Floral Park Villager (2/20/26)

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SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR

D ISTRICT M USIC F ESTIVAL

The Sewanhaka District Festival Chorus performed at the District Music Festival on February 5th. See page 6.

Sewanhaka District's Careers Cafe connects students, businesses

BY RIKKI MASSAND

Local businesses and service providers will participate in an interactive event aimed at supporting both current students in their career paths and the local economy’s future.

Lorraine Knoblauch is the work-based learning coordi-

nator for the Sewanhaka High School District, assisting and guiding Career and Technical Education students. Knoblauch detailed an upcoming “Careers Cafe” day, set for Tuesday morning, March 10th, featuring professions and careers aligned with Sewanhaka’s nine “path-

ways” – Career & Technical Education (CTE), including New York State-certified programs in which students earn licenses and certifications before or upon high school graduation. The program will run for two and a half hours that morning

See page 2

Grant projects announced at FPB Schools

BY KASSARA MCELROY

Five new grant-funded projects are coming to Floral Park-Bellerose schools, district officials announced at the February Board of Education meeting.

Representatives from the Floral Park Bellrose Education Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports educational opportunities across both district schools, presented a large ceremonial-style check while outlining the newly approved projects, intended to benefit “all students across both district buildings and all grade levels.”

The projects focus on active math learning, life sciences, writing, and sensory enrichment, and were developed over the past year in collaboration with district administrators and staff.

The meeting then turned to continued discussion of the first draft of the proposed 202627 budget.

Christine Kim, assistant superintendent for business, kicked off the presentation by reminding the community that, “The budget remains a working document and will be

refined as updated state aid figures, enrollment projections, and staffing needs are finalized between now and the spring.”

Approximately 70% of district funding comes from local sources, including the tax levy and payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), while about 24% comes from state aid. The remaining 6% is generated through other sources such as community services, health services, interest earnings, and fund balance.

Kim addressed common misconceptions about New York State’s tax levy limit, explaining that the state does not impose a strict 2% tax cap but instead uses a formula that includes a 2% growth factor among other adjustments. If a proposed levy is at or below the calculated limit, the budget requires a simple majority vote to pass; if it exceeds the limit, a 60% supermajority is required.

She also noted that an increase in the district’s tax levy does not necessarily result in an identical increase to an individual homeowner’s tax bill, as assessments and other municipal factors also influ-

See page 2

Careers Cafe connects students, businesses

From page 1

(8 to 10:30 a.m.), providing senior-year students across multiple programs the chance to explore their next steps.

“We are inviting our local businesses to come in and speak with the kids during our Careers Cafe, and they can receive training in an ‘Elevator Interview’ – the kids will learn and adjust to what it’s like speaking with professionals and managers in the areas and fields of the jobs they would be applying for,” she noted.

Representatives will rotate in at Sewanhaka HS, with each CTE class divided into three sections, and a halfhour “Q & A” per section. Businesses will share real-world experiences with students about how they recruit and what students need to do to prepare for jobs in their fields.

“For example, we have students gaining their medical assistant certifications while in high school, we want to welcome professionals like physical therapists, pharmacists, optometrists and dentists to speak with them. And for architecture and buildings, we have staff from the Village of Floral Park DPW and Building Department coming, as well as Bobby K Architects from Bellerose,” she said.

Careers highlighted at the March 10th event include construction, with the Local 15 Carpenters’ Union and the Local 45 Operating Engineers’ Union; cosmetology, with salon stylists, beauticians and other professional service providers; and culinary arts, presented by the Inn at New Hyde Park and Plattduetsche Park. Knoblauch is also looking to invite more local automotive sector businesses, from dealerships to repair shops, mechanics and parts installers.

For senior-year students, meeting people who work in the field locally could provide a boost, as some careers

require further training and education, either in trade school or community college, to specialize.

“Some of the things the kids can consider from that interaction is following from their program to the next steps –where they could see themselves within five years, and how they are able to reinvest in the community that fosters the education they’re receiving,” Knoblauch explained.

Automotive Technology students may meet potential employers or hear from professionals who took immediate post-high school career paths. Knoblauch noted that Suffolk County Community College offers programs to earn certifications to work as mechanics for Toyota, Honda and Acura. “Either way the Careers Cafe is a plus – whether a student is going to further training for the industry, like we have students who want to become diesel mechanics, or if they will be entering the workforce after school. We are introducing it to our seniors at this point, with businesses committed to sharing info on jobs or outcomes,” she said.

Beginning with her attendance at the Floral Park Chamber’s “Back to Business” meeting last September, Knoblauch has consistently shared information and details with local business owners.

She stated a goal of becoming part of the business community, “to help foster the future for all students in our five high schools.”

“While I don’t have the honor of living in Floral Park, I love working here in the village! We know the district has an unbelievable amount of talent and we want to really be able to showcase this in everything we’re working towards. That way, in the years ahead the local students do not wind up being filtered into another community as

See page 11

Grant projects announced at FPB Schools

From page 1

ence total taxes.

Total proposed state aid for 2026-27 is currently estimated at $11,006,441, representing an approximately 12% increase from the current year. Foundation aid is expected to increase, while transportation aid is projected to decrease by approximately $152,000. Universal Pre-K funding, which is federally supported and separate from the district’s general operating aid, is projected at approximately $1.34 million.

Administrators said balancing rising costs with levy limitations remains an ongoing challenge. Salaries and benefits account for approximately 80% of district expenditures, with additional costs including special education, facilities, instructional programs, debt service, and transportation.

The district operates 18 buses and vans, transporting more than 1,000 students daily to 10 public and private schools. As the fleet ages, maintenance costs are expected to increase, not to mention the state mandate requiring districts to transition to electric buses

by 2035. Electric buses are estimated to cost between $280,000 and $400,000 each, requiring significant long-term planning.

During public comment, a resident raised safety concerns about snow clearance following the recent winter storm. They also referenced national school board governance standards in questioning the district’s communication procedures.

Board members reiterated policy directing community concerns through the superintendent’s office, not through the board directly, as part of the established chain of communication that they will “continue to follow.” Administrators thanked the speaker for the comments and emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue.

A second draft of the proposed budget with updated figures is expected at the March 6 Board of Education meeting, following further review of staffing levels, enrollment data, and mandated services projections. Community members are encouraged to attend upcoming meetings to remain informed and engaged in district decision-making.

Prostitution arrests in Floral Park

The Nassau County Police Narcotics Vice Squad arrested two Queens women for prostitution and performing illegal massages at a location on Jericho Turnpike in Floral Park on Thursday, February 12.

According to detectives, an investigation was conducted at Princess Cut Spa located at 362 Jericho Turnpike. Police say  that illegal massages and prostitution were taking place at this location and

arrested Diana Sonza Munoz, 37, of Rego Park and Milagros Feliciano Huaman, 44, of East Elmhurst. Huaman was charged with Prostitution and Unauthorized Practice of a Profession and Diana Sonza Munoz was charged with Prostitution and Unauthorized Practice of a Profession. She was taken into custody by US Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Park-Bellerose School third graders in Amanda

Councilman

Floral Park-Bellerose School students designed and personalized heartfelt cards to thank the men and women who have served the nation as part of the Town of Hempstead’s annual “Valentines for

Veterans” initiative.

On Feb. 11, Councilman Thomas E. Muscarella stopped by the school to collect the cards, which will be distributed to veterans throughout the local community.

Calm and Confident Club members speak to classes

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Floral Park-Bellerose School students in the Calm and Confident Club recently visited pre-K and kindergarten classrooms to share an engaging lesson on growth mindset.

During their visit, they explained what a growth mindset looks like in action: studying, training, asking questions and setting goals. They encouraged students to reframe challenges with the powerful reminder: “I can’t do that yet, but I can learn.” Club members also talked about how it’s completely natural to feel disappointed when something doesn’t work out the first time and how those moments help us grow. They highlighted the differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, helping students understand how their thoughts can shape their success.

The lesson wrapped up with a creative activity, as pre-K and kindergarten students colored artwork featuring positive growth mindset messages such as “I believe in me!” “I am a problem

The messages focused on helping children think about challenges.

solver” and “I love a challenge.”

The Calm and Confident Club plans to meet with third grade classes to discuss feelings and emotions on Feb. 26.

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& Strom handles Village appeals while most other tax consultants do not.

Chances are, your neighbors are already saving on their taxes with Schroder & Strom. The Tax Grievance deadline is March 31, 2026. Start saving today. Go to nytaxreview.com and complete the Resi dential P rofile Form OR call us at (516) 742-7430.

Sewanhaka Music Festival showcases musicians and artists

Student creativity and musicianship took center stage at the 63rd annual Sewanhaka District Music Festival and Art Exhibit, hosted at Sewanhaka High School on Feb. 5. The annual celebration brings together talented performers and artists from all five school buildings for an evening that showcases both visual and performing arts.

A total of 186 student-musicians earned their place in the festival’s band, chorus and orchestra through auditions. In addition, more than 250

student-artists from across the district displayed their work throughout the main lobby and hallways, transforming the space into a vibrant gallery that welcomed guests with an array of imaginative and expressive pieces.

The evening opened with the District Festival Orchestra, led by guest conductor Hahnsol Kim, delivering an engaging program that included selections from “Romeo and Juliet,” themes from “Piano Concerto No. 2,” “We Are the Champions” and the triumphant

finale of “Symphony No. 5.”

The District Festival Chorus, under the direction of guest conductor James Ludwig, impressed the audience with expressive performances of “The Cuckoo,” “Wanting Memories,” “Across the Universe” and “Run, Mary, Run.”

The celebration concluded with the District Festival Band, under the direction of guest conductor Richard Fields, whose energetic set featured “Summit,” “Russian Sailors Dance,” “Novena” and “The Country

Club Stomp.”

Each year, the festival recognizes an individual whose dedication has made a lasting impact on the district and school communities. This year’s honoree is retired Superintendent of Schools Warren A. Meierdiercks, a proud Elmont native and Sewanhaka High School graduate whose leadership and commitment have left a meaningful legacy.

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Fibromyalgia - The Invisible Illness

You wake up some days and can’t get out of bed.

Most evenings the pain is so intense you can’t even make dinner for your family.

The exhaustion takes over and covers you like a heavy blanket.

And of course, depression hits: you can’t clean your house or play with your kids.

You wonder if you’re any good to anybody like this.

This is life with Fibromyalgia.

And it was everyday life for Kelly C. of Westbury, NY. “I would spend my days in bed as the pain traveled to different parts of my body. Often it would feel as though there were bugs scurrying under my skin, a sensation I wish on no one. Look, I knew my family needed me, and it was devastating to disappoint them day after day because I didn’t feel well,” shares Kelly.

Fibromyalgia is a complicated and chronic condition that disrupts the lives of over 4 million people in the U.S. because of inconsistent and allencompassing symptoms, fibromyalgia remains one of the most difficult conditions to diagnose and treat. Ultimately, it becomes a diagnosis of exclusion. Scans show nothing, tests come back inconclusive, and your questions don’t have answers so the doctors diagnose you with “fibro”. A majority of practitioners will recommend anti-inflammatory diets increasing you take of magnesium, or prescribe

prescription medications that come with a slew of uncomfortable side effects. All of these are band-aids, masking the symptoms rather than fixing them.

“All the doctors and specialists I met with couldn’t offer me a real solution. Some even had the audacity to tell me that my pain was all in my head. I had never felt so defeated and disrespected. I started doing my own researchreading articles that told me to go gluten-free and eliminate toxins, even in my face wash. I did all of it and didn’t find any relief. However, I was having such a hard time focusing and concentrating. I’m not entirely confident in anything I did.”

Kelly’s story is not uncommon amongst those suffering from fibromyalgia. The pain is inconsistent and unrelenting, causing debilitating chronic fatigue and brain fog, something the afflicted not-so affectionately refer to as ‘fibro fog.’

the staff at Westbury Acupuncture have a 90% success rate in treating Fibromyalgia?

There are a few suggested causes for fibromyalgia including genetics, infections, and physical trauma, but so much about this disease is still so unknown that it has been dubbed the ‘invisible illness.’

Until now!

“I saw something on the local newspaper featuring licensed acupuncturist, Jae Won and his work with fibromyalgia.

At this point, I was willing to try anything. And thank God I did. Going to his acupuncture clinic has allowed me to go from surviving to truly thriving!” Kelly exclaims. “Since starting treatment, I went from not being able to cook dinner for my family to cooking for my daughter’s entire graduation party and playing slip-n-slide with two dozen teenagers. I was even able to go visit my mother for the first time in two years! Before I was unable to make the ride because it put me in too much pain. I even hugged her!”

And why do Jae Won and

Jae Won shares all. “In addition to acupuncture, which has been used to treat pain for thousands of years, we use ATP Resonance BioTherapy. It’s a cutting edge technology that targets specific tissues in the body. It then reprograms them for optimal performance. We have protocols for a myriad of chronic conditions from neuropathy to tendonitis. We can even target the pain and inflammation caused by fibromyalgia.”

It’s in combining his experience, the time-tested science of acupuncture, and modern medical solutions like ATP Resonance BioTherapy that Westbury Acupuncture is giving much needed relief to those suffering with fibromyalgia and other complicated, chronic conditions.

Because Jae Won designs very personalized treatment programs for each of his patients, an initial consultation is required in order to receive treatment.

For a limited time the cost of that consult is free. Visit WestburyAcupuncture.com to learn more or call (516)500-8281 to schedule today.

February 20, 2026

Celebrating Jack London’s 150th is Special Delight in Visiting Sonoma County, California, This Year

BY

KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

A major highlight in visiting Sonoma County this year takes place at one of my favorite places: Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen: the celebration of 150th anniversary of novelist Jack London’s birth, with a full year of public programming and special events.

Planned events through 2026 include a quarterly speaker series featuring scholars and London’s great-granddaughter, a “Call of the Wild Day” family celebration with art, music, and guided walks, and gala events. The program also introduces new offerings such as an online “Around the World on the Jack London Trail” guide and themed trail challenges to highlight London’s global travels and local legacy. This yearlong initiative aims to blend heritage interpretation with immersive tourism experiences in a beautiful, hike-friendly setting at a California state park.

I am lucky to visit the state park on Jack London’s actual birthday (admission free that day!), and visit the cottage he lived in while he and his wife, Charmian, were building that grand Wolf House, the stunning and dramatic stone mansion that tragically burned down just before they would have moved in, but you can visit the spectacular ruins. The cottage – amazingly modest for such a successful writer - is filled with original furnishings and artifacts and photos - you even see the fireproof safe where he stored his manuscripts. The cottage gives you such an intimate window

Visiting Jack London’s cottage at Jack London State Historic Park gives intimate insight into the iconic novelist during the 150th anniversary of his birth © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

into the man – you see his office, but it is the tiny porch room with a simple cot where he slept and worked – and get a peek at his personality and idiosyncrasies (like how he liked to play practical jokes on his guests, who slept in a separate building).

After touring the cottage, I took one of the many hiking trails – this one to the small “lake” Jack London used for fishing – that goes through a redwood forest.

You realize what a visionary London was – he pioneered sustainable farming and ranching techniques, experimenting and learning by trial and error (his bet on eucalypses trees did not turn out well).

Not to be missed is the House of Happy Walls, the grand stone home built by Charmian London and Eliza Shepard, Jack London’s stepsister,

after London died in 1916 at the age of 40 (all the more remarkable to consider his body of work in such a short life). The stunning Arts & Crafts structure was Charmian’s home from 1935 until 1952. She put it into her will that it become a museum to London. Today, the newly re-designed exhibits showcase the adventurous and inspiring lives of the Londons. You appreciate not only what a brilliant writer London was, but what a decent human being.

From here, I hike another trail to the dramatic Wolf House ruins and then to the modest grave sites of Jack London and Charmian.

Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, jacklondonpark.com, 707938-5216

Glen Ellen, a charming classical-

ly historic Californian town, is right in the middle of a score of wineries (Benziger is next door to the park, 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, benziger.com, https://benziger.com/tours-and-tastings/; also, Imagery, its sister winery, is one of our favorites;), the Sonoma Regional Park (hiking), and Sonoma Botanical Garden.

Spend another day trip traveling less than an hour further to some of the most magnificent coastline in California: the Sonoma Coast State Park, where there are stunning trails that hug the cliffs and go down to beaches and get drinks and food on Bodega Bay as the sun go down.

Get carried away to another continent at Safari West – spend a day, or even better, overnight in their glamping tents (luxurious) (Safari West, 3115 Porter Creek Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404, 800-616-2695, 707-579-2551, safariwest.com).

Another new activity in Sonoma: Park Rx- Forest Bathing Walks, a guided walking practice that originated in Japan that focuses on slowing down, reducing stress, and engaging the senses to support mental and physical restoration. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers a recurring Forest Therapy Series as part of its Park Rx Program.

Travel planning help is available from Sonoma County Tourism, https://www.sonomacounty.com

© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com

Night After Night, the Moon Drifts On

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of February 22-28, 2026

The moon returns to our evening sky this week. If you step outside as darkness falls, you can watch as it changes its phase -- from a crescent in the west, to a quarter phase in the south at sunset, and to a gibbous phase in the southeastern sky.

You’ll also notice, as I described last week, that its journey takes it through the constellations of the zodiac. Well, not really “through” them, of course. The moon lies considerably closer to us than the stars, and it only appears along the same line of sight as certain constellations.

There’s nothing unusual about this progression. It happens every month or so because the moon orbits the Earth. To complete its 360-degree loop around our planet, the moon must drift about 12 or 13 degrees eastward every night, and you can predict roughly where it will appear on successive nights.

Make a fist and hold it at arm’s length; it will appear about 10 degrees across from thumb to little finger. Now hold out just your thumb at arm’s length; this is approximately 2 degrees wide. And your little finger, also at arm’s length, appears about 1 degree across. So, by using these parts of your hand, you can predict approximately

where the moon will appear on the following night. The illustration I’ve included shows the moon’s path until March 1.

What about March 2? You can also guess where the moon will lie then, and that will be one night you won’t want to miss seeing it. That’s because the moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow and will experience an eclipse.

It should surprise no one that the Earth casts a shadow; every solid body illuminated by a light source does. What may surprise many is that it appears every evening. I know you’ve seen it low against the eastern horizon around sunset -- an immense purple haze, bordered on top by a fringe of pink. Many folks think this is smog, but it’s the shadow of our planet being projected through the atmosphere.

This shadow also extends millions of miles into space, and on the night of March 2 and morning of March 3, the full moon will pass through it, and many skywatchers in North America will experience a total lunar eclipse.

Now you might wonder, if this progression of the moon’s position along the zodiac happens monthly, why doesn’t the moon enter the Earth’s shadow every month? Well, that’s because its orbit around the Earth is tilted some 5 degrees to our orbit around the sun, so the full moon doesn’t always line up with the shadow.

On the night of March 2 and morning of March 3, many skywatchers in North America will experience a total lunar eclipse.

Sometimes it passes above it and sometimes below. But every six months, the moon’s path takes it at least partially through our planet’s shadow, and there’s a lunar eclipse.

To see an eclipse, however, the moon must appear in our sky at the right time. That’s not always the case, but on the night of March 2 and the morning of March 3, it will be for much

A Little Tickle in Your Throat

of North America. I’ll tell you more about this upcoming lunar eclipse next week, so stay tuned!

Dennis Mammana at

2026

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

I recently read that the average person will ingest eight spiders in his or her lifetime.

Apparently, this happens when we are sleeping, which would make sense, because I don’t know anyone in their right mind who would choose to eat a spider when they’re conscious, except maybe my dog.

While this might explain that full feeling I sometimes have when I wake up, I was reluctant to believe that even one spider would willingly climb into bed with me and take a kamikaze dive into my mouth. I’ve smelled my morning breath. It would kill anything smaller than an elephant upon impact.

Moreover, being a light sleeper, I’m pretty sure I would wake up if I felt someone or something tickling my tongue. It’s just not the kind of thing you can continue to sleep through. I have to imagine that somewhere in the deep recesses of my sleeping mind,

it would register that a spider was crawling into my mouth, and before you could say “Charlotte’s Web,” I’d be wide awake and spitting that sucker across the bedroom floor.

This is not to say that I haven’t accidentally eaten a few bugs over the years. I distinctly remember the joy of flying down a big hill on my bike when I was kid, and then the feeling of pure horror as a bug flew into my mouth and down my throat. I had no idea what kind of bug it was, other than the knowledge that it buzzed and crunched before it went down. Distraught, I told my mother, who responded that it was just a little extra protein in my diet that day.

Still, it’s one thing to inadvertently inhale a beetle, and quite another to find out that an army of spiders are playing tonsil hockey with you on their way down to your stomach.

Since I do not believe everything I read on the internet, I decided to do a little research into the matter to help allay my fears.

The first site I checked said we swallow four spiders in our lifetime.

That was better but still not great news.

The second site I checked said the number was closer to 20. After reading that, I felt compelled to wash my mouth out with Listerine and lie down with a cool washcloth across my head. But then I was worried I might fall asleep and swallow a spider, so I got up and went back on the internet.

Another site said we swallow a pound of spiders over our lifetime.

According to the site, that would be about 20,000 average-sized house spiders. I decided this information must be flawed. If we had 20,000 spiders in our house, I wouldn’t BE in the house long enough to swallow them.

I finally decided to check out Snopes. com, the go-to site for verification of urban myths.

According to them, the whole thing is a made-up crock of arachnids.

Flies, however, are another thing.

Tracy Beckerman is the auth or of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www.tracybeckerman.com.

COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Upgrades That Protect Your Home, Not Just Its Price Tag

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

When most homeowners think about upgrades, they think about granite countertops, spa bathrooms, and open-concept kitchens. Those renovations can certainly enhance lifestyle and resale appeal. But there’s a critical distinction that often gets overlooked:

Some upgrades increase value. Others protect the value you already have. In today’s climate of rising insurance premiums, volatile weather patterns, aging infrastructure, and higher replacement costs, protective upgrades aren’t just smart — they are strategic. They preserve equity, reduce risk, lower operating costs, and, in many cases, make your home more insurable and marketable.

Here are the upgrades that safeguard your home—physically and financially—long before you consider selling.

1. Roof Integrity: Your First Line of Defense

The roof is not a cosmetic feature. It is a structural shield.

Modern architectural shingles with higher wind ratings, reinforced underlayment, and proper flashing around chimneys and vents significantly reduce the risk of leaks and storm damage. In coastal or high-wind areas like Long Island, upgrading to impact-resistant shingles can also qualify for insurance discounts.

A 30-year shingle is not just about longevity — it’s about durability against ice dams, driving rain, and heavy snow loads.

Skipping roof maintenance is one of the most expensive mistakes homeowners make. A $12,000 roof replacement can prevent $60,000 in interior structural damage.

2. Impact Windows and Reinforced Doors

Hurricanes, nor’easters, and severe storms are becoming more common in the Northeast. Standard builder-grade windows are vulnerable to windborne debris.

Impact-rated windows and reinforced exterior doors:

• Reduce storm damage

• Lower energy costs

• Improve home security

• Cut outside noise

• Potentially reduce insurance premiums

These upgrades don’t just protect glass — they protect the building envelope. Once a window fails in a major storm, internal pressurization can literally lift a roof off a structure.

Security and weather resistance are not luxuries. They are safeguards.

3. Water Management Systems

Water is the silent destroyer of homes.

Upgrades that protect against water intrusion include:

• Properly pitched grading away from the foundation

• Extended downspouts

• French drains

• Interior drain tile systems

• Sump pumps with battery backup

• Backflow preventers

On Long Island, where heavy rainfall and high-water tables are common, basement water mitigation is not optional — it’s preventative medicine.

A finished basement without a water management system is a gamble. Mold remediation alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars and create longterm health risks.

The most valuable upgrade is often the one you never see.

4. Electrical Panel and Wiring Modernization

Many older homes still operate with outdated panels or aluminum wiring.

Upgrading to a modern 200-amp electrical panel:

• Reduces fire risk

• Supports EV chargers and modern appliances

• Prevents overloads

• Improves insurability

Insurance carriers are increasingly scrutinizing outdated systems. Homes with Federal Pacific or Zinsco panels, for example, may face coverage challenges.

An electrical fire doesn’t care about your granite counters.

Protection starts behind the walls.

5. Smart Leak Detection and Automatic Shutoff Valves

Technology has quietly revolutionized home protection.

Smart leak detection systems monitor water flow in real time and automatically shut off the main supply if abnormal usage is detected. That means if a pipe bursts while you’re on vacation, your home doesn’t flood for 72 hours unnoticed.

Insurance companies increasingly reward homeowners who install these systems.

Given that water damage is one of the most common homeowner claims nationwide, this upgrade may offer one of the highest returns on investment in protection.

6. Whole-Home Surge Protection

With today’s electronics — HVAC systems, smart appliances, home offices, security systems — a power surge can destroy thousands of dollars in equipment instantly.

Whole-home surge protectors installed at the electrical panel:

• Shield appliances

• Protect HVAC systems

• Reduce fire risk

• Safeguard data and smart devices

As grids become more strained and extreme weather increases outages, surge protection becomes essential — not optional.

7. Fire-Resistant Materials & Detection Systems

While wildfire risk may not mirror the Western U.S., structure fires remain a significant threat nationwide. Upgrades that reduce risk include:

• Interconnected smoke and CO detectors

• Hardwired alarm systems

• Fire-rated doors between garage and home

• Upgraded insulation with fire-resistant properties

• Class A roofing materials

A garage-to-home fire spread is more common than many realize. Installing a self-closing, fire-rated door is a low-cost but high-impact protective measure. Protection isn’t dramatic. It’s deliberate.

8. Foundation & Structural Reinforcement

Hairline cracks may be cosmetic. Structural shifts are not.

Proactive foundation inspections and repairs prevent:

• Water intrusion

• Structural sagging

• Uneven floors

• Expensive long-term damage

In areas with expansive soils, freezethaw cycles, or older masonry foundations, periodic structural review is essential.

Protecting your home means protecting what holds it up.

9. HVAC Modernization and Maintenance

Your heating and cooling systems impact more than comfort.

Modern high-efficiency systems:

• Reduce operating costs

• Lower fire risk

• Improve air quality

• Reduce carbon monoxide danger

Adding smart thermostats and annual maintenance contracts reduces breakdown risk during extreme weather — when repairs are most expensive and inconvenient.

A furnace failure in January or AC failure during a heat wave can quickly escalate into a larger emergency.

Reliability is protection.

10. Security Systems and Exterior Lighting

Protection also means deterrence. Visible security systems, smart cameras, motion-sensor lighting, and reinforced locks reduce burglary risk and increase homeowner peace of mind. Many modern systems allow remote monitoring from anywhere in the world.

Crime prevention is not about fear — it’s about foresight.

11. Drainage-Friendly Landscaping

Landscaping is often viewed as cosmetic. It shouldn’t be.

Strategic planting and grading:

• Direct water away from foundations

• Reduce erosion

• Prevent basement leaks

• Protect patios and hardscapes Improperly placed trees can damage foundations and sewer lines over time. Root intrusion into pipes is an expensive and preventable issue.

Design with protection in mind, not just aesthetics.

12. Backup Power Solutions

Power outages are no longer rare inconveniences — they are seasonal expectations.

A whole-house generator or battery backup system protects:

• Refrigeration

• Medical devices

• Sump pumps

• Heating systems

• Security systems

When power goes out during a storm, homes with backup systems maintain safety and livability. Resale value increases — but more importantly, risk decreases.

The Bigger Picture: I nsurability & Marketability

There is a growing reality homeowners must understand:

Insurance carriers are tightening underwriting standards. Homes with aging roofs, outdated electrical systems, prior water damage, or poor storm resilience are becoming more difficult — and more expensive — to insure.

Continued on page 5

Questions About Spousal Benefits Never Stop

BY TOM MARGENAU

I’ve been saving up questions I’ve gotten from readers about benefits for spouses. It’s an issue I’ve covered a hundred times in this column. But the questions still keep coming. So, here is column No. 100 -- one about benefits paid to wives and widows -- and occasionally, husbands and widowers.

Q: I am about to turn 63 and am thinking of starting my Social Security then. My wife is 67 and has been getting her own Social Security since she was 62. My benefit is significantly higher than hers. I’ve heard that if I do take my benefits at 62, my wife’s spousal share will be based on that reduced amount. But her widow’s benefit, assuming I pre-decease her, will be based on my full retirement benefit rate. Is this true?

A: No, it’s not true. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The benefit paid to a wife while her husband is still alive is based on his full retirement age (FRA) rate. But the benefit paid to a widow includes any reduction he incurred in his own benefit if he started them before his FRA:

If you do take benefits at 63, here is roughly how they will figure your wife’s spousal benefit. They will take her full retirement age benefit rate and subtract that from one-half of your FRA rate. Any difference will be added to her reduced retirement benefit.

But if you die first, her widow’s benefit will be based on your reduced retirement benefit. In a nutshell, her own benefit would be bumped up to whatever you were getting at the time of death.

Q: My husband is 67 and starting his Social Security. I am 62. Other than a few years after high school when I had some part-time jobs, I have spent my entire adult life as a wife or homemaker. So, I have no Social Security of my own. A neighbor told me that after my husband dies, I will never be able to get widow’s benefits because I don’t have my own Social Security account. Is this true?

A: It’s absolutely false. As I always tell my readers, and as I just pointed out in a recent column, never listen to friends or neighbors offering Social Security advice. It’s almost always wrong. In fact, not only will you be due widow’s benefits when your husband dies, but you are due dependent wife’s benefits on his record right now. Call Social Security at 800 -- 772-1213 and file a spousal claim right away.

Q: I am a kind of rare bird. I have been a stay-at-home husband and father most of my adult life. My wife is a doctor and has been the primary wage earner in our family. We are both about to turn 62 and are starting to think about Social Security. Will I be due any Social Security on

my wife’s record?

A: Yes, you will. For the most part, Social Security laws are gender neutral. So you will be able to get your dependent husband’s benefits once your wife retires. And if she dies before you do, you will get widower’s benefits.

Q: I am 68 and thinking of signing up for my Social Security. I have a 45-year-old wife and we have two children. The 16-year-old daughter is her child from a previous marriage. The 10-year-old son is our child. I just learned our son might be due benefits on my record. Is this true?

A: Yes, it’s true. And not only your son, but also your stepdaughter. And for that matter, if she is not working, your wife could also be due benefits. But the amount of money you all would get will be restricted by “family maximum” rules that limit the amount of benefits payable to a retiree with minor children. I don’t have the space to get into all of that today. But you should call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to talk about filing for benefits for you and your family.

Q: I am waiting until age 70 to claim my Social Security. I am doing that to get the bonus added to my retirement rate for delaying starting my benefits until 70. But I was also doing that so that my wife would get my augmented benefits after I die. (Her own benefit is about a thousand dollars less than mine.) So imagine my shock when a Social Security rep recently told me that after I die, my wife’s widow’s benefit will be based on my full retirement age rate, not by age 70 rate. Is this right?

A: No, it’s not right. And for some reason (lack of training?), Social Security Administration reps frequently get this wrong. While you are alive, any spousal benefits she might be due are based on your full retirement age benefit. But after you die, her widow’s benefits are based on your augmented age 70 rate, including the bonus you got for waiting that long to claim your benefits.

Q: I am 63 and have been a wife and homemaker all my life, so I get a small percentage of my husband’s Social Security. But I’ve always wondered this. Why don’t women in my position get Social Security credits for the work we did as homemakers and childcare providers?

A: As I’ve explained in prior columns, this is a topic that has been debated for years. But the issue always comes down to this: Where would the money or earnings come from to put on your Social Security record? And the only viable solution policy planners have ever come up with is a concept known as “earnings sharing.” In a nutshell, that means a working husband and a stay-athome mom would split the earnings the husband makes

For example, if Husband Henry

makes $100,000 per year, $50,000 would go on his Social Security record and $50,000 would go on Wife Wilma’s Social Security record. Now that might make Wife Wilma happy that she’s being “paid” for Social Security purposes with earnings and credits going on her account. But just ask Husband Henry how thrilled he is that he only gets Social Security credit for half the money he makes -- and eventually ends up with a much smaller Social Security benefit!

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Upgrades That Protect Your Home, Not Just Its Price Tag

Continued from page 3

Protective upgrades are becoming underwriting advantages.

In competitive markets like Nassau and Suffolk Counties, buyers are increasingly educated. A home with documented improvements that reduce risk is not just attractive — it’s reassuring.

In uncertain times, buyers gravitate toward certainty.

Protection vs. Perception

A luxury kitchen photographs beautifully.

A new drain tile system does not.

Yet one protects your family and your equity; the other enhances lifestyle and potential resale pricing.

The smartest homeowners prioritize upgrades in this order:

1. Safety

2. Structural integrity

3. Water management

4. Mechanical reliability

5. Energy efficiency

6. Cosmetic enhancement

Equity grows best when risk is minimized.

Final Thoughts

Your home is more than an asset. It is shelter, security, and long-term financial stability.

Protective upgrades may not always increase your asking price dollar-for-dollar, but they dramatically reduce downside risk — and that is often more important.

In a world of unpredictable weather, rising repair costs, and evolving insurance standards, the question is no longer:

“What will increase my home’s value?”

It is:

“What will protect the value I’ve already built?”

The answer lies not in quartz countertops or designer lighting — but in roofs, drainage systems, electrical panels, and intelligent prevention.

Because the best upgrade is the one that keeps everything else standing.

And that, ultimately, is the greatest

return on investment of all.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:

National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate). Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low

WRITER’S CORNER

carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com

The random topics of book clubs

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Book clubs have been around for a long time, I’ve discovered, and people meet both indoors and outdoors. Sometimes, weather permitting, they even gather at the beach to discuss the book of the day. It’s a good way to meet people I wouldn’t meet otherwise. Here’s a case in point: My public library and senior center have a long list of events held every month and men and women from the community join these groups or stop in to see what they are all about. Sometimes they like the groups’ topics and other times they decide it’s not their cup of tea. Trying something new is always a good thing.

Last year I went to the chess club meetings at the library and got friendly with Paula, Mark and Jack. All four of us had played chess in high school and we were either brushing up on our chess skills or starting to engage in some pretty good games.

After a while I got more interested in going to the book club at the library and lo and behold, I ran into Paula, Mark and Jack. We were like old lost friends reuniting because we’d gotten to know each other at the chess club. Whether the moderator had arranged for some guest speakers or we played chess, we had a chance to linger and chat before and after the meetings.

As retired Baby Boomers we were looking for things to do so these different

local activities were handy. Having something in common to talk about, whether it’s chess, the books being discussed at the book club, the author of the day, arts and crafts or genealogy means there is any easy ice breaker. Most people I know are eager to discuss the book they’ve just read or the chess game they just won.

Mention genealogy and everyone’s got a story to share. If there’s a moderator for the club discussions usually start quickly. The time flies by and soon the allotted hour is up. Time to return home and start dinner.

Every time I glance at my library’s calendar of events there seems to be another book club added. Talk about Edgar Allen Poe books or Kristin Hannah. You name it and someone somewhere has started a book club. They go in and out of style and that’s fine. People’s interests tend to ebb and flow and specific clubs can be started, continued or dissolved.

You can attend a certain book club or pick another one you like better. Groups change and people do, too. The book club I attend is a garden variety book club. We don’t specialize in reading and talking about certain authors such as Stephen King or Agatha Christie, we choose books pretty much at random, set the calendar for the year for 12 books to discuss and off we go.

I like the randomness of my book club. One thing is that I am almost always surprised by which book has been chosen. I may end up liking it or disliking it but

either way I’ll get to hear lots of opinions. Next month and next year it will be something different.

There are roughly 30-35 people in my book club and we spend a few minutes chatting before the meeting starts. Once the moderator takes her seat and begins everyone grows silent and sits still as she comments on what she feels are the strengths and weaknesses of the book. She doesn’t give a formal presentation, she just talks about what she liked and disliked.

Some of the bestselling books have their moments where the characters seem to come to life on the page and the plot is so good we don’t want to put down that page turner of a novel.

Once she finishes her remarks and opens it up to the floor people are eager to share their thoughts. The members of my book club are enthusiastic about whatever book is being talked about or I have a feeling they wouldn’t come to the meeting.

They could stay at home and relax with a cup of coffee while reading another scintillating novel. The enthusiasm of the people in my book club is contagious and we - who used to be complete strangers - have the general feeling that talking about books is a whole lot of fun.

We’ll have to do it again. Same time next month, same place but this time we’ll have a different book to discuss called The Midnight Library by Matt Haig which was published in 2020.

We have to read it but we’re given a short summary ahead of time: There is a make-believe library that contains an endless number of books, each one the story of another reality.

One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice along the way. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives be better?

In The Midnight Library, Nora Seed has to decide if she would choose the life she has or if she would pick a different career. She’d always wanted to become a glaciologist - a scientist who studies glaciers, ice and their effects on the Earth. Does she choose that job?

She thinks about her prior relationships and also about travels and vacations she has taken with friends. Nora travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life.

After reading the summary I know that the next book will make for an interesting discussion. Sure it means doing some homework which entails reading the book and taking some notes but that’s okay. It’s a fun type of homework.

I start to wonder what comments people will have but then I stop myself because part of the fun of book clubs is never really knowing what people will come out with. Anticipation is a good way to describe it.

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A hot breakfast for relaxed weekend mornings

Peasant Omelet

A hot breakfast can be just what the doctor ordered on weekends. Weekday mornings might be too hectic to whip up a hot breakfast, but that’s often not the case come Saturday and Sunday. For those with time to cook breakfast

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small potato, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1 clove minced garlic, peeled and minced

2 slices cooked ham, cut into bite-size pieces

2 teaspoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish

1) Heat the oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chopped potatoes and saute until almost fork tender. Add the garlic and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender. Add ham and fresh parsley, stirring until heated through. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

2) Melt butter in an omelet pan or saute pan. Beat milk and eggs together. Pour egg mixture into the

over the weekend, this recipe for a “Peasant Omelet” from Lines+Angles is delicious and simple to prepare..

Makes 1 serving

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons milk

3 fresh eggs

Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 pickle, sliced lengthwise (optional)

omelet pan. Cook over medium heat, gently move the eggs by sliding a spatula under the eggs, to promote even cooking. Cook until eggs are set.

3) Slide cooked omelet onto plate. Season with freshly ground black pepper and top with potato and ham mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley and sliced pickle. Serve immediately.o juices have time to thicken, from 1 to 2 hours.

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District's Careers

transplant employees and businesspeople. Sewanhaka’s five schools and CTE offer tremendous educational opportunities and foundations for their careers, and that’s provided through local tax dollars – so I encourage everyone to invest in our local students and talent base….The way to ‘recycle’ and keep the neighborhoods that Floral Park has great is to keep the local talent here, and that’s what our district’s goal is,” she explained.

haka CHSD to reinvest in our community through supplying the workforce, these kids need to experience what’s out there. In order to do that we get them involved through volunteering and job shadowing,” Knoblauch explained.

Inside the United Methodist Church on Thursday, February 5th, she told the Floral Park Chamber’s monthly meeting audience that each student they interact with could offer a refreshing and varied approach to the work they need completed.

One goal she hopes to accomplish between now and the summer is compiling a list of volunteer and job shadowing opportunities for students.

“It doesn’t have to be the career paths for just CTE (Career & Technical Education). Our students volunteer for many things, like an animal shelter, hospital, street fairs and events coming up, any blood drives, medical screenings and/or charity fundraisers, etc. In order for the five high schools in Sewan-

“We have such great students, and it’s exciting to note how younger students today approach everything differently than the students would have 20 to 30 years ago. We have electric vehicles now, and the district Automotive Technology program has EV equipment as we’re embarking on teaching the kids how to repair and work on EVs. This district keeps up with industry standards,” she noted.

The district’s Pre-Engineering program, led by Jack Chen, has taken class

trips to Harvard University. For four straight years, from 2022 to 2025, the program was well-publicized for earning distinction as one of a few dozen winning teams in the NASA TechRise Student Challenge – a nationwide contest administered by Future Engineers. One year ago, Sewanhaka’s pre-engineering students were challenged to develop a science or technology experiment idea for the NASA TechRise flight vehicle, a high-altitude balloon. Sewanhaka’s 2024-2025 team planned its winning design and project titled “C.R.A.T.E.R.S. (Cosmic Radiation Across Two Energy Resistant Substances).”

Cosmetology students in the Sewanhaka Central High School District can complete the 1,000-hour training requirement and sit for New York State board (written and practical) exams to obtain a full cosmetologist license.

While still in high school, Sewanhaka’s Culinary Arts students earn ServSafe and OSHA 30-hour training certifications. “We have students com-

pleting serious certifications that professionals would obtain,” Knoblauch said.

Another difference she noted is how current high school students have grown up in the digital sphere and how they adapt to managing workloads. “They may be taking some more care in performing their tasks and working with people than prior generations did at work, and I think together with the business community we’ll be working to build a great future for Floral Park,” Knoblauch said. From page 2

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