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Vol. 35 no. 43
oCT. 17 - 23, 2024
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Village puts forward $10M downtown bid dents’ questions and get initial takes on the projects included in the bid. His presentation at Albany will approve a $100 Village Hall was as much a million spending limit across vision for the future as it was a ten municipalities throughout tale of a downtown area full of the state, matching every dollar unrealized potential. “There is a perception probthey spend to revitalize their l e m i n Va l l e y downtown area. Stream,” said SabaDavid Sabatino, tino. “There is a a member of the negativity towards village’s economic opening a business and development in Valley Stream or committee, says the making an investVillage of Valley ment, and a lot of it Stream isn’t letting comes from what the opportunity to people hear or what c o m p e t e fo r t h e they think they cash slip past. Last DaViD SaBaTino see.” Wednesday, Sabati- Member, To improve the no p u b l i c l y Village economic optics of the downunveiled a detailed and development town, the applicadraft of how the committee tion calls for village would — if $500,000 to do for g ive n t h e g re e n light — spend the coveted $10 Valley Stream’s Rockaway Avenue what other towns and vilmillion investment. “Our application has been lages have done to polish the built from input from people appeal and heighten the allure who have emailed us, from of its main street — create a folks at the Downtown Revital- distinct brand identity around ization Initiative committee, it. and community feedback taken by our partners at Vision Long new brand, new look for downtown Island,” said Sabatino. T he promotional theme Though the meeting was sparsely attended, Sabatino pitched for Rockaway Avenue’s was able to field some resiConTinueD on page 9
By Juan laSSo
jlasso@liherald.com
T
here is a perception problem in Valley Stream.
Herald file photo
The Valley Stream Latino Society celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with its second annual Día de Domino event, fostering community connections through the traditional game while honoring cultural roots and heritage.
Valley Stream Latino Society salutes Hispanic heritage By SuSanna Ciurleo jlasso@liherald.com
Maribel Canestro, the founder of the Valley Stream Latino Society, actively looks for opportunities to celebrate the achievements, traditions, diversity, and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latin Americans. This month’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of deep cultural roots and inspired the second annual Dia de Domin earlier this month, which combined competition and camaraderie, complete with traditional food, music, and mingling.
Canestro, a 20-year resident of Valley Stream, grew up in Brooklyn and fondly remembers her father and uncles engaging in this all-time favorite cultural game and pastime, and stresses the importance of keeping this part of the culture alive for generations to come. “They were old-school players,” she said, “and we need to make it cool again for the kids.” While she enjoyed attending the many community events in Valley Stream over the years, she started the Valley Stream Latino Society, a grass-roots organization that relies ConTinueD on page 10