MANHASSET TIMES 2024_03_15 by The Island 360

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Friday, March 15, 2024

Vol. 12, No. 11

GUIDE TO SCHOOLS, EDUCATION & CAMPS PAGES 23-30

SEX ABUSE CASES ROIL HERRICKS BUDGET

GOP PICKS ASSEMBLYMAN TO OPPOSE SUOZZI

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PEOPLE OF MANHASSET

Manhasset schools propose staff cuts Reduction to mitigate financial strain on district BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Amid rising costs, the Manhasset Union Free School District is planning to make staﬃng cuts to balance its budget . The expenses that are pressuring this budget, Superintendent Gaurav Passi said Thursday night at the board of education meeting, include healthcare increases for active and retired employees – which he said have double-digit percentage increases – and increased pension costs with few retirements to balance this. Compensation and beneﬁts amount to 75% of the district’s 2024-

2025 budget, with 5% attributed to special education services and the remaining 20% for everything else. In the current budget, compensation and beneﬁts only amount to 56% of expenses. The district is budgeting for an expected drop in state aid, including a $629,000, or 20.7%, drop in its foundation aid from last year, Passi said. The district has called for the reinstatement of its foundation aid. Passi said the current budget is based on the reinstatement, but in the event it does not occur it would be accommodated by use of the fund balance.

“This reduction, which was unanticipated, coupled with significant increases in pension costs and retiree healthcare costs and very few retirements to offset any of these challenges, creates significant pressure on the ‘24-’25 budget,” Passi said. The superintendent said to manage the impact of the costs for compensation and benefits, the district will be reducing its staff. The staff reduction constitutes the removal of 14.45 full-time equivalent positions. “So as you know, any reduction in staff is difficult as these reductions reflect real people who have real Continued on Page 42

Manhasset to vote in uncontested elections 5 villages to conduct polling Tuesday for various races PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MANHASSET SCHOOL DISTRICT

Manhasset High School student Emma Sabiston was named the winner of the Humans of Manhasset contest, a competition where students interviewed and photographed locals.

BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Manhasset residents from five of its villages will be heading to the polls Tuesday to vote in a series of uncontested races. The villages of Flower Hill, Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights and Plandome Manor will be hosting elections that encompass mayors, trustees and village justice, all featuring a single candidate running for each seat. Flower Hill The Village of Flower Hill will be holding an uncontested election

with all incumbents in the seats up for a vote seeking re-election. Five positions will be featured on Flower Hill’s March 19 ballot: mayor, three trustees and a village justice. Incumbents Mayor Randall Rosenbaum, Trustee Claire Dorfman, Trustee Gary Lewandowski, Trustee Arthur “AJ” Smith and Village Justice Dennis Reisman. All candidates are running under the Flower Hill Party. Rosenbaum was first elected as Flower Hill’s mayor in 2022, replacing former Mayor Brian Her-

rington in an uncontested election. Rosenbaum’s tenure with the village goes beyond his time as mayor, previously serving as a deputy mayor, trustee and a member of the Zoning Board. This will be Smith’s first election after coming onto the board last May to fill a vacancy. Flower Hill’s March 19 election will be held at its village hall at 1 Bonnie Heights Road from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Continued on Page 43

The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

Beethoven’s 5th turned inside out Audience, philharmonic sit together BY JA S M I N E S E LL A RS

PHOTO BY KARINA KOVAC

North Hempstead Town Hall in Manhasset.

Town formally rejects Islamic Center plan Mosque’s expansion denial to be challenged in court BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Almost 20 years after a Great Neck building formerly occupied by an Indian restaurant and catering hall burned down, the Town of North Hempstead established an agreement with the owner for demolition at a public hearing Tuesday morning. A month and a half since the board denied a site plan approval for the Hillside Islamic Center, it rendered a decision explaining its disapproval at that same public hearing. The former home of the Bombay Palace at 380 Northern Blvd. was damaged by a fire about 18 years ago, which the town said has been unad-

dressed due to various issues including owner disputes. “This is really, really disgraceful that this has been going on so many years and nothing has been done,” Kathleen Levine, president of the University Gardens Property Owners Association, said. For years the owners have expressed an intent to demolish the building, even filing a demolition permit in July of 2021. But no demolition occurred and the town said it has failed to comply with its requirements. Multiple residents expressed concerns about the safety of the building, which many council members echoed,

including hazards present at the site, rodents and sometimes individuals camping out at the building for periods of time. On March 1, the attorney representing the owners Robert Schaufeld said the owners entered into an agreement with a demolition contractor to begin the demolition on or after April 20. He said this was done before he was aware of the town’s public hearing. Schaufeld said he was not made aware of Tuesday’s public hearing and the town’s multiple notifications to the owners to be heard until the day prior. Continued on Page 42

In a distinguished production that merges tradition with innovation at the SCW Cultural Arts presented the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra captivated the hearts of the audience with their InsideOut concert of Beethoven’s No. 5 Symphony on Sunday. The special concert at Temple Emanuel of Great Neck marks the first time that InsideOut Concerts welcomed adult guests, after usually having an audience of children from Massapequa Public Schools and outside communities. The performance, led by music director and conductor David Bernard, featured an interactive experience between the orchestra, Bernard and the audience, who had the unique opportunity of sitting alongside the instrumentalists instead of the typical seating area in the house of a theater. “This is an experience,” Bernard said. “You’re not just here to listen to Beethoven’s music, you’re here to participate in it. Here, you’re able to see everything that goes on in an orchestra. You’re going to see it be-

ing made and feel it in a way you haven’t before.” Throughout the concert, Bernard invited guests to be immersed in the musical journey, frequently asking questions about their thoughts and emotions in between small pieces of the four movements in Beethoven’s No. 5 Symphony. The show opened with an introduction of each section of the orchestra, presenting dozens of musicians who played in the string, wind and brass sections. Though Bernard acknowledged that many guests may not know much about classical music and Beethoven’s works, he assured the audience “You know everything that you need to know to enjoy this today,” Bernard said. “Everything else I will bring to you. Everything is here in this room. You are perfectly equipped to enjoy this day.” The concert also marked Bernard’s return to the temple at which he was bar mitzvahed at age 13 under the guidance of Rabbi Robert Widom, who reunited with his student at the concert. For over 38 years, the MassContinued on Page 42

CORRECTION The article “Town hires law firm in Islamic Center suit” featured in the March 8 edition of the Great Neck News, Manhasset Times, New Hyde Park Herald Courier, Port Washington Times, Roslyn Times and Williston Times was corrected to address an inaccuracy. The story originally stated the Hillside Islamic Center’s proposal was to increase the building from 5,428 square feet to 6,600 square feet, which is incorrect. The proposal is for a three-story addition of 6,600 square feet.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MALLORY WEBER

SCW Cultural Arts at Emanuel presented Massapequa Philharmonic, David Bernard, Music Director, performing an InsideOut Concert featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

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The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

Herricks’ tax levy of 2.38% hits cap School district faces financial challenges amid lawsuits, proposes 5.2% budget increase BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H Herricks School District board members continued to emphasize that the district faces budgetary challenges for next year due to costs from settling sexual abuse claims against the district. The district is facing a number of lawsuits ﬁled under the Child Victims Act, which extended the statute of limitations for survivors of child sex abuse. There are currently two trials against Herricks being heard by a jury in Nassau County Supreme Court. The plaintiﬀs are seeking monetary damages for alleged abuse by a past school employee, Vincent Festa. The district has paid $1.1 million to settle four of 21 claims thus far. “In terms of general support, we are looking at a $4 million increase this year,” said Lisa Rutkoske, the district’s assistant superintendent for business. “That [increase] is really driven primarily by, as we have shared previously, the claims and legal fees associated with those claims.” General support includes costs associated with claims and legal support, cybersecurity, insurance, security and utilities. The proposed 2024-2025 budget for the district is $141,710,364. This number is up a whopping 5.2% from

PHOTO BY TAYLOR HERZLICH

Center Street School students perform at the board of education meeting Thursday. the approved 2023-2024 budget of $134,719,970. The budget-to-budget increase is $6,990,394. Without the costs being allocated toward legal fees, the budget would only increase by 3.25% as opposed to 5.2%. The district is set to receive an estimated $27 million in state aid ac-

cording to Rutkoske, which will be the district’s second largest revenue funding source. This is an increase from the district’s 2023-2024 state aid, which was an estimated $25 million. “We were fortunate as a district,” said Rutkoske. “We are seeing an increase.” The proposed tax levy is up 2.38% last year, from a tax levy of

$104,763,474 in 2023-2024 to a proposed tax levy of $107,258,592. This budget-to-budget diﬀerence represents an increase of $2,495,118. This proposed 2.38% tax levy increase goes up to the tax levy cap, which is the highest percentage by which a district can increase its tax levy from year to year. Reaching the tax levy cap is un-

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usual, since most districts try to stay below the cap to display to parents and district residents that they are keeping individuals’ taxes in mind. But board members reiterated that this steep increase is due to the claims against the district, and reminded residents that the Herricks district’s average tax levy increase over the past Continued on Page 43

The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

Roslyn Kosher to close after 40 years Owner Emily Jacobson looks back on decades of family memories shared in Albertson store BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H Emily Jacobson never thought she would have to run Roslyn Kosher Foods on her own. The small shop, which Emily inherited from her father, has been open for 39 years, offering kosher meat, groceries and prepared foods. It is a staple for members of the Albertson community to do their weekly shopping and pick up meals for dinner. But now Emily has to endure the arguably more difficult task of shutting down Roslyn Kosher Foods on her own. In the hour we spent together, we were interrupted easily 10 times by customers offering their condolences. “I’m really going to miss you,” said one customer, who grasped Jacobson’s hand and leaned in for a hug. “Where am I supposed to go now?” asked another customer, who complained that she did not want to make the drive to East Meadow or Great Neck for good kosher groceries. “It’s a shock before Passover,” said another customer, already planning for the end of April. Emily understands, but after downsizing staff to just herself and one other person working on the store floor, she knew the business would not be able to handle the usual Passover rush. But Roslyn Kosher Foods is practically a landmark at this point. Emily’s father, Erwin “Eddie” Jacobson, opened the store with his wife Glady in 1985, which was a feat in and of itself. Eddie was a Holocaust survivor who emi-

chicken plucker.” After working at the butcher shop, Eddie served in the Korean War and rose to the rank of sergeant. He later received an honorable discharge. While attending college, Eddie decided to return to the kosher meat business, working in various Manhattan meat markets in the 1950s. He became the owner of a shop on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. After rent hikes pushed him out of his West Side store, Eddie eventually took over ownership of Roslyn Kosher Foods in Albertson, the town where he would raise his two daughters, Julie and Emily. Although Emily has been running the store for years now on her own, she never assumed she would be involved with the business in any capacity when she was growing up. In fact, she had no interest in it. “We both [Emily and her sister Julie] came into it because my father needed our help,” she said. Julie was the first to join her father in the business, just a few years after he bought the store in 1985. Eddie had noticed the success COURTESY OF EMILY JACOBSON of other kosher butcher shops that offered prepared foods in addition to their meat counter. And Julie was already working in the catering Emily Jacobson (left), Erwin “Eddie” Jacobson (middle) and Julie Jacobson (right). business at the time. “She created a monster,” said Emily with grated from Romania to New York after World butcher shop plucking feathers from chickens. a laugh. “Everyone is crazy about the cooked War II when he was just 14 years old. He had “That’s how he found the interest,” said food. The holidays are insanely busy. People are lost his entire family during the war. Emily. “After what he went through, I don’t re- ordering dinners … she just knew her stuff.” In New York, Eddie got his first job in a local ally know if he ever just dreamed about being a Continued on Page 44

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Santos plans another run for Congress Disgraced former rep says he is heading east to challenge fellow GOPer LaLota in CD1 BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Defrocked Third District Rep. George Santos, who was expelled from his seat in the House and is facing a 23-count indictment, said he is jumping congressional district lines and running in the race to represent New York’s First District. Santos announced his bid for the First Congressional District Republican Primary Thursday night on X, formerly known as Twitter, during the president’s State of the Union Address in Washington. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, who was elected in 2022. “After a lot of prayer and conversation with my friends and family, I have made a very important decision that will shake things up,” Santos posted on X. “Tonight, I want to announce that I will be returning to the arena of politics and challenging Nick for the battle over #NY1. I look forward to debating him on the issues and on his weak record as a Republican. The fight for our majority is imperative for the survival of the country.” New York’s First Congressional District encompasses Long Island’s most eastern part. With recently approved district maps, the district no longer covers Lloyd Harbor and Hun-

PHOTO BY BRANDON DUFFY

U.S. Rep. George Santos celebrates his victory on election night. tington Bay, but adds the Moriches. “To raise the standard in Congress and to hold a pathological liar who stole an election accountable, I led the charge to expel George Santos,” LaLotta posted on X. “If finishing the job requires beating him in a primary, count me in.” Santos took to X to call LaLota a “pathetic little man” and a “Democrat

RINO [Republican in name only] with an abysmal record.” The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a national political committee supporting Democratic campaigns for the House, called Santos’ bid in a statement an example of desperation by Republicans in order to remain relevant. “George Santos is a liar and a

grifter who is a disgraced, expelled member of Congress,” DCCC spokeswoman Ellie Dougherty said. “Santos’ announcement to challenge vulnerable New York Republican Nick LaLota is the latest glimpse into Republicans’ messy, chaotic attempt to maintain the House.” Santos took office in January 2023, representing the Third Congressional District encompassing parts of Nassau and Queens. On Dec. 1 Santos became just the sixth member of the House to be expelled through a 311-114 vote, with 105 Republicans voting in favor of his removal. Santos was tossed out of the House after its bipartisan Ethics Committee released a long-awaited investigative report finding “substantial evidence” that Santos violated federal law. Investigators said they found Santos used campaign funds for personal purposes, defrauded donors and filed false or incomplete campaign and financial disclosures. Santos pleaded not guilty in May to a 13-count indictment from federal prosecutorsencompassing seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements

to Congress. He was later slapped with 10 additional counts, including one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of lying to the Federal Election Commission, two counts of falsifying records, two counts of aggravated identify theft and one count of device fraud. He is scheduled to face trial in federal court for the Eastern District of New Yorkin September. If convicted of the top charges, Santos could face up to 20 years in prison. Although ousted from Congress, Santos was present at President Biden’s State of the Union address Thursday night. He was able to attend as former congressional members because even those who have been expelled have lifetime membership privileges. Congressional candidates can either run by being nominated by a political party or filing an independent nominating petition. Santos filed paperwork Thursday with the Federal Elections Commission proclaiming his statement of candidacy for the First District. “God bless you all, and we are off to the races!” Santos posted on X. The district’s primary will be held June 25.

Nassau GOP selects LiPetri to oppose Suozzi BY C A M E RY N O A K ES The Nassau County GOP has selected former state Assemblyman Mike LiPetri as the Republican candidate to run against recently elected Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) in the November congressional race for New York’s 3rd District. Farmingdale’s LiPetri, 33, was selected because he is a “proven vote-getter,” Nassau County GOP Chairman Joe Cairo told Newsday. He also told Newsday that LiPetri is “the right person to take the task on now.” LiPetri will face off against the other Republican candidates in a June 25 primary. LiPetri represented New York’s 9th District in the state’s assembly from 2019-2021, only serving one term in the seat. He unsuccessfully ran in the 2020 race for New York’s 2nd Congressional District, losing in the primary election to later elected Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport). LiPetri is the managing director of the lobbying firm Park Strategies LLC. The firm was founded by former Republican Sen. Alfonse D’Amato. The Republican candidate told Newsday that he does not support a national abortion ban but would not move to codify Roe v. Wade. According to Newsday, the county GOP selected LiPetri from a pool of 20 candidates, which didn’t include former Republican congressional candidate Mazi Pilip who decided not to run again. Pilip, who represents Nassau County District 10, faced off against Suozzi ina February special election to finish the term of expelled representative George Santos, but failed to secure enough votes to maintain the district’s red status.

PHOTO BY JANELLE CLAUSEN

A file photo of Nassau Republican Committee chairman Joseph Cairo. Suozzi was sworn into the House on Feb. 28 and will finish the term left by Santos through the end of the year. He is campaigning to be re-elected to the seat, which he previously held before Santos, for another full term. Recently approved district maps by the state’s legislature have altered the 3rd Congressional District, which was redrawn to exclude Republican-dominated Massapequa and gain parts of Huntington and Huntington Station.

This change is expected to improve Suozzi’s chances in the fall when all House seats come up for a vote. Facing off against LiPetri in the Republican primary is Greg Hach, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and personal injury lawyer, who denounced the selection of LiPetri by the party. “We are bitterly surprised that another antiTrumper, former Assemblyman Michael LiPetri, has been anointed by the local back-room political

machine as its pick to run against Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-3),” Hach said in a press release. “Needless to say, voters can expect a hard-fought Republican primary over the coming months. LiPetri told the publication that he plans to vote for Donald Trump in the presidential election come November. Hach also criticized LiPetris for his financial connections to Santos. The New York Times reported last summer that LiPetri had engaged in a business deal with the former representative that was not carried out, which he had told them he was involved with to a small degree. The House Majority PAC, a super PAC that works to elect Democratic candidates to the House of Representatives, also criticized LePitri for his financial connections to Santos as well as his other policies and stances. The PAC said while he served in the assembly, LePitri was one of the three state legislators to vote against the “Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act,” which criminalizes police officers’ harmful use of chokeholds. Other criticisms by the PAC included his endorsement by the NRA in his congressional campaign, policy opinion for zero regulations on firearms and anti-vaccination stance. “The Nassau GOP has outdone themselves by backing Mike LiPetri when just last month the people of NY-03 made it clear that they want honest, responsible representation from a steady hand and a trusted leader by electing Rep. Tom Suozzi,” House Majority PAC NY press secretary Alisha Heng said. “LiPetri’s unhinged extremist record will be swiftly rejected in November when voters re-elect Rep. Tom Suozzi.”

T:10" S:9"

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

T:12.45"

S:11.45"

The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

Joanne’s closes after more than 30 years BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H Joanne’s Gourmet Pizza, a Long Island staple and self-proclaimed creator of buffalo chicken pizza, has closed after more than 30 years in business. Rino Dimaria, a Roslyn Harbor resident and Herricks High School graduate, spotted an open storefront in Roslyn soon after his college graduation in 1992 and knew it was the perfect spot for his father’s next venture. Instead of attending law school as he had planned, Rino went into business with his father. Rino’s father Frank had been running pizzerias since 1964, when Frank and his wife Joanne opened their first pizzeria together in Brooklyn. “Dad went to work seven days a week, working at a pizzeria 12 hours a day. My mom would run the household,” said Rino. “They had a very old school, European, Sicilian upbringing and relationship.” Frank and Joanne first met in New York in 1958, when Frank was 19 years old and Joanne was 17 years old. They had a lot in common, since both had just immigrated to the United States from Sicily that year. Joanne Dimaria. (Courtesy of Rino Dimaria) The couple opened their first pizzeria in Brooklyn in 1964. They would later move to Albertson, when Frank opened the first Joanne’s Gourmet Pizza in Williston Park, a clear nod to his beloved wife, who died in 2017. In the 1970s, the family moved to Florida, where

gold. And after seeing his father take pride in supporting the family, it is no wonder why Rino and his brother, Louis, decided to join the family business. Rino, 53, and Louis, 50, would come to run the pizzeria for the next 30 years, rarely taking a day off. “My brother and I are very opposite. There are challenges,” said Rino. “But at the end of the day, it’s the most rewarding experience [I could] ever have, working side by side with my brother in that store all those years.” Instead of clashing, Rino and Louis’s opposite personalities complemented one another. Rino, a more talkative extrovert, handled customers while Louis, who loves cooking, handled the kitchen. It was that combination of good food and family values that kept customers coming back for decades. Rino and Louis claim they were the first pizzeria to make their infamous buffalo chicken pizza and barbecue chicken pizza more than 30 years ago. Their honey Dijon pizza is also a fanfavorite, which rapper Busta Rhymes included PHOTO COURTESY OF RINO DIMARIA in his song “Turn It Up.” “If we could have just trademarked the names ‘Buffalo Chicken Pizza’ and ‘BBQ Chicken The Dimaria family. Back row left to right: Joanna Dimaria, Louis Dimaria, Frank DiPizza,’ we would be billionaries by now,” joked maria, Eva Dimaria, Jenna Dimaria. Front row left to right: Lia Dimaria, Luke Dimaria, Rino in a Facebook post announcing the restauRino Dimaria. rant’s closure. Quality food was always a priority for the pizzeria, attracting celebrity customers like Frank opened The Pizza King. Then it was square foot property in Mineola. When Rino noticed the empty property on Bella Hadid. back to New York, where Frank opened a new Continued on Page 44 Joanne’s pizzeria located in a small, 1,600 Northern Boulevard, he knew he had struck

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formed in many musicals around the country. Now, she is a music teacher at St. Aidan School. “[Stone] is an absolutely fantastic soprano,” said Mariani. “You really have to listen to her.” Stone is not the only cantor-soloist to stun audiences. Greg Mercer also has a background in opera and has been performing with St. Aidan’s for around 10 years. Outside of his commitment to CustomHomes, Homes, Renovations, Renovations, General Custom We are areaHomes, afull fullservice service General Custom We are a full service General We the church, Mercer isHomes, an adjunctRenovations, music professor Custom Renovations, Custom Homes, Renovations, We are a full service General Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Contractor providing Extensions, Roofing, Painting, at HofstraExtensions, University. Contractor providing Roofing, Painting, Custom Homes, providing Renovations, are a full Roofing, service General Contractor Extensions, Painting, Extensions, Bathrooms,Roofing, Kitchens,Painting, We Contractor providing Drago Bubalo, a pilot and music director Bathrooms, Kitchens, everything from small Bathrooms, Kitchens, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, everything from small Bathrooms, Kitchens, providing Bathrooms, Kitchens, everything from small who grew up in Croatia, conducts the choir and Mudrooms, Plumbing, Plumbing, Heating Contractor everything fromfull small Mudrooms, Heating repairs through orchestra.Mudrooms, His dedication Plumbing, to the church Heating cannot Bathrooms, Kitchens, repairs through fullhouse house Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating everything from small and Air Conditioning, Custom repairs through full house repairs through full house be doubted, seeing he makes a unique comand Air Conditioning, Custom builds, with meticulous and Air as Conditioning, Custom Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Conditioning, Custom repairs and Air Conditioning, Custom MillAir Work, Exterior Spaces, builds, with meticulous mute to choir rehearsals: a short ﬂight from builds, with meticulous through fullno house Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, builds, with meticulous MilltoWork, Exterior Spaces, attention to detail Air Conditioning, Custom Poughkeepsie Farmingdale around once a and Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Mill Work, to Exterior Masonry Work, and much attention detailSpaces, nomatter matter attention to detail no matterbuilds, Masonry Work, and much with meticulous week, as Blank Slate Media reported last year. Masonry Work, and much attention to detail no matter size your project is. what Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too Masonry Work, and much St. Aidan’s often holds themed holiday conyour project is. what size more.size There is noproject project too your is. what more. There is no project too attention to detail no matter size your project is. what big or too small for OWQC! Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too Custom Homes • Renovations • Extensions certs, including a yearly Christmas concert and more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC! or too OWQC! more. concerts tobig celebrate thesmall changefor of seasons. size is. what bigThere or tooissmall for OWQC! no project too big or tooyour smallproject for OWQC!

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Scott blasts Troiano for hiring pick BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Councilmember Robert Troiano sought to hire a recently terminated town employee as an administrative assistant for his office, but town Republicans blocked the vote saying it was unacceptable. Troiano proposed hiring Shawn Brown as a new administrative assistant for his office at the town’s March 5 meeting. Brown previously served as the town’s commissioner of public safety, being appointed to the role in 2017 by former Supervisor Judi Bosworth, but was terminated from the position in January. He first joined the department in 1999 and was acting public safety commissioner the year before his appointment. The board’s Republican majority all voted against Troiano’s hiring of

Brown. The councilmember walked out of the meeting after the vote was taken. Councilmember Ed Scott told Blank Slate Media in a written statement that he believed Brown had reported false budget information to “unfairly benefit just one council district.” Scott did not specify which district this was and declined to comment further on the topic. “I take offense to me personally, to my district, that I can’t hire a person I want,” Troiano said at the meeting. “I can’t imagine what objection Mr. Scott has to my hiring of my own person.” Troiano declined to offer further comment on the matter after the meeting. “So, it shocked us that Councilman Troiano had the audacity to try to circumvent that vote and foist this candidate onto the taxpayer payroll

the world isn’t going to stop us from doing what’s right for our residents.” Brown’s termination was among a slew of other town employees hired during the Bosworth era who were axed by the newly Republican-dominated town board at its first meeting of the year. He could not be reached for his reaction to the Council’s vote. Republicans hold a majority on the town’s board with a 4-3 split. Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte was the only board member who voted against Brown’s termination, with Liu not present for the vote. Troiano was seeking to hire Councilman Robert J. Troiano Brown as an administrative assistant to his district. Brown would have been again,” Scott said in the statement. paid $2,500 bi-weekly, or $65,000 an“My colleagues and I were elected nually. to put an end to these heavy-handed “To be clear, the Town Board tactics and all the political theater in hired one of Councilman Troiano’s

candidates in the past, and we did so unanimously. But this case was markedly different,” Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said in a written statement. “This person’s job performance was unsatisfactory, and it simply doesn’t warrant future employment with the Town of North Hempstead.” DeSena said that neither she nor “various board member,” could identify a moment when the town re-hired someone who had previously been terminated. “When you’re trying to build a better, more efficient team, that just makes no sense,” DeSena said. Town spokesman Umberto Mignardi said the board was unable to comment further on the topic. “Suffice to say that a vote was taken by the full board and the majority had serious reservations about rehiring this gentleman,” Mignardi said.

Suozzi to co-chair D’Esposito announces border security group $15M for projects BY C A M E RY N OAKES Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-3) joined forces with fellow Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) to co-chair the newly formed Democrats for Border Security Task Force, which aims to address immigration and the border crisis while combatting the flow of drugs into the country. “America’s southern border and immigration system aren’t working, and it is time to fix it,” Suozzi said. The congressman, officially sworn into the House on Feb. 28 after winning in a special election to finish the term left by expelled Rep. George Santos, continuously advocated for bipartisan solutions and compromise to achieve results throughout his campaign. These campaign sentiments continued Wednesday when he announced his co-charing of the task force.

He said the task force will “advocate for commonsense, bipartisan compromise to achieve much-needed and long-overdue comprehensive immigration reform.” “Our approach to the immigration and border crisis is unequivocal; we will work with anybody from any wing of any party if they genuinely care about solving this problem,” Suozzi said. “Too many in politics today are focused on pointing out the problem and keep busy figuring out what tricks they have ‘up their sleeves’ to weaponize the border crisis, this task force will ‘roll up our sleeves’ to try to fix it.” Border security came to the forefront of the special election between Suozzi and his Republican challenger Nassau County District 10 Legislator Mazi Pilip. While both advocated for stronger measures at the border to bolster security, Suozzi advocated

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF TOM SUOZZI

Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-3) announced the launching of the Democrats for Border Security Task Force, which he will co-chair with Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28).

for the passage of the bipartisan Senate bill that provided many reforms long advocated by congressional Republicans as well as $20 billion in funding. Pilip opposed the bill, which also encompassed aid to Ukraine and Israel, and Republicans eventually killed it in the Senate after former President Donald Trump announced his opposition to the legislation. “The crisis at our border demands solutions today, and it is unfortunate that a bipartisan Senate bill aimed at addressing the situation was killed before we even had a chance to debate its contents,” Cuellar said. The purpose of the Democrats for Border Security Task Force is to provide Democrat House members a platform for discussing border security and fostering collaboration with colleagues. Beyond congressional members, the task force will also invite administration officials, non-governmental organizations and local officials from communities along the southern border. Suozzi’s office said this task force will work to inform House members of the realities occurring at the border and aid in their discussions to craft border security measures. “Cities across the country are now feeling the consequences of the humanitarian crisis at the border – something border communities have been dealing with for years,” Cuellar said. “This crisis is unsustainable, and Democrats need a forum to approach border security policy as the GOP continues to play partisan politics with the issue.”

BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H

decorative lights, trees, benches and trash cans in Oceanside between 9 Davison Avenue West to 63 Apking Street to 1 Apking Street. Island Park will receive $600,000 to improve municipal parking lots in poor condition. D’Esposito is running for re-election. The Nassau County Republican Committee officially nominated Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) as the party’s nominee in New York’s Fourth Congressional District on Feb. 26. “I am running for re-election in order to continue fighting for commonsense Long Island values in Congress and to ensure our district remains represented by someone focused on advancing the interests of Nassau County neighbors, and not the regressive policies of Washington progressives,” said D’Esposito. D’Esposito serves in a district that largely voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. “In Congress, D’Esposito has voted for legislation to restrict abortion, in addition to cutting funding for public safety. And after 13 months in office, he’s also failed to advance any meaningful, bipartisan policies to fix our border,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Ellie Dougherty in a statement.

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04) announced last week that he secured $15 million in direct funding for law enforcement training, downtown infrastructure enhancements and library renovations across the South Shore. The funds were obtained as part of the first round of federal appropriations bills that were passed through the House of Representatives on March 6. “I am immensely proud to have been able to secure critical funds to benefit my neighbors in New York’s 4th Congressional District,” said D’Esposito in a statement. “I look forward to seeing this infusion of resources benefit our community for years to come.” The largest chunk of the funding, $3.12 million, will go toward funding equipment and technology assets for Nassau County police training. Other police and safety expenses include $638,000 to the Town of Hempstead Public Safety Department for a mobile command vehicle, $241,000 to Rockville Centre for license plate readers, $406,000 to Lynbrook for street intersection security cameras and $330,000 to Freeport for police technology and equipment including plate readers, drones and vehicles. A portion of the funding is allocated for library improvements and learning programs. Kulanu Academy in Five Towns will receive $3,642,000 to construct a building that will provide programming for individuals with special needs. The Long Beach Public Library will receive $2.5 million for library renovations, including individual study spaces, community art exhibit spaces and event spaces. The Baldwin Public Library will receive $1,295,000 to build a new Children’s Room at the library. The Town of Hempstead is receiving a large portion of the funding The Town of Hempstead will receive $1.56 million to install four restrooms at the town beach that PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act handicap bathroom requirements. The town will also receive $750,000 for new U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito represents sidewalks, drainage improvements, road repaving, the state’s 4th Congressional District.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

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14 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

Opinion

OUR VIEWS

Waiting for unity on N. Hempstead board

n her State of the Town in January, North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena touted unity and her accomplishments in her first two years. “None of this would have been possible if we did not work together, if each of us in this room did not put aside politics and ego, roll up our sleeves and get to work for this town, said DeSena, a registered Democrat who has twice run as a Republican. “That’s why we are here. That’s why the residents of the Town of North Hempstead put us all here. We owe them nothing less.” Perhaps DeSena was speaking of the village, county and state officials in the audience when discussing unity. Perhaps the town supervisor was being gracious and reaching out to both Democrats and Republicans on the Town Board. But actual unity on the Town Board? Town Board Republicans led by DeSena marked their first meeting in the majority early in January by firing five staff members who had served the municipality since the administration of Supervisor Judi Bosworth, a Democrat. One other staffer resigned and another retired. At the end of January, DeSena and the Republican majority voted to deny expansion plans by the Hillside Islamic Center in New Hyde Park with two Democratic councilmembers voting to approve and a third abstaining. Town Board Republicans approved last week the hiring of an outside law firm after a lawsuit was filed by the Hillside Islamic Center challenging the board’s decision to deny its site plan proposal. All three Democratic councilmembers – Robert Troiano, Christine Liu and Mariann Dalimonte – voted against hiring the outside law firm. The four Republicans then capped off the evening by voting against Troiano’s hiring of a new administrative assistant for his office, which led to the councilman walking out of the

meeting after the vote was taken. This was actually not unusual for the Town Council. They have clashed frequently in the past two years. The only difference is that the Republicans are now in control. DeSena was elected two years ago after defeating former Town Clerk Wayne Wink to replace Bosworth. But Democrats retained a 4-3 advantage and control of the Town board under state law that gives Town Board majorities executive power, not town supervisors. At DeSena’s first meeting back in 2022, the Democratic majority approved a personnel resolution that moved six political appointees under Bosworth to apolitical town positions. As was their right. State law now favors town Republicans, who had the authority to fire or push out the six employees retained by Democrat councilmembers two years ago. That’s how politics works. The Republicans also had a right to reject the Hillside Islamic Center’s expansion plans even if it raised questions of whether the Muslim worship center was being treated differently than facilities operated by other religions and what that might cost the town in legal fees. “Sometimes the Town Board has to turn around and say ‘you know what? We’re going to get sued over it and we’re going to get brought into court; I’m going to stick up for my constituents first,’” Town Councilmember Tom Scott said. Scott also defended the Republicans’ vote against Troiano hiring a new administrative assistant for his office. “The candidate in question was a former town commissioner who was terminated by a vote of the Town Board earlier this year,” Scott said in an email to Blank Slate Media. ”We were of the opinion that he reported false budget information to unfairly benefit just one council district. So, it shocked us that Councilman Troiano had the audacity to try to circumvent that vote and foist this candidate onto

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Editorial Cartoon

the taxpayer payroll again.” He added, “My colleagues and I were elected to put an end to these heavy-handed tactics and all the political theater in the world isn’t going to stop us from doing what’s right for our residents. “ This does raise the question of whether town council Republicans are simply asserting their newfound power in the majority or whether there is an element of payback for votes by Democrats when they were in control. As they say, payback’s a bitch. During DeSena’s first two years, Democratic town councilmembers voted to appoint their choice for highway superintendent and reject her pick for controller and multiple picks for the Town Ethics Board. DeSena blasted town Democrats for removing files from her office at the outset of her administration and moving the offices of Republican council members. She also claimed Democrats were “sabotaging” her by withholding support for the allocation of $3.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the second phase of a longneeded sewer project on Plandome

REPORTERS Cameryn Oakes, Taylor Herzlich COLUMNIST Karen Rubin ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Stacy Shaughnessy, Melissa Spitalnick, Wendy Kates, Barbara Kaplan ART DIRECTOR Yvonne Farley

Road in Manhasset. DeSena did not help her cause when she held a press conference to announce that $9 million would be allocated toward five different infrastructure projects, including the Plandome Road project – without the required approval of the Town Board. She also chose to make the announcement with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer, both Republicans, less than a week before Election Day. But there remains plenty of blame to go around for bruised feelings as there often is when one party holds a narrow voting edge. The question is how this will impact a town with so much that needs to be done. We are hopeful that the board will develop a plan to fix a broken Building Department that has frustrated businesses and residents alike for many years now that Nassau County Treasurer Elaine Philips has completed her audit. After running the first time on a promise to fix the department and then punting the ball to Philips, it is now time for DeSena to make good on

her pledge during her first campaign. Likewise, DeSena has promised to develop a master plan to address the need for new housing in the Town of North Hempstead after leading efforts to oppose two proposals made by Gov. Kathy Hochul to tackle the problem statewide. In opposing Hochul’s plan, DeSena said local officials were in a better position to address a housing crisis in New York than the governor. Restrictive zoning laws and resident opposition have stymied new housing in Nassau County and especially North Hempstead for decades. So we will believe it when we see it. We do think that the best chance of addressing both the shortage of housing and the Building Department’s problems would be by enlisting people and groups across the Town of North Hempstead – including Town Democrats. Opposing a religious center’s expansion plan in a party-line vote and getting sued in the process is not a good start. There is still time for DeSena to deliver on her promises with the kind of unity she touted at her State of the Town. But that clock is ticking.

PRODUCTION MANAGER Rosemarie Palacios EDITORIAL DESIGNER Lorens Morris CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Deborah Flynn PUBLISHERS OF

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

OUR TOWN

‘And the Oscar goes to ….’ and what it means

unday, March 10th was Oscar Night, one of the most widely anticipated shows of the year. The Academy Awards gives credit for artistic or technical achievement in the film industry and is watched by billions worldwide. Although it is often criticized for being too long and overly commercialized, the recipients of that eight-pound gold Oscar statuette understand that the award is life-changing. Memorable events on Oscar Night are easily recalled. Marlon Brando’s refusal to accept his Oscar, Will Smith smacking Chris Rock on the face for making a joke about his wife, and Roberto Benigni’s joyous acceptance speech for winning the Best Foreign Film award for “Life is Beautiful” are three such moments. The Oscars garner such interest because popular films are far more than mere entertainment. Great films are the creation of modern-day myths because they address the culture’s deepest wishes, greatest fears and most complex struggles. And this year’s best films all do that. Let’s take a look at the top films of the year and analyze them as Freud would. “Barbie” : Any film that begins by referencing “2001: A Space Odyssey” by replacing the black monolith with a giant Barbie has got to be interest-

ing. And “Barbie” was interesting. Despite all that pink prettiness, it was a film about female entrapment within the prison of good looks and the great struggle to be seen as a human and not an object. The mother of feminism was French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir and she would be proud of director Greta Gerwig for carrying on the fight. To become more than just “the second sex” is an ongoing battle to be sure and Gerwig’s “Barbie” was a brave effort to move forward. In the end, however, the film still remains a tale about a pretty looking doll named Barbie. “Killers of the Flower Moon” : This dark film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro is based upon the true story of the wealthy Osage Indian clan and how they were murdered. It is a story of how greed, corruption and the lust for money override love, ethics and humanity. It reflects pure American aggression and male power and I think that Martin Scorsese may have channeled unconscious guilt that is repressed but still active. “Oppenheimer”: This film is the ultimate example of male aggression — what Freud called “destrudo,” or the death wish. The film is an epic biographical thriller based upon the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who was the “father of the

DR. TOM FERRARO Our Town

atomic bomb.” Since the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the world has been confronted with awareness that we have the power to destroy the planet with the push of a button. As Oppenheimer watched the atomic bomb test in the desert at Los Alamos, he infamously said: “Now I am become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds” taken from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita. Mankind’s aggression coupled with our creativity and intelligence has given us the power to destroy ourselves. And lest one think the risk of nuclear war is a thing of the past, there was a series of opinion pieces in The Sunday New York

Times this week outlining the growing threat of a nuclear holocaust and how close we were to it in 2022 at the outset of the war in Ukraine. For the past 75 years the world has been afraid that we will destroy ourselves under the urgings of our “destrudo.” And films like “Oppenheimer” remind us of this. The trickery in film is that it tends to “resolve” these fears so that we can all go home and get a good night sleep. In this film, the way the filmmaker Christopher Nolan resolved the problem of nuclear bombs was to show the way the government scapegoated Oppenheimer by destroying his name. But, alas, the real threat is not to Oppenheimer’s reputation but to mankind’s very existence. “Maestro” : This Bradley Cooper juggernaut of a film was a clear-eyed look into the complex life of Leonard Bernstein, the genius New York Philharmonic conductor and world-renowned composer of such national treasures as “West Side Story.” This movie is not so much about a death wish but rather about gender identity, a topic in keeping with our times. In today’s world where fully 18% of teenagers are gender fluid, this film is timely and taps into the culture’s gender-confused state. I would not be surprised if Cooper were to win as Oscar for Best Actor. Those are the four big Oscar-nominated films I managed to see this year.

And you will note that they all are in keeping with our culture’s deepest conflicts. Should women be seen as pretty objects or as people? Should America house guilt over the way it has treated Native Americans? How are we to handle our death wish as we stagger into a volatile nuclear age? And finally what does it mean to be a man? These are the big questions that swim about in our collective unconscious. And when a film hits it big, it’s not just because it’s entertaining but rather because the filmmaker has taken a peek into the Spiritus Mundi and came back out to tell us about what he or she saw there. These four films are all important, prescient and well-worth seeing.

PHOTO BY TOM FERRARO

Oscar winning films represent more than entertainment. They also reveal the cutlure’s deepest concerns.

KREMER’S CORNER

Suozzi is shaking up a sleeping body

olitics is a grueling business. You show up for work and try to please your constituents. Years can go by and almost no one notices what you are accomplishing. But on rare occasions, you get your 15 minutes of fame and the spotlight shines on you. Tom Suozzi is getting that opportunity and he is using it in ways that could make 215 Republicans very unhappy. Elections come and go, but the recent special election to fill the George Santos vacancy attracted national attention. When the results were in and Suozzi was declared the winner, Suozzi’s name and face was on the front page of every newspaper in America. During his numerous interviews, he shrewdly used the once in a lifetime opportunity, to tell the world that the House of Representatives was a dysfunctional, non-achieving body. In addition to telling it like it is, Suozzi preached that it was time to get

some work done on a bipartisan basis. There is no doubt that his comments will not make the House majority start functioning like a legislative body, but the general public has to be reminded how bad Washington is and Suozzi has done a public service by reminding the nation of that fact. It is now official, that the current House has established a record for having done the least legislative work of any body in the past 50 years. To date the Republican majority has failed to pass any major bills and has spent almost all of its time trying to figure our how to impeach President Biden. Their recent vote to impeach Secretary Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkis doesn’t count as an accomplishment. Luckily for the country, Suozzi has held on to the spotlight and is using that precious time to highlight the failings of the House majority and the need to listen to the nation and what it wants. The country is tired of the fact that

JERRY KREMER Kremer’s Corner

a small handful of rabid conservatives has obstructed an entire body from anything in behalf of the people. Given the opportunity, such members as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, would shut down the House completely and throw the nation into

complete chaos. Suozzi is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of bipartisan members that have tried mightily to get some meaningful legislation passed. They have recently come up with their own border security legislation that has attracted support from many of the members from both sides of the aisle. While their bill hasn’t been embraced by the leadership, they are showing that a small group of Democrats and Republicans are trying to do something. Suozzi’s victory has also highlighted the fact that the Democratic minority is the only body that is making things happen. The government has remained open thanks to the fact that the Democrats have provided the votes to keep it open. Without Democratic support, the 60 plus Republican MAGA faction would get their wish to blow up the place. Based on his current notoriety, Suozzi will have the chance to advocate for his colleagues to get back to work

and start doing something meaningful. He can continually remind the public that the House is paralyzed and it is time for the Democrats to regain control, so that something gets accomplished. There are only a few precious months left before the House goes into recess and to date no the major funding bills have passed The prospects of any major legislation passing are linked to the Speaker Mike Johnson, who to date has been unable to get his members to act as a unified body. Because any one member of the Republican majority can offer a motion to oust Johnson, he is pandering to a small faction of the members to stay in his job. Johnson’s vulnerability guarantees that the majority will finish the year with nothing to show the voters in November. Fate and the voters have put Suozzi in a unique position where he can advocate for changes to the broken system and be able to attract a great deal of public attention at the same time.

LETTERS POLICY Letters should be typed or neatly handwritten, and those longer than 750 words may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters must include the writer’s name and phone number for verification. Anonymously sent letters will not be printed. Letters must be received by Monday noon to appear in the next week’s paper. All letters become the property of Blank Slate Media LLC and may be republished in any format. Letters can be submitted online at theisland360.com/submit-opinion/ or mailed to Blank Slate Media, 22 Planting Field Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.

16 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

E A R T H M AT T E R S

The rewilding a Long Island front lawn

few years ago, I made it my mission to rewild the little patch of land outside my home. I got rid of the lawn and returned the land to perennial natives who’ve really enjoyed rehoming and digging their long roots into the soil. The benefit of planting natives is that they help with soil health and porosity, and as a result reduce flooding. However strong the precipitation, my New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) stands tall and digs its roots deep to receive unprecedented rainfall, now the new norm in a changing climate. In superstorms I’ve been amazed at the resilience of this plant, sometimes growing up to 8 feet, bending in the wind but never breaking, completely without support. Native plant gardening is super easy. I never have to fertilize and I don’t have to mow. I weed twice a year. Sure, in winter it doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing to the suburban citizen who’s used to chemical lawns, but biologists and everyone who understands ecosystem function delight in the refuge I’ve created for beneficial insects. The long stems of native Joe Pye Weed, asters, goldenrods, milkweed and native sunflowers provide a valuable habitat for numerous species. The leaf litter is a perfect place to overwinter for many insects. This spring I’m inspired to focus on beautification to bring better curb ap-

peal to my at-home ecosystem. So many of our natives are gorgeous plants, like my favorites the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)and purple coneflowers. When you plant perennial natives, you have to get used to stepping back and just let them do their thing. They’ll show up differently each year and I delight in the diversity of color, shapes and sizes on display. It’s much less work to “garden” this way. You can have your tea and enjoy the show. Also, the natives need no watering or convincing to stay here. They were made for this land. They want to dig their roots into this soil. Once you’ve established your native planting, you can actually stop watering, step back and enjoy watching the natives grow. Birds and butterflies will thank you with their delightful presence. Last year hummingbirds cheerily shared their gratitude with me. The opposite of native plants, of course, is the scourge of invasive species that have taken over large parts of our landscape. The introduction of exotics, exciting at first due to their novelty and ornamental potential, is now hurting every green space on Long Island. English Ivy dominates the forest floor as ground cover on the North Shore, while native Virginia Creeper and ancient fern struggle to survive. Brought here by colonial settlers in the 18th century, there’s no natural regulation in place for this intro-

HILDUR PALSDOTTIR Earth Matters

duced plant. It’s spreading like a disease, choking out natives and serving no particular ecological function in this region. Stewards of Leeds Pond Preserve, home to the Science Museum of Long Island, have with the help of Spadefoot Design & Construction and Department of Environmental Conservation been fighting an even more obnoxious weed, Kudzu, for several years now. We should all thank them for controlling the spread of this foot-per-day invasive best known as the “vine that ate the South.” This vine was planted in good faith to fight erosion at the end of the 19th century, but has now claimed large areas in the South

with irreparable damage. You can support local efforts to fight invasives by joining as a volunteer or donating to these efforts (http://www.smli.org). The sale of insect resistant plants has dominated landscaping and suburban beautification for the last 100 years. As a result, our local insects are struggling and this harms our birds who rely on caterpillars and other insects as their food. Climate change amplifies this ecosystem disruption; we’ve lost more than 3 billion birds in North America compared to counts in the 1950s. We know invasive species’ expansion is accelerated by climate change and this is a critical threat to our local ecosystem. Early detection, fast removal and strict regulation in the sale of non-natives are essential in this fight to restore balance to our ecosystems in a changing climate. The management of invasives is costly, so proper stewardship of all lands is of both economical and ecological significance to us all. This spring you can do your part to restore balance to our broken world. You can replace your lawn with deep-rooted native plants and restore health to our ecosystems, while recharging struggling aquifers. When you prepare your garden for spring, consider recreating a healthy native ecosystem. A chemical free and biodiverse landscape helps with carbon capture and can even be carbon negative.

Climate-friendly organic gardening always includes native plants. Contact experts at Spadefoot Design & Construction (http://spadefootny.com/) or Dropseed Native Landscapes (https://www.dropseednativelandscapesli.com/) for support if you need guidance and support with your home ecosystem restoration. Purchase your plants from trusted vendors, and seek local guidance from Rewild Long Island, North Shore Audubon and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center. Sign up for their spring plant sale if you’d like to increase the percentage of natives in your yard. Visit the demonstration gardens maintained by North Shore Audubon at the Science Museum of Long Island or Clark Botanical Gardens for creative ideas. The Town of North Hempstead shares great resources on their website https://www. northhempsteadny.gov/purchaseplants. Start where you are. Become intimate with your living landscape, get to know our public parks and report harmful invasives to the DEC if you notice something out of the ordinary. Our human culture is dependent on healthy ecosystem function. We rely on pollinators, clean air, clean water and fertile soil, to survive. Thankfully, in step with increased pollution of our environment, rewilding is a citizen-led movement that’s taken root on Long Island. Be part of the climate solution, plant natives this spring.

VIEW POINT

Biden’s track record on women’s rights

fiery President Biden delivered a tour de force State of the Union address, zeroing in on women’s reproductive freedom and women’s rights in the first five minutes. “There are state laws banning the freedom to choose, criminalizing doctors, forcing survivors of rape and incest to leave their states to get the treatment they need,” Biden said. “Many of you in this chamber and my predecessor are promising to pass a national ban on reproductive freedom. “My God, what other freedom would you take away?” he asked. In the hallowed hall of the Capitol Building were some 30 women’s reproductive rights advocates who were invited guests of the president and First Lady Jill Biden, and various members of Congress. Among them, Kate Cox, a wife and mother from Dallas, whose fetus she was carrying had a fatal condition. Though her doctor told Kate that her own life and her ability to have children in the future were at risk if she didn’t act, Texas law banned her ability to act, so she and her husband had to leave the state to get the care she needed. “What her family had gone through should have never happened. But it’s happening to too many others,” Biden declared. “History is watching another assault on freedom,” he said, introducing Latorya Beasley, a social worker

from Birmingham, Alabama, who had her first baby through IVF and was in the process of having a second child through the procedure. Then IVF treatments were suddenly shut down across the state when the Alabama Supreme Court, citing Genesis, determined that a frozen embryo was equivalent to a living child with “personhood” rights – a decision enabled by the Supreme Court’s Dobbs’ decision that took away women’s reproductive rights. Citing the Supreme Court’s own language that excused removing a constitutional right that has stood for 50 years, Biden said, “With all due respect, Justices,” “women are not without electoral or political power. You’re about to realize just how much you were right about that. Clearly, those bragging about overturning Roe v. Wade have no clue about the power of women.“But they found out. When reproductive freedom was on the ballot, we won in 2022 and 2023. And we’ll win again in 2024. If you — if you, the American people, send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again. Folks, America cannot go back.” In his Women’s History Month proclamation, Biden said, “Despite the progress that these visionaries have achieved, there is more work ahead to knock down the barriers that stand in the way of women and girls realiz-

KAREN RUBIN View Point

ing their full potential — in a country founded on freedom and equality, nothing is more fundamental. That is why my administration has put women and girls at the heart of everything we do.” Biden established the White House Gender Policy Council to advance gender rights and opportunities across domestic and foreign policy and released the nation’s first-ever National Gender Strategy to advance gender equity and equality across the administration — from women’s economic security and leadership opportunities to freedom from gender-based violence and equal access to education and health care. Biden has named a record number of women to key administration positions,

including the first woman Vice President, Kamala Harris; first black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson; and cabinet secretaries, “If we want to have the strongest economy in the world, we cannot leave women — half of our workforce — behind. We are championing equal pay, including issuing new regulations that advance pay equity and pay transparency for federal workers and employees of Federal contractors,” he said. This administration has put into effect what women have been asking for since the Women’s Revolution of the 1970s: access to affordable child care and paid parental leave. Biden signed legislation that provides new protections for pregnant and postpartum workers. To promote the health and wellness of women in America, Biden launched the Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, led by Vice President Harris, to combat the high incidence of maternal mortality—especially among Black, Native American and rural women—due to systemic inequities in quality health care. Last fall, Biden launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. Biden, who wrote the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, which helped change the culture of silence around the scourge of gender-based violence in America, finally overcame

Republican obstruction to win its reauthorization in 2022, increasing funding to a record $700 million for 2023. And he released the first-ever National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. He also established the first-ever Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the White House, and consistently calls for an assault weapons ban, banning highcapacity magazines and universal background checks. Notably, not a single Republican stood to cheer or support any of the measures Biden proposed for his “Unity Agenda” – like restoring the Child Tax Credit, which cut child poverty in half, and capping out-of-pocket prescription expenses to $2000 for all. They did not even rise when he said: “My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy, a future based on core values that have defined America — honesty, decency, dignity, and equality; to respect everyone; to give everyone a fair shot; to give hate no safe harbor. My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn’t how old we are; it’s how old are our ideas. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you can’t lead America with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead America, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done.” He ended by saying “above all, I see a future for all Americans. I see a country for all Americans.”

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

SHINGING A LIGHT FOR CHARITY

PAWS OF WAR supports heroes in our misdsts

n this new column of L.I.G.H.T. FOR CHARITY™ (‘Long Island Giving Help Together For Charity’), I shine a light on a Long Island-based charity named PAWS OF WAR. This is a charity that my younger sister Jenna is now working with. PAWS OF WAR was formed 10 years ago and provides veterans, first responders and Gold Star families (people who sadly lost an immediate family member during military service) with a wide variety of important services through the power of love and support of rescued animals. The charity has a mission: “To honor and support our veterans, active military members, firefighters and other first responders with services that enrich their lives through the rescue and training of

service dogs for independence, adoption of companion animals, rescue of overseas animals in war zones, and other essential services to assist our heroes in need.” If a veteran or first responder adopts an appropriate dog, PAWS OF WAR will train the dog to become a service dog to suit the owner’s needs. This is an extremely important and meaningful service because many veterans return from combat with life-changing physical injuries, anxiety, depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder. These service dogs improve the quality of life for our returning soldiers, allowing them to sleep more peacefully and engage in day-to-day activities they otherwise couldn’t. In addition to service dog training

KAYLA DONNENFELD Shining a L.I.G.H.T. for Charity

(which includes training the dog, pairing the dog with a hero in need and teaching the two how to interact together), PAWS OF WAR also provides the following additional services: (1) providing companion animals; (2) animal rescue for deployed military, including transporting pets across war borders; (3) no cost mobile veterinary clinic; (4) housing assistance for veterans with pets; (5) lifetime care for retired military working dogs; (6) therapy dog program for veterans and seniors; (7) Ukraine animal rescue and care; (8) disaster response and animal rescue; and (9) emergency foster and temporary pet placement services for veterans during hospital stays. Because PAWS OF WAR helps both

dogs and the heroes in need of dogs, PAWS OF WAR is proud to help on “both ends of the leash.” All of the services provided by PAWS OF WAR are provided to veterans, first responders and Gold Star families free of charge. PAWS OF WAR therefore relies upon charitable donations to fund its operations. To help support PAWS OF WAR, you can visit its website at www.pawsofwar.org. Special thanks to Jodie Cohen, who serves as a volunteer and Adoption Coordinator for PAWS OF WAR, for taking the time to speak with me to teach me so much about this important cause. Kayla Donnenfeld, shining a LIGHT for Charity

READERS WRITE

Trump can overcome problems and win in 2024

ormer President Trump took most of the 15 state primaries on Super Tuesday, Wow. He easily won over Nikki Haley. He is on the way to win the Republican nomination. I

also hope he wins over President Biden and his failed policies. That is migrant and economic issues that just is not working. I had voted for former president Trump twice and was proud to have done so.

Let me also point out that I am a member of the but he can overcome anything. Queens Village Republican Club the oldest in the country. Frederick R. Bedell Jr. I believe he can make America great again. Bellerose He has a number of legal and financial problems

Vote to re-elect G.N. Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen

f you have visited my store, Kron Chocolatier, in the Village of Great Neck Plaza, we have probably met and you know how much I appreciate and love this village and all it has to offer. I’ve lived here since 1990, raised two girls in my co-op building, and have walked to work for 25 years. I’m in my third apartment in Great Neck and the store is in its third retail location and I can’t imagine it any other way. Great Neck Plaza is a village which supports its businesses and as a result, the Village has been, and continues to be, a great place for a retail business to succeed and grow. A few years ago, I was one of the merchants who attended the workshops provided by the Vil-

lage of Great Neck Plaza for village merchants at no cost to the merchants. The workshops were taught by instructors from Hofstra University and covered important subjects needed for retail success. The workshops were excellent, and I kept in contact with the professors over the years. The program providing the workshops was started by Mayor Rosen with the support of Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid, Trustee Michael DeLuccia and the other members of the village board. Since his election, Mayor Rosen has continued to provide support for new businesses that have come to find a home in our village. Of course, the retail landscape has undergone

some change, but we have a blend of cultures represented in the restaurants and shops that line our well-maintained streets. Mayor Rosen has tirelessly encouraged the many new businesses that come before the village board to offer services and products that will appeal to our residents and has made sure that the board has the best intentions as they issue sign permits, advise on operating hours and provide guidance needed for general success. The mayor and the board are also acutely aware of the residents’ opinions and concerns when developers propose new buildings or Nassau County has a plan to redesign one of our roads, as is the case on Cuttermill Road.

We, as residents, always have a voice in their meetings and I’m always happy to see the community show how much they care by attending important hearings. This is a mayor listening to the people who live here, doing his best to protect the quality of life we have all grown to appreciate and thrive in. Once again, I will vote to re-elect Ted Rosen as mayor of the Village of Great Neck Plaza and Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia as Trustees, and I ask other Village residents to do the same. Marnie Ives Great Neck

Ted Rosen for mayor of Great Neck Plaza

ow pleasant it is to have one’s judgment confirmed: I first voted for Ted Rosen to be mayor of Great Neck Plaza because I believed that he was the best candidate for the job. That has, indeed, been the case. Ted

had valuable experience as deputy mayor when he was first elected—and he has even more experience since then. He has shown that he understands the needs of our community and how to meet them. He listens

to suggestions and complaints with a sympathetic continue to fill the office of mayor with the skill ear. Moreover, he is adept at motivating changes in and dignity that we have come to appreciate over town governance in response to those suggestions the years. and in responding with respect to those complaints. Lawrence Raphael There is every reason to believe that he will Great Neck

Re-elect Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen

s a member of The Village of Great Neck Residents Group we are writing to you to voice our support of the re-election of our esteem mayor, Mayor Ted Rosen, along with Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael Deluccia. His concern for the well-being of the residents of our village promoted the creation of The Residents Group during the early months of Covid when we

were basically confined to our homes. The group’s mission was and is to educate the community though events both in person and on zoom. Recent events include the celebration of Women’s History Month with a presentation by past and present women members and graduates of our Merchant Marine Academy, and the honoring of Lunar New Year with performances, food, and an art display. His interest, along with the hard work of Pamela

and Michael, in promoting our Village, has resulted in the openings of several new stores and restaurants. They continue to put in efforts to promote “shop and eat” local. Non-residents of our village attending our Tuesday Summer Concerts, have commented how lucky we are to have a team that does so much to improve the quality of life for those who live here. An example of this, is the recent installation of flashing cross-walk

stop signs and digital speed meters, making it easier for parents with young children and the elderly to cross. We are looking forward to four more years under the leadership of Our Mayor, Ted Rosen, Deputy Mayor Pam Marksheid, and Trustee Michael DeLuccia. Nancy Cutrone Joyce Miller Village of Great Neck Plaza

18 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

READERS WRITE

Rosen someone Re-elect Ted Rosen as you can trust mayor of Great Neck Plaza

t is with great enthusiasm that I will vote for Mayor Rosen on March 19, 2024. This is because I have found him to be sincere and concerned about the Village of Great Neck Plaza Because of these attitudes, he is a hard worker; he has his hand in many different projects.

And much to my delight, he has been highly responsive to my concerns about the village. He listens, and clearly responds. The bottom line is that I trust him. Vote for Mayor Rosen on March 19. Laura Blum Great Neck

n the morning of Aug. 19, 2023, a massive tree collapsed in Creek Park. I reached out to quite a few municipalities both local and statewide and received either little or no response. Those that did respond were unsure as to who was responsible. There are hundreds of giant trees in Creek Park and my greatest concern was for

the residents living in a nearby condo. Finally I reached out to Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen. He immediately responded to those concerns and reached out to the Superintendent of the G.N. Park District. On Oct. 27 the Mayor along with G.N. Park District personnel inspected Creek Park. On Jan. 30 and until Feb. 6 crews worked diligently throughout the park pruning and removing everything that had the potential of

causing harm. I am now able to sleep peacefully when a windy storm arrives. I don’t believe this would have happened without Ted Rosen’s leadership and I will again support his election for mayor! Thank you Ted! Marnin Rosenberg Great Neck

Support your local neighborhood newspaper

he New York Local Journalism Sustainability Act would provide tax credits to local community-based newspapers for hiring local news reporters. It is important to lobby Gov. Kathy Hochul, State Senate Majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, along with your

local state senator and state assembly member to support this critical legislation. Most communities are down to one local daily or weekly newspaper. Newspapers have to deal with increasing costs for newsprint, delivery and distribution as well as reduced advertising revenues and competition from the internet and other news informa-

tion sources. Daily newspapers concentrate on international, Washington, Albany, business and sports stories. They have few reporters covering local neighborhood news. Weekly newspapers fill the void for coverage of local community news. I’m grateful that you have afford-

ed me the opportunity to express my views via letters to the editor, along with others who may have different opinions on the issues of the day. Albany needs to join us in supporting weekly community newspapers. Readers patronize advertisers; they provide the revenues to help keep them in business. Let us hope

there continues to be room for everyone, including the Great Neck News, Manhasset Times, Port Washington Times, New Hyde Park Herald Courier, Roslyn Times and Williston Park Times. Larry Penner Great Neck

Re-elect Ted Rosen mayor of Great Neck Plaza

write to urge the residents of Great Neck Plaza to vote to re-elect Ted Rosen as mayor of our Village and to re-elect Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia. I met Ted more than twenty years ago. He and I were opposing counsel in what was initially a bitterly contested commercial litigation between business partners.

Ted is an excellent lawyer and he was a tough adversary, but he was always honorable and a man of his word. It is a testament to Ted that after the litigation ended, we became friends which we remain to this day. Our friendship resumed some time later, when I moved to the Plaza. I became active in the Village. I became the chairperson of the Great Neck Plaza Pedestrian and Traffic

Safety Committee. In that capacity, I had the opportunity to work with Ted who was also active on that committee as a representative of the village government. I saw firsthand from that experience that Ted was hardworking and was keenly focused on finding ways to improve pedestrian and traffic safety in the Village. He welcomed the participation,

opinions and ideas from myself and my fellow residents who were members of the committee. He was always receptive to new ideas and new possible solutions to pedestrian and traffic issues. He sought to come up with solutions by building consensus if there were differing views. Ted has the intelligence, skills and dedication that make him highly

qualified to continue being our mayor. I am voting to re-elect Ted Rosen for Mayor and to re-elect his running mates Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia. I ask all of my fellow residents to do the same. Daniel R. Wotman Great Neck

Lone Ranger is thriving on chaos…once again!

s noted in my earlier letter, a potential candidate who is planning on running for office in June in the Village of Manorhaven election suddenly showed up at the monthly Board of Trustees meeting and took aim at Mayor John Popeleski and the Board of Trustees. In a letter to the paper, Francesca Zahner pointed her finger at Mayor Popeleski to claim that she was “disgusted by the lack of professionalism shown by the current mayor and several trustees.” As an attendee at that meeting, I witnessed how Zahner’s comrade, Trustee Jeff Stone, was the cause of her alleged “reality TV chaos.” Stone came to the meeting with his hidden agenda to stir up controversy over a certain waterfront development project that was passed with proper procedure in 2023. Stone demanded that there should be a forum to inform the

residents and address their concerns. As public records show, a good number of public hearings were held at both the BOT and BZA meetings regarding that particular project. Stone’s entourage of concerned residents had the opportunities to attend these meetings and spoke their concerned minds. Now that the project has been approved, suddenly Stone wanted to re-open discussion only because of his personal dislikes of the developers. Where were you, Mr. Stone, when public meetings were held for this project? Did you speak or submit your comments at these meetings? As I said in the meeting, minutes and voting records of these hearings are public information and Stone could have foiled them, studied them and educated himself so he can communicate to these concerned residents on his own. But he simply wanted to re-open discussion, three months be-

fore the village election. What is his ulterior motive? And even after Mayor Popeleski, the trustees and the village attorney explained to him that it is not proper procedure to have an open discussion sponsored by the village, Stone kept ranting and raving about the need to have the “forum” and stirred up the audience’s reaction against his adamancy. When Stone was told by the stenographer to talk “one person at a time,” he even took a shot at her and made her burst into tears. If Stone is so concerned and annoyed by this project, he certainly can sponsor a forum on his own, paying out of his own pocket. As a taxpayer, I don’t see why we need to spend our tax dollars to entertain his ideas. On the other hand, Stone was working hard to get a local business’ violation summons dismissed so they can continue operation. This business filed for permits to operate as a grab-

and-go upon opening, while they are actually operating as a pizzeria/restaurant with an open firewood-burning pizza oven, which is a fire hazard! After being issued tickets of various violations, this business reached out to Stone for help. Again, without doing his homework, Stone praised the owner as a good person and a respected businessman and urged the village board to “work with him.” In this case, he was not concerned at all with this business’ disregard of the village building codes or public safety issues. I am very surprised to see Stone open the back door for a business by tampering with the board of trustees. He is setting a precedence for preferential treatment and opening the village to possible legal actions in the future. When I questioned Stone about his involvement with this business and demanded an explanation from him,

his response was “why are you digging dirt on me?” This is the “transparency” he pledges to bring to our village? So far every time I’ve presented Stone with a question, he has never given me a direct answer or explanation. Stone has demonstrated time and again that his only mission is to create chaos and disturbance for Mayor Popeleski and the board to gear up for the upcoming village election. He puts his political gain in front of the welfare of our village, he prioritizes doing personal favors over public safety, he challenges the legality of our village building codes. What is he bringing to our village after all? Richard Li Village of Manorhaven Letters Continued on Page 46

BLANK SLATE MEDIA March 15, 2024

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Survivor Leo Ullman tells story at Tolerance Center lecture

Holocaust survivor and author Leo Ullman recently gave a moving lecture at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, located at the Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove. During his Feb. 14 presentation, the longtime Port Washington resident spoke about his harrowing experiences as a very young boy hiding from the Nazis in occupied Amsterdam during World War II and his family’s subsequent emigration to America. During his lecture, he showed the audience a rug that was given to his father before his family went into hiding. The man who gave Ullman the rug believed that praying on it would protect his family. Ullman still has the rug in his home to serve as a reminder of the strength and sense of hope it provided to his family while they were in hiding in Amsterdam and for the decades that have followed. “Leo Ullman is doing a tremendous service by continuing to share his family’s story of survival and perseverance in the face of evil,” Nassau County Legislator Delia Deriggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) said. “It is always a privilege to hear my courageous friend speak and lend his powerful voice to ensuring that future generations never have to endure the atrocities that the Nazis inﬂicted upon his family and so many others.” Ullman is the author of a powerful book entitled “796 Days,” which chronicles the remarkable strength and resolve that his family demonstrated during their more than twoyear ordeal of evading capture by the Nazis. Previously, Ullman served as director of the Anne Frank Center USA for more than two decades. Located in Manhattan, the center’s mission is to educate young adults about discrimination and the dangers of intolerance. Ullman’s family was in hiding in Amsterdam at the same time as Anne Frank and her family. Visit hmtcli.org to learn more about the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center. Visit annefrank. com to learn about the Anne Frank Center USA.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF DERIGGI-WHITTON

Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (left) and Leo Ullman holding a rug his family prayed on while in hiding during the Holocaust.

20 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

Youth orchestra, Ukraine connect through music

Lively megillah reading! Music! Dancing! Light Food & Dessert! Beginning at 6:30 pm

The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York will perform a program highlighting American democracy while forging connections with Ukraine through music. On Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m., members of the MYO Suffolk Principal Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Phil Preddice will give the American premiere of two Ukrainian pieces, and perform Aaron Copland’s iconic “Lincoln Portrait” at Staller Center for the Artsat Stony Brook University at 100 Nicolls Road in Stony Brook. Maestro Preddice began this international collaboration with the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra in October 2023, wanting to connect his orchestra of talented young musicians on Long Island to the wider musical world. Max Naftol, MYO Music Librarian and Media Specialist, contacted Hobart Earle, Music Director of the OPO, in November 2023, leading to this musical exchange. The difficulties of daily life in an active warzone were made starkly clear in email communication with Maestro Earle, who noted the difficulty of the OPO rehearsing amidst daily air-raid sirens and the general uncertainty of war. The SPO will perform two pieces straight from Odesa, giving them their American premieres. The first piece, the Zaporizhian March by Yevhen Adamtsevych, is an exclusive arrangement of the OPO that had yet to be digitally engraved when this collaboration commenced. The MYO musicians read handwritten mu-

sic sent directly from the warzone, highlighting music’s power to connect across languages, cultures, and national boundaries. The other Ukrainian piece the SPO will premiere, entitled Reminiscence, is composed by Maestro Earle himself and is written in the 12-tone serial musical idiom, which has expanded the sonic palette of MYO’s young musicians. “We all know that music is the Universal Language, but through these music notes we are feeling the soul and tenacity of the Ukrainian people,” said Maestro Preddice. American democracy is centered in the middle of this concert program with a performance of Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copland. This classic work is interlaced with quotations from Abraham Lincoln, and will be narrated by MYO Choir Director Edward P. Norris III. Copland’s music and Lincoln’s quotations place both musician and audience alike in Lincoln’s shoes during the Civil War, showcasing the history and challenges of democracy, and its eventual triumph. Performing Groups and Conductors: Suffolk String Orchestra, Music Director Felicya Schwarzman Suffolk Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Scott Zarchy Suffolk Principal Orchestra, Music Director Phil Preddice Tickets for this concert are on sale now through ShowTix4U.

Children’s Activities

Dress as your favorite Jewish hero, from the past or present. To join, ALL must register in advance at www.srjc.org or call 516-741-4305, no later than

Thursday, March 21 Security screening at door.

SHELTER ROCK JEWISH CENTER 272 Shelter Rock Road, Roslyn, NY 11576 516-741-4305 srjc.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB DAVIDSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Suffolk Principal Orchestra with music director Phil Preddice

Great Neck Library lecture: Broadway on a budget Great Neck Library is having a lecture on “Broadway on a Budget presented by Brian Stoll” on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Station Branch 26 Great Neck Road, 2nd Level, Great Neck. Theater enthusiast Brian Stoll will discuss all things Broadway. Listen along as he shares the history and importance of the Broadway Playbill, as well as touches upon

the reasons why audience members choose to collect these memorable theatre keepsakes. Lastly, learn a variety of money-saving tips on how to see Broadway shows for under $60 a ticket! No registration is required. First come, ﬁrst seated. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@ greatnecklibrary.org.

Brian Stoll

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

G.N. Library lecture on rockets into roses Sign up online, in-perGreat Neck Library is hosting a lecture title son, or via phone; non-resi“Rockets into Roses pre- dents are welcome as walksented by Yaron Bob” on ins, as space allows. For more information, Wednesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Main Library Community Room, 159 Bayview Avenue in Great Neck. Yaron Bob is an Israeli blacksmith who lives within a mile of the Gaza border. After a few close calls with rockets, he reacted to the terror that he and his community were facing by creating something meaningful out of the destruction of the Kassam. Works created out of these materials include roses, menorahs, and even a tuned harp. “I take the Kassam, the instrument of death, and I change it. I transfer it into something of beauty.” — Yaron Bob Registration for this lecture is required. Great Neck cardholders and residents have priority Yaron Bob for seating.

please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary. org.

Airpower Museum to host Easter Egg hunt Join the American Airpower Museum’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Can you find the Easter Egg? Be sure to bring your own basket for the Egg Hunts. Young and old alike will enjoy the Museum’s Easter Tram Rides around Hangar 3. Have your photographs taken with AAM’s Easter Bunny! Visit our “Bunny Patch” and adopt your very own bunny or chick! (Plush toys, not live animals. Limit one “pet” bunny or chick per child.) The fun starts at 11:00 a.m. at the American Airpower Museum, Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway in Farmingdale. No pre-registration or tickets required. Admission for Adults $15, Seniors/Vets $12, Kids (3-12) $10. For more information call (631) 293-6398 or www.americanairpowermuseum.org. What: American Airpower Museum’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt Where: AAM, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY When: Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Why: Enjoy A Fun-filled Family Event Celebrating Easter 2024 How: Admission Adults $15, Seniors/Vets $12, Kids (3-12) $10 Contact: Robert F. Salant, Public Affairs, (516) 328-3959, (718) 791-4758, rsalant123@outlook. com

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMERICAN AIRPOWER MUSEUM

American Airpower Museum’s “Easter Bunny” and Youngster!

22 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

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students’ performance A 2020 study published in the Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community found that

24 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

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A 2020 study published in

uccess in school can carry partnership with the theaJournal of Prevention over to successful experiences • Develop teacher. Open communication with later in life. That underscores and Intervention in the the teacher(s) can help parents stay the benefits of developing skills in Community found up-to-date on what is goingthat on in the classroom. Students learn in the classroom and learn early on their own way, and at times there where a student may need extra may need to overcome various support. Then parents can offer obstacles. extra guidance if it is feasible, or The job of education does not look into an experienced tutor. fully fall on educators and • Be firm but supportive. Too much administrators. Education begins at academic pressure may cause home. Research has found that kids a child to pull back or even test benefit significantly when parents boundaries, and that can lead to and other caregivers are strongly students falling behind in school. involved in a child’s education. A Parents must find the right level of 2020 study published in thecan Journal uccess in school carry involvement and guide their kids of Prevention and Intervention in • Develop a partnership with the over to successful experiences without sounding like good grades the Community found that parental teacher. Open wi later in inalife. That underscores are “make or break” the communication relationship. involvement child’s education is the teacher(s) can help parents st the benefits developing skills in• Attend school functions. Parents associated withof improved academic up-to-date on what is going on in the classroom. Students learn in can go to open houses, back-toperformance. Specifically, children the classroom and learn early on whose parents areand more in school nights, conferences, and their own way, atinvolved times there whereheld a student their have higher levels other events at schoolmay to need extra may educations need to overcome various of academic performance than support. parents show support andThen interest in theircan offer obstacles. children whose parents were not as children’s education. Involved extra guidance if it is feasible, or The job of education does not involved. parentslook also into buildan school-based experienced tutor. networks this way, which can be fully fall on educators and A 2005 study from researchers • Be firm but supportive. called upon if their student needs Too mu administrators. Education at the Johns Hopkins Universitybegins at additional support in the future. academic pressure may cause Center School, Family and that kids home.ofResearch has found a child to pull back or Community Partnerships showed benefit significantly when parents• Establish a schedule at home. even test that school practices that encourage boundaries, can lead to can benefit and fromthat a and other caregivers are strongly Students families to support their students’ schedule, with regular bedtime, students falling behind involved in aatchild’s education. A homework time and opportunitiesin school. math learning home led to Parents must find the right level o 2020 study published in the Journal higher percentages of students to relax. Knowing what to expect involvement and guide their kids of Prevention andproficiency Intervention scoring at or above on in and when to expect it can take some without standardized mathfound tests. Additional the Community that parental of the stress out sounding of learning like and good grade are “make or break” the relationsh research indicates benefits also studying, according to Nemours involvement in athe child’s education is extend to other subjects and areas health. associated with improved academic • Attend school functions. Parent of learning, including language Parentscan working concert with back-toperformance. Specifically, children go toinopen houses, comprehension and expressive schools and their children can lead whose parents in school nights, conferences, and language skills. are more involved to better academic outcomes. their educations have higher levels other events held at school to With so much to gain from parental of academic than show support and interest in thei involvement in performance students’ educations, children whose parents were not as children’s education. Involved parents can embrace these involved.to get more involved. strategies parents also build school-based

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parental involvement Parental involvement in a child’s education is associated with is a key factor in improved academic performance. students’ performance

A 2005 study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Center of School, Family and Community Partnerships showed that school practices that encourage families to support their students’ math learning at home led to higher percentages of students scoring at or above proficiency on standardized math tests. Additional research indicates the benefits also extend to other subjects and areas of learning, including language comprehension and expressive language skills. With so much to gain from parental involvement in students’ educations, parents can embrace these strategies to get more involved.

parental involvement in a child’s education is associated with improved academic performance.

networks this way, which can be called upon if their student needs additional support in the future. • Establish a schedule at home. Students can benefit from a schedule, with regular bedtime, homework time and opportunitie to relax. Knowing what to expect and when to expect it can take so of the stress out of learning and studying, according to Nemours health. Parents working in concert with schools and their children can lea to better academic outcomes.

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

Make the most of the summer camp experience Many adults fondly recall their days at sum- young musicians. More general camps offer a mer camp. The increase in households with wide range of activities throughout the summer, two working parents has made it more impor- and that might appeal to children less interested tant than ever to find a camp to accommodate in specialized camps. Ask youngsters for their youngsters who need to remain engaged and input before making a final decision. Involve entertained throughout over summer vacation. kids in the search by showing them websites of That reality has led to more summer camp op- prospective camps and asking them what they tions, but it's not always so easy finding one think of each one. If attending an in-person consultation, bring kids along so they can form their that's the right fit for a child. No two children are the same and kids own impression. · Make sure the camp suits your schedule. change quite a bit as they grow up. So a camp that worked for an older child or even one that Kids' preferences are not the only opinions to accommodated a younger camper may not make consider. In households with two working parthe perfect fit this summer. With that in mind, ents, moms and dads must find a camp that parents can consider these tips to find the right aligns with their work schedule. Many camps offer half-day sessions and/or full-day sessions, summer camp for their children. · Ask around. Even if no two campers are but some offer just one or the other. If parents the same, it can benefit parents to ask around need full-day sessions, they might need to begin when shopping for a summer camp. Summer their search early to ensure they can secure a camp spots are limited and it's not uncommon spot before they fill up. · Identify what you can afford. Camp costs for competition for available spaces to develop, which can make it more difficult to gather infor- vary significantly, so parents should identify how mation. However, ask neighbors whose children much they can afford before they begin their have outgrown summer camp if there's one they search. Doing so may eliminate various camps might recommend (or would not recommend). right off the bat, saving parents precious time as · Pursue a package deal. Though package they try to find a camp for their children before deals might not result in lower rates, approach- spots fill up. Many towns offer local camps at ing a camp with the parents of your child's schools, and these may be an affordable option. friend or friends may work in your favor. Kids Parents also should know that many camps alundoubtedly will be more excited about camp if low them to pick certain weeks or days of the their friends will be there as well. Camp officials week a child will attend rather than insisting may see these quasi-package deals as beneficial kids attend camp for the duration of the summer. and a quick and easy way to fill spots. Summer camp season is right around the · Ask kids how they want to spend summer. Specialized camps run the gamut from sports corner. Parents and children can work together camps focusing on a particular sport to general to identify a camp that will ensure this summer Blank Slate - SACC - 10x6.16 1:42 PM filled with fun. outdoor recreation camps to camps thatv2.pdf cater to1 is3/6/24

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tudy skills are integral to focusing, make sure the study area academic success. Such has adequate lighting. Lighting abilities help students learn behind you will help illuminate the more efficiently and effectively, pages of textbooks and additional which can lead to better grades on reading materials. Avoid using assignments and tests. Developing computers in dimly lit rooms, as strong study habits can prepare that may aggravate eye strain. students for future success in life, • Aim for ergonomics and comfort. as dedication to studying can be You’ll want to be comfortable while mirrored in habits related to job studying, but not so much that performance. you’re falling asleep. Choose a chair The desire to study is one that is supportive and keeps you component of being involved in seated in a neutral position. the task. However, setting up an • Store supplies nearby. Having to environment conducive to studying constantly get up and grab supplies is another part of this important increases the risk of distractions equation. Students looking to study adversely affecting your study time. longer and better may want to A zippered pouch or a tote bag that re-evaluate study environments contains all of your study materials at home. Here are some ways to can be kept within reach. implement positive changes. tudy skills are integral to focusing, the study area • Keep a clock inmake view.sure A clock • Isolateacademic from interruptions. The success. Such has Lighting should notadequate deter youlighting. from first step to setting upstudents a study learn studying. Setting abilities help behind youdeadlines will helpand illuminate the location is to pick a spot away time constraints on study time more efficiently and effectively, pages of textbooks and can additional from the hustle and bustle of the encourage focus. Break down study which can lead to better grades on reading materials. Avoid using household. While a separate room sessions into chunks of timelitthat are as assignments and tests. Developing computers in dimly rooms, or home office can be helpful, an manageable to you. strong study prepare that may aggravate eye strain. out-of-the wayhabits nook orcan similar noise effectively. Some students success spot can befor justfuture as effective. By in life, • Utilize • Aim ergonomics comfort. needfor absolute quiet to and study. dedicating a study you can as dedication to spot, studying can be people You’ll want to be comfortable appreciate some white noise while train your brain to recognize mirrored in habits related to job Others studying, but not much that or music to sharpen theirso focus. this is a study area and you may performance. Identify what works for you and you’re falling asleep. Choose a chair immediately become more focused. incorporate into yourand study The desire to study is one that is that supportive keeps you • Keep only pertinent materials area. seated A fan orin a running airposition. purifier component of being involved in a neutral nearby. It may be tempting to check can produce enough white noise to the task. setting your phoneHowever, or watch videos orup an drown • Store supplies nearby. Having to out distractions. environment conducive toclose studying television if those devices are constantly get up and grab supplies Establishing a study area at home is the another thisitimportant to study part area. of Make stark and increases the risk oftheir distractions students improve outfitted with only what’s necessary equation. Students looking to studycan help adversely affecting your study time. academic performance. for the study session.may want to longer and better A zippered pouch or a tote bag that re-evaluate study environments • Focus on good lighting. To avoid contains all of your study materials eye strain and avoid at home. Here aredifficulty some ways to can be kept within reach.

implement positive changes. • Keep a clock in view. A clock • Isolate from interruptions. The should not deter you from first step to setting up a study studying. Setting deadlines and location is to pick a spot away time constraints on study time can from the hustle and bustle of the encourage focus. Break down study household. While a separate room sessions into chunks of time that are or home office can be helpful, an manageable to you. out-of-the way nook or similar • Utilize noise effectively. Some spot can be just as effective. By people need absolute quiet to study. dedicating a study spot, you can

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

Summer camp options abound Summer camp season will be here before parents know it. While children anxiously await the last day of school, adults know that it can be challenging to keep kids occupied and mentally stimulated when they aren't in the classroom. Although it may be alright to enjoy a few days lounging around and playing video games, too much sedentary behavior is not good for anyone, even children. Families turn to summer camp to provide children with activities to occupy their time when school is not in session. Camps catering to a variety of interests are open to youngsters, so there's likely one out there to excite every child. Each year, more than 25 million children and adults take part in the camp experience, says the American Camp Association. Summer camp gives kids a chance to spread their wings and enjoy new adventures. When seeking camps, families can consider interests, proximity, cost, and other variables. Here are some of the different types of camps families can consider. Day camp Day camps are a popular choice. Day camps tend to be general recreation camps that offer an array of activities. Campers are dropped off (or bussed) in the morning, and arrive home early evening. These camps are readily accessible and run by various organizations. Some camps enable you to pay by the week, rather than committing to an entire season. Sleep-away camp Like the name implies, sleep-away camp hosts campers overnight, typically for several weeks. This may be children's first extended time away from

home, and there's bound to be a few nerves that spring up. Round-the-clock activities and chances to bond with their peers can help kids overcome fears of being away from home. Academic camp Academic camps focus their attention on various subjects, putting like-minded children together. Academic summer programs ensure children's brains stay active, helping students avoid that dreaded "summer slide." Some of these camps mimic a school day so they are familiar to kids. Academic focus may vary from general academia to specific subjects like STEM to astronomy to the arts. Scout camp Boys and girls participating in scouting programs often have the option to attend summer camp. During camp kids will have an opportunity to earn badges and advance their rank. Many scout districts have relationships with a specific scout campsite where troops from all over live and advance together for a week or so during the summer. Fitness and sports camps Fitness-minded campers or those who play particular sports can investigate camps that focus on fitness and sports performance. These may be more rigorous than other types of camps since they involve lots of physical activity. Wilderness preparation camp is another type of camp that may fit into this category. It will highlight survival training and help mold active hikers and campers. Summer camp options abound. It's only a matter of identifying a path for children and then seeking a camp that offers the desired program.

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Signs of potential learning disorders

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Signs of potential learning disorders Signs of potential learning disorders

any things can affect a student’s academic performance. The atmosphere in a classroom, life outside of school and interest in the material are just some of the variables that can affect how well students perform. But another variable that’s sometimes hard to identify also affects the performance of millions of students each year.

The Learning Disabilities Association of America estimates that around one in five children in the United States have learning and attention issues. Based on a 2017 report from The National Center for Learning Disabilities, the estimate from LDAA equates to more than 11 million students with learning and attention issues. Those issues are not always easy to spot, but parents can learn to look for signs that suggest their children may have a learning disorder. The LDAA notes that learning disorders may manifest differently based on a child’s age. The any things can affect a student’s academic following rundown of age-based symptoms, courtesy of the LDAA, can help parents who suspect their may havelife a performance. The atmosphere in a child classroom, learning disorder. outside of school and interest in the material are

Preschool • Pronunciation problems • Difficulty finding the right word • Difficulty rhyming words • Trouble learning numbers, the alphabet, the days of the week, colors, and shapes • Difficulty concentrating • Trouble interacting with peers • Difficulty following directions or learning routines • Pronunciation • Difficulty controlling pencils, crayons or scissors problems Preschool

Preschool

• Difficulty finding the right word • Pronunciation problems • Difficultythrough finding•the right word Kindergarten Fourth Grade Difficulty rhyming words • Difficulty words • Trouble learning rhyming the connection between letters and sounds • Trouble learning numbers, the alphabet, • Confusion withlearning basic words, such as “run,” “eat” and “want” • Trouble numbers, the alphabet, the days of the week, colors, and shapes the days of the and shapes • Consistent reading and week, spelling colors, errors including letter reversals (b/d), inversions (m/w), transpositions (felt/left), • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty concentrating and substitutions (house/home) • Trouble interacting with peers • Trouble interacting with peers • Difficulty learning basic math concepts • Trouble learning following about time directions or learning routines • Difficulty • Difficulty following directions or learning • Difficulty learning new skills pencils, crayons or scissors • Difficulty controlling • Difficulty controlling pencils, crayons or • Trouble remembering facts Kindergarten through Fourth Grade

Grades Five through Eight through Fourth • Trouble learningKindergarten the connection between letters and sounds Grad • Difficulty with reading comprehension or math skills • Confusion basic(soiled words, such as “run,” • Trouble with letterwith sequences solid, left for felt)“eat” and “want” • Troubleforlearning the connection between • Consistent reading androot spelling including letter • Difficulty with prefixes, suffixes, words, errors and other spelling strategies reversals (b/d), (m/w), transpositions (felt/left), • Confusion with basic words, such as “run • Trouble organizing their inversions bedroom, notebook, papers, and desk and substitutions (house/home) • Difficulty keeping up with papers or assignments • Consistent reading and spelling errors in • Difficulty learning basic math concepts • Trouble with handwriting reversals (b/d), inversions (m/w), transp anyvariables things that cancan affect a how student’s academic • Difficulty with time management just some of the affect well students • Trouble learning about time and substitutions (house/home) The atmosphere classroom, life• Trouble understanding oral discussions and expressing thoughts out loud perform. Butperformance. another variable that’s sometimes hardintoaidentify • Difficulty learning new skills also affects the performance of millions of studentsineach • Difficulty learning basic math concepts outside of school and interest theyear. material are • Trouble remembering facts Johns Medicine notes expertsestimates do The Learning Association ofthat America that just some ofDisabilities theHopkins variables that can affect how well students • Trouble learning about time not know how toin prevent learningStates disorders in learning around one in five children the United have High School and Beyond perform. But another variable that’s sometimes hard to identify • Difficulty learning new skills and attention children. issues. Based onvarious a 2017treatments, report from The National However, including • Spelling the same word differently in a single document also affects the performance of millions of students each year. Center for Learning Disabilities, thetherapy estimate from LDAA individual classes, speech and family • Trouble remembering facts Grades Five Eight • Difficulty taking on athrough reading or writing task equates to more than 11 million students with learning and The Learning Disabilities Association of America estimates that therapy, can ease symptoms and help children • Difficulty with open-ended questions on tests • Difficulty with reading comprehension or math skills attention issues. Those issues are not always easy to spot, but around one fulfill in five children in the United States have learning • Struggling with memory skills their academic potential. parents can learn to look for signs that suggest their children • Trouble with letter sequences (soiled for solid, left for felt) • Difficulty adapting skills from one setting to another and issues. Based a 2017 from The National may attention have a learning disorder. Theon LDAA notesreport that learning • Difficulty • Struggling with with a slowprefixes, work pace suffixes, root words, and other spelling strate Center Learning Disabilities, the from disordersfor may manifest differently based on estimate a child’s age. The LDAA Grades Five notebook, through Eight • Difficulty grasping abstract concepts • Trouble organizing their bedroom, papers, and desk following to rundown age-based symptoms, courtesy of learning the equates moreofthan 11 million students with and • Difficulty focusing on details • Difficulty keeping up with papers or assignments LDAA, can help parents who suspect their child may have a • Difficulty with reading comprehension o attention issues. Those issues are not always easy to spot, but• Frequently misreading information learning disorder. • Trouble with handwriting parents can learn to look for signs that suggest their children • Trouble with letter sequences (soiled for • Difficulty with time management may have a learning disorder. The LDAA notes that learning • Difficulty with prefixes, suffixes, root wo • Trouble understanding oral discussions and expressing thoughts out

disorders may manifest differently based on a child’s age. The Marlene L. Levy following rundown of Dr. age-based symptoms, courtesy of the Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that experts do PhD, LCSW, DAAPM, CCBT LDAA, can help parents who suspect their child may have a Contact: 516.944.3885 not know how to prevent learning disorders in learning disorder. PSYCHOTHERAPY CLINICAL HYPNOSIS children. However, various treatments, including *Anxiety *Stress Management *Pain Management

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• Difficulty with open-ended questions on tests

• Trouble organizing their bedroom, noteb • Difficulty keeping up with papers or assig High School and Beyondwith handwriting • Trouble • Spelling the same word differently a single document • Difficulty with in time management • Difficulty taking on a reading or writing task • Trouble understanding oral discussions a

• Struggling with memory skills • Difficulty adapting skills from one setting to another • Struggling with a slow work pace High School and Beyond • Difficulty grasping abstract concepts • Difficulty focusing on details the same word differently in a s • Spelling • Frequently misreading information

• Difficulty taking on a reading or writing • Difficulty with open-ended questions o • Struggling with memory skills

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

Lecture on overlooked Palumbo lecture on women innovators making work optional The Great Neck Library is celebrating Women’s History Month with a virtual lecture titled Mothers of Invention: Overlooked Women Innovators presented by Carol Simon Levin. Simon Levin portrays Lillian Moller Gilbreth, motion study pioneer and Cheaper by the Dozen mother of 12 — then shares the stories of other overlooked women innovators, including many women of color. From Margaret Knight (the 19th century “Female Edison”) to Hollywood superstar Hedy Lamarr, these “Mothers of Invention” changed our lives, yet their accomplishments were all too often ignored, discounted or credited to others Simon Levin is a professional storyteller and independent historian who specializes in telling the stories of “fascinating women history forgot” through first person portrayals. She is a New Jersey Council for the Humanities Public Scholar presenting “Reclaiming Our Voice: NJ’s Role in the Fight for Woman Suffrage” which she also published as an article in March 2020 online issue of Garden State Legacy. She has also authored the book “Remembering the Ladies: From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates” which profiles 69 women – well-known and unknown – who worked tirelessly for women’s rights in America. Simon Levin holds a BA focusing on women’s history and history of technology from Cornell University and a Masters in Library Services from the University of Arizona. She is also the founder of Telling Her Stories. The lecture is on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 2:00 pm on Zoom. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84969242487?pwd=5AZObYLm5pKUkbIq5UXFJs2xOw3K mb.1 Meeting ID: 849 6924 2487 Passcode: whm One tap mobile:+16469313860,,84969242487#,,,,*848584# US+16465588656,,849692 42487#,,,,*848584# US (New York)

Great Neck Library is hosting an author event with Philip Palumbo, author of “Make Work Optional – Achieve Financial Peace of Mind,: on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Great Neck Library at 159 Bayview Ave. in Great Neck. Palumbo is trhe founder, CEO and chief investment officer of Palumbo Wealth Management. He is a contributor on CNBC, Bloomberg, Reuters, TD Ameritrade Network and Cheddar News. His market insights have been quoted in such leading publications as The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s. He has authored “Make Work Optional,” a book dedicated to assisting individuals and families on how to properly plan and invest their money. No registration is required. First come first seated. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. For more information, please contact the Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.

Philip Palumbo

Visit us online today at www.theisland360.com

MORE UNBUBBLIEVABLE THAN EVER!

Call for volunteers at county Museum of Art At the Nassau County Museum of Art, the volunteer staff play a central role in daily operations, and they have behind-the-scenes views of three major exhibitions per year plus year-round programs and events on a magnificent 145acre preserve. Volunteers are not required to have a background in art, and training will be provided for all assignments across various departments, from the admission desk and museum store to the Manes Family Art and Education

Center and general administration. Volunteers receive a series of benefits, including invitations to special tours of exhibitions; discounts in the Museum Store, Café, on public programs; preferred parking; and free admission to other local cultural institutions. Hours vary with each post; most request an average of three to four hours on one day per week. Volunteer opportunities are available year-round, on weekdays and weekends.

To inquire and apply, contact the Museum at (516) 484-9338, ext. 29. NCMA is located at One Museum Drive in Roslyn Harbor.

“ IT WILL BLOW YOUR-OPMRAHIND! ” GET TICKETS

PHOTO BY BETH HORN, NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

32 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

Fri 3/15 Chris Devine Acoustic: An Evening of Country Music with Chris Devine at the Coop Nashville Kitchen @ 5:30pm The Coop Bar & Lounge, 346 Main St, Farmingdale

Lovebirds Music Enter‐ tainment: Lovebirds at Charlotte's Speakeasy

UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Belmont Park - Long Island

@ 7:30pm Charlotte’s Speakeasy, 294 Main St, Farmingdale

JigJam

Alzheimer's Community Forum

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@ 7pm Landmark on Main Street, port //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Washington, Port Washington

Blue October

Tuesday Mar 19th

Editor's Voice

@ 10am / Free Glen Cove Senior Center, 130 Glen Street, Glen Cove. longislandchapter@alz.org, 800-272-3900 Learn about Alzheimer's, dementia and memory loss in this brief

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Featured

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@ 8:30pm Bartini Bar & Lounge, 124 N Carll Ave, Babylon

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@ 7pm Port Washington Public Library, 1 Library Dr, Port Washington

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Joanie Madden: Cherish the Ladies ~ Irish Music, Song & Dance

Nate Charlie Music //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Where Stars Collide NY

Kat & Brad

GCIFF Spotlight on Jewish Film REMEMBERING GENE WILDER

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Featured @ 7pm / $16 Remembering Gene Wilder shines a light on @ 8pm an essential performer, My Father's Place at Long Island Nets Vs. writer, director, and allThe Roslyn Hotel, 3 Indiana Mad Ants around mensch. Man‐ Pratt Blvd., Glen Cove @ 11am / $17-$102 hasset Cinemas, 430 Nassau Veterans Memorial Col‐ Plandome Road, Man‐ iseum, 1255 Hempstead Turn‐ hasset. info@goldcoas pike, Uniondale Brunch with Marilyn Rick Wakeman tarts.org, 516-829-2570 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Castillo @ 8pm / $29.50-$75 Phil Smith @ 1pm The Paramount, 370 @ 7pm Pappa Gallo, 273 Sunrise Hwy, Featured New York Ave, Hunting‐ Craft Kitchen & Tap House Rockville Centre ton Huntington, 363 New York Ave, //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Huntington Jennifer Choi: Ridotto The Yardbirds-Autho‐ //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Classical Concerts rized: The Yardbirds A Chorus Line @ 2pm Play Bay Shore, NY @ 7:30pm

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Thu 3/21 Featured

New York Islanders vs. Ottawa Senators

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Tyler Fischer @ 8pm Governor's Comedy Club, 90 Division Ave, Levittown

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GCIFF Spotlight on Jewish Film - THE MONKEY HOUSE @ 7pm / $16 Nominated for 11 Israeli Academy Awards in‐ cluding Best Director! Manhasset Cinemas, 430 Plandome Road, Manhasset. info@gold coastarts.org, 516-8292570 David Cross

Al DeGregoris Music: Smooth Jazz for a Cause Bene�t Concert @ 8pm Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave, Gar‐ den City

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Center for Excel‐ lence in Veteran Student Success Spring 2024 Job Fair

Fri 3/22 Featured

@ 10:30am SUNY Old Westbury holds career fair free to the public with special "pre-entry" period for veterans of the armed NCAA Mens forces. SUNY Old West‐ Basketball Tourna‐ bury, Campus Center @ 7pm ment - Session 1 Building, 223 Store Hill The Sultan Room, 234 Starr St, @ 12pm Rd, Old Westbury. Brooklyn Barclays Center, 620 jaikaranj@oldwest //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Atlantic Avenue, Brook‐ bury.edu, 516-274-7768 lyn Kelli Baker LIVE at Brooklyn Nets v. New Bangers and Mash at Teddy's Bully Bar in Orleans Pelicans the Village Lanterne Oyster Bar

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Brad Upton @ 8pm Governor's Comedy Club, 90 Division Ave, Levittown

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The 90's Band: Perform‐ ing as The 00’s Band @ 9pm Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave, Wan‐ tagh

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The Max- The Ultimate 90's Party @ 10pm Ainsworth RVC, 210 Merrick Rd, Rockville Centre

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Calendar information is pro‐ vided by event organizers. All events are subject to change or cancellation. This publica‐ @ 7:30pm / $41-$4950 @ 6pm @ 6pm tion is not responsible for the Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Teddy's Bully Bar, 46 Audrey The Village Lanterne, 155 N accuracy of the information Ave, Brooklyn Ave, Oyster Bay Wellwood Ave, Lindenhurst contained in this calendar. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The best place to promote your events online and in print. Visit us @ https://theisland360.com/local-events/

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

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34 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

What’s our greatest asset at The Bristal Assisted Living communities? It’s the lifetime of interests and experiences you bring to it. After all, that’s what makes you special. A caring team that spends the time getting to know you so you can continue nurturing, sharing and exploring those interests? Well, that’s what makes us special, too. See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area.

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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

NYCLU, league sue Blakeman on trans ban BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H The New York Civil Liberties Union and Long Island Roller Rebels, an all-female roller derby league, filed a lawsuit Monday against Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in response to his executive order banning transgender girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports at county facilities. “We are disappointed that the New York Civil Liberties Union is not joining us in our fight to protect women,” said Blakeman in a statement. All sports teams using Nassau County facilities have to register under three categories: men’s and boys’, women’s and girls’ and co-ed teams, according to Blakeman. The executive order, which Blakeman signed into effect on Feb. 22, forces transgender girl and women athletes to compete in the leagues that correlate with their sex assigned at birth at county facilities, meaning boys’ and men’s teams or coed teams. The executive order does not affect transgender boys and men. The suit calls Blakeman’s executive order “discriminatory” and “unlawful,” arguing that the order violates New York’s Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law as well as guidance from the state Education Department. The New York State Education Department prohibits discrimination

PHOTO BY KAREN RUBIN

Protestors rally in front of the Nassau County Legislative Building in opposition to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s ban on transgender women and girl athletes from competing on female sports teams. based on gender identity. When it comes to gender-segregated physical activities, the state guidelines state: “Students should be allowed to participate in a manner most consistent with their gender identity without

penalty.” The Long Island Roller Rebels, which are based in Massapequa, currently have at least one league member who would be prohibited from participating in their league under

Schechter ex-CFO guilty of money laundering BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H A jury convicted David Ostrove, the former chief financial officer at Schechter School of Long Island, of first-degree grand larceny and money laundering for stealing $8.4 million from school accounts to finance his luxurious life, including the purchase of five homes on Fire Island. “While David Ostrove was entrusted to manage this money to benefit the children of the Schechter School, he was secretly lining his own pockets,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said in a statement. The 52-year-old West Islip man faces up to 25 years in prison and awaits sentencing in the county jail. Ostrove will be sentenced by state Supreme Court Justice John Collins in Riverhead on April 17. Defense attorney Ralph Franco Jr. said the court will give them “an opportunity to move to set aside the verdict,” for which he is “optimistic.” Ostrove worked at the Schechter School, a private Jewish school located in Williston Park, for more than a decade. He is accused of funneling school funds to his personal bank accounts through digital money transfer applications PayPal and Stripe over eight years. The disgraced former CFO was charged with spending the stolen money on a host of luxuries, including the purchase of five homes on Fire Island in four years, two Mer-

cedes Benz vehicles, a 1965 Mustang, a 2021 Lincoln Navigator and collectible coins, the Suffolk County DA’s office said. “The Schechter School administration put complete trust in [Ostrove] to conduct financial transactions on behalf of and in the best interest of the Schechter School and its students,” ADA Jessica Lightstone told the jury. “The defendant violated that trust.” Lightstone said Ostrove made 786 transfers from Schechter School business accounts to his personal PayPal and bank accounts from 2014 to 2022. Eventually, PayPal froze the school’s account, said Lightstone. Ostrove continued to make transfers from a school Stripe account to a personal bank account, Lightstone said. The defense did not call any witnesses during more than two weeks of testimony, while 15 prosecution witnesses spoke to Ostrove’s money laundering. The Suffolk County DA launched an investigation after being notified by PayPal officials of potential fraud, said Detective and Investigator George Bean. Bean said when he first approached Ostrove in March 2022, Ostrove claimed the Fire Island homes were purchased as “personal investments.” The detective’s investigation connected the purchase of the Fire Island properties with funds from Ostrove’s personal accounts to corporations registered to his home address, the detective said. Continued on Page 49

the executive order, according to the lawsuit. The Roller Rebels have historically used Nassau County facilities for their events, including outdoor skating rinks at Eisenhower Park and

Cedar Creek Park, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also states that as an inclusive women’s league, the Roller Rebels do not inquire about players’ sex assigned at birth, which they would be required to do under the order. The Roller Rebels would be denied permits to use Nassau County facilities for their events if they did not begin inquiring about players’ sex assigned at birth. The league hosts games, practices and annual charity games. “We try to be open to people of all types and this order really shuts down the possibilities for our league to grow,” Roller Rebels player and team Vice President Curly Fry told Newsday. After Blakeman signed the executive order, New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a cease-and-desist letter to Blakeman demanding that he rescind the order. “We have no room for hate or bigotry in New York,” said James. “This executive order is transphobic and blatantly illegal.” In response, Blakeman and the Floral Park parents of a 16-year-old girls’ volleyball player filed a federal lawsuit against James. The suit argued that the county has a constitutional right to protect women and girls from unfair competition and personal injury.

36 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

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Business&RealEstate

Adding value to a home with landscaping It’s time to start thinking about the exterior of your home as we have been somewhat cooped up inside during the winter months and have longed for the warmer days ahead. But based on my gas bill, it’s been a fairly mild winter and it wasn’t as cold as one would have anticipated. Thanks to global warming, I appreciate it a lot. But not really! Does your lawn appear, gray and wishy-washy? Did you do your winter fertilization, as I suggested in a column last fall? Did you apply an antidesiccant to your winter wind-prone and now slightly burned shrubbery, again as I suggested last fall? If you notice brown leaves on all your nondeciduous (trees and shrubs that do not lose their leaves or needles) plantings, it’s too late to do anything about it right now. However, you can begin to do a light trimming and removal of all those dead or browned areas to spark new growth during this spring. Since the ground is no longer in danger of freezing (hopefully so), a thorough and efficient deep root feeding will greatly assist in the rejuvenation of the sprouting and expanding of

the new growth on your badly damaged landscaping. Going forward, note on your calendar by next November to do a liquid anti-desiccant spray application to all those plants that were affected this year so you won’t experience the same damage in 2025 as well as winter fertilization on your grass. Moreover, to simplify the process and not deal with this yourself as a DYI individual and to make sure it will be done properly and effectively; hire a company with the expertise, knowledge, and track record to perform this application as well as others to maintain your property in healthy and pristine condition. I was in the business for 25 years as a landscape designer and a certified, professional, licensed, and insured lawn, tree, and shrub application company called Lawn Gro. This is a tiny portion of what we had offered in the fall and late fall season. Some of you will remember me as you were my customers and now I have been finding purchasers for your homes for the last 30 years. I can provide you with advice and

PHILIP A. RAICES Real Estate Watch

instructions as to how to go about doing this most important and moneysaving application, as well as advise you on other issues on your property. Lastly, I can also guide you to professional companies that can assist you in performing the services. The outside of your home can be crucial in showing the quality and enhancing the true value of your prop-

erty. It is tantamount to keep your landscape in tip-top condition by maintaining the well-being of all your trees, shrubs, and plantings. More importantly, they provide the necessary and required oxygen that we all need to survive, breathe, and thrive as well as take in all the carbon dioxide that we expel. This will also provide the current and/or future buyers an indication of what your interior might look like since your exterior is in such beautiful, visually appealing and eye-catching condition. This will spark their curiosity and will want them to view the inside of your home. This is the No. 1 reason to have a gorgeous, alluring and enticing outside landscape besides enjoying a nice bump in potentially increasing the value of your home by 10%. P.S. Have you entered our contest yet? Whoever provides the correct answer to how many interest rate reductions or possible increases plus the total percentage reduced or increased that take place in calendar year 2024 will be the winner. Your reward for nailing the correct answer

in this guessing game will be a dinner with my wife and me and a special surprise bonus! The contest was going to end on 3/31/24, but due to the overwhelming response, we have extended our contest until 4/15/24 at 11:59 PM as the absolute final date to provide the additional time for all to enter. The final drawing will be on 12/28/24. We thank the multitude of participants who have already entered and this will be a very exciting contest to determine what Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s course of action will be during 2024. The first correct complete answer picked will be the winner! To be qualified, you must send your answers to Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com with your legal 1stand last name, cell, and email by midnight on 3/31/24. Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email:Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Comor viahttps://WWW.Li-RealEstate. Com

For the latest news, visit us at w w w.theisland360.com TECH The “Internet of Things” and Smart Clothing You’ve probably heard of the Internet of things, but thought, “what does it mean to me?” To answer that exciting question, let’s first understand the term itself:

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The Internet of things (IoT) is the interconnection, via the internet, of computing devices into everyday objects giving them the ability to send and receive data.

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The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

COMMUNITY NEWS

Adventures in Learning announces its spring soirée Do you need a short respite from the gloomy days of winter? Stop thinking about shoveling while waiting for the sun to shine. Instead come and celebrate Spring’s arrival at Adventures in Learning’s Annual Soirée on Friday, March 22 at 7 PM at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club at 455 Shore Road in Port Washington. This year’s honorees are Mary and Ken McGorry and Paula and Vincent Chiarucci. In this freezing, icy cold winter, the Soirée is once again expected to be a very hot ticket item. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults: $195, and Young Adults (ages 21-30) $125.The proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards funding Adventures’ after-school academic and enrichment programs for underserved Manhasset and Great Neck students. Enjoy an amazing dinner as prepared by Manhasset Bay’s superb catering staff of themed delicacies paired with selected wines. Afterwards, dance to the ever-popular music of DJ Liquid Todd of Sirius XM Radio amongst exquisite décor by Westhampton floral interior designers Debbie and Steve Boehl of Honeysuckle & Roses. The McGorrys have long promoted and furthered Adventure’s charitable mission.” A magazine editor over 20 years, Ken has written promotional articles for Adventures. Ken McGorry notes that “the first hurdle I faced writing about Adventures was explaining to the public that there are indeed underserved families living in the ManhassetGreat Neck area.” An author best known for his “Ghost Hamp-

ton” novels, he also produces its podcast series. He has performed at past Adventure’s Wine Tastings with his band mates, the Meade Bros. Richard and Greg. Long-time Adventures Board member and fundraiser Mary McGorry is a career mortgage banker totally committed to aiding local families in need. She has leveraged her own experience in the banking business along with an ability to foment interest in Adventures’ events and fundraising efforts. Mary has spent many years as a care coach for the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer. She has been a top producer of home loans at JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and today at M&T Bank. Those who work with her quickly grasp that her strength is in her big heart. Vincent and Paula Chiarucci moved to Manhasset in 2008. Raised in Great Neck, Paula graduated from SUNY Albany and received an MBA from St. John’s University. She later worked in Media/Advertising at Conde Nast, Primedia and then News Corp for such titles as “Vanity Fair,” “Adweek” and many other publications first as a sales assistant, then business manager and eventually associate publisher. Later she moved to Internet Media. Paula joined Google and was a founding Google NYC member. She is a Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer member as both a recipient and later as a 5+ year board member. She is also very involved in the Manhasset SCA and Project Share. Growing up, Vincent worked in

Alzheimer’s Assoc. to host conference The Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting the 2024 Legal and Financial Planning Conference on Saturday, April 6 at the Hilton Long Island in Melville from 9 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. The conference is free and will include breakfast. Speakers include Michael Ettinger, Ronald Fatoullah, Elizabeth Lambert Gullo, Donna Stefans, and Marie Taylor. “As a chapter board member, I am honored to be one of the speakers at the Legal and Financial Planning Conference,” said Marie Taylor. “Changing the public’s attitudes and behavior towards the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on family members is important. It’s an opportunity for me to share awareness on the risk factors, warning signs, the unexpected cost involved and the added burden bestows on our caregivers.” The conference is intended for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, their care partners, and family members. Topics that will be covered include Advanced Directives and Guardianships, Asset Protection and Trusts, Hidden Costs of Caregiving, Institutional Medicaid and Nursing Home Care and Protecting the Family Home. Free Respite care is provided by Home Companion Services with activities by the Long Island

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center (LIADC). “We are so excited for the conference this year,” said Taryn Kutujian, Senior Community Education Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter. “The conference will offer free resources and information that is open to all. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with elder care attorneys, community providers and the Alzheimer’s Association to support you.” To register for the upcoming conference, click hereor call 800.272.3900. To learn more about the Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, visitalz.org/longislandor call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter

Paula and Vincent Chiarucci the family food services business. A Business Management and Finance graduate of Adelphi University, he was a financial analyst with Bank of America’s commercial banking and financial sector. Later, he became a corporate voiceover specialist for AT&T that entailed being the voice of training and procedural presentations for AT&T employees. Vincent has been a Board member of Adventures in Learning since 2016 and a very generous one with his time and talent. Have fun bidding on our Auction and Calendar Raffle. Here are some of the prizes. A Diamond Bezel Solitaire Necklace in 14 K Gold, 0.05 ct.t.w. – 100% Face Value: $950 Be A Schout Bay Tavern Happy Hour “Guest

Bartender. (Think Sam Malone!) You will have a one-hour Happy Hour for you and your guests. 20 people x 2 drinks per hour plus some appetizers for the bar. Face Value: $700 4 Islander Tickets, April 2, 2024 v Chicago. 7:30PM. Section 115. Row 10, Seats 9-12, Dime Club (complimentary food). Includes VIP parking in the silver lot. Face Value: $250/ticket. An Exclusive Private Hibachi Dinner Party at your home with your personal chef preparing a tailored menu of premium foods plus a bottle of Japanese whiskey or sake. Value: $750, plus a bottle of Japanese whiskey: Face Value: $150 Kash for Kids Raffle. Everyone will also have the opportunity to participate in this popular Raffle. Tickets are: $100 each. First prize: $2,500, Second prize: $1,000 Third Prize: $500. Underwriting Opportunities: Diamond $10,000, Platinum $5,000, Gold $2,500, Silver $1,000 and Bronze $500. Underwriters will be publicly recognized. To purchase tickets, raffles, underwriting or to make a donation, please visit the website at www. Adventures-in-Learning.org. Founded over 50 years ago by the Congregational Church in Manhasset, Adventures in Learning is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This after-school program is located on the third floor of the Hagedorn Community Center in the Manhasset/Great Neck EOC building at 65 High Street, Manhasset. Most particularly, it is dedicated to improving the lives of children in Manhasset and Great Neck in need of after-school care and instruction.

Lichtman Foundation gives $10K grant to Guidance Center North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center, Long Island’s leading not-for-profit children’s mental health center, is honored to announce that The Marilyn Lichtman Foundation has donated $10,000 towards supporting the Children’s Center at Nassau County Family Court. The Children’s Center at Nassau Family Court is a program of North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center that offers a place of respite for children whose families have business in court. More than a babysitting service, the Children’s Center is an earlylearning environment that fosters developmental skills through ageappropriate play, activities, and free books for the children to take home. Every aspect of the Children’s Center is designed with kids in mind, allowing them to explore new things in a structured, professionally supervised way. “Many of the organizations we support involve children in many different situations,” said Robert Brull, president of the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation. “As a former investigator, I’ve seen what trauma can fall upon children from court cases, especially cases involving divorce and/or child abuse. Giving a child the ability to feel safe and comfortable while parents or guardians go through the court’s justice system is a positive step in reduc-

ing emotional damage to the child.” Dr. Nellie Taylor-Walthrust, director of the Leeds Place — Serving Young People, expressed immense gratitude towards the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation’s generous donation. “Our goal at the Children’s Center is to keep kids out of the courtroom and provide a safe place for them to grow,” said Taylor-Walthrust. “The Center is free for any family with business at Nassau County Family Court, so this grant will allow us to continue and expand upon this important program. Thank you to Robert and the

Marilyn Lichtman Foundation for caring about our children.” The Marilyn Lichtman Foundation honors the legacy of Marilyn Lichtman through philanthropic contributions to those in need throughout our community, aiming to enhance the lives of future generations. For more information on the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation, visit https://marilynlichtmanfoundation. org/. To learn more about the Guidance Center, visit www.northshorechildguidance.org or call 516-6261971.

Lauren McGowan, Kathy Rivera, Robert Brull, Dr. Nellie TaylorWalthrust, Monica Doyley, and volunteers Ashley Gentiluomo and Alex Breslin

42 The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

Manhasset schools propose staff cuts Continued from Page 1 jobs,” Passi said. “With 75% of the budget made up of staffing costs, we had to make some difficult decisions to achieve a balanced budget.” The district proposed that 4.1 teachers be removed, with decisions based on student enrollment in certain subject areas. Efficiencies in staffing that are proposed include 3.5 teachers on special assignments returning to classrooms. While staffing reductions will take place, the district is proposing the addition of 3 elementary teachers and 2.5 secondary teachers to lower class sizes. The return of the teachers on special assignments would be aiding the addition of classroom teachers, Passi said. Teacher assistants will also be reduced within the proposal. Elementary co-teaching assistants will be reduced to 14 full-time employees, with the current budget allowing for 24. Elementary computer lab and library teaching assistants will be removed entirely, with two full-time employments currently existing for both. The one full-time employment for the secondary library teaching assistant will also be removed. Secondary school departmental teaching assistants will be reduced from five full-time employees to four. Passi said the reductions and full removals of these positions “sadden” the district.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Manhasset Union Free School District is planning for staffing cuts amid rising costs putting financial pressures on the district’s budget next year. The staff reduction constitutes a decrease of $806,842 in expenses or a drop of 0.75% of the budget increase. This also leads to a drop in the related benefits with a drop in health insurance expenses of $251,000. In total, the staff reduction omitted a little

over $1 million in the proposed budget’s expenses. The district’s budget is focused on eight goals: supporting its priority areas, preserving strong academic programs, expanding secondary school academic offerings, maintaining

Town formally rejects mosque expansion Continued from Page 2 But the town had requested demolition to start no later than April 5, with the required application to be filed by March 26 – two weeks earlier than the owner’s contract with the demolition contractor. The attorney asked to have the demolition timeline be pushed out two weeks to meet the ability of the contractor, saying it would not be simple to find a new contractor to fit the town’s timeline. While the board ultimately granted this extension, multiple council members and the building commissioner expressed their grievances and hesitancies to grant it due to the long history of neglect and issues to get any action taken on the property by the owners. Schaufeld assured the board that they intend to carry out the demolition this time, as a majority of the owners are looking to move forward with it now. Under the approved agreement, which was unanimously passed by the board, the owners must file the demolition application by April 15 and begin demolition by April 22. The building

commissioner also requested that all filings be done in person and delivered directly to his office. If the owners fail to comply with the timeline and do not begin demolition by April 22, then the town’s highway department will do the demolition instead. “This is so refreshing to hear that action is going to be taken,” Levine said. The board also confirmed its disapproval of the Hillside Islamic Center’s expansion plan, which the board denied along party lines at a Jan. 30 meeting. The Hillside Islamic Center in New Hyde Park had proposed a plan to enlarge the existing 5,428 square-foot, two-floor mosque by building a three-story, 6,600 square-foot addition. The proposal also included expanding the center’s parking lot onto the three surrounding parcels of land, which the mosque purchased, to provide 63 parking spaces. The expansion was intended to relieve congregation and ease traffic impacts on the neighborhood. The board denied the site plan approval, with Democrat Councilmembers Robert Troiano

and Christine Liu voting against the disapproval and Mariann Dalimonte abstaining. An Article 78 lawsuit challenging the board’s disapproval was filed by the Islamic Center on Feb. 23, alleging that the board “exceeded its power” in denying the application and is unable to “ prohibit a lawful use of property that meets the criteria of Town Code.” The town stated in its decision rendered Tuesday morning that six criteria are evaluated for the site plan consideration, including negative impacts on the health, safety or general welfare of the public and impacts on traffic. The town Republicans cited a “concern for safety” in its rejection of the plan because the center’s Friday services create traffic congestion in the neighborhood. The decision also states that “compelling testimony” from neighbors about the impacts on their quality of life informed their decision. The lawsuit filed by the Islamic Center alleges that the board’s decision was not supported by expert opinion but rather by community opposition, calling its determination “arbitrary, capricious and irrational.”

Beethoven’s 5th turned inside out Continued from Page 2 apequa Philharmonic Orchestra has been Long Island’s premier orchestra, showing worldclass soloists and working closely with Nassau County Museum of Art and Massapequa Public Schools. “I felt very emotional,” oboe player Henry Mulligan said. “I think it’s because how much getting to play again means to me. There were parts of my life where I was moving state-tostate and I was dropping jobs. Most of the or-

chestras that I played for were short-term, but Bernard asked me to come regularly, which no one has really asked me in a long time. With the audience right here, it’s almost like I’m feeling it all over again.” For many attendees, the experience was nothing short of transformative. Beethoven’s No. 5 symphony is known for his “angular sound,” as Bernard described it. He noted that the symphony has a distinctive way of pausing throughout the piece, keeping the

listener guessing what will happen next. While seated among the musicians, each instrument of the orchestra sounded as if they were having a conversation, repeatedly playing the infamous classical motif “Da-Da-Da-Dum” back and forth amongst each other. While listening to excerpts of the four symphonies, one member from the audience commented “It felt like when you’re attending service at synagogue. As the music was playing, I was woken up and put to sleep over and over

and upgrading aging infrastructure, enhancing instructional technologies, bolstering security, maintaining and enhancing social and emotional wellness support and staying within the tax cap. The district proposed a $111,286,207 budget, which is an increase of $3,553,203, or 3.3%, from the current budget. The district’s tax cap is set at a 2.68% increase. The allowable tax growth factor for the district, which is the maximum amount that can be added to the tax levy increase, is set at 0.36%, which Passi said equates to $360,000. Last year it was set at 0.75%. Property taxes are proposed to fund 90% of the next budget. The remainder of the budget will be funded 5% by state aid, 1% by the assigned fund balance and 4% by other revenues. While budgets weigh heavy on the board of education’s meeting Thursday night, it’s not the only thing going on in the district. A new team name is also in the works for the district, with a collection of options proposed by the district’s committee dedicated to the new mascot. The pursuit of a new mascot began after the state’s Board of Regents outlawed schools from using Native Americans as mascots, which included Manhasset. Students voted on the options before the break in February, suggesting additional ones as well, and now the committee is reviewing the results before presenting them to the community for a vote, Passi said. The Manhasset Board of Education will convene again on March on March 21.

Also cited in the decision were inconsistencies and contradictions in the Islamic Center’s testimonies during the hearing process, including the building occupancy, increased traffic and the amount of time congregants spend at the mosque. The lawsuit claims that the town’s decision harms the Islamic Center’s congregation in its ability to use the place of worship. While the Islamic Center is entitled to accommodations due to being a religious organization, the board said in its decision that it does not guarantee approval. “Nonetheless, the law does not mandate that the board approve an application made by a religious institution, as the general presumption that religious institutions are beneficial, and are entitled to accommodation, can be rebutted with evidence of a significant impact on traffic congestion, property values, municipal services and other similar negative impacts,” the board wrote in its decision delivered Tuesday morning. “For all these reasons, and as shown in the testimony and evidence, the Board finds that the size, scale, scope, and design of the Site Plan is incompatible with the community and neighborhood, and the general welfare of the public,” the board wrote in its decision. All three Democrat board members voted against the decision Tuesday morning.

again.” “It’s thrilling as a musician to have immediate feedback,” musical director and instrumentalist Jennifer Trested said. “The piece ends and then people turn to you and tell you how they feel and you don’t have that when you’re playing in a traditional orchestra because the audience is out there.” “The experience of being in an orchestra, having 80 people making music around you is amazing,” Bernard said. “If you haven’t done this, you’re missing out on something really spectacular. You don’t even have to know anything about classical music.”

The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

Manhasset to vote in 5 village elections

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, PUBLIC DOMAIN

Flower Hill Village Hall in the Village of Flower Hill on May 26. Continued from Page 1 Munsey Park A ballot also featuring an election of two incumbent trustees is the Village of Munsey Park. Trustees Regina Im and Gregory LiCalzi Jr. are running for another two-year term on the board. Both joined the board as trustees in 2020. Im and LiCalzi are both running under the Residents for a Better Munsey Park Party, Munsey Park elections will be held from 12-9 p.m. on Tuesday at Munsey Park’s village hall, located at 1777 Northern Blvd. Plandome Four positions will be on the Village of Plandome’s ballot: the mayor and three trustees. Mayor John Kurkjian is seeking to be elected

to his seat, which he was appointed to following former Mayor Thomas S. Minutillo’s resignation in August. Kurkjian was serving as a trustee of the village prior to the appointment. The mayoral election would be for a singleyear term to finish the uncompleted term left by Minutiillo. Damien Quinn assumed the vacated trustee position left by the now-Mayor Kurkjian in August and is seeking to be elected to his seat for a one-year term to finish that uncompleted term. Village Trustees Robert Broderick and James Corcoran are both running to be re-elected for another two-year term on the board. The Village of Plandome’s election will be held from 12-9 p.m. on Tuesday at the village hall, which is located at 65 South Drive.

Plandome Heights The Village of Plandome Heights’ election features a mayor and three trustees on the ballot as well. All elected positions, which are uncontested, are for a two-year term. Mayor Kenneth C. Riscica is running to be re-elected to the position he has held since 2012. Riscica joined the board as a trustee in 2008, saying he decided to serve after his neighbors asked him to bring his business expertise to the village. He said within two years, the village had turned around its deficits into surpluses. He is a 40-year licensed certified public accountant who previously served as a partner at a top international accounting firm and then as chief financial officer of two Nasdaq small-cap companies. He now operates a consulting busi-

Herricks’ proposed tax levy hits cap Continued from Page 3 seven years has been only 1.78%. Tony Sinanis, the Herricks school district superintendent, stressed that board members try to stretch the budget as far they can. “Our per pupil expenditure is the lowest in our region in our comparative districts,” said Sinanis. “And our performance speaks volumes in terms of how we maximize every penny of what we have.” The district’s estimated per pupil spending for 2023-2024 is $31,221 based on the current student enrollment reported by the district. While not the lowest per pupil spending in North Shore Nassau County, it is certainly on the lower side, especially compared to a district like the North Shore school district, which dished out $47,609 per pupil in 2023-2024. As of March 8, the Herricks district has 4,315 students enrolled, according to the district clerk. During the 2022-2023 school year,

4,386 students were enrolled in the district. This represents a slight decline. But board members boasted that Herricks is one of few districts on Long Island receiving an increase in enrollment, which is true in the long term. In a 10-year period from the 2012-2013 school year to the 2022-2023 school year, Herricks saw a 12.8% enrollment increase, according to Newsday. Meanwhile, 76% of Long Island’s 124 school districts faced a decrease in enrollment during that same 10-year period, according to Newsday. After general support spending, the next highest increase in costs is transportation, since the district is proposing the purchase of three buses to replace older buses that are no longer passing safety inspections and have not been in use. Other costs include an increase in instructional costs, mainly because of payroll increases

and the proposed addition of another guidance counselor and a special education teacher at the elementary level. Employee benefits will also be costing the district more because of rising health insurance costs. The budget will also be going toward new history and science textbooks, technology upgrades, capital expenditures like room renovations and playground upgrades and extended security hours after school. Sinanis called back to the budget meeting’s surprisingly exciting start on Thursday, when students began the meeting by passing out popcorn to board members and performing a song and dance on stage. “The collective ‘why’ that ultimately helps us decide what we’re doing is our kids,” said Sinanis. Board members also notified the public that there are two seats on the Herricks district board

ness. Trustees Mary Hauck and Kristina Lobosco, who first took office in 2022, are also running for re-election. Both incumbent trustees highlighted the work they were able to achieve in their first terms in their candidate statements, such as obtaining grants, controlling costs and repaving roads. Hauck is a retired educator who has lived in Manhasset for more than 40 years. Lobosco, who was born in Manhasset, moved to Plandome Heights after two decades in New York City. She said her service on the board represents residents with young children as she has a child in Shelter Rock Elementary School. A newcomer to the village’s election is Eric Carlson, who is running for his first term as trustee. Carlson previously served on the village’s Planning Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals since 2018. Carlson is a lifelong resident of Plandome Heights, who has also raised his own family in the village. He is an attorney working in commercial real estate investment and development. “Simply put, I care deeply about our village and its relevance in the broader Manhasset community, and I’m excited to be a part of shepherding the village in the coming years,” Carlson wrote in his candidate statement. He is seeking to replace Trustee Florence Musalo, who is not running for re-election to the board. All candidates are running under the Alliance Party. Plandome Heights’ election will be held from 12-9 p.m. on Tuesday at its village hall, located at 37 Orchard St. Plandome Manor The Village of Plandome Manor will be hosting an election for two trustees, with incumbents Antonio DeSousa and Patricia O’Neill running uncontested to resume their service on the board for another two-year term. Both trustees are running under the People’s Party. The Village of Plandome Manor elections will be held from 12-9 p.m. on Tuesday at Manor Village Hall, located at 55 Manhasset Ave.

of education that are up for election. Trustee Nancy Feinstein, who has served on the board for 12 years, announced that she is not running for re-election for one of those seats. She said serving as a trustee on the board is a great opportunity for community members. “There is a lot of work involved and if it is something you’re interested in, I highly recommend that you do it,” said Feinstein. “It has been rewarding for me and for my family.” Trustee Brian Hassan announced that he is running for a fifth term on the board of education. He mentioned how nice it was to watch the Center Street School students perform at the start of the meeting. “It’s been a tough couple of days in this district. I’m sure many of you read the paper,” said Hassan. “It was kind of nice to remember what it is all about, serving on the board, and it is about the kids … this is what it’s all about.” The budget will be adopted by the board April 4. The budget vote and trustee election will be held May 21.

44 The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

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Roslyn Kosher to close after 40 years

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NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Notice of Formation of Board Package Expert, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/09/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Lisa Strobing: 1 Shore Avenue #154 Oyster Bay, NY 11771. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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Continued from Page 4 Julie was a research fanatic, going to other stores to catch a glimpse of what they were doing and always looking to improve what she bought. She brought in onion-crusted chicken after spotting it at another butcher, which grew in popularity to be the best-selling chicken at Roslyn Kosher Foods, and perfected the store’s ﬁsh and soup options. Eddie had asked Julie to join the business temporarily to help with the addition of prepared foods. “So he said, ‘Come and work with me for a while, and when we’re all set, then you can go back to looking for whatever [job] you want’ – and she never left,” said Emily. Then it was Emily’s turn. She had been working part-time here and there, employed at a card store for a short time, but was struggling to hold on to a job because of her debilitating migraines. She often had to call out sick from work when hit with a migraine, which would cost Emily her job. “My father came to me and said when his cashier was leaving, ‘I’m gonna make you an oﬀer you can’t refuse,’” said Emily. “‘Instead of cashiering next door, come work for me, because you’ll make a career out of it, you’ll never have to worry about your

migraines and losing a job again.’” With Glady working the register from time to time at the store’s start and Emily’s husband, Vince, handling the bookkeeping in recent years, the store became a true family affair. While many sisters might wince at the thought of spending every day with their sibling, for Emily and Julie it was a blessing. The two were very close, in both age and bond. In fact, seeing each other every day at work wasn’t enough for the Jacobson sisters. “We worked together. We lived together. We had an apartment together that we rented,” said Emily. “Then my father said, ‘Why don’t you think about buying something? You’re throwing your money away renting.’” And they listened. Emily and Julie bought a house together, with Emily living on the slightly smaller upstairs floor and Julie taking the downstairs. What might sound to many like a dreamy promise between two kid sisters didn’t end when Emily got married. Her husband, Vince, moved into the house with the sisters. Emily and Vince took the larger downstairs floor while Julie moved upstairs. It wasn’t until Emily became pregnant with her second child that she decided it was time to split up — although the sisters still lived in the same town.

But in June 2011, Julie died. She was 54 years old. The family was devastated. “The hardest loss is a parent losing a child, which my father did,” said Emily. “But I think the second [most diﬃcult] loss is a sibling, because you know one day your parents are gonna die before you. You just know, basically, that’s the way it goes. But you don’t think of your siblings that way. You think your siblings are gonna be around forever.” The business struggled after Julie’s death. Eddie and Emily were left reeling, and the business wasn’t the same without Julie, who had poured so much of her expertise and hard work into the store. While Emily had never had an inkling that she might run the store, that all changed when her father brought in a potential buyer to take a look at the store soon after the family’s loss. Her ﬁrst thought? How disappointed the loyal store employees would be if the store was sold. “Oh, I’m totally a people pleaser,” said Emily. Perhaps it was the streak of protectiveness she felt about the business, but in that moment, Emily knew that she wanted to continue running the business with her father. When Eddie died in December 2014, it was up to

Emily to keep the store alive. “I was petriﬁed. I’m not a leader in any way, shape or form,” said Emily. “Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.” But maybe Emily just doesn’t know herself as well as she thinks she does. For the next 10 years, she kept Roslyn Kosher Food’s doors open, thanking her husband, Vince, who she called her “rock” during that diﬃcult transitional time. Now, after nearly 40 years with the business, it is time for Emily to take a step back. Roslyn Kosher Foods will be closing its doors on March 15. The stress of the business has become too much for Emily. Costs are rising and customers are waning. Plus, Emily said she never fully recovered from a frightening stay in the intensive care unit in 2020 due to COVID-19. Emily is looking forward to a “quiet life,” in which she can spend more time with her sons, 25-year-old Adam and 23-year-old Michael, and hopefully take a vacation or two. But despite all of the stress, Emily is grateful. “The only thing that I can say is that my favorite thing is that I had the opportunity, now I’m gonna cry, that I had the opportunity to spend all that extra time with my father and my sister,” said Emily. “That’s what this store enabled me to do.”

Joanne’s closes after more than 30 years Continued from Page 8 Rino said his parents always instilled in him the importance of owning property as a business owner, saying “real estate is king.” While Rino and Louis shared a dream of turning the pizzeria into a small franchise, they followed their parents’ guidance and set forth on a mission to buy the building. “I used to beg the landlord to sell me the building, from the day I opened at 23 years old,” said Rino. “She was the nicest woman in the world and when the time came … she called me and offered it to me.” But when that call came, Rino and

Louis were handling three other pizzerias at the time. Rino knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy the building, so he asked his landlord to give him just three months. Rino and Louis sold their other businesses. They liquidated all of their assets. And they bought the building in 2007. Now, Rino and Louis are looking forward to sitting back, collecting rent and enjoying more time with their families. That doesn’t mean it was an easy decision to close the business, though. Staﬃng issues and the rising cost of labor made the business more diﬃcult

to manage financially. The store’s inherent tie to their mother, however, made it difficult to give up. “Once we saw that our passion was no longer there to be in the store all day long, we knew it was time,” said an emotional Rino. “We would’ve done it a few years ago, and we should have done it a few years ago, but, as you can see how I keep breaking [down] and crying, the nostalgia just – it’s very, very difficult to do.” Rino and Louis will miss the customers as well. Rino’s voicemail has been flooded with messages from customers who will miss Joanne’s Gourmet

Pizza for its food, friendship and sense of community. Neighborhood kids who are now all grown up have messaged Rino to thank him for the years spent grabbing a bite at the pizzeria as elementary schoolers. Rino will miss those moments, watching generations pass through his restaurant. “Seeing women come in pregnant 30 years ago, and then seeing that child that was born come in pregnant and then give birth to another child that was being fed our food as some of their ﬁrst bites of food,” said Rino. “Seeing that may be the most rewarding part of it. The people.”

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The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

COMMUNITY NEWS

Crescent Beach fix Sands named by Fortune as nears completion 1 of most admired companies Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) announced the completion of a culvert replacement project at Crescent Beach in Glen Cove – one of the final major components of the remediation project. City of Glen Cove Department of Public Works officials confirmed that, on Feb. 26, a weeklong project to build the culvert was completed, and a strong current tidal exchange visible. The project is part of a comprehensive plan for reopening Crescent Beach, which has been closed for

more than a decade due to bacteria contamination from a nearby estuary. “With this last major step now completed, I truly believe we have exhausted nearly every possibility that has been recommended, and I am hopeful that the beach will be open in the near future,” DeRiggiWhitton said. “This has been a monumental undertaking, and I am thankful to everyone who has remained so focused on this vital project. I am truly looking forward to sharing this hometown gem with a new generation of Glen Cove families.”

Las Vegas Sands has again been named one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies in the news outlet’s 2024 list of the most respected and reputable global businesses, marking the company’s 10th appearance on the list. “Sands’ being included on Fortune’s list is an endorsement of our performance in delivering economic, social and environmental value to our communities, Team Members, investors and customers,” said Patrick Dumont, president and chief operating officer. “Entering 2024 with this recognition demonstrates our ability to successfully navigate change and evolution, while remaining focused on the positive impact we strive to deliver.” After exiting its Las Vegas operations in 2022, Sands has focused on reinvestment in Asia and development of new businesses and geographies. In 2023, the company reaffirmed its commitment to Macao with Sands China’s pledge to invest $3.75 billion in capital and operating projects through 2032 to support Macao’s stature as a global tourism destination. Sands also is focused on continuing to propel Singapore’s growth in international tourism with a $1.75 billion reinvestment program currently underway at Marina Bay Sands. Sands is the largest global developer and operator of world-class integrated resorts. Combining luxury hotel rooms and suites, gaming, stateof-the-art meeting and convention facilities, expansive retail offerings and an array of entertainment attractions, the company’s iconic integrated resorts are premier attractions that draw hundreds of thousands of business and leisure tourists to its regions annually. In each of its regions, Sands is focused on being the employer and partner of choice; keeping its communities strong by making them ideal places to live, work and visit; and minimizing environmental impact by being a leader in preserving natural resources and incorporating sustainable practices. With the goal of achieving measured, ongoing environmental, social and governance progress in these areas, the company established 2021-2025 ambitions to invest $200

million in workforce development, contribute 150,000 volunteer hours to its communities and reduce carbon emissions by 17.5% by the end of the period, mapping to its People, Communities and Planet corporate responsibility pillars. Under the Communities pillar, the company surpassed its 150,000 community service hours at the end of 2022 because of extensive support for pandemic-related initiatives, along with core Sands Cares volunteer efforts. The new 2025 target will be announced in Sands’ next ESG report in spring 2024, along with progress toward all three ambitions. As of 2022 reporting, the company had invested $56 million in workforce development initiatives, bringing its cumulative investment to $113 million since 2021, well past the halfway point. Carbon emissions reduction was at 50%; however, that figure reflected continued pandemic-related impact on property visitation and will be updated in the 2023 ESG report. Sands’ designation on the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies list follows recent recognition on Newsweek’s 2024 America’s Most Responsible Companies list as well as the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices. As in the past, Fortune collaborated with its partner Korn Ferry on this survey of corporate reputations, which began with a universe of about 1,500 candidates: the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, along with non-U.S. companies in Fortune’s Global 500 database that have revenues of $10 billion or more. The assortment was winnowed to the highest-revenue companies in each industry, a total of 660 in 29 countries. The top-rated companies were picked from that pool of 660; the executives who voted work at the companies in that group. To determine the best-regarded companies in 52 industries, Korn Ferry asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent. A company’s score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed. For complete rankings, visitfortune.com.

Town workshop on Problem Gambling Awareness Month teaching the dangers better landscaping North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the town board are pleased to announce that the Town will host a workshop entitled “Landscaping for People and Wildlife” on March 20 at 7 p.m.. The workshop will educate community members on how to provide the basic needs of wildlife like food, water, shelter, and places to raise young, while also creating a beautiful and low-maintenance landscape. Topics covered will include native plants, composting, conserving and protecting water resources, the importance of pollinators and other beneficial insects, stormwater man-

agement and more. “Local wildlife species are critical to the health of our ecosystems, and they have lost much of their habitat to development,” said DeSena. “We have the opportunity to use our home landscapes to give these species the resources they need while simultaneously promoting beauty and relaxation for our residents in their own backyards.” This workshop will be held virtually on Zoom and is free for all, including non-residents, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit NorthHempsteadNY. gov/Sustainability or call 311.

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Did you know that March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month? With the expansion of gambling opportunities in New York State the gambling landscape has drastically changed. This increase in accessibility and availability is putting more people at risk, making the work of raising awareness of problem gambling more important than ever before. Gambling is any activity where a person risks an item of value, such as money or property, on the outcome of an event which is determined mostly by chance in the hopes of a positive outcome. The National Council on Problem Gambling indicated that 60% — 80%of high school students report gambling for money in 2022. Gambling becomes a problem when it gets in the way of work, school or other activities, harms your mental or physical health, hurts you financially, damages your reputation, or causes problems with your family or friends. Simply put, problem gambling is when gambling starts having a negative impact on your life. This impact can lead to gambling disorder or gambling addiction. The consequences can affect one’s mental health, damage relationships, create difficulty at work or school, and lead to financial problems. Problem gambling can affect anyone, at any point

in their lives, and can also affect friends and families of those struggling with their gambling. Often family members worry about loved ones, trying to help financially, and wondering how best to handle the situation. NYCPG provides connections to individualized support including counseling, peer support and referrals to anyone in need. This month, the New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) asks everyone across New York State – individuals, agencies and communities alike – to come together to S.E.E., Support, Educate and Engage to reduce gambling harm. Together we can raise awareness of the issue of problem gambling and get those in need connected to support services in their own community. To find out how you can get involved in problem gambling efforts this month, and all year round, visit NYProblemGambling.org/PGAM. The Problem Gambling Resource Center is a program of the New York Council on Problem Gambling dedicated to addressing the issue of problem gambling within New York State. NYCPG is funded by the NYS Office of Addiction Supports and Services. The vision of the PGRC is the positive transformation of lives harmed by problem gambling. To learn more visit www.NYProblemGamblingHELP.org .

46 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

READERS WRITE

Re-elect Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen and his team

write this letter in support of the re-election of Mayor Ted Rosen, Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia. I am a member of the board of directors of a large co-op located close to the center of the downtown of Great Neck Plaza. Residents of my co-op and other residents on the street on which my co-op is located were concerned

about certain traffic safety issues on our street including speeding, traffic signage and a two way traffic pattern at one end of the otherwise one way street. We reached out to Mayor Rosen. In response, we found Mayor Rosen and the other members of the Village Board, including Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia,to be very responsive and

receptive. They met with us several times on our street and listened to our concerns. As a result of these conversations and meetings, the village retained a traffic engineer to review traffic conditions on the street and to recommend improvements. The village held several public hearing sessions where input from the

community was actively sought by the mayor and the village board. They listened to what the residents said. As a result of all of this, certain traffic safety changes and improvements have been implemented and others are in the process of being implemented. In my opinion, what I described above is an example of excellence in local government. Mayor Rosen, Deputy Mayor

Marksheid and Trustee DeLuccia listened to and acted upon the concerns of residents on an important issue. I will vote to re-elect Mayor Rosen, Deputy Mayor Marksheid and Trustee Michael DeLuccia. Very truly yours, Irving Rosenstein Great Neck

Three Democrats vie for District 7 Senate seat

ith the special election in the rearview, eyes are moving to the state Senate race in District 7, which covers the same swath of the North Shore as CD 3. Anna Kaplan lost the district to Jack Martins in 2022. Now three Democrats have jumped into a primary hoping to challenge Martins. Kim Keiserman is leader of the Port Washington Democratic club and a trustee of Baxter Estates. A first-time candidate, she has proven to be a formidable fund-raiser who has racked up a slew of impressive endorsements

including Robert Zimmerman and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton. Despite her party bona fides, Keiserman bucked the establishment in 2020 when she worked with Melanie D’Arrigo to primary challenge Tom Suozzi from the left. With Suozzi now being the hero of the Democratic party, persuading Democrats and independents who support Suozzi to trust her could be challenging since she is running in a district that exists entirely within Suozzi’s CD 3 turf. Josh Lafazan is a former Nassau County legislator from Syosset. His foray into politics began at the age of

18 when he was elected to the Syosset School Board. Lafazan has recently run back-to-back campaigns for CD 3. In 2022, he came in third in the Democratic primary. In January 2023, he jumped back into the CD 3 race after the initial revelations of Santos’ lying scandal surfaced. Lafazan dropped his second bid for Congress after losing his county legislative seat in November. While Lafazan is a known quantity in Nassau politics and has a higher profile than his opponents, voters might be suffering candidate fatigue from his four successive campaigns

over 2.5 years. His history of running on the Conservative Party line might also be a hard sell to the Democratic primary voters. Losing another race at this point could be a permanent blow to his political future. Brad Schwartz is a Roslyn native who ran for the District 7 seat in 2018 but stepped out of the race prior to the primary with Anna Kaplan. Schwartz is a former television editor and producer with a doctorate degree in public policy. He had a long struggle with Lyme Disease that motivated his interest in fixing healthcare and govern-

ment. As of the last filing his committee had raised $116K, slightly less than Keiserman ($128K) but more than Lafazan ($56K). In 2018, Schwartz had grassroots support and some notable endorsements including Assemblyman Chuck Lavine. But the Nassau Democratic Party leadership chose to back Kaplan instead. If the party endorses one of his primary opponents again this time around, it could be another uphill fight for Schwartz. Andrea Levine Port Washington

Re-elect Great Neck Plaza team led by Ted Rosen

write this letter in support of Ted Rosen for re-election as mayor of the Village of Great Neck Plaza. I have known Ted for more than 30 years. We are backyard neighbors and I know him to be a hardworking, dedicated public servant. Ted and his running mates, Pam Marksheid and Michael DeLuccia, have all worked to make our village a better place and their effort really shows. Pam

is a deputy mayor and has been a trustee for a number of years and Michael is a trustee and had previously served the village for several years as the chairman of the Village’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Among the accomplishments of Ted and his team are lowering the general village tax rate by 3.5%, and facilitating the opening of 46 new businesses in the Plaza since 2022. A walk down Middle Neck Road reflects fewer empty spaces

and an added vibrancy to our village. And those new businesses are only those that needed a conditional use permit to open; others not requiring a permit have opened as well. The hard work of Ted, Pam, and Michael is not only directed to new businesses, but they have worked with Hofstra University to provide course instruction to existing Plaza merchants at no cost to them, helping them acquire

important knowledge and skills, such as social media marketing techniques, that will assist them in running their businesses more successfully. They have obtained grant funds to improve lights, signs and awnings in some downtown stores in an effort to upgrade our downtown to make it an even more attractive place to visit and in which to shop. And they have worked closely with the Business Improvement District to provide

promotions for merchants and summer promenades and other programs. In short, Ted Rosen, Pan Marksheid, and Michael DeLuccia have worked hard to make Great Neck Plaza a better place for us all, and I will be voting for them on Election Day and I ask my fellow residents of the Plaza to do the same. Susan Yellin Great Neck

Why I am running for trustee in East Williston

y name is Rushi Vaidya and I am running for the office of village trustee in East Williston on March 19. While I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you while out campaigning, I am writing to introduce myself to everyone I haven’t yet had the opportunity to meet. In 2022, my wife and I moved to East Williston with our 2-year-old son. Last year, I joined the East Williston Fire Department as a volunteer in order to give back to our community. Giving back and being an active member of the community is important to our family. As someone who grew up in Queens, I got excited when listening to my wife, Elise, talk about her childhood here in East Williston, and what it was like to be a part of a small, tight-knit community. My father-in-law, Robert Campagna, who was the building inspector in the

village for over 20 years, shared wonderful stories about the history of East Williston and his experiences raising his family here. When we had the opportunity to buy our house, Elise and I were excited to create our own memories here and become involved in the community in our own way. Living here for the past few years and getting involved as a volunteer with the Fire Department, I have felt the sense of community and connection that I had heard so much about. When the opportunity arose for me to run for trustee, I saw it as a chance to not only contribute and give back to a community that has welcomed us, but to also help enhance the community spirit and unique charm that East Williston can offer for future generations. I am a project manager advising a Fortune 500 company in the construc-

tion of their new East Coast headquarters in Manhattan, and I have advanced degrees in mechanical engineering and business. I believe that my experience and education will enable me to help the village achieve successful results for planned projects and navigate unforeseen challenges. I have over 10 years of experience overseeing multimillion-dollar projects, leading initiatives beyond the scope of my job title, and understanding the needs of stakeholders at all levels while communicating effectively to accomplish common goals. My primary hope in running for trustee is to find ways to make it easier for village residents to be involved in their local government. As working parents of a toddler, Elise and I know firsthand how difficult it can be to stay involved, participate at board meetings, and keep on top of everything happening locally. If I am elected as

a village trustee, I will look for more ways to make our local government more approachable for all residents, young and old, new and deep-rooted, so that everyone can feel connected and kept informed of decisions that may affect their lives and wallets, and feel motivated to get involved. Everyone is busy, but that should not stop people from being able to take part in important decisions. I will make sure I am available to all residents, and receptive to the many viewpoints that make up our small village. East Williston has an exciting mix of residents who have lived here their entire lives, and new residents who have moved here for the great schools and amazing traditions that have made our village so unique. This mix of institutional and historic perspectives, mixed with new voices and ideas, can help the village keep

traditions alive while embracing the changing lives and needs of our residents. I strive to be a conduit for all voices if elected to the Board of Trustees. I would appreciate your vote for Village Trustee on Tuesday, March 19, but most of all, I hope to see each and every one of you at the polls taking part in our local government and making your voices heard. Voting will take place at the Village Hall (2 Prospect Street) between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 19. Please reach out to me directly if you want to know more and connect. My email address is r.vaidya.ew@gmail. com. Rushi Vaidya Candidate for East Williston Village Trustee Continued on Page 49

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Why I hope to be re-elected East Williston village justice

am proud of the village in which I live and have sought to serve our community since I settled in East Williston with my wife and two children in 1999. It is therefore my distinct honor and privilege to run for re-election to serve as your village justice for a second term. I ask for your support, and your vote, on Tuesday, March 19, from 12 noon to 9 p.m. at the East Williston Village Hall. Since 2020, I have faithfully served as the East Williston village justice. During the past four years, I have fairly balanced the rights of individuals and the needs of the community while striving to uphold our village Laws. From 2008 through 2020, I served our community as both the appointed acting and associate Village Justice. From 2004 through 2008, I served on the East Williston Board of Zoning Appeals where I weighed residents’ applications for various zoning variances with due care and deliberation. While on the Zoning

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Ex- Schechter I CFO found guilty LIST YOUR LOCAL SERVICES HERE.

Continued from Page 35 Lightstone said Ostrove used school funds to make upgrades to the properties, raking in more than $600,000 in rental income between 2018 and 2022. Ostrove also purchased with school funds a $15,000 baseball card, $10,000 coin set and $8,000 Olympic gold metal, according to investigators. Prosecutors said Ostrove ﬁrst stole money from the school on March 24, 2014, when he moved $33,000 from his personal PayPal to a Bank of America account. The next day, Ostrove used $29,500 to buy a 1965 Ford Mustang, later purchasing a $55,000 Mercedes-Benz SUV for his wife and a $47,000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan for his daughter, according to court records. A month after Bean ﬁrst approached Ostrove, Ostrove was suspended from his job as

chief financial and technology CALL: offi cer and director of opera516.307.1045 tions atEXT. the school, 218said Bean. Ostrove was arrested in July 2022. Ostrove could be seen removing binders from the school business office in surveillance videos played at the trial, binders that were set to be reviewed by investigators the next day. These videos were filmed more than a week after Ostrove’s suspension. After being made aware of the investigation, Ostrove transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars into a school account, according to Lightstone. The Schechter School has accused Ostrove of stealing $11.7 million from the school in a separate civil claim filed in January. The school is seeking monetary damages of more than $35 million, according to a school notice.

Visit us at www.theisland360.com

Board, I fairly balanced the letter and spirit of our Village Code while understandably taking into account both the needs of homeowners together with the concerns of neighbors. As a practicing attorney since 1991, I have dedicated myself to helping people rather than protecting corporate interests. With 33 years of courtroom and trial experience, I have successfully represented people before the courts of the State of New York and the local federal district Courts. Prior to my admission to practice law, from 1983 through 1987, I worked in Albany as a legislative assistant to the New York State Assembly deputy majority leader where my duties included drafting legislation to protect the rights of the disabled. I am admitted to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as in New York State courts, New Jersey State courts, the district courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in 1985 from Queens College — CUNY with a joint major in Political Science and Communications. I was awarded my Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in 1990. From 2013 through 2019, I lectured at the St. John’s University School of Law Continuing Legal Education program. I am a member of the American Association for Justice, the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Magistrates Association and the Nassau County Magistrates Association. With my education, legal experience and years of dedicated service to our village, I am well qualiﬁed to continue to serve our community as your village justice. Thank you for your support. Emil L. Samuels East Williston

Re-elect Ted Rosen based on record as mayor

write this letter in support of Ted Rosen, who is running for re-election as mayor of the Village of Great Neck Plaza. As a resident of the village and an attorney whose oﬃce is located in the village, the choice of who will be our mayor is very important to me. I believe strongly that Ted Rosen should be re-elected mayor. I have known Ted for more than 14 years. I am the president of my co-op, and ﬁrst met Ted when I appeared before the Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees to

make an application on behalf of my coop. In connection with that appearance, it was my opinion that Ted and his fellow board members were very professional and focused on ﬁnding the speciﬁc information and facts they needed to make the right decision with respect to the application. Ted and his colleagues were polite and treated me with respect and courtesy. As I have gotten to know Ted over the past several years, I have seen that Ted is an intelligent, hardworking individual

who seeks to do what he believes to be best for the Village of Great Neck Plaza. Ted is very open to new ideas, plans and suggestions. He sincerely wants to make the Plaza an even better place in which to live and work. I urge all those who live in the Plaza to please vote to re-elect Ted Rosen as mayor of the Village of Great Neck Plaza. Robert Wechsler Great Neck

A vote for integrity and kindness in East Williston

s the March Village election approaches, I want to reﬂect on the values that deﬁne our beloved East Williston and take this opportunity to write about Justice Emil Samuels, whose kindness, dedication, and integrity truly embody the essence of East Williston’s spirit. These qualities also set him apart as the ideal candidate for Village Justice. I had the privilege of meeting Justice Emil Samuels during a time when the challenges of the pandemic reshaped our daily lives, tested our capacity for empathy and understanding, and created uncertainty and division. It didn’t take me long to see that

despite the obstacles, Justice Samuels remained a steadfast beacon of compassion and goodwill. His genuine concern for others was evident in his daily interactions, from simple greetings on the train platform to oﬀering assistance and advice to neighbors without hesitation. As a resident of East Williston since 1999, Justice Samuels has publicly served this community under several capacities including member of the Zoning Board, Acting Village Justice, Associate Village Justice, and most recently, Village Justice. With over 33 years of experience as a trial attorney, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding

of our local community and its unique needs to the role of Village Justice. His expertise ensures that he is well equipped to preside over our village court with competence and professionalism. It is with great pleasure and conﬁdence that I oﬀer my full support for Justice Emil Samuels to continue his role as Village Justice. In a time when empathy and compassion are needed more than ever, Justice Samuels’ leadership serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and humanity in public services. Ngoc Cong East Williston

50 Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

SPORTS WWW.THEISLAND360.COM

BY M I C H A E L J . L E W I S The phrase is said over and over by the Chaminade High School boys basketball coaches, at practice, during games, and in the hallways at school. “Figure it out.” It’s a three-word mantra that applies to everything. Having trouble with a subject in school? Figure it out. Can’t understand why your jump shot has taken a walkabout? Figure it out. Every problem you have, you have the power to find a solution. “In every situation in life, you can feel sorry for yourself that you’re in this predicament, or you can figure it out,” head coach Dan Feeney said. “And our guys know that we always expect them to figure it out, and they usually do.” No Flyers team since 2003 had been able to figure out how to win a Catholic High School Athletic Association state championship. But the 2023-24 team just did, and in the most dramatic way possible. Erasing an eight-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation, then coming back from five down in the first overtime, Chaminade’s balanced attack outlasted Buffalo’s Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School Saturday afternoon at Hofstra, 88-84. Senior Kam Elliott’s three-point shot from the left corner was the final blow, giving the Flyers (20-7) a fourpoint lead with :32 left in overtime; Elliott then drained the game-clinching free throws with 11 ticks left, and Chaminade could finally exhale, as the hundreds of students and supporters at the game went wild. The school known mostly for lacrosse excellence has shown it’s pretty good at indoor sports, too. “It was surreal, like, the buzzer went off and I couldn’t believe the game was really, finally over,” Elliott said. “Just knowing after four years of hard work, all the drills and all the practices preparing for the moments like (Saturday), it’s just incredible to do this, with my brothers.” Chaminade certainly didn’t make things easy on itself Saturday against the Tigers, who beat the Flyers in the state semis a year ago. After grabbing a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter, the Flyers suddenly got cold from the floor while Bishop Timon heated up. With but 2:04 left in the fourth quarter, Chaminade found itself down eight, and it looked like the state crown drought would continue. “We practice these situations all the time, though, all through the year,” said senior Joe Knaus, who drilled seven 3-pointers Saturday for a Chaminade-high 25 points. “Coach puts us in situations like ‘down 6, 1 minute to go,’ or ‘up 4, they’ve got the ball, 45 seconds left.’’ Whatever situation we’re in in the game, we’ve practiced it.”

That practice came in very handy. Senior Devin Dillon made a driving layup to cut the deﬁcit to 66-60, then after a stop the Flyers got a layup from sophomore Kyle Dillon, Devin’s brother and the point guard (12 points, nine assists Saturday). Then Chaminade’s pressure defense started to get to a fatigued Bishop Timon, who’d had to play their semiﬁnal only one night earlier (Chaminade had three days rest before the title game). A steal led to two missed Chaminade free throws, but the Flyers grabbed the rebound and Knaus was fouled on a 3-pointer with 1:00 left. He sank two of them, and suddenly it was a one-possession game. Chaminade completed the improbable rally when the Tigers turned it over

“It was surreal, like, the buzzer went off and I couldn’t believe the game was really, ﬁnally over.”

— Kam Elliott

SENIOR, CHAMINADE HIGH SCHOOL

PHOTO BY MICHAEL FORESTO/ELEMENT MEDIA

Chaminade junior Ricky Gunther, center, scored 22 points and added eight rebounds in Chaminade’s 88-84 win at Hofstra on Saturday.

Chaminade High boys win Catholic School state basketball championship

and junior Ricky Gunther delivered a sweet pass to Kyle Dillon for a layup with :21 left. “Kyle doesn’t play like a sophomore at all; that kid is so mature and is so tough,” Elliott said. In overtime, Chaminade again battled back from a deficit, and Gunther tied the game at 77 with :21 left in the first OT with a perfect 3-pointer from the right side. Finally, in double overtime, Chaminade was able to finish off Bishop Timon, with Elliott’s 3-pointer, and subsequent free throws, clinching a celebration that was 21 years in the making. “I love that kid so much,” Knaus said of Elliott. “We’ve been playing together since we were little kids, and when he shot that (last shot), I was already running back on defense. I knew it was going in.” For Feeney, the fifth-year coach, the title was validation for his players and his program. “We take pride in everything we do, and we always say you want to leave a place better than how you found it, no matter what it is,” Feeney said. “To have hundreds of our former players, students, all of these people who’ve been texting congrats or coming out to support us, it means a lot. “To co-exist in a world with these amazing kids, it means so much to me.”

Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 15, 2024

PHOTO BY ROSLYN H.S.

Roslyn High School junior Zach Davidson soared to third place in the pole vault at the indoor state championships on March 2.

Excelling statewide in track and field BY M I C H A E L J . L E W I S So much of success in sports is because of luck, and a person being in the right place at the right time. And don’t forget the “cool” factor; that can be the difference between a high school athlete never trying a sport, and one day being one of the Top 3 in the state at it. Zach Davidson came out for the Roslyn track and field team as a freshman and, like many kids encountering the sport for the first time, wasn’t sure which event he’d like to do and be good at. He tried hurdles, triple jump, sprinting, all of it was nice, but none of it really spoke to him. Then he experimented with the pole vault, and he became hooked. “It was just so much fun, getting to go through the air like that,” Davidson said the other day. “I figured that was the (event) for me.” Two years later, Davidson clearly made the right choice. Despite his school not having a pole vaulting pit the past two years, the junior has become one of the best in the state. On March 2 at the New York State indoor meet on Staten Island, Davidson soared 14 feet,

Despite his [Zach Davidson] school not having a pole vaulting pit the past two years, the junior has become one of the best in the state.

9 inches in the pole vault and finished third, getting his personal record in the process. “He’s great because if you tell him to do one little adjustment, he’ll make it right away,” said Roslyn coach Kristen Hamilton. “We saw as a freshman he was very bouncy, had really good spring and body control, and so we thought he had a chance to be good at vaulting.” Davidson said he was greatly benefited by the new Roslyn track and field complex that opened this year, as he finally had a place to ful-

ly practice. The past two years he’d go to other schools to practice and get his reps in at meets. That helped him move from 14th at states in 2023 to a medalist this year. “Just having been there before made my nerves be not as bad,” Davidson said. “I knew I had a shot at Top 5, and I really wanted 15 (feet), but by the time I got to try 15 I was just exhausted.” Davidson’s terrific meet was just one of several outstanding performances by area athletes at states. Great Neck South’s Isabella Spagnoli, who has competed at states the past two years in both indoor and outdoor seasons, finished eighth in the 3,000 meters in 9:59.85. It was the highest state finish for the junior. “My coach knew that if I ran the race right, I had a spot on the podium,” Spagnoli said. “And there were a ton of really good girls in my heat, because that pushed me to go faster. I was really, really happy with my time.” Spagnoli was thrilled to break minutes and get her first state track medal. “It was definitely a goal of mine, and I am really so happy I finally did it,” Spagnoli said. “And I think I can go a lot faster outdoors.” Also going pretty fast indoors was the Manhasset boys 4×800 relay team, which set a

new school record and finished second, with a time of 7:56.38. John Hogan, Cole Thalheimer, Kenneth Lee and Ryan Boldi finished just three seconds behind winner Saratoga Springs. Port Washington sophomore Samantha Benson-Tyler continued to excel in the racewalk competition, grabbing fourth place in the state meet with a 6:59.51, a new person record. And in the girls triple jump, Port Washington’s Bella Lucas again soared to new heights, as she finished seventh, leaping 37 feet, 7.5 inches. Lucas, a junior, said she’s still not fully recovered from a badly-sprained ankle suffered during fall volleyball season, was thrilled to place after being seeded 15th coming in. Her distance was also a personal best, breaking a school record set back in 2000 by Port Washington track legend Nicole Dumpson. Lucas said she had an even better jump, over 38 feet, but just scratched with her foot over the line. Still, breaking a record that’s been around a quarter-century was a huge accomplishment. “That record has been around a long time and it was definitely a goal to try to break it,” Lucas said. “My nerves had really gotten to me the last time at states, but this time I felt really relaxed and ready to go.”

52 The Manhasset Times, Friday, March 15, 2024

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