Valley Stream Herald 10-15-2026 by Richner Communications, Inc

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N.Y. child care commissioner appears in V.S. sality,” Harris-Madden said of the state’s efforts to expand access to child care. In Nassau County, the proNew York state’s expanded investment in child care is gram is set to receive nearly helping more Nassau County $192 million, an increase of families find affordable care, $53.5 million over the current but local organizations contin- year. Enrollment has more than ue to play a key role in connect- doubled over the past five ing families with services and years, from 3,988 children in June 2021 to 8,263 in resources. June 2026, accordThat was the ing to figures profocus of an Oct. 8 vided by the state. roundtable at VFW Statewide, CCAP Post 1790, in Valley serves about 183,000 Stream, where children, with DaMia Harris-Madrecent funding den, commissioner extending af fordof the New York DAMIA able care to an addiState Office of Chiltional 13,000. Famidren and Family HARRIS-MADDEN Services met with OCFS commissioner, lies earning up to 85 local leaders, educa- on child care access percent of the state median income tors, child care providers and nonprofit represen- remain eligible. For a family of four, that translates to an annutatives to discuss the needs of al income of nearly $116,500. children and families. The state’s fiscal 2027 budget Eligible families’ contributions increased funding for child are capped at 1 percent of the care and early-childhood educa- portion of their income that tion by $1.7 billion, bringing exceeds the federal poverty the total to $4.5 billion. Of that, level, with most paying no $3 billion will be allocated to more than $15 a week. The state has also increased the Child Care Assistance Program, which helps eligible fam- reimbursement rates for child ilies pay for child care, includ- care providers by 50 percent since Gov. Kathy Hochul took ing after-school care. “The aim is to get to univerCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

By HAILEY FULMER

hfulmer@liherald.com

Hailey Fulmer/Herald photos

A day of Eagle pride for Central Valley Stream Central students showed their school spirit at Homecoming last Saturday, cheering on the Eagles as they took on Kennedy. Although Central fell 24-13, the afternoon was filled with excitement on and off the field. Cheerleaders led the crowd from the sidelines, the dance team put on a spirited performance and the marching band kept the beat. Above, the Central cheerleading squad, and at right, dance team members Kyra Fleurentins and Seranni Consuegra. Story, more photos, Page 10.

he aim is to get to universality.

Spooky season comes to Valley Stream Halloween is almost here, and Valley Stream has plenty of ways to celebrate. Families can spend the day painting pumpkins and showing off costumes, dog owners can dress up their four-legged friends, and residents looking for a scare can check out a local Halloween display. Here are three ways to get into the Halloween spirit around town. By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

n Spend the day at Halloween Family Fun Day

n Dress up your dog for the Howl-OWeen parade

n Check out the spooky Myers House display

Families looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween can head to A.J. Hendrickson Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the village’s Halloween Family Fun Day. The event, held behind the pool, will feature a bouncy house, costumed characters, a DJ, giveaways and activities for children. The morning will begin with a sensory-friendly event from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by pumpkin painting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pumpkins, paint and craft materials will be provided, but families must register in advance by calling (516) 872-6003. Children can also show off their Halloween creativity during a costume contest from 2 to 2:30 p.m., with prizes for the most creative and scariest pumpkins and costumes. The fun continues that evening with a screening of “The Addams Family” at Barrett Park. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the movie begins at 7 p.m. Families should bring chairs and blankets.

Halloween costumes aren’t just for kids. Friends of Valley Stream Dog Park is inviting residents and their furry companions to its annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Parade and Contest on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Valley Stream Dog Park. The free event gives dogs a chance to strut their stuff in their best Halloween outfits, whether they’re dressed to scare, make people laugh or simply look adorable. There will be several categories, including cutest, scariest, funniest and most original costume, as well as best combo costume for owners and their pets. First- and second-place prizes will be awarded, giving participants another reason to get creative with their pets’ looks and show off their Halloween spirit. For dog owners who enjoy including their pets in holiday celebrations, the parade is a chance to meet other local pet lovers, admire a variety of creative costumes and enjoy some festive Halloween fun.

For those who prefer their Halloween celebrations with a little more fright, the Myers House at 108 Albermarle Ave. offers a local display worth checking out. Listed on FrightMaps, the home features a 100-foot-wide front yard filled with Halloween decorations, including towering monsters reaching 12 feet tall and other spooky figures standing 7 to 8 feet tall. Photos of the property show a skull-covered archway, stacks of glowing jack-o’-lanterns and costumed figures arranged throughout the yard. And for fans of scary movies, there’s an extra reason to stop by. According to the listing, a Michael Myers actor is expected to appear during Halloween weekend and on Halloween itself. The display gives residents another way to enjoy the season without leaving Valley Stream, offering a chance to explore their neighbors’ spooky decorations.

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October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

THINGS TO KNOW TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

Joshua Kugler takes the helm at Mount Sinai agrieco@liherald.com Dr. Joshua Kugler has spent nearly 25 years caring for patients at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Now, he is taking on a new role at the Oceanside hospital, as it enters what he describes as one of the most consequential periods in its history. Kugler, 57, was recently named interim president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, succeeding Dr. Adhi Sharma, who retired earlier this summer after leading the hospital since 2021. Kugler, a longtime emergency medicine physician and former chair of the hospital’s Emergency Department, said his focus will be on continuing the hospital’s expansion while preserving the community-oriented culture that has kept him there for decades. “I am focused on the expansion of advanced services for our patients on the South Shore of Nassau County while ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and staff,” Kugler said. The hospital has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, including the opening of the Fennessy Family Emergency Department and a four-story Feil Family Pavilion for expanded critical care capacity. The campus is also in the midst of bringing new surgical capabilities to the South Shore. On Sept. 29, four of nine newly constructed operating rooms opened, including highly specialized rooms designed for cardiac and neurological procedures. “It gives you a lot of perspective,” Kugler said. “Everybody is part of a team.” The expansion is part of a roughly $500 million capital program that has included new parking lots for staff and patients, a new cafeteria, the new operating rooms, and the emergency room. “They’re beautiful critical care spaces, and that’s about touching people when they’re at their most vulnerable,” he said. “People are vulnerable, the families are vulnerable, and patients can be at great risk. Now, we have beautiful spaces for them.” For Kugler, the growth represents more than new buildings and equipment. It is part of a long-running effort to give South Shore residents access to increasingly advanced care closer to home. “I was never a big fan of transplanting people,” Kugler said, recalling his years in the emergency department. “It’s really humbling as an emergency room doctor to stabilize a patient in the emergency room, connect with the family, and then have to tell them, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t provide the level of care needed here.’” Kugler said the ability to provide more complex care locally can ease the burden on patients and their families, particularly when serious illness requires repeated hospital visits. His connection to the South Shore extends well beyond his role at the hospital, giving him a personal investment in the community he serves. Kugler was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island. Before becoming a physician, he worked as a lifeguard at Jones

Beach and Robert Moses and became an EMT, experiences that helped shape his desire to work in medicine. “Even during that time of my life, I really loved saving lives,” Kugler said. “I’ve always found myself moved by the ability to take care of others and giving myself to others.” He attended Duke University, where he earned a degree in zoology and physics, then subsequently served in the U.S. Navy. The Navy supported his medical education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1995 and continued his education at Harvard University, receiving a Master of Health Care Management. He later completed an emergency medicine residency at North Shore University Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Kugler joined Mount Sinai South Nassau in 2001 as an emergency medicine physician and became clinical chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine in 2004. He also served as chief medical officer from 2007 to 2009 before returning to lead the Emergency Department. He remained closely involved with the hospital through Superstorm Sandy, the aftermath and the closure of Long Beach Medical Center. After the storm devastated Long Beach, Kugler helped advocate for expanded emergency medical services on the barrier island. The effort eventually led to the development of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s emergency department in Long Beach, which he said was intended to ensure residents could receive care without having to cross the bridge to Oceanside. “They felt isolated by the superstorm.

People left, doctors left, offices closed. Urgent care was the most important thing,” Kugler explained. “They wanted to stay home, and they deserved to have the same access to care.” His involvement in Long Beach continued through his role as the city’s medical director. “I think the bottom line there is that you build trust with people,” Kugler said. “And in healthcare, now more than ever, we need to build trust.” That philosophy is also how he approaches his new position. “This hospital has always done amazing things for the community,” Kugler said. “But beyond that, we are part of that community.” As interim president, Kugler is particularly focused on the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff, as well as the challenges facing the healthcare workforce. He pointed to staffing pressures, an aging workforce and the increasing number of older patients requiring care as challenges facing hospitals nationwide. “Safety and wellbeing are my top priorities, but I worry about the burnout and the fact that society has so much pressure on it right now,” Kugler said. For Kugler, that growth and mission is closely tied to the hospital’s relationship with the larger Mount Sinai Health System. The combination of clinical care, research and medical education gives Mount Sinai South Nassau access to expertise and resources that can be brought to patients on Long Island. “The idea that ‘we find a way’ is really true here,” Kugler said. “We always find a way to take care of our patients and do it in a better, more meaningful, compassion-

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

By ABIGAIL GRIECO

Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

Dr. Joshua Kugler has been named interim president of Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital.

ate way.” As he takes over the hospital, Kugler said he hopes to maintain that culture while building on the foundation established by Sharma. His next chapter, he said, will be defined by continued growth, but also by maintaining personal connection that he believes distinguishes the hospital. “As long as you treat everyone with respect, something I have learned, very early on in my career, is that everybody is important, and everybody has a superpower,” Kugler said. “My job is to help everyone be successful in their own ways. I am honored to lead our team during this critical time.”

Kugler is taking the lead for MSSN amid its expansion, which includes nine new operating rooms.

Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau

October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

NEWS BRIEF

How will architects use A.I.? Ask The Architect

Q. There’s been a lot of controversy about A.I. lately, and I’m wondering what it has done for architects. Do you see a threat to your job, or has it been helpful? Will it lower the cost of architects? What do you see in the immediate future?

A. As Yogi Berra once said, the future ain’t what it used to be. It’s getting closer all the time. Artificial intelligence is a way to solve problems faster using computers. I wish it were so, that A.I. saved time and money, especially for planning, drawing and building. The process of developing a project — a renovation, addition or new building — has many stages. First there’s what’s referred to as “scope of work,” that is, putting together an outline of the needs to be fulfilled, the onte eeper study of limitations, such as laws (building and zoning codes) and physical restrictions (weather, water and other influences), the process of getting all the spaces to flow together and be sized well, the material selections, structural analysis, the creation of the pretty picture to make the project look good, then the process of documenting everything into a set of construction plans showing how all the thousands of parts go together. There will come a time when the assembly part of the process, on screen and paper, will be faster, because the computer processing is faster, but because each stage also includes human emotion, unwritten local rules and owner decisions, unless humans just step aside, the computer can’t read minds, at least not yet, and the process will still need human guidance for a long time to come. I’ve been able to develop artistic renderings of what a project will look like in an hour (with multiple voice command edits) instead of a day, but the computer will assemble parts in ways that may be physically impossible if not closely monitored, such as balconies protruding from buildings with no way to get out onto them, handrails running into windows, floors too thin to be structurally sound — blunders that a human can catch but A.I. hasn’t perfected, yet. Each part of the process has tasks that A.I. is helpful with, such as researching the most applicable section of a building code to determine if a selected window opening, set of stairs or fire safety equipment is correct. But A.I. can also select the wrong version of a law, one that’s outdated, and A.I. won’t know the difference. If a human doesn’t realize the error, problems move forward and can cause delays instead of saving time. Another problem is described as “garbage in, garbage out,” a phrase known in the computer industry since its beginnings. If the input isn’t clear and concise, the output is open to failure. Humans will need to sharpen their skills, too!

© 2026 Monte Leeper. Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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Attendees received a collection of 18 different types of locally grown produce ranging from apples, broccoli and corn to mangos, nectarines and zucchini.

Farmers market gives nearly 3 tons of food to seniors By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

The parking lot of the Sands at Lido Beach was converted to a farmers market for the first time Friday morning as Long Island Cares offered fresh, locally grown food in a Town of Hempstead-organized event exclusively for older adults. The pop-up farmers market, sponsored by PSEG Long Island, arrived with close to 5,800 pounds of fresh produce, milk and eggs available for free to residents, ages 55 and older. “One of the things for our that we do with our farmto-truck program is we try to source it as locally as we can,” said Harrison Smith, the mobile outreach and community services manager for Long Island Cares. “If we’re not able to source the produce from Long Island far ms, then we do go upstate.” Nearly 20 volunteers and staff from Long Island Cares and PSEG Long Island unloaded dozens of pallets of fruit and vegetables, all free of charge for attendees. Visitors were able to collect apples, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, corn, eggplant, mangoes, nectarines, onions, pears, peppers, radishes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and zucchini. Cartons of fresh eggs and half-gallon containers of 2-percent milk were also offered at no cost.

As the event sponsor, PSEG Long Island provided funds to purchase the food locally. In a press release, Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti said the town was proud to partner with both organizations to connect senior residents with farm-fresh produce. “We’re supporting the local farms as well as supporting our seniors, because sometimes they’re a vulnerable population,” explained Amy Di Leo, PSEG Long Island corporate communications specialist. “We want to help them offset their other expenses, whether it be medicine or bills. We’re also telling seniors about our financial programs that can help them save money on their bills if they qualify for it.” Families from roughly 240 households came through the market, ultimately taking home almost all of the available food. Long Island Cares plans to redistribute the little remaining produce at upcoming events. The nonprofit organization typically holds up to eight farmers markets across Nassau and Suffolk County through the summer season. Smith said 2026 was the first year markets spanned May to October. “I heard about it on Facebook,” Lido Beach resident Elizabeth Annarella said. “Because I follow the Town of Hempstead. I go to the Long Beach farmers market all the time. The one in Kennedy Plaza.”s.

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Eagle Scout gives famous statues a new life

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

The statues at Valley Stream 13 carry a piece of New York history, dating back to the 1964 World’s Fair. When Joseph Albano noticed that the sculptures needed attention, he saw an opportunity to help preserve them for future generations while completing the service project required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Albano, a member of Scouting Troop 109, spent nearly a year planning and completing the restoration of the statues, also known as the “Worlds Fair Chunkies”, which were originally displayed at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens. “I saw the sculptures on the other side of the road, and I realized that those needed work,” Albano said. He initially considered building a bridge at Valley Stream State Park for his Eagle Scout service project, but realized the undertaking would be too extensive. Instead, he turned his attention to the statues at the school, where he saw an opportunity to make a lasting difference. The sculptures needed more than a cleaning. Construction in the area had left them displaced, and two statues were moved from Willow Elementary School so the collection could be displayed together. Albano cleaned and painted the sculptures, made structural repairs and returned them to their positions. He also had a plaque made to commemorate the project and recognize his role in the restoration. The process required patience. Albano spent about a year working through the proposal and approval process before completing the physical work. He needed school board approval, and the monthly meeting schedule added time to the process. Because the sculptures were outdoors, winter weather also interrupted his progress. “The most challenging part was probably dealing with the weather,” he said. Albano began working on the statues in September and completed several weekends of work before snow and cold temperatures forced him to pause. Despite the delays, seeing the completed restoration made the effort worthwhile. “I’d say seeing the final project was the most rewarding,” Albano said, describing the transformation as significant. The school district was pleased with the finished work, he said. Community members also contributed to a GoFundMe campaign that helped pay for supplies, supporting Albano as he worked to bring the project to completion. His mother, Debbie Albano, said the restoration was a family effort. Her husband helped with construction, transported supplies and assisted with the materials needed for the project. He had also supported Joseph throughout his years in Scouting, regularly driving him to meetings and occasionally joining him on camping trips. “My husband probably is the one that supported him most,” she said. Joseph has been involved in Scouting for 11 years, beginning in second grade. Although he initially joined at his par-

Courtesy Debbie Albano

The restored 1964 World’s Fair statues at Valley Stream 13 after Eagle Scout Joseph Albano’s restoration project. ents’ encouragement, he grew to enjoy the outdoor activities, camping and friendships he developed through the program. Still, earning Scouting’s highest rank was not something he always expected to accomplish. “To be honest, I didn’t think I was going to achieve it,” he said. “I thought I would somehow have to quit or drop out.” The rank of Eagle Scout requires Scouts to earn at least 21 merit badges, advance through the program’s other ranks, hold leadership positions and complete an approved service project. Albano’s restoration marked a significant milestone after more than a decade in the organization. After completing the project, Albano also found a way to extend its educational impact beyond the sculptures themselves. Using the money left over from the project, he donated books about the 1964 World’s Fair to the libraries at Howell, Dever, Wheeler Avenue and Willow elementary schools. Albano donated one book to each library, giving students another opportunity to learn about the World’s Fair and the history behind the statues displayed in their community. The sculptures’ connection to the World’s Fair gives the restoration significance beyond the school grounds. By returning the statues to their positions and improving their appearance, Albano helped preserve a piece of history for students and community members to appreciate. For Albano, the project also represented the culmination of years of participation in Scouting, the support of his family and the contributions of community members who helped make the restoration possible.

The restored display brings the sculptures together, while the donated books

give younger students context for the artwork and its history.

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Playoffs within reach for VSC (3-2) By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com

JACKSON LANGEVIN OCEANSIDE Senior SOCCER TO SAY LANGEVIN has been on a tear this season would be an understatement. One of only two Nassau County boys soccer players to have double-digits in goals (12) and assists (11) entering this week’s action, he’s as big a reason as any Oceanside is close to securing the top seed in the Class AAA playoffs. The Sailors were undefeated through 13 games. Langevin’s top performance came Sept. 30 when he scored a hat trick in a 4-3 win over Syosset.

GAMES TO WATCH Friday, Oct. 16 Boys Volleyball: Lawrence at Hewlett...............4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer: Division at East Meadow............4:30 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Clarke at Lawrence ......................5 p.m. Girls Volleyball: Plainedge at V.S. North ................5 p.m. Football: Lynbrook at ERock/WHemp ..................6 p.m. Football: Mepham at Long Beach ........................6 p.m. Football: Plainedge at South Side .......................6 p.m. Football: Syosset at Farmingdale ....................6:30 p.m. Football: Port Wash at Oceanside. ..................6:30 p.m. Football: New Hyde Park at MacArthur.................7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17 Girls Soccer: Kellenberg at Oceanside ...............10 a.m. Girls Volleyball: Oceanside at Massapequa........10 a.m. Girls Volleyball: Lynbrook at V.S. South...............10 a.m. Girls Volleyball: Kennedy at Calhoun ..................10 a.m. Football: Bethpage at Wantagh.......................1:30 p.m. Football: Herricks at Uniondale ......................1:30 p.m. Football: Carey at Garden City ........................1:30 p.m. Football: Kennedy at Calhoun ........................1:30 p.m. Football: Roosevelt at Baldwin........................1:30 p.m. Football: Lawrence at North Shore..................1:30 p.m. Football: Massapequa at East Meadow ..........1:30 p.m. Football: Sewanhaka at Elmont ......................1:30 p.m. Football: Malverne at Seaford .............................2 p.m.

The Valley Stream Central football team opened the campaign with three straight wins and 101 points, but back-to-back losses have left the Eagles looking to rediscover their early-season form and keep their playoff hopes alive. The Eagles fell to Mepham, 50-15, on Oct. 3, and Kennedy, 24-13, last Saturday for Homecoming, but Central will receive a forfeit victory against Jericho, which suspended the remainder of its football season on Oct. 1, bringing the Eagles’ record to 4-2. “If you told us it would be 4-2 right now after this Jericho situation, we’d be very, happy,” VSC head coach Tom Schiavo said. “We’d like to take these last two weeks one at a time and go out with a couple of wins and make it into the playoffs and then see what happens from there.” Instead, Central’s next game is against a slumping Roosevelt team on Oct. 24. The Rough Riders will carry a three-game losing streak into their game at Baldwin on Saturday, scoring just 12 points over that time. The Eagles have scored just 28 points in the past two games after averaging nearly 34 during its 3-0 start. Schiavo said the competition was tougher in the loss to Mepham, while the Kennedy g ame came down to the team’s inability to finish five drives that stalled in the red zone. “We moved the ball up and down the field, but the red zone killed us,” he said. v

Don’t let injuries sideline you.

Grace Hughes/Herald

Even Nelson had passing and rushing touchdowns for the Eagles in last Saturday’s 24-13 loss to Kennedy. Senior quarterback Evan Nelson has been a dual threat, rushing for 501 yards and seven touchdowns and passing for 501 yards and four touchdowns through five games. Against Kennedy, he completed 14-of-26 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 19 times for

110 yards and another score. Schiavo praised Nelson’s athleticism, strength and football intelligence, saying his ability to retain instruction helps keep Central in games. “He is shifty, he’s strong, he spent a lot of time in the weight room. He’s super

intelligent when it comes to football. His retention is off the charts. You could teach him something one time and he’ll know it.” Senior Nickoli Friday has rushed for 406 yards and five touchdowns. His standout performance came against Herricks/Wheatley/Roslyn on Sept. 25, when he ran for 250 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries. Schiavo said Friday remained productive against Kennedy despite being limited to 38 yards on eight carries. Schiavo said Central has six to eight players capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, including seniors Xavier Reinoso, Matthew Feaster and Dylan Esson. Feaster caught a 78-yard touchdown pass a g ainst Mepham and another in a 32-28 win over New Hyde Park on Sept. 19. Esson caught a 24-yard touchdown pass against Kennedy that tied the game 7-7 in the second quarter. Schiavo said the defense has played well outside of the Mepham game, highlighting junior Thomas Haye’s versatility at linebacker, cornerback and safety. Senior Nicholas Huerta has anchored the offensive and defensive lines. “We have to get better at all the fundamentals, blocking and tackling to start with,” Schiavo said. The offensive line that has been opening the holes for Nelson and Friday include senior center Chris Jarushewski, sophomore left tackle Mason Thompson, left guard Huerta, senior right guard Dhanesh Singh and senior right tackle Kyle McCray.

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October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

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Local leaders discuss access to child care ber, the line’s hours were extended to 8 p.m., allowing office. Current rates cover the charges of about 80 per- working parents more time to seek assistance. For local organizations, connecting families with cent of providers, according to OCFS. Another part of the state’s approach is expanding those resources is an important part of their work. child care facilities. The state allocated a combined Mamie Eng, director of the Valley Stream Library, $150 million in its fiscal 2025 and 2026 budgets for capi- said that it serves a population of about 40,000 people tal construction grants to create or preserve more than with varied and changing needs. In addition to its own programs, the libraryhelps residents find 10,000 slots. information about other services and Fo u r L o n g I s l a n d o r g a n i z at i o n s organizations. received a total of more than $10.6 million “We are becoming the first stop for in the latest round of grants: the Jewish many of our families,” Eng said. Early Lear ning Center, in Mer rick; She added that libraries often serve as Chabad of Islip Township; Long Island an initial point of contact for families Head Start; and the seeking assistance. Some provide meals or Jewish Reconstructionist Society of the host outside organizations that can conNorth Shore, in Plandome. nect residents with additional support. Harris-Madden also highlighted efforts Eng also highlighted the library’s partto help families meet basic needs and nership with Vivian Stein, owner and strengthen relationships between fathers MAMIE ENG director of Academic Munchkins Childand their children. Director, care Center, in ValleyStream. The center, Under her leadership, OCFS hired its Valley Stream Library which has served local families for more first staff member dedicated to fatherhood than 30 years, accepts children whose famengagement in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and established the state’s first ilies receive assistance from the Department of Social Fatherhood Steering Committee. The agency is also Services and the Administration for Children’s Serpreparing to distribute $70,000 in grants to nonprofit vices. “We accept DSS, ACS. We have foster children now organizations working in the area. “We want to provide some policy suggestions, but coming in, and it’s just a wonderful group of people,” we also need to try to figure out how we can fund some Stein said of her staff. The center, on Central Avenue, is about two blocks of the initiatives that are happening,” Harris-Madden from the library and is partnering with it on bilingual said. The office has also expanded the hours of its educational story times scheduled to begin in the comHEARS Family Line, a telephone service that connects ing weeks. The collaboration, Eng said, will allow the families with resources for food, housing, health care library to offer a program it otherwise might not be and child care, as well as parenting support. In Decem- able to afford.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

e are becoming the first stop for many of our families.

Hailey Fulmer/Herald

DaMia Harris-Madden, commissioner of the state Office of Children and Family Services, spoke with local leaders and service providers at a roundtable. The roundtable was hosted by Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, who said the discussion gave community organizations an opportunity to share what would best support families in her district and across Long Island. Residents seeking assistance with child care resources or other state services can contact Solages’s district office at (516) 599-2972.

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October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Capone touts fire service, business experience By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

Anthony Capone has spent much of his life in the communities he now hopes to represent in the Nassau County Legislature. Capone, 31, grew up in Valley Stream, attended Valley Stream South High School and has been a volunteer firefighter for 15 years. He became the Valley Stream Fire Department’s 100th chief, while also building a career in his family’s auto body business. After living in Lynbrook for the past decade, Capone recently returned to Valley Stream with his growing family. He has a 15-month-old son and another child on the way. The Republican and Conservative candidate is challenging incumbent Democratic Legislator Cynthia Nuñez. Capone said his time in the fire service strengthened his interest in public service and led him to consider elected office. “I’m not a career politician by any means,” he said. “I’m here because I believe in my community.” Capone has given back to the communities that have supported him through volunteering, which he hopes to expand if he is elected. “I think the community always believed in me, and that’s why I found a lot of success,” he said. “I try to give back to the community as much as I possibly can.” Public safety is among Capone’s top priorities. Drawing on his experience working among first responders, he said he wants to ensure that police and fire departments have adequate staffing and resources without having to turn to taxpayers for additional funding. He described that approach as doing more with less, something he said he has applied in both the Fire Separtment and his family’s North Star Auto Body business. After high school, Capone said, he learned the busi-

14 th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

Kayla Dechter/Herald

Anthony Capone is the Republican challenger in Nassau County’s 14th Legislative District. ness from the ground up, working in different areas of the shop before eventually overseeing operations. The business grew from one location to five, and the experience, he said, taught him how to build partnerships and help turn around struggling operations. He has also worked with small businesses on promotions tied to District 14, including 14 percent discounts intended to attract customers on slower days. Capone said he hopes to build on those efforts. Affordability is another of his priorities. Although

he said Nassau County is in strong financial shape, he believes legislators should continually review spending for potential savings. “Being in very good health doesn’t mean that you stop exercising,” he said. “You’re only in good health today, but I’m going to still go to the gym tomorrow.” Capone also said he wants to invest in infrastructure and workforce programs that connect residents with stable careers. He pointed to job-training programs for people who have faced incarceration, substance-use problems or other challenges as an example of how he believes government can help residents become financially self-sufficient. He said he would be willing to work with legislators across party lines. “It’s OK for people to disagree,” he said. “If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. If I’m right, then let’s have a conversation and try to figure it out.” Capone said that political rhetoric, particularly on social media, can sometimes make those disagreements harder to resolve. “Having a meeting and going out for a cup of coffee and sitting down and getting lunch, you could probably solve 90 percent of the problems,” he said. For Capone, that approach comes back to what he said his focus would be as a legislator. “I don’t care what side of the aisle you’re on,” he said. “Let’s come up with a good solution and make sure we get the right outcome for the residents.”

Nuñez is looking to build on first year in office By KAYLA DECHTER kdechter@liherald.com

For Nassau County Legislator Cynthia Nuñez, representing District 14 is an extension of nearly two decades spent raising her family and becoming involved in the Valley Stream community. Before being elected to the Legislature, Nuñez, 47, served on the Valley Stream District 24 Board of Education and the village’s Board of Zoning Appeals. She previously worked at a law firm, as director of operations, and is now chief operating officer for a legal technology data platform. But one role remains particularly important to her. “My most important thing, if I don’t say anything else, I’m a mom,” Nuñez told Herald reporters during a roundtable interview. Her daughter graduated from Penn State University this year, and her son is a junior in high school. Nuñez said that her years as a PTA member, a class parent and a sports mom helped her build relationships with families she now represents. Her path to elected office began on the school board, where she chaired its legislative committee and helped secure funding for sensory playgrounds and water-filtration systems. Nuñez was elected to the Legislature in 2025, and is seeking another term representing Valley Stream, Lynbrook and Elmont. Nine months into her first term, Nuñez pointed to nearly $292,000 secured for the Lynbrook police and fire departments, including police radios and lifesaving fire equipment, and nearly $239,000 for Valley Stream public works equipment in Valley Stream. “I spoke to Chief Paladino,” she said, referring to

Kayla Dechter/Herald

Before being elected, Legislator Cynthia Nuñez served on the Valley Stream school and zoning boards. Lynbrook Police Chief Brian Paladino, “and that was my first couple of weeks in office. I was like, ‘What do you need? I’m here to help.’” Beyond equipment, Nuñez said that strengthening relationships between residents and law enforcement is another priority. She pointed to the Lynbrook P.D.’s participation in a National Night Out event with Nassau County police as an example.

“One of the biggest things we can do is building those community relationships,” she said. “Being able to cross that imaginary border and be like, ‘I’m here to help no matter what.’” Nuñez also helped obtain $500,000 for a flood-mitigation and drainage study addressing recurring flooding in District 14. She said she has watched conditions worsen during her nearly 20 years in Valley Stream, and recalled her campaign office flooding on the day it opened last year. “Business owners, homeowners can’t keep bearing that burden every time it rains,” she said. “You can’t be scared every time it rains. That’s not a healthy way to live.” Affordability is another focus. Nuñez introduced legislation seeking to cap the portion of the price of gasoline and diesel that would be subject to county tax at $3 per gallon, emphasizing that fuel costs affect everything from commuting to grocery prices. She has also sought to make county government more accessible through town halls, mobile office hours and workshops on property taxes and homeownership. Nuñez opposed moving public comment ahead of legislative committee discussions, arguing that residents should first hear where their representatives stand. Accessibility, she said, also means remaining part of the community outside government. Residents now approach her at her son’s football games to discuss their concerns. “Their pain point is my pain point,” she said. “We live right next door to each other.” That connection shapes how she views the office she holds. “Only one person can sit in the seat, but the seat belongs to all of us,” she said. “I just happen to be the person sitting in the seat right now.”

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS By CHRISTINA ARLOTTA carlotta@liherald.com

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the second most common cancer among women in the United States, excluding skin cancers. Education can help people recognize warning signs, practice breast self-awareness and understand the vital importance of screening, evaluation and treatment.

n Know the warning signs

n Understand the importance of breast self-awareness

n Possible treatment options

Breast cancer symptoms can vary from person to person, and some people may not experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages. The most common warning sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass that feels different from the surrounding breast tissue. Often, these lumps are painless. Other warning symptoms include swelling in all or part of a breast, even if no lump is felt, swelling in the underarm area, nipples turning inward, nipple discharge, including blood, and skin dimpling, in which the skin takes on a texture resembling an orange peel. Changes in breast skin color may also warrant medical attention. On lighter skin tones, the breast may look pink or red. On darker skin tones, the breast may look red, purple, brown or darker than surrounding areas on the chest.

Breast self-examinations can help people become familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel. This practice, known as breast self-awareness, involves routine visual and physical checks to spot changes that may require medical attention. Selfexaminations can be performed in three positions: in the shower, in front of a mirror, and lying down. In the shower, use the pads of the three middle fingers to check the entire breast and underarm area for lumps, applying varying levels of pressure. In front of a mirror, inspect breast shape, skin texture, and nipple appearance with arms relaxed at the sides. Then, rest the palms firmly on the hips to flex the chest muscles, checking any changes. Finally, lying down, place one arm behind the head and use the opposite hand to thoroughly examine the breast and underarm area. Anyone who notices unusual changes should consult a health care professional.

Breast cancer treatment depends on the cancer’s type and stage, one’s overall health, menopausal status and personal preferences. Options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, often used in combination. For stages I through III, treatment typically involves surgery and may include radiation therapy and medication before or after the procedure to shrink tumors or reduce the risk of recurrence. Stage IV breast cancer occurs when the disease spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver or brain. Although it is generally difficult to cure, treatment can help shrink tumors, slow the disease’s progression, relieve symptoms and extend survival.

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VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

Recognizing signs, understanding treatment options

October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Grace Hughes/Herald photos

Valley Stream Central holds onto possession as Kennedy attempts a tackle.

Central’s homecoming was full of energy, spirit Valley Stream Central celebrated homecoming as the Eagles faced Kennedy on the football field. Students, families and supporters gathered to watch the game and show their school pride. Although Kennedy came away with a 24-13 victory, Central’s cheerleaders, dance team and marching band kept the crowd energized throughout the festivities, adding to the excitement of the annual celebration. — Hailey Fulmer

The marching band plays tunes to bring in homecoming spirit.

Central’s dance team brings energy to the sidelines with a spirited performance.

A Kennedy player attempts to intercept the ball during Valley Stream Central’s homecoming football game.

Valley Stream Central cheerleaders shout chants from the sidelines.

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October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

By JEFF BESSEN

jbessen@liherald.com

Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state disaster emergency in response to a growing number of measles cases in rural areas of New York and neighboring states. The executive order is intended to allow the state to respond more quickly to the outbreak and expand access to measles vaccinations and testing. The order expands the pool of health care professionals who can administer measles, mumps and rubella vaccines to include paramedics, advanced emergency medical services providers, pharmacists and midwives. It also allows nurses, in addition to physicians, to order measles testing. “After reviewing the latest data on measles cases in New York State, I am declaring a State Disaster Emergency to strengthen our ongoing efforts to confront this disease,” Hochul said in a news release from Oct. 6. “No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.” Hochul also said she received her seasonal flu vaccine on Oct. 6 and urged New Yorkers to get their flu shots. She directed the state’s Department of Health to provide regular public notifications and resources throughout the flu season. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the department is working

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STEPPING OUT The Knights with Emanuel Ax

Courtesy Mike Pollock xxxxxxxxxxx

There’s something strange in the neighborhood … “Ghostbusters returns to the big screen.”

Jack o’lanterns illuminate the season, hand carved to perfection.

The spirits are stirring Cue the season of spooks

By Karen Bloom

he nights are getting longer, the pumpkins are glowing and Halloween is officially in the air. It’s time to embrace the spooky season. Let’s get started! Follow the glow: The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkin patches have their moment. But a pumpkin trail? Now that’s a Halloween tradition worth following. This fall, the wooded grounds of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights once again become a glowing autumn wonderland for The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns. The 4,200-foot loop winds through the property, surrounded by more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins and illuminated objects — 10,000 glowing elements in all — creating a dazzling nighttime spectacle that feels part art show, part Halloween celebration and part magical mystery tour. Now in its 13th season on Long Island, Rise has become a seasonal favorite for families, pumpkin enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a little October magic. Along the trail, pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and personalities light the way, joined by colorful inflatables and other illuminated creations. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s even a spot to stop and show off your dance moves, complete with disco lights and music. Because what Halloween adventure would be complete without a little dancing? Longtime fans may remember Rise from its first eight seasons at Old Westbury Gardens. Its current home at Usdan offers something new: a longer trail that allows visitors to wander deeper into the woods and enjoy a more immersive experience. “We found this trail to be perfect,” says Mike Pollock, executive producer of Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns. “The entire trail is wooded, which allows us to deliver the most gorgeous show we’ve ever done. The trail is longer than in the past so your experience will be longer. This is the spookiest walk on Long Island.” Spooky, yes. Frightening, no. There are no creatures lurking in the shadows, no actors

jumping out along the path and no surprise scares. As Pollock puts it simply: “No scares.” Instead, the magic comes from the pumpkins themselves. A team of 100 handpicked artists carves each one individually, giving the jack o’lanterns an impressive range of personalities and expressions — from eerie and sinister to goofy and downright adorable. Taken together, the thousands of glowing creations turn the trail into an enormous outdoor gallery of Halloween art. The spectacle certainly has a following. About 40,000 visitors make their way through the trail each year, taking in the glowing pumpkins, snapping photos and soaking up the sights, sounds and spirit of the season. Walk at your own pace — it takes anywhere from 45 minutes to one hour and 15 minutes — to enjoy it all. “The artistry of these pumpkins is spectacular and you will not see anywhere else,” Pollock adds. So grab a sweater, gather the family and follow the glow. The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is open weekends and select weeknights through Nov. 1. Tickets must be purchased online at jackolanterns. com; no tickets are available on site. The event is located at 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights. Ready for some slime? Who ya gonna call? Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, of course. The LIU Post campus gets a serious dose of supernatural fun when Ghostbusters in Concert arrives Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m., bringing the beloved 1984 comedy classic to the big screen — with a live orchestra, plenty of ’80s nostalgia and a whole lot of Halloween spirit. The film screening may be the highlight, but Families are encouraged to arrive at 4:30 p.m. for Halloween-themed festivities in the Goldsmith Atrium. Expect ’80s hits performed live, a costume contest judged by the Tilles Cabaret Company — made up of LIU musical theater students — plus prizes, photo opportunities, snacks and plenty of chances to get into the spirit before the ghosts take over. And yes, there will be an Ectomobile. An on-site replica of the Ghostbusters’ iconic vehicle will be on display, courtesy of Roger Browner, vice president of Hicksville-based AutoMat Custom & Restoration. It’s the perfect backdrop for a family photo before heading into the main event. Adding another special touch, guests can meet the Long Island Ghostbusters, a cosplay charity group appearing on behalf of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Bellmore resident and Ghostbusters actor Joe Cirillo will also be on hand. Cirillo, who spent 20 years as an NYPD officer before launching a second career in film, was originally scouted by director Mike Nichols. That eventually led to his role as the Police Captain in the original Ghostbusters — his on-screen debut. He went on to portray numerous police officers and authority figures on screen, operate film security companies and publish his autobiography. Then it’s time to cue the proton packs. The original “Ghostbusters” starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and the rest of the unforgettable crew, is presented on a large HD cinema screen, synchronized with a live performance of Academy Award-winning composer Elmer Bernstein’s score. The result promises to be a larger-than-life way to experience the comedy, ghosts and supernatural mayhem of the classic film. Costumes are not just welcome — they’re encouraged. Those hoping to compete in the costume contest should arrive and register by 5:30 p.m.; everyone else can simply come dressed for the occasion and enjoy the festivities. So grab your proton pack, perfect your best ’80s look and get ready for some supernatural fun. Visit tillescenter.org for tickets and more. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

Pianist Emanuel Ax joins the adventurous chamber orchestra for a spirited program of Mozart concertos and more, opening with the overture to Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’s L’amant anonyme. From there, Ax takes center stage in Mozart’s Piano Concertos Nos. 17 and 25 — two contrasting works that showcase his melodic brilliance, expressive depth and wit. The Knights bring their signature sense of camaraderie and discovery to repertoire. Founded by violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen after late-night chambermusic sessions with friends, the ensemble has built a reputation for breaking down the barriers between performers and audiences.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m. Tickets available at tillescenter.org. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

Daughtry 20 Years Unplugged Experience Daughtry’s catalogue in a stripped-back acoustic setting, reframing the songs that have soundtracked arenas, rock radio milestones, and some of the most deﬁning moments of the band’s career. Their lastest tour follows the release of “Shock To The System,” the complete edition of Daughtry’s two-part project via Big Machine Rock. For an artist whose songs have always lived at the intersection of power and vulnerability, 20 Years Unplugged sees Daughtry strip down some of their biggest and most meaningful tracks, distilling them to their purest form and bringing fans closer to the songs and unmistakable voice that carried the band through two decades of connection, evolution, and success.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

OCT

Grace Church Thrift Shop

CALENDAR 10 West Circle, Valley Stream • Time: Noon-4 p.m. • Contact: (516) 508-1768

Check out the great finds at Grace Church Thrift Shop, open every Saturday. Find clothing for all with a special sale on summer clothing. Also browse among collectibles, jewelry, art, electronics, housewares, beautiful sets of china and crystal, CDs and DVD’s and many more items. Special sale on Precious Moments figures. Enjoy shopping where you save more and waste less!

Dog Days Weekend Bring your pup to enjoy a relaxed autumn day at Old Westbury Gardens. Visitors are once again welcome to bring their leashed canine companions for a special opportunity to explore the grounds as the gardens take on their fall color. Stroll winding tree-lined paths, take in the seasonal landscape, and enjoy the crisp air as you and your pup discover some of the most scenic corners of the estate. It’s a laidback weekend designed for fresh air, fall foliage, and time well spent outdoors with the whole family — paws included. With costume parade on Sunday.

• Where: 21 S. Franklin Ave., Valley Stream • Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Contact: (516) 825-1182

Food Truck Festival The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce hosts a food truck festival featuring food trucks, a DJ, children’s activities, and a beer corral. Rain date is Oct. 24. • Where: Hendrickson Pool parking lot, 123 W. Merrick Road, Valley Stream • Time: 11:a.m.-6 p.m. • Contact: valleystreamchamber.org

Halloween Family Fun Day The Village of Valley Stream hosts a Halloween Family Fun Day. Get in the spirit of the season with a bouncy house, costumed characters, a DJ, giveaways, pumpkin painting, a costume contest and a sensoryfriendly event. A Halloween movie night featuring “The Addams Family” follows. Bring a chair and blanket for the movie. The rain date is Oct. 24. • Where: A.J. Hendrickson Park, behind the pool, Valley Stream • Time: 10 a.m.; movie at 6:30 p.m. • Contact: (516) 872-4903

‘Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation’ Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to share in the museum’s Halloween theatrical tradition. Uncle Vlad’s nephew Chad is getting ready to graduate from Boo-niversity, but needs to pass his final horror merit badge tests. Join Uncle Vlad, Gargamel the Rat, Great Aunt Margarine, Johnny Bones, and the whole spooky crew in a celebration of the pumpkin patch’s youngest bat. The Vlad team returns to the stage with another original production, now in its fifth year. Each year presents a different story with some familiar and some new kooky and creepy faces, making the shows a puppet-filled treat for anyone who likes some tricks! $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 11 a. m. and 1 p.m., also Oct. 18, Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31 • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

OCT

Anthony Rodia

Anthony Rodia is back with his “Insanely Funny” tour, an all-new stand-up showcase packed with sharp observations, spot-on impressions and plenty of larger-than-life characters. Building on the success of his previous outing last year, this is his biggest and most ambitious yet, on the Paramount stage for two performances. A first-generation Italian-American raised in Westchester, Rodia discovered his knack for comedy early on. After dabbling in open mics in his 20s, he took a detour into the automotive world as a finance manager at a luxury car dealership. Then, in 2019, he took the leap back to comedy, leaving his day job to pursue stand-up full time. Drawing on family life, Italian-American culture, parenting and the everyday absurdities of modern life, Rodia has a knack for turning the familiar into the hilarious. His observational humor, self-deprecating • Where: The Paramount, 370 wit and uncanny impressions have made him a rising star, while his viral social media New York Ave., Huntington videos — including his wildly popular Uncle Vinny character — have introduced his • Time: 7 p.m. comedy to millions of fans. The result is a style that feels less like a performance and more • Contact: ticketmaster.com like hanging out with your funniest friend. or paramountny.com

‘The Song of the Cello’ Visit Old Westbury Gardens for an evening of chamber music. Ensemblein-residence Poetica Musica Quartet welcomes all to enjoy the rich, expressive tones of the cello. Renowned cellist Eugene Moye joins pianist Yasmin Alami for an evening of masterful performances featuring works by Brahms, Casals, Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, and others. The program includes Johannes Brahms’ Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38, Pablo Casals’ “The Song of the Birds,” Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise,” and additional selections celebrating the depth, warmth, and versatility of this beloved instrument. A pre-concert talk proceeds the concert at 7:30 p.m.; a Meet-the-Artists reception with light refreshments follows the concert in the West Porch. $30; $25 seniors and members. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 8-9:30 p.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Open House Check out Long Island’s largest operating O-gauge layout, run by club members since 1983. • Where: 2953 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown (rear entrance, lower level) • Time: 1-4 p.m., also Oct. 18

OCT

Kiwanis/Key Club Car Wash

Valley Stream Kiwanis and Key Club host a car wash fundraiser to support student leadership training. Cars are $10, while SUVs and trucks are $15. • Where: Hendrickson Park Pool parking lot, 123 W. Merrick Road • Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Contact: (516) 993-8928

OCT

Homeowner tax exemption assistance

Nassau County Legislators Cynthia Nuñez and Carrié Solages, in partnership with the Nassau County Department of Assessment, host a Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program, or HELP, workshop for residents seeking assistance with property tax exemptions. Staff provide oneon-one help with applications for senior citizen, veteran, Cold War veteran, volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker, and limitedincome disability • Where: Valley Stream VFW Post 1790, 65 E. Merrick Road • Time: Noon-2 p.m. • Contact: Nassau County Department of Assessment at (516) 571-1500

OCT

• Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m., also Oct. 24-25, varied times • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

OCT

District 13 BOE meets Valley Stream District 13 holds its next meeting.

• Where: James A. Dever Auditorium, 585 No. Corona Ave., Valley Stream • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: valleystream13.com

‘Sweeney Todd’

Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students stage the indisputable masterpiece by Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim.”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is a gripping musical thriller that will leave your heart pounding. Filled with razor-sharp wit, haunting melodies, and diabolical humor, it tells the chilling story of an exiled barber bent on revenge against the corrupt system that destroyed his family. Dark, daring, and deliciously macabre, this unforgettable score soars with intensity. Attend the tale, if you dare.

OCT

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., also Oct. 25 • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Halloween Fun

Valley Stream Kiwanis hosts a free Halloween event featuring crafts, refreshments, games, prizes and trunk-ortreat. Children and families are invited to attend, and costumes are encouraged but not required. • Where: Raymour & Flanigan,

NOV The 27th Annual Long Island Jolson Festival

Society President Jan Hernstat invites all to participate in the annual tribute to Al Jolson, rescheduled. With Ed Greenbaum’s unique outtakes from “The Jolson Story, Noah Diamond as Grouch Marx, comedian Jeff Greenberg, with Tony Babino’s “The Heart of Al Jolson, and more. Tickets are $54.95. • Where: Lambrou’s Catering Hall, 4073 Austin Blvd., Island Park • Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Contact: Jan Hernstat at (516) 678-3524

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.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

Your Neighborhood

HERALD

To place a public notice go to

October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

liherald.com/legals and use our convienient portal. LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION of LET’S ESCAPE TRAVELS LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on September 14, 2026 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 80 CAMBRIDGE STREET, VALLEY STREAM NY 11581. Purpose: any lawful act. 162479 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Gloria Torres, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 10, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 622 Wyngate Drive East, Valley Stream, NY 11580 AKA 622 Wyngate Drive East, North 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 Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35 Block 522 Lot 23. Approximate amount of judgment $359,128.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603859/2024. Michael J. Sepe, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-000259 91417 162434 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. JONATHAN CASTILLO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 3, 2025 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on December 11, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau

front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 27, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1294 G Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 633 and Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment is $501,068.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604919/2023. Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 230154-1 162487 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-MLN1, Plaintiff AGAINST Julia Rosales, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 18, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 78 Ormonde Boulevard, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 37, BLOCK: 430, LOT: 350. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,105,507.18 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 613197/2024. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for

PUBLIC NOTICES to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.XOME.com or call 844-400-9663. Brian J. Carmody, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 91516 162548 LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND ANY SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR MILL CITY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2019-GS2, Plaintiff, vs. DOMINIQUE SAUVEUR A/K/A DOMINIQUE EXUME, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 29, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 5, 2026 at 3:30 p.m., premises known as 1231 Ocean 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 in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 425 and Lot 295. Approximate amount of judgment is $770,961.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #618254/2023. Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 223769-1 162582 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 77-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution,

to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day of October 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 77-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 77-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations. Dated: October 5, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 78-2026 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 5th day of October 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 78-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 78-2026, to amend Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations. Dated: October 5, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU The Bank of New York Mellon fka The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the Certificateholders of CWALT, Inc., Alternative Loan Trust 2007-8CB, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-8CB, Plaintiff AGAINST John Depergola; Fina Depergola, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 24, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 66 Berry Street, 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: 605 Lot: 17. Approximate amount of judgment $604,499.54 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #611030/2023. For sale information, please visit ServiceLink Auction at https://www.servicelinkauction.com or call (866) 539-4173. Lawrence Farbman, Esq., Referee McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC 420 Lexington Avenue-Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 21-09312NY 91540 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-FRE1 ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Pltf. vs. DONOVAN RUSSELL, et al, Defts. Index #17-001892. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated Oct. 29, 2019 and order substituting the referee entered Sept. 20, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the north side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on November 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., prem. k/a 117 Martens Avenue, Valley

2:30 p.m., prem. k/a 117 Martens Avenue, Valley Stream, NY a/k/a Section 37, Block 14, Lot 266. Approx. amt. of judgment is $780,261.11 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. JANINE LYNAM, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Ste. 224, Syosset, NY. #103224 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-19, Plaintiff against NORMA JEAN PIERRE A/K/A NORMA JEAN-PIERRE, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 30, 2023, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 16, 2026 at 2:30PM. Premises known as 1544 Vista Road, Valley Stream, NY 11580. Sec 37 Block 632 Lot 10. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $797,616.35 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 003287/2017. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in

For additional assistance call 516-569-4000 ext. 232 DEADLINE: Firday evening, 5:00pm Last minute notices: 9am on Monday morning

rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine." For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844)400-9633. Wayne Henry Wink, Jr., Esq., Referee File # 21-07722NY LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP., HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-HE4, V. MARTHA Y. BELMONT A/K/A MARTHE Y. BELMONT, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on June 3, 2019, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP., HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-HE4 is the Plaintiff and MARTHA Y. BELMONT A/K/A MARTHE Y. BELMONT, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on November 17, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 902 EDWARDS BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 37-631-11. ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK, Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 000338/2016. Charles Casolaro, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse,

Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-HE1 ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, -againstWILHELMENA ET AL.

KELLY,

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 5, 2017, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-HE1 ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES is the Plaintiff and WILHELMENA KELLY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on November 9, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1369 CAROLE COURT, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; and the following tax map identification: 0037 00660-00 - 00008. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT NORTH VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 003133/2015. Anthony W. Russo, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. LEGAL NOTICE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation 1. Publication Title: VALLEY STREAM HERALD. 2. Publication No. 5868. 3. Filing Date: October 1, 2026. 4. Issue Frequency: Weekly. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually 52. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $52. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. 9 Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Richner Communications, Inc., Stuart Richner, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. Editor: JEFF

BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. Editor: JEFF BESSEN, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. Managing Editor: JEFF BESSEN, 2 ENDO BLVD, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530. 10. Owner: Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Clifford Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530; Stuart Richner, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, Nassau County, NY 11530. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12 Not applicable. 13. Publication Title: VALLEY STREAM HERALD. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 17, 2026. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: a. Total No. Copies: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 4000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 4000. b. Paid Circulation (By Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 18; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 15. (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 425; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 483. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and

Carriers, Street Vendors, and Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1659; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1530. (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. c. Total Paid Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2102; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 2028. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (by Mail and Outside the Mail): (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 830; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 703. (2) Free or Nominal In-County as Stated on Form 3541: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 328; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 200; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 400. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution:

e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 1358; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 1103. f. Total Distribution: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 3460; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 3131. g. Copies Not Distributed: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 540; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 869. h. Total: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 4000; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 4000. i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 60.75%; Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date, 64.77%. 16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October 15, 2026issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Stuart Richner, Owner; Date: October 1, 2026. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

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By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce’s annual food drive brought in donations for local food pantries while giving residents an opportunity to help families facing food insecurity. The initiative expanded across the community, with local schools playing a major role in collecting food for Valley Stream families. Originally scheduled to run from Sept. 14 through Oct. 6, the drive was extended into the following week to give residents more time to contribute, according to chamber board member Lauri LoQuercio. The four participating schools — Central, North and South high schools and Memorial Junior High School — collected a combined 1,935 pounds of food. The chamber also collected donations through village dropoff locations, participating businesses and an Amazon wish list, broadening the effort beyond the schools. “We’ve really tried to make it a communitywide event that has everybody feeling a part of,” LoQuercio said. “I think it’s beautiful that the whole community comes together in this way.” The chamber organized collection opportunities at several locations throughout the village and at participating businesses, including Bristol and Dime Savings Bank, both chamber members. Additional collections were planned outside King Cullen and Key Food on North Central Avenue. Food collected from the schools was designated for Valley Stream families and distributed through the chamber to local food pantries. Volunteers helped transport donations, including LoQuercio and members of Memorial Junior High School’s Youth Leadership Club. Mark Daly of the Kiwanis Club picked up donations from South High School, while Dave’s Bounce House and an employee, Taha, helped collect donations from North High School. LoQuercio picked up the donations from Central High School. At Memorial, seventh-graders found their own way to contribute, turning the chamber’s initiative into a friendly competition among three teams: Blue, Black and Silver. Over three weeks, the students collected 2,265 food items, far surpassing the school’s original goal of 500. Team Black led the competition with 2,014 items, according to Meaghan Hynes, a seventh-grade teacher who helped coordinate the effort. Members of the National Junior Honor Society also contributed about 500 items across the three teams. The idea took shape after the school district was contacted about the chamber’s food drive. Hynes and other teachers saw an opportunity to incorporate community service into the school’s team system, which encourages students to get involved in school activities and

Courtesy Lauri LoQuerci

Food donations collected by seventh-graders at Memorial Junior High School in Valley Stream as part of the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce’s annual food drive to support local families in need. build connections with their classmates. Each Friday, announcements updated students on which team was in the lead, helping maintain enthusiasm throughout the collection period. The winning team received Jolly Ranchers and points toward an upcoming team-building day. “I just think it was a really awesome start for the year for the seventh-graders and for the whole building, just to know that we made that positive impact on the community,” Hynes said. Students donated canned goods and other food staples, including macaroni and cheese, canned chicken, canned tuna and condiments, which the chamber had identified as particularly needed. For seventh-grader Arianna Hamilton, the drive showed how students could make a difference for people in their community. “If we all come together and donate cans, then we could give them to the people who need them, or don’t have a lot,” Hamilton said. Central, Nor th and South high schools each contributed more than 100 pounds of food, LoQuercio said, adding to the donations collected through the chamber’s initiative. The chamber hopes to build on the effort in future years, encouraging more participation and continuing to support local food pantries. LoQuercio said the drive has grown over time, with the goal of meeting community needs while strengthening connections among residents. “The goal here is to build community,” she said, explaining that working together on projects like the food drive can help bring people from different backgrounds together. For the chamber, the donations represented more than food for local pantries. They reflected a communitywide effort to help Valley Stream families and encourage residents of all ages to take part in giving back.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

Chamber food drive PUBLIC NOTICES supports local families HERALD

October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

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

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

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

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

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EDITOR/REPORTER

TAKE US ON VACATION

Bring your local Herald Newspaper with you on vacation, take a photo with the Herald and submit it to jharmon@ liherald.com. Submit your photos for a chance to be featured in the Herald Around the World!

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

OUTSIDE SALES RICHNER COMMUNICATIONS, ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING MEDIA, EVENT AND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES ON LONG ISLAND IS SEEKING A SALES/ MARKETING CANDIDATE TO SELL OUR PRINT MEDIA PRODUCTS AND OUR DIGITAL, EVENTS, SPONSORSHIPS. EARNING POTENTIAL RANGES FROM $35,360 PLUS COMMISSION AND BONUSES TO OVER $100,000 INCLUDING COMMISSIONS AND BONUSES. COMPENSATION IS BASED ON FULL TIME HOURS ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH BENEFITS, 401K AND PAID TIME OFF. PLEASE SEND COVER LETTER AND RESUME WITH SALARY REQUIREMENTS TO RGLICKMAN@LIHERALD.COM OR CALL 516-569-4000 X250 PART-TIME ADMIN 1 Weekend Day a Week. (Preferably Saturdays) Call the Office 516-432-3400 Ask for Carmela. PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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HERALD

Crossword Puzzle VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

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On Park-Like Grounds

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October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

M A R K E T P L A CE

FREE ESTIMATES...Best Price For High Quality Service

OPINIONS

igher education on Long Island is a major force for economic, scientific and cultural advancement. The Island’s 17 colleges and universities employ about 26,000 faculty and staff — roughly 2 percent of total regional employment — and have enrolled over 160,000 students in recent years. Long Island is also home to major research centers, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell and Stony Brook University, among others. While national headlines have focused on federal funding cuts and demands for compliance of elite private research universities, we shouldn’t lose sight of local impacts. All institutions rely on federal support for research and student aid. Those demands were accompanied by unsupported claims or selective evidence of institutional wrongdoing that do not follow the federal government’s own guide-

lines for regulatory action. The Trump administration’s cuts to the National Science Foundation and other federal sources of research funding affect local institutions as well as those in the news. It has cut an estimated $47 billion locally and halted thousands of approved grants. Scientific advances by Long Island institutions in health science, quantitative computing and energy management, among others, save lives and improve the quality of life for all of us. The federal government and higher education institutions have had a strong partnership dating back to the 19th century. This partnership is grounded in several signature Supreme Court decisions, including Sweezy v. New Hampshire. In that case, Justice Felix Frankfurter articulated the four freedoms of universities to determine, on academic grounds, what to teach, how to teach, who will teach and who will be taught. But this foundation for advanced learning is being challenged by federal and state actions. The government’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education would confer pre-

ferred access to federal research funds in exchange for abandoning academic freedom and institutional governance. Most of those offered the compact, and the more recent Compact 2.0, have said no, because it would violate longstanding principles. It would interfere with student admissions, faculty hiring, academic programming and international relationships. The latest action to reshape higher education is Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s letter to campus boards and presidents calling for answers to a set of provocative questions. In this threepage “Call to Action” directed at wealthy institutions, the department requested information about admissions, free speech, intellectual pluralism and college affordability. Asked about any relationship between responses and federal funding, a department spokesperson said, “It would be natural for the government to look favorably on those who supported its position,” according to Inside Higher Education. And now the authors of “Project 2025” have proposed model legislation for state governments to bar campus

ur foundation for advanced learning is facing federal and state challenges.

officials from taking positions on the “issues of the day,” even if they threaten academic freedom, and from mentioning race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity in any policies, procedures, training, etc., unless approved by the state. The university — and here I include two- and four-year colleges — is dedicated to the search for truth and to the preparation of students to distinguish between and among empirical evidence, epiphanies, and emotion or superstition. Its role is as much about character development and citizenship advancement as it is about preparation for careers and commerce. It should not be controlled by politics. After all, we want students to question assertions and challenge assumptions, to know that words matter and that actions have consequences. They, too, benefit from the freedom to inquire, imagine and innovate. These are the characteristics of an educated mind. Our universities may be in today’s headlines, but we can see beyond the present and take action to support higher education’s historic role in service to society. Robert A. Scott, Ph.D., is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”

We’re limiting legal refugees to white South Africans

urrent federal policy limits legal refugee admissions essentially to white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners. Congressional candidates, including incumbents, on Long Island and beyond need to state whether they support this policy, which has existed without sufficient Congressional or public attention. The public has a right to know. On Jan. 20, 2025, the first day of his second term, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” It imposed a ban on a program that has for decades — with longstanding bipartisan support — provided a legal way for refugees fleeing persecution in other countries to be vetted and, if approved, resettled in this country. On Oct. 30, the administration announced an exception to the ban: It would limit the number of refugees admitted to the United States to 7,500 — a dramatic decline from the target of 125,000 in 2024 — and they would mostly be white South Africans. As the Associ-

ated Press reported at the time, the federal notice “made no mention of any other specific groups to be admitted besides the white South Africans, known also as Afrikaners.” Afrikaners, it should be noted, have a long history of supporting and implementing white supremacy. It was Afrikaners who led the South African government after World War II, when it created a formal system of racial apartheid. As NPR Illinois reports, “In 1948, the Afrikaner-led government began to implement apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation that benefited whites. Black people and other non-white South Africans were displaced and dispossessed. Apartheid ended in 1994 with the formation of a new, democratic government led by anti-apartheid activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela.” On May 26, the Trump administration announced that it would admit another 10,000 white South Africans as refugees, while essentially continuing to ban people from other countries. The State Department issued data on Aug. 5, revealing that the U.S. had accepted 10,258 refugees in the fiscal year, all but three of whom were South Africans.

On Sept. 25, Trump issued a Presidential Determination limiting refugee admissions in the new fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, to an additional 17,500, primarily Afrikaners from South Africa. No other country was mentioned. Afrikaners aren’t simply among those being admitted. They are virtually the only people being admitted. That’s clearly a statement of principle rather than a reflection of the state of the world. The president is only required to inform Congress, so Congress may avoid taking a position, but clearly the president can make changes during the new fiscal year, as he did previously. At a minimum, Congress should state how this policy reflects American values, and if members support or oppose it. By his actions, Trump is using the legal refugee admissions policy primarily to bring to the U.S. members of the Afrikaner community, which implemented white supremacy through apartheid in South Africa. By his actions he is publicly affirming that system. It’s important to keep in mind that the U.S. had its own systems of apartheid against Blacks: slavery and then Jim-Crow segregation. The president’s

rump’s actions are a clear signal to white supremacists in the U.S.

actions are a clear signal to white supremacists in the U.S. that he wants to extend that legacy. After all, from Day One of the Trump administration, the combination of the president’s executive orders, related Congressional actions and sought-after Supreme Court decisions have removed Blacks from federal jobs without cause, and stripped them of civil rights that ensured their right to vote and their right not to be denied housing due to discrimination based on race and other protected attributes. This Afrikaner resettlement in the U.S. is a stunning act by the president. It deserves to be discussed and debated by those seeking to serve in Congress. Candidates for Congress on Long Island, including incumbents, need to make clear whether they support this federal policy. The federal refugee admissions program was created by an act of Congress, the Refugee Act of 1980. How can Congress not care about how the program is used? The question — Do you support the current federal policy on refugee admissions? — is one that requires a simple yes or no answer. Yet that answer will speak volumes about each candidate. Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, the regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

National news and higher education on Long Island

HERALD EDITORIAL

Valley stream

HERALD October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Established 1990

Incorporating the Valley Stream Mailleader in 2001 Hailey Fulmer Senior Reporter Glenn GOlD Mutli Media Marketing Consultant martHa jacOviDes Founding Editor OFFice 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: www.liherald.com E-mail: vseditor@liherald.com OFFicial neWsPaPer:

Village of Valley Stream Valley Stream High School District Valley Stream Districts 13, 24 and 30

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Main Street can’t sit out the A.I. revolution

ast month, 50 Long Island small businesses gathered at Stony Brook University to finish something few of their owners would have imagined a year ago: six months of training in artificial intelligence. The LIA-AI Growth Academy was free to participants. It was run by the Long Island Association’s foundation, funded by Google.org and taught by Stony Brook’s technology and A.I. experts, along with advisers from the Long Island Small Business Development Center. It was open only to companies with 20 or fewer employees, and graduates received a $5,000 grant to put A.I. to work in their businesses. Long Island’s municipalities, chambers of commerce and educational institutions must find ways to replicate this terrific program. The stakes are high, because A.I. is the first technology in a long time that can favor the little guy. For most of the last century, size was destiny. A big company could afford an IT department, inhouse lawyers, a finance team and analysts poring over its data, and the corner store could not. A.I. erases much of that advantage. A contractor can turn handwritten notes into clean estimates and keep three job sites on schedule. A hardware store can spot the items that are gathering dust and the ones that keep selling out. A two-lawyer firm can summarize a 200page lease before lunch. Corporations spent millions of dollars on tools that now cost a small business a modest

LETTERS Keep up the good work, Herald To the Editor: Re your editorial, “Celebrating newspapers and local reporting” (Oct. 1-7): Congratulations to the Herald on its excellent coverage of local news, and then some. I am a subscriber, a supporter and a believer in journalism — freedom of the press is essential, especially at this time in our country. With so much information and misinformation, I rely on the professionalism, honesty and thorough investigative reporting of newspapers across the country, and the Herald in particular. Thank you for covering Long Island and our neighborhoods. You keep us informed. May you and your journalists continue your important work. MARGUERITE WESTBROOK Lynbrook

monthly subscription. We know the objection, because we hear it from every owner we talk to: Who has the time? Small-business owners already work long weeks. They answer the phones, make payroll, chase invoices and sweep the floor. Adding “Learn A.I.” to that list sounds absurd. But few things a business owner can do will pay off more than a few hours spent learning these tools. The time invested comes back every week — in invoices sent faster, schedules built in minutes and paperwork that no longer eats the weekend. Owners don’t have to figure it out alone. The LIA should announce a second cohort, and we hope it’s much bigger. The Long Island SBDC at Stony Brook offers free one-on-one advising, and the state SBDC network now runs a dedicated A.I. program. In Nassau, Hofstra University’s Entrepreneurship Assistance Center has teamed up with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce on a series of practical A.I. workshops for local business owners, a model every chamber on Long Island should copy. Hofstra’s ideaHUb incubator also connects young companies with mentors and student interns. Farmingdale State College has launched a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence that blends business and computer science, and Long Island University is building its own A.I. offerings. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges and our public libraries offer affordable continuingeducation and tech classes. Business

owners should use them. A.I.’s promise doesn’t mean we should be naïve about its dangers. The same tools that help a bakery balance its books can write a convincing scam email or clone a child’s voice to con a grandparent. Bad actors are already using A.I. for fraud, impersonation and deepfakes. Any A.I. training should also teach owners how to protect themselves from these scams. The bigger problems are not for the deli owner to solve. That job belongs to Albany and Washington. Lawmakers need to set clear rules: real penalties for A.I.enabled fraud and impersonation, disclosure when content is A.I.-generated, transparency from the companies building these systems. A.I. will likely eliminate jobs — especially the entry-level clerical, customer-service and bookkeeping work that has started countless Long Island careers — so government budgets must account for retraining workers whose jobs change or disappear. Embracing the technology and demanding guardrails are not contradictory. They are two halves of the same responsible approach. A.I. is coming to Long Island’s economy whether Main Street is ready or not. The LIA, Hofstra and other local institutions have shown what readiness looks like. But they can’t train 100,000 Long Island small businesses on their own. That will take every town hall, chamber, library and college on the Island pulling in the same direction, and it needs to start now.

OPINIONS

have purchased Entenmann’s Little Bites muffins for a good part of the past 10 years. Since she was in kindergarten, my stepdaughter liked them as an occasional treat in her lunchbox or an after-school snack. As she got older, I’d often find an empty package in the kitchen garbage in the morning after a late-night snack. My stepdaughter is now a junior in high school. As my family was preparing for the transition back to school in August, I asked her if she still wanted me to buy the fudge brownie and chocolate chip Little Bites. “No, thank you,” she said. “I don’t eat those anymore.” While part of me was glad that she had moved toward healthier snack options, my heart ached a bit. She’s no longer little. Time is passing. She has grown. She’s changing. In life, changes come upon us in many different ways. Some are routine, while others are less anticipated and take more time to make necessary adjustments. Schools experience change in much the same way. Schools are often referred to as micro-

cosms of society, meaning that they reflect the ideas, advancements and challenges we see around us. Schools carry a unique responsibility. We must remain a steady anchor for our community by preserving values and proven systems of support for students and families: strong leadership, consistent monitoring of student progress and meaningful community partnerships. At the same time, we must actively innovate and grow our programs so that students are ready to participate in a changing world. Change is a defining characteristic of schools. Some changes in schools are prompted by requirements from governing bodies such as the New York State Education Department. Across the state, educators are preparing for new high school graduation requirements and thinking carefully about what those changes will mean for students. They’re creating learning experiences connected to the newly adopted Portrait of a Graduate, with an emphasis on helping students develop the skills and competencies they will need to thrive in the future. Schools are also finding ways to incorporate new state standards in areas such as financial literacy and climate education. These changes are intended to offer

e’ve even expanded the use of technology by offering drone flight education.

LETTERS Town should come clean on tax increases To the Editor: When is the Town of Hempstead going to stop using deceptive accounting practices to hide the fact that it’s raising our taxes? By removing Sanitation Department budgets from the town’s main budget and creating separate special district budgets, the town can raise taxes through those districts while claiming that it isn’t raising town taxes. The money and the tax burden doesn’t disappear; it’s simply moved out of the main budget, to where taxpayers are less likely to see it. What’s to stop those sanitation districts from raising taxes after Election Day? Another deceptive practice the town has used for decades is burying revenue labeled “miscellaneous” in its General Fund, which has now accumulated $50.2 million. The town should disclose how much of that revenue comes from the utility bills of Liberty Water, PSEG and National Grid customers. Liberty is seeking a 37 percent rate increase next year, in part because of the everincreasing taxes it pays to the town and county — taxes ultimately paid by Liberty customers on utility property that

schools opportunities to consider how best to prepare students for the world they will enter beyond the classroom. In Valley Stream UFSD 13, we approach change as a team, thoughtfully considering how we can ensure that our offerings remain engaging and responsive to students’ needs and interests while preparing them for a successful transition to junior high school. Over the past few years, our district has adopted new curriculum programs that prioritize critical-thinking skills, collaboration, language development and student choice. We have also expanded purposeful use of technology by offering drone flight education. By thoughtfully redesigning our master schedule, we have created protected time for targeted skill instruction and supported a more intentional transition to junior high school for our sixth-graders. Emotional well-being remains a priority. We have made changes to provide even more support in this crucial area of child development. We expanded the district mental health team and adopted a new character-education program. Additionally, our learning environments have been enhanced with updated security systems, modernized classroom spaces, new playgrounds and dedicated

should be tax-exempt. LI Clean Air Water & Soil has asked the town to put all tax revenue from Liberty Water into a separate fund to help finance the South Nassau Water Authority’s acquisition of the system. Had the Town done this decades ago, we could have had public water by now, like 95 percent of New Yorkers. Then there’s the sale of real property as a one-time gimmick to balance the budget, along with taking $30 million from reserves. Neither should be used to fund recurring expenses, practices that run contrary to sound government financial management. Joe Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for town supervisor, is right to shine a light on the town’s “miscellaneous” revenue. It may be time for State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to investigate the town’s finances and expose the deceptive practices being used to conceal tax increases. Perhaps Hempstead needs its own version of the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority to bring transparency and accountability to its finances. CLAUDIA BORECKY Co-director, LI Clean Air Water & Soil Ltd. and president, Bellmore Merrick Democratic Club Merrick

sensory spaces. Valley Stream UFSD 13 has also added opportunities for students to make community connections within their learning through newly created civic-awareness projects, an annual art show at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library and increased participation in music festivals and performances. All of this reflects the changes the district has undergone in recent years. These changes required intense reflection, shared decision-making and fiscal planning. Schools operate with both steady and moving targets when building programs for students. There are standards and best practices that remain while requirements and opportunities advance. Change is not easy. It can be scary, confusing and uncomfortable. But it is unavoidable. Who we are as a school district is determined by how we respond to change and adapt the ways in which we serve children and their families. Change allows us to reflect on how we operate as an organization within our community. While my kitchen cabinet is missing Little Bites, the vacancy is ultimately a marker of growth. Perhaps a healthier, more dynamic snack is on the horizon. Lorraine Radice, Ph.D., is the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Valley Stream Union Free School District 13.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

A ghoulish gathering on Chestnut Street — Oceanside

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 15, 2026

Navigating change in our schools

October 15, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

HELP US BRING ADVANCED CARDIAC SERVICES TO THE SOUTH SHORE, INCLUDING OPEN-HEART SURGERY

THE LANNIN EISENHOWER PARK | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026, 6:30 PM Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Spectacular Soirée!

Featuring a selection of fine wines and spirits, an extended cocktail hour (no formal sit-down dinner) with a wide array of hors d’oeuvres, premium seafood selections, prime cuts of beef, as well as an assortment of international dishes (and a Kosher food station). Entertainment will also include a live DJ, dancing, and a mentalist.

Masters of Ceremonies: News 12 personalities Erin Colton and Joe Arena

Book your reservation online at bringinghearthome.org, or call the Mount Sinai South Nassau Development Department at 516-377-5360.