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Digging Flo Rida
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Page 10 VoL. 37 No. 37
SEPTEMBER 10 - 16, 2026
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A dog’s view of divorce Gary Goldstein writes fourth book from his longtime love for dogs. “If you have a dog, you spend half of your life wonderA Valley Stream native who ing, ‘What the hell they’re once worked at Green Acres thinking, what could they posMall is now an award-winning sibly be thinking?’” he said. Goldstein admits that the Los Angeles screenwriter and author. Gary Goldstein is story draws from his own expereleasing his four th book, riences as a child of divorced “Canine Custody,” a parents. He rememcomedy-drama that bers his childhood explores love, marfondly growing up riage and the surin Valley Stream prisingly complicatand even attending ed role pets can play Corona Ave Elemenin relationships. tary School, now Set in Southern known as James A. California, the novel Dever School, durfo l l ow s F r a n k l i n ing the 1970s. and Layla, a marHowever, this was ried couple in their an era where late 30s whose relaGARY GoLDSTEIN d ivo r c e w a s n o t tionship is falling openly discussed apart. After a fender and there were little bender, they impulsively decide resources to navigate being a to divorce. teenager of divorced parents, But both of them demand Goldstein said. He described full custody of their beloved his parents as good people indidog, Betty. Told through alter- vidually who wanted the best nating perspectives between for their — he has an older sisFranklin, Layla and Betty, the ter — but simply didn’t get novel offers an unusual view of along and could not make their a breakup, through a dog’s per- relationship work. spective that cannot fully Franklin and Layla follow understand the reasons behind that identical script, and the breakup but can sense its despite being good people indiemotional impact. vidually, become consumed by Goldstein, who will admit to anger and competition as they being in his 60s, said his inspi- fight over Betty, who exempliration behind the novel comes Continued on page 9
By LILY SPINDA
Correspondent
Photos courtesy Valley Stream Central High School District
School is back in session Valley Stream Central High School District students kicked off the first day of class for the 2026-27 school year on Sept. 2. Students were welcomed at Valley Stream Central High School, South High School, North High School and Memorial Junior High School. New programs in construction trades and Emergency Medical Technician training were created. New academic and extracurricular opportunities this year include expanded language and financial literacy electives, added flexibility for Regents testing, the return of the golf club, and a growing girls wrestling program. Story, more photos, Page 3.
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