Manhasset Times 2023_06_23

GUIDE TO GRADUATION

PAGES 21-28

ZOOTOPIA

BLANK SLATE WINS 7 PRESS CLUB AWARDS

Leeds Ponds hearing moved to July 20

Residents petition against development application

BY BRANDON DUFFY

The Plandome Manor Board of Board of Zoning Appeals will continue a public hearing to consider issuing a permit for a developer to place 500 cubic yards of site fill on a property that sits on Leeds Pond.

The five-person board closed the hearing June 15 and reserved a decision on the matter until at least July 20. The record remains open at this time.

Opponents of the application submitted by 1362 Plandome Road LLC, primarily led by attorney Christopher Murray, who is representing adjacent neighbors at 1 Stonytown

Road, have two weeks to review any documents with the application and submit any written correspondence they may find necessary. 1362 Plandome also has two weeks following that to respond as well.

Village code allows up to 50 cubic yards of site fill, according to the code.

Ahead of the June 15 meeting, an online petition was started that opposed the application. The petition calls upon the village, North Hempstead – which owns the pond – Nassau County and the state Department of Environmental Conservation to preserve and protect the health of the pond.

Leeds Pond is part of Nassau County’s 35-acre Leeds Pond Preserve, which overlooks Manhasset Bay. It is approximately 21.4 acres in size with a tributary watershed area of approximately 2.275 acres.

Plandome Manor Mayor Barbara Donno said the “Save Leeds Pond” petition and accompanying flier disseminated to residents contained inaccurate and misleading information.

Donno said the application itself has nothing to do with Leeds Pond and is entirely about the property at 1362 Plandome Road. The mayor stressed that the project has full ap-

Continued on Page 41

North Hills re-elects unopposed incumbents

Natiss, Sgambati, Cohen, Reisman retain village posts

BY CAMERYN OAKES

In a race with only incumbents running, the Village of North Hills re-elected Mayor Marvin Natiss, Trustee and Deputy Mayor Dennis Sgambati, Trustee Gail Cohen and Village Justice Jerome Reisman on

Tuesday.

Natiss received 156 votes, Sgambati received 148 votes, Cohen received 143 votes and Reisman received 146 votes.

The village had numerous writein candidates, but none received votes in the double digits.

Natiss will be starting his sixth term on the board, wrapping up 20 years on the Board of Trustees. He previously served as the village justice for 10 years.

Natiss said serving on the board has been a satisfying experience that

Continued on Page 42

PHOTO COURTESY OF MANHASSET PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Munsey Park students used rectangular prisms to create a zoo to determine the volume of each box and animal created.

Dance for Joy unites community

Free classes provided to underserved

BY CAMERYN OAKES

When Olga Berest walks into a class at her dance studio, she sees a perfect world of children from diverse backgrounds coming together through dance.

This has been made possible through her studio’s Dance for Joy Program, a 10-week ballet program that provides free classes for students ages 8-12 from underserved communities.

Langone sues Northwell for purple plagiarism

BY BRANDON DUFFY

NYU Langone filed a lawsuit Thursday against Northwell Health accusing them of imitating their color scheme and using a similar shade of purple in their advertising and buildings to capitalize on Langone’s “substantial investment in its brand.”

Langone, which has a hospital in Mineola, alleges Northwell, based in New Hyde Park, intentionally copied their “unique” color and font in multiple forms of advertising–including billboards and digital ads–to exploit their reputation.

The lawsuit, filed in New York’s Southern District Court, accuses Northwell of engaging in “deceptive trade practices.”

Langone cited its placement in U.S. News & World Report’s 20222023 “Best Hospitals Honor Roll”, the top spot in New York and #3 in

the nation, as evidence of its goodwill and reputation that Northwell has not achieved.

The lawsuit, which includes multiple side-by-side comparisons, alleges that Northwell has copied Langone’s advertising and marketing campaigns, color schemes, fonts, headline styles and visual identity.

“Northwell’s conduct is not only unfair, but by hitching its brand to NYU Langone, Northwell has created a likelihood of confusion as to the affiliation, connection, or association of Northwell with NYU Langone, to the detriment and harm of NYU Langone,” the lawsuit said.

Attorneys for Langone claim that Northwell “has bathed” its Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead as the same or nearly the same purple that Langone uses.

Northwell Health’s Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. (Photo

courtesy of the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York) Northwell, which has 16 of its 21 hospitals on Long Island, is the state’s largest health care provider with over 85,000 employees.

Ramon Soto, Northwell’s chief marketing and communications officer, told The New York Post they use branding with a wide array of colors.

“NYU Langone’s claim that it owns the color purple for health care services is nothing short of preposterous. And it’s an insult that part of the complaint includes a hospital’s Code Lavender COVID-19 memorial,” Soto told The Post. “Northwell Health is proud of its distinct branding, which uses a wide variety of colors, and how it leverages research, education and clinical excellence to differentiate from others in the market. Northwell is much more than just a color in our

Director Olga Berest opened the dance studio bearing her name in 1976. Housed in a Dutch colonial home at 12 South Washington St. since 1996, the Berest Dance Studio offers a diverse range of classes from ballet to African dance for toddlers through adults.

In 2021, the dance studio started the Dance for Joy Program, the first of its kind in the studio’s history.

Dance for Joy was started by one of Berest’s dancers who asked if she could organize a 10-week class led by students and taught to underserved kids in the community.

Berest said she was more than happy to go forward with her student’s idea.

“And it’s just snowballed,” Berest said.

The fall Dance for Joy program is designed to be an introductory class. It teaches students the basics of ballet in order to bring them to the level of their age group.

The 10-week program has now expanded into a year-long program, allowing the Dance for Joy students to integrate into the studio’s other classes in November after they finish the intro program.

Berest said the program has been flourishing.

In 2021, 10 students participated in the Dance for Joy program. In 2022, two students continued and 10 new students joined.

This fall, 10 more students will enter the program.

Berest said yearly tuition at her studio costs about $1,000 per student and estimated another $500 in expenses for attire, shoes and tickets.

Dance for Joy offers a full year of tuition at the Berest Dance Studio for free to its participants. Berest said this also encompasses free dance attire, costumes and

Continued on Page 41

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Sue Tabakin 516-307-1045 x206 stabakin@theisland360.com

ADVERTISING: Steven Blank 516-307-1045 x201 sblank@theisland360.com

CLASSIFIED

: Deborah Flynn 516-307-1045 x218

Herald Courier: Brandon Duffy 516-307-1045 x215 • bduffy@theisland360.com

Manhasset Times: Robert Pelaez 516-307-1045 x203 • rpelaez@theisland360.com

Roslyn Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

Williston Times: Brandon Duffy 516-307-1045 x215 • bduffy@theisland360.com

Port Washington Times: Cameryn Oakes 516-307-1045 x214 • coakes@theisland360.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Advertising used by NYU Langone, left, and Northwell Health, right.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OLGA BEREST

Dance for Joy students learning the basics of ballet in a private 10-week program.

Spider-Man artist John Romita Sr. dies

Comic book illustrator, “creative

BY BRANDON DUFFY

John Romita Sr., the comic book artist best known for his work on “The Amazing SpiderMan” and for creating multiple Marvel Comics characters, died on June 13 in his Floral Park home. He was 93.

Romita’s son, John, who is also a comic book artist, announced his death on Twitter.

“I say this with a heavy heart, My father passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is a legend in the art world and it would be my honor to follow in his footsteps,” John said. “Please keep your thoughts and condolences here out of respect for my family. He was the greatest man I ever met.”

Romita was a “creative giant” that will be missed for kindness, grace and vision, Marvel said in a statement.

“Millions came to know Marvel through his art, and millions more came to know Peter Parker through the unmistakable bold brushwork Romita brought to his pages,” Marvel said. “Known fondly to many as ‘Jazzy’ John Romita in the Marvel Bullpen, his kindness, grace, and vision will always be remembered, and his influence will continue to shape generations of artists to come at Marvel and beyond.”

Romita co-created characters the Wolverine and Punisher during his decades-long career where he worked as Marvel’s art director from

John Romita, Sr., comic book artist best known for his work on Marvel Comics’ ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con International.

1973 to his retirement in 1996.

The Brooklyn native followed Steve Ditko as the second artist on “The Amazing Spider-Man” in 1963, a series he collaborated on with Marvel Publisher Stan Lee.

Romita’s time working on Spidey saw the introduction of his civilian love interest Mary Jane Watson and villains Rhino, the Shocker and Kingpin.

Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios and primary producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe said Romita’s work was an inspiration to all.

“John Romita Sr. was an incomparable artist who brought so many iconic Marvel characters to life on the page and set the tone and look of Marvel’s comics for decades,” Feige said in a statement. “His version of Spider-Man has inspired so many of us at Marvel Studios. Our thoughts are with his family, and the generations of artists and fans who fell in love with the characters he drew.”

Born on Jan. 24, 1930, Romita first got introduced to comic books when he met inker Lester Zakarin, a relationship that would lead to meeting Lee when he was still with Timely Comics, the company that would eventually become Marvel.

After getting drafted to the U.S. Army in 1951 where he worked as a recruitment poster artist, Romita worked for DC Comics on the company’s romance comic books before returning to Marvel in 1965.

“The impact Romita left on everyone he met at Marvel is undisputed. He was always kind and warm and served as an inspiration to all who knew him or followed his work. Romita helped build the Marvel Universe as we know it, and

he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him,” Marvel said. “He meant a lot to us, and the same is true for the many fans who enjoyed his artwork. Through them, and all of you, his legacy will live on.

“John Romita Sr. was an incomparable artist who brought so many iconic Marvel characters to life on the page and set the tone and look of Marvel’s comics for decades.”

Kevin Feige PRESIDENT OF MARVEL STUDIO

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

2 horses euthanized after Belmont races

N.Y. Racing Association say humanely put down after sustaining fatal leg injuries over the weekend

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Two horses were euthanized at Belmont Park over the weekend, one in the immediate race following the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes June 10.

Excursionniste sustained a catastrophic injury to his left front leg during Saturday evening’s 13th race and was humanely euthanized after being tended to by on-site veterinarians, Pat McKenna, NYRA vice president of communications, said in a statement.

The next day, Mashnee Girl, which was racing in the first race of the evening, also suffered an injury to her left front leg before being humanely euthanized as well.

Little Blue Bird Stables, which owned Excursionniste, said on Twitter they were “devastated” by the loss.

“There’s just no other word. He was our big, goofy, talented, crazy, 1 for 16 NYB superstar,” the tweet said. “We do everything as a team and will console as one for quite a while.”

The two fatal injuries over the weekend are the third and fourth to happen during racing at Belmont Park’s spring and summer meet this year, which started May 4.

“NYRA’s comprehensive safety strategy is informed by the most ad-

vanced science and research in consultation with independent experts, veterinarians and horsemen,” McKenna said. “The health and safety of horses and jockeys competing at

NYRA tracks is our highest priority and one that stands above all other considerations.”

Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, suspended opera-

tions last month in the wake of 12 horses dying in May. On the day of the 148th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore,

horses have started in 224 races at Belmont.

Last year, during 44 race days there were 3,097 starting horses over 419 races with six fatal injuries during racing at Belmont, a 0.19% occurrence.

The park, which is also a yearround training center, had 39,413 timed workouts last year that saw 23 fatal injuries during training, a 0.06% occurrence.

Live racing statistics for all of NYRA’s tracks last year, which include Belmont, Aqueduct Race Track in Queens and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., show 196 race days, 1,855 races and 14,043 starting horses.

There were 23 fatal injuries during racing last year, a 0.17% occurrence.

last month, one horse was euthanized after the sixth race of the evening.

McKenna said the circumstances of the injuries will be reviewed by the New York State Gaming Commission and pointed out that the main dirt track and both courses are inspected before, during and after each race day.

Since May 4, a total of 1,740

“In the course of investigating these injuries, necropsies will be performed at Cornell University with the results to be analyzed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) officials as well as the New York State Equine Medical Director,” McKenna said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The 155th running of the Belmont Stakes was held on Saturday, June 10.

“There’s just no other word. He was our big, goofy, talented, crazy, 1 for 16 NYB superstar... We do everything as a team and will console as one for quite a while.”

Little Blue Bird Stables

When Every Child is

Known, it’s even harder

to say goodbye.

We proudly present the Green Vale Class of 2023. Their high level of academic achievement combined with strength of character and commitment to their interests led to acceptances at many of the most selective secondary schools in the country. These graduates join generations of alumni committed to improving the world.

High Schools for 2023 Graduates

The American School in Switzerland

Berkshire School

Chaminade High School

Choate Rosemary Hall

Convent of the Sacred Heart

Deerfield Academy

Eaglebrook School

Episcopal High School

Friends Academy

The Hotchkiss School

Kent School

Locust Valley High School

The Nightingale-Bamford School

Paul Schreiber High School

Phillips Academy (Andover)

Portledge School

Sacred Heart Academy

St. Paul’s School

to our graduates and their families:

Ashani Ahuja, Margaret Anderson, Lalla Lee Argenti, River Aryeh, LuElla Bacon, Halsey Beard, William Busconi, Leyla Casimir, Kento Cavallo, Penelope Chun, Henry Crofton, Clover Curry, Noah Daher, Paige D’Anna, Tristan Delacroix, Michael Dorrian, Sienna Edgar, Veronica Edwards, Luke Ferraro, Piper Fredericks, William Garcia, Elizabeth Gokey, Lauren Graham, Thomas Grant, JR Janedis, Samantha Jurim, Henry Kasouf, William Kelly, Abigail Lenehan, Hunter L’Esperance, Reese L’Esperance, Lilly McMillen, Caroline Myles, Chase O’Brien, Alastriona O’Donnell, Julian Otto, Isabella Panossian, Oggie Phipps, Leo Remsha, Scarlett Rueger, Marina Saravi, Michael Sharifov, Jack Sheehan, Etelle Silvera, Emma Slonim, Hutson Staniford, Helen Uffelman, Lachlan Vogel, Lucy Woodhouse, Davis Zarou, Taylor Zarou

The Spence School

The Stony Brook School

The Taft School

Westminster School

Blank Slate takes 7 press club awards

Willston Times voted No. 2 on LI, first in education coverage and 2nd, 3rd in editorial writing

BY BRANDON DUFFY

Blank Slate Media took home seven awards from the Press Club of Long Island for news, headline writing and commentary at the group’s annual gala Thursday night at the Woodbury Country Club in Westbury.

The publication, which puts out six weekly newspapers covering the North Shore, won first place in the category of education reporting, second place in best community weekly newspaper, editorial and government and politics reporting and third place in editorial, best headline and humor column.

“It’s nice to get recognition for the quality and effort we put into the coverage of our local communities,” editor and publisher Steven Blank said in an interview.

Blank Slate Media’s lone first-place award came from coverage of racial disparity in state aid for North Shore School districts by former reporters Robert Pelaez and Steven Keehner.

Two editorials by Steven Blank commenting on former Manhasset Superintendent Vincent Butera, who left the district following a 2020 investigation that found he violated the school district’s sexual harassment policy, and the cross-endorsement of Nassau County judges won third and second place awards, respectively.

Blank Slate Media won seven awards at the Press Club of Long Island’s annual gala on Thursday, June 15.

Blank said despite not having the same resources as other competing publications such as Newsday a commitment to doing a good job will always produce good journalism.

“A lot of it is about being smart with your resources, being efficient and determining what we’re going to cover,”

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum

Blank said. “We have to be selective in what we focus on.”

The Williston Times was awarded a second-place finish in the category of best community weekly newspaper while coverage of the timing of agenda postings before village meetings by Pelaez and reporter Brandon Duffy

earned second place in the government and politics category.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the PCLI for our work,” Pelaez said in a statement. “Holding governments and educational institutions accountable is something the staff at Blank Slate takes pride in continu-

Psychology

ously and I am proud to have contributed to those efforts.”

Former reporter Steven Keehner won a third-place award in the best headline category for a story on a potential dog park in Great Neck’s Allenwood Park titled “Great Neck goes mutts over dog parks”

Columnist Judy Epstein, whose work has appeared in various newspapers since 1997, won third place in the humor category for her column “A Look on the Lighter Side: Who Needs Rules? Not These Players!”

“I am quite honored to be recognized for my work by the Press Club of Long Island, and delighted to be in the Blank Slate newspapers,” Epstein said in a statement.

The awards follow an impressive showing for the publication earlier this year in the New York Press Association’s Better Newspaper contest, where Blank Slate Media won six awards for their editorial page, advertising, design and reporting.

Blank Slate Media began operation in 2010 with the purchase of three newspapers – the Great Neck News, New Hyde Park Herald Courier and the Williston Times. The company ultimately grew to six newspapers with the opening of the Manhasset Times, Roslyn Times and Port Washington Times.

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ISLAND 360 ARCHIVES

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Pride walk celebrates LGBTQ+ community

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BY CAMERYN OAKES

With the pop of rainbow confetti, equipped with rainbow flags and clad in rainbow attire, dozens of children led the Be The Rainbow Pride Walk carrying a banner with hundreds of people following behind.

Community members gathered for Be The Rainbow’s third annual Pride Walk to celebrate Pride month and support the LGBTQ+ community Saturday.

Be The Rainbow is a Port Washington nonprofit organization founded by local parents to support the local LGBTQ+ community.

“Be The Rainbow” written in chalk on Port Washington’s bay walk. (Photo by Cameryn Oakes)

Melanie D’Arrigo, co-founder of Be The Rainbow, said that this year’s Pride Walk was especially important due to recent anti-LGBTQ legislation and the increased danger for LGBTQ+ youth.

“Unfortunately we are living in a world, in a country, where the LGBTQ community is under attack,” D’Arrigo said.

She said Be The Rainbow wanted the Pride Walk to bring attention to those issues for Port Washington community members to be aware of the polarization.

D’Arrigo said this June was monumental as the Town of North Hempstead officially declared June as Pride Month. This was achieved through a resolution presented by Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, whom D’arrigo thanked.

D’Arrigo said that purpose of Be The Rainbow and the Pride Walk is to show that Port Washington is inclusive for everyone.

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The day before the walk, locals and community organizations gathered to “chalk the walk,” writing encouraging words and drawing illustrations along the bay walk for the parade to follow the next day.

Rainbow renditions of the Port Washington Fire Department and Port Washington Police Department logos drawn on the bay walk. (Photo by Cameryn Oakes)

Phrases written on the walk included “Port loves you,” “Be The Rainbow” and “Love wins,” all written in rainbow colors. The Port Washington Fire Department and Port Washington Police Department drew their logos on the walk, adapting them to have rainbow-colored themes.

The ¾ three-quarter-mile walk started at Port Washington’s Bay Walk Park and concluded at the John Philip Sousa Memorial Bandshell in Sunset Park.

Many local organizations marched in the Pride Walk, including members of the Port Washington Fire Department, local government officials and the Congregational Church of Manhasset.

At the conclusion of the walk, attendees were greeted with a pride celebration that included performances by Sunshyne + the Foxx, a variety of vendors and food trucks.

Free rainbow sprinkle ice cream sandwiches from Smusht and Italian ice from Ralph’s Italian Ice were handed out to attendees.

As festivities continued throughout the remainder of the sunny Saturday afternoon, the park was filled with children’s laughter, dance music, elaborate performances and a display of rainbow in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

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Children lead the Be The Rainbow Pride Walk along the bay walk on Saturday.

SHAI celebrates Mother’s Day at Versace boutique

On the evening of May 10th, SHAI celebrated Mother’s Day in style at the Versace boutique at the Americana. Over 150 mothers, daughters, and granddaughters filled the beautiful space and enjoyed the new Versace Icons collection.

Among the many women in attendance that evening, SHAI was privileged to host Nassau County Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip, Judge Segal Blakeman, Judge Mojgan Lancman, journalist Ellie Cohanim, SHAI President Erika Kashi, and community members Anna Hakakian, Jacqueline Harounian, Rachel Geula, Orli Shakooi, Rebecca Sassouni, Claudia Amirian, Margan Greenblatt, Parvaneh Khodadadian, Coreen Eitan, Edna Khalily, and Tania Eshaghoff.

Our SHAI women are also grateful for the support of the men of the community, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Officer Dolan, Mike Delafraz, Daniel Rabenou, and Shahruz Shahery, who were all present at the event.

SHAI President Erika Kashi introduced the theme for the evening, celebrating every woman as a Woman of Valor (in Hebrew “Eshet Hayil”).

Kashi spoke about the tremendous contribution made by our local women, each with unique gifts, talents, and accom-

plishments that strengthen their families and the community. In hosting the event at Versace, SHAI celebrated women putting their best foot forward, and the importance of giving back to the community, having a career and motherhood.

Nassau County Legislator Melesa Pilip inspired and empowered as she spoke from personal experience about maintaining a balance between motherhood and career.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman delivered a Mother’s Day message and awarded citations to Kashi and Khalily for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the community.

Versace generously donated ten percent of the proceeds from the event to SHAI. Everyone who made a purchase also received a copy of “Alisha’s Magical Red Lipstick,” a children’s book on fashion and women’s empowerment authored by Edna Khalily.

Everyone present ate, danced, shopped, and enjoy themselves. Delicious bites and refreshments were provided by Lederman Caterers.

At the end of the evening each woman left with a rose courtesy of Metro Florist. It was a terrific, uplifting, and glamorous evening celebrating women, motherhood, career, and fashion.

Herricks High awards ceremony

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer Desena recently attended the Herricks High School Awards Ceremony and honored Kaitley Simons as the Town of North Hempstead Civic Spirit Award winner.

DeSena congratulated Kailtey on all her hard work throughout her high school career, which will serve as stepping stones in her life going forward. The Civic Spirit Award recognizes students who regularly set

an example for their peers and go above and beyond the call of duty.

DeSena congratulated all the students who received awards while calling to attention how crucial education is in our society. She also thanked the staff of Herricks High School for their contributions to the young residents of the Town of North Hempstead, and proudly was joined by Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena recently attended the Plandome Heights Women’s Club annual Installation Luncheon.

Founded in 1975, The Plandome Heights Women’s Club is a club that

seeks to create sociability, promote cultural interests, and to serve philanthropically.

With about 140 members, the club organizes social events for women, for their children, and for all residents of

the community.

DeSena commended all involved in the club and thanked them for their immeasurable contributions to helping and being involved with the residents of the Town of North Hempstead.

Town officials at the Herricks High School Senior Awards.

2 possible routes for housing in Nassau

In New York City, the housing crisis has helped drive 80,000 people into homeless shelters.

Mayor Eric Adams has grown so frustrated by the record number of people experiencing homelessness that he is threatening to do away with the city’s mandate to give shelter to anyone who asks for it. In other words, just let them live in the streets.

Meanwhile, rents have been driven sky high for everyone – even by New York City standards.

In Nassau County, a shortage of housing in the state, estimated at 800,000 units, makes living here unaffordable for many first-time homeowners and difficult for older residents seeking to downsize.

The lack of housing also makes it harder for employers to fill job openings and attract talented young people and business districts to fill empty storefronts.

Think taxes are driving people out of New York? Guess again.

The leaders of New York’s Assembly and Senate recently refused to support Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan for a 3% increase in housing units over three years.

The plan, which would allow the state to step in if local governments were not reaching her goal, was met by furious opposition in the suburbs led by Nassau County’s elected officials from both parties.

They argued that local officials, with their knowledge of the area’s history and residents, were in a better position to evaluate proposals for new housing.

The officials, including Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira, said the same thing Friday at the annual Smart Growth Awards hosted by Vision Long Island, an advocacy group for development.

But unlike many officials who opposed Hochul’s plan, Periera has had a hand in the actual construction of housing.

Village of Mineola officials have over the past 10 years approved projects that have produced more than 1,300 transitoriented housing units as part of a downtown revitalization effort surrounding the LIRR station there.

The village followed that with zoning changes which allow multifamily residential, mixed-use buildings, assisted-

living residences, hotels and event spaces — something recognized by Vision Long Island.

Pereira and his fellow Mineola trustees agreed to loosen the village’s zoning by facing reality and acknowledging that there would be no return to the business districts of the past.

The village’s new zoning laws are a plan for the future.

The question is how many other towns and villages in Nassau County will follow them?

If history is a good guide, not many.

From 1950 to 1970, Nassau County’s population grew from 672,765 to 1.43 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But since 1970, Nassau’s population has declined by 32,306.

This did not happen by accident. Nassau County has some of the most restrictive zoning laws in the country.

North Hempstead’s population has followed the same pattern as the county. It increased from 142,613 to 235,087 in 1970. Since then in the past 52 years, the population of the town has grown by less than 3,000 to 237,639.

And among 32 counties in New York City and its suburbs, Suffolk ranked 32nd and Nassau ranked 31st in the number of housing permits issued from 2010 to 2020, according to a Regional Plan Association report last year.

A good part of this lack of new housing can be explained by the local control of zoning touted by local officials, many of whom are still in charge.

Local officials have often responded to residents who actually benefit financially from the shortage of housing, which in Nassau drives up the values of residents’ homes. That’s what they call supply and demand.

Either intentionally or not, local zoning laws have also often worked against racial diversity. This may explain why Nassau remains one of the most racially segregated counties in the country. And why affordable housing has become a code word for some.

Vision Long Island Executive Director Eric Alexander, who has been a leading voice for development on Long Island over the past 20 years, says the picture may not be as bad as the numbers indi-

cate.

He questions both the Census Bureau numbers and state numbers used by Hochul to track growth in Nassau. He cites state numbers only showing 300 of the 1,300 housing units that Mineola had recently added as an example.

Many people have criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the 2020 census. But were the census numbers in 2010, 2000, 1990 and 1980 also wrong when they told a similar story?

That would be a real scandal considering the many ways census numbers are used to determine how the federal government allocates money and representation in Washington. New York just lost another congressional seat when it fell 89 residents short of the needed population to keep 28 house seats.

It is also possible that there were errors in counting housing units by the Hochul administration.

But we wouldn’t base public policy changes on a miscount in Mineola and a gut reaction to the census.

Alexander is on firmer ground when presenting development success stories across Long Island.

In his role of promoting smart growth, Alexander and Vision Long Island presented an impressive array of developments in Nassau and Suffolk

counties as well as plans for sewers and transportation.

We hope the many elected officials in attendance took note of the many different types of developments that can be used to increase housing, reinvigorate downtown business districts and increase the quality of life in their communities.

The officials also received a clear message on the challenges faced in gaining public support for projects and how to overcome them.

Vision Long Island rightfully gave the Village of Mineola high marks for its extensive engagement with the public. And doing what is needed to attract developers.

“We congratulate Village Mayor Paul Pereira and Village Trustees on these new districts and their understanding of the need to give developers options and clarity to enable them to develop downtowns and the business district in such a way that benefits the community,” Vision Long Island said in an event journal.

Also receiving high marks was another North Shore municipality, the City of Glen Cove, where RXR’s Garvies Point project is transforming the waterfront area from eyesore to destination.

So, at least some officials are walking the walk when it comes to encouraging the construction of housing.

Vision Long Island gets much credit as well for promoting the positive steps taken around Long Island and providing a map for others to follow.

But questions remain. How many municipalities are willing to take the steps necessary to promote the construction of new housing units? And how long will it take for them to make it happen?

New York is in the midst of a serious housing crisis. And every tool needs to be considered to combat it. That includes a hard look at rent control in New York City – an idea that is long past its expiration date.

We would like to think that enough governments are getting Vision Long Island’s message to address Nassau County’s housing needs.

But if not, there should be a plan B from the state.

Hochul’s original plan called for state intervention only if local governments failed to meet the goal of increasing housing units by 3%

For North Hempstead that would mean the construction of 2,364 housing units over three years – 788 a year.

Based on what local officials said in opposing Hochul’s plans, that shouldn’t be a problem. If they actually meant what they said about providing the best answers to the housing problem.

Nuclear secrets, war plans and cowards

Donald Trump is facing charges of putting our military men and women in danger.

A federal indictment shows the former president mishandling, hiding, and flaunting America’s most dangerous secrets including nuclear secrets and war plans. There has been very little push back from members of the Republican Party, even in the face of Trump’s documented admissions of guilt as memorialized by one of his own attorneys.

For example, in paragraph 54 of the indictment, Trump made the following statement to one of his attorneys after being told that he needed to demonstrate compliance in response to the May 11 subpoena regarding any remaining classified documents that remained at his residence:

“I don’t want anybody looking. I don’t want anybody looking through my boxes, I really don’t. I don’t want you looking through my boxes. Well, what if we, what happens if we just don’t respond at all or don’t play ball with them? Wouldn’t it be better if we just told them we don’t have anything here? Well look isn’t it better if there are no documents?”

No analysis necessary. It is all there. He was playing “hide and seek” with regulators and his own lawyers.

It appears that a large segment of the Republican Party, traditionally super supportive of law enforcement, has decided that Mr. Trump is above the law despite his alleged

crimes of betrayal against the U.S. If you recall, 21 House Republican ingrates, many of whom never miss an opportunity to express how strongly they “back the blue,” voted against awarding the Congressional Gold Medals to the officers who responded so valiantly to the Jan. 6th assault on democracy.

There are men and women who have declared their candidacy for 2024 and refuse to wholeheartedly condemn Trump’s actions regarding our nation’s top secrets. With few exceptions they act like cowards running for second place, refusing to confront the frontrunner with the truth, and defend the Constitution like the true patriots they pretend to be.

As for his intractable base, Trump repeatedly says, “In the end, they’re not coming after me. They’re coming after you — and I’m just standing in their way.” Sadly, with true believers objective truth is always runner-up to Trump’s lies.

Trump continues to cultivate the ground to incite political violence. It is the same messaging, in the same ballpark as “be there, will be wild” and “stand back and stand by.” It is always Trump dropping his moldy bread crumbs, often through innuendo, and playing martyr for his adoring acolytes, who deep down he detests.

Messaging like this serves two purposes for Trump. First, to justify hundreds going to jail after Jan. 6, when he returned to his swanky se-

cret document depot at Mar-a-Lago. Second, to galvanize his domestic terrorist troops for combat in the face of a cascade of indictments that have come and are coming his way. Much of Trump’s base exists in an echo chamber and believe Trump’s lies. So much for critical thinking. Maybe the book banning crowd eliminated critical thinking from the curriculum as well. Most of the republicans in Congress know better. Nevertheless, the political capital and lure of the grift is so great, as well as the potential for authoritarian power it can bring, that it is more than enough for them to crush democracy through any means necessary, including threats of terror and acts of violence.

Someone with the screen name 1776take2 wrote on the pro-Trump messaging board known as “The

Donald,” “MAGA will make Waco look like a tea party, I’m not laughing any more. Just buying more ammo.”

Trump’s defenders adhere to the principle that if the facts are against you, pound the law. If the law is against you, pound the facts. And if both are against you, pound the table. For example, failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Trump sidekick Kari Lake leads the way, playing on people’s deep-seated grievances, with ominous warnings for those who would dare hold Donald Trump accountable for his blatant criminality.

“I have a message tonight for Merrick Garland, and Jack Smith, and Joe Biden,”Lake said during a speech to Georgia Republicans on June 9. “If you want to get to President Trump, you’re going to have to go through me, and you’re going to have to go through 75 million Americans just like me. And I’m going to tell you, most of us are card-carrying members of the NRA. That’s not a threat, that’s a public service announcement.”

Do I need to spell it out? She is not hinting at anything. She is unabashedly threatening opponents of Trump with gun violence. Trump and his political allies like the unhinged Lake have no shame.

On Instagram, Donald Trump Jr.’s fiancé Kimberly Guilfoyle posted a photo of the former president with the words, “Retribution Is Coming,” in all capital letters.

“Eye for an eye,” wrote Rep. Andy Biggs, Republican of Arizona, in a post on Twitter on June 9.

These are all people, if the tables were turned and the same scenario regarding criminal mishandling of classified documents were played out under a democrat president, would be up in arms calling for that president’s head. No doubt about it. But this is not about justice or allegiance to the Constitution or fidelity to the American people. It is only about money and power.

Fomenting violence is the next step in Trump’s arsenal, as it was on Jan. 6. He has more than enough confederates in the U.S. Congress and certain media outlets to help him amplify the message that gives organized groups and lone wolves the opportunity to stew and plan.

Trump is leading the way toward a path of normalizing politicallyinspired violence, all in the service of maintaining his immunity. He has always been impervious to the law. He is creating a permission structure for violence and he does not believe anyone can stop him. Can we?

Read the full text of the Trump indictment in classified documents case: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nationalsecurity/2023/06/09/ indictment-document-trump-classified-documents-pdf/

Suburban Dems emerge as power brokers

During the past 50 plus years, there has been a political tug-of-war between upstate and downstate interests. The competition between the regions is historic and every so often it erupts because of some major issue. But while the two sides are often jockeying for power, a new political force has emerged, namely, the suburbs. Because the regions of Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk have over 5 million residents, they have become a force to be reckoned with.

The emergence of the suburbs as a power started when the suburban Republicans controlled nine seats in the state Senate. For four-plus years, the “Long Island Nine” had enormous influence in Albany. They were able to produce record amounts of school aid and stopped the Senate from passing legislation that gave the city too much power. Once the local Republicans lost their clout in 2018, the city legislators advanced their own agenda and ignored the suburbs completely.

When Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her executive budget in January, she proposed a major housing initiative, which would override local zoning. When it comes to home rule, there is no place in the state that gets more sensitive than the suburbs. Within minutes of the announcement of her housing plan, the Long Island Democrats told the governor that they would not let it happen.

Shortly thereafter, the Democrats in the three suburban counties announced their joint opposition. In the next four months, the suburban Democratic delegation also came out against an increase in the MTA payroll tax. Knowing that the bail reform issue did a great deal of political damage to suburban Democrats, the newly empowered group announced that they would support the governor’s proposal to give judges more discretion in setting bail.

Up to this year, the New York City Democrats wielded most of the power in Albany and didn’t give

much respect to the out-of-city legislators. But it didn’t take a meeting with Albert Einstein for the city Democrats to realize that last year’s loss of legislative seats could lead to more losses in the future and maybe the majority. There is a handful of city members who have no regard for suburban issues and one city As-

sembly member even threatened a hunger strike in opposition to any bail reform. But the suburban Democrats prevailed and stopped a whole bunch of progressive programs from passing and got their way on bail return and taxes.

The success of the suburban Democrats is no accident. The votes of suburban residents all over the country have become a key to Democratic victories in places like Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona. At least five United State senators owe their victory to a strong turnout that favored the Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has budgeted $45 million to challenge the four local Republican Congress members, because their four votes could shift the balance of power in the House back to the Democrats.

Can the suburban Democrats continue to wield power in the years to come? The answer is yes. Many fresh campaign dollars have been flowing into the Democratic legisla-

tive committees and it is anticipated that more will come. City Democrats will continue to propose millionaire’s taxes and other regressive ideas and the votes of the suburban Democrats are needed to stop these crazy ideas from becoming law. Taxes on billionaires is a good idea but other city legislator tax ideas hit suburban residents very hard.

The idea that suburban Democrats have any power is very much a surprise. Even though the upstate delegations are mostly Republican, the Legislature has been aware of the fact that the upstate is in serious financial trouble and can’t afford to be saddled with any tough laws or ideas. When a new minimum wage law was proposed, provision was made for a delay in the effective date of the law for upstate businesses.

What makes politics so interesting is that no one can predict who the next power brokers will be. But for now, the players are the three regions and nothing is going to change that equation very soon.

Battle hymn of the shy, awkwark introverts

The shy, socially awkward and introspective are often marginalized, bullied, devalued and scapegoated by their more outgoing peers, but it is not clear why. The best-selling book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”” by Susan Cain addresses this problem so compellingly that her Ted Talk on introversion has been seen by over 33 million viewers.

Her thesis rests upon the assumption that a third of the population, the introverts, want to get far from the maddening crowd to find some peace, solitude and time to think. However, since we now live in a culture of personality which embraces narcissism and showiness, the quiet ones get scapegoated and are the easy targets of abuse. This psychological dynamic accounts for most of the bullying in our schools.

Cain goes on to suggest that most of the creative output in any culture comes from the introverts who seek solitude and time to think and this quiet often results in epiphanies, revelations and inventions which the culture benefits from.

Introverts don’t mind doing things alone.

Wasn’t it Moses who went up “into the mountain 40 days and 40 nights” and returned with the revelation of the Ten Commandments. Jesus entered the desert and fasted in solitude for 40 days and 40 nights, refused the

EARTH MATTERS

temptations of the devil and thus began his ministry.

In fact, nearly every saint who’s been canonized has a story of seeking a lonely place to find spiritual enlightenment. Saint Francis of Assisi only became enlightened after he was locked away in a prison for a year.

Buddha may be the most famous story of a spiritual mystic who renounced secular life and wandered alone and in solitude to find enlightenment.

I am certain that all these mystics and saints were introverts and found comfort and insight through solitude and who later returned to the world to share their knowledge. One of the world’s great philosophers was Friedrich Nietzsche and his classic text

“Thus Spoke Zarathustra” is the story of Zarathustra, who went up into the mountains for 10 years and returned with a new view of man’s purpose, which is to devote one’s life all to the improvement of mankind. His views on the meaning of life influenced the birth of existentialism and harkened in the announcement that “God is dead.”

There are many examples and sources of support for the introverts’ character. Henry David Thoreau wrote

“Walden,” which was about his year of living with solitude in the woods near Walden Pond.

Dante began “The Divine Comedy” with a scene of himself alone in the woods at midlife where he then meets up with the poet Virgil.

And one of the greatest writers in literary history, Marcel Proust, is a man who lived alone and in solitude his entire life in a small apartment in Paris and produced “In Search of Lost Times,” which is one of the great literary masterpieces.

We live in a world which values the garrulous, outspoken charismatic actor, comic, politician or business person. These are the hyper-competitive, socially gifted non-contemplative types who get most of the glory. But one ought not forget that these stars are often reading from a teleprompter, which has a script written by an introverted writer whose name you will never see.

So let’s hear it for the quiet ones, who are shy, decent, cooperative, inventive, creative and who in the final analysis are the ones who make all the breakthroughs in science, literature, film and art.

Good, bad and the ugly from state Legisature

New York State’s legislative session ended last week. There was good news, OK news and future bad news.

Good news first — the Legislature passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act. This bill would ban unnecessary uses of neonicotinoid pesticides, including seed treatments for soy, wheat, and corn as well as lawn and garden uses. Neonicotinoids are extremely toxic pesticides that are linked to declines in insects and birds, broad water contamination and negative health impacts in humans.

The EPA recently released a study finding that three neonicotinoid chemicals jeopardize the continued existence of over 200 federally threatened or endangered species. This represents 11% of all listed endangered species and essentially admits that the EPA’s approvals of the pesticides broadly violated the Endangered Species Act.

Support for the Birds & Bees Protection Act came from a wide range of environmental, health, garden, social justice, and farm groups. The bill now goes to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for

signature, and support will again be needed in the fall to counteract opposition from pesticide manufacturers.

In OK news, the Legislature again passed the Class C Streams Bill. Last year Hochul vetoed the bill. The bill was designed to protect New York’s streams by putting them under the supervision of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Waters in New York State are assigned a class based on their use. Class C streams are designated to allow fisheries and other non-contact activities, such as picnicking, fishing, camping, and marine life study. More than 5 million New Yorkers get drinking water from small streams, which also replenish groundwater aquifers around the state.

Currently unregulated Class C streams can be subject to polluting activities. By putting these streams under the DEC’s purview, the state can better protect this valuable resource, estimated at 41,000 miles of stream corridors. Again, support will be needed when this bill reaches the governor’s desk this fall.

JENNIFER WILSON-PINES Earth Matters

And the future bad news. The Dogs on the Beach bill did not reach the floor for a vote, but it will come back in the fall. This is being pushed by a group on Long Island, but would affect all New York State parks, excluding the Catskills and Adirondacks. State Sen. Monica Martinez (D—Bay Shore) and State Assemblyman Steve Stern (D—Melville) are co-sponsoring the legislation.

The dog group whines about “people being banned from beaches,” but only those obsessed with taking their dogs everywhere are restricting themselves. I have two rescue dogs, and they have a happy life, but it doesn’t include taking them to places where they would present a threat to birds and wildlife, traumatize people who have been frightened by badly behaved dogs, and leave their reminders in places where families with children play. It’s impossible to clean up feces 100% and no dog owners clean up pee – not what you’d want to build a sand castle.

While the bill would require dogs to be on leash and owners to clean up, enforcement would be difficult. I was recently in a park that allows dogs on a leash. On the trails, I encountered nine dogs and their owners. Zero dogs were leashed, and several were clearly not under the owner’s voice control. I also didn’t see any owners wading into the woods to pick up either.

I’ve also witnessed dog owners deliberately sending their dogs to chase birds and wildlife, aggressively excusing their dog’s bad behavior, refusing

to leash up when requested and generally acting as if they and their pets have more rights than other park goers. Unfortunately, it’s not a case of a few bad apples, but a lot of people who don’t think the rules apply to them.

The dog pushers don’t understand that winter doesn’t mean the beaches are empty. Fishermen, surfers, birders, and walkers use the beaches all year round. As do shore birds. Even out of breeding season, thousands of shorebirds are feeding along the beaches. Shorebirds cannot differentiate between leashed dogs and unleashed dogs, nor can they differentiate between dogs and other predators like foxes and coyotes. Numerous studies have proven that while the presence of humans is disturbing, human presence is far less disturbing to birds than dogs.

Dogs currently are permitted in scores of public spaces on Long Island. Many local governments have established dog parks for pet dogs and more are planned. Given the ecological sensitivity of state beaches and the ready availability of alternative sites this is a selfish and ill-conceived idea.

Heights, NY 11577.

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

PHOTO BY TOM FERRARO

Biden renews calls for immigration reform

On the day he became president on Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden sent a Comprehensive Immigration Bill to Congress that included a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, people with temporary status, farm workers, and essential workers who risked their own lives during the COVID public health crisis, while strengthening labor protections for all workers.

It would implement smarter border protection solutions, add resources to clear court backlogs (years long), speed up processing, while prioritizing keeping families together. It would address the root cause of migration from Central and South America and insure the United States remains a refuge for those fleeing persecution.

The president reintroduced the bill May 11, when Title 42 expired that and was widely expected to trigger a migrant “invasion.”

By averting the predicted border crisis Republicans had hyped and hoped for when Title 42 was lifted, Biden has demonstrated the benefits of expanding legal pathways for safe, orderly migration instead of having to deal with unlawful entry at the border.

But there are those whose focus is to maintain the cruelty and brutality of a purposefully dysfunctional immigration system.

Anti-immigration crusades have erupted periodically in American history, most notably after the projects of

Hochul’s bad judge choices

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently filled 19 vacant judgeships which had been vacant for months. Her nominees were notified two days in advance. State senators were notified one day before being asked to vote. Rather than voting on each nominee individually based upon qualifications, all 19 were combined under one vote. There was no time allocated for any hearings or review of nominees’ credentials.

Hochul and State Senate majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins promised honest, open, transparent and above-board government. Just like their predecessors, it is business as usual with the Albany Democratic State Party clubhouse machine. Nothing has changed, except that the “three men in the room” is now two woman plus Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Larry Penner Great Neck

an industrializing America — the transcontinental railroad, skyscrapers, factories, roads, bridges and coal mines that waves of immigrants were here brought to build — were completed. Once built, the laborers were regarded as a threat to the livelihoods of native-born workers but more significantly the entrenched political power structure. All of a sudden, there was concern about the influx of “alien” culture and ideas (unions) – Catholics, Jews, Italians, Irish, Mexicans, Caribbeans, Latin Americans, Socialists! Communists! Bolsheviks!

But the anti-immigrant argument of protecting American workers doesn’t hold water now because we have a serious labor shortage, especially as the birthrate has declined while people are living longer (a factor in inflation that Republicans love to weaponize).

The anti-immigrant fervor today is mostly motivated because Republicans fear that if immigrants are granted citizenship, they will be a voting bloc for Democrats. That’s why the white nationalists who now dominate the Republican Party refuse to even legalize the status of Dreamers, who only know the United States as their home, but who are forced to live in insecurity over jobs, education, healthcare, deportation.

So instead, the white nationalists are overturning child labor laws and forcing women to give birth to supply cheap labor.

Beyond their refusal to work con-

KAREN RUBIN View Point

structively to pursue concrete solutions, Republicans in Congress and their allies in the states are pushing an agenda that is making things worse at the border.

“When President Biden took office two years ago, he inherited an immigration system that the prior administration had gutted,” Ian Sams, special assistant to the president, wrote in a memo. “The prior administration wasted critical resources on an ineffective border wall [and cruel family separations], encouraged irregular migration by cutting off lawful pathways and abandoning efforts to improve conditions in the region that drive migration. Increased migration in the hemisphere, which began in 2018, has continued to rise as a result of ongoing political upheaval, economic crises, and criminal violence that went unad-

dressed by the prior administration.

“On top of a comprehensive immigration reform bill that he introduced on Day One of his administration –which Congressional Republicans have blocked– President Biden has taken action on a plan to address these issues –and it is working.”

The Biden administration secured record levels of funding for border security, which enables U.S. law enforcement to catch record amounts of fentanyl and supports 23,000 agents to secure the border and apprehend smugglers. House Republicans voted against border security funding in FY22 and FY23, and House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer said he wanted to cut off all funding for border security.

The current administration requested $4.9 billion for border security and management — to expand detention capacity, provide medical services, help track migrants as they await their immigration proceedings, ramp up removal flights and move migrants out of cities that are facing a significant surge. But the Republican Congress authorized only half.

While the Biden administration is expediting the immigration process to quickly remove individuals who don’t have a lawful basis to stay, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is instead busing (trafficking, you could say) unvetted migrants to New York and other cities across America bollixing this effort.

Like Abbott, Republican governor

and presidential wannabe Ron DeSantis of Florida is using and abusing asylum-seekers for his own political gain, actually committing unlawful human trafficking (breaking the law he just signed!), by luring them onto buses and charter planes with promises of jobs and housing, and dumping them without warning or preparation on the doorstep of “blue” governors and mayors. (Meanwhile his draconian anti-immigrant laws are driving migrants to leave Florida, causing havoc for employers.)

Some 20 Republican-led states have filed a federal lawsuit to block the administration’s parole program – effectively seeking to shut down a lawful pathway that is working so that more will be forced to make unlawful crossings that strain border communities.

The Republicans need to be exposed and punished for their cynical, cruel crusade aimed at sabotaging effective, humane, comprehensive immigration reform so essential to sustaining economic progress, not to mention the myths we love to wrap ourselves in of the “American Dream,” “Beacon on a Hill,” “Land of Opportunity,” and of course, “American Exceptionalism.”

“Let us come together again in a bipartisan way to fix our broken immigration system for good,” Biden declared in his Immigrant Heritage Month proclamation for June. “Until the Congress acts, my administration will keep using every tool we have to make the system more orderly, safe, and humane.”

Each day we awaken to the first golden rays of dawn. That we are spiraling through the dark silences of space has never been other than a miracle to me.

To stand before the last moments of darkness and watch the sun’s wind fill the world with its light as a sail is though I have never seen anything so beautiful. All the colors suddenly flow through the streets and into the city. I’ve seen the cobalt blue, yellow, and orange so often yet still feel its mystery slowly seep through the air until nothing else seems so real or wonderful.

I am again a child standing in the garden remembering what’s forgotten, all the secrets of light. Life again takes on that dreamy quality—precise and clear, above and all around.

I have no idea why this particular sun is ours or has a Goldilocks Zone—harboring the conditions that favor life. The proper wavelengths and right amount of warmth, not too much of the longer and shorter possibilities that fry biology. As if there should be something like this between us as we cross the darkness on our journey alone. Before the late afternoon shadows absent-mindedly continue to lengthen at dusk, let me say this with gratitude for those who don’t know me.

I like to remember that even as I sleep the sun is shredding darkness all the time. Countless eruptions release all the light that makes for happiness, we live in the garden.

Stephen Cipot

Author’s Note:

In retrospect, in one sense this may appear to be a Midrashic poem though not the intent. The sun emits all the wavelengths, from the longest to the shortest, which of course includes the invisible wavelengths as well the visible wavelengths of light.

The sun’s spectrum is caused or generated by nuclear fusion where atoms are combined and make other atoms and elements, the process releases huge amounts of energy covering the full spectrum.

All atoms and elements in the universe are believed to have been created within suns in this manner, beginning with the so-called Big Bang—which goes for saying that we are made of stardust.

My friend and colleague, Dr. James Haklar, likes to expand on astrophysics and share his expertise and astrophotos. Here’s a composite photo he created that shows our sun in three wavelengths: White Light (using a filter transmitting light at around 540 nanometers); Hydrogen Alpha (light at 656.28 nanometers); and Calcium K (light at 393.4 nanometers).

White light is simply the result to our eyes of all the wavelengths combined, and for us what comprises visible light is a small part of the total spectrum emitted by our sun.

Hydrogen is by far the most abundant element in the sun, which is why it mostly appears yellow/orange to the unaided eye.

PHOTO COMPOSITE BY DR. JAMES HAKLAR

Game on for Autism raises more than $50K for JCC

On Sunday, June 3, members, staff, and supporters of Sid Jacobson JCC –the only full-service JCC on Long Island’s North Shore – raised more than $50,000 for Camp Kehilla, SJJCC’s camp for children with special needs, during a fun afternoon of community flag football.

Jared and Jocelyn Wasserman, organizers, along with Sid Jacobson JCC Executive Director David Black

Now in its second year, “Game on for Autism,” was brought together by Jocelyn Wasserman (an SJJCC board member) and her husband, Jared, in response to the needs of their own family in an effort to help others.

More than 300 people showed up to the Park At East Hills on a sunny Sunday afternoon to play tag football

and show support for the Wassermans and other SJJCC families who want their children to have the camp experience of a lifetime by helping Camp Kehilla fund a brand new playground set.

“After the first year was a success, we wanted to continue to bring the community together for a fun day to help families with special needs,” said Wasserman. “We are so overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of love and support from this years event. We are so happy that GAME ON For Autism could raise over $50,000 to build a sensory playground that will enhance children’s summer experience at Camp Kehilla.

Our children with special needs also deserve a traditional summer camp experience and Camp Kehilla provides this in a warm, nurturing environment. We feel so good about the outcome of the second annual Game On and look forward to bringing it back next year.”

“We are so grateful to Jocelyn and her entire family for all of their efforts in not only pulling together this wonderful event but for directing all of the donations to Camp Kehilla – a place where kids of all abilities can enjoy a fun and relaxing summer experience,” said Amanda Foglietta, Sid Jacobson JCC’s director of the Sandler Family

Kehilla Center. “The afternoon at the park was joyous, filled with love and laughter, and everyone there knew all of the work was going towards such a fulfilling mission, which made it even more special!”

Camp Kehilla is designed to make the typical camp experience accessible to those with various special needs. The camp, which operates on the grounds of the Henry Kaufman Campgrounds in Wheatley Heights, allows for a customized summer for children ages 5-21 years with developmental disabilities, Autism spectrum disorder, and/or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

DeSena celebrates grand opening of Root & Sprig

North Hempstead

Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena recently joined restauranteur Tom Colicchio, Catholic Health President and CEO Patrick O’Shaughnessy, along with other members of Catholic Health to celebrate the grand opening of Root & Sprig.

Root & Sprig was founded by Colicchio and recently opened in St. Francis Hospital & Heart

Zuckerman attends Herricks Fund carnival

Council Member Peter Zuckerman recently attended the Herricks Community Fund Carnival on Wednesday, June 7.

The carnival takes place every year and helps to raise money for the Herricks Community Fund, a non-profit organization that

provides financial support for programs, projects and educational enrichment for people of all ages in Herricks.

To learn more about the Herricks Community Fund, visit www.herricks.org/domain/33

JCC’s Israelfest draws 3,500 to park

Sid Jacobson JCC’s “Israelfest” Draws 3,500 to Eisenhower Park for the First Time Since the Pandemic

Center, where they aim to deliver bold flavors and friendly service to patients, visitors, and employees while calling attention to the crucial role that food plays in health.

DeSena commended all involved on the successful grand opening and thanked them for their immeasurable contributions to helping the residents of the Town of North Hempstead.

Joy Fu Father’s Day celebration

North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Council Members Peter Zuckerman, Veronica Lurvey, and Mariann Dalimonte attended the Joy Fu Senior Program’s Father’s Day gathering at North Hempstead Beach Park on June 12.

The event was co-sponsored by the Chinese American Association of North Hempstead.

The Joy Fu Senior Program provides residents with a variety of activities each week including ping pong, Mah Jong, chess, arts & crafts, exercise and cultural education. Meetings

After a hiatus, Israelfest returned on June 11 to Eisenhower Park

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOCELYN WASSERMAN

Pictured left to right Iona Davis, Gary Davis, Rose McCarthy and Council Member Peter Zuckerman

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHANIE FAUST

are held throughout the year at Michael J. Tully Park.

North Hempstead Town Board members with members of the Joy Fu Senior Program.

Bringing forosoco sound to The Space at Westury on Friday

BY CAMERYN OAKES

Famous brother duo Kevin and Michael Bacon are bringing their forosoco sound of The Bacon Brothers to Long Island in an anticipated concert for the brothers.

The Bacon Brothers will be performing at The Space at Westbury Theater Friday night. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.

The Bacon Brothers feature actor Kevin Bacon and Emmy award-winning composer Michael Bacon, two brothers who say they are bound by blood and a love of music.

The brothers describe their sound as “forosoco,” a combination of folk, rock, soul and country.

Kevin Bacon said when they first started playing as a band, they always faced the same question: So what kind of music do you play?

Kevin Bacon said he thought about it and found it to be the four music genres of folk, rock, soul and country that their music encompassed. So, jokingly, he responded to everyone’s question that the kind of music they play is forosoco.

This new music genre label came to be the title of the band’s debut album in 1997.

While forosoco is the origin of the band’s music, Kevin Bacon said the sound still holds true in their current music.

Michael Bacon said that in making their music, they don’t have any need or desire to follow a protocol. He said this allows their music to explore

different facets.

“Our philosophy is to let the songs dictate the arrangement using whatever resources we have between the two of us and our band,” Michael Bacon said.

With a diverse sound encompassing an array of music genres, Michael Bacon said they find inspiration from artists like Phil Ochs, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and The Band.

While these artists inspire their music in some ways, Kevin Bacon said that their inspiration for songwriting is not so cut and dry.

“We often say if we really knew what it was we would just go there every day,” Kevin Bacon.

He said it is rather a fleeting mystery of inspiration that he could not tangibly describe.

“Song-writing is like creating something out of air and an instrument,” Kevin Bacon said.

Michael Bacon said one of his greatest influences, though, was their parents.

Their father, Edmund Bacon, an urban planner and architect dubbed the “The Father of Modern Philadelphia,” transformed the first floor of their childhood home into a sort of giant speaker.

As he would drift to sleep, Michael Bacon said the music would float up the stairs into his childhood bedroom. He said it became embedded in him and provided him with a creative source in his career as a film score composer.

The music that would drift up the stairs ranged from Elvis Presley to folk music to world music and classical.

Michael Bacon said they grew up in a household in which creativity was on a pedestal. This

was at the expense of academics and sports but allowed for them to excel in music, dancing, acting and art.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Michael Bacon said they were pummelled by the city’s rich music culture.

He said while their parents are their No. 1 influencer for their music, their hometown of Philadelphia is a close second.

He said he had been fascinated with music since he was young, playing in bands with his sister at first until his brother Kevin was old enough to begin jamming with them.

As Kevin Bacon got older, he too started writing songs. The problem though was that he didn’t know how to play the guitar quite yet, so Michael would step in to help write the songs and the guitar chords.

Michael Bacon said that as his brother started acting in movies, the duo would write songs to be featured in the movies as well. None were accepted.

In about 1994, Michael Bacon visited one of Kevin Bacon’s friends in Philadelphia who worked in a club. The friend suggested the two brothers come together as a band and play a one-off set.

So they did it.

“It just sort of rolled out from there,” Michael Bacon said. “Not particularly because we planned it to be that. It started really grassroots and someone offered us a record label and here we are 26 years later.”

Kevin Bacon said that while his brother says their music has been the same since their first al-

bum, he disagrees.

He said that their first band was just two acoustic guitars, a percussionist and a bass player with simple music arrangements. Today, Kevin Bacon said they produce music with diverse instrumentation with some songs featuring horns and loops and stacked vocals.

“The music has grown,” Kevin Bacon said.

Michael Bacon said technology that has developed since the band’s first album has assisted in their growth.

Kevin Bacon said what makes The Bacon Brothers exciting to him is continuing to make new songs.

“For us, it’s the excitement of writing something, learning how to play it, teaching it to everybody and then putting it out there for people,” Kevin Bacon said.

The Bacon Brothers said they will be releasing a six-song EP “Ballad of the Brothers” in September. Kevin Bacon said it’s some of the best work they have done so far.

The Bacon Brothers have already been playing some of their unreleased songs at their shows, which is anticipated at their next show in Westbury Friday as well.

Kevin Bacon said they enjoy playing in the New York area where they have a larger fan base. He said while they have not played in Long Island as much as they thought they would, he is excited to come on out.

“We love Long Island,” Kevin Bacon said.

FunDay Monday dates announced for 2023 Discover new wines perfect for the summer

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board have announced the schedule for the 2023 FunDay Monday season. This popular, free senior program, held at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, takes place every Monday from July 10 to August 21.

“Funday Monday is one of the Town’s most popular programs for our senior residents, and we are excited to again be hosting a full slate of events throughout the summer at North Hempstead Beach Park,” DeSena said. “Funday Monday has become a summer staple in many of our residents lives and the Town is happy to once again host these weekly events filled with games, exercise, and rousing performances.”

Organized and hosted by the Town’s Department of Community Services, FunDay Monday offers hundreds of seniors from across the Town the opportunity to gather for games, music, dancing, entertainment, and exercise.

The program’s most widely attended events are the Health Fair, which will take place this year on July 24 and HomeTown USA scheduled for Aug. 21, which honors our nation’s Armed Forces and veterans.

The 2023 FunDay Monday Summer Event Schedule:

July 10: Stan & Edi will charm you with their singing.

July 17: Vincent Rhodes Productions will give a live beach performance.

July 24: Senior Health, Education and Information Fair: learn more ways to maintain and manage your health. EJ the DJ will also be at the beach from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

July 31: Take a trip down Abbey Road and join the Beat-A-Likes, a Beatles Tribute, for some enjoyable music by the water.

Aug. 7: Residents will be treated to a Dance Aloha and Elvis Tribute at this summertime event.

Aug. 14: The Rat Pack Tributem will be showcasing their talents with music from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Aug. 21: HomeTown USA: An exciting celebration of American traditions with crafts, hobbies, demos, musical performances, a classic car show and a special Salute to the Troops. Also enjoy performances by the Quatrain Barbershop Quartet and Bud & Linda as well as a vintage car show on the boardwalk.

FunDay Mondays will also have plenty of fun activities throughout the day including fitness classes, games, arts & crafts, beach walks, and more! Come on down each week for pickleball from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., line dancing from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Tai Chi for balance and health from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Free bus transportation is available from various points throughout the town. For further information, or for a pick-up location near you, please call 311 or 516-869-6311.

BY RYAN BURKETT

As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, it’s time to embrace the spirit of summer with a glass of refreshing wine in hand.

From crisp whites to light-bodied delights, the world of wine offers a plethora of options that perfectly complement the sunny season. Join us as we explore a selection of summer-friendly wines from across the globe, each offering their own unique characteristics to enhance your summertime enjoyment.

Txakolina: The Effervescent Gem of Basque Country

Hailing from the Basque Country in northern Spain, Txakolina (pronounced chah-ko-LEE-nah) is a vibrant and slightly fizzy white wine that’s an absolute delight on a warm summer day.

Made from indigenous grape varieties such as Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza, Txakolina offers refreshing acidity, vibrant citrus flavors, and a subtle saline note. Its effervescence adds a touch of liveliness, making it a perfect accompaniment to fresh seafood, salads, and light tapas.

While there are a number of great Txakolina producers, one of the best is Bodegas Zudugaraigrab a bottle of their 2022 ‘Antxiola’ today!

Vinho Verde: Vibrant and Zippy Portuguese Elegance From the vineyards of Portugal’s Minho region comes Vinho Verde, a wine renowned for its zesty character and light effervescence.

Despite its name, Vinho Verde (meaning “green wine”) refers to its youthful and vibrant nature rather than its color. Typically a blend of local grape varieties such as Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Trajadura, Vinho Verde offers crisp acidity, citrus flavors, and a refreshing, slightly spritzy mouthfeel.

Enjoy it as a standalone aperitif or pair it with fresh salads, grilled seafood, and light summer fare. The Vinho Verde from Quinta de Santiago offers amazing value and is a great way to get introduced to the style.

Soave: Italian Elegance in a Glass

Hailing from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, Soave is a white wine that exudes elegance and style.

Crafted primarily from the Garganega grape, Soave offers delicate floral aromas, ripe orchard fruit flavors, and a lively acidity. Its medium body

and smooth texture make it a versatile companion for a variety of dishes, from grilled vegetables to seafood pasta.

Soave’s balance and finesse are perfect for alfresco dining and warm summer evenings. But frankly, a lot of terrible Soave gets made. So make sure you are shopping at a reputable wine shop that selects their Soave carefully!

Albariño: The Essence of the Atlantic Coast

From the coastal regions of Galicia in northwest Spain comes Albariño, a white wine renowned for its crispness and aromatic charm. With its notes of ripe stone fruits, zesty citrus, and a distinctive mineral character, Albariño embodies the essence of the Atlantic Ocean. Its bright acidity and medium body make it a versatile partner for grilled fish, shellfish, and summer vegetable dishes, capturing the coastal spirit with every sip. Do yourself a favor and find the Benitos Santos Albarino. You won’t need another wine all summer.

Sauvignon Blanc:

Crisp and Herbaceous Classic

No list of summertime wines would be complete without Sauvignon Blanc. Grown in various regions worldwide, Sauvignon Blanc is celebrated for its zesty acidity, vibrant fruit flavors, and distinct herbaceous and grassy notes. From the lively examples of New Zealand to the elegant offerings of Sancerre in the Loire Valley in France, Sauvignon Blanc is a go-to wine for its refreshing character and versatility. Enjoy it alongside fresh salads, goat cheese, grilled vegetables, or as a refreshing sip on its own. Our favorite comes from right next door to Sancerre, offering a similar climate to grow grapes without the price tag. Isabelle and Pierre Clément make a delicious, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from Menetou-Salon that competes with the best from Sancerre.

Now is the time to unleash your inner wine adventurer and embark on an exploration of flavors. From the effervescent gem of Basque Country’s Txakolina, to the zippy Portuguese refreshment of Vinho Verde, these wines are ready to dance on your taste buds. Let’s not forget the Italian elegance of Soave and the essence of the Atlantic Coast in a bottle of Albariño. Go forth, wine-loving friends, and embark on a journey of delightful discoveries. Summer awaits, and so do these perfect wines. Cheers to a summer filled with flavor and fun!

A BLANK SLATE MEDIA SPECIAL SECTION JUNE 23, 2023

Graduation is steeped in tradition. Come the day of graduation, many grads-to-be might be focusing on receiving their diplomas and then celebrating after the ceremony. The hard work students put in affords them every right to celebrate once they’re officially anointed as new grads, but before the party begins it can be fun to reflect on the many traditions associated with graduation ceremonies.

Cap and gown

Graduation ceremonies simply wouldn’t be the same without caps and gowns. The tradition is anything but new, as Columbia University notes caps and gowns have been linked to academia since the 12th century. Back then, students wore gowns and hoods to emulate the clergy who taught them, but also to stay warm. Many universities dressed their scholars in gowns from the 1700s onward. In 1786, one school, Brown University, even mandated that degree candidates be clad in flowing robes and caps at commencement ceremonies. Though educators and students may no longer wear caps and gowns when attending class or around campus, the tradition of doing so at commencement ceremonies has endured.

Tassel turning

The tradition of turning the tassel does not have the lengthy history of the cap and gown, dating back only decades rather than centuries. Graduates typically turn the tassels after everyone has received their degrees during the ceremony. The turn is symbolic of their transition from student to

graduate. Tassels start on the right for high school students and college undergraduates and are then turned to the left, while recipients of master’s degrees and doctorates keep their tassels on the left throughout the commencement ceremonies.

Tossing caps in the air

The tossing of graduation caps in the air is believed to date back more than 100 years. Prior to 1912, graduates of the United States Naval Academy had to serve as midshipmen for two years before they were commissioned as officers. As a result, they still needed their graduation caps. But beginning with the class of 1912, graduates were automatically commissioned as officers, so they no longer needed their hats. That led the graduates to throw them in the air, thus beginning one of the more fun and photo-worthy graduation traditions.

“Pomp and Circumstance”

This tradition marked by the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” is rooted in the work of William Shakespeare, which makes it seem like a perfect fit for graduation ceremonies. Sir Edward Elgar composed “Pomp and Circumstance” in 1901 and the title for the song was inspired by a line in the bard’s “Othello.” Elgar received an honorary degree from Yale University in 1905, and during that ceremony “Pomp and Circumstance” was played. The song apparently made a strong impression, as it soon began to be played at various commencement ceremonies, a tradition that continues today.

Gift ideas for high school graduates

The class of 2023 soon will be donning their caps and gowns and receiving their diplomas. After commencement ceremonies, graduation parties will soon follow. For party guests, that means finding the right gifts for grads.

Some high school graduates will continue their studies at colleges and universities. Others may pursue careers in various trades. Still, some graduates may be ready to enter the workforce right away. No matter the direction, these gifts can treat graduates to something special.

Travel accessories

Graduates may want to go on a trip before they take the next step in their lives. Quality travel gear is a worthy investment. Select luggage that won't exceed airport carry-on limits so grads can cut the baggage check lines when they dart away to locales near or far. Carry-on bags also fit easily in bus cargo areas or in the trunks of cars. Pair the gifts with standard or digital luggage tags.

Streaming TV device

While it's certainly possible to watch favorite shows or films on mobile devices, viewing is that much clearer on televisions. Rather than graduates having to invest in cable television wherever they go, streaming devices like AppleTV or Roku are portable, which means they can be used at home, in a dorm room or on vacation.

Secured credit card

Individuals typically are eligible to apply for credit cards once they reach age 18, which is the age most students are when they graduate high

Congratulations to the 2023 Class of Gold Award Girl Scouts

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. These 55 young women are courageous leaders and visionary changemakers who are making meaningful, sustainable changes in Nassau County, their communities and around the world. They are our future, and the future looks bright!

Albertson

Shalini Samuel

Baldwin

Vanessa Osse

Bayville

Kylie Daly

East Meadow

Lauren Rodriguez

East Norwich

Mariana Panariello

Farmingdale

Alexa Frontino

Faith Williams

Floral Park

Ella Iannitti

Rebecca Reisig

Franklin Square

Caitlin Fitzpatrick

Garden City

Maria Dalia

Jaci Licari

Kathryn Maloney

Juliana Mitchell

Madeline Mitchell

Gretchen Murphy

Ella Pocock

Grace Power

Keira Regan

Cristina Seoylemezian

Ryan Sievers

Kennedy Wilgosz

Great Neck

Elizabeth Margiloff

Hempstead

Azaria Ellis

Lynbrook

Ryan Benvenuto

Sofia Yaker

Malverne

Anna Nealon

Manhasset

Noelle Bartul

Catherine Broderick

Cailey Held

Bella Rontiris

Massapequa

Audrey Pioreck

Shea Salamack

Massapequa Park

Lea Marie Mastorakis

Mineola

Julia DaSilva

Charlee Denzler

Grace Pizzardi

Samantha Vitale

North Bellmore

Lauren McCarthy

Oceanside

Emma DeFrancesco

Oyster Bay

Kate Webster

Rockville Centre

Emma Lincks

Seaford

Nicole Nietsch

Syosset

Erica Borzone

Shannen Fung

Wantagh

Angelina Bendetti

Corinne Kassatly

Hannah PopadinLesniak

Nicole Tobia

West Hempstead

Sophia Cano

Brianna Suarez

Oubina

Ava Zino

Westbury

Yasmine Mathew

Sarah Vincent

Williston Park

Ava Schmidt

school. Credit cards are one method of establishing solid credit, so it can be beneficial for a teen to have one. But it can be challenging for individuals with no credit histories to get approval. A secured card, according to CapitalOne, is a credit card that requires money deposited with the credit card issuer in order to open the account. This security deposit is held by the issuer as long as the account is open. Often the security deposit is the same as the credit limit. Giftgivers can help establish secured cards for grads by providing the funds for the security deposits.

Wireless earbuds or headphones

Upgrade grads' audio with the newest wireless earbuds or headphones. This way they can take them to the gym or use them to listen to shows or music while sharing spaces with others, including college roommates.

Smartphone wallet case

Teenagers are seldom without their phones. A smartphone wallet case enables graduates to stash IDs, credit or debit cards and some cash into specially designed pockets built into the phone cases. This keeps all essentials in one spot.

Framed memorabilia

Whether a graduate was a star athlete or a premier member of the marching band, giftgivers can provide special memories of time spent in school. Frame ticket stubs, sports jerseys, show programs, or other memorabilia that commemorates a graduate's glory days at their alma mater.

To learn more about the Gold Award visit gsnc.org/gold or scan the QR code above.

Graduation day is one of the proudest moments in students’ academic careers. Diplomas are symbolic of hours spent honing skills and working on assignments and, ultimately, success in the classroom. High school diplomas represent an opportunity to go on to higher learning or a trade, while college degrees indicate young people are ready to begin their professional lives.

Many graduates are excited about the prospect of receiving their diplomas. Once in hand, the document can be put on display. The following are some unique ways to showcase diplomas at home or at work.

Framing

One of the classic ways to display a diploma is in a frame. Many businesses offer customized framing where the frame material and the matting can be chosen. Some grads may want to include a photograph of the school or a picture of the graduate above the diploma. Graduates also may want to select a frame and mat that coordinates with school colors.

Create a shadow box

Consider displaying the diploma with other mementos from school. A shadow box is a large, deep display frame that can house items that are thicker than photographs or

TheFun Science Day Camp

papers. Items such as a graduation tassel, medal or other award, a varsity jacket patch, or a program from a school performance or awards ceremony can be placed in the shadow box.

Create a photo wall

Display the diploma among other framed photos from school activities. This can elicit a trip down memory lane every time the wall is viewed. Some families may want to display their diplomas together, especially if multiple family members attended the same school.

Make a work of art

Various online art vendors can turn the diploma into different works of art. For example, engravers can laser engrave the diploma onto a wooden plaque. Then the diploma can be displayed in one location and the wood plaque in another.

Place it under glass

Display the diploma beneath the glass top of a coffee table. When entertaining guests, the diploma can make for a unique conversation piece.

A school diploma is worthy of recognition. There are various creative ways to display these documents that reflect the hard work and success of their recipients.

Over 15 STEM activities and make & take projects weekly, 3 science stations per day, plus games, challenges, silly songs and all the friendship & fun of camp! Our energetic, professional educators make STEM learning fun

2023 Camp Themes

BioBot & Roller Coaster Camp

Build your own BioBot Explorer and discover the physics of coasters and games. Discover the science behind bubble magic, flashing lights, arachnids, insects and your own motorized bowl-o-rama.

Rescue Robot Myster y Camp

Build a search and rescue robot and solve the myster y of the missing MiniBot. This camp includes building your own electric alarm and turbo air machine, spinning gyro tops and more!

Artemis Moon Mission Camp

Rocket into space & discover NASA’s mission to explore the moon while building your ver y own LT V. Explore planets, dr y ice comets, rocks and minerals, encounter aliens and more!

A 2021 report from the American Council on Education revealed that more than 1.7 million students were enrolled in graduate education in Fall 2020 at institutions that participated in a survey conducted for the report. A decision regarding graduate school is seldom easy. In addition to the academic rigors of graduate school, tuition is costly. Cost is no small consideration, as the ACE survey found that 43 percent of grad students in Fall 2020 were part-time. Part-time students are typically ineligible for financial aid, which means students will have to pay out-ofpocket or apply for loans to finance their schooling (Note: Lenders may restrict student loans to full-time students.) Paying out of pocket is a significant commitment, as the Education Data Initiative indicates the average cost of a Master’s degree in Business Administration in 2022 was just under $62,000.

Much is at stake as graduates ponder whether or not graduate school is the right next step for them. The following are some factors students can consider as they try to make this decision.

· Professional need: Certain professions require more than a bachelor’s

degree to gain employment. For example, a student who aspires to teach at a college or university will likely need more than a bachelor’s degree. Adjunct professors, who are part-time faculty members hired on a contractual basis, typically need a master’s degree (though a bachelor’s degree and professional experience is sufficient for some positions). A doctoral degree is often a requirement to become a full-time tenure-track professor. When considering grad school, prospective applicants should determine if an advanced degree is a requirement to work in their desired field. If so, the decision is essentially made for them. If not, applicants must decide if the cost and rigorous workload is worth it.

· Candidacy: Another consideration is each individual’s candidacy. Students considering grad school should realistically assess their academic performance as an undergrad. Was the performance strong enough to gain entry into a toptier graduate program? This is an important consideration, as top-tier programs typically have much higher endowments, which means they can more effectively help students offset grad school

costs through grants and other types of financial aid. Students can still gain a lot from grad school if their undergrad performance wasn’t enough to earn financial aid for postgraduate work. But in such instances, students may need to finance the degrees on their own.

· Earning potential: Earning potential also merits consideration. As noted, some professions require postgraduate degrees. But many do not. However, that does not mean students have little to gain from earning an advanced degree in a field where no such degree is required. For example, a recent analysis from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that the average starting salary for individuals with a master’s in Finance was 15 percent higher than the average starting salary for individuals with just a bachelor’s degree. The same survey found that a master’s in Computer Science translated to a 32 percent higher starting salary than a bachelor’s. In such instances, a master’s could be well worth the investment.

Recent college graduates can consider a host of variables as they try to decide if graduate school is the right next step after receiving their degrees.

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LI Music Hall of Fame celebrates hip-hop at 50 Sands Pt. Preserve offers ballroom dance classes

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall Of Fame celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop recently with a special concert and panel discussion at the venue’s home base in Stony Brook Village (97 Main St., Stony Brook).

The event kicked off with the unveiling of a statue of LIMEHOF inductee LL COOL J with the statues’ creator artist Sherwin Banfield. LL COOL J’s former right-hand man ELove was also there to celebrate.

LL COOL J (James Todd Smith) was originally from Bay Shore on Long Island and later moved to St. Albans, Queens. He was inducted into LIMEHOF in 2008 as an iconic figure who revolutionized hip-hop music with his unique style, charismatic personality and influential lyrics.

The sustainable sonic monument, The G.O.A.T. Monument,Going Back to The Meadows, A Tribute to LL COOL J and Performance at FMCP, was created in 2021 by sculptor Sherwin Banfield.

He was inspired to create the statute to honor LL COOL J as “a culture shifter and a legend of hip hop”. The statute depicts LL COOL J from the 1980’s era.

It measures 8.5 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide by 3 feet in length and weighs 600 pounds. It is comprised of Bronze, Stainless Steel, Steel, Winterstone, Resin, Cement, Wood, Audio & Lighting, and contains a Solar Power System to play music. It was originally displayed in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a year.

“I think it’s appropriate to have it displayed in a new location where fans, music lovers and art enthusiasts of that location will have an opportunity to see this sculpture of a living legend,” Banfield said. “Not only is it a three-dimensional visual representation of him but it also plays his music out of the sculpture so you get to experience a visual, tactile and audible experience with the monument. I think it’s great that it’s moving from its original location in Queens where LL Cool J honed his

artistic craft to where he was born and raised in Long Island so it’s tracking his journey from one space to another.”

The celebration event that followed featured legendary stars Son of Bazerk, A.J. Rock (of J.V.C. F.O.R.C.E.), DJ Jazzy Jay, MC Glamorous, DJ Johnny Juice and Producer Keith Schocklee (of Public Enemy), Dinco D (Leaders of the New School), and special guest Ralph McDaniels (of Video Music Box). Rapper Keith Murray made a special guest appearance.

Tom Needham, LIMEHOF vice chairman and longtime host of the “Sounds of Film Radio Show,” moderated a panel discussion with Keith Schocklee, MC Glamorous, JVC Force’s A.J. Rock, Leaders of the New School’s Dinco D, DJ Johnny Juice and Ralph McDaniels. That was followed by a series of live music performances with DJ Jazzy Jay, MC Glamorous, A.J. Rock, Dinco D, DJ Johnny Juice and Son of Bazerk.

“We are excited to pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with a live concert performed by some of hip-hop’s most influential artists, all from Long Island,” said Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman. “It is a testament to Long Island’s prominent and continuing role in hip-hop’s legacy. We are also honored to now house the iconic LL COOL J statue which stands not only as an artifact on display but a monument to the spirit of Hip Hop reflected in LL COOL J’s personal story and growth as a hip hop legend that continues to inspire music artists of today and for generations to come.”

Through the years, LIMEHOF has paid tribute to the hip-hop community by inducting artists LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kurtis Blow, Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, and EPMD. LIMEHOF plans to induct the hip hop group The Fat Boys later this summer.

For more information about LIMEHOF and for future scheduled events, please visit https://www.limusichalloffame.org/museum/

From Dancing with the Stars to Dancing Queens, Bravo’s latest reality show, ballroom dancing is all the rage. It’s easy to see why ballroom dancing resonates with so many. It’s fun, great exercise and a creative outlet for selfexpression while connecting with others. And dancing novices – including those without partners – can take part and enjoy.

This July, the Sands Point Preserve is offering a series of three classes to learn ballroomdancing basics in a casual setting.

Taught by Donatas Nacajus, an award-winning dance instructor from Ballroom Boutique, the classes at the Preserve focus on how to move to the music as well as the passion and character of dance.

Born in Lithuania, Donatas has danced since age seven. In his youth, he competed and won dance competitions around the world, including the National Dance Sport Championship (twice). In 1998, he represented the Lithuanian National Dance Team’s World Youth Division Dance Sport Championship held in Russia.

Donatas graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in the fields of Ballroom & Latin Dance as well as Physical Education. He studied under legendary instructors like Michael and Vicky Barrs, Richard Gleave, Janet Gleave and many others.

At the Preserve, ballroom-dancing classes

will take place Tuesday evenings, July 11, 18 and 25, from 7-8 p.m. Sign up for one class, for $25, or the series of three for $60. Parking is included. Experience is not needed, no partner is required, and the classes are open to all ages. For more information, and to register for one or more classes, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org, or call 516-571-7901. The Sands Point Preserve is located at 127 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point, New York.

Ballroom dancing lasses take place on Tuesday evenings, July 11, 18 and 25.

Museum hosts Special Tuskegee Airmen forum

The American Airpower Museum is proud to host an informative forum about The Tuskegee Airmen on Saturday, June 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Museum, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale.

Sponsored by the Claude B. Govan Tri-State Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., the forum features a lively discussion about the Airmen by actual family members of those legendary fighter pilots.

The Airmen were a group of brave and skilled African American pilots, whose successful battles in their Mustang fighters defending the B-17’s against Nazi Luftwaffe Messerschmitt’s, persuaded President Harry S. Truman to desegregate the military after World War II.

Reynard Burns, Chapter Public Relations Officer, will recount the origins of the Tuskegee Airmen and their accomplishments and importance then and now.

Of special interest for military aviation enthusiasts is the exhibit’s full-scale fiberglass replica of a P-51D Mustang fighter, suspended from the ceiling of Hangar 3. This replica was based on a Mustang flown by Jeff Clyman, AAM President, during air shows in the 1990’s.

Pilot Jeff Clyman will talk about the Mustang’s unique flying characteristics and armaments. The Museum currently owns an original P-51D Mustang, “Jacqueline,” which flies at the Jones Beach Air Show and other venues across the Northeast.

The chapter will offer a selection of Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia for sale to benefit the Chapter. They will also raffle off a flight by a New York Metro Black Pilots Association member, whose personal aircraft will be parked outside of AAM’s Hangar 3.

For more information about the Tuskegee Airmen Forum at AAM, please contact Reynard Burns at (631) 827-9383, reyburns@verizon.net. Claude

B. Govan chapter website: NYCTAI.ORG.

The public is cordially invited to attend this informative program. Tickets or pre-registration are not required. Admission to the Museum is $20 for Adults, $15 for Seniors & Veterans and $12 for Children 5-12. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. all day Saturday, June 24, 2023, at AAM, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale.

The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale.

The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory’s history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

The American Airpower Museum — Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum — “Where History Flies!”Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale — (631) 293-6398info@americanairpowermuseum.org — www.americanairpowermuseum.com@american_airpower_museum

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIMEHOF

Hip-hop Artists participate in Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s 50th Anniversary Hip-Hop Concert Event to celebrate the history of hip-hop on Long Island.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDS POINT PRESERVE CONSERVANCY

PHOTO COURTESY OF AAM

AAM’s North American P-51D Mustang “Jacqueline”

Danny Weinkauf - band: Danny Weinkauf and his Red Pants Band Live! FREE

@ 2pm

Island Park Public Library, 176 Long Beach Rd, Island Park

Krisi Ardito live at Tap Room in Rockville Centre

@ 6pm Tap Room, 47-51 N Village Ave, Rockville Centre

Popa Chubby at My Father's Place @ 8pm / $40

Popa Chubby will be playing at My Father's Place on June 23. Ad‐vanced tickets are $40, and tickets the day of the show are $50. My Father's Place, 3 Pratt Boulevard, Glen Cove. myfathersplaceproduc tions@gmail.com, 516580-0887

June 24th Open House WWI: The Home Front – Our Community Takes Action

@ 11:30am / $12

See what life was like on the home front for the residents of our town and Long Island during World War I. Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, 336 Port Washington Boule‐vard, Port Washington. info@cowneck.org, 516-365-9074

Friday Jun 23rd

Get the Led Out

@ 8pm / $24.50-$59.50

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphiabased group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before. Utilizing the multiinstrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-create the songs in all their depth and glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin them‐selves never performed.

Sun

6/25

Lindy Cares - 4th Annual

True Colors Run

@ 8am / $25

Lindenhurst Village Park, 336 N Alleghany Ave, Lindenhurst

Karen Bella

@ 3pm

Six Harbors Brewing Company, 243 New York Ave, Huntington

Midsummer Nights @ 6:30pm / $20

Guests of all ages are invited to picnic, stroll, and relax on the longest nights of the year amidst the sounds of ambient music. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. tickets@ oldwestburygar dens.org, 516-333-0048

Strange Parade NY: Festival on The Farm @ 6:30pm Huntington Farm Festival, 69 Round Swamp Rd, South Hunt‐ington

The Bacon Brothers @ 8pm / $45-$70

The Space at Westbury Theater, 250 Post Avenue, Westbury

Chicago @ 8pm / $70.50$200.50

NYCB Theatre at West‐bury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury

Sat 6/24

Michelle Jameson: Catchers Fish house @ 12pm Catcher's Fish House, 301 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport

Forever Simon & Garfunkel @ 7pm

Seasons At East Meadow, 1475 Front St, East Meadow

Our Generation A Tribute To The '60s & '70s: Happy Trails Tribute to Classic country music @ 2pm Elmont Public Library, 700 Hempstead Turn‐pike, Elmont

Arena, Crooked Hill Rd, Brent‐wood. 631-123-1234

Jewish Learning Series @ 12:30pm

Join the Mid Island Y JCC and a host of guest presenters for interesting and relevant lec‐tures and discussions related to Judaism and Jewish Culture. Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview

The Como Brothers @ 7pm Frank's Steaks In Jericho, 4 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws @ 7pm Maimonides Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Brooklyn

Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood

@ 7:30pm

NYCB Theatre At West‐bury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury

Concert Against Hate / The Toby Tobias Ensemble and others

@ 7:30pm

Temple Or Elohim, 18 Tobie Ln, Jericho

Mon 6/26

Babylon Soccer Club

Midsummer Nights

@ 6:30pm / $20

Guests of all ages are invited to picnic, stroll, and relax on the longest nights of the year amidst the sounds of ambient music. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury. tickets@ oldwestburygar dens.org, 516-333-0048

Pearl Jam Tribute - Last Exit: Last Exit & Schism @ Mulcahy"s @ 8pm Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave, Wan‐tagh

Camp Week 1 @ 9am / $165

Jun 26th - Jun 29th

Babylon Memorial Grade School, 169 Park Ave, Babylon. 516-838-9601

Summer 2023: Direct

Portrait Painting with Katie Engberg & Tsultrim

Tenzin

@ 10am / $875

Jun 26th - Jun 30th

GCA, 1519 Decatur Street, Suite 201, Ridgewood. 718-361-6357

Tue 6/27

Swim League - Green

Training Group

@ 12am / $449

Jun 27th - Aug 13th

Suffolk Federal Credit Union

Gold Coast Arts pre‐sent an Author Talk with Joseph Berger @ 7:30pm / $35

Author Joseph Berger tells Elie Wiesel's life story. 113 Middle Neck Rd, 113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck Plaza. info@goldcoas tarts.org, 516-829-2570

Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot - Celebrating the music of Billy Joel: Newsday Live @ 7:30pm Newsday Live, Melville

Derek Adam @ 6:30pm

Spotlight NY Huntington, 370 New York Ave, Huntington

Fri 6/30

Earth Wind & Fire Tribute Band @ 7pm Tanner Park, 400 Baylawn Ave, Copiague

Lenny Michelle Band at My Father's Place @ 8pm / $35

The Lenny Michelle will be playing at My Fa‐ther's Place on June 30. Advanced tickets are $35, and tickets the day of the show are $40. My Father's Place, 3 Pratt Boulevard, Glen Cove. myfathersplace productions@ gmail.com, 516-5800887

Motor City Revue: The Ultimate Motown Tribute @ 8pm / $38

Capturing the Distinct Motown Sound Motor City Revue: The Ulti‐mate Motown Tribute Jeanne Rimsky Theater, 232 Main Street, Port Washington. boxof�ce @landmarkonmain street.org, 516-7676444

Gimme Gimme Disco @ 9pm / $15

Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh

powered by

Juneteenth at Clark Botanic Italian American association lectures

Michael Genovese, historian and genealogist, from Floral Park recently launched a series of lectures sponsored by the Italian American Studies Association – Long Island Chapter.

The presentations will concentrate on the lives of lesser-known Italian Americans. In this initial audio-visual talk, for which Genovese did extensive research, he spoke at length on the lives of a father and son: Joseph Sanfilippo, as lead projectionist for Pathe News, was instrumental according to a 1929 company

newsletter in introducing sound and visual effects to newsreels.

His son Frank Sanfilippo, who studied art in Paris, became a leading illustrator for many leading Hollywood film companies such as MGM, Fox, and United Artists, and later for various publications.

Genovese’s PowerPoint presentation had numerous examples of the contributions and talents of this father-son legacy. For information on future lectures consult: https:// www.facebook.com/IASALongIslandRegionalChapter

Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D — Freeport) and Legislators Siela A. Bynoe (D — Westbury) and Carrié Solages (D — Lawrence) are partnering with Town of North Hempstead Councilman Robert J. Troiano, the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County, the Nassau Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Nassau County Guardians Association Inc. to present a Juneteenth celebration at the Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson on Saturday, June 17.

The event will feature food and vendors, musical and dance performances, and a special Kids Corner, sponsored by Glory House Recovery, Inc. and Beth-

page Federal Credit Union as part of the afternoon’s festivities.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It specifically refers to the June 19, 1865 issuance of Union General Gordon Granger’s “General Order No. 3,” which brought news of President Lincoln’s Emancipa-

tion Proclamation to the people of Texas in these words:

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free,” the order reads in part. “This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves…”

New town harbor rescue boat Nassau Pops summer concerts

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Council Members Peter Zuckerman, Veronica Lurvey, and Mariann Dalimonte joined together with the town’s Department of Public Safety to unveil the town’s new harbor patrol boat.

2023 SUMMER CONCERTS

North Hempstead’s Harbor Patrol currently monitors the waters of Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay, Hempstead Harbor, and parts of the

Long Island Sound, and it partners with the United States Coast Guard New York Sector in protecting the Port of New York and New Jersey.

In 2021, under former Supervisor Judi Bosworth, the town was awarded $20,991 in funding as part of FEMA’s Port Security Grant program.

The new 29-foot boat provides state-of-the-art GPS and mapping capabilities along with thermal imaging. The patrol boat will be used to protect Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay, Hempstead Harbor, and the Long Island Sound.

FEMA’s Port Security Grant Program provides funding to state, local and private-sector partners to help protect maritime security. Funding from the Port Security Grant Program in the past fiscal year totaled $100,000,000 nationwide.

North Hempstead’s Division of Harbor Patrol is overseen by the Town’s Department of Public Safety.

Town signs onto nitrogen pledge

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena and the members of the Town Board recently unanimously voted to pass a resolution adopting the Nitrogen Smart Communities Pledge developed by the Long Island Regional Planning Council. The Nitrogen Smart Communities Pledge encourages municipalities in Nassau and Suffolk counties to take meaningful and effective actions to reduce, prevent, or eliminate nitrogen pollution in Long Island’s waters.

“One of the main culprits of nitrogen entering groundwater and surface water on Long Island, specifically here in the Town of North Hempstead, is through the reliance on septic systems,” DeSena said.

“The Town is committed to addressing the problem of nitrogen in our waterways, and that is evident in the $3 million dollars of ARPA funds allocated for the Manhasset sewer connection project, which will help complete a nearly 50year dream to connect businesses on Plandome Road to the sewer system and eliminate their reliance on septic tanks. Each small step we take to reduce, eliminate, and prevent nitrogen pollution has a lasting impact in preserving Long Island’s waterways.”

Nitrogen is the leading cause of water quality deterioration in surface and groundwater, which leads to low oxygen conditions, fish kills, and degraded marine habitats, as

well as potentially contaminating the sole source of drinking water on Long Island.

Through this pledge, the town will promote local action and awareness to the importance of reducing and ultimately eliminating nitrogen from all sources within municipalities on Long Island.

“I believe that a response through community-specific plans of action to reduce nitrogen pollution will have beneficial environmental and economic impacts for both our Town and the Long Island Sound,” DeSena said. “I am proud to have sponsored this resolution, and I look forward to working with our community to reduce nitrogen pollution in our waterways.”

North Hempstead officials are joined by the United States Coast Guard, Nassau County Police Department as the town unveils the new harbor patrol boat.

Business&RealEstate Faculty members get fellowships

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell is pleased to announce that two faculty members, Dr. Annemarie Stroustrup, and Dr. Vera Feuer, have been selected for the prestigious Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program and the Executive Leadership in Health Care Program (ELH) respectively.

These highly competitive year-long fellowships, hosted by Drexel University College of Medicine, are dedicated to preparing women for senior leadership roles in schools of medicine, dentistry, public health and pharmacy by sharpening their professional and personal skills to lead and manage in today’s complex healthcare environment. The new class is the largest cohort of fellows since the ELAM program was established in 1995.

“To accommodate a very strong pool of applicants, we have accepted 96 fellows into

the 2023-24 class of ELAM, and 45 fellows into ELH,” said Dr. Nancy D. Spector, executive director of ELAM and ELH. “The need for the highest-quality leaders in academic health care has never been greater, and we are doing everything we can to help meet that need by providing outstanding and innovative leadership training for women.”

Stroustrup is one of the 96 women selected nationwide for the 2023-24 ELAM class of fellows. She serves as the vice president and director of neonatal services and system chief of Neonatology for Northwell Health and is a professor of pediatrics and occupational medicine, epidemiology and prevention at the Zucker School of Medicine.

In addition to serving as an attending neonatologist, Stroustrup leads a research program exploring the impact of hospitalbased environmental exposures on multisystem adverse outcomes related to pre -

maturity. Her transdisciplinary research interests span the fields of children’s environmental health, perinatal epidemiology, neonatology, and neurodevelopment.

Joining the cohort of ELH fellows is Feuer, who serves as associate vice president for Northwell Health’s School of Mental Health and director of Pediatric Emergency Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Urgent Care, at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, as well as associate professor of psychiatry, pediatrics and emergency medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine.

In its second year, the ELH program runs concurrently with ELAM. The program is tailored for senior-level leaders interested in advancing to executive leadership positions in hospitals and healthcare systems. ELH builds upon ELAM’s fellowship model to include the concepts, tools and skills that will enable women leaders to bring their full potential to healthcare organizations.

“I am looking forward to learning and connecting with other leaders in the ELH program,” said Feuer, who works with local and national groups to develop care standards for pediatric crisis behavioral health care. “I am hoping to gain skills to lead and manage change initiatives, align diverse stakeholders, and understand strategic business planning and finances, to help leverage resources needed to create high quality, innovative clinical programming in a specialty that is not typically profitable and is in such high demand.”

ELAM and ELH alumnae number more than 1,300 and serve in leadership positions at over 300 academic health centers around the world. The new fellows will begin work this month and continue through the end of the program in April 2024, when they will showcase their institutional action projects at a poster symposium during the annual ELAM Leaders Forum.

nassau COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS

▼ EMPLOYMENT, SITUATION WANTED, CAREER TRAINING, MARKETPLACE

To Place Your Ad Call

Phone:

516.307.1045 x 218 e-mail: dflynn@theisland360.com

In Person: 22 Planting Field Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

We’re Open: Mon–Thurs: 9am-5:30pm Fri: 9am-6pm

Monday 2:00pm: Classified Advertising

Tuesday Noon Legal Notices/ Name Changes

Friday 5:00pm Buyers’s Guide

Error Responsibility All ads placed by telephone are read back for verification of copy context. In the event of an error of Blank Slate Media LLC we are not responsible for the first incorrect insertion. We assume no responsiblity for an error in and beyond the cost of the ad.

Cancellation Policy Ads must be cancelled the Monday before the first Thursday publication. All cancellations must be received in writing by fax at: 516.307.1046

Any verbal cancellations must be approved by a supervisor. There are no refunds on cancelled advertising. An advertising credit only will be issued. • Great Neck News

Williston Times

New Hyde Park Herald Courier

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

ACCOUNTING CLERK needed for Garden City Law Firm. Responsibilities include Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Vendor Set-up and Maintenance, Payments & 1099’s, Data Entry, Preparation of Electronic Legal Billing, Deposits, and Bank Statement Reconciliations. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required. Accounting experience with strong organizational and problem-solving skills a must. F/T or P/T. Salary is commensurate with experience. Interested Applicant to send resume to the email gayle_thomas@mhms-law.com.

Receptionist Part Time needed for Port Washington Animal Hospital. Including evenings/ weekends. Please call for interview /more info 516-883-2005

SITUATION WANTED

WE’RE HIRING

BLANK SLATE MEDIA is a fast-growing media company with 6 award-winning weekly newspapers and a website in Nassau County, a full array of digital services and high-profile events.

We have openings in several categories that we are looking to fill immediately.

n REPORTER. FULL TIME.

We are looking for a versatile, self-starter with good writing and reporting skills, and journalism experience. You will report on all aspects of your communities including local government, politics, education, business and humaninterest stories.

Excellent opportunity to work with editors with many years of weekly and daily newspaper experience.

n ENTERTAINMENT. PART TIME

We are looking for engaging writers who are familiar with and able to write about music, art and features on Long Island.

n SALES. FULL TIME.

We are looking for a highly motivated. self-starter with excellent communication and customer service skills to sell newspaper advertising, digital services and event sponsorships. To apply, send your resume to: sblank@theisland360.com.

WANTED TO BUY

GARAGE SALE

MOVING SALE GARDEN CITY

6/23 & Saturday 6/24 9am to 3pm Rain or Shine 123 Lee Rd Garden City, NY All kinds of household items. Furniture, tools, holiday decorations, glassware, sporting goods. So many items!

AUTOMOTIVE

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SITUATION WANTED

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BUSINESS

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THEFANWHISPERER.COM replacing noisy bathroom fans plug & play easy.

Train.

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CAREER TRAINING

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING

PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DIRECTV New 2-Year Price

Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99 /mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP 516-746-8900

Antiques-Furniture-Jewelry-SilverMirrors-Lamps-Artwork Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop 109 Eleventh St. Garden City Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4 Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org

Items to Consign? Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society Like us on Facebook & Instagram

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. Visit us at www.invitedsales.com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY! Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE HOMES FOR SALE

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STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122

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

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MAGNUM SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. Serving Garden City

Town celebrates Pride Month N. Hempstead oyster gardening initiative

Town of North Hempstead Council Member Mariann Dalimonte was proud to join with the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor to learn how to build oyster gardening cages.

This initiative is aimed at revitalizing and restoring shellfish populations in the region. In August 2022, the town launched a pilot program to add one million oysters to Manhasset Bay to help improve water quality and clarity.

More recently, at the March 2023 Town Board meeting, Dalimonte put forth a resolution that would add oyster garden cages in North Hempstead Beach Park.

Dalimonte and Council Member Veronica Lurvey along with the Town’s Bay Constable Mal Nathan joined with Martha Braun, project manager of the Oyster Gardening and Restoration at the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor, to learn more about oyster gardening cages including how to build them.

Over the course of the summer,

they will be volunteering time to build them. These cages will foster a good environment for oyster populations to thrive, thus helping improve the water quality, ecosystem health, and biodiversity in the Town’s waterways.

“We are excited to partner with the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor to build oyster cages and work toward the restoration and preservation of Manhasset Bay,” said Dalimonte. “I want to thank Martha Braun from the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor and our Bay Constable Mal Nathan for their dedication and help to get this project started. These cages will help oysters grow and thrive faster than they would on the bottom of the bay. This allows them to do a better job in protect our water.”

Oysters play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. They can naturally filter and purify the water by consuming algae and other pollutants. The Town hopes to eventually add oyster cages to Manhasset Bay.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Council Member Mariann Dalimonte along with Council Members Robert Troiano, Dennis Walsh, Veronica Lurvey, and David Adhami were proud to host a Pride Month celebration at Town Hall on June 6.

Collaborating with local organizations such as the LGBT Network, Be The Rainbow, and PFY Division of the Long Island Crisis Center, the event aimed to promote inclusivity, acceptance, and love for all. The highlight of the celebration included a flag-raising ceremony in front of Town Hall.

Neuroscience Institute in UAE

As part of its ongoing efforts to bring complex care and to increase the flow of international patients to the UAE, Burjeel Holdings (“Burjeel” or “the Group”), one of the largest healthcare services providers in the MENA, has joined hands with Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York State, to launch a highly advanced Neuroscience Institute in Abu Dhabi.

The Neuroscience Institute will be located at Burjeel Medical City, the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings, and will provide state-of-the-art care for adult and pediatric patients with neurological disorders, including autoimmune brain disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and movement disorders, pediatric neurology, and multiple sclerosis.

The collaboration between Burjeel Holdings and Northwell Health will enable the transfer of knowledge and expertise between the two organizations to deliver the best possible patient care.

World-renowned neurologist Dr. Souhel Najjar, professor and chairperson of the Department of Neurology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell, and executive director and senior vice president of the Northwell Health Neurology Service Line, will head the Institute in Abu Dhabi.

Najjar said: “Northwell Health and Burjeel Holdings’ decision to build a neuroscience institute in the UAE demonstrates their synergistic culture of innovation and commitment to bring advanced, innovative, and compassionate neurological care to the UAE and the entire Middle East. On a personal level, I am proud of this relationship as it allows me to bring my Northwell Health family closer to the beloved UAE.”

Burjeel Holdings and Northwell Health formalized the establishment of the Dr. Najjar Neuroscience Institute at a ceremony held in New York at the Northwell Health corporate headquarters in Manhattan.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings; John Sunil, CEO, Burjeel Holdings; Dr. Mohan Chellappa, non-executive director, Burjeel Holdings; Michael Dowling, president and CEO, Northwell Health; Najjar, senior vice president and executive director of the Neurology Service Line, Northwell Health; Dinelia Ortiz, vice president, Neurology Service Line, Northwell Health; Serena Najjar, senior project manager, Neurology Global Patient Services, Northwell Health; Kevin Beiner, senior vice president and regional executive director western region, Northwell Health.

Dowling said: “This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to deliver world-class care to the communities of Abu

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NORTHWELL HEALTH.

Northwell Health and Burjeel Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding to open the Dr. Najjar Neuroscience Institute in the UAE. From left are John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings; Dr. Souhel Najjar, senior vice president and executive director of the neurology service line of Northwell Health; and Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health.

Dhabi. Dr. Najjar has long been an example of clinical excellence for our health system and we are incredibly proud to see his team’s services offered across the globe.”

John Sunil, CEO, Burjeel Holdings added: “The partnership is another important step in the Burjeel Holdings’ commitment to delivering unmatched healthcare excellence in the region and greatly improving patient outcomes. The collaboration with Northwell Health and Dr. Najjar aligns with the Group’s endeavors to provide complex care and access to the newest treatments and technologies for patients across the region.”

Northwell Health’s Neurology Service Line is a regional and international destination for neurological care, committed to improving patient outcomes and driving innovation. Patients from all over the world can receive premier treatments for a wide spectrum of neurological disorders from renowned experts in the field.

Burjeel Medical City is a 400-bed leading quaternary care facility with cutting-edge medical technology and employing internationally recognized and published physicians. The neuroscience institute at the hospital will be supported by state-of-the-art medical technology and an international team of experts certified by top global medical boards.

North Hempstead officials and community leaders join together to celebrate Pride Month in North Hempstead.

North Hempstead Council Member Dalimonte and Council Member Lurvey build an oyster cage.

Recent Real Estate Sales in

53 The Neck, Manhasset

4 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 5/1/23, Sold Price: $1,780,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: Manhasset

35 Rolling Hill Road, Manhasset

4 bd, 3 ba, Sold On: 5/4/23, Sold Price: $1,060,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: Manhasset

28 Cardinal Road, Manhasset

4 bd, 3 ba, 2,472 sqft, Sold On: 5/2/23, Sold Price: $1,350,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: Port Washington

272 Chapel Road, Manhasset

3 bd, 3 ba, 3,007 sqft, Sold On: 5/8/23, Sold Price: $1,998,000

Type: Single Family, Schools: Manhasset

Editor’s note: Homes shown here were recently sold in Manhasset by a variety of real estate agencies. This information about the home and the photos were obtained through the Zillow.com. The homes are presented solely based on the fact that they were recently sold in Manhasset and are believed by Blank Slate Media to be of interest to our readers.

Continued from Page 1

proval from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, which is the authoritative body on wetlands like Leeds Pond.

“All necessary precautions and measures have been taken to adhere to the guidelines and regulations set forth by the DEC, ensuring the environmental sustainability and integrity of the area,” Donno wrote in a letter posted to the village website.

Donno emphasized the inaccuracy of the information provided in the petition and flier and asked residents who have questions on any applications to come to the village.

“I urge you to disregard these documents and trust the expertise of the relevant authorities who have ensured that all appropriate protocols are followed,” Donno said.

John Wagner, attorney for the applicants, also submitted to the board Thursday night the letter issuing a permit from the DEC, an order of consent from the DEC and a restoration plan as exhibits during the hearing. Wagner added the reason for 500 cubic yards of fill is so the future homeowners’ two kids can play in the backyard Civil engineer for the application, Michael Rant, also presented to the board a different plan to regrade the backyard, which would then

require only 300 cubic yards of fill.

Board Chairman Mario Harris also confirmed during the hearing the documents submitted by Wagner were verified by Building Inspector Edward Butt.

Murray said Thursday night that Leeds Pond has already been harmed by neighboring residents who have elevated their backyards and removed trees and bushes.

Additional opponents against the application include Frank Picininni of Spadefoot Design and Construction, Chris Gobler, chair of coastal ecology and conservation at Stony Brook University and Bret Bennington, a geology professor

Dance for Joy brings community together

Continued from Page 2

tickets for their families to attend their end-ofthe-year showcase.

The Dance for Joy students participate in the studio’s end-of-the-year showcase, which was held the weekend of June 17-18. Berest said free tickets are part of the program, and she handed out more than $1,000 worth this year.

“This is just becoming an incredible opportunity for children who could not otherwise afford to dance,” Berest said.

When the program started, the first 10 weeks of the program were funded by HEARTS Port Washington, but individual donors, many of whom are families involved with the dance studio, funded the students’ remaining 26 weeks for the remainder of the year.

Berest said the goal of Dance for Joy is to provide free classes to children regardless of their financial circumstances.

“What started as a young teen dancer’s desire to make a difference has blossomed into what I hope will become a full dance outreach program,” Berest said.

Berest said there is no program comparable that is being offered for aspiring, underserved dancers in Port Washington.

“I feel there is such a gap in our community

and having resources that will provide for the underserved,” Berest said. “There’s a tremendous gap in our community and we are very artistically oriented in the Port Washington area.”

Berest said the program predominantly serves Latino students, many of which have parents who are immigrants. Because many of the families speak Spanish, she said they have a translator to provide letters and information in Spanish.

She said the Dance for Joy families have expressed an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the program, saying that it has been lifechanging.

“We see these kids coming in every week, and the joy on their faces is just heartwarming,” Berest said.

She said it has been life-changing for the Dance for Joy students because they have been fully accepted by the rest of the studio.

“They have been embraced by these kids,” Berest said.

Berest recalled a memory on bun day, a day when students wear their hair in ballet buns, where she saw the Dance for Joy students integrating with the other students, sitting on the floor and helping one another with their hair.

“I saw children being children, loving each

other for who they were and the passion to dance,” Berest said. “This is what Dance for Joy is all about: the acceptance, the acknowledgment that we are the same within a dance atmosphere.”

Berest said many of the Dance for Joy students come into the studio very shy but it doesn’t take long for them to become deeply integrated in their classes.

“Dance is a universal voice,” Berest said. “So it doesn’t matter if English isn’t their first language, because dance is an unspoken word.”

This upcoming fall’s program will be the third year, but Berest said she is panicking. As of now, she does not have the funds to support all 10 students coming into the program and is seeking financial support.

The studio accepts donations on its website.

Berest said the studio will be hosting a dance-a-thon in September that will raise money for the Dance for Joy program. Her goal is to raise $5,000 in order to continue her program.

“I see students where only dance matters. I see children supporting each other, a class where there are no differences at all, there’s just dance,” Berest said. “I would love everyone to be able to experience that going forward.”

at Hofstra University.

Each spoke against the application on the grounds of the apparent damage the pond and reserve have sustained and adding more discharge to the waters that contain chemicals.

Picininni is the president of Spadefoot, which works to restore ecosystems and is working alongside the Science Museum of Long Island–located on the pond–to restore the preserve.

“This is a matter for the local board to decide,” Picininni said after handing each board member a packet highlighting damage to the pond. “It really is death by 1,000 cuts.”

Leeds Pond hearing moved to July Northwell sued by Langone

Continued from Page 2

ads.“

Langone also pointed to the trademarks it has registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for designs that use the color purple, including its health app.

The lawsuit said Northwell began to copy Langone once the latter started to increase its footprint in Long Island. In 2019, Langone acquired Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola and Long Island Community Hospital in March 2022, increasing its share of the local market, the lawsuit claimed.

Langone is seeking damages, attorney fees and a permanent injunction barring Northwell from using “confusingly similar advertising.”

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

Frank Picininni speaks to the Plandome Manor Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday, June 22.

North Hills re-elects incumbents

community service aspect of his position on the board. He said he has been passionate about securing park funds for the village.

He said he is looking forward to continuing the work he has done for the past 22 years.

“Whatever comes up, I’m available,” Sgambati said.

Cohen was re-elected for her fourth term. She took over the vacancy left by her late husband in 2011. She said that in her past work and going forward, she works to perpetuate her husband’s legacy.

During her tenure on the board, Cohen said, she has prioritized residents’ safety, offering effective shuttle services, refurbishing parks and implementing radar speed signs.

“Village government is the closest to our local residents,” Cohen said, “so we can help provide initial service to our residents which is most important.”

She said the whole board wants to help make the community better, and they work together in an effective and collaborative fashion. She said they are keen to hear residents’ input and opinions.

“The big thing is listening and then helping to provide good counsel,” Cohen said.

enables him to give back to his community. He said the residents and their input have inspired him to continue serving.

He said going forward he wants to ensure the village’s safety.

Sgambati, a Vietnam veteran, was initially appointed to fill a vacancy on the board

and was re-elected for the sixth time after serving for 22 years. He has been deputy mayor since 2003.

Sgambati said that he has enjoyed the

Reisman was appointed as the village justice in December 2018 to fill a vacancy and was elected for his current term in June 2019. This was his second election but will be his third term.

“William, you were always my hero. I wanted to be just like you, but I didn't play football or basketball like 'The Will', just didn't have your touch. I enjoyed watching you and was always proud to be your brother. Never does a day go by that I do not think of you. What would it be like to be able to call you. I have told my daughters about you letting me drive Mom and Dad’s new car around Tarboro although I was only 14 years old. October 2, 1970, Daddy’s birthday and the day that changed my life. You were my hero before Nam and you are still and one day I hope to walk with you again. I Love you. Mike”

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, LICENSE: HTTPS://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-SA/4.0/

The Village of North Hills hosted an election Tuesday in which only incumbents were running and all were re-elected.

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ROMANO EXCELS

Wheatley junior surprises self with discuss throw, 3rd in state

BY MICHAEL J. LEWIS

Sydney Romano thought her ears were deceiving her.

No way the official at the New York State High School Athletic Association state track meet on June 10 said what she thought he said, right?

The Wheatley School junior came into the meet hoping to possibly break 120 feet in the discus throw, her signature track event, and on her third toss of the first round at Middletown High School, she uncorked a beauty.

But still, did she hear right? The official said 126 feet, two inches. That’s nuts.

“I actually turned to someone else and asked “wait, what did he say?” she recalled with a laugh. “I had no idea I had thrown it that far. I think I’ve only hit 125 in practice a couple of times, so I was very very excited.”

Romano’s personal-best discus throw delighted her coaches, Robert Capobianco and Tim Schwalm, and was good enough to give the junior third place in the state in Division 2.

Pretty impressive considering track and field is something Romano only does a few months a year; the rest of the calendar sees her stopping shots and booming goal kicks in soccer. After considering several colleges she has “committed to the admissions process at Princeton,” Ivy League language that means she’ll be playing soccer there.

“They really have a beautiful campus and a great program, and I felt it was a great fit right away when I visited,” Romano said. “I just really felt a bond with the program.”

Romano matched her third-place states finish in 2022 but threw the discus 11 feet farther. She said her increased explosiveness through soccer training helps her a lot in discus.

“I knew the competition was going to be really strong this year; some of these girls can throw 130,” Romano said. “I did a lot of strength work with the coaches and really tried to get my technique exactly right before states.”

Romano’s third place finish was the best among area female athletes, but some members of the Manhasset boys team also had strong state meets.

Paul Park, the state champion of the triple jump during indoor season, battled a heel injury for the last several months but still managed to have an outstanding meet at states.

Park finished second on June 10 in long jump in Division I, with a leap of 22-2.50, and placed fifth in the triple jump, with a final leap of 45.4.25.

Still, despite the two top-5 finishes to end a wonderful Manhasset career, Park wasn’t happy with the meet.

“I was a little disappointed, because I was hoping to be state champ again,” Park said. “I wasn’t necessarily disappointed where I placed, but I was disappointed where I jumped.“I

had been jumping pretty well, but I really fell off at the state meet.”Park’s left heel injury, which he said he’s been told may be nerve damage in the foot, hampered his takeoffs, he said, and despite trying to rest and manage the injury through the spring, it was still bothering him all the way up to states.“We were so proud of his ability to persevere and still find his way to the podium in both events in spite of being far from 100% and in pain,” Manhasset track and field

coach Steve Steiner said. “He will certainly go down as one of the finest athletes to ever come through our program.”Park, who’s headed to the University of Pennsylvania in the fall to continue his education and his jumping career, said he tried to mentally tell himself to power through the pain, since it was his final high school meet.“I was having trouble finding the board, and I was failing pretty often,” Park said. “But I’m still happy that I pushed through and gave it my

all.”Park said he looks forward to the challenge of college jumping.“I’m a little scared; they are Division I, I know how good they are,” he said. “But I’m really glad I’ll get to compete alongside and against so many talented people.”In addition to Park’s performance, Manhasset’s 4×800 boys relay team finished eighth. The team was comprised of John Hogan, Ryan Boldi, Cole Thalheimer (all sophomores) and junior Kenneth Lee, and ran the race in 8:03.35

PHOTO BY SYDNEY ROMANO

The Wheatley School’s Sydney Romano finished third in the discus throw in the state meet at Middletown High School on June 10.