The International Women’s Day event hosted by Parisia Lespinasse is set to bring together over 100 people to commemorate and empower women who have made a significant impact in the community. It is set in stone for March 10 at the L’Antillaise Caterers in Franklin Square: story, more photos, Page 4.
By HAIlEY FUlMER hfulmer@liherald.com
A major winter storm swept across Elmont, Franklin Square all of Long Island on Sunday, bringing heavy overnight snowfall and strong, hazardous winds that persisted into Monday, shutting down schools, disrupting transportation and leaving thousands without power on Long Island.
The storm arrived as forecast, intensifying Sunday into blizzard-like conditions across Nassau County. By Monday morning, residents in both communities were digging out from roughly 18 inches of snow, accompanied by powerful wind
gusts that piled drifts against doors and cars.
The Sewanhaka, Elmont and Franklin Square school districts were closed Monday as road crews worked to clear major and residential streets.
“Back storm doors are frozen shut,” Donald Sanusi, of Elmont, said, describing how drifts had temporarily trapped some residents inside their homes.
Jon Miller, of Franklin Square, a paramedic who works in Manhattan, did not have the option of staying home. He began monitoring the forecasts a week in advance, he said, and his original plan was to wake up early and shovel his way out
DEADLINE MARCH 31ST
By HAIlEY FUlMER hfulmer@liherald.com
Danielle Pagoulatos-Lieblein, 55, recently brought her Hicksville based nonprofit, Nursing Home Warrior, to the Garden Care Center in Franklin Square, continuing her mission to advocate for older adults— starting with something as simple as clothing.
Ters, coats and comfortable wear — all newly tagged items. Most donations are gently used, and Pagoulatos-Lieblein carefully reviews each piece to ensure it is appropriate for residents.
he pop-up shops are a great way to know I am getting into the nursing homes and making sure that these residents are getting a little bit of love.
PagoulatosLieblein, a parttime dietitian in the Bronx, organizes pop-up shops at nursing homes across the state, providing residents with donated clothing and personal interaction. She said many residents could not afford to purchase their own clothing, because Medicaid recipients typically receive only $50 to $60 per month for personal expenses.
DANIEllE PAgoUl AToslIEBlEIN Founder, Nursing Home Warrior
At the Garden Care Center event on Feb. 15, racks and tables were filled with sweat -
Arthur Lih, founder of LifeVac — a company that produces portable suction devices used during choking emergencies — is a major donor to the organization. All funds raised by Nursing Home Warrior are used to purchase clothing for residents.
The Garden Care Center houses about 150 residents, and more than half attended the pop-up shop seeking new items.
“The pop-up shops are a great way to know I am getting into the nursing home and making sure that these residents are getting a little bit of love,” Pagoulatos-Lieblein said. Paulie Morgan, who helped
Continued on page 19
By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
Tucked on the first floor of the Elmont Memorial Library is a prominent display of artwork in recognition of Black History Month. The gallery, by Donald Sanusi, is filled with bold colors and various forms of expression, reflecting on his own personal experiences.
Sanusi moved to the United States at 16 from Sierra Leone, West Africa. He initially believed his artwork would focus primarily on African landscapes and familiar scenery from his childhood. Instead, his creative direction shifted as his experiences in America reshaped his understanding of identity, race and culture.
Sanusi now lives in Elmont with his wife, Katrina Sanusi. She said it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he fully immersed himself in his passion for art, dedicating more time to painting and drawing while much of the world slowed down.
Describing his work, Katrina Sanusi said it is not overly abstract. “You pretty much know what it is,” she said. Rather than attempting to break down the piece, she explained, her husband’s pieces invite viewers to reflect on the role the imagery plays in their own lives, depending on their background and worldview.
She added that once he begins a piece, he is clear about its direction and purpose. “He knows what he is going to accomplish,” she explained. “Either the mode he is in, the message he wants to send, his emotions, the frustrations.”
Women commonly serve as the focal point in his pieces. According to his wife Katrina, he believes women are frequently shortchanged in society and seeks to illustrate the depth of the roles they play. His portrayals highlight both suffering and resilience, capturing what she described as their triumphs and victories alongside their struggles.
As Sanusi adjusted to life in the United States, he said his expectations did not match reality. Experiencing new social dynamics and racial constructs that were unfamiliar to him became a defining influence on his artistic voice.
“I did not understand coming from Africa,” said Donald. “I did not understand what blackness meant, what racism was, and profiling and stuff like that.”
He said that when he first encountered profiling and racism, he did not initially recognize what was happening. Without formal a support system to help process those experiences, he turned to art.
“No kind of therapy or anything was available,” he said.
Sanusi said that coming from Africa, he was aware of the many stories that remain untold or misunderstood in the United States. Through his artwork, he aims to educate people on African history and culture that are often overlooked. His work, he said, is influenced by the African oral tradition, in which sto-
rytelling serves as a means for preserving history. Through his artistic storytelling, he sometimes softens difficult
subject matter using vibrant or gentle color palettes. This contrast allows viewers to approach complex themes in
a more accessible way.
Viewers of his artwork may interpret the same piece in different ways, he explained, shaped by their own perspectives and lived experiences. He shared that he often listens first to how individuals interpret his art before sharing his own intentions.
“I think it is a better way to pass the story down,” he explained.
By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
Parisia Lespinasse, founder of the International Women’s Day Dinner Dance, will mark the event’s annual celebration March 7 at L’antillaise Caterers, where dozens are expected to gather to empower, uplift and honor remarkable women. The event will bring together professionals and community members for what Lespinasse describes as a night of recognition in unity.
believe in recognizing women doing great things
PARIsIA
Founder,
Lespinasse said she has dedicated her professional background to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged children and elderly people locally and abroad. She supports and serves on the board of several nonprofit organizations and is a 20-year active volunteer member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Heavy Rescue Elmont Fire Department.
She has led the annual cultural, community-based event since its inception in 2016.
During the event, Michaelle Solages will be highlighted as a keynote speaker. There will also be live performances by Wilfred Lespinasse & Friends, along with guest artists Edward Richard and Ronald Kalil. Attire is elegant formal, including dresses with hats and pearls. Men are also welcome to attend the celebration.
Lespinasse said the event highlights diverse cultural traditions through live music, art, dance and Haitian cuisine, helping to strengthen community bonds.
“I believe in recognizing women doing great things, and I also believe in making connections with women who are not superficial,” Lespinasse said. “Coming together is a beginning, but
working together can create a sense of unity. I believe in the power of unity and community.”
She said the event is about connecting and moving forward together for the next generations involved with the project.
“We are more powerful when we empower each other,” she said. “In unity we will continue to stand and practice our motto of: L’Union fait la Force, one town at a time. I believe that Haiti will rise someday. Haiti pap péri.”
Gladys Charles, who has attended the annual International Women’s Day event since it started, called it a wellattended and resounding success that sparks genuine connections.
“There is always a cultural talent show that highlights the artistic talents of men and women including the youth,” Charles said. “This heritage celebration is a fantastic way to showcase the rich cultural traditions of our community with diverse backgrounds.”
— but there was a complication. He couldn’t open his glass front door. The snow, he said, “was about 6 inches above the door lines,” and he didn’t want to risk cracking it by forcing it open against the packed snow.
Tamar Bailey, board director at the Elmont Cultural Center, said the storm warnings felt “last minute,” even though forecasts had signaled significant snowfall for days. NICE Bus service was suspended at 9 p.m. on Sunday, according to Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and, Bailey noted, essential workers faced difficult choices as conditions worsened. Many, she said, likely stayed overnight at their workplaces rather than attempt hazardous trips home.
Some residents expressed frustration with plowing operations. Miller said that plows came through his neighborhood on Sunday night, but appeared to pus additional snow into already narrow streets, creating higher piles in front of driveways.
Another Franklin Square resident, Rukhsana Habib, said she was relieved simply to get her door open. Her backyard had been transformed into a winter landscape, with snow blanketing patio tables and chairs.
The storm caused sporadic power outages. According to PSEG Long Island, just over 15,000 of its 1.2 million
electric customers on Long Island and in the Rockaways were without power at one point. As of 10 a.m. Monday, the utility reported that it had restored electricity to thousands of customers affected by the storm.
Utility officials said that field crews were at times unable to make repairs because of high winds. Branches and
downed wires contributed to the outages.
The National Weather Service issued the first blizzard warning on Long Island since 2022, and county and state officials mobilized additional resources ahead of the storm. Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said New York deployed 100 members of the New York National Guard and more than 2,000
snowplows to clear the region’s roads.
Despite those preparations, some community members pointed to lingering concerns about snow removal from roads and sidewalks after last month’s major storm. Residents said that several public areas remained unplowed for weeks, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and motorists.
Carl Gerrato, vice president of the Franklin Square Public Library board of trustees, said the sidewalk outside the library is routinely left unplowed after storms. The library’s accessibility ramp often remains uncleared as well, Gerrato added, limiting residents’ safe access for residents.
President Bill documented the unplowed sidewalks to prompt action from local officials. Earlier this month, Youngfert sent a letter to Hempstead Town Councilman Thomas Muscarella, expressing concern about the town parking lot, FS-1, across Lincoln Road from the library, which, Youngfert said, also remained unplowed after last month’s storm. It took roughly two weeks for the lot to be cleared, he said.
Youngfert said he hoped to see more timely maintenance following the latest storm, particularly in high-traffic public spaces.
As residents continued to dig out Monday, officials reiterated warnings about avoiding unnecessary travel and checking on elderly neighbors.
Third grade students at Washington Street School celebrated Lunar New Year on Feb. 11 as part of their social studies unit on China, taking part in a day of rotating classroom activities designed to explore the holiday’s traditions and cultural significance.
Students crafted red paper lanterns, listened to a read-aloud of “The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac” by Emily Hiles, and learned about the symbolism of red envelopes before decorating their own. Classes also created paper fortune cookies while discussing customs connected to the holiday.
Students further explored this year’s zodiac symbol, the Horse, by drawing horses and practicing writing the Chinese characters for “fire” and “horse.” The 2026 celebration marks the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare alignment in the Chinese calendar that occurs only once every 60 years, combining the Horse zodiac sign with the Fire element.
–Hailey Fulmer
By NICK MONGIOVI sports@liherald.com
The dog pound was barking last Thursday at Hewlett High School, as the host Bulldogs nipped Sewanhaka, 47-46, in a Nassau Class AA boys’ basketball first-round playoff thriller before a packed and energetic crowd.
Sophomore Gabe Bowery’s layup with two minutes remaining put No. 7 Hewlett ahead for good. Sewanhaka had two chances to win it in the final 10 seconds but was unable to hit either shot attempt.
Hewlett senior Justin Ortiz was locked in from the opening tip, pouring in 15 of his game-high 22 points in the first half, finishing with five threes.
“He has been the ultimate Bulldog,” Hewlett head coach Andy DeBernardo said of Ortiz. “He’s been with us for four years. He’s a great kid and an even better ball player. We love him to death. This was on his bucket list: A home playoff game and a win. He got both.”
After every bucket of his own or big play from his defense, Ortiz made sure to signal to the crowd to keep the energy at an all-time high.
“They [the crowd] make the biggest impact,” Ortiz said. “That’s the pound. They show out every single game and we don’t win a lot of games without them. They’re very important.”
Sewanhaka, the No. 10 seed, found a way to limit Ortiz’s shot attempts in the second half, but the All-County guard found a way to make his presence felt with and without the ball in his hands, as well as on the other end of the court. It was an emotional victory for him, as he is the only remaining player who got knocked out by the Ravens two seasons ago in the first round.
“It’s kind of like revenge for my brothers [teammates] that I was playing with,” Ortiz said. “You build bonds with people and they mean so much to you that you just want to get payback for them. We walked in their gym that day and it was really rowdy, and I just hope they felt what I felt when I was a sophomore playing at their place. I let their coach know after the game it was all love, but I had to get him back.”
It was a back-and-forth affair, as the two sides traded buckets. Senior captain Dante Anderson led the Ravens
with 21 points, while the other senior captain Nehemy Fresnel added 15. They also clogged the paint with sophomores Nnamdi Amadike (6 points) and Lance Williams.
“This is their [Anderson and Fresnel’s] team,” Sewanhaka head coach Jay Allen said. “We wouldn’t have gotten to this point without those guys. So, although it’s a disappointing loss, those guys really carried us all season.”
Hewlett, which led 27-24 at halftime but trailed 41-38 after three quarters, gained some much-needed rim protection from Bowery, who recorded 9 points, 8 blocks and 13 boards.
Senior center Kobe Cox (5 points, 10 rebounds) and sophomore Brendan Spady (5 points) came off the bench and provided a spark. It was a full-team effort, as seniors Stefano Borsellino, Christian Champagnie and Maxon McKenniss contributed to Hewlett’s first playoff win in four seasons and DeBernardo’s first.
“We lost to Garden City at the buzzer when we were leading the entire game the other night, and we said, ‘this game was about 32 minutes, not 31 and a half,” DeBernardo said.
By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD & CAROLYN JAMES of the Herald
As employers across Long Island struggle to fill open positions, State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon visited Suffolk County Community College’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood on Feb. 17 to spotlight workforce training and emphasize child care access as a critical barrier to employment.
“There are many pathways leading to middle-class, family-sustaining jobs right now, and many of them lead through community college programs,” said Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College. “An apprenticeship, an industry-recognized certification or license or a two-year degree. Eventually, many of them can also lead to bachelor’s degrees as well, and I appreciate Commissioner Reardon helping to shine a light on these opportunities.”
Reardon toured the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, met with students and educators and highlighted several workforce development and child care initiatives included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget.
Long Island faces ongoing shortages in skilled trades like electrical work, heating and air conditioning, plumbing and advanced manufacturing. Nassau and Suffolk community colleges offer workforce training in those areas, as well as in
Carolyn James/Herald
Suffolk County Community College President Edward Bonohue, left, state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Mike Fabrizio, director of the college’s Computer Numerical Control program, at the Brentwood campus on Feb. 17.
health care. And the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center, sponsored by SUNY Farmingdale, offers regional residents tuition-free vocational training.
Officials said the programs help create a pipeline of locally trained workers who can remain in their communities.
Will Testa, owner of Will Testa Remodeling Inc., in Copiague, noted the shortage of workers. “There are not enough people coming in to the workforce who are trained properly,” he said. “The problem is, everyone forces their kids to go to college, which may be good for some, but
it’s not good for everyone, and trade schools are important — it’s the infrastructure of our society.”
What’s important, Testa added, is that this training is designed hard in hand with local employers.
While workforce-training programs are expanding, Reardon said, employment growth also depends on addressing Long Island’s child care shortage.
Reardon, who also co-chairs the state’s Child Care Task Force, said that increasing access to affordable care is essential to strengthening the labor force. The task
force, relaunched in 2023, is developing strategies aimed at universal, high-quality, affordable child care statewide.
“The governor has spoken a lot about this issue, and made it clear that she wants every New Yorker to be able to work at their fullest capacity and desire,” she said. “And that means that we have a responsibility to help them have accessible, affordable child care to do that.”
Child care costs on Long Island are among the highest in the country, second only to Massachusetts. Families typically spend between $15,000 and $24,000 annually per child for full-time, center-based care, according to the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island.
“When you couple that with the high costs of everything else — housing, food, utilities — child care is a tremendous stress on families,” Reardon noted.
Prachi Shah, owner of Kiddie Academy, in Hicksville, said that care providers also face financial pressures. “We are grateful for Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s visit to the Brentwood Campus and her attention to matters affecting our industry,” Shah said.
The Kiddie Academy of Hicksville and Bethpage are independently owned and operated franchise locations that serve 350 children and employ 75 early-childhood educators. “It is essential to keep this discussion going,” Shah said, “and highlight ways the state can better support providers on Long Island.”
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By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com
Residents gathered at the and Joseph Scianablo and other Town of Hempstead residents took to Cornwall Avenue Park in West Hempstead demanding greater transparency from the town, calling for a formal state audit after Hempstead officials acknowledged failing to file the legally required financial statements.
Scianablo announced on Feb. 19, he has formally requested that the New York State Comptroller’s Office, led by Thomas DiNapoli, conduct an independent financial and operational audit of the town. The request follows a Jan. 9 “Material Event Notice” in which the town admitted it did not submit its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2024, and acknowledged violations tied to bond disclosure obligations.
“I’m standing here today as a resident and a concerned taxpayer,” said Scianablo, who is once again the Democratic supervisor candidate. He lost to Supervisor John Ferretti, a Republican, in November. “This is not an accusation — it’s facts, Scianablo added. “The Town of Hempstead failed to comply with the requirements for filing financial statements. They failed the people. They failed to submit the required 2024 audit.”
He described the missed filings as part of what he called a broader “pattern of secrecy and noncompliance,” arguing that independent oversight is “not optional — it’s necessary.”
Scianablo pointed to major fiscal decisions over the past two years, including a 12 percent tax hike followed by what he described as an unexplained 18 percent reduction the following year, as examples of why closer scrutiny is warranted.
“Critical decisions in the Town of Hempstead are being made without clear answers,” he said. “This is
Residents from the Town of Hempstead residents with Joseph Scianablo, center, the Democratic candidate for supervisor, called for an independent state audit of alleged missing financial reports.
exactly why an independent audit is necessary. If everything is being done properly by the town, this audit will show that. If problems are uncovered, they must be fixed.”
He also raised concerns about the town’s animal shelter, citing questions about budgeting, staffing and public access. Referencing the Companion Animal Care Standards Act, Scianablo said transparency should be prioritized rather than “creating a barrier between the shelter and the public.”
“The state comptroller exists to provide indepen-
dent oversight and protect taxpayers,” he said. “We need to know our money is being managed responsibly. Real leadership means welcoming transparency, not avoiding it.”
The town pushed back on the claims. Spokesman Brian Devine said Ferretti has lowered taxes for residents and that the 2024 financial audit was completed on time and publicly posted online.
“Any suggestion that the town failed its auditing duties is false and misleading,” Devine said, emphasizing that the town has met all state requirements.
By ABBEY SALVEMINI asalvemini@liherald.com
Sweeping new legislation aimed at cracking down on unlicensed backyard breeders was introduced at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter in Wantagh as Supervisor John Ferretti said the goal is simple: “protect animals and prevent suffering before it starts.”
Ferretti outlined a proposed local law that would require all dog and cat litters born in the town to be registered within 30 days. Pet owners would need to report the breed or species, the name of the veterinarian who treated the animals and where they are being housed.
The measure is largely complaintdriven; allowing residents to report suspected illegal breeding to the town, which would then dispatch animal control.
“We need the community to help us out and report people who are breeding or selling out of their backyards,” he said. “We will send an animal control officer or a building department inspector out to investigate.”
Town officials say unregulated breeding operations often lead to overpopulation, inbreeding and unsafe living conditions. Puppies and kittens are frequently separated from their mothers too early, resulting in long-term health
and behavioral issues. Many end up sick, abandoned or surrendered to shelters when they are no longer considered profitable.
“If we didn’t have backyard breeding, we probably wouldn’t have as many animals in any shelter around the country as we do daily,” said Animal Shelter Director Ashley Behrens, voicing her
support for the proposed legislation and its focus on preventing overpopulation before it reaches local shelters.
“Cracking down on what’s best for the community and the animals is something we are fully in support of,” Behrens added.
Under the proposal, violations would start at $250 and increase to $500 for
repeat offenders. However, fines could be dismissed if the animals are sterilized or surrendered to a licensed shelter within 16 weeks. Ferretti stressed that the legislation is about accountability — not revenue.
“This legislation is about action, it’s not about money,” he said. “We’re not here to collect a penny. We want what’s best for the animals.”
Ferretti pointed to a recent case involving a golden retriever that arrived at the shelter still lactating after having given birth. He said the dog appeared to have been abandoned once she was no longer useful for breeding. The retriever was quickly adopted, but the case underscored the broader issue.
“When their owners are done with them, they throw them in the streets,” Behrens said. “We see this day in and day out.”
Ferretti emphasized that while he is proud that the town’s animal shelter operates a no-kill facility with longterm care management, prevention is key.
Town officials did not say when the new regulations would be discussed at a town board meeting.
Have an opinion on Hempstead Town issues? Send letter to jbessen@liherald. com.
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Fifth and sixth grade students in the Franklin Square Union Free School District are staying active and building teamwork skills through the second annual after-school intramural program at John Street School.
About 45 students are participating in the winter session, competing in a variety of indoor sports, including floor hockey, Newcomb, Wallyball and basketball. The program promotes physical health and well-being, as well as camaraderie among the district’s three schools.
Due to the program’s continued success, it has expanded this year to include more students and additional advisers, creating greater opportunities for participation and support.
The program is led by physical education teacher Kenneth Ehrenkranz; third-grade teacher Annemarie Giarrizzo; sixth-grade teacher Mark Olfano; math lab teacher Kevin Wagner; and PPDS teacher Zachary Slotnik.
–Hailey Fulmer
Franklin Square students play “Around the World” during the after-school intramural program on Feb. 10.
Nassau County Legislators Carrié Solages and Cynthia Nuñez are partnering with the Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR), the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) and the Long Island Housing Partnership to host a workshop for first-time homebuyers at Valley Stream’s Gateway Christian Center on Thursday, March 12.
During the event, prospective homebuyers will learn how they may qualify to receive significant financial assistance toward the purchase of their first home and gain knowledge about best practices in preparing financially; navigating the home-buying process; securing pre-approval; and free grant, loan, and first-time homebuyer programs that are available.
“Amidst our nation’s growing affordability crisis, Long Island has become an even more challenging market to enter, and these workshops are designed to help first-time homebuyers navigate the process successfully,” Legislator Solages said. “Thank you to our partners at LIBOR, SONYMA and the Long Island Housing Partnership for pooling
their resources to host a workshop that will deliver essential information to District 3 residents and all of Nassau County’s communities.”
“Navigating the housing market can be incredibly daunting, but no one should have to do it alone. By bringing experts from LIBOR, SONYMA, and the Long Island Housing Partnership directly to our neighborhood, we are providing the tools and financial resources necessary to turn the dream of homeownership into a reality for our community,” Legislator Nuñez said. “Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to the complex process of purchasing a home. This workshop is a vital opportunity for our constituents to access grants and learn the best financial practices to succeed in today’s market. We are committed to making the ‘American Dream’ accessible and affordable for everyone in District 14.”
Attendees are encouraged to contact Legislator Solages’ office at 516-571-6203 orcsolages@nassaucountyny.gov with their questions and/or to RSVP.
–Hailey Fulmer
By ABBY GIBSON & KUMBA JAGNE Interns
Hempstead native Karine Jean-Pierre, the former press secretary in President Joe Biden’s administration, was the latest guest in Hofstra University’s “Signature Speaker” series.
Jean-Pierre, who served in the White House from May 2022 to January 2025, made history as the first Black and first openly LGBTQ person to be press secretary.
She is a graduate of Kellenberg High, in Uniondale, and Columbia University, and her involvement with Hempstead has not diminished: She gave Hempstead High School’s commencement speech in 2022, and was given the keys to the village by Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. in 2024.
“This is very much home for me,” Jean-Pierre said on Feb. 12. “This is not unfamiliar ground.”
Sister members of her honorary sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Hofstra students, community members and students from 18 area high schools attended the event.
Hempstead High senior Zeydi Guerra, 17, said that Jean-Pierre’s speech left her with more motivation to succeed in her own career. “She’s a Hempstead native,” Guerra said. “I feel like if she can make it, I can definitely do something as well.”
Speaking directly to the high school students, JeanPierre encouraged them to be curious, ambitious and passionate. A common thread through her speech, a panel discussion and an interview with student media was urging people to become involved in politics, even though the options may be imperfect.
“Your civic identity doesn’t begin at 18 — it begins when you start paying attention,” she said. “When you
notice what feels fair and what doesn’t, who gets heard and who has to jump higher just to be seen.”
Eleanor McKay, of Hempstead, president of the Long Island Cross County Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, said she attended because she recognizes the importance of Jean-Pierre being a Black woman who held a high-profile government position.
“She talked about seeing someone touch President
Obama’s hair, a young [Black] boy, and realize that from the texture he was here and how real it is that he is just like us,” McKay said. “Sometimes it’s not really appreciated, or we don’t understand the magnitude of representation. It impacts us and the next generation.”
Hofstra University President Susan Poser introduced Camryn Bowden, a senior majoring in political science and journalism, who in turn introduced JeanPierre. Poser spoke so glowingly of Bowden’s resumé that Jean-Pierre said she would be working for Bowden one day.
“I had the opportunity to get her to sign my copy of her book ‘Independent,’” Bowden said. “She wrote in the book, ‘I’ll be watching you on the news someday.’ It was, again, just a surreal experience to hear someone who held such a high position of power in the White House say such sweet things.”
Jean-Pierre’s first book was “Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America.” Her most recent, published last October, is “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”
She empathized with young people’s feelings of being disconnected from the two-party system. “The two-party system often feels rigid, outdated and unresponsive,” she said. “It forces false choices and limits imagination. Questioning that system is not a failure of citizenship.”
She expressed disdain for the current administration, saying, “This too shall pass.”
“We have to work as a people to make sure that there is people power in this time, that our voices are heard, that we hold powerful people accountable,” Jean-Pierre said. “We are celebrating 250 years of this country, and that is a young democracy. If we don’t fight for it every day, we will lose it.”
By Abbey Salvemini
Let the good times roll when the museum opens its doors to Carnival on Saturday.
As a globally cherished cultural celebration, Carnival honors the unique traditions and diverse identities of the Caribbean and Latin American cultures it touches. Locally, Long Island Children’s Museum transforms into a vibrant street festival for its second annual Carnival — a vibrant showcase of creativity and self-expression — through a blend of music, dance, crafts and interactive programming.
Supported by New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, the event highlights the museum’s commitment to creating shared cultural experiences for Long Island families.
“As a woman of Caribbean descent, I am proud to sponsor this event at the Long Island Children’s Museum, an institution that plays a vital role in educating and inspiring our young people,” Solages says. “Events like this remind us, and teach the next generation, that diversity is our strength and that honoring our roots can be both joyful and meaningful.”
Hofstra University’s renowned ensemble-in-residence celebrates the legacies of founding clarinetist Naomi Drucker and longtime violist Lois Martin at its upcoming concert. The program — a diverse selection of works by Mendelssohn, Hurlstone, Beach, Dimmler, and Steven Gerber — honors both who were instrumental in shaping ACE’s storied history. In a special tribute to Martin, the ensemble performs Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, a masterpiece known for its prominent viola scoring. Drucker, a revered educator and co-founder, is remembered with David Holsinger’s On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. In a testament to her impact, f Drucker’s former students, colleagues, and friends join the ensemble on stage for this moving tribute
• Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Admission: $18, $16 65+
• View the LICM events calendar at licm.org for additional information or call (516) 224-5800
• 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
While the iconic celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Portau-Prince often steal the spotlight, the museum’s festival dives deeper into the tapestry of the region — from the energetic parades of Barranquilla to the historic traditions of Oruro and Montevideo. They are expressions of heritage and identity, artistic creativity and community spirit that define the joy of marking the changing seasons and the region’s rich tapestry.
Visitors will get a taste of Carnival’s jubilant spirit of throughout the day’s programming.
“We were looking for a festival that embodies the diversity of Long Island,” Aimee Terzulli, the museum’s vice president of program and visitor experience shares. “These cultural festivals are invitations to the community.”
Throughout the day, families can expect a lively mix of music, movement and creative experiences, set against the backdrop of upbeat Caribbean rhythms that create a lively, tropical atmosphere.
The Brazilian Samba Novo troupe, a returning favorite, gets everyone moving to the sounds of Samba and salsa music. The lively dancers and energetic drummers once again entertain the crowd and teach kids some of the dance steps, adding an interactive element to their entertainment. Those towering “Jumbie” stilt walkers, rooted as a symbol of spirit guardians, are also back, bring the magic to life as an iconic part of the Carnival celebration.
“The performances resemble what Carnival would really be like,” Terzulli enthuses.
No Carnival is complete without a massive parade to ring in the holiday. Here everyone gets into the parade spirit during what she describes as “the fantastic float parade.”
Kids can help decorate miniature floats before pulling them through the parade, accompanied by dancers and stilt walkers. And, of course, there’s a Carnival King and Queen involved — chosen from
Music in the air, joy in every step. Samba Novo dancers bring rhythms to life and invite young guests to move, groove and celebrate together.
Vsitors get creative with hands-on artmaking, turning tradition into playful masterpieces.
those in the “crowd” to reinforce the event’s playful, inclusive spirit.
Little faces, big imaginations! From butterflies to bold designs, creativity takes center stage as kids are transformed into works of art.
The museum’s animal ‘residents” even join in the fun, helping families understand how wildlife has historically inspired Carnival imagery and costume design. New craft offerings this year include maraca-making, ribbon stick design and face painting.
However, the day isn’t just about play — it’s about perspective.
“We want everyone to find an entry point,” Terzulli says.
While the event is undeniably festive, education remains a core focus. Museum staff and performers involve conversations about Carnival’s history and meaning throughout the day, helping visitors understand its cultural roots while enjoying it all. Through partnerships with authentic cultural contributors, the museum ensures the history of the experience remains front and center.
“We make sure that when they are making the crafts, there is an exchange of why they are making it,” Turzelli adds.
Of course, no festival is complete without flavor. Families can pause for a “pit stop” to sample sweet and savory treats inspired by various Latin American and Caribbean nations, providing a literal taste of the regions being celebrated.
At its heart, the aim is for families to leave with more than just memories of a fun day. Carnival also reflects the museum’s broader mission of serving as a community gathering place.
“I hope they walk away with a sense of joy about the holiday. I think it’s a beautiful, multicultural event,” Terzulli adds. “We want LICM to be a space where people come to learn about each other.”
Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors 65+ or students with ID; available at the door. Hofstra University, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave., Hempstead. For information or reservations, call (631) 242-5684 or (516) 586-3433.
“Don’t stop believin’… Voyage rocks on with another dynamic tribute to Journey. The popular band takes everyone back to the ‘80s when Journey’s timeless music ruled the airwaves. Hailed by fans and critics alike, the band performs the music with chilling accuracy. Voyage is celebrated for their uncanny ability to recreate the legendary sound, energy and passion of one of rock’s greatest bands. With their blistering guitar solos, lush keyboard arrangements, electrifying stage presence, and stunning harmonies, the band has earned a reputation as the ultimate homage to Journey’s timeless music. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose range and tone is acclaimed as rivaling the iconic Steve Perry, he’s backed by a lineup of world-class musicians — Robby Hoffman, Greg Smith, Lance Millard, and Dana Spellman — who bring every note to life with precision and heart. Voyage doesn’t just perform Journey’s greatest hits — they transport audiences back to the height of arena rock glory.
Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
The Grammy-winning percussionists return to the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center. For 25 years and counting, the quartet has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). Their commitment to the creation and amplification of new work have made them a trusted partner for composers, allowing the writing of music that expands the style and capacity of brilliant voices of our time.
• Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or 9516) 877-4000
St. Francis Hospital Outreach Bus
Elmont Library welcomes St. Francis Hospital’s Outreach Bus. Obtain free health screenings for age 18 and older. Also obtain educational information and referrals.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke.
• Time: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
• Contact: elmontlibrary.org or (516) 354-5280
Black History Month teen workshop
Elmont Memorial Library welcomes teens to a Black History Month celebration. Create and decorate bookmarks and magnets.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke.
• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
• Contact: elmontlibrary.org or (516) 354-5280
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Night’s Dream’ Molloy University’s CAP21 Musical Theatre students tackle Shakespeare. The Bard’s beloved comedy is a magical tale that explores the irrationality of love, desire, friendship, jealousy and magic. When the mortal worlds of four young lovers and a bungling group of amateur actors collide with a feuding fairy kingdom in a mystical forest on a midsummer eve, romantic misadventures ensue, causing chaos that only a bit of fairy magic can sort out.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 8 p.m.; also March 7, 2 and 8 p.m.; March 8, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Jessie’s Girl’s primary line-up includes a team of NYC’s top rock and pop vocalists: Jenna O’Gara, Jerome Bell-Bastien, and Mark Rinzel. They are backed by one of the tightest bands in the city comprised of 20+ year veterans of the NYC music scene: Eric Presti on guitar, Drew Mortali on bass, Michael Maenza on drums, and Karlee Bloom on Keys and the Keytar. Each with dozens of credits performing with authentic ‘80s icons who made the music famous to begin with! From the synth-pop glitz of the early MTV era to the power ballads of stadium rock, the band captures the specific magic that defined a generation. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Their motto: There’s no decade like the Eighties and no party like Back To The Eighties with Jessie’s Girl. Whether you lived through the ‘80s the first time or are just a fan of the timeless anthems, you’ll want to join in the fun.
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 3-5
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Tunes with ‘90s Band
Enjoy some delectable German cuisine and drink some beer while listening to the ‘90s Band at the Plattdeutsche. $8 cover.
• Where: 1132 Hempstead Tpke.
• Time: 7-11 p.m.
• Contact: parkrestaurant.com or (516) 354-3131
MAR
Nassau County Museum of Art welcomes acclaimed artist Adam Straus for engaging conversation with noted art critic-writer-filmmaker Amei Wallach. Together, Straus and Wallach will discuss his artistic process, share insights from his current and past work, and present images that illuminate the evolution of his practice. Their dialogue offers a unique window into the artist’screative journey and the broader role of art in reflecting and responding to our
contemporary world. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance.
• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Metropolitan Klezmer Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to dress up and celebrate Purim — costumes encouraged and fun guaranteed! Enjoy a performance by Metropolitan Klezmer on the museum stage. The band brings eclectic exuberance to Yiddish musical genres from all over the map. Performing vibrant versions of lesser-known gems from wedding dance, trance, folk, swing and tango styles, as well as soundtrack material from vintage Yiddish films, they re-invent tradition with both irreverence and respect. Sing and dance along with us at this interactive family concert! Also make a grogger, the traditional noisemaker used during the telling of the Purim story at a drop-in program, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Grab a touch of spring by painting vibrant florals at Elmont Memorial Library. Learn how to create vines and clovers on their canvas. Registration is required.
• Where: 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: 1-3 p.m.
• Contact: elmontlibrary.org or (516) 354-5280
MAR 5
Little Learners Art Lab
Each week in this engaging workshop at Long Island Children’s Museum, participants are introduced to hands-on materials, artmaking, and inspiration from artists and techniques. Young kids, ages 2-5, build critical thinking skills, expand vocabulary, and support imaginations as they play, create and explore. This week say goodbye to winter by turning paper cups into mini penguins! $4 with museum admission.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave.,
The all-new circus tour is a nonstop celebration of jaw-dropping acts, world-class performances and memory-making moments. Dance, cheer and celebrate from your seat.
• Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont
• Time: Various, through March 8
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or ringling.com/circus
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families with kids ages 6-10 to explore how climate change impacts our environment and learn ways both scientists and families can help protect it. These workshops are part of a scientific study surrounding climate education.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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.
Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had?
Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
award will be presented at the
of
February 26, 2026
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK
NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX
MORTGAGE LOAN
TRUST 2006-AR27, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES
2006-AR27, -againstMARIA RODRIGUEZ, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on November 14, 2025, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK
NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-AR27, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES
2006-AR27 is the Plaintiff and MARIA RODRIGUEZ, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 11, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1311 MCCLURE AVENUE, ELMONT, NY 11003; and the following tax map identification: 32-578-78 & 87. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT ELMONT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD NASSAU COUNTY, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 609890/2019. Brian J. Davis, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158219
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION of 11 Cubed LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/26/26 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 222 Doris Avenue, Franklin Square, NY 11010. Purpose: any lawful act. 158223
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, FLAGSTAR BANK, N.A., F/K/A FLAGSTAR BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs. MIGUEL F. HERNANDEZ, ESTER AMBROSIO-RUIZ, if living and if he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, though, or under them and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heir-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff, ET AL., Defendant (s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2025 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 96 FLORAL BLVD, FLORAL PARK, NY 11001. All that certain
plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Floral Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 32, Block: 181, Lot: 107 & 406. Approximate amount of judgment is $983,321.90 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 606142/2019.
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.
CHRISTINE M. GRILLO, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158330
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. S/B/M TO BAC HOME LOANS SERVICINGM LP F/K/A COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS SERVICING LP, Pltf. vs. JOSEPH GIRARDI, et al Deft. Index #602428/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered June 3, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a 122 Grange Street, Franklin Square, NY 11010 a/k/a Section 35, Block 184, Lot 9 (lot group 9-10). Said property located in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of NY, known and designated as and by Lots 9 and 10 in Block 519 on a certain map entitled “Map of Garden City Terrace, Section 2, Nassau County, N.Y. owned by and developed by Fairbank Realty Corporation Inc., November 9, 1925 and surveyed by William H. Parry” and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on March 5, 1926 as
Map #595, Case #613. Approximate amount of judgment is $606,380.01 plus cost and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
LAUREL KRETZING, Referee. HILL WALLACK LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 261 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, Ste. 940-941, New York, NY. File No. 017511-03788#102756 158449
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, HIMC CAPITAL LLC, Plaintiff, vs. CHRIMAR REALTY CORP., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 22, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 148 Tulip Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11001. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Floral Park, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 120 and Lot 119. Approximate amount of judgment is $810,499.07 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 606907/2022. Cash will not be accepted. Certified bank checks only made out to Joseph Juliano, Esq., referee. Joseph Juliano, Esq., Referee Law Offices of Joseph R. Bongiorno & Associates, P.C., 220 Mineola Boulevard, Mineola, New York 11501, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158451
LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 609056/2025, ELM CAPITAL LLC, Plaintiff, vs. the unknown heirs,
coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 158416
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff - against - ARMANDO VENTURA A/K/A ARMANDO A. VENTURA, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 30, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 23rd day of March, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 67 Mount Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. (Section: 55, Block: 233, Lots: 209 and 210) Approximate amount of lien $778,953.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 608163/2019. John G. Kennedy, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409
For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: January 5, 2026
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face
legatees, devisees and/or representatives of ARTHUR BEZMAN and all persons that may claim an interest in the property referred to in the complaint by, through or under any of the foregoing (the aforesaid unknown heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives being all such heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives other than those specifically named as a defendant in the complaint-the identity and addresses of all the foregoing not being known to plaintiff), PREMISES SUBJECT TO TAX LIEN: 201 Waldorf Ave., Elmont, NY, SBL# 32, 425, 125. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff s attorney within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service, and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: February 7, 2026. Joseph Ehrenreich, Attorney for Plaintiff, 33 South Service Road, Jericho, NY 11753, 833-993-0100. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. JEFFREY A. GOODSTEIN of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, entered January 27, 2026. Such order and the Complaint in this action are filed in the office of the Nassau County Clerk, in Mineola, NY. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien on the premises identified above. 158422
SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 609003/2025, ELM CAPITAL LLC, Plaintiff, vs. the unknown heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives of CAROL STERLING and all persons that may claim an interest in the property referred to in the complaint by, through or under any of the foregoing (the aforesaid unknown heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives being all such heirs, legatees, devisees and/or representatives other than those specifically named as a defendant in the complaint-the identity and addresses of all the foregoing not being known to plaintiff), PREMISES SUBJECT TO TAX LIEN: 632 Demille Ave., Elmont, NY, SBL# 32, 691, 9. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with the summons, to serve notice of appearance, on the plaintiff s attorney within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the date of service, and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the subject property. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the tax
lien holder who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the tax lien holder will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (TAX LIEN HOLDER) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: February 7, 2026. Joseph Ehrenreich, Attorney for Plaintiff, 33 South Service Road, Jericho, NY 11753, 833-993-0100. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. JEFFREY A. GOODSTEIN of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, entered January 27, 2026. Such order and the Complaint in this action are filed in the office of the Nassau County Clerk, in Mineola, NY. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien on the premises identified above. 158420
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Sealed bids subject to all instructions, terms and conditions herein and pursuant to the specifications, will be received by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Elmont Fire District at the Office of said District located at the Fire District Office, 100 School Road, Elmont, New York 11003, until 7:00 PM on March 25, 2026, where they will be opened publicly and read aloud after 7:00 PM prevailing time, on the said date for the service as specified and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practical for: RENOVATION OF HEADQUARTERS APPARATUS FLOOR HEATING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND PUBLIC WORK RELATED THERETO Specifications, proposal and proposed contracts may be obtained at the office of the Fire District located at 100 School Road, Elmont,
New York 11003 from February 20, 2026 until March 24, 2026 between the hours of 10:00AM and 4:00PM, Monday through Thursday.
Each bidder wishing to obtain a copy of the bid documents, plans and specification for the project shall submit a check in the amount one hundred ($100.00) dollars payable to the “Elmont Fire District”, as a deposit to guarantee the safe return of such bid documents, plans and specifications. If thereafter the bidder submits a proposal together with the required bid security and thereafter returns such copy of the bidding documents, plans and specifications in good condition within thirty (30) days following the award of the contract, the full amount of such deposit for one copy shall be refunded to the bidder. No refund will be provided for deposits for additional copies of the documents.
All bids must be accompanied by bid security in the form of either a) a certified check payable to the “Elmont Fire District.” in the amount of five (5%) percent of the bid price, or b) a bond with sufficient sureties to be approved by the Elmont Fire District in the amount of five (5%) percent of the bid price. If the bid is
accepted, the bidder will enter into a contract in accordance with the bid and will furnish a suitable security bond in the sum of the amount of the contract, conditioned for the faithful and prompt completion of the work specified in the contract. If the bidder neglects or refuses to execute the contract and furnish the bonds, the deposit of five (5%) percent of the bid price shall be forfeited and retained by the Elmont Fire District as liquidated damages or, in the case of a bid bond, the Elmont Fire District shall enforce payment of the bond for its benefit.
Performance, Labor and Material Payment bonds and a Maintenance bond in the forms specified for the full amount of the contract are required and shall be included in the bid price. Exclude from all bids New York State Sales Tax on materials or supplies purchased for this project.
Pursuant to §220 of the Labor Law, the contract will contain a provision that every mechanic, laborer and workman employed in or about the work contemplated by the contract shall be paid not less than the prevailing rate of wages and provided with not less than the prevailing supplement which are set forth in
launch the nonprofit, described it as an eye-opening experience.
Morgan recalled the words of one resident who visited the pop-up shop. “She was like, ‘This is so great.’ She said, ‘I literally came here with one pair of pants and one shirt.’”
Morgan added that residents and staff were surprised by the quality of the clothing and expressed excitement during the event.
Harvey Bauer, Garden Care Center administrator, who was unable to attend the event, later shared his appreciation for the initiative, Pagoulatos-Lieblein said, noting he had heard the event went well.
In addition to pop-ups, PagoulatosLieblein regularly assembles boxes of 30 to 40 clothing items for residents in need.
the Bidding Documents.
Contractors must be registered with the New York State Department of Labor and place their registration number on their bid.
The Elmont Fire District reserves the right to waive any informalities in, to accept or reject any or all bids, to award the contract to other than the lowest bidder or to advertise anew if in the judgment of the Elmont Fire District it is in their best interests to do so. No bidder shall withdraw his bid within 45 days after the formal opening thereof.
Dated: Elmont, New York February 19, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO SECRETARY 158558
LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NASSAU ACTION TO FORECLOSE A TAX LIEN INDEX NO.: 609056/2025, ELM CAPITAL LLC, Plaintiff, vs. the unknown heirs, LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was
Commissioners of the Elmont Fire District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 19th day of February, 2026, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT SHALL PURCHASE A RENOVATION OF HEADQUARTERS APPARATUS FLOOR HEATING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AND PUBLIC WORK RELATED THERETO AT A COST, INCLUDING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH TRANSACTION, NOT TO EXCEED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND ($150,000.00)
DOLLARS WITH FUNDS FROM THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS CAPITAL RESERVE FUND. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days unless in the meanwhile a permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal Law is required to be held.
Dated: February 19, 2026
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO Secretary 158557
Pagoulatos-Lieblein began working in nursing homes at age 17 and later studied to become a registered dietitian at Long Island University. She has spent 37 years in the field and continues to advocate for older adults through her nonprofit.
Nursing Home Warrior was officially established about two and a half years ago, though its origin dates back further. Pagoulatos-Lieblein said the idea was born when she started distributing her son’s hand-me-down clothing to residents in need.
What she once described as a “failed business” evolved into a nonprofit dedicated to supporting vulnerable older adults. Pagoulatos-Lieblein initially had little experience running a business or marketing but remained committed to the mission.
Her son, Jack Lieblein, continues to serve as a source of motivation.
“He is like my hero,” she said. “He’s always telling me, ‘Mom, you have to do something. You’ll figure it out.’”
Lieblein said he did not expect the nonprofit to reach the growth that it has attained. “You could just see how invest-
Garden Care Center residents make their way into the pop-up shop to receive fresh sets of clothing to add to their wardrobe.
ed she was in only the advocacy side of what she does,” he said, “but the impacts of the clothing and delivering the boxes.”
He described his mother as highly skilled in healthcare, but in the beginning, she needed extra help on the business side. Along with other family members, he helped guide her in fundraising and entrepreneurship, allowing the nonprofit to flourish.
Pagoulatos-Lieblein said her experiences in nursing homes — including time spent at a facility in Suffolk County — deepened her commitment to advocacy and education.
She also produces a podcast, “Nursing Home Warrior Podcast,” on Strong Island TV, which is aimed at helping families better understand the realities of nursing home care.
But her main goal has always remained to ensure nursing home residents receive the care and advocacy they deserve.
Help Wanted
CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE
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Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
Computer & Info. Systems Manager, Hempstead, NY Bachelor+ 1yr. exp.
Salary $148,450yr.
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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 from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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 $35,360 + 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
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 $35,360 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
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Social & Human Service Assistant, Hempstead, NY Bachelor+ 1yr. exp. Salary
Welcome to this elegant and expansive 5600 sq ft Hewlett Harbor residence built in 2004 on beautifully landscaped ¾ scre property. Grand 2 entry foyer opens to sweeping staircase and second level open balcony. First floor boasts soaring 12' ceilings with grand formal dining room, butler's pantry, gourmet eat in kitchen with center island, den/library,
Q. I have a basement with a bathroom and nothing else except a washer and dryer, back to back, with the sink and toilet on the other side of the wall. Everything else is unfinished, and I bought it this way. I was recently told that I need to have a permit for a finished basement or I have to remove the bathroom. I don’t want either of those options, but I’m being told I will be issued a violation, because the building department sent me a notice about this. I consulted an architect, who started to explain all the rules, but I need a second opinion. What should I do if I just want the bathroom and don’t want to finish everything else?
A. Sorry to disappoint you, but your building department has interpreted that your bathroom in a basement is leading to habitable use, meaning that the basement is more than just a place to store boxes and other household items. The same is true of basements that have a fireplace or a mattress-and-night-table setup. Even occasional use by a houseguest puts you in the category of a “finished” basement.
What the consultant architect may have told you is that you’ll either have to remove the bathroom, with a permit for the demolition (since your building department knows about the condition) and a separate plumbing permit to have the capping of pipes inspected, or you’ll need a lot of other items, at greater expense. Your spaces will need to meet the ceiling height requirement of 80 inches from floor to finished ceiling, or anything constricting someone from walking around, such as a steam pipe or built soffit. If you don’t have 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches), then the rest of what you do will also be important to evaluate, since your plans and application paperwork will be on hold until the requirement is appealed through a separate codeappeal process, and more paperwork will need to be submitted to the state for a code compliance variance. This means you will have to request to vary or be allowed an exception after evaluation by a review board at the state level.
Either way, a finished basement will require a second means to escape in an emergency. This can be accomplished with a larger window, with an opening no higher than 44 inches from the floor and at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, a minimum of 24 inches in height and 20 inches in width. A window that is only 20 inches by 24 inches would not meet the requirement, however. Those are just minimums for each dimension.
The escape well has to be a minimum of 9 square feet of outside floor area, and must at least have a ladder for climbing up and away. You could also have a door and stairwell, with proper drainage, at even greater expense. There’s more, so wait until next week.
© 2026 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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Every administration has its ideologues. Every president has advisers who translate impulse into policy. But once in a while, a single figure emerges whose real work is not governance but sabotage — the deliberate narrowing of civic life.
In Donald Trump’s White House, that figure is Stephen Miller.
Miller is often described as the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda.
That may be true, but it’s incomplete. Immigration is simply the most visible stage on which Miller operates. The deeper project is broader and more corrosive: a politics designed to make Americans afraid — not only of immigrants, but of one another, and of acting freely in public life.
Miller’s real architecture isn’t just about who gets in. It’s about what kind of country we become.
The through-line is intimidation. The point isn’t merely enforcement but atmosphere: to show that the state can reach into your life suddenly, harshly,
without apology. To make people think twice before speaking, gathering, helping or dissenting. To shrink civic space until citizenship itself begins to feel conditional. In such a climate, obedience becomes the safest form of participation, and democracy begins to feel like a risk.
That’s why Miller matters. He isn’t simply a policy adviser. He is both symptom and accelerant — a product of a political sickness and one of its most effective carriers. The sickness is the belief that democracy is too messy, pluralism too dangerous, compassion too soft. Miller gives that belief bureaucratic form.
idone profound damage. And once that atmosphere is established, the most vulnerable are always the first to suffer the worst of it.
n a Millershaped America, protest would be treated as menace.
Miller’s defenders characterize him as “tough.” But toughness isn’t the same as callousness. A serious country can enforce laws without turning the machinery of government into an engine of humiliation. Miller’s politics depend on a story: that America is perpetually under siege, that outsiders are threats, that pluralism is weakness, that empathy is naïveté.
tions would be staffed by loyalty, not expertise; protest would be treated as menace; law would be less a shield than a club; and citizenship would be a conditional permit, not a shared inheritance. It’s tempting, and comforting, to say, “The Constitution will save us.” It won’t. Constitutions don’t rescue republics by themselves. They are frameworks, not force fields. They depend on officials who honor them, courts that enforce them, legislators who defend their authority, and citizens who refuse to be intimidated into silence.
It’s not a secret that his fingerprints are on some of the harshest immigration measures of the last decade, including family separation at the southern border — a policy widely condemned because it treats children not as human beings, but as instruments of deterrence. Whatever you believe about border control, using suffering as a message is a show of cruelty, not strength. But the deeper lesson is about power. A government that can make ordinary people afraid — afraid to speak, gather, help or dissent — has already
Civil rights organizations have raised alarms for years about Miller’s proximity to white nationalist rhetoric. The Southern Poverty Law Center took the extraordinary step of listing him in its extremist files. That is not a marginal controversy; it goes to the moral and ideological foundations of the policies he designs. Whether you accept every charge or not, the pattern is difficult to miss: Miller’s governing worldview is built on suspicion — of difference, of openness, of the very idea of a shared civic “we.”
In a Miller-shaped America, the safest posture would be silence; institu-
The danger of Stephen Miller’s politics is that they treat laws not as a restraint but as an instrument — something to stretch, weaponize and exhaust until rights feel theoretical and the public stops believing that resistance matters.
So the question isn’t whether the Constitution can save us. The question is whether Americans will still insist on the constitutional order itself: limits on power, equal citizenship, lawful process, and a public life in which fear isn’t the organizing principle.
Miller’s project runs in the other direction. And if it succeeds, no piece of parchment will protect us.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies at the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
On Feb. 5, not long after Black History Month began, President Trump’s Truth Social account posted a video depicting former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes. In response to criticism from Republicans, the video was removed the next day, but with no apology from the president.
That’s the immediate context in which Black History Month takes place, but it’s been an entire year since the last celebration of this month, during which the Trump administration has advanced white supremacy and moved aggressively to undermine America’s longstanding commitment to diversity. The administration’s support for white supremacy isn’t new. In November 2019, in Trump’s first term, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called for the firing of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, stating, “Stephen Miller represents white supremacy, violent extremism, and hate — all ideologies that are antithetical to
the fundamental values that guide our democracy. Allowing him to remain a White House advisor is a betrayal of our national ideals of justice, inclusion, and fairness.”
Yet in the second Trump administration, Miller has even more power. As Ashley Parker, of the Atlantic, told NPR recently, “He’s incredibly powerful. Steve Bannon and other people jokingly call him the prime minister.”
The Trump government has undermined our country’s commitment to diversity.
Miller is perhaps best known, as NPR reports, as “a chief architect of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.” That crackdown has generated intense public opposition due to the killings in Minneapolis of two American citizens with no criminal records by ICE officers. Because ICE is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it ironically shares the department’s mission to “safeguard the American people.” That irony is not lost on Americans, and the public response to those two deaths has echoed the outcry after the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.
The irony of the administration continues, as the White House acts to ensure that America’s schools instill, in the words of Executive Order 14190, “a
patriotic admiration for our incredible Nation and the values for which we stand” — while detaining children through ICE crackdowns at accelerating rates. As MS NOW reports, “Recent independent analysis by the Marshall Project shows that the number of children held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement has skyrocketed in Trump’s second term — from an average of about 25 children detained per day during the final 16 months of Biden’s presidency to about 170 children per day under Trump.” On some days, the analysis found, “ICE held 400 children or more.”
What values, exactly, are those detained children learning at the hands of the administration? What values are all children learning as they witness detentions of other children, day care workers and young parents? These are actions of cruelty, not respect for human life and liberty. They are acts of lawlessness, not patriotism.
Now the administration proposes to change the way we vote in America. As The New York Times reports, “President Trump has repeatedly suggested that he wants the Republican-led federal government to ‘nationalize,’ or ‘take over,’
the running of elections.” His allies in Congress are simultaneously advancing legislation — the Make Elections Great Again, or MEGA, Act — that would make voting more difficult. These proposals completely ignore the fact that elections in the United States are free and fair.
As the Brennan Center for Justice writes, “In 2025, a new threat to free and fair elections emerged: the federal government. Since day one of his second term, the Trump administration has attempted to rewrite election rules to burden voters and usurp control of election systems, targeted and threatened election officials and others who keep elections free and fair, supported people who undermine election administration, and retreated from the federal government’s role of protecting voters and the electoral process.”
Nationalizing state elections is blatantly unconstitutional, and the legislative actions would make voting more difficult. That is exactly what this White House and its allies want to achieve.
As Black History Month continues, and in the months and years ahead, ERASE Racism will be championing inclusiveness, fairness and justice for all.
Elaine Gross is founder and president emerita of ERASE Racism, a regional civil rights organization based on Long Island.
The arrival of spring training, and the anticipation of another baseball season, brings back great memories. My earliest baseball memories date back to the early 1950s and the Brooklyn Dodgers, the famed “Boys of Summer,” in what is now regarded as the sport’s Golden Age. Baseball was the unquestioned national pastime, and New York’s Yankees, Dodgers and Giants were the dominant teams. From 1947 to 1956, the Yankees won eight league pennants, the Dodgers six and the Giants two.
For nine of those 10 seasons, at least one World Series teams was from New York, and for eight years, both teams were. That was a true monopoly of excellence.
The Dodgers teams of my youth included such Hall of Famer players as Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and Gil Hodges. There was nothing better than sitting in the stands at Ebbets Field, watching these stars excel. (Tickets for bleacher seats cost 75 cents!) As mighty as the
Dodgers were, however, the Yankees, led by legendary stars like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford, prevailed in five of the teams’ six World Series encounters.
And then, in 1957, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley announced the unthinkable: He would move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles the following year, and the Giants would go to San Francisco. My childhood had come to a crashing halt. National League baseball would be gone from New York.
Just one example: thousands of area kids looking forward to Little League.
My final goodbye to the Dodgers would come on Sept. 22, 1957, when I went to their final home day game at Ebbets Field. Brooklyn beat the Phillies, 7-3, and Duke Snider hit two home runs, but that was small consolation. Dodgers baseball in New York, and my years of sports innocence, were behind me. National League baseball didn’t return to New York until the Mets arrived in 1962. They were an expansion team, which meant they were composed of players others teams didn’t want. There were some rough, lean years, but to Mets fans, it didn’t matter. They rallied behind the team, and after seven seasons, and many losses, the 1969 Mira-
cle Mets, led by their manager, Dodgers legend Gil Hodges, won the World Series in a never-to-be-forgotten triumph over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. The Mets captured the Series again in 1986, defeating the Red Sox in a memorable seven-game struggle. There have been several good runs since then that fell just short, including a World Series defeat to Kansas City in 2015 and, most recently, a League Championship Series loss to the Dodgers in 2024. Now the Mets face the 2026 season having decided to go forward without their all-time leading home run hitter, Pete Alonso, and star relief pitcher Edwin Diaz, as well as proven veterans Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Their core four are gone. For Mets fans, spring training will be filled with questions and unknown answers.
I know that baseball has changed dramatically since years ago. There are almost twice as many teams now as there were then; players move from team to team, season to season; and teams regularly play inter-league games. As well, the Super Bowl has surpassed the World Series in public attention, and sports such as hockey and bas-
ketball crowd the calendar, playing well into the baseball season.
But still, that sense of anticipation remains. There is something about the fresh spring air and the crack of the bat that brings our attention back to the baseball diamond. The distances from the pitcher’s mound to home plate, and between the bases, remain the same, as do ball and strike counts. And, especially on Long Island, many thousands of kids are looking forward to playing Little League baseball in a new season, when, as always, their parents and grandparents will be in the stands, cheering them on. They’ll create new memories that, in years to come, they’ll pass on to their children and grandchildren.
No matter the rule changes or league realignments, baseball will remain unchanged as an essential component of the American fabric. Almost 75 years ago, the renowned cultural historian Jacques Barzun famously proclaimed, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.” That is as true today as it was then, and I believe it will be true for generations to come.
Play ball!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Having spent 23 years of my life in the State Assembly, I keep close contact with members and monitor the progress of significant legislation. I make it a point to call individual members to encourage them to take action on proposals that are good for Long Island. Which is why I was thrilled that Republican Assemblyman Ed Ra was chosen as minority leader earlier this month, in a unanimous vote.
Living as a bipartisan person, I have been supportive of Ra in his many roles as an elected official. During his 10 years in office he has been a proactive legislator, proposing laws focusing affordability, antisemitism, workforce development and controlling state costs. I was especially pleased when he became the ranking minority member of the Ways and Means Committee.
I had the good fortune to chair that
committee for 10-plus years, and have great respect for committee members who pay attention to pending laws and ask questions. Ra has been a diligent member of the committee, and he has kept the majority members on their toes. Ways and Means is the most important committee in the Assembly, and it desperately needs members who keep an eye on the 7,000plus bills that are sent to it each year.
He’s worked hard to become the Assembly’s Republican minority leader.
Ra is the third Assembly member from Long Island in my career who has held the title of minority leader. The late Assembly members Perry B. Duryea and Jack Kingston also held that job. Duryea eventually became the speaker, and holding the minority post was a springboard to the top job. I know for a fact that Ra didn’t get the leadership job without a lot of preparation, forging coalitions to win the support of the minority caucus.
I doubt that even the Republican leaders on Long Island fully understand what it took for Ra to get his new job. Over the years he has taken on all of the
thankless jobs that most members do not covet. He has been involved in reviewing all of the bills that affect the Island, and for a few years he acted as the Republican floor leader, organizing debates on bills advanced by the majority. It’s the job of minority members to craft credible arguments opposing majority legislation.
There’s a separate issue that most of the Albany establishment doesn’t understand. The Assembly’s Republican membership is dominated by upstate legislators. They tend to be anti-downstate, and want all of the key jobs for their delegation. If you talk to an upstate Republican member, don’t be surprised if he or she is anti-Long Island. They are jealous of the attention Long Island gets, and many think negatively about the downstate region in general.
When the previous minority leader, Will Barclay, an upstater, announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election this year, the upstaters immediately began to caucus to support one of their own to
keep the job in their region. At the same time, Ra had to move quickly to win a majority of the conference. That backroom stuff happens in any type of legislative body, and it takes political smarts to pull it off.
Why make a fuss about the election of an assemblyman who’s in the minority party? We’re a very big island, with multiple needs and demands. We need all the voices we can get to speak out for the bi-county area. New York City legislators have a strong voice on a variety of issues, and the Island has to fight for recognition when the dollars are being disbursed and laws are passing that help other areas of the state.
Last year I wrote a column singling out Democratic Assemblywoman Mickey Solages and Ra for their hard work in Albany. I was pleased then and now that Ra has advanced in his party leadership. Solages is a rising star in the Democratic Party, and I’m happy that Ra is now a part of the four-way leadership.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
on Long Island, where school boards debate curriculum priorities and districts navigate tight budgets, one subject can no longer be treated as optional: media literacy.
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, students scroll through a relentless stream of headlines, commentary and viral content, frequently without formal instruction on how to tell the difference between verified reporting and misinformation.
In an era when misinformation travels faster than facts and algorithms reward outrage over accuracy, the future of journalism and civic trust hinges on what young people understand about news.
A November 2025 study from the News Literacy Project makes the stakes unmistakably clear: Teenagers are not rejecting journalism outright, but they are struggling to distinguish it from everything else crowding their feeds.
The nationwide study builds on a troubling News Literacy Project 2024 finding that 45 percent of teens believed journalists harmed democracy. But the new research goes further, examining not just skepticism but the roots of distrust — and the confusion at its core.
Teens often lump professional reporting, partisan commentary and outright online misinformation into a single category: “news.” When everything looks the same, nothing earns trust.
However, there is a mandate for action. An overwhelming 94 percent of teens said news or media literacy should
be part of their education. They are not tuning out because they don’t care. They are asking for help.
The problem is access. Only 39 percent of students reported receiving any media literacy instruction during the prior school year. More than six in 10 teens are left to decode a complex information ecosystem by themselves. They scroll through algorithm-driven headlines, influencer commentary masquerading as reporting and viral misinformation engineered for emotional impact — often without being taught how to verify a claim or evaluate a source.
That gap isn’t just an educational oversight. It is a civic vulnerability.
According to Donnell Probst, executive director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, the most effective time to teach these skills is early, before beliefs harden and misinformation calcifies into identity.
Encouragingly, instruction works. Students who had lessons in media literacy were more likely to seek out news, and reported higher levels of trust in journalists. This is measurable impact backed by research.
Long Island school districts should take note.
Across Nassau and Suffolk counties, some schools offer journalism electives or student newspapers. Others offer none. According to a 2022 survey by Baruch College, 73 percent of New York City public schools lacked student newspapers — with access concentrated in private and selective schools. The same inequities often surface on Long Island,
where opportunities vary widely by district.
The decline of school newspapers and journalism classes compounds the media literacy crisis. These programs teach students what real journalism requires: cultivating sources, verifying facts, and asking tough follow-up questions.
If we want a generation that values journalism, we must first ensure that it understands journalism. This isn’t a “kids these days” problem. It is a larger one — and it is also a business imperative for local news organizations across Long Island. If the next generation cannot differentiate between a reported investigation and a viral conspiracy thread, it will not subscribe to, support or defend professional journalism.
Doubling down on media literacy in school curriculums is no longer optional. It should be embedded across grade levels, integrated into English and social studies classes and reinforced through experiential learning like student newsrooms. Policymakers should treat media literacy as foundational civic infrastructure, not a niche elective.
News organizations on Long Island must also step forward and partner with schools, open newsrooms, support media literacy initiatives and provide mentorship and transparency about how reporting is done.
The answer isn’t louder defenses of journalism, but deeper public understanding — teaching media literacy so people can recognize misinformation and think critically for themselves.
If you turn on a local radio station, chances are you’ll hear a commercial for a new and upcoming charter school in the area. These schools are being promoted as a new and improved alternative to our current public schools. As they continue to spread across Long Island, we, the taxpaying community members, need to ask these questions: Why the sudden influx? And who is benefiting financially from these charter schools?
While public schools across the Island are currently facing tight budgets, staffing shortages and increasing numbers of students with greater needs, how can we take money slated for these students and schools to line someone else’s pocket? It’s time for the community to question where the tax dollars that we voted to send to our public schools are actually going. Don’t we deserve transparency and accountability for every one of those dollars?
Charter schools promote themselves
as public schools, since they’re funded by taxpayers and families don’t pay outof-pocket tuition. But unlike public schools, these institutions aren’t watched over by elected boards of education. Who approves a charter school budget? In public schools, budgets are presented to the community over the course of several board meetings. Community members then have an opportunity to question the spending plans and ultimately vote to accept or reject them.
As charter schools continue to spread, taxpayers should be asking questions.
On the other hand, charter schools receive money directly from public schools. They are able to spend money without being accountable to the community that provides them with these funds. Their budgets are never presented to their communities, and the local school districts are unable to see where the money is going. Their spending isn’t approved by voters, and communities can’t monitor how their tax money is being spent. This lack of transparency allows public money to be spent without any accountability or oversight.
Many of the charter schools that are popping up across Long Island are run
by private management companies, real estate firms and vendors who profit from public funds. These companies often aren’t even local. They don’t have any vested interest in the community. They look at the school as a business where they don’t educate all children, but rather essentially hand-pick the students they want.
Students with special needs, or for whom English is a second language, or who have behavioral problems or learning difficulties, are often sent out of charter schools and back to public schools — which open their doors to them and welcome them. They educate every student who walks through those doors, regardless of their need. Public schools also absorb the full cost of educating them. When funding is redirected from public schools to charter schools, districts are often forced to cut programs, increase class sizes and delay crucial building repairs. And when it comes to buildings, have you noticed how structures at charter schools can seem to be constructed overnight? This doesn’t happen because charter school administrations are more efficient. It happens because while
public schools are required to disclose contractors’ bids on capital projects, charter schools can erect a building, add an extension or do major renovations with no bidding, no approval and, once again, no community oversight. If these are publicly funded improvements using taxpayers’ dollars, shouldn’t we all be held to the same standards? This raises more questions about transparency, accountability and equality.
This isn’t about opposing school choice. It’s about making sure that public education doesn’t become a moneymaker for big business rather than an organization to educate our students. The message here is about fiscal and educational transparency. If charter schools really claim to serve the public, then shouldn’t we see how our tax dollars are being spent?
When school budgets are created, we, the taxpayers, should have a voice in the process. That money we provide should go toward educational programs for classrooms, and books and resources for children. The budgets we approve should support learning. Our tax dollars belong with the children, not in a corporation’s pocket.
Alison Chaplar, of Massapequa, is a longtime public school educator, a mother and a community advocate.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
Be heard. Be part of the conversation.
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