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International Real DanceSport Challenge returns to Uniondale Baseball All Stars mark 15 seasons

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

Jason Dai, of Uniondale, helped bring an international ballroom dance competition to his hometown last Saturday, drawing more than 500 dancers and spectators to the Long Island Marriott.

Dai, who is originally from Shanghai, partnered with fellow organizer Roman Nabatov — originally from Moscow but now a resident of New Jersey — to bring the competition to Long Island from Connecticut last year. That was when Nabatov hired Dai as a partner. The event, the Real Dance-

Sport Challenge, featured professional and amateur dancers competing in a variety of ballroom styles, including an international team match between the United States and Canada.

“Ever since Roman asked me to be partner with him on this competition, my ultimate dream is one day that we grow this competition big enough that we can move next door,” Dai said, “which is the Nassau Coliseum.

I drive past the hotel every single day,” Dai added. “Sometimes when I drive by, my son will say, ‘Oh, Daddy, that’s our competition.’”

The event operates under

the auspices of the National Dance Council of America, which oversees and sanctions ballroom events across the country. The competition also had a personal dimension for Dai, whose children — students at Academy Charter School — took part.

His son, Feiandi, 6, and daughter Yilinka, 8, both competed in youth age divisions. Feiandi danced with partner Olivia Cao in the ballroom category, and the pair took first place across all five dances. He also competed in Latin events, where he placed second overall. Yilinka partnered with her brother in a Latin division, and

By SEAN KENNEDY Correspondent

The Uniondale All Stars Little League celebrated its 15th anniversary in style on Saturday, kicking off the new season with a community parade and ceremony for Opening Day.

“This celebration isn’t just about the past, it’s about the future,” parade organizer Theudia Chambers said. “This is a coming together of the Uniondale community in support of our youth.”

The Little League is a volunteer-run, nonprofit baseball and softball program for boys COntinueD On page 7

they earned a second-place finish.

“I liked that I won second place. I also liked that my friends came to watch me dance,” Yilinka said. She also praised her father for organizing the competition.

Feiandi said he was proud that his teachers from Academy Charter School came to

watch him dance. “I liked the dances and also the team matches.”

Nabatov said his daughter,13, did not compete this year, but helped guide younger participants during the event.

The choice to relocate the competition to Uniondale was a strategic one. With no comparable ballroom competition on

COntinueD On page 9

Abby Gibson/Herald

Little League players marched in the Opening Day parade, which concluded with a ceremony commemorating the league’s 15th season.

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Hempstead march draws hundreds against ICE

By SCOTT BRINTON Special to the Herald

Amanda Garcia’s 47-year-old son, a Home Depot driver with Temporary Protected Status, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on the street in New Jersey last July. Garcia is unsure, she said, whether her son was carrying his Employment Authorization document at the time.

Garcia said her son was sent to the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, N.J., and transferred to a facility in Pennsylvania before being flown to El Salvador, which he left in 1999 when he was 20.

Now separated from his three children — 22, 19 and 16 — and jobless in a country that he has not lived in for 27 years, “he’s very depressed,” Garcia said.

More than 400 protesters turned out for the March for Humanity in the Village of Hempstead on May 1, International Workers’ Day. Garcia was among them. She led the 3 p.m. demonstration through the streets of Hempstead as the sun shone down, schools let out and commuter traffic crowded the roads. The march began with roughly 250 protesters but swelled by an additional 150 or more by its midpoint as residents and students joined in.

Garcia, 65, who was born and raised in San Salvador, El Salvador’s capital, carried a circular cardboard sign that read, “ICE Out of Long Island.” The grandmother and soon-to-be great-grandmother walked with sadness etched across her face, followed by a mix of protesters, including immigrant rights activists, union workers and anti-war demonstrators.

Marchers chanted slogans such as “We want justice — You say how — ICE out of Hempstead now!” and “This is for the families who are locked inside — Together we will abolish ICE!”

One of the march’s lead organizers, Ashley Guardado, 36, of Hempstead, told the crowd as they were about to step off, “Thank you for coming to support our community today. This means everything to us … We will not be guided by chaos but by connection.”

Civil rights attorney Fred Brewington, whose office is located a short distance from the Hempstead NICE bus terminal where the march began, said, “This is democracy in action. This is showing the people who are most affected can make a difference.”

ICE debate in Hempstead Bradley Hinton, 75, of Hempstead, is a retired repairman who volunteers to drive frail neighbors to their medical and other appointments. He attended the march, he said, because he wants ICE out of Hempstead. “A lot of the businesses are losing out,” he said, because Latino residents worry they might be targeted by ICE for detention and deportation, regardless of their immigration status.

“They’re scared,” Hinton said. “The kids are scared. They’re afraid to come out. You can’t blame them.”

Hinton said he was disturbed when he learned that Village of Hempstead had been cooperating with ICE, allowing the

Jose Moancada, 63, a Honduran immigrant and water pollution control worker now living in Hempstead protesting with the crowd in the village’s downtown business district.

federal agency to use its armory as a staging area for its operations. And, he said, he wondered if the village was still working with ICE at the armory, noting that Hempstead has accepted federal Department of Homeland Security funding.

Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. stopped briefly by the protest as marchers were preparing to step off, accompanied by Assistant Chief of Police Derek Warner. When asked whether the village was still permitting ICE to use the armory, Hobbs said in an interview, “That’s not true.”

Warner noted that village officials have not cooperated with ICE for more than two months, saying that any residual belief that the village was still working with the agency is a “false impression.”

The mayor said ICE continues to operate in the village, as permitted by law, but reiterated that Hempstead officials are no longer working with the agency as they were.

Hempstead’s cooperation with ICE was the subject of intense discussion and debate at a Village of Hempstead meeting in early February, covered by The Advocate. At the time, ICE had come under increased scrutiny following the deaths of Nicole Good, a mother of three, and Alex Peretti. Both U.S. citizens, they were shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

At the February meeting, Hobbs said that he and the village board of trustees had already agreed to end Hempstead’s cooperation with ICE. “I have instructed our police department chief that we will not have any of our officers working with ICE,” Hobbs said, adding that he was working with Gov. Kathy Hochul on legislation to prevent local police officers from working with ICE.

Push for New York For All

Daniel McElroy, 30, of Garden City, said he attended the protest to advocate for New York For All legislation, which would prohibit state and local government officials from cooperating with ICE

An estimated 400 demonstrators turned out in Hempstead May 1 to protest the continued presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the Village of Hempstead and on Long Island.

Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr., left, and Assistant Police Chief Derek Warner reviewing march plans with organizers.

in immigration enforcement. “The fact that police [are] working with ICE is extremely dangerous,” he said.

McElroy spoke of the Nassau County Police Department’s cooperation with ICE. Last year, County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder signed a 287(g) agreement allowing ICE to use the Nassau County Correctional Facility in East Meadow as an immigration holding center. It also authorizes 10 detectives to work with ICE agents in immigration enforcement.

McElroy held a gray Styrofoam tombstone with the name Santos Reyes written across it in white lettering. A 42-yearold Honduran national, Reyes died in ICE custody at the Nassau County jail last Sept. 18. The father of two had been arrested while at work on a construction job. The exact cause of his death remains unclear, though authorities said Reyes suffered from underlying health issues.

Blakeman has maintained that Nassau County detectives are cooperating with

ICE in the removal of known criminals only, not those who abide by the law, a claim that protesters at the march disputed.

This April, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Karine Reyes, both Democrats, led a coalition of state legislators to call for passage of the New York For All measure, but its fate remains uncertain.

“Half-measures are simply not enough when lives are at stake,” Gounardes, from Brooklyn, said. “We’re fighting for comprehensive legislation that prevents collusion with ICE, pushes back against President Trump’s authoritarianism and ensures true public safety for all New Yorkers.”

Miguel Alas, a volunteer with the Central American Refugee Center in Hempstead, said the march aimed to shine a light on the critical issues faced by immigrants. It was intended, he said, “to make the community aware of the meaning of justice, of hope.”

Photos courtesy Scott Brinton

COMING SOON!

Crime watCh

MS-13 members jailed for bloody machete attacks

Velasquez struck another victim in the left forearm with a machete.

The six victims, ranging in age from 20 to 51, suffered multiple injuries, prosecutors said, including stab wounds, severe internal injuries and a deep machete laceration.

Two alleged male members of the MS-13 Hempstead Locos Salvatruchas clique were each sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday for their roles in two violent attacks in Hempstead and Uniondale that left eight people injured, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

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Pedro Martinez Velasquez, 19, and Kelvin Martinez, 19, pleaded guilty in February before Judge Joy Watson to second-degree conspiracy, attempted second-degree murder and seconddegree assault. Each was also sentenced to five years of post-release supervision.

According to prosecutors, the pair participated in a knife and machete attack on six men playing soccer at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead in October 2024, and a second attack involving two men outside the Super Laundromat in Uniondale in December 2024.

Authorities said the defendants fled in a co-conspirator’s vehicle after the attack, and a court-authorized search recovered a knife with an eagle-shaped handle bearing the letters “MS.”

Less than two months later, prosecutors said, Velasquez, Martinez and other indicted co-conspirators attacked two victims parked outside the Super Laundromat in Uniondale using white pipes and a machete.

Surveillance video allegedly showed Martinez kicking one victim as he attempted to flee and restraining him while another alleged MS-13 member repeatedly struck him with a machete.

Prosecutors said the attackers identified themselves as MS-13 members and threatened to kill the victims.

“Our office has worked for years to eradicate MS-13 violence from our communities, taking out top leadership and putting gang members behind bars,” Donnelly said in a statement Thursday. “Today, two more members of the Hempstead Locos Salvatruchas will join them in prison for participating in a series of brutal knife and machete attacks in public spaces that seriously injured eight people.”

Prosecutors said Velasquez, Martinez and several indicted co-conspirators allegedly jumped over a fence surrounding the soccer field at Kennedy Memorial Park and approached the victims, who were playing soccer.

The defendants allegedly punched and kicked the victims before Martinez pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed one man in the chest, while

One victim suffered multiple machete wounds, while the second victim was struck with a white pipe and sustained a deep laceration to his forehead and cuts to his body.

Police located both defendants a few blocks from the laundromat shortly after the attack and placed them under arrest, according to the district attorney’s office.

The case was prosecuted by Paula Cajdler, chief of the Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit in the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau.

— Stacy Driks

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.

Meet Uniondale H.S. top two 2026 graduates

By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com

For Uniondale High School’s Class of 2026, the valedictorian and salutatorian finished with a narrow margin, reflecting years of consistent academic achievement at the top of their class.

Sarah Guandalupe Ramirez Calderon, the valedictorian, a first-generation student whose parents immigrated from El Salvador, will attend Brown University in the fall. She plans to major in political science while exploring additional academic interests through the university’s open curriculum.

“It’s really the only university in the country that has that kind of curriculum,” she said. “You kind of get to explore whatever you want.”

Throughout high school, she built a strong foundation in both academics and music. A violinist since fifth grade at California Avenue Elementary School where she transitioned to Turtle Hook Middle School.

She currently is the violinist at St. Marthas Roman Catholic Church in Uniondale and serves as concertmaster of the high school’s select strings orchestra, which is an advanced orchestra where students audition.

Guandalupe Ramirez Calderon, also performs at events such as weddings and plans to continue music in college through orchestras or community groups.

Her academic success, she said, is rooted in the support system around her, including her family, teachers and peers.

“It’s not my achievement to boast,” Guandalupe Ramirez Calderon, said. “When I found out, the first thing I did was tell everyone else because they have to celebrate with me too.

There is no way I could have done it by myself,” she added. “Neither of my parents went to college here, so

it’s just such a huge leap coming from a family like this.”

The valedictorian said the opportunity to represent her class is meaningful not only for herself, but for her extended family, many of whom remain in El Salvador. She recalled sharing the news with relatives and recognizing the broader impact of the achievement as a firstgeneration student.

Following her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend law school and potentially pursue a master’s degree in public policy, with the goal of working in government and contributing to her community.

The salutatorian, Lisbeth Sarai Martinez Guerra will attend Duke University, where she plans to pursue a degree in sociology with a concentration in crime, law and justice, before entering a planned career in law enforcement.

She attended elementary school in Hempstead before transferring to Uniondale, where she completed her edu-

cation at Smith Street Elementary School and Turtle Hook Middle School.

During high school, she balanced academics with a wide range of extracurricular activities. She is a varsity swimmer and served as co-captain of the girls varsity swim team, works as a certified lifeguard and is involved in multiple honor societies, including serving as president of the National Art Honor Society and treasurer of Key Club.

Sarai Martinez Guerra is also an active participant in the Nassau County Police Explorer Program, where she trains several times a week and takes part in drills and scenario-based competitions focused on law enforcement skills.

Her interest in law enforcement developed in high school when joining the high schools JROTC where she was introduced to the Nassau County Police Explorer Program which provides hands-on experience and exposure to the field.

“My first priority is to get my degree and complete college,” she said. “Then I can worry about the rest of the steps.”

The daughter of immigrants from El Salvador and the oldest of several siblings, she said her motivation comes from her family and the opportunities they worked to provide.

“That was the main driving forces that pushed me, because I wanted them to know that they didn’t come here for nothing,” she said. “Coming here was a good thing.”

She added that she hopes to serve as a role model for her younger siblings, who look up to her academic success.

Both students said they are still developing their graduation speeches as they prepare to mark the end of their high school careers.

jaxsON tOrres PLAINEDGE Junior Baseball

ONE OF MANY REASONS the Red Devils have established themselves as one of the favorites in Nassau Class A baseball, Torres threw their second no-hitter this spring April 27 in Plainedge’s 8-0 win over Locust Valley. The righthander struck out 15 and walked only one as the Red Devils won their 13th straight game without a loss. The performance upped Torres’ record on the mound to 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 0.61 WHIP with 56Ks in 28 innings.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, May 7

Softball: South Side at Hewlett 4:30 p.m.

Baseball: Plainedge at Mineola 4:45 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Seaford at Wantagh

Baseball: Massapequa at Oceanside

Baseball: Uniondale at V.S. Central

Softball: Farmingdale at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Softball: Baldwin at V.S. North 5 p.m.

Softball: Uniondale at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at North Shore 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: South Side at Garden City 5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Manhasset at Farmingdale 5:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at South Side 6 p.m.

Baseball: V.S. South at East Rockaway 7 p.m.

Friday, May 8

Softball: Lynbrook at Elmont 4:30 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 5 p.m.

Softball: Glen Cove at Wantagh 5 p.m.

Softball: Mepham at Oceanside 5 p.m.

Softball: East Meadow at Plainedge 5 p.m.

Softball: Garden City at Long Beach 5 p.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at Kennedy 5 p.m.

Baseball: New Hyde Park at Calhoun 5 p.m.

Baseball: Hewlett at Carey 5 p.m.

Baseball: Mepham at Clarke 5 p.m.

Nominate a “spotlight athlete”

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

HERALD SPORTS

Uniondale’s playoff hopes remain

By NICK MONGIOVI sports@liherald.com

A senior-heavy Uniondale boys’ lacrosse team has its sights set on the postseason, but with a new format limiting playoff spots, the margin for error is slim.

The Knights have split their last four games, including back-to-back wins over Roosevelt, but a 9-3 loss to Hicksville last Friday has made every remaining game a must-win. Even then, the road to the playoffs remains an uphill climb.

Uniondale (3-4 in league, 3-7-1 overall) showed strong defensive form early against Hicksville, trailing just 3-0 at halftime. In the second half, junior Valentine Saravia scored twice, while senior defenseman Bryan Fernandez added the team’s other goal. Senior Andy Sorto recorded the lone assist.

“We have the ability to win every one of our final games,” coach Hugo Charles said.

Uniondale beat Roosevelt 16-0 on April 24 and 7-2 again just three days later on the 27th. The Knights have gotten consistent production from their goalie all season.

Senior Cristian Ganuza is 30th in Nassau County in saves with 106 and has recorded seven double-digit save outings, his most recent coming in a 12-save performance against Hicksville.

“He does a great job,” Charles said. “He believes in all the polls, LSM’s (long-stick midfielders) and defensive middies, and all those guys work collectively together.”

The last line of defense before Ganuza consists of

seniors: Defenseman/ long-stick midfielder Jason Cruz and defensemen Quincy Simmons, Bryan Fernandez, Josue Ruiz and Alexander Chinchilla.

“Chinchilla, he’s another one of our polls and he’s very interchangeable,” Charles said. “You can take him and put him in any of the other four guys’ spots and it’ll kind of fit in seamlessly.”

From an offensive standpoint, senior midfielder Sorto has headlined the Knights’ offense. He’s the team leader in points with 20 (10 goals, 10 assists). Aiding Sorto are two seniors in Ethan DeCosta (attack/midfield) and attacker Mickael Marshall. Decosta is second on the team in points with 12 (10 goals, two assists), while Marshall is third with eight (6 goals.)

Decosta recorded seven of those 12 points and six of those 10 goals in the first match against Roosevelt. With a heavy senior-led team, Charles believes his team’s “senior leadership” could help their chances down the stretch.

“I think with the senior leadership, even with the way the guys were talking to each other in practice, saying, ‘Hey, we’re right there,’ reiterating what we as coaches have seen. Some of these games, we’re giving up five goals and not getting a win,” he said. “We can easily surpass that, because this [5-2 loss against Hempstead on April 29] was the third game we gave up five goals and didn’t win. I definitely see the talk amongst the guys, echoing as far as the belief in, ‘Hey, we can go on a run.”

Uniondale hosts Great Neck South this Thursday at 5 p.m. With four games remaining on the ledger, the Knights are effectively entering playoff mode early.

five

Paul Grassini/Herald

Tristan Davis and the Knights secured some clutch wins over Roosevelt to get into playoff contention.

Opening Day parade celebrates youth baseball

and girls ages 4 to 14, who play at local fields, including Uniondale Park, Cedar Street Park, Smith Street Park and more, according to league registration materials.

Chambers added that the program caters to 30 kids.

About eight players walked alongside the Uniondale School District’s various marching bands, dancers and service members, all of whom marched down Uniondale Avenue, from Cedar Street Park to Uniondale Park.

The league relies heavily on volunteer coaches, umpires and field workers throughout the season, according to Assemblyman Noah Burroughs.

“Being someone who understands the importance of both family and sports, it’s important to acknowledge the amount of people who do work behind the scenes,” Burroughs said. “As a former athlete, I’d like to thank all the family members and community members that put the hard work into putting on our youth sports.”

One of the prominent figures behind the scenes of the Uniondale All Stars Little League is President Ronnie Williams, who has been instrumental in the organization’s success.

“It’s been a long journey with a lot of work, but I don’t mind, because it’s for a good cause,” Williams said. “Everything counts for these young people.

“That’s why I keep doing what I do,” he added. “To show them that there is a future for them, and it starts right here — inside the baseball diamond.”

The league serves as a valuable outlet for the Uniondale community’s youth, who are interested in learning about “America’s Pastime.” For Williams, the league allows him to interact with the sport that he always loved.

“I played football and basketball, but baseball was my true first love,” Williams said. “It’s a thinking man’s game. There are so many components. It’s almost like playing chess.”

As president, he also sees the baseball diamond as a place to develop the necessary skills that won’t just aid the children in being successful on the playing field but also help them by building traits and qualities that they will carry throughout life.

“Sometimes these players experience failures, but just like in life, it isn’t always going to be easy,” Williams said. “What matters is that you put your best foot forward. If you make a mistake, that’s okay. That doesn’t mean that you are a failure for life.”

Music filled the air throughout the parade, as the bands from the Academy Charter School, Lawrence Road Middle School and Turtle Hook Middle School marched and played with pride en route to the final ceremony.

The event serves as a source of community pride for many, with local schools and organizations remaining steadfast in support of the league.

“It’s always amazing to see the support that the Uniondale community provides to our children,” Chambers said. “These children always love the experience of being able to march in a parade, and to see the entire community supporting them.”

The parade and ceremony concluded with U.S. Army veteran Mike Cappello, who serves as commander of American Legion Post 1487 in Uniondale, throwing the honorary first pitch.

To Cappello, the joy and togetherness that comes with an event like this is incredibly important to the community.

“This is one of the best things in the world,” Cappello said. “Environments like these are full of teamwork, camaraderie, and discipline — all things that are so important to surround the youth with.”

The opening day ceremonies meant much more than commemorating the league’s 15th anniversary — it represented the unity within the community, organizers said. And it will run until

“The more you get the community involved, the stronger it’s going to be,” Williams said. “No matter what, (Uniondale) is where we live, and we want to see the community thrive.”

Abby Gibson/Herald Ronnie Williams, president of the Uniondale All Stars Little League, addressed the crowd at Uniondale Park, as the organization looks ahead to a fun and competitive spring season.

News brief

New voting machines added a new touch

Members of the Nassau County Legislature voted unanimously on April 27 to approve upgrades to the county’s voting machine technology ahead of the November 2026 general election, aiming to expand accessibility and improve the voting process.

Before the vote, minority caucus members were given a demonstration of the new ClearBallot machines, which can produce ballots in up to 15 languages in accordance with New York State requirements. Currently, Nassau County is mandated to offer ballots in English, Spanish, Chinese and Malayalam.

Election officials said the new machines will enhance accessibility for Deaf, hard of hearing and blind voters through features such as audio assistance, touch screens and Braille keypads. The technology is also expected to speed up the reporting of election night results.

“It is essential for elections to be as secure and smooth as possible, and a key element of that mission is making it as simple as possible for registered voters in Nassau County to cast their ballots,” Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton said. “These upgraded machines will go a long way toward fulfilling this bedrock mission of strengthening representa -

A ClearBallot voting machine demonstrated to Nassau County legislators on April 27, showcasing expanded language options and accessibility features ahead of the November 2026 general election.

tive democracy in America. I thank the men and women of the Nassau County Board of Elections for arranging Monday’s demonstration and working so diligently throughout the year.”

— Stacy Driks

Courtesy Peter M. Budraitis

— Joseph DeVito

Licensed Real Estate Agent, Douglas Elliman Owner, White House Home – Malverne

Academy Charter School students win big

Long Island, Dai and Nabatov saw an opportunity to tap into a sizable but underserved dance community.

“I visited over 30 studios in New York City — there is a huge community,” Dai said. “I believe this could be a tremendous growth ahead of us.”

“It did change tremendously,” Nabatov added. “We made the ballroom more beautiful and more modernized.” The move allowed organizers to upgrade the event’s production, adding more lighting,

screens and other enhancements to create a more modern and grander atmosphere for competitors.

This year’s program included an international team match between the United States and Canada, with 21 teams on each side. The format of cumulative scoring by the judges created a high-energy atmosphere that organizers described as one of the event’s highlights. In previous years, the competition featured teams representing other countries as well, including Ukraine. This year, the U.S. came on top for the international team match.

Beyond elite competition, the event also emphasized community inclusion. A standout moment featured a performance by a group of children ages 8 to 11 with special needs, making it clear that ballroom dancing extends beyond competition into personal expression and accessibility.

Participants ranged widely in age from 5 to seniors in their 80s, highlighting dancing’s broad appeal. Many competitors were students partnering with professional instructors, while others represented their home countries or trained at studios across the region.

Deliah Robers/Herald photos Jason Dai, co-organizer of the Real DanceSport Challenge; his wife, Kewa Luo; and their children, Yilinka and Feiandi. Feiandi took first place in ballroom, and the siblings placed second in a Latin dance division.

Julianna Selivanov, 7, of Canada, had several first-place finishes in the ballroom and solo dance divisions.

Yilinka and Feiandi Dai, ages 8 and 7, competed in a Latin dance division, and placed second.

HERALD SchoolS

The Smith Street School orchestra, led by music director Oweena Davis, performed two songs —

Waka” — with students dancing along to the music.

Smith Street is jumping into spring

smith Street School, in partnership with the Northern Parkway Elementary School PTA, hosted its Spring Fling Vendor Fair on May 2 at Smith Street Elementary School.

The event featured a range of activities for families and community members, including local and student vendors, raffle prizes, studentrun tables and live entertainment. Students and volunteers played an active role throughout the day, running booths such as lemonade stands, handmade jewelry, bake sales, henna and raffle stations.

Music from the Smith Street School band provided a backdrop for the event, while performances added to the festive atmosphere. The Lawrence Road cheer squad performed, along with routines by the Smith Street School dance club to “Count on Me” by Whitney Houston. The Smith Street School chorus also performed “Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing” and “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars.

The event drew families from across the community for a day of food, entertainment and school spirit.

“Spring Fling was amazing! Great performances, nice vendors, lots of student entrepreneurs,” said Monique Darrisaw-Akil, Uniondale school superintendent.

— Stacy Driks

At the Lemonade Bar, Tatum Burke, 7, a student at Northern Parkway School, Tim Branch and Takeiah Burke made fresh lemonade.

Reign’s Crave’n Treats

Michael Rechter/Herald photos

Michael Jackson’s “Bad” and Shakira’s “Waka

Hope James, a Uniondale PTSA volunteer, sells raffle tickets at the Spring Fling Vendor Fair.

ran by Reign Summerson, 13, a student at Lawrence Road School, part of the Lawrence Road Middle School entrepreneurs sold cookies and brownies.

Madison Velasquez, 10, a student at Northern Parkway School, was among the raffle winners.

CELEBRATING

ROOTED IN STRENGTH

CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES

ABIGAIL DUNNE, RN

Glen Cove Hospital

Northwell Health

Abigail Dunne’s path into healthcare began during her high school years in Locust Valley.

“I went to Locust Valley High School and I took an EMT course and I started volunteering in the Bayville Fire Department as an EMT,” Dunne, 23, says. “I decided that I really enjoyed helping people and I really liked being able to help people in ways that others couldn’t necessarily.”

Her experience in emergency medical services shaped her decision to pursue nursing, to provide what she described as a deeper level of care.

“So it was more than just offering emotional support, but now it’s like physical support and seeing people get better, get stronger. It’s just been something that’s always made me feel really good. I just love helping people.”

Dunne went on to attend nursing school while a nursing assistant at Glen Cove Hospital, where she has been employed since September 2022.

“I’ve worked at Glen Cove ... I was a nursing assistant during nursing school.”

She relates that her role as a nurse centers on compassion and service to others.

“I feel like being a nurse, it’s really just about being able to give to other people. We know people are sick and being able to help them deﬁnitely is very rewarding in itself.”

Healthcare runs in her family. Her sister works in EMS and as a nurse at Plainview Hospital, and her greatgrandfather was a doctor.

- As told to Roksana Amid

TAMEKA WALLACE, RN

Glen Cove Hospital Northwell Health

Tameka Wallace, 42, vice president and chief nursing ofﬁcer at Glen Cove Hospital, did not initially plan a career in health care.

“My path was ﬁnance,” Wallace says, explaining that she once hoped to pursue her father’s career path. “I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. He worked on Wall Street, and I was always fascinated.”

Her trajectory shifted after she took a job in hospitality services at North Shore University Hospital at age 16. By 18, she had moved onto a Telemetry unit, where she discovered her passion for patient care.

“Once I was able to get on the ﬁrst unit, I fell in love with patient care services.”

That experience, coupled with working alongside her mother, helped shape her future.

“I actually started nursing school with my mom. We did nursing school together, and we actually graduated together as well.”

Wallace, who has been with Northwell Health for 26 years and a nurse for more than two decades, shares that her work is rooted in advocacy and compassion.

“What nursing means to me is being the patient and caregiver’s advocate; making sure that they feel that they are at home, away from home. You want to put the patient at ease at a very tough time in their life.”

Now in a leadership role, Wallace aims to highlight the broader impact of the profession.

“My goal is to make sure that we get the word out on how special nursing is. It’s not just being at the bedside, we touch so many people in so many ways.”

- As told to Roksana Amid

EBONI NORVILLE, RN, NURSE MANAGER

St. John's Episcopal Hospital

Episcopal Health Services

As a child, I have always had a love for medicine. One of my ﬁrst toys was a stethoscope, and I loved to play doctor and surgery on my dolls. My favorite television shows have been related to medicine. My late father would say “Medicine is in your blood! You’re born with it!”

One day, I could not help but to ask my father why he said this. He went on to explain that his aunt worked as an RN in England for over 20 years, and my grandmother worked as a CNA. As I thought about this, I realized that he was right! Some of my fondest memories as a child are of my family members caring for the elders.

Upon further reﬂection I realized my most cherished childhood memories involve my family instinctively knowing how to care for our elders, anticipating their needs for healing or comfort. As I matured, the realization struck me: the care, compassion, attentiveness, and nurturing instinct that is within me, is the core of nursing. Almost instinctively knowing what's needed to heal or cure others.

Throughout my professional life, I have had the privilege of working in diverse settings, and those fundamental nursing principles have remained constant. Today, I am incredibly proud and grateful to be a registered nurse.

LUCKENDY CHERY, RN, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

St. John's Episcopal Hospital Episcopal Health Services

My desire to become a nurse was shaped early in life, growing up surrounded by healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, physicians and a long line of nurses across various specialties. It felt like a path I was always meant to follow.

Although I brieﬂy pursued a degree in business administration, it didn’t take long for me to return to my true calling. My journey began as an EMT, where I was known for going above and beyond in patient care, showing compassion, empathy and a commitment to doing my best. My curiosity led me to seek more than just immediate care. I wanted to understand what happened to my patients after I transferred them and how their care continued.

This curiosity led me to work as a Behavioral Health Technician for five years, where I supported patients on a Behavioral Health unit. There, I saw firsthand the profound impact nurses had through compassion, teaching and therapeutic interventions. I found fulfillment in reinforcing coping skills and lessons patients could carry back into their communities. Ultimately, my experiences, curiosity and support system guided me to nursing.

Now, after one year as a nurse, I embrace my role as an educator, advocate and leader entrusted with lives and responsible for making a meaningful difference. I chose nursing to be a positive force in the lives of patients and their families, to educate them in ways they can understand, and to serve as an example that empowers others to advocate for themselves and pursue nursing as well.

Excellence in All You Do! Thank You, Nurses.

At Mount Sinai, we proudly honor the strength, compassion, and expertise of our nurses, and recognize the essential role they play in caring for our patients and supporting the communities we serve.

Mount Sinai’s nursing team creates excellence together every day. Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside and Mount Sinai Queens have each earned the prestigious Magnet® Recognition three times consecutively, while The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan has received this distinction ﬁve times in succession—an honor achieved by less than 3 percent of hospitals in the United States. This recognition reﬂects an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and consistently better outcomes.

As we celebrate Nurses Week, we proudly recognize the dedication and excellence of the nurses who make this achievement possible every day. mountsinai.org

CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES

JENNIFER ERDMAN PSINAKIS, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, PCCN

NYU Langone Hospital

Long Island

I have been a nurse at NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island for close to 15 years on a Surgical Telemetry unit specializing in cardiothoracic surgery patients. It is the first unit I started on, and I am still working on that unit to this day! It is a very special unit staffed with very special people, some who have grown to be my closest friends. I am on many hospital councils and committees, and am a boardcertified holistic nurse.

I became a nurse out of a deeprooted desire to care for others and to form meaningful human connections. From an early age, I was drawn to roles that allowed me to support, comfort and uplift those around me, and nursing provided a natural path to turn that passion into a profession. To me, nursing is far more than clinical skill or technical knowledge — it is the privilege of being present for individuals during some of the most vulnerable and significant moments of their lives.

My greatest fulfillment comes from building trust with my patients, understanding their stories and providing care that honors not only their physical needs but also their emotional and personal experiences. Nursing means advocating, listening and showing compassion in a way that helps patients feel seen, heard and valued. It is both a responsibility and a profound honor to walk alongside patients and their families, offering support, dignity and genuine human connections when it matters most.

ADRIENNE KINCH BSN, RN, CPAN, PGMT-BC

NYU Langone Hospital

Long Island

My career as a nurse has been deeply rewarding and a lifelong journey of learning. Nursing has been my profession for almost 48 years, and I cherish every experience — whether happy or sad.

As a teenager, I lost my grandfather to a heart attack, and I felt helpless. I began volunteering at a hospital, where I realized it was my life’s calling. It became very important to me to pursue a career that would allow me to make a difference in people’s lives and give me the opportunity to help others. Nursing was the perfect ﬁt.

I have had the privilege of working at NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island for 36 years in the PACU. Prior to that, I spent 10 years as an ICU nurse and two years on a medical-surgical ﬂoor. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built such a fulﬁlling career at NYU Langone - Long Island and to have gained a second work family.

Helping new nurses grow and succeed is truly my passion. Teamwork and the ability to contribute to improving the quality of patient care have motivated me throughout the years. I credit my peers, my patients, and the support of leadership for helping me grow both professionally and personally.

Nursing has given me a profound sense of purpose and a lasting passion that has brought meaning to my life. If I can give hope to someone who is sick and see it in their eyes, then I am fulﬁlled. Sharing human experiences and showing kindness through serving others has made me a better person and helped me overcome some of my own life’s heartaches through the strength of those around me.

AMARPREET KAUR, RN

Northwell

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream

Amarpreet Kaur began her nursing career at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital last March, working on the hospital’s Medical-Surgical unit with a focus on older adult care.

Her path to nursing was shaped by early experiences after immigrating to the United States from India in 2008. As a child, she often assisted her father during medical appointments, translating and observing the role communication plays in patient care.

“It was their dream of {my brother and me] basically getting our degrees in the medical ﬁeld, and then coming back and giving back to the community,” Kaur says. “That's something that we always do here and there. When we go back, we set up a camp back home. Even if it is just checking their ﬁnger sticks for blood sugar levels or their blood pressure in the community, it's so fascinating to them. That's not something that people often do there.”

Kaur pursued a degree in biology before completing her nursing education at LIU Brooklyn in 2024.

Kaur shares she was drawn to nursing to combine compassion, advocacy and clinical knowledge while supporting patients during vulnerable moments. Since starting at the hospital, she has completed a nurse residency program and taken on additional responsibilities, including serving as a diabetes resource on her unit. She has also contributed to initiatives focused on improving care for older adults and reducing complications such as falls and delirium.

Looking ahead, Kaur plans to pursue certiﬁcation in gerontology and begin graduate studies in informatics, with the goal of enhancing patient care through both clinical practice and technology.

- As told to Angelina Zingariello

ELIZABETH MCGRATH, RN Northwell

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream

Elizabeth McGrath has worked in nursing since 2010, building her career in high-acuity settings before transitioning to Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital to serve her local community.

A Franklin Square resident, she spent more than a decade working in Emergency and Intensive Care units in the Bronx before joining the Valley Stream hospital in 2022 as an Emergency Department nurse.

“I've always wanted to be a nurse,” McGrath says. “I've always had a passion for helping people since a very young age. I think my faith in Catholicism played a lot in wanting to provide equitable care, especially for underprivileged populations.”

After two years in the Emergency Department, she stepped into her current role as an associate educator, where she supports the development of new and experienced nurses. Her responsibilities include onboarding staff, leading training programs and coordinating educational initiatives tailored to the needs of the department.

“I'm the ﬁrst nurse in my family on all sides,” McGrath says. “Actually, I am very happy to say my daughter wants to become an Emergency Department nurse, just like me. So, perhaps there will be a second nurse in the family one day.”

She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing education through Jacksonville University and expects to graduate next year. McGrath relates tht teaching has been a long-standing goal, allowing her to share her experience while supporting the next generation of nurses. She remains closely connected to clinical work by assisting staff during critical situations and staying engaged in patient care environments.

- As told to Angelina Zingariello

•

Our Dedicated to our communities. ,

Always leading. Always caring. Always learning.

They comfort, advocate, heal and inspire — often all in the same shift. Nurses bring skill, compassion and unwavering dedication to every patient encounter while helping shape the future of healthcare through leadership, education and innovation.

During National Nurses Week, we pause to recognize the extraordinary professionals who stand at the heart of our healthcare system. From routine visits to life-saving emergencies, from welcoming new beginnings to offering comfort in life’s most difficult moments, nurses are there through it all.

Their work demands resilience, expertise and endless empathy. We depend on their steady presence and commitment every day. Simply put, healthcare would not function without them.

In this special photo essay by Photo Editor Tim Baker, we celebrate these everyday heroes through images that capture their care, courage and commitment — and the countless ways they make a difference in our communities. We thank you. We celebrate you. We see you.

Photos by Tim Baker/Herald

1. At Glen Cove Hospital: Carla Joseph, RN, and Akeesha Sheriff, RN, confer in Endoscopy.

2 At work in Glen Cove Hospital's Brain Injury Unit with Nicole Caravella, RN, and Cindia Cisneros, RN

3. Lisa Pino, RN, and Hannah Russel, RN, with a newborn in Mercy Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

4. Lindsay Bodner, RN, and Kayla Lewis, RN, go about their shift in Surgery Oncology at Mercy Hospital.

5. Christopher Kelly, RN, and Torey Bender, RN, staff Outpatient Dialysis in NYU Langone –Long Island’s Emergency Department.

6. At Long Island Jewish Valley Stream: James Arxer, RN, and Tania Francois, RN, in the Emergency Department.

7. Wayne Lee RN, is a Transfer Nurse in Admission and Discharge at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream

The team in Surgical Step-down at Mount Sinai South Nassau includes Anne Quinn, RN, Jimmy Hernandez, RN, and Lauren Cuevas, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager. 9

9. Portia Javillo, RN, and Pamela Piyavunno, RN, at work in Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Family Medicine Department.

CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES

MITCHEL MARAVILLA, BSN, RN-BC

Mount

Sinai South Nassau

Becoming a nurse has been my dream since childhood. This aspiration began when I had to care for my father at a very young age. Sadly, he passed away shortly after I graduated from nursing school, but his memory continues to inspire my passion for this profession.

Nursing is a noble calling. The ability to care for others and help save lives is both a privilege and a gift — one that I carry with deep pride. For the past 25 years, I have dedicated myself to this profession, including 13 meaningful years at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

Throughout my career, nursing has taught me far more than clinical and technical skills. It has instilled in me the values of compassion, dedication and selflessness. In this profession, I learned that true fulfillment comes from serving others with a selfless heart. Helping without expecting anything in return and choosing to do what is right even when no one is watching.

Currently I work on F3, the Oncology Med-Surg/Telemetry unit, where teamwork and service are at the heart of everything we do. I work with amazing colleagues where we do more than just care for patients; we care for one another. We stand side by side like a family, lifting each other up and sharing both the burdens and the victories.

Over the years, MSSN has faced many changes and challenges. Yet, one thing has remained constant: our deep sense of belonging. We do not simply work here; we consider this institution our second home and continue to serve with compassion and purpose.

IVAN TAGLORIN, MSN, RN

Mount

Sinai South Nassau

Born in South Nassau, raised in the Oceanside community and now serving patients within it, my journey into nursing has truly come full circle. I began my nursing career in 2016, driven by a passion for helping others. A passion instilled in me early on through the values of my parents, who were both nurses.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of growing within the profession, starting as a bedside nurse, advancing to Assistant Nurse Manager, and now serving as a Nurse Informaticist. Each role has shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to patient care. While my responsibilities have changed, the core of why I chose nursing has remained the same.

To me, nursing is more than caring for the illness in front of me. It is about recognizing the individual behind the diagnosis. It is about understanding that every patient has a story, a family, a life beyond the hospital room. Nursing means showing up for people during some of their most vulnerable moments and providing not only clinical care, but also compassion, dignity and support.

In my current role, I contribute to patient care on a broader level by improving systems and implementing technologies that empower nurses and enhance the care experience for patients. Supporting nurses in delivering safe, efﬁcient and high-quality care is just as important as the outcomes themselves, as it ultimately shapes every patient's interaction. No matter the setting, my goal remains the same: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

I am grateful for the opportunities that have brought me to this point and for the ability to continue serving others through nursing.

BETHANY LAWSON, RN Catholic Health Mercy Hospital

Bethany Lawson’s path to nursing began with a simple instinct: to care for others. Growing up, she was drawn to comforting people in difﬁcult moments, a trait that steadily evolved into a calling.

Today, Lawson is a medical-surgical nurse at Mercy Hospital, where she has worked for 13 years, ﬁrst as a patient care assistant before earning her nursing degree.

Her role is wide-ranging, from caring for psychiatric and elderly patients to performing IV therapy and phlebotomy. The variety keeps her engaged, but it is her mindset that deﬁnes her work. She approaches every patient as if they were family, a perspective that guides her through long hours and difﬁcult days.

“What keeps me going is I come to work every day, and I always treat my patients like they're my mom, my sister, my brother, my grandparents. The fulﬁllment I get from knowing I've done my part is unmatched, and it continues to motivate me to show up every day with the same passion and dedication.”

Lawson relates her decision to advance in the ﬁeld came early in her career, when she realized she wanted to do more for her patients. That drive pushed her back to school and ultimately into nursing, where she could expand her skills and impact.

She credits the supportive, familyoriented environment at Mercy Hospital for helping her grow, noting that colleagues encourage one another to improve and deliver the highest level of care to the community they serve each day.

“Nursing means helping others when they're unable to help themselves, putting my patients' needs at the forefront, and caring for them the way I would care for myself or my loved ones.”

- As told to Brian Kacharaba

GABRIELLE DEL GATTO, RN Catholic Health Mercy Hospital

Gabrielle Del Gatto discovered her calling in nursing after initially pursuing a career in education, ultimately realizing she wanted to serve people more directly in their most vulnerable moments.

Drawn to the emotional and clinical demands of patient care, she entered the nursing profession in December 2024 and quickly found meaning in the fast-paced, high-responsibility environment of the hospital setting.

On a Medical-Surgical unit, she cares for a diverse mix of patients, managing multiple assignments per shift while striving to improve each patient’s experience through attentive care each day on the unit.

“Honestly, I'm very religious, so I always wanted to work for Catholic Health hospitals because they just align with my values,” she says. “But for me, God is my never-ending motivation. Every single patient that has stood in my path, I know that they're sent to me from God. So even if things seem like they're not going the way they're meant to be, I know it's all part of the plan, and I don't question it.”

Early in her career, Del Gatto found afﬁrmation after forming a strong connection with a patient and family, an experience that led to a Daisy Award nomination just ﬁve months after practicing independently and reinforced her sense of purpose.

“My favorite part is when a patient looks me in the eye and tells me that they appreciate everything [I’ve done for them]. It is the best feeling in the whole entire world.”

She credits Mercy Hospital’s supportive culture and teamwork for helping her grow, noting the hospital’s shared commitment to compassionate care and the opportunity to learn and develop as a new nurse at Mercy.

- As told to Brian Kacharaba

CELEBRATING NURSES

NICOLETTE MASCIOLI, RN

Northwell

Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Nicolette Mascioli spent eight days in March on a mission trip to Guatemala. It was not a glamorous, Instagram-worthy vacation. Instead, she and other volunteers — through her alma mater Sacred Heart University — provided care in remote villages. Anyone who knows the 24-year-old Farmingdale native would not be surprised.

Today Nicolette is a registered nurse at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park, specializing in a Post-Surgical unit that handles everything from neurosurgery and plastic surgery to colorectal procedures and hysterectomies.

She started her volunteer streak at age 15 when she spent time with the child life program at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park by entertaining, playing and bonding with sick youngsters. She followed that up as an LIJ volunteer. Little did she realize that a career in nursing — let alone a staff role at LIJ — would be in her future. After all, no one in her family had pursued a career in health care.

“I’m grateful to have made an impact on someone else’s life — even a little,” says Nicolette, the oldest of three sisters. “I feel like I do learn something new every day. I did not expect the opportunities that I’ve had through nursing.”

The Guatemala mission through her Catholic university was made possible by a donation from LIJ to cover her travel expenses. Nicolette brought back a greater appreciation of the need in the world and good she can do.

“It was life changing,” she says. “It really reshapes your perception.”

– As told to Jason Molinet

MELISSA SMALL, RN

Northwell

Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Melissa Small went away to college, a Jamaican immigrant living the American dream. But the leap proved too great financially and she was soon back in Brooklyn working a string of department store jobs. She even considered joining the U.S. military. Then a chance encounter with a nursing assistant who sold an alternative future pushed her into health care.

Today Melissa, 40, of Jamaica, Queens, is a registered nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center — the last 13 years in the same unit. Eight Tower is LIJ’s surgical oncology floor, with a focus on abdominal, lung and pancreatic surgery patients.

Looking back, the climb up seemed improbable. She worked in a nursing home, then received certifications for phlebotomy and electrocardiogram testing. Her big break was landing a temp job at LIJ, which eventually grew into full-time employment.

“I would recommend health care if your heart is in it,” Melissa says. “I can’t imagine my life not being by the bedside. I like to be around people — our patients are like family — so nursing is great for that.”

Northwell helped fuel her growth.

Aided by tuition reimbursement, she earned an Associate’s degree in Nursing followed by her Bachelor’s degree.

The leveling up of her career continues. Commuting part-time to New Jersey, she graduates from William Paterson University on May 20 with a Master of Science in Nursing, part of its family nurse practitioner program.

“Northwell has encouraged me to do more. The opportunity is there if it’s in you to do more."

– As told to Jason Molinet

Patrons find happiness with a paint brush

By ABBY GIBSON Intern

The faint smell of paint and the sound of 1980s music filled a meeting room at Uniondale Public Library on April 30 as community members gathered for “Paint Night: Wild Asters on Canvas.”

The event was led by Lisa Colon, a circulation desk clerk of nearly nine years at [Glen Cove Public Library], who founded Create Programs By Lisa around 2020. Colon now offers more than 100 programs for different age groups and hosts classes at libraries across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“I’ve always been the artsy-creafty type, and I truly believe everyone has a creative spark inside them,” Colon says on her website.

Fifteen people attended the paint night, Colon’s first adult-focused class at the Uniondale library. The $45 raised helped cover the cost of supplies.

“We are living in a very difficult time and we’re all dealing with a lot of stress,” said Hunter Gadsden, a Queens resident who attended with a friend. “If you can find activities that bring you a little bit of joy, that helps not just your psyche, but helps you in your community not feel so in a corner.”

At the front of the room, Colon guided participants step by step in creating a painting of wild asters beneath a cloudy blue sky. Each person was given an easel, three paint brushes, a canvas and white, blue, green, black and yellow paint.

While Colon instructs the class, she does not run the programs entirely on her own. Her husband, Alex Colon, whom she has been married to for nearly 28 years, helps set up and clean up the events and selects the music that helps shape the atmosphere.

“Sometimes everyone gets quiet when they’re concentrating and then you hear people start singing along,” Alex said.

The combination of music and creativity created a calming environment for attendees to unwind and connect artistically.

Library staff said the event also helped foster conversation and connection among attendees.

“We’re always in a rush and I think it’s good to sit down and get to talk to somebody you didn’t know before,” Mariana Erikson, a circulation desk clerk at the library, said.

By the end of the evening, attendees left with their own paintings of wild asters and a new memory made at the library.

Carolyn Kelly from East Meadow begins painting the Asters, following Lisa Colon’s instructions.

Abby Gibson / Herald Photos

Lisa Colon stays busy hosting these programs as she sometimes hosts two to three in one day across different libraries in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

STEPPING OUT

By Nick Mongiovi

Long Island has been home for the Ducks for 26 seasons in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), and who better to add to a successful organization than a former CY Young Award winner?

Trevor Bauer signed with the Ducks on April 2, after pitching the last ﬁve years in Japan and Mexico. Long Island went 72-54 in 2025, as it looks to build upon last year’s success with speed and dominant pitching.

“When we signed guys, we were looking for guys that wanted to win, wanted to be here and further their careers,” says third-year manager Lew Ford, the franchise’s all-time hits leader. “They’re going to play hard. I think the fans enjoy that and that’s the kind of baseball we want to play.”

Last year’s Ducks led the league in pitching, ﬁnished in second in both ﬁelding and hitting, and broke a team record for most stolen bases in a season with 239. Before last season, Ford emphasized speed, reiterating “The game is moving a lot towards speed.”

“We’re very happy with all these guys,” he says “They can still run, hit and play defense. We have a good mix of veterans and younger guys, too.”

Bauer is the name that’ll bring the reigning No. 1 pitching staff to the next level. He received the nod from Ford to be the team’s Opening Day starter on April 21 against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. The 10-year MLB veteran struck out eight but surrendered ﬁve hits, three walks and two runs in four innings of work in the 7-0 loss. Bauer, who followed his Ducks debut with a dominant no-hitter, makes his return to the United States to pitch on American soil for the ﬁrst time since 2021 with a “hate to lose” mentality.

“They’ve had a lot of good players here,” Bauer says, on why he chose the Ducks. “A lot of guys have come through here and then signed elsewhere, kind of elevated their careers. All the guys who have been here and have had a really good time here, so that’s part of it. They win. I don’t like losing.

create buzz with Bauer signing

Courtesy Danielle Huebner

Inﬁelder Wilmer Difo brings MLB experience.

creation to be featured on his and the team’s social media and streaming outlets.

“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” Ducks President/CBO Michael Pfaff says. “His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ballclub, and we are happy to offer him this opportunity to showcase his talents to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball. We felt that was a unique and interesting approach. He’s got very unique content, and his approach is overwhelmingly positive.”

Along with Bauer, the Ducks’ starting rotation features Island Park native Ryan Sandberg, who was the team’s most reliable and dominant starter, Nolan Clinton, Harrison Francis and Michael Dominguez. Sandberg pitched to a 3.82 ERA in 91.2 innings of work, striking out 73 batters,

Familiarity returns in the bullpen for Long Island as Jacob Asa, Garrett Crowley, Tanner Jacobsen, Ryan Langford, Michael Reed and Ramon Santos all return.

“Most of these guys came halfway through the year; they had a lot of success here,” Ford adds. “Ramon Santos, being our closer, had under a one ERA, did a very good job for us.”

Dix Hills native Matt Hogan is the starting center ﬁelder. He possesses “a lot of speed and defense,” Ford says. It’s a “full-circle moment” for Hogan, who grew up attending Ducks games.

Ben Folds & A Piano

Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation is joined by multitalented actress-singer-composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. His recent work reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring an olrchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater.

Friday, May 8, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

“Teams I’ve been on have been in the playoffs the last decade, except for 2019, when I was traded. “So I want the chance to be in the playoffs and play for something meaningful at the end of the year. Checks that box here. Great market, big in New York, with a huge baseball market. There are a lot of things that are important to me that go on here.”

“I remember I sat up in that box up there with my aunt and uncle,” Hogan says, reminiscing on his time as a kid coming to Ducks games. “So coming here and being able to enjoy the time here and have my family come to games. It’s my ﬁrst time playing on Long Island in about eight years. It’s humbling, it feels good. I’m excited to be here and really play with this team.”

meaningful at the end of the year. Checks that box are

Additionally, Bauer will be “Mic’d Up” for all games and practices for the purposes of content

here and being able to enjoy the time here and have my family come to with

Tickets can be purchased online at LIDucks.com, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or in person at the Fairﬁeld Properties Ballpark box ofﬁce in Central Islip. All games will be streamed on HomeTeam Network (HTN) with a paid subscription.

Some promotions include ﬁreworks at all Saturday home games, sunglasses to the ﬁrst 1,500 fans May 17, and Bark in the Park with Ducks patriotic hats July 1.

Big band energy meets Jamaican soul. The unique 20-piece band blends the exuberant musical layers of the jazz Big Band era with Jamaican roots music. Their sound is powered by a passionate team of talented musicians, each bringing unique energy and expertise to create an unforgettable experience. Led by trumpeter and vocalist Kevin Batchelor, and featuring Jamaican music legend 87-year-young celebrated percussionist/vocalist Larry MacDonald on congas and vocals, and Jamaican master drummer Carl Wright, band creates and perform lush original compositions and arrangements of classic songs from the rich and culturally iconic Jamaican music of ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz from the 1950s, ’60s and ‘70s.

Friday, May 8, 8 p.m. $91, $42, $37. andmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

NYC Ska Orchestra

Courtesy L.I. Ducks

Quackerjack always gets Ducks fans hyped.

Courtesy L.I. Ducks Closer Ramon Santos was dominant in 2025.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY 8

Family theater

Long Island Children’s Museum stages

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

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 13-14

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

Mental health workshop

New York State Sen.

Siela A. Bynoe hosts a free eight-hour training to help participants identify mental health challenges, de-escalate crises and connect individuals with appropriate resources. Registration is required and space is limited. Visit tinyurl. com/sd6-mh-training to register

• Where: John J. Byrne Community Center, 925 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale

• Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 739-1700 or email bynoe@nysenate.gov

Celebrate Haitian Heritage with Cumbe dances

Families can experience the energy and tradition of Haitian culture through live drumming and a vibrant folkloric dance performance by Cumbe Dance at Uniondale Public Library. The program invites the community to take part in an interactive lesson, offering a hands-on introduction to the rhythms and movements that define Haitian dance

• Where: 400 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: uniondalelibrary.org or (516) 489-2220

The Wallflowers

MAY 16

• Where: Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City

• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. also May 16

• Contact: cradleofaviation.org

Nature Connects

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes internationally acclaimed artist Sean Kenney and his Nature Connects exhibition. Explore 17 larger-than-life sculptures inspired by the wonders of the natural world—each built from over 300,000 LEGO® bricks. Vibrant and imaginative, these creations blend art, science, and nature, offering visitors of all ages a playful new way to experience the gardens. Opens May 16 and is on view through Sept. 7. Tickets required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: Ongoing

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

MAY

Busy Bees

17

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

• Time:8 p.m.

The Wallflowers mark the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album “Bringing Down the Horse” on their latest tour, with a special full-album performance at the Paramount, presenting the record in sequence from start to finish. Originally released in 1996, the album became a defining success of the decade, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and going quadruple platinum. It produced a string of major hits, including “6th Avenue Heartache,” “The Difference,” and the Grammy-winning “One Headlight,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the era’s most recognizable rock singles. Led by songwriter Jakob Dylan, the band draws on classic American rock influences such as The Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — a legacy echoed in the tour’s additional tribute segment to Petty, including a full performance of the 1982 album Long After Dark. Over the years, Dylan has remained a consistent figure in rock music, collaborating widely and appearing in projects such as Echo in the Canyon alongside artists including Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Beck, Norah Jones and others. The Wallflowers also recently supported Eric Clapton on his 2025 U.S. tour, continuing their long-standing presence on major stages.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Mother’s Day Spring Into Health

Spring into Health brings a day of wellness, community and fun for the whole family at Uniondale Public Library. Hosted by the Uniondale Empoerment Resource Center, event includes free giveaways, food, raffle prizes, local vendors, face painting and live entertainment, this event offers something for everyone. Come enjoy a vibrant atmosphere focused on health, happiness and appreciation — all in honor of moms.

• Where: 400 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale

• Time: 1-5 p.m.

• Contact: uniondalelibrary.org or (516) 489-2220

Eisenhower Park Craft Fair

Check out the many craft vendors at Eisenhower Park.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, Field 8

• Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. also May 10, weather permitting

MAY 9 Roberto Fabbri The Internationally acclaimed classical guitar virtuoso brings his

• Contact: NassauCountyFairs.com

signature blend of precision and expressive artistry to the Madison Theatre stage. A prolific performer and educator, Fabbri has built a global reputation that extends well beyond the concert hall. His more than 40 guitar publications — translated into five languages, including Chinese — have reached an audience of over 300,000 readers worldwide, underscoring his influence on both aspiring musicians and seasoned players Fabbri is a frequent guest at leading international guitar festivals and has performed in many of the world’s most renowned concert venues, where he also conducts masterclasses. His recording career has further expanded his reach.

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

• Time: 7 p.m.

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

Food truck Friday Feast Kick off your weekend at the Food Truck Friday Feast at the John J. Byrne Community Center. Enjoy a wide variety of food trucks serving up

everything from savory bites with the taste of Caribbean Food, burgers and tacos to sweet treats. Browse unique artisan vendors offering handmade goods, crafts, and specialty items.

• Where: 929 Jerusalem Ave, Uniondale John J. Byrne Community Center

• Time: 5-8:30 p.m.

• Contact: Byrncenter.org (516) 554-8124

MAY

16 Cradle-Con returns

Cradle-Con returns with a weekend celebrating comics, collectibles and pop culture at Cradle of Aviation Museum. With guest appearances including the cast from “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero,” along with artist and vendor booths, cosplay and retro gaming. A special add-on, the “Cereal Club,” offers a nostalgic experience with classic cartoons, vintage Nintendo games and an all-you-can-eat cereal bar. Other activities include a cosplay contest, trivia, karaoke and more. $25 in advance for adults and $15 for children, with weekend passes available. The Cereal Club add-on is $15 and requires event admission. Proceeds support the museum’s education and preservation programs.

We all know that bees are amazing. While we often think of only the honey bee, Long Island’s native mason bee is an impressive little insect. They pollinate 20 times more plants than honey bees, live their life in solitude and are not aggressive. Bring the family to celebrate World Bee Day at Long Island Children’s Museum to learn all about these hard workers and make a bee habitat to welcome them to your garden. For ages 3+.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

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

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND

SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF UPLAND MORTGAGE LOAN

TRUST A, Pltf. vs. SERGIO D. VERA, et al, Defts. Index #607926/2023.

Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 26, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on May 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 582 Liberty Street, Uniondale, NY 11553 a/k/a Section 50, Block 386, Lot 2. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, known and designated as Lot #2 in Block G-3 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Purdy Terrace Homes, Inc., Section1, located at Uniondale, Nassau County, New York, dated April 1945 made by William E. Debruin, Civil Engineer, Hempstead, New York and filed in the office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on Dec. 31, 1945, as Map #4289. Approximate amount of judgment is $458,725.17 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. HILL WALLACK, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 261 Madison Ave., 9th Fl. Ste. 940, New York, NY 10016. File No. 017511-04224 -#102908 159642

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND

SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR OCWEN LOAN ACQUISTION TRUST

2023-HB1, Plaintiff, vs. JUANITA WRIGHT, AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF DIANE GILLIAM, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUANITA HENRY, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 19, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 411 Northern Parkway, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 121 and Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment is $396,359.34 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 603294/2019. Matin Emouna, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159646

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU M&T BANK, Plaintiff AGAINST DERLIN BONILLA, FELIPE GARCIA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 19, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM, premises known as 1116 Pembroke Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Uniondale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 50 Block: 13 Lot(s): 1, 2 and 3. Approximate amount of judgment $500,472.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009314/2015. Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC 39

Broadway, Suite 1840 New York, NY 10006

25-000406 89371 159605

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF STANWICH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST F, Plaintiff, vs. PIERRE JEAN, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 15, 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 May 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 485 STERLING STREET, UNIONDALE, NY 11553. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section: 50, Block: 128, Lot: 427. Approximate amount of judgment is $371,017.77 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602934/2023.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee.

JOSEPH TERINO, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 159638

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 624964/2025 COUNTY OF NASSAU

FAREVERSE LLC I/L/T/N FINANCE OF AMERICA

REVERSE LLC

Plaintiff, vs.

MICHELLE BRADSHAW BIZZELL, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; ISAIAH BRADSHAW JR., AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; RODNEY BRADSHAW, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; KIAMESHIA BRADSHAW, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ISAIAH BRADSHAW, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND UBRAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE-DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY; CIARA BIZZELL AS JOHN DOE #1; BERNARD BRADSHAW AS JOHN DOE #2; LEONARD BRADSHAW AS JOHN DOE #3, “JOHN DOE #4” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last nine names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants,

persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 1012 ARTHUR STREET, UNIONDALE, NY 11553

Section: 36, Block: 148, Lot: 162 and 163

Servicer: Compu-Link Corporation

Servicer Telephone: (866) 444-0026 Defendants.

To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $780,000.00 and interest, recorded on January 26, 2024, in Liber M, Vl-47416 at Page 51, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 1012 ARTHUR STREET, UNIONDALE, NY 11553. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NASSAU

County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: April 1st, 2026

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 159748

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 05/20/2026 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: ------------------------------

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00

P.M.

276/26. ROOSEVELT108 Friends LLC, Variances, subdivision of lot, front width from

and on street line to front setback line, construct dwelling (plot B) (demolish existing dwelling)., W/s Westfield Ave., 236.71’ S/o Pleasant Ave., f/k/a 99 Westfield Ave. 277/26. ROOSEVELT108 Friends LLC, Variances, subdivision of lot, front width from and on street line to front setback line, construct dwelling (plot A)., W/s Westfield Ave., 286.65’ S/o Pleasant Ave. 1183/26. UNIONDALEMichael A. Cardinale, Jr. & Edward LaGuardia, Variances, lot area occupied, side yard construct detached 2-car garage (Lot A)., W/s Maple Ave., 209.35’ N/o Front St., a/k/a 252 Maple Ave. 1184/26. UNIONDALEMichael A. Cardinale, Jr. & Edward LaGuardia, Variance, lot area occupied, construct detached garage (Lot B)., W/s Maple Ave., 259.35’ N/o Front St. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Roosevelt & Uniondale within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo

Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 160069

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town

Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 12th day of May 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

BALDWIN

EMERSON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 120 feet east of the east curbline of Westervelt Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-101/26)

ELMONT 238th STREET - east side, starting at a point 72 feet south of the south curbline of 117th Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-126/26)

ATHERTON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 81 feet west of the west curbline of Emporia Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-113/26) BUTLER BOULEVARDwest side, starting at a point 79 feet south of the south curbline of James Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-100/26)

SEWANEE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 146 feet north of the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-123/26) (NR) FLORAL PARK 239th STREET - east side, starting at a point 68 feet north of the north curbline of Ontario Road, north for a distance of 15 feet.

(TH-134/26)

FRANKLIN SQUARE

GARFIELD STREETsouth side, starting at a point 81 feet east of the east curbline of Lincoln Road, east for a distance of 22 feet.

(TH-97/26)

HOFFMAN STREETwest side, starting at a point 249 feet south of the south curbline of Sobo Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-120/26)

ROOSEVELT STREETnorth side, starting at a point 174 feet west of the west curbline of Caroline Avenue, for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-133/26)

ROOSEVELT BROOKS AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 48 feet east of

Public Notices

the east curbline of Scherer Place, east for a distance of 22 feet.

(TH-136/26)

(NR) VALLEY STREAM

IRVING STREET - east side, starting at a point 244 feet north of the north curbline of Sobro Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-118/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:

FRANKLIN SQUARE

JEFFERSON STREETeast side, starting at a point 77 feet south of the south curbline of Naple Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-517/18 - 1/22/19)

(TH-106/26)

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: April 28, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 160018

LEGAL NOTICE

CASE NO. 21527

RESOLUTION NO.

414-2026

Adopted: April 28, 2026

Senior Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE

CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 408-2026, adopted April 14, 2026, a public hearing was duly held on the 28th day of April 2026, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed

establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and

WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:

BALDWIN

ROCKVILLE DRIVEwest side, starting at a point 120 feet north of the north curbline of Seaman Avenue, north for a distance of 22 feet.

(TH-78/26)

ELMONT 118th AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 50 feet east of the east curbline of 238th Street, east for a distance of 21 feet.

(TH-63/26)

HENDRICKSON AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 133 feet north of the north curbline of Burtis Place, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-81/26) R STREET - north side, starting at a point 52 feet west of the west curbline of Arcadian Avenue for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-96/26)

FRANKLIN SQUARE

FARNUM BOULEVARD - east side, starting at a point 436 feet south of the south curbline of

Whiteside Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-65/26)

LANGDON STREETnorth side, starting at a point 63 feet east of the east curbline, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-93/26)

ROOSEVELT

GORMLEY AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 152 feet east of the east curbline of Babylon Turnpike, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-82/26)

LONG BEACH AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 105 feet south of the south curbline of Centennial Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-92/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:

ROOSEVELT

GORMLEY AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 92 feet east of the east curbline of Babylon Turnpike, east for a distance of 40 feet.

(TH-533/0910/05/2010) (TH-82/26) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Muscarella and adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 160013

CAPITAL LOAN TRUST

2021-1, Plaintiff against BLUE ROCK ASSOCIATES, LLC; MARIE N. CHARLES, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 3, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 11, 2026 at 2:00PM. Premises known as 1251 Warwick Street, Uniondale, NY 11553. District 2 Sec 50 Block 041 Lot 236. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Hempstead, (outside the Incorporated Village), in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $627,097.48 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 601352/2022. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee File # 21-001087-01 160065

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

Courtesy Isabella Simone

Dylan Schwarz crossed the finish line at the Second Annual Milo’s 5K for the Homeless, which aimed to raise awareness for the thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness who often have to give up their pets.

A run for the homeless, and a bid to raise awareness

By ISABELLA SIMONE

Special to the Herald

More than 200 people ran towards change on April 25 at Belmont Lake State Park, demonstrating a powerful community effort.

Participants gathered for the Second Annual Milo’s 5K for the Homeless, which aimed to raise awareness for the thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness who often have to give up their pets. With most shelters unable to accommodate animals, these people are often forced to choose between their own safety and staying with their loyal companions--an extremely difficult decision no one should have to make. This issue has transformed compassion into action and created an event that shed a light on those navigating such conditions.

Kaitlyn Beers, the community engagement specialist for the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, said that the event was “a team effort,” driven by a shared commitment to addressing a critical gap in support. She explained the heartbreaking decisions many homeless people have to face.

“Most shelters in general don’t allow pets in them, so people often have to decide between entering the shelter or taking their pets with them, and so people will decide to live in their cars, or they’ll live on the street,” she said.

For Beers and her team, the goal is to shift public perception and highlight the urgency of the issue, emphasizing that homelessness is immediate and local.

“It’s not this kind of mythic thing. It’s right in our backyards,” she said.

Dylan Schwarz is both speedy and philanthropic. As the winner of the 5K and a member of the coalition, Schwarz echoed a similar sentiment to Beers.

“I think it’s important to get the word out there as much as possible about the struggles that so many in our community are facing. A lot of them we don’t even know about, because it’s hidden,” he said.

Schwarz said he wore face paint and “tried to dress a little goofy to try to make people smile a little extra.”

But the mission is clear to Schwarz. “Anything we can do to raise funds and raise awareness makes a difference,” he said.

Beers noted that this race is only the beginning of a growing tradition.

“This is our second race, so we did one last year, but we’re going to kind of continue it every year to rebuild the community,” she said.

When asked about the most fulfilling aspect of her playing a vital role in this event, Beers said, “I think a lot of people are very disconnected from some people, and seeing everybody rallying together for the same cause, coming here, having fun and just living life and kind of supporting each other, supporting our neighbors, and not letting this kind of crazy world that we’re living in ruin our fun and ruin our joy.”

Isabella Simone is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Courtesy Isabella Simone Dylan Schwartz, a member of the coalition and winner of the race, holds a sign that says “yes, it’s possible.”

LYNBROOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

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

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

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

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

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

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How early do I get the interior designer involved?

Q. I’ve been interviewing architects and want your opinion on the issue of interior design. I have no sense of space, color or furniture. I’m getting mixed ideas from the architects about having an interior designer involved at the beginning, and I’m wondering what to do. Should I have the interior designer do the space plan first, and then hire the architect, or should I get the interior designer involved more toward the middle, before plans are done?

A. This is a touchy subject that often leads to frustration, mostly because the tasks of each are not always understood. There’s an old saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” An interior designer on my projects has always been requested to work after the building is designed, from the beginning to the end. The reasons for this are the differences in our knowledge of laws, engineering qualifications and responsibilities.

An interior designer doesn’t have a license, qualification or, generally, the education to perform the integrated services of an architect or an engineer. The reason that’s a frustrating answer is that I like working with interior designers personally, when the enhancement of the building’s finishes come into play, after the building has met the requirements of being able to stand, shed light to spaces, allow for all the safety requirements and myriad codes that must be followed. Unfortunately, clients often see that as being egotistical, overly sensitive or domineering, and that’s due to the lack of education as to what each person’s role is in construction. It’s no different than when a carpenter tells a homeowner that the structure could have been thinner and would have saved the owner money. The carpenter may not understand that the structure has to be sized for insulation thickness to meet energy codes before voicing their perspective. I’ve had multiple experiences that turned out very well because it was understood, from the project beginning, that the architect wasn’t there just to draw what they were told to draw. At times, issues needed to be discussed, and changes were necessary to accommodate the material thickness.

For example, stairways have a minimum width, and you can’t arbitrarily add a thick stone surface to the side walls that would reduce the clear width. It might be beautiful, but imagine having the inspection fail for safety reasons. In that instance, the plans could have been discussed or the material selection could have been revised.

I once had an interior designer repeatedly changing the shape of spaces, requiring the arbitrary removal of columns. A building won’t stand without columns, and moving them is like pulling one card out of a house of cards, literally and figuratively. A great design starts with great communication and a clear understanding of each person’s responsibilities and boundaries, both legal and by the project team as a whole. As a team, you will be successful if you and every team member understand this. Good luck!

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

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I have more than enough words for a memoir

Recently I entered into an agreement with noted editor Peter Ginna to put my 140,000-word memoir manuscript into final form to be presented to publishers. That will probably result in the reduction of at least 30,000 words and some reformatting. The final product, though, will be mine.

This project began five years ago. After I retired from Congress in January 2021, I started to assemble my thoughts, news stories, photos and memorabilia from 28 years in office in an attempt to make some sense of, and put in some perspective, my experiences. The more I assembled, the more I realized how long and unlikely the journey had been — and how fortunate I had been.

Particularly helpful to me in collating so much of the memories and information was Anne Rosenfeld, who worked in my district office, in Massapequa Park, for all of those years, including the last 20 as district director. Melissa Zimmerman was one of the Nassau County Police Department

detectives on my congressional security detail. Having retired shortly before I did, she agreed to be my post-congressional security director. As she learned what I was doing and heard my discussions about my experiences, she urged me to put it all into a memoir. And she didn’t let up until I started the process.

As I began to write, I realized that the story would have to begin where it all began, on the bluecollar sidewalks of Sunnyside, Queens, and then St. Albans.

if not a ragsto-riches tale, my life has certainly been an improbable journey.

My grandparents were Irish immigrants. My father was a World War II veteran and an Army Reserve major who served for three decades in the New York City Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant as commanding officer for physical training and head of the department’s first Ceremonial Unit, which he formed. My mother, a product of the Depression, had to turn down a college scholarship and take a job instead.

My younger brother, Kevin, and I attended St. Teresa’s grammar school, in Woodside, where there were 70-plus kids in a classroom, with no concern for feelings or sensitivity. Tuition was 25 cents a week. After that it was Brooklyn Prep and then St. Francis College, while

TI worked full-time at the Railway Express freight yards on Manhattan’s West Side as a junior and senior. After that I was unexpectedly accepted by Notre Dame Law School, where I made friendships that would last a lifetime. At neighboring St. Mary’s College I met Rosemary, who has been putting up with me for a lifetime.

All of this somehow led to experiences with an eclectic mix of people and events that made for an interesting, never boring, life, as I navigated the minefields of New York and Washington politics and government. I dealt with tragedies such as Sept. 11 and its lasting aftermath, which included fighting for health care benefits for its survivors and first responders. I was one of only two members of Congress in history to vote against the impeachment of two presidents. I faced challenges as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, holding controversial hearings into Islamic radicalization and ensuring that New York and Long Island received the funding necessary to defend against future terrorist attacks.

Over the years in New York, Washington and overseas, there were dealings with Presidents Clinton, Bush,

Obama, Trump and Biden; British Prime Minister Blair and Irish P.M. Ahern; Israeli leaders Rabin, Peres and Netanyahu; and meeting foreign leaders and dignitaries such as Russia’s Yeltsin, Poland’s Walesa and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. There were New York leaders, characters and personalities including Cardinal John O’Connor, Al D’Amato, Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani and Roy Cohn.

There was also the almost surreal experience of being the grandson of Irish immigrants and having a great uncle who was in the IRA and imprisoned during the Irish War of Independence in the 1920s — and working with Clinton, Blair, Ahern and Irish Republican leader Gerry Adams to bring about the historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended the centuries-old, bloody struggle between the British government and the people of Ireland.

My life has not been a rags-to-riches tale, but it has certainly been an improbable journey, beyond what I ever could have dreamed of or imagined. It has indeed been what my book title describes, “The Road to God Knows Where — From the Blue Collar Sidewalks of Queens to the Halls of Congress.”

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

We all need friends, and NATO is our best one

he older you get, the more you need to have some friends. While we should always be lucky to have a family that cares for us in good times and bad, we still have to have friends. A little research showed me that there are more songs about the value of friends, and the need for them, than about independence or going it alone. I’m sure many readers are familiar with the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Or Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For,” or Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” Or Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.” I could list another dozen songs that capture the importance of having a friend. Which brings us to the subject of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Somehow, President Trump has advanced the distorted idea that America can go it alone in the world without the help of our overseas allies. Long before NATO came into existence in 1949, our European friends were fighting with us in World War II, losing thou-

sands of young men to keep democracy alive.

When NATO was founded, its membership comprised Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. It now includes Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. It is a powerful union of allies who all have economic and strategic relationships with the United States.

T here is no way the United States could go it alone without these allies.

has always stood by us since then. Trump alleges that Iran was almost ready to attack the United States and Israel, but it did not launch an attack on our country. Being a “threat” to a NATO ally isn’t the same as attacking it. On 9/11, the NATO countries immediately declared their support for the United States and provided numerous forms of assistance, both technical and economic.

territory.) Russia could mount an attack on our country in minutes if it ever served their purposes.

What gets lost in the debate about NATO’s obligations to intervene in the war with Iran is that NATO was never consulted before the war began, and no member country was attacked by Iran. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty says that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all members, which is not what happened in the war with Iran.

The first time the NATO charter was invoked was when America was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. The alliance

To this day, NATO members continue to offer us strategic advice about actions around the world that may be a threat to America. They provide us with warnings about weather patterns and environmental events that are a threat to our region of the planet. And most of all, they buy billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment and other products that make our manufacturers healthy and wealthy.

Whether the president admits it or not, our two biggest enemies are China and Russia. In the case of Russia, it is worth noting that it is less than 60 miles from Alaska. (And actually, Big Diomede Island, in Russian territory, is just 2½ miles from Little Diomede Island, in U.S.

As for China, even with some severe economic problems, it is capable of causing major upheaval for the U.S. if it chooses. Should it invade Taiwan, America would lose its major supplier of the semiconductor chips that companies like Nvidia and Apple use for advanced computing. Other chips are used in automobiles and a wide variety of products, and we can’t afford to lose that supply.

There is no way that the United States could go it alone without its NATO allies. We can’t protect our country from the world’s two worst predators without those allies on our side. Breaking up that alliance would be strategic and economic suicide. Talk is cheap, so the president has every right to pick occasional spats with NATO, but he can’t afford to abandon it. To do so would create chaos for generations to come.

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

P.M. Peres and leaders Yeltsin, Queen leaders, including D’Amato, Cohn. surreal of great imprisIndepenwith Republiabout Agreecenturies-old, British govrags-to-riches I ever imagined. It title Knows SideConcongressman, and Committee

Small Business Week, with eyes wide open

Small Business Week, which runs from May 3 to 9, will bring the usual round of proclamations, ribbon-cuttings and feel-good photo ops. Local entrepreneurs deserve every one of them. They also deserve the truth: The Main Streets of Long Island are under siege, and a week of celebration cannot paper over what the rest of the year has made painfully clear.

Walk down Park Avenue, in Long Beach, or Merrick Avenue, or any commercial corridor from Lynbrook to Glen Cove, and the strain is visible. For Lease signs have not come down in months. Restaurants have cut hours because they can’t find or afford the staff to stay open. Family-owned shops that survived the pandemic now wonder whether they will survive the aftermath. The business owners who anchor our downtowns aren’t asking for sympathy. They are asking, quietly and increasingly, whether the math still works.

The pressures are no secret. Rents for Long Island commercial space have climbed steadily. Costs have skyrocketed, outpacing what owners can charge without losing customers. Wages have risen, as they should, but for thin-margin businesses, every raise is a calculation about how many shifts can be staffed next month.

Energy bills and insurance premiums keep grinding higher. And looming over all of it is the e-commerce machine — Amazon, Temu, Shein and a growing list of online giants whose business model depends on undercutting the shop down the block, capturing the sale, and sending the profit somewhere far from Long Island.

The numbers tell a more complicated story than the celebratory ones we usually hear. In Nassau County, the U.S. Small Business Administration backed more than $207 million in loans last year, supporting roughly 500 businesses and helping create or sustain 2,850 jobs. That is real and meaningful. But SBA lending is also a barometer of need. A community in which hundreds of businesses require government-backed credit just to keep their doors open is not a community where small business is thriving on its own. It is a community where small business is fighting to hold ground.

Matt Coleman, the SBA’s regional administrator, has said that anyone who wants to understand the local economy needs to look past the financial markets and pay attention to those small businesses, embedded in our communities. He’s right. And what those businesses are telling us, if we listen honestly, is that the ground beneath them is shifting faster than they can adapt.

Federal tax relief on tips and overtime will help some workers. Modest tax reductions for small-business owners will help some operators. Neither will reverse the structural forces reshaping retail, hospitality and local service. The playing field is not level, and pretending otherwise does our merchants no favors.

What small businesses can offer is what e-commerce cannot: presence, accountability and a stake in the community. The pizzeria in East Rockaway that sponsors the Little League team.

The diner in Seaford that hosts the volunteer fire department’s monthly breakfast. The florist in Oyster Bay that decorates the village gazebo for the holidays.

None of those things show up on a balance sheet. All of them disappear when the storefront goes dark.

The Herald takes pride in standing alongside local businesses every day of the year. Our reporters tell their stories — the grand openings, the second-generation handoffs, the milestone anniversaries, the moments when local owners step up to feed first responders during a storm. Our advertising and marketing teams work shoulder to shoulder with owners to help them reach customers and grow their brand across print, digital and social channels. We do this because we believe local journalism and local commerce rise and fall together.

Honesty about the challenges is not pessimism. It is the precondition for a serious response. Policymakers should be looking hard at commercial rent pressures, at the unequal tax treatment that favors online sellers, at workforce housing that should allow people to actually live near where they work. Residents have a role, too — a more direct one. Every dollar spent locally is a dollar that stays here, resulting in sponsors for Little League teams, donors for nonprofit events, tenants for local storefronts, and more.

So this week, before clicking “buy now” online, walk into the shop down the block. Order takeout from the family-run restaurant in Island Park. Book the local landscaper from Malverne. Tip generously. The Main Streets of Long Island are not guaranteed. They are chosen, one transaction at a time, by the people who live here — and that choice has never mattered more.

Influencers, from Joe Schmoe to the influencer in chief

where are all the government’s best and brightest?

In the current administration, there are fewer models for academic achievement, moral rectitude and ethical behavior. The swamp is real, and it’s drowning the smart and dedicated people who go to Washington to serve the country.

Many of our best federal officials have been muted or sidelined by the Elon MuskDonald Trump one-two punch.

The president has appointed a succession of officials who are unprepared for their demanding jobs. He has trolled the bottom for people whose only standard is loyalty to the regime. As they sink and flunk out, as scandal after scandal unfolds, as their inexperience and absurd behavior come to light, they leave and are replaced by other sycophants.

As education standards sink, we witness the rise of “influencers,” selfappointed experts who have co-opted the attention and expendable income of millions of people old enough to use a phone. We are ceding critical questions about our health and well-being to self-

promoters who may have no real expertise and even less education. What many of them do have is a social media presence and the marketing know-how to garner thousands — even millions — of followers.

This isn’t a new problem, but it’s getting worse.

One example: In February, The New York Times published a story titled, “Do Energy Drinks Offer Benefits Beyond Caffeine?”

sThe takeaway was that most of the boost in these drinks comes from oldfashioned caffeine, not the add-on vitamins or extracts or purified water. Even though many drinks are marketed by health influencers as enhancing focus or endurance, the evidence, the article said, is inconsistent. In addition, the high caffeine levels in these jazzed-up drinks are concerning for those with a variety of health issues.

and because they hold sway with millions of followers whose only source of scientific information and medical advice is social media.

ocial media offer an uninformed public a circular firing squad of ignorance.

They are influencers, too, because their audience often doesn’t read or listen critically to what they are peddling. The social media audience isn’t researching the claims made on Instagram, for example, because many don’t know how to do research. And it’s so easy to just click and buy and think your pimples will disappear with a new product. We need a savvier buying public, and that comes with old-fashioned, top-tier education backed by quality teachers who are paid generously for the immense responsibility they carry — to educate our young.

pelted with stones by members of the Red Guards. Allegiance to Mao was all.

I think of this as our best-trained military leaders are fired by Trump, as longtime officials in the FBI and CIA are replaced by flunkies, as people like Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi spin through the revolving door of our dysfunctional government.

A true leader seeks to elevate the best and brightest, without a loyalty test as the filter.

The concept of influencers has roots dating back to the early 1900s. It began with celebrities endorsing products. Remember the Marlboro Man who smoked his way to fame? And all the dead lung cancer victims who followed his lead?

What you get from some of these aggressively marketed drinks is an expensive thirst-quencher with a ton of caffeine.

This is just one example of how we have surrendered our power to people who may have no scientific background at all when it comes to herbs or lotions or foods or exercise regimens. They are “influencers” because they say they are,

Framework by Tim Baker

The problem starts at the top, with an elected influencer in chief and his unqualified appointees, and it continues with an increasingly uninformed public whose only information comes from social media, a circular firing squad of ignorance.

In China, during the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976, intellectuals in every discipline were banished to the countryside. Illustrious scientists and writers were made to sit in public squares wearing dunce caps while being

I don’t understand the influence of influencers, the promotion of knownothings whom we empower to tell us how to live. I do know that to survive as a viable society, we must educate a new generation of critical thinkers.

It starts with our kids and grandkids, who must learn the difference between scientific-based information and random opinion offered up by charismatic but ignorant actors, even when they are handsome and riding a black stallion. Even when they live in the White House.

And the Experts Agree

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

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

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

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

Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau