Bellmore Herald 12-04-2025

Austin Bird leads a physical education class, challenging peers with a new way of playing sports.

Student leads special sports class

What wheelchairs can teach young athletes

By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

One of Merrick Avenue’s most courageous students took a teaching role in his school’s physical education classes, adding a unique twist.

On Nov. 24 and 25, Austin Bird, an eighthgrade student athlete, led hundreds of students through basketball exercises, sprints and warmups with one major qualification: everything must be done in a wheelchair.

Bird’s legs were paralyzed at age 6 due to a severe infection. This did not stop him from pursuing athletic interests. Today he is a highly active athlete, travelling for basketball and swimming programs, with greater ambitions to remove the stigma held towards adaptive sports.

“I feel like there’s never enough kindness

for wheelchairs in the world, I will always want to change that,” Bird said. “We talked to the principal, and we were able to make it happen. I’m very happy that this happened and that it’s going so well.”

Bird and his sister Shannon spoke with his school’s principal about a special program that could help students of different physical conditions reach a mutual understanding. During each class, Bird and his sister share their personal stories and how they wound up making this special P.E. class possible.

“I’ve always wanted to spread kindness and wheelchair awareness,” he explained. “I always wanted to become someone who would make more ramps, make the world more accessible… (and) we always thought it’d be a good idea if we can get it into the

Making friends, reading books, at locally run club

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

For more than a decade, the Monday Afternoon Book Discussion at the North Bellmore Public Library has been a hub of lively conversation, laughter and connection for readers of all backgrounds.

Led by longtime Bellmore resident Stephanie Cohen, the book club draws members from across the area — including Gold Kanner, a 94-year-old Wantagh resident who has been attending for the past four years.

“Book club is wonderful for me because there’s other people to talk to and to listen to me,” Kanner said. “It’s a very informal group. We enjoy each other’s company, and we really get into the meanings of the books.”

A lifelong reader who received her first library card at age 8 in Brooklyn, Kanner has added her own brand of joy to the meetings. Her “silly verse” reflections, often written in rhyme, spark laughter and fresh discussion among the members.

Before her retirement, Kanner worked for decades as an office manager at a Freeport daycare center, and later as a senior page at the East Meadow Public Library. Now, the book club offers her exactly what she needs: intellectual stimulation, social engagement and a sense of belonging.

W e enjoy each other’s company.

GolD KANNER

“It’s important for people my age who live alone to have someone to say hello to, to discuss a TV show, or just share a thought,” she said. Cohen, a former teacher and longtime member of the Friends of the Library, which assists in fundraising events, has led the book club for more than a decade. She carefully selects books from a wide range of sources — including The New York Times reviews — and emphasizes participation over perfection.

“This is not a technical kind of book discussion,” she said. “We discuss what we liked, what we didn’t like, what we learned, what we understood, and then we apply it to our own

Continued on pAge 8

things to know at the Chabad of MerriCk-bellMore-wantagh

Chanukah events this month

Families in Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh will have multiple ways to celebrate Chanukah this year through a pair of community events hosted by Chabad Center for Jewish Life. Children can dive into hands-on holiday activities at the Miracle Makers’ Olive Press, while the wider community is invited to join the 19th annual Grand Menorah Parade and lighting. Here’s how you can take part.

— Hernesto Galdamez

n Miracle Makers’ Olive Press

Children ages 5–11 can step inside the Chanukah story with hands-on games, crafts, and challenges at Chabad Hebrew School’s Miracle Makers’ Olive Press. Participants will harvest olives, crush and press them into pure oil, solve the Maccabee Investigation mystery, and create their own Miracle Jug Menorah keepsake. Events are Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Non-students must register in advance at chs@chabadjewishlife.org or 516-833-3057.

n 19th Annual Grand Menorah Parade

Families are invited to assemble at Chabad Center for Jewish Life, Benson Lane, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, for the parade led by the Merrick Fire Department and a special LED truck featuring community video footage. The parade concludes at the Merrick LIRR gazebo for the lighting of a 13-foot Grand Menorah at 3:45 p.m., followed by a parachute gelt drop and Chanukah show starring students from Chabad Hebrew School and the Alan & Tatyana Forman JELC Preschool.

n Celebrate Community and Tradition

Both events are free and open to the public, with no synagogue affiliation required. Hot latkes and donuts will be served at the Menorah event. RSVPs are requested for the parade and lighting at chabadjewishlife.org/light or by calling 516-833-3057.

Town waives adoption fees for shelter pets

By LUKE FEENEY

lfeeney@liherald.com

With the holiday season underway, Hempstead town officials are hoping residents will open their hearts and homes to a four-legged friend.

As part of its annual “Home for the Holidays” adoption initiative, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter is waiving all adoption fees from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4. The program, now expanded through a new partnership with the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, includes a free $50 Milleridge gift card for every family that adopts a pet.

“We are thankful to the Milleridge Inn for supporting this adoption initiative,” Town Supervisor John Ferretti said at a festive launch event on Nov. 20. “Few things are more uplifting than the joy of adopting a pet, and I encourage families to take advantage of this great opportunity — and then celebrate the season with a holiday meal at the festive Milleridge Inn.”

Ferretti was also joined by Trip, Petey and Indy–three festivally dressed up dogs who were treated to a special holiday meal at the Milleridge Inn. In addition to having their adoption fees waived, all adopted animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped at no cost. Standard state licensing fees still apply.

Milleridge Inn owner and president Butch Yamali, who described himself as an animal lover, said the collaboration was a natural fit. “Every dog and cat at the Town’s shelter deserves to spend the holidays with a family,” Yamali said.

“We’re happy to support adopters by offering a complimentary holiday dinner gift certificate to anyone who welcomes a pet into their home during this program.”

For the launch, the Milleridge team set up a special pet-friendly banquet, with veterinarian-approved Thanksgiving dishes prepared by the chef and served by waitstaff.

Town officials at the announcement included Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilmen Dennis Dunne, Tom Muscarella and Chris Schneider, Councilwomen Missy Miller and Laura Ryder, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll.

“This holiday season is shaping up to be the most heartwarming yet,” Ferretti said. “When you’re looking to bring home a new companion, always adopt — don’t shop.”

Town of Hempstead Supervisor John

announces that the town’s animal shelter will waive all adoption fees through Jan. 4 as part of the “Home for the

campaign.

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All too often a client comes in with a sad tale about an estranged child. Naturally, they are at a loss as to what to do about the situation when it comes to leaving that child an inheritance.

Years ago, the famous advice columnist Ann Landers wrote that her all time most requested column for reprint was on this very subject. Ann wrote that an inheritance should be considered a gift and that if the gift is not deserved one should not be expected. While that may have been good advice at the time and perhaps still is in most cases, like many things it is more complicated today.

In practice, we find that many of these once loving sons and daughters have married individuals with borderline or narcissistic personality disorders. Their spouses are manipulative and controlling. They seek to separate the loving son or daughter from their family so as to better control their spouse. The estranged child knows from experience that going against the wishes of their narcissistic spouse is like throwing

gasoline on a fire — so they go along to get along.

Why does this happen? The manipulator has an enormous advantage over the clients’ son or daughter. The manipulator is a professional, having been this way all their life, honing their skills. The estranged son or daughter is an amateur — they have no experience in being manipulated. It may take years for them to even understand they are being manipulated and then more years, if ever, to build up defenses to the manipulation.

When young children are involved, the estranged child well knows the adverse consequences of having any normal relationship with their children should they seek a divorce from the narcissist.

Our advice is to try to understand and be compassionate with an estranged son or daughter in this situation. An Inheritance Protection Trust (IPT), that may only be used for them and your grandchildren, managed by either a sibling or a professional, may be the answer to such a heart-rending situation.

House fire injures two firefighters

Nassau County police are investigating a house fire that broke out Monday evening, injuring two firefighters.

Officers responded to a report of a fire at 800 Sacco Place around 6:14 p.m., according to detectives. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the home.

The Bellmore Fire Department, along with several neighboring departments,

worked to extinguish the blaze. The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Arson Bomb Squad also responded. Two firefighters were taken to a local hospital with injuries, police said. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

— Hernesto

Galdamez

Koslow supports Toys for Tots Drive

Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow, joined Mayhem Baseball at its Merrick training facility on Sunday, Nov. 30, to support the organization’s Toys for Tots drive.

Koslow and his family were on hand as volunteers collected household items to create care packages for families staying at the nearby Ronald McDonald House. Koslow, a former Mayhem coach, noted that his son, Sam, currently plays for the team.

“The values we teach our children

through our example and our actions will carry them through their lives — and that is why it is so important to demonstrate the importance of giving back as early as possible,” Koslow said. “I was truly blown away by the overwhelming response to Mayhem Baseball’s toy drive, and I know that the generosity of the greater Merrick community will make the holiday season brighter for deserving families throughout our region.

-—

Hernesto

Galdamez

Pushing through for his Warrior Walk

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

When Merrick resident Seth Tabor arrived at his third annual Warrior Walk last week, he wasn’t on his feet this time — he was in a wheelchair, breathing through an oxygen tank after a brutal complication from cancer treatment. But the 50-year-old father, advertising executive, and three-year colorectal cancer fighter never questioned whether he’d be there.

“I knew I was going,” he said. “No matter what.”

Held at the Massapequa Preserve on Nov. 23, the walk drew its largest turnout yet, with friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and colleagues forming a sea of support. For Tabor, who raised his two children here, the event represents far more than a fundraiser — it has become a symbol of hope, advocacy, and community power.

For two decades, Merrick has been home for Tabor, his wife Emily, and their children — one now in college, the other beginning at Calhoun High School. In Manhattan, Tabor built a career at McCann advertising, serving as an executive producer on major national campaigns. His work includes New York Lottery commercials, Super Bowl spots, celebrity-driven ads, and U.S. Soccer.

“I put the teams together — the creatives, directors, editors, visual effects — and help bring the idea to life,” he said. “Some of the ads you probably see every day are mine.”

But recent health complications forced Tabor onto short-term disability just two weeks before the walk. Even so, he has never stopped using his professional skills to advocate for others.

Tabor’s battle began at age 47, when he noticed blood in his stool — a symptom he initially brushed off as something minor.

“I thought it was gluten, or maybe I’d be told to drink

less beer,” he said.

But a colonoscopy revealed colorectal cancer.

“My strength really comes from my army of support,” he said. “My wife is everything. My kids have been unbelievable. My friends, coworkers — it’s all of them. That’s why I can keep fighting.”

Longtime friend Josh Blum, who has known Tabor for nearly a decade through their children’s friendship, echoed that sentiment.

“He’s an unwavering optimist through and through,” Blum said. “He’s a family man, always putting his family first, and calling them out for just being unbelievably supportive. Even in bad shape, he wouldn’t cancel the walk. He made sure the message got out — because it’s too important to give up.”

The first walk raised $33,000, funding clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering. This year’s event raised near-

ly $25,000.

“What mattered most this year wasn’t the number,” Tabor said. “It was the feeling. This was the most love I’ve ever seen at one of these.”

Teachers from Chatterton and Old Mill Road came out. Members of the North Merrick Runners joined. Colleagues traveled from the city. Neighbors, friends, and people who had never met him until that morning filled the preserve.

“It was impossible to overlook the love in that space,” Tabor said. “Everyone felt it.”

For Tabor, raising awareness is just as important as raising money. Colorectal cancer is often preventable, he emphasized, if caught early.

“When I was diagnosed, the screening age was 50. Now it’s 45 — but it should be even lower,” he said. “If I had been tested earlier, I probably wouldn’t have cancer now.”

He has used his advertising background to launch “Toilet Talk,” a social campaign that encourages people to film simple messages in their bathrooms — urging others to know their family history, recognize symptoms, and insist on early screening. The project has gained momentum: actor Chadwick Boseman’s widow has expressed interest in participating.

“The numbers among young people are rising,” Tabor said. “People need this information.”

When asked about his personal goals for the coming year, Tabor didn’t hesitate.

“To stay alive. To beat this,” he said. “And to keep helping — raising money, raising awareness, doing whatever I can to make sure fewer people end up where I am.”

His message to the Merrick community is simple:

“If you get tested early, you can prevent this. You can beat this. Please don’t wait.”

Adaptive sports counter disability stigma

school so we could start expanding over Merrick and then hopefully the world.”

Bird’s first large-scale teaching experience was nerve-wracking at first, but he quickly got into the groove of guiding his peers through different exercises in the school’s gymnasium.

W“I was very nervous at first when it came to leading and telling them where to sit and where to go and what to do,” he said, “but we all had so much fun. And even I was learning things that day too about the kids and about myself. It was awesome.”

The athletic wheelchairs were provided by Austin’s basketball league, Rolling Fury. Rolling Fury is one of Long Island’s junior athletic programs, accepting young people from in and around the metropolitan area and accommodating a wide range of disabilities. The team is affiliated with Nassau County Kings, a sports league for adults in similar circumstances.

Eric Strezenec, a member of the Kings and a friend of Bird’s, has lived in Merrick for 36 years and fiercely advocated for Disability Awareness Day

programs in the area. The two connected over the struggles of experiencing great personal tragedies that occurred

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about the same time as their disability — and how they lived afterwards.

Strezenec competed in the Paralympics in Korea, and nationally competed in basketball, softball, volleyball, and hockey. Even for someone so accomplished, Bird’s journey is an inspiration.

“It’s not easy to be in a wheelchair,” Strezenec said. “He’s a great player — only gets better as time goes on. And to do this in front of your peers is not easy.

“The most important thing is, by him doing this, maybe the next kid who comes to school disabled… sees someone like (Bird), it makes him step up a little bit, which is a good thing — you turn a negative into a positive,” he continued.

Katelyn Dunn, the principal of Merrick Avenue, strongly supported Bird’s plan.

“Austin Bird is really the person who came up with this and said, ‘I want to

give kids the opportunity to see what adaptive sports are and have that feel,’” she said. “These kids actually feel the challenges and the skills that are needed to do what he does on an everyday basis. By seeing and feeling those challenges firsthand, the kids have the experience, and they’re really building empathy.”

The two-day event directly connects with one of the school’s most important learning goals: how to connect with others.

“Anytime we can teach kids about empathy… that’s something that we want to do,” she said. “We talk about empathy a lot in middle school and character education, and how we can make our kids better people all around — it’s something that we’ll continue to emphasize.”

To learn more about Rolling Fury and other adaptable sports programs, visit NYRollingFury.org.

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News briefs

Shore Road School sixth graders showcased the globe through pyramids after researching different countries.

Pyramids offer a glimpse of the globe

Sixth graders at Shore Road School brought countries from around the world to life through a creative, pyramid-shaped project that showcased global cultures.

As part of a unit on world cultures, students selected a country — including Norway, Spain and Sweden — and conducted independent research before crafting a three-dimensional pyramid display. Each project featured flags, photos and written summaries,

designed to give viewers a sense of stepping into that nation.

Students added personal touches and props to enhance their presentations, from bags of regional candy to miniature rivers created with rocks and trees. The projects were displayed at the school, highlighting the diversity and creativity of the sixth-grade class.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Members of the Random Acts of Kindness Club at Shore Road School organized a successful food drive throughout November.

‘RAK Pack’ collects food for Thanksgiving

Students at Shore Road School lent a hand to the community with a schoolwide food drive organized by the Random Acts of Kindness Club, known as the RAK Pack.

In November, club members challenged their peers to bring in different items each week, including

canned goods, condiments and other Thanksgiving essentials. Shining Star Leaders helped collect the donations, and the effort resulted in more than 15 boxes of food for local families in need.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Welcoming group at library’s book club

lives. The discussions are carried by the members, and that’s what makes it so special.”

One of those members is North Bellmore resident Kathy Zullo, who has lived in the community for nearly 50 years and has been part of various book groups at the library for more than a decade.

“I think what makes this group so unique is that we come together from different backgrounds, different religions, different perspectives — but the common thread is the love of reading,” Zullo said. “The group makes me read books I might not normally pull off the shelf, and I think that’s a growth experience.”

For Zullo, the monthly meetings that meet on the third Monday, aren’t just about literature.

“You get to know everybody’s name,” she said. “You ask how they are, and you hear about the life things happening to people. It becomes a whole different layer of friendships connected through the library.”

Zullo’s connection to Kanner goes back decades, with the two working together at a daycare center, but they only reconnected recently when Kanner reached out to her.

“We went out to lunch, and we brought poems we used to write to each

other as part of a Christmas secret-elf exchange,” Zullo said. “She has such a dry sense of humor. She can come out with one-liners that amaze me.”

When Kanner expressed a desire to stay active and engaged after her hus-

band, Morty, died, Zullo encouraged her to join the book club — and watched her thrive.

“She was a little quiet at first, but she brings another wonderful element to the group,” Zullo said. “She’s a great

reader, and her writing — those rhyming verses — adds so much. Everyone loves it.”

Zullo said she has drawn inspiration from Kanner’s energy and commitment to staying sharp.

“You always wonder — are elderly people well because they do all these things, or do they do all these things to stay well?” Zullo said. “Gold drives herself places. She stays social. She reads constantly. She’s carved out a life that keeps her vibrant.”

Cohen wholeheartedly agreed with that assessment of Kanner.

“It is wonderful to have someone like Gold,” Cohen said. “Her writing came as a big surprise. She contributes so much, and she keeps her brain active and engaged. I hope I’m half as sharp at her age.”

The book club, Zullo added, is one of the community’s most meaningful offerings — a space that has grown alongside the library’s expanding role under its current director.

“I wish more people would come,” she said. “But even with 10 or 12, the group is warm, welcoming, and so enriching. The library has become a real community center, and the book group is a wonderful part of that.”

For more information on the Monday Afternoon Book Discussion, visit NorthBellmoreLibrary.org.

executive officer of Nassau University Medical Center, Nassau County’s only public safety net hospital.

Thomas W. Stokes tapped to lead public safety net hospital

Nassau University Medical Center has named Thomas W. Stokes as its permanent president and chief executive officer. Stokes, 54, is the chief financial officer of Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan.

Starting in January, he will takeover managing the day-today operations at the safetynet hospital, based in East Meadow, the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, and other community health centers and outreach operations.

His appointment comes at the end of a turbulent year for NUMC, which was taken over by New York state in May, following provisions that passed in the budget for fiscal year 2026. The changes, which took effect June 1, shifted control from County Executive Bruce Blakeman to Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Demo-

In addition, the state granted the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a public benefit corporation, expanded oversight, including the ability to approve hospital contracts exceeding $1 million. The hospital’s public benefit corporation, the Nassau Health Care Corporation, is also required to conduct a study on strengthening NUMC by Dec. 1, 2026.

State-appointed leadership fired Meg Ryan, the former chief executive at NUMC, in June. She was replaced by Dr. Richard Becker, the interim president and chief executive of the hospital.

Stokes will assume the top office at NUMC from Becker in 2026.

— Jordan Vallone

Donate a new/gently used winter coat at your library

Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow, is partnering with the FreeportMerrick Rotary Club and several local libraries to host his office’s second annual winter coat drive.

Through Sunday, Dec. 14, donors can drop off new and gently used winter coats and accessories — including gloves, hats, scarves, socks and blankets — during regular business hours at the Freeport Memorial Library, the North Merrick Public Library, the North Bellmore Public Library and the FreeportMerrick Rotary Club’s headquarters.

“Donating a new winter coat provides so much more than protection from the winter cold — it shows that you care about your neighbors and

sends a message of hope for a brighter future,” Koslow said. “I’m proud to once again be working with the FreeportMerrick Rotary Club and the Freeport, North Merrick and North Bellmore libraries to make a difference in our community, and I encourage everyone to give what they can in support of this effort.”

For more information, residents can contact Koslow’s office at 516-571-6205 or [skoslow@nassaucountyny.gov] (mailto:skoslow@nassaucountyny.gov).

CO-HOST: JAY OLIVER KIVE STRICKOFF

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

The New York Islanders’ Children’s Foundation, in partnership with UBS, purchased and distributed 200 meals on Nov. 24 to local families ahead of Thanksgiving. The Islanders’ Children’s Foundation partners with local community groups and nonprofit organizations, including Island Harvest, Long Island Cares, Veteran Beacon House, Gateway Youth Outreach and Rock and Wrap it Up, to identify families in need.

The distributed meals were purchased from Stew Leonard’s and included a turkey, four sides, dessert and dinner rolls. Volunteers from UBS and members of the New York Islanders, including former player Butch Goring, and Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock, as we all players’ significant others were onsite to distribute meals.

In a press package, shared with the Herald by the New York Islanders, Pulock said, “It’s special to have this opportunity just to do something small, make people smile, make families be able to come together and have a nice meal together. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Islanders Children’s Foundation, a registered nonprofit, was created in

2003 under the leadership of late-Islanders owner Charles Wang, who had a passion to help children and provide them with the best opportunities to live happy, healthy and successful lives.

Its mission is dedicated to serving local communities, now and in the future. It supports, educates and develops area youth while investing in local families and community wellbeing. The

foundation also supports nonprofit organizations that share its common mission, developing programs that create a lasting legacy.

Current ownership shares Wang’s values, and is committed to being a leader in the philanthropic causes that continue to make the Children’s Foundation a staple in the Long Island community. The Children’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.

Goring, in a video package shared with the Herald, said the appreciation of community members served was “very obvious.”

“Everybody is very thankful to be able to go home and share a meal, not only with themselves, but certainly with friends,” he said.

Athletes, he added, are in a position to give back.

“I think all of us athletes, we recognize that we’re fortunate,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about our next meal. It’s going to be there for us. There are many people who are less fortunate, so when you can help out and make Thanksgiving, which is such a special day, and you can make that a little more special for them — it has a lot of merit.”

For more on the work of the Islanders Children’s Foundation, visit NHL. com/Islanders.

New York Islanders support families in need League forum dissects 2025 election wins, losses

By LUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

The League of Women Voters of East Nassau hosted a forum last month, attended by more than a dozen residents, to analyze local and national results from the 2025 elections. The East Nassau chapter represents Bellmore, East Meadow, Freeport, Levittown, Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford.

Barbara Epstein, co-president of the nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals to participate in democratic activities, opened the Nov. 19 forum by focusing on local races. She highlighted the continued success of Republican candidates in countywide elections.

Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman secured another term as Nassau County executive, defeating his Democratic challenger, Seth Koslow, 54 percent to 46 percent. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly was also elected to another term, defeating Democrat Nicole Aloise, 55 percent to 44 percent.

County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, another Republican, won re-election, besting Democrat Wayne Wink 55 percent to 45 percent in a race centered on fiscal oversight and government efficiency. Republican County Clerk Maureen O’Connell held on to her seat as well, defeating Democrat Joylette Williams 57 percent to 43 percent.

Epstein also discussed results in the

Town of Hempstead, where John Ferretti, a Republican who was appointed supervisor in August following Don Clavin’s resignation, was elected to a full term. He defeated Democrat Joe Scianablo 53 percent to 47 percent. Epstein noted the closeness of the race compared to others. “It was relatively and numerically speaking, a closer race than a lot of the other races from numbers only,” she said.

She also pointed out that for the first time in 54 years, the City Council in Long Beach is entirely Republican.

Incumbent Councilman

Michael Reinhart, Tracey Johnson, and George Ennis defeated Democrats Roy Lester, an incumbent, as well as Peggy Butts and Lillian Mosley. In contrast, Epstein highlighted the victories of Democrats Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, John Frank Zozzaro and John Perrone in Glen Cove, resulting in a split council with three Democrats and three Republicans.

“When you have a super majority, which makes it possible for them to basically control everything that goes on when it comes to the budget and funding.”

Other results included races in the Town of North Hempstead and Suffolk County. In Suffolk, District Attorney Ray Tierney earned a second term, running unopposed.

T here just wasn’t the visibility of who the Democratic candidates were.

ChERYL hOBBEs Westbury resident, meeting participant

“Cities and towns are totally different entities,” Epstein said. “They function unto themselves, basically—particularly the cities.”

She also noted that the Republican supermajority in the Nassau County Legislature was reduced. “There is no super majority that exists,” she said, referring to the new 11–8 Republican majority.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. also ran unopposed to earn a third term.

Following Epstein’s Suffolk summary, several attendees questioned why certain races, such as sheriff and district attorney, featured no opposition. “Maybe they feel there’s no point because they’re not going to win,” asked Grace Felicetti, a member of the league.

Dania Smith, another league member, focused on turnout. “Very few of them (Democrats) came out to vote,” said Smith, a Levittown resident. “Do you think it’s because they’re giving in to the Republican machinery that’s been running things?”

According to the Nassau County Board of Elections, 32 percent of registered Democrats voted in county races this election cycle, compared with 27 percent in 2021. Forty percent of registered Republicans voted four years ago; that number dipped slightly to 39 percent this year.

Roughly 20 percent of voters unaffiliated with a political party—known as “blanks”—cast ballots, with many of them leaning Republican in Nassau.

While Democrats struggled locally, they found success on the national stage. In New York City, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, to become the city’s first Muslim and first South Asian mayor—and the youngest in more than a century. Mollie Schwaber, the league’s co-president, observed that Mamdani’s candidacy became a talking point in Nassau campaigns.

“It provoked fear in people in Nassau County,” she said. “They’re afraid of a socialist, and afraid of the policies that might leak into Nassau County.”

Cheryl Hobbes, a Westbury resident who worked as a poll worker, said she saw that anxiety firsthand. “We actually had a couple come in who looked at the ballot and said, well, where’s Mamdani?” she said.

Epstein also cited two Democratic victories in gubernatorial races. In New Jersey, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill defeated former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli to become the state’s governor. And in Virginia, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger beat Lt. Gov. Winsome EarleSears to become the commonwealth’s first female governor.

mountsinai.org/southnassau

STEPPING OUT

A holiday treasure

Immerse

yourself in New York Dance Theatre’s ‘Nutcracker’

By Roksana Amid

For more than four decades, New York Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” has marked the arrival of the holiday season for thousands of Long Island families. This year, the 43rd annual performance — set for Dec. 20 and 21 at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse — promises to deepen that legacy with an expanded immersive experience, celebrated guest artists and a renewed emphasis on the history that defines the company.

Since 1982, New York Dance Theatre, in partnership with the Ohman School of Ballet, has staged the full-length classic each December. Rooted in the Balanchine tradition handed down from founder Frank Ohman — a former student and soloist under George Balanchine — the production has grown into one of the region’s most recognizable holiday events. Yet for Executive Artistic Director Nicole Loizides, its staying power is not simply about technique or spectacle. It’s about belonging.

• Dec. 20-21, noon and 5 p.m.

• Tickets start at $33, available at ohmanballet.org or (631) 462-0964

• Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead

“We really feed ourselves in tradition,” Loizides says. “Especially around the holidays, people want a place where they can feel comfortable to come home, rest, rela and celebrate together. Our Nutcracker stays rooted in that.”

Long before the overture begins, audience members are invited into the world of the Silberhaus family — the setting of the ballet’s opening scene. When guests enter the Playhouse lobby, costumed Victorian performers greet them, musicians play seasonal melodies and the scent of apple cider wafts through the air.

Children are invited to hang ornaments on a Christmas tree, one of many ways the production blurs the line between audience and story.

Loizides describes it as a “semi-immersive pre-show experience,” one the company has been refining for several years. This season, the lobby experience expands through a new partnership with the Long Island High School for the Arts, whose student musicians perform as audiences arrive.

“As soon as people enter our lobby doors, they’re invited in by characters from our very first act,” Loizides says. “We serve warm apple cider, we have

Allman Betts

Family Revival

live music from some of our most talented youth on Long Island, and we try to capture the spirit of the season of giving within our community. Our audiences are growing tenfold because of that comfort.”

The lobby transformation mirrors the company’s mission: to create a space that feels familiar, nostalgic, and welcoming — something Loizides believes people crave amid today’s fastpaced, hyper-digital world.

“So many things get wrapped up in what’s new on social media or what’s trending,” she says “But this time of year, people want tradition. They want to feel grounded. That’s what we offer.”

This year’s production — as always — features an impressive roster of professional dancers. Brittany Pollack, a soloist with New York City Ballet, and Daniel Ulbricht, a principal dancer with the company and artistic advisor for NYDT, take on the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Broadway performers Joseph J. Simeone and Samuel Colina also appear, joining New York Dance Theatre soloists Sandra Cieslak, Olivia Fohsz, Trevor Montgomery, and Craig Wasserman.

Loizides also returns to the stage, portraying Frau Silberhaus. It’s a moment she describes as both personal and symbolic, especially as the company prepares to enter its 50th anniversary year.

North Shore Village Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Moll returns for his third season in the featured roles of Lead Father and Mother Ginger, contributing to the intercompany collaboration that has become a production hallmark.

Children’s roles are danced by students of the Ohman School of Ballet and the School of American Ballet, the official training academy of New York City Ballet. For many young performers, “The Nutcracker” is their first experience dancing alongside professionals, a tradition that honors Frank Ohman’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.

NYDT’s devotion to tradition is not abstract — it lives in the steps, sets, props, and costumes that have shaped the production for decades. Ohman secured permission from the George Balanchine Trust to use the original Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux, grounding the show in Balanchine’s distinctive style. He also created supplementary scenes and dances that appear in no other staging, adding 10 to 15 minutes to the ballet and expanding opportunities for young dancers.

“What Frank added doesn’t exist anywhere else,” Loizides says. “It gives more solo moments to our youth, especially the young Clara, and it brings additional cultural dances into the second act. It’s something very special.”

Many of the costumes and props used onstage were gifted directly from Balanchine and former New York City Ballet crew members and are now entering formal archival preservation. Some pieces, Loizides notes, are still durable enough to appear in performance.

“That tradition dates back over 50 years,” she says.“These items are a direct link to Balanchine himself. They’re part of our history.”

As the company prepares to embark on its 50th anniversary, she is focused on balancing innovation with the artistic values that first shaped the organization.

“For us, even with new opportunities and initiatives all year, the Nutcracker stays rooted in tradition,” she adds. “This is where our community gathers. It’s where people feel at home.”

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music at the 9th Annual Allman Betts Family Revival! This extraordinary concert is hosted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of Allman Brothers Band legends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts. Inspired by the legendary Last Waltz, this tour features a revolving cast all coming together to honor the timeless legacy and rich catalog of the Allman Brothers Band. This year’s amazing lineup features the Allman Betts Band, the iconic Jimmy Hall, former Wet Willie singer and Allman Brothers alumni; alongside Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, G. Love, Judith Hill, Jimmy Hall, Cody & Luther Dickinson, Alex Orbison, and others. Special guests may also join in. Set against the backdrop of the famous Allman Brothers Brotherhood of Light show, blending electrifying music with stunning visuals, it’s an unforgettable night that honors the rich history and timeless catalog of the Allman Brothers Band.

Sunday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. $108.75, $64.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

‘Home for the Holidays’

Swing into the holiday season with Home for the Holidays with the Future of Jazz Orchestra presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Under the musical direction of Joe Block, expect to hear refreshing takes of your favorite holiday tunes. Joining the orchestra are vocalists Katie Oberholtzer and Imani Rousselle. Oberholtzer, a recurring figure at Birdland, the Jazz Club at the Aman, and Dizzy’s Club, has captivated audiences with her cross-genre performances. Rousselle, recently seen in Broadway’s “Good Night and Good Luck,” is celebrated for the warmth and poise she brings to stage. The Future of Jazz Orchestra is a young big band collective curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center that is comprised of musicians at the start of their jazz career. Pulling from local education programs at Juilliard, Temple, Manhattan School of Music, and more, the orchestra showcases musicians who are fresh on the jazz scene in NYC.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

DEC 4

LuminoCity Festival

LuminoCity is back at Eisenhower Park. Walk through a winter wonderland. Timed admission fee.

• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

• Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m., 6-6:45 p.m., 7:30-8:15 p.m., through Jan. 1

• Contact: luminocityfestival.com

Talking sports

Join fellow sports enthusiasts for this month’s installment of “Sports Chat” at North Merrick Public Library. The discussion covers the end of the baseball season and the World Series wrap-up, the NFL playoff race and top teams, the start of the NBA and NHL seasons (including talk on Knicks, Rangers and Islanders), plus the opening round of the Fantasy Football playoffs. Whether you’re into basketball, baseball, football or it all, come share your insights, predictions and questions in this lively session.

• Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick

• Time: 7 p.m

• Contact: nmerricklibrary.org or call (516) 378-7474

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art invites visitors into a world where reality is uncertain, dreams take shape, and the line between fact and imagination disappears. From dreamlike landscapes and uncanny portraits to images so exact they look like photographs, works in “Real, Surreal, and Photoreal” challenge what we see and what we believe. This exhibit explores how artists across generations have reimagined “the real” in strikingly different ways. Works from both American and European artists are featured. On view through March 8.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

DEC

5

Introduction to Angels Charmed and Healing in Bellmore hosts a free Introduction to Angels class. Participants learn about angels and archangels, how to work with them to improve their lives, and take part in a meditation designed to help them connect more deeply. The class is open to all and can be attended either in person or virtually through Zoom.

DEC 16

Elon Gold

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1-3 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Holiday Flute Choir

Long Island Flute Club’s Holiday Flute Choir returns to Westbury House’s Red Ballroom with “Silvery Sounds of the Season,” an hour-long concert of holiday carols and seasonal favorites. The choir, which has performed at Old Westbury Gardens since 2007, consists of professional and adult amateur flutists from across Long Island. The choir is under the direction of flutist and Old Westbury Gardens docent Lauren Osnato. Seating is limited; arrive early to ensure entrance to the concert. Included with admission.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

Close out 2025 with some laughs with comedian Elon Gold, best known for his relatable takes on being Jewish and getting through the weirdness of life. Considered by many to be this generation’s Borscht Belt King, he’s no stranger to those who watch Netflix. His act brings laughs to both Jews and non-Jews alike all over the world, including sold out shows in England, Sydney and Johannasburg. He’s made dozens of memorable appearances on late-night talk shows and TV series, especially his hilarious recurring role as Head of Hulu on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” opposite Larry David. His one hour Netflix stand-up special, “Elon Gold: Chosen & Taken” received wide acclaim from audiences and peers alike and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He has made ten appearances on the “Tonight Show” and recently performed on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” His routines have gone viral and are shared by millions around the globe. He has starred in FOX’s “Stacked” and developed and starred in the NBC series, “In-Laws.” Prior guest star credits include “Crashing,” “Frasier,” “Chappelle’s Show,” and “Chelsea Lately” among others. He was also a writer/performer on ABC’s “The Dana Carvey Show.” Most recently, Elon can be seen in a recurring role on Season 11 of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and will be in the upcoming Kal Penn feature, “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor.” He has also just wrapped filming the titular role in the upcoming feature “The Badchan,” from renowned Israeli director Gidi Dar. $76.25 and $54.25..

• Where: 305C Bedford Ave., Bellmore

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 673-6554

Christmas tree lighting

Celebrate the season at the annual Christmas tree lighting in Bellmore Village! Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas celebration that will also feature a visit from Santa, a live nativity, festive holiday music, and refreshments. Horse and carriage rides and trolley rides through the community will also be available for a small fee, with tickets sold in front of the Chamber office.

• Where: Southeast corner of Bedford and Broadway/Pettit Avenues

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: BellmoreChamber.com or (516) 679-1875

Santa’s visit

DEC

6

Santa will be arriving soon by fire truck at the Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse! Enjoy free candy and hot chocolate, and don’t forget to snap a picture with Santa; professional photos are available from Serengeti Design Studios. Admission is free.

• Where: 2550B Clubhouse Road (first floor), Merrick

• Time: 11 a.m.

• Contact: merrickchamber.org or (516) 771-1171

Holiday at Westbury House

Celebrate the holiday season at Old Westbury Gardens when the timeless holiday tradition returns. Step inside Westbury House and experience the magic of Christmas past with rooms beautifully decorated in period style and filled with festive cheer. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy holiday treats like cookies and warm cider, and don’t miss a special visit from Santa himself. $18, $15 seniors (62+) and full-time students, $8 children (ages 7–17), free 6 and under and members.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., also Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Movie matinee

DEC

7

Come by Bellmore Memorial Library to see the holiday favorite “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” Follow Kevin McCallister’s misadventures as he gets

separated from his family once again, this time in New York City, where he faces off with familiar crooks plotting to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve. All movies are shown with subtitles. Registration required.

• Where: 2288 Bedford Ave., Bellmore

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: bellmorelibrary.org or (516) 785-2990

Menorah and Christmas tree lighting

Celebrate the season at Merrick Chamber’s annual menorah and Christmas tree lighting at the Merrick Gazebo. Enjoy festive lights, holiday spirit, and refreshments served by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Fee and open to all.

• Where: Merrick Avenue and Broadcast Plaza

• Time: 5 p.m.

• Contact: merrickchamber.org or (516) 771-1171

Happy Hanukkah!

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to get ready for Hanukkah by learning all about dreidels. Find out about the game’s history and rules and then decorate your own dreidel to take home. This is a drop-in activity.

DEC

13

Craft show Get into the holiday spirit by shopping local at the Goddard School. This festive event features handmade goods, crafts, jewelry, home décor, holiday treats, and unique gifts. Support local small businesses and enjoy a fun-filled day of holiday cheer. Vendors are needed. If you sell handmade items or unique products, reserve your space by contacting Pam at (718) 6076330 for registration details. For more information, follow @ GoddardSchoolBellmorePTO on social media platforms for updates.

• Where: 1641 Bellmore Rd., North Bellmore

• Time: Opens 9 a.m.

• Contact: (718) 607-6330

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

NEW YORK’S WRONGEST RUNNING COMEDY!

Kennedy students lead Academic Field Day

Leadership students at Kennedy High School organized an Academic Field Day on Nov. 25, bringing together teachers and students for a full day of hands-on workshops designed to promote a sense of belonging.

Led by Leadership teacher Brad Seidman, the event featured more than 80 sessions based on teachers’ personal interests and hobbies, including hip-hop dancing, game show challenges, podcasting, true crime discussions, forgotten life skills, pickleball, tea around the world, s’mores making, grilling, dream-catcher crafting, Cricut projects and sports analysis.

Emma Stein, a senior and Leadership III student, said the event exceeded expectations.

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU.

BUPM NJ ASSETS LLC, Plaintiff -against- KENT HONG, JOSIE HONG, CHESTER HONG, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated April 7, 2025 and entered on April 9, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction “Rain or Shine” on the North Side steps of the

Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 5, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Newbridge Road, distant 250 feet Northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of

“The day was amazing,” she said. “Seeing teachers and students enjoy the workshops together proved that all the crazy work was totally worth it. In Leadership III, we discuss our legacy as seniors at Kennedy, and I am sure this will be a big part of it.”

Organizers said the planning process not only strengthened the school community but also helped students develop public-speaking, collaboration, planning and leadership skills.

The day also included a “Running a Marathon” workshop led by Principal Gerard Owenburg, who completed the New York City Marathon earlier in November.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Newbridge Road to the Northerly side of Orange Street; being a plot 131.87 feet by 45.47 feet by 132.47 feet by 54.46 feet.

Section: 56 Block: 203 Lot: 102

Said premises known as 2312 NEWBRIDGE ROAD, BELLMORE, NY 11710

Approximate amount of lien $721,140.91 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

The Merrick Before/After School Program is hiring for the 2025-26 school year.

We require mature individuals to provide quality childcare to elementary school aged children between the hours of 2:30pm to 6:00pm weekdays. Minimum 3 afternoons per week Experience helpful Competitive hourly wage If interested email merrickbasp@aol.com or Call (516) 379-4245.

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Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

PART TIME

BOOKKEEPER/ OFFICE MANAGER

• Must be able to manage all

•

•

•

•

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of bookkeeping experience.

•

•

• Hourly rate based on experience.

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications,

One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours

Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS

FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

TAX PREPARER WANTED

FREEPORT TAX SERVICE INC.

Located Sunrise Hwy, Bellmore Hours Are Flexible And Position Requires 20-40 Hours Per Week During Tax Season Possible Future Opportunities

Beachside Beauty

This stunning oceanfront retreat is perfectly positioned on the Atlantic, offering panoramic water views from private decks on all three levels, including a beachfront deck, a main-level terrace, and an exclusive balcony off the luxurious primary suite. The primary suite also features a cozy fireplace and a brand-new spa-inspired bathroom with radiant heated floors. With five spacious bedrooms and the potential to add a sixth, there's ample

On renovations and tax increases

Q. There’s a lot of renovation going on around us, and I don’t see one permit sign or window sign. One neighbor told me he didn’t want his taxes to go up, so he’ll get a permit if he gets caught or when he sells. Isn’t that taking a chance? Will taxes definitely go up, and what are my chances of getting caught for adding a roof over my front door and changing out my windows?

A. Whenever a carton of milk is tipped over on the table, there are those who immediately start mopping up the spill, while others quickly grab the carton to stop the spill at its source. Some try to solve the problem, while others try to fix the mess it creates.

Taxes are the biggest worry, it seems, when it comes to renovation, and the number one question I get. I’m not sure if you’ll get caught, but since taxes don’t reduce, it’s safe to say that you could do nothing and your taxes will go up. I have been advocating for years to have a two-tier property tax system in which your house is taxed separately from property taxes. Many municipalities, from Philadelphia and Boston to cities and towns across Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, have explored and adopted this system, in which building improvements are taxed one-fifth of what they would be in your county.

All the savings for your home renovation, no matter how big or small, encourage public safety through permits and improvements. Where penalties for working without a permit are enforced on the builder, as in New York City, builders doing work, and not just the property owner, have a financial stake, and the local economy gets stronger from sales taxes instead of penalizing people, forever, because they wanted a family room, etc. Sadly, what happens in your county is that the system actually promotes unsafe practices, code violations, work needing to be redone once the owner “gets caught,” such as redoing piping, kitchen removal and zoning hearings that could have been avoided if there were planning, permits and strong penalties.

I regularly get questions about whether existing work “meets code,” when people completely misunderstand that building codes are the bare minimum, and do not fully cover the tolerances or behavior of materials, specific life safety issues or special cases requiring more stringent engineering, from resisting freezing to melting, weak soil, explosion or flame spread, to name a few. It’s common because of your local tax and permit system, and almost seems to be encouraged by allowing people to file to “maintain” work, built illegally, in essence mopping up the spill instead of helping people avoid the spill in the first place.

Building departments accommodate hidden work by simply asking owners to have a licensed professional accept responsibility, stating in letters and in plans that the work is code-compliant, as if professionals have a special super power to see through walls. But no use crying over spilled milk, right? Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

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To find personal peace, get involved in giving back

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary meaning of peace is: a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; or a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity. To achieve true peace, I believe it is important for people to first feel peace internally — a state of tranquility or quiet. Personal peace is often not discussed as much as it should be. If there is peace within oneself, it is easier to find peace in a non-peaceful world.

Creating an environment of peace and calm can be challenging when distraction and lack of attention seem to be the default for many people today. Peace is something that can be modeled

Hby our family, friends, mentors, community and leaders. When you see what peaceful behavior looks like from people around you, you start to feel peace. Perhaps that feeling is like a softening in your body, a sense of stability, confidence, grounding and reduced emotional reaction. When you’re in a state of peace, it creates a space, a pause and a chance to breathe and choose a thoughtful response rather than an emotional reaction.

There are many ways for people to develop their own peace. For example, sitting quietly, spending time with a pet, taking a nature walk, talking to a friend, reading, writing, joining organizations with like-minded people and giving back to the community. When people give back, the community benefits, as do those doing the giving, with surges of happiness and feelings of purpose.

the Four Way Test, a reminder to make sure we live up to the Rotary standards of truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship.

elping others makes you happy and gives you a feeling of purpose.

I get this feeling of peace when I work with my local Rotary Club, which offers access to an international organization of like-minded people who believe in fellowship, strengthening communities and overall peace. We begin every Rotary meeting by reciting

If those in warring factions and nations could find ways to develop inner peace, there could be a lot less conflict. In a peaceful state of mind, they might be more likely to achieve a positive outcome for situations in which a collective effort leads to greater benefit, a win-win where the parties gain more than they initially possessed, rather than fixed outcomes in which one side’s gain is the other’s loss. When people just look out for themselves in a zero-sum fashion, they create feelings of isolation and lack of support. This sense of loneliness can also lead to higher levels of emotional dysregulation. Decisions made in a dysregulated, non-peaceful state of mind are often emotionally reactive, not helpful and not thoughtful.

As humans being, we want to thrive in our world — in our nation, in our community, in our group of friends and in our family. To make ourselves feel better, it is essential to support and

encourage one another to be the best we can instead of putting others down. If someone you know gets a big job promotion or achieves something new, you should be genuinely happy for them, not jealous of them. This also creates a sense of peace in ourselves instead of anger, anxiety or comparison.

During peaceful times, individuals, communities and nations can prosper. Being in a constant state of war or violence toward others or oneself leads only to agitation and turmoil. When we’re more connected to one another we are less isolated, feel supported and experience less emotional distress and more peace.

I encourage you to think about ways to connect more, perhaps by joining a community organization, getting involved in a social group or taking up a hobby. Take your attention off a screen, off social media and off parasocial relationships in which you get empty calories, thinking you’ve found peace but are just being led by an algorithm toward a zero-sum conflict. Remember that being a human is messy and difficult, but that is where the true peace of mind, body and soul are found.

Jordan Pecora, who lives in Rockville Centre, is the immediate past president of the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club.

How tackling racism broadened my horizons

As a Mepham High School student in Bellmore in 2021, I joined ERASE Racism’s Student Task Force. I remained an active member of the task force up until I started college in the summer of 2023. I was never surprised by how meaningful my work was, but what surprised me was how many ways I benefited from my time at ERASE Racism.

I’m still benefiting, as a student on a full scholarship at the University of Richmond, where I’m now on a semester abroad, studying cities through people, planning and politics. The Long Island region is benefiting as well, as more homegrown leaders prepare to take the lead.

ERASE Racism’s Student Task Force is composed of high school students from across Long Island who are passionate about racial justice and making positive change in their schools and communities. It helps students develop their leadership skills, identify their

strengths and assets, and build alliances with students of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds as well as across school districts. Its members work collaboratively on projects that further racial justice.

One of the best parts of the task force was getting to meet students from across Long Island with diverse backgrounds whom I never would have met otherwise. One such friend was a student at Baldwin High School at the time, and is now at Columbia University. We still get together during college breaks.

nity Leadership Program.

I benefited in so many ways as an ERASE Racism Student Task Force Member.

Working with a wide variety of students from different districts, my perception of myself as a leader grew. Together we explored challenges to racial justice, shared our experiences and insights, and considered how best to overcome barriers. Together we organized events like the annual Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow Conference and, for three summers, prepared and presented at the Reimagining Education Summer Institute at Teachers College. I also became part of the Mepham School and Commu-

Those activities inspired my passion for multiculturalism, and the experience that I gained in the process made me a stronger candidate for college. In my college applications, I drew on my experience with two Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow conferences and three Reimagining Education institutes. Based on those applications, I earned two college scholarships, which together cover my entire tuition, room and board. Today I am both a Richmond Scholar and an Oliver Hill Scholar at Richmond.

Now, as an Ambassador for the Richmond Scholars program, I read applications of scholar candidates and understand even better how compelling experiences like the ones I had as a Student Task Force member can be. I even return each year to ERASE Racism to talk with task force members about college essays.

Now studying abroad, I’m continuing to explore my passion for multiculturalism. My studies are taking me to Argentina, Spain and South Africa, as I conduct a research project on migration in urban settings.

High school students on Long Island have many benefits on which to draw, but Long Island remains one of the 10 most racially segregated metropolitan regions in the United States. That segregation is reinforced in education by the fact that suburban Long Island’s two counties are divided into 125 school districts that reflect the racial segregation in housing. The districts in turn prevent students even in neighboring villages from knowing one another and benefiting from their diverse perspectives.

High school students should look for ways to overcome that barrier. The absurd number of school districts — and the extraordinary waste of taxpayer money involved — may not change soon, but students can take steps to cross those boundaries and get to know one another. ERASE Racism’s Student Task Force is one avenue. The resulting friendships and the insights shared are vital to the region’s future. Many more Long Island high school students may just find, as I did, that working to advance racial justice will create a new generation of leaders who seek to overcome existing barriers. They may just discover that they become those leaders themselves.

Alli Alvarez, who lives in Bellmore, is a junior at the University of Richmond.

tHERALD

Dialing down the holiday stress

he holiday season carries a reputation for joy, connection and celebration, yet for many adults it also reliably delivers stress, pressure and emotional overload. Between family dynamics, financial expectations, packed schedules and the internal push to be relentlessly cheerful, it’s no surprise that mental health can take a hit.

This year, consider a more intentional approach by reclaiming this time with strategies that help you thrive, not just survive.

Our culture is saturated with glossy versions of holiday perfection: immaculate homes, harmonious families, gourmet meals and coordinated pajamas.

Social media amplifies it, encouraging comparison even when we know better. But perfection is both impossible and unnecessary. A successful holiday isn’t measured by aesthetics or extravagance; it’s defined by what feels meaningful, peaceful and manageable for you.

One of the healthiest mental shifts you can make is letting go of other people’s expectations, whether it’s your extended family’s traditions or the imaginary audience in your Instagram feed. Give yourself permission to scale down, choose differently, or avoid what drains you. The real “perfect” holiday is the one that supports your well-being.

If there is one skill that reduces holiday stress more than anything else, it’s

boundary-setting. The season often arrives with invitations, obligations and emotional expectations that stack up quickly. Saying yes to everything is unsustainable and usually unnecessary.

A “polite no” doesn’t require elaborate excuses. Try simple scripts such as:

“I appreciate the invite, but I’m keeping things low-key this year.”

“That sounds meaningful, but I can’t take on anything extra right now.”

Setting limits isn’t unkind — it’s responsible. Boundaries protect the energy you need for the commitments and people that genuinely matter.

Holiday spending is one of the biggest, and most underestimated, sources of December stress. Gift-giving can be joyful, but only when it’s grounded in reality rather than guilt or comparison.

Create a budget before you shop, not afterward. Consider setting price caps for group exchanges, opting for homemade gifts or planning shared experiences rather than material items. Most important, reject the mindset that whispers that love must be proven through financial sacrifice. Some of the most meaningful gifts cost nothing: time, connection and attentive presence.

During a season of constant invitations, the most radical choice you can make is protecting your routine. Sleep, movement and downtime are the foundation of mental stability. Schedule “empty time” the same way you would

schedule an appointment. Leave room for rest, flexibility and the ability to say yes to what genuinely nourishes you.

If you rely on therapy, journaling, medication or meditation, guard those habits fiercely. You don’t have to abandon mental health routines simply because the calendar gets festive.

For those experiencing grief, loss or estrangement, the holidays can magnify pain. There is no correct way to “handle” grief during a season of what often feels like forced joy. Give yourself permission to feel whatever arises — sadness, anger, numbness or even unexpected happiness. Create rituals that honor lost loved ones, allow yourself space to step back from celebrations, or connect with others navigating similar emotions. You are not required to “perform” cheerfulness.

January often hits like emotional whiplash. Build in recovery time rather than expecting yourself to launch into new-year productivity immediately. Plan a quiet weekend, revisit your budget, reset your sleep schedule and reestablish routines that ground you. The goal is to ease into the new year, not crash into it.

The holidays don’t need to be an endurance test. With realistic expectations, thoughtful boundaries and a commitment to your mental well-being, you can transform the season from chaotic to intentional.

Health care’s short-term fix and long-term solution

The biggest issue around most Thanksgiving tables last week — other than gratitude — was just how expensive everything seemed. Costs have risen sharply in the past few years, and people are looking for answers.

People are sick of politicians’ petty partisan attacks. They’re asking, “What can you do to make life more affordable?” Some things are straightforward: tariffs make groceries, clothing and Christmas presents more expensive. The growing federal debt is driving up interest rates. Demand for energy to power A.I. data centers, combined with the cancellation of a bunch of green-energy projects, is driving up energy costs. Fewer workers on farms and in industrial plants, hospitality and health care due to deportation — or being scared to show up for work — increases overtime costs.

Rising health care costs are at the top of the affordability crisis list, but addressing those costs is extraordinarily complex.

First, we need an immediate fix in

the next few weeks to extend premium tax credits to avoid an explosion in health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. Then, over the next two years, we need to develop a bipartisan plan to reduce hyperinflated health care costs meaningfully.

iRight now, over 20 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced Premium Tax Credits to afford health insurance. These credits, which expire at the end of the year, require a person buying health insurance to pay 8.5 percent of their income for coverage, with the rest covered by the federal government. If Congress fails to fix this soon, those millions will see their premiums jump by hundreds, even thousands, of dollars, overnight. For many, that would mean losing coverage altogether. Even those who don’t use the credits would be affected: When the risk pool shrinks, premiums rise for everyone.

in the system and ensure that the program functions as intended.

This bill isn’t perfect, but no bipartisan compromise is. Time is running out, and my colleagues and I haven’t seen anyone else stepping up with a truly bipartisan plan. So we did.

n a litany of steps we need to take to improve our system, a few stand out.

Next, the long-term solution: Over the next two years, we need a bipartisan effort to address the decades-long rise in health care costs. Health care is too expensive. Insurance is too expensive. The Affordable Care Act achieved its objective of insuring tens of millions of Americans who had never been insured. Before the ACA, 50 million people were uninsured; today, that number is less than half.

increase life expectancy. Smoking, alcohol, improper diet and lack of exercise are the leading avoidable causes of premature death. We have made significant strides in addressing smoking; we need to do the same with obesity. We must do better! Let’s emphasize healthy eating and exercise, de-incentivize alcohol, and get the medical community more focused on prevention and early detection.

Doctors should be guiding treatment, not insurance companies. Physician payments have fallen dramatically, while doctor expenses have risen by even more. In a world where doctors are subject to burnout, excessive lawsuits and spending more time on defensive paperwork than patient care, our physician pool is hemorrhaging.

First, the immediate fix: I recently introduced the Bipartisan HOPE Act. It would extend the premium tax credits for two years, and institute a salary cap to target assistance to those most in need.

The act also includes strong guardrails to combat fraud, with protections that safeguard taxpayers, restore trust

LeTTers

SUNY errs in rejecting Conzatti appointment

To the Editor:

Re last week’s story “Rejection of NCC leader sparks opposition”: As a former member of the Nassau Community College board of trustees, I take exception to the arbitrary and meritless decision by the SUNY board of trustees in denying the application of the college’s chief administrative officer, Maria Conzatti, for a permanent position.

SUNY’s board voted 12-0 to reject Ms. Conzatti’s application without a scintilla of reason or justification for such a monumental decision, impacting almost 18,000 students and over 800 faculty members. By creating this crater in leadership at the college, when public educational institutions face so much uncertainty and financial challenges, SUNY is overtly causing an unnecessary and counterintuitive crisis that could have been avoided.

I have known Maria Conzatti for almost 14 years, and she has demonstrated a clear and unequivocal track record as an effective, dedicated and professional administrator who has earned the trust of the students, faculty and administration over a multi-decade career at NCC.

As a legislator, I, along with my colleagues, have an obligation to ensure that

our contribution to the college’s budget is being applied judiciously and appropriately. For SUNY to now leave the college rudderless until a permanent leader is found — which, in my experience, can take up to a year — is irresponsible and concerning to me and the taxpayers of Nassau County.

ARNOLD W. DRUCkER Plainview

Arnold Drucker is the deputy minority leader of the Nassau County Legislature, and was a member of the Nassau Community College board of trustees until 2016.

Curtis Sliwa didn’t keep Andrew Cuomo from winning

To the Editor:

I was surprised, when reading Peter king’s op-ed “Local triumphs on a night Republicans didn’t expect” (Nov. 13-19), by his statement, “Curtis Sliwa siphoned off votes that might have made the difference.”

Even when adding Sliwa’s 7.1 percent of the vote to Andrew Cuomo’s 41.6 percent in the New York City mayoral election, they still fall significantly short of

In a litany of steps we need to take to improve our system, a few stand out. The government desperately needs to lower prescription drug costs. The Biden administration passed legislation that allowed Medicare to negotiate prices on 25 drugs, but we need more. President Trump said himself that Big Pharma is “getting away with murder.”

We need to do a much better job on preventive care. People need to be healthier, and medical issues must be addressed long before they spiral out of control. Doing so will save money and

I’ve been in public service for the better part of 30 years, as the mayor of Glen Cove, Nassau County executive, and now in Congress. I’ve learned that one-party solutions are fleeting, easily replaced. We need a bipartisan fix now, and over the next two years I pledge to work with my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus — a bipartisan group of members that I co-chair, that is committed to solving complex problems — to develop a robust health care framework that lowers costs for generations to come.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

Framework by Tim Baker

Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory. I’m not sure why there’s the need to minimize Mamdani’s popularity. Clearly he’s resonating with a lot of people, and I don’t think pretending

that he’s not will be useful or productive for the next election cycle.