Issuu

Friday, December 25, 2015

the PULSe oF the PeNiNSULa

vol. 90, no. 52

GUIDE ing New Year’s Din

NeW year’S PLaZa eyeS PLaN kaiMaN eyeD DiNiNG GUiDe For CLiMate-aCtioN For LiPa Ceo 2015 • decemb er 25, tions special section / litmor publica a blank slate media

PAGEs 27-38

PAGE 5

Kings Point calls on state for park help

PAGE 6

F E s t I VA L O F L I G H t

Village urging residents to sign petition for Martins, Schimel aid By J oe N i k i C The Village of Kings Point is urging its residents to sign a petition asking state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) and state Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel’s (DGreat Neck) to support legislation that would allow the village to keep its public works building on a portion of Kings Point Park. The legislation would allow the village to avoid the demolition of the public works facility as required under a 2014 state Court of Appeals ruling that found the village had violated state law in building it there in 1946. “Kings Point residents need to show lawmakers our unified support in favor of the adoption of this state legislation,” the newsletter said. “Please don’t allow complacency to dictate an outcome that will have severe financial consequences for our community.” The newsletter, which was sent to village residents in December, presents the cost of razing the

public works building and constructing one on another site and asks that they sign the petition. Village of Kings Point attorney Stephen Limmer said it will cost the village $1 million to comply with the court’s ruling. “The cost would be to find a place for a new facility and to build the new facility and the combined cost of everything estimates to one million,” Limmer said. This, he said, does not include the demolition of the existing facility. The Great Neck Park District has jurisdiction over the park and would be responsible the cost of tearing down the building, he said. The state Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a state Supreme Court’s 2011 ruling that the Village of King Point’s plan to raze the 5.45 acres of Kings Point Park for a department of public works building violated state law, and ordered the removal of a village salt shed on the property. The court said the salt shed, Continued on Page 52

Lt. fionna Boyle at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s 38th annual festival of Lights interfaith holiday celebration. see more phots on Page 47.

G.N. native takes star turn as lead in ‘The Nutcracker’ By J oe N i k i C

young age. “I was very, very shocked. After being chosen to play I was so surprised just because the lead role in the New York I felt lucky enough to be the City Ballet’s Dec. 27 produc- Dewdrop last year at 19,” said tion of “The Nutcracker,” Ash- Hod, 20, who grew up in Great ley Hod said she was surprised Neck. “I’m so young and have by her selection because of her a whole career ahead of me. It

wasn’t even on my radar to say the least.” The Sugar Plum Fairy role, she said, is typically given to one of the principal dancers, which is the highest level of dancer in the ballet. She said Continued on Page 62

For the latest news visit us at www.theislandnow.com D on’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Shock jock Cumia arrested at home Pleads not guilty to assault charge By M at t G r e c h

Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender

Plaza to send revised housing law to county Planning Commission to review affordable home code By J oe N i k i c After a second public hearing, Village of Great Neck Plaza trustees agreed on amendments to the village’s affordable housing laws which are being sent to the Nassau County Planning Commission for review. The Board of Trustees began talks to amend village affordable housing laws on Dec. 2, after settling a federal lawsuit in October that alleged the village had violated fair housing laws by denying minorities equal opportunity to affordable housing units at The Maestro, a 94-unit rental apartment complex. “The Village of Great Neck Plaza is committed to making affordable workforce housing units available in the village,” Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said. “The legislation is being amended to set aside the age and local prefer-

ence provisions that were at the crux of the lawsuit claims. Remaining an open inclusive community that offers a wide range of rental and co-op apartments, condominium units and private homes has always been a goal of village officials.” Village Attorney Richard Gabriele said attorneys representing The Maestro, which is located at 255 Great Neck Road, agreed with the proposed amendments but offered suggestions to change how rent would be determined. Celender said she did not want to change the village code’s current method for determining rent, which takes 30 percent of “the combined current annual gross income of all persons living in the eligible person’s household.” The law deems an applicant eligible if they make no more than 100 percent of the median

income in Nassau County as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “It benefits the people better because it’s a fixed amount on their income rather than some people getting higher and some lower,” Celender said. “Everybody’s treated fairly.” In May 2014, Long Island Housing Services and the Fair Housing Justice Center filed a complaint in Central Islip’s Eastern District Court of New York claiming the village was violating local, state, and federal laws by enforcing discriminatory age and race requirements for affordable housing. The plaintiffs claimed current village code favored “long-term residents of the predominantly white surrounding municipalities” and was “discriminating systematically Continued on Page 52

Shock jock radio host Anthony Cumia was arrested on Saturday for allegedly assaulting his 26-year-old girlfriend, Danielle Brand, at his Roslyn Heights home. Cumia faces charges of strangulation, unlawful imprisonment, criminal mischief and assault, Nassau County police said. Police have not issued a release regarding the incident, but did confirm the charges and said the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday. Cumia hosted his web based talk show, The Anthony Cumia Show, on Monday and briefly discussed the incident. “No one more than I wants to just open up and spill everything right on this program about what happened,” he said. “I have been advised by people much more knowledgeable than me on this, and much less apt to use emotion than me, to not discuss the details of this ongoing case, as it were.” Cumia went on to explain his arrest and processing at the Nassau County Police Third Precinct, but did not give any further details of the incident itself. His attorney, Alan J. Schwartz, said Cumia “emphatically denies the allegations brought against him,” in a statement made to Blank Slate Media. “Yesterday morning, he en-

tered a plea of not guilty to all charges and was released without bail, and directed to appear back in court in January,” Schwartz said. He added that “simply put, things are not always what they appear to be, and this case is a perfect example of that.” Court papers state Brand suffered a fractured rib, swollen arm and chest pain, according to Newsday. The incident was filmed and posted online to the social media application Periscope by Brand, and later on Youtube, in which she can be heard making claims of being injured with a broken hand. At one point Cumia can be heard telling Brand to leave his house. Cumia, a resident of Roslyn Heights, was part of the shock jock duo “Opie and Anthony” alongside Gregg “Opie” Hughes that broadcast through the subscription-based Sirius XM network from 2004 to 2014. The show was cancelled in 2014 after Cumia was fired for posting racially charged tweets online alleging he was assaulted by a black woman in Times Square. He has since started his own subscription-based internet radio show, hosted partly out of his Roslyn Heights home. Cumia is due back in court on Jan. 4.

Anthony Cumia’s Roslyn Heights residence were the incident occured. Photo by Matt Grech

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

G.N. filmmaker shoots for the stars Lake Success resident hopes director partnership will influence future movie industry By J oe N i k i c

Although director partnerships have had some success in the movie industry, Great Neck resident Scott Aharoni said he hopes he can impact the industry to make director partnerships a consistent thing. “I want to be able to show that this partnership works and that directing with somebody works and is going to be very successful,” Aharoni said. “It would be cool seeing people in the future with more and more directors coming up and working together.” Aharoni and his friend, Dennis Latos, of Glen Cove, have a director partnership that has seen them complete two short films, with a third short film, “Bardo,” in post-production. Citing the influence of popular movies like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” which both were filmed with two directors, Aharoni said he and Latos noticed their similar styles and thought they should start working together. “When me and him met we were individuals directing by

Great Neck South Middle School taught by Bob Gluck. Students were tasked with shooting a film based on a given storyboard, he said, but he wanted to make changes to the storyboard and film something different, which Gluck agreed to. “I shot it, then we went into the editing room and he started teaching me how to edit. He said to me that I had something special,” Aharoni said. “The rest is history. I took it to heart and went with it.” He said he met Latos after seeing him on Facebook talking about filmmaking. “I saw a Facebook post and I realized Dennis was doing film stuff too, so I messaged him,” Aharoni said. “Looking back, it’s been awesome and interesting and a cool process. It’s awesome to be best friends with your busiPhoto courtesy of Scott Aharoni ness partner.” The duo wrapped up filming Scott Aharoni (right) and Dennis Latos on the set of their “Bardo,” their third short film together. for “Bardo” last month, after a week of filming in Astoria. ourselves but we were very close produce and direct and edit to- best out of each other.” Initially a senior thesis projAharoni, a Village of Lake friends and one day after us just gether,” he said. “We realized in working by ourselves, it hit us the way we direct, the way we Success resident, found his tal- ect at Hofstra University, where and we said why don’t we cre- edit, we had extremely similar ent in filmmaking after taking Aharoni said he will be graduate this partnership where we styles. Together we brought the a seventh grade film class at Continued on Page 52

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

N. Hills disputes Ritz Carlton count By N o a h M a N S k a r The North Hills Board of Trustees and the developers of a luxury condominium complex there are not seeing eye-to-eye on numbers. The board on Wednesday delayed a decision on whether to let RXR Realty combine several smaller units at its Ritz Carlton Residences into fewer, larger condos, after Mayor Marvin Natiss said the changes were a way the developer could circumvent the limit of 244 units. “Your client has been here 10 times, and 20 times has been told no more than 244,” Natiss told Anthony Guardino, RXR’s attorney, Wednesday night. That number has stood since 2006, when the board first approved RXR’s plan for five luxury condo buildings at the 17-acre site on New Hyde Park Road near the Long Island Expressway Service Road, managed by hotelier Ritz Carlton. RXR’s amended plans for the first two buildings combines 28 of 124 individual condos into 14 larger ones, for a new total of 110 units. The developer plans to add the extra 14 to the fifth

an artist’s rendering shows rXr realty’s ritz Carlton residences, a luxury condo development in North hills that’s been in the works since 2006. building in the project’s second phase, keeping the total at 244, Guardino said. RXR First Vice President Frank Haftel said the board allowed for combined condos to

count as a single unit in 2009, when it approved the firm’s plan to reduce the average unit size. Counting them as one also makes sense under the village code, Haftel and Guardino said,

which says a “dwelling unit” ought to be “intended, designed and built for use by one family.” “All we’re saying is let’s not change things around,” Haftel said in an interview. “Let’s just

stick with what we agreed to do.” But Natiss said the board has always held that two condos sold as one unit still count as two toward the total because the final plans approved in 2013 list them as separate units. Combining units and tacking more onto the last building would bring the total above the limit of 244, he said, which the board has repeatedly said it would never allow. Natiss also noted the village’s approval for permits to combine condos always reflected that the larger units counted as two. “We approved 244 units. It’s up to us how we count them, not up to you how you count them,” Natiss said. RXR’s proposed changes would not increase the number of bedrooms in the complex, Haftel said, and it would still house no more than 244 families. He said the firm has sold all 14 of the proposed larger units, but the sale contracts say they are “physically and legally” one unit rather than two. RXR needs Continued on Page 52

HAPPY & A HEALTHY 2016

Rank

MARKET SHARE FOR RESIDENTIAL HOMES “IN CONTRACT” JANUARY 1, 2015 – DECEMBER 21, 2015

Broker

%Units

EDMA01

114

21.033

Laffey Fine Homes

LFH12

S Sharf Realty Inc

SOHE01 5 Offices 74 Offices

Coldwell Banker Residential

Keller Williams Rty Gold Coast

#Units

EDNA MASHAAL REALTY

2 3

MLSID

Totals Shown: Totals Entire Report: Report represents 74 Offices Included in this analysis are: RES For Date Range From 1/1/2015 Through 12/21/2015

CBRB22

LEVN01

%Volume Average Days On Market

Lists

Sales

Res

18.797

114

11.808

13.892

5.72

8.525

169

339 542

62.546 100

68.307 100

112 101

173 271

166 271

339 542

13.653

10.332

16.778

10.315

124 105

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Plaza seeks to implement climate plan By J oe N i k i c Village of Great Neck Plaza trustees announced Wednesday their intent to be the first village on Long Island to implement a climate-action plan. “I think this is an issue people care about and they want to see how we are becoming more energy efficient. We don’t want to see all the dramatic effects that climate change is doing all over the world,” Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said.

“There’s a reason we’ve got these heat waves in December. It’s not a good thing.” In 2008, the state Department of Environmental Conservation created the Climate Smart Communities Program, an effort to persuade municipalities in the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience. According to the DEC’s website, municipalities make a public commitment to the program’s ef-

forts through a “pledge” to the DEC. Some 170 municipalities have pledged to support the program, including the Town of North Hempstead in 2008 and the Village of Great Neck Plaza in 2012. In 2014, Gov. Andrew Cuomo began certifying municipalities in the Climate Smart Communities Program for taking positive steps after making the pledge. Celender said no village has implemented a

climate plan on Long Island and she wanted them to be the first. “We’ve been part of all those planning sessions and we took the pledge and we have been drafting our own village climate-action plan to become more energy efficient, reduce our carbon footprint, incorporate renewables, and all the goals and objectives that the state level has been set,” Celender said. “We’re now doing analysis of how we can further that in our own village and

actually using data on the amount of electricity we use in our village facilities through all the infrastructure that’s here that we have information on.” She also said the village’s Citizens Advisory Committee reviewed the drafted climate plan and suggested changes to the plan that would benefit the village. Celender said the drafted plan focuses on energy-saving initiatives including upgrading to LED lights, energy efficient

infrastructure improvements, recycling, and reducing waste. Four days prior to Wednesday’s board meeting, 195 countries signed the “Paris Climate Agreement,” a 31-page document highlighting various climate-related initiatives to be implemented by the agreement’s effective date in 2020. The board unanimously voted to schedule a public hearing on the village climate-action plan at its Feb. 3 meeting.

Man dies in LIE crash near Old Westbury By M at t G r e c h

Police and first responders at the scene of the crash last week that killed James Rosentiel, 21.

A Plainview man was killed in Old Westbury on Thursday morning when he crashed into the back of a parked tractortrailer on the side of the Long Island Expressway. Police said James Rosentel, 21, was

headed east when he drove onto the shoulder of the expressway and crashed into the back of the parked trailer, according to News 12. The accident occurred between exits 39 and 40 of the expressway. No one was inside the truck at the time of the crash, according to News 12.

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Kaiman in running for LIPA CEO Ex North Hempstead town supervisor seen as among 5 candidates considered By J oe N i k i c

Jon Kaiman is a candidate to be the next CEO of the Long Island Power Authority.

tax and zoning issues and municipal debt to the LIPA board. “My observation is there has been an evolution of LIPA where PSEG has taken on the role of full utility management and staff and LIPA still has the policy and oversight role that is more traditionally government in nature,” Kaiman said. “A government manager might be best suited.” Kaiman served as North Hempstead Town Supervisor from 2003 until September 2013, when he resigned to serve as special advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Long Island stormrecovery initiative. Shortly before leaving office in September 2013, Cuomo also appointed him as NIFA’s chairman. An unnamed LIPA board member, Newsday reported, said he would support Kaiman. “I am following the LIPA board process in regard to the selection of the next CEO,” Kaiman said in an email. Efforts to reach LIPA spokesman Sid Nathan were unavailing.

Nassau Interim Finance Authority Chair Jon Kaiman said Friday he has held talks with Long Island Power Authority board members about the utility’s chief executive position, which has been vacant for four months. “There has been some discussions,” Kaiman said. “Some of it informal and some of it with the committee that’s in the process of making the recommendation to the board.” LIPA’s chief executive post opened in August when John McMahon, a former Con Edison executive, stepped down after two years at the helm. Newsday reported other candidates for the vacant position include LIPA board members Matthew Cordaro and Mark Fischl, LIPA chief of staff Tom Falcone, and director of the Long Island Department of Public Services, Julia Bovey. Kaiman, a Great Neck resident, was considered for the position in 2013 after a change in top executives saw McMahon appointed. LIPA board members, at the time, discussed Reach reporter Joe Nikic by e-mail at jnikic@ whether a candidate with utility experience or governmental experience best served the com- theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 pany. x203. Also follow us on Twitter @joenikic and According to Newsday, Kaiman has high- Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow. lighted his experience in storm response, local

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New law requires donation disclosures By J oe N i k i c The Nassau County Legislature unanimously voted Monday to approve a bill requiring county vendors to disclose political contributions for elected officials. The bill also requires vendors to sign a statement claiming contributions were made without the expectation of a public benefit. “Everything that we need to know has to be presented to us,” Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) said. Prior to the bill passing, vendors contracted to the county would file campaign contributions only to the state Board of Elections. Under new legislation, vendors will continue to file contributions with the Board of Elections but will also need to disclose those contributions to the county Legislature. Nassau County Attorney Carnell Foskey said his office would review the submitted contributions to confirm they comply with what was filed with the Board of Elections. Claudia Borecky, who ran as a Democrat for the Legislature’s 19th district seat this year but lost to Republican Steven Rhoads, said the bill does not offer more oversight than what it is already done by the county. “You are creating more loopholes than you are filling. The proposed disclaimer form does not disclose any more information than it already must disclose on the campaign finance laws,” Borecky said. “Requiring vendors to disclose political contributions to candidates allows the vendor to legally launder money through a political club, committee, or PAC.” Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-

Hempstead) said while the bill fixes only a small percentage the county’s contracting issues, it is a step in the right direction. “I don’t want anyone to think we have solved all of the contract reform issues you have been reading about in the paper over the last six or seven months with this proposal today,” Abrahams said. “It doesn’t even come close.” After federal prosecutors accused former state Sen. Dean Skelos of illegally influencing a $12 million county contract to AbTech Industries, a company that hired his son, Adam, District Attorney elect Madeline Singas launched a review to the county’s contracting system. The report found the process was “a recipe for corruption” due to the ability for vendors to conceal criminal convictions and because the process did not allow for a way to check possible conflicts of interest. The bill proposed by County Executive Edward Mangano came after recommendations he received by a three-man panel he appointed after Singas’ findings about the county’s contracting process. Following the indictment of Skelos in May, Mangano issued an order for the disclosure of lobbying activity on all county contracts and to create a registry of local lobbyists, his first reform to the county’s contracting process. The Skelos’ squeezed Nassau officials to secure the $12 million deal for Arizona-based environmental technology firm AbTech Industries, after which the company raised Adam’s monthly consulting fee from $4,000 to $10,000. Both were found guilty on all bribery, extortion and conspiracy charges on Dec. 11.

Photo by Joe Nikic

The Nassau County Legislature’s Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (DHempstead) is seen at an election night gathering in Garden City Nov. 3.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

NS-LIJ partnership to expand genetic testing By J oe N i k i C The North Shore-LIJ Health System announced Monday an alliance with a Miami-based pharmaceutical and diagnostics company that would give patients access to the largest range of genetic testing available in a hospital setting. “The purpose of this alliance is to advance the promise of precision medicine by providing our patients with greater access to these potentially life-saving tests, while at the same time evaluating their utility and clinical value,” said James Crawford, chair of pathology and executive director of laboratory services at North Shore-LIJ. As part of the alliance with OPKO Health Inc., North Shore-LIJ and GeneDx, a genetic testing laboratory of OPKO’s BioReference Laboratories division, have formed a Limited Liability Company partnership. The LLC partnership will allow doctors to gather patient data in the North ShoreLIJ system to determine the effectiveness of genetic testing for prenatal screening, pediatric and postnatal diagnosis, inherited cancer risk, genetic cardiac abnormalities, neurological disorders and cancer sensitivity to drug therapies, according to a North Shore-LIJ press release. “We are pleased to be partnering with North Shore-LIJ to leverage our collective expertise, experience and resources in genomics and clinical care to further expand access to targeted treatment options for patients,” said Marc Grodman, chief executive officer of BioReference Laboratories. “The leadership of North Shore-LIJ has demonstrated a visionary approach to incorporate genomics in a coordinated, strategic manner throughout its health system. Our GeneDx and GenPath business units have extensive capabilities that will

be leveraged in this alliance to further enhance NSLIJ patient care, education and research.” Genetic testing will be available to patients beginning this January, according to Carly Erickson, manager of government relations and healthcare at MWW Public Relations, which represents GeneDx. North Shore-LIJ, which will change its name to Northwell Health in January, will use GeneDx and OPKO’s GenPath division as the primary laboratories for genetic testing, according to the release. “ T h e breadth of care provided by our health system gives us the opportunity to advance clinical knowledge through genomic testing. Linking genomic information with clinical outcomes is critical to understanding, diagnosing and treating disease,” North Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael Dowling said. “This strategic alliance with GeneDx and BioReference in genomics will further elevate our stature as a premier provider and destination for world-class care.” The LLC partnership would offer patients the largest ever genomic and molecular testing service, the North Shore-LIJ press office said. The North Shore-LIJ press office added that the health-care system would pay most of the testing costs, with patients paying no out-of-pocket expenses that would not be reimbursed by insurance. North Shore-LIJ is the country’s 14th largest health-care system, delivering clinical care throughout the New York metropolitan area. Reach reporter Joe Nikic by e-mail at jnikic@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x203. Also follow us on Twitter @joenikic and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

CONTROL YOUR COMFORT AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION…ALL AT ONCE

• • • • • •

An entrance to Belmont Park, the supposed site of a proposed temporary video casino, is seen Dec. 22.

F.P. brings Belmont protest to Legislature By N o a h M a N S k a r

Floral Park residents weren’t happy with their county legislators’ response Monday to their vocal opposition to a video casino at Belmont Park. Dozens of Floral Park residents at the county Legislature’s meeting, including Mayor Thomas Tweedy and Trustee Christopher Fitzgerald, practically and philosophically diverged with Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) on the proposed casino’s potential impact on areas bordering the Elmont race track. “We’re disgusted with their response,” said Christy Reisig, past president of Floral Park’s Wednesday Mothers Club, which had several members present at the meeting in Mineola. In a Dec. 15 resolution, Floral Park’s Village Board codified residents’ concerns that Nassau Regional Off Track Betting’s apparent plan to put 1,000 video lottery terminals, or VLTs, at Belmont Park would increase traffic and crime rates and lower property values in the area. The Floral Park-Bellerose school board and local civic associations have adopted similar resolutions. But Nicolello, who represents part of the village, said the worries are based on incorrect information and questioned how VLTs would hurt Floral Park, given that gambling has happened at Belmont Park since its inception. “Whatever negative impacts of whatever form of gambling they’re doing, those negative impacts will be there, and yet, for a century, with Belmont Park being there, Floral Park has remained a strong, vibrant community, is that correct?” Nicolello asked Tweedy in a sometimes heated exchange. When Elmont resident Patrick Nicolosi made a similar argument that “gambling is gambling,” the Floral Park crowd booed him. Contrary to Tweedy’s and others’ claim that the casino would add more that 20,000 cars to Floral Park’s roads, Nicolello said, it would bring an average of 5,000 visitors a day, and about 40 percent will come on buses.

But Tweedy said the casino would have to see 340,000 visitors a month to net the county $20 million in revenue, as projected in Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano’s 2016 budget. That many people would strain the village’s resources, he said. Floral Park residents say VLT casinos become hubs for gang activity, citing incidents at the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. But most VLT players are women between ages 50 and 70, Nicolello said, and the Queens casino is capturing revenue that could stay in Nassau. Tweedy also made a distinction between horse-race gambling and casino gambling, as the latter has been proven to have negative effects on most areas where it happens. “I will submit that all the communities of Nassau are tired of playing Russian roulette with the gun held by OTB, hoping somehow that OTB’s gun goes off in some other community’s head and ruin(s) their neighborhood instead of our own,” Tweedy said Monday. Nassau OTB has not officially announced a location for the video casino, but Floral Park officials say news reports and conversations with lawmakers indicate Belmont Park is the most likely place. Mangano said earlier this year that an announcement could come in December. Tweedy said the Legislature should replace Nassau OTB’s board of directors because they have kept residents and lawmakers alike in the dark about its plans. But that could be both illegal and unethical, Nassau County Legislator Vincent Muscarella (R-Floral Park) said. Nicolello and Tweedy both said they would to meet to further discuss Floral Park’s worries and determine which projections are accurate. “The residents have a right to make sure that all their concerns are addressed and as this process goes forward, there should be an ongoing discussion about them,” Nicolello said in an interview. A Nassau OTB spokesman said the agency “look(s) forward to discussions with the community about the benefits of this extraordinary opportunity.”

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12 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

C O MMU N I TY ne w s

Hanukkah fun Students at the Lake Success Jewish Center Hebrew School having some Hanukkah fun. Games were Hanukkah-themed and help to re-enforce the learning about Hanukkah.

Citation marks Renick retirement In recognition of his retirement, Nassau County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum personally delivered her Citation of Excellence to Superintendent of the Great Neck Park District, Peter Renick, on Wednesday, Dec. 16. After more than 43 years, Renick leaves the park district for retirement at the end of the year.

Alert Fire Company purchases fire simulator The weather may be turning colder but the Great Neck Alert Fire Company is turning up the heat when it comes to training their firefighters in the department’s new mobile fire training structure or simply, a “burn trailer”. The burn trailer is a multi-room, multi-purpose portable training facility that provides real flame, simulating the effects of a real-life house fire. The trailer maxes out to about 750 degrees, simulating the heat of an actual house fire. The burn trailer uses propane, is clean, and creates no pollutants or soot. However, for training purposes, it gives the firefighters an idea of what to expect in a real fire. “The acquisition of the trailer serves as a great training ground for fighting fires as well as conducting search and rescue drills,” Alert Chief James Neubert said. “With the trailer at our disposal whenever we want it, the training we can provide is endless.” Fires can be set to range from a low fire, to a high fire, to a rollover fire scenario. Rollover occurs when the superheat-

ed gases at the ceiling level ignite, causing the flames to roll across the ceiling. All the rooms in the trailer can be reconfigured in different set-ups, such as a kitchen, bedroom and even a basement. The second story has a balcony, which connects two separate rooms. There are also windows to practice a window rescue or “bail out”. The roof can be manipulated and set on different angles to simulate various types of roof construction the firefighters may encounter. The roof and walls of the trailer can also be cut for training purposes and then later replaced for future drills. The trailer is also equipped with a standpipe connection that serves as a training device for commercial and residential application. While the trailer does a great job of simulating fire and allows firefighters to experience the heat and get in some good training, nothing compares to the real thing. “The burn trailer allows us to better prepare our firefighters for a real-life situation,” Neubert said. “It gives them a good idea of what it’s like to be in a real

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

P U L S E O F T H E P E N I N SU L A

Lighthouse needs community support In this season of darkness, we look to a beacon of light, shepherding people to safety, we take comfort in heritage, specifically the Victorian era which is where so many of our Christmas traditions come from. We have such a beacon of light, a connection to heritage in our Stepping Stones Lighthouse. And just like in the beloved story, “A Christmas Carol,” it calls upon us to look past, present and to the future. Much has been made — appropriately — of how important it is to preserve such precious connections to our past. It is humbling and illuminating to do so. I want to focus on what the Lighthouse can be going forward. This “Christmas Carol” begins on a boatride out to the Lighthouse. Not any boat. A hybrid engine that incorporated futuristic technology to reduce its carbon emissions. Except it isn’t “futuristic” at all. It’s happening now. In an odd way, the boat ride meant to showcase the need to save the Stepping Stones Lighthouse showed how preserving the past could also provide a window to protecting our future, while making our present a better place. It began with the future-isnow boat that took us out there. But after the visit was over, I had another vision: that the Stepping Stones Lighthouse could have an added purpose for the 21st century. Here’s how. A group of supporters and advocates and should-be advocates from the community were invited to take a boat ride from Steppingstone Park’s dock to the Lighthouse to get a better view of this marvelous architectural jewel and a glimpse at the work that needs to be done to repair its aging brickwork and such.

We were reminded of the Lighthouse’s importance to navigation in what is really a very treacherous part of the Long Island Sound — in the 1770s, it was called “Devil’s Belt” and the reefs as the “Devil’s Stepping Stones,” a name that continued until 1877 when the lighthouse opened and the name shorted to “Stepping Stones”. On one side of the Lighthouse, boulders make the depth as little as five-feet (even less in low tide), while on the north side, the depths go to 105 feet — some of the deepest water in the Sound. There is an elongated triangle marked by buoys that stretches pretty much from the lighthouse to the Merchant Marine Academy and Steppingstone where mariners are not to sail. The Lighthouse has long since been automated, but the Lighthouse is no longer the federal government’s responsibility, but rather the stewardship has been taken over by the Town of North Hempstead. The federal government doesn’t care whether there is a picturesque architectural jewel, or a sterile metal pole with a light on top. But our community surely should care. So the Great Neck Historical Society and the Great Neck Park District are collaborating together with the Town of North Hempstead to raise money and do the necessary repairs. (Full disclosure: I am a Great Neck Historical Society board member and member of society’s Lighthouse Restoration committee.) Other communities have saved their lighthouses, which, in each case, have become a major attraction and in their own way an engine for economic progress. Already, our elementary school students from JF Kennedy have taken up the Lighthouse cause — entranced by the

KAREN RUBIN

Pulse of the Peninsula stories of the lighthouse keepers and their families — and in the process, learned not just about history, but more about building the lighthouse, living in the lighthouse. Last year, students participated in a contest to make their own lighthouse. More of the community needs to be involved, for indeed, the Lighthouse is one of the key structures that bind us as a community. The Saddle Rock Grist Mill is another. Indeed, it was the Grist Mill, which dates back to the early 1700s, was largely the reason the Great Neck peninsula was settled, which is one of the only tidal mills left. It is important to appreciate and cherish our shared heritage — even when most of us have been here perhaps a few years, a few decades. When we choose to move here, to set down our roots here, we take up the mantle of those who have come before. It becomes our heritage, our community. And much of that heritage has to do with our proximity to a vital waterway. That’s one side of this equation. As it happens, the boat that took us on this marvelous ride

was the “beta” of a new hybrid design that uses a fraction of the fossil fuel of a comparable boat, and mostly uses electricity. The boat was brought down by Micah Tucker, general manager of Derecktor Shipyard of Mamaroneck, who grew up in Great Neck, graduated Great Neck North (and used to drive the Steppingstone launch boat), and now manages the Derecktor Shipyard of Mamaroneck. The boat was built by Amtech — Alternate Marine Technology — which developed the hybrid diesel-electric engine. What it means is that instead of a 20-passenger boat that might use 75 gallons of fuel, this boat, with 65 passengers, uses only five or six gallons. The technology could be (and is) being used on 200-passenger ferries. Let’s consider the implications of this technology. Bob Kunkel, president of Amtech, who was aboard this boatride, is also hooked up with Harbor Harvest, which utilizes another innovative sustainable technology from a Canadian company called Urban Cultivators, has developed a method to grow 14 fresh herbs and vegetables year round in very short periods of time -fresh herbs in 7 days, vegetables in 12-14 days. Kunkel’s idea is to use these boats to bring farm-to-table fresh produce between Long Island and Connecticut, making it practical and affordable for growers, by cutting out the five-hour drive, gallons of burning fossil fuel, and the expensive tolls. What’s more, the vessel is really cool looking, so this would overcome local objections (noise, smoky smell, and commercial boat ‘look’). This could go back the other way, as well: there is already a market for Long Island’s potatoes

(remember when we used to be a major producer of potatoes?), while Connecticut produces dairy and meat. Now imagine restaurateurs and retail shops having access to fish that didn’t have to spend five hours in traffic to get to stores from the Fulton Fish Market. Think of the economic boon to Long Island, while doing a great service to reducing the carbon emissions that are pushing up temperatures and sea levels to where the earth is becoming uninhabitable. And that’s the present — sustainable solutions actually make our present healthier and happier. Imagine fresh food without GMOs and chemicals. Imagine new markets for urban farmers, even suburban gardeners using hydroponics and such. Imagine whole new sustainable economies. It means that fresh fish can be delivered in a fraction of the time. But this all got me thinking about new uses for our lighthouse, and also about the Saddle Rock Grist Mill that provided a major impetus to colonial settlement of the Great Neck Peninsula (putting it on the map, as it were). Here’s a completely out-ofthe-box idea for saving the Lighthouse, and giving it a new lease on life (and find new economic basis of support): energy production. Think about it: water power was one of the earliest forms. The shallow area beside the lighthouse might be ideal for the emerging hydropower technology - small underwater turbines that are turned by the current. The distance underwater to shore is short. The Great Neck Peninsula — or at least a part of it — could have its own source of electricity. Funding should come from the State of New York, itself, Continued on Page 51

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14 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Opinion

OUR VIEWS

Time to end politics as usual in Albany

he state Legislature’s usual response to criminal convictions has been similar to that of the Black Knight in Monty Python’s satirical movie the “Holy Grail” each time King Arthur swung a sword and cut off another of his limbs. “Tis just a scratch,” he would say, while continuing to battle and continuing to lose limbs. That seemed to be the reaction of state Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) in response to the convictions of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre). DeFrancisco, who has been criticized for owning a law firm specializing in malpractice litigation while sponsoring bills relating to malpractice law in the state, said he didn’t believe the convictions would spur changes because Silver and Skelos were convicted of breaking laws that already exist, according to a Newsday report. Set aside the point that the laws he was referring to are federal laws not state laws which are far weaker, but is that really the standard we want to set for state legislators — more than 30 of whom have been removed or forced from office by corruption investigations in the last 10 years? Anything goes just short of federal conviction — even the blatantly unethical? Up to this point, the answer from members of the state Legislature has actually been yes. In an op-ed piece in the New York Times, state Sen. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) presented some sensible reforms beginning

with making jobs in the state Legislature full-time. As a Lavine pointed out, the Legislature is scheduled to spend just 57 days in Albany between Jan. 6 and June 16 in 2016, leaving legislators little time to review the state budget or the 10,000 bills that come before them — or look over the shoulders of their leaders. Hence the three-menin-a-room system in which the governor Senator majority leader and Assembly speaker made all the decisions. For Silver and Skelos, this becamr known as motive and opportunity, Lavine also recommended that like members of Congress state legislators be barred from engaging in outside employment and the elimination of what he termed “slush funds” under the control of the leadership. We would add to the list an independent redistricting commission that would take the decision of how legislative boundaries are drawn out of the hands of the legislators, who have consistently placed their own interested above those of voters. Add to that laws that give district attorneys the same tools to prosecute political corruption as federal prosecutors. It is also time to reform the state campaign finance laws that are an open invitation the famous pay-to-play system beginning with the so-called LLC exemption, which makes a mockery of the state’s already ridiculously generous limit of $65,100 for statewide races. Under this exemption, a business can form as many limited liability corporations as it wants and contribute $65,100 through each one. New Hyde Park-based

Blank Slate Media LLC 105 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596 Phone: 516-307-1045 Fax: 516-307-1046 E-mail: hblank@theislandnow.com EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Steven Blank

how political corruption undermines good government. To avoid future replays, the rot in Albany should not be just another issue in the next election, it should be the defining issue in

real estate developer Glenwood Management, which played a central role in the Silver and Skelos trials perfected this technique. The Silver and Skelos trials gave voters a good education in

the next election for all state legislators. And anyone unwilling to reform the Legislature should be rejected from serving in it.

Common Core must be eliminated completely

READERS WRITE

eachers were rejoicing at yesterday’s announcement that teachers will not be evaluated by the results of the Common Core tests for at least four years. However the New York State Public School Student Union pointed out that this decision did not have any significant positive effect on their quality of life. They would still be subject to the draconian Common Core curriculum and the endless barrage of tests. You hadn’t heard that? Maybe it’s because there is no public school students’ union in New York. They have not been represented in this fight. The basic problem is that a lot of lip service has been paid to a “student-centric,” or as we call it a learner-centered approach, which builds on the interest of the learner. That is the paradigm that must be used in the new millennium so that children can become en-

trepreneurial and life-long learners. But the school system is still stuck in the old paradigm — that children must be forced to learn with external motivations and evaluations. We, and the people in our network, believe that children are natural learners and this has been repeatedly confirmed by brain research. Therefore forced learning, teaching to the test, competition for grades and even irrelevant homework make no sense if you understand this. So if there was a New York State Public School Students Union they would be announcing that the opt-out movement will continue unabated until the Common Core and all its related tests are dropped permanently. Jerry Mintz Director, Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO) Roslyn Heights

Thank you M-L district voters

would like to take this opportunity to thank ev- residents of our community. Thank you for coming out and casting your eryone who voted in the Manhasset-Lakeville vote, because it does matter. Water and Fire District election on Dec. 8. Even though I ran unopposed, I am grateBrian J. Morris ful to have the support of the taxpayers. I look forCommissioner ward to serving for another three years and will Manhasset-Lakeville Water & Fire District continue to focus on the needs and safety of the

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

O n the ri g ht

Books for political junkies in 2015

or readers who enjoy, as I do, giving books as Christmas presents to political junkie friends and relatives, here’s my 2015 gift book picks: “Kissinger: 1923-1968, The Idealist” by Niall Ferguson (Penguin Press, $39.95). Utilizing the former Secretary of State’s private papers, Harvard professor Ferguson has produced a magisterial biography of Kissinger’s early years. The book explains how Kissinger’s youth in Nazi Germany and his World War II experiences as a G.I. in Europe, influenced his geo-political thinking. Ferguson also describes “Super K’s” climb up the political greasy pole and why his call for “limited nuclear war” caught the attention of major political figures — John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Nelson Rockefeller, Richard Nixon — who sought his advice. I had trouble putting this book down and look forward to the second volume. “Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush” by John Meacham

(Random House, $35.00). Meacham, the author of credible biographies of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson, has produced a work that will be the standard biography of the 41st President for years to come. While one may disagree with his presidential decisions, after reading this book one cannot doubt that Bush is a man of extraordinary character who served his country with distinction before entering the White House as Congressman, U.N. ambassador, C.I.A. director, chairman of the Republican Committee during the Watergate era and as vice president. “Henry Clay: America’s Greatest Statesman” by Harlow Giles Unger (DaCapo Press, $25.99) The author of 11 biographies of America’s founding fathers, the acclaimed biographer, Harlow Giles Unger, holds that the “Great Compromiser,” Henry Clay, negotiated a series of policies known as the “American System” that created “physical, commercial, financial and social links across the nation” that fostered economic unity and unprecedented property.

GEORGE J. MARLIN On The Right Clay, in the first half of the 19th Century, prevented dissolution of the young republic by reaching consensus with Northern and Southern foes. The Congressional compromises Clay engineered, Lincoln said of his hero, thwarted civil war “by a power and influence which belonged to no other statesman of his age and times.” “1932: The Rise of Hitler and FDR” by David Pietrusza (Lyons

Press, $32.95) In 1932, voters in two Depression-battered nations, chose leaders they hoped would rescue them from hunger and hopelessness. In America, the choice was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who appealed to our better nature and reminded us that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In Germany, the winner was Adolf Hitler, a loudmouth demagogue and racist who appealed to people’s darkest side. Pietrusza’s riveting book is a tale of 2 nations attempting to inch toward safety — with lessons for today. “Being Nixon: A Man Divided” by Evan Thomas (Random House, $35.00). This is a very fair and balanced biography of the nation’s 37th President. Thomas explains how Nixon, a complicated figure not made for public life, managed to match FDR’s record of being on a national ticket for president or vice president five times by sheer-will power. He also describes with great skill how Nixon, on the one hand, achieved détente with the Soviet

Union and established relations with Red China, while, on the other hand, engaged in underhanded political tactics that led to his resignation in August 1974. “Politics Across The Hudson: The Tappan Zee Megaproject” by Philip Mark Plotch (Rutgers University Press, $34.95). To get an inside view of New York politics at its worst, read this book. Plotch tells the story of the decades-long struggle to replace the decrepit Tappan Zee Bridge. He reveals how cowardly and incompetent state officials squandered hundreds of millions of dollars on plans that were rejected and missed out on billions of federal money. Even though Gov. Andrew Cuomo began the construction of a new bridge, the project is still a mess. Cuomo and the New York State Thruway authority have been afraid to tell the public how much the new structure will actually cost, and how much tolls will have to be increased to pay off bonded debt and federal loans. Happy reading in 2016.

from the d es k of se n ator j ac k marti n s

On ending the war on everything

hose who regularly read this column already know that I’m a huge fan of Seinfeld, the television program whose legendary Christmas episode introduced us to “Festivus.” The brain-child of Frank Costanza, this entirely made-up holiday was his odd-ball rebuttal to the usual year-end Christmas frenzy and included a number of offbeat but laughable “traditions.” One of the most beloved is the “airing of grievances” which allows people to share what’s bugging them completely unfettered. So in light of the holidays I’d like to air my own grievance, one I suspect is shared by quite a few people. As a state senator, I review tons of media each and every day in an effort to stay up on current events. And each and every day I am both disappointed and dismayed by what I call the “War on Everything.” Not a single day goes by that someone, somewhere isn’t protesting, or complaining, or

regulating away some imagined offense or slight in the name of political correctness. At this point it’s so widespread that it’s beyond silliness and it becomes especially prevalent at this time of year when our religious celebrations are pitted against just about everything else mainstream from television to shopping to how our public spaces are decorated. Just this week we were treated to the Sunset Park, Brooklyn principal who banned any mention of Santa Claus, the pledge of allegiance and even Thanksgiving from her school. She was sure to throw in any mention of angels or stars as both could somehow be misconstrued as a religious evangelization. And in case you thought this syndrome only affected grammar schools, the University of Tennessee’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion sent out a student and staff email to ensure holiday parties were not Christmas parties in disguise. Their intrusive recommendations went so far as to suggest “refreshment selection should be

jack m. martins State Senator

general, not specific to any religion or culture” and proclaimed that “holiday parties should not play games with religious or cultural themes,” such as “Dreidel” and “Secret Santa.” Then, just this morning I read about the Texas student who was banned from wearing his new Star Wars shirt in school because the image of its futuristic laser violated the school’s policy on violent images. To quote the child’s father, “It’s political correctness run amok. You’re talking about a Star Wars T-shirt, a week before

the biggest movie of the year comes out. It has nothing to do with guns or making a stand. It’s just a Star Wars shirt.” To be sure, being inclusive and kind are noble endeavors. But inclusive doesn’t mean doing away with what matters to one group of people for the sake of another. It means allowing everyone to celebrate their own beliefs and values simultaneously. Like anything else taken to the extreme, political correctness, although well-intentioned, becomes dictatorial. It ignores the fact that we will never all be alike nor can we be scrubbed free and sanitized of the things that matter to us. Besides, how dreary a world would that be? No, ours is a very imperfect and sometimes ugly world and believe it or not, Santa Claus, and angels, and stars, and Thanksgiving, and Chanukah, and Kwanza, and Ramadan, and Halloween and even something as corny as a Stars Wars T-shirt make it just a little more bearable. It doesn’t mean someone seeks to diminish another. It just

means different things matter to different people and the beauty of this great country of ours was that we believed there was room enough for all of that. Sadly, that might be changing. So here’s a simple holiday thought for all of us: why not exchange “political correctness” for just some old-fashioned “correctness.” Make room for everyone else and their values, not just demand room for you and yours. Wish people a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, Happy Ramadan or even just good health and happiness. And receive those well wishes as gracefully as they were given. Remember that in the end, people are just extending their warmth and kindness to you — no matter what you call it. In closing, I wish all of you all of the above. If it brings you any happiness or peace at all, I wish it for you. And for all my fellow Seinfeld fans out there, Happy Festivus!

16 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

A loo k o n the li g hter si d e

The twelve days of tasting new foods Someone on the radio, the other day, was explaining how to teach children to like new foods. It was British food writer, Bee Wilson, about her new book, “First Bite: How We Learn to Eat,” and her advice was simple: “Children need to try a new taste 12 or 14 days in a row before they acquire a taste for it.” This advice was startlingly familiar — very much like something I ran into when my children were young. I remember thinking the same thing, then, that I did this week: “Good luck with that, and how do you get the mashed string beans out of your hair?” I have to meet these researchers. Anyone who can get a child to taste something twelve times in a row — especially something they didn’t like the first time — has my intense admiration. What, I wonder, are their methods? Is electricity involved? And what do they use for motivation? I can tell you, love doesn’t work. “Try this for Mommy” made no impression. Neither did threats. Not even science was any

help. In an attempt to get my 12-year-old just to take a vitamin, I read him the effects of scurvy on sailors in the 1500s: “Swelling of the arms and legs; loss of teeth; foul breath; muscle pain…” “That doesn’t happen any more,” he told me, his voice dripping with pity for my ignorance. “”That’s right,” I replied. “Because now we have vitamins … like this one!’ “No, because now it only takes 12 hours to fly across the whole ocean!” he exclaimed, and left the table. As for blackmail, I had already tried the old classic, “No dessert if you don’t eat your string beans.” “But ice cream is my only calcium for the day,” he replied. He had turned my science weapons back on me! I remember this “scientist’s” very first taste of ice cream. It was at his 1-tear birthday party. I had managed to hold out for his whole first year, but his grandmothers had bought him an ice-cream cake, which they insisted he taste. At first, he frowned; it was probably the coldest thing he

Judy epstein

A Look on the Lighter Side had ever tasted. Then, his eyebrows went up, as he realized it was sweet. Then another frown: “But it’s cold!” And another smile: “But it’s sweet!” Finally he grabbed the spoonful and polished it off. “That’s our boy!” said his father and I. That’s one tasting that went well. But when all you’re armed with is repeated samples of spinach, zucchini, and okra — What can you do? How did those researchers live long enough to collect their results? And what, I wonder, was the state of their tasting facility, along about Day

Number 12? For some reason, these findings are always announced right before Christmas. Which may be why they soon turned into a song: On the first day of Tasting, my children said to me: We won’t eat it if it’s healthy! On the second day of Tasting, my children said to me: Too many nuts, And we won’t eat it if it’s healthy! On the third day of Tasting, my children said to me: No string beans, Too many nuts, And we won’t eat it if it’s healthy! On the fourth day of Tasting, my children said to me: Skip the tomatoes, No string beans, Too many nuts, And we won’t eat it if it’s healthy! On the fifth day of Tasting my children said to me: Why whole wheat bread?! Skip tomato sauce, No string beans, Too many nuts And we won’t eat it if it’s healthy!

Bee Wilson has one trick I hadn’t heard before: “It’s called Tiny Tastes. All you need is a sample the size of a pea — or even a grain of rice. It changes the whole dynamic.” Yes, it does. Plus it helps with the clean-up, if all they’re hurling at you is the size of one pea. In the ironic fullness of time, the boy who only ate lettuce leaves drenched in salad dressing now has a lovely girlfriend who is a vegetarian; he now comes home from college and complains that the broccoli in the refrigerator isn’t fresh enough. I would take it all with a grain of salt, but that probably isn’t healthy, either. On the twelfth day of Tasting, my children gave to me: Twelve tofu turkeys Eleven prune whip puddings Ten chunks of liver Nine packs of rice cakes Eight fiber muffins Seven soy-milk smoothies Six egg-white omelettes My whole wheat bread! Four Brussels sprouts Three whole beans Too many nuts… And I gave up on eating healthy!

A ll T hi n g s Political

Consider limitations on gun ammunition

hile gun violence has been a problem for generations, few can deny the ugly truth: America has by far the highest rate of gun violence in the developed world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate more than 33,000 Americans died at the hands of gun violence last year. In fact, according to a 2013 Politifact article, commentator Mark Shields stated that since 1968, “more Americans have died from gunfire than died in … all the wars of this country’s history.” In numbers, that’s more than 1.5 million deaths. This issue hit close to home three years ago with the shoot-

ings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. My brother is a public school teacher in Newtown, and it was hours before we knew he was safe. So I ask myself, how do we stop gun violence, especially mass murders like the ones in Newtown and more recently San Bernardino, Calif.? Here’s a thought; we could limit and monitor the purchase of ammunition. Without bullets, a gun is nothing more than a blunt object, less dangerous than a knife. While I personally don’t own a gun, I support the Second Amendment right to own one. However, if someone amasses thousands of rounds of ammunition, enough to supply an armada, that’s a red flag for harm.

ADAM HABER

All Things Political The terrorists in San Bernardino had purchased over 6,000 rounds of ammo. The only thing they were hunting were humans. Limiting the purchase of am-

munition is not a new idea. In the mid 1990s Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan along with then Rep. (now U.S. Senator) Charles Schumer put forth a series of proposals that never made it into law. One of them was limiting the number of rounds of ammunition a person could own. Consider this: if there were a legal limit of 100 bullets per purchase, it would have taken the San Bernardino terrorists at least 60 trips to amass that much ammo, clearly raising a red flag. Adam Lanza, the shooter at Sandy Hook, had more than 1,700 rounds of ammo at his home. That would have meant 17 trips to the gun store. Patterns can easily be detected by monitoring the time, place

and quantity of ammunition purchases, thereby preventing future killings from happening. On a separate but related note, New York State should raise the age an individual is allowed to possess ammunition from 16 to 21. The national drinking age is 21 and municipalities around the country are raising the age to purchase cigarettes to 21. This should apply to ammunition purchases as well. In conclusion, the Second Amendment states, “…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Perhaps increased restrictions and monitoring of ammunition purchases would be an effective approach to prevent future catastrophes.

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

READERS WRITE

Debate on dangers playing football welcome

o: Matthew Testani. Welcome to the important — and expanding— discussion about the future of tackle football. There has not been a time since 1905 (when President Theodore Roosevelt nearly abolished football) when this topic is so significant. Your participation in this discussion makes several contributions: 1. You help to foster a marketplace of ideas, one of the central values in our nation when all citizens are free to express their views (aided by a pioneering free press, well before the Zenger Case, even going back to initiatives of teenage journalist Benjamin Franklin. I’d be glad to send you my chapter on Franklin if you are interested in that dimension). 2. Your personal experiences and your challenges to my views can have the affirmative effect of drawing more people into deliberative discourse (another hallmark of our democracy, where we strive to make informed judg-

ments based on reliable knowledge). 3. It is the case that we have both used generalizations. I do not question the affirmatives you describe from your own football experiences. Indeed, I have known many of them first hand myself, and I also know many people who share your positive views. Here is the big “however” — in what ways do we make a “cost/benefit” analysis of any activity? Is it solely, or primarily, in terms of those who benefit, or should we conclude that, regardless of a positive percentage, there are too many negative experiences, and so many harmful experiences that those, even if in a minority, become a tipping point for action and policy. In his article, “Don’t let kids play football,” Dr. Bennet Omalu states: “As we become more intellectually sophisticated and advanced, with greater and broader access to information and knowledge, we have given up old practices in the name of safety and progress. That is, except when it

comes to sports.” That is the kind of view that led me deliberately to use very strong language in criticizing tackle football. You were alert to identify my selected words; scholars examine use of language as part of “content analysis.” I use similar strong negatives about the history, and, continuing, conduct of the NCAA (views shared by Joe Nocera of The New York Times and former Sen. and

Knick Bill Bradley). In addition to the violence of football (however unintended and some is intended), there is vast corruption in college sports (much of it ignored by the NCAA, and too often by the colleges themselves, including some faculty who should know better). For a graphic eye-opener, check out the book “Beer and Circus,” just one of many accounts of the negatives of college sports. Happily, your experiences

have been positive, and I salute you as you prepare to graduate from one of our nation’s great universities. For all of us, however, when the stakes are so high, we will need to keep checking the “cost/ benefit” equations. Michael D’Innocenzo Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History Hofstra University

Kudos to professor for challenging football safety

rofessor D’Innocenzo is in good company. In Sunday’s New York Times, Frank Bruni warned of the risks of concussions from football; that paper also recently highlighted “How a Boy’s Concussion Death Changed British Sports;” and

the movie “Concussion” demonstrates the risks facing football players of all ages. With parents’ growing unwillingness to let their kids play football (and their concern about other contact sports), kids are starting to be protected. When older athletes begin

to see the risks, perhaps college and pro football will start to wither away as boxing has. Bravo for Professor D’Innocenzo for moving this conversation forward! Stan Meyers Miller Place

Elected officials silent on The high cost of rise of crime in 6th Pct. caring for seniors

egarding your article concerning the Manhasset Civic Association calling to reinstate the 6th Precinct. I found it interesting that none of our local political leaders have given this issue a priority in that Nassau County Police department’s own official web-

site shows that in the Third Precinct this year robberies are up 65 percent, burglaries are up 13 percent, stolen cars 17 percent, and murders are up from 1 to 3, or 200 percent. County Executive Mangano assured us that there would be no upsurge in crime when he closed our 6th Precinct.

Protecting seniors should not be a partisan issue

ith the upcoming 2016 Presidential and Congressional elections fast approaching, it is critical that federal candidates remember seniors and focus on our crucial issue of retirement economic security. Currently, there is no presidential candidate standing up for this problem confronting older Americans. Which one will call out modern corporate executives who believe the companies

they lead have zero responsibility to their loyal retirees? This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, it is about protecting older Americans and millions of retirees in need of national solutions that protect us. Old fashioned lip service from politicians can no longer be acceptable. The Boomers (age 51-69) alone were 31.8 percent of the voting population in the 2012 presidential election and age 65-

his was written in The Wall Street Journal on November 30, 2015 : “Pepper, a humanoid robot, interacts with senior citizens at a nursing home. The facility is considering having the robot lead recreational activities to make up for a shortage of caregivers .” What is the status of caregivers in the U.S.A .? In the magazine NEUROLOGY NOW [Oct/ Nov 2015]. “The researchers reviewed responses from roughly 36,000 Americans , broke them down into five-year age groups for caregivers and recipients ....” and the following were the replus were 22.3 percent of voters. sults: Older voters are a powerful 1.2 billion: The number voting block, and to ignore our of unpaid hours of caregiving needs and loyalty is a big mis- provided weekly in the United take. States. I urge my fellow retirees $691 billion: The estimated to join me and the nonprofit, value of that care. ProtectSeniors.Org, (www.Pro4.3 percent: Percentage of tectSeniors.Org), in fighting for US gross domestic product repretiree protections and making resented by caregiving. our voices and votes valued this 30.5 million: The number of election season. full-time care aides who would Bill Viggiano be needed to provide that care Williston Park The current 3rd Precinct is ridiculously large and unable to concentrate on local crime issues. Why haven’t we heard more voices advocating for better police protection and reopening our precinct? David Torby Great Neck

without unpaid caregivers. 20 percent: The proportion of caregiving provided to people 80 years and older by people of the same age. 30: The approximate age at which average daily caregiving hours peak [at about 3 hours per day]. 77: The approximate age a which the average hours spent receiving care becomes more than the average hours giving care. 1.5: The number of daily hours of caregiving typically received by elderly people. 6: The number of daily hours of caregiving typically received by young children. 137: Average minutes of unpaid caregiving provided daily by women. 110: Average minutes of unpaid caregiving provided daily by men. What does the caregiving future hold for our nation when its population is living longer? Will our robots be named Obama? John Messina East Williston

18 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

READERS WRITE

City pols pushing non-resident commuter tax

t a recent rally opposing MoveNY’s plan to toll free East River Bridges, Queens state Assemblymember David Weprin renewed his annual call for reintroduction of a non-New York City resident commuter tax. His proposal calls for 50 percent of the generated revenue to go to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the remaining 50 percent to New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio, with the support of city Comptroller Scott Stringer, city Public Advocate Letitia James, city Council Speaker Mellisa Mark-Viverito along with virtually all other New York City Council, state Assembly and state Senate members will be on board, as usual. Remember that Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised to find over $8 billion in additional new funding to support the proposed MTA $28 billion 2015-2019 Five Year Capital Program. Watch when the state Legislature reconvenes in January 2016 for Weprin and company to once again attempt introduction and passage for legislation to reimpose a 1 percent non-resident commuter tax. It will be interesting to see if Gov. Cuomo will also support this legislation as a means to help fund a significant portion of his $8 billion plus promise to the MTA. Residents from Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Herricks, Williston Park, Albertson, Searington, Mineola, Garden City, Manhasset, Roslyn and other neighborhoods all over Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and other suburban counties will be the new potential revenue stream to help Cuomo pick up the tab. Democratic State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie controls 103 votes out of the 150 member state Assembly. With the recent indictment of former Lower East Side Manhattan state Assembly Speaker Sheldon

Silver, he starts off with 58 votes including his own out of 61 New York City-based members. All he needs for passage is another 17 out of 45 other Democratic members of his caucus. There are 24 Upstate Democratic caucus members who could vote for this commuter tax with no political consequences. This is because they have no constituents who work in New York City that would be impacted by this legislation. Will our own Great Neck state Assemblymember Michelle Schimel stand up to her benefactor state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie? Thousands of her constituents who work in New York City would be financially impacted by this tax. Will Schimel publicly speak out and vote for the interests of citizens she represents in Albany by opposing this regressive tax? Ditto for our state Sen. Jack Martin. With the recent indictment of former Rockville Center GOP state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, current Republican State Senator Majority leader John Flannigan has only 31 members in his GOP caucus. Assume that all 26 members of Democratic state Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins caucus will be joined by Democratic Independent Conference Leader Jeffrey Klein and his three colleagues for a total of 30 votes supporting passage. If that happens, it will require the vote of every GOP state senator to defeat it. There will be intense pressure on New York City Republican state senators Marty Golden of Brooklyn, Andrew Lanza of Staten Island and Brooklyn Democratic state Senator Simcha Felder who caucuses with the Republicans. If any one of the three comes out in favor, the bill could actually pass the state Senate and be signed

into law by Gov. Cuomo. This recycled idea is periodically proposed by others who miss the potential economic consequences. In today’s global economy, boundaries which end at the city line between New York City mean very little. We are all neighbors and there has never been a Berlin Wall between us. The United States is in economic competition against other nations. Within the USA, residents of the Northeastern states compete against other states in the geographic South, Rocky Mountains, West and other regions. Our metropolitan New York area comprising New York City, Long Island, northeast New Jersey, Hudson Valley and parts of southwestern Connecticut are in competition against other metropolitan areas around the nation and world. My wife and I travel around the five boroughs enjoying shopping, dining, going to the movies, visiting museums and taking advantage of the diverse different neighborhoods. Each weekday several hundred thousand Long Island and other suburban residents travel to jobs in New York City, the economic engine of our metropolitan region. Many others enjoy sporting events, the theater, museums, restaurants and shopping. A growing number of New York City residents have become reverse commuters to jobs in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties along with New Jersey and Connecticut. Other New York City residents attend sporting events, shop, dine and visit other places on Long Island. It is naive to believe that New York City can survive economically in today’s ever changing technology and global economy without Long Island and the rest of the Metropolitan New York.

The suburbs around the Big Apple are equally dependent on the success of New York City. Residents of Long Island and New York City in the end have much in common. We should work together as neighbors and not adversaries. Reintroduction of a commuter tax on one set of non-residents could trigger an economic tariff war among neighbors. With the financial crises on Wall Street followed by our economic recession last decade, thousands of commuters outside of New York City lost their jobs. Most of these jobs have never come back. Between the downsizing of many Wall Street firms, moving many back room office support services to New Jersey and other locations outside of New York City along with conversion of many offices and

older buildings in the financial district into residential units, these loss of jobs have become permanent. As a result, the reintroduction of any nonresident commuter tax will not bring in the same level of revenues as was the case during the 1990s when it was last in place. It could result in a retaliatory commuter tax by Nassau County, other impacted suburban counties or neighboring states on New York City residents. At the end of the day, everyone could lose with implementation of any non-New York City resident commuter tax. Larry Penner Great Neck (Larry Penner is a transportation historian and advocate who previously worked in the transportation field for 31 years).

A time of year to thank our troops

hristmas is this week and it is a time for caring and sharing. It is a time we may travel to visit friends and relatives and exchanging presents. And yet there are those serving in the military and committed to protecting democracy around the world and will not be afforded that opportunity. These men and women are missing their children, relatives and friends. It is a lonely time for these brave men and women. I myself understand that feeling only too well. I had served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam

era and one Christmas I couldn’t get home to see my two sons. Let me make a suggestion and that is on Christmas Day please take a moment out on your busy day and please say a prayer for these men and women that they be safe in performance of their duties preserving freedom. Also that they be able to return soon and be reunited with their families. As for myself I will be praying for their safe return. Let me also say this,” God bless you, everyone! “ Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Glen Oaks Village,

Special interests get in way of better health

t was around the end of the Nassau County DA campaign that on broadcast news an item appeared a few times about red and processed-preserved meats being harmful to one’s health. I agree. One news broadcast I saw, recognizing the controversy about the subject said “ We decided to bring in an expert.” A young man appeared and to the effect said that it was nothing to worry about. It struck me as being as funny as it gets: A stooge for the medical profession to allay the fears of the public.

I imagine that they could have been cracking up in the news studio. I don’t remember if it could have been Fox (faux) News. I have noticed many times that it appears that the last thing the medical profession wants is to cure illnesses: Bad for business. I include pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmacists, lawyers, insurance companies and hospital administrators. It is all such a huge conglomerate. The entire system will have to change some day. Just a few days ago it was broadcast about most cancers being

caused by diet, lifestyle and etc., etc. I have yet to see any backlash about that. I do consider that in this realm, First Lady Obama did not make any friends by trying to get healthier school meals. Not to brag but I have had good luck from applying my own advice to myself. If possible, I don’t want to spend my quickly approaching old age as an invalid. While on the subject, I saw a broadcast about a Cuban man who during the long Cuban embargo, on his own and as a public service

did develop a substance that greatly reduces the symptoms of diabetes. I have heard nothing more. Just recently, the new WinthropUniversity Hospital diabetes research center was completed at 2nd Street and Mineola Boulevard In Mineola. Perhaps this work has already been accomplished. There is probably no interest in crediting a Cuban who did it at no cost: As a service to humanity. The Winthrop center was to have been built for $50 million. Then it was $55, then $65 and ended at $110,000,000. 120 percent more. There are similarities to the New

York City transit projects. Money is appropriated and disappears. Little or nothing gets done. This has been repeated a number of times. The builder of the proposed Mineola Village Green project said it will cost $88 million. That includes much evacuation for underground parking. As much as possible, local labor will be used it was said. That is probably how it will actually get done. No mysterious add ons. Charles Samek Mineola

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

bLAnk SLATE MEdIA December 25, 2015

Art League exhibit broadcasts ‘Black Voices’

oinciding with the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. in January and Black History Month in February, the Art League of Long Island is planning an exhibition featuring African-American artists of Long Island titled “Black Voices.” The exhibit will run from Saturday, Jan. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 21. There will be an opening reception on Sunday, Jan. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. These artists, from Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, some well established in the art world and others less well known are all of exceptional skill, expressing themselves in a multitude of styles and mediums. Whether or not these artists depict the black experience in their work, they cannot help but express who they are, their heritage and cultural experience. It is the Art League’s wish to provide a venue for an African-American art exhibition in Suffolk County and to initiate a dialogue between the individual Long Island communities — all of whom, together, make up the larger Long Island community. The artists participating in this Exhibition include Abdul Badi (oil paintings), David Byertyre (sculpture), Ramona Candy (collage), Robert Carter (oil painting), Panchita Carter (jewelry), Madona Cole-Lacy (textiles), LeRoy Henderson (photography), James Hoston (oil paintings), Rod Ivey (paintings), Laurence F. Lee (sculptures), Charles Lilly (oil paintings), Karl Mcintosh (primi-

tive, found art), Otto Neals (paintings), Donovan Nelson (paintings), Philippe Previl (paintings), Ernani Silva (collage and mixed media), Ken Smith (paintings), Ann Tanksley (paintings), Emmett Wigglesworth (paintings and sculptures), Frank Wimberley (non objective paintings), and Ken Wright (stained glass). To assist in encouraging open dialogue, the Art League is planning the following projects: • A video to show in a loop in the gallery: Interviews of artists in the exhibition in which each artist will discuss their work, the sources of the themes and their process. • Educational Guide: available both in digital form from our website and book form for visiting families and school groups. The guide will suggest ways that teachers and parents may engage in discussions with children about the exhibition and Black History Month. One work from each artist will be featured in the booklet and questions encouraging discussion about each work will be posed, encouraging thought and analysis. • Workshops will be offered for both young people and adults offering opportunities to explore their creative selves and learn new and expanding artistic methods. Emmet Wigglesworth (www.emmetwigglesworth.com) will conduct a three-day workshop for children and adults February 16, 17 and 18. Workshop description: In honor of our exhibition “Black Voices,” we are proud to present this interactive workshop featuring the art work of painter and muralist, Emmett Wigglesworth. Interwoven

throughout Wigglesworth’s abstract murals and paintings are scribbles, geometric shapes, and bold color; symbolizing African culture, and figures who seem to “embody spirituality, humanity, beauty and power.” Wigglesworth has taught students of all ages, including a 2013 residency at Nassau Community College where he taught students how to create art inspired by their cultural heritage. Wigglesworth has said that “his murals purposely feature cutouts of all shapes and sizes to symbolize transparency and openness as the answer to ignorance and to offer a window into the soul of an artist.” Come together at the Art League and experience something magnificent! Open to students 10 and up - families welcome! Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Thursday: February 16, 17, 18, at 10 a.m. — 1 p.m.. Members: $150. / Non Members: $170. Other possible workshops may be conducted by artists James Hoston www.jameshoston.com (young adults and adults), and Ken Wright http://kenwrightglass.webs. com. • Lecture by Sheril Antonio, photographer and filmmaker. Dr. Antonio is an Associate Arts Professor in the department of Art and Public Policy and the Associate Dean of the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, Tisch, NYU. https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/app/3520732 “Black Voices”, will consist of two to four works by approximately 20 artists. Each will bring their own perspective and vision.

20 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

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The top seven events

New Year’s Eve Celebration ~ Sinatra at the Sands Live

Friday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Come ring in the New Year with Swingtime and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this landmark recording – perhaps the finest live album Sinatra ever made. Led by Director Steve Shaiman, Swingtime and vocalists Jerry Costanzo and Bobbie Ruth will re-create that magical night in Las Vegas on Dec. 31, 1965, and remember…. “Whatever happens at the Madison Theatre, stays here,” so don’t miss this one-time-only performance as a culmination of the Sinatra Centennial! Where: The Madison Theatre At Molloy College 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre Info: (516) 323-4444 • http://madisontheatreny.org

Long Island Philharmonic Annual New Year’s Eve Spectacular

Thursday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. The Long Island Philharmonic Annual New Year’s Eve Spectacular: My Fair Broadway will feature the music of Lerner and Loewe, whose works include Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady, Camelot and Gigi. David Stewart Wiley will serve as music director and conductor. Single ticket prices are $113, $88, $73 and $58. Prices include a $3 facility fee. Where: Tilles Center For The performing Arts LIU post, 720 northern boulevard, brookville Info: (516) 299-3100 • http://tillescenter.org

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The Roots Saturday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m.

The official house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, have become one of the best known and most respected hip-hop acts in the business, having been nominated for 12 GRAMMY Awards to date. The ensemble was most recently nominated for “Best Rap Album” for the 2011 release of “undun.” The Roots celebrated the release of their 11th studio album “…and then you shoot your cousin” in May 2014. Where: The paramount, 370 new york Ave., Huntington Info: (631) 673-7300 ext. 303 • www.paramountny.com

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

for the coming week

New Year’s Eve with Christ Monty

Thursday, Dec. 31, 7:30 10:15 p.m. Laugh in the new year with one of Long Island’s favorite comedians Chris Monty,a regular at New York’s best comedy clubs and can be seen in the comedy film “Mall Cop: Blart 2.” Monty will be performing two shows, the latter of which includes a champagne toast at midnight. A pre-show dinner package with VIP seating is available for both shows. Dinner seating 60-120 minutes before each show. Food selections are also available from Governor’s extensive pub-style menu. Where: GOVERNORS’ COMEDY CLUB 90 Division Ave. Levittown Info: (516) 731-3358 http://tickets.govs.com/index.cfm

Jessie’s Girl Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

For the last five years, crowds of fans and newcomers have thrown on their best spandex, leg-warmers and metal gear, lined up, and come downtown for an all-out celebration at the Back To The Eighties Show, celebrating the music of Bon Jovi, Cindi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and many more come to life right before the bedazzled eyes of the crowd. It’s theatre meets live music smothered in 80’s glitz - a performance like no other, and a party you have to experience to believe. Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington Info: (631) 673-7300 ext. 303 • www.paramountny.com

Family Sundays at the Museum Sundays, Dec. 27, 1 to 4 p.m.; Family Tour at 1 p.m.

Family Sundays begin with exhibition-based gallery conversations. Families then go on to explore new art materials, vocabulary and ideas with a museum educator. Family Sundays provide children and the adults in their lives with the opportunity to reconnect while talking about and making art together. New projects are featured every week! Reservations not needed. Free with Museum admission. Where: Nassau County Museum Of Art 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Info: (516) 484-9338 • http://nassaumuseum.org

Chris Roach Saturday, Dec. 26, 7:30 & 10 p.m.

Chris Roach is a fast rising Comedian/Actor born and raised in Ronkonkoma. Known for some of his work on television commercials, he has also appeared on Comedy Central and had a recurring role on ABC’s “One Life to Live” as Rodney the lovable mental patient. Where: Brokerage Comedy Club 2797 Merrick Road, Bellmore Info: (516) 785-8655 http://tickets.brokeragecomedy.com

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22 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

CROSSWORd pUZZLE

The top events for kids

nnie Jr.

monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 30, 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 11:00 a.m. Sunday, January 3, 12:00 p.m.

Broadway in Bellmore! Come meet Annie, everyone’s favorite little redhead, and all of her friends. Enjoy this one hour production brought to you by Plaza Theatricals in an intimate and historic setting “right in your own backyard.” The Showplace at the Bellmore Movies, originally a vaudeville house, has been renovated with state of the art lighting and sound. Visit website for ticket pricing/availability/purchasing. Tickets may be purchased on line or one hour prior to curtain. Where: The Showplace at bellmore Movies, 222 pettit Avenue, bellmore Info: 516-599-6870 • www.plazatheatrical.com

ake An Art Break!

monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Take an art break on your break from school at our studio special “No School Workshop”. This will consist of two art lessons a day based on the works of our featured artists. Your child will explore creative art materials and will discover new techniques. Your artist will design their own UNIQUE masterpieces. We also will play games, listen to music and just have FUN!! Children are grouped according to age. (Snacks & beverages will be provided) $55 per artist. Pre-Registration is required; limited availability. On-line registration is not available for this program. Where: Abrakadoodle, 55 Lumber Road, Roslyn Info: 516-686-6900 • www.Abrakadoodleartstudio.com

amily 2016 New Year’s Eve Skate Party

Thursday, December 31, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Celebrate the end of 2015 at United Skates! Tickets include: Admission, Rental, Unlimited Pizza, Unlimited Soda, Chips and Pretzels, Game Tokens, Glow in the Dark Necklace and a mock “Countdown to the New Year”. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $21 per person in advance if you purchase your ticket before December 28; $25 at the door. Where: United Skates of America, 1276 Hicksville Road, Seaford Info: 516-795-5474 • www.unitedskates.com/seaford

s for the coming week

elebrating Mankind’s First Flight in a Hot Air Balloon

Saturday, December 26 through Sunday, January 3, Activities 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Learn all about the history of hot air balloons with an interactive demonstration. Try one of our mini hot air balloons to see how high they can fly. Then, create and decorate your very own 3D spinning hot air balloon complete with balloon basket! FREE with museum admission, activity daily from 12:00-4:00 pm. Where: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City Info: 516-572-4111 • www.cradleofaviation.org

Frozen Spectacular Event Tuesday, December 29, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Meet the Ice Princesses! Come and enjoy this amazing musical adventure, starring the Ice Queen and Princess with special Guests Olaf and Kristof. This is based on the classic fairy tale The Snow Queen (no affiliation with Disney). There will be a Meet & Greet, along with music, games and activities, plus temporary tattoos, an optional photo section, cotton candy, pizza and more. Call or email to buy your tickets. All ages welcome. Cost: $29 per child; $5 per adult. Where: Play Amusement, 229 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale Info: 631-815-5355 • www.atplayamusement.com

interfest! Sunday, December 27, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

At this family-friendly celebration, visitors of all ages can celebrate the joy of the winter season by exploring how creatures adapt to living in a chilly environment. Participants can discover how whales keep warm in frigid waters, see a sample of real blubber, and touch an authentic walrus tusk. Visitors can also stop by craft stations to create seasonal craft projects, such as decorating a snowflake, designing a snowman or decorating an icy crown. The last stop is a meet and greet with Elsa, everyone’s favorite snow queen. Admission is $10 child/$6 adult/$4 face painting. Member adults free. Where: The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, 301 Main Street Cold Spring Harbor Info: 631-367-3418 www.cshwhalingmuseum.org

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

24 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Arts & Entertainment Calendar LANDMARK ON MAIN STREET 232 Main Street, Suite 1 Port Washington (516) 767-1384 ext. 101 www.landmarkonmainstreet.org Friday, Jan. 8, 8 p.m. Upright Citizens Brigade Friday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m. On Your Radar with WFUV’s John Platt: Roosevelt Dime Friday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m. Robyn Hitchcock Monday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. Reel Big Fish Friday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m. The Second City – Hooking Up With the Second City Saturday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. An Evening with Peter Yarrow with Special Guest John Gorka Sunday, Feb. 28, 2 p.m. Dan Zanes Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m. Leo Kottke Sunday, March 6, 8 p.m. Regina Carter’s Southern Comfort Thursday, March 10, 8 p.m. Jorma Kaukonen Friday, March 11, 8 p.m. Paula Poundstone Sunday, March 13, 8 p.m. Pink Martini Friday, March 18, 8 p.m. Martin Sexton Sunday, March 20, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other

Eric Carle Favorites Saturday, March 26, 8 p.m. Carly Rae Jepsen Friday, April 1, 7 p.m. Karen Mason Sunday, April 3, 7 p.m. Tom Rush & John Sebastian Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m. Are You My Mother? Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m. Graham Parker w/ Brinsley Schwarz Friday, April 15, 8 p.m. Tommy Tune: Taps, Tunes & Tall Tales Saturday, April 16, 8 p.m. Dennis Elsas: Rock’n’Roll Never Forgets Thursday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. The Subdudes Friday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. Afro Cuban All Stars Saturday, May 7, 3 p.m. Pushcart Players in Peter & the Wolf Saturday, May 14, 2016, 8 p.m. Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs NYCB THeatre at Westbury 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. (516) 247-5200 www.thetheatreatwestbury.com Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl Friday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Adam Carolla Friday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m. Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It

Saturday, April 30, 8 p.m. Kool & The Gang The Space at Westbury 250 Post Ave., Westbury (516) 283.5566 www.thespaceatwestbury.com Thursday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m. Peter Noone in Conversation with Micky Dolenz Saturday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m. The Lords of 52nd Street Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. The Lords of 52nd Street Friday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m. The B-52s Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m. Pink Floyd Experience Friday, Apr. 1, 8 p.m. Keb’ Mo’ Band w/Gerald Albright Friday, Apr. 2, 8 p.m. Rock Legends Live Saturday, Apr. 28, 8 p.m. Nils Lofgren Friday, May 6, 8 p.m. David Bromberg Quintet Saturday, May 7, 8 p.m. The Fab Faux Friday, June 3, 8 p.m. America ADELPHI UNIVERSITY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Westermann Stage, 1 South Avenue, Garden City (516) 877-4000

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Guide to Health, Wellness & Beauty

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

A blank slate media special section

| december 25, 2015

Dr. Elizabeth Piselli, DPM

Country Foot Care Gives Back Dr. Steven Brook, founder of Country Foot Care, has a lot to be thankful for this Holiday Season. For one, his practice has been thriving in the community for over thirty years. This year, his group became the team podiatrists to the New York Lizards Major League Lacrosse Team, who just won the National Championship. In addition, the practice added four new doctors in July and recently acquired a new office in Patchogue. “So much went on this year we barely had time to breathe” Dr. Brook says, “but, when I see a need in the community or elsewhere I have to help.” Dr. Brook is explaining his newest altruistic endeavor, which is participation with an organization called ‘Shoes for the Homeless’. He is certainly not new to the giving game, as he and his wife Debbie are actively involved in over 10 charities themselves.

“Shoes for the Homeless is an organization that is well known in the podiatric community. They are based in California and were excited when we contacted them about being a New York hub,” Dr. Brook explains. The doctors of Country Foot Care know how important it is for your overall health to have proper shoes this winter. Dr. Brook continues, “Our whole group has seen the disastrous effects of frostbite and other foot maladies throughout winter; with the growing homeless population it was a no-brainer to get involved”. This year Country Foot Care is making a monetary donation to Shoes for the Homeless, but stay tuned next year as Country Foot Care will be the New York hub for the organization early 2016.

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26 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Creating a ﬁtness plan you will stick with By toM Ferraro The New Year is upon us and thus another chance to set some goals and make an effort to improve your life. It is axiomatic that New Year’s resolutions are made and broken but this need not be the case. You desire to lose weight through exercise. You think of joining a gym and may even do so. You may

go a few times but then the plan fades away, the desire dwindles and you are out $1,200. There must be a better way. Yes there is. In fact we can learn some things about working out by using professional athletes as role models. Tiger Woods revolutionized golf by adhering to a strict fitness regimen taught to him by his Green Beret father. From an early age Tiger was up by 5 a.m. and running for miles long before the sun rose. In

fact Tiger was being raised like a marine and it had great benefits for him and his bank account. It should be noted that as he got older he hired trainers, psychologists and doctors and received support, encouragement and feedback throughout the year. So how can this be used by you. If you want to get fit and lose weight here are four things you must do: 1. Find motivation: This is a painful but absolutely crucial element to any fitness plan and actually any plan at all. I finally joined a gym after years of procrastination when a friend of mine who I had not seen for years exclaimed “Wow, looks as if you swallowed a Volkswagen Beetle!” Painful remark but it did the trick for me. I joined a gym the next day. Shame and disappointment are necessary components for motivation. In the case of Tiger Woods it is well documented that he grew up in a mostly white neighborhood and was routinely ridiculed and bullied. This harassment and overt discrimination gave him immense motivation to excel. (This is what Alfred Adler’s theory of

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compensation is about. People will attempt to overcome childhood feelings of inferiority.) 2. Set a very convenient plan: When the motive is finally found you must then have a plan that is convenient, workable and reasonable. A plan regarding fitness means that at least three times per week you need to do some form of cardio, stretching and weight training. The plan should not be vigorous but instead must be pleasant and relatively easy. The gym must be close by, affordable and you must go there without incurring sleep deprivation. Adults need at least eight hours of sleep and in fact adequate sleep may be more important than fitness. And to get enough sleep means you must get to bed early and to get to bed early means you must turn off the TV. 3. Seek professional support: It is a rare person that can stick to a fitness plan without some professional support along the way. This does not mean you must use a personal trainer every session but a few booster sessions throughout the year is needed and wise. 4. Observe gains:

The last key to a good fitness plan is to make sure you observe and appreciate the gains that are made. Notice things like improved strength or a better energy level or a better posture or the slow disappearance of that dreaded pot belly. All these things are inevitable when you stick to your fitness plan. Great drive and achievement always comes from that place of shame and embarrassment. And when you experience the insults like Tiger Woods did and like I did you have found your drive state. After that develop a simple and a convenient plan that is easy to stick to. Find yourself a little bit of professional guidance and you will be surprised at the results. Do these four things and this will be the year that you finally stick to your New Year’s Resolution. If you are lucky enough to have a friend that says just the right things at the right time find some motivation, initiate a convenient plan, seek support and observe small changes there is no way on earth that you will not improve your health and your looks.

Sport Psychology Dr. Tom Ferraro

has specialized in sport psychology for 20 years and works in the fields of golf, tennis, soccer, baseball, football, wrestling, lacrosse, figure skating, gymnastics, softball, fencing and more. He has helped professional teams, Olympians and elite young athletes learn how to manage the intense pressure of competitive sports. He appears on both TV and radio and has sport psychology columns in 5 different newspapers and has been featured in The New York Times, Wall street Journal and the London Times. Golf Digest includes him in their list of top mental game gurus in America. For a consultation see below: Williston Park Professional Center 2 Hillside Ave, Suite E. Williston Park NY 11596 (building parallel to E. Williston railroad station)

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

guide to

new yearâ€™s dining

a blank slate media / litmor publications special section â€˘ december 25, 2015

28 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

ring in the neW year With festive party ideas Although New Year's Eve parties tend to be similar from year to year, hosts can explore the many ways to make their celebrations stand out from those of years past. This handy guide provides ideas to your get creative juices flowing. · Establish a color palette. Many people equate New Year's Eve with the gold and silver hues of champagne. However, you can use any festive color for your party. Use the same colors on everything from invitations to dinnerware to takehome favors. · Encourage guest input. Guests understand the cost of hosting and the amount of planning necessary to throw a festive party, and many will likely reach out to ask what they can do or bring. Figure out in advance which aspects of the party you want your guests to take care of so you have a ready answer when the inquiries start rolling in. · Keep musical tastes in mind. A

fun party usually includes an array of familiar songs and music that appeals to the masses. When compiling a party playlist, choose songs guests are sure to know and love. Mix these in with a few of your favorites. You can even ask guests to provide the names of three favorite songs when they RSVP. · Dim the lights. Bright lights can make guests feel intimidated and awkward. Set the mood by turning off overhead lights, opting for ambient lighting instead. For a fun effect, string holiday lights around the room or use a portable disco ball to spread sparkling colors on the floor and ceiling. Candles are another option for intimate affairs, but should be avoided as a safety measure if you're having a large crowd. · Set out New Year's fill-in-the-blank cards. Encourage guest participation with an entertaining idea. Print out small cards that guests have to complete. Phrases like, "The bad habit I want to quit is ___" or "____ was the silliest thing I did last year,"

can be fun to do and share. Guests can take turns guessing whose card is being read. · Have the party catered. Unless you want to spend the evening in and out of the kitchen, invest in catering. Guests of a late party won't expect a three course meal. However, platters of sandwiches, appetizers and other little munchies will fit the bill. Remember, caterers may book up fast this time of year, so be sure to reserve service well in advance of your party. · Create a specialty drink. In addition to toasting champagne or sparkling wine, serve a specialty drink creation. This can be a beverage that ties into your color scheme or the theme of the party. Dessert drinks, such as chocolate martinis or

vanilla cake-flavored vodka mixers, may be the right flavor for your affair. As the host, you should remember to provide non-alcoholic alternatives as well. · Consider more substantial food after midnight. Encourage guests to eat more and drink less once the clock has struck midnight. Casseroles and other baked dishes are easy to make in advance and have on hand. A breakfast buffet of pancakes, toast and omelets also will fill guests up with something more substantial than chips and dips. New Year's Eve parties are a great way to reflect on the last year and look forward to a new one, and hosts can take steps to make their parties memorable for all the right reasons.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

30 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

hoW to set H the taBle for casual & forMal gatherings

osts have a lot on their plates when planning dinner parties. Choosing the menu is a big responsibility, as is taking steps to ensure guests feel welcome. One area novice hosts may overlook is how to set a proper table. Eating on the go or quickly between commitments means individuals often grab meals wherever they can, and that rarely leads them to the dining room table. But a properly set table can impress guests and improve the ambiance at a dinner party. Begin by choosing a matching set of dinnerware. You will need to invest in extra dinnerware if you do not have enough items to accommodate all your guests. If dishes and utensils have seen better days, you may want to upgrade to a new set. Wash any plates and glasses that have not been used in a while before setting the table. A quick rinse through the dishwasher can freshen them up and remove any accumulated dust. Select a table linen that fits with your decor or theme. It will be the base for your table setting. The dinner plate should be front and center for each guest. Place a napkin directly on the center of the dinner plate or off to the left side. Utensils will flank the plate in order of use. The experts at Emily Post Etiquette suggest using the word “FORKS” to

remind yourself which order to place the utensils. Begin on the left side of the plate. “F” is for forks, “O” represents the plate itself, “K” is for knives, and “S” is for spoons. The “R” is not used, but the word serves as a pneumonic device nonetheless. In a basic table setting, there may only be one fork, knife and spoon. In more formal settings, additional utensils are provided for multiple courses. The additional utensils are placed in order of use. Therefore, a salad fork would be on the end and the dinner fork closer to the plate. All knives should be facing in toward the dinner plate. Beverage glasses are placed above the dish and utensils to the right side of it. Bread-and-butter dishes and/or small salad plates appear to the left. Many hosts do present dessert well after the main course, so you will not need to have a dessert plate, beverage cup and saucer or dessert utensils on the table initially. They can be brought in later on. Buy a centerpiece to complete the table. Keep in mind the height and size of the arrangement so that it does not impede guests’ views or take up so much space that diners feel cramped. Proper table setting can make any meal feel more special.

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

32 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

What to do with all those holiday leftovers

With a few creative ideas, anyone can turn leftover holiday foods into new meals. The food cooked during the holidays is often enough to feed an army. Too often, hosts and hostesses prepare and serve much too much food, only to find themselves left with a refrigerator full of leftovers when guests don’t eat as much as hosts had suspected. In order to avoid wasting food, many people attempt to create new meals from their excess holiday ingredients. Putting leftovers to good use can take a little ingenuity to disguise the reality that you’re eating turkey or ham for the third consecutive night. All it may take is a little inspiration to create delicious meals with repurposed holiday foods.

The first thing to keep in mind when using leftovers is food safety. Any food remaining after the holiday meal should be packed into storage containers and refrigerated or frozen no more than 2 hours after the meal has ended. This ensures that bacteria are not able to proliferate in the food and cause foodborne illnesses. Choose shallow containers, which will enable the food to chill more uniformly and not create warmer spots that take longer to reach a safe storage temperature. Do not save any foods that have remained at room temperature for too long or seem questionable, especially dairy products. It is adviseable to discard leftovers (even if refrigerated) after 4 days. Use it or lose it! Now that leftovers are properly stored, you can think up some creative menu ideas for using them in the next few days. • Turn stuffing into croquettes or burgers by mixing chopped turkey with stuffing or adding a new meat to the equation, like sausage. • Dice ham and potatoes and add to the morning helping of eggs for a country-style omelette. • Promptly boil the turkey carcass to make homemade stock for soups and stews. • Turn leftover mashed potatoes into a creamy potato soup, with the addition of cream, bacon & scallions. • Use cranberry sauce in place of butter on bagels or toast.

• Mash up leftover sweet potatoes and bake into a moist and delicious sweet potato loaf bread. • Create open-faced sandwiches for lunch by layering ham or turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy on top of a thick slice of bread. • Diced meats, vegetables and onion can be added to a batter of pancake mix and turned into an easy quiche. • Host Mexican night and use leftover turkey meat to make spicy fajitas, complete with sour cream and salsa. • Use stale bread to make homemade croutons for salad or use in a bread pudding recipe. • Add cranberry sauce to boxed muffin mixes for a tart treat. • Turn leftover holiday meats into an Asian stir-fry with the addition of water chestnuts, bean sprouts, soy sauce, and mixed vegetables. • Grind meats to make a hearty meat loaf. • Make leftover potatoes into hash browns. • Cube leftover cake and serve on skewers and fruit for dipping into chocolate fondue. • Use pie crust and small ramekins to turn turkey or ham into savory pot pies. There are so many ideas for using leftover holiday foods this season. Experiment with flavors your family will enjoy.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

34 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Arrange transportation for guests for safe entertaining

arty hosts are tasked with a number of responsibilities as they try to coordinate successful events. Although planning menus and entertainment might be a host’s top priority, consideration also should be given to keeping guests comfortable and safe, particularly at parties where alcohol will be served. Protecting guests begins with being a responsible party host. It is hosts’ duty to monitor their guests’ alcohol consumption and to recognize when guests have had enough. Having a designated bartender at the event can help limit how much people are being served. Hosts also may want to have several transportation options at the ready to take party participants home after the festivities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30 people in the United States die every day in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver.

Preventing tipsy party guests from driving home can reduce the number of injuries and deaths on the road. Explore the options for safe party travel and have a contingency plan in place if one of these options falls through. Designated driver: Hosts can choose to remain sober at their parties and shuttle guests home if need be. Otherwise, ask someone else to abstain from alcohol and drive others home at the end of the night.

Taxi service: Hosts can make arrangements with nearby taxi companies or car services to arrive outside their homes at the end of the party. If the party is being held somewhere other than your home, carry taxi business cards with you to arrange for pickup at the venue. Van or bus rental: Party buses can be a safe and fun way to transport guests around. This can be the ideal option when bringing a large group of people to the same

venue or on a long-distance trip. Some party buses provide on-board entertainment, such as televisions or gaming options. Hosts also can rent extended vans from car rental companies or consult with a limousine service.

Public transportation: Public transportation is a safe and affordable way to get guests home safely. Buses and trains can be inexpensive choices and safe methods for getting people home. Have bus or train fare available in the

event guests do not have any cash on them.

Keeping guests safe is a priority for party hosts. Arrange for transportation if alcohol is being served so partygoers can get home safely.

36 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

eco friendly ways to ring in the new year A new year is on the horizon and men and women across the globe are readying their New Year’s resolutions. In recent years, more and more men and women have resolved to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle in the year ahead. But you don’t have to wait until the new calendar year to go green. In fact, New Year’s revelers can turn their New Year’s Eve party into an eco-friendly affair in a variety of ways. Forgo paper products. New Year’s Eve festivities typically feature lots of food and beverages, and hosts can use this to get a head start on their resolutions. Instead of serving food on paper plates and beverages in disposable paper, plastic or foam cups, use reusable glassware or even plastic cups and plates that can be washed and reused. In addition, replace paper napkins with cloth napkins that can be used more than once. When forgoing paper products, don’t forget to abandon traditional invitations for e-vites. Invite guests via e-mail or through social networking sites instead of sending out traditional paper invitations that needlessly use paper and need to be transported. Embrace eco-friendly beverages. Adult beverages are a big part of many New Year’s Eve parties, and even these beverages can be ecofriendly. The growing popularity of craft breweries, or microbreweries, has made it easy for party hosts to serve eco-friendly drinks. Purchase

your party’s beer supply from a local microbrewery to cut down on the beer’s carbon footprint. Buying locally reduces reliance on transportation to get items from the manufacturer into your refrigerator, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and pollution. But beer isn’t the only way to make your beverage menu more ecofriendly. Hosts can replace traditional vodka with organic vodka and traditional wine with biodynamic wine. When the time comes to toast the past year and ring in the new one, do so with champagne or sparkling wine made from organic grapes. Encourage guests to recycle throughout the night. When guests arrive, explain to them that the night will be an eco-friendly affair. Set up a separate trash receptacle for recyclable items, including bottles and cans. Think of ways to use discarded wine and champagne bottles as decorative items, be it for table settings or vases to hold fresh flowers. And when recycling, don’t overlook the smaller items. Corks from wine bottles can be recycled and reused for a variety of products, including flooring tiles, building insulation and sports equipment. Donate food at the end of the night. Hosts often have food leftover at the end of the night. Rather than discarding all those leftovers, donate them to a local food bank or homeless shelter. Make these arrangements in advance so the following morning you can donate the leftovers before they spoil. New Year’s Eve is one of the most festive nights of the year. And with a few simple steps, hosts can make their gathering as eco-friendly as it is enjoyable.

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Thank You To Our Past, Present And Future Advertisers and Readers For Your Business Throughout The Year. We Are Proud To Announce The Opening Of The

PortWashingtonTimes On March 4, 2016 Publisher and Editor Blank Slate Media For a Free 1 Year Subscription call: Sue at 516-307-1045 or email stabakin@theislandnow.com. You can also sign up on our website www.theislandnow.com - and sign up online by clicking on the introductory offer button on the right-hand side of the page and filling out the form. Great Neck News New Hyde Park Herald Courier Williston Times Roslyn Times Manhasset Times Port Washington Times

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How to improve flexibility

any men and women become less flexible as they get older. That loss of flexibility can make performing everyday tasks more difficult while also increasing the risk of injury when working out. Fortunately, there are many steps men and women can take to improve their flexibility. Embrace dynamic stretching before a workout. Static

stretching was once the rage, but research has indicated that static stretching is not as beneficial as people once thought. Static stretching is a blanket term used to describe several techniques that stretch muscles while a body is at rest. When a person is performing a static stretch, he or she gradually lengthens the muscle until it reaches an elongated position, which is then held for 30 seconds or more. But

recent research has indicated that static stretching is not as effective before a workout as dynamic stretching, which are stretching exercises done while a body is moving. Push-ups, squats and lunges are just a few examples of dynamic stretching techniques, and these exercises can warm up your body and prepare it for the workout to come.

Reconfigure your workout. When you want to improve flexibility, it’s beneficial to examine your existing workout routine. Are you lifting as much weight as possible during your strength training workout but don’t really know why? If building muscle mass is not your goal, you can probably improve your flexibility by lifting less weight. Lifting less weight can be a great way to tone your muscles, and you won’t be sacrificing the benefits associated with strength training. Drink water. Properly hydrated muscles are more capable of responding to flexibility training than poorly hydrated muscles. Make an effort to drink more water throughout the day, and bring your own water with you to the gym so you can stay hydrated during your workouts. Find ways to unwind. Your workout may not be the culprit behind your inflexibility. Stress can cause muscles to tighten, and it also increases your risk for a host of ailments, including

heart disease and stroke. If your workout routine is already one that promotes flexibility but you are still dealing with tightness, then you might be falling victim to stress. If that’s the case, find time to alleviate that stress throughout the day, whether it’s taking a relaxing walk during your lunch break or embracing yoga at the end of a long day. Perform static stretches at the end of your workout. Static stretches may be ineffective and contribute to injury at the beginning of workout, but that does not mean they can’t help you improve flexibility once your workout is complete. Static stretches at the end of a workout can help you lengthen muscles that might have lost some of their flexibility during strength training. Men and women who can’t seem to improve their flexibility no matter what they do may benefit from working with a professional trainer or discussing their concerns with their physicians.

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40 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

How to stop colds Foods before they start that pack a nutritious T

he stuffy nose, aches and pains that often accompany the common cold can leave sufferers feeling miserable for a week or more. Cold season seems to kick into high gear when the temperatures drop, but this can be the year you don’t come down with a case of the sniffles. The following cold prevention tips can increase your chances of making it to spring without losing any days or sleep to the common cold. Keep kids clean. School-aged kids tend to carry home lots of germs, so when kids get home after a long day at school, make sure they wash their hands thoroughly and change into fresh outfits. Such precautionary measures can keep colds and other illnesses from running rampant through your house. Go outdoors and get some fresh air. It’s a myth that cold air will bring on a cold. In reality, being outside instead of congregating indoors with other sick people may decrease your risk of getting a cold. Don’t be afraid to go outside when the temperatures drop for fear of getting sick. Fresh air and exercise can be good for you. Drink plenty of ﬂuids. Keeping your body hydrated will help flush toxins out of your body, strengthening your immune system and making it more capable of fending off colds. Keep your distance. Did you know the cold virus can be shot up to three feet away when someone sneezes? The virus travels on the small droplets of saliva and mucus that get propelled from the nose and mouth of a sick individual. If you know someone is sick, stay as far away as possible and wash your hands frequently, paying special attention to your fingertips. Wipe down surfaces. The cold virus can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours. That means a sick person can easily transfer a virus by touching a computer keyboard or remote control he or she

shares with others. Use disinfecting wipes or warm, soapy water to clean off doorknobs, telephones, light switches, cabinet handles, and anything that is frequently touched around a home or business. let it out gently. Blowing your nose forcefully or pinching your nose to hold back sneezes can irritate nasal passageways and make them more vulnerable to infection. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you are well, keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. Viruses are especially good at entering the body through the mucus membranes located in these areas of the body. A combination of frequent handwashing and avoiding touching your face can keep colds at bay. maintain your exercise routine. Regular exercise can boost the body’s immune system and help it to fend off foreign invaders, including the cold virus. A recent study found that taking vitamin C in addition to daily exercise can reduce your risk of cold and cut the duration of the cold should you get one. Before taking any supplements, speak with your doctor to make sure they won’t interact negatively with other medications. Recognize that antibiotics are not the answer. Antibiotics are only effective at treating bacterial infections, not viruses, which means they are ineffective at fighting the cold virus. If you do get sick, play it smart. Should you succumb to a cold in spite of your best efforts, steer clear of others so you are not spreading the virus. Rest and fuel your body with healthy foods and beverages. There’s no need to visit a doctor for a cold unless you have a fever after several days of being sick. Colds normally last between seven and 10 days. If your symptoms do not improve or if they seem to be worsening, visit your doctor.

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healthy diet is essential to long-term health. When coupled with routine exercise, healthy diets can be an effective way for men and women to reduce their risk of contracting a variety of diseases, not to mention the positive impact that such a healthy lifestyle can have on an individual’s quality of life. The following are a handful of easily found foods that pack a nutritious punch. Whole wheat and multigrain pasta: Once difficult to find, these low-calorie alternatives to traditional pastas are now available in many large chain grocery stores as well as organic marketplaces. That’s good news, as a typical two-ounce serving of whole wheat or multigrain pasta typically includes about seven grams of protein and six grams of fiber. nonfat Greek yogurt: Nonfat Greek yogurt is a great low-calorie source of protein, making it a great snack option for men and women who want a snack that can boost their afternoon energy levels without compromising their waistlines. Single serving containers of Greek yogurt tend to be right around six ounces, and that six ounces can include 120 grams of protein or more. Russet potatoes: If baked potatoes are a side dish you typically only enjoy in restaurants, you might want to consider eating more of them at home. One medium-sized Russet potato is

roughly 170 calories and includes three grams of fiber, five grams of protein and 25 percent of your daily recommended dosage of potassium. Russet potatoes also are high in vitamin C and iron. Fresh spinach: Popeye was on to something, as a four cup serving of fresh bagged spinach is just 20 calories and loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Just one serving of fresh bagged spinach can provide 160 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin A and 40 percent of the daily value of vitamin C. Spinach is also a great source of folic acid, which can help prevent heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. Dried lentils: Dried lentils make great additions to salads, soups and stews and pack a nutritious punch despite their relatively small serving size. A single serving of dried lentils is 1⁄4 cup, and that serving includes 10 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber. Brown rice: A single 1⁄4 cup serving of brown rice has roughly 20 less calories than a similar serving of traditional white rice, and brown rice is also a much greater source of dietary fiber (1.8 grams) than white rice (0.4 grams). Brown rice also is rich in selenium, which can reduce a person’s risk of developing arthritis, certain cancers and heart disease.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

THE CULINARY ARCHITECT

Throwing a New Year’s Day soup party When I was growing up, every New Year’s Day, the Troy’s had their “Open House Soup Party.” It brings back fond memories. We all would spend Dec. 31 setting up for the party and making big pots of soup. I have taken the recipes and made them much less time consuming to prepare, but just as delicious. Start out by making the slow cooker chicken stock. Because we are all much busier than we were in the ‘70s, the stock may be made ahead of time, when you have a free afternoon, or even overnight wile you are sleeping, and frozen. Make two pots of soup and prepare and refrigerate all of your toppings in their serving containers. I use white ramekins. Add a salad and crusty bread and you round out the meal. New Year’s Day, fill a tub with ice and set up the Champagne as “help yourself,” add some bottles of sparkling water to accommodate your guests who overindulged the night before. Gently warm the soups on the stove. To make it really easy, turn your kitchen counter into a buffet and let

guests help themselves leaving you to be the host and hostess with the mostest. A wonderful way to ring in The New Year. Maybe it will become a tradition in your home too. Menu Serves Approximately 18 People Champagne* Slow Cooker Chicken Stock Chunky, Mixed Vegetable Soup New Year’s Black Eyed Pea Soup Toppings Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing on the side* Crusty Bread* Assorted Cookies* *Recipe not given Slow Cooker Chicken Stock This recipe is the basis for the following soups 1 large chicken (4 to 6 lbs.), cut into pieces 1 head celery, cut into large pieces 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 2 onions or leeks, quartered 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

ALEXANDRA TROY The Culinary Architect

1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and add enough water to fill three-quarters full. Cook 12 hours on LOW or 8 hours on HIGH. 2. Strain out solids, cool and refrigerate 12 hours. Skim off and discard any fat on top of stock. 3. Refrigerate or freeze for future use. Chunky, Mixed Vegetable Soup This is a very forgiving recipe. You may use a combination of vegetables of your choice. ie, butternut squash, cauliflower, potatoes,

rutabaga, etc. instead of the zucchini and yellow squash. 4 tblsps. olive oil 3 cups chopped leeks, white part only (from approximately 3 medium leeks) 3 tblsps. finely minced garlic Kosher salt 3 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds 1 head celery, chopped 2 qts. chicken or vegetable broth 2 zucchini, chopped 2 yellow squash, chopped 1 28 oz. can peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes in puree Black pepper, to taste Salt, to taste 1. Heat the olive oil in large, heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the leeks, garlic and a pinch of salt and sweat until they begin to soften, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. 2. Add the carrots and celery and continue to cook for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and squash and saute 5 minutes more. 3. Add the stock, increase the heat to high, then bring to a simmer.

Once simmering, add the tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the vegetables are fork tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Season to taste with Kosher salt. Serve immediately from the pot. New Year’s Black Eyed Soup Eating Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day is supposed to bring good luck and success for the coming year. 6 cups dried black-eyed peas 3 tblsps.unsalted butter or vegetable oil 5 onions, diced 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. ground coriander 1 tsp. salt 6 to 8 cups chicken stock or water 1. Place beans in a saucepan and cover with a generous quantity of water. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, until beans are tender, about 1 hour. Stir once in a while. 2. Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed stockpot, add onions and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add spices and stir. Continued on Page 41

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42 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Arts League picks 2nd contest winners The Art League of Long Island this week announced the winners of the second part of their 60th Annual Members’ Exhibition showing through Jan. 10. Exhibition juror Edward McEvoy, Art League director emeritus, selected 12 works of art out of 104 pieces on display in the League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery. A reception will take place on Jan. 10, 2016 from 1 to 3 p.m. Awards of Excellence • Shawn McAvoy, “Power and Grace”, bronze • Anna Tsontakis-Mally, “Sleeping Guardian”, ceramic/sculpture • Constance Wain, “Cycle: Decay/ Growth”, monoprint • Rosanne Wellmaker, “Freeze Frame at the Lake”, glass/mixed media Honorable Mention Awards • E. Craig Marcin, “Eight Over Eight”, watercolor on paper

• Donna Marlowe, “Happy Fish”, ceramics/wall hanging • Eleanor Tyndall Meier, “Gift From Scotland”, watercolor • Pat Ralph, “The Long View”, oil • Renate Reid, “Open Doors”, acrylic and pumice gel • Burt Reminick, “Reflections at Twin Ponds”, photography • Ray Rothaug, “Salt Marsh”, oil on board • David Schram, “The Sisters”, oil The Art League of Long Island is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. The gallery is open to the public, free of charge, Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on weekends 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the Art League and an update on holiday closings visit www.artleagueli.org or call (631) 462-5400.

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A&E Calendar cont’d Continued from Page 42

tHE PARAmOuNt 370 New york ave., huntington (631) 673-7300 ext. 303 www.paramountny.com Saturday, Dec. 26, 8 p.m. the Roots Sunday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. O.A.R. Thursday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. jessie’s Girl Saturday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m. mike delGuidice & Big shot - Celebrating the music of Billy joel Thursday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m. jim morrison Celebration - Featuring “wild Child” Friday, Jan. 8, 8 p.m. Friday Night Fever Thursday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m. the supernaturalists starring Criss Angel Friday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m. the Paramount Comedy series Presents: Bob Nelson Saturday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m. jon Pardi “All time High tour” with Brothers Osborne Sunday,Jan. 17, 8 p.m. Holy Holy: the man who sold the world Wednesday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m. donny Osmond Thursday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m. the Blues Brothers: starring dan Aykroyd & jim Belushi Saturday,Jan. 23, 8 p.m. dennis deyoung: the music of styx Friday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m. marianas trench Friday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m. Eric Burdon & the Animals Friday Feb. 12, 9 p.m. Chippendales Saturday Feb. 13, 7:30 & 10 p.m. the Paramount Comedy series Presents – jim Breuer Wednesday, March 2, 8 p.m. Geoff tate’s Operation: mindcrime Friday, March 4, 8 p.m. the Paramount Comedy series Presents – jim Norton Friday, March 11, 8 p.m. the Paramount Comedy series Presents – Piff the magic dragon Saturday, March 12, 8 & 10:30 p.m. tracy morgan Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m. Imagination movers Tuesday, March 15, 8 p.m. meat Loaf Friday, March 18, 8 p.m. mayday Parade & the maine Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m. the marshall tucker Band Tuesday, April 12, 8 p.m. Belinda Carlisle Saturday, April 16, 8 p.m. Robin trower Sunday, April 24, 8 p.m. Brit Floyd Saturday, May 8, 8 p.m. the weight GOVERNORs’ COmEdy CLuB 90 Division ave. Levittown (516) 731-3358 • http://tickets.govs.com/ index.cfm

Saturday, Dec. 26, 7 & 9:30 p.m. joe devito Thursday, Dec. 31, 7:30 10:15 p.m. New year’s Eve with Chris monty BROKERAGE COmEdy CLuB 2797 Merrick road, Bellmore (516) 785-8655 • http://tickets.brokeragecomedy.com Saturday, Dec. 26, 7:30 & 10 p.m. Chris Roach Thursday, Dec. 31, 7:30 10:15 p.m. New year’s Eve with mick thomas NAssAu COuNty musEum OF ARt 1 Museum Dr., roslyn (516) 484-9338 • http://nassaumuseum. org MAIN GALLERIES Nov. 21, 2015-Feb.28, 2016 maxfield Parrish Paintings and Prints from The National Museum of American illustration Works by the American imagist Maxfield Parrish (18701966), one of the greats of the Golden Age of illustration, are drawn from the National Museum of American illustration, Newport, Rhode island, and curated by Judy and Laurence S. Cutler. Maxfield Parrish: The works embody the artist’s long career and extraordinary accomplishments, displaying Parrish’s lush coloristic effect with amazing detail. The exhibition includes original artworks as well as a large collection of vintage prints. Parrish’s universally popular and instantly recognizable images were produced between the late 1890s through the mid 1960s; they were seen on magazine covers, greeting cards, art prints, calendars, novels, advertisements and packaging. Clear and bold, with uncomplicated subjects, Maxfield Parrish’s art prints papered the walls of American homes for decades. CONTEMPORARY GALLERY November 21, 2015-February 28, 2016 Christopher Hart Chambers Painted sculptural works by award-winning New York artist Christopher Hart Chambers will be on view in a solo exhibition. These sculptures, incorporating urethane-based automotive paints, are rooted in what Chambers calls post-war “consumerist wants and dreams,” inspired by sports cars, hot rods, speed boats and even interstellar spacecraft. His design format remarks on graphic marketing systems, logos and emblems of corporate America. Works by Chambers have been seen in numerous group and solo exhibitions and are included in many public and private collections. Ongoing sculpture Park approximately 40 works, many of them monumental in size, by renowned artists including Fernando Botero, tom otterness, George rickey and Mark DiSuvero among others, are situated to interact with nature on the museum’s magnificent 145-acre property. walking trails The museum’s 145 acres include many marked nature trails through the woods, perfect for family hikes or independent exploration. Gardens from restored formal gardens of historic importance to quiet little nooks for dreaming away an afternoon, the museum’s 145 acre

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

A&E Calendar cont’d property features many lush examples of horticultural arts. Come view our expanded gardens and beautiful new path to the museum. EVENTS FILM Nov. 21, 2015-Feb. 28, 2016 Screenings: Tuesday-Saturday:* 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.; Sunday:* 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. *with exceptions for special programs Parrish Blue: American Art History in this rare 1967 film, which includes many of Maxfield Parrish’s original canvases, the artist’s son, Maxfield Parrish, Jr., and friend and fellow artist Norman Rockwell share their understanding of Parrish who dominated the popular arts in early 20th-century America. We glimpse much of the artist’s work from magazine covers to advertisements, from huge murals to decorative prints, from book illustrations to note cards. Photo attached-Maxfield Parrish FOR THE FAMILY Sundays, Dec. 27, 1 to 4 p.m.; Family Tour at 1 p.m.; Family sundays at the museum Converse, collaborate and create together during family Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. family Sundays begin with exhibitionbased gallery conversations. families then go on to explore new art materials, vocabulary and ideas with a museum educator. family Sundays provide children and the adults in their lives with the opportunity to reconnect while talking about and making art together. New projects are featured every week! Reservations not needed. free with Museum admission. Not offered December 20, plan to attend the special family program that day. AUTISM PROGRAMs Tuesdays, March 29, May 3, 17, June 7, 4-5:15 p.m. Creative Expeditions Children aged 5-10 who are on the autism spectrum, along with their families or caregivers, engage in gallery experiences that encourage talking about and making art. for further information, call (516) 484-9338, ext. 12. Tuesdays, Dec. 22, April 5 & 19, May 10 & 24, June 14, 4-5:15 p.m. Autism & the Arts Children aged 11-16 who are on the autism spectrum, along with their families

or caregivers, engage in making and exploring art through experiences that promote independence and communication. for further information, call (516) 484-9338, ext. 12. EXHIBITION LECTURE Thursdays, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, 1-2 p.m. Brown Bag Lectures: Riva Ettus Bring a sandwich and enjoy lunch with friends as Museum Docent Riva Ettus presents an informative talk on the current exhibition, Maxfield Parrish: Paintings and Prints. Afterward, join the 2 p.m. public exhibition tour. free with museum admission. Reservations not needed; first come, first seated. LONG IsLANd CHILdREN’s musEum 11 Davis ave, Garden City (516) 224-5800 http://www.licm.org/ Museum Hours: Daily from 10 a.m.5 p.m. (unless otherwise indicated). Museum admission: $12 for adults and children over 1 year old, $11 seniors, fREE to museum members and children under 1 year old. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. for additional information, contact (516) 224-5800. Saturday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 traveling Exhibit: Once upon A time… Exploring the world of Fairy tales from an African jungle to a giant’s castle, visitors will step into larger-than-life pages of seven favorite fairy tales. Enter the exhibit via a magical portal into a fabulous storybook kingdom where children … and their grownups … learn the meaning and history of tales they’ve known all their lives and others that may be new to them. Journey deep into multicultural stories as you cross a wooden bridge in “Anansi and the Talking Melon,” play a harpsichord in “Beauty and the Beast,” try on a glass slipper in “Cinderella,” work at a cobblers bench in “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” climb a beanstalk in “Jack and the Beanstalk,” catch a wolf in “Lon Po Po” and crawl through a mole’s hole in “Thumbelina.” This bilingual exhibit will resonate with multiple generations and foster a love of reading, books and storytelling. All ages. free with museum admission.

LIU Post frosh wins Irish dance contest By M a X i M e D e V i LL a Z LIU Post’s Kyle Felice has a chance to become world champion, in a sport that would have many shake their heads unwittingly. The freshman biology major is a competitive Irish dancer who floored his competition in the men’s under-18 Mid-Atlantic Region Irish Dance Championships in Philadelphia on Friday, Nov. 27. The “Oirechtas”— in Irish dancing terms referring to an annual championship — featured dancers from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The first-place earned him a spot in the world championships that will take place in Glasgow, Scotland in March 2016. “I beat some very good competition, and I got to wear the blue winner’s sash around all weekend,” Felice said. “But really I immediately started thinking about my next challenge.” Felice describes the sport as requiring “the flexibility, endurance, strength, and drive of all athletes, plus the rhythm, skill, and footwork of talented dancers.” He therefore puts a lot of energy into core and cardio training, and underlines that “I drill my steps a lot.” Usually, practice is scheduled three times per week, but to bulk before major competitions like Scotland, Felice doubles the hours in the Dorothy-Petri dance studio, which has locations in East Northport, N.Y., and in Belfast, Ireland.

As a Longwood High School graduate, acclimatizing to college life has not been an easy feat. “I decided to rush a fraternity this semester,” Felice said, “so it’s not uncommon for me to bring my school books or my TKE handbook to practice.” But Felice finds many sources of inspiration to keep up with the dancing: his teachers, Lisa and Karen Petri, for pushing him to improve every day when hitting the floor; his parents, Jim and Sheila Felice — his mother, as a former competitive Irish dancer herself, specifically for introducing him to the sport at age six; and Shia Labeouf, the American actor, performance artist and director, whose “Just Do It” motivational speech on YouTube has over 8.7 million views. While there are lots of benefits with Irish dancing, Felice said, he describes the best to be travelling for competitions throughout the world with friends, and exploring new places. Other than being given that experience when he flies to Scotland next year to compete in the world championships, Felice expects to “come out of the trip a stronger and better dancer than I am now, regardless of how I do in the competition.” This article was originally published in the Pioneer, the award-winning student newspaper of LIU Post, www.liupostpioneer. com, and is republished here by Blank Slate Media with the permission of the Pioneer.

Community Calendar PROjECt INdEPENdENCE suPPORt & sOCIAL GROuP the town of North hempstead’s Project independence would like to remind residents that they offer free support and social groups. Call 311 or (516) 869-6311 for more information. FOR tRIVIA LOVERs at 7 p.m. two Wednesday nights each month at Page one restaurant, 90 School St. Glen Cove. Call (516) 6258804 for information.

sINGLEs AssOCIAtION OF L.I. For information on events, please call (516) 825-0633 or (516) 333-2851 or email singlesassociationofli@yahoo.com. yOuR wIdOwEd sOCIAL GROuP the group meets on the third Wednesday of the each month (except July and august) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s r.C. Church on Franklin ave. and Fifth Street, Garden City. there is a $5 fee for members and a $8 fee for non-members. For additional information, please call (516) 481-9280.

PHOTO COURTESY Of JiM fELiCE/LiU POST PUBLiC SAfETY

@TheIslandNow

44 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Arts League seeks Landmark adds 4 shows for 2016 juried contest entries

Member pre-sale starts today for four new shows representing a wide range of musical genres that have been added to the Spring, 2016 schedule at Landmark on Main Street’s Jeanne Rimsky Theatre. The four shows are: Regina Carter’s Southern Comfort Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 7 p.m. Violin virtuoso Regina Carter is considered the foremost jazz violinist of her generation. Her latest release, Southern Comfort, includes a blend of folk songs and spirituals, serving as Carter’s interpretation of her roots through a modern lens. Premium tickets are $57 select tickets are $47 and standard are $40.

The Subdudes Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. This New Orleans-formed group is a living encapsulation of American music — a vibrant cauldron of sounds that stirs together meaty grooves and jazzy dynamics, soulful R&B swagger, easy vocal harmonies, cheeky rock ‘n’ roll attitude and folky social consciousness . Premium tickets are $50, select $42 and standard $37 Afro-Cuban All Stars Friday, April 29, 2016 at 8 p.m. The Afro-Cuban All Stars, founded by Buena Vista Social Club legend Juan De Marcos is a unique orchestra that captures the undeniable spirit of AfroCuban music with a potent mix of driving percussion, a powerhouse horns, piano, bass, guitars and incomparable vocals. Premium tickets are $59, select $54 and standard $49

Graham Parker Duo Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 8 p.m. Graham Parker has worked with guitarist Brinsley Schwarz since 1975’s Graham Parker and the Rumour. Expect songs from their early albums with the Rumour, his solo career and the two latest Rumour reunion albums, “Three Chords Good and Tickets for these shows and more Mystery Glue.” through Landmark’s Box Office, 516-767Premium tickets are $45, 6444 or online at www.landmarkonmainselect $40 and standard $35 street.org.

The Art League of Long Island is inviting artists from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, and Queens to submit entries to the upcoming juried competition “Motion in Art and Art in Motion” showing in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery March 28 through April 24, 2016. The deadline to submit an application is Feb. 16, 2016. The Art League is inviting artists to submit their visual interpretation of motion. An art work may incorporate actual motion; that is, the artwork itself moves in some way. Kinetic art is live movement that displays actual motion when we view it. Or it may incorporate the illusion of, or implied movement. In a non-moving image, the artist captures the sense of implied movement through the attributes present in the image. Movement can be suggested visually in a variety of ways: through the use of

diagonal, gestural, and directional lines; repetition; position and size of objects; the position or implied eyeline of a figure, a symbolic representation of movement. Juror Marina Press will select the exhibitors and the award winners. Press is associate director of the Bernarducci Meisel Gallery in New York City. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Press received her BA in Art History from Pace University and is currently an MA Candidate in Art History and Museum Studies at CUNY. She recently curated a critically acclaimed exhibition at the Brooklyn Arts Council Gallery entitled “3 Points Define a Surface.” To obtain prospectus call 631-4625400, download at www.artleagueli.org, or apply online at http://www.smarterentry.com/CallsForEntry/ALLI

Bethpage Air Show Comedian Norton to announces attractions play the Paramount

Comedian Jim Norton’s national theater tour, Jim Norton: Mouthful Of Shame was announced last week, including a March 4 stop at Huntington’s Paramount Theater. Norton is the co-host of “The Opie with Jim Norton Show” on Sirius XM Radio and currently has three one-hour comedy specials available on Hulu. He has regularly guest-starred on “The Tonight Show,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Louie,” and “Inside Amy Schumer.” Tickets can be purchased via ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or by visiting The Paramount Box Office at 370 New York Ave. in Huntington, open daily from 12 to 6 p.m.

Throwing a New Year’s Day soup party Continued from Page 44 3. Drain excess water off beans and add to stockpot. Cook gently over low heat until flavors are combined, about 1 hour. 4. Remove soup and place in blender or food processor. (You may have to do this in batches.) Puree. 5. Return pureed Black-eyed Pea Soup to pot and heat on low until serving. Toppings 4 cups yogurt and/or creme fraiche 1 head flat-leaf parsley, chopped

2 bunches chives, chopped 8 oz. freshly grated Parmesan Cheese Tabasco or favorite hot sauce 1 lb. shredded ham and/or proscuitto (optional) Alexandra Troy is president and owner of Culinary Architect Catering, a 33 year old Greenvale-based company,specializing in private, corporate and promotional parties. Articles by her and about her have appeared in Vogue, NewYork Magazine, The New Yorker and Newsday. She lives in Manhasset with her husband and son.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the headliners for the 2016 Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach will feature popular highflying acts such as the United States Navy Blue Angels, the United State Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, and the Breitling Performance Jet Team. The 13th annual airshow, will take place on Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29. “We are thrilled at another show stopping line-up for the 2016 Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach,” said state Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. “Thanks to Gov. Cuomo’s historic commitment into state parks we continue to revitalize our parks and attract the very best entertainment which draws tens of millions each year.” “Over 325,000 fans enjoyed the breathtaking headline performance at the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach last year,” said Linda Armyn, senior vice president, Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “This year, we are more than thrilled to welcome back the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Long Island and amaze the crowds once again.” The 2015 Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach drew more than 325,000 spectators over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. This year the 2016 Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach will feature: United States Navy Blue Angels This will be the legendary squadron’s seventh appearance at the Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach. Each performance the Blue Angels stunningly display the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corp. 2016 will feature the 70th anniversary of the Blue

Angels. United States Army Golden Parachute Team The Army Golden Parachute, in their 12th year performing at the airshow, are a nearly 100 member parachute team that showcase precision and skillful jumps from thousands of feet in the sky. The Golden Knights have performed in all 50 states, 48 countries and have broken more than 345 world records. Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds is comprised of actively serving members of the Canadian Air Force and have been thrilling audiences for years. The Snowbirds craft their act to represent the skill and teamwork inherent in each member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Breitling Performance Jet Team The world’s largest professional civilian flight team will display their passion for aerobatics for the second season at the Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach. With sheer precision the Breitling Performance Jet Team has been known to fly within three meters of each other at speeds of over 700 km/h. Additional civilian performers will be added to the line-up as the Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach draws closer. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversee 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 62 million people annually. A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $1.9 billion in economic activity annually and supports 20,000 jobs. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-4740456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Great Neck Library New Beginnings Singles 50 Plus at Station Branch Library facilitated by Marla Matthews Join Marla Matthews in a discussion, social and support group for divorced, widowed, single adults, empty nesters, age 50 Plus who would like a new beginning on Sunday, Dec. 27 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Station Branch Library, 26 Great Neck Road (2nd Level), Gardens at Great

Neck Plaza shopping center, above Planet Fitness. Make new friends, network and learn new skills towards reinventing yourself, with inspiration and hope for the future. Marla Matthews is a social worker, group facilitator, and television talk show host of The Relationship Journey. Join us again for the upcoming meetings scheduled for Jan. 17, Feb. 14 and March 6,

Lakeville Literary Club The Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett Join Librarian Judy Snow when she leads a discussion of The Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Lakeville Branch, 475 Great Neck Road. Throughout the “Century Trilogy” Ken Follett has followed the fortunes of five intertwined families. Now they come to one of the most tumultuous eras of all the enormous social, political and economic turmoil of the 1960s through the 1980s. Call (516) 466-8055, ext. 231/232. English Language Conversation The Library invites all new speakers of English to join our English Language Conversation Group. English Language Conversation meetings will be held at the Station Branch, 26 Great Neck Road (2nd level), Gardens at Great Neck shopping center on Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and continue every other Tuesday. These are small, informal groups of people that get together to have conversations in English. Various conversation topics may be chosen. For further information, call the Reference Dept. at (516) 466-8055, ext. 218.

Branch Librarian Kathleen Cotter will lead a discussion of The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy at the Station Branch West Egg Book Group.

Gardens at Great Neck Plaza, above Planet Fitness. Douglas Kennedy’s The Pursuit of Happiness is a powerful romantic novel set in the tumultuous world of post-war America. It is 1945 New York when a young woman meets a US Army journalist who is destined to change her future. Registration is limited and ongoing. Call 516-466-8055, ext. 233.

same time and location.

Parkville Library Club You’re invited to come and spend Tuesday afternoons at the Parkville Branch for our new Parkville Library

Library Closings All Great Neck Library locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 31 for the day of New Year’s Eve. All locations will be closed on Friday, January 1 for New Year’s Day.

Marla Matthews facilitates the New Beginnings Singles 50 Plus meetings at the Station Branch. Club. Join us Tuesdays, Dec. 29 and Jan. 5, between 2 and 4 p.m. at the Parkville Branch, 10 Campbell Street (off Lakeville Road), New Hyde Park, 11040. Bring your knitting or Canasta set… or your Mahjong tiles… Scrabble board… Chess set…Backgammon board - whatever games or hobby you enjoy. There will be someone here to enjoy the time with. We’ll bring the coffee and cake. The Parkville Library Club will continue each Tuesday, between 2 and 4 p.m. Building Advisory Committee Meeting The next meeting of the Building Advisory Committee

will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Parkville Branch, 10 Campbell Street (off Lakeville Road), New Hyde Park, 11040. Please contact the Library at (516) 466-8055, ext. 201 to confirm that there has been no change in meeting day, time or location. West Egg Book Group The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy Branch Librarian Kathleen Cotter will lead a discussion of the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Station Branch, 26 Great Neck Road (2nd level),

Great Neck Library Closing/ Cancellation Information Online Library patrons connected to the Internet are asked to check the website: www. cancellations.com for Library weather related closings/ program cancellations. In order to access this service, Library District residents can log on to cancellations.com, type in their zip code or Great Neck Library and obtain information on program cancellations or Library closings. In addition, at no charge, residents can request automatic e-mails from cancellations.com when the Library has posted any information. This is a great way for Library District residents who are connected online to be advised of weather related changes in Library hours or programs.

Great Neck Community Calendar TUESDAYS WITH REAP REAP, retired, energetic, active people, meets Tuesday, Jan. 5 at Cumberland School, 30 Cumberland Ave., at Great Neck’s Adult Ed Center. At 9 a.m. there will be a board meeting. The Business Meeting starts 10:30 a.m. “My Opinion” will be presented by Libby Lashansky. Please join us and voice your opinion! This week’s speaker is Dr. Joseph Diamond who will discuss, “Mindfulness Meditation.” We all eat lunch together at 11:45 a.m. so bring your lunch! Current Events round table follows with a discussion led by Gerry Peretsman. Re-

freshments, coffee and tea will be served. Now that’s an invitation! The Science Club will meet at 1 p.m. The Economics Club meets every 2nd Tuesday. The Book Club meets the last Tuesday of the month. Short Story Club meets the third Tuesday. ST. ALOYSIUS SOCIABLES St. Aloysius Sociables of Great Neck will host a luncheon at the Jolly Fisherman, 25 Main St,. Roslyn at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Cost: Price of your meal. Please call John Hyland for reservations ( 516) 4823795.

FREE EXERCISE CLASSES Ongoing Program - FREE Silver Sneakers Exercise Classes For All Levels: Balance, agility, strengthening, endurance and osteoporosis for eligible seniors. Monday through Saturday. Garden City, Roslyn and Great Neck. Call for more details, including seeing if you are eligible and class times, (516) 7458050. LIONS CLUB HEARING AID PROGRAM The Great Neck Lions Club is pleased to announce their participation in “Lions Lend An Ear,” a program of the Nassau County district of

Lions Clubs International. The program provides hearing aids and related products and services at no cost to hearing impaired individuals who qualify based on financial need and communication need. Great Neck Lions Club is asking the local places that accept donated eyeglasses to accept used hearing aids as well. Note: The hearing aids should be placed in the eyeglass collection boxes located in all the Great Neck Libraries as well as offices of the Village of Russell Gardens, Village of Great Neck Plaza and the Village Hall on Baker Hill Road.

ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS The Rotary Club of Great Neck currently meets every Wednesday from 8 to 9 a.m. in the boardroom of TD Bank, 2 Great Neck Road. Community residents and business members are welcome to visit Club meetings and discover how meaningful and satisfying it is to give back service to the community while networking through Rotary. For further information please see: www.clubrunner.ca/ greatneck/ or call (516) 487-9392. WOMANSPACE A discussion group de-

voted to issues concerning women. Weekly meetings are held every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Great Neck Senior Center, at 80 Grace Ave, Great Neck. New members welcome. For more info call Joan Keppler at (516) 487-5844. LIONS CLUB OF GREAT NECK Lions Club of Great Neck meets the first Monday of each month at Pearl East Restaurant, 1190 Northern Blvd., Manhasset at 12 p.m. If you would like to attend a meeting and learn more about our club, please contact fernweiss@aol.com or call (516) 829-5192.

46 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Great Neck Park District Holiday Wishes Happy Holidays on behalf of the Great Neck Park District Commissioners and staff. We would like to say “thank you” for giving us the opportunity to serve you. Our hope is to succeed in providing superior service to our residents every year. We would like to wish everyone best wishes for peace, health and happiness in 2016. December Holiday MiniCamp Your children will enjoy attending the holiday Skate School Camp at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink or the Tennis Mini Camp at the Parkwood Tennis Center over the December holiday break. The programs run from Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31. For more information, call (516) 487-2975, ext. 114 for skate school or (516) 829-9050 for tennis. Hockey Clinics Calling all hockey players, ages six and up, to join us at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink over the December break. Hockey clinics will be offered Monday, Dec. 28 through Thursday, Dec. 31, from 9 - 10 a.m. Park resident fee is $20 per day; non-residents $25 per day. Call (516) 487-2975, ext. 128 for more information. Great Neck Park District Bears Hockey Team The Great Neck Park District Bears Hockey Team is looking forward to Session II which begins on Monday, January 4 and runs through April

15. Children ages 5- 12 are welcome and experience is not necessary. For interested participants, there is still room to join the team. Call (516) 487-2976, ext. 128 for more information. Christmas Holiday Public Sessions at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink There is a special public skate schedule for the December holiday vacation break which you can find on-line at www.greatneckparks.org. In addition, there will be Puck Shoots offered on Tuesday, December 29 and Friday, January 1 from 5:45-7:45 p.m. Come join us for some skating fun down at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink over the holidays! Check our website for more information or call (516) 487-2975, ext. 128. Nature Program: Winter Seasonal Stroll and Maple Sugaring Sunday, Dec. 27 at 12:30 p.m., meet in first lot at the Steamboat Road entrance to Kings Point Park for an invigorating winter stroll through the park. Mother Nature is fascinating in all seasons. Learn how she survives the cold. No registration required for the Winter Seasonal Stroll. Join us Sunday, January 10, 12:30 p.m. at Steppingstone Park for Maple Sugaring, a hands-on program, geared for the average adult. You will learn how to identify and tap a maple tree (so you can make real maple syrup at home) as well as the cultural, historical, economic and scientific background of this uniquely

When the weather gets cold, take the kids to the indoor Playscape at Steppingstone Park for some imaginative play.

Sign up for a hockey clinic. American craft. This takes place 90% indoors. Call (516) 482-0355 to register by January 3. Children under the age of 1 are not permitted to attend. Early Bird Registration for Summer 2016 Now is the time to plan an amazing summer for your child and save! Register your children, ages 3 and up, for a fun-filled camp experience this summer. Register at Great Neck House before December 31 to receive your early bird discount. We now offer a co-ed travel program for older campers and an optional door-to-door transportation service for children ages 4 and up. Find necessary registration material on-line at www.greatneckparks.org or at Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Avenue. All completed forms must be submitted to Great Neck House by the deadline to receive the discount. Indoor Playscape at Steppingstone Park Children, ages 2-9, will love the indoor Playscape, at Steppingstone Park no matter what the weather is outside. LEGO walls and tables in one area, a play diner and supermarket in another and many other imaginative ways to explore. Residents must present a park card to be admitted into the park (two guests welcome per park card). Open Monday through Sunday; 8:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required (or come down for first-come,

first-served) because there is a limit to how many children can play at once. An adult must be present with the child(ren) as there are NO drop-offs permitted. Call for more information (516) 4879228 or to reserve an open play slot. The phone will be answered only when the Playscape is open. Birthday Parties in the Park District If you’re looking for a new way to celebrate your child’s birthday, the Park District has choices for you. Enjoy a private party room at Steppingstone Park with one of our unique birthday packages (Dancin’ Disco, Glamour & Glitz, Superhero Style, to name a few) which includes invitations, pizza, cake, 2 party hosts and more. For

more information or to book a party at Steppingstone Park call (516) 482-0355. Sunday @ 3 at Great Neck House Twin Gold, is a doo wop and oldies harmony sister act that will perform at Great Neck House on Sunday, January 10 at 3 p.m. Join us for a special afternoon. A park card is required for admission to Great Neck House. Defensive Driving Classes at Great Neck House Great Neck House continues to offer Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving Classes. The classes run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The next class is Saturday, January 2. To sign up for a class or for more information, call Great Neck House at 482-0355.

Commuter Parking Violations As a courtesy to residents, the Park District issues one parking window decal per resident household at no cost. If needed, a second permit may be purchased for $12. IF YOU ARE NOT A RESIDENT or do not have a window decal on your car, you are in violation of our parking rules and risk receiving a costly parking ticket. We have increased our code enforcement staff to ensure that only park district residents have complete access to parking in our commuter lots. Parking window decals and daily, monthly and annual parking tickets can be obtained or purchased at Great Neck House, 14 Arrandale Avenue. Call (516) 482-0355 for further information.

Twin Gold, sister doo wop duo, will perform at Great Neck House in January.

s chool ne w s

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

C O MMU N I TY ne w s

Students USMMA hosts Festival of Lights Facetime museum

The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Points hosted the 38th Annual Festival of Lights interfaith holiday celebration on Monday, Dec. 14. The celebration “is a reminder to bring the light to the dark places within ourselves and in our world.” © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the John F. Kennedy School, the entire school had a personal electronic tour of the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum via FaceTime. Students watched on a large screen, located at the front of the auditorium, as Museum Executive Director John Allen, assisted by his two young grandsons, walked through the Museum’s thematic groupings and explained the meanings behind the various displays. Principal Ronald Gimondo held the laptop that enabled Allen to view the students. Selected students asked questions of the director.

Ed board approves tax exemptions As approved by the Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education at it’s December meeting, the board will continue to honor partial school tax exemptions for qualified individuals in these groups: senior citizens with limited income, persons with disabilities and limited income, volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers, veterans, and Gold Star parents. Applications for all partial tax exemptions are due before the taxable status date of Jan. 1, 2016. Exemptions apply to the 2015 tax year. Exemption requirements and qualification guidelines are explained on application forms. Forms are available in person from the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola. Applications may also be requested by phone at 516-571-1500, or downloaded from the Nassau County Web site at https://www.nassaucount y n y. g o v / 3 5 7 5 / E x e m p t i o n - Fo r m s and https://www.nassaucountyny. gov/3306/Veterans-Real-Property-TaxExemptions. The Board of Education has provided relief to senior citizens since 1970; to persons with disabilities and limited income since 1984; to volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers since 2005; and to veterans and Gold Star parents (parents of a child who died in the line of duty while serving in the US armed forces during a period of war) since 2014.

48 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

C o m m u ni t y ne w s

Troop 10 boy scouts visit Sagamore Hill Twelve scouts from Troop 10 of Great Neck — along with their adult leaders — recently visited the renovated and newly re-opened Sagamore Hill, the home of Theodore Roosevelt, former New York State Governor, the 26th President of the United States, and the first Commissioner of the Nassau County Council of the newly formed Boy Scouts of America. Roosevelt signed Troop 10’s first charter in 1915. The ranger’s tour was full of a multitude

of facts about Roosevelt and his life and times. The scouts then participated in a flag raising ceremony. They hiked to the cemetery where Roosevelt was buried and walked up the 26 steps to his gravesite. Troop 10 meets at the North Shore Presbyterian Church on Monday evenings 7:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. when school is open. The troop is non-denominational and welcomes all boys from age 11 to 17.

Great Neck Social Center VIP Health Care Services Presents Nicole Tozzi and Jackie Todman will give a onehour information session from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, 1/7/2016. The talk is called “Senior Health and Wellbeing.”

Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. Every program of the monthly Veterans Social Club is planned as both stimulating and entertaining. There is no charge, and refreshments are served courtesy of Atria Great Neck.

Celebrate “Bean Day” Stay for lunch Tuesday, the 7th, to celebrate “Bean Day” with a Bean Lunch Menu. The menu will take you from Bean Soup to a Bean Entrée and finishes off with Red Bean Ice Cream! Call (516)4870025 to reserve your place.

World in Depth The whole globe seems to be in a state of chaos, but the moderators of The World in Depth meet with us every Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.to sort it all out. These savvy moderators guide us into lively and productive discussions. On Jan. 7, Janet de Winter will chair. On Jan. 14, John Tokar moderates. On Jan. 21, it’s Jeigh Duran and on Jan. 28,

Veterans Social Club Join Veterans, their families and guests on Friday,

Martha Cohen moderates. There is no charge to put your own opinion into the mix, so join the group for a stimulating afternoon. National Pharmacist Day Recognize the special know-how of our highly skilled pharmacists on Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Great Neck Social Center. At 10 a.m. they will present a program on Prescription Drugs to give you the latest on the national and international drug scene. Bring your questions. They’ll have answers! Lunch and Learn Janet De Winter will present one of her fabulous book reviews on January

12. The session runs from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. A delicious lunch is served during the discussion, which on that day is a novel called “The Interestings” by Meg Wolitzer. You do not have to have read the book since the discussion is lively and thoughtfully led by Janet. If you wish to attend this single session, please call the office or stop in to reserve your place. The cost of the Lunch and Learn session is $8. Plan Ahead for Defensive Driving Dr. Claude Springer will teach the Empire Safety Council’s Defensive Driving course on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to

3 p.m. with a break for lunch. Details later! Wishing our Neighbors their Happiest New Year! This has been a year of all kinds of ups and downsnot just in the climate or in politics or in undeclared wars, but in struggles to survive through unforeseen problems. But through it all the Social Center has been supported by our neighbors in North Hempstead. These are the families, the agencies and the public and private businesses who believe in the Great Neck Social Center. Their contributions, of course, reduced the cuts we have had to make. But they

also gave us the gift of time. They listened when we asked for help. They answered our call for voluntary service. These volunteers assisted the increasing number of Seniors that come to the Center for social, physical and mental stimulation. Especially important has been their outstanding help in providing steps toward gaining and maintaining independent living. So, from the hearts of the one thousand seniors who enjoy the Great Neck Social Center and all it provides for their health, security and happiness, here again our sincerest thanks and best wishes for a happy, happy Year 2016!

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

co m m u ni t y ne w s

Grant to help fix pipes at town Beach Park The Town of North Hempstead has been awarded a $450,000 water infrastructure grant from New York State which will help fund a project to replace the aging septic system at North Hempstead Beach Park with a sewer system, according to a press release from Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth’s office. In 2014 the Town commissioned a feasibility study to connect the park’s 43-year-old sanitary sewer system to the Port Washington Water Pollution Control District. Septic Systems are the leading source of nitrogen to groundwater and to the Town’s bays and harbors, causing hypoxia, algae blooms, and drinking water contamination. Septic systems also pollute drinking water and shell fishing waters with pathogens and pharmaceuticals. “Reducing the nitrogen content in our harbor and waterways is critical for the health of our water and our residents,” Bosworth said. “This grant gives us a wonderful opportunity to modernize the park’s wastewa-

North Hempstead Beach Park ter system and improve its infrastructure. We are very thankful to Governor Cuomo for the grant funding towards this important project.”

It is estimated that the project would costs $1.8 million, which will be funded in part by the grant, with the remaining cost being bonded as part of the

Town’s Five Year Capital Plan. Currently, wastewater generated from 12 service facilities located within North Hempstead Beach Park is collected and con-

veyed by a system of 3,900 feet of cement pipe and 24 manholes to a below-ground pumping station. The wastewater is pumped to a subsurface disposal system, consisting of a septic tank and leaching field. It was constructed in 1971 and no longer functions properly, requiring frequent and costly pump outs. In addition to North Hempstead’s grant, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a total of $75 million in grants throughout New York State to support 45 drinking water and waste water infrastructure projects. The North Hempstead grant was the only grant award in Nassau County and one of only two issued for Long Island. “New York invests more to protect water-quality and strengthen water infrastructure than any state in the nation,” Cuomo said in a release from his office. “These grants will make it easier for localities to make the critical upgrades that ensure their water systems continue to provide New Yorkers with safe, high-quality water.”

County launches app for anti-terrorism tips In light of recent developments in San Bernardino, California, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter this week launched a Social Media See Something, Say Something initiative to assist the Nassau County Police Department’s Counter-Terrorism efforts in monitoring social media. “In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt asked the American public to keep an eye out for possible espionage and sabotage through a program known as Civil Defense,” Mangano said. “Today, we deputize social media users by asking them to take a screen shot of social media threats, terror allegiances, recruitment efforts and/or other suspicious behavior and text it via our Nassau Crime Stoppers App. “This modern day civil defense has the potential to thwart terrorist

attacks. It is that important.” With approximately 850 million active social media users per month, the public can assist law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity via the Nassau Crime Stoppers app available for smartphones and tablets. To do so, download the application by searching “Nassau Crime Stoppers” in the app store and TEXT-A-TIP. Residents should know that analysts in the Nassau County Police Department’s Counter Terrorism Intel Office are proactively monitoring and data-mining social media activity, in partnership with neighboring law enforcement agencies, in an effort to protect the homeland. “While at the present time there is no known threat to our county, the Nassau County Police Depart-

ment’s Asset Forfeiture and Intelligence Unit is working around the clock with our partners in law enforcement to monitor any potential threats to public safety and thank the public in advance for their assistance,” Krumpter said. Several weeks ago, the Nassau County Police Department intensified patrols throughout local communities and assigned officers from the Bureau of Special Operations and Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team to patrol local malls and other soft targets. The department has also conducted anti-terror training exercises and purchased high-powered rifles for response to active shooter and terror situations. The department’s Intelligence Unit continues to work around the clock to provide officers with counter-terrorism bulletins.

Town announces 23rd Women’s Honor Roll North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Town Clerk Wayne Wink announced that the 23rd Annual May W. Newburger Women’s Roll of Honor Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, March 16. This year’s breakfast will take place at the Clubhouse at Harbor Links in Port Washington from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. The town will be accepting nomina-

tions for the 2016 Women’s Roll of Honor now until Tuesday, Feb. 9. Anyone interested in submitting a name for consideration can call North Hempstead’s 311 Call Center at 311 or 516-869-6311, or logon to the Town’s website (http://www. northhempsteadny.gov/roll-of-honor) and download the application form. “North Hempstead never seems to have a shortage of amazing women who

inspire, motivate and make the world a better place,” Bosworth said. “I look forward each year to learning about their work and giving then the recognition they deserve.” Event chairperson Wayne Wink said: “I am proud we have the opportunity to honor outstanding women for their great contributions to North Hempstead. Each year women throughout the town work

for the betterment of their community and deserve to be recognized for their efforts.” Since 1994, North Hempstead has held the Women’s Roll of Honor breakfast to honor women who reside in the town who have made a contribution to their community, or have accomplished a significant achievement through public or private efforts in a volunteer capacity.

50 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Business&RealEstate

Investing your money out of state Last week I went over the process of investing in real estate whether it be as a new investor or a seasoned pro on a local basis. Checking out all the details and being cautious, but not scared to “Pull the Trigger” when an opportunity arises is the key to good investing. Taking a calculated risk after figuring everything out, so you know what you are getting into will most always keep you out of trouble. Do your due diligence and you most assuredly benefit in the long run. This article will deal with investing your money out of New York State; let’s say down south to Florida or going west towards California. It is a much more complicated and serious move to find that property out of your state that is worth investing in. You have more variables to consider before putting your money down. Knowledge of the specific areas you are interested in,

schools, location, local economy, return on investment, taxes, the strength of the rental market are some important factors to consider. Comparing prices with what is available, under contract, sold and expired and withdrawn and released properties are necessary. The following is a great link to further your skill set to enhance your general knowledge for out of state real estate investing: http://www.investopedia. com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/10/out-of-state-property.asp Copy and paste this link into your browser and read, absorb and learn the important things you need to know and the tools that are necessary for you investment portfolio. There are other options that you may want to consider, as an example real estate investment trusts, which is in many ways a much safe place to invest your money without the headaches that go along with actually owning property; especially if you are

philip a. raices Real Estate Watch

new at the game of real estate investing. You can buy into a much larger securitized investments, such as office buildings, shopping centers, etc. There are special tax benefits and considerations that are provide by the Internal Revenue Service and typically high dividend yields for investing in REITs. Buying foreclosures, short

sales and even tax liens out of State can also be an alternative, which in many cases is less of a risk; but then again you must do your due diligence and be absolutely sure of the risks involved when doing so. Tax liens can provide from 20-50 percent interest and that should spark your curiosity. I could write many pages on the ideas of this type of investment, so to save space, you can go to the following link to learn the nuts and bolts of this type of investment: http://ustaxlienassociation. com/free-tax-lien-training/?utm_ source=googlesearch&utm_ medium=cpc&utm_ campaign=77334735&utm_ content=72908514735&utm_ term=tax%20liens&gid=448296 8175&device=c&model=&positio n=1t1&placement=&gclid=CPzs 4d_p68kCFYIfHwod2ycI6w Another way that some consider, is buying fixer-uppers and then flipping them, for an example. Putting them back on the market for a hopefully quick sale. It is

a prudent idea to determine which states are promising and doing well in that type of investment. So you really need to do your research and learn where you might want to look and which type of real estate investment fits your investment and long term strategies. I want to wish everyone a very healthy, happy and relaxing holiday season and Christmas and do me a favor, help out someone less fortunate than yourself and “pay it forward” in or out of your community. Go to a soup kitchen, there is one in Hempstead, where my Rotary Club of Great Neck had served lunch to those who were not able to buy their own food. Volunteer for something this holiday season, you will feel great that you did! Philip A. Raices, Pres, G.R.I. (Graduate Realtor Institute) Licensed Real Estate Broker Consultant

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Doc to offer new weight-loss program By M at t G r e c h A Roslyn Heights doctor has become the first New York medical professional to offer a new FDA approved weight-loss program, the ReShape belly balloon. Dr. Shawn Garber, founder of the New York Bariatric Group, has begun offering the new program to fill in the gap for those that don’t classify for more intense surgical procedures. “There was a whole class of patients with medical problems that had no procedures,” Garber said. “This balloon fills that whole beach right there.” The New York Bariatric Group has six offices around the New York metropolitan area including a practice at 125 Mineola Ave. The New York Bariatric Group’s Gastric Balloon program features a brand new device, the ReShape balloon system, and a year-long regimented diet and exercise program to help patients lose weight. “This is different because its a huge jump start,” Garber said. “Patients get to see the results quickly, and with our program we make sure they maintain the habits to stay healthy.” Garber said the program can help patients lose anywhere from 25 to 75 pounds within the first six months. The device was approved by the FDA

in August, and Garber said it differs from the second sixth months after the balloon is removed. previously available systems. “After six months the balloon has to The ReShape system consists of two attached silicone balloons, filled with a come out. It was only designed to be in six sterile saline solution and rests inside the months,” he said. “Then we continue to see them for another six months to reinpatients stomach. The patient is sedated, and the bal- force all those good habits they learned.” Garber sees patients loons are inserted through the for monthly nutritional and patient’s mouth into the stomprogress visits, and offers a ach, guided by a tiny camera website portal to monitor and steady hands into their progress, diet and exercise proper location. The balloons routines. He even offers a are then filled with the saline video call program online for solution, and the patient is patients. awake and out of the office “It’s a special software within 30 minutes. that I actually developed, I “The two balloons hold have patients from California 450cc of liquid each, a total and Florida, and I can’t ofof 900cc versus the single balfer those nutritional visits in loon, so the ReShape will fill Dr. Shawn Garber person so its great for them,” up more of the stomach,” GarGarber said. “Even local patients love it ber said. The balloons rest in the patient’s because we can do after hour nutritional stomach, filling the space and allowing consultations.” Garber added that a lot of surgeons them to eat less and still feel satisfied and want to begin the procedure, but do not full. “For patients that struggled with di- offer a full-year program. “The balloon is one part of it. It’s very ets, now we give them a way to be comfortable and be happy eating those small important that we have that full team so we can offer the nutrition information amounts,” Garber said. In addition to the device, Garber said, and the aftercare,” he said. The double balloons also allows for he has set up a year-long program — the first sixth months with the balloon, and a built in safety mechanism, Garber said.

“If one balloon pops, the other is there to stop it from advancing into the small intestine and creating a blockage,” Garber said. “The blue dye causes the patient to urinate green so we know to take the device out.” Before introducing it to his practice, Garber said, he had the opportunity to travel to Brazil and train with a leading medical professional already familiar with the procedure and ReShape system. “I actually went to Brazil prior to FDA approval and trained with one of the leaders,” he said. “I actually put balloons in and took them out prior to that FDA approval.” Garber said he’s excited to continue offering the program, and has seen a positive response. “Patients have been ecstatic,” he said. “With the balloon there are no restrictions. I saw a lot of patients coming to us for surgery that weren’t candidates, so I saw it was a great opportunity to offer something to the patients around here.” Jon Libasci, the New York Bariatric group practice administrator, said the practice is an all-encompassing location for patients. “We have all services in house,” he said. “Patients might be here for three hours, but they’ll get done 90 percent of everything they need.”

Lighthouse needs community support: Rubin Continued from Page 13 through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which is looking to invest in research for clean energy projects. For example, in April, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a $160 million investment designed to grow large scale clean energy projects statewide. As part of the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy, this funding is available to support public-private sector partnerships in clean energy projects. Funding is administered competitively, to incentivize proposals to improve energy affordability and reliability, while expanding new economic development opportunities and protecting the environment. “This funding is a crucial resource for the development of New York’s clean energy infrastructure, and by supporting large scale projects we are ensuring that the grid can meet the needs of a growing economy,” Gov. Cuomo said. “Investing in these kinds of projects is another example of how we are building a cleaner and more sustainable future in New York State, and I look forward to seeing that progress unfold in the years ahead.” REV calls for creating a cleaner, more reliable and more affordable energy system in New York State. This funding will support significant private investment in renewable energy sources such as wind farms, fuel cells, biomass facilities, renewable biogas and the upgrading of small- to medium-sized hydropower projects that provide power to the electric grid.

For every $1 invested in Renewable Portfolio Standard Main Tier projects, New York realizes $3 in economic benefits. More than $3 billion of direct investment in New York State is expected as a result of existing Main Tier projects in the form of jobs, payments to public entities, in-state purchase of goods and services and land leases. NYSERDA’s previous nine RPS Main Tier solicitations for large-scale renewable projects have resulted in approximately 2,036 megawatts of installed capacity at 65 projects that, once operational, will generate more than five million megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually. Another Main Tier solicitation is expected to be released in 2016. “While we envision a more localized power grid in the future, it is imperative we ensure our large-scale generation sources are as clean as possible,” state Energy and Finance Chairman Richard Kauffman said, “With certainty and transparency, New York State is establishing itself as an attractive environment for private developers to invest and create new jobs in the state’s growing clean economy.” In July, Cuomo announced awards of approximately $100,000 each to 83 communities across the state to support innovative microgrid projects. These awards were granted as part of the NY Prize microgrid competition to support a new generation of community-based power under Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy. “New Yorkers have first-hand experience regarding the need for resilient and efficient power systems that can withstand whatever Mother Nature has in store for

us,” Cuomo said. “This funding will help communities across New York invest in these new systems, which will ensure critically important institutions such as police and fire stations, hospitals and schools can continue operating during and in the aftermath of an extreme weather event.” The 83 communities will study the feasibility of installing a community microgrid — a stand alone energy system that can operate independently of the main grid in the event of a power outage. Such systems would integrate renewable power with other advanced energy technologies to create a cleaner, more affordable and more resilient localized energy grid for a limited number of users. 14 projects on Long Island won awards. I’m thinking that an underwater energy project fits all of these objectives - promoting localized production and distribution of clean, renewable energy. This could be a pilot project - perhaps under the aegis of an authority like the Great Neck North Water Authority or the Town of North Hempstead, which could host its own design competition — to demonstrate how such small-scale decentralized energy production could liberate communities. Indeed in October, Cuomo announced the launch of a clean energy competition for colleges and universities in New York State. The competition will challenge student-led coalitions across the state to develop creative ideas to aggressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions on school campuses and beyond. The three groups that propose the best

ideas to invest in clean energy will each win $1 million to help implement their plans. Why Not the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (which won a national award for its solar house), or NYIT or LIU Post or Stony Brook? Such underwater power technology is already happening. Scotland is doing it. And a couple of years ago, I met a retired engineer at a Nassau County event, holding plans in his hands for just such a smallscale underwater turbine but he was having trouble getting anyone to listen to him. In the meantime, though, the Town of North Hempstead, the Great Neck Historical Society and the Great Neck Park District have been championing a campaign to first do the urgent maintenance to preserve the structure, and then, long-term, to raise as much as $4 million for the complete restoration. In this season of light, in this season of enfolding ourselves in heritage and tradition, of looking back and looking ahead, you might also consider giving something to keeping our own light glowing. And perhaps the moral of this “Christmas Carol” is that progress and preservation are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The holiday lights will be coming down soon, but our Stepping Stones Lighthouse will continue to be our beacon and symbol of our connection past, present and future, for all the days of the year. You can contribute to the Great Neck Historical Society Lighthouse Fund (PO Box 234483, Great Neck NY 11023), or online at www.greatneckhistorical.org/news. html, or call 516-869-6311.

52 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

Great Neck filmmaker shoots for the stars Continued from Page 3 ating from the Honors College in May 2016, “Bardo” grew into a short film that would be submitted to various film festivals, Aharoni said. He said the film’s cinematographer, Petros Georgiadis, met Leila Goldoni, the film’s lead actress and two-time British Academy of Film and Television award nominee, on a train. “He found her on the train and

showed her the script,” Aharoni said. “She read the script and fell in love with it. She cried reading it.” He also said the movie industry is a “small world” because while speaking with Goldoni’s agency about a contract, they found the same agency represented his friend and lead actor in “Bardo,” Johnny Solo, who also appeared in the 2012 film “Man on a Ledge” and the 2011 film “Newlyweds.”

Aharoni said funding films was the most difficult part to the filmmaking process. “Dennis and I have shot music videos and commercials so from there we’ve been able to make money for our films,” he said. “We self fund our films and together we make it happen.” Aharoni said he and Latos had long-

term plans of directing feature films rather than just short films. “In the future, within five years, I see Dennis and I directing a feature film but with a substantial budget,” he said. “We’re not talking a major summer blockbuster, but a legitimate feature that would be able to show our talents together as a unit.”

Plaza to send revised North Hills disputes housing law to county

Ritz Carlton count

Continued from Page 4 the village to approve the new floor plans to close the sales early next year, Guardino said. Village Attorney A. Thomas Levin said the developer could change the contract to reflect that the buyer would own one unit on two separate lots. The debate over how units are counted is the latest contention in a project that’s spanned nearly 10 years and gone through several changes. RXR, which calls itself the leading real estate owner, manager and developer in the tri-state area, had sought to develop the Ritz Carlton project since it bought the previous owner, North Hills LLC, in 2007. The developer paid the village $21 million that year in lieu of providing public amenities under a zoning regulation that allows the high-density development. The then-bleak real estate market pushed RXR to split the project into two phases in 2009, with 124 units originally set to be built in the first phase and 120 built in the second phase. No plans for

phase two have been submitted yet, Haftel said. Before the final 2013 approval, RXR and the village negotiated over the number of units to be rented, finally settling on 60. The rental units were significant to the firm’s application for $3.6 million tax breaks from the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, which the Great Neck school district vehemently opposed. But RXR said over the summer that sales projections indicated it would not rent any of the units, which range from 1,500 to 4,300 square feet and cost between $1.2 and $5 million in the previously approved plan. Haftel said RXR has sold 90 condos so far. The first phase construction was supposed to be done in August, but crews are still finishing work. The village board extended the deadline for completion Wednesday night to August of 2017. Since work has been completed, trustees also voted Wednesday to reduce the total amount of the bonds posted for the project from $14 million to $8.5 million.

Continued from Page 2 against African-Americans” and “perpetuating residential racial segregation,” court documents said. In 2005, the village enacted an affordable housing ordinance requiring newly constructed or converted residential buildings with at least 20,000 square feet of gross floor area to utilize 7.5 percent of that area for affordable housing units. Persons eligible for affordable housing units, at the time, were required to be either under the age of 30 or over the age of 65 and had lived in the village for at least 10 years, court documents said. The current village code, which was amended in 2013 after Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said it was difficult to attract applicants who met the village’s eligibility requirement, requires applicants to be either under the age of 40 or over the age of 65 and have lived in the village for at least 10 years. Gabriele said the county Planning Commission needed one month to review the law, so the amended legislation will return to the board at their Feb. 3 meeting.

The village settled its portion of the lawsuit on Oct. 1 by agreeing to pay $200,000 in damages and attorney’s fees. <><>The village also agreed to amend code to allow a 20 percent density bonus, a zoning tool that permits developers to build more housing units, taller buildings, or more floor space than normally allowed. In exchange for provision of a defined public benefit, for developers, to allow developers to screen applicants rather than the village, and to issue building permits for seven new affordable housing units after four years of the effective agreement date. The village also agreed to issue building permits for 14 new affordable housing units after six years of the effective agreement date. Gabriele said the village’s insurance would be paying the settlement fee, with the village only paying a small, undetermined deductible. The two fair-housing organizations also filed against the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency. Litigation with the IDA is still ongoing.

Kings Point calls on state for parkland help Continued from Page 1 which had been built in 1946, is a “continuing wrong” and should be removed immediately. The seven-judge panel said in its ruling that the western corner of the park was “parkland” and that any plan to use the parcel for “non-park” use had to be “authorized by the state Legislature.” In June, Schimel introduced a bill that would designate 1.56 acres of a 5.45 acre piece of land in Kings Point Park for public works facilities. The other 3.89 acres would remain parkland, said Limmer, who on behalf of the village asked Schimel to introduce the legislation. Everything is on hold until the legislative session opens on Jan. 6, he said, but the village wants Martins to sponsor a com-

panion bill to Schimel’s. “It would be waste of village taxpayer funds to demolish the existing facilities only to have to reconstruct them at another location,” Schimel’s bill A08133 reads. “It is critical to the village that it be able to maintain the minimal 1.566 (29 percent) of the 5.455 acres DPW site for DPW purposes as its location is the most feasible to residents of the village.” To use the 1.56 area for nonpark functions, the village must also designate another area of the village as parkland, the bill reads. The bill calls for a 6.64 acre parcel of land on lower Manhasset Bay along East Shore Road to be the substitute parkland. Some 1.57 acres of this land is above mean high water. Limmer said that the water-

front property is very valuable. “We want to put in a waterfront property on East Shore Road for people to walk along and fish,” Limmer said. “It can be fixed up and made pretty subject to whatever environmental regulations are involved. It would be a beautiful entrance to the village and it could be a beautiful park.” The village first circulated the petition via email in September but reintroduced it to attempt show its legislators resident support of Schimel’s legislation. “There is not a set number of signatures but we would like to show Jack Martins and Michelle Schimel the support of the residents and for them to show that support to the state Senate and Assembly,” Limmer said. Village of Great Neck resi-

dents Daniel Capruso, Alan Berkower, Elizabeth Allen and Julian Kane, filed a lawsuit in 2009 to block Kings Point’s plan to construct a new public works building on the parkland. The village lost that case in state Supreme Court in 2011, with the court prohibiting the building of the facility and ordering the removal of existing village structures at the site. The court also ordered the village to pay plaintiff attorney fees. The village filed an appeal in June 2013. Limmer said that while the court ordered the village to take down the shed initially, the court stayed the enforcement of the order because of Schimel’s proposed legislation. He also said he was informed in June that Schimel’s bill was introduced too late to be adopt-

ed in that legislative session. Capruso said the bill should be amended to make sure no existing forest is cut down. He also questioned the location of the land that the village has offered in exchange for the land on which the public works building sits. “The problem is Manhasset Bay is very shallow there with a typical depth of one to two feet at low tide,” Capruso said. “You also have a sewage treatment plant near there; I don’t think that’s a very good trade for the public.” Capruso also the parcel proposed for the exchange had issues with parking. Currently, parking is illegal on East Shore Road, Capruso said, and even if it were to be made legal near the proposed parkland, it could be dangerous.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

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The Great NeckFriday, News,December Friday, December 56 Times, 11, 2015 25, 2015 1 Williston

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The Great Neck News,December Friday, December 58 Times, Friday, 11, 2015 25, 2015 3 Williston

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Financial Strength and Exceptional Claim Service Property | Liability | Executive Protection | Workers Compensation | Marine | Surety Homeowners | Auto | Yacht | Jewelry | Antiques | Accident & Health Chubb Group of Insurance Companies (“Chubb”) is the marketing name used to refer to the insurance subsidiaries of The Chubb Corporation. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at www.chubb.com. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued. Chubb, Box 1615, Warren, NJ 07061-1615. ©2013 Chubb & Son, a division of Federal Insurance Company.

nassau

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS to advertise call: 516.307.1045

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Tuesday 11:00am: Classified Advertising Tuesday 1:00pm: Legal Notices/ Name Changes Friday 5:00pm Buyers’s Guide Error Responsibility All ads placed by telephone are read back for verification of copy context. In the event of an error of Blank Slate Media LLC we are not responsible for the first incorrect insertion. We assume no responsiblity for an error in and beyond the cost of the ad. Cancellation Policy Ads must be cancelled the Monday before the first Thursday publication. All cancellations must be received in writing by fax at: 516.307.1046 Any verbal cancellations must be approved by a supervisor. There are no refunds on cancelled advertising. An advertising credit only will be issued.

• Great Neck News • Williston Times • New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times • Roslyn Times • Garden City News • Bethpage Newsgram • Jericho Syosset News Journal • Mid Island Times • Syosset Advance

Employment

Help Wanted AFLAC BENEFITS CONSULTANT: Fortune 500 Company. With an Aflac career, there are no limits to what you can achieve. It’s a unique opportunity to take control of your career and set your own unlimited goals. Looking for individuals to grow with the largest provider of voluntary employee benefits in the country. Sales experience welcome but not necessary. Lifetime vesting renewals. Office located in Garden City. Please call Director of District Sales, Bill Whicher 516-574-1064 BABYSITTER NEEDED Looking for babysitter for 9 year old; various days 6:30am until drop of at school. More hours if wanted. Must drive. Must provide recent references. Please call 516-7471385 Billion dollar manufacturer expanding in the Long Island area seeking person with sales and /or marketing background. Call 1-516-759-5926. Leave message for call back.

Help Wanted TAX PREPARER PART TIME: Franklin Square. Experience required. Retirees welcome. Call 516-358-9455 Fax resume 516358-9483 TAX SEASON P/T RECEPTIONIST Approximately 10-15 hours/ week for busy tax office. Please call Debbie 516-488-7502 REPORTER: Blank Slate Media, an award winning chain of 5 weekly newspapers and website on the North Shore of Nassau County is seeking a self starter with good writing and reporting skills to cover Great Neck. Newspaper experience and car required. Experience with social media platforms and content managements systems preferred. Excellent opportunity to work with editors with many years of weekly and daily newspaper experience. Health insurance, paid holidays and sick days. Office conveniently located in Williston Park not far from NYC. To apply email your resume, cover letter and clips to sblank@theislandnow.com

Situation Wanted

FILE CLERK: LAW FIRM NYC law firm seeks Part-Time File Clerk for it’s Garden City office. No experience required, will train. Please submit all resumes to staffapp@kbrlaw.com

BABYSITTER: OUR WONDERFUL BABYSITTER OF 17 YEARS IS AVAILABLE! Our full time babysitter needs a new home! She is reliable, responsible, energetic and loving! She is also a driver. Please call 516-238-9894 to inquire.

OFFICE MANAGER DENTAL PRACTICE in Garden City is seeking full time office manager. Must have computer skills & good phone etiquette. Some experience required. Please email resume to: gccfde.marketing@ gmail.com

CARE GIVER: NEED A COMPANION or nursing assistant for your loved ones? Fear of your loved ones being alone? Need overnight companion care at home or a health care facility? Call 516- 4109943 NY State certified nursing assistant.

Situation Wanted Situation Wanted CERTIFIED AIDE: Looking to provide private duty care to Garden City or local area resident. Available Monday through Friday, part time or full time, flexible hours, own transportation, exceptional references. Call Annmarie 917-586-7433 CERTIFIED HOME ATTENDANT Nurse’s assistant available to care for the elderly. Live in or live out. Offering compassionate home care full time or part time. Please call 347-5435960 CLEANING SERVICES Homes, Apartments, Offices Experienced with excellent references. Located in West Hempstead. Own supplies & transportation. Free estimates Call Reina 516-643-9341 ELDER CARE: Mature woman w/ experience in hospital & nursing home available to care for elderly or ailing Monday to Thursday. Light cleaning, cooking and laundry. Licensed driver w/ own car. Local excellent references. Please call Luisa 516-485-9215 or 516-4511781. Leave message. ELDER CARE: Woman seeking position caring for the elderly. Live in or out. Over 20 years experience. References furnished upon request. Call Mary Ann 646-496-3157 HOUSE CLEANING Experienced cleaning service available. Pleasant, responsible, honest, English speaking, own transportation. Available Monday to Saturday. Please call Mayra 631-402-3869

HELP WANTED: Porter Biener Audi Seeks detail-oriented individual to maintain overall cleanliness of the shop, showroom and dealership grounds. For immediate consideration call (516) 829-2834 (Ext # 109) or email resume in confidence to: sgarrett@biener.com

HELP WANTED: Driver/Valet Biener Audi seeks responsible Valet to check in, wash and park customer cars for service, etc. Must be at least 21 years of age with clean NYS drivers license. For immediate consideration call (516) 829-2834 (Ext # 109) or email resume in confidence to: sgarrett@biener.com

HOUSE CLEANING: Experienced cleaning service available. Pleasant, responsible. Provides own quality clean products. Own transportation. Local references. Spanish/ English speaking. Free estimates. Approximate cost: Small home $79, Mid size $99, Large $118. Please call Diana 516-859-7084 LIVE IN CARETAKER Woman seeking position caring for the elderly. Live in. Experienced, caring, loving. References furnished upon request. Call Edney 201-539-4817 or 551200-9917 NANCY’S CLEANING SERVICE Let me do the work for you! Homes, apartments and offices! Vacuuming, mopping, sweeping, organizing, etc. Professional appearance Excellent references English speaking Own transportation Free estimates! Call or text Nancy 516-469-5517. Email:miranda-nancy@hotmail.com NEW YORK PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT: Care giver/ c ompanion available. Over 20 years experience available 24/7. Specializing in patients with CHF, Alzheimer’s, Dimentia, surgical procedures, hospice and more. Call Jackie 516-306-0257 or Joel 516965-1940 Career Training AIRLINE CAREERS Start here. Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7093

Announcements MAH JONGG PLAYERS WANTED: Tuesday and Thursday evenings my Lake Success home. fun game, no snowbirds please. Call Toby 516-353-0172

Novenas/Prayers PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail). Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine of Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin assist me in this necessity. Oh Star of the Sea help me and show herein you are my Mother. Oh Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth I beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succor me this necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh show me herein you are my Mother. Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee (three times). Oh Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for three days and after three days your request will be granted. The prayer must be published. Grateful thanks. (K.W.)

FURNITURE FOR SALE GARDEN CITY: Cherry Wood TV Wall Unit 7’ H x 8 1/2’ W, holds 52” TV Original cost $3,500 Mint Condition. Best Offer. Will send text photo if requested. Call 516-445-2822

Wanted to Buy CASH BUYER! Buying ALL Gold & Silver coins, Stamps, Paper Money, Comic Books, entire collections, Estates. Travel to your home. Call Marc in NY 1-800-959-3419 CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $35 /B ox! Sealed and Unexpired. Payment made SAME DAY. Highest prices paid! Call Juley today! 800-413-3479 www. cashforyourteststrips.com

LOOKING TO BUY! Records, oriental items, clothing, art, old & modern furniture, estates, jewelry, silver, glassware, dishes, old photos, coins & stamps, flatware. Call George 718-3861104 or 917-775-3048

LOOKING TO BUY! TOP CASH PAID: JEWELRY, Furniture, Art, etc. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128. www.iBuyAntiquesNYC.com

Tag Sale AUCTIONS, TAG SALES & CONSIGNMENTS INVITED SALES by TRACY JORDAN Live and Online Auction House, Estate Sales, Appraisals and Consignment Shoppe. 839 Stewart Avenue Garden City 11530 516279-6378 www.invitedsales.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! Mon, Wed, Fri 10- 6 Tuesday 10-4 Thursday 10-4 & 7-9pm Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5 Located next to the La Quinta and behind the Garden Gourmet Deli. Live Auctions Monthly! Free walk-in evaluations for items to be considered for Live Auction every Tuesday 10am-2pm. No appointment necessary. Auctions are live every Wednesday from 8am-8pm and pre-bids are accepted at anytime. Visit www. invitedsales.com and click on the online auctions tab. Visit www.invitedsales.com to see pictures and information regarding our upcoming tag sales and estate sales. Our 50% off room is open everyday and includes items that have been in our shoppe for more than 60 days. To receive discount coupons and promotional information, join our email list. Text “invited” to 22828 and enter your email address when prompted. Consignments are taken by appointment to provide you with the best service. Please call the shoppe at 516-279-6378 to schedule an appointment or email pictures of your items to info@invitedsales. com. We can provide fair market values on any item that you may want to sell, consign or enter into auction. If you need advice on hosting a sale, selling an item or liquidating an estate, please call Tracy Jordan at the shoppe or directly at 516-567-2960

60 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

t reAl eSTATe, Service DirecTory TAg SAle *BROWSE *SHOP *CONSIGN A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP109 Eleventh Street Garden City 11530 516-746-8900 China, Silver, Crystal, Jewelry, Artwork, Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles Tues-Fri 10-4 Sat 12-4 Every Tuesday: 10% Senior Citizen Discount. All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society email: store@atstewartexchange. org www.gardencityhistoricalsociety. orgYOU’RE INVITED! Tuesday 12/29 9:30 am 145 Rockaway Ave Garden City, NY 11530 Mid century artist home filled with contemporary items including original artwork, furniture, household, costume jewelry, art supplies, many books, interesting decorative pieces.....Visit www. invitedsales.com for pictures and details !

proFeSSionAl Dog TrAining

ApArTmenT For renT

Doggie Day Care Dog Walking & Running Mobile Socialization Program Backyard Clean-up GC Resident 516382-5553

GARDEN CITY SOUTH: Newly renovated apartment in safe neighborhood. Light filled, airy. Granite, built in dresser, double closet. Air Conditioning. Walk to Adelphi, LIRR. Near food, laundry, all. No pets, no smoking, no party animals! $1,700. Call 516-564-1138

peT cAre PUPPY / DOG SITTER: Boarding and day care provided in my home for small dogs up to 25 lbs. Love and attention all day. Reliable. Call Rose 516735-1911

AuTo For SAle 2006 HUMMER HU3 White exterior, beige interior 5cyl, 117,000 miles. Excellent condition. New starter, new battery. $11,000. Call 516-4335268

AuToS WAnTeD

PETs

peT ServiceS A GARDEN CITY ANIMAL LOVER doesn’t want to leave your precious pooch or fantastic feline alone all day. I’m reliable, dependable and will walk and feed your pet while you work or travel. Please call Cheryl at 516-505-9717 DO YOU HATE KENNELS? OR STRANGERS IN YOUR HOUSE? HOME AWAY FROM HOME will care for your dog in my Garden City home while you are away. Dog walking also available. Pet CPR & first Aid Certified. Numerous referrals and references. Limited availability. Book early! Annmarie 516-775-4256

DONATE YOUR CAR to Wheels For Wishes, benefitting Make-a-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 631-317-2014 Today!

REAl EsTATE FoR REnT

ApArTmenT For renT FRANKLIN SQUARE All new large second floor, 2 bedroom, cathedral ceilings. Includes storage basement, washer, dryer, a/c, EIK, great location. $1,750 plus utilities. No smoking. No pets. Call 516-851-4489

room For renT GARDEN CITY HOUSE SHARE: Beautifully furnished bedroom. Use of all common areas of house. Includes heat, w/d, a/c. Near public transportation. No smoking, pets or overnight guests. $850 / month. Call 516-7474293

vAcATion renTAl JAMESPORT BAYFRONT BEACH HOUSE for rent: pristine condition, unsurpassed views, on a private, manicured, one acre lot; only a 70 minute drive from Garden City. See photos on HomeAway site #4058365. Available weekends, weekly or seasonal. Call 516-3200566 for rates and availability.

oFFice SpAce GARDEN CITY SOUTH Ideal location, mint, large office space, 1st floor. Must see to appreciate. Near LIRR, stores. Available now. $1,475 / mth. Call Owner 516-5387474 or 538-7476 Real Estate For Sale

REAl EsTATE FoR sAlE

HomeS For SAle ROSLYN HEIGHTS: 5 bedroom, 3 bath, beautiful neighborhood in Roslyn Country Club, pool, generator. $1,225,000. Serious inquiries only. 917-553-7074

HomeS WAnTeD HOUSE WANTED TO BUY: Good or bad condition to build or fix. Fast closing. Call George 516-972-8787

sERVIcE DIREcToRy

ServiceS NEED A CLEANOUT OR A MOVE? We can move it, sell it or haul it away! 2 Guys and a Truck Just $150 / hr Call 516-279-6378 Invited Sales by Tracy Jordan 839 Stewart Ave Garden City, NY 11530 Bonded / Insured www.invitedsales. com A & J MOVING & STORAGE: Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www.ajmoving.com 516-7412657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405 COLLEGE ARTS ADMISSIONS: College Counseling in the Visual and Performing Arts. Dance, Musical Theatre & Drama. Film, Instrumental & Vocal Music. Audio Recording & Production. Theatre Technology & Production. Visual & Graphic Arts. Resume, Essays, Repertoire Lists. Michele Zimmerman. 516353-6255 CollegeArtsAdmissions@gmail.com www.CollegeArtsAdmissions.com COMPLETE JUNK REMOVAL / DEMOLITION SERVICE: Strong Arm Contracting Inc. We haul anything and everything. Entire contents of home or office. We clean it up and take it away. Residential / Commercial. Bonded / Insured. Free estimates. 516-538-1125 LIBERTY ONE HOME CARE LLC Safety and your well being are our number one priority. Personal Care Homemaker Services. Companion. Helping provide that extra hand! Email: libertyonehomecare@ gmail.com or 516-243-9400

ServiceS

Where students learn from course work, internships and more

GRADUATING READY | PlazaCollege.edu 718.502.6248WORKFORCE

118-33 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills

OVERWHELMED? Whether you’re overloaded with paperwork or it’s just time to declutter, I can help. Please call Joanne 516-829-6680. For a complete list of services go to: www.clericalorganizing.com

Home improvemenTS AMBIANCE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES *Repairs & Maintenance *Handyman & Remodeling *Kitchen Installations *Furniture Assembly *Finish Carpentry *Minor Electrical & Plumbing 23year GC Resident Lic & Ins H18E2170000 Call BOB 516-741-2154

Home improvemenTS DEVLIN BUILDERS Since 1979. We do all types of improvements including HANDYMAN REPAIRS. No job too small. Bob Devlin 516365-6685. Insured License H18C730000 GRACE ROOFING: Est. 1977. slate, tile flat roofs, asphalt and wood shingle roofs, gutters and leaders cleaned and replaced, professional new roof installation. Free estimates, expert leak repairs. lic / ins, local references, residential / commerical 516-7530268 ISLAND CONTRACTING Full service general contractor, builder, remodeler for all residential and commercial projects. Interior / exterior. Custom renovations, general carpentry and repairs. Licensed and bonded. 516-747-5263 islandcontractinginc.com LAMPS FIXED $65 In home service. Handy Howard 646996-7628 ONE STOP FOR ALL YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT NEEDS! Basement, bathroom & kitchen remodeling, carpentry, crown molding, closets, doors, sheetrock, painting, dry wall, repairs, spackling & wall paper removal and installation, decks powerwashed, stained and built. Gem Basement Doctor 516-623-9822. www.gem-home.com SKY CLEAR WINDOW and Restorations Inc. Window Restorations, Outdated Hardware, skylights, Andersen Sashes, new storm windows, wood windows, chain / rope repairs, falling windows, fogged panes, mechanical repairs, wood repairs, restorations, all brands. Call Mr. Fagan, 32 years experience. 631-3857975 www.skyclearwindow. com

moving & STorAge ZIMA SOLUTIONS CORP Residential and commercial moving, interior design installation, worldwide shipping, fine art relocation logistics. Fine art moving company with 15 years experience in the industry. Please call Sales: 646-641-9797 or Office 917825-6461

pAinTing & pAperHAnging JV PAINT HANDYMAN SERVICES Interior-Exterior Specialist Painting, Wallpapering, Plastering, Spackling, Staining, Power Washing. Nassau Lic#H3814310000 fully Insured Call John 516-741-5378

TuToring FRENCH TEACHER offering tutoring service for students of all levels and individuals. French exams, grammar, literature, AP exam, conversational and written skills. Available in Long Island and Manhattan. 516-425-3235, aayari@ eastmeadow.k12.ny.us or amayari1@gmail.com ENGLISH TUTOR: Diane Gottlieb M.Ed., M.S.W. SAT/ACT, College Essays, AP, Regents, ELA Test Prep, Reading comprehension and writing proficiency. 917-599-8007 or email: dianegot@gmail.com LongIslandEnglishTutor.com Providing one-onone professional support to build confidence, knowledge and skills in every student. MATH, SAT, ACT TUTOR: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 plus Trig, Pre-Calc, AP Calculus. Norm 625-3314

inSTrucTion CLARINET, SAXOPHONE AND FLUTE LESSONS: Professional musician NYSSMA Adjudicator, motivating lessons in your home. All ages, beginner to advanced. Bernie Rose, Ph.D. 646-6629373 PIANO LESSONS By Ira Baslow. Experience the joy of playing the piano. Private lessons in your home, free no-obligation piano lesson, all levels, all styles, all ages. Beginners a specialty. 516-312-1054 www.iwantmypianolessons.com

cleAning EVON’S SERVICES We offer the following services: Companions, Home Health Aides / Elder Care Child Care and Housekeeping Laborers Days / Nights Live In or Live Out NO FEE TO EMPLOYERS Call: 516-505-5510 I CLEAN 4 YOU Weekly, Bi Weekly, Monthly Or One Time Only! Cleaning And Organizing Services For All Needs Excellent Local References Flexible Days / Hours Call 516-754-4446 STRONG ARM CLEANING: Residential and commercial cleaning specialist, post construction clean ups, shipping and waxing floors, move ins and move outs. Free estimates. Bonded and insured. 516-538-1125 www.strongarmcleaningny.com

pArTy Help LADIES & GENTLEMEN RELAX & ENJOY Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

TuToring ENGLISH, ACT, SAT TUTOR: 25+ year experience Critical Reading, Writing, Grammar, Essays. Lynne 625-3314

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 516.307.1045

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

classifieds ▼

DONATE YOUR CAR

Wheels For Wishes Benefiting

Make-A-Wish® Suffolk County Tax % 100 tible Call: (631) 317-2014 uc Ded Metro New York (631) 317-2014 Call: WheelsForWishes.org

*Free Vehicle/Boat Pickup ANYWHERE *We Accept All Vehicles Running or Not *Fully Tax Deductible

* Wheels For Wishes is a DBA of Car Donation Foundation.

To place a legal notice in one of Blank Slate Media’s 5 weekly newspapers, please call 516-307-1045x201 or e-mail us at legals@theislandnow.com. Prompt service, low prices, convenient deadlines, easy-to-understand instructions and free online distribution and affadavits guaranteed.

Great Neck News New Hyde Park Herald Courier Williston Times Manhasset Times Roslyn Times 105 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596 516-307-1045 • email: legals@theislandnow.com

We’re Growing Blank Slate Media, a fast-growing chain of 5 award-winning weekly newspapers and website, is looking for people who can grow with us. We are currently looking for the following positions:

Reporter - full time

We are seeking a self-starter with good writing and reporting skills. Newspaper experience and car required. Experience with social media platforms and content management systems preferred. To apply, please email your resume and work samples to sblank@theislandnow.com.

Reporter - freelance

We are looking for people to assist us in the coverage of local government. Newspaper experience and car required. To apply, please email your resume and work samples to sblank@theislandnow.com.

Newspaper production

We are looking for a person experienced in Adobe In-Design to lay out newspaper pages Monday-Wednesday. Editorial experience a plus. To apply, please email your resume to sblank@theislandnow.com.

Community manager - part time

We are looking for someone to manage our social media, website and email marketing. Experience required. To apply, please email your resume to sblank@theislandnow.com.

Display account executive

Earn up to $60,000 in the first-year representing the 10 weekly newspapers and 2 websites that make up the Blank Slate Media/Litmor Publications sales group. We are looking for an energetic, service-oriented professional with good communications skills to sell display, web and email advertising. Compensation: Salary plus commission To apply, please email your resume to sblank@theislandnow.com.

Classified account executive full time or part time

We are looking for energetic, service-oriented professional with good communications skills to sell display, web and email advertising. Strong phone skills a must. To apply, please email your resume to sblank@theislandnow.com. Salary plus commission. Compensation of full-time positions: • Health insurance • Paid holidays • Sick days and holidays

Williston Times Great Neck News Manhasset Times Roslyn Times New Hyde Park Herald Courier

LITMOR PUBLICATONS Garden City News Mid-Island Times Bethpage Newsgram Syosset Advance Jericho Syosset News Journal gardencitynews.com

105 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 516.307.1045

62 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

▼ LEGALS

LEGAL NOTICE DATES FOR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD FOR THE YEAR 2016 (Meetings start at 7:30 P.M.) January 5 January 26 February 3 Capital Plan Working Session 10:00 AM February 23 March 8 March 22 April 19 May 10 May 24 June 7 June 21 July 12 August 9 August 23 September 13 September 27 October 25 November 15 December 13 BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD WAYNE H. WINK, JR. TOWN CLERK GNN 142716 1x 12/25/ 2015 #142716 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held as to the Tentative Budget for the Village of Thomaston for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, said hearing to be held at 7:30 pm on January 11, 2016 at the Village Hall, 100 East Shore Road, Great Neck, New York. At the said time and place, all interested persons may be heard with respect to the foregoing matter. Any person having a disability which would inhibit attendance at or participation in the hearing should notify the Village Clerk at least three business days prior to the hearing, so that reasonable efforts may be made to facilitate such attendance or participation. All relevant documents may be inspected at the office of the Village Clerk, 100 East Shore Road, Great Neck, NY during regular business hours. By order of the Board of Trustees Denise M. Knowland, Village Administrator December 14, 2015 GNN 142715 1x 12/25/ 2015 #142715 Notice of formation of W & L INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISE LLC Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of N.Y. (SSNY) on 42320. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC,1 Chestnut Dr.Great Neck, NY11021.

Purpose: Any lawful activity. GNN 142601 6x 11/27, 12/04, 11, 18, 25, 2015, 1/01, 2016 #142601 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Town of North Hempstead— Board of Zoning Appeals Pursuant to the provisions of the Code of the Town of North Hempstead, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Zoning Appeals of said Town will meet at Town Hall, 220 Plandome Road, Manhasset, New York, on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, to consider any matters that may properly be heard by said Board, and will hold a public hearing on said date to consider applications and appeals. The following cases will be called at said public hearing starting at 10:00 a.m. APPEAL #20105—Altoona Memon, variance 70-100.2.H to maintain 2 A/C units within a required side yard setback; E/side 35 Haven Ave., 503.94’ N/of Davis Ave., Port Washington, Sec. 5, Blk. 90, Lots 45-46, R-C. APPEAL #20106—Thomas Pesinkowsi, variance 70-100.2.A(4) to construct fencing exceeding the permitted height; E/side 50 Jefferson Ave., 70’ S/of Willow St., Roslyn Heights, Sec. 7, Blk. 38, Lot 109, R-B District. APPEAL #20107 John LaSalle, variances 70-100.1.B, 70-102.C(1), 70-102.C(4) & 70-102.C(2)(a)[5] to maintain a detached garage with insufficient rear year setback, & a pool, pool equipment and pool barrier in the front and side yards.; S/side #239 I.U. Willets Rd., 178.33’ E/of Reed Dr., Searingtown, Sec. 9, Blk. 643, Lot 28, R-A District. APPEAL #20094—Joanna Beachy, variance 70-100.2.A(2) to maintain fencing beyond the front building line; N/side 13 Covert St., 156.33’ W/of Jackson Ave., Port Washington, Sec. 5, Blk. 34, Lot 19, R-C District. APPEAL #20096—Smruti Patel, variance 70-100.2.M to maintain an arbor not within a line of fencing; S/side 85 Nassau Dr., 455.20’ W/of Deepdale Pkwy., Albertson, Sec. 7, Blk. 93, Lot 90, R-B District. APPEAL #20088 Raghunathan Nair, variances 70-208.F, 70-50.B & 70-100.2.A(2) to construct a second-story addition to a nonconforming dwelling with an insufficient front yard setback and to maintain fencing forward of a building line; NE/cor./of #1000 Hillside Blvd. & E.A. White Ave., New Hyde Park, Sec. 8, Blk. 6, Lot 50, R-C District. APPEAL #20108 Lo-Cal Kitchen, conditional use 70-139.A & appeal for determination

or, in the alternative, variance 70-103.A to convert a retail space to a restaurant with insufficient off-street parking; NW/cor #5 Glen Cove Rd. & Town Path, Greenvale, Sec. 7, Blk. D, Lot 233, B-B District. APPEAL #20109—1111 Marcus Avenue Condominium, variance 70-103.B to maintain a parking lot with insufficient stall sizes; S/E/cor. 1111 Marcus Ave., and Lakeville Rd., Lake Success, Sec. 8, Blk. B-18, Lot 300H, I-A District. APPEAL #20110—Angelo Avena d/b/a Foodtown Supermarket variances 70-196.J(1) (a), 70-196.J(1)(b), and 70-196.J(1)(f) to erect signage exceeding the permitted area, height, height above grade and number of signs on a wall; N/E /cor. 2046 Lakeville Rd. and Rose Ln., New Hyde Park, Sec. 8, Blk. 234, Lot 29, B-A District. APPEAL #20104 Petra Grill, conditional use 70-126.A & variance 70-103.A to convert retail space to a restaurant, a conditional use, with insufficient off-street parking; SW /cor #373 Old Country Rd. & Zeckendorf Blvd., Carle Place, Sec. 10, Blk. 288, Lot 46, B-A District. All interested persons should appear and will be given an opportunity to be heard at such meeting and/or hearing. DAVID MAMMINA, R.A., Chairman; Board of Zoning Appeals GNN 142721 1x 12/25/ 2015 NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Board of Education of Great Neck Union Free School District of the Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau , (in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-1 of the General Municipal Law) hereby invites the submission of sealed proposals for: RFP - ATHLETIC TRAINER SERVICES 2016-17 WITH OPTION TO RENEWAL FOR FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL ONE-YEAR PERIODS Sealed proposals will be received until 10: 00 AM prevailing time on THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016 at the Purchasing Office, Phipps Administration Building, 345 Lakeville Road, Great Neck, New York 11020. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informality in the proposals, or to reject all proposals which, in the opinion of the Board of Education, will be in the best interest of the School District. Board of Education, Great Neck Union Free School District, Great Neck, New York By: Terry S. Hood Business Administrator GN, #142733 1x, December 25, 2016

G.N. native to star in ‘The Nutcracker’ Continued from Page 1 she is currently a member of the corps of dancers, which is two steps bellow a principal and one step below a soloist. “Principals only do principal roles so for them it’s an everyday thing,” Hod said. “But to see my name getting to do a principal role is a dream come true.” Last year, the former Great Neck South High School student was chosen to play the role of the Dewdrop for two shows. Besides “The Nutcracker,” Hod has also appeared in “Swan Lake” and “Sleeping Beauty” with the New York City Ballet, she said. Hod said she started dancing at the Great Neck School of Dance around the age of four, and when her mother later saw her potential, Hod was taken to audition before the School of American Ballet, which she said is considered the training school for the New York City Ballet. She was admitted to the School of American Ballet in 2003, where she trained for nine years before getting into the New York City Ballet in 2012 at the age of 17. “Getting into the company is an achievement in itself because it is one of the top companies in the world. It’s been my dream company since 11 years old,” Hod said. “Since I made it into the company I considered myself making it big.” She said she knew she wanted to play the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy after her mother took her to see “The Nutcracker” when she was 5 years old. “To be able to start getting roles here is unbelievable,” Hod said. “It’s still so surprising to me and I hope it keeps coming.” “I work my hardest everyday and I’ve been very appreciative of being here and hopefully it shows in my dancing,” she added.

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As a corps dancer, Hod said, she sees the most competition because it is the rank where all dancers are looking for their opportunity. The roles for each ballet dancer are not auditioned for each time the company does a production — once you get into the company, you are in. The company then picks among its own dancers who will fill each role, she said. “One thing I have learned is to never compare to other dancers. We’re not the same and they don’t want you to be the same as anyone else,” Hod said. “People see someone else learning a role and wonder why are they not learning that role. If someone else is doing a great job, it’s them doing a great job. It has nothing to do with you. There could be a role coming to you and you have no idea about.” She said getting on stage in front of a large audience does not make her nervous, it makes her want to show off her skills. “What’s interesting about going on stage is I don’t get nervous when I’m up there. I’m nervous when I’m on the wings,” Hod said. “I want to show a little of who I am in the dancing. If it’s a smiling role, you can see my genuine smile and my personality .” She also said her family has supported her throughout her journey, something that other dancers don’t always have. “I would not be where I am today without my incredible family that I go home to as much as I can in Great Neck,” Hod said. “Ballet is a huge sacrifice but not just for the dancer herself, but for the family. Not everyone is lucky enough to have that family.” “I feel like she’s the pride of Great Neck and she inspires other little girls to train hard and work hard,” said Ayal Hod, her father.

Sports

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

G.N. skate teams compete in Connecticut On Dec. 5 and 6, the Great Neck Park District Synchro teams competed at the 2015 Terry Conners Synchro Open in Stamford, CT. Sponsored by the U.S. Figure Skating Association, the Icettes, ages 11-13, the Icicles, ages 9-11 and the Ice Gems, ages 7-9 all participated in this first competition of the season. The Ice Gems, who rank in the Basic

Skills 1 Division, came in first place. The Icicles received a bronze medal in the Basic Skills 2 Division. The Icettes did a great job and will continue to strive for excellence in their Synchro team performances. This was the first year they competed at the pre-juvenile level. Carole Liotti and Erica Beggs are the coaches for all three travel teams.

Herricks Football program awarded for service For the second consecutive year, the Herricks Football program has earned the Nassau County Community Service Award. The recognition was presented on Dec. 9 at the Nassau County Grid Iron Dinner on behalf of the Nassau County High School Football Coaches Association. The football team was recognized for its contributions to Memorial Sloan Kettering, for which it raised approximately

$3,000 during a joint fundraiser with Youth Against Cancer at the Oct. 31 game, and the American Patriots Heroes Fund, which it supported through collaboration with the Vocational Independence Program that resulted in a $1,700 donation. “It is a tremendous honor and a big deal to earn this in back-to-back years,” said Herricks Public Schools’ Director of Athletics and Physical Education Jim Petricca. CHERRY - 1-8 Page GENERAL 08-28-15_Layout 1 8/25/15 12:04 PM Page 1

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From left: Head Football Coach Dr. Mike Yoo with team members David Aaronson, Chris Grau and Alex Kang.

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64 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 25, 2015

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