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Village Hall visits inspire a photo project share. The idea for the photographic project grew organically Karen Zang, a lifelong Valley soon after Zang began working Stream resident and part-time in the building. While performVillage Hall employee, has cre- ing her duties in the clerk’s ated a distinctive photographic office, she regularly saw people she knew coming project that capthrough the doors tured the everyday for various routine faces of local people tasks — whether conducting their p ay i n g p r o p e r t y v i l l a g e bu s i n e s s taxes, applying for throughout 2025. permits or obtainAfter retiring in ing parking per2020 following an m i t s. O f t e n , s h e 18-year career as would photograph executive assistant them and share the to the provost at shots with her husAdelphi University, band, Mike Stanko, Zang took a parta well-known local time position at Valartist and commuley Stream’s Village nity figure. Hall in 2022, a role “I would say to that reconnected Michael, ‘Guess her with the comwho I saw?’” Zang munity she has said. “Or somebody known all her life. KAREN ZANG would come in and Z a n g ’s f a m i l y Employee, I’d say, ‘Let me take has lived in Valley Village Hall your picture so I Stream for 100 can tell Michael years, making her ties to the village deeply rooted. that I ran into you.’ And every Villa g e Hall itself, which day, I come home for lunch, and opened nearly 70 years ago, Michael’s like, ‘Who do you see today?’ So it kind of started coincides with the year of Zang’s birth, symbolizing the like that.” Zang first assembled a similongstanding relationship her family and the community Continued on page 10
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO
azingariello@liherald.com
T
Courtesy Desiree Fasulo
John Fasulo and his son, Johnny, after a deer harvest during the state hunting season. John taught his son how to hunt, emphasizing safety and conservation practices.
North student donates deer harvest to upstate community By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Johnny Fasulo — a Valley Stream North High School sophomore with deep family ties to the outdoors — marked New York’s recent hunting season not only with a successful harvest, but also with an act of kindness that extended beyond Long Island. Fasulo harvested two deer during the most recent hunting season. One was donated to the upstate town of Gilboa, where it was processed and distributed to help provide food to residents in need during the winter months. The donation was coordinated through Samuel Nash, owner of the Colonial Motel in Grand Gorge, a longtime family friend who helped butcher and distribute the meat throughout the community.
Fasulo’s connection to hunting began early in life. He spent time in the woods with his father, John, from a very young age, accompanying him long before he was old enough to hunt on his own. By the time he was around age 7, he was regularly observing hunts and learning about wildlife and outdoor practices. He officially began hunting at age 12, when the state’s youth hunting season allows young hunters to participate under specific regulations. “I just fell in love with the woods from when I was first able to go into them,” Fasulo said. “Even before hunting, I just loved the woods. I loved being out there and watching the animals and stuff. That’s what made me fall in love with hunting.” Since that time, Fasulo has consistently hunted within the state’s guidelines and conContinued on page 8
he irony is that most people don’t think that going into a government office is going to be fun, and that’s the whole point of this.
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January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
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Bridge Church marks 75 years of worship
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
The Bridge Church of the Nazarene became a valued part of the Malverne community in 2007, when it established a ministry at a religious sanctuary on Norwood Avenue, which formerly housed the Malverne Jewish Center. But the church’s history extends long before that time, and members of the congregation marked its 75th anniversary during a gala celebration in November. “Reaching 75 years, it’s a reminder of all the folks who’ve come through the doors of the church,” the Rev. Humberto Chavez, the church’s lead pastor, said. “So to honor the legacy of the church, which is a loving, welcoming church in our DNA, meant so much.” The Bridge Church was originally established in 1949 as The Valley Stream Church of the Nazarene, an extension of the thriving East Rockaway Nazarene Church. Outreach by members and leaders quickly grew the membership, and several services were held in a tent every Sunday. Within a year, a church structure was built on the corner of Hillside Avenue and Clarendon Street in Valley Stream, and the church was officially incorporated in August 1950. The church’s membership continued to grow under the leadership of Pastor Sam Smith, due to a focus on youth activities and ministry, and the church’s structure underwent expansion. In the early 1960s, due to social and economic changes, membership began to decline after Smith left for a church in Chicago. In 1973, Pastor Art Alexander, with his family, moved from Michigan to Valley Stream to lead the church, which had only 17 congregants at the time. With a continued focus on youth ministry, he began holding a Friday night “coffeehouse” in the church’s basement. In between music and band performances, he preached to attendees to join the congregation, inviting their friends and families to become members as well. “When I started attending in 1978, we only had about 35 people,” the Rev. Christine Paolino, associate pastor, said. “The church has always been on the move, reaching out to young people in the community.” The church continued to expand, boasting more than 150 members from throughout the New York area, while adding a nursery program and a counseling service. “From that, the church began to grow,” Paolino added. The church eventually outgrew the Valley Stream location, and the property was sold in 2004. While church leaders searched for a new permanent sanctuary, they rented an auditorium and classrooms at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. That same year, Alexander was elected to serve as district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene in the tristate area, but continued to serve his local congregation until 2007. Under new leadership, the church was
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Photos courtesy The Bridge Church
Celebrating The Bridge Church of the Nazarene’s 75th anniversary at the Sand Castle on Nov. 21 are, from left, church members Saadia and Sergio Navarro, Rich Barker and Frank Scorcia.
Members of The Bridge Church danced during its 75th anniversary gala celebration. moved to various locations before acquiring the former Malverne Jewish Center, which needed extensive renovations before it became the church’s permanent sanctuary. In 2020, Chavez became lead pastor of The Bridge Church in Malverne, after serving as senior pastor of The Bridge Church en Espanol, the church’s Spanish congregation. The church now boasts roughly 700 members and holds three services each Sunday, two in English at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. and one in Spanish at 1:30 p.m. “I love my church,” Paolino said. “I love the people of the church, the leadership of the church. There’s so much love in our church and so much care. I think that’s what attracts a lot of people when they come. They just feel like they belong. “The Bridge Church is a multicultural church,” she added. “It’s a welcoming, warm and loving church that I would say is like a taste of heaven.”
The church officially turned 75 years old in August 2025, but celebrations were held in November, with a party at Sand Castle in Franklin Square on Nov. 21 and an anniversary church service on Nov. 23. More than 200 people attended the party, which included dinner, dancing, singing, raffles, and more. Alexander attended the celebration and spoke about the history of the church. Chavez gave a speech as well, highlighting the present state of the church and the future of the congregation. The Rev. Jeffrey Barker, district superintendent of the Metro New York District Church of the Nazarene, also addressed the crowd, as well as Malverne Mayor T i m S u l l i v a n . A highlight of the party was honoring Jerry and Betty Koontz, who joined the church in 1961. Recognized as a stabilizing force in the congregation for 64 years, the Koontzes have contributed to the
The Rev. Art Alexander, who served as pastor of The Bridge Church from 1973 to 2007, discussed its history during its 75th anniversary celebration. church in various ways. Betty Koontz served as the church’s organist and keyboardist, providing children in the congregation with piano lessons. Jerry Koontz helped with church renovations and early building extensions. “Leading the church now, it means even more for me to make sure we reach the next 75 years,” Chavez said, “to make sure we continue to stay focused as a church and continue to expand with vision.” Some of the church’s members travel from Suffolk County, Brooklyn, Queens, and even Westchester County to attend services. His goal is to expand the church’s presence outside of Malverne, which has already begun with its Suffolk County campus, located in Islip Terrace. “We want to be able to be a resource, not only in Malverne, but to other communities,” he continued. “It’s a vision for the next 75 years to be able to meet people where they’re at, in their communities.”
January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reported that both MetroNorth Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road have achieved new post-pandemic ridership records this December. Metro-North’s ridership reached 827,015 customers during the week of Dec. 15, marking the highest recovery week since the pandemic, representing 88 percent of pre-pandemic ridership in December 2019. The weekend of Dec. 20-21 also saw Metro-North’s strongest weekend performance with 245,638 customers. The LIRR also saw significant ridership gains, with 183,250 riders on Dec. 13, and 152,661 on Dec. 21—both marking the highest post-pandemic weekend figures for the railroad. Rob Free, the president of the LIRR, attributed the increase to improved service and a focus on customer experience. “The LIRR is the best way to travel during the holiday season and yearround,” he said. M e t r o - N o r t h P r e s i d e n t Ju s t i n Vonashek echoed this sentiment, highlighting service enhancements like ______________
super express and holiday lights trains. “We’re thrilled to see record ridership on Metro-Nor th,” Vonashek said. “From Super Express trains to delighting customers with our holiday lights trains, we’re always finding new ways to enhance the rider experience. We look forward to welcoming even more riders in the new year and encourage everyone to take advantage of the new discounts taking effect in January.” The surge in ridership comes as both railroads maintain record-breaking ontime performance, consistently near 97 percent in 2025. Customer satisfaction is also at all-time highs, with LIRR reaching 81 percent and Metro-North at 85 percent. Both railroads will implement new ticketing policies starting on Jan. 4, including universal reduced fares for seniors and those with disabilities, expanded family fare options, and new flexible ticketing choices designed to enhance the customer experience and save money. — Brian Kacharaba
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VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
THANKS TO THE CONGESTION RELIEF PROGRAM, NEW YORK IS ON THE MOVE! One year of the congestion relief program means real results for Long Island. Commute times are down 22% from the LIE to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel— meaning less time wasted in traffic and more time back in your day. [SOURCE: Newsday, 8/6/25]
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BRiNgiNg local spoRts home eVeRY weeK
spotlight athlete
HERALD SPORTS
Rienze, Mitchell key VSN’s start By MARC BERMAN sports@liherald.com
justiN oRtiz Hewlett Senior Basketball ORTIZ ADDED HIS name to Hewlett boys’ basketballl lore Dec. 26 by becoming the eighth player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. He entered the game needing 27 for the milestone and accomplished the feat in the third quarter. A third-year starter with a pair of All-County seasons under his belt, Ortiz averaged 17 points per game as a sophomore and 18.8 last season with 63 threes to rank among Nassau’s leaders.
games to watch Thursday, Jan. 8 Girls Basketball: Carey at Sewanhaka............... 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball: Sewanhaka at Carey .............. 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence............... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Kennedy............. 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Calhoun at Long Beach .......... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Clarke at South Side .............. 6:45 p.m. Boys Basketball: South Side at Clarke .............. 6:45 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 9 Boys Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North................ 5 p.m. Boys Basketball: Lawrence at Seaford ................... 5 p.m. Boys Basketball: Carle Place at West Hemp........... 5 p.m. Girls Basketball: Mineola at Lynbrook ............... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North ........... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Hicksville at Oceanside .......... 6:45 p.m. Boys Basketball: Island Trees at Malverne.............. 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 10 Boys Basketball: Division at Mepham .............11:45 a.m. Girls Basketball: Syosset at Baldwin ...............11:45 a.m. Girls Basketball: East Meadow at F-Dale ........11:45 a.m. Girls Basketball: Freeport at V.S. Central .........11:45 a.m. Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Massapequa .......... 1 p.m. Boys Basketball: Baldwin at Oceanside ................. 1 p.m.
Nominate a “spotlight Athlete” High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a winter sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
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Valley Stream North boys’ basketball is still fine-tuning its offense, but so far, it has been good enough for a 6-3 start as it attempts to duplicate its wonderful campaign of a season ago. Senior Vincent Rienzie is averaging 16 points and junior Tristan Mitchell is scoring at a 14-point clip. Rienzie has been a fastbreak machine while Mitchell has excelled in halfcourt. Mitchell keyed its biggest win of the season Dec. 23, 68-56, over tough West Hempstead when he drained four 3-pointers and racked up 25 points. In last season’s Nassau Class A semifinals, the Spartans were taken down by West Hempstead. Revenge was sweet. “West Hempstead was a big win,’’ Rienzie said. “That felt like a pretty big one because everyone contributed to it.’’ H oweve r, h e a d c o a c h M i c h a e l McVeigh is striving for more efficiency from his offense, feeling it hasn’t adjusted to different defensive schemes. “We have a lot of work to do,’’ McVeigh said. “We haven’t played our best yet. We have to figure out what to do offensively and rebounding the ball better when we play some better teams in our league.’’ VSN is 1-1 in Conference A6, beating Plainedge in a big victory but losing to Wantagh. Rienzie is primed for an even bigger season if he becomes more versatile. “He’s doing a great job,’’ McVeigh said. “It takes us time to figure out how they’re guarding and what they’re taking away and adjust to that. Vince is doing a great job in transition and finds easy baskets for himself.’’ Rienzie thinks his game will take another leap forward. “(Coach) wants more of a balance (from me),’’ Rienzie said. “He wants me to facilitate, but he relies on me to get in the paint and attack because I can apply pressure by either scoring or facilitating to my teammates.’’ Mitchell has been a boon in halfcourt sets. He’s not leaking out in transition because he usually guards a bigger, elite
Derrick Dingle/Herald
Junior Tristan Mitchell has helped lead a strong start for the Spartans including hitting four 3-pointers in a win over West Hempstead. offensive player. “He’s done an awesome job in the set offense,’’ McVeigh said. “He doesn’t get out in transition as much. When settled, he finds a way to make tough shots. ‘’ The largest surprise is junior Kai Fields, averaging 8 points and shooting 32 percent from 3. “He’s made the biggest jump from last year to this year,’’ McVeigh said. “Last year he was more role player – come in, play defense, pass. This year he’s been one of our best outside shooters guarding the best player on the other team. I wasn’t sure if he’d be this good and he’s been really good.’’ Senior 6-1 forward Noah Obukwelu has also been a critical cog on the boards, averaging 6 rebounds. “He’s fig-
ured out how to play more of a big-guy position,’’ McVeigh said. “He’s really a guard. But he’s getting rebounds. He’s tried to anchor us on defense.’’ The next conference game is a monster home matchup against county champion, Floral Park, on Jan. 6. “We got to find a way to score the ball against them,’’ McVeigh said. “We always seem to have a hard time scoring against their defense.’’ Rienzie is confident it’s going to be OK. “We’re off to a good start but there’s always more to improve on,’’ Rienzie said. “We can make a big playoff run considering the pieces we have and experience. We’ll definitely get a lot of wins in conference and we can make a big run.’’
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District 13 celebrates diversity at Multicultural Night
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 held its annual Multicultural Night, drawing students, families, staff and community members together for an evening focused on the district’s diversity. The event featured cultural traditions, foods, music and student perfor mances representing the backgrounds within the district. Classrooms and student clubs created interactive exhibits that highlighted different countries and cultural heritages, allowing attendees to move through displays designed to reflect communities from around the world. Student perfor mances included traditional dances and music, while cultural booths presented artifacts, art, clothing and geographic information from various nations. Families contributed inter national cuisine, and participants engaged in hands-on activities such as crafts, language demonstrations and cultural storytelling. District officials expressed appreciation to the volunteers, staff and families whose involvement supported the event and contributed to its success. — Angelina Zingariello Photos courtesy Valley Stream UFSD 13
Staff members at Howell Road School came together during Multicultural Night as the school community celebrated cultural diversity through performances, exhibits and activities.
A student at Willow Road School participated in the Multicultural Night by taking part in the Peru-themed photo frame display.
A family took part in Howell Road’s event by capturing a moment in the themed photo frame.
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From hunting deer to helping those in need ConTinued From page 1
servation practices. Over the course of his hunting experience, he has harvested a total of 10 deer, four turkeys and one bear. His hunting methods include the use of a bow and arrow, as well as firearms, depending on the season and the regulations in place. The recent donation occurred during a late-season family trip upstate. Fasulo harvested one deer on a Saturday evening and the other on the following Sunday morning. After discussing the situation with his parents, the family decided to donate one of the deer rather than keep it. With winter approaching and realizing that food needs increase during colder months, they felt the donation would be meaningful and useful. The deer was given to Nash, who has longstanding connections within the Gilboa area. He processed the meat and distributed it to individuals and families in the community who could benefit most from it. The donation ensured the harvest would not go to waste and would serve a broader purpose beyond the Fasulo family. “It teaches him if you have an abundance of something, I think that you could share and help other people, and that it shouldn’t go to waste,” Fasulo’s father said. “I always tell him you don’t want to take an animal and let it go to waste.” Hunting has been an ongoing part of
Courtesy Desiree Fasulo
The Fasulo family together in the woods following deer and bear harvests, continuing a multigenerational hunting tradition. Fasulo’s upbringing and family life. His father, who learned to hunt from his own father, introduced his son to hunting with an emphasis on safety, responsibility and respect for wildlife. Long before hunting independently, Fasulo was taught firearm safety and awareness, starting with basic target
practice using a BB gun under supervision. These lessons focused on treating every firearm as loaded, being aware of surroundings and understanding the permanence of every shot taken. As Fasulo g rew older, hunting became a setting for developing patience and discipline. According to his father,
learning to wait for the right shot and allowing animals to pass if conditions are not appropriate has been a central lesson, reinforcing ethical hunting practices and respect for animals. “You’re sitting in the woods, and you’ll hear a twig break, or some leaves start to rustle, and you’ll see a deer, and you can’t just shoot at him,” his father said. “You have to wait, because you don’t want to wound the animal. You want to make a good shot. You owe it to the animal. You’ve got to really be patient and wait. He’s learned patience, and I think he’s taken that to other things in his life.” The family’s approach to hunting also includes a spiritual element. Time spent in the woods is viewed as an opportunity for reflection, gratitude and appreciation of nature. Prayer and giving thanks are part of their practice before and after a successful harvest, emphasizing responsibility and appreciation for the animal and the environment. Beyond personal tradition, the Fasulo family views hunting as a way to give back. When they have more than enough for themselves, they share venison with friends, family, or, as in this case, the wider Town of Gilboa. Fasulo has expressed interest in continuing to hunt throughout his life and hopes to remain connected to the outdoors.
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Your HealtH and Wellness — with a focus on neW You for tHe neW Year
By Francesca Coltrera A veritable avalanche of influencers, news headlines, and well-meaning friends and family offer conflicting advice on wellness. If you’re overwhelmed by fads and hype around wellness, read on. Dr. Wynne Armand, a primary care physician at Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham health care, recommends simple habits to boost health and wellness in everyday life. Quick fixes and fads may do little for our health, and some even prove harmful. Try to work healthy habits into your daily routines. If you’re a parent, sharing and modeling them can help children and teens embrace wellness, too. Bring mindfulness into your day Mindfulness and meditation are overlapping techniques proven to ease stress, improve sleep, and enhance concentration. “Anxiety and stress are very common issues in my practice,” says Armand. Worrying too often about the past or future is rarely helpful. The too-frequent release of stress hormones affects our heart, brain, and sleep, all of which have downstream consequences for our health. Practicing mindfulness — whether simply by appreciating birds and plants on a walk in green space, or using apps like Calm and Headspace — anchors you in the present moment. This can calm anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and amp up positive feelings. When applied to eating, mindfulness may help with weight loss by encouraging people to slow down to savor meals. Meditation knits together body and mind by focusing
on sensations, such as breathing, images, or a repeated word or phrase. One exercise that works equally well for adults and younger people is box breathing. The rhythmic pattern of breathing helps regulate the nervous system, reining in anxiety and stress, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and boosting focus. The rhythmic pattern of breathing helps regulate the nervous system, reining in anxiety and stress, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and boosting focus. Prioritize sleep Sleeping poorly can leave you feeling awful — snappish, foggy-headed, slow moving — and take a toll on your health over time. By contrast, getting sufficient, restful sleep supports the immune system, helps control weight, and aids physical well-being, mental well-being, memory, judgment,
Eat real, whole foods A wealth of evidence shows that diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes and pulses like lentils, peas, and beans, and minimally processed foods support longevity and vitality. Plant-based and plant-forward diets are better for our health: research links them to lower rates of heart disease, certain cancers, and chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity. They’re better for the planet, too. Move more, sit less The hurry of life often short-circuits opportunities to be active. So, swap out the thought “What saves me time?” for a healthier one: “What keeps me mobile, flexible, and functioning well within my world?” Polishing off exercise requirements through a 30-minute block once daily is great, but you may reap even greater health benefits if you seek out ways to stay active throughout the day. Photo: Adopting a healthier way of life moves us beyond quick fixes and fads
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Timeless habits for better health
and other cognitive functions. It may even extend longevity. But how much sleep do you need? That varies with age and other factors: most adults need at least seven hours per night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, sleep quality (a measure of refreshing, uninterrupted sleep versus tossing and turning) may be more important than nailing seven hours. And it’s worth noting that too much sleep — nine hours or more in one analysis of multiple studies — is linked to higher risk for early deaths, too. Be aware that sleep patterns and circadian rhythms that help rule sleep and wakefulness change over time. Good sleep hygiene can help. Tips include getting regular exercise, setting regular bedtime and wake-up times and turning off screens at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
Go the distance
January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
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Photos courtesy Karen Zang
portraits of Valley Stream residents visiting Village Hall in 2025, captured as part of a unique photo project by local employee Karen Zang.
A multi-portrait photo exhibit at Village Hall Continued from page 1
lar collection of photos in 2024, which featured about 25 portraits. Encouraged by that experience, she expanded the effort in 2025 into a carefully curated and intentional photo project, containing 50 portraits. These images were arranged chronologically, creating a visual narrative of community life as it unfolded over the year. Despite working only two to three days a week, Zang’s project captured a significant slice of the v i l l a g e ’s p o p u l at i o n . T h e photographs document n e i g h b o r s, c l o s e f r i e n d s, acquaintances and even her husband — all representing the people who keep Valley Stream’s daily gover nment functions moving. Most individuals welcomed Zang’s request to be photographed once she explained the project. A few hesitated KareN ZaNg initially or requested that Employee, their images not be used, but Village Hall the majority embraced the idea, offering genuine smiles and moments of lightheartedness. These candid expressions offer an unexpected warmth in a setting typically associated with routine and administrative matters. The project highlights the human side of Village Hall, a place often perceived as purely business. Through Zang’s lens, the faces of Valley Stream’s residents reveal a community characterized by familiarity, connection and a surprising amount of joy. “The irony is that most people don’t think that going into a government office is going to be fun, and that’s the whole point of this,” Zang said. “These people look so happy.” Looking back at the completed project, Zang describes it as a creative outlet that brought fun and meaning to what might otherwise be considered a mundane job. She acknowledges that as more services
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ow I feel much more connected to my community.
Karen Zang, as a child, on her father’s shoulders outside Village Hall, long before she would return decades later to capture the community through her photography project. move online, fewer people may visit Village Hall in person in the future, potentially limiting the scope of the project. Nevertheless, she plans to continue it while the opportunity remains. Beyond photography, Zang is a committed diarist, having kept a daily journal since 1973. Her volumes of daily prose chronicle decades of her life in meticulous detail. This habit of preserving everyday moments in writing aligns closely with the spirit of her Village Hall photo project, which similarly captures small but significant slices of daily life. Although her part-time position at Village Hall is a “retirement gig,” Zang values the chance to remain active, engaged and creatively fulfilled in these years. The project has also deepened her connection to Valley Stream, giving her renewed appreciation for the community she calls home.
“Having lived in the village my entire life, I feel as the years go on, especially with this chapter, I feel more connected,” Zang said. “Valley Stream was always a part of me, but I was never really that involved in the community. Now I feel much more connected to my community.” Her work behind the scenes at Village Hall has offered insight into the complexity of running a village with around 40,000 residents. Zang’s photographic project offers a unique and intimate portrait of Valley Stream, capturing everyday people who form the fabric of the community. As the village continues to evolve with technological changes and shifting social patterns, her portraits provide a reminder that behind every official task is a person with a story, a smile, and a connection to the place they call home.
District 24 students build balloon-powered cars
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Students at Robert W. Carbonaro School in the Valley Stream 24 School District are participating in a hands-on engineering project through the school’s Into Science program, led by fifth-grade teacher James Fischman. As part of the unit, students studied the history and evolution of automobiles, focusing on how cars have been modified to improve performance. Using materials such as cardboard, paper cups, straws and balloons from their science kits, they designed and built model cars powered by air-filled balloons. The project began with students racing their initial car designs to test durability and effectiveness in movement. After evaluating their results, students created blueprints to modify their prototypes. In the second phase, students raced their redesigned cars to see which traveled the farthest, while maintaining three constant elements: the cardboard car body, the straw used to inflate the balloon and the balloon itself. This approach emphasized the scientific method and the role of controlled variables in engineering. For the final phase, students took their cars home to make one last modification before returning to school for a culminating race. Through this project, students gained practical experience in critical thinking, problemsolving and engineering, while deepening their understanding of design, testing, and innovation.
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
— Angelina Zingariello
Photos courtesy Valley Stream 24 School District
Students designed, built and raced their own model cars as part of an interactive engineering challenge.
Be prepared before the next power outage.
A Student blew into a balloon to launch his model car in a classroom race.
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Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 passes By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which will restore whole and 2 percent milk to America’s school cafeterias for the first time since they were banned in 2012. Every serving of whole milk provides 13 essential nutrients including protein, calcium, and vitamin D, with recent scientific research showing that higher-fat milk consumption by children is associated with lower childhood obesity and other positive health outcomes.
n Historic return of whole milk to schools after 13-year ban
n Nutritional benefits and overwhelming parent support
n Significant benefits to New York’s dairy industry
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 by voice vote in December 2025, delivering final congressional approval for legislation that will restore whole and 2 percent milk to America’s school cafeterias for the first time in more than a decade. Schools participating in the USDA national school lunch and breakfast programs have not been permitted to serve whole milk since 2012, when they aimed to align school meal menus with Dietary Guidelines that proposed limiting fat consumption in children. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump and will give schools the flexibility to offer flavored and unflavored organic or conventional whole, 2 percent, 1 percent, skim and lactose-free milk.
Recent national polling shows 91 percent of parents serve their children whole or 2 percent milk at home, and 81 percent of them support Congress passing legislation to reinstate these options in school meals. Recent scientific and medical research indicates that higher-fat milk consumption by children is associated with lower childhood obesity and other positive health outcomes. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act highlights health benefits milk provides to students, including better bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes. Since whole and 2 percent milk were banned from school meal menus more than a decade ago, school milk consumption and meal participation have declined; meaning children are consuming fewer essential nutrients.
The dairy industry is one of New York’s largest contributors to the agricultural economy, with nearly 3,000 dairy farms in New York that produce over 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth largest dairy state. Schools served nearly 4.9 billion lunches in 2024, with 85 percent of students choosing milk, and school milk accounts for nearly 8 percent of all fluid milk sales, making it a significant market driver. Senator Chuck Schumer announced the passage of the legislation, stating it will help bring more milk from Upstate NY dairy far ms to school cafeterias across America. The legislation provides a meaningful outlet for dairy far mers while ensuring students have access to the nutritious milk options they prefer at home.
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January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
things to know whole milk returns to schools
STEPPING OUT
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Fettucine with Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries
Hearty Beef Stew with Roasted Vegetables
Rustic Roasted Winter Vegetable Chowder
New year, fresh flavors Your kitchen beckons By Karen Bloom
T
he holidays may be behind us, but winter’s cozy rhythm is in full force. January invites us to nest at home and gather in the kitchen, where comforting, flavorful dishes warm both body and spirit — and gently set the tone for healthier habits in the new year. It’s the perfect time to experiment “Top Chef”–style, playing with bold flavors and seasonal ingredients. After all, few pleasures rival a hearty, nourishing meal shared on a cold winter evening.
additional 1-2 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. (If pasta is too dry, add reserved cooking water a tablespoon at a time.) Season with salt and pepper and serve garnished with Parmesan cheese and reserved bacon.
Consider adding these recipes to your repertoire.
• 1 cup cubed butternut squash • 1 cup cubed carrots • 1 cup cubed parsnips • 1 cup cubed sweet potatoes • 1 cup cubed onion • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes • 3/4 cup chicken stock • 3 bay leaves • 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup dry red wine Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Arrange in single layer on large baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes or until vegetables are golden brown. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches. Return all beef to skillet. Add roasted vegetables, stock, wine, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Fettucine with Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries A satisfying plate of pasta is especially welcoming on a cold winter day. • 4 slices bacon (approximately), cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 2 cups (about 12 ounces) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and vertically halved • 1 medium onion, sliced • 1 cup chicken broth • 1⁄4 cup dry vermouth • 1⁄2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped • 6 ounces fettuccine (or another long pasta like spaghetti) • 2 ounces. Parmesan cheese, coarsely shredded • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste Slowly cook bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, about 7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; set bacon aside. Increase heat to medium-high, arrange Brussels sprouts cut-side down in the rendered bacon fat and cook, without stirring, until sprouts begin to crisp and brown on the cut face, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and toss to combine with the sprouts; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the broth, vermouth, and dried cranberries, scraping up any fond from the bottom of the skillet, and bring to a fast simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the sprouts soften, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until just al dente, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Transfer pasta to the skillet with the sprouts and liquid and toss continuously over medium-high heat for an
Hearty Beef Stew with Roasted Vegetables This classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is a terrific winter warmer-upper, served with a hearty bread or corn bread.
Rustic Roasted Winter Vegetable Chowder A rustic, flavorful soup can be flavorful centerpiece to healthy, satisfying meal. This filling soup is packed with vegetables. • 1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch dice (about 2 cups) • 3 medium parsnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup ) • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup) • 2 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice
(about 1 cup) • 1/2 fennel bulb, quartered & sliced thin (about 1 cup) • 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt • 2 tablespoons plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1 medium onion, diced (about 2 cups) • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 3/4inch dice (about 2 cups) 4-5 fresh thyme sprigs • 1 cup milk or unsweetened plain almond milk • Additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • More pepper and thyme leaves for garnish Heat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, and fennel with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast until tender and browned in places, about 40 minutes, turning a couple of times while roasting. While the veggies are roasting, prepare the base of the soup. To a large saucepan over low heat, add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and a bit of pepper, then cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the vegetable broth. Add the potatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium heat then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Remove from heat. Pick out the thyme stems and discard. Stir in the roasted vegetables. Carefully transfer about 3 cups of the chowder to the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the pot and stir to combine. The soup should be thick, rich, and creamy. Stir in the milk. Place the pot back on the burner, and, with the heat on medium-low, return to a simmer, stirring often to prevent burning. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve garnished with an additional turn of cracked pepper and thyme leaves.
Hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” Yacht Rock Revue invites audiences on a nostalgic voyage through the melodies of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, Atlanta, Ga.-based YRR has emerged as a pivotal figure in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Inspired by soft rock’s golden era, the 10-piece band has mastered the art of recreating the breezy laid-back tunes that defined a generation. From the sun-kissed melodies of Steely Dan and Michael McDonald to Hall & Oates’ velvety harmonies, their repertoire spans beloved hits that evoke memories of palm trees, ocean breezes and carefree summers. But Yacht Rock Revue isn’t just a tribute band. Their original compositions are a modern ode to the genre, capturing the essence of those bygone days while infusing it with a fresh and invigorating twist.
Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 8-10, 8 p.m. $82, $60.25, $49.25 $37.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
V is for Violet Families are welcome to Nassau County Museum of Art for a special storytime with children’s author Valerie Goldstein. During the interactive reading of her inspiring picture book “Violet’s Victory!”, young audiences will follow Violet — a determined girl with lavender hair — as she discovers her inner strength, perseverance as she chases her dreams. Violet wants to participate in Sports Day at her school. She walks with crutches for support, which she calls her “magic sticks.” Violet knows she will not be able to keep up with her classmates using crutches. Then she spots a purple handcycle! With determination and perseverance she participates in Sports Day. Every hue of purple is mentioned and makes for a perfect art connection. Following the reading, children and caregivers can meet the author during a book signing and participate in a handson craft inspired by Violet’s journey. Designed to spark imagination and open the door to meaningful conversations, the session celebrates resilience, self-belief and the joy of trying something new. Saturday, Jan. 10, 1:30-3 p.m. $20 adult, $10 members and children. Register at nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337.
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
Yacht Rock Revue
January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
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YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD JAN
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On Exhibit
CALENDAR Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out
Nassau County Museum of Art invites visitors into a world where reality is uncertain, dreams take shape, and the line between fact and imagination disappears. From dreamlike landscapes and uncanny portraits to images so exact they look like photographs, works in “Real, Surreal, and Photoreal” challenge what we see and what we believe. This exhibit explores how artists across generations have reimagined “the real” in strikingly different ways. Works from both American and European artists are featured. On view through March 8.
Long Island Children’s Museum’s welcomes all to the opening of its new exhibit. Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out provides interactive experiences that help visitors learn about the important role emotions, memory and imagination play in our everyday lives. Hands-on and digital experiences focus on the five emotions featured in the film: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear. Kids learn to recognize emotions and explore ways that we express and manage our own emotions. With opening weekend activities to celebrate the arrival of this traveling exhibit.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor • Time: Ongoing • Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
JAN
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Elated Eagles
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to discover the mighty eagle. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been the United States’ national emblem and mascot. These amazing animals have an impressive wingspan of 7 feet and use their strong wings to soar 10,000 feet in the air. Come learn all about these majestic birds and make your own flying eagle craft in honor of National Save the Eagles Day. This is a drop-in program, free with admission.
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• Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Paul Cornish Trio
Newly signed to Blue Note Records, Los Angeles-based pianist and composer Paul Cornish is making waves as one of the most innovative new voices in jazz. Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, Tilles Center Atrium becomes an intimate lounge to showcase this exciting up-and-coming jazz talent. Cornish, who strives to inspire freedom and collaboration in his music and community, has performed extensively across the globe with such notable artists as Joshua Redman, Louis Cole, Mark Guiliana, and more. With Jonathan Pinson (drums) and Jermaine Paul (bass) he’ll perform selections from his Blue Note Records debut album “You’re Exaggerating. “ A Stanford Jazz Workshop alumnus, Cornish blends deep jazz roots with bold, forward-thinking vision, transforming tradition into an electrifying and inspiring musical journey. A standout talent from Houston’s renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Cornish went on to earn degrees from USC and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA. Now a member of Joshua Redman’s band, he has toured the • Where: LIU Post campus, 720 world and was featured on Redman’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert. “Paul is one of the most Northern Blvd., Brookville innovative pianists to come along in quite a while,” says Blue Note President Don • Time: 7:30 p.m. Was. “He is the next purveyor of that hallowed legacy.” Don’t miss this opportunity to • Contact: tillescenter.org or witness Cornish’s extraordinary artistry and boundless creativity live. (516) 299-3100
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: Noon-2 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Samuel Morse, the telegraph and learn how to spell your name in dashes and dots while making a bracelet. This is a drop-in program. Also discover more about Morse code in Communication Station on the second floor.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Tunes with the John Fogarty Tribute Project
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 1-3 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
The Central High School District hosts its regular business meeting. Stay informed on district matters.
Plaza Theatrical invites to all to its stage at Elmont Memorial Library for a high-energy celebration of the music of John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival.. Known for their authentic, bluesy, swamp-rock sound, the John Fogarty Tribute Project prides themselves on faithfully capturing the spirit of both the classic Creedence years and John Fogerty’s solo career. Their shows deliver the music fans love, performed with accuracy, energy and heart. $40, $35 seniors. • Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont • Time: 7:30 p.m. • Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870
JAN
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Morse Code Moniker
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day. Stop by to learn about
Talking art
Nassau County Museum of Art hosts Stanley Lewis with Chief Curator Franklin Perrell. Lewis is a distinguished American painter, teacher, and Guggenheim Fellow known for his richly layered, perceptual works that explore light and place through complex surfaces and on-site observation. His practice is deeply rooted in sustained looking and revision, emphasizing the physical and experiential process of painting. His work has been exhibited widely, including major retrospectives such as at the Katzen Arts Center, and he is represented by the Betty Cuningham Gallery in New York. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance. • Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor • Time: 3 p.m.
JAN
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Central High School District BOE meets
• Where: Location tentative • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: vschsd.org
JAN
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Disney on ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party
Enjoy the magic of ‘Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party,’ an action-packed adventure filled with beloved characters, dazzling skating and immersive storytelling at UBS arena. Mickey and friends journey through exciting worlds as they search for clues, bringing the audience along for an unforgettable, high-energy experience. Perfect for all ages who love Disney magic on ice. • Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont • Time: 7 p.m., through Jan. 19, times vary. • Contact: ticketmaster.com
JAN
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Comic showcase
Known for their elite brand of clever comedy, The Ivy League of Comedy visits the Madison Theatre. You’ve heard their brilliant comedic voices on late-night television and Comedy Central and on the club circuit. The lineup features Keith Alberstadt, who’s playful personality radiates on stage. He mixes light-hearted sarcasm with a southern charm and has become a favorite at comedy clubs and theaters. Also Clayton Fletcher, who’s heard every day on Sirius/XM Radio’s Laugh USA, Blue Collar Comedy, and Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole stations. He has been featured on Hulu-TV’s “Comedy Brew,” MSNBC’s “Your Business,” ESPN’s “World Series of Poker,” and Comcast-TV’s “Who’s Laughing Now?” He allows us to see the world through the eyes of the son of a poker-playing mom and a jazz musician dad. And Jane Condon, mom of two boys, has been dubbed “an uppercrust Roseanne.” She loves to tell stories about her adventures (mostly survival tales) with her husband and kids. • Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
JAN
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Let Freedom Ring with MLK
Visit Long Island Children’s Museum for a workshop honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Families will learn about MLK beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech and gain a better understanding of his impact on the civil rights movement. Also participate in a gallery walk of images from that era and then create a bell to “let freedom ring.” The program is part of the AdvoKids monthly series that focuses on teaching kids how to advocate for themselves and others and teaching adults how to support their kids’ advocacy efforts. For ages 5 and up. Free with museum admission, but tickets required. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
JAN
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Icebreaker 5K
Step into the New Year with a frigid run through Eisenhower Park.
• Where: Eisenhower Park Field 5 • Time: 9:15 a.m. • Contact: Events.EliteFeats.com
Having an event? Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@liherald.com.
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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST JACLYN CANNIZZARO A/K/A JACLYN M. CANNIZZARO, LORETTA CANNIZZARO, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 13, 2019, 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 February 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 63 Garden Street, Valley Stream, NY 11581. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 39 Block: 408 Lot: 4. Approximate amount of judgment $390,428.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611311/2018. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Brian Davis, Esq., Referee Tromberg, Miller, Morris & Partners, PLLC 39 Broadway, Suite 1250 New York, NY 10006 25-001130 88144 157513 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff AGAINST TYREK MCEACHIN, JASMINE MCEACHIN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 26, 2023, 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 February 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 87 Gold Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected,
situate, lying and being at Rosedale, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 37 Block: 413 Lot: 582. Approximate amount of judgment $821,954.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600906/2020. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Harold F. Damm, Es q., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 21-001000 88195 157509 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff against MARK SOOKRAJ, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 7, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 3, 2026 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 36 Fourth Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580 a/k/a 36 Fourth Street, Valley Stream, NY 11581. Sec 39 Block 013 Lot 101. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $575,572.18 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608357/2024. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the
foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Jared Kasschau, Esq., Referee File # NFUNY004 157571
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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU SELENE FINANCE LP, Plaintiff, Against JERD ORIENTAL A/K/A JERD M. ORIENTAL, MIRLYNE RICHARDSONORIENTAL, GARDY ORIENTAL, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 10/11/2016, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/3/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 16 Hudson Ave, Valley Stream, New York 11580, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 37 Block 452 Lot 11-14. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $643,572.55 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 3680/2012 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. George P. Esernio, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 12/4/2025 File Number: 464-0051 CA 157567
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, vs. LUCIA SHARPLIS-ESPRIT, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 18, 2016 and an Order duly entered August 25, 2025, 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 February 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 41 Fourth Street, Valley Stream, NY 11581. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 39, Block 12 and Lot 121. Approximate amount of judgment is $962,461.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #014415/2013. Brian J. Davis, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff 157671
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP., HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-HE4, V. MARTHA Y. BELMONT A/K/A MARTHE Y. BELMONT, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated June 3, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP., HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-HE4 is the Plaintiff and MARTHA Y. BELMONT A/K/A MARTHE Y. BELMONT, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the
undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 11, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 902 EDWARDS BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580: Section 37, Block 631, Lot 11: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 000338/2016. Charles Casolaro, Esq. Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 157679 LEGAL NOTICE SUPPLEMENTAL FORECLOSURE SUMMONS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU TD BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, against CHRISTOPHER W. DERVIN, INDIVIDUALLY, AND AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE A. DERVIN, MICHAEL DERVIN AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE A. DERVIN, CYNTHIA CLARKE A/K/A CYNTHIA BISOGNO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE A. DERVIN, STEPHANIE ANDUJAR AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE A. DERVIN, JACQUELINE ZARRO AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE A. DERVIN, ANY AND ALL OTHER HEIRS TO THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE A. DERVIN, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, if living, and if they are dead,
any and all persons who are husbands, wives, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of each of them, who may be dead, and their respective husbands, wives, heirs, devisees, and successors in interest with respect to the real property being foreclosed and described in the complaint in this action, all of whom, and whose names and residences are unknown to plaintiff, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, DefendantsIndex no. 608445/2025. Plaintiff designates NASSAU County as the place of trial situs of the real property. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS-You are hereby summoned to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance, on Plaintiff’s attorneys within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until (60) days after service of the Summons. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. Nassau County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated November 24, 2025. 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. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE; New York State Law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the summons and complaint in this foreclosure Action, you may lose your home. Please read the summons and complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney of your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the Department’s website at www.banking.state.ny. us. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your
home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. We are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Jeffrey A. Goodstein, J.S.C. dated November 24, 2025. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 35 Bismark Avenue, Valley Stream, New York 11581, Section 39, Block 20, Lots 302, 303, and 304 Dated: December 10, 2025 Filed: December 10, 2025 DUANE MORRIS LLP., Attorneys for Plaintiff, By: Patrick J. Holston, Esq., 22 Vanderbilt, 335 Madison Avenue, 23rd Flr. New York, NY 10017-4669, +1 215-979-1963. 157353 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Trustee for Securitized Asset Back Receivables LLC 2005-FR5 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-FR5, Plaintiff AGAINST Anthony J. Graziano, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 1, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 26, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 41 Higbie Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
Public Notices
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January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
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Photos courtesy Valley Stream UFSD 13
The Willow Road Elementary School wind ensemble delivered a spirited performance.
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improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 37., BLOCK: 574, LOT: 5. Approximate amount of judgment is $531,155.02 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 005364/2013. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Janine T. Lynam, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-059283-F00 88021 157378 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, for Carrington Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2005-NC4 Asset Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Plaintiff AGAINST Nicolas Carpio a/k/a Nicholas Carpio; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 17, 2013, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 26,2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 2 Fulton Place, Valley Stream,
NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 37 Block N Lots 676 & 677. Approximate amount of judgment $435,801.19 plus interest and costs. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Judith L Powell, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: December 12, 2025 157477
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-ININTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, FOR THE HOLDERS OF THE CIM TRUST 2020-R3, MORTGAGE-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2020R3, Plaintiff, vs. ALLEN STEVENSON A/K/A ALLEN R. STEVENSON, ET AL., Defendant(s).
District 13 schools host otices annual winter concerts
Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 7, 2025, 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 January 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 68 Oceanview Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11581 a/k/a 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 42, Block 270 and Lots 27, 28, 29, 30, & 46. Approximate amount of judgment is $647,543.70 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 616497/2023. Frank M. Scalera, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.:230501-1 157471
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-
Backed Certificates, Series 2007-MLN1, Plaintiff AGAINST Julia Rosales, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 18, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 78 Ormonde Boulevard, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 37, BLOCK: 430, LOT: 350. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,105,507.18 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 613197/2024. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Brian J. Carmody, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-099680-F00 88190 157382
Students across Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 brought music and holiday cheer to their school communities as all schools hosted their annual winter concerts ahead of the winter holiday break. The concerts highlighted students’ musical growth and creativity through a range of performances, including choral selections, instrumental pieces and seasonal favorites. Families, staff and community members attended the events to support the students, creating a festive atmosphere that reflected the district’s commitment to arts education. Each performance allowed students to
share their talents on stage while spreading joy and holiday spirit throughout the Valley Stream community. The concerts served as a showcase of student learning and dedication, while also bringing school communities together in celebration. District 13 expressed gratitude to its music educators, school administrators, families and attendees for their support of the concerts and for helping make the events a memorable success. — Angelina Zingariello
Members of the James A. Dever School chorus performed during the school’s annual winter concert.
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The Howell Road School orchestra captivated the audience with a lively performance.
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Employment
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EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
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Homes
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Don’t people understand how important permits are? Q. I notice you write about getting building permits all the time. You would think it was obvious, yet you devote many of your columns to reminding people to get permits. Is this because you find that people don’t already know this? I like the details about buildings that you give, and wish you could write more about that.
A. You would probably be amazed at how often I hear from people wondering if they need a permit for something. Or maybe you wouldn’t. Either way, I started writing this column, which some only see as an advertisement or a blog, in December of 1989, after speaking with a young lady from the Herald who came to speak to my local onte eeper Chamber of Commerce. I was a young architect with a toddler and a kindergartner, both of whom have long since finished college, married and provided my wife, Mindy, and me with grandchildren. When I first spoke to the local editor that day, it was about how I naively started my own practice after leaving an international firm in Manhattan. I realized right away that people are investing the largest amount of what they will ever spend on having a home, and need guidance on how to avoid the pitfalls of shoddy practices, dangerous work done by amateurs and getting ambushed by finding out the work they had done can’t pass a building inspection. She asked me to write a sample column, which wasn’t difficult, since local architects are challenged daily with trying to figure out the best way to get people out of the messes they’re dealing with. I noticed that different building departments had different instruction sheets and different ways of handling the permit process, and that some were extremely helpful, while others basically pushed the responsibility of explaining onto the architect. Some even referred architects, but mostly referred to unlicensed services, which became another problem for many homeowners when plans were incomplete or code-deficient, or where there was only a rubber stamp from an elderly retiree who needed a few extra bucks but wouldn’t be around to answer questions or resolve more technical problems. Basically, the system has no real guidance on whether the most expensive thing homeowners will ever undertake is being done safely, correctly or legally, or whether it will last. I approached bigger building departments about coming up with their own manuals to explain what needs a permit and the best way to get one. Not one, to this day, has either put together such a guide for their department, and not one municipality has ever informed their constituency in one of their newsletters about how important it is to avoid doing things the wrong way, having to go to court, pay a fine, and still have to file for a permit. One government leader even suggested that I write the manual for them. Instead, I write for you. So I try to inform people about how to avoid the hassles for better success — permits and all. Thank you!
Ask The Architect
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© 2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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my Goodman, an intrepid journalist and a Long Island native, explained after a recent screening of a documentary about her that she is “committed to independent media being the oxygen to a democratic society.” The documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” had its premier at the DC/DOX film festival in Washington, D.C., in June, and has been shown at other film festivals, at which it has also received awards. And now she was “here on Long Island!” she exclaimed after kArl the documentary grossmAn was featured last month as the opening-night presentation of the Hamptons Doc Fest. Being on Long Island was “really a thrill,” Goodman said following the showing at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. She is a 1975 Bay Shore High School graduate, and after graduating from Harvard with an anthropology degree, she went to work at WBAI, the listener-sponsored radio station in New York City, part of the Pacifica network. It was there that Goodman co-founded and became — and still is — host and
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executive producer of “Democracy Now!” It began as a radio program, and subsequently expanded to television, too. Goodman has not only been a journalist on radio and TV, but has authored or co-authored books including “Standing Up to the Madness,” “The Exception to the Rulers,” “The Silenced Majority” and “Democracy Now! Twenty Years Covering the Movements Changing America,” published in 2017. As the website for it then related: “In 1996 Amy Goodman began hosting a show on Pacifica Radio called Democracy Now! to focus on the issues and movements that are too often ignored by the corporate media. Today Democracy Now! is the largest public media collaboration in the U.S., broadcasting on over 1,400 public television and radio stations around the world, with millions accessing it online at democracynow.org.” A documentary is different than a book. I’ve authored books and also written and presented documentaries, and as a journalism professor at SUNY Old Westbury, I taught for years a course called “Documentary: Theories and Techniques.” As John Grierson, the Scottish filmmaker credited with coining the term “documentary” in 1926, explained, a documentary focuses on an “actuality”
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— capturing and showcasing the real-life issues of real people, with the “original” people involved, and “original” scenes, conveying a truer picture of reality, he felt, than actors and a set could provide. That’s what the documentary about Goodman does. It starts with her trying to question Wells Griffith, the representative of the first Trump administration at a 2018 United Nations climate conference in Poland. She asks Griffith about President Trump’s claim that climate change is a hoax. Griffith scrambles away up a series of stairways, with Goodman keeping up, and charges her with “harassment.” “A reporter asking you a question,” Goodman responds, “is not harassment.” The documentary then shifts to Goodman’s reporting on the 1991 killing of more than 200 independence protesters in East Timor by Indonesian troops, and shows her and fellow journalist Allan Nairn badly beaten. It includes her arrest, with other journalists, in a police sweep of an anti-war demonstration at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. It presents scenes of Goodman covering Native Americans in Standing Rock, N.D., in 2017, protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, which brought with it
his 1975 Bay Shore High grad is seen and heard by millions on public media.
the threat of oil spills that could contaminate the Missouri River and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation’s water supply, as Goodman faced arrest. These are just some of the elements of “Steal This Story, Please!” The archival footage illuminates. The directing, by Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, is superb. The words of Goodman running through it are eloquent. Here’s the description of the documentary in the Hamptons Doc Fest program: “Undeterred by armed soldiers, smooth-talking politicians and riot police, journalist Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. ‘Steal This Story, Please!’ is a gripping portrait of Amy, the trailblazer whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. The film is both a call to action and a celebration of resistance, posing the question: What happens to democracy when the press surrenders to power?” In kicking off the 18th year of the Hamptons Doc Fest with the documentary about Goodman, Jacqui Lofaro, the festival’s founder and executive director, spoke of “journalism’s vital role in revealing truth.” Carl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
The arts on Long Island are for you
he arts — literature, music, drama, painting, sculpture — form a narrative that helps explain the origins and promises of a society. The arts help us explore our history and imagine our future. While Long Island is well known for health sciences and aerospace technology, it is also a major home for culture — the arts and artists. Think of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, F. Scott Fitzgerald and “The Great Gatsby,” Stanford White and the Gold Coast, Harry Chapin, Chuck D roBErT A. and Public Enemy, Adelphi sCoTT Professor Paul Moravec’s Pulitzer Prize for Music, Billy Joel and countless others. We are fortunate to have the Long Island Arts Alliance, a regional arts service organization dedicated to strengthening the arts and arts education across Nassau and Suffolk counties. It does this through advocacy for private and public funding, research into best practices and innovations, programming for people of all ages as well as for performance and
recognition, and promoting collaboration across sectors. LIAA partnered with the Center for an Urban Future to report on the condition of the arts and arts education on Long Island. The report, “Sustaining Long Island’s Creative Spark,” offers important insights. Among them are: ■ Arts and culture employment on Long Island grew 21.8 percent from 2014 to 2024, more than five times the region’s overall job growth.
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received about 3.2 percent of awards. Yet Long Island is home to 15 percent of New York’s population. In addition, grants to Long Island arts organizations were about 21 percent lower than the statewide average. So Long Island not only receives a small share of the total; it also receives smaller average awards than the rest of the state. The size of grants to Long Island artists, however, increased about 375 percent over 2024. This reflects a small but targeted pilot program that LIAA ran this year. It acted as a fiscal sponsor and outreach coordinator, met one-on-one with artists, reviewed proposals, and helped first-time applicants navigate the process. LIAA submitted 14 artist applications; nine were funded, and all nine were first-time state grant recipients. The pattern is clear: when Long Island has the support and infrastructure to compete, it can bring in substantially more state funding. Without that support, the region continues to be underrepresented. LIAA is now advocating for Nassau and Suffolk to seed a Long Island grants
hat do F. Scott Fitzgerald and Chuck D have in common? Take a guess.
■ Long Island’s resident artist and design workforce increased to over 10,500, even as the under-65 population declined.
■ Nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $330 million in annual economic activity on Long Island, supporting 4,905 jobs and $81 million in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. The center found that Long Island’s arts sector is performing at a high level, but state funding lags. For example, Long Island received about 2.5 percent of the total grant funding awarded, and
academy for the arts. The goal is to build a reliable, long-term pipeline of grant-ready organizations and artists so the region finally gets its fair share of state and federal arts funding. The proposed academy would provide training and coaching for artists and small or midsized nonprofits; offer shared tools, templates and guidance for preparing competitive applications; and deliver cohort-based workshops and one-on-one support tied to the New York State Council on the Arts and other public funds. LIAA is seeking an initial investment of $50,000 from each county to scale this model. The results to date suggest that even this modest local investment can unlock hundreds of thousands of additional state dollars for Long Island’s creative sector. To date, more than 50 organizations and individual artists have indicated support for the grants academy concept. LIAA will continue to advocate for this resource at the county and state level. It is imperative to step up advocacy for Long Island arts, and essential for the LIAA to expand its influence in promoting the value of culture to the community. Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
Documenting a formidable L.I. journalist, Amy Goodman
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Herald editorial
Valley stream
HERALD January 8, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD
Established 1990
Incorporating the Valley Stream Mailleader in 2001 AngelinA ZingAriello Reporter glenn golD Mutli Media Marketing Consultant mArthA jAcoviDes Founding Editor office 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: vseditor@liherald.com officiAl neWsPAPer: Village of Valley Stream Valley Stream High School District Valley Stream Districts 13, 24 and 30
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Without January pressure, change works better
e
very January, we perform the same ritual. We draw a hard line between who we were and who we intend to become, armed with resolutions that sound decisive and hopeful: lose 20 pounds, save more money, finally become more disciplined. And yet, by February, or sooner, many of these goals quietly dissolve. This isn’t a personal failure. It’s a structural one. Traditional goal-setting asks too much of willpower and too little of reality. It assumes that motivation is stable, that life will cooperate, and that change happens neatly within arbitrary timelines. Behavioral research consistently shows the opposite. Willpower fluctuates. Stress, fatigue and unexpected events derail even the most sincere intentions. A goal like “exercise five times a week” collapses the moment work runs late, a child gets sick or winter motivation disappears. The problem isn’t laziness; it’s designing change by focusing on outcomes instead of behavior. Consider the familiar stories of those who set weight-loss goals. For weeks they follow strict rules, track every calorie and push through workouts fueled by January enthusiasm. Then, when the scale stalls or life intervenes, frustration sets in. The goal becomes a source of shame rather than support, and quitting feels inevitable. Contrast this with someone who
builds a simple system instead: walking for 20 minutes after dinner, cooking the same three nourishing meals during the week, keeping snacks visible and convenient. No dramatic target, no deadline, just repeatable behaviors that fit real life. One approach relies on intensity; the other relies on design. The same pattern shows up at work. Professionals set ambitious annual targets — revenue milestones by the third quarter, promotion by December — tying their sense of progress to metrics largely outside their control. When external conditions change, motivation craters. A systems-based approach looks different: a weekly ritual of deep work, a monthly feedback loop, a principle of saying no to low-leverage tasks. These don’t guarantee a promotion, but they dramatically increase clarity, energy and long-term momentum. What replaces resolutions isn’t a lowering of ambition; it’s a smarter framework. Instead of obsessing over outcomes or focusing on inputs, what’s important are the actions you can show up for even on imperfect days. Instead of intensity, prioritize consistency. Ten minutes completed daily beats an hour attempted sporadically. Instead of perfection, build adaptability. Systems that can bend won’t break when life gets messy. This reframing also forces us to rethink what progress means. In 2026, progress doesn’t look like constant
acceleration or public metrics that reward burnout. It looks like sustainability. It looks like habits that support physical and mental health, boundaries that protect attention, and routines that make good choices easier over time. Progress is waking up with less dread. It’s energy that lasts past Wednesday. It’s the ability to course-correct without starting over. The myth of the January fresh start persists because it’s comforting. It promises a clean slate, a dramatic reset. But meaningful change rarely respects the calendar. People quit smoking on random Tuesdays. They start therapy after breaking points, not countdowns. They rebuild routines in April, September or the middle of a chaotic week. When we tie improvement to a date, we also tie failure to missing it. A healthier approach is permissionbased rather than deadline-driven. You can begin again at any point. You can adjust systems without declaring them broken. You can measure progress by how supported you feel, not how perfect your execution looks. This January doesn’t need another list of resolutions destined to expire. It can be a moment to design a life that works beyond motivation — one built on systems, rituals and principles that make showing up easier than giving up. For those tired of trying harder and ready to live better, that shift changes everything.
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opinions
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or decades, American education has operated under the assumption that the path to success runs through a four-year college degree. While higher education remains valuable, this narrow vision has left countless students unprepared for the workforce and burdened with debt while pursuing credentials that may not align with their talents or career goals. It’s time we recognize what forward-thinking educators and industry leaders have known for years: Career and technical education, or CTE, prowayne grams aren’t just an alternative loper pathway, but an essential component of preparing students for meaningful, prosperous futures. The numbers tell a compelling story. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, millions of jobs in skilled trades, health care, technology and advanced manufacturing sit unfilled, while unemployment persists among recent college graduates with degrees that don’t match market demands. Meanwhile, CTE graduates often enter the workforce immediately, earning competitive salaries without the burden of substantial student loan debt. Many
go on to pursue higher education with a clear career direction and practical experience that makes them more competitive candidates. Modern CTE programs bear little resemblance to the vocational training of decades past. Today’s programs integrate rigorous academics with cutting-edge technical training, preparing students for careers in high-demand, high-skill fields. They learn to operate sophisticated medical equipment, program advanced manufacturing systems or apply complex building codes, all while mastering the math, science and communication skills essential for career advancement. In the Valley Stream Central High School District, we’re proud to offer diverse in-house CTE opportunities including nurse assistant, medical assistant, culinary, cosmetology, automotive and performing arts programs. Next year we’re expanding even further, with the addition of construction trades (masonry, plumbing, carpentry and electrical), emergency medical technician and barbering programs. And our students have access to Nassau BOCES CTE programs, offering even more specialized career pathways that we don’t have in-house. These programs provide our students with hands-on training and industry certifications that open doors
Framework by Tim Baker
On the ice at Milburn Pond, no scarves or skates needed — Baldwin
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to rewarding careers as soon as they graduate, or complement their college education. The economic benefits extend beyond individual students to entire communities. Regions with strong CTE programs enjoy lower unemployment, higher median incomes and more stable local economies. Businesses can recruit locally trained workers who understand regional industry needs. This creates a virtuous cycle in which educational investment directly strengthens the economic foundation of Long Island communities. Critics sometimes portray CTE as tracking students away from college, but this is a fundamental misunderstanding. Quality CTE programs enhance college readiness while teaching practical skills. Research consistently shows that students enrolled in CTE coursework demonstrate improved attendance, higher graduation rates and better performance in core academic subjects. The hands-on, project-based learning that characterizes CTE helps students understand the practical applications of math and science, making abstract concepts tangible and relevant. Perhaps most important, CTE programs advance educational equity. Not every student thrives in a traditional academic setting, and not every family
he best preparation is often career and technical education, or CTE, programs.
can afford years of college tuition. CTE provides alternative pathways to success that recognize diverse talents and learning styles. For students from lower-income families, CTE offers the opportunity to earn industry certifications and enter well-paying careers right after high school, often breaking cycles of poverty that might otherwise persist for generations. The path forward is clear. We must expand access to high-quality CTE programs, invest in modern facilities and equipment, forge stronger partnerships between education and industry, and fundamentally change how we talk about career pathways. Success isn’t defined solely by a bachelor’s degree — it’s measured by meaningful work, financial stability and the opportunity to contribute to society. Every Valley Stream student deserves an education that opens doors to a prosperous future. Our Career and Technical Education programs offer exactly that. They prepare the workforce our Long Island economy needs while giving every student the chance to build a successful career doing work they find meaningful and rewarding. As we continue to expand and enhance these programs, we’re not just preparing students for jobs; we’re empowering them to shape their own futures and strengthen our community for generations to come. Wayne Loper, Ed.D., is superintendent of the Valley Stream Central High School District.
VALLEY STREAM HERALD — January 8, 2026
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