Valley Stream honors heroes
Marchers carred the VFW Post 1790 banner during Valley Stream’s Memorial Day parade on Monday. The community came together to remember and honor those who gave their lives in the military. Story, Page 10.
Art show to celebrate 100 years of V.S.
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Valley Stream Historical Society is set to host a special community event on Friday, celebrating the village’s centennial anniversary with an art exhibit titled “Stanko & Khan: An Art Exhibit Celebrating 100 Years of Valley Stream.”
“Being a lifelong Valley Streamer, I am very excited to be showing my Valley Stream-inspired work with fellow Valley Stream artist Matt Khan,” artist Mike Stanko wrote in an email. “Celebrating the Village’s 100th Anniversary with our community will be fun and A big night for our Village.”
The exhibit will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration, at 143 Hendrickson Ave.
At the opening reception, which will be held on the venue’s outdoor patio, residents and visitors will gather in recognition of the village’s centennial through art and local history. The exhibit will feature the works of artists Stanko and Khan, who are known for their creative interpretations and contributions to the local art scene.
Khan’s art reflects a lifelong connection to drawing and painting, beginning with a fascination for colored pencils and crayons when he was a child. He recalls filling school notebooks with illustrations rather than notes. His interest in social studies classes stemmed from the chance to illustrate historical events such as the arrival of the Mayflower and the Boston Tea Party. From a young age, Khan developed a habit of noticing
L.I. Cares pantry sees rising demand
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Since its official ribbon cutting in September, the Valley Stream Long Island Cares food pantry has seen a dramatic and sustained rise in service demand. What began with just a handful of individuals visiting daily has grown into a vital community hub serving hundreds each month.
The pantry served 1,148 individuals in April alone, including 280 children and 298 seniors. The surge is part of a trend that began in early 2025, with a 31.3 percent overall increase in the number of people served compared to the start of the year. Adult clients rose by 32.6 percent, children by 30.2 percent and seniors by 29.1 percent.
T hese things are, unfortunately, part of our reality today.
site pantry manager Lourdes Taglialatela said. “Certain shelves, we have a problem maintaining the stock on. We’re certainly feeling the trickle-down effects of all the cutbacks, but we’re trying our best to serve the community in the best way that we possibly can and do as much as we can for them.”
LOuRdES TAGLIALATELA On-site pantry manager
The pantry currently has 508 registered families, up from 194 in its early months. While not every family visits monthly, staff are noting that many who initially came in the fall and drifted away are now returning, an indication that food insecurity remains a persistent challenge.
Since Jan. 1, over 36,000 meals have been distributed to more than 4,000 people, with April alone accounting for 10,134 meals.
“It’s been a challenge,” on-
Meeting the need has not been without obstacles. The pantry grappled with maintaining adequate stock, particularly as it awaits eligibility for additional grant support. Deliveries are carefully scheduled, and local generosity has played a key role in filling the gaps. Community members frequent-
Continued on page 2
Jason Thomas/Herald
Pantry meets growing need with local support
ly donate shelf-stable items while recurring donors make shopping trips to restock high-demand goods.
Infrastructure improvements have helped expand offerings, with three freezers and two refrigerators now enabling the pantry to provide perishable essentials like dairy, meat and frozen items.
Efforts to meet growing needs extend beyond food. The Valley Stream location has cultivated partnerships with organizations such as Catholic Charities, PSEG, National Grid, Fidelis and Aetna, offering visitors support in applying for benefits, managing utility bills and accessing healthcare services.
“Everything is going up, food, medical costs, everything, it’s just everything,” Taglialatela said. “It feels like everything is spinning out of control, but we are doing the best that we can.”
While the pantry benefits from a dedicated volunteer base, gaps remain. The team recently lost two long-time volunteers and is actively seeking replacements, especially for Friday shifts. Flexible two-hour time slots are available to accommodate the village’s parking limitations and new volunteers can sign up directly through the pantry’s website.
The challenges go far beyond just logistics, according to Taglialatela. Rising food prices, reductions in SNAP ben-
that’s a choice that nobody should have to make,” Taglialatela said. “I just think it’s a travesty that these things are, unfortunately, part of our reality today.”
Despite the challenges, the Valley Stream pantry remains a source of connection and resilience. Staff developed close ties with the families they serve, and the pantry has evolved into more than just a place to get groceries — it’s become a community in its own right.
“This community is a wonderful community,” Taglialatela shared. “They’ve been very welcoming to all of our families, they have been wonderful, and we look forward to seeing them each month, and we’re getting to know a lot of them. We’re almost becoming like a little family here, well, a big family.
“If anyone is in need, please do not hesitate to reach out to us,” she continued. “This is a safe place; here everything is kept confidential. No one will ever be judged - every person is greeted with a smile and treated with the utmost respect and dignity. We welcome you with open arms.”
efits and skyrocketing housing costs are driving more families, including many with two incomes, to seek help.
“I just think it’s heartbreaking that
people have to sit there and make a choice between whether they’re going to pay their rent or their mortgage or put food on the table for their families, and
With continued support from donors, volunteers and neighbors, the pantry aims to meet the rising tide of need with compassion and consistency. Nonperishable food donations and volunteer sign-ups are always welcome as the pantry continues its vital work.
For more information, visit LiCares.org.
Photos courtesy Lourdes Taglialatela
Bags of rice and pasta line the pantry’s grain aisle, a vital resource for hundreds of families who rely on shelf-stable staples each month.
Valley Stream artist featured at Oyster Bay art show
By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com
Valley Stream native Olivia Franks was among the standout artists at the opening of Colors of Freedom: An Artistic Tribute to Patriots, held May 9 at Hive Market & Gallery in Oyster Bay. The multi-faceted exhibition, which marks the gallery’s fourth anniversary and recent rebranding, also served as a tribute to U.S. veterans.
“I am inspired to create patriotic art in memory of my grandfather, the United States Marine,” wrote Franks, in an email to gallery owner Laura Escobar. Her collage piece, titled American Nostalgia , used vintage matchbooks to form an American flag and ended with one labeled “thank you” in honor of troops’ service.
Franks, a former editor in
chief of Adelphi University’s student newspaper, has recently shifted into visual storytelling through found objects and collage. “I’m very new in this space,” she said. “So just having something like this, where I can express what my grandfather meant to me through art, and have it resonate with people — it meant a lot.” Her piece was a crowd favorite, with multiple attendees vying to purchase it.
The evening attracted about 100 guests, including local artists, veterans, business owners, and members of the Blue Star Mothers organization.
Vietnam War veteran Phil Rhoads of Oyster Bay was among them.
“I was amazed, absolutely amazed,” Rhoads said. “I went to Hive when (Laura) first got the building, and it looked nothing like this, but boy, when I was there Friday night, it was
amazing.”
The event marked Hive’s first open-call exhibition since Escobar rebranded the business in January to focus on fine art and community programming. “It started with my four-year anniversary coming up on May 9,” Escobar said. “I rebranded in January to Hive Market and Gallery ... and then did an open call to artists, which we’ve never done before.”
I can express what my grandfather meant to me.
OLIvIa FraNkS artist
The theme of patriotism emerged naturally for Escobar, whose daughter Arianna is an active-duty Marine stationed
in Hawaii. With the show falling near Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day, Escobar saw it as a meaningful way to support veterans and their families.
The gallery’s walls featured a broad spectrum of work honoring military service, with submissions from both emerging and established artists — including one from the Firefly Artists collective in Northport.
“Aside from the beautiful spectrum of artwork and viewpoints in the show is the community inclusiveness that is part of Hive’s philosophy,” said Sue Herbst, Escobar’s friend and gallery coordinator.
“There are all types of artists included here ... and I think it’s a beautiful approach.”
A portion of each artist’s entry fee was donated to Blue Star Mothers Inc., A nonprofit supporting military families and veterans. “We do fundrais-
ing, we support veteran groups, and we march in parades,” said Escobar, who is also a Blue Star Mother. “So the event became a big explosion of four-year anniversaryslash-art exhibit opening.”
Guests enjoyed donated food from local restaurants, admired the artwork, and mingled with veterans. Rhoads, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, reflected on the significance of the night. “I was drafted when I was 18... Now I’m going to be 78 in two months, so I’m still pretty active.”
The exhibition runs through May 31 at Hive Market & Gallery, located at 100-102 Audrey Ave in Oyster Bay. Most works are available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Blue Star Mothers.
To learn more, visit HiveMarketOB.com.
Courtesy Olivia Frank
Olivia Franks’ piece, American Nostalgia, was a crowd favorite at Colors of Freedom: An Artistic Tribute to Patriots at Hive Market & Gallery in Oyster Bay.
A dozen District 30 educators are recognized for earning tenure
The Valley Stream District 30 Board of Education celebrated 12 dedicated educators across its three elementary schools at its May 19 meeting for attaining tenure . The celebration included a heartfelt video tribute created by school principals, along with gifts from the board and flower bouquets for many of the honorees.
The educators recognized were Mackenzie Brown, Courtney Fitzpatrick, Jessica Price, Susana Valencia and Jake Winston from Clear Stream Avenue; Aaminah Ahmad, Gabriella Duran, Jennifer Spiwak and Poulette Villalobos from Forest Road; and Elba Espinal, Darcel Franks and Marie Loeffel from Shaw Avenue.
The district expressed its gratitude to the educators for their commitment and service to the Valley Stream 30 community. — Angelina Zingariello
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Clients often ask whether the home should be deeded to the client’s adult children, while retaining a life estate in the parent or whether the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust should be used to protect the asset. While the deed with a life estate will be less costly to the client, in most cases it offers significant disadvantages when compared to the trust. First, if the home is sold prior to the death of the Medicaid recipient, the life estate value of the home will be required to be paid towards their care. If the house is rented, the net rents are payable to the nursing facility since they belong to the life tenant. Finally, the client loses a significant portion of their capital gains tax exclusion for the sale of their primary residence as they will only be entitled to a pro rata share based on the value of the life estate to the home as a whole. Nevertheless, a life estate deed makes sense for a vacation home that is intended to stay in the family.
All of the foregoing may lead to a situation where the family finds they must maintain a vacant home for many years. Conversely, a properly drafted MAPT preserves the full capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of the primary residence and the home may be sold by the trust without obligation to make payment of any of the principal towards the client’s care, assuming we have passed the look-back period for facility care of five years.
It should be noted here that both the life estate and the MAPT will preserve the stepped-up basis in the property provided it is sold after the death of the parent who was the owner or grantor. Upon the death of the parent, the basis for calculating the capital gains tax is stepped up from what the parent paid, plus any improvements, to what it was worth on the parent’s date of death. This effectively eliminates payment of capital gains taxes on the sale of appreciated property, such as the home, after the parent dies.
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Valley Stream resident is new VP for student affairs at Farmingdale State
Farmingdale State College has named Valley Stream resident Ronald C. Jackson as its new Vice President for Student Affairs, effective April 14.
In this role, Jackson will serve on the President’s executive team and take charge of a wide range of student services and campus life programs.
“I am honored to join the Farmingdale State College family and excited to collaborate with students, staff and faculty to enhance the student experience and reimagine what’s possible,” Jackson said. “I’m committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and welcoming campus environment where every student can thrive academically, socially and professionally. I look forward to building on Farmingdale’s tradition of excellence and helping our students achieve their fullest potential.”
Reporting directly to FSC President Robert S. Prezant, Jackson will lead efforts to enhance the student experience. His responsibilities will include overseeing the Dean of Students Office, campus housing, student activities, health and wellness programs, disability support, veteran services, Title IX compliance and mental health resources.
Jackson brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, having most recently served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at
Brooklyn College since 2016. His prior roles include student affairs leadership at the Community College of Philadelphia, Marymount Manhattan College, Columbia University and William Paterson University. Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in higher education administration from The George Washington University and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
— Angelina Zingariello
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Photo courtesy of the Valley Stream District 30 On May 19, 12 educators in Valley Stream District 30 received tenure during the board of education’s monthly meeting.
Photo courtesy Farmingdale State College Ronald Jackson will lead student services in his newly appointed role at Farmingdale State College.
Danger of Southern State is constant concern
‘Blood Alley’ stretch lives up to its name on roadway with grim total of over 3,000 crashes per year
By BRIAN NORMAN bnorman@liherald.com
Third in a series on the Southern State Parkway.
The 23.5 miles of the Southern State Parkway, which stretches from the Queens-Nassau border to Heckscher State Park in East Islip, has daily traffic congestion and frequent accidents, so numerous that one portion is called “Blood Alley.”
There have been over 3,000 accidents a year on the parkway since 2021, a majority of which occurred in Nassau County, according to New York State Police. Last year, 15 of those crashes were fatal, the highest number in recent years.
The section of parkway between exits 17 and 32 is widely referred to as Blood Alley due to its high accident rates, which include several fatalities. The road’s narrow lanes, sharp turns and poor lighting have all contributed to its dubious distinction as one of the most dangerous roadways in the country.
Elmont resident Winston Waters said that he has lived in the area for 40 years, and has often found himself having to plan his day around the congestion of the parkway.
“I work around it as much as I can,” Waters said. “There are times when I have to leave early to get to work — you know, I’ve got to deal with that — but I try to work around it. I try and leave very early, after rush hour, before rush hour, those kinds of things.”
Waters said his backyard once resembled a national park, with thick trees that helped muffle the sound of the nearby parkway. But since the trees were removed because of their age, the noise has become a growing issue, and the constant congestion is beginning to spill into the community, disrupting daily life.
see the roadway.
And despite the noise, she is not a fan of the huge sound walls erected on other roadways, such as the Long Island Expressway. “The walls are kind of ugly, Kordulak said.
“I personally didn’t want to see that much traffic in the area,” he added, “because it (creates) a lot of congestion, particularly if there’s an accident or there’s in the morning, rush hour — you have a lot of people that come through, come off the exit and then they want to maneuver through the side streets, which decreases the quality of life.”
Blood Alley lived up to its name in January, when a car overturned near Exit 29 in North Massapequa, killing two people and seriously injuring two others. The driver was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic before losing control and crashing into a tree, police reported.
South Park Drive, in North Massapequa, sits within sight of the parkway and Sharyn Kordulak can see vehicles whizzing by from the front of her house.
“You get used to all the noise, the drone of the traffic,” Kordulak said, noting that some neighbors have blocked out portions of the cyclone fence on the opposite side of the street so they don’t
Valley Stream resident Patrick Goin, who has been an advocate for safer conditions along the highway, specifically near Exit 13 in Valley Stream, said that he is hopeful that the myriad complaints about the parkway complaints will be addressed.
“I’m the one who spoke with Carrié for something to be done about that intersection, because my uncle had a severe car accident where he almost died and his car was totaled,” Goin said, referring to Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages. “There’s been a few accidents. My uncle wasn’t the first, so that’s being addressed.”
Goin added that he lives right near Exit 13, and that speeding by motorists coming on and off of the parkway has become a recent issue for him and his neighbors when they try to leave their homes.
Exit 13, which serves both Central Avenue south and Linden Boulevard north in Valley Stream, is one of the more widely reviled entry and exit points along the highway, with residents calling for fixes for several years.
In 2018, Valley Stream resident Nayyer Zubair created a petition that documented residents’ concerns about safety. The petition, which currently has 672 signatures, calls for the addition of leftturn lanes and signals on Central Avenue to facilitate safer turns onto Stuart Avenue; lighting upgrades to enhance
Osmar Vasquez was killed in 2023 when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger apparently lost control and crashed between exits 36 and 37.
pedestrian visibility and safety; and the addition of traffic cameras to deter redlight violations and other dangerous driving behaviors.
The state Department of Transportation unveiled a plan on May 8 to reconstruct eastbound Exit 13, with construction set to begin in the spring of 2027. The project aims to create safer conditions for drivers entering and exiting the parkway.
However, some residents questioned the need to reconstruct the entire exit.
Valley Stream resident Dayle Cohen said she recognized the issues that occur at the exit, but questioned how a massive project like this could affect the community even more.
“I drive this route often,” Cohen said. “I know a lot of people run the stop sign when you’re getting up (the ramp to) the highway. People coming from the Linden (Boulevard) side always struggle to make their right lane on Stuart. But I really haven’t noticed any (bigger)
issues. I’m not an expert — I don’t know the traffic patterns. I don’t know the statistics, and my only concern was people run the stop sign, but then you wait a minute and it’s no big deal. I’m not sure about the price tag and how it will affect people who actually live right here, but I personally didn’t see a need for it.”
In Islip Terrace, not far from the Southern State’s eastern terminus, Jo Borda has lived off Spur Drive South, on Juniper Street, for 33 years, and though the parkway is wider there than in its western portion, accidents still occur.
“All times of the day, people are turning too fast off the exit and crashing on the turn,” Borda said. “Once right into the corner house.”
The former Franklin Square resident had advice for motorists. “People just need to slow down,” Borda said.
Additional reporting by Jeffrey Bessen. Next installment: Engineering challenges, infrastructure needs.
Jeffrey Bessen/Herald photos
One of many makeshift memorials that dot the Southern State Parkway landscape memorializes Ciara Hare, who was one of three people killed in a 2022 crash near Exit 32, at the end of what is called “Blood Alley.”
Pantry meets growing need with local support
ly donate shelf-stable items while recurring donors make shopping trips to restock high-demand goods.
Infrastructure improvements have helped expand offerings, with three freezers and two refrigerators now enabling the pantry to provide perishable essentials like dairy, meat and frozen items.
Efforts to meet growing needs extend beyond food. The Valley Stream location has cultivated partnerships with organizations such as Catholic Charities, PSEG, National Grid, Fidelis and Aetna, offering visitors support in applying for benefits, managing utility bills and accessing healthcare services.
“Everything is going up, food, medical costs, everything, it’s just everything,” Taglialatela said. “It feels like everything is spinning out of control, but we are doing the best that we can.”
While the pantry benefits from a dedicated volunteer base, gaps remain. The team recently lost two long-time volunteers and is actively seeking replacements, especially for Friday shifts. Flexible two-hour time slots are available to accommodate the village’s parking limitations and new volunteers can sign up directly through the pantry’s website.
The challenges go far beyond just logistics, according to Taglialatela. Rising food prices, reductions in SNAP ben-
efits and skyrocketing housing costs are driving more families, including many with two incomes, to seek help.
“I just think it’s heartbreaking that
that’s a choice that nobody should have to make,” Taglialatela said. “I just think it’s a travesty that these things are, unfortunately, part of our reality today.”
Despite the challenges, the Valley Stream pantry remains a source of connection and resilience. Staff developed close ties with the families they serve, and the pantry has evolved into more than just a place to get groceries — it’s become a community in its own right.
“This community is a wonderful community,” Taglialatela shared. “They’ve been very welcoming to all of our families, they have been wonderful, and we look forward to seeing them each month, and we’re getting to know a lot of them. We’re almost becoming like a little family here, well, a big family.
“If anyone is in need, please do not hesitate to reach out to us,” she continued. “This is a safe place; here everything is kept confidential. No one will ever be judged - every person is greeted with a smile and treated with the utmost respect and dignity. We welcome you with open arms.”
people have to sit there and make a choice between whether they’re going to pay their rent or their mortgage or put food on the table for their families, and
With continued support from donors, volunteers and neighbors, the pantry aims to meet the rising tide of need with compassion and consistency. Nonperishable food donations and volunteer sign-ups are always welcome as the pantry continues its vital work.
For more information, visit LiCares.org.
Photos courtesy Lourdes Taglialatela
Bags of rice and pasta line the pantry’s grain aisle, a vital resource for hundreds of families who rely on shelf-stable staples each month.
A day of honor and community spirit at village parade
Valley Stream residents gathered on May 26 for the annual Memorial Day parade, which began at 9:30 a.m. at Wheeler Avenue and Rockaway Parkway after a service by the Valley Stream Fire Department. John Perkins, a Bronze Star recipient and member of
VFW Post 1790, served as this year’s Grand Marshal. Community members, local officials and veterans honored fallen service members as they marched, while attendees cheered along the route.
— Angelina Zingariello
John Perkins, a Bronze Star recipient and member of VFW Post 1790, was this year’s Grand Marshal.
Jason Thomas/Herald photos Emilia, Juri, and Christopher Chillseyzn cheer on the marchers in red, white and blue from their spot along the parade route.
Mayor Edwin Fare addresses the crowd during the morning’s remembrance ceremony.
The Valley Stream Fire Department held a service at it’s headquarters before the parade.
VFW Post 1790 Commander Kevin Hill greets onlookers with a wave as he passes by in the parade.
Valley Stream officials, Kevin Waszak, far left, Edwin Fare, Robert Bogle, Dermond Thomas and Sharon Daly on the parade grandstand.