HERALD VALLEY STREAM
Holden Leeds/Herald
Commemorating 100 years of Valley Stream
‘Chopped’-like
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hosted Academy Charter School seniors from the Uniondale academy for a hands-on event that had the students to exploring the hospital’s Food and Nutrition Services department through a sensory tasting and a cooking competition styled after a popular television show format as part of the MedVoyage program.
modalities and different careers that you can have in a hospital, coupling those together, really, really, I feel like will solidify what they want to do in the future.”
Valley Stream residents gathered at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration for a vibrant evening of art, community and local history to celebrate the village’s 100th anniversary. Story, more photos, Page 3. T here are tons of communication going on all the time.
Young painter builds artistic business with big league flair
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Evan Taveras, a ninth grade student at Memorial Junior High School, is one of Valley Stream’s youngest entrepreneurs. His clients are famous athletes such as Yankee outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and boxer Amanda Serrano. He offers a creative service: he adds colorful paintings to athletes’ hats, cleats and other accessories.
Shoe painting is Evan’s main trade. He first began painting shoes for his friends after watching YouTube videos about similar artists at 11, during the Covid pandemic.
“I wanted to make shoes as well,” he said. “I
asked my mom if I could get a pair of shoes, I got some markers and painted my first pair for my best friend.”
After posting images of the shoes on Instagram, a surge of orders flooded his inbox.
“I’m so honored to be doing this because I never thought that this would be this big,” he said. “I always thought that I was just gonna do that one pair for my friend, and then, and then I was not expecting, like, for me to blow up and for a bunch of people to start asking for a pair.
“I’m super happy to have worked with all these like customers, MLB players, Foot Locker and all that stuff,” he continued. “I’m thankful for those opportunities, and I hope to collaborate
The LIJ program, developed in collaboration with the Center for Learning Innovation, began at the Valley Stream hospital in December. It provides students with monthly immersive experiences in various hospital departments.
Past sessions have included imaging, respiratory and perioperative services. The goal is to expose students to a range of healthcare careers and give them a clearer idea of their future professional paths.
“They’re prepared for the future, which is something that the school has done an amazing job in investing in them,” Tatiana Rodriguez, project manager at LIJ Valley Stream, said at the May 29 event. “Then us doing the part where we’re showing them the different
services
JOE DOBIAS Director food and nutrition
During each visit, students spend about two and a half hours at the hospital. While most are on a healthcare track, many are already certified in areas such as phlebotomy, electrocardiogram and medical assisting, that Thursday’s session was a departure from the clinical focus. Instead, students explored the role of food and nutrition within a hospital setting.
Students are able to explore different roles within the hospital beyond the usual clinical settings. By connecting their classroom knowledge and certifications with real-world activities, they got a clearer picture of how teamwork plays a vital role throughout healthcare, including areas like food services.
Director of Food and Nutrition Services Joe Dobias, who has appeared as a contestant on the “Chopped” a reality TV show, organized the event. He designed the activity to be interactive and team-driven, introducing the students to the kind of collaboration and sen-
Continued on page 2
Hands-on program offers students a career taste
sory awareness required in a hospital kitchen.
“I basically wanted to just bring them in and show them, kind of, a condensed form of what we do in a day, without boring them to death,” Dobias said. “Because a lot of times when you come to the hospital, it’s like lectures and slides and all that kind of stuff. And I think that just kind of throwing them into the mix and showing them how we interact on a daily basis.
There are tons of communication going on all the time. People need to rely on each other a lot in teamwork,” he added. “So, I think that’s kind of why we came up with this little exercise today to pair everybody up and also challenge all their senses.”
Students then participated in a cooking challenge. Working in teams, they were tasked with creating a single plate using a selection of surprise ingredients: grilled chicken, raw diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocados, chickpeas, and Ritz crackers. Teams had five minutes to plan their dishes before beginning to cook and plate their meals.
Dishes included creations such as deconstructed bowls with teriyaki chicken, chickpeas, guacamole and seasoned vegetables, as well as a breakfastinspired plate with French toast, scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers and avocado salad. Students aimed to balance flavor, presentation and nutritional value, often discussing how the dish could resemble the way a patient is treated — with care and teamwork.
Culinary staff judged each team’s creation based on taste and execution. After tasting and scoring, awards were presented to the top teams, and the event concluded with lunch and recognition of the students’ efforts.
“This opportunity, it taught me teamwork,” said student Jadel Pecco, who will be pursuing her associate degree at Nassau Community College in the fall. “Because especially even when you’re in a hospital, it’s a lot of teamwork. You guys have to make sure that everybody’s on the same page. So, we kind of treated the dish like a patient, to make sure that everything came together and was solidified.
Angelina Zingariello/Herald photos Academy Charter School students focus on preparing their dishes as part of a timed culinary challenge at LIJ Valley Stream.
Judges from the hospital’s Food and Nutrition team sampled and scored the dishes prepared by the student teams.
CoNtINued From pAge 1
Celebrating centennial with Stanko, Khan
The art exhibit, “Stanko & Khan: An Art Exhibit Celebrating 100 Years of Valley Stream,” featured the work of Valley Streamers Mike Stanko and Matt Khan, whose paintings reflected personal expression and a shared love for their hometown.
Guests enjoyed refreshments, live conversation with the artists, and a raffle for original signed artwork while supporting the Valley Stream Historical Society. The event brought together neighbors, friends, and art lovers for a night that honored the village’s past through creativity and connection.
Mike Stanko’s pieces are known for their bright colors and upbeat tone, often depicting landscapes and familiar sights around the region.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Khan (left) and Stanko (right) with Mayor Edwin Fare (center), celebrating Valley Stream’s 100th anniversary through their collaborative exhibit
–Angelina Zingariello
Matt Khan uses a range of classical techniques, including impressionism, chiaroscuro, glazing and sfumato.
Valerie Esposito, Mary Hansen-Sterger, Cindy Shavit and Joyce Lax enjoy food and refreshments on the patio.
An evening of art and atmosphere brings guests together in celebration of Valley Stream’s legacy.
Bluey is making his way to Valley Stream for Kiwanis
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
The Kiwanis Club of Valley Stream is preparing to host its latest family-friendly fundraiser, a Bluey-themed breakfast at the Applebee’s at 1126 Green Acres Rd. S.
“The Kiwanis Club raises money to give back to children,” the club’s treasurerelect Natalie Toler said. “So it’s an organization that’s dedicated to improving the lives of children through service projects and leadership. We raise funds for different causes, including the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.
Members prepare a home-cooked meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House as part of their ongoing community service efforts.
“Bluey is obviously a fundraiser, but we provide scholarships to a graduate from each of our five key clubs, and so we are raising money at the breakfast with Bluey for these student scholarships,” she continued. “Also, we are raising money to support our community service projects. For example, a couple of weeks ago, we provided dinner for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.”
Editor’s note: Please join Michael Ettinger’s live Zoom webinar “Four Advantages of Using Trusts” on Wednesday, June 4 at 7 pm or Wednesday, July 9 at 7 pm. Kindly register on our website, trustlaw.com
Leaving Assets to Minors
Generally, parents leave their assets to the children thinking that the children will then take care of their children. Occasionally, parents want to bypass the children, either wholly or partially, and leave an inheritance directly to the grandchildren.
Inheritances to minors come in different varieties, such as bequests in wills and as beneficiaries or contingent beneficiaries on IRA’s, investment accounts, life insurance policies and annuities.
Although well-intentioned, inheritances to minors, without a trust, must go through a court proceeding on death. Minors, those under 18, cannot hold property in their names. In the proceeding, the judge appoints a legal guardian to protect the minor’s interest until age eighteen, at which time the beneficiary receives the asset. The expenses of the legal guardian will be paid out of the minor’s bequest. Generally, the legal guardian will use the funds for the child’s health, education, maintenance and support having regard to any other assets or resources of
the minor known to the guardian. Again, ready or not, the legal guardian must turn over the assets to the minor at age eighteen, a tender age in today’s world.
A better plan would be to leave assets to a minor beneficiary by creating a trust. You leave directions for the use of the funds, distribution at a stated age, such as thirty years old and, in the meantime, the trustee, a person you choose instead of a legal guardian chosen by the court, uses the money for the purposes enumerated above, either by giving money directly to the minor or by paying bills on their behalf.
Trusts avoid probate court proceedings entirely for the trust assets. You either put assets into the trust while you are living or, alternatively, you may name the minor’s trust as death beneficiary on bank accounts, investment accounts, IRA’s or the retirement plans, annuities and life insurance policies.
The intention to benefit minor beneficiaries must be attended to with thoughtful planning to avoid having the good deed punished.
LAW FIRM
The Bluey event will feature various themed activities, including coloring stations with character designs prepared for young attendees. Attendees can also take part in raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Though the specific contents of this weekend’s baskets have not been disclosed, past giveaways have included personal care packages and perfumes.
The club coordinates with Applebee’s, which prepares and serves a set breakfast menu for the event. Kiwanis members sell tickets to the community at a designated price. For each ticket sold, the club pays Applebee’s a fixed cost, $4 per meal, and retains the remaining proceeds. This allows the club to raise funds directly through ticket sales while Applebee’s handles all the food preparation and service.
“We started in December by having breakfast with Santa, and it was a huge hit,” Toler said. “And we then scheduled an Easter Bunny breakfast, we had to
cancel that, but we decided, let’s see what kids would love, Bluey.”
The remainder helps fund the club’s charitable initiatives, such as scholarships awarded to students from the five Key Clubs the organization supports in Valley Stream and Elmont high schools.
High school students from local Key Clubs, along with middle schoolers from affiliated Builders Clubs, frequently volunteer at events like this, helping with setup, activities and overall event support. They’ll be lending a hand at the upcoming Bluey fundraiser as well.
In the days leading up to the event, the club also wrapped up a collection drive for veterans. They gathered personal care items such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste to assemble 250 care packages for local veterans in partnership with Long Island Cares Food Bank. Donation boxes were placed at Valley Stream and Uniondale libraries, as well as in all five schools, Valley Stream Memorial, Central, North, South and Elmont Memorial, hosting the club’s Service Leadership Programs.
The club’s next general meeting is June 16 at John Anthony’s; 1056 Franklin Ave. Additional information about the club can be found at k19414.site. kiwanis.org.
Tickets for the Bluey breakfast are $15 in advance, available at tinyurl. com/2wp9hp7s and $20 at the door.
Courtesy Natalie Toler
GREAT RELATIONSHIPS BEGIN WITH HEART.
St. Francis Heart Center’s renowned cardiovascular team is now partnering with NewYork-Presbyterian.
For Catholic Health and NewYork-Presbyterian with doctors from Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine, clinical collaboration means that advanced and comprehensive cardiac care is now the norm for every patient across Long Island. Together, we’re expanding St. Francis Heart Center’s advanced heart failure, congenital heart disease and pediatric cardiology programs, while partnering with NewYork-Presbyterian’s leading heart transplant program. So, for anything your heart may need, you can find it right here.
To learn more, visit chsli.org/heart
Rallying on L.I. for transgender rights
By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com
More than 200 people gathered for Long Island’s largest rally in support of the transgender community at the Nassau County Legislative building in Mineola over the weekend to express support for the trans, nonbinary and intersex communities.
Organized by Huntington Station-based nonprofit Gender Equality New York, which advocates for the rights of transgender, gender non-binary and intersex New Yorkers, the event highlighted support for shield laws that protect both reproductive and gender-affirming health care being targeted by legislators across the country.
“We’re here to show courage in the face of hate and discrimination. We’re here to affirm our existence to those who would rather see us erased,” Juli GreyOwens, executive director of GENY, said. “We are here to stand firm and fight for our rights, our dignity and for our future.”
Transgender and non-binary communities in New York State were only recently granted civil rights protections with the passage of 2019’s Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act. This followed years of organizing from various transgender activists. But nationally, transgender rights have been under attack since Donald Trump’s first presidency.
“They’re targeting trans kids, criminalizing gender affirming care, and feeding the flames of hate to score political points,” said Chanel Lopez, deputy director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for Governor Kathy Hochul. “We are here to say ‘not in New York, not today, not ever.’” New York has pledged to be a safe haven to trans people.
A wave of recent anti-transgender legislation
Madison Gusler/Herald
Over 200 people gathered in Nassau County on Saturday to rally in support of transgender rights across Long Island and beyond.
passed by state legislatures around the country has prohibited access to medical care, limited trans adults from making decisions regarding their own bodies and criminalized trans people’s existence.
“There is strong consensus among the most prominent medical organizations that evidence-based, gender affirming care for transgender children is medically necessary and appropriate. It can even be life saving,” local pediatrician, Dr. Eve Meltzer-Krief, said. “Gender affirming firming care is health care. It is
mental health care, and far too often, it is suicide prevention care.”
“At a moment when the federal government and roughly half U.S. states are aligned in attacking access to abortion and gender affirming care, New York must take action to protect providers, patients, seekers, and supporters,” Arlo Fleischer, local organizer with the New York Civil Liberties Union, said.
She explained how several states are not only stopping care provided within their state, but are actively working to “prevent people from accessing care in other states by imposing civil and criminal penalties on those who treat them.”
In February, Trump signed an executive order seeking to prohibit transgender women and girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, similar to local legislation passed in June 2024 by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
“We have seen across the state this slow rolling back of the protections that we have been able to achieve here in New York, and we must stand strong and united in solidarity with one another in order to fight back,” Kei Williams, executive director of New Pride Agenda, said.
While the Nassau County trans athlete ban has many issues, state laws protecting Long Island’s trans residents who partake in sports under their preferred identity also supersede it.
The ban has contributed to larger discrimination against those who don’t fit in under the label of man or woman.
“Nassau County has fallen prey to the propaganda that trans people are a problem. I’m here to tell you, we’re not going to stand for that,” Dolores Covrigaru, a Human Rights Campaign board member and a mom who raised her trans child in Nassau County, said.
VSN senior wins John Wenzel Scholarship
By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com
Valley Stream North High School senior Zo Mahari Elrington has been named the 2025 recipient of the John Wenzel Scholarship, an honor awarded annually by ERASE Racism to a Long Island high school senior who exemplifies a strong commitment to racial justice.
Elrington will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a new laptop, which will be formally presented at ERASE Racism’s Annual Benefit on Thursday.
The scholarship, now in its second year, was established through a commemorative grant from the Rauch Foundation in memory of John Wenzel, a dedicated advocate for racial equity and a long-standing member of ERASE Racism’s Advisory Committee. Wenzel, a Sea Cliff resident for over 50 years, passed away in late 2023. The scholarship serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy and passion for justice.
“ERASE Racism is excited to recognize Zo Mahari Elrington as the 2025 winner of the John Wenzel Scholarship,” April Francis Taylor, acting president of ERASE Racism said in a news release. “John Wenzel’s commitment to ERASE Racism and to racial justice lives on through this scholarship and its
recipients. Zo Mahari Elrington now continues what will become a growing list of Long Island seniors, whose futures will be advanced by this recognition of their commitment to racial justice and their promise of a new generation of leadership.”
Elrington earned the scholarship based on his winning essay submission to the organization’s annual writing contest. This year’s theme, “Brave Spaces: Shaping Change and Transformative Communication,” asked students to reflect on how they could challenge silence around social justice issues and inspire meaningful dialogue in their communities.
In his essay, Elrington described how music has been central to his personal and educational development, serving as both a learning tool and a form of activism. He wrote about how songs ranging from childhood educational tunes to Bob Marley’s “War” shaped his understanding of justice, equity, and the power of voice. Through music, Elrington found a vehicle to discuss difficult topics in ways that engage and empower.
I found sound. Music became my medium for shaping change — my way to raise my voice.”
As an ERASE Racism Student Task Force member, Elrington has also applied this perspective in leadership roles at school, including through the Future Teacher Club and the My Brother’s Keeper program. He incorporates music into lesson plans and peer workshops, using lyrics to spark discussions about social issues ranging from hiring discrimination to internalized oppression.
“In a society that values silence over truth, my goal is to build classrooms where communication is courageous, and change is possible,” Elrington wrote. “By combining melody with meaning, I am not just raising my voice—I’m helping others find theirs too.”
The full text of Elrington’s essay is available upon request from ERASE Racism.
“On Long Island, I’ve witnessed how classrooms often become silent on issues that matter most,” he wrote. “Social justice, race, and inequality are rarely addressed with the urgency or clarity they deserve. But in this silence,
Founded on Long Island, ERASE Racism is a civil rights organization that works to expose and confront the longterm effects of structural racism, particularly in public education and housing. The group engages in research, policy advocacy, legal action and public education to drive systemic change at the local, state and national levels. ERASE Racism has received both
regional and national recognition for its leadership in advancing racial equity. For more information or to speak with ERASE Racism, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com or call (917) 921-8034.
Courtesy ERASE Racism Zo Mahari Elrington, recognized for his leadership and use of music to promote social justice, will be honored at ERASE Racism’s Annual Benefit on Thursday.
Herald Senior Health & Beyond Expo expands 2025 Series with Massapequa debut
By Dana McDermott
Herald Community Media and RichnerLIVE successfully hosted the second event in the 2025 Senior Health & Beyond Expo series on May 22, at the Massapequa Elks Lodge #2162. Despite rainy and chilly weather, the free community event drew hundreds of attendees from across the region — including seniors, families, and care-givers — all eager to explore the latest in wellness, lifestyle enhancements, and essential health resources.
Held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the expo marked its debut in Massapequa with resounding success. Attendees engaged with over 35 educational vendors offering information on topics ranging from rehabilitation and home care to wellness programs and state services. Attendees had the opportunity to connect one-on-one with experts in various fields.
Informational booths offered resources on home rehabilitation, in-home care services, chronic disease management, wellness programs, state and local assistance, and more. Many participants took the time to explore all the booths, gathering literature, asking questions, and signing up for programs to help improve their quality of life.
“This was our very first Senior Health Expo in Massapequa, and the community’s enthusiasm far exceeded our expectations,” said Amy Amato, Executive Director of Corporate Relations and Events at RichnerLIVE. “We are proud to provide a platform where seniors and their loved ones can access vital information and engage with professionals who truly care about their well-being.”
The event wasn’t just educational—it was fun, too. A special comedy performance by Larry Izzo brought lighthearted entertainment to the morning, sparking laughter and community connection. His blend of humor and relatability added a personal touch that resonated with many in the crowd.
One of the highlights of the morning was a lively Q&A panel discussion featuring several distinguished speakers. Each panelist brought expertise from their respective fields, offering actionable tips and meaningful insights. Representatives from the Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation discussed the differences between short- and long-term rehabilitation options, addressing common misconceptions and helping families better plan for care transitions. Mid-Island Audiology highlighted the crucial link between hearing loss and brain health, stressing the importance of early intervention and regular hearing evaluations. East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center offered practical advice on fall prevention, a major concern for many seniors, including home safety modifications and physical therapy strategies. PSEG Long Island presented on advocacy, out-
reach, and education, sharing programs available to help seniors manage utility bills and understand energy usage. The New York State Department of Public Service – Long Island Office provided information on saving money and energy, as well as preparing homes for the warmer months ahead, including statesupported incentives and rebates.
Each presentation was followed by a Q&A session, giving audience members the opportunity to ask questions and receive tailored responses. These panels were especially popular, with attendees appreciating the chance to speak directly to experts in an accessible, conversational setting.
The event was made possible through
the support of several key sponsors and partners who share the goal of improving the lives of seniors. Event sponsors included AARP, CenterLight Healthcare PACE, East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the New York State Department of Public Service, Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation, and Silver Lining Homecare Agency, which also served as the event’s Gift Bag Sponsor. These partnerships reflect the collaborative spirit behind the Senior Health & Beyond Expo series, emphasizing the importance of bringing together public, private, and nonprofit organizations to better serve the aging population.
Following the success in Mass -
apequa, the next Senior Health & Beyond Expo is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at Congregation Ohav Sholom in Merrick, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Like all events in the series, it will be free and open to the public, offering another opportunity for seniors and their loved ones to discover new services, engage with experts, and enjoy a morning of education, community, and connection.
To view a full gallery of photos from the Massapequa expo, visit RichnerLive.com. For a complete schedule of upcoming events in the 2025 Senior Health & Beyond Expo series, including locations and times, visit LiHerald.com.
The Massapequa Senior Expo attracted over 200 people to the May 22 event.
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Senior Expo attendees took part in stationary exercises led by emcee Mae Caime.
Nicole Hall and Diane Finocchio from PSEG Long Island.
Claire Masih and Angela Mistretta of Park Lane Jewelry By ClairMarie.
Pablo Rendon, Janette Lebron, and Carmen Quinones of Parker Jewish Institute Health Care and Rehabilitation.
Ryan Lynch from New York Cancer & Blood Specialists. Expo attendees had the opportunity to meet 35 vendors.
Carol Bottiglieri from TrueCare Adult Day Care Center.
Jackie Rothermel from Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein, & Breitstone, LLP.
Alyssa Ednie, Christen L. Cassidy, and Rochelle L. Verron, Esq. from Verron Law Group.
Robert Perricone, Sherri M. Stoklasa, and Laura Williams from WellCare.
Stephanie Penza and Sheila O’Brien from SightMD.
James Senese, Marguerite L. Ryan, and Ed Ryan from Equitable Advisors.
AnneMarie Fragkoulis and Alexa Panariello of East Neck Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Debbie D’Amato of Centerlight HealthCare PACE.
Patricia Barna from ClarCaptions. Jill Wasser from the NYS Department of Public Service.
Manuel Martinez from Elegance At Home.
Mae Caime speaking at the Senior Health Expo in Massapequa.
Transforming cleats into custom canvases
more with them in the future.”
Evan’s paintings are a combination of original ideas as well as references and requested themes from customers.
“It’s off the cuff,” he said. “I like to put my own spin on the designs I do.”
Melissa Taveras, Evan’s mother and manager, coordinates with high-profile clients in the athletic field.
“He was commissioned to do hats and bases for Citi Field,” she said. “He does the artwork, and I do the behind the scenes work.” Citi Field is home to the New York Mets.
Melissa saw potential in Evan’s work after his first pair of painted shoes.
“We’re gonna buy a pair of shoes, and that’s gonna be your best friend’s birthday gift whether they look ugly or not,” she joked. “And they really came out amazing. I posted them on that page, and we started interacting with other artists, and people started reaching out to him.”
These painting projects played an important role in getting through the era of remote schooling due to Covid-19.
“As a young kid going through the pandemic, you were trying to figure out what to do with your time, because we were always home and stuff,” Melissa said. “He wasn’t online, or he wasn’t on the computer or playing video games. He was really becoming an expert in his craft and growing his business, and the opportunities started to come.
“We’re proud of him, and he’s a great inspiration, especially to his siblings,” she continued. “He has two brothers and a sister, and they really look up to him.”
Evan plans on continuing to create art for the foreseeable future, but his ultimate goal is to be the one wearing cleats on the field.
“I want to be an MLB player and customize my own cleats too,” he said. “That would be super cool.”
Valley Stream Central’s baseball coach Michael Barone has seen Evan grow as an athlete and a teammate on the Eagles junior varsity squad. Evan was on the team this season.
“What amazes me about Evan is that even though he has so much going on with his artwork is that he’s still able to relate to his peers around him, which shows you how mature he is as a person,” he said. “I would say he’s very good at being a teammate and being present with his teammates.”
Barone has high hopes for Evan’s future.
“With the correct guidance, and if he continues on the path that he’s on, the sky is the limit,” he said.
Evan can be found on Instagram at @EvanTheArtist.
Melissa Taveras and her son, Evan, work together to provide hand painted accessories for professional athletes.
Mets first baseman Pete Alonso had Evan Taveras paint a pair of arcticthemed cleats.
Evan Taveras speaks with interested customers at 2024 FanaticsFest NYC.
Photos courtesy Melissa Taveras
Evan Taveras is an accomplished painter. His next goal is to become an MLB athlete.
STEPPING OUT
Chris Botti
bite out of science as you encounter some
Digging for dinos
Explore a prehistoric world at Long Island Children’s Museum
By Danielle Schwab
Your family’s summer “travel” plans might want to include an adventure back millions of years when mighty dinosaurs ruled the Earth.
The museum welcomes visitors to get up close to models of dinosaur bones that demystify the enigmatic creatures and shed light on the reality of the past at it’s newest STEM-based exhibit, “Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed,” now in residence until Aug. 31.
“Dinosaurs are such a popular, fascinating thing for kids to explore,” says Ashley Niver, the museum’s director of education. “It’s exciting to be standing next to these replicas of dinosaurs, seeing the full-blown skeletons, because it gives them such a great sense of scale compared to their bodies.”
Six full skeletal bodies represent real-life “legends,” including a Triceratops, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and a Velociraptor. Of course, there’s plenty of opportunity to view and touch, plus examine additional molds of skulls, arms, legs, eggs, footprints, and even a 6-foot-1-inch Apatosaurus femur. Also go deeper into the science and history of the prehistoric era through a timeline matching game and enjoy a dig box where everyone can use paleontology tools to unearth dinosaur bones.
• Now until Aug. 31
• $17 museum admission, $16 seniors 65 and older
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City
“Kids have a very close view of what these dinosaurs look like compared to one another, and their interesting bone structure. It’s a different perspective than they would get from just a book. They can touch all of these things,” Niver says. A fascinating highlight is surely that enormous Apatosaurus femur. This gigantic animal weighed as much as five elephants and walked with a thunderous sound as the feet hit the ground, Niver explains.
Fossil replicas are made of fiberglass and foam, which allows a unique opportunity for kids to interact with dinos outside of glass displays. For Niver, this all goes hand-in-hand with the museum’s mission to make immersive learning accessible to families.
“To have something that would normally be hands-off is exciting for kids. Any kind of tactile component within our programs and exhibits enhances the whole experience,” she explains.
Visitors won’t just look at bones, they can also dig for
them! Kids can step into the role of a paleontologist by wearing paleontology gear as they take their curiosity to two “dig sites” and use paleontology tools to excavate for new skeletons — and then hide them for the next explorer to find.
As always, related programming enhances
As always, related programming enhances the exhibit experience.
can join Dr. Patricia Osiris and help coax a
Among the highlights, the museum’s theater team presents an original interactive performance, “Unbox-a-saurus.” Families can join Dr. Patricia Osiris and help coax a shy dinosaur out of its crate to meet new friends, for an additional fee.
Other activities include creating pterodactyl flyers and clay fossil impressions on select dates.
For those curious minds, paleontologist Michael D’Emic, PhD, brings his tools and artifacts to the museum on July 10. Feel free to ask questions about dinosaurs and their ancient world of D’Emic and the graduate students accompanying him.
discovering new species — it is
“Studying dinosaurs is more than just naming and discovering new species — it is about learning how environments and species changed over time, which is more important than ever to understand in today’s changing world,” D’Emic wrote in an email.
Visitors of all ages will certainly have an engaging time with all things dinos.
“The range of dinosaur appeal is a multi-generational thing. Any dinosaur enthusiasts who are adults will be thrilled to get to share that with their kids,” Niver says.
Any dinosaur enthusiasts who are adults will be thrilled to get to
From their habitats to their bone structures, the world of dinosaurs sparks imagination and creative play through their larger-than-life legacy.
“They have their own personalities in many ways. There are ones that eat
“They have their own personalities in many ways. There are ones that eat meat and others that eat plants. Some are big and some are small. That’s what’s interesting and intriguing. This majestic-seeming creature no longer roams the Earth, but you knew it once did,” she adds.
And there’s no better place to start than at Long Island Children’s Museum.
“It’s local. You don’t have to go to the city to learn about dinosaurs and see fossil replicas up close, it’s right here in Garden City,” Niver continues, encouraging everyone to check out the museum’s latest offering, in collaboration with the Museum of Discovery, Little Rock, Ark.
The world’s top-selling jazz instrumentalist, Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the world’s most popular instrumentalists for nearly three decades. A trumpeter with a sumptuous, enveloping tone, fluent phrasing, and sense of space, Botti became a masterly musician equally at home in the realms of jazz and pop. He honed his craft performing and recording with stars like Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and Sting, who featured him on his Brand New Day tour and who was one the stellar artists on Botti’s chart-topping 2009 album “Live in Boston.” In short, Chris Botti really needs no introduction. Yet with his Blue Note Records debut, he’s offering one anyway. Vol.1 is in many ways a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back, with a small group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards.
Friday, June 6, 8 p.m. $99.50, $89.50, $69.50, $64.50, $59.50, $39.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
Northwinds Symphonic Band
Sands Point Preserve’s reserve’s historic mansions and waterfront grounds are the majestic backdrop for a lively musical afternoon. Northwinds Symphonic Band returns with “Broadway, Movies, and Light Classics.” Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses. The concert (indoors) features a host of treasured music from the big screen to the stage. Conductors Helen P. Bauer and Brandon Bromsey have designed an entertaining program of both instrumental and vocal selections.
A special appearance by Broadway performer Karen Murphy and tenor Joe Stroppel with spotlight solos by Northwinds musicians are among the highlights. Consider bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy on the delightful grounds before the concert.
Sunday, June 8, 3 p.m. $10.
Recreate a favorite creature or make the dino of your dreams using large-scale foam blocks.
Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org or call (516) 571-7901.
Photos courtesy LICM
Take a
hulking behemoths.
Junior paleontologists can unearth fossils in two dig pits.
Roam among dinos and make some new friends.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
JUNE
5
On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct followup to the well-received 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: Ongoing
• Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org
JUNE
6
‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’
The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: Also June 8 and June 10-12, times vary
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Hope Day 2025
JUNE
7
A free community festival for all ages featuring groceries, haircuts, health services, and more. Enjoy family fun with a kids zone, lunch, live entertainment, family portraits and a basketball tournament. A day full of hope.
• Where: Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, 123 W. Merrick Road
• Time: Noon-4 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 561-6150 or info@bethlehemag.org
The Longest Day tournament
Mid-Tier Summit Gaming hosts
in-person video game tournaments at Max Rarity to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s research. Part of The Longest Day initiative, this event brings gamers together for a meaningful cause.
• Where: 175 Rockaway Ave
• Time: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Contact: MTSummitGaming@Gmail.com
JUNE 14
Voyage
• Where: 1200 W. Walk
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: info@caribbiznetwork. com or (516) 847-5757
JUNE
13
National BBQ Festival
The National BBQ Festival touches down in Nassau County at Eisenhower Park for the first time on Father’s Day Weekend. It’s slated to be packed with mouthwatering eats, entertainment and family-friendly fun, through June 15.
• Where: 1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow
• Time: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Contact: nationalbbqfest.com
JUNE 29
Garden Gallery Quest Scavenger Hunt
Visit Old Westbury Gardens for a day of artistic exploration. All ages are invited to stroll through the gardens in search of some of the most famous paintings hidden throughout the grounds. Find them all and return to Westbury House to claim a special gift.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Ongoing all day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
JUNE
8
Rockin’ with Gold Dust Woman
Plaza Theatricals welcomes the Stevie Nicks tribute band, featuring Janet Soluri. Gold Dust Woman takes audiences into the four-plus decades of the timeless solo career of rock ‘n roll’s mystic poet and two-time Rock Hall inductee, along with Fleetwood Mac classics. $40, $35 seniors. Groove along at Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Contact: plazatheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870
JUNE
10
Craft-Along: Father’s Day
Children are invited to Henry Waldinger Memorial Library for a special Father’s Day-themed event. The program includes stories and a craft activity in the Children’s Room, offering kids a chance to enjoy creative time while making something thoughtful for Father’s Day.
• Where: 60 Verona Place
• Time: 4-5 p.m.
• Contact: valleystreamlibrary.org or call (516) 825-6422
JUNE
11
Summer Concert
Kick off the start of Valley Stream’s Summer Concerts series with Tribe, a classic rock band. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!
• Where: Valley Stream Village Green
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: Vsvny.org
Rockin’ tunes
Kick off the start of the Valley Stream Summer Concerts with Tribe, a classic rock band. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair!
• Time: 7 p.m.
“Don’t stop believin’… Voyage has returned with its rockin’ tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. The attention to detail is unrivaled: blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, has earned them a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory. From the soaring ballads of “Faithfully” and “Open Arms” to the anthemic energy of “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Separate Ways,” every performance is a journey through the soundtrack of a generation. $40, $35, $30, $25, $20.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: Valley Stream Village Green
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: Vsvny.org
Little
JUNE
12
Learners Art Lab
Each week in this engaging workshop, participants are introduced to artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week families explore the techniques used in expressionist art. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Access to Capital with JPMorgan Chase
Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month with an info session, panel and small business networking mixer presented by JPMorgan Chase. Hear from experts, explore grant opportunities and enter a raffle for $5K+ in business services.
Kiwanis Bicycle Challenge Ride in support of others. The Nassau Bicycle Challenge (formerly Nassau to Suffolk Bicycle Challenge) supports the work of the Kiwanis Club of North Shore Foundation. It supports charities such as Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation, Kamp Kiwanis, NOSH, Boys and Girls Club and charities aligned with those of Kiwanis International “Serving the Children of the World”, including Kiwanis’ signature programs of Klothes 4 Kids, Koats 4 Kids and Kicks 4 Kids. The beautiful ride through the Gold Coast features picturesque vistas and water views. Choose from a 25 mile loop with 1,060 feet of vertical climb or the more challenging ride with an additional 10 mile loop, totalling 35 miles, with 1,600 feet of vertical climb. Routes are clearly marked and ride is equipped with a rest stop. Snacks and water provided. Sponsorships also available. Online registration ends June 24, but walk-ins are welcome. Online registration is $50, day of is $60.
• Where: Starting at Harry Tappen Beach, Sea Cliff
• Time: Staggered starts, rain or shine
• Contact: n2nbc.org
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.
Debating casino zoning at Coliseum site
By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com
Residents, business leaders, and elected officials shared their thoughts on the proposed changes to the Nassau Coliseum and Mitchel Field sites during two public hearings before the Hempstead Town Board May.
The proposed zoning change would create a Mitchel Field Integrated Resort District, and while the change would not guarantee a casino, it would allow for a casino resort or other tourism attractions to be built on the Uniondale site.
While the Las Vegas Sands corporation announced that it will not apply in June for one of three available downstate gaming licenses in New York last April, they are still responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the property, but cannot build or develop on it after the Nassau County Legislature approved a 42-year operational lease agreement with the company last August.
The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Marriott Hotel Property are currently zoned within the Mitchel Field Mixed-Use District. In the district, gaming facilities including bars, casinos, cocktail lounges, nightclubs, hotels, and other facilities under their control are not allowed, according to the town.
When the Sands announced they were pulling out in late April, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the county would look into other projects. “In either event, there will be an exciting new development that will create jobs and positive economic activity,” he said previously. A potential new developer was not discussed during the public hearing.
Over 90 comments were submitted at the two May 27 sessions. The town reserved a decision until a future date.
Field sites during the first of two public hearings before the Hempstead Town Board on May 27.
Daniel Baker, an attorney from the Garden City law firm Greenberg Traurig, said the renovations would transform the area from “a sea of asphalt parking areas with an underutilized arena,” into a “mixed entertainment destination that fosters a sense of community and connectivity within its surroundings and draws people together.”
Pearl Jacobs, a Uniondale resident, a member of the Say No to the Casino Civic Association and president of
the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association, brought up several environmental concerns that she said would stem from high traffic at a casino, pointing to the high asthma rates in Uniondale, Roosevelt and Hempstead.
“Championing a casino proposal with its myriad of environmental burdens while chastising the FAA is the height of hypocrisy,” Jacobs said.
“Moving forward with a casino proposal would be detrimental to county resident’s quality of life and public health,” she noted in a later portion of her statement that she did not read due to time constraints. Jacobs also added that the proposal is “nothing other than environmental racism” due to its proximity towards and potential health impacts on disadvantaged communities.
Speakers in favor of the zoning changes pointed to economic growth, the potential of developing an underdeveloped area, as well as benefits for union and construction workers.
“It is a commitment to create jobs, develop business, and be part of the transformational project that will uplift this entire community in Nassau County,” said Rachel Lugo, a Hempstead resident, who additionally serves as division director of family support and vocational services for the EAC Network, a social service agency that assists and cares for people in need across Long Island and New York City.
Lugo added that the new employment opportunities would benefit the unemployed, working class, and people with disabilities among others. The town board ended the hearing with a unanimous vote to leave the hearing open for written comment until June 10 at 10:30 a.m.
Comments can be sent to Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington St., Hempstead, NY 11550.
Have an opinion on the zooming change. Send letter to jbessen@liherald.com.
Luke Feeney/Herald
Residents, business leaders and elected officials spoke on the proposed changes to the Nassau Coliseum and Mitchel
June 5, 2025 —
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
Public Notices
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU
The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2006-25, Plaintiff, Against Manuocheka Jeunes; Homability, LLC; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 12/19/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 6/17/2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 21 Cochran Pl, Valley Stream, NY 11581, 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 Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, the County of Nassau and the State of New York.
Section 39 Block 386 Lot 121 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $1,408,167.56 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale. 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; Index # 606730/2022 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 5/12/2025
File Number: 34818
MB 153532
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU
Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, D/B/A Christiana Trust
as Trustee for PNPMS Trust I, Plaintiff AGAINST John Lane, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 8, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 65 Hungry Harbor Road, Valley Stream, NY 11581. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Unincorporated Area, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 39, Block: E, Lot: 240. Approximate amount of judgment $228,126.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615498/2021. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-098732-F00 85200 153483
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 620152/2023 COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 EBO TRUST Plaintiff, vs. LINDA F. CACACI F/K/A LINDA PRISCO A/K/A LINDA MINERVINI; CAROL M. CACACI; AMANDA PRISCO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF NEIL PRISCO, JR. A/K/A NEIL PRISCO; ANIELLO PRISCO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF NEIL PRISCO, JR. A/K/A NEIL PRISCO; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF NEIL PRISCO, JR. A/K/A NEIL PRISCO any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the
following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; DIGNA ROSALES; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Defendants. Plaintiff designates NASSAU as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises: 76 AVONDALE STREET, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11581
Section: 39, Block: 493, Lot: 18
To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $363,298.00 and interest, recorded on May 14, 2008, in Liber M32971 at Page 690, of the Public Records of NASSAU County, New York., covering premises known as 76 AVONDALE STREET, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11581.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NASSAU County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: February 10, 2025
ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC
Attorney for Plaintiff Eric Sheidlower, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 153662
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON TRUST, N.A., NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE
OF MFRA TRUST 2015-1, Plaintiff, vs. SEBASTIAN A. LEONARDI A/K/A SEBASTIAN LEONARDI, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 30, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 1, 2025 at 4:00 p.m., premises known as 123 Albermarle Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 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 37, Block 607 and Lot 22. Approximate amount of judgment is $545,528.46 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611066/2020.
Cary David Kessler, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 191501-3 153782
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST CARMEN COREAS, DANIEL COREAS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered September 30, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 34 East Avenue, 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 Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of
Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 192 and Lot 8. Approximate amount of judgment $596,120.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605700/2023. Peter L. Kramer, Esq., Referee Phone: 516-510-4020 Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-000154 85581 153724
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527 RESOLUTION NO. 576-2025
Adopted: May 27, 2025 Councilmember Schnieder offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS. WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 576-2025, Adopted May 27, 2025 a public hearing was duly held on the 27th day of May 2025, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the
same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:
BELLMORE
OCEAN AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 393 feet south of the south curbline of Merrick Road, south for a distance of 14 feet.
(TH-177/25)
ELMONT
MADISON STREETnorth side, starting at a point 416 feet west of the west curbline of Cross Street, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-156/25)
(NR)VALLEY STREAM
LAW STREET - east side, starting at a point 532 feet south of the south curbline of Stuart Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-176/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
ELMONT
MURRAY HILL STREETnorth side, starting at a point 43 feet east of the east curbline of Biltmore Avenue, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-37/14 - 9/16/14)
(TH-3/25)
TRAVIS AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 74 feet south of the south curbline of Surprise Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-115/19 - 5/23/19) (TH-173/25) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Muscarella and adopted upon roll call as follows: AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 153915
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527
RESOLUTION NO. 623-2025
Adopted: May 27, 2025
Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution
and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the Town Board may, from time to time, hold public hearings to establish and set aside public places, streets or portions of streets within the Town as parking spaces for the sole and exclusive use of holders of valid special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 17th day of June 2025, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, at which time all persons interested shall be heard on the establishment and setting aside of certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:
ELMONT
HERBERT AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 118 feet south of the south curbline of Chelsea Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-180/25)
ROQUETTE AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 397 feet south of the south curbline of Pelham Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-216/25)
ROOSEVELT EAST RAYMOND AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 402 feet west of the west curbline of Cottage Place, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-202/25)
(NR)VALLEY STREAM BARRY DRIVE WESTwest side, starting at a point 210 feet north of the north curbline of Stephen Place, north
Students recognized for arts achievements
Students from Valley Stream have recently received recognition for their performing and visual arts accomplishments.
Central High School students Monty Person and Tatianna Rosello were among the top 50 2025 Roger Rees Outstanding Performer Awards nominees. Their performances as The Scarecrow and Dorothy in the school’s fall production of The Wiz, under the direction of teacher Patrick Tirino, earned them selection from a competitive pool of performers across the Tri-State area.
The awards program includes training opportunities with Broadway professionals and a showcase event at Symphony Space in Manhattan, with the potential for advancement to the national-level Jimmy Awards.
In the visual arts, Memorial Junior High School’s Sara Ibrahim and North High School’s Ayesha Danish were selected to participate in the 2025 Congressional Art Show for New York’s Fourth Congressional District. Their original artworks were displayed at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on April 21 as part of the national Congressional Art Competition, which is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives and highlights the work of high school artists from districts across the country.
These recognitions reflect the continued participation and success of Valley Stream students in regional and national arts programs.
–Angelina Zingariello
Public Notices
for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-171/25)
WEST HEMPSTEAD
WADLEIGH AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 255 feet west of the west curbline of Jennings Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-215/25) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons: MERRICK
HEWLETT AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 625 feet south of the south curbline of Donna Drive, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-256/24 - 8/06/24)
(TH-206/25) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall give
notice of such hearing by the publication thereof once in a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, once at least ten days prior to the above-specified date of said hearing. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Dunne and adopted upon roll call as follows:
AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 153910
Place A Notice Call
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that a license, number NA-0340-25-114754 for beer, wine, cider, and liquor has been applied for by Sugarloaf TGIF NY OPCO 2 LLC d/b/a TGI
Fridays to sell beer, wine, cider, and liquor at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 2034 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY 11581, Nassau County for on premises consumption. Sugarloaf TGIF NY OPCO 2 LLC d/b/a TGI Fridays 153954
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. FNA DZ, LLC, Pltf. vs. FRANK LONGOR, et al, Defts. Index #608597/2024. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered May 23, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on
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News brief
Preparedness workshop coming to V.S.
Residents of Valley Stream are being encouraged to participate in an upcoming Citizen Preparedness Corps workshop, aimed at equipping community members with essential tools and knowledge for handling emergencies.
The event will take place June 14, 10 a.m., at Shaw Avenue Elementary School, located at 99 Shaw Ave.
Presented in partnership with New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the workshop is part of a broader statewide initiative designed to help residents prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of natural and man-made disasters. Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages is leading local outreach efforts to ensure community participation.
“As a father and a public servant, I know how critically important it is to prepare for emergencies and ensure that our entire community has the knowledge and resources to respond to the unexpected,” Legislator Solages
said. “New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps workshops are tremendously helpful tools that give us all peace of mind, and I am proud to be partnering with Solages to bring this important workshop to Valley Stream.”
In addition to the training, each family that participates will receive a free Citizen Preparedness Corps Response Starter Kit. These kits are stocked with critical emergency items such as a flashlight, radio, batteries, fresh water packets, food rations, heavy-duty gloves, an emergency blanket, tarp, glow stick, water container and a whistle.
Pre-registration is required for the event. Residents interested in attending can visit the state’s preparedness website at prepare.ny.gov. From there, users should navigate to the training calendar and locate the specific session in Valley Stream to complete their registration.
–Angelina Zingariello
Central High School students Monty Person and Tatianna Rosello during their nominating performance in Central’s production of The Wiz.
Memorial Junior High School’s Sara Ibrahim, center, with local elected officials, including county legislators and the Rep. Laura Gillen.
Photos courtesy V.S. Central High School District
North High School’s Ayesha Danish, center, with local elected officials, including Congresswoman Laura Gillen, third from left.
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To add a family room, will we need another
garage? Part 2.
Q. We want to add a family room at the back of our house. Even though we have over 50 feet to work with to the back property line, we are being told that our garage is a problem because it’s too close to the side property line, and when we attach the family room, we’ll need to get a zoning variance. If we take the garage down we have to put up another garage, because our building department requires us to have a garage. Why is this a problem, and how can we get around it? Our contractor said he could “take care of it,” that the garage shouldn’t be a problem, but so far that hasn’t happened, and we think we have to change our plans or not do the job.
A. As I described last week, there’s a bigger picture than just the couple of issues you describe. State rules and regulation codes are intended to keep us all safe from fire, wind, floods and other hazardous conditions. The building code has overlapping fire- protection requirements. A structure built closer than 3 feet to a property line must have fire-rated materials, as an “assembly,” including wall or roof interior and exterior materials. I often get questions from contractors calling to ask why I showed fire-rated sheetrock on only the side walls and roofs of a garage facing a property line, with a specific fastening pattern and insulation, especially when the garage won’t be heated. They ask this because nobody requires them to know the building codes, even though most consumers are under the false impression that all contractors are well-versed in building codes. One such conversation, when a contractor called, led to 20 minutes of argument, because the contractor was repeating, “I’ve never had to do this, this is overkill, nobody does this, I’m not doing this…” I could only answer that it was required in the codes, and there wouldn’t have been a permit if the plans didn’t show this, and the owner needed to know if the construction wouldn’t pass inspection, leaving the owner with a possible violation and greater expense to fix incorrect work.
One of the reasons for this friction is because in the past, most garages were approved without these requirements. Regulations were not uniformly enforced, leaving contractors with the impression that these regulations were just for some but not for all. Although things may be changing, contractors, generally, aren’t held to a level of responsibility that would require them to sign documents for their work to show that they followed the law and that they are part of the safety process. In some departments, this is changing as building departments begin to recognize that everyone involved in a construction project, including the ones who construct, are part of the safety team. “Taking care of it” sounds illegal, with you, the owner left holding the bag. Good luck!
Monte Leeper, architect.
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opinions
Enhanced automatic voter registration is needed
Democracy begins at the ballot box. But for far too many Long Islanders—especially working-class residents, naturalized immigrants, and communities of color—that access remains out of reach. According to the Institute for Responsive Government, which reviewed data from the analytics firm Catalist, more than 400,000 eligible but unregistered voters live in Nassau and Suffolk counties. This is a crisis of representation.
Long Islanders are working harder than ever to make ends meet, care for their families, and contribute to the future of their communities. Yet, when it comes to voting, the system still places unnecessary obstacles in the path of participation. Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration offers a simple, secure, and transformative solution. And Long Island stands to benefit significantly from this critical piece of legislation.
Our current voter registration system is outdated, confusing, and inefficient. It
places the burden of registering entirely on individuals, many of whom are busy working multiple jobs, caring for children, or navigating bureaucratic systems in a second language. On Long Island and across New York State, this is particularly true for young people, lowincome residents, immigrants, and people of color.
An d when people vote, our government works better for everyone .
Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration offers a commonsense, modern solution to change this dynamic. By upgrading our current voter registration system, this legislation would register eligible voters automatically when they interact with government agencies, like the DMV or Medicaid, unless they choose to opt out. EAVR would streamline an unnecessarily complex process. Long Island residents wouldn’t have to deal with any more missed forms or waiting in line at confusing registration events, causing them to fall through the cracks.
Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration will not just make voting more accessible, it will make our elections more secure. Under EAVR, state agencies that automatically register voters must first verify their citizenship, resi-
dence, and eligibility to vote in New York. This document-based verification will prevent noncitizens from inadvertently registering to vote and ensure that voters who have moved recently are registered at the correct address. Expanding voter participation, while preventing paperwork errors with potentially serious consequences, is critical on Long Island, where immigrant households often include both citizens and noncitizens and high mobility results in frequent address changes.
Beyond the logistical benefits, Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration would restore power to many people historically locked out of the electoral process. In Nassau and Suffolk Counties, hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are unable to influence key decisions about housing affordability, school funding, public transportation, and environmental safety. When more of our neighbors are registered, more of our voices are heard, and our democracy becomes more representative and more responsive.
The numbers speak for themselves. In states that have adopted similar
enhanced registration systems, voter participation has surged. For example, since Colorado implemented Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration in 2020, the state saw an increase of more than half a million registered and active voters. That’s no coincidence. And when people vote, our government works better for everyone.
Long Island’s future depends on inclusive democracy. We cannot afford to leave nearly half a million potential voters on the sidelines. The Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration act would bring us one step closer to a system where voting is not a privilege of the few, but a right accessible to all who qualify.
We must act now to ensure our local, state, and national elections reflect the real diversity and strength of our communities. For our neighborhoods, our families, and our future, it’s time for New York to pass Enhanced Automatic Voter Registration and make it law. Let’s unlock the power of Long Island’s people—and build a democracy that is truly representative of us all.
Assemblymember Charles David Lavine represents the 13th Assembly District and serves as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and as a member of the Committees on Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Rules, and Insurance.
GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 10 a.m.
At Hofstra University, graduate students grow the seeds to advance in their career. Hear from representatives across 200 programs that include business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, nursing, and psychology, and learn all the ways your success can sprout at Hofstra University. Your future awaits.
For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit .
CHARLEs
LAVinE
Echoes of the past: Is today’s climate a reflection of the 1930s, the late 60s, or both?
People of a certain age will recall the often-violent upheavals of the 1960s and early 1970s. That period was defined by widespread protests, civil rights struggles, and fierce opposition to the Vietnam War.
Many young activists viewed their elders as complicit in a corrupt system bent on perpetuating injustice, fueling riots, and campus unrest. Some even joined militant groups like the Weather Underground and Students for a Democratic Society, which engaged in bombings and other violent acts in pursuit of radical change. Does this sound familiar? The riots in American cities in recent years, the rise of groups such as Black Lives Matter, and the often-chaotic ferment in universities today raise the question: Are we reliving the 60s, or is something even darker emerging?
opinions Will history repeat itself?
A more troubling parallel: The 1930s
The recent murders of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington jolted me into considering another historical comparison — the 1930s. That decade was marked by social upheaval stemming from a worldwide depression, the lingering scars of World War I, and the rise of authoritarian regimes. Virulent populism and nationalism swept across nations, and antisemitism, particularly in Nazi Germany, became a state-sponsored force of oppression. Jews were scapegoated for economic instability, leading to the implementation of the Nuremberg Laws, violent pogroms like Kristallnacht, and ultimately, the horrors of the Holocaust. Again, the similarities are unsettling. Wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza, tensions escalate in the South China Sea, and proxy conflicts unfold across Africa and the Middle East — echoing the regional disputes of the 1930s that eventually culminated in global war. Antisemitism, often disguised as anti-Zionism, has returned with alarming force. Synagogues are attacked, Jewish students harassed, and political rhetoric
ihas grown dangerously conspiratorial. The lessons of history—so forcefully taught in the wake of the Holocaust— seem to be fading, leaving a new generation susceptible to the same prejudices and divisions.
Li ke the 1960s, we are experiencing a profound cultural upheaval.
A common thread: The erosion of institutional trust
A defining characteristic across all three periods—the 1930s, the 1960s, and today—is the collapse of faith in institutions. In the 1930s, governments failed to address economic crises, paving the way for demagogues. In the 1960s, distrust in the U.S. government intensified due to Vietnam and civil rights failures. Today, trust in media, government, and academia is at record lows — Pew Research reported in 2024 that only 16 percent of Americans trust the federal government consistently. This widespread skepticism breeds social unrest and accelerates ideological divides, mirroring conditions from past eras.
Where are we headed?
So, where does this leave us? Today’s crisis is a hybrid — a volatile mix of the worst elements from the 1930s and the
late 1960s, with its own unique characteristics shaped by technology, globalization, and a post-industrial economy. Like the 1930s, democracy is under siege, with authoritarianism gaining ground not just in distant nations but within established democracies. Like the 1960s, we are experiencing a profound cultural upheaval, where traditional institutions — from universities to media to religion — are being challenged and reshaped.
Are we inevitably headed for a grim future? No one can say for certain. While history does not repeat itself exactly, it often rhymes—as Mark Twain famously observed. At least here in Nassau County, we actively work to ensure that all residents can safely work, go to school and play. We are the safest large county in the country. We have passed a law banning masks, so that prospective wrongdoers understand that they cannot hide and will be found and punished, if they interfere with the rights of others. We strive to be an example for the rest of the country. We strive to educate our young people, and we rely on all of you to be vigilant.
Howard Kopel represents Nassau County’s 7th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s presiding officer.
Texas to ban social media for kids: Yeehaw!
never thought I would say these words, but Texas is leading the way on protecting kids from social media abuse. You read that right. The Lone Star State is moving towards passing a bill that would shut down social media access to young children and teens. This is a win-win for children and for parents enlightened enough to see the proven dangers of too much media time, and then do something about it.
According to KSLA TV in Shreveport, “The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill prohibiting people under age 18 from creating or using social media accounts … It aims to address the concern that social media has a negative impact on the mental health of young people. The bill was passed in a 116-25 vote with support from both sides of the aisle.
“… Social media companies would be required to verify the age of their users. It would also allow parents to request that their child’s social media accounts be deleted, and companies would have to
remove the account within ten days.”
The bill is headed to the Texas Senate and could take effect on Sept. 1. Social media has long been associated with increased bullying among children, feelings of low self-esteem, and incidents of self-harm and increased depression. Yet, the kids can’t put down their phones. You don’t need me to tell you this if you’ve been in the company of teenagers recently.
As of 2025, 12 states have passed or are working on similar legislation, but the process is coming together slowly, and the kids are falling apart quickly.
Csent for social media are akin to age limits on drinking, driving, and smoking,” she said.
Cheng added, “No policy replaces the need for parents to have frank, open conversations with their kids on the inherent mental and physical risks involved … Informed kids become informed young adults who make better decisions.”
hildren don’t have the self-discipline to monitor their exposure to social media.
Danny Rivera, a New York City high school English teacher and father quoted on Investopedia, said, “Students are on social media so much — inside and outside the classroom — they end up losing track of basic needs like food and sleep. They routinely tell me that they choose ‘doomscrolling’ or working on a dance routine to post over getting rest on a school night.”
Susan Cheng, associate dean of public health at Tulane University, and with a teenager at home, told Investopedia that changes to kids’ access are common sense. “Guardrails around age of con-
New York State passed a squishy law that seems both difficult to understand and enforce. On websites like Facebook, X and TikTok, a complex set of algorithms helps create personalized feeds to keep users engaged on the platform for as long as possible. The State Legislature passed a bill last year that, according to a New York Times story, will disrupt the relationship between tech companies and young people by restricting the use of algorithms on minors’ social media feeds.
Many of these laws are complex and face endless challenges in court.
Maybe legislation is not the most effective, or only, way to lasso the social media giants. Our basic, common, core values compel us to do an intervention, at the family level, the state level, in the courts and schools. Unrestricted social
media is hurting our kids.
We need only look around to see the creepy fixation and attachment to phones pervasive in our culture. Adults have tools to self-regulate, but children are easy prey for financially motivated influencers and celebrities who are selling products and insecurity in equal measure. Visit a restaurant and see families eating together and apart with everyone on their own phone.
There are epidemics that kill and epidemics that diminish and pervert normal social development. Social media, especially too much too soon, is making our children, and especially our teenagers, less secure, more anxious and more vulnerable to companies who are using them for profit. Children don’t have the self-discipline necessary to monitor their exposure to social media. Kids I know have told me students use their phones in the classroom to check out social media, look up test answers, watch videos, or worse.
Kudos to Texas for moving ahead with big, bold legislation. New York must create child-protective laws that have teeth. It’s our job as citizens and our obligation as human beings to defend our children’s privacy and mental health. Copyright
RAnDi KREiss
HoWARD KopEL
Hurricane season is here — Prepare to be safe
as the calendar turns to June, the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins—and this year, forecasters are predicting an active one. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects an above-average number of storms, fueled by warm ocean temperatures and shifting climate patterns.
For many across Long Island that means more potential for destructive winds, flooding, and widespread power outages. Whether you live on the coast or in-land now is the time to prepare.
Every year, we’re reminded that hurricanes are among nature’s most powerful and unpredictable forces. Hurricane Sandy nearly 13 years ago offers sobering examples of what can happen when people are unprepared —or underestimate the threat.
Preparation isn’t just a matter of prudence; it’s a matter of survival.
First and foremost, build or update your emergency supply kit. It should include at least three days’ worth of food and water for each member of your household—one gallon of water per person, per day. Non-perishable foods such as canned goods, protein bars, peanut butter, and dried fruit are essentials. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
You’ll also need a flashlight with extra batteries, a portable phone charger (preferably solar or battery-powered), a first-aid kit, hygiene supplies, and copies
letters
Stop summer power shutoffs
To the Editor:
Summer is almost here, and with it will come deadly heat waves supercharged by the climate crisis.
Yet in 27 states, it’s perfectly legal for utility companies to shut off electricity on the hottest days of summer, leaving individuals and families without air conditioning in extreme temperatures and threatening their health and safety.
Shutting off power and preventing access to lifesaving air conditioning in the summer can have life-or-death consequences. We need to shine a spotlight on this critical issue and raise our voices to demand change.
This may not be Florida, Louisiana or Georgia, but it can still get plenty hot here in the summer.
Utility companies and local leaders everywhere must act to end utility shutoffs on the hottest days of summer. Save lives — stop the summer shutoffs.
of important documents stored in a waterproof container. Include any medications and special items for infants, the elderly or pets.
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is crucial. But when the power goes out and cell service is spotty, local radio may be the only way to receive lifesaving information.
It’s also important to know your risk. Are you in a flood-prone zone? Is your home vulnerable to storm surge? Local emergency management offices and the Federal Emergency Management Agency websites provide hazard maps that can help you answer those questions. If you live in an evacuation zone, know your routes and have a plan for where you will go—whether it’s a public shelter, a hotel or a relative’s home inland. Secure your property. Trim trees and shrubs, clean gutters, and reinforce windows and doors. If advised to do so, board up windows with plywood. Move outdoor furniture and decorations indoors so they don’t become projectiles in high winds.
Don’t wait until the last minute to gather supplies. As storms approach, store shelves empty quickly, gas lines grow long, and traffic jams snarl evacuation routes. Acting early not only gives you peace of mind — it gives you options.
Perhaps the most vital part of hurricane preparedness is staying informed. Tune in regularly to trusted local news
sources, the National Hurricane Center, and the county’s emergency management office — NassauCountyny.gov. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and up-to-date information is key to making smart decisions.
Social media is helpful, but it’s also a breeding ground for misinformation. Always verify what you see with official sources. False rumors about evacuation orders or shelter availability can put lives at risk.
Sign up for emergency alerts on your phone. Many local governments offer text or email notifications for severe weather, road closures, and evacuation notices. Don’t ignore the warnings. When authorities urge you to evacuate, it’s not a suggestion — it’s a life-saving directive.
Disasters don’t discriminate. They affect young and old, rich and poor. But preparation can make a world of difference. Having a plan, gathering supplies, and staying informed can reduce injuries, save lives, and make recovery faster and less stressful.
This hurricane season, let’s not be caught off guard. The cost of inaction is simply too high. Talk to your family. Check in with neighbors, especially the elderly or those with disabilities. Preparedness is not just personal — it’s communal.
And by working together, we can save lives.
Democracy suffers with budgets written in the dark
this year’s state budget process was deeply flawed from the start. The $254 billion spending plan was passed more than five weeks late, marking the fourth consecutive year under Governor Hochul that the budget has blown past its April 1 deadline. To make matters worse, it was crafted entirely behind closed doors by leaders of a single political party, without appropriate input from the full legislature. Worse still, it was rushed through using “messages of necessity,” bypassing the required threeday review period and effectively shutting out transparency, public input, and meaningful oversight by elected representatives. One of the most egregious inclusions in the budget is the move by the State to seize control of Nassau University Medical Center. This is nothing short of a hostile takeover by the Governor, stripping away local control of Nassau County’s only safety net hospital. I’m deeply disappointed this budget silenced local voices and undermined our community’s ability to govern its own healthcare. While stabilizing its finances and expanding care in the community,
NUMC has turned a corner despite state agencies withholding funding. Albany’s suggestion that it can do better than NUMC’s current board—despite its mismanagement of SUNY Downstate and the botched Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program overhaul.
I have spoken out frequently regarding the legislature repeatedly tilting the scales of justice in favor of criminals at the expense of victims and public safety. Cases involving real harm to individuals and communities have been thrown out over minor technicalities due to changes to the discovery laws. While any improvements to the law are welcome, the modest changes included in this budget do little to support prosecutors in their work. It’s unacceptable that the legislative majorities continue to prioritize offenders instead of public safety for the rest of us.
tof living adjustment for direct support professionals, which falls far short of the full 7.8 percent increase they deserve. These essential workers provide critical care and support every day yet continue to be underpaid and undervalued, putting the stability of the workforce, which our most vulnerable residents depend on, at serious risk.
o make matters worse, it was crafted entirely behind closed doors.
This budget also failed to address the ongoing chaos surrounding CDPAP, including the deeply flawed transition and the state’s mishandling of fiscal intermediary redesignation—leaving patients and caretakers in limbo. Even my colleagues on the other side of the aisle acknowledged that this program is a mess and needs reform. Further, it only includes a modest 2.6 percent Cost
Letters
Protect first responders, don’t hinder newsgathering
To the Editor:
The Press Club of Long Island strongly opposes Nassau County’s newly enacted “First Responder Zone of Protection Act” for its potential to unlawfully restrict newsgathering — a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment.
The act empowers any first responder — including police officers, EMTs, firefighters, and others — to order someone to stay at least 15 feet away if they “reasonably believe” that person may pose a threat or interfere with their duties. Violating such a warning is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail.
Critically, the law does not define what constitutes a “reasonable” belief or what behavior may be considered a threat or interference. This gives first responders broad discretion, opening the door to subjective and inconsistent enforcement.
This law risks criminalizing the public’s right to occupy public spac-
es and observe or record public officials — including law enforcement — performing their duties. As the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, the First Amendment protects the right to challenge and criticize police and to record their actions in public (City of Houston v. Hill, 1987). Without that right, public accountability suffers.
The 15-foot buffer is arbitrary and could easily be manipulated to block the public from witnessing important events, particularly if multiple overlapping zones are created at once. Importantly, existing laws already give police the authority to manage truly unsafe or obstructive behavior.
This act, rather than promoting safety, appears aimed at shielding law enforcement from public scrutiny. If such a law had been in place in Minneapolis in 2020, the world might never have seen the video of George Floyd’s death — and Derek Chauvin might not have been held accountable.
The New York Civil Liberties Union warned Nassau lawmakers that this law is overly broad, likely unconstitutional, and destined for legal challenge. Nonetheless, the leg-
Additionally, businesses across the suburbs are facing tight margins—and now, the MTA payroll tax will make it even harder for them to keep their doors open. Rather than instituting desperately needed reforms and accountability, Albany simply committed more funds to the MTA, while relying more heavily on Long Islanders and other suburban residents. Albany continues to treat Long Islanders like an ATM, forcing us to subsidize the MTA’s refusal to accept necessary reforms. They’ve chosen to squeeze our businesses and commuters even more with a tax hike that is unsustainable.
Although the budget misses the mark in most areas, the nearly 4,500 pages across 10 bills that comprise the State Budget do include several commendable measures for which I have advocated. The inclusion of universal school meals for students is a long-overdue step to ensure no student goes hungry
and will enable them to focus on their education. It also includes the longawaited payoff of the state’s unemployment insurance debt to the federal government for Covid-era borrowing, an obligation that originally was placed on the backs of employers through unemployment insurance fees rather than federal Covid aid. Further, the budget expanded eligibility for Gold Star Annuity payments to better support the families of veterans, including funding for clean water infrastructure, and established a childcare substitute worker pool program.
Amidst the chaos of this year’s budget, one provision stands out for its sheer absurdity. A hidden measure now allows New York taxpayer dollars to be used to pay for the criminal defense of elected officials accused of federal crimes, even if such crimes are unrelated to their official duties. This means taxpayers could be forced to fund the defense of someone accused of committing crimes like bank robbery or tax fraud. This appears to be intended to benefit one particular elected official, our attorney general, and is a flagrant misuse of taxpayer dollars.
This budget process was so flawed that it obscured its few merits, leaving even worthwhile provisions buried beneath layers of reckless spending and misplaced priorities.
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th State Senate District.
islature passed it unanimously. Laws that hinder public oversight of police don’t enhance safety — they erode constitutional rights, undermine transparency, and damage trust in law enforcement.
DENISE CIVILETTI Vice president
Framework by Tim Baker
Aerial view of the Jones Beach Water Tower — famously known as “the pencil.” — Wantagh
PCLI
