Mid-Island Times (12/3/21)

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT

TOWN

Holiday Tree Lighting to be live this year

Town of Hempstead workers, under the direction of Parks Department Parks Department Supervisor Terrance Murray decorated the holiday tree with more than 2500 lights.

Police seek info in hit and run

Nassau County Police are seeking information about a fatal hit and run crash that took place in Hicksville on Friday, November 26 at 5:18 p.m..

According to Homicide Squad detectives, police responded to Stewart Avenue, East of the Levittown

Parkway, for reports of a woman lying in the roadway. Upon arrival, police discovered Naya Harsida, 43, of Westbury lying in the Eastbound lane of Stewart Avenue. It appears she was struck by an unknown vehicle which left the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Detective request anyone with information regarding the above incident to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or 911.  All callers will remain anonymous.

It’s coming back live – Levittown Chamber of Commerce Holiday Tree Lighting will take place live on Monday, December 6 at Veterans Memorial Park.

Town of Hempstead workers under the guidance of Terrance Murray, regional supervisor for the town’s Parks Department, decorated the 30-foot tree with more than 2500 bulbs in preparation for the event which takes place from 6 to 8 p.m., with the final attraction being a visit from Santa, who arrives via special transport provided by the Levittown Fire Department.

Performers include students from Northside Elementary School; General Douglas MacArthur High School; Island Trees Chamber Orchestra and High School Chorus as

Stomping

Town workers dress the holiday tree that will be lit when Santa arrives at the tree lighting event.

See page 11

out cyberbullying with “STOP Then Send”

Brian Heid, Assistant District Attorney of Nassau County, presented to parents a Cyberbullying program.

Hicksville Public Schools invited the community to attend a special presentation as the second part of their virtual workshop series. On Thursday, October 7 at 7 p.m., Brian Heid, assistant district attorney of Nassau County, presented to parents a cyberbullying program.  This parent and caregiver virtual workshop focused on ways to support our children in safely navigating the Internet and gaming within our ever-changing digital world to combat cyberbullying in their lives.  Using computers, cell phones, gaming systems or other electronic devices to intentionally cause harm

See page 11

Largest “Cruise-Thru”

Toys for Tots collection drive

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand announced that the Town’s massive “Cruise-Thru” Toys for Tots Collection Drive will take place at John Burns Park in Massapequa on Saturday, December 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, December 5).  In partnership with the United States Marine Corps, the Town is collecting toys to help families impacted by the COVID-19 economic crisis and those less fortunate throughout the community during the upcoming holiday season. In addition to the Cruise-Thru, collection boxes are located at Town facilities through December 14.

Supervisor Saladino said, “The Toys for Tots Drive has long been a huge success under the leadership of the U.S. Marine Corps, especially here in the Town of Oyster Bay, as just last year we smashed the previous year’s record in our toy drive collection. I encourage all of our residents who are able to donate to this amazing cause, as the Toys for Tots Drive helps ensure that disadvantaged children within our community do not have to go the holiday season without something to bring them happiness.”

The Cruise Thru Holiday Toy Drive will provide residents an excellent way

to contribute directly to the cause and help bring a smile to a child’s face this holiday season. Additionally, the event will feature an appearance by Santa Claus, and a drop box where kids can drop their letters to Santa off at. Letters dropped off with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday.

“Toys for Tots sends a message of hope to less fortunate children who otherwise wouldn’t be receiving presents this holiday season. I urge residents, who can, to donate new unwrapped toys to any of our drop-off locations,” said Councilman Tom Hand. “By making a donation, you can help ease the financial burden of families hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus this holiday season.”

Toys for Tots Collection Boxes are located at the following locations:

• Oyster Bay Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay;

• Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa;

• Ice Skating Center at Bethpage Community Park, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage.

For more information, please contact Councilman Tom Hand at (516) 624-6309; or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

Home Delivery

Halloween Pet Parade

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray greeted residents and their canine companions during the Levittown Community Council Halloween Pet Parade on October 31, at Bluegrass Lane Park.

Water district: Tips to winterize your plumbing

The heart of the winter will be here before you know it and, as it does every year, the colder weather can wreak havoc on a home’s water system if it isn’t properly prepared. The Plainview Water District (PWD) wants all residents are prepared for the coming temperature drop by ensuring they have the tools and tips to properly protect their water systems this winter.

“There are fairly simple tips to prepare your home’s water system for the cold winter months, but failing to do so can have some costly consequences if areas in your home are not protected,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “When water systems are not adequately winterized, they become subject to breaks and/or leaks when exposed to stretches of cold weather. By following these tips, our residents can help themselves avoid the grief and expense that frozen pipes can bring.”

Residents are encouraged to use these tips to help avoid any damage caused by frozen pipes:

• Don’t forget to turn off those hose spigots from inside the house and leave the outside valves open to prevent freezing. This allows any trapped water to expand in freezing temperatures, preventing the pipe from bursting.

• Disconnect and drain all hoses and keep in a warm, dry place for reuse in the spring.

• Sprinkler systems should be winterized to prevent possible leaks and damage to the system.

• Leaks in sprinkler systems caused by burst pipes can be hard to identify when the systems return back on line, leading to increased water usage and decreased functionality.

• If a customer’s water service is in the boiler room or basement, check the area for broken windows or drafts. Brisk winds and freezing temperatures can cause pipes and water meters to freeze or break.

• In preparation, locate the main water shutoff valve in your home in case of an emergency and make sure pipes in unheated areas—like crawl spaces—are properly insulated.

• It is also advised that all customers clearly label the main water shutoff valve in their home so they are prepared in the event of a water leak emergency. Shutoff valves are typically located where the water service enters the house through the foundation.

• Be sure to shut off and drain service lines leading to any unheated structures until spring to prevent breaks.

If you have questions about preparing your home’s water system for the winter or general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org.

Holiday Collection Drive to support veterans

The Town of Oyster Bay will host a Holiday Collection Drive in support of the Northport VA. From December 1 through December 20, residents are invited to donate toiletries, clothing, and gift cards at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay), Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa), or the Bethpage Ice Skating Center (1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage).

“From hosting our annual Salute to Veterans Concert to the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, the Town of Oyster Bay is committed to honoring our Veterans,” Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “I invite residents to join me in this mission by helping to bring the comforts of home to Veterans living at the Northport VA and making a donation to our collection drive this holiday season.”

Most sought after items include toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, unscented deodorant, body wash, unscented lotion, nail clippers, and shampoo), clothing (men’s underwear size 2XL & 3XL, men’s sweat-

suits size 2XL & 3XL, socks, flip flops, pajamas, and scarves), entertainment (magazines, movies, and CDs, especially Greatest Hits of the ‘50s & ‘60s), and gift cards (VISA, Uber, Stop & Shop, and Petco).

“When I learned that the Northport VA has a ‘Wish List’ of items their Veterans need, I knew Supervisor Saladino and the Town Board would spring into action with me to help ensure these needs are met,” Town Clerk LaMarca said. “I thank them for partnering with me to organize this critical initiative, and I thank the residents of our wonderful Town in advance for their generosity and support of our Veterans.”

The Town’s Collection Drive will run from December 1 to December 20. Drop-Off Bins will be available on weekdays from 9:00am to 4:45pm at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay), Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa), and the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center (1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage). For more information, please call (516) 624-6380.

Mercy League to wrap gifts for charity

The Glen Cove - HicksvilleSyosset Chapter of the Mercy League will be offering holiday gift wrapping services between December 11 and December 24 at Broadway Commons Mall. Prices will range from $2 to $10 depending on size of package and options. Oversized packages priced accordingly.

All proceeds will benefit enrichment activities and equipment at Mercy Hospital.

Wrapping Hours:

December 11 = 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

December 12 = 12:00 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.

December 13 thru 16 = 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

December 17 & 18 = 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m

December 19 = 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

December 20 thru 23 = 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

About to hit a milestone?

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Town Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr. and Town Clerk Kate

attended the Veterans Day Service on November 11, at Levittown Memorial Park. Councilman Dunne is a former United States Marine.

Students at Central Boulevard Elementary School in Bethpage teamed up with the local Knights of Columbus on Nov. 23 to provide Thanksgiving baskets of food for families in need.

courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District Bethpage students partner with Knights

Sold in 2021

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Latinos in Action founder visits Hicksville schools

The student group of Hicksville Middle School or Hicksville High School students from the Latinos in Action language course with Dr. Enriquez.

On Thursday, October 22, Dr. Jose Enriquez visited with the Hicksville High School and Hicksville Middle School students currently participating in the Latinos in Action (LIA) course at the Hicksville Middle School and Hicksville High School. He was accompanied by Monica Gomez, northeast regional program manager and his media manager, Luis Castro. LIA students from the Middle School were chaperoned by LIA Spanish teacher Mr. Omar Garcia and transported by bus to the High School, where they met up with the LIA students from the High School at the Kristoff Theatre.

Dr. Enriquez prepared a very informative and interactive session for our students where he shared the LIA vision, mission, and history. He motivated these students to unite and begin developing trusting relationships with each other. He reminded them that they are leaders and they can use their leadership to transform the lives of other students and the people within their circle of family and friends. Dr. Enriquez asked the audience of students, “who is brave enough to lead this group?”

Three students took the stage and shared their voice on why they can lead, and they were encouraged to

students taking part in the Latinos in Action course in middle school or high school.

run for an office in LIA later this semester. He challenged them to create a “stage” where they can use the power of their voices to affect change through creativity in the arts of music, dance, writing, singing,

and public speaking.  LIA students have already begun their community service by providing literacy tutoring for ENL students in Old Country Road School.

Three students stood up to be leaders of the group when asked by Dr.

who is brave enough to leader this group.

Love to write?

Book fairs are back at Old Country Road School

The students at Old Country Road School giving a thumbs up to having their school book fair back.

Old Country Road School found a creative way to ensure that students in this school were able to once again enjoy the joys of buying books at the annual school book fair.  Mrs. McConnell, principal, and Ms. Mikulin, library media specialist, worked with the PTA to organize the event to be held outside in front

of the school to allow students the opportunity to buy books that interest them and to promote reading!  This event ran from September 28 through October 1.

The promotion of encouraging the students to read at Old Country Road School did not stop with offering the book fair event to all students.

A young student engrossed in a book and all it has to offer.

The Annual Book Fair set up at OCR held outside in front of the school building for children to enjoy.

Reading teacher Liz Careccia and Library Media Specialist Corinne Mikulin, visited Hicksville Public Library on October 2 to get their Hicksville Public Library cards.  Old Country Road is planning a push throughout November to get teachers to get a Hicksville Public Library card as models for the students and

to encourage community participation.  Employees of the district are welcome to get a library card at the Hicksville Public Library in addition to the card many already hold in their hometown.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

Plainview teen forms organizations to help Alzheimer’s patients

BY GARY SIMEONE

When POB/JFK High School teenager Hailey Richman was just four years old she tried to help guide her grandmother Ruth through her recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Fast forward the clock ten years later, and the precocious teen has started two nonprofit organizations to help people and their family members who are dealing with the effects of the debilitating disease.

“At the time of my grandmother’s diagnosis, I was four years old and I remember there were no support groups for kids who had family members with Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia,” said Richman, a freshman at POB/JFK high school. “I wanted to do something about that, so four years later I created a nonprofit online organization called Kid Caregivers, which is a support forum for youth groups who have family members living with Alzheimer’s.”

She also created an organization called PuzzlesToRemember, which collects and distributes jigsaw puzzles for Alzheimer’s patients living in memory care centers and nursing homes.

Before the COVID pandemic, Richman said that she used to go to her grandmother’s nursing home and bring puzzles and games so both of them could play.

“I know that puzzles are supposed to stimulate the visual cortex area of the brain which is diminished in patients with Alzheimer’s. It gives these patients a rewarding activity and a sense of accomplishment. At the time my grandmother and I loved to solve puzzles, and I saw that she was very happy and engaged.”

As part of the PuzzlesToRemember,

students of all age ranges interact with Alzheimer’s patients in nursing home and group home settings helping them to solve puzzles. As part of the Puzzle Time program, students are able to earn community service credit while providing Alzheimer’s and dementia patients with a sense of fun and companionship

Richman is CEO and executive director of the organization, which has spawned puzzle ambassadors worldwide who have helped to distribute 136,000 puzzles to people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. She herself has delivered 50,000 puzzles to all fifty states in the US and to other countries.

“It is my primary concern now to focus on Alzheimer’s patients that are diverse and are low-income status who need the resources and tools to cope with this devastating disease.”

Emma Richman, Hailey’s mother, said her daughter was the first person in the country to form a peer-topeer youth group for kids who have family members who are living with Alzheimer’s.

“Hailey’s grandma and my mother Ruth passed away last year at the age of 96 after living with Alzheimer’s. My father also passed away from the same disease,” said (Emma) Richman. “I have been involved with several Alzheimer’s support groups over the years. Both Hailey and I came to the realization that there weren’t any support groups for kids and it was something that was badly needed.”

In her role as the founder and executive director of Kid Caregivers, Hailey offers tips ideas and suggestions about caregiving and dealing with Alzheimer’s patients.  She holds peerto-peer Zoom sessions with other kids nationally and internationally who have family members with living with the disease.  A licensed guidance counselor is on hand to audit the sessions and offer assistance and topics to discuss.

“It is my main motivation to impact the lives of people living with this disease and ultimately find a cure for this debilitating condition," said Richman.

As part of her efforts to impact the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s, Richman has received several prominent awards, including a 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community Award a Power of Children Award from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and she is a Marvel Hero Project awardee.

To find out more about her organizations, you can visit the websites, www.kidcaregivers. com and www.puzzlestoremember. org.

Upcoming events through the Jericho Public Library

Thursday, December 10

10:30 a.m.: In Person Jump for Joy  (Ages 18 months to 5 Years)Come to this lively program of music and activities for you and your child.

2:00 p.m.: In Person & Virtual Art Lecture: Surrealism, Beyond Borders, with Professor Thomas Germano - Surrealism has had an international scope since its origins in Paris in the 1920s. This visual lecture will look at the art in The Met’s exhibit of the same name, which reconsiders a broader scope of surrealism, wider in geography –through 45 countries. It offers us a fresh appraisal of global responses and artistic exchanges. The exhibit runs through January 20, 2022.

Saturday, December 12

10:30 a.m.:  In Person Mother Goose (Birth to 30 Months) - This is an interactive program of Mother Goose rhymes, songs, stories and more.

Monday, December 13

2:00 p.m.:  Virtual Profiles with Dr. William Thierfelder: The Christmas Stories of Charles Dickens - Everyone knows “A Christmas Carol,” but Dickens produced a holiday story every year from 1843 until his death.  You will get to know his lesser-known but engaging tales in this virtual program.

Tuesday, December 14

11:00 a.m.: Virtual Guided Meditation for Self-Healing with Patricia Anderson - Join Patricia Anderson for a meditation to bring harmony and balance into your life with the art of Jin Shin Jyutsu.

6:30 p.m.: Board of Trustees Meeting - Virtual Meeting via Zoom - The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Library Board of Trustees.

Masks are required.

Register for all events at https:// www.jericholibrary.org/events/month except when tickets are required.

Toys for Tots Drive

Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I,LBT-Glen Head) will be collecting new and unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots from now until Dec.15. All donations can be dropped off at Montesano’s district office at 111 W. Old Country Road, Suites 202, Hicksville, NY 11801, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Every child deserves a bit of cheer this holiday season,” said Montesano. “I am pleased to once again be partnering with the United States Marine Corps Reserve for the Toys for Tots program. I hope that we can bring a lot of joy this year to children in need and their families.”

Kindness kickoff at East Street

East Street Elementary School in Hicksville held its kindness kickoff to start the Olweus Bullying Prevention program on Nov. 12. This year’s theme for the program is “Let’s color our school with kindness.”

On kickoff day, East Street students across all grade levels cut out paper hands to give to their classmates when they’re caught doing an act of kindness.

The student then writes their name on the paper hand to be put on display on a bulletin board in the building.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention program is focused on creating a safe and positive school environment by improving peer relations. Each month, students will participate in a special kindness classroom activity as part of the program.

“STOP Then Send”

to someone else are all cyberbullying, and these actions can have real consequences including hurt feelings, depression, discipline and legal consequences. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade students of Hicksville Middle School joined Assistant District Attorney Brian Heid in assemblies during the school day on October 6 to learn about real-world stories in the news of situations surround-

Holiday Tree Lighting to be live this year Stomping out cyberbullying with

4-mile run to feed

Parents and community members joined Mr. Heid for a program tailored to adults to learn tips to stay safe online and ways to avoid cyberbullying. Website references were shared by Mr. Heid, and please go to the district website at for information from the presentation: https://www.hicksvillepublicschools.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=136760&pageId=28552254 From page 1

well as Steppin’ N Style Dance Studio; and, Neighborhood Entertainment Arts & Theatre, Inc. (NEAT) Holiday Cheer Kidz.

ing cyberbullying and the aftermath effects of these actions.

Long Island’s hungry

Runners and walkers from all over Long Island are cordially invited to sign up for the Neil Chadderton Memorial EisnerAmper 4 Mile Run to Feed Long Island’s Hungry.  It will be held at Eisenhower Park on Sunday morning, March 13, 2022.

The Run will be conducted in the memory of Neil Chadderton, a longtime stalwart of the Greater Long Island Running Club and the North Country Road Warriors, who was taken from us far too soon on September 6 of this year at the age of 59, just weeks before he would have celebrated his 60th birthday by participating the GLIRC 6 Hour 60th Birthday Run.

Long Island.”

The generous event sponsor EisnerAmper is one of the premier tax and business advisory firms in the U.S., with more than 2,000 employees and over 200 partners around the world. The firm combines responsiveness with a longrange perspective; to help clients meet the pressing issues they face today, and position them for success tomorrow.

The Chamber will gratefully accept donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries that will be donated to local food pantries for distribution to families in need. The Chamber of Commerce has hosted the Holiday Tree Lighting event for more than 18 years.

The charitable beneficiary of the Run is Long Island Cares, the Harry Chapin Food Bank. The Run will help benefit the hungry and food insecure of Long Island and work towards the Long Island Cares vision of a “Hunger Free

Registration for this great 4 Mile Run will be opening shortly at www.glirc. org.   Save the date and make plans now to join us at Eisenhower Park on March 13th to enjoy a nice 4-mile run honoring the memory of our good buddy Neil Chadderton, and to help LI Cares work towards a Hunger Free Long Island!

For more information, contact Greater Long Island Running Club Executive Director Katie Pearlman at (516) 3497646 or katie@glirc.org.

Get Results!

Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for more information.

December 3, 2021

Holiday Classics, Festivities, Happenings Return to New York City

BY KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL

FEATURES SYNDICATE

New York City is b-a-a-a-ck! Locals and visitors from across the country and around the globe will enjoy holiday traditions and cultural experiences across New York City’s five boroughs, many in person for the first time in two years, but to get the most enjoyment of the many indoor activities, proof of vaccination will be required.

Here’s a roundup from NYC & Company, the city’s tourism promotion agency: SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCES

The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, through Jan. 5, Manhattan: The beloved holiday tradition returns to Radio City Music Hall this year with incredible costumes, festive songs, synchronized high kicks, and new acts.

Live Broadway Performances at Hudson Yards, Mondays through Dec. 13, Manhattan: Weekly series of free, live performances by cast members from Aladdin,  Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King,  Moulin Rouge!,  Chicago at Hudson Yards.

George Balanchine’s  The Nutcracker  Presented by New York City Ballet, through January 2, Lincoln Center, Manhattan: Tchaikovsky’s iconic score transports audiences to a land of twirling snowflakes, leaping candy canes, waltzing flowers (https://www.nycballet.com/ the-nutcracker/tickets, 212-496-0600)

A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House  Charles Dickens in New York, 1867, Dec. 1–31, Greenwich Village, Manhattan: An actor portraying Charles Dickens

The holiday season is heralded in by Santa riding his sleigh to wind up the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. New York City’s iconic holiday festivities are back to delight visitors from near and far. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

will tell this timeless Christmas tale in the elegant intact Greek revival double parlor of the landmark 1832 Merchant’s House Museum.

The Magic Flute Holiday Presentation at The Met Opera, Dec. 10–Jan. 5, Manhattan: The Met’s abridged, English-language version of Mozart’s magical fairy tale is a classic holiday treat for audiences of all ages, bringing the charming story and enchanting music to life.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo at The Joyce Theatre, Dec. 14–Jan. 2, Chelsea, Manhattan: The beloved all-male drag ballet troupe returns for an uproarious holiday season, taking the stage for three weeks of nonstop skilled pointe work and hilarious parodying of classical holiday-themed ballet inspired by Jerome Robbins’  In the Night

WINTER EXHIBITIONS AND CULTURAL EVENTS

Times Square Holiday Show Globes, through Dec. 26, Manhattan: See large snow globe displays inspired by the designs of hit Broadway shows including  Wicked,  Ain’t Too Proud,  The Lion King and  Dear Evan Hansen.

Fifth Avenue Holiday Installation at the Pulitzer Fountain , through Jan. 7, Manhattan: 32 handcrafted-in-Brooklyn animal sculptures across from the Plaza Hotel, 5,000 feet of lighting, an ice-skating rink and 24 handmade icebergs surrounding the Pulitzer Fountain, with orchestrated music from composer Paul Brill.

Pinkmas at Museum of Ice Cream New York City, through Jan. 9, Soho, Manhattan: Museum of

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

Ice Cream’s annual holiday celebration, Pinkmas, will transform its 13 multisensory installations into a pink winter wonderland bursting with snowflakes, candy canes and pink trees. Guests are encouraged to bring a new toy - to be donated to Toys for Tots—in exchange for one scoop of ice cream at the museum café.

Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden, through Jan. 23, Fordham, Bronx: The City’s beloved holiday tradition returns for its 30th year with a miniature wonderland in the warmth of the Haupt Conservatory. Model trains zip through an enchanting display of more than 175 famous New York landmarks, all re-created from natural materials such as pine cones, acorns and seeds.

LIGHT FESTIVALS AND DISPLAYS

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, through Jan. 9, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn: The Lightscape celebrates the beauty of nature with an enchanting one-mile trail through BBG’s 52-acre landscape. Enjoy the Winter Cathedral tunnel, Fire Garden and Sea of Light, as well as new site-specific light works by local artists, accompanied by a curated soundtrack.

Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo, through Jan. 9, Fordham, Bronx: Immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. Also, festive entertainment, seasonal treats and classic holiday music.

NYBG GLOW, 25 select nights; through Jan. 22, Bronx: The New York Botanical Garden’s landmark

Continued on next page

Holiday Classics, Festivities, Happenings Return to New York

landscape and historic buildings GLOW after dark with a newly expanded 1.5mile illuminated experience.

NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Illuminate the Farm, through Jan. 9, Queens: For this first time, the NYC Winter Lantern Festival transforms Queens County Farm into an immersive and radiant oasis with festive lights and handmade lanterns in the shape of flowers, tractors, farm animals.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards: Through the holidays, Manhattan: Two million twinkling lights, 725 evergreen trees, 16-foot-tall hot-air balloons arranged throughout the Public Square and Gardens, and a 32-foot-tall hot-air balloon centerpiece suspended in The Great Room of The Shops.

NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Escape, through January 9, Staten Island: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s third annual festival transforms eight acres into an immersive world of light, plus live DJ, projection mapping, food vendors.

FLAGSHIP SHOPPING OFFERS

In partnership with NYC & Company, flagship department stores are offering special “It’s Time for Shopping” gifts with $100+ purchases, to celebrate the return of in-person shopping, beginning on Black Friday, November 26, through Boxing Day, December 26.

BY JEFF RUGG

It may seem like there isn’t much to do in the garden over the winter, but here are some ideas that may keep you busy.

For northerners, is your snowblower ready? Do you have the gas and oil it needs, or electrical cords that aren’t frayed? Make sure you have sand or salt and snow shovels in the garage and car. Use sand on the walks to reduce slipping. It works at any temperature (salts don’t) and won’t harm plants, concrete or asphalt. Sand and salt can be premixed together to make it easier to spread them. If you get a sticky snow, you can spray the shovel or the inside of the snowblower with a nonstick cooking spray.

Calcium chloride salt is less harmful to plants than sodium chloride salt. Salt in pellet form works better than flake or rock forms. It burrows directly through the ice and finishes melting on the walkway where it loosens the ice from the surface. The ice then melts or can then be shoveled off.

Northerners who have not planted outdoor bulbs should do so as soon as possible, before the ground freezes. They won’t grow any roots until spring, which will force early blooming bulbs to a later schedule. For instance, some tulips nor-

Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show, Midtown Manhattan: Saks Fifth Avenue features its classic Holiday Window and Light Show and a holiday market this year inspired by European open-air markers. Open daily, each Saturday features street-side activations, artisans, and interactive happenings. Redeem a travel pouch by providing proof of a $100+ purchase from the Holiday Market at the International Lounge on the lower level and mentioning “NYCGO.”

Bloomingdales , Manhattan, is featuring holiday windows; a Ralph Lauren immersive ski chalet experience featuring exclusive products; a “Happy Together Again” pop-up offering a Nespresso bar with complimentary beverages to fuel holiday shopping and Santaland. Redeem a limited-edition gift by providing proof of a $100+ purchase at the Visitors Center on 1 Level Balcony and mentioning “NYCGO.” Complimentary hotel delivery is also available for purchases of $250+.

Macy’s Herald Square, Manhattan: Macy’s iconic Broadway windows, this year features the story of Tiptoe, a bright-eyed reindeer pursuing the ultimate dream, joining Santa’s sleigh team and delivering magic around the world on Christmas Eve. Meet and greet Santa. Shoppers can redeem a gift by providing proof of a $100+ purchase to the Macy’s Visitor Center on the mezzanine

level and mentioning “NYCGO.”

Nordstrom NYC, Manhattan offers three festive pop-up shops, including the Holiday Gift Shop, Pop-In@Nordstrom, and new Concepts@Nordstrom, Concept 015: Make It Bazaar. Free gift wrapping, Santa snacks, in-store pick-up, the “Santa Snow Show,” lighting, holiday décor. Shoppers can redeem a bag of beauty items by providing proof of any $100+ beauty purchase at the Beauty Concierge in the Beauty Hall, as well as a 15% discount on beauty and wellness services at Beauty Haven when mentioning “NYCGO.”

SHOP LOCAL BUSINESSES AND POP-UPS

Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market, Sundays, through Dec. 19, Dumbo, Brooklyn: local holiday shopping featuring vintage and antique items, crafts and gourmet food stands.

Tiffany & Co. West Village PopUp, through Jan. 8, West Village, Manhattan: The iconic jewelry store pop-up is located in the heart of the West Village, offering shoppers a series of holiday-themed activities such as hand-painting Tiffany gift boxes and holiday cards, calligraphy, poetry readings, and more.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, through Jan. 2, Bryant Park, Manhattan: European-style Bank of America Winter Village with must-

Winter Garden Chores

mally bloom in April, some in May and some in June, but if they all have to wait until spring to grow roots, they will all bloom together in June. Once the ground does freeze, cover the bulb planting area with a four-to-six-inch layer of any organic mulch to reduce damage from freezing and thawing cycles.

Prevent winter damage to young trees, newly planted trees, fruit trees and maples by wrapping the trunk with burlap or tree wrap paper. If you use the paper, start at the bottom and overlap it, so it sheds water. Then duct tape both ends. The best protection against rodent and deer damage is a mechanical barrier. Wrap the trunk or whole plant in chicken wire or hardware cloth. The fencing may need to be raised higher if snow “raises” the ground level.

Check multi-stemmed plants and evergreens to see if they need to be supported to prevent damage from ice and snow. Gently brush off heavy wet snows as soon as possible to prevent breakage. Be careful if there is an ice buildup on the plants because ice can snap the branches off if you try to get the ice off.

Spray an anti-desiccant on newly planted trees and shrubs, evergreens in windswept areas like roadsides and

buy gifts, sweets, drinks and winter activities, including free ice skating.

Union Square Holiday Market, through Dec. 24, Manhattan: Urbanspace’s longest running holiday market features 150 vendors and a partnership with NYC’s unofficial talent scout, Nick “New York Nico” Heller, to curate a special booth of rotating budding entrepreneurs for one week.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market, through Dec. 24, Columbus Circle, Manhattan: Art, jewelry, home goods and delicious eats from local artisans and designers, all while roaming through NYC’s iconic Central Park.

New York City’s Key to NYC program requires people ages 12 and older to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 for most indoor activities, including at restaurants, event spaces, venues, museums, attractions and more. Individuals must have received at least one dose of an FDA- or WHOauthorized vaccine to patronize these establishments. More information can be found in the City’s FAQ.

For additional holiday celebrations and itineraries, visit nycgo.com/holidays.

© 2021 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved.

Christmas trees that are going to be replanted. CloudCover and Wilt-Pruf are two brand names. Check the label to see if it can be used on cut Christmas trees. These sprays coat the leaves and stems of the plant and slow water loss.

Dig up and turn over vegetable garden soil to expose overwintering insects to the cold. This also gives you a head start on the garden in the spring, as you won’t have to dig in the wet soil.

Protect hybrid roses by putting a foot of soil over the graft union. The aboveground graft is a large knotlike growth the stems come from. After the ground freezes, add a foot of mulch over the graft to insulate it from freeze-thaw cycles. Staying frozen is much better than warming up and cooling off repeatedly. Clean, sharpen and oil any tool before storing it for the winter. Use linseed oil on all wooden handles. Add fuel stabilizer to all gas power tools. Take power tools into the shop for a tuneup while you don’t need them so they will be ready when you do. Be sure to drain hoses and sprinklers and protect outside water faucets. Clean out gutters so water won’t build up, freeze and break the joints. Store garden chemicals in a locked box where they won’t freeze.

If you are planning to have any landscaping done next year, winter is a good time to get professional help. Getting the design work done now will put you way ahead of those who wait for the first warm days of spring to remind them of their landscaping needs.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com. .

COPYRIGHT 2021 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS

This is the second part of a two-part story. See the first part in last week’s issue.

BY THOMAS BRENNAN

Maybe the successfully-waged campaign to separate the two sexes for all those years had suddenly backfired on the vigilant Sisters because now, the girls suddenly appeared to the boys not as kids on the block, but more like intimidating exotic beings whose mere presence we could not resist, and maybe we appeared to the girls as alligators lurking by the lake waiting for a sleek gazelle to take a careless sip of water.

We all knew that this interaction was supposed to happen, but we were also aware that like everything else in life, even choosing your team from a clustered group of candidates hovering in a circle waiting to be chosen prior to a stickball game, each one of us held the conviction that we just might not be looked upon by the crowd on the other side as a top choice in this new arrangement.

“Oh, pick me, pick me,” I hoped the girls might be saying to themselves if I could only gather the resources to stride across the wide space that separated us to ask one of the girls to dance. I would leave that fleeting imagery with the thought that perhaps one day such a hope might actually become a reality. But in this fraught moment in time, my main fear was that the girls just might be saying to themselves, “Oh, God, please don’t tell me that boy is walking over to ask me to dance.”

I quickly began to view this exposure as a practice run, something like a test drive in a new Chevy I hoped one day to take for a spin. Perhaps we all held such flimsy expectations of our own prospects for the future. Once again, I clung to hope.

I was looking for an excuse to make a hasty retreat, when I saw a girl on the other side of the vast chasm that I thought I recognized. I didn’t know her name, nor could I recall where I had seen her before, but I thought she looked both cute and familiar. Armed with the knowledge that these two assets more than qualified her as legitimate prey, I gathered up my slim forces of resolution and stood up as I prepared to take the intimidating trek across the great divide to where she stood.

I placed my books on the seat next to me and headed out like an Oklahoma Sooner on the lookout for a good plot of land, trying to beat out the other boys who also were also beginning to make their move. The idea was to walk quickly without appearing to seem like I was in a rush. For once, I had a certain advantage as I considered myself a master in appearing to be one thing while I was well aware I was another. Trying

The Tea Dance - Part II

to seem nonchalant when I was actually fretful was one of the nuts-and-bolts skills I had notched on my belt, resulting from my defensive mechanisms towards the female sex in general.

Almost breathless, I finally reached my goal. Without as much as an “ahem,” I interrupted my quarry while she was in mid-sentence with her two friends and I asked her if she would like to dance. The thought of the defeated walk back if she said no laid heavily on my mind. I had no backup plan. But this may have been her first dance as well, so she looked up, turned to the two girls she had been speaking with, smiled, and said yes.

I dared not be so bold as to hold her hand while I walked alongside her to the middle of the floor while trying to merge into the group of couples moving slowly to the music. I was trying to avoid the attention of the alert pacing nun on her attentive dance patrol duty. In the interim, another slow dance had begun. I hoped I was not sweating too much from my tension after my rapid walk across the great divide. I held onto her as we began to move along in what I hoped she would recognize as dancing. Then it hit me. “You’re supposed to say something,” I thought to myself.

I noticed that other couples were talking to each other like they were old friends, slowly gliding around the floor while almost at arms-length apart in compliance with the nuns’ strict and well-enforced code on avoiding close contact dancing. All of a sudden, these casually conversational fellow classmates seemed so self-assured, so self-confident in their manner. I couldn’t help thinking that these anonymous faces from the other side of my classroom had now become real people, in fact competitors. Somehow they seemed far more comfortable as dance partners than they ever did as students. I felt I had accomplished a lot by simply dancing with a girl, so this sudden insight about conversing came as an unpleasant afterthought.

“Why didn’t I think of this before,” I said to myself as yet more tension began to seep in. My head was reeling as I searched frantically for some clever things to say. I wanted to rise above the level of simply asking for her name or where she lived. My idea was to create the impression that I was above such trite banalities. Then, regretfully as it would turn out, my initial foray into conversational poise came out in one unfortunate steady flow.

“How’s the weather on your block?” I said. Those were my exact words.

I don’t remember her reply. Perhaps she didn’t give one. In any event, I had no graceful way to recover. I just hung on while she looked at my chest; she was smaller than I had first thought.

There are times in life when I would later recognize that I had flubbed a line; this was not to be one of them. I knew immediately, the very instant the last word slipped out of my mouth, that I had bungled my first feeble attempt at afternoon tea dance conversation. I was also well aware that there was no possible room for a recovery, no reaching for a glib line that could change the direction of my inept attempt at conversation.

“How long can this song go on?” I wondered. A second ago or so it seemed, I was happy that one slow song had quickly led into another. I began to concentrate on not stepping on her feet. Finally, the song was over and I said my thank you. I was too flustered to escort her back to her friends. After a nod and limp smile, I came back across the basketball court with a slower trudge than the rapid pace with which I had started out. At last, I arrived with my fellow retreating classmates to my spot.

I did not want to turn around to see her run up to her friends with a “you won’t believe what that boy just said to me” squeal of delight. I was not up to that level of humiliation.

When I went back to my seat and risked a glance over to the other side, I noticed that some of my classmates

had remained there with their dance partners, survivor-like, fully engaged in in-depth conversations. How I envied them in their perseverance.

These fellow classmates managed to appear interested in what their partner was saying. With their arms folded in front of them, nodding their heads in confirmation of something just said, as if they were hanging on to every word. Their very posture conveyed the impression that they were listening to the details of a newly accessible gold mine recently discovered in the craggy hills of Prospect Park. They had apparently passed the afternoon Tea Dance litmus test, while I had asked for a weather report.

I thought, “My first real shot at even a near occasion of sin has just passed me by.”

Seeing no possibility whatsoever in collecting my newly-reinforced limited resources to forge another foray across the tundra, and suddenly determined to cut my losses, I decided to pick up my books, and, almost as hurriedly as I had paced across the basketball court to ask the cute girl for a dance, I walked out the door.

Mine was not in any manner a graceful exit stage left, but more of a hasty, no-nonsense, full-fledged retreat.

Memories of a Social Security Trip to Poland

BY TOM MARGENAU

For some time now, I have been working on a book that I plan to give to my kids and grandkids for Christmas. That book is full of stories and pictures from my life, my wife’s life, and our lives together. I figure somewhere down the road, one or more of those kids will find it a treasure trove of family history. At the beginning of the book, I quote a line from the Broadway musical, “Carousel,” that goes something like this: “As long as there is one person on earth who remembers you, it isn’t over.” And maybe that’s my selfish reason for writing down those stories. I figure as long as someone somewhere is reading them, people will remember Tom Margenau and his wife, Becky Bachstein, and the mostly good life and times they had.

Anyway, as part of that book, I just finished reviewing the story of a trip I took to Poland for the Social Security Administration in 1994, and I thought you might find it interesting.

First, I’ll tell you how the trip came about in the first place. Sometime in early 1994, while I was working at the SSA’s headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, where I was the chief editor of all the publications the agency produced for the public, I was asked to make a presentation to a group of visiting Social Security officials from Poland.

Let me pause right here to talk about that a bit. What were Polish Social Security representatives doing in the United States? As I’ve explained many times in my column, the concept of social insurance, or Social Security as we call it, is certainly not unique to the United States. Almost every country on the planet has a social insurance system in place for its citizens. And many of those countries, especially in Europe, had such programs long before we ever got around to setting up our Social Security system in 1935. In fact, the first Polish Social Security laws were established in 1927.

Almost all these social insurance systems around the world are remarkably similar to ours. They almost always provide benefits for retirees, for people with disabilities and for the survivors of a worker who has died. And it is not uncommon for Social Security officials from around the world to get together to exchange ideas, to share common concerns and challenges and to discuss possible solutions to those issues.

That’s what Polish Social Security officials were doing at the SSA headquarters back in 1994. And I was talking to them about the kinds of pamphlets and fact sheets that we produced and distributed to the American public to help our citizens understand the various Social Security programs in the United States.

When lunchtime rolled around, I got to chatting with one of the Polish visitors. On a whim, I asked him if he’d like to take a drive to see the “Little Poland”

neighborhood of Baltimore. There is a much more well-known “Little Italy” part of the city that is near the famous Inner Harbor and is very popular with tourists. The almost unknown (except to locals) Little Poland is just a few blocks away from that area.

I really didn’t know the Little Poland neighborhood at all. But I figured we’d just drive around to see what we would find. So, off we went. The first place that caught our eye was a small neighborhood meat market. We went in.

The butcher and my Polish Social Security official (his name was Jan) were talking to each other in Polish. After a minute or two, they were hugging each other and crying. It was very emotional. Jan explained to me that it turned out both of them came from the same small town in Poland -- and they had so many memories to share. (I mean, how serendipitous was that?)

Well, the butcher closed up the shop and got in my car with Jan and me and took us on a tour of the Little Poland area. We stopped at a couple homes, a Polish church and a few other small businesses. And most memorably, we ended up at the neighborhood meeting place -- a Polish bar. Jan and all his newfound friends started doing some serious drinking of Polish vodka!

Jan was having a really good time. I kept telling him that we had to get back to the Social Security headquarters complex and to our meetings. But Jan and his friends just kept on drinking and talking (all in Polish) and hugging each other. Eventually, about 3 p.m. or so, I finally talked a rather tipsy Jan into going back to work.

When we got there, I was pulled aside by some of my superiors and got chewed out. “Where the heck were you?” they asked. “Do you know who you were with?” I had just assumed Jan was some midlevel management type like me. But it turns out he was the head of the Polish Social Security system, and actually was a top official in the Polish government. And I brought him back to the conference drunk!

Long story short, for a while, I thought I was going to be in some serious trouble. But a few months later, the SSA got an invitation from the Polish government to send a representative to Poland to conduct training. Because of my friendship with Jan, they specifically asked for me. So, my trip to Poland came about all because I took a guy out drinking in Baltimore!

Anyway, a few months later I was in a small town outside of Warsaw at a Zak?ad Ubezpieczen Spolecznych training facility. ZUS is the name of their Social Security agency. I was there to teach their public affairs officials about how we promoted our Social Security system to American citizens. This was new stuff to ZUS staff because Poland was just

coming out from under decades of Soviet domination. They had to teach Polish citizens how their recently revamped social insurance system would work.

I have so many stories I could tell you about that experience. But I’m running out of space. So let me share just this one.

The Polish currency is the zloty. And at the time I was there, a 100,000 zloty

note was worth about $5. So, for example, I was walking around Poland with millions of zlotys in my wallet! It was so strange to go out for a meal and pay a half million zlotys!

And I learned something very interesting about the Polish Social Security

Continued on next page

Does the future look bright or stormy for the U.S. economy?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Are you still renting? If so ask yourself why? Is it because you want to be as flexible as possible and not beholden to a mortgage? Is it because you want to be able to move in a short period of time without having to sell anything? Have you invested the difference between your current rent and a mortgage and all the expenses inherent in ownership, into another asset to increase your wealth or is it in cash (which is truly “trash” as per Ray Dalio founder/CEO hedge fund of Bridgewater Associates, decreasing your wealth daily)?

The actual value of cash or what is called our “fiat currency“ has been reduced with the radical increase in our current inflation and the unfortunate and absolute necessity and non-transparency of the Fed. When one adds to the equation the price of energy and food your real inflation number would be more accurate. If the truth were to be told (which currently is not), it would send shock waves throughout our economy and purchasing would be drastically reduced (and hoarding might take place as it was with a simple commodity of toilet paper in 2020).

A different psychology and fear would come about and would also play a role in reduced spending. As inflation continues, your dollar’s value and purchasing power goes down, as it is currently, then the dollar you have in cash now in 2021 will be worth much less in 2022, by 15%+!

Everything looks very rosy in the current market as spending is way up, mostly because sales slowed and halted for a portion of 2020, but money flowed from the Fed to a huge portion of the population and people were paid not to work. Most didn’t have to pay rent and still don’t (although some could more than afford to) so everyone saved a lot of dollars. Now so many are now spending it and with the supply-chain disruption, limited supply, high demand, prices have escalated too; but fortunately people are still spending for now.

My professional opinion about inflation is that it will not come down until the supply chain is rectified (more dock workers and truckers need to come

back into the market to perform their jobs) and demand for products and durables is reduced as dollars are spread out and move to hospitality, vacations, air travel and other services. Somewhere in the future maybe towards the end of 2022 into 2023, inflation may slow down. But the continued printing of money (10+ trillion and counting) and the purchasing of bonds by the Fed (because no one else is) will continue to acerbate the dilution of our currency and its’ purchasing power. Interest rates, being as low as they are has been a beneficial boon to homeowners, investors, and businesses as a short term band aid fix (but not a permanent fix) but extremely bad for the future of our economy.

Democracy as the public was told). Unfortunately, I do not have a solution that most would like to hear, because it would be very painful to most. It reminds me of the old adage when working out, “no pain, no gain.” But, to me that is the only answer as we need to cut back slowly but surely.

away from those states most affected as temperatures rise?

There are way too many variables in the mix to even guess with any certainty where we are going, but the word “pain” has to be considered as part of the equation, in order to make things come down to earth once again, or maybe not; and then we will look back and say could have, should have, but didn’t!

Debt keeps piling up day in and day out as we are spending considerably more than we are taking in from income tax receivables and other methods. If you look at our current and near term financial environment we have been digging a huge debt hole for over 50 years and are at the precipice of a potential cataclysmic situation. However, depending on how many band aid fixes the Fed comes up with; it’s only a matter of time that we will all really have to deal with the consequences of the monetary policies of the current and past, which for now is not being dealt with properly.

The infrastructure bill is a necessary evil to not only fix our deteriorating roads, bridges, tunnels and high speed “mothballed” rails, and at the same time to create more higher paying jobs. This in turn will add dollars to our economy, but unfortunately, on the flip side will again add to our national debt. This should have been addressed many years ago, but we kept kicking the ball down the road. We spent 2.5 trillion on a war over 20 years and that was a waste of money and lives and could have been utilized to repair and upgrade our infrastructure. (But oil and money was the reason not

As inflation continues, and when and if interest rates increase, the cost of building homes will absolutely increase as they currently have (due to supply chain issues) even under our low historical rates. Demand will cool off as the cost of ownership increases beyond the budgets of the “everyday purchaser” and this in turn will continue to cause builders to slow and in some cases stop constructing homes which will stop adding inventory. However, as more sellers enter the market trying to sell and we eventually get to the 6-7 month “normal market inventory” and beyond, prices will normalize and potentially decrease.

However, since families and people need to live somewhere, rental prices will increase due to less people purchasing and more become renters; basic supply and demand economics. Expensive states like NY, CT, NJ, Ca, and others will continue to see the exodus of the population (although those that can afford to continue to live there will stay) but adding to other states e.g. NC, SC, Fla, Tx and other states where the cost of living is considerably less and where rentals will be more advantageous, not only to the renters but also to the investors and landlords. How will real estate taxes and representation be handled in those states that continue to lose their families? As those expensive states continually increase the costs of living will only add insult to injury further reducing the number of people that can no longer afford or want to live for their mortgages, real estate, state and local taxes. Also, another variable global warming will affect and add to the mix where people live. Could there be a reverse flow back

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 39 years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.). He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to http://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well 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. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.

Memories of a Social Security Trip to Poland

Continued from previous page

system. Like here, Polish senior citizens got their Social Security benefits once a month. But because at the time, the Polish banking system was essentially non-existent, Polish seniors didn’t get

checks. They got cash. So once each month, Polish mail carriers, with armed guards accompanying them, would walk around cities and towns throughout Poland with literally trillions of zloty notes in their mailbags. They would knock on doors and hand seniors their ZUS bene-

fits in cash! I’m sure that today, all these decades later, the Polish economy is back to normal and Polish seniors probably get their ZUS benefits via direct deposit just as we get Social Security benefits in our country.

If you have a Social Security ques-

tion, Tom Margenau has a book with all the answers. It’s called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart.” You can find the book at www.creators.com/books. Or look for it on Amazon or other book outlets. COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

When it comes to Thanksgiving, there are two kinds of cranberry sauce people: the can people and the homemade people.

I come from a long line of can people. In my family, the canned cranberry sauce was an essential part of our Thanksgiving tradition, and I thought it was awesome. Unlike the homemade cranberry sauces, the canned sauce would not carelessly meander into the other food on my plate, disrespectfully tainting the sweet potato pie or rudely running into the turkey gravy. Additionally, since I was raised on the stuff, I actually liked the taste and had no curiosity whatsoever about how they were able to get it into a shape that continued to look exactly like a can when it came out.

I was not introduced to actual homemade cranberry sauce until I got mar-

No Can Do, Can You?

ried. My husband came from a traditional cranberry sauce family, and like most traditional cranberry sauce families, they thought us canned cranberry sauce people were heathens. Of course, they didn’t say that out loud. But when I looked around the Thanksgiving table at my first Thanksgiving dinner with them and asked for the canned stuff, I could see in their eyes that they were thinking it.

Wanting to fit in with my new family, I tried to be accepting of the homemade cranberry sauce, but to my canned-cranberry taste buds, it just tasted nasty. I preferred the artificially sweet taste and smooth gelatinous texture of the canned cranberry sauce to the tart, somewhat lumpy feel of the homemade stuff. I don’t think this made me a bad person ... just someone with a preference for exceedingly fake foodlike items.

At first, I felt bad that I was the lone canned cranberry sauce person at the table. But then I realized it was a great chance for the canned cranberry sauce people and the homemade cranberry sauce people to meet at the dinner table and accept ALL the cranberry sauce options we had before us.

I considered all the other rival groups in history that had been unable to transcend their differences -- the Sharks and the Jets ... the Montagues and the Capulets ... the Yankees fans and the Red Sox fans -- and realized this was indeed an opportunity for the two cranberry factions to finally come together.

So, in the interest of peace, love and brotherhood, I decided to bring a can of cranberry sauce to my next Thanksgiving dinner with my husband’s family. While my traditional cranberry sauce brethren simmered

STARGAZERS

Buying a First Telescope

their whole cranberries, sugar and orange zest on the stovetop, I unsealed my canned cranberry sauce with a can opener, smiled with satisfaction at the “slurp” sound it made coming out, gently slid it onto a plate and then sliced it into circles.

As I proudly set my plate of canned cranberry slices onto the buffet, I beamed at one of my nephews and offered him a slice of canned cranberry goodness.

He studied my cranberry sauce, and then, in the true spirit of the holiday, he looked up at me and said:

“EWWWW!”

Tracy Beckerman is the author 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 2021 CREATORS.COM

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of November 28 - December 4, 2021

During my many public stargazing programs guests frequently ask me, “What kind of telescope should I buy?” My response isn’t quite what they expect.

If you’re considering presenting that special stargazer in your life with a telescope this holiday season -- or even buying one for yourself -- you will do well to answer the following important questions before rushing out to spend your hard-earned cash.

First, how well do you (or the gift recipient) know the sky? If you can’t distinguish the Ring Nebula from ring bologna, you may wish to purchase a book or collection of star maps instead. Browse a bookstore or telescope shop for suitable material or consider a subscription to some of the basic astronomy magazines available today.

Second, what do you want to observe? If the moon, planets or daytime terrestrial scenery capture your interest, or if you live under light-polluted skies, a smaller diameter telescope (2 inches or so) will do fine. Otherwise, you’ll need a larger “light bucket” (4 inches or more) to see fainter star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, but you’ll need to take it to a dark-sky site in the mountains or deserts to use it well.

Finally, what’s your budget? Quality telescopes are not toys, and you won’t find a decent one for less than about $300 or so.

There are almost as many varieties of telescopes as there are eyeballs to look through them. Fortunately, we can divide them into two basic categories. Refractors are more expensive because they use lenses to bend incoming light to a focus. These are generally smaller instruments and are best for viewing bright objects like the moon and planets. Reflectors use mirrors and, typically, the same price will get you a larger diameter instrument.

No matter which type of telescope you choose, it must be equipped with a rock-solid tripod or mounting in order to be useful. And, as far as the new “go-to” instruments in which a computer aims the telescope for you, I strongly recommend against these for beginners since they’re expensive, you’ll spend lots of time with the instruction manual learning how to set it up, and you won’t learn as much about the sky as you will with a manual scope.

So, here are my recommendations. First, learn the sky with your eyes and binoculars. Second, attend free star parties with your local amateur astronomy club, and get a look through (and at) a variety of scopes. Some are large and expensive, but you’ll get a sense of

what you can expect from more modest instruments. Finally, visit some telescope company websites and check out basic Dobsonian-style scopes. Coupled with a “Telrad” finder, you’ll find these remarkably easy to use, portable and relatively inexpensive. I have two “Dobs” and use them for all kinds of public programs, and since they take only seconds to set up, for myself whenever I want to get a quick look at the sky.

If you keep these simple points in mind, your new backyard telescope will provide you and your family with a wonderful and lifelong tool of discovery and won’t wind up in the closet alongside the NordicTrack! Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

CLASSIFIEDS ...a sure way to get results. Call 294.8900

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EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT

Cherry Valley Club Garden City

Is seeking a seasoned construction knowledgeable individual to act as Owners’ Representative for multiple building related projects at the club. Candidate should be personable and adept at construction trade coordination and project management. Flexible Per-diem employment engagement expected. Send resumes to : carneyj2@verizon.net

FORMER BIG FOUR/SIX ACCOUNTANT

Stay at home mom looking to make extra spending money?

Flexible schedule, limited deadlines, work from home. 18-20 hours per week. CPA not required.

Call 516-522-0499

Email: kathleen@kscprofessional.com

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

FRONT DESK ADMIN.

Busy Real Estate Office Computer and Organizational Skills Required.

Flexible 20 hrs/week IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY

Resume/Call for Appointment 516-248-9494

LYNEER STAFFING SOLUTIONS Hiring Mail Sorters, Data Entry $15.00, Forklifts $17.50, Mystery Shoppers Ages 21-25 $20.00. 860 Long Island Ave., Deer Park NY 11729 631586-4699

OFFICE ASSISTANT NEED-

ED P/T, all office duties including billing & accounts payable. Knowledge of QuickBooks a PLUS. Flexible Days/ Hrs. Please contact Lynn at: LEckstein@fabricresourcesintl. com

EMPLOYMENT HELP WANTED

RECEPTIONIST needed for P/T eves & weekends. Will train.

Also VET / TECH KENNEL ASST.

Duties include helping doctors with appointments/treatments. Cleaning cages/offices/ equipment. Must like animals, be reliable, dependable & work well with others. Pay negotiable for both positions. Please call to schedule interview.

Port Washington Animal Hospital: 516-883-2005

TAX PREPARER PART TIME Franklin Square Experience needed Retirees welcome. Call 516-358-9455 Fax resume 516-358-9483

Email: ed@loturco.com

Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call the G.C. office at 294-8900 for more information. Advertise in our newspaper! If you own a business or have a service to provide, we’ll create professional advertisements to promote it and help you be seen by thousands of local readers! Call 1-516-294-8900 to inquire! -DO YOU HAVE A SERVICE to advertise? Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 2948935

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EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

A HOME HEALTH CARE

AIDE Irish trained woman with 10 years experience and excellent checkable references available. Honest and reliable. Licensed driver with own transportation.

Please call 516-383-7150

CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH

AIDE FULL TIME

25 years experience, light housekeeping, shopping, activities, appointments etc. Valid driver’s license. Excellent references and fully vaccinated.

Please call 516-236-1711

ELDER CARE: AIDE/COM-

PANION with 25 years experience available to care for sick or elderly. Days, nights, weekends. Own car. Excellent references. Fully Vaccinated. Call 516-775-6171

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

HOME HEALTH AIDE / ELDER CARE

Loving reliable woman seeking FT position nights/weekends to take care of your loved one. Experienced with ALS, dementia, diabetes, etc. Great references highly recommended. Licensed driver. Call 646-575-8217

HOME HEALTH CARE PROVIDER with over 15 years of experience, I am skilled in facilitating the needs of those with any type of physical or mental disability as well as end of life care. Able to perform all house hold duties and tasks necessary for in home personal care. Professional and compassionate care to help maximize the comfort of you or your loved ones in their own home. Call 516-602-7178

CAREER TRAINING

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

TRAIN AT HOME TO DO MEDICAL BILLING

Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440 (M-F 8am-6pm ET)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION MEDICARE RECIPIENTS! Open Enrollment for Medicare health plans is here! Call our licensed insurance agents for an affordable quote for your needed coverage. Call for a no obligation free quote now! 844-808-9374 (TTY:711)

GET DIRECTV! ONLY $69.99 /month. 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies on Demand (w/SELECT All Included Package). PLUS Stream on UP to FIVE Screens Simultaneously at No Additional Cost.

Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-Furniture-Jewelry-Silver-Mirrors-LampsArtwork

Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop 109 Eleventh St. Garden City Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org Items to Consign?

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

MARKETPLACE

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions! FURNITURE FOR SALE

GARDEN CITY

Brand new furniture: Raymour & Flanigan Couch 6’ (grey)

2 Custom Made Arm Chairs (floral design) Best Offer Call: 516-248-0105

COOL OLD STUFF IN GLEN COVE VINTAGE SHOP

WINNER OF BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY 2021. GREAT PRICED items for Boat and Home. See ALL online: Wilsonsdrydock.com. For info/ appt Please call 516-662-2821 WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

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

TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516270-2128 www.antiqueassets.com

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED ***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV 10#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516297-2277

DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER: Donate a car today! The

REAL ESTATE WANTED

APARTMENT RENTAL WANTED

I am a 26 year old professional male, currently working and going to school for my masters. I am looking to rent a furnished room, studio or one bedroom apartment in Nassau County. I am responsible, respectful and clean. Please contact Jon at 917 885-3201 or email me at genie91234@yahoo.com if you are looking for a good tenant.

REAL ESTATE WANTED

HOUSE WANTED TO RENT

SUMMER 2022

RENTAL WANTED

HOUSE OR APARTMENT

Retired Garden City couple looking for summer rental in Garden City, Rockville Centre, W. Hempstead or surrounding areas. July, August and September. Please call Martha: 516-697-6694

SERVICES

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I am a long time resident of Garden City and understand the complexities of ADDICTION & MENTAL HEALTH.

I am available to GUIDE families find the MOST COST EFFECTIVE & COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT

PLAN for a loved one.

I will Bridge the Gap between a Family ravaged by Alcoholism, Drug Addiction and/or Mental Health AND Life Long Recovery.

HELP IS HERE NOW!

Please call me for a confidential consultation. 954-5408441

SERVICES

Kim Koslow, LMHC, MCAP, CTT

Licensed Psychotherapist

Motivational Interventionist

Reliable Resource

“It was in my heart to help a little because I was helped much” Kahill Gibran

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything!

Quality Care & Workmanship

Thousands of frames to choose from!!

Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED

HHA, LPN, Nurse’s Aide, Childcare, Housekeeping & Day Workers. No Fees to Employers. Call Evons Services 516-505-5510

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts

Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates.com

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*Minor Electrical & Plumbing 28 year GC Resident Lic & Ins H18E2170000 Call BOB 516-741-2154

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Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

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516-766-1666 or 631-225-2600 Since 1982 chimneykinginc.com

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CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-763-2379

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SERVICES

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Extensions, Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Carpentry Work, Porticos, Siding, Dormers, Stone, New Construction & Conversions, Mason Work, Stone. Insured. Please Call 516-581-9146

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices!

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MASONRY

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Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.

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Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

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Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE MONTHS! 866-440-6501

THE GENERAC PWRcell a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo

PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323 www.familycareconnections. com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499

TUTORING

Brown U. Phd

Virtual Tutoring in Math and Latin. 20+ years tutoring / teaching experience, including at Brown. Call/Text 347-683-7961 for more information

Port Tutoring

Academic success

Test Prep/All subjects/ All Grades/All Levels. Individual and Small Group Tutoring. 516-767-1342 info@portturtoring.com

SERVICES

A & J MOVING & STORAGE: Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www. ajmoving .com 516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405

DISH TV

$64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95

High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo expires 1/21/22 Call 1-888-609-9405

LEAK REPAIRS

Plumbing Repairs

Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens

24 HOUR SERVICE

Call 516-668-5624

NEED EXTRA MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. PRIVATE PAY MEDICAL CARE.

Personal Concierge Services including Private Medical Care, Companions, Therapy & Housekeeping. Apex Concierge Services 866-VIP-APEX

VIP@APEXCONCIERGESERVICES.COM

Passion for Seniors Certified HHAs, companions & Homemakers.

24 hour care available. Also Nassau locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400

Chase away chills with a thick, filling stew

Slow cookers can be unsung kitchen heroes any time of the year, but particularly during the colder seasons. That’s because slow cookers take on one-pot meals with ease. A person simply places all the ingredients inside the crock, then returns in 8 hours or so to a completely cooked meal.

Certain recipes, including stews, lend themselves well to the slow-cooking method. While beef is often associated with stew, plenty of proteins can take the place of beef, including pork. This recipe for “Golden Harvest Pork

Stew” from “Crock•Pot® 365 Year-Round Recipes” (Publications International, Ltd.) by the Crock•Pot Kitchens utilizes pork and combines it with potatoes, carrots and corn for a stew that some may even mistake for a chowder.

Golden Harvest Pork Stew

Makes 4 servings

1 pound boneless pork cutlets, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, unpeeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 cup chopped carrots

1 ear corn, broken into 4 pieces, or 1⁄2 cup corn

1⁄2 cup chicken broth

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme Chopped parsley

1. Toss pork pieces with 1 tablespoon flour; set aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add pork; cook until browned on all sides. Transfer to Crock•Pot® slow cooker.

2. Add remaining ingredients, except parsley and 1 tablespoon flour. Cover; cook on low 5 to 6 hours.

3. Stir 1⁄4 cup cooking liquid into remaining 1 tablespoon flour in small bowl. Stir flour mixture into stew. Turn Crock•Pot slow cooker to high. Cook 10 minutes or until thickened. Adjust seasonings, if desired. To serve, sprinkle with parsley.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS...

Each week Litmor Publications publishes the ads of providers in our Classifieds, Professional Guide and Service Directory. A 6 week agreement brings your specialty or service to the attention of the community in a public service format.

LET US BEGIN LISTING YOU IN OUR NEXT ISSUE. For More Information and Rates Call Nancy 516.294.8900 Email: Nancy@gcnews.com Include name, daytime phone number, address and email.

Deadline for Professional Guide or Service Directory is Monday, 12 Noon. Deadline for Classified is Tuesday, 1pm Advertising in the Professional Guide is only open to N.Y.S. Licensed Professionals.

S H O P L O C A L . S H O P S A F E .

T H I S H O L I D A Y S E A S O N -

LEGAL NOTICES

SYNOPSIS OF FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS

Pursuant to EDPL Section 204

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the Town Board of the Town of Oyster Bay, by Resolution No. 678 -2021, adopted November 16, 2021, made findings and determinations supporting and authorizing necessary steps to be taken to acquire certain property, through condemnation, in the unincorporated area of Hicksville for public use.

The location for the proposed project is the property commonly known as an approximately one-half (0.5) acre of real property known as N/E/C/ West Barclay Street & Wyckoff Street, Hicksville, New York (a/k/a 47 West Barclay Street), and designated as Section 11, Block 185, Lots 2 & 8 on the Land and Tax Map of Nassau County (“subject property”). The public use, benefit or purpose to be served by the acquisition for continuing use as s commuter parking lot, will ensure that the public continues to have ample access to commuter parking within the Town of Oyster Bay. Specifically, the acquisition will provide much needed parking for resident commuting purposes, and the parking lot will offer Town residents with additional parking options.

The reasons for the selection of the subject location are as follows: (1) ensure the continuing availability of the site for public parking, a critical ancillary use supporting the viability of the important transit resources of Hicksville Station; (2) the use of the site, which is already among the most important components of the network of public parking facilities in this area; (3) the proposed parking lot will serve the anticipated increase in Long Island Railroad ridership to provide parking spaces immediately beyond the locations that are currently essentially fully occupied in closest proximity to the Hicksville train station resulting in providing conve-

nient public parking within a short walking distance of the Hicksville Station; (4) the anticipated effect of the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Third Track and East Side Access Projects scheduled for completion by the end of 2022, in conjunction with its decision to drop its proposal to provide additional parking spaces near the Hicksville Station, and a part of these majority projects provides a shortfall in the number of available commuter parking spaces; and (5) while the property is currently operated as a commuter parking lot under the Town’s control, said control is contingent upon a month-to-month rental arrangement which can be terminated at any time.

The Town Board specifically incorporates, by reference, all of the beneficial environmental effects previously identified and accepted in its Resolution No. 678-2021. The Town Board’s environmental findings are equally applicable to the analysis required under the EDPL and those findings are hereby incorporated. The general effect of the proposed project on the environment and residents of the locality will be extremely beneficial.

Copies of Resolution No. 678-2021 (“Findings and Determinations”) will be forwarded to any person requesting same, in writing, without cost.

Any person or persons jointly or severally, aggrieved by the condemnor’s determination and findings made pursuant to EDPL §204, may seek judicial review thereof by the appellate division of the supreme court, in the judicial department embracing the county wherein the proposed facility is located by the filing of a petition in such court within thirty days after the condemnor’s completion of its publication of its determination and findings pursuant to EDPL §204.

TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF OYSTER BAY

MIT 5923

2X 12/03,10

Combating the dangers of too much screen time with “Screenagers”

One teacher’s strategy of “check your phone at the door”, since so students are distracted by smartphones in class each day.

On Tuesday, October 26, the Hicksville Public School and the Hicksville PTA units in partnership presented “Screenager Next Chapter” through a live virtual viewing of the documentary, and it was followed by a live Q&A with filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston. The documentary addressed the impact of screen time on the mental health of our children by presenting real world experiences of young adults and teens. These children told their candid stories throughout the film, and strategies to avoid depression and anxiety were suggested by professionals in their fields. Some suggestions included no-phone zones, decreased screen time, put the devices away at bedtime, and getting 10–12 hours of sleep were among a few ideas shared.

A deeper analysis of the film revealed a focus on five main topics to include stress, anxiety, depression, brain development, and sleep.  “We know that adolescents experience greater stress…. and also when we measure…. they have higher levels of cortisol as compared to adults,” shared Adriana Galvan, Ph. D., adolescent brain researcher at UCLA. Social media influences can be stressful for teens, from cyberbullying and to viewing being left out of activities by peers and not having the possessions they desire others already having.  Suggested interventions include: consistent sleep, as well as building social, emotional, and communication skills.

Daniel Pine, MD, chief research psychiatrist at the National Institute of Mental Health, shares, “Anxiety involves a problem with fear. Feeling afraid about something that’s right in front of you or worrying about that thing that might happen. “ Today, more teens are exhibiting signs of anxiety in their lives.  Suggested interventions include: consistent sleep, exposure therapy, mindfulness, and medication at times when prescribed under a doctor’s care.

behavioral activation, building connections and family relationships, and even medication at times as prescribed by a doctor.

The young brain is still developing during the teenage years, and brain development is important to remember as routines for sleep and bedtime are establish.  Teenagers require a greater amount of sleep during these years to grow and have their brains develop. Ron Dahl, MD, pediatrician & developmental scientist at the Center for The Developing Adolescent, reports, “As sleep gets eroded, and sleep deprivation gets worse… and then they get down on themselves, it becomes part of a bigger spiral. A big factor is with electronic devices in the bedroom--about screen time negatively impacting sleep… That amplifies the spiral.” Furthermore, Adriana Galvan, Ph. D., adolescent brain researcher at UCLA, shared, “in adolescence…struggling with anxiety, the [brain] becomes more active than it does in kids who aren’t suffering from anxiety.” Overactive brain activity in the amygdala causes teens to have the inability to deal with stress or regulate fear.

The live viewing of the documentary “Screenager Next Chapter: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resiliency” was followed by a rich discussion lead by Dr. Delaney Ruston, physician and filmmaker.  She examined the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done to help teens build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.

Are you a professional?

Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

Depression is on the rise in young teen as reported by Dr. Delaney Ruston, MD; “it’s concerning to learn that since 2012, there’s been nearly a 50 percent increase in teens reporting depressive symptoms.”  Suggested interventions include: therapy,

This presentation was also offered on-demand for viewing through November 1. Many community members pre-registered and joined the Hicksville Public Schools for this event. The Hicksville Public Schools’ district website includes many accompanying worksheets to support parents and the program shown. You can find these resources at: https://www.hicksvillepublicschools.org/cms/one. aspx?portalId=136760&pageId=28552254

For the most up-to-date information from Dr. Delaney Ruston, check out the weekly blog, Tech Talk Tuesdays.

Hicksville Middle School students Walk for Wellness

On Thursday, October 28, The Hicksville Middle School hosted its Wellness Walk. Students through their health classes and some physical education classes walked the track during one designated period throughout the day.  The event was held to raise awareness and fundraiser for the COPD Foundation.  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, relates to

the diseases that makes breathing difficult, such emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The staff and students were able to raise money through the afterschool sales of lollipops for students and T-shirt sales for staff. The participation was overwhelming and the building has already raised $507.00 to date and the number keeps rising.  Great job, HMS!

The team of health and PE teachers along with Principal Mara Jorisch, Marta Giovagnoni, Elizabeth Hoover. Anthony Tussie, Craig Stueber, Phil Essigman, Christine Mastrantonio, and Laura Klimuszko.

An HMS staff member, Alisa Cataldo, walked for her dad during the Wellness Walk at period 8.