Great Neck 2019_12_20

Serving Great Neck, G.N. Plaza, G.N. Estates, Kensington, Kings Point, Lake Success, Russell Gardens, Saddle Rock and Thomaston

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Friday, December 20, 2019

Vol. 94, No. 51

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GUIDE TO WINTER

CURRAN SIGNS RICE, SUOZZI BACK FLAVORED E-CIGS BAN IMPEACHMENT

PAGES 27-46

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Board approves mixed-use plans in Great Neck

C O N G R AT S !

Bral, village trustees unanimously accept 523-31 Middle Neck Rd. plan

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The architectural plan for a proposed Middle Neck Road mixed-use development was unanimously approved by the Village of Great Neck Board of Trustees.

523-31 Middle Neck Road is currently a one-story commercial building that has been vacant for over a year.

The plans propose a 36-foottall building with a first floor allocated for three retail spaces and the two upper levels dedicated to 10 apartments. The building will also have a cellar for storage, seven parking spaces, and a residential terrace on the roof.

“We believe that what we have presented here appropriately accommodates the village building code and the desires of the residents,” attorney Paul Bloom said.

“We have updated our environmental, traffic, and safety studies, and all have been approved by the county.”

Bloom, of Harras, Bloom, and Archer LLP, presented the updated

proposal to the board and public on behalf of the property owner Steven Wu Kuo of Silver Lake Realty Group.

According to the plans, there are 4,049 square feet allocated to the three spaces on the main floor for retail. While no specific businesses were mentioned to occupy the retail space, Bloom said mostly service-type operational stores will be able to survive in these locations.

“Shoe stores or dress shops will most likely not be able to survive in this type of storefront,” Bloom said.

According to the plans, of the 10 bedrooms in the apartment, eight will be two-bedroom apartments and two will be one-bedroom apartments. Renderings of the building drawn by the project’s architect Raymond Chen, show a small seating area for residents to eat and converse with others, a refreshing aspect to the public.

“I really like this project and the flexibility the owner has Continued on Page 58

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT

Students from Great Neck South High School were awarded Nassau Zone awards last week. See story on page page 12.

Alleged burglars tied to international crime ring

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ

Saddle Rock home, according to police officials.

Police arrested Bryan AlexA pair of Chilean men were is Farias Luna, 28, of Puente arrested in Great Neck last Alto, Chile, and Isaias Antonio week when they were caught Lienlaf Donoso, 35, of Santiain the act of breaking into a go, Chile on Tuesday, Dec. 10

around 5:30 p.m.

According to reports, a five-week-long investigation of home and vehicle break-ins across the county led officials to Luna and Donoso.

Continued on Page 59

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

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

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G.N. schools adopting Record drug bust cybersecurity measures for Nassau County

Presentation made to board of education, public 15 arrested, $1.2M in heroin seized

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ

PHOTO BY ROBERT PELAEZ

Great Neck Public Schools District Technology Director Marc Epstein, presented new cybersecurity measures during Monday’s board of education meeting.

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ An influx of heightened cybersecurity measures will soon be implemented in the Great Neck Public School District to combat recent viral data breaches in schools across the nation.

A presentation was made during Monday’s Board of Education meeting by the school district’s technology director, Marc Epstein.

Epstein discussed relevant issues other schools have faced with cybersecurity, provided necessary means of combating those issues, and presented future recommendations in the near future.

“I’ve always emphasized the primary mission of our program is to provide an innovative, educational environment with access to online resources and digital tools to promote the 21st Century education,” Epstein

said. “Tonight, the goal of my presentation is to raise awareness of two such topics that have always been of utmost importance to us in the backroom; cybersecurity and data privacy.”

Epstein, who has been the district’s technology director for the past 23 years, highlighted past examples of ransomware attacks on schools. Ransomware is a computer virus that can be displayed on many different platforms with the ultimate end goal being the illegal lock of user files.

According to Epstein, more than 500 schools across the nation were hit by ransomware viruses in the first nine months of 2019. From Louisiana to Rockville Centre, domestic and foreign hackers have caused schools to pay upwards of $100,000 to retrieve their data back.

“The reason that many of the ransom notes from hackers request cyber currency such as

bitcoin is that they are able to not leave behind a paper trail,” Epstein said. “That’s what makes these people so dangerous. It can happen at any time with just one spam email or one flashy advertisement.”

State education law prohibits the unauthorized release of the personally identifiable student, teacher, or administrator data. The law, which went into effect in April 2014, outlines certain requirements for schools and their third-party contractors to ensure the security and privacy of such protected information.

Epstein said the regulations to adhere to this law, which is unfunded mandates, must be implemented by the winter of 2020. Some requirements that must be addressed are the hiring of a data protection officer, developing an action plan, providing staff with data privacy and Continued on Page 58

Members of a joint law enforcement group have arrested 15 people and seized $1.2 million worth of heroin in connection with what is said to have been the largest heroin trafficking operation in the history of Nassau County, officials announced Tuesday.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, and the Long Island Heroin Taskforce.

According to officials, 15 people have been indicted, including three major traffickers for their role in a drug operation that spanned across Long Island and into Kings and Queens Counties.

Joseph Melito of Albertson, who was also identified as an alleged ringleader by law enforcement, was among those arrested.

“We are in the midst of a serious nationwide addiction cri-

sis, and every single bust makes a difference,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. “I applaud our dedicated law enforcement officials and the Long Island Heroin Taskforce for their collaborative efforts and success in taking down these major drug traffickers, dismembering the largest known heroin trafficking operation in Nassau County.”

According to a press release sent out by the district attorney’s office on Tuesday, a total of 88,000 individual doses of heroin, 1,024 grams of cocaine, and an additional $1,214,093 were seized during the four-monthlong investigation.

Additionally, three bank accounts with $262,900 were subsequently frozen.

“This organization was making millions of dollars from heroin sales, encouraging opioid abuse throughout Long Island and New York City,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan.

Singas said that her office joined forces with the Nassau Continued on Page 58

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NASSAU COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

Officials say 88,000 individual doses of heroin, 1,024 grams of cocaine, and an additional $1,214,093 were seized during the four-month-long investigation.

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GREAT NECK NEWS (USPS#227-400) is published weekly by Blank Slate Media LLC, 25 Red Ground Road, Roslyn Heights, NY, 11577, (516) 307-1045. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2019. All rights reserved. The newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Periodicals postage paid at Williston Park, NY. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Great Neck News, C/O Blank Slate Media LLC, 25 Red Ground Road, Roslyn Heights, NY, 11577.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

3

North Shore inspires Queens author

BY R O S E W E L D ON As a fifth-grader, AnthonySciarratta wrote that he would one day write a book and star in a sequel to the movie “Grease.”

The past year saw one of the two wishes come true.

Sciarratta, 24, of Middle Village, Queens, is the author of “Finding Forever,” a novel focusing on a 1970s-set love story, with areas of the North Shore making appearances in the plot.

The road to being an author was not an easy one, Sciarratta says.

“I was never good at English right away,” Sciarratta said.“I got a little better over the years, but I wasn’t the kind of guy you could force to read a book. English was always tough for me.”

Throughout the years, Sciarratta apprehension about writing vanished as he became a frequent journal keeper, and later had dreams of sports journalism.

“I almost worked for the New York Giants, but I realized that I would hate myself 20 years from now for not taking a shot in film,” Sciarratta said.

While pursuing a master’s degree in communications at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, Sciarratta originally envisioned “Finding Forever” as a screenplay, but circumstances convinced him to adapt it into a novel.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY SCIARRATTA

Anthony Sciarratta with copies of his book “Finding Forever,” written on and inspired by areas on the North Shore.

“I realized later on that I didn’t have a couple million to finance a film, and getting screenplay in the right hands would be the same chances as scoring the Powerball,” Sciarratta said. “I used that as an outline for the novel.”

While staying in Old Westbury, Sci-

arratta focused on his story, writing the novel in four months.

“I was so crazy about getting it right that since there’s a portion of the book which takes place in Italy, so I went there to research,” Sciarratta said.

Sciarratta toured Rome, Florence

and the Amalfi Coast, and was inspired

by Port Washington and Great Neck. He says that Louie’s Oyster Bar in Port makes an appearance in his novel.

After months of work and sending the manuscript to publishers, Sciarratta was roundly rejected. He then decided to take a less traditional different avenue for publishing.

“I put some money into Facebook marketing, and put the book on Amazon Marketplace,” Sciarratta said. “I was making a penny a book, but I decided to see where it went.”

Within a month after its initial publishing, Sciarratta had sold 1,000 copies of “Finding Forever.” Soon after, the book attracted the attention of independent publisher Post Hill Press, which issued official paperbacks not long after.

Shortly before finding a publisher, Sciarratta placed copies of a “typo-riddled manuscript” of the book in a mini library in the Port Washington area, not thinking much of it.

“Because of the manuscript, people found me on social media and told me they loved my book,” Sciarratta said.

“One of the copies that I left there got a waiting list at the Glen Cove Library.

Someone had to take it from Port Washington and give it to the library!”

Success in Port was just the beginning, as Post Hill Press is preparing to Continued on Page 59

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

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Over $200K raised for Cohen Children’s Radiothon hosted by 77 WABC donated funds to center’s facilities, programs, and events

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ 77 WABC Radio personalities put their well-known voices to good use Friday, helping raise more than $200,000 for the Cohen Children’s Medical Center during the first annual Holiday Radiothon for the Kids.

The holiday radiothon raised a total of $205,213 for lifesaving pediatric care and equipment, research, and a variety of child life services for patients in the medical center.

Bernie McGuirk and Sid Rosenberg kicked off the event from 6:00-10:00 a.m., followed

by Russ Salzberg hosting from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., and wrapped up with Curtis Sliwa and Juliet Huddy from 12:003:00 p.m.

“TalkRadio 77 WABC’s firstever holiday “Radiothon for the Kids” was an unqualified success, driving life-saving funds to this world-class pediatric hospital,” Cumulus Vice President and market manager Chad Lopez said. “During this season of giving, we thank our listeners and

Arts Therapy program provides patients with various activities to help them learn about their illness, injury, medical and surgical procedures, hospital routines, and the medical team they will encounter during their stay.

Cohen Children’s Chief Medical Officer Peter Silver, who first joined Northwell in 1993, spoke with Huddy on the importance of the staff and mission of the medical center.

“Working here at Cohen Children’s makes me feel so grateful,” Silver said. “It’s such a privilege to be able to take care of these sick children and to have their parents to give us their trust to take care of their sick children is such an honor. It makes you realize what’s important in life, and what we do here is important.”

Silver praised the staff at CoPHOTO BY ROBERT PELAEZ hen Children’s for their tireless work and dedication to the chil77 WABC personalities raise funds at Cohen Children’s Medical Center during their first dren but said that the ones who radiothon. truly deserve the praise, are the sponsors for their incredible gen- and families in our community cated to one of the therapeutic patients themselves.

“We can often say that erosity and support for this most healthier and happier.” programs that the hospital orgahealthcare providers are the heworthy cause. Together, we will Some of the funds raised by nizes for its patients. help make the lives of children the radiothon will also be alloThe Child Life and Creative Continued on Page 59

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

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5

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LS MEADOW WOODS PRIVATE ALL BRICK SPA2019 BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION PRIME MEADOW WOODS CUL-DE-SAC CIOUS ELEGANT MODERN CLASSIC COLONIAL Soaring Ceilings, Custom Intrs., Gourmet State Luxurious Sunny Interiors; Fabulous Of The Art Eik; Wolf Appliances; Luxurious Hardwood Floors & Moldings; Radiant Heat Floors; State Of The Art Eik; Designer Baths; Ba. Fabulous Lower Level Entertainment Area W/Bar & Theatre. Country Club Community Lakeville Elem/GN South Middle/High.

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Elementary, Great Neck South Middle/High. $1,788,000 Also For Rent $6,000 $2,438,000

KINGSPOINT CHERRY LN AREA House is Being Sold As Is For Land Only. $1,650,000

GREAT NECK VILLAGE TOP LOCATION NEAR ALL Gracious All Brick Center Hall Colonial W/Grand Entry & High Ceiling. Elegant Liv. & Dining Rm. .White Kitchen W/Top Of The Line Appliances. Family room Opening To .Private Backyard. Designer Bathrooms With Radiant Heat. Full Fin. Basement, IG Sprinkler System.

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#1 AWARD WINNER BY VOLUME IN NASSAU COUNTY

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Suozzi, Rice to vote for impeachment Both Congress members present different views on how Senate should handle trial

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ

U.S. Reps. Tom Suozzi (DGlen Cove) and Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City), both said they would vote to impeach President Trump in a report by Newsday on Sunday surveying the views of Long Island’s congressional delegation before the House vote Wednesday.

But the two members of Congress presented two different views on the impeachment vote and how the Senate should handle the trial.

“I was very reluctant all along because I know how divisive it is, because I’ve looked at the history of what happened with [Bill] Clinton and with [Richard] Nixon, and I know how serious it is because we are close to an election,”said Suozzi, who represents most of the North Shore and parts of Suffolk and Queens Counties as the representative for the state’s 3rd Congressional District “You can’t just send a message to this president or to the future presidents that you could just do

military aid to a critical American ally to service his own agenda, not our national security interests,” Rice was quoted by Newsday as saying. “That’s a gross abuse of power.”

On Monday, she took to Twitter to further explain her decision.

“I do not look forward to the upcoming impeachment vote, but I believe it’s necessary to hold the President accountable for his actions, uphold the rule of law, and defend the Constitution,” Rice wrote. “I plan to vote for both articles of impeachment when they come before the House for a vote.”

Newsday also polled Rep. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE OFFICIALS Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), and Rep. GregU.S. Representatives Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) and Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) both ory Meeks (D-St. Albans) for their responses prior to the impeachannounced they will vote in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump. ment votes. whatever you want and there’s no and put Suozzi at odds with many of the Town of Hempstead and a Zeldin and King both said House and Senate Democrats in- small part of North Hempstead, they oppose impeachment but consequences,” he said.

But then he said he hopes cluding Senate Minority Leader was an early supporter of an im- have varying opinions on how for a short Senate trial without Charles Schumer who provided peachment inquiry and was very they wish the trial to run. King witnesses, adding “impeachment McConnell with a list of four ad- clear in her comments on her im- told Newsday he is leaning toministration officials who he said peachment vote. helps Trump, not Democrats.” wards a short trial, while Zeldin “There is no doubt in my expressed his desire for an exThe call for a short trial with- should testify in the Senate trial.

Rice, whose 4th Congressio- mind that President Trump with- tensive trial with witnesses. out witnesses echoed what Senate Republicans have been calling for nal District includes a majority held congressionally appropriated Continued on Page 67

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

THE NORTH SHORE’S NEWEST SENIOR RENTAL COMMUNITY

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8

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

County, local govs agree to share Say initiative would save Nassau County taxpayers $7.3 million if fully implemented

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ

mendous opportunity to save taxpayers money while delivering better, more efficient public services,” Rockefeller Institute President Jim Malatras said.

Plans such as this one spawned from the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative passed in 2017 by the state legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The goal of the plan is to bring county and officials from local governments together and find ways to combine public services and save money in Nassau County.

The panel is led by the Curran and consists of the mayors and supervisors of the county’s three towns, two cities, and 64 incorporated villages. The panel recommends initiatives to coordinate services and provide cost reductions for the county.

“Although our member villages are constantly utilizing viable methods to better effectuate PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE the quality and the sharing of their local services for the benefit Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and a panel of local government officials approved the county’s Shared Services of their respective residents, we plan, which will be implemented in 2020.

Continued on Page 64

save $7.3 million if fully implemented.

“I am proud that the sepaNassau County Executive rate municipalities within Nassau Laura Curran and a group of County will be collaborating to local government officials ap- deliver improved governmental proved a plan to share services services at a lower cost to the taxon Wednesday that they say will payers,” Curran said in a release

on Wednesday. The 2020 Shared Services Plan will not only save residents’ money, it will help our County and fellow municipalities run more efficiently.”

The Shared Services Plan was first presented in July at the Nassau County Office of Emer-

gency Management with more than 100 municipal leaders in attendance. The plan was created by the panel in conjunction with the State University of New York’s Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany.

“Nassau County has a tre-

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

9

Curran releases plan for bail reform County executive prioritizes safety of residents before 300 inmates are released on Jan. 1

BY R OB E RT PELAEZ Nassau County Executive Laura Curran released a plan for the upcoming release of ‘reformed’ inmates in response to members of the county Legislature and civic leaders imploring her to do so.

“My number one focus is to keep protecting our residents while enforcing the law. Crime is at historic lows and the continued safety of our residents is crucial,” Curran said in a statement on Tuesday. “I want to make sure all residents know that all Nassau County agencies have been extremely diligent in preparing for the successful and smooth transition to the new bail reform laws, with the safety of our residents and our law enforcement as the guidepost.”

The release of over 300 inmates from the Nassau County Correctional Facility is part of state-wide criminal justice reform initiatives that will go into effect on Jan. 1.

People accused of misde-

PHOTO COURTESY OF NASSAU COUNTY

Members of the Nassau County Legislature and civic leaders called upon Laura Curran for a plan ahead of a Jan. 1 release date of 300 ‘reformed’ inmates. meanors and what are described as “non-violent felonies” will be released without bail as they await trial, according to county officials.

According to the law, passed in April, it will eliminate pretrial detention and optional cash bail

formed and directed agencies to prepare a “safe and orderly transition” into the new bail reform laws.

According to county officials, $6.1 million was allocated in the budget to accommodate proper staffing and transportation needs

in an estimated 90 percent of cases. If properly implemented, a conservative estimate of the legislation’s impact projects a 40 percent reduction overall in the state’s pretrial jail population, saving taxpayers money.

Earlier in the year, Curran in-

those awaiting trial.

Some initiatives that Curran mentioned included diligently monitoring the facility’s parking lot, increasing phone accessibility for transportation purposes, scheduling NICE bus service routes, and working with the Department of Social Services to explore temporary housing.

Nassau County residents have become more concerned with their own safety and well-being, especially those close to the facility in East Meadow, according to Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti (R-Levittown).

Ferretti said his office has been receiving calls from concerned citizens wondering what actions will be implemented to regulate the release of inmates.

“Very close by the Correctional Facility is Nassau University Medical Center, Eisenhower Park, and two colleges, and East Meadow High School across the street,” Ferretti said.

Ferretti was joined by President of the Nassau County Correction Officers Benevolent Continued on Page 64

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10 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

State comptroller hits Schnirman

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Two audits conducted by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office highlighted fiscal mismanagement by the City of Long Beach resulting in almost a quartermillion dollars worth of paid leave accruals.

One audit was in response to the payments for unused leave accruals that former City Manager and current county Comptroller Jack Schnirman, and nine other former and current Long Beach employees received from 2017-2018.

The other analyzed a four-year period and focused on the lack of financial oversight and planning by Schnirman and the city council from 2014-2018. The audit also presented recommendations for the city to take to prevent fiscal mismanagement occurring in the future.

“Our auditors found severely lax oversight and excessively poor fiscal practices led to a rapid decline in the city’s fiscal condition,” said Tania Lopez, a spokeswoman for the state comptroller’s office. “Auditors identified nearly $750,000 in questionable leave payments made to employees. It is time for city officials to work together and address the fiscal issues that could weigh down the city’s future for years to come.

Our auditors offered several recommendations, including recovering any unlawful separation payments, and stand ready to provide additional technical assistance.”

PHOTO FROM THE ISLAND NOW

Former Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman, was one of 10 employees that the city overpaid for an excess of paid leave accruals, according to a state audit.

During the time period of 2014-2018, auditors noticed a 68 percent decrease in the city’s general fund balance from $9.9 million to $3.2 million. The audit also criticized the city council’s lack of knowledge on the code and proper financial oversight.

“At least three of the five Council members did not know the City had experienced operating deficits for five years straight until they demanded the City’s financial advisor prepare a report analyzing the budget,” according to the audit. “Be-

cause the City Manager did not prepare a multiyear financial plan, including a fiscal improvement plan, there is no assurance that the City’s financial condition will improve.”

According to the audit and the city code, employees are allotted to receive 30 percent of accrued unused sick and vacation time. Schnirman was paid $73,113 for 100 percent of his 878 unused sick hours.

The audit calculated the appropriate payout to be $21,934 for 263 sick hours.

“I now understand that the methods Long Beach has been using to calculate payout amounts for at least the last 25 years are different than the stricter formula originally set out in the City Code,” Schnirman said in a September statement.

Schnirman said he returned overpayments he received after resigning as the city manager of Long Beach in September.

The audit states that the 10 employees were overpaid for over 1,600 hours of accrued sick time. City employees claimed it was best practice to payout the full 100 percent of the accrued sick time despite the 30 percent cap stated in their contracts.

Drawdown payments, or when an employee is paid for a portion of accrued leave time, within the city were also analyzed by the audit.

A one-year payment period in which the city paid $229,494 to eight employees were specifically looked at by the auditors.

The audit explained that these issues of

overpayment have been present in the city long before Schnirman was city manager.

The audit states, “Although the City did amend City Code sections addressing personnel code in 1997 in an apparent attempt to address our concerns, similar conditions continue to exist more than 25 years after the first report, with City officials still saying they paid employees for leave based on long-standing policy instead of adhering to the City Code.”

Auditors recommended that the city prepares a multiyear financial plan including a fiscal improvement plan. In response to the overpayments of employees, the audit recommended the city to amend the city code to clarify paid leave accruals and to review the overpayments and seek financial restitution.

The city council responded to these audits and recommendations made by the state comptroller’s office, stating that the city specifically delegates fiscal oversight to the city manager.

“The Comptroller’s criticism that the Council has not taken the appropriate steps to oversee the financial condition of the City has to be read in context with the City Charter and the Council’s lack of authority to take appropriate measures in terms of oversight,” the city wrote. “The City Charter imbues all administrative authority in the City Administration — specifically in the hands of the unelected, and appointed City Manager.”

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11

Curran signs ban on flavored e-cigs

Sale of non-tobacco vaping products now prohibited throughout Nassau County Nassau County Executive Laura Curran on Tuesday signed into law a bill banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and vaping products in the county.

The measure, originally proposed by Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker, was approved unanimously by the full Nassau County Legislature on Monday, Nov. 25. It prohibits the sale of flavored vaping products except for those that are tobacco, mint or menthol flavored. The ban takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

“Not too long ago, our nation achieved an historic victory by coming together to drastically reduce teen smoking. We’re now facing an alarming rise in e-cigarette use among our young people, and it is undeniable that Big Tobacco’s targeting of youth with flavors like bubblegum, mango, or cotton candy has driven that rise,” Curran said. “We will not sit and twiddle our thumbs as a whole new generation gets hooked on toxic products that lead to a lifetime of nicotine addiction and serious health risks.

I thank the County Legislature for their unanimous passage of

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE

County Executive Laura Curran signed legislation to ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices in Nassau. this important legislation, and I am especially grateful to Legislator Drucker for his leadership in driving forward the bill.”

“In Nassau County, the bill into law.” ment. Violations are punishhealth and safety of our children Nassau County’s Depart- able by fines of $500 to $1,000 will always come first,” Curran ments of Health and Consumer for initial offenses. Second and added. “I am proud to sign this Affairs will spearhead enforceContinued on Page 59

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12 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

Village of Plandome sued by ExteNet Outgoing town councilwoman alerts village residents of plans to install cell nodes

BY R O S E W E L D ON Hours after ExteNet Systems filed paperwork to sue the Village of Plandome for denying eight of 10 proposed cell nodes, outgoing Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio sent out an email alerting residents of ExteNet’s plan to install cell nodes on town property.

Much of [the] opposition

“

was based on concerns of negative health effects from radiofrequency (RF) exposure – something the Board is preempted from considering under federal law.”

ExteNet Systems IN LEGAL COMPLAINT

ExteNet is seeking to install 16 cell nodes in areas including Port Washington Estates, Manhasset Bay Estates, Bayview Colony and bordering the Plandome Manor area, according to paperwork filed with the Town of North Hempstead on Aug. 23.

A deadline for a decisionwas originally set for Dec. 16, but in the nearly four months since, the town has not heard any public hearings on the matter, possibly leaving it vulnerable to a lawsuit by the company.

“I am sending this e-mail along to inform you that ExteNet has filed an application to obtain a right of way agreement with the Town of North Hempstead to permit the company to install cell nodes and equipment in the Town right of way on existing and new utility poles,” De Giorgio wrote.

De Giorgio, who was defeated after two terms by Greater Port Washington

PHOTO BY ROSE WELDON

Members of Plandome’s Board of Trustees vote to deny ExteNet’s applications for eight cell nodes in the area. The company filed paperwork to sue the village on Tuesday Business Improvement District Executive Director Marianne Dalimonte, also thanked her constituents in the last paragraph of her email.

“This will likely be the last e-mail that you will receive from me as your Councilwoman,” De Giorgio wrote. “I want to take the opportunity to thank each of you for sharing these e-mails with your respective groups and for working with me over these last eight years to do what is best for our community.”

The councilwoman directed questions to her successor, who will take office on Jan. 2.

Plandome is the latest village on the North Shore to be sued after rejecting applications from the Illinois-based ExteNet. The Villages of Lake Success and Flower Hill have also found themselves in court with the company, which was contracted by Verizon Wireless to construct cell nodes for data networks.

“For almost three years, ExteNet has

sought and been denied access to the public right of way in Plandome to install small wireless facilities to provide wireless telecommunications services within the Village,” the suit alleges.

The suit goes on to say say that the Village of Plandome used “various means including implementing an illegal moratorium on applications to install telecommunications facilities, requesting ExteNet make numerous changes to its application and resubmit information already provided multiple times after having determined that ExteNet’s application was complete (which requests ExteNet complied with), applying local regulations to ExteNet’s application which unreasonably discriminate against wireless telecommunications facilities, relying on generalized community opposition, and ultimately using subjective and undefined aesthetic standards to deny ExteNet’s application.”

The suit also cites the “true reason” for the board’s denial as pressure from

COMMUNITY NEWS

G.N. Students presented with physical ed award Four students from the Great Neck Public Schools have received the Outstanding Physical Education Award from the Nassau Zone of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Congratulations to awards winners Jan Kaluta and Emma Sassouni of North High School, and Kareem Allen-Austin and Joanna Vissichelli of South High School. These students accepted their awards at a banquet at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Dec. 9.

The Outstanding Physical Education Award honors high school seniors who are recognized as leaders in physical education and serve as role models to their peers. Award recipients lead a healthy and physically active lifestyle and demonstrate responsible behaviors such as good sportsmanship, character, and citizenship.

residents.

“Much of [the] opposition was based on concerns of negative health effects from radiofrequency (RF) exposure – something the Board is preempted from considering under federal law,” the suit states. “Indeed, in denying the application, members of the Board specifically identified health effects and generalized community opposition as grounds for their votes.”

Village Clerk Barbara Peebles said the village had no comment on the matter, as they had not been served as of Wednesday at noon.

The village is part of the 6th District of the Town of North Hempstead, represented until 2020 by De Giorgio, in addition to the villages of Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North, Sands Point, Flower Hill, Munsey Park, Plandome Heights, and Plandome Manor.

The Village of Plandome’s Board of Trustees will discuss the last two nodes at their meeting on Jan. 21 at 7:00 p.m.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

Happy Holidays from our family to yours.

Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season.

Great Neck Office 42B Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 516.466.4036 | danielgale.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

13

14 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Opinion

OUR VIEWS

Suozzi’s reluctant impeachment response

C

ongressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) has apparently struggled with the question of whether President Trump should be impeached.

That much showed in his response to Newsday last Thursday when asked if he supported the two articles of impeachment against President Trump.

Suozzi joined his fellow Democrats in announcing his support for the articles of impeachment filed for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. But not without some hesitation.

“I was very reluctant all along because I know how divisive it is, because I’ve looked at the history of what happened with [Bill] Clinton and with [Richard] Nixon, and I know how serious it is because we are close to an election,” he began, according to a story Newsday reported on how Long Island-based members of Congressintended to vote.

Let’s take the first part of his answer. Yes, it was true that when the Watergate hearings first began there was very little public support for impeachment. Imagine that, Congress doing its job despite the polls.

But in the end, an overwhelming percentage of the public and members of Congress saw that what Nixon did warranted his removal from office.

Yes, impeachment is serious and divisive. But sometimes a president’s actions leave Congress with no other choice.

The second part of Suozzi’s statement is about how serious it is, “because we are so close to an election.”

We are not sure exactly whose election Suozzi is talking about.

The article for abuse of power charges that Trump attempted to get another country to interfere in the 2020 election on his behalf – an effort House Democrats say has not ended. We hope the import of the coming general elections adds to the urgency of Suozzi’s impeachment vote.

Contrast Suozzi’s response with that of Kathleen Rice, a fellow Democrat in neighboring District 4, in supporting impeachment in the same story.

“There is no doubt in my mind that President Trump withheld congressionally appropriated military aid to a critical American ally to service his own agenda, not our national security interests,” Rice was quoted by Newsday as saying. “That’s a gross abuse of power.”

Suozzi did show flashes of a fighting spirit when he went on to say in his Newsday interview: “You can’t send a message to this president or the future presidents that you could just do whatever you want and there’s no consequences.”

“The President threatened to withhold Congressionally approved military aid unless he could elicit the help of a foreign government to dig up dirt on his political opponent. That is an abuse of power,” he added in a statement submitted to Blank Slate Media. “In addition he blocked efforts by Congress to investigate. I intend to vote yes.”

But then he undercut his argument by saying he hoped for a short Senate trial without witnesses, adding “impeachment helps Trump, not Democrats.”

Suozzi now says he did call for a short trial, but disputes that he said he did not want witnesses.

In calling for a short trial,

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Suozzi is agreeing with Senate Republicans. Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and outspoken Trump supporter Sen. Lindsay Graham even say they do not plan to honor the oath they will be required to swear to before the trial begins to be fair and impartial jurors.

In other words, the Republicans in the Senate are planning a sham trial where the outcome is predetermined. This thumbs its nose at the rule of law. No one – Democrat or Republican – should accept this.

If Suozzi believes Trump is guilty of what the House has changed, he should be demanding a fair trial that includes the calling of witnesses and the production of evidence.

We believe the evidence is overwhelming in support of the two articles of impeachment approved Friday morning by the House Judiciary Committee.

The president withheld public support and hundreds of millions of dollars in much-needed military aid approved by Congress to Ukraine, a vulnerable ally under attack from forces backed by Rus-

REPORTERS Jessica Parks, Tom McCarthy Rose Weldon, Robert Pelaez

nocent of any wrongdoing and administration officials would exonerate him if allowed to testify, yet he refuses to release any documents or allow themto testify even though he maintains those officials would acquit him.

He should be required to produce the documents and let administration officials testify, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.

Their testimony, according to the president, will clear him. So let’s hear it.

Suozzi says impeachment helps Trump, not Democrats. He might be right.

But allowing unlimited interference in our elections, placing the president above the law, eliminating congressional oversight of the executive branch and filling Congress with members whose primary concern is their re-election and not the country is far worse.

We hope Suozzi doesn’t give voters in the 3rd District reason to believe he feels otherwise.

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sia, in an attempt to get it to dig up dirt on a Trump political rival in the 2020 election.

The articles of impeachment call this an abuse of power. We call it bribery.

When caught in the act, Trump ignored subpoenas from Congress fordocuments related to the case and refused to allow members of his administration to testify, blocking Congress from fulfilling its constitutionally mandated oversight role and undermining the rule of law. This is obstruction of Congress.

There can be no more serious charges against a sitting president.

If allowed to stand, we are fundamentally changing the role of Congress and the president. And opening the door to massive interference from foreign governments in the 2020 election and beyond.

You disagree? Fine, let’s have a fair trial in the Senate. The impeachment articles voted on by the House are the equivalent of an indictment. The Senate is where the president is supposed to get his day in court with senators serving as jurors.

The president insists he is in-

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15

ON THE RIGHT

Christmas books for political junkies

F

or readers who give books as Christmas presents to political junkie friends, here are my 2019 gift book picks: “Great Society: A New History” by Amity Shlaes. A decade ago, the award-winning Shlaes, penned an extraordinary revisionist history of the Great Depression titled “The Forgotten Man.” Her stories of the common people who struggled to survive that era, and description of what the New Deal failed to accomplish, were fascinating reading.

In her new book, she focuses her jeweler’s eye on Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. This revisionist history brilliantly describes and analyses the numerous crises of the 1960s, particularly public sector reforms vs. private sector advancement.

Shlaes confirms Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s observation that government employees who administered the new poverty programs benefited more than poor minorities.

Many entitlement reforms actually destroyed families, drove many into greater poverty and en-

couraged permanent government dependence. This book should be read by misguided pols calling for even more government handouts.

“How to be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality” in the Twentieth Century by Frank Dikötter.

The author, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, is a leading authority on modern totalitarian mass murders.

His trilogy documenting the horrors of Mao’s reign of terror that murdered more than 50 million innocent Chinese, is remarkable. Now he has penned for the general reader, a work that “offers a stunning portrait of dictatorship, guide to the cult of personality, and a map for exposing the lies tyrants tell to build and maintain their regimes.”

His subjects include Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Mussolini, and Kim Il-sung. This excellent synopsis of the crimes against humanity committed by evil men should be gift to every millennial. Since so many under 35 have never heard of the subjects covered in “How to be a Dictator, “it might just be a real eye-opener for them.

“Who Killed Civil Society?

GEORGE J. MARLIN On The Right The Rise of Big Government and Decline of Bourgeois Norms” by Howard A. Husock. This Manhattan Institute scholar argues that bourgeois norms—observing the cardinal virtues, good manners, temperance, honor, courage, the work ethic—are “an essential key to upward mobility, or at least to a healthy stable life.”

In Husock’s judgment, constructive norms that have been abandoned by large segments of our society are the cause of many present-day problems: birth out of wedlock, the opioid epidemic,

criminal violence, chronic unemployment of working-class men, etc. Husock offers “a powerful diagnosis of the dysfunction at the heart of our social ills” and offers great insight as to what can be done to begin the long process to fix the mess caused by America’s social engineers.

“Eight Days of Yalta: How Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin Shaped the Post-War World” by Diana Preston. This British historian has written an eminently readable book on the last World War II meeting of the “Big Three” at Yalta in the winter of 1944.

Preston reveals that the eightday conference—that was supposed to decide the final conduct of the war and to create the blueprint for the post-war world—accomplished very little. She traces the fraying relation between F.D.R. and Churchill, and how Stalin extracted a heavy price to enter the Pacific War and to bless the creation of the United Nations.

The end result of the conference: Churchill wrote to the new U.S. president, Harry Truman, three months later of “an iron curtain that was drawn down upon”

Eastern Europe.

“The Conservative Sensibility by George Will.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist has written a splendid magnum opus on the meaning of American conservatism.

In his book, Will stresses that conservatism for him is about conserving the wisdom of the nation’s founders.

Will calls on conservatives to provide the leadership to temper “government hubris and overreach” and to persuade Americans that “their political appetites are large parts of the problem.”

He concedes the task will be difficult because restoring “the dignity of constitutional government depends on restraints of a sort that do not come easily to conservatives or any other Americans.”

But, Will concludes, the restraints requisite for limited government “will come only from thoughtful reverence from the nation’s founding, a reverence that not only honors the memory of the founders but is conscientious in understanding their principles.”

A LOOK ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

To times when ‘nothing’ hits the spot!

“Hey, Judy, whatcha doing?”

“Nothing.”

“Really? I’m sure that isn’t true.”

“Really. I’m doing nothing.”

“Oh, that’s hilarious! I know you — You’re always drinking coffee or talking to friends, or at the very least, complaining about something.”

“Yes, usually, but not right now.”

“Don’t you have to get ready for the holidays? Even if you don’t have a tree to set up, don’t you have some Chanukah stuff — some candles, or something?”

“Yes, there’s a menorah somewhere around here I might eventually find.” And spend an hour chipping last year’s candledrippings off of, I said to myself but not out loud.

Instead, I handed my friend the book I had just finished reading. “Niksen,” she read, then broke off. “Is this going to be about impeachment?” she said.

“Because that isn’t funny!”

“No, no, it’s not ‘Nixon,” though I think it’s pronounced the same,” I answered. “Read the

rest of the title.”

“Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing,” she read, then looked back at me. “So is that what you’re doing now? Nothing? I mean, what you’re not doing?”

“Exactly,” I said. “Everyone is so busy this time of year, rushing around, getting things done — including me, most years — and some of it’s nice, but most of it feels like an endless amount of chores. And this year, I just can’t keep up! So when I read an article in the Washington Post about this book, I had to get it and sit down and read it.”

“So you did SOMETHING,” my friend said, accusingly.

“Well, yes, but it’s literally the last thing I did. And now I’m sitting here, practicing doing nothing. Why don’t you join me?”

“Where? Here?” She cast a critical eye at my sofa, which except for me was completely covered with unmatched socks and unfolded towels and sheets. I pushed the laundry farther down the sofa to make a seat for my

JUDY EPSTEIN

A Look on the Lighter Side friend.

“Is that actually dust on them?” she asked me.

“Not one word!” I warned her. “Or you’ll miss all the benefits of doing nothing!”

We both sat on my couch, staring out the window. After what must have been all of 30 seconds, my friend turned to me.

“Can I practice my yoga breathing?”

“If you must,” I replied,” but that sounds like doing something, to me.”

Another 30 seconds went by.

“So this is really doing something for you?”

“I hope so,” I replied. “There are lots of people who say this makes them less anxious.”

“Less anxious!” she yelped.

“I’m a nervous wreck, just thinking of all the things I’m supposed to be doing!”

“I know,” I answered her.

“But you have to push past that.

The Washington Post article said that it’s hard, ‘especially if you’re someone who can’t ignore dirty dishes.’”

“Lucky for you you’re so strong minded,” my friend said, with a wicked smile. “But honestly — why are you doing this? I mean not-doing this?”

“Well, it’s supposed to help you feel less stressed and more creative — So I figure it’s worth a try.”

My friend started picking at a loose thread on the laundry pile.

I took pity on her. “You know,” I said, “some people find that they can empty their thoughts more effectively if they keep their hands busy — with knitting, or

sewing….”

“Or folding laundry!” she said. “Here, you take the other end of this sheet.”

We worked together. “No talking though,” I cautioned her.

“I’m all right with that,” she said, “but it might kill you.”

I opened my mouth to say, “I know!” But shut it again.

It wasn’t long before all the linens were folded, and all the socks were matched. My friend stood up. “Judy, that’s just about all the nothing I can stand to do for one day. Unless….” I saw her face light up like a Christmas tree. “Unless you’d like to come over to my house and do some more nothing? There’s a lot of mindless chores I can give you — I mean, as long as you’re doing nothing anyway, you may as well do it for me!”

I paused to sort out all the “nothings” in her sentence.

Then I lit up like a Christmas tree, or a menorah, as well. “I’d be glad to,” I told her.

Never let it be said that I was the kind of girl who couldn’t share “nothing” with friends!

16 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

OUT OF LEFT FIELD

The fight to vote in elections (Part 1)

T

he right to vote is the fundamental test of any democracy.

However, the machinery of politics through which the vote is organized and exercised can be just as important.

Our new year, 2020, will be an appropriate time to take stock of where we have been historically, and what still remains to be done in connecting voting and democracy. This year, folks celebrating the centennial of the U.S. 19th Amendment, cheer the right to vote for women in 1920.

Like past extensions of the suffrage, it was achieved after a long political and social battle.

Another major voting struggle has, so far, received scant attention. We are also noting the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, which in 1870 guaranteed the vote to people of color.

In his penetrating study, “The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution” (2019) Eric Foner joins the great historian Kenneth Stampp in concluding that neither the 14th or 15th Amendment could have been adopted without the Radical Republican legislation after the Civil War.

Both scholars point out that these amendments were critical for “The Second Reconstruction” of the 1960s when civil rights advanced for people of color.

Without leadership by radicals in Congress following the Civil War, the advances of the ’60s would not have had a legal foundation.

Foner writes that the Fifteenth Amendment “affirmed that only a few years after the death of slavery African-Americans were now equal members of the body politic.”

He cites President Grant’s proclamation hailing the amendment as “’a measure of grander importance than any other one act of the kind from the foundation of our free government …. the most important development that has occurred since the nation came to life.’”

Historians have been slow in recognizing the support of U.S. Grant as president who acted on Lincoln’s goal of moving slaves to freedom and also to voting, using the national government to boost equality for people of color as citizens.

In striking contrast, Andrew Johnson, who preceded Grant (and deserves to be rated America’s worst president), contended: “This is a “white man’s

MICHAEL D’INNOCENZO Out of Left Field country,” as he opposed both the 14th and 15th Amendments.

Sadly, he was in tune with his racist times when only five of the 22 victorious northern States were willing to grant Negroes the vote when the Civil War ended.

Foner and Stampp show that the fight to vote was led by radical white progressives, and boosted by the best-known man of color in the world, Frederick Douglass.

In his 1965 volume “The Era of Reconstruction” Stampp presented the central view of the fight to vote for “Negroes,” contending that “Radical idealism” was the key for achieving the Fourteenth and Fifteenth

Amendments.

He concludes: “The fact that these amendments could not have been adopted under any other circumstances, or at any other time, before or since, may suggest the crucial importance of the reconstruction era in American history. Indeed, without radical reconstruction, it would be impossible to this day for the federal government to protect Negroes from legal and political discrimination.”

Kenneth Stampp’s point cannot be overstated: he was writing in 1965 and he avers that only radical actions taken 100 years ago put the nation on the path to Lincoln’s celebrated “beacons” of democracy.

Most Americans never learned what another great historian, C. Vann Woodward emphasized in his chapter, “Capitulation to Racism,” about how reconstruction idealism was resisted in the South and abandoned by many Northern leaders. Woodward’s book, THE STRANGE CAREER OF JIM CROW, shows early implementation of the 15th Amendment eroded, producing legal segregation from the cradle to the grave.

Like, Stampp, Woodward celebrates the “Second Recon-

struction” of the 1960s (based on the 14th and 15th Amendments), but he presents the admonitory view that although Jim Crow was legally dead with the 1965 Voting Rights Act, “his ghost continues to haunt the land.”

The curse of racism in American democracy is addressed by Jill Lepore in many of her writings, especially her recent book, THESE TRUTHS. It is perfectly understandable that advocates for political equality focused on the fight to vote for people of color.

Together with his Roslyn Heights lawyer and friend – Harry H. Wachtel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. continuously lobbied President Lyndon Johnson to support a voting rights act. King saw voting as the key empowerment that could advance all civil rights and provide vital, continuing participation in the political process.

In recognition of Dr. King’s priority and his deep commitments, would it not be a good idea to move his holiday from a January Monday (not his actual birthday) so that the King celebration becomes our November Election Day?

E A R T H M AT T E R S

Celebrating with a clear conscience

T

his is the season for giving – and for most of us, shopping. The challenge is doing it with a clear conscience, being ever mindful of the impact our decisions will have on the environment, our health, and indeed, on the people who are making all those things available to us.

Just a few clicks online can begin the journey of a gift that will eventually arrive in a box on our doorstep. It’s never been more convenient.

The inconvenient truth is that our purchasing choices can have a huge impact. Let’s look at the cost of moving all those items from warehouses to your door, using planes, 18-wheelers and UPS and FEDEX delivery vans.

With free shipping, free oneday delivery and free returns, the process of transporting gifts bought online involves cutting down trees (for shipping boxes)

and pumping large quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. After all, most delivery trucks run on diesel fuel, which emits toxic exhaust and threatens the health of people living in communities that are located near warehouses and freight hubs.

Consumers can help solve this problem by advocating for changes in corporate practices.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers make handsome profits and have the resources to address this growing problem by investing in clean, electric delivery vehicles.

Amazon announced in September that it would purchase 100,000 electric vehicles! Good news! When you place an order for any item, it’s worth asking if they will be using environmentally sustainable packing materials and transport systems.

If they hear it from enough customers, it can make a differ-

PATTI WOOD Earth Matters

ence.

For many of us, buying gifts for children and watching their faces when they open them gives us the greatest pleasure.

However, we need to be especially careful not to inadvertently purchase a toy that may be harmful to their health. December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month.

Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine warns parents to avoid

known toxins, such as lead in children’s jewelry and imported painted toys, and BPA, PVC and phthalates in plastic toys.

You can read their top toy tips in their current eNews from the Children’s Environmental Health Center.

Avoiding plastic for little ones who mouth their toys and being mindful about the lifecycle of other plastic toys is important.

When buying toys for very young children, silicone or unpainted wooden toys are good choices.

Many discarded plastic toys find their way into our oceans, where, along with plastic straws, plastic utensils, plastic food packaging and Styrofoam containers, they are polluting our water and sickening and killing aquatic species in unprecedented numbers.

Just this month a dead whale washed up on a beach in Scotland, it’s stomach bulging with plastic fishing nets and

plastic garbage from our “throwaway” world.

Fossil fuels are the feedstock for plastics and the myriad companies that manufacture plastic items are highly polluting industries. Communities surrounding plastic manufacturing plants are known as “sacrifice zones” because of their high rates of cancer, respiratory illness and reproductive problems, among other illnesses.

Again, consumers should question manufacturers of popular plastic toys about their commitment to reduce their toxic releases.

The ever-popular electronic gifts utilize components that include plastic, rare metals, toxic chemicals and LED lights, all of which raise both environmental and social justice issues. How many children in Asia and Africa are forced to work in dangerous mines or to pick through discardContinued on Page 54

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

17

VIEW POINT

‘A Christmas Carol’ for these times

E

very year, I watch innumerable versions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

But, as we see more and more inequality the likes of which have not been seen since the Gilded Age when Robber Barons reigned, the era of sweatshops and blacklists, child labor and dangerous working conditions, of toxins spewed freely into the air and dumped in the water, contaminated meat and unsafe airplanes foisted upon the marketplace with a giant “caveat emptor” stamped on the packaging, this era’s Robber Barons derive the wrong lesson from Scrooge: it doesn’t matter how you cheat, steal, or who you crush to make your fortune, you can buy redemption through using vast wealth for charity, cementing it by putting your name on things like hospital wings or museum collections, and buying politicians who will rescind regulations meant to keep you honest.

Frank Capra’s “A Wonderful Life,” which year after year makes me cry at the same places, offers the opposite moral: be content in your life not to cheat and steal and abuse like Potter, who uses his wealth and power to call out the authorities when he has in fact committed the crime (for which he is never held accountable), as long as you live as good

a life as you can. (“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.

Thanks for the wings!”)

I can’t wait for the “Christmas Carol” of our own times about a con man, a tax cheat who runs his business like a Mafioso and brags about paying off politicians and regulators in order to win at any cost, installed into the presidency by a foreign country, who proceeds to dismantle the social safety net – taking away food stamps from 700,000 impoverished people as he writes checks for $24 billion to Big Agribusiness to buy votes lost because of his tariff wars that crash the economies of allies; deprives millions of health care; who locks up homeless people and takes funding away from cities who harbor refugees; who steers disaster relief to places that vote for him and away from those who don’t, who takes children away from their families and locks asylum seekers in conditions so horrible, dozens die.

Who couldn’t even go through the motions of handing out a turkey to soldiers in Afghanistan without turning it into a political rally and boasting how he alone is responsible for economic prosperity because of all the regulations he has overturned that have had such results as a chemical explosion in Texas, rising asthma rates, lowered life expectancy.

from whatever foreign aid is paid.

To cap off this dystopia (which he envisioned in his inaugural speech), ends free and fair elections, citing as his all-encompassing authority, “Then I have an Article 2, where I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” And who will stop him?

Here’s a bit of actual dialogue, as told to Michael D’Antonio, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, from his talk, “Democracy in Crisis: Personality and Power in the Trump Era,” at Temple Emanuel of Great Neck: “For the most part you can’t respect people because most people are not worthy of respect.”

That scene where you see the main character as a boy, he says, “I like all kinds of fights, any kind of fights, I love it.”

Then later, as a “billionaire” real estate developer, he says, “The whole thing about building buildings is not about building buildings, it’s about fixing things with politicians.”

But it wouldn’t have a happy ending, where the reprobate sees the light and becomes a noble figure. And it wouldn’t be believable.

Who could imagine a pompous, self-absorbed, self-serving ignoramus becoming the most powerful person in the world and undoing a 250-year old democracy in a few short years?

KAREN RUBIN View Point

This is a character who destroys the careers and livelihood anyone who criticizes him or fails to take a loyalty oath; who invites police to beat protesters, border patrol to shoot asylum seekers; who reshapes the judiciary with judges deemed “unqualified” but who see the country as he does, as a white Christian patriarchy; leads rallies that incite violence, inspire massacres and stir death threats against lawmakers and journalists; installs his family in government where they promptly cash in, and on orders of his benefactor, destroys alliances that provoke new wars and religious crusades; and because of policies that exacerbate climate disasters, bankrupts whatever the treasury has left after he gets a kick-back

The moral of this story would not be to show a man who sees the error of his ways and is chastened and reformed, but in fact is emboldened. It would be how one person can pervade such destruction of the moral underpinnings of society, the institutions that shore up equality and justice, and call it “disruption.”

Instead, the moral of this story would be how important government – good government led and manned by intelligent, hard-working, dedicated individuals who espouse the values of the Republic – is in everyday lives, how important regulations are to level the playing field, how vital is the rule of law is to equal justice, fairness and opportunity for all.

That cinematic shot where they pan away to the wider world, would be a stirring reminder of the importance of alliances, trade and diplomacy to solve global problems instead of rekindling an arms race with a new Space Force.

“I alone can fix it,” this character said, but no one man is a savior and unlike 250 years ago, when messages were carried by horseback, no nation can be insulated from the rest of the world. We rise or sink together. In this version, we regress back to the society depicted in Charles Dickens’ other iconic work, “Oliver Twist.”

READERS WRITE

G.N. School District does ‘whatever it takes’

O

n Dec. 3, Great Neck residents were asked to vote on a proposition costing $9.7 million that would add eight classrooms to E.M. Baker and Lakeville Schools. At the exorbitant price of more than $1.2 million per classroom, the reliable parent “yes” vote had to turn out if the proposition were to pass and the district wanted the proposition to pass. ortuitously for the district, parent-teacher conferences were

already scheduled for Dec. 3 at E.M.Baker, Lakeville and Saddle Rock Schools so it was decided that the $9.7 million proposition vote should be scheduled on Dec. 3 when the schools would be flooded with parents interested in their children’s academic progress.

The district’s contention that scheduling the vote and parentteacher conferences on the same day was purely coincidental is ridiculous and indicative of contempt for the voter and the pro-

cess: the process being the role of the district to provide valid information and equal access for all voters. Instead, the District utilized tax-funded facilities and a legitimate teacher-parent conference which may have skewed the vote.

To be fair, Great Neck is not the only school district that has resorted to questionable tactics in an effort to secure funds.

Many Long Island school districts consumed by the insatiable demands of teacher and admin-

istrator unions, resort to similar tactics for ordinary building maintenance and improvements.

The Nassau County District Attorney’s Bureau of Public Corruption may want to revisit the law that prohibits “electioneering within the polling place or in any public street within a 100-foot radial measured from the entrances designated by the inspectors of election…..” New York Election Law. Rather than teach children the concepts of fair play and

respect for the rules, the very people that parents entrust with the intellectual and ethical development of their children do “whatever it takes” to win.

The very people entrusted to investigate possible violations of law seem to be curiously uninterested in possible illegal electioneering. In another time, such behavior would be described as corruption.

Laurann Pandelakis Manhasset

Thanks for returning me as GNWPCD

I

want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped, supported and voted to grant me another term as a commissioner at the Great Neck

Water Pollution Control District.

I am honored to be able to continue for an additional three years with my fellow esteemed commissioners, Jerry Landsberg

and Steve Reiter. We will work aggressively to pursue environmentally sustainable and cost-effective projects that will deliver long-lasting value to our community.

In addition, I would like to extend a warm thank you to my family and friends for their tireless efforts and encouragement along the way.

Thank you again for your support and participation.

Patty Katz Great Neck

18 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

READERS WRITE

I

Village aglow with ‘Lights and Ice’

am delighted to have participated in the official opening of the Lights and Ice event including the Light Up the Village Green festivitiesonSunday evening.

Hearty kudos to the Great Neck Parks District for creating an amazing experience right here in the heart of the village, which was a huge hit. The vibrancy at the event, complete

with waffles, and hot chocolate kiosks, which was much akin to Rockefeller Center at this time of year, was palpable.

I applaud the Great Neck Parks District for injecting life

into the community. It is my hope that in the coming weeks, the Lights and Ice event will welcome food delivery from neighborhood restaurants to the cozy igloos and warm firepits

seating areas that it showcased at the official opening on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Pedram Bral M.D. Mayor, Village of Great Neck

Has VGN government been hacked?

W

ith a national trend towards hacking sensitive information and a recent computer upgrade by the Village of Great Neck, it seems reasonable to inquire whether or not the upgrade was a response to an earlier hacking the Mayor failed to reveal to residents.

This is a mayor who publicly flaunts the fact he is not obligated to respond to residents’ questions.

For those residents in attendance at the November 5, 2019 Board

of Trustees meeting, it was announced that the new Village computer and phone system upgrade would prevent a cybersecurity breach.

Trustees Hope, Mendelson, Namdar and Sobel: Has the Village of Great Neck already experienced a cybersecurity breach and were you and your fellow board members intending to hide it from village taxpayers?

If you were hacked, is there a process by which you would publicly announce what sensitive

data, belonging to taxpayers was breached?

If you were hacked, would there be formal written notification to village taxpayers advising them of the security breach?

If you were hacked, would you inform the public of the dollar amount of ransomware paid out?

If you were hacked, would the village provide identity theft insurance to those taxpayers whose sensitive data was stolen?

Please do not refer me to the Freedom of Information Act for

answers to the above questions since my experience and that of other truth-seeking taxpayers is that Village of Great Neck government demonstrates clear disregard for the FOIL process.

Suffice it to say, my local government routinely thumbs its nose at the fair practices and procedures in place to safeguard and inform citizens of their right to know.

With simultaneous proposals for development on Middle Neck Road, in the Village of Great Neck,

and a mayor who routinely taunts residents with, “Why do you want to know?” when the identity of a prospective property-owner/developer is being requested – and withheld — my best advice – invest in a good crystal ball. You can buy one on Amazon.

The next Board of Trustees meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Judy Shore Rosenthal Great Neck

Two residents’ plan for downtowns

A

s more apartment buildings pop up all over Great Neck, with more being proposed (e.g., 777, 523 Middle Neck) and with the associated requests from developers to build out above existing laws, it’s a good time to consider certain points.

First, no one in Great Neck is against revitalizing our downtown.

However, Great Neck families don’t want to harm our successful public institutions (e.g., schools, parks, programs) in a misguided attempt to eliminate some empty storefronts. And, let’s face it, adding apartment complexes and therefore scores of people to our community creates overcrowding risks across schools, roads, parking lots peninsula-wide. (E.g., the school district is spending millions on construction to accommodate increases in the student population — that money could go to education programs). So let’s talk about other ways to fill vacant stores that all can rally

around. This involves taking stock of certain realities: Realities Great Neckers are protective of their top-rated public schools and don’t wish to overcrowd them. They realize as class size goes up, the quality of education goes down.

Great Neck home values are high because of Great Neck’s stupendous public schools and proximity to the city.Those stating Great Neck must develop its downtown at all costs to keep home values up and that the school district’s excellence is less important, should note, a home listing on Zillow includes the rating of nearby public schools, not the number of nearby salons.

Great Neck is not short on people. Port Washington, Roslyn, Garden City have less people than Great Neck and more successful commercial districts. Great Neck doesn’t need more people, it needs the right businesses.

Many opposed a rezoning initiative by the Village of Great

Neck Board of Trustees that could have led to massive apartment development along Middle Neck. If that board now approves requests (they’re coming in quick) to build beyond current laws – on a building by building basis — we will end up with the result the community so ardently opposed. But this is not the end of the conversation. It’s the beginning! Residents have ideas on revitalizing our downtown without aggressive apartment development. Ideas: a farmer’s market every Sunday with organic produce.

This would bring shoppers in from neighboring towns and bring residents and their wallets out and about.

Our Chamber of Commerce could partner with PTOs to survey families on businesses they would frequent. Perhaps a wine bar, foreign language center where children get instruction in new languages, batting range with mini-golf and ski ball, Kids Gap, French bistro, a bookstore with coffee and storytimes for children,

LETTERS POLICY Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten, and those longer than 750 words may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters must include the writer’s name and phone number for verification. Anonymously sent letters will not be printed. Letters must be received by Monday noon to appear in the next week’s paper. All letters become the property of Blank Slate Media LLC and may be republished in any format. Letters can be e-mailed to news@theislandnow.com or mailed to Blank Slate Media, 25 Red Ground Road, East Hills, NY 11577.

bar and grill with karaoke?

Another idea: enhance walkability via a plan to decongest Middle Neck and promote pedestrian safety with better crosswalks and signage. Walkability helps because the more people struggle with parking, the less they stop for shopping.

Plus, think of a Great Neck where children can safely walk to town; moms could easily take strollers to meet for coffee.

This could provide a strong influx for local shops. Also, how about shopping and docks along Manhasset Bay instead of blocking water access and views with apartment buildings?

Roslyn’s restaurants and shops on its harbor are wonderful.

Finally, don’t rush. Developing healthily takes time and planning. Certain communities have put a moratorium on waterfront development to allow for long term thinking and dialogue with the community on it. See https:// portwashington-news.com/public-hearing-set-to-extend-waterfront-moratorium/.

At Minimum, Balance the Interests If adding apartments, at least do it responsibly. Developers adding apartments (and profiting) could be required to contribute (financially) to expand infra-

structure and schoolresources to accommodate population growth flowing from their projects. E.g., if adding apartments, also provide for added parking by the train, park benches, lifeguards at public pools, classrooms.

Current incentive zoning policies and local government action appear inadequate to achieve such balance. (E.g., we haven’t heard of developers funding school building expansion but have heard of new buildings getting school tax exemptions).

This isn’t easy, but important. The school district is spending millions expanding e.g., E.M Baker. This is smart. But what about the Middle/High School?

Such things should be considered when deciding if developers can obtain the variances, etc. needed to make building here maximally profitable/desirable to them.

Right now, we’re worried. To prevent the hasty proliferation of apartment complexes, like-minded residents are forming a group, Great Neck Forward, to organize and have a voice. Interested citizens can email greatneckforward@gmail.com.

Jenni Spiritis Lurman, Kate Goldberg Great Neck Letters Continued on Page 53

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

SINCE 1968

536 Northern Blvd., Great Neck www.systematiccontrol.com

516.482.1375

Nassau County Consumer Affairs Lic. #H-3600400200

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20 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

COMMUNITY NEWS

Olympiad Team excels at L.I. Invitational The South Middle School Science Olympiad Team earned a total of 13 medals at the Long Island Invitational Olympiad Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 7.This competition included the top 43 Science Olympiad teams from middle schools across the tri-state area. The nine-hour tournament was comprised of 23 events in which students demonstrated their ingenuity and knowledge in science, engineering, and technology.

In addition to earning team points for successful challenges, medals were awarded to the top competitors in each event. South Middle students won medals as individuals and in pairs for challenges such as Dynamic Planet, Heredity, Rube Goldberg Machine, also known as Mission Possible, Ping Pong Parachute, Water Quality, Writeit Do-it, and Meteorology.

South Middle participants in the Long Island Invitational

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT

A total of 13 medals were awarded to the South Middle School Science Olympiad Team during the Long Island Invitational Olympiad Tournament.

Olympiad Tournament were: Angela Bai, Trevor Boshnack, Kenneth Chang, Irina Chiang,

Park district happenings Nature Program: Photo Op Walk On Sunday, Dec. 29 at 11 a.m., meet at Caumsett State Park in Huntington on this hilly one and a half mile stroll we will pause briefly in areas of natural or historic interest. At each location, a guide will provide background information and allow a little time for snapshots. Bring your own camera and photo skills. Register as soon as possible at www. gnparks.org or call (516) 487-GNPD. Winter Camp Parkwood and Holiday Tennis Camp Children ages 4-10, can enjoy Winter Camp Parkwood during the week of Dec. 23 (excludes Christmas), from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink.

Daily resident fee: $120; Daily non-resident fee: $150.

Register online at gnparks. org or call (516) 487-GNPD. For all those tennis lovers out there, we offer a tennis program from Dec. 23 through Dec. 31 (excludes Christ-

mas), 12-4 p.m. for children ages 6-17. Daily/weekly resident fee: $80/ $480 (6 days); Daily/weekly non-resident fee: $95/$570 (6 days). Register online at gnparks.org or call (516) 487-GNPD. Lights and Ice at the Village Green Meet at the Village Green (corner of Beach and Middle Neck Road) through Sunday, January 12 for our “Lights and Ice”, featuring an outdoor ice skating rink, holiday lights, food for purchase, fire pits, and igloos. Visit https:// w w w. g n p a r k s . o r g / 6 1 9 / Lights-Ice-at-The-VillageGreen for more information.

Defensive Driving Classes at Great Neck House Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving classes are offered at Great Neck House on the first Saturday of every month. There is a class on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To register or for more information, call the Great Neck House at 4820355.

Ivan Chiang, Anaat Gupta, Jacqueline Han, Brandon Kim, Alice Kim, Holly Krause, Katie

Leder, Madeline Lennox, Dana Li, Brian Liu, Tiffany Liu, Michelle Luo, Ethan Moy, Isabella

Ng, Eric Sodhi, Emily Tsui, Ashley Wei, Erin Wong, Ethan Wu, Alexander Xu, Sidney Yeung, Ziyan You, Yifan You, Laura Zhang, Ryan Zhang, and Jixuan Zhang.

Advisors for the South Middle Science Olympiad Team are South Middle Science Department Head Tobias Hatten, and technology teacher Randy Lane.

According to Hatten, the Science Olympiad provides a team-sport atmosphere where students work together towards a goal.

“It makes science social as it is in the real world,” he said.

“The experiences from Science Olympiad could be the spark that allows students to become scientists and engineers to solve the biggest problems of the future!”

Students named to ensemble

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT NECK PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT

Scott Levy (left) from North High and Sophia Wotman (right) from South High will perform in the NMEA All-County Jazz Ensemble.

Two musicians from the Great Neck Public Schools have been selected for the prestigious Nassau Music Educators Association, or NMEA, All-County Division IV Jazz Ensemble. This year’s ensemble will include alto saxophonist Scott Levy from North High School and trumpeter Sophia Wotman from South High School.

The Division IV Jazz Ensemble features outstanding ninth and tenth-grade musicians from across Nassau County. Scott’s instrumental music teacher at North High is Joseph Rutkowski, and Sophia’s instrumental music teachers at South High are Michael Schwartz, performing arts department head, and Mark Boschen.

Unlike most other All-County performing groups, which determine participants solely upon New York State School Music Association scores, the All-County Division IV Jazz Ensemble requires both a superior score as well as a separate audition. During the audition process, students perform a solo selection and demonstrate the ability to sight-read music provided by an adjudicator.

The All-County Concerts, sponsored by NMEA, feature the county’s finest student musicians who perform together in various ensembles.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

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BLANK SLATE MEDIA December 20, 2019

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHORAL SOCIETY C

elebrating another year of classical choral performances, the Varsity Choral Society will proudly present its 30th Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 4:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Manhasset.

VCS’s membership consists of both professional and amateur vocalists from Manhasset, Port Washington, and the greater Town of North Hempstead. Every year, the choir embraces performing ambitious programs and has built a faithful audience; its concerts usually attract more than 300 people.

Led by director Craig S. Tocher and accompanied by an orchestra comprised of strings and organ, VCS will perform the Christmas portion of, and “Hallelujah Chorus” from, G.F. Handel’s “Messiah.”

Soloists will be Jason Hendrix (of the Metropolitan Opera), Melissa Maravell (formerly of the New York City Opera), Molly Davey (a former soloist with the Congregational Church of Manhasset), and Robert Horowitz (currently a soloist with the Congregational Church of Manhasset). The choir also will perform Ariel Ramirez’s “Navidad Nuestra” a spirited work based on Argentine dances and songs, with guitar, piano and percussion accompa-

PHOTO BY MICHAEL DONOGHUE

Varsity Choral Society performing. niment.

Solos during the second half of the concert will be “Winter Was Warm / Lord’s Bright Blessing” performed by April Lindevald (formerly of the New York City Opera), ‘Mille Cherubini in Coro” will be sung by Jane Murphy (a song leader at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church in Port Washington), and “Panis Angelicus” will be presented Stanley Lacy (of the New Camerata Op-

era Company in New York City).

“Sound the Trumpet” will be performed by Mark van Schenkof (formerly the choir director at Manhasset High School) and Dr. Joseph d’Angelo (a former English teacher of Manhasset High School), and “Christmas Shopping Blues” will be given by a trio comprised of Nancy Morris, Jan Richardson and Lynne Stebbins.

The afternoon will

conclude with a traditional audience sing-along of holiday favorites which will be preceded by the always humorous – and different – thoughts expressed by Dr. Clyde Locke concerning “hasty pudding”.

VCS is the specialized choral division within Play Troupe Inc. It was originally formed in 1989 to honor Jerald B. Stone, a choral director at Paul D. Schreiber High School in

Port Washington, who led a school ensemble named “The Varsity Choir” and later served as VCS’s first director.

Stone inspired his students to pursue excellence in music and forge longlasting collaborations—a legacy now carried forward by Mr. Tocher and the current ensemble.

Tickets for the are $20.00 and may be purchased in advance of the concert at http://www.

coleman-pension.com/ vcs/vcspay.htm or at the door of the church on the day of the performance, located at 1845 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset.

For more information or to become an individual or corporate sponsor, please email redhorowitz@gmail.com.

Tax-deductible donations are accepted (made out to Varsity Choral Society) at 87 Hilltop Drive, Manhasset, New York 11030.

24 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

THE TOP SEVEN EVENTS 1 Ch helssea Pla ace, Greeat Neck

Almost Queen Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m.

This four-piece “Queen” tribute band will be performing some of the legendary group’s most popular songs.

Dressing up in costumes and showcasing intricate musical interludes and signature four-part harmonies, “Almost Queen” puts a lot of effort into recapturing the energy of a live Queen performance. Ticket prices range from $24.50 to $69.50.

Where: NYCB Theatre at Westbury 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, NY 11590 Info: 516-247-5200 or thetheatreatwestbury.com

Bring your own Hanukkiah and d ca andles,

1

Bret Michaels Saturday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m.

Rock star Bret Michaels will be performing at the Paramount as part of his “Unbroken World” tour. Perhaps most-known as the former lead singer of the band “Poison,” Michaels has since transitioned into a successful solo career. His 2010 album, “Custom Built,” reached number one on Billboard’s hard rock list.

Where: The Paramount 370 New York Ave., Huntington, NY 11743 Info: 631-673-7300 or paramountny.com

2

Welcome Winter Walk Sunday, Dec. 29, 10 a.m.

Those interested can explore Sunken Meadow State Park and see how it looks like during the winter. As they stroll through the forest, people should try to spot some of the wildlife that may be active this time of year.

nday y Eveening 5 p.m.

Sun Deccembeer 22nd

Where: Sunken Meadow State Park Sunken Meadow Parkway Kings Park, NY 11754 Info: 631-581-1072 or parks.ny.gov

All Agess Welcom me.

Admissio on is Freee!

3

Monday Movie: Blinded by the Light Monday, Dec. 30, 2:30 p.m.

Youngg reveelers caan snag free dreideels an nd glow stticks.

Enjooy piiping hot pootato. artichoke and d sweeet potatoo latkes, kah treaats! suffganiott and other Hanukk

The South Huntington Public Library will be holding a special screening of the film “Blinded by the Light.” The film is about a teenager of Pakistani descent, Javed, living in 1987 Britain. Javed discovers and resonates with the music of Bruce Springsteen, seeing parallels between the song lyrics and his own life. The film currently holds a “Rotten Tomatoes” score of 89 percent.

Com me jooin Rabbi Jerry Blum for th his jooyoous occcasion.

Where: South Huntington Public Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Rd., Huntington Station, NY 11746 Info: 631-549-4411 or shpl.info

RS SVP Requ uired No Later than Fridaay, Deceember 20th.

Em mail numb ber of attendees, names & agess off childrren to:

TO ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT, VISIT 209 20 09795 5S

chanuk kkah2019@gm mail..coom

4

WWW.THEISLANDNOW.COM/ LOCAL-EVENTS

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

FOR THE COMING WEEK

Gold Coast International Film Festival

CINEMA SERIES

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8TH, 7:30 PM

Centennial Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve Gala Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Attendees can celebrate the beginning of 2020 by dressing as though it were 1920 at the Mansion in Glen Cove.

Once the party starts, there will be a one-hour cocktail reception open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, carving stations, an Italian cheese and bread station and much more. There will also be an elaborate four-course dinner available with surf and turf, as well as an open bar until 1:00 a.m. There will be a live DJ providing entertainment and special guest Joe Gannascoli from the hit HBO series “The Sopranos” will be on hand. Tickets for the event are $175 per person.

Where: The Mansion at Glen Cove 200 Dosoris Lne., Glen Cove, NY 11542 Info: 516-671-6400 or eventbrite.com

THE BOOKSELLERS GREAT NECK SQUIRE CINEMAS 115 MIDDLE NECK ROAD, GREAT NECK

5

STOMP!

A lively, behind-the-scenes look at the New York rare book world and the fascinating people who inhabit it. Executive produced by Parker Posey and featuring interviews with the most important dealers in the business, as well as prominent collectors, auctioneers, and writers.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 4 p.m.

The popular musical “STOMP!” will be coming to the Patchogue Theatre. The eight performers will be playing music without the use of conventional percussion instruments, substituting them with items like matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and hubcaps. Tickets for the event range from $69 to $89.

Where: Patchogue Theatre 71 East Main St., Patchogue, NY 11772 Info: 631-207-1313 or patchoguetheatre.org

Documentary. Directed by D.W. Young. Running time 99 minutes.

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“Touching & hilariously funny.”

6

– Broadway World

Hofstra Men’s Basketball Vs. William & Mary Tribe Thursday, Jan. 2, 7 p.m.

The Hofstra Pride look to continue their winning ways into 2020 against William & Mary. Hofstra recently made national headlines when they upset UCLA 88-78 on Nov. 21. The two teams last played each other on Feb. 9, with Hofstra winning 93-87. Tickets can be purchased for $22 for premium seating or between $9 and $16 for reserved seating.

Where: David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex Hofstra University, 245, Hempstead, NY 11549 Info: 516-463-6600 or gohofstra.com

7

Sometimes it’s harder to like someone than it is to love them

DENNIS GRIMALDI PRESENTS

TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT IN THIS SECTION, GO TO WWW.THEISLANDNOW.COM/ LOCAL-EVENTS

25

LEN CARIOU CRAIG BIERKO WRITTEN BY

GEORGE EASTMAN DIRECTED BY

KAREN CARPENTER 131 W. 55th St - NYCITYCENTER.org - 212-581-1212

HarryTownsendsLastStand.com

26 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

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Super Sleuths Friday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m.

Kids can spend the day at the Science Museum of Long Island solving a mystery with detectives and forensic scientists. Kids will use hidden clues, trace evidence and fingerprints to try finding the perpetrator of the crime. Admission to this five-hour workshop is $65 per child for museum members and $75 for non-members. It is recommended kids bring their own lunch to the event.

Where: Science Museum of Long Island 1526 North Plandome Rd.,Manhasset, NY 1103 Info: 516-627-9400 or smli.memberzone.com

1

Jeopardy Friday, Dec. 27, 4 p.m.

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THE TOP EVENTS FOR KIDS FOR THE COMING WEEK

The Patchogue-Medford Public Library will be hosting a trivia night based on the popular game show. The event is intended for kids between first and sixth grade. Kids will team up to answer the questions. Additionally, there will be prizes for those participating.

Where: Patchogue-Medford Public Library 54-60 East Main St., Patchogue, New York 11772 Info: 631-654-4700 or pmlib.libnet.info

Frosty the Snowman Saturday, Dec. 28, 7 p.m.

The Broad Hollow Theatre Company will be putting on a live play of the classic Christmas story at the Bayway Arts Center. With the help of his friend Jenny, Frosty will try to save the town of Chillsville from Ethel Pierpot’s scheme of melting all the snow. Advance tickets can be purchased for $11 as close as two hours before showtime. Once that window closes, tickets will be $13.

Where: Bayway Arts Center 265 East Main St., East Islip, NY 11730 Info: 631-581-2700 or broadhollow.org

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25 Red Ground Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 Office: (516) 307-1045 Fax: (516) 307-1046 www.theislandnow.com

2

3

A Christmas Carol Sunday, Dec. 29, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Long Island Children’s Museum will be bringing Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story to life through the art of puppetry. Actors and puppets will be interacting with each other throughout the play. Additionally, Victorian-costumed holiday revelers will be welcoming the audience as they enter the theater. Tickets are $7 for museum members, $9 for non-members and $12 for those who just wish to enter the theater.

Where: Long Island Children’s Museum 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, NY 11530 Info: 516-224-5800 or licm.org 4

To Infinity and Beyond Thursday, Jan. 2, 10 a.m.

Through this event, kids will discover what life is like for an astronaut in space. Then kids can visit the Science Museum of Long Island’s StarLab planetarium to learn more about our solar system and constellations of many cultures. Admission to the event is $65 for museum members and $75 for the public. Kids should bring their own lunch to the program.

Where: Science Museum of Long Island 1526 North Plandome Rd.,Manhasset, NY 11030 Info: 516-627-9400 or smli.memberzone.com

5

GUIDE

A Blank Slate Media Special Section â&#x20AC;¢ December 20, 2019

28 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Create a winter-friendly outdoor living space For many homeowners, the arrival winter marks an end to time spent lounging and dining al fresco on the patio. But cold

air does not necessarily mean patio furniture must be packed up until flowers bloom anew in spring.

In its 2017 Home Design Trends Survey, the American Institute of Architects found that consumers continue to

Covering a deck or patio and/or adding a fire feature are two ways to make outdoor living spaces more winter-friendly.

emphasize practical features that expand the functionality of their homes via heavy investment in outdoor living spaces. The survey found that the popularity of outdoor living spaces increased by 72 percent between 2012 and 2017, highlighting just how much homeowners enjoy spending time outdoors. By taking measures to make their outdoor living spaces winterproof, homeowners can enjoy these areas of their homes even more. · Cover your deck. A covered deck may appear to make the space less enjoyable during spring and summer. However, covered decks can protect residents from the sun on especially hot days while also making the space more functional in winter. An overhead shelter on a deck can be outfitted with heaters (and fans to provide a cooling effect in summer) and allow residents to sit outside and watch snow fall without getting wet. · Plant the right trees. Coniferous trees prevent wind, which can be especially harsh

in winter. Homeowners who are unsure about which direction wind typically comes from can consult a landscape architect to determine where to plant the trees to ensure they're most effective. · Fire up the patio. A firepit or fireplace can warm up an outdoor living area, making such a space warm and cozy even on a cold winter night. A patio with a built-in firepit can cost a pretty penny, but such an addition can withstand winter weather better than a standalone firepit, which might be vulnerable to being tipped over by winter winds. · Install lighting. The sun sets early in winter, so homeowners won't be able to rely on natural light to illuminate their outdoor living spaces well into the evening like they do in summer. Heat lamps can be used to both warm and illuminate a space, serving dual, budget-friendly functions.

With the right adjustments, outdoor living spaces can be enjoyed throughout winter.

The Regency is an assisted living setting with vital seniors who share your interests, caring staff, and upscale amenities that elevate comfort to another level.

Building on The Regency’s quarter-century reputation of excellence, we’ve created a secure, self-contained neighborhood dedicated to seniors with Alzheimer’s or other form of memory loss– allowing our residents to age in place.

94 School Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542 • T: 516-674-3007 • theregencyatglencove.com

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

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Polito Bakery Wishes You A Merry Christmas Specializing in Cookies, Pastries, Gingerbread Houses & Specialty Desserts

• Fine Italian Pastries, Cookies, Biscottis, Struffoli, Specialty Breads etc.

• Miniature Pastries • Pies • Cakes For All Occasions…

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Now Accepting All Of Your Holiday Orders

3361 Hillside Avenue New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-248-6618 Open 7 Days 6am-6pm

We sell wholesale to supermarkets & restaurants. Call for special pricing.

29

30 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Enjoy more time outdoors (even when it’s cold) The amount of time people spend outdoors has dramatically decreased, as the Environmental Protection Agency now reports the average American spends 87 percent of his or her time in a residence, school

building or workplace.

Being outside is linked to better moods, more physical activity and less exposure to contaminants (concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher indoors).

course. It’s much more difficult, - and a great workout - to try to jump over snow mounds or run down paths when decked out in warm layers. Engage in lighthearted competitions with friends and family members.

desire to be outside less appealing, but it is important for one’s mental and physical well-being to get outside. The following activities might coax people outside for some crisp air.

Also, people who spend time outside may not come into contact with surface germs or develop various illnesses spread as often as those who spend a lot of time indoors.

Cold weather can make the

Create snow critters Why do snowmen and women get all of the fanfare this time of year? Just about any living or fictional creature can be molded from snow and embellish landscapes. Use food-grade coloring in spray bottles to added even more creative flair to snow designs.

Build a bonfire Children can set off in different directions to gather up firewood to craft a bonfire with adults in a safe location.

S’mores taste equally delicious whether it’s warm or cold outside, and in winter they can be accompanied by toasty mugs of cocoa.

Go on a nature hike While many plants and animals hibernate in winter, there is still plenty to see. Bring along a sketch book or camera and capture nature in winter. White-washed hills can be beautiful to behold, and many small animals and birds look even more vivid against the white backdrop of snow.

Get sporty Sledding, skating, snowshoeing, and ice hockey are just a few of the winter sports that can get the heart pumping and muscles working outside.

These activities are entertaining and also great exercise.

When venturing outdoors in winter, dress in layers. This way clothing can be put on or taking off to reduce the likelihood of hypothermia

Make an obstacle course Turn an area of the yard or park into a homemade obstacle

RAINDEW We Sell Mylar & Latex Balloons

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

SANDS POINT PRESERVE CONSERVANCY WISHES YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A WONDERFUL 2020!

Our thanks to the Port Washington community for supporting the Conservancy’s mission to preserve the magnificent mansions and grounds of the former Guggenheim Estate, and to provide year-round cultural, educational, wellness/fitness, and horticultural programs.

WINTER HIGHLIGHTS Jazz Series Premiere – January 16 Winterfest for Families – January 26 Four Seasons in Music: Winter Concert/Dinner – February 1 Valentines Night Cabaret – February 14 Seasonal Celebrations t Cultural Events t Family & Adult Nature Education After School Science, Art & Yoga t Adult Yoga, Meditation, Qi Gong Woodland Playground t Dog Run t Mansion Tours t Private & Corporate Events

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP Support the Preserve and receive free parking and discounted tickets to select events.

Ticket Line: 516.304.5076 t Gate House: 516.571.7901 www.sandspointpreserve.org t info@sandspointpreserve.org 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050

31

32 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

HOLIDAY SPECIALS ERIC SHOES- WILLISTON PARK

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Protect your home (and more) from winter’s freeze Freezing temperatures may be good for ice skating or building snowmen, but sub-freezing temperatures can be dangerous for the average person and his or her home.

Cold weather often leaves people scurrying to do whatever is necessary to safeguard themselves from the big chill.

But it’s important homeowners also protect their homes in cold weather.

Plumbing Plumbing and pipes may be vulnerable to cold weather. Frozen pipes may burst and cause substantial damage to a home, potentially causing flooding and structural damage.

Homeowners should disconnect and drain garden hoses before winter arrives.

Water to outdoor hose bibs should be turned off, though the valves on these outdoor faucets should be left open to drain. Also, outdoor faucets can be covered with insulating foam covers.

The Red Cross says pipes that freeze most frequently include pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces. Close vents to the outside in areas like attics and basements to limit the amount of cold air that gets indoors. Think about insulating unheated areas, as well as using pipe sleeves, heat tape or wraps on exposed pipes.

By opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, homeowners can allow warm air from a home to reach pipes under the sink. During extreme freezes, keep cold water dripping from a sink to prevent pipes from freezing.

Service HVAC systems It’s important to ensure that heating systems are working properly prior to the cold-weather season. It may only take hours for the interior of a home to reach dangerously low temperatures without adequate heat. Homeowners should schedule annual checkups of furnaces and hot water heaters. Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, install a clean air filter and make sure all thermostats are working properly.

Have fuel ready Homeowners who heat their homes with oil, wood or coal should make sure they have plenty of fuel on hand in advance of winter. Shortages can occur, and it may take some time for new fuel to arrive in the midst of a cold snap.

As a precaution, homeowners can rely on portable space heaters to fill in the heating gaps during freezing temperatures. Exercise extreme caution with these devices, turning them off when leaving the room and remembering to avoid overloading outlets.

Protect outside Drain birdbaths, clean out downspouts and remove water from other items where water can freeze and cause damage. Inspect roofing prior to the snowy season, but stay off roofs during freezing weather.

Remove snow shovels and other winter gear from storage and make sure the items are easily accessible during snowstorms.

Winter’s bite can be severe. Homeowners can protect themselves and their properties when the freeze sets in.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

33

34 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Comfortable winter entertaining ideas Getting together with friends and family can be enjoyable even when the weather outside is frightful. When Mother Nature takes a chilly

turn, those who don’t want the party can consider the following entertaining ideas. · Indulge in sweet treats.

Comfort foods can make even

the most blustery winds easier to tolerate. Invite people over for a dessert party. At a dessert pot luck party, everyone brings along a favorite deca-

Coffee enjoyed with a group of friends can warm hearts on cold winter days.

dent dessert, from molten lava chocolate cake to warm bread pudding. Serve alongside tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Adults can enjoy the added punch of spiked beverages, which can warm everyone up instantly. · Host a “snowed in” party.

Spending a day cooped up inside when the roads are covered in snow might not be your idea of fun, but invite a mix of friends and neighbors who live nearby over, and this impromptu party can make the cabin fever disappear. Ask guests to bring one food item or beverage. Light a fire in the fireplace and set out some cozy throw blankets. If possible, invite everyone outdoors to build a snowman. · Get physical. Get physically active with friends or family members by staging mock Olympic events in the yard. These can be fun “sports” created by participants or variations on fun winter activities. Sledding races, snowball dodging contests, ice skating obstacle courses, and

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much more can make for an entertaining afternoon. · Get cooking. Cooking can certainly pass the time, and it can be even more enjoyable when done in the company of others. Send out an invitation for friends to stop by for a meal or plan a meal prep party. · Host a movie marathon.

Handpick some favorite films and invite everyone over for a movie marathon. Fill the family room, home theater room or living room to capacity and host a group for a film fest.

If space permits, set up one room with a children’s movie for youngsters, while the adults retire to another room for movies that are more their speed. A buffet table set up with assorted snacks will help keep bellies full while guests watch some favorite flicks.

Winter days and nights are ripe for entertaining possibilities. These events help squash the cabin fever that can sometimes develop during the colder times of year.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

35

36 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Warm up winter with a bowl of linguine

a style for every taste and budget

THE DIAMOND BOUTIQUE

Fine Jewelry Outlet

77 Main Street | Port Washington 516-767-0220 | www.diamondboutiqueinc.com OPEN TUESDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 6PM, THURSDAY 10AM - 7PM 2154426601

Warm and hearty dishes tend to be most sought-after in cold weather. Stews and soups might be go-to meals to warm us up in winter, but a rich dish of pasta featuring a savory, slightly spicy sauce and fresh clams can add a touch of heat that warms from within.

This recipe for "Razor Clam Linguine" from "Edible Seattle: The Cookbook" (Sterling Epicure) by Jill Lightner is sure to please this winter. While linguine is the pasta of choice in the recipe, spaghetti can be a suitable substitute. For a decorative touch, consider placing a few steamed clams on top of the plated pasta for instant impact if hosting guests.

Razor Clam Linguine Serves 4 1/2 stick unsalted butter 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup finely chopped onions 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup dry white wine 3/4 pound linguine 11/2 cups chopped (1/2-inch) razor clam meat 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano Red pepper flakes (up to 1 tablespoon) 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.

2. Heat the butter and olive oil together in a large saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Add the onions and garlic, season to taste with salt and black pepper and cook until almost tender, about 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Adjust the heat to medium-low, add the wine, and simmer until the liquid reduces by about two-thirds, about 10 minutes. When you add the wine, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions.

3. Add the clams, parsley, oregano, and red pepper to taste to the reduced sauce; simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to heat the clams through. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and black pepper if needed.

4. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the sauce and parmesan cheese and toss until well mixed. Serve immediately, topped with more cheese, if desired.

Cleaning tip: Drop clams into boiling water for a few seconds until their shells pop open. Snip oďŹ&#x20AC; the tough, skinny neck; slice them lengthwise and cut out all the dark, digestive bits, leaving the white meat. Give them a final rinse to remove any last bits of sand.

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

37

Oo La La brings foreign trends to G.N. Local fashion boutique imports clothing from across the world to Middle Neck Road

BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z Oo La La Boutique owners Judy and Michael Malekan have been bringing the latest foreign trends to the Great Neck community since 2001.

One of the area’s few remaining family-run businesses, Oo La La is located on 39 Middle Neck Road in the heart of the downtown community. The store offers special event dresses and gowns but also brings an array of more casual fashion from across the globe.

“We have traveled extensively through Europe where we purchase our unique merchandise,” Judy said. “We bring back clothes with the finest quality to the states and present them in our store in an intimate environment for our customers.”

Judy said that possessing a niche style of clothing is one of the ways that the store touts its “one-of-a-kind atmosphere.” She said that her business is predominantly word-of-mouth, and that word has spread all across Long Island.

“Our main base of clients reside in Great Neck,” she said. “But we have people coming in from the Hamptons and Manhattan to come and see our selection. Our customers know that what they see in our store is some of the most trendy and stylish fashion around other parts of the world right now.”

The Oo La La’s collection includes fashions from Paris, Italy, and Brazil, just to name a few. It is important to expose domestic customers to styles and fashion trends from around the world, Judy said.

“A large number of our clothing lines are from overseas,” she said. “Sometimes people will pick out an outfit or dress that sparks their interest, and then that one article of clothing can open a whole new door for their own personal fashion sense.”

Aside from becoming a trend-setter in New York, Judy said the customer experience that is provided at Oo La La is tough to come by. It is also one of the main reasons people pick her business over large retail stores or online shopping sites.

“When people come in, they are always immediately welcomed by myself or anyone else who is working here,” she said.

“Our main goal is to find exactly what a customer is looking for and throw in some of our expertise to help guide them if they do not know exactly what they want. We will always be looking out for our clients rather than sell them something pricey that they are not fully sold on.”

The relationship Judy has with her clients extends beyond recurring sales every few weeks. She said that generations of women come into their store looking for special occasion gowns and dresses and that it is up to her to make sure the entire family is pleased with their selection.

“We have fitted 16-year-olds and we’ve fit 90-year-olds, so we have seen everything here,” Judy said. “When we are helping a family pick out the most appropriate clothes for an important event, we put ourselves in their shoes and try to see what is best for them.”

Even when more people are choosing to peruse the online selection and save a trip out, Judy said that the boutique has a wonderful and loyal clientele that keeps her in business.

“There is a special ambiance when people walk into the store, and it’s something that customers have told me they don’t feel at any other store,” she said. “Everyone is family when they walk in here. It is a catered customer experience for anyone who walks in our door.”

Despite a handful of customers driving upwards of three hours to find that perfectly unique piece of clothing, Judy said that it is the people of Great Neck who have been there since the very beginning.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to surround my store each day,” she said. “The residents here have shown so much patronage and kindness since we first opened. I am always grateful for our local community supporting us.”

PROFILES ON ‘MAIN STREET’

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDY MALEKAN

Judy and Michael Malekan have been traveling around the world finding new fashion trends for the boutique.

38 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Pottery, The Perfect Gift For Adults and Children!

Get Together With Friends With a PARTTERY Gift Certificates Available for Pottery Classes

Handmade Pottery and Jewelry.

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How to keep pets safe in winter weather The arrival of cooler temperatures sparks various changes. Chilly air and precipitation can be dangerous, especially to pets that are unaccustomed to extreme changes in temperature.

Pet owners may be well aware of the hazards of warm weather, including the threat of leaving pets in hot cars. But cold weather also has its share of risks. Heed these tips to keep pets safe and secure. · Schedule a well visit. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests scheduling a visit with a veterinarian to check for any medical issues. Cold weather can aggravate symptoms of certain conditions, such as arthritis. A thorough examination can shed light on potential problems. · Keep homes humidified. Going in and out of the house and moving from cold air to dry indoor heat can affect pets’ skin. Itching and flaking may result, causing pets to scratch at such areas. Maintain humidity in the home for comfort.

The ASPCA also says to reduce bathing to help preserve essential oils on the skin. · Protect paws outdoors. Pet paws are sensitive to sand, ice, snow, and chemical ice melts. Massage petroleum jelly or another protectant onto paw pads, or consider the use of pet booties. · Keep pets indoors more often. Pets should not remain outdoors for long

stretches of time in frigid temperatures, even if they are accustomed to roaming during other seasons, advises The Humane Society of the United States. · Provide options for sleeping. Come the winter, cats and dogs may need new sleep spaces to avoid drafts and stay warm. Give them other spots they can call their own. · Consider a sweater or vest. Some pets are more tolerant to the cold than others. However, some dogs and cats may benefit from a sweater, vest or coat designed for pets to offer a little more insulation. · Update identification and contact information. Snow and ice can mask scent cues that help pets find their way home. Update contact information and make sure pets’ collars are on tightly. · Keep coolant and antifreeze locked away. Coolant and antifreeze are lethal to dogs and cats and should be kept out of reach. Clean up any spills from vehicles promptly. · Provide fresh food and water. Pets may burn more calories trying to stay warm. Be sure the animal has a little extra food and plenty of water to stay sated and hydrated.

Winter weather requires pets owners to make changes so pets can remain happy and safe.

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Warm away winter’s chill with this soup

Many foodies feel that bacon makes everything better. Bacon certainly brings a salty and savory flavor to nearly any food it complements, and it is perfectly acceptable enjoyed on its own.

In this recipe for “Lentil and Bacon Soup” from “Soup’s On! Soul-Satisfying Recipes from Your Favorite Cookbook Authors and Chefs” (Chronicle Books)

by Leslie Jonath and Frankie Frankeny, bacon is the star of the flavor show. This soup is ideal for chilly winter days.

Lentil and Bacon Soup Serves 6 1 pound bacon, cut into julienne 1 cup diced yellow onions 1 cup diced carrots 1 cup green lentils 2 quarts chicken stock or broth, divided Salt & Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup chopped scallions

Cook three-quarters of the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat and add the lentils and 1 quart of the stock. Simmer over low heat until the lentils are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Add the remaining 1 quart stock and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook the soup over medium heat until hot, about 10 minutes.

Cook the remaining bacon in a hot sauté pan over medium-high heat until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels.

Ladle some of the soup into each bowl and sprinkle with the crispy bacon and the scallions.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

39

Many Beliefs...

One Faith Friday, December 20, 7:00 pm Winter Solstice music, meditation and Yule Log

Sunday, December 22, 11:00 am

Light One Candle honoring Hanukkah and the story of light

Tuesday, December 24, Christmas Eve

Bring Light 5:00 pm Candlelight Family Service 7:00 pm Traditional Service of Readings and Carols All are welcome.

Free professional child care

Unitarian Universalist

Congregation at Shelter Rock

Human. Kind.

48 Shelter Rock Rd Manhasset, NY 11030 uucsr.org | 516.627.6560

40 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Beat cabin fever with winter renovations When the weather outside is frightful, homeowners and renters can turn their interior spaces into something delightful.

Residents can banish feelings of

cabin fever by using time spent inside to make subtle or even substantial improvements to their living areas.

Individuals may find that

winter is a great time to tackle delayed or unfinished projects or to put plans for major renovations in motion. Homeowners may find that they have some

Brighten up interior spaces with a new coat of paint - a perfect project when cooped up indoors.

extra time on their hands when weather and early evening darkness reduces how much time they can spend outdoors. The following projects can help homeowners make the most of their time indoors. · Start painting. One of the easiest ways to transform the look of a room is with a fresh coat of paint. Painting a room or rooms is an inexpensive project that can be completed over the course of a single weekend.

Painting in lighter colors can help illuminate dark spaces and make a home feel more vivid and inviting, especially during the winter. And painting need not be reserved for walls only.

Homeowners may want to sand and paint furniture to give items a trendy arts-and-crafts feel. · Reimagine flooring. Thanks to the bevy of laminate, composite materials and vinyl flooring options, homeowners can engage in do-it-yourself flooring projects to perk up tired interior spaces.

Many “floating” flooring systems are user-friendly and can instantly update spaces. Some systems may not even require adhesives

or nails to complete. · Redress the furniture. New furniture can be expensive. For those who are happy with the lines and scale of their current furniture, a facelift may be all that’s needed to give rooms a new look. Slipcovers can make sofas, love seats and chairs look like new or blend with an entirely new color scheme. Slipcovers come in fitted and loose varieties and in many different materials. Other pieces can be updated with throws, new linens or a coat of paint or stain. · Address drafts and other inefficiencies. Colder temperatures alert homeowners to drafts, leaks and even insect or rodent infiltration. Homeowners can scout out rooms and remedy situations. · Organize the home. Rainy or snowy days are great moments to address organizational issues, such as messy mudrooms or cluttered kitchen cabinets. Get a jump-start on spring cleaning before the warm weather arrives.

Time spent indoors can be put to good use by engaging in renovation projects.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

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Joe DiVittorio, owner of Eddie’s, and his family is proud of the restaurant’s history and enjoys knowing people love Eddie’s pizza. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of Italian and family favorites.

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42 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

GIVE THE GIFT OF NINJA!

Now you can give the “Gift of Ninja” to your relatives, friends or coworkers! What better way to show those you care than with the gift of healthy exercise and physical strength?

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How to beat the winter blues Most areas in Europe and North America observe daylight saving time.

Daylight saving time is often welcomed in spring, as it helps to extend daylight hours well into the evening. But few may welcome turning the clocks back in fall.

Coupled with the natural shortening of daylight hours as winter approaches, the end of DST facilitates a sudden shift in the ratio of sunlight to darkness. As autumn transforms into winter, the number of available hours of daylight slowly dwindles. Some areas of Alaska and Canada see only about three or four hours of daylight per day in the winter months. Conversely, those who live in Key West, Florida, the southernmost point of the contiguous United States, may enjoy around 10 hours of daylight.

Fewer daylight hours can adversely affect mood and productivity. Seasonal affective disorder, often referred to as “SAD” or “the winter blues,” has been recognized and included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders. Clinicians say that, as days become short and dark, a predictable set of symptoms of SAD may emerge. Individuals with SAD may experience a host of symptoms, including difficulty waking in the morning; diminished energy levels; a tendency to eat more; an inability to concentrate; and depression.

The Cleveland Clinic advises that approximately half a million people in the United States suffer from winter SAD, while 10 to 20 percent may suffer from more mild forms of winter blues.

The Canadian Mental Health Association states that between 2 and 3 percent of Canadians will experience SAD

in their lifetime. Another 15 percent will experience a mild form of SAD that leaves them only slightly depressed.

Similar symptoms can occur for those people who live in cloudy regions or high latitudes.

Evidence strongly suggests SAD is linked to sunlight. This lack of sunlight may trigger production of melatonin in some individuals. Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland that regulates sleep onset and sleeping patterns.

A combination of self-care strategies as well as professional medical treatment may help those with winter blues or more severe SAD. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that these strategies can help people coping with SAD. · Get out of the house into sunlight or brightly lit spaces early in the day when the sun is out. · Increase time spent outdoors.

Take a break midday and enjoy lunch outside or take a walk, even if it’s chilly. · Try to spend time with other people and chat with friends and relatives. · Avoid overloading on carbohydrates like cookies and candies. · Talk to a doctor about using light therapy, which is the first line of SAD treatment, according to the University of Maryland School of Medicine. · Consider cognitive behavioral therapy or talk therapy with a licensed mental health provider. He or she also can make recommendations about the use of medication to alleviate symptoms if other treatments do not provide results.

There are many ways to mitigate the symptoms of winter blues.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Keep on going green this winter Each season presents its own unique set of challenges. From summer heat waves to spring rainstorms to snowfall in winter, the planet throws a lot at its inhabitants.

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is often simple. But sometimes the weather can make it hard to maintain a commitment to going green. Winter weather can be particularly challenging, as it can be hard to sacrifice convenience and comfort in the face of harsh weather. But there are ways to stay true to your eco-friendly roots even when winter weather is at its most unpleasant. · Save your fireplace ashes. If your home has a fireplace that you like to cozy up next to in winter, you can make great use of the ashes left behind when the fire goes out. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ashes from wood-burning fireplaces can be added to compost heaps. Once added, these ashes help to create a soil amendment that can deliver valuable nutrients to your garden.

After each fire, collect the ashes rather than sweeping them up and discarding them. Then add the collected ashes to your compost pile when the weather permits. · Install a programmable thermostat. If you don’t already have one,

install a programmable thermostat in your home. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy notes that homeowners can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling costs by turning their thermostats back 7° to 10° F for eight hours per day. Set the thermostat to drop 10°F when the family leaves for work and/or school in the morning, programming it to return to a more comfortable level when the family returns home at night. This saves you from sitting in a cold home while also saving you money by making sure you are not paying to heat an empty house. · Have your home heating system inspected before winter hits full swing.

Home heating systems, including boilers and furnaces, should be inspected by a professional each year, ideally before the arrival of winter. Heating systems that are not operating at peak efficiency will cost homeowners money and waste energy. If you notice yourself frequently increasing the temperature on your thermostat just to keep your home warm and comfortable, call a local HVAC professional to inspect the system. Scheduling such an appointment prior to the arrival of winter can save you the cost and discomfort of living with an inefficient system.

An ocean treasure for her.

· Choose an electric snowblower.

Many homeowners now use snowblowers instead of shovels to remove snow from their properties. While snow shovels are the most eco-friendly snow removal tool, even the most eco-conscious homeowners recognize how snowblowers make snow removal easy and more efficient. But gas-powered snowblowers consume substantial amounts of fuel. If you must use a snowblower, choose an electric one

instead of one powered by gas. Even though electric snowblowers consume electricity, the EPA notes that such products leave a smaller carbon footprint than gas-powered snowblowers because they do not emit greenhouse gases.

Harsh winter weather can make it challenging to live in an eco-friendly way. But there are many ways to withstand winter and do so in a way that does not hurt the planet.

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Winter can be a beautiful time of year, particularly when freshly fallen snow blankets the landscape. However, winter is also a time fraught with potential peril. The same winter weather that makes landscapes so pristine can make roads and walkways - and even being outside - dangerous.

The U.S. Department of Transportation says weather-related vehicle crashes killed 6,253 people last year and injure more than 480,000 per year. These accidents most often occur when roadways are wet, snowy or icy. Yet, winter driving is not the only seasonal hazard. Here are some common winter activities and how to avoid getting hurt when engaging in them.

Driving Exercise extra caution when driving on roadways during the winter, as they may contain ice or snow. All it takes is a small coating of precipitation on roadways to make driving treacherous. Wetlooking roadways may be wet, or they may be covered by ice, and it’s difficult to tell the difference with the naked eye.

Always slow down and assume you are driving on ice. Make every effort to improve visibility. This includes checking windshield washer fluid levels and ensuring windshield blades are in good working order.

Snow removal Shoveling or removing snow by various methods can be strenuous work, taking even those who feel they are in good shape by surprise. A 2011 study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that an average of 11,500 snowshoveling-related injuries and medical

emergencies were treated in U.S. emergency departments each year from 1990 to 2006.

Lower back injuries, falls, injuries to the arms and hands and cardiac-related injuries account for many of the incidents sustained while removing snow. There’s also the risk of injury from collisions with pedestrians and snow plows. Plows and bobcat-type devices can cause serious injury. Exercise caution when operating such machines.

Roof snow removal Removing snow from a roof can be a dangerous prospect. Always use the appropriate equipment, which includes telescoping poles, rather than climbing on slippery roofs. This may be a job best left for a professional, who will have fallarrest systems and nonslip safety boots.

Dressing for conditions Venturing outdoors for winter fun may be enticing, but never put your health at risk for the sake of fun. The Mayo Clinic says hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Wear appropriate clothing to prevent hypothermia, which may not produce any initial symptoms. If shivering stops or confusion and slurred speech set in, severe hypothermia is in effect and a person should be moved indoors and gently warmed. Mild hypothermia is also possible indoors, typically when the elderly spend several hours in poorly heated homes.

Winter may be beautiful, but it also can be hazardous. Taking precautions and using common sense help avoid dangerous situations.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Garden City Park Mineola Chinatown (The Bowery) Chinatown (Canal Street) Flushing Forest Hills Sunset Park

Š2019 Hanover Community Bank. All rights reserved.

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516.248.4868 516.548.8600 212.334.9191 212.301.6863 646.828.8650 646.569.3600 718.633.4528

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25 Red Ground Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 Office: (516) 307-1045 Fax: (516) 307-1046 www.theislandnow.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

VacationArts program during holiday recess Celebrate the school Holiday Recess with an all-day creative program offered at the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck. Gold Coast Arts Center is again offering its highly popular VacationArts program on no-school days for children in pre-K through seventh grade.

This year’s holiday program is on December 26, 27 and 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can attend on one or more of these days and participate in fun and educational activities, including art, music, chess, acting, dance, and the all-popular edible art all of which are taught by great teachers. Each day of VacationArts is full of activities offered in a creative space. Children leave the Arts Center each day feeling happy, confident, and accomplished.

“VacationArts is a terrific opportunity for children to experience every aspect of creativity, including art, dance and theatre,” says Ellen Schiff, Director, School for the Arts.

The program takes place at the Gold Coast Arts Center, 113 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck. The affordable tuition includes a nut-free snack and a full lunch while offering optimal flexibility for parents. VacationArts is also available during Winter Recess in February and Spring Recess in April. Gold Coast Arts Center’s members get special pricing! For specific details and to learn more about the programs and activities offered through VacationArts, please call 516-829-2570 or visit http://goldcoastarts.org/school-forthe-arts/vacationarts/.

Gold Coast Arts Center offers a variety of art-related activities to keep kids busy when school is not in session

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/THEISLANDNOW AND LIKE US ON TWITTER: @THEISLANDNOW

HERE’S TO A YEAR OF BLESSINGS & BEYOND

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS! MAUREEN POLYÉ Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

O: 516.582.5646 | M: 646.239.0769 maureen.polye@elliman.com © 2019 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

elliman.com/longisland 110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746. 631.549.7401.

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52 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Thank you to an exceptional staff for enriching the lives of our residents every day.

SENDING THE BRISTAL FAMILY AND YOURSâ&#x20AC;¦

Warm Holiday Wishes!

LONG ISLAND: East Meadow | East Northport | Garden City Holtsville | Jericho | Lake Grove | Lake Success* | Lynbrook Massapequa | North Hills | North Woodmere | Sayville West Babylon | Westbury *A Memory Care Only Community

NEW JERSEY: Englewood

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WESTCHESTER: Armonk

White Plains

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Somerset

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Wayne

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Woodcliff Lake

Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Quality Communities by Engel Burman.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

53

READERS WRITE

Big Pharma are lifesavers, not liars

L

argest study of its kind finds Guardant 360 MSI highly concordant to tissue.

Large scale study shows Guardant360 effectively guides precision oncology treatment in metastatic breast cancer patients.

Liquid biopsy utility reinforced in early results from UK target program.

COTA and Guardant Health collaborate using real-=world data to reveal insights into metastatic colon cancer and prevalence of biomarker testing.

Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine Biobank begins returning participant PGx results.

Study shows only 40 percent of patients with metastatic colon cancer receive guideline-recommended biomarker testing.

I am writing this article using headlines from respectable journals of medicine and gene therapy scientific material, as a rebuttal of sorts to the articles written by so many laypeople and politicians who know so little about this industry and who seem to only find fault with it.

As a retired pharmacist with over 50 plus years in the profession, and business, of pharmacy, I consider myself more knowledgeable on this subject matter, and I think it is fair to say that the men

and women who run these companies are not liars.

Higher profit margins are a necessity, not a luxury, as a source of funding for the “innovations” that some say are funded by the government, through the National Institutes of Health as well as private institutions.

The National Institutes of Health, a government-sponsored institution, in recent years has shifted its focus to DNA and gene therapy studies and basic research using these two tools Biomarkers is another term you may hear more often now.

It is defined as a molecule that indicates a normal or abnormal process taking place in your body and may be a sign of an underlying condition or disease.

Genes, DNA and proteins can serve as biomarkers. Cancer biomarkers can include proteins, gene mutations (changes in genes), DNA, and hormones.

Scientists working in the NIH and pharmaceutical companies are working in an area that is always new and very costly in its discovery and processing of drugs Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner, board member of Pfizer, and someone who is very knowledgeable on the subject of gene therapy and research on

gene therapy cures, writing in the Wall Street Journal opinion page, talks of a “Victoria Gray of Mississippi, who recently became the first U.S. patient with a genetic disorder to be treated using the CrispR gene-editing technique.

Doctors used a novel drug to overwrite the function of a faulty gene, that gave rise to her sicklecell disease He says that over the decade, we will have gene-therapy cures for deadly inherited disorders such as muscular dystrophy, I am sure that many of the readers of the journal will remember the Labor Day telethons of Jerry Lewis to cure this horrible disease Gene editing and regenerative medicine will be used to restore human functions lost to disease, including returning some sight to the blind. Gottlieb writes that “New and high-risk platforms like gene therapies are often targeted first to treat rare and serious conditions; after they are proven to work safely, they will be used to treat more common maladies such as heart disease.

“The Food and Drug Administration approved four gene therapies in only the past three years, with 800 similar kinds of products in various stages of development.

An assessment of the current pipe-

line and historical rates of success in clinical trials suggest that by 2025, the FDA will be approving 10 to 20 gene therapy drugs a year. Progress is especially strong in oncology.”.

Gottlieb states that the cost of enrolling a single patient in a clinical trial for a gene-altering drug often costs between $500,000 and $700,000 and can reach as high as $1 million. That is for one patient in a clinical trial.

Gottlieb points out the important but very difficult process of giving “second to market” drugs the same regulatory benefits that” first to market drugs” receive since it would be difficult and possibly not ethical to treat a patient with a drug that may work when there is already one available that does work.

Companies today seek to discover what are frequently called “innovative” and that costs lots of money, time, and patience but without the first, there is no second or third.

The National Institutes of Health do use monies to do basic research that is taxpayer-funded.

But only to a degree. Much more is needed than what is available from the NIH or other private organizations to discover and bring to market a new drug using gene

therapy.

It is no sin to make a profit and to attack an industry that is now developing new types of drugs that actually cure disease states of very serious diseases.

Years ago, many companies introduced drugs that were really just “me-too drugs” but those days are gone.

Most genetic diseases are quite rare and affect one person in every several thousand or million.

Genetic disorders may be hereditary or non-hereditary meaning that they may be passed down from the parents’ genes.

Examples of genetic disorders are and include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, spinal muscular atrophy, and tay-sachs disease.

The headlines I quoted in the beginning of this article are there only to have you understand how different today’s drug companies and the scientists who work there are.

How we will pay for such curative gene therapies is another discussion for another day but really has nothing to do with the Sacklers, high drug prices we are experiencing now and higher drug costs.

Bert Drachtman Great Neck

Nassau falls short on flavored e-cigs

T

he American Heart Association is very disappointed with the limited scope the Nassau County Legislature took yesterday [“Nassau bill would ban most flavored e-cigs”, Letters, Nov. 26] which would ban the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes, and hopes that there is an opportunity to include all flavored tobacco products, including menthol combustible cigarettes.

The announcement by the Nassau County Legislature simply does not go far enough to protect Long Islanders from the health risks associated with tobacco use and nicotine addiction.

While candy-flavored ecigarettes are hooking youth, so are mint and menthol-flavored e-cigarettes and combustible menthol cigarettes. Mint and menthol flavoring in all tobacco

products makes it easier to start using and harder to quit.

In 2009, flavored combustible cigarettes were banned from sale nationally, with the exception of menthol cigarettes.

Since then, menthol cigarettes have grown in popularity, with more than half of all youth and young adult smokers using them, along with 85 percent of African-American smokers.

We cannot leave menthol

cigarettes on the table once again. We know that menthol cigarettes have been successfully promoted and marketed disproportionately to youth and African American communities for decades.

Restricting the sale of all flavors in all tobacco products is a must if we want to eliminate tobacco use and keep future generations from ever picking up this dangerous addiction.

We urge the Nassau County Legislature to take this one step further in order to help curb combustible tobacco use by removing flavors from all deadly tobacco products.

Dr. Russell Schiff, President American Heart Association’s Long Island Board of Directors

King no supporter of anti-hate efforts

O

n Dec. 9, in response to the recent racist and anti-Semitic graffiti incidents at Glen Cove’s Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone held a press conference, announcing the formation of an anti-hate task force.

The press conference was hosted by the HMTC and featured appearances by several other government officials.

Normally, this would be an uncontroversial and welcome response to indefensible acts of bigotry.

However, Curran, Bellone and HMTC leadership delegitimized their own efforts by in-

viting U.S. Rep. Peter King to attend the press conference and address the crowd.

I do not make this serious and unfortunate accusation because of King’s political affiliation. I make it because King has spent many years spewing hatred and has no place leading the charge against bigotry on Long Island.

For example, back in 2011, King initiated a series of infamous anti-Muslim congressional hearings.

At the time, King made unsupported claims that Muslim leaders and community members, including those he personally worked with in the past, were not cooperating with law enforcement to fight radicaliza-

tion and were covering for al Qaeda, the terrorist organization behind the 9/11 attacks.

The year before, King attended an awards ceremony thrown by anti-Muslim group ACT for America, where its founder, Brigitte Tudor, presented him with their “Patriot Award.”

Continued on Page 54

54 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

READERS WRITE

Scott Stringer wrong on, for MTA

N

ever shy around a camera or microphone, New York City Comptroller and 2021 mayoral wanna be Scott Stringer will continue issuing a series of useless audits and reports including those critical of the MTA and various municipal agencies.

His most recent deals with Bombardier’s $600 million dollar contract with MTA NYC Transit for 300 new subway cars, which is several years late.

He conveniently forgot to tell you in exchange for Bombardier’s delays in delivery, NYC Transit will obtain 18 additional subway cars at no cost.

Stringer travels around town by car with driver and police security detail.Unlike the millions of New Yorkers, he doesn’t own a Metro Card and ride the subway on a daily basis.

Do as I say, not as I do is his motto. With term limits, Stringer is just another term-limited career politician using the NYC comptroller’s office perks current position while seeking yet another public office.

As a former state Assemblymember, Manhattan Borough president and currently NYC Comptroller – he has never worked an honest day in his life.

If Stringer was serious about this issue, why didn’t he years ago ask either Mayor Bill de Blasio or Gov. Andrew Cuomo to appoint him to serve on the MTA Board.

A significant percentage of NYC Transit subway car and bus procurements along with many other capital projects and programs, are funded for the most part by Federal Transit Administration grants. These federal funds go to NYC Transit, Long Island and Metro North Rail Road along with MTA Bus. They will total $7 billion between now and when the $32 billion 2015-2019 MTA Capital Program Plan is completed.

These are subject to federal procurement rules and regulations including Buy America requirements. Over $7 billion has been requested as part of the $51 billion 2020 – 2024 MTA Capital Program Plan to replace

almost 2,000 more subway cars.

There are only fourrail car manufacturers including Alstom,Bombardier,Kawasaki and Siemansto supply transit agencies around the nation. As a result, there is limited competition between a handful of potential suppliers.

The MTA, NYC Transit, LIRR & Metro North are competing against each other and transit agencies, who operate subway and or heavy commuter rail around the nation for time and space on the handful of manufacturer’s production line.

As a result, over past MTA Five Year Capital Programs, NYC Transit has averaged five years for subway cars and three for buses. This process begins with the development of bid specifications, advertising and award.

Next is vendor mobilization, pre-production, assembly, testing, delivery and acceptance from the first to the last subway, commuter rail car or bus.

Purchasing a thousand or more subway cars is not like us

going to a local car dealer. Automobile manufacturers have a series of basic models with a variety of optional add ons produced year in large quantities.

Subway and commuter car manufacturers do not have a ready supply of off the shelf stock on hand, ready to drive off the lot. Each transit agency has different bid specifications to meet their respective physical systems, maintenance and operational needs.

The winning bidder needs time to develop a prototype car followed by delivery of one 10-car train set. The NYC Transit needs time to run these vehicles in revenue service. This is to ensure they can survive the challenges of operating in the nation’s largest subway system.

They have met bid specifications. NYC Transit operations and maintenance groups need time to make sure they have the resources to manage both this new and existing fleet. Only then, after completion of NYC Transit internal review and sign off by various departments can

the manufacturer begin full production.

If you are lucky and there are no hiccups during production, this might average ten cars or one train set per week. Each car has to be inspected and accepted at the production plant and again after delivery which takes time.

Stringer should visit any subway car production plant and see for himself before complaining.

Stringer should also meet with the hard-working MTA and NYC Transit procurement, operational and maintenance staff assigned to manage subway car procurements. This would help him develop a better understanding of the process from start to finish.

Larry Penner (Larry Penner is a transportation historian, advocate and writer who previously worked 31 years for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office.

King no supporter of anti-hate efforts Continued from Page 53 Further, King has been a longtime advocate for the blanket surveillance of Muslim houses of worship and even recently encouraged Donald Trump to implement a surveillance pro-

gram similar to the failed illegal one previously put in place by the NYPD. King has also claimed that there are “too many mosques” in the United States (a comment he later claimed was misconstrued).

I suggest your readers look over the article by Spencer Ackerman, “Peter King Pioneered the Persecution of American Muslims,” published by the Daily Beast website on Nov. 11, 2019, if they would like a condensed

summary of King’s abhorrent anti-Muslim history.

For these (and many other reasons), Curran, Bellone and the HMTC’s leadership should be ashamed to have allowed King to take part in their press confer-

ence and distract from the important task of combating hatred on Long Island. They can and should do better.

Matthew Zeidman New Hyde Park

E A R T H M AT T E R S

Celebrating with clear conscience Continued from Page 16 ed electronic devices in unsafe makeshift sheds to find small pieces of valuable, but toxic materials used to manufacture electronics?

More than we want to think about.

Lots of people will give or receive new phones, game consoles, smart speakers, smartwatches, video doorbells, earbuds and other wireless devices this holiday season.

But wireless anything should give parents pause as more and more research is revealing serious health risks from

long term exposure to radiofrequency microwave radiation.

Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable and should avoid “near field” and prolonged exposure.

Clothing is also a popular gift, but winter clothing that is weather-resistant, like ski wear and snow boots, contain perfluorinated compounds, just like the toxic PFAS chemicals we have recently detected here in our water on Long Island. And all those warm and fuzzy fleece coats, hats, gloves and scarves will send millions of micro-plastic fibers into our waters when

we throw them in the washing machine.

If you take the time and trouble to trace a product’s complete lifecycle, from its manufacture to its disposal, or “cradle to grave,” you may be surprised to discover how even the most innocuous gifts can come with a heavy environmental price tag.

So what to do this holiday season when it comes to gifts for the ones you love?

The good news is there are plenty of gifts you can choose for your friends and family that pose no risk either to them or our environment. The first

things that come to my mind are family recipes and traditions.

I know a family that exchanges only homemade gifts and another that agrees that all gifts must be consumable. I do like the zero-waste idea, and I am a big fan of finding secondhand treasures…reduce, reuse and recycle. Kids might find this a fun challenge as they are very aware of this mantra from school, scouts and other youth programs.

Environmentally friendly gifts include puzzles and books, tickets to concerts and shows, and memberships in museums,

gyms or recreational clubs. Yoga, meditation, dance and cooking classes are all great gifts, as are music lessons or tickets to a lecture series. A piece of beautifully framed original art or an enlargement of a family photograph or a child’s special drawing make great and lasting gifts.

Subscriptions to inspiring, entertaining and informative magazines will be appreciated all year long. So, enjoy your holidays with family and friends while also showing your care for our fragile world!

Letters Continued on Page 64

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

55

COMMUNITY NEWS

Northwell CEO honored Breakdancing at

Menorah lighting

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH

Northwell Health President and CEO Michael J. Dowling has been named to Modern Healthcare magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.”

Northwell Health President and CEO Michael J. Dowling, whose stance on social issues such as gun violence as a public health crisis earned industry-wide praise, has been named to Modern Healthcaremagazine’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” for the 13th consecutive year.

Dowling ranks 44th on the latest list that includes the nation’s most prominent health care CEOs, elected officials and government administrators. He is one of five New York-based leaders represented. Modern Healthcarecited Dowling’s standing on the list for his ad campaign that ran in The New York Timesin August and urged fellow health care leaders to mobilize against gun violence.

“As guardians of public health, it is our responsibility to address public health crises in our communities – whether it be gun violence or the opioid epidemic,” Dowling said. “Clinicians are the ones on the front lines of this fight. The good news is that we can save lives through education, awareness and advocacy.”

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health system with more than 220 primary care practices, 23 hospitals and $12.5 billion in annual revenue. Dowling’s ability to grow the health system into a vast clinical, academic and research enterprise builds on a legacy of innovation dating back to his 12 years of public service overseeing health, education and human services for former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

CMS Administrator Seema Verma topped Modern Healthcare’s rankings while Amazon chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos (third) and President Donald Trump (ninth) were ranked among the top 10. Former Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson, who died last month at 60, was posthumously honored at No. 2.

To see the complete list of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare,” go to:https://www.modernhealthcare. com/awards/100-most-influential-people-healthcare-2019 Submitted by Northwell Health

Seniors craft blankets for love The Town of North Hempstead “Blankets of Love” senior group crafted 30 blankets for the town’s Veterans Donation Drive, benefitting the Northport VA. Blankets of Love is a crocheting and knitting group formed by Project Independence members. The group provides an opportunity for senior residents in the community to come together and work in a collaborative manner on a meaningful and rewarding project.

The group has donated blankets to other organizations, including United Veterans Beacon House, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Mama’s House, Bethany House, Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the National Coalition

The Town of North Hempstead will ignite a public 10foot Hanukkah menorah erected at the Town Hall located on Plandome Rd, followed by a community-wide celebration on December 23rd, the second night of the eight-day holiday, at 4:00 p.m.

The ceremony, organized by the Town of North Hempstead and Chabad of Manhasset, will feature a special break dancers performance led by Emphasis Entertainment. Following the menorah lighting ceremony, hundreds will dance, sing and eat the night away. Live music and a human size dreidel mascot will enliven the celebration. latkes & donuts for all.

The event is cosponsored

by North Shore University Hospital of Northwell Health, Raindew Manhasset, Showcase Kitchens, Karen Sabag, Starbucks & Arizona.

“The Menorah serves as a message of freedom, of good over evil, light over darkness.

A Menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum which obtained particular significance to the Jewish people during their rebellion nearly 2500 years ago.

The Menorah symbolizes the liberty to express oneself ethically, culturally and religiously.

As such, it is an indication of the diversity and pluralism

which are so important to our society. Its display during the holiday season reminds us of these precious liberties secured by our Constitution,” said Rabbi Mendel Paltiel.

Today, the unprecedented public display of Hanukkah has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life, forever altering the American practice and awareness of the festival. Manhasset’s menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, and the Kremlin helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message Throughout Long Island, Chabad will be presenting scores of Hanukkah events and celebrations, including public menorah lightings, giant menorahs made out of ice and Legos, menorah parades, latke Parties, giant dreidel houses, “Chanukah Wonderlands” and more.

For more information about Hanukkah and a local schedule of events visit chabadmanhasset.com/chanukah.

Submitted by the Chabad of Manhasset.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ THEISLANDNOW AND LIKE US ON TWITTER: @THEISLANDNOW

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD.

“Blankets of Love” members with their creations to be donated to the Northport VA for the Veterans Donation Drive. for Women with Heart Disease.

Blankets of Love meet on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Those interested in more infor-

mation on the program can call 516-869-6311.

Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

56 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

Business&RealEstate

Town makeovers up real estate values

F

irst off, I want to wish all my readers a healthy, happy, and relaxing Chanukah, Christmas and Kwanza with all your families, friends and business associates and to think of one another as very special.

Treat each other with respect, consideration and a “pay it forward” attitude by acknowledging your neighbors, and to try to make a difference by saying hello to them with a good morning, a good afternoon and good eves and happy holidays by opening some dialogue of friendliness and togetherness.

Help someone, maybe one of the thousands of homeless Veterans and others that live nearby, by doing them a favor, provide financial and/ or mental support, a warm coat, meal or cup of coffee

this holiday season and just maybe, everyone will do the same for someone else and we can start a revolution of major consequences by all of us doing good deeds enabling all of us to “live and let live.”

As I make appointments with my clients to sell, invest in, purchase, rent or lease their homes, townhomes, condos, coops and commercial properties, I have seen the degradation of the retail markets and all those empty stores in and around Long Island due to the year over year increase in demand and convenience for purchasing on the internet.

However, I was amazed that what I found through my research, that the majority of sales (85 to 90 percent) is still brick and mortar and most are still going out and purchasing

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

via retail; although I am not sure what are the statistics that show how many are buying online and picking up their merchandise at the retail outlet.

This brings me to another important point and an idea as I have seen in my own town of Great Neck, to get the people out, not only locally but from other surrounding towns, to converse, mingle, enjoy, spend some money locally and get some exercise; instead of being a “potato couch” with a “muscular overdeveloped thumb” due to streaming and watching the “boob tube.”

Our Great Neck Park District, headed by Robert A. Lincoln Jr., Frank S. Cilluffo and Tina M. Stellato, had come up

with quite a creative, unique and fantastic idea to build a temporary ice skating rink in our Village Green Park down on Middle Neck Road in the Old Village of Great Neck.

I was there for the grand opening of its “Lights and Ice” event on Sunday, Dec. 8 skating with my children and grandchildren. Reminded me of skating outdoors on Whitney’s Pond down in Manhasset next to what was the Abraham and Strauss store.

It was quite an amazing show of support for literally thousands of people showed up to skate, watching some performances, all sorts of activities plus with Santa, bouncy houses, fire pits, heated igloos, concession stands, skate rentals and more! This event as well as its continuance Mondays through Sundays until Jan. 12 on its final day!

The rink and all its activities are open to the public, no matter where they may reside! Here is a link for more information: h t t p s : / / w w w. g n p a r k s . org/619/Lights-Ice-at-The-Village-Green This type of interactive event, as well as any type of entertainment, is what our towns desperately need to bring the

masses out, during the winter months when most stay indoors due to the cold and snow. More importantly, it attracts people from other towns, allows them to get involved, feel the essence and makeup and geography of what there is to offer and I feel it creates a very positive and valuable spin with respect to the consideration of possibly moving and living there.

We know schools are one of the most important, if not the most important factor in deciding where many want to live, when they are ranked higher, due to the scholastic aptitude and scoring, it surely helps enhance real estate values.

But the importance of all the other activities that go on in a town is also a major contribution that will attract and enrich its environment. It is also tantamount to creating a viable and valuable entity, drawing in people and creating a magnet for those who have a desire to live there due to those “other things to do.”

Many towns have lost touch with their communities in not doing enough during the winter months (and evenings too) and the streaming of programming has kept many to be entertained at home to become “couch potatoes,” as I mentioned earlier.

My professional and personal opinion is that we need more of these types of events, getting all the town’s people out and about and the buzz will grow exponentially about why to reside in your town. I am hoping that our Great Neck park commissioners consider making this a yearly event, but at the same time to construct a permanent facility outdoor ice skating rink, with all the extras that they have now and which in the long run will be much more economical and fiscally smart and will be an added value and benefit to everyone!

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute and also as a Certified International Property Specialist. He can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email, at: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions or concerns

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

Recent Real Estate Sales in Great Neck Great Neck Real Estate Market Conditions MEDIAN SALES PRICE $865,000 Demographics near Great Neck, NY Population Population Density Median Age People per Household Median Household Income Average Income per Capita

City 9,102 5,496 42.3 2.9 89,755 53,791

County 1,352,825 4,752 42.5 2.9 85,195 45,421

57

4630 Concord Avenue, Great Neck Sold Price: $988,000 Date: 10/22/2019 3 beds, 2 Full/1 Half baths Style: Colonial # of Families: 1 Lot Size: 60x100 Schools: Great Neck Total Taxes: $15,785 MLS# 3133554

254-32 Walden, Great Neck Sold Price: $810,000 Date: 09/06/2019 3 beds, 1 Full/1 Half baths Style: Colonial # of Families: 1 Lot Size: 40x100 Schools: Great Neck Total Taxes: $13,509 MLS# 3124827

110 Susquehanna Avenue, Great Neck Sold Price: $1,280,000 Date: 12/02/2019 4 beds, 3 Full/1 Half baths Style: Colonial # of Families: 1 Lot Size: 64x113 Schools: Great Neck Total Taxes: $14,000 MLS# 3149431

24 Cow Lane, Great Neck Sold Price: $3,750,000 Date: 08/26/2019 6 beds, 5 Full/1 Half baths Style: Colonial # of Families: 1 Lot Size: 1.17 acres Schools: Great Neck MLS# 3130601

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: Homes shown here were recently sold in Great Neck by a variety of real estate agencies. The information about the homes and the photos were obtained through the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island. The homes are presented based solely on the fact that they were recently sold in Great Neck and are believed by Blank Slate Media to be of interest to our readers.

DISCOVER THE DANIEL GALE DIFFERENCE. Great Neck Office | 516.466.4036 42B Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY | danielgale.com Each office is independently owned and operated.

58 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

G.N. board approves mixed-use proposal Plans for 10-bedroom apartment with retail space located at 523-31 Middle Neck Road Continued from Page 1 shown,” one resident said. “The project certainly looks like it will be a welcome addition to the community rather than the old storefronts.”

Jean Pierce, who claimed she is normally against proposed developers coming into the area, said on Tuesday she appreciated the transparency from the owner and developer.

“This developer came in with a vision, said what he wanted to do, showed what he wanted to do, we had discussions, and I think this is one developer we should say ‘yes’ to,” she said. “I don’t like incentives when money changes hands.

Why don’t we just use compromise as this gentleman has.”

Village Mayor Pedram Bral, who has supported the idea since its’ first presentation in July, explained the need for a mixed-use development in a

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAYMOND CHEN ARCHITECTS

A proposed building with a first floor separated into three retail spaces and the two upper levels dedicated to 10 apartments was presented at Tuesday night’s board meeting. new consumer-driven and technologically advanced environment.

“Projects like these are examples of the benefits that mixed-use developments bring

to a community,” Bral said. “In this new age of retail, the commercial cannot stand to subsi-

dize building costs alone.”

A discourse between the board and residents interrupted a previous mixed-use presentation on several occasions, with people imploring Bral to have their questions be heard in regards to the developments.

Bral informed the public on several occasions that questions could not be fielded during the first presentation, as there was nothing to approve.

Questions regarding the proposed development at 52331 Middle Neck Road were allowed since the owner and developer were seeking approval on their plans, which they received.

According to the board, the next steps for Kuo are to have all of the plans and studies approved once more by the county before seeking a permit for demolition of the existing commercial building.

Officials seize $1.2 million worth of heroin Continued from Page 2 County Police Department and the task force to begin investigating an alleged heroin operation with customers stretching as far west as New York City.

Officials said that Of the ring’s 74 customers, 54 have been identified as coming from Nassau County, 16 from Suffolk County and five from New York City.

During the investigation, police identified Luis Rivera and Orlando Rodriguez. as ringleaders of the operation, officials said.

Officials claim that the two allegedly sold upwards of 26,000 individual doses of heroin to those 74 customers per month. Calculations show that Rivera and Rodriguez roughly profited $30,000 a week and totaled $230,000 in narcotic

T

“ his organization was making millions of dollars from heroin sales, encouraging opioid abuse throughout Long Island and New York City.”

Ray Donovan DEA SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE

sales, officials said.

Officials claim that heroin originally distributed by Rivera has been linked in conjunction with 15 overdoses across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, three of which were fatal.

“It is alleged that this criminal enterprise flooded Nassau County street with heroin, with Rivera being connected to more than a dozen overdoses, three of which resulted in death,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations New York. “Law enforcement continues to come together with the common goal of protecting our communities and ridding the streets of those bringing in the highly addictive and, in some cases, deadly drugs.”

Law enforcement officials reportedly executed search warrants on Rivera and Rodriguez’s shared Brooklyn residence on Dec. 13. Inside, officials say that over 900 grams and 5,800 individual glassines of heroin, 33 grams of cocaine, and over $383,000 in cash was seized from the house.

While searching in an alleged stash house in Flushing and a Honda Pilot, officials said they seized 800 grams and over 27,000 glassines of heroin, almost 1,000 grams of cocaine, and $165 in cash.

“Our combined efforts have taken these drugs and their dealers off the streets, making it more difficult for drugs to get in the hands of our residents, thus making our communities even safer,” Ryder said.

Rivera and Rodriguez were each charged with 25 counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree, and are due back in court on Dec. 27. If they are ultimately convicted on their individual charges, all three could face 25 years to life in prison, according to officials.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are likely.

G.N. schools to improve cybersecurity Continued from Page 2 cybersecurity training, and developing parental complaint procedures and logs.

“It all may sound like a movie or a spy show, but the attacks that our schools and others are at risk for are all very real,” Epstein said. “These state-mandated regulations are going to be implemented to prevent us from falling victim to their schemes.”

Despite the need for additional cybersecurity protocol, Epstein also said that the school district has been proactive in some measures. Along with basic cybersecurity tactics and updated policies that prioritize stu-

dent and faculty safety, Epstein credited the district for “staying current” in a rapidly changing environment.

“The district regularly updates our software and antivirus versions, monitors the firewall protection, strengthens password protections, and has a disaster plan developed,” he said. “Additionally, we recently joined the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services, which allow us to expose our staff to online training, data privacy meetings, and cybersecurity news updates.”

Epstein made several recommendations to the board to consider implementing within the next year.

He said that the main staffing concerns should be centered around a network security technician, a North High developer, and a data protection officer.

Board President Barbara Berkowitz agreed with the needs that Epstein addressed and warned the public of suspicious online activity both inside and outside of school.

“With the more advanced we become, the more susceptible we are to dangers that await us,” she said.

“What happened with Rockville Centre opened our eyes and taught us that we do not wish to ever be in that position.”

The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

59

Chilean duo arrested in Great Neck Continued from Page 1 Saddle Rock Mayor Dan Levy, whose house was a victim of the first in the string of robberies over a month ago, said he was shocked to hear what items the men had stolen from his home.

“We had experienced the first major burglary in the Village of Saddle Rock. Unfortunately, it was my house, exactly five weeks ago,” Levy said. “Forget about the value of the items that were stolen. All my personal mementos of my dad were gone that night. I didn’t just feel violated, I have a tremendous hole in my heart that I can’t fill.”

Levy extended his gratitude to the police department once the duo were finally apprehended. He informed residents around the area to remain

aware of suspicious activity, saying that Luna and Donoso were not the only ones police are searching for.

“Tonight we saw our police department at its best tonight,” Levy wrote in a statement on the night of the arrest. “We need to continue to be vigilant. This is not the only burglary team.

So we need to continue to lock doors and keep alarms on until the other groups are apprehended as well.”

The house where Luna and Donoso were spotted is located Melville Lane and Longfellow Road.

Levy also said he “wants to see the two men prosecuted to the full extent of the law” and that increased security in the village will soon be implemented.

Officials said the investiga-

tion remains ongoing and could be a part of an international ring.

Luna and Donoso initially came into the United States on a 90-day Visa, with the intent to target homes in wealthy areas, according to police officials.

Both men were charged with burglary in the second degree and arraigned at the First District Court in Hempstead on Wednesday, Dec. 11 on $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash bail, according to officials.

Village of Plandome Heights Mayor Kenneth Riscica said the Chilean duo were suspects in residential break-ins around the Manhasset area as well.

“Let’s be sure our homes are secured with windows and doors locked, exterior and interior lighting, and cars locked

PHOTO COURTESY OF NASSAU COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Isaias Antonio Lienlaf Donoso (left) and Bryan Alexis Farias Luna (right) of Chile were arrested during an attempted residential burglary last week. in driveways,” he said. “Let’s let them know that Plandome

Heights is not fertile ground for mischief.”

Author inspired Curran signs ban on sale of

by North Shore flavored e-cigs in Nassau Continued from Page 3 publish two new works by Sciarratta in 2020: a novel titled “The Letter,” is scheduled to be released in April, and a book of poetry on relationships entitled “Faith in the Unknown,” which will be published in May. The story’s time period, Sciarratta says, came from growing up in a “pop culture bubble.”

“From day one, I was always an old soul,” Sciarratta said. “I remember a big part of why I became the man that I am today is because my dad would have me watch movies with him.”

Together with his father, Sciarratta would watch films from the 1970s, and became enthralled with the period’s pop culture, and especially idolized

the screen persona and life story of Sylvester Stallone.

“I really resonate with Rocky Balboa,”Sciarratta said.

“If [Stallone] gave me a good review, I think I’d pass out. His whole story is not only Rocky, it’s the story behind Rocky, that he believed in himself.”

His first official book signing, Sciarratta says, will be at Barnes & Noble in Manhasset, where copies of “Finding Forever” will be stocked.

The author adds that as a student at NYIT, he would sit in the store’s cafe while writing the novel.

“I wrote part of the book in the cafe, and now it’s going to be on the shelves there,” Sciarratta said.

Continued from Page 11 subsequent violations carry a fine of $1,000 to $2,000.

The countywide flavored-vape ban was made necessary because the vaping industry initiated court action that temporarily restrained enforcement of the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council’s administrative action that would have outlawed the sale of almost all flavored electronic cigarette and vaping products throughout New York State.

“As the vaping crisis continued to unfold in schools in Nassau County and across the United States, it became painfully clear that vaping companies were targeting young people with bubblegum, candy, and cookie-flavored vapes. We were presented with a grave public health challenge.

More importantly, we were given an opportunity to lead,” Drucker said. “Through its proactive stance, Nassau County has made clear that we

will do everything in our power to protect our youth and prevent another industry from getting rich by using the big-tobacco playbook of getting young people hooked on a dangerous product. I am deeply grateful for my colleagues’ unanimous support and thank County Executive Curran for her unwavering support.”

The Centers for Disease Control reported, as of Dec. 10, 52 deaths and 2,403 lung injury cases associated with e-cigarette use have been reported.

While the CDC indicates that national and state findings point to products containing THC, particularly those obtained off the street or from other informal sources, as the source of many of the lung injuries, officials stress that the vaping is unsafe in all forms and that consumers should protect their health by refraining from the use of all vaping products.

Submitted by the Nassau County Legislature

Over $200,000 raised in radiothon Continued from Page 4 roes here, but in my eyes, the real hero is that threeyear-old going into chemotherapy and fighting to live,” he said. “Those are the superheroes here, we just kind of help them along a little bit.”

The event was sponsored by Nussbaum Berg Klein & Wolpow, CPAs, which matched donations for the radiothon’s final hour.

Senior accountant Josh Berg was on hand at the event and expressed his personal gratitude to Cohen Children’s.

“Hearing stories from parents and children about

their experiences here puts everything into perspective,” Berg said. “Everyone knows someone that has been affected by an illness in some way. The staff at Cohen’s Children deserves every cent they receive today to keep saving and improving lives in our collective communities.”

Several families spoke throughout the day, all sharing experiences of their child’s illness and how, if not for Cohen Children’s, they would not know where to turn. Children ranging from ages 5-16 spoke on the importance of funding programs to help others in similar situations, and their gratitude to the staff that accom-

modates so many of their needs.

“On behalf of everyone that spoke today, I wanted to thank everyone for donating and showing support for our amazing patients,” said pediatric service line director Laura McDonagh. “This event is a true labor of love, and we could not be happier with what has happened here today.”

WABC is keeping its website donation links open through the end of the year, so those who were unable to donate on Friday can do so throughout the holiday season. To donate, visit https://donate.mygift4kids. org/#/getdonor.

60 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

SCHOOL & CAMP DIRECTORY

COMMUNITY NEWS

Suozzi to light Chabad of Port menorah Chabad of Port Washington has been hosting the public menorah celebration in Port Washington for 28 years, but this year it will be celebrated by a record number of Jewish participants eager to stand together and face down growing anti-Semitism throughout the United States and the world, with a defiant dose of Jewish pride when the first night of Hanukkah commences on Sunday, Dec. 22.

The recent rise in hate speech and hate crimes nationwide, including deadly shootings in Jersey City, N.J., Pittsburgh, Penn., and Poway, Calif., has organizers preparing for their largest turnout ever to take a stand against hate in a show of Jewish pride and unity.

“Hanukkah is the celebration of light over darkness,” said Rabbi Shalom Paltiel who directs Chabad of Port Washington.

“The darkness that we, as a nation, have been experiencing must be fought with light and goodness, and we are putting together our biggest program ever to show that we will not be intimidated by those who wish to scare us.”

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)

drtomferraro.com drtferraro@aol.com

(516) 248-7189

The event will begin at 3 p.m., with a performance by Cantor Shloimie Rabin who will lead the crowd in G-d bless America and songs of peace and prayer honoring the victims in Jersey City.

Len Berman will serve as master of ceremonies and programs for children, including a Mega Gelt-Drop!, with gracious assistance from the Port Washington Fire Department, nearly 3,000 chocolate coins will “rain” down on the gathered crowd, a fire juggler, complimentary latkes, doughnuts, coffee, generously provided by Starbucks, and other giveaways. Event-themed scarves will be given to the first 200 participants.

The highlight — the lighting of the menorah — will follow with words of address

by Congressman Tom Suozzi. He will also be given the honor of lighting the Shamash, the lighter candle. Dignitaries and community leaders will be on hand to greet the crowd.

Laurie Radler is from Port Washington, who is planning to attend the public celebration for the first time despite her initial discomfort with expressing her Jewish identity so publicly and openly.

Interfaith group seeks to bridge differences The experience of trying to converse with the creator, the author of all life, is one that people of all faiths share. That conversation, in many languages and forms, was the focus of a Dec. 8 gathering at the Brookville Multifaith Forum, sponsored by the Interfaith Institute of the Islamic Center of Long Island.

The institute works to develop understanding and unity among different faith communities, in programs such as this one, an interfaith Seder, and others.

Prayer can be both joyously communal or intensely private, and the panel leading the event explored many dimensions of prayer.

Demonstrating the importance of prayer in the Muslim community, the panel took a 15-minute recess at 3 p.m., so that the Muslims in attendance could spread prayer rugs and offer prayer, led by Mufti Mohammad Farhan, executive director of the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury and one of the panelists.

People from both the Westbury mosque and the Muslim Reform Movement Organization at the Multifaith Campus joined in the prayer.

The pastor of Brookville Reformed Church, the Rev. Vicky Eastland, welcomed the assembly, people of many faiths, and offered her own reflections on prayer.

She introduced the moderator, Bob Keeler, a member of the Interfaith Institute

board. In addition to Rev. Vicky and Mufti Farhan, the panelists included Dr. Sultan Abdulhameed, a scientist at Stony Brook University and the leader of the Muslim Reform Movement Organization, Rabbi Michael White of Temple Sinai in Roslyn, and Sister Patricia Duffy, a preacher from the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville.

This event was the second Interfaith Institute event held at the Brookville Multifaith Campus, a model of interfaith inclusivity, welcome, and friendship.

It includes Brookville Reformed Church, the Muslim Reform Movement Organization, the New Synagogue of Long Island, and the Interfaith Community: Long Island. The previous event was a showing of the film, “The Sultan and the Saint,: about the visit of St. Francis of Assisi to Sultan Malik al-Kamil, a powerful Muslim leader during the Crusades.

The movie draws much of its inspiration from a book called The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi’s Mission of Peace. Its author, former Newsday journalist Paul Moses, appeared in the film, attended the event, and answered questions from the assembly.

Dr. Faroque Khan, founder of the Interfaith Institute, described the event this way: This event is an example for all that it is possible for reasonable people of faith and no faith to live in harmony and grow as a result of encountering one another.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

61

PROFESSIONAL GUIDE ▼ COMPUTER / TECH SUPPORT ▼ (&)*+,-.% *.&/0-)12

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62 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

BUYER’S GUIDE ▼ CARPENTRY

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BUYER’S GUIDE ▼ HOME IMPROVEMENT

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BUYER’S GUIDE ▼ TREE SERVICE

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Shared Services Plan approved Continued from Page 8 also acknowledge that this legislation and its accompanying incorporated procedures is necessary and proper and a welcomed endeavor,” Nassau County Village Officials Association President Edward Lieberman said.

“From services to storage, to equipment, to technology, there are so many ways that municipalities in Nassau County can lend a hand to each other and in turn save residents money,” Curran said. “In the end, it’s all about being cost-effective and utilizing our resources to the fullest, and that is why this shared services initiative is so important.”

According to the draft of the plan, which will be implemented in 2020, a digital platform called “Nas-

sau Saves” would be created as an online portal to expand the use of joint purchasing and the sharing of equipment and personnel.

In addition to shared information technology services, the plan features enhanced energy efficiency programs that feature a county-coordinated audit of energy use of all municipalities and school districts.

Proposed efficiency plans along with an increase of street and outdoor LED light fixtures, and community solar programs will be some of the energy-efficient recommendations made to municipalities.

Going off of energy-efficient solutions, the plan also outlines an increase in proper waste-management solutions. The plan shows recycling initiatives will be implemented to

reduce the $304.8 million that was spent on waste removal services in 2018.

Nassau County saved $200,000 as a result of its 2017 plan, according to the county executive’s office, and is eligible for matching funds from the state.

While the plan itself was approved by Curran and the panel on Tuesday night, a representative from the county executive’s office said that not all of the recommended initiatives are guaranteed to be implemented due to any unforeseen governmental issues that may occur throughout the year.

Curran will hold a public presentation of the plan before submitting it to the Department of State by Dec. 31.

Curran releases bail reform plan Continued from Page 9 Association Brian Sullivan, state Assemblymen Ed Ra and John Mikulin, town councilmembers Dennis Dunne, Sr, and Chris Carini, county Clerk Maureen O’Connell, and local civic leaders urging Curran to release her plan, which she did on Tuesday.

“I’ll be closely monitoring the transition to these new bail reform

laws and will maintain constant contact with all departments affected to ensure we are taking every step possible to ensure the residents’ safety,” Curran said.

The county executive’s office also said there will be an increase of patrol members in and around the facility for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 when the initial groups of people await-

ing trial will be released. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said that he expects to see an increase in crime in the County because of these new reforms.

“If you break the law, we’ll lock you up. If you continue to break the law, we’ll lock you up. We’ll keep locking you up as long as you break the law in this county,” Ryder said.

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Standing firm while facing bigotry

J

ersey City became a war zone the other day when two evildoers went on a killing spree, including the killing of a dedicated police detective Joseph Seals.

These two entered Kosher supermarket and killed those inside the market. It has been reported anti-Semitic duo targeted a Jewish store because of hatred of Jews.

Now we are a nation based on

freedom and respect for all those who come here. As such my heartfelt prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones in Jersey City, N.J. As a Catholic and as Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus in Douglaston, I stand firm with all my brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith and pray for an end of anti-Semitism, which is on

the rise in our country today.

You see our creator created the human race and we are all brothers and sisters of the same human family and were created to love one another. So let’s teach our children to do the same.

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Suozzi, Rice explain impeachment votes Continued from Page 6 Meeks said he would vote to impeach, urging to see a trial where Trump produces documents and witnesses he has withheld from the inquiry, according to Newsday.

On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee approved two articles of impeachment against Trump, on a party-line vote.

If a majority of votes are in favor of impeachment, Trump would join Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton as the only presidents to ever be impeached.

“No member came to Congress to impeach a president,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to Democrats on Tuesday evening. “But every one of us, as our first act as a member of Congress, stood on the House floor, raised our hand and took a sacred oath: ‘I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.’”

Trump wrote a six-page letter to Pelosi on Tuesday, heavily criticizing her role during the impeachment process. In the letter, he claims that the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry as an “open war on American Democracy” and in the past has made parallels between the impeachment hearings and

the Salem Witch Trials.

“You are offending Americans of faith by continually saying ‘I pray for the President,’ when you know this statement is not true unless it is meant in a negative sense,” Trump states in the letter. “It is a terrible thing you are doing, but you will have to live with it, not I!” The two articles of impeachment were presented in a 658-page report by the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.

Article I charges Trump abusing his power and contacting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky against former Vice President and Democratic Presidential Candidate, Joe Biden and his son. According to the report, Trump urged Ukrainian allies to launch an investigation on Biden and his son.

Article II cites Trump’s obstruction of Congress by his refusal to comply with subpoenas for documents and witness testimony.

The report states, “This continued solicitation of foreign interference in a U.S. election, as well as President Trump’s other actions, present a clear and present danger that the president will continue to use the power of his office for his personal political gain.”

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shoes For All gets 512 donated pairs Shoes For All, the not for profit organization that donates new and gently worn shoes to those in need in the community donated 512 pairs for the holidays this year to patients of Nassau University Medical Center and the homeless population.

“Our goal is simple.” said Dr. Mary Carl-

son, podiatrist and founder of Shoes For All. “We are providing “new” shoes to all those in need – families, children, veterans… anyone who can not afford to have a pair of shoes to live, play or work. Help us to provide for those who need us. All donations are appreciated!”

68 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

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The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

69

COMMUNITY NEWS

Manhasset community celebrates Diwali Recently the Indian Community of Manhasset (ICM) hosted their 5th Annual Diwali event at the Metropolitan in Glen Cove. As always it was a fun filled event with over hundred in attendance. The evening commenced with diya lighting followed by several performances by children. Performances consisted of dances on some very popular Bollywood songs, violin performance, shloka/ pooja recital, bharat natyam dance and singing. All kids did a fantastic job. Their weeks of practice was very evident in flawless execution.

Sandeep Gupta, one of the main organizers of the event, commented, “It’s exciting to see how this community comes together year after year and actively participates to make the Diwali event memorable. I am also impressed with how all continue to celebrate our heritage and culture. It’s clear, we need to have more of such celebratory events to cater to the needs our community.”

Vick Wadhwa, who also leads many aspects of ICM, said, “This year was especially special as we had Judi Bosworth, Supervisor of the Town North

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INDIAN COMMUNITY OF MANHASSET

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth joined the Indian Community of Manhasset to celebrate Diwali.

Hempstead, join in the celebrations. Judi took the time to meet all present and really seemed to enjoy her time with us. She has promised to come back next year!”

Judi was able to witness

some of the performances by the children. In her remarks, she discussed some of the key initiatives that she has spearheaded to make North Hempstead a better place for all residents.

She discussed her support for

the ‘Not in Our Town” movement and how it is essential for all to get it right.

The event was also supported by Heidi Karagianis, Realtor at Daniel Gale. Heidi shared how she and her firm are fo-

cused on helping families settle well, not only in Manhasset but across all of Long Island.

In addition to Sandeep Gupta and Vick Wadhwa, all those who played a lead role in

Fund gathering in Sands Point home Supporters of Housing Development Fund discussed amenities to Israeli communities Supporters of Jewish National FundUSA’s Housing Development Fund gathered on Dec. 16 at the home of Sands Point residents Mark and JoAnn Engel to hear updates on how their support is providing affordable housing with access to schools, jobs, and other amenities to communities in Israel’s northern Galilee and southern Negev region.

During the event, Mark and JoAnn Engel were also presented with a plaque in recognition of their generous support of the Housing Development Fund.

“I was honored to open up my home and host current and future supporters of JNF’s Housing Development Fund,” said Mark Engel, past president of JNF. “JNF’s Housing Development Fund is one of the organization’s signature initiatives and attracts major philanthropists who want to make an impact in Israel while supporting young families looking to build new lives for themselves and their children.”

JNF is the leading philanthropic organization for Israel that supports critical environmental and nation-building activities in Israel’s north and south.

Through its One Billion Dollar Roadmap for the Next Decade, JNF is building housing sites in Israel’s north and south, pro-

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND

Mark Engel, Rick Krosnick, JoAnn Engel (Rick Krosnick presented Mark and JoAnn Engel with a plaque in recognition of their support for JNF) viding fire trucks and stations, planting trees, creating employment opportuni-

ties, developing water infrastructure, and delivering ongoing therapeutic,

emotional and psychological assistance.

In addition, JNF is boosting tourism, building medical centers, preserving heritage sites, supporting people with special needs and disabilities, and funding groundbreaking research centers.

“The Sands Point and Long Island community are known for their charitable giving,” said JNF Chief Development Officer Rick Krosnick. “We live in an age where discerning philanthropists are choosing to make targeted gifts toward projects that are strategic, impactful, and visionary. JNF donors know their philanthropic investments are having a big impact in Israel and those who specifically support the JNF Housing Development Fund have already helped more than one thousand families attain the dream of owning their first home. Few experiences come close to the way our donors feel when they visit young families in Israel who are building new lives, hopes, and dreams for themselves, because they have a roof over their head and the infrastructure around them to succeed.”

JNF’s Housing Development Fund provides targeted funding for physical infrastructure which is needed to commence the home building process in Israel.

70 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, December 20, 2019

OUR TOWN

Fashion sense, tips for the guys

O

scar Wilde once said “Looking good and dressing well is a necessity. Having a purpose in life is not.”

In fact, in their heart of hearts, every man fancies himself as a fashionista of sorts.

This is especially true for Italian men. My father was Italian through and through and wore alligator shoes, argyle socks and cashmere sweaters.

One of his good buddies was a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue when Saks was Saks, and he would bring home a variety of luxury items for me and my siblings to wear. Little did we realize that he was breeding into us a sense of high style which would eventually cost us small fortunes to indulge.

I think the idea of Italian fashion may have even prompted my youngest sibling to move to Padua, Italy which is where he remains. He often told me that Italian men are more fashionconscious than women and would promenade through the piazza in the early evening showing off their clothing.

So it should be no surprise that one of the most elegant men’s stores in Nassau County is run by an Italian. And no I am not talking about Claudio del Vecchio, the owner of Brooks Brothers. I am talking about Joseph Tipodi, owner of two highend men’s clothing stores.

One is Southhampton Blazer and Button Company and the other is Joseph & Joseph Clothiers and they are both on 7th Street in Garden City.

I sat down with Mr. Tripodi last weekend and talked with him about men’s fashion and how he got into this business.

He was born in Oceanside and

lived in Nassau County his whole life.

His father was a shoemaker and Joseph studied physics and economics at Adelphi and went to graduate school at Brooklyn Polytechnical to study mechanical/ aerospace technology. He soon discovered he had more interest in people than in space and turned to the fashion business.

He must have been paying attention in his economics classes at Adelphi because he established his stores in 1993 in an ideal location. He wanted to cater to white-collar Wall Street type clients and he’s been going strong ever since.

After we got through the preliminaries I asked him what one might call a series of na-

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

ïve or simple-minded questions. I asked “Why does fashion exist?”

He paused, looked a bit surprised, thought for a moment and then said “It allows people to be different from each other. He allows them to express themselves and to

make a statement. If you are a conservative you will wear a button-down look. If you have a sense of liberalness you may wear more passionate colors.”

I then asked him if he thought that each culture expressed their identity differently. He said “I think so. Look at Italy.

The leading designers include Armani, Zegna, Cuccinelli, Canali and Ferragamo. Men’s fashion dominates their culture.

In France, the big designers are for women. Designers like Chanel, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton all establish the feminine mystique which is very French.

The British favor woolens and represent the conservative look. By the way, the American designer Ralph Lau-

Well-known clothier Joseph Tripodi of Garden City agrees with Tom Ford that dressing well is a sign of good manners

ren did most of his early research in the archives of old British fashion houses and thus his American look has its roots in Great Britain.”

He mentioned that the next big color this year will be blue and he said he likes the new slim look in fashion and feels it benefits the older gentleman. I had a suspicion he was making a subtle suggestion to me so I asked him to offer the gentleman reader five fashion tips. He said 1) Always wear clothes that fit you properly. Too tight or too loose is not a good look.

2) Classic clothing is timeless and will rarely go out of fashion.

3) Always have a few crisp white shirts in your closet. White makes all other colors you wear pop out and look better.

4) The new stretch fashion fabrics wrinkle less, breathe better and are comfortable.

5) Always invest in a navy blue suit. The color navy goes good with any complexion.

So now all you men out there now know where to go to by your clothing. Southhampton Blazer and Button Company of Garden City has been taking care of classy Nassau County men for the last 26 years.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said “being perfectly well dressed gives you a feeling of tranquility that religion is powerless to bestow.” And fashion designer Tom Ford said “Dressing well is a form of good manners.”

So if perchance you are in need of some tranquility and good manners why not go down to see Mr. Joseph Tripodi in Garden City and indulge yourself, Don’t you think after all your hard work that you deserve it?

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Furry friends celebrate the holidays

PHOTOS BY ROSE WELDON

For santa paws: The Town of North Hempstead welcomed dogs and their owners for pictures with Santa Claus at the Santa Paws event at the Clark Botanic Gardens in Albertson on Sunday.

71

72 The Great Neck News, Friday, December 20, 2019

GN

AT D O U G L A S E L L I M A N ’ S G R E AT N E C K O F F I C E

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