survive the cold weather from January to April. Now it’s returned in grand fashion, sprawling across Kennedy Plaza to complement the warmer weather.

After this season’s successful opening day on May 2, the market has kept its momentum and offers a twice-weekly chance to choose from a wide selection of artisanal foods — bread, cheese, honey, pies and more — as well as live plants and handcrafted items such as jewelry, candles, and soap.

You’ll find the market available Wednesdays or Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, giving attendees plenty of opportunities to support local merchants. The plaza is petfriendly — just make sure the four-legged friends don’t help themselves to tabletop samples or leave any messes on the Plaza pavement. Whether it’s a quick stop during a Wednesday lunch break or a leisurely start to a busy Saturday, the farmers market is an experience for locals and visitors of any age.

– Chris Colucci

The plaza was packed end to end, with three full aisles of handmade goods, prepared foods and more. More than 30 vendors were set up to offer fresh goods.

Chris Colucci/Herald photos

The outdoor farmers market returned to the plaza on May 2 after spending the winter months indoors at Bright Eye Beer Co. Local artisans returned for the community staple.

Camper sat well-behaved in front of their family, the Rosens, on their first visit to the market. The entire family traveled from Seaford to enjoy the day.

Small businesses offered products, samples and services until they sold out or the day ended, whichever came first.

Dozens of tents and tables took over Kennedy Plaza, right in front of City Hall. With Arts In The Plaza added, the Saturday crowd will swell.

Courtesy LIHSA

The Long Island High School for the Arts held its Senior Showcase at the Jerusalem Avenue School in Bellmore on May 1, shining a spotlight on its students’ talents.

LIHSA students deliver annual Senior Showcase

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

The month of May has been full of accomplishments for the Long Island High School for the Arts; young artists and performers from across Long Island took center stage to show what new heights they achieved during the school year.

On May 1, seniors in the school participated in the Senior Showcase cabaret at the Jerusalem Avenue School in Bellmore. May 12 featured the school’s Spring Music Festival, in partnership with the Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau BOCES Outdoor Education. Shortly after, on May 14, another cohort of students carried out the Spring Dance Festival. The Film and Media Arts festival came into focus on May 27.

One of the largest projects that came to fruition was LIHSA’s new travel show “Pinkalicious.” The group of students already performed shows at the Long Island School for the Gifted in Syosset and again at Jerusalem Avenue.

“The spring is always crazy, but we have so many beautiful events we get to celebrate,” LIHSA Principal Lindsay Rogan said. “We really strive to be able to provide opportunities that students might not be able to find elsewhere on Long Island… (and) we are so happy to partner with our districts that send students to us, because we are so excited to share all of this with our partnering districts.”

Archie Lithgow and Hanalei Smith are seniors at Long Beach High School, with plans to attend college later this year.

Lithgow shared more about the National Dance Honor Society and how LIHSA helped him be ready for opportunities.

“LIHSA has prepared me for the professional dance world in several different ways,” he said. “It’s not like any other dance studio space that I’ve ever experienced before. It’s incredibly professional, hands on, and taught me a work ethic that I didn’t think was possible in the dance world… We get a great taste of what the professional world is

like in a firsthand way.”

LIHSA also encourages students to support their neighborhoods with community service hours or other initiatives connected to their events. Smith’s past performances have gathered donations for various causes.

“We have different donations that you can do,” she explained. “We have an animal shelter, one you can donate different dog toys, dog beds and treats… We also can help out for open houses, help set up and give tours, and also we can help sell at the bake sales.”

Olivia Carmody and Cooper daSilva are juniors at East Meadow High School, splitting their days between normal curriculum and theatrical training at LIHSA. The two students have been passionate about theater since childhood.

“I’ve been doing theater since I was in sixth grade, and when I was in the end of my eighth-grade year, heard about LIHSA and their summer program, so I came here and I auditioned for it,” daSilva said.

Out of the school’s many majors — studio or digital art, coding, film and more — Carmody opted to pursue musical theater as a combination of multiple interests.

“Musical Theater does a kind of a little bit of dance, a little bit of singing and a little bit of acting,” she explained. “I think it’s really important for people our age to find something that they’re good at and be able to follow that passion and be able to refine their skills, and this school really gives that to us.”

Throughout the school year, the thespians take classes in dance choreography, theater history and even personal finance to take care of themselves when establishing their careers.

“Going after our dreams… it brings us joy,” Carmody said. “The teachers here are fantastic; they advocate for us, they find what’s special in each person, and guide us to be something like more refined, and also to find ourselves to be unique.”

To learn more about upcoming events, visit LongIslandHighSchoolForTheArts.org.

News briefs Investigation underway after shooting

The Long Beach Police Department responded to the area of Riverside Boulevard and East Hudson Street on May 26, after a report of an injured male.

Police officers responded at 7:23 p.m., officials said, and found an adult male with gunshot wounds to both legs. The officers provided first aid until the Long Beach Fire Department arrived. The adult male was transported to a nearby hospital where he is receiving treatment.

Commissioner Richard DePalma praised officers who responded to the area, and said the officers were critical

in stabilizing the adult male until the Long Beach Police Department arrived.

“The teamwork between [our two departments] ensured the victim received the necessary critical care he needed before being quickly transported to the hospital for further treatment,” DePalma said.

An investigation into the event was opened and is currently ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incident can contact the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division, (516) 705-7320.

–Aidan Warshavsky

L.B. attorney charged with insider trading

Federal prosecutors charged 30 people in an international insider trading scheme that allegedly generated tens of millions of dollars through illegal trades tied to confidential merger and acquisition deals. Among those charged was Long Beach attorney Robert Yadgarov, 45. Authorities say Yadgarov allegedly helped organize the operation in coordination with Los Angeles-based lawyer Nicolo Nourafchan.

Yadgarov and Nourafchan allegedly recruited attorneys and insiders to steal non-public information from major law

firms handling corporate mergers. The pair allegedly shared information with traders in exchange for kickbacks tied to profits from stock trades.

Investigators said the group used burner phones, encrypted apps and coded language to avoid detection. Authorities alleged the scheme involved nearly 30 corporate deals over the past decade. Yadgarov faces securities fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.

–Chris Colucci

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS

Sunday, June 7th

FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS AND BLESSID UNION OF SOULS

Thursday, June 11th - 6:00pm

Senior Afternoon Concert

featuring Amber Ferrari and Debra Toscano

Thursday, June 18th

Juneteenth Celebration – Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion, Gospel Choir and DRIFT featuring members of TAUK and MJT

Friday, June 19th - 3:00pm

FIFA World Cup Watch Party USA vs. Australia

Monday, June 22nd - 6:00pm

Senior Afternoon Concert

The Chiclettes and Vinnie Medugno

Friday, June 26th

The Allmost Brothers BandAllman Brothers Tribute, Sons of Skynyrd –Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute

Saturday, June 27th

FREESTYLE MEETS SALSA –featuring BRENDA K. STARR, TITO PUENTE JR., TKA/K7, JOEY CRUZ, LA SONORA 495 AND FOREVER FREESTYLE BAND

Sunday, June 28th

REGGAE NIGHT WITH INNER CIRCLE, WAYNE WONDER AND IRIEspect

Thursday, July 2nd – 5:30pm

TD PRESENTS CELEBRATE AMERICA

FIREWORKS & DRONE SHOW with Live Music By: Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock

Friday, July 3rd

Fireworks Rain Date

Thursday, July 9th

Oldies Night with E’stefano DiSanto, Johnny Farina, Bobby Wilson, Vito Picone & The Elegants and The Brooklyn Bridge

Saturday, July 11th

Disco Unlimited

Thursday, July 16th

Harry Chapin Day – Corey Rieman and The Dilemma Band with Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel Tribute

Saturday, July 18th

Simply Stapleton –Chris Stapleton Tribute

Sunday, July 19th - 6:00pm

Last Exit – Pearl Jam Tribute Foo For All – Foo Fighters Tribute

Thursday, July 23rd

LANIE GARDNER & BROOKE MORIBER

Friday, July 24th

ZBTB – Zac Brown Band Tribute and Guys with Guitars

Saturday, July 25th - 6:30pm

JEFFERSON STARSHIP, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION, FIREFALL AND PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE

Sunday, July 26th - 4:00pm

Family Day On The Lake, featuring Beauty and The Beat, Princesses and wide-ranging entertainment for children and families

Thursday, July 30th

3 Decades Rewind

Rock Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s

Friday, July 31st

Half Step – Grateful Dead Tribute

Saturday, August 1st

SALUTE TO VETERANS with Desert Highway – Eagles Tribute and American Bombshell

Sunday, August 2nd

Lovesong – 80s New Wave Tribute

Thursday, August 6th

THE OUTLAWS

Friday, August 7th

COLE SWINDELL

Saturday, August 8th

Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway

Monday, August 10th - 6:00pm

Senior Afternoon Concert

Gerry Ferretti and the Mutant Kings and Jenna Esposito

Thursday, August 13th

Neil Diamond Tribute

Friday, August 14th

Swingtime Big Band

Saturday, August 15th

MIDTOWN MEN

ORIGINAL CAST OF JERSEY BOYS

Thursday, August 20th

Let’s Sing Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute

Friday, August 21st

LOUD LUXURY with OPENING BY DJS CAFFEINE ACADEMY, DJ DENNIS THE MENACE AND JUST JOE

Sunday, August 23rd

WORLD RENOWNED PUERTO RICAN SALSA ORCHESTRA

Thursday, August 27th

Long Island’s American Idols featuring Constantine Maroulis, Kevin Covais and Robbie Rosen with Special Guests

Friday, August 28th

Dancing Dream – ABBA Tribute

Monday, August 31st FLO RIDA

Tuesday, September 1st

ZZ TOP

Thursday, September 3rd

THE LORDS OF 52ND STREET

Friday, September 4th

LOS LOBOS

Saturday, September 5th

Streetfighter – Rolling Stones Tribute, Who’s Next – The Who Tribute

nassaucountyny.gov/parks

STEPPING OUT

Nature, brick by brick

Wild wonders in LEGO form at Old Westbury Gardens

By Christie Leigh Babirad

Art, nature and imagination come together this summer at Old Westbury Gardens with the arrival of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO Bricks, an outdoor exhibition that transforms familiar scenes from the natural world into larger-than-life works of art.

Now on display through Sept. 7, the exhibit features 17 larger-than-life intricate sculptures crafted entirely from LEGO bricks, many inspired by the landscapes, wildlife and beauty found throughout the historic gardens. Blending creativity with environmental themes, the installation invites visitors of all ages to experience the grounds in a fresh and unexpected way.

For Maura Brush, president and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, bringing the exhibition here has been especially rewarding after years of planning and anticipation.

“We’re really excited to be hosting this exhibit,” Brush says, explaining that whenever she and her team choose a temporary exhibit, they strive for the display to blend with the grounds — and this does exactly that.

“When you see the exhibit and you see the sculptures it really fits so beautifully within the landscape,” she continues. “Old Westbury Gardens is home to foxes, butterflies and hummingbirds, and to see these exaggerated, large-scale sculptures in the landscape, it feels like it fits pretty beautifully.”

All of the displays are tucked into natural places throughout the garden areas where visitors might see these creatures and flora naturally. Each includes is a sign that indicates how many bricks were used, how many hours it took the artist to make each one and facts about the creature or flora.

Angela and Martin Pavlovic attended the preview opening with their 5-year-old son Niko who was excited to see the hummingbird and gave rave reviews for the wheel barrel made completely out of LEGOs.

“I like the wheel barrel,” Niko enthused. “It’s a 10 out of 10.”

Anne Caminiti, who attended with her daughters Nina and Mia, noted their eagerness to see the exhibit as her eldest daughter loves LEGOs.

South Shore Symphony

“I’m excited to see this display in one of our favorite places and see how many LEGOs it took to make each one,” Caminiti says, adding that she appreciates how many great family programs are offered at Old Westbury Gardens.

Ashley Friel, spokesperson for Imagine, which manages the exhibit, explains that Sean Kenney, who has been involved with Imagine for over 10 years now, is an artist who likes to invoke a sense of whimsy and fun for the whole family.

• Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects open daily, except for Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Sept. 7

• 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• For more information and program/events schedule visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

“Nature Connects is a super inspiring show and really about how the beauty of nature is interconnected in the same way that LEGO bricks are,” Friel says.

She added that she is eager to hear visitors’ reactions to the sculptures and hopes the exhibit encourages guests to see the natural world through a new and more imaginative lens.

The fun does not stop with the sculptures. Throughout the Nature Connects’ duration, Old Westbury Gardens will host a series of LEGOthemed events and programs designed to inspire creativity and bring together visitors of all ages.

Laura Erwin, education manager, explained that the exhibit will be complemented by a variety of special events, including Family Nights and the Seasonal Sprouts program, held on select Wednesdays from July 1 through Sept. 2. Created for children ages 4 through 10, Seasonal Sprouts combines exploration and creativity through guided outdoor tours of the exhibit followed by hands-on activity in a LEGO free-play space.

“There are a lot of fun events coming up and the Family Nights are going to be big,” Erwin says.

Another preview visitor, Claudine Krause, stopped by with her son Tatum, who she said loves LEGOs and goes to all the master LEGO events and has been following Sean Kenney’s work.

“There’s a lot you can learn through LEGOs and they have a lot of great events for children here,” Krause says.

Adults can also join in the creativity when Bricks and Brews returns on Aug. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The adults-only evening pairs art and socializing, beginning with a guided tour of the exhibition and continuing at the Barn at Orchard Hill, where guests will build with official LEGO Botanical Daisies kits while enjoying refreshments in a relaxed setting.

The beloved orchestra, under direction of Adam Glaser, returns to St. Agnes Cathedral for its annual spring concert, joined by St. Agnes combined choirs, directed by Michael Bower. The inspiring program showcases beloved masterworks, including Mozart’s Regina Coeli, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor: Dona Nobis and Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives: Hallelujah.The evening culminates with Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, the groundbreaking 1824 masterpiece that transformed symphonic music by introducing a chorus in its final movement and giving voice to Friedrich Schiller’s enduring “Ode to Joy,” a celebration of unity and shared humanity. More than 65 musicians and approximately 75 vocalists join acclaimed soloists soprano Risa Renae Harman, mezzosoprano Elizabeth Sarian, tenor Eric Finbarr Carey, and baritone Scott Lefurgy. Admission is free, with donations requested.

Friday, May 29, 7:30 pm. 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre. Visit sssymphony.org for more.

The blues-rock guitarist-singersongwriter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his generation. Blending electric blues, rock, soul, R&B, and hints of hip-hop, Clark’s sound is both rooted in tradition and boldly modern. His guitar tone often recalls legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his songwriting, socially aware lyrics, and willingness to experiment make him stand out as a contemporary artist. On stage, he is known for extended solos, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged vocals that move from soft falsetto to gritty growls, making every concert feel unforgettable. Anyone who has listened to a Gary Clark Jr. album or watched the four-time Grammy Award winner perform live knows that he’s a gifted multiinstrumentalist, songwriter and performer.

Wednesday, June 3, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Gary Clark Jr.

Right photo courtesy Imagine/ other photos Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald Detailed

Westbury Gardens

bricks.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY

28

‘Something Rotten! The Musical’

See the comedy musical, set in the 1590s, which follows two playwright brothers competing with William Shakespeare as they attempt to create the world’s first musical. From tap dancing eggs to beautiful love stores, this musical really has it all. Songs include “A Musical!,” “It’s Hard to Be the Bard,” and “Welcome to the Renaissance.” The cast is comprised of New York City professionals, including David Hibbard, who was in the original Broadway production, with CAP21 alumni and current students. Performances are scheduled throughout the four-day run.

• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: Varied times, through May 31

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

MAY

30

Annual Michael Berube Sunset Color Run

Run for a good cause and get a little dusty.

The 3rd Annual Michael Berube Foundation Sunset Color Run includes a 50/50 and raffle baskets. Check-in begins on the boardwalk at Riverside Boulevard. The run starts on Riverside Beach. Registration includes a t-shirt, bandana and goggles while supplies last.

• Where: National Boulevard Beach, 1 Riverside Blvd.

• Time: Beach entry at 5 p.m. for pre-registered participants, 6 p.m. for late registrants.

• Contact: mrbfoundation28@ gmail.com

Point Lookout Town Park Beach Clean-up

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) and the Town of Hempstead are partnering to host a community beach clean-up. Volunteers can sign up for one of the 1.5-hour time slots. Please sign up for only one time slot so that more people can participate. Clean-up supplies will be provided, but it is recommended to bring your own gloves. Registration is required so you can be contacted the event is cancelled due to the weather. Parking fees will be waived for all registered participants.

• Where: Point Lookout Town Park, 1300 Lido Blvd., Point Lookout

• Time: 9 a.m.-noon

• Contact: education@amseas. org

David Lee Roth

JUN

JUN

3

Community Legal Help

Do you need help with a legal problem? The Community Legal Help Project offers free legal services for low-income residents at Long Beach Public Library. Free limited legal advice and assistance is available for bankruptcy; child custody; child support; consumer/debt collection; criminal records; divorce; domestic violence; elder law; foreclosure; immigration; landlord and tenant/housing; public benefits; school discipline/educational services; Social Security, SSI and Medicare; veterans. Registration required.

• Where: 111 W. Park Ave.

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Contact: longbeachlibrary.org or (516) 281-7422 to schedule an appointment

JUN

10

It’s A Shore Thing Poetry Awards

3rd Annual Roper Walk

Unpack the wigs and muumuu dresses. The annual celebration of the classic TV character, Mrs. Helen Roper, is returning. Dress up as the comical persona and take a walk around town beginning at J.A, Heneghans, continuing to Reynolds and Vine and the Point Lookout Clam Bar and finishing at The Buoy Bar where raffles and live music await participants. Tickets are $20 per person, with this year’s proceeds raising money for Hewlett House and the Adelphi University Breast Cancer Support Network.

• Where: Begins at J.A. Heneghans, 57 Lido Blvd, Point Lookout, Ends The Buoy Bar, 72 Bayside Drive, Point Lookout

• Time: 4-7 p.m.

Sprout and Bloom

Families can dig in and get their hands dirty at Long Island Children’s Museum. The museum welcomes all to celebrating all the beautiful May flowers by planting your own at the drop-in program. Take it home and watch it grow!. For ages 3+.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

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

Family Night: Backyard Bugs

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to discover the fascinating world of bugs during this special after-hours experience.

Explore Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit, a hands-on bug information station, the LEGO free-play area, along with a live bug show. Participants will meet incredible insects up close and learn what makes them so amazing, plus the bug station for further exploration and discovery. Registration required. $34, $24 children (20% member discount).

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 5-8 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

JUN

2

Long Beach City Council meets The Long Beach City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. The public may make comments or ask questions pertaining to

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

Get ready to jump! Diamond Dave is back! The iconic, high-flying frontman of Van Halen is bringing his legendary swagger and a massive arsenal of rock anthems to the Paramount stage. Fans can expect a high-octane night packed with timeless hits like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” This tour marks a massive return for the rock legend, who officially ended a five-year hiatus from the stage last May with a triumphant, headlinemaking debut at the M3 Rock Festival. Far from a stripped-down nostalgic act, Roth is backing up his signature showmanship with a powerhouse new eight-piece band to perfectly replicates those massive, classic Van Halen harmonies. Between the fresh musical muscle and Roth’s undiminished, charismatic stage presence, this promises to be an unforgettable night of nostalgia and high-energy rock ‘n’ roll. If you’re looking for a night of pure, unadulterated arena-rock energy right in our own backyard, this is the ticket of the season.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

specific agenda items at the appropriate time. Those who wish to speak must sign in prior to the start of the meeting. Sign-ups will be accepted until the Council votes to close the meeting.

• Where: City Hall. 1 W. Chester St.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 431-1000

Harmonize With Long Island Harmonizers

Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like—join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.

• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset

• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 5214779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers. org

This literary celebration honors the Shore Poets Award to students from the Talented Writers program for their excellence in poetry, and the Able Voices award, honoring a student writer who has selfdisclosed a disability. Peter V. Dugan, Gregory Cioffi and Paula Curci are acknowledged at the ceremony at Long Beach Public Library. All are invited to attend. Light refreshments are available before the ceremony, and an open mic follows as time allows for poetry reading.

• Where: 111 W. Park Ave.

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 432-7201

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.

May 28, 2026 —

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. NEWREZ LLC D/B/A

SHELLPOINT

MORTGAGE

SERVICING, Plaintiffagainst- JAMIE S. SHAW A/K/A JAMIE

SHAW, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 5, 2026, 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 Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Lido Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Section 60 Block 64 Lot 4. Said premises known as 195 REGENT DRIVE, LIDO BEACH A/K/A 195 REGENT DRIVE, LONG BEACH, NY 11561

Approximate amount of lien $808,126.32 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 617419/2024.

JAMES M. KERINS, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280 2832. DLG# 39784 {* LONG BEACH*} 159995

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2006-8, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-8, Plaintiff, vs. KATHRYN M. MASTROIANNI, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 5, 2026 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 15, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 188 OCEAN VIEW AVENUE, LONG BEACH, NY 11561. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Long Beach, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 59, Block: 268, Lot: 207. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,179,760.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 618791/2023. 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, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

LOUIS IMBROTO, Esq., Referee Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160134

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-HE4 Plaintiff, Against THOMAS DIBARI, RICHARD DIBARI, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/24/2026, 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 6/23/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 77 Pennsylvania Avenue, Long Beach, NY 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 241 Lot 41

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $400,043.35 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 611053/2020

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.

David S. Dikman, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 4/7/2026 File Number: 20-303033 CA 160362

LEGAL NOTICE

A non-profit organization in Lido Beach, N.Y. is seeking sealed bids for: Supply and install 3 single and 1 set of double impact resistant/ upgraded doors. Training for Active Attacker Security response, Emergency Action Plan, and stop the bleed. Selection criteria will be based on experience, references and costs. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting: lbs@lidoshul.org All interested firms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide primary contact, telephone, fax and email address. Bids will be accepted until June 10th and work to commence immediately and to be completed by August 30, 2026. 160457

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE

TRUST 2006-A4, Plaintiff, vs. SUSAN GONZALES, VINCENT GONZALES, IF LIVING, AND IF HE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee

Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 8, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 345 Lido Boulevard, Long Beach, NY 12047 a/k/a 11561. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Lido Beach, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 60, Block E and Lot 750. Approximate amount of judgment is $799,727.51 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603991/2019.

Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160437

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Bank of America, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Charlene Banks; Moses Josiah; Mark Simon; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 13, 2019, amended March 17, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 29, 2026 at 2:30PM, premises known as 23 New Hampshire Street, Long Beach, NY 11561. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being at Long Beach, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 59. Block 252 Lot 32. Approximate amount of judgment $687,724.44 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 003383/2015. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”.

Block party celebrates East Elementary centennial

what was going on in the world during those decades.”

Students created a “decades walk” along the playground fence, displaying posters, photos and notes from each decade of the school’s existence. Alumni donated memorabilia dating back to the 1940s, and many wrote notes with their own recollections, which were on display.

“[It’s] part of why we chose to buy a house in the canals: to be near East School, because my children will graduate from the same elementary school that I did!” Todd Bleecker, fifth grade class of 1985, wrote of his children, Noah and Isabella, who will graduate in 2028. “And I think that’s pretty cool, and pretty meaningful.”

Adrienne Alfandani Albanese, class of 1958, shared two indelible memories. “I remember our ‘duck and cover’ drills and how our class served as guinea pigs for the Salk vaccine,” she wrote. “After

school, my friends and I would walk to the Cozy Nook for snacks, laughter and good times together.”

Attendees also had an opportunity to shop at merchandise booths, which raised funds for the PTA and the school’s Odyssey of the Mind club. The PTA uses the money for annual events, including Teacher Appreciation Week. The Odyssey of the Mind club — which competes in events that blend theater, problem solving and engineering — sent a team to Ames, Iowa, for this year’s world finals, which are taking place this weekend.

“We are thrilled to celebrate 100 years of East School with the people who have helped shape its history,” Connolly wrote in a statement posted to the school’s website. “This milestone is an opportunity to honor our legacy, reconnect generations of families and alumni, and look ahead to the future of our school community.”

Louis B. Imbroto,

Esq., Referee

Chris Colucci/Herald

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Do I need to file a plan just to build a stone wall? Part 2.

Q.. I planned and started building a stack stone wall in my front yard, but I was stopped by a building inspector. He told me the wall was structural, and needed a professional plan to be approved before I could do the rest of the work. It’s just a landscape wall instead of a fence or hedges at my front sidewalk, so why should it matter? A lot of my neighbors have them, and he told me to file a complaint, and he would check the others out, but I don’t want to tell on my neighbors. What do you suggest?

A. Continuing my answer from the last column, which addressed the technical issues, the approval side is often more complicated, especially when we attach the stigma of living among neighbors in this condition we refer to as “civilization.”

You wondered why neighbors have gotten away with building their walls and fences without permits, and yet you are being called out for your venture into building without approvals they didn’t seem to need. You may also wonder why the inspector suggested you file a complaint so that there is cause to look into violations created by your neighbors the same kind of violation you feel singled out for. We, collectively, wonder why this happens. It is a regular occurrence to be taken to a potential customer’s door and pointed out violations others have, completely visible to all, which are either prohibited or require building permits and zoning variances. Things like extra-tall fences, pools, sheds, decks and porches extended into front yards even garages and “temporary” carports. I know that once I have to explain the rules and regulations, it isn’t convincing, and I may be dismissed, mainly because the neighbors are “getting away with it, so why should I have to spend all this money and time when they didn’t have to?”

or

You, like most, believe that if an inspector sees a violation, they will act. In many incorporated villages, that is the case. In the larger jurisdictions, however, that isn’t always the case. You are requested to file a complaint. People I have spoken to won’t do that, because that pits neighbor against neighbor, even if the authorities tell you that your complaint is confidential. The violator immediately becomes suspicious, and when I get called to meet and try to clear a violation, the first part of the conversation is spent by the owner pointing at the suspected neighbor’s property, and vindictive language follows.

I never really had a name for it until recently, when the phrase “The system is rigged” prevailed. Now I understand, as you should, too, that the way violations are handled actually creates stress among neighbors and goes against public safety, as more and more of us want to do uncertified, unsafe construction without approvals. Financially, those municipalities that double their fees for already-built work benefit from the violations they encourage. If public safety is most important, it’s overshadowed by administration. Good luck!

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New York’s radical mobs are testing America’s spine

Europe ignored radical extremism for years. Politicians dismissed it as “activism.” Universities normalized it. The media softened it. Entire neighborhoods across Europe are now plagued by fear, antisemitism, anti-Christian hostility and radical movements that openly reject Western civilization itself.

New Yorkers should stop pretending it can’t happen here.

Earlier this month, anti-Israel mobs once again gathered outside synagogues in New York City, including demonstrations near Young Israel of Midwood, in Brooklyn, and the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan. Protesters screamed anti-Israel slogans, clashed with counterprotesters, and created an atmosphere of intimidation outside places where Jewish families gather to worship and pray.

These are not peaceful demonstrations anymore. These are intimidation tactics aimed directly at Jewish Americans. The examples are becoming impossible to ignore.

At Columbia University, radical

Jewish communities across New York and throughout the nation have faced a deeply troubling rise in antisemitic threats, harassment and violence. In 2025, New York led the country in reported antisemitic incidents, with 1,160, nearly double the number reported just three years earlier. Our state also accounted for 44 percent of all antisemitic assaults nationwide, including 90 physical attacks. These alarming statistics are not abstract. They reflect a disturbing reality that is increasingly visible in our own communities. A swastika was recently carved into a window of the Inwood Inwood Long Island Rail Road station, just minutes from one of the largest Jewish communities on Long Island.

This was not an isolated act of vandalism. It was a direct attack on our neighbors, our communities, and the fundamental right to practice one’s faith

encampments took over portions of campus while Jewish students reported being harassed, intimidated and warned to avoid certain areas. Protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, glorified “resistance” and openly displayed support for groups tied to Hamas ideology. At Cooper Union, Jewish students were forced to shelter inside a library while protesters pounded on the doors and screamed antisemitic chants outside.

We can’t afford to repeat Europe’s mistake of failing to confront radicalism.

At UCLA, violent clashes erupted after anti-Israel encampments blocked Jewish students from accessing parts of campus. Across the country, university administrators responded with weakness, hesitation and excuses while radicals violated rules that ordinary students would never be allowed to break.

The message being sent to these extremists is clear: Intimidation works. Swastikas have appeared in New York City parks and public spaces. Protesters openly praised Hamas after the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, in which terrorists murdered families, kidnapped civilians, raped women and burned innocent people alive.

This is not political disagreement. This is organized hatred.

Christians should understand some-

thing very clearly: history has shown that movements willing to target Jews never stop there. Across the world, Christians are facing escalating persecution and violence. Churches have been burned in France and Canada. Christians in Nigeria are routinely massacred by Islamist terrorist groups, with entire villages attacked and worshippers murdered during church services.

In parts of the Middle East, ancient Christian communities have been driven out through violence, intimidation and terror. In China, churches are raided and crosses torn down. Even in America, Christianity is increasingly mocked, attacked and treated as something backward or offensive.

The same radical ideology that targets Jews also despises Christianity, patriotism, law enforcement, and Western civilization.

For years, politicians like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Zohran Mamdani have helped normalize anti-Israel extremism by attacking the accepted definition of antisemitism, excusing radical demonstrations and empowering movements that openly hate Israel, America, capitalism, police and traditional values. Others on the radical left have remained

silent while mobs target Jewish communities and excuse terrorist organizations as “resistance.”

Europe made this mistake already. It tolerated radicalism because confronting it became politically inconvenient. Leaders ignored growing extremism while law-abiding citizens were expected to simply adapt. Today, many European communities are dealing with rising antisemitism, attacks on churches, violent extremism, and neighborhoods in which citizens no longer feel safe openly practicing their faith.

America cannot afford to repeat that failure.

The Jewish and Christian communities must recognize that they are standing on the same front line. Radical extremists do not distinguish between a synagogue and a church, between a Star of David and a cross. Their hatred is directed at faith itself, at Western civilization itself, and at the values that built America.

Americans have defeated fascists, communists and terrorists before. History also teaches us that evil grows when decent people are too afraid to confront it early.

The mobs outside synagogues today are testing whether America still has the courage to defend its people, its faith and its civilization. We cannot afford to fail that test.

Ari Brown, of Cedarhurst, represents the 20th Assembly District.

Our state must do more to combat antisemitism

without fear. As antisemitism continues to rise across New York and the nation, elected officials have a responsibility not only to condemn hate, but to take meaningful action to confront it.

AThroughout my time in the State Senate, I have remained committed to protecting Jewish communities and combating antisemitism through legislative action. One of the measures I have introduced with Assemblyman Ed Ra, Senate Bill S.1752, the Dismantling Student Antisemitism Act, would require colleges and universities to report antisemitic incidents and provide a description of what corrective action was taken by the institution.

tism occurs.

Every student deserves to feel safe and welcome on campus, regardless of their faith. I was encouraged when this legislation advanced through the Higher Education Committee with strong support from Senate Republicans. Unfortunately, it has since stalled in the Senate Codes Committee, and may not receive a full vote from the Senate before the legislative session concludes.

swastika at the Inwood LIRR station wasn’t an insolated act of vandalism.

In recent years we have witnessed too many incidents on college campuses in which Jewish students have been harassed, intimidated and even attacked because of their faith. Colleges and universities must take these incidents seriously. My legislation would improve reporting procedures, enhance accountability and ensure that institutions respond appropriately when antisemi-

In addition to this legislation, the Antisemitism Working Group, of which I am a member, submitted a comprehensive report to Gov. Kathy Hochul and members of the Legislature outlining a series of policy recommendations and legislative proposals that we believe would go a long way toward addressing the growing challenges facing New York’s Jewish community.

Despite these setbacks, my colleagues and I remain steadfast. We understand that combating antisemitism requires sustained effort, strong partnerships and a willingness to act. At a time when antisemitic incidents are escalating, we cannot allow meaningful legislation to

languish. We must be willing to move these proposals forward and hold our institutions accountable.

I have also been proud to work alongside Assemblyman Ari Brown, who represents many of the same communities I do and has been a strong advocate for New York’s Jewish community. Together we are committed to ensuring that residents can live openly and practice their faith without fear or intimidation.

Our work extends beyond legislation. In February 2025, Brown and I secured $150,000 for the Village of Lawrence to support a lighting rehabilitation project along the Nassau Expressway. For a community that is home to one of the largest Jewish populations on Long Island, this investment was an important step toward improving public safety and strengthening community security.

The fight against antisemitism is far from over, but in the face of hatred, silence and inaction are not options. I will continue to stand with our Jewish communities and to advocate for meaningful action to ensure that every New Yorker can live, learn, and worship safely and without fear.

Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.

EllEn frisCh

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Water safety starts with vigilance

as summer approaches on Long Island, our communities eagerly embrace the joys of swimming, boating and waterfront leisure. From backyard pools to the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, aquatic activities are woven into our seasonal traditions.

With those pleasures, however, comes a paramount responsibility: ensuring water safety for all.

New York ranks fourth in the nation in drowning deaths. The state now requires all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, to possess a valid boating safety certificate. The requirement, established as part of Brianna’s Law — named in memory of 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck, who lost her life in a 2005 boating accident in the Great South Bay — is intended to make waterways safer.

Boaters can enroll in approved safety courses available in person and online. The BoatUS Foundation offers a free, state-approved online course, and the New York State Parks Adventure License program encourages boaters to add an anchor icon to their driver’s license to indicate completion of the course.

Water safety extends well beyond boats, to backyard and public swimming pools and Long Island’s many miles of beaches. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death

letters

Where is Hempstead’s affordable-housing plan?

To the Editor:

among children.

Suffolk County reported 24 drownings in 2024, a 60 percent increase over the prior year, based on statistics from Stony Brook University. Experts noted what they called an “alarming shift,” with 66 percent of drownings happening in backyard pools rather than open water, driven largely by a post-pandemic surge in pool installations. Nationwide, drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional-injury deaths among children ages 1 to 4.

To reduce the risks:

■ Always supervise children closely when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions, even when lifeguards are present.

■ Install fences with self-latching gates around pools to prevent unsupervised access. State law requires fences to be at least 4 feet high and to fully enclose pools.

■ Teach children to swim, learn yourself if you never have, and understand basic water safety rules.

■ Ensure that supervising adults are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation so they can respond effectively in emergencies.

■ State law requires children under 12 to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets on boats smaller than 21 feet.

Re Joseph Scianablo’s op-ed, “We can’t solve a housing crisis with hypocrisy or politics,” in the May 14-20 issue: Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, clearly stated the issues involved in dealing with the housing crisis. He also delineated steps that need to be taken to solve the problem.

One must wonder, what has the town’s leadership, under Supervisor John Ferretti, been doing about this housing crisis? No cogent plan has been followed to deal with the shortage of housing that’s affordable for young families or seniors wanting to downsize. A predictable pattern has developed, which we have witnessed with the Woodmere Country Club and Inwood/North Hempstead projects: A project is proposed by developers, there is an outcry from community residents who have reasonable concerns, and then there is expensive litigation, paid for with taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.

Ferretti and the Town Board should have had a forward-looking housing plan in place. As proposed by candidate Scianablo, stakeholders

Lifejackets accessible to all passengers are essential on any vessel.

■ At public pools and beaches, pay attention to lifeguards, who are trained to identify hazards such as rip currents — fast-moving channels of water that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore.

■ Ask lifeguards about dangerous conditions, and swim only in designated areas. If caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to shore until free of the current.

Another major danger is after-hours swimming. When lifeguards are off duty, swimmers who are inexperienced, overconfident or impaired are left unmonitored, and that is when many drownings occur.

Early-season swimmers should also remember that ocean water remains dangerously cold well into late spring. Cold water quickly drains energy and increases the risk of distress, even for strong swimmers.

Water safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re watching children at a pool, enjoying a day at the beach or heading out on a boat, a few simple precautions can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy. Long Island’s waters are meant to be enjoyed, but only if we treat them with the respect they demand.

including developers, union workers and residents must be engaged in planning housing projects for the needs of each unique community.

Instead of blaming Albany, our town

PAMELA KORN

opinions

The disappearance of embarrassment

somewhere in Washington right now, custom bourbon bottles etched with FBI Director Kash Patel’s name and title are being distributed as tokens of power and prestige at taxpayer expense. Strange as it sounds, those bottles tell a much larger story about contemporary politics and politicians.

You don’t have to be a political historian to know that democracies have always produced their share of vain, incompetent and corrupt political opportunists. What feels different now is the brazenness — the complete disappearance of embarrassment and restraint among leaders, as well as citizens’ expectations that public officials at least appear to be answerable to the people they serve.

At a moment when millions of Americans are struggling to afford groceries, gasoline, rent, medication and health insurance, our “leaders” parade openly in a spectacle of self-glorification, ideological theater, open self-interest and flat-out contempt. The examples arrive almost daily:

A White House “ballroom” project that began as a supposedly privately

funded $200 million undertaking has steadily ballooned to a taxpayer-supported $1 billion monument to one man’s excesses.

A sitting president and his family are profiting from business ventures made possible only through political power. Airports, cultural institutions, public spaces and even passports are being renamed and revised in ways that elevate and glorify that president.

Patel’s custom bourbon bottles are etched with his name while taxpayers absorb the costs of an increasingly theatrical government culture.

Those personalized bourbon bottles seem sadly emblematic of the moment.

Other cabinet officials and agency heads appear openly hostile to, or ignorant of, the very missions of the departments they oversee.

A secretary of health and human services attacks scientific consensus, vaccine trust and established medical knowledge during a period of growing public health anxiety.

A secretary of defense speaks less like a sober administrator than a cablenews warrior wannabe posturing for cameras and political allies. Presidential social media tirades are aimed at journalists, critics, political opponents and private citizens — many dismissed as “low IQ,” “stupid,” dishonest, even treasonous.

LeTTers

Voters deserve to hear more from the candidates on housing

To the Editor:

Mr. Scianablo is half right. Politics is the only means we have to reconcile civil issues. What is required is the sort of politics Mr. Scianablo describes, where leadership seeks to “rise above the noise” and “tell the truth” to promote “honest conversations” and form “partnerships” that will work toward “thoughtful, community-driven planning.” That would mean a constructive confrontation with some hard words.

Nassau County’s leaders must acknowledge the truth that the housing issue can’t be “solved” at the county level, but progress can be

facilitated. Candidates for leadership must dismiss the noise to center the honest conversations on those few factors and limited partnerships within their purview and jurisdiction. This means devising a thoughtful plan for changes in zoning to encourage density at sites that provide transportation and public services — which will encourage builders and bankers to construct affordable units that make Nassau attractive to buyers, preferably families with children.

There are hard words here, but voters deserve to hear from each candidate some opening position from which they will begin their honest conversation, and what their vision is for a Nassau community plan to ameliorate its portion of the “crisis.”

Meanwhile, we are told every day that all is well, the economy is strong, the war is won, and that public concerns are exaggerated. Republican Sen. Tim Scott proclaimed on Fox Business last month that “You can even feel in our environment how good things are getting. Gas prices continue to come down, which means that your groceries will come down a little bit as well.”

As Scott spoke, gas and grocery prices were rising dramatically in his home state of North Carolina and around the country. Without embarrassment, he invented a picture of America that has no basis in reality.

That same day, on CNBC, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said, “You go back two years ago, we were paying almost $6 a gallon for gasoline.” Two years ago, in mid-2024, the nationwide average price of gasoline was $3.66 per gallon. Without embarrassment, he made up a price easily disproved.

More and more Americans no longer believe what they are being told, because their own lives tell them otherwise. And alongside all of this come the vanity projects, the public self-glorification, the open profiteering, the personalized institutions, the theatrical insults and the endless performances of loyalty and power.

The deeper cultural shift isn’t simply these behaviors themselves, but how little civic alarm they now produce. Why, we should ask, do these officials feel no shame, or even just a little embarrassment? But mostly we don’t ask. Too often we give up on demanding competence, dignity and social awareness in our leaders.

Why? Or maybe the question should be how? How can people who call themselves leaders act with so much contempt toward the people who put them in positions of authority? A healthy republic depends on leaders understanding that public office carries obligations larger than ego, profit, loyalty rituals and selfcelebration. It depends on some continuing sense that, at the very least, public suffering should impose limits on displays of extravagance and self-interest.

Evidently, our leaders feel no such constraints; they feel not one shred of embarrassment about the lies and excesses that have come to characterize them. For many of them, holding office means little more than having permission to engage in public spectacle, branding, self-celebration and acts of contempt in plain sight.

Which may be why those personalized bourbon bottles feel oddly — and sadly — emblematic of the political moment itself.

Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of interdisciplinary studies at City University of New York.

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Framework by Tim Baker

At Molloy University’s graduation, that’s President James Lentini on guitar — Jones Beach

And the Experts Agree

At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.

We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.

That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.

When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.

Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau