Oceanside/Island Park Herald 07-10-2025

A helping hand for those in need

Brian Driscoll, far left, Joseph Ponte, Joseph Glavin and Jacquelyn Padin, of the Oceanside Community Warriors, collected supplies on Sunday to help fire victims in Baldwin. Story, more photos, Page 3.

Resident has first A.I. hip surgery

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream became the first hospital in the United States to perform a total hip replacement using the Ortoma system, an artificial intelligence-assisted surgical platform.

The procedure was performed by Dr. James Germano, chair of orthopedics at the hospital, on 74-year-old Dorothy Martino of Oceanside on May 1.

“I had a cane, so I wasn’t able to go anywhere or do anything,” Martino said. “So, this is like a major life change for me right now. I’m walking around. I can do the stairs. I can walk all over the place. It’s just amazing, truly amazing.”

The Ortoma system, previously used in Sweden and Japan, is designed to enhance surgical preci-

sion through AI-based planning and intraoperative guidance. For total hip replacements, surgeons can preoperatively plan implant positioning based on CT imaging and then use real-time tracking and measurement tools during surgery.

For Dr. Germano, the surgery was the culmination of over two years of collaboration with the Ortoma development team. He traveled to Sweden to observe a design surgeon using the system in a clinical setting, gaining hands-on insights into its workflow and functionality. His familiarity with the system played a key role in bringing the technology to the United States leading to its first use in a live surgical procedure.

A central advantage of the Ortoma platform to Dr. Germano is its ability to streamline preoperative planning. Traditionally, CT scans for hip

The governor talks up her cellphone ban

By BRIAN NORMAN and KEPHERD DANIEL

Of the Oceanside/Island Park Herald

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently visited a Long Island school district to meet with school leaders from Nassau and Rockland counties and New York City, solidifying plans to implement the state’s “bell-tobell” cellphone ban in schools.

The new distraction-free policy, which was part of the latest state budget and bars the use of cellphones by students in K–12 public schools across New York, goes into effect on Aug. 1. Hochul stressed that the policy will help children become more engaged students and, ultimately, high-functioning adults.

at the office of the Hicksville School District on June 24. “Across the country, 74 percent of teachers have said it is impossible to teach and connect with our young people anymore because they’re competing with TikTok dance videos, and that kids aren’t learning the way they used to.”

I believe that as a result of this cellphone ban, we will have young people who are finally liberated from the addictive qualities of social media.

KAtHy HOcHuL GOV.

“I believe that as a result of this cellphone ban, we will have young people who are finally liberated from the addictive qualities of social media and the cellphone they never seem able to put down,” Hochul said

Phyllis Harrington, superintendent of the Oceanside School District, said the district had been discussing the influence of smartphones on students and researching best practices on how to approach smartphone usage for more than a year. She said the district is prepared to roll out the policy at all three school levels, elementary, middle and High School, with an emphasis on education and steady enforcement over punishment.

“We’re confident that our staff — especially at the high school — will be partners with

Continued on page 7

Alice Moreno/Herald

things to know from the school board

3 Things To Know From the School Board Meeting

By KEPHERD DANIEL

kdaniel@liherald.com

Oceanside Board of Education reviews goals, The Oceanside Board of Education met July 2 for its annual reorganization meeting, where members reappointed leadership positions, reviewed district goals, and made decisions on policies and staffing for the 2025–26 school year.

Michael D’Ambrosio was re-elected as board president, with Stu Kaplan continuing as vice president. Superintendent Phyllis Harrington and board trustees were officially re-sworn in. The meeting also marked the official start of Brian Reluzko’s term as the district’s first ex officio student board member under a newly adopted policy.

No change to early drop-off program

After surveying more than 300 elementary families, the board opted to retain the current 7:30 a.m. free breakfast drop-off rather than add a paid 7:00 a.m. option. A proposed $10-per-hour fee (about $200 monthly) for earlier supervision proved unpopular. The district will continue to monitor needs and explore grant funding for future changes.

“We don’t feel we have sufficient reason to alter our practice at this time,” Harrington said, though she added the district would remain open to revisiting the issue if demand increases or funding becomes available.

District goals and progress

Harrington presented a year-end update on the district’s instructional, wellness, and facilities goals. Completed milestones included the global citizenship curriculum, social studies updates, and full-time technology coaching. Ongoing initiatives—such as expanding reading interventions, increasing integrated co-teaching, and adding turf fields—will continue into the 2025–26 school year. She highlighted accomplishments such as the completion of the global citizenship course curriculum, updated social studies standards, and the launch of a full-time K-12 instructional technology coach. Harrington emphasized that progress on initiatives such as co-teaching models, reading interventions like the SPIRE program, and artificial intelligence integration will continue into the coming year.

and Brian Driscoll helped with Nancy Ritchie’s

Donation drive helps building fire victims

A donation drive in Oceanside Sunday morning helped nearly 200 people who were displaced by a fire at an apartment building on Merrick Road in Baldwin.

A three-story apartment building in Baldwin was severely damaged on June 26, displacing residents and prompting an emergency response from over a dozen neighboring fire departments including Oceanside and Long Beach and local volunteers.

Fire officials say everyone inside got out of the building safely, but police say the building was condemned.

Area residents dropped off dozens of bags and boxes of clothing and food at the Oceanside VFW. Community groups that organized the drive included the Oceanside Community Warriors, the Baldwin Lion’s Club and Oceanside Moms.

— Kepherd Daniel

Alice Moreno/Herald Jacquelyn Padin

donations. Ritchie donated toys and home items to help Baldwin residents.

Oceanside Community warriors memner Brian Driscoll brought in a bunch of new donations.

Boxes of donations were neatly stacked and ready to send.

PRESENTS METS

ULTIMATE TICKETS SWEEPSTAKES

Contest ends July 27 at midnight with the winner chosen on July 28

Directions for ticket acquisition will be explained when winner is contacted. Scan this QR code https://www.liherald.com/mets-tickets-contest.html?#//

Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

Everyone knows physical pain is bad and tries to avoid it, says the Dalai Lama. Mental pain is also bad and the way to avoid it is through “mental immunity” – learning to avoid the destructive emotions and to develop the positive ones. Like physical immunity, mental immunity is a healthy disposition of mind that is less susceptible to negative thoughts and feelings.

If you have immunity, then viruses will not harm you, but if you don’t they can be devastating. Mentally, a small disturbance will not harm you if you have mental immunity –otherwise small disturbances can create great pain and suffering. We human beings have the ability to make a distinction between the rational and the emotional level. Rationally, we may have a serious problem to deal with, yet emotionally we can keep calm.

So much stress, anxiety and suffering arise from an attempt to control what cannot be controlled – wanting things to be different than

they are. “All pain comes from resistance.” The mind decides what’s good or bad and reacts accordingly – whether the ride is bumpy or smooth depends on our perception. It is very hard to be joyful with stress and anxiety – a continual feeling of being overwhelmed and not being able to handle our work and family commitments. Courage, said Nelson Mandela, is “not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Archbishop Tutu says, similarly, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act despite it.”

Happiness and joy are infectious. When you are happy, those around you become happy. Brother Steindl-Ross adds “when you are grateful, you act out of a sense of enough and not out of a sense of scarcity, and you are willing to share… grateful people are joyful people.” When we recognize all that we have been given, it is our natural response to want to care for and give to others.

Crime watCh

Man struck by Porsche in Oceanside dies from injuries

An 80-year-old Baldwin man who was struck by a Porsche SUV while walking in Oceanside last week has died from his injuries. Roosevelt Williams was walking westbound on Lower Lincoln Avenue around 9:45 p.m. on July 3rd when he was hit by a 2019 Porsche SUV driven by a 29-yearold woman. Williams was hospitalized in critical condition and later died of

LarCeny

On June 20, a Judith Lane resident in Oceanside reported a basketball hoop was stolen from their property. On June 23, assorted items were reported stolen by an unknown female subject from a location on Long Beach Road in Oceanside.

arrests

On June 25, Jennifer Collins, 45, of

his injuries early Sunday morning just before 4 a.m.The driver remained at the scene and was uninjured. Police have not said how the crash occurred, whether Williams was in a crosswalk, or if any charges were filed. The department’s homicide squad is continuing its investigation.

— Kepherd Daniel

Hicksville, was arrested for shoplifting at a business on Long Beach Road in Oceanside.

On June 28, Elizabeth George, 49, of Brooklyn, was arrested for shoplifting at a Stop & Shop on Long Beach Road in Oceanside.

On June 29, Luis Alvarado-Ochoa, 38, of Oceanside, was arrested for driving while intoxicated near Lower Lincoln Avenue and Davison Avenue.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Courtesy METRO CREATIVE

A Car accident on Lower Lincoln Avenue in Oceanside left an 80-year-old Baldwin man dead.

Islanders display influx of young talent

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Fresh off making three first-round selections in the NHL draft for only the second time in franchise history, including blue-chip defenseman Matthew Schaefer, taken No. 1 overall, the New York Islanders hosted their rookie development camp June 30-July 3 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.

Highlighting the four-day camp was the return of the Blue & White Scrimmage, played for the first time since 2018 before a packed house July 2. Schaefer and fellow 2025 first-rounders winger Victor Eklund (16th) and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson (17th), secondround winger Daniil Prokhorov (42nd), as well as 2024 first-round pick winger Cole Eiserman (20th), second-round picks defenseman Jesse Pulkkinen (54th) and center Kamil Bednarik (61st), 2023 second-round pick center Danny Nelson (49th), and Colorado’s 2023 firstround pick center Calum Ritchie (27th) all had their talents on display and the fans buzzing.

“It’s been an unbelievable camp and the facilities here are incredible,” Aicheson said after the Blue & White Scrimmage. “I just wanted to come here and make an impression on the coaches and be a sponge. It’s been really cool to meet all the guys and see how much the fans support this team.”

The Islanders finished 35-35-12 last season and missed the playoffs. They

entered the NHL Draft Lottery May 5 with the 10th pick and a minuscule 3.5 percent chance of jumping to the top before they hit the jackpot.

Enter the 17-year-old Schaefer, widely regarded as the best player available with elite skating and playmaking skills. Ranked at the top on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s North American skaters list, he recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 73 games across two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League and on the international stage won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championships, recording five points in seven games. He becomes the Islanders’ fifth first-overall pick after center John Tavares (2009), goaltender Rick DiPietro (2000), defenseman Denis Potvin (1973) and winger Billy Harris (1972.)

“You dream of this your whole life and it’s a dream come true,” Schaefer said. “Now you’ve got to put your work boots on. Getting drafted is amazing and first overall is amazing and it’s an honor. But I’ve got to put my head down, have fun and work as hard as I can. I want to be on that opening-night roster.”

Hours before selecting Schaefer June 27, new General Manager Mathieu Darche traded a former first-round pick, Noah Dobson, after an impasse in contract negotiations with the restricted free agent defenseman to Montreal for the two additional first rounders used on Eklund and Aitcheson.

The only other year the Isles made at

least three first-round picks was in 1999 when they had four.

Eklund’s older brother, William, plays for San Jose. Victor, 18, recorded 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 42 games with Djurgårdens of HockeyAllsvenskan in Sweden last season and was ranked second on the Central Scouting Bureau’s International skaters list.

Aitcheson, 18, is a bruising defender with an impressive offensive skill set that led him to a 59-point regular season (26 goals, 33 assists) with the Barrie Colts of the OHL in 2024-25. He was Schaefer’s gold-medal winning teammate at the 2024 IIHF World Under-18 Championships and played against him in the OHL.

“I’ve gotten to know Matthew pretty well and I’m excited to see what the future holds for him,” Aitcheson said.

It was also the first Islanders camp

for Eiserman, 18, who enjoyed a huge season at Boston University and led all NCAA freshmen in goals with 20 while helping lead the Terriers to the national title game.

“The fans are super passionate here and I’m excited to wear this logo,” Eiserman said. “It’s my first time on Long Island and I’m soaking it up and loving it. Obviously the organization does its homework on brining in not only talented players but guys with tremendous character.”

Preseason schedule released

The Islanders will play six preseason games, including three at UBS Arena: Sept. 21 versus Philadelphia, Sept. 26 against New Jersey and Sept. 29 against the Rangers. The NHL plans to announce the 2025-26 regular-season schedule July 16.

Calum Ritchie is part of an infusion of young talent in the Islanders’ organization.

Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos The Islanders selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the first-overall pick of the 2025 NHL Draft.

Islanders 2024 first-round pick Cole Eiserman led all NCAA freshmen in goals last season with 20.

Hochul touts benefits of a ban on smartphones

us in this,” Harrington said. “It’s not about giving a consequence. It’s really about slowly and steadily getting them to realize how much healthier and better it is for them to be apart from an electronic device for periods of the day.”

Harrington said the district would maintain its existing locker and hallway monitoring protocols and make adjustments only if there’s an uptick in cell phone theft or damage to personal property.

Harrington assured parents there would be other ways for them to remain in contact with their children during the school day.

“Anytime you have a new initiative, parents feel a strong need to stay in constant contact with their children, which we understand,” Harrington said. “But in a real emergency, multiple phones going off actually makes things more dangerous. It’s far safer to follow the emergency procedures we practice and allow staff to guide students appropriately.”

The district will maintain its long-standing practices at the elementary and middle schools — where cellphones are stowed in backpacks or lockers during the day — but the high school will see the biggest adjustment.

“There, it’s going to feel the most different,” Harrington said. “But it’s not about punishment, it’s about helping students develop healthier habits — being present in class, engaging socially and reducing anxiety.”

Students who are caught using cellphones during the school day will have their devices confiscated and held until a parent or guardian can pick them up. But due to state guidelines, no additional disciplinary actions — such as suspensions — can

be applied for repeat offenders.

“We cannot escalate the consequence beyond that,” Harrington noted. “Even if it happens once a week, our only legal recourse is to repeat the process.”

If a violation leads to another infraction — for example, a student refuses to hand over a phone and becomes physically aggressive — the incident may be handled under the district’s regular Code of Conduct.

In response to concerns from parents about safety in emergencies without phones, Harrington said that widespread device use during a crisis can actually hinder safety.

“Multiple phones ringing, buzzing or being used to call out during an emergency causes network delays and distracts students from listening to trained personnel,” she said. “Our staff knows what to do, and we need students fully tuned in.”

The district will collect required data on student infractions and demographics, as mandated by the law, with an eye toward ensuring equitable enforcement. Harrington also said students with IEPs or medical needs would continue to receive appropriate accommodations, as identified through the Committee on Special Education process.

While students will not have a formal opportunity to give feedback on the policy, Harrington believes they will adjust more quickly than they expect to — and benefit from it in the long run.

“It’s the law, and we can’t make it less strict,” Harrington said. “There’s no doubt it will be difficult for some, especially at first, but I really believe this will be so much better for them. They may not admit it right away, but it will be.”

Brian Norman/Herald Gov. Kathy Hochul visited the Hicksville School District on June 24 to discuss how to implement the distraction-free policy banning cellphone use.

Orotoma AI system streamlines planning, enhances precision

replacement patients are sent to off-site facilities for data processing, a step that can take up to two weeks. With the Ortoma system, CT data can be processed inhouse in minutes.

The system also stands out for its ease of integration into existing surgical protocols. Rather than requiring specialized equipment or extensive training, it works with a surgeon’s standard instruments, with only minor additions such as trackers.

“The benefit of the system is that, besides the preoperative planning, where you can really figure out exactly what you want to do for that individual and really personalize it for the individual in the operating room, it has a very small footprint, so it doesn’t really get in the way,” Dr. Germano explained. “It can be used in small operating rooms, the cost is going to be significantly less than any kind of robotic system at a fraction of the cost, because there’s not a ton of hardware.

Martino learned only days beforehand that she would be the first person in the country to receive a hip replacement with AI assistance from the Ortoma system. Diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis in her right hip, she had been living with bone-on-bone contact that also affected her back.

“I had no problem with it,” Martino said. “I have total faith in Dr. Germano, and that’s what I told him. I couldn’t believe it. I was telling everyone about it, everyone I knew. I was telling them about it, saying, ‘I was going to be the first one in the United States being done with the procedure by an AI like that.’ And I was right to have it because it just turned out amazing. It couldn’t be better. I’m just feeling so great.”

While she hadn’t initially expected to be part of a technological first, her experience with the surgery and early recovery has been positive. Before undergoing surgery, Martino found that her condition made routine activities increasingly difficult. Walking on the beach, something she often did with her family, became unmanageable, and even short trips or traveling

through an airport felt daunting. The limitations impacted on her ability to fully participate in everyday life. With her mobility restored, she has been able to return to those activities without restrictions.

The introduction of AI into orthopedic procedures reflects a broader trend in medicine toward the use of advanced technologies to support clinical decisionmaking.

According to Dr. Germano, artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of surgical practice, helping with everything from planning to execution. While AI does not replace the expertise of the surgeon, it serves as a valuable tool to support clinical precision and consistency.

As technology becomes more widely adopted, platforms like Ortoma may play an increasing role in improving surgical outcomes and streamlining workflows. For patients like Martino and surgeons like Dr. Germano, it represents a promising blend of technological innovation and clinical experience.

Photos courtesy Northwell Health

Dr. James Germano prepared for surgery in the scrub room before the historic procedure at LIJ Valley Stream.

The Ortoma platform, designed for intraoperative guidance and pre-surgical planning, during setup inside the operating room.

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Celebrating students moving up

Oceanside students celebrated their moving up ceremony during the week of June 23. The week’s events highlighted special memories shared by each student and included the presentation of certificates of completion. On June 24, fourth graders at Francis X. Hegarty School in Island Park celebrated their transition to Lincoln Orens Middle School during the moving up ceremony led by Principal Shannon Malagreca.

— Kepherd Daniel

Courtesy Oceanside school district

Andrew Frey-Gould, director of media, fine and performing arts, conducted the sixth grade choir at Oceanside School Two’s moving up ceremony.

Courtesy Island Park Public Schools

Francis X. Hefarty Elementary School kids are on their way to Middle School.

Sixth graders sang Bruno Mars’ Count on Me at the moving up ceremony as principal and teachers looked on.

Jacob Simon, School 9E student council president, addresses his peers at moving up ceremony.

Oceanside Castleton students, families, faculty and district administrators gathered in the outdoor research center in the arboretum for the senior barbecue and ceremony.

Focusing on

Good eats Keep nutrition in check all summer long

Summer is rolling along and ‘the livin’ is easy at the beach, backyard barbecues and on vacation at an enticing dining spot These gatherings tempt us with high-calorie pasta salads, chips, ice cream, cocktails, beers and sugary beverages. Enjoy your warm weather favorites while keeping your nutrition in check.

Drink green tea instead of sweet tea. Green tea has a natural component that helps speed up your metabolism. Skip the box tea and opt for the brew-it-yourself with boiling water and a tea-bag-type tea.

Serve seafood. Summer is the ideal time to get the freshest catch from your local fishmonger. Grill salmon, tuna, lobster, steamer clams, and calamari for a low-calorie, proteinpacked lunch or dinner.

Don’t skip breakfast. When you wake up in the morning, your body is running on fumes. Eating a breakfast with protein, carbs, and healthy fat kicks your metabolism into high gear and provides energy for the day.

Enjoy summer fruits and veggies. It’s easy to sink into a vegetable rut, eating the same boring veggies week after week, but with summer comes fresh choices. Including a mix of in-season colorful veggies in your meals gives your body a nutrient kick.

Snack at work. Bring healthy snacks to work and graze throughout the day. When you eat more often five to six times per day— you’re far less likely to overeat and more likely to stay energized, nutritionists advise.

Cook meals together. Involve your friends and family in your healthy lifestyle this summer. A simple way to start: Plan meals, shop, and cook with your spouse and kids.

Downsize your dinnerware. You don’t need to buy new

plates, just use the smaller ones in your set for meals like lunch and dinner. Cornell University researchers found that by switching from 12- to 10-inch plates anyone can reduce calorie consumption by 20 to 22 percent and lose nearly two pounds per month. And that’s without changing any other aspect of your diet.

Recover with a post-workout shake. After exercising, blend your favorite summer fruits and a scoop of whey protein into a shake to kickstart the muscle-building process, help your body recover from training, and boost your energy levels.

Eat healthy at the beach. Ice cream stands and highcalorie barbecues are bound to put a damper on your diet, so stay clear of these temptations by being prepared. Pack a cooler with ice, bottled water, sandwiches on whole grain breads, pita chips, hummus, yogurt and lots of fruit. You’ll feel healthier and happier after your day at the beach.

Give your house a summer cleaning. You need an environment that reflects your healthy way of living and your summer fitness goals. To start, remove unhealthy foods from your home (so you’re not tempted). While you’re at it, stock your office with fruit, nuts, and other healthy snacks.

Build a better burger. Create a healthier burger with whole wheat buns, lean meats, and delicious toppings like pineapple, wasabi, guacamole, and feta cheese.

Photo: Once those barbecue invites start rolling in, it’s easy to forgo your healthy eating plan. Try to avoid temptation as much possible and focus the better-foryou options.

Take precautions so that the sun is friend not foe

Don’t let sunburn derail your fun

Many people find it impossible to think about summer without conjuring visions of spending endless hours outdoors from morning until evening, whether beachside, on the open water or even floating in a backyard pool. Although a certain measure of sun exposure is required for some natural body functions, it’s well documented that too much time in the sun can be hazardous.

The sun’s warmth and brightness can relax us and boost our spirits. The benefits are wonderful, but overexposure can lead to some dangerous health issues.

Each year more than three and a half million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States. So whether you’re planning a trip to the beach, hitting the golf course, or enjoying a backyard cookout, remember to protect yourself.

Have your fun but be sun smart

Taking sunburn for granted can be a big mistake. Many people wouldn’t risk burns from a hot stove or open fire, but they won’t think twice about being unprotected under the very hot rays of the sun.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than one-third of adults and nearly 70 percent of children admit to suffering from sunburn within the

past year. Depending on the intensity of the sun and the amount of time spent outside, sunburn can be a first- or second-degree burn. In first-degree burns, damage affects the topmost layer of skin. However, sunburn can even affect deeper layers and cause blistering in addition to redness and pain.

Sunburn also can cause some irreparable damage that goes unseen. Healthcare professionals stress that ultraviolet light from the sun can alter DNA, prematurely aging skin or even contributing to skin cancers. It can take years before symptoms become noticeable. Therefore, exercise caution when spending time in the sun at every age.

Avoid the burn

Sunburn is one of the most easily prevented summertime ailments. It’s also important to note that sunburns are not just limited to the hot weather or when it is sunny outside. Ultraviolet damage can occur at any time of the year, and also from artificial UV sources, such as tanning beds (stay away!). Seek the shade. The sun’s rays are usually strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are outside, find shade from a structure, a leafy tree, or a sun umbrella for protection. Also, try to arrange your schedule so that you can take advantage of the early morning and

late afternoon for your outdoor activities. Otherwise, limit exposure to the sun and take frequent breaks in the shade.

Cover up. Wear protective clothing that covers the arms and legs. Some outdoor gear is designed to offer sun protection. Tightly woven fabrics tend to help the most.

Your clothes can be an effective form of protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Some outdoor clothing now carries an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. The UPF rating lets you know how well the fabric shields your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays. All fabrics block UV rays to some degree, but the most effective have a UPF rating from 15 (good) to more than 50 (excellent). Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses to protect your head and eyes and put sunscreen on exposed skin.

Apply and reapply sunscreen. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures how long unprotected skin can be theoretically exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays before causing damage. UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin. Too much exposure to either can cause skin cancer, as we’re all aware by now.

The American Academy of Dermatology actually recommends an SPF of 30 or greater. Make sure the product is broad-spectrum,

meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen thoroughly, paying attention to the tops of feet, hands and other places that tend to go untreated. Reapply every two hours or more frequently, if necessary.

Photo: As great as the sun feels, it poses serious threats to your health and appearance. Have your time in the sun while sparing your skin from damage and harm to your health.

Summer brings fun, but also hazards.

According to a Kaiser Permanente study conducted in 2023, hospital emergency department visits increase by 15 to 27 percent between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

To stay healthy and well this summer and avoid sunburn, dehydration, sickness from spoiled or improperly prepared food, orthopedic injuries, water and pool accidents, insect bites, and bee stings, here is summer safety advice from the team of board certified emergency medicine physicians at Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Fennessy Family Emergency Department:

Sunburn—Exposure to sunlight helps your skin synthesize vitamin D, which is vital to bone health, immune function, and improved cognition. When skin is repeatedly exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, the risk can far outweigh the reward. Follow these sun safety steps recommended by the American Academy of Dermatologists:

• Minimize sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm.

• Apply sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, to all areas of the body exposed to the sun.

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days.

• Wear clothing that covers the body and shades the face.

• Have an annual skin cancer screening.

Dehydration—Symptoms of dehydration may include some or all the following: lethargy; dizziness; deep, rapid breathing; muscle cramps; dry mouth and nose; and a drop in blood pressure. Stay hydrated by drinking six to eight cups of water per day. Avoid consumption of tea, coffee, soda, or alcohol on hot days or during recreational activities. Move to a cool, shaded area if symptoms occur.

Picnic Food Preparation and Storage—Food that is not prepared and stored properly can lead to food-

borne illness. Before packing for a picnic at the park or the beach:

• Wrap uncooked chicken and meats in separate, tightly sealed bags or containers and place them at the bottom of the cooler.

• Store foods with mayonnaise in the cooler or be sure to serve them on platters that are chilled by salad bowls filled with ice.

• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

• Freeze foods that have been prepared more than one day in advance of the picnic.

• Thoroughly cook meat and poultry to destroy bacteria.

• Discard all leftovers.

Orthopedic Injuries

—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than half of all sports- and recreation-related injuries are preventable. To reduce the risk of injury: Follow a schedule that sticks to the “10 percent rule” of increasing the intensity and duration of workouts.

Warm up first, followed by stretching before playing, practicing, or training. Diversify training by combining or alternating activities like walking, jogging, biking, or weightlifting.

If you feel pain, soreness, or tightness, stop. Early intervention is key to avoiding further injury.

Eat healthy: include fruits and vegetables and adequate portions of protein in your daily diet.

Water and Pool Safety—Whether your family is spending time in the pool, at the beach, or on a boat, be aware of the following safety precautions: Never leave a child unsupervised near any body of water, including bathtubs, pools, and even buckets.

Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets during boating and fishing activities.

Keep a safe distance from boat propellers.

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), especially if you and your family regularly participate in water activities.

Bee Stings and Insect Bites

While it is impossible to avoid mosquitoes, bees, and other insects, keep them away by applying insect repellent containing the active ingredient DEET or picaridin. Studies show DEET is safe and effective at preventing insect-borne illness. Other steps to take include:

Avoid wearing scented products, as fragrances attract biting insects like mosquitoes and bees.

Be sure to empty out birdbaths, flowerpots, and kiddie pools of standing water.

Wear light-colored, long-sleeve shirts, and pants, especially during yard work or in wooded areas.

“And remember,” advises Jay Itzkowitz, MD, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, “in an emergency, do not hesitate to call 911 for help. By acting without delay, you may prevent a lifethreatening or serious medical emergency.”

The Fennessy Family Emergency Department and Mount Sinai South Nassau’s free-standing Long Beach Emergency Department serve the South Shore residents of Nassau County with patient-centered, expert emergency medical care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Jay Itzkowitz, MD, fourth from left, Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau and the team of providers urge patients to practice summer safety to enjoy a safe and healthy summer.

Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore

The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.

The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.

To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion

Propel project advances ongoing community input

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

Representatives from New York Transco, the New York Power Authority, and community engagement specialists provided key updates on the Propel NY Energy project in a June 25 webinar.

The webinar for Propel’s multi-year effort to bolster Long Island’s energy transmission network, highlighted alternative route developments, permitting milestones, and anticipated construction timelines.

The 345-kilovolt underground and submarine transmission project, stretching across Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties, is designed to increase the state’s grid capacity, strengthen system reliability, and reduce regional congestion. While still in the permitting phase under the New York State Article VII review process, project leaders said they are making steady progress toward a targeted construction start in mid-2026.

Shannon Baxevanis, community engagement manager for Transco, emphasized that several new viable alternative routes have been introduced in direct response to public feedback, technical surveys, and environmental reviews.

“These are not finalized paths, but meaningful modifications that reflect local concerns,” Baxevanis said. “They represent the continued evolution of this project to meet both infrastructure needs and community priorities.”

Among the most closely watched segments is Long Beach Road in Oceanside, identified as part of the preferred transmission corridor. During the Q&A session, residents raised concerns about potential disruption to emergency vehicle access and seasonal traffic to area beaches.

“Long Beach Road, we understand is one of the main door fairs in the area,” said Sam Johnson, NY Transco

Representatives say they will be practical about working on lines running beneath Long Beach Road.

Senior Project Manager. “We’re very sensitive to that. From a coordination perspective with first responders, that is a huge portion of our work, and ensuring that roads are always maintained and open.”

The project remains in the midst of the Article VII review, which includes detailed engineering, environmental, and constructability evaluations. Transco filed its Article VII application in July 2024. The application spans over 6,000 pages and includes technical exhibits, mapping, and route justifications.

The next major regulatory milestone is securing a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need—a determination by the Public Service Commission that the project meets all legal and environmental standards. That certificate is expected sometime in

2026.

A key portion of the proposed transmission line passes through Oceanside, beginning at the new Barrett Substation near Daly Boulevard and traveling north along Long Beach Road, one of the community’s busiest thoroughfares. While residents and local officials have expressed concerns over traffic congestion and access interruptions, NY Transco representatives reiterated that coordination with municipal DPWs, fire departments, schools, and transit agencies is a top priority.

““For the most part, in this area, we will be doing night work to minimize impacts and potentially seasonal work, where we won’t be doing any kind of work in the summer to limit interferences with folks that are heading down to the beaches,” said Johnson.

The most current proposed cable path, included in materials shown during the webinar and now available on the project’s website, confirms that the route stays northbound from Barrett Substation and follows major arterial roads to limit residential impact.

“It really is the only viable alternative that we came up with, connecting us in the shortest path possible with the most efficient path from Barrett straight up to Uniondale hub,” Johnson said.

Propel NY Energy will serve as a backbone transmission system, designed to carry whatever power is available and dispatched by the New York Independent System Operator, including wind, solar, gas, or nuclear. In that way, the project positions itself as a key enabler of New York’s clean energy future.

The team expects to continue webinars and stakeholder outreach through 2025, and welcomes further engagement from local organizations, residents, and business owners. Maps, summaries, and updates are accessible at www.propelnyenergy.com.

Courtesy Propel NY

STEPPING OUT

Step right up

A bustling scene at the Empire State Fair

By Karen Bloom

It’s that time again — the sweet smell of cotton candy, the sizzle of zeppole and the midway beckons. The fair is back in town, now lighting up the Nassau Coliseum grounds, through July 13.

This summertime staple brings together all the classic fun of a traditional fair, with modern-day excitement everyone will enjoy. From thrilling rides and circus performances to an old-school “oddity” sideshow and friendly farm animals, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a summer evening. It all combine for an extravaganza that entices all ages.

Keep your eyes on the Big Top: Circus Murcia carries forth with time-honored circus traditions refreshed for the 21st century. Featuring major thrill acts such as the High Wire and Globe of Death, along with assorted aerialists, jugglers and clowns and much more, fair-goers are sure to enjoy a new take on circus arts.

• Now through July 13

• Weekdays, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-11 p.m.

• $10 (free for kids under 36” tall).

• Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36” and taller) are $42 on-site

From the bizarre to high-tech, there’s something for everyone. Check out another “wonder” — the Big Bee transforming robot car.

“It’s built to be like a life-size Camaro, but inside, instead of having seats, it has a system of hydraulics and different motors that make it lift and open up,” says Alex Murcia, whose family enterprise came up with the concept.

“The car goes up and down and transforms from what looks like a regular Camaro to a giant robot.”

Fireworks spectacle

Still craving more fireworks?

Rockville Centre’s annual anniversary celebration is just the ticket! Head to Barasch Field for a festive evening of music and family fun — capped off by a dazzling fireworks show. The South Shore Symphony Orchestra sets the tone with a rousing outdoor concert. that always delights, now in their 32nd year participating in the longstanding summertime tradition that brings together neighbors from near and far. Artistic Director Adam Glaser passes the baton to guest conductor Eileen Murphy, who leads a crowd-pleasing program of patriotic anthems, Broadway hits and familiar favorites. Highlights include the 1812 Overture, selections from “Gypsy” and Videogames Live, plus classic Sousa marches. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and, of course, some picnic foods — and settle in! After dark, the fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m., choreographed to the orchestra’s performance, for a truly unforgettable finish. Admission is free and is open to everyone. Rain date is July 13.

Saturday, July 12, 7 p.m. Pette and Barasch Fields, 244 S. Park Ave, Rockville Centre. For more information, visit.rvcny.us.

with attractions that all ages enjoy. The spacious gondola cars, each

• Visit empirestatefair.com for online savings on wristbands and tickets

• Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale

Also you won’t want to miss the World of Wonders sideshow, always a popular spot. Visit the colorful spot and be drawn into the scene involving 30 bizarre exhibits in the fascinating Museum of Marvels, under the watchful eye of Tommy Breen — aka The Great Gozleone. As a sword swallower extraordinaire, his antics are boundless, including fire-eating and stunts with a guillotine that are not for the feint of heart.

“When I was 14 I decided I wanted to run away with the sideshow,” Breen says. “I started teaching myself sword swallowing and some other stunts out of the back of a book I found. I didn’t think there still were sideshows around, I figured I could perform in bars with bands or something, but then when I graduated college I saw Ward Hall was hiring for his World of Wonders show. I was shocked it was still on the road and that I had the chance to work for the ‘King of the Sideshow,’ so I quit my job and got rid of my apartment and joined the carnival. It was what I had always daydreamed about, and once I got here I just never left.”

Breen proudly carries on the sideshow tradition, with his fellow sideshow folk.

A strongwoman astounds visitors with feats of strength, bending metal, ripping phone books, and breaking metal chains with her bare hands, along with other “talents” that never cease to amaze.

to be missed. Other favorites include Alien

rollercoaster, The those who never

And, of course, the rides are always a big draw. The midway features plenty, along with attractions that all ages enjoy. The Dream Wheel (one of the largest Ferris wheels on the fair circuit), commands attention, towering over the fairgrounds at 110-feet tall. With 24 spacious gondola cars, each with a six-person capacity to accommodate your entire group, it’s not to be missed. Other favorites include Alien Invasion, Super Cyclone rollercoaster, Wacky Worm family rollercoaster, The Zipper, Storybook Fun House, super slide, and bumper cars. And, yes, for those who never tire of the tea cups, you’ll find them here.

Whether you crave thrills or the funnel cake, this fair has it all.

Photos courtesy Empire State Fair

Spectacle and classic fun await at the Empire State Fair, where fireeaters, circus performers, rides, and exciting new attractions come together for summer fun.

through the band’s greatest hits, as

The Gin Blossoms Take a trip down memory lane with The Gin Blossoms when their highly anticipated 2025 tour visits Long Island. With their timeless hits, infectious melodies and nostalgic vibes, this concert experience transports fans back to the heyday of ‘90s alternative rock. Gin Blossoms rose to fame in the ‘90s with hits like “Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” and “Til I Hear It from You,” which still resonate today. Their jangly guitars, catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics captured the spirit of the decade and earned them a dedicated following that continues to grow. The tour is a nostalgic journey through the band’s greatest hits, as well as new songs that are sure to captivate. And, of course, one of the highlights of any Gin Blossoms concert is the connection they share with their fans. Through their heartfelt lyrics and engaging stage banter, the band creates a sense of camaraderie that makes every concert feel like a reunion with old friends.

Tuesday, July 15, 7:30 p.m. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

JULY

‘Summer of Love’ Pet Adoption

The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter welcomes summer with the return of its “Summer of Love” pet adoption program. Now through Sept. 1 all pet adoption fees will be waived, making it easier than ever to adopt a pet. Each adoption includes free spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. Additionally, there is only a $10 licensing fee for dogs. This summer, spread the love and provide a fur-ever home to these shelter animals. Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cat before arriving at shelter. Browse photos and profiles at hempsteadny.gov/179/ animal-shelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page.

•Where: 3320, Beltagh Ave., Wantagh

•Time: Ongoing

•Contact: at hempsteadny. gov/179/animal-shelter or (516) 785-5220

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art’s ew exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the FoliesBergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

•Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

Outdoor Movie

Island Park Library welcomes all to a night of laughter and mischief with the lovable Minions in Despicable Me 4. Bring a beach chair and enjoy this family-friendly film under the stars. Rain date is July 24.

JULY

Daryl Hall

and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week learn about Henri Matisse. $4 with museum admission.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon

•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Summer tunes

Enjoy an evening of doo-wop at Eisenhower Park. Kid Kyle, The Capri, Vito Picone and the Elegants bring their vibe to the stage.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

JULY

26

Oceanside High School 50th Reunion

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

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

Rock Hall of Fame inductee Daryl Hall brings his current tour to Long Island, featuring opening act Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze. Tilbrook has previously performed with Hall on his award-winning web series, Live from Daryl’s House. The concert is promises to reconnect fans with his celebrated musical legacy. This tour is of particular significance as it marks a reunion for Hall and Tilbrook, who have shared the stage in previous performances, most notably in Hall’s acclaimed web series “Live from Daryl’s House.” “I’ve toured with Glenn in the past, and I’m a fan of his songs, and it will be great to work with him again,” Daryl says, whose previous tours included acts Howard Jones, Elvis Costello and Todd Rundgren, all of whom also appeared on the acclaimed show. The format is the same, with Tilbrook performing a solo set to open, then joining Hall on stage to close the show. Beyond the music, the tour holds sentimental value, as it coincides with significant milestones in Hall’s career. In 2024, Hall celebrated the 10th anniversary of his venue, Daryl’s House, in Pawling, N.Y., where he offered a free concert to acknowledge the support of his fans. Past tours have seen Hall share the stage with icons such as Elvis Costello and Howard Jones, emphasizing his prowess in collaborating effectively and delighting audiences with diverse musical experiences. The upcoming tour, following his latest album, solidifies Hall’s commitment to keeping his music fresh and engaging for his loyal fanbase. $226.75, $186.75, $118.75 (GA), $108.75.

•Where: Island Park Library Parking Lot, 176 Long Beach Road

• Time: After 8:15 p.m.

•Contact: islandparklibrary.org or (516) 432-0122

JULY

Westbury House Tour

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required.

•Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

•Time: Noon-1 p.m. and 3-4

p.m.; also July 13-14, July 1618, July 20-21

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

JULY

12

Twilight tunes on the terrace

Enjoy a summer evening at Old Westbury Gardens with some smooth jazz, swing rhythms and popular favorites performed by the Paul Effman Band in the open air. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab a spot and soak in the sounds and scenery. Rain date is July 13. $25, $22.50, seniors (62+), members receive 20% off.

•Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

•Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

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

Watermelon 5K

Get your steps in and enjoy a sweet treat at the Watermelon 5K at Eisenhower Park.

•Where: Field 2, East Meadow

• Time: 8:30 a.m.

•Contact: events.elitefeats. com/25WatermelonNassau

‘One of these nights’

Eagles tribute band Desert Highway rocks Eisenhower Park as summer heats up. Their acclaimed performance is a nonstop journey through numerous radio hits, Top 10 singles and favorite solo works of

•Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

The Eagles — from the countryinspired “Take It Easy” to the soaring guitar rock anthem “Hotel California”.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

JULY

16

Family movie night

Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park.

Enjoy “The Wild Robot,” based on the bestselling children’s book. Stranded on an unfamiliar island, a helpful robot adapts to survive with the local animals and finds her purpose when she takes in a lonely baby goose. Starring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor.

•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

•Time: Movie begins at dusk

•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

JULY

17

Little Learners Art Lab

Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking,

Catch up with classmates and friends at Oceanside High School’s Class of 1975 50th Reunion at Knights of Columbus Hall on July 26. Reserve your spot now! Cost is $70 per person.

•Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside

•Time: 6-11 p.m.

•Contact: Purchase tickets at oceanside-high-school-classof-1975-50th-reunion

AUG

1

Island Park Kiwanis Steak and Lobster Dinner

Feast by the water with lobster or steak, plus sides, drinks, and dessert. A community favorite!

•Where: Masone Beach, Waterford Road

•Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

•Contact: Zelle (516) 343-6144 or mail check to IP Kiwanis, c/o K. Davis, 2847 Willard Ave., Oceanside, NY 11572

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.

Author Rabbi Abby Stein gives talk at Temple Avodah

By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent

Rabbi Abby Stein emphasized at Temple Avodah that her transition from male to female, from Chasidic to Reform, is both unique and eternal.

Stein wrote the book Becoming Eve: My Transition from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman, which was published in 2019. Stein has given over 500 talks since then, including at over 200 synagogues across six continents.

“One of the talking points I get a lot is that trans people today are just trans because they’re influenced by media,” Stein said. “I wasn’t on the internet until I was 20. I didn’t know there were other trans people. And I still felt what I felt.”

Stein said that it is a universal story and that trans people have been around for thousands of years. She showed this through her quotes from the second century Mishna and the sixth century Gemara, which combined provide Jewish law.

“We had sources here that are 1800 years, 700 years, 200, 300 years old,” Stein said. “It’s important for people to know that we’ve always been around and that we’re everywhere.”

One of the quotes from the Mishna explained two of the eight genders in the talmud - androgynous and Tumtum. Androgynous is when a person is a mix of male and female, sometimes both and sometimes neither. Tumtum is someone who is sometimes a man, sometimes a female, separately.

Beth Schaub attended and said afterwards how inspiring it was, being a Jewish trans woman herself.

“Her whole journey is very inspiring and very helpful,” Schaub said. “Just how her journey differs from mine and the way she processed things.”

Her girlfriend Danielle Fischgrund is a member of Temple Avodah and has been there since third grade.

“I’d say since Rabbi Shai came, I’ve heard that some people have left the community because of LGBTQ stuff,” Fischgrund said. “But now that Rabbi Shai is here, and all the people that are here, I feel are a bit more accepting now. So it feels better, more comfortable.”

Anne Gubenko, on the temple’s Social Action Committee, was surprised by many aspects of Stein’s story.

“I think we have to get it out to more people,” Gubenko said. “Very moving, and she’s extremely brave, and courageous, and we need more of this. And more kindness in this world right now.”

Stein spoke of how restricting the Chasidic community is for women. Chasidic synagogues are often 90 percent male and 10 percent female, and the women are never included in the services.

“They are observers in their own community,” Stein said.

Chasidic women are not allowed to dance in front of men, nor even touch their grandfathers at their own wed -

Rabbi Abby Stein presents her story about her gender transition, which brought her from Chasidic Rabbi to Reform Rabbi.

dings. They are expected to stand still, holding a rope that connects them to one of the men in their family, as the man dances around them.

The Chasidic community was created about 250 years ago when a group of Rebbes, political leaders not Rabbis, decided they wanted to mimic an imagined past where everyone in the community dressed, acted and ate all the same things.

“They set out to recreate something that never existed,” Stein said. “That last (food) part might be the only part that’s accurate.”

Some of them are told as young girls that if they don’t dress modestly enough, and men are triggered into having immodest thoughts, it is these young girls and women who will be punished by God.

For contrast, Stein showed a short clip of her Bat Mitzvah. She originally had a Bar Mitzvah as a male in childhood. She went back for the female version after her transition to claim her new Hebrew name.

In the video, the overseeing Rabbi welcomes her, acknowledges her struggle, blesses her new name, and invites everyone to dance around the dais with her.

Stein said that being welcomed into a synagogue like Temple Avodah is a testament to possibility.

“It shows this is a community we can have,” she said.

Getting vital health info at boardwalk health fair

Some early rain could not hold back more than 500 residents from getting essential health and wellness advice, information and screenings at Mount Sinai South Nassau’s 5th Annual Boardwalk Health Fair on June 22.

Hosted by Mount Sinai South Nassau, the annual health fair provided 289 free health screenings for anxiety and depression, balance testing, Body Mass Index measurement, blood pressure and cholesterol risk assessment, colorectal cancer risk assessment, Diabetes, head & neck cancer, podiatry exam, stroke risk assessment and skin cancer. In addition it featured more than twenty health and wellness information tables and displays, providing demonstrations and expert information from physician specialists, nurses and nurse practitioners and other registered health specialists,

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Department of Community Education is a leading provider of preventive medicine programs and services and serves more than 56,000 Long Islanders each year. The department’s roster of services includes the Community Health Mobile, also

It

known as the Vaxmobile, free depression, blood pressure, and skin cancer screenings; no-cost prostate-specific antigen, Diabetes, and Cholesterol blood tests; Covid-19 and flu vaccinations; fall prevention programs; and free lectures and seminars, as well as Stop the Bleed, Narcan, and CPR training. For more information, please call the Department of Community Education at (516) 377-5333 or follow on Facebook.

— Kepherd Daniel

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST BENTZION R. KAMINETZKY, SHARONTH C. KAMINETZKY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 11, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 3365 3rd Street, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, and State of New York, Section 43 Block 354 Lot 46. Approximate amount of judgment $553,894.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616025/2023. Louis B.

Imbroto, Esq., Referee Gros s Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001253 85793 154085

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL, ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I LLC, ASSET BACKEDCERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-EC2, Plaintiff, vs. OMWANTIE SOOKNANDAN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 9, 2023, 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 25, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 3834 Carrel Boulevard a/k/a 3834 Carrel Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 0060, Block 00040-000 and Lot 00020. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,375,942.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #008588/2013. Pallvi Babbar, Esq., Referee Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 154240

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Stella M. Matles a/k/a Stella Matles; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 9,

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 August 12, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 2689 Cedar Court, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 38 Block 540 Lot 57. Approximate amount of judgment $1,030,782.53 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 002074/2011. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”.

Matthew Vishnick, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: July 1, 2025 154536

To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

Rei Wolfsohn/Herald

Courtesy MSSN

was a day of fun and learning on the Long Beach boardwalk.

Audience members form a long line to get one-on-one time with Rabbi Abby Stein after her talk.

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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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

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Some advice on wood cabinets

Q. We have been looking for real wood kitchen cabinets, and they really run the whole spectrum, from semi-reasonable to very expensive. A salesman told us that well-made cabinets and doors cost more because they’re made better, with more pieces fit together instead of from single panels. He told us that we’ll regret picking the cheaper doors, saying they won’t last. I know that over the years, our closet doors bind up from the changes in humidity, but is it really a significant cause to have to buy more expensive cabinets?

A. Yes. The most important factor when selecting materials for any type of construction, whether it’s a building or a cabinet, is to keep in mind that everything has movement, both internal and external. As I have written many times, wood was once the center of a tree, never intended in nature to be cut up and exposed. Once the wood is taken from the heart of a tree, it begins to change shape based on temperature and moisture content.

Wood that is intended for structural use, like a common 2 x 4 wall stud, is typically dried to about 19 percent moisture content. This is done by laying the lumber outdoors in a covered area. Indoor lumber products are kiln dried to around 8 percent to balance out with indoor humidity, but the wood will not just stay at that moisture level. As the seasons change, wood products continue to adjust to the humidity they are subjected to.

It used to be that craftsmen let the finish trim moldings remain stored indoors, on site, to adjust to their final indoor installation. Unfortunately, most people are in a hurry to get the job done, and move on so the wood doesn’t get the chance to acclimate. Every so often I am asked to explain why there is cracking in sheetrock at corners or around doors. Most of the time, people suspect that it’s a structural problem, when it actually is the twisting and expansion or contraction of lumber that still has a different moisture level than the building. The dynamic movement can split the lumber and crack the walls easily.

The same kind of movement can occur in cabinet doors, so to adjust for this internal movement, doors are often configured with what is referred to as “rails and styles” surrounding the center panel. A well-crafted cabinet door will have movement if you place your hand on the center panel and move it up or down or side to side. The movement allows the door panel to expand or contract without binding, twisting or warping. Many doors imitate the look of multi-part doors, but are routed panels made from a single board. This kind of door can warp from typical moisture changes in a kitchen, from boiling water on a stove, a cross breeze on a summer day or when the heat comes on and the house gets dry. Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Monte Leeper

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In fight for LGBTQ equality, combat cruelty with action

on June 29, millions of LGBTQ people and their allies took to the streets of Manhattan to celebrate Pride and commemorate the 56th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, a turning point in the battle for civil rights in America and the world.

This milestone comes at a pivotal time — one in which President Trump is weaponizing the federal bureaucracy to wage unprecedented attacks on LGBTQ Americans on every conceivable front. From removing the name of the heroic Woodmere native Harvey Milk from a U.S. Navy ship — during Pride Month — to eliminating LGBTQ-specific services from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to making concerted efforts to legislate transgender Americans out of existence, Trump’s campaign is regimented and deliberately cruel — and these are but a few examples.

What we are witnessing leads me to think back to my senior year at Uniondale High School in 1979-80, and the

struggles of a dear friend as he sought to live his truth. During math class, one of my best friends, Christian Cooper, began passing me notes, each containing a clue to something about himself that he wanted to tell me. This persisted for about six months, and at the end, he came out to me as gay.

TThis was more than 45 years ago, at a time when LGBTQ visibility was minimal in popular culture and, in the immediate aftermath of Anita Bryant’s scorched-earth campaign against gay equality, public acceptance was shaky, at best. It took tremendous courage for Cooper to come out — as it does for anybody, at any time, who is revealing him or herself to the world. My Catholic faith, which has helped me navigate my life, teaches me a simple message: God is love, and God created us all in His vision.

ic risks the LGBTQ community experiences. These hazards will only be exacerbated by the Trump administration’s rush to enact a budget that shreds America’s social safety net programs in order to give billionaires and multimillionaires tax cuts.

rump is trying to legislate transgender Americans out of existence.

If He made someone to be LGBTQ, that clearly shows me that that is how God wants that person to love and live their life. With the focus Jesus placed on those perceived as the outcasts of society throughout the Scriptures, I believe we have a calling to extend our hand in love, especially when you consider the tremendously heightened socioeconom-

There has, however, been noticeable progress that we can all draw strength from. Over the past five years, we have seen a tremendous increase in the number and size of Pride celebrations in communities across Nassau County. That includes my hometown of Freeport, where the third annual Pride on the Mile grew to include its first ever Pride Parade.

In Mineola — and thousands of communities in the 50 states — “No Kings” rallies, protesting the Trump administration’s reckless, cruel policies and tax giveaways to the wealthy, drew millions, showing that resistance is alive and well and people are poised to fight for the future of the nation.

As for Cooper? After Uniondale High, I’ve been overjoyed to watch him excel and thrive in his career, as he pursues his passions and fights for equality for every American. In doing so, he earned a Daytime Emmy in 2024 for his Nation-

al Geographic show “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper.” Without a doubt, members of the LGBTQ community, and the people who love and support them, are experiencing tremendous adversity at the hands of those who seek to create hysteria and exploit the ensuing outcry for self-serving means. Without our collective voices, there is the very real threat of rights being pushed back even further than they already have been — and the resulting harm to everyday Nassau County residents and people across America would be incalculable and unconscionable.

Resistance does not always have to be grand; it can be as simple as offering a kind, supportive ear to someone facing hard times and connecting them to resources. While the federal government no longer works with the Trevor Project on the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, this extraordinary organization is still hard at work across America, serving LGBTQ people, with a focus on aiding at-risk youth.

If you or a loved one are in need, reach them 24/7 by calling (866) 488-7386, texting START to 678-678, or visiting thetrevorproject.org.

Debra Mulé, of Freeport, represents Nassau County’s 6th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s alternate deputy minority leader.

Hochul needs to show some love to dying New Yorkers

iam so grateful to the State Legislature — particularly Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie — for green-lighting medical aid in dying in New York. I have been an advocate for many years of giving dying New Yorkers this compassionate end-of-life option.

Now it’s up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law.

Very simply, medical aid in dying allows adults, who are capable of making their own health care decisions, with confirmed prognoses of six months or less to live with an incurable and irreversible disease or illness, to request a prescription that they can take themselves — if they choose — to end their pain and suffering and die peacefully.

Those who know me, or the work I’ve

done for decades, know that I am committed to helping people do everything they can to stay alive. But through that work, I’ve also learned that there comes a point when death is inevitable, and imminent.

I’m sure there are many readers who, like me, have watched someone suffer as they are dying. Anyone who has experienced it will agree that it is traumatic. I’ve had that unfortunate experience with both my son and my mother. I tried to do everything in my power to provide love and comfort to ease their pain and suffering.

ilittle we could do to help him avoid suffering.

While my son was dying, my mother was dealing with her own terminal breast cancer. She prayed to die so that her pain would stop, but there was nothing anyone could do. It is still difficult for me to talk about that dark time, when I traveled between bedsides and faced the unimaginable.

’ve learned that there comes a point when death is inevitable, and imminent.

Let me be very clear. Medical aid in dying is not giving up on life. This option simply gives those who are dying — with no chance of surviving a terminal illness — the ability to make their own decisions about the end of their lives.

The pain of sitting with a loved one as he or she waits to die in agony never goes away. To this day, I can still hear my son gasping for breath. In the end, there was no hope for survival, and very

After losing the two people who were closest to me, and my own diagnosis of breast cancer, I have dedicated my life to eradicating cancer and helping cancer patients on Long Island. We’ve seen so many advances in cancer-fighting treatments and therapies, and I know we will continue to see further advances, providing more and more opportunities for people with cancer to live long, productive, enjoyable lives.

I am a founding member of 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition, and the founder of Hewlett House, a community resource center providing services to Long Island and

New York City for all cancer concerns. This safe haven for cancer patients, now in its 30th year, has been witness to a lot of joy, and a lot of pain.

I am a five-time cancer survivor myself, and I continue to fight every day against this disease. But I know there will be a day — hopefully a long time away — when my time will come and I cannot fight anymore. I want the option of medical aid in dying. While I may not decide to take the medication to end my life, I want that option. I’ve earned that option. We’ve all earned that option — whether or not we choose to take it.

The Legislature has finally done its job. It took 10 long years and many New Yorkers dying while suffering. But the Medical Aid in Dying Act has now passed both houses, and has the overwhelming support of New Yorkers in poll after poll.

Governor Hochul, I implore you to sign the act into law and show dying New Yorkers some love as they face their final days.

Geri Barish, of Baldwin, is executive director of Hewlett House and a pioneer of the breast cancer activism community on Long Island.

DEBRA MULÉ

GERi

BARisH

Though it could be weeks and months before there can be an accurate determination of the full extent of the impact of the United States’ bombing attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, I strongly support President Trump’s decision to order those attacks.

While I certainly understand and appreciate that good Americans have honest differences with the president’s decision, I have no patience with the almost instantaneous knee-jerk opposition to the attacks from Democrats and many in the media, followed by the attempts to diminish the impact of the strikes based on preliminary findings of a leaked government report that had a low level of confidence. It was almost as if these political and media elements were rooting against the United States in our struggle against Iranian state terrorism.

There has to be a return to more bipartisan support for foreign policy that would at least give the commander in chief an early benefit of the doubt when decisions are made. I say this as an American rather than as a Republican.

During the years I was in Congress, I saw both major political parties rush to partisan judgments against presidential foreign policy actions. In the early 1990s, for instance, war raged in the Balkans following the dismemberment of Yugoslavia resulting from the collapse of the Iron Curtain, with Serbia being the aggressor in Bosnia and also against neighboring Kosovo.

iWhile this had no direct impact on the United States, it was the first war in Europe since the end of World War II, and it threatened to spread, and unravel the fragile stability of other former Soviet bloc nations. I remember, as a member of the International Relations Committee, hearing one European diplomat after another tell us that military action against Serbia would only lead to a massive land war that could last for years.

repeated itself in Kosovo less than four years later, when American air power defeated Serb aggression in less than a month and secured a still-lasting independence for Kosovo, despite strong Republican opposition.

These victories over aggression brought stability not only to the lives of people in Bosnia and Kosovo, but also to the continent of Europe in the post-Soviet world. This has become particularly important in the face of resurgent Russian aggression and expansion.

have no patience with the almost instantaneous knee-jerk opposition.

Finally, President Bill Clinton decided he’d had enough, and ordered air strikes against the Serbian forces. Republicans in Congress railed against him. I was one of only a handful of Republicans who stood with the president. The war that was supposed to last for years ended in just over a week, leading to an agreement that has lasted all these years since. This scenario

Congressional Democrats demonstrated their own stubborn partisanship and hypocrisy when President Barack Obama ordered air strikes against Libya and its leader, Muammar el-Qaddafi, which led to regime change, and then authorized deadly drone missile attacks in Yemen that killed many al Qaeda terrorists, including American citizen Anwar alAwlaki. Democrats now railing against Trump for allegedly violating the Constitution and not seeking prior congressional approval were uniformly silent in the face of these similar actions by Obama, which I supported.

My main point is not that all presidential foreign policy decisions are correct, but that they shouldn’t be met with blind partisanship. Today’s world

new York City has been the site of countless events that have shaken its residents, now numbering 8 million. It endured the Mad Bomber of the 1940s and ’50s, the Son of Sam murders in the ’70s, the tragedy of Sept. 11, the coronavirus health scare, and as many other happenings as you can think of.

On Primary Day, June 24, a majority of voters chose Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as their potential mayor, and once again the city has been shaken to its roots.

Never in my lifetime have I been asked so many questions about a political result, because this one has created a stir of a magnitude that I’ve never experienced. How could voters elect a Muslim socialist to the highest office in the Big Apple?

Many said they didn’t understand the ranked-choice voting process, which

they thought was crazy. Whether you agree or not with the process and/or the result, come November, the likely result will be that a political novice will be put in charge of running one of the most important cities in the world.

iThe head-splitting ranked-choice voting system came into being in New York City in 2019, when a proposition was placed on the ballot. In 2021, the system was officially in effect, and it helped Mayor Eric Adams get elected to his first term. It allows voters to choose multiple candidates and to pair them with other candidates. This year, there is no doubt that Mamdani was the beneficiary of this confusing system. With Adams having declared that he would run as an independent and therefore would not take part in the primary, the contest was wide open.

’ve never been asked so many questions about the results of an election.

you can imagine. Cuomo ran a so-called “Rose Garden” campaign, resting on his laurels as a former governor with universal name recognition. Mamdani, in contrast, ran a picture-perfect populist campaign, with thousands of volunteers ringing doorbells across the city and sophisticated phone banks making calls night after night. Cuomo was overwhelmed.

often requires quick decisions to forestall terrorist attacks or, in the case of Iran, not give the mullahs the advance notice of our intention to attack, which would necessarily result from a public debate. Even behind-the-scenes consultation with Democrats could well have led to damaging leaks and disclosure.

Iran is the world’s leading supporter of state terrorism, and was within reach of creating nuclear weapons. While there could be debate as to how close that date was, it was reasonable for Trump to resolve the doubts in favor of potentially striking too soon rather than too late. Whether or not the attacks resulted in the destruction of all of Iran’s nuclear facilities, there can be no doubt that its nuclear program has been at least significantly delayed and weakened.

This strong action was good for the region and the world. It also sent a strong message of deterrence to China against attacking Taiwan, and undid much of the damage caused by our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Ranked-choice voting threw New York City for a loop opinions Presidents’ foreign policy always draws enemy fire

These are dangerous times that call for intelligent thought and debate, not partisan buzzwords more suited to campaign fundraising. Let that debate begin.

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

As we approached the primary, it appeared that only two candidates, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mamdani, had any momentum. Cuomo and Mamdani are complete opposites in any way

The results spoke for themselves, with Mamdani declared the winner by a wide margin. At this point, Adams is still in the race, and there are rumors that he is also trying to secure the Republican nomination if he can persuade Curtis Sliwa to drop out. Cuomo may or may not run on his own independent line. And there is no doubt that the voters who couldn’t vote in the primary are itching to go to the polls in November to stop Mamdani from becoming the next mayor.

The political dilemma that voters face all goes back to the city’s opting for to the ranked-choice system. It is used in elections in such diverse places as Min-

nesota and Alaska, and efforts are being made by so-called “good government groups” to get other cities and states to embrace the concept. There is no doubt that the ranked-choice process gave Mamdani the advantage in the primary.

Assuming he wins in November, the big question is whether he can govern a city that has such burdensome issues. He has served in the State Assembly for four years, but he has no other governmental experience. He is very articulate, but you can’t run the biggest city in the country with well-chosen words alone. If I were one of his advisers, I’d suggest he buy a ticket to London and meet the Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan. Mamdani might get some good advice.

For anyone who is contemplating running for public office, the city primary results offer lots of clues about how to win — and lose — an election. And the best advice I can give is don’t run in an election that uses the ranked-choice voting system.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

L.I.’s

state parks are great summer escapes

looking for a way to have fun and go easy on the wallet? You don’t have to get on a plane or even leave Long Island, because the Island is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse parks in New York state, several of them right in Herald readers’ backyard.

Whether you prefer soaking up the sun on a sandy shoreline, hiking scenic trails or simply enjoying the quiet majesty of nature, Long Island’s state parks offer something for everyone. And with gas prices fluctuating and many vacation budgets tighter than ever, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of these low-cost, high-reward outdoor escapes.

One of the Island’s crown jewels is Jones Beach State Park. Renowned for its miles of beaches, it’s a summer favorite for swimming, sunbathing, volleyball and concerts. Its iconic boardwalk, historic bathhouses and new adventure course offer fun for visitors of all ages. And if you’re a cyclist or runner, the paved paths stretching from Wantagh to Captree State Park are a beautiful setting for a workout.

Just to the east is Robert Moses State Park, a more laid-back but equally scenic destination. With smaller crowds and a calmer vibe, it’s a go-to for families, surfers and birdwatchers. Take a stroll to the Fire Island Lighthouse or

letters

visit Field 5 for easy access to Fire Island’s quaint communities and preserved shorelines.

Closer to Nassau County’s South Shore communities are Hempstead Lake State Park, in West Hempstead, and Valley Stream State Park. Hempstead Lake features an observation deck overlooking the lake, 18 tennis courts, six pickleball courts, basketball courts, a softball field, biking and hiking trails, a children’s playground and a shaded picnic area.

Valley Stream’s picnic groves and wooded trails offer a slice of wilderness along with children’s play areas; horseshoe, volleyball and basketball courts; ball fields and nature trails. Kids can explore a variety of habitats on the Squirrel Nut and Hickory Nut trails.

And don’t overlook Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, in Lloyd Harbor on the North Shore. This former estate now has miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, cycling and nature study, all set against a backdrop of rolling meadows and Long Island Sound bluffs. It’s a quiet, reflective place, ideal for slowing down and reconnecting with nature.

Not far over the Suffolk County line, Belmont Lake State Park, in North Babylon, offers boat rentals, fishing spots, shaded picnic areas and wide-open spaces. It’s ideal for a day trip with the kids or a peaceful walk with the dog. Fitness enthusiasts can run or bike around the

This summer’s already a scorcher — prepare for more extreme heat

To the Editor:

As we welcome summer, we also prepare for the challenges that come with it — especially the extreme heat expected in the weeks ahead. Temperatures have already soared beyond 90 degrees, and some areas have seen temperatures over 100.

PSEG Long Island is ready. We work all year round, upgrading infrastructure and preparing our teams to deliver reliable, safe electric service throughout the hottest months. While we plan in advance to have the electrical capacity to meet peak demand on the hottest days, we want to make sure you know what to do, too. When temperatures climb, it’s important to take steps to stay cool and avoid heat-related illnesses. Make use of air-conditioned spaces when needed, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and wear light-colored clothing. Check in on the most vulnerable people in your community, such as elderly relatives, friends, neighbors. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and never leave children or pets in vehicles.

For more tips on safety during extreme weather, including information about local heating and cooling centers, go to psegliny.com/SafetyAndReliability/ stormsafety/ExtremeWeather.

lake’s perimeter, while others can simply enjoy the serenity of the water.

Another hidden gem is Heckscher State Park, in East Islip, which boasts fields, trails and a bayfront perfect for kayaking or boardsailing. Known for its deer population and lush woodlands, Heckscher feels a world away — though it, too, is just a short drive.

Sunken Meadow State Park, in Kings Park, offers inspiring views of the Long Island Sound and a broad boardwalk with fitness stations along the way. Its trail network weaves through wooded hills and salt marshes, and it features a popular golf course as well. It’s a rare spot where land and water adventures blend seamlessly.

Day passes to most state parks are just $8 to $10 per vehicle, and the Empire Pass offers unlimited entry to all state parks for just $80 a year. It’s a small price for such a big return of memorable experiences.

So instead of scrolling through vacation deals or lamenting how expensive everything seems this summer, grab your sunscreen, sneakers or camera and explore the natural wonders that Long Island has to offer. Adventure doesn’t have to mean something far from home. Let’s revel in the beauty around us, so much of which is just a few exits away.

For more about the parks, go to Parks. ny.gov.

High demand during heat waves can occasionally result in scattered outages. We encourage customers to download the PSEG Long Island mobile app, follow our social media pages and bookmark psegliny.com. You can report outages through all of those channels. Outages can also be reported by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or

calling (800) 490-0075.

Extreme heat can also mean higher electricity usage. Smart energy practices can make a real difference. Set your thermostat higher when away, use programmable or smart thermostats to optimize cooling during peak hours, and run major appliances early in the day or late at night. Replace dirty air

opinions Building a more affordable New York

Let’s face it, the cost of living isn’t cheap. Whether you’re buying groceries, paying rent or juggling child care, it can feel like your paycheck is stretched to the limit every week. But Gov. Kathy Hochul is committed to improving the quality of life for the more than 20 million residents of New York state. She fought for and delivered a state budget that puts you first and makes New York a more affordable and livable state.

We call it the Affordability Agenda, and here’s what it means for you — more money in your pocket, less stress on your wallet and real investments in your future. We know that too many families across the state are struggling to make ends meet. As the federal government continues to play with reckless and unauthorized tariffs that have burdened businesses with skyrocketing costs that have been passed along to consumers, the governor’s Affordability Agenda is centered on making life easier for New Yorkers. As secretary of state, I travel all over New York. I talk to local leaders and residents from the North Country to Long

Island, from Syracuse to Buffalo, from Mid-Hudson to New York City and many communities in between, and they all tell me the same thing: “We need help.”

Prices are up, inflation continues, and Washington’s economic policies are making things worse. But we’re not waiting around. We’re taking action. That’s our job.

The Affordability Agenda, recently passed through the state budget, delivers victories on issues that working families care about most. Hochul fought for real relief, especially for middle- and lowincome New Yorkers who try every day to make ends meet for their families.

But what does all this mean for you?

H■ Safer and more affordable child care through big investments that help both parents and providers.

■ High-speed internet access for lowincome households for $15 per month, helping close the digital divide.

■ STAR rebates totaling $2.5 billion, to provide relief to homeowners.

ere are some details of the governor’s Affordability Agenda.

Here’s just some of the relief coming your way:

■ Inflation refund checks of up to $400, putting money in the pockets of over 8 million New York households.

■ Lower middle-class taxes, with $1 billion annually in tax relief for 8.3 million families.

■ An expanded child tax credit that provides up to $1,000 per child to 1.6 million families, which since 2023 has included children under 4.

■ Free school meals for more than 2.7 million students.

Letters

filters regularly, seal leaks around doors and windows, and consider switching to Energy Star appliances when upgrading.

Simple actions — like using ceiling fans, drawing window shades during the day, or charging electric vehicles overnight — can reduce strain on the grid and help you save money.

Thank you for being part of our community. We’re here for you every day, and especially when it matters most.

LARRY ToRRES

Senior director of emergency preparedness, PSEG Long Island

We’re helping small businesses on Long Island

To the Editor:

June kept our successful meeting streak intact. Long Island Advancement of Small Business’s three speakers — Joseph Horowitz, David Faverio and Robert Tockarshewsky — filled attendees in on cybersecurity and safety in your IT operations. We continue to hold successful meetings with good attendance, at which members and non-members are developing relationships.

The education provided is useful the minute you return to your office. To our members and

■ The most consequential statewide housing plan in decades, so families have access to affordable housing. It protects homeowners and renters throughout our state.

■ Added jobs, and tuition assistance, education funding and public transit investments boosted to the highest levels in history so families have the best opportunities for success.

And we’re not stopping there, because New York needs to be the most business-friendly and worker-friendly state in the nation.

The governor’s economic development and workforce plans include new access to low-interest capital for small businesses, free community college for adults pursuing degrees in highdemand fields, enhancement of the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit with a new tier for semiconductor supply chain companies, and pro-

other attendees, I would recommend that you continue to attend for more valuable information, and if you haven’t attended, come check us out.

on Wednesday, we were scheduled to discuss automating your business. After taking August off, we will continue our breakfast meetings on Sept. 10, focusing on the “Big Beautiful Bill” and sales tax tips for small businesses. The speakers have not yet been confirmed.

Unlike other business groups, we offer more than shaking hands and exchanging business cards. We teach you how to do better business, in a very profitable and sustaining way. So far we have covered legal issues, financing, AI, personal development and cybersecurity. Learn while making lasting relationships with our board, members and attendees.

If you’re asking, “Am I a small business?” the answer is most likely yes. We don’t define your business by statistics or numbers; it’s merely your impression of your business. Join us and learn more about running and protecting it.

We are also looking for sponsors and speakers for our organization, for breakfasts and special events. Please check out the opportunities available on our website, liasb.com. I hope to see you on Sept. 10.

MARC P. PALKER President, Long Island Advancement of Small Business

tecting workers from wage theft.

Right now there are over 400,000 jobs available in the state. At the same time, over 4 million adults ages 25 to 55 don’t have a college degree or credential, which is often the key to finding betterpaying jobs.

So here’s what we’re going to do. The state is going to pay for community college for those ages 25 to 55 who are studying in-demand fields like health care, education and technology. Because we know the cost is often the barrier. If you’re working for minimum wage, trying to pay for child care and cover the cost of community college to lift yourself up, it doesn’t add up. With this plan, you won’t have to choose.

And we’re investing big in our small businesses and downtowns. The Affordability Agenda works hand in hand with the successful economic development programs we already have in New York, like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the NY Forward program, to boost local businesses, improve housing and create places where people want to live, work and play.

We are rewriting the New York story so working families don’t just survive, they thrive. We are fighting for the working people and families in our state, and to make life more affordable for everyone.

Walter T. Mosley is New York’s secretary of state.

Framework by Tim Baker