Therapy Dog Thursday, a wellness initiative, offered by Pet Partners and Long Beach High School’s newly designed Student Wellness Center, known as the Well, took place on Nov. 20. Above, from left, LBHS students Kylie Duncan, Lilli Carbone and Kaitlyn Bailing with Jackson, a therapy dog. During his visit to the high school, Jackson met student Joseph Lordi, right. Story, more photos, Page 10.
By AiDAN WARShAVSky Correspondent
Bring your holiday spirit to the festive gathering of antique cars, fire trucks, floats and bikes that will celebrate the 12th annual Long Beach Electric Light Parade. The city will host the event on Dec. 13, beginning at 6 p.m.
“The Electric Light Parade literally lights up our city in a parade of holiday joy,” City Council President Brendan Finn said in a statement. “It’s the perfect way for our community to celebrate the season together in a sea of bright lights, creative floats and quintessential Long Beach spirit.”
i t’s an amazing experience. Everyone’s in a happy mood.
kElly CoylE Parade participant
The parade will make its way through the West End, along West Beech Street, starting at Ohio Avenue. It will also include groups on foot, identified by their banners.
Many restaurants and local shops will offer specials after the parade, giving participants and viewers an opportunity to enjoy a warm meal, a holiday cocktail or a sweet treat.
Residents design their floats
with holiday themes inspired by Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s and the winter solstice. Awards will be presented to the most festive entries, and shops will offer children’s activities after the parade. Santa Claus will appear at the parade’s conclusion. Floats will be judged along the parade route, as well as in the Sands parking lot. The judges will score floats in 10 categories: Best Overall, Biggest and Brightest, the City Council Award for Best Long Beach Theme, Most Original, the Elf Award for Most Holiday Spirit, the Chairman of the Board Award, the FruitCake Award for Best Humor, the Yule-Cool Award for Most Unique, the Santa’s Sleigh Award for Creativity, and Rudolph’s Best Use of Lights Award.
Kelly Coyle’s West Chester Electric Light Parade Crew is a group of seven families, including the Borello, Callahan, Coyle, Henck, Hoffman, Monaghan and Northrop clans, that have created award-winning entries for past parades. Continued on page 8
By AidAn WArshAvsky Correspondent
The Long Beach Police and Fire departments are joining forces to support the Nassau County Toys For Tots Campaign this holiday season.
Community members can place new and unwrapped toys in drop-off boxes in the City Hall lobby — 1 W Chester St. — through Dec. 16, which will be delivered to boys and girls in need during the holiday season by U.S. Marines.
“We want to make sure everyone has a happy Christmas,” Scott Kemins, deputy fire commissioner, said in a statement.
The Toys will go towards children of all ages, from newborns through teenagers. The organization especially needs gifts for older kids and teens, since donations often favor younger children.
All donated toys will be donated to children throughout Nassau County.
Suggested items for children include sporting equipment, books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch and wallet gift sets, bath sets, board games, remote-control cars and trucks, handheld electronics, skateboards, bicycles and hair-styling tools such as curling irons, straighteners and hair dryers.
Gifts that resemble weapons or include food will not be accepted.
From October through December, Toys For Tots helps less fortunate children across the United States experience the joy of Christmas
by uniting members of local communities in a common cause — collecting and distributing toys.
Kemins described the support from the community as “tremendous,” with the community donating a wide variety of toys, from action figures and dolls, to play sets and plush animals.
The collection has been successful to the point where the biggest challenge has been boxing up all the toys for collection.
“One thing this community does, they take care of their own,” Kemins said in the same statement.
Long Beach’s efforts are part of a countywide campaign that begins in October.
Representatives from over 70 fire departments across the county meet at the Coral House in Baldwin as part of a kick-off meeting on Oct. 1, discussing how to get people involved, and as Keminis noted, “show people it’s about the children.”
The Nassau County Toys For Tots Campaign is part of a global commitment by the Marine Corps Reserve, which has catered to over 800 chapters across the country since 1947.
In 2024, Toys For Tots’ Nassau County campaign distributed over 374,000 toys, and supported over 67,000 children.
“It’s always important to help those who are less fortunate, especially during the holidays,” Kemins said. “It’s the neighborly thing to do, to put a smile on a kid’s face.”
For more information, go to SecureToysForTots.org.
until Dec. 16.
By LUKE FEENEY
lfeeney@liherald.com
With the holiday season underway, Hempstead town officials are hoping residents will open their hearts and homes to a four-legged friend.
As part of its annual “Home for the Holidays” adoption initiative, the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter is waiving all adoption fees from Nov. 24 through Jan. 4. The program, now expanded through a new partnership with the Milleridge Inn in Jericho, includes a free $50 Milleridge gift card for every family that adopts a pet.
“We are thankful to the Milleridge Inn for supporting this adoption initiative,” Town Supervisor John Ferretti said at a festive launch event on Nov. 20. “Few things are more uplifting than the joy of adopting a pet, and I encourage families to take advantage of this great opportunity — and then celebrate the season with a holiday meal at the festive Milleridge Inn.”
Ferretti was also joined by Trip, Petey and Indy–three festivally dressed up dogs who were treated to a special holiday meal at the Milleridge Inn. In addition to having their adoption fees waived, all adopted animals will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped at no cost. Standard state licensing fees still apply.
Milleridge Inn owner and president Butch Yamali, who described himself as an animal lover, said the collaboration was a natural fit. “Every dog and cat at the Town’s shelter deserves to spend the holidays with a family,” Yamali said. “We’re happy to support adopters by
offering a complimentary holiday dinner gift certificate to anyone who welcomes a pet into their home during this program.”
For the launch, the Milleridge team set up a special pet-friendly banquet, with veterinarian-approved Thanksgiving dishes prepared by the chef and served by waitstaff.
Town officials at the announcement included Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby, Councilmen Dennis Dunne, Tom Muscarella and Chris Schneider, Councilwomen Missy Miller and Laura
Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll.
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter is a Wantagh-based municipal shelter that provides care, shelter and adoption services for lost, abandoned or neglected homeless pets in the Town of Hempstead. The shelter offers services like adoption and fostering.
“This holiday season is shaping up to be the most heartwarming yet,” Ferretti said. “When you’re looking to bring home a new companion, always adopt — don’t shop.”
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All too often a client comes in with a sad tale about an estranged child. Naturally, they are at a loss as to what to do about the situation when it comes to leaving that child an inheritance.
Years ago, the famous advice columnist Ann Landers wrote that her all time most requested column for reprint was on this very subject. Ann wrote that an inheritance should be considered a gift and that if the gift is not deserved one should not be expected. While that may have been good advice at the time and perhaps still is in most cases, like many things it is more complicated today.
In practice, we find that many of these once loving sons and daughters have married individuals with borderline or narcissistic personality disorders. Their spouses are manipulative and controlling. They seek to separate the loving son or daughter from their family so as to better control their spouse. The estranged child knows from experience that going against the wishes of their narcissistic spouse is like throwing
gasoline on a fire — so they go along to get along.
Why does this happen? The manipulator has an enormous advantage over the clients’ son or daughter. The manipulator is a professional, having been this way all their life, honing their skills. The estranged son or daughter is an amateur — they have no experience in being manipulated. It may take years for them to even understand they are being manipulated and then more years, if ever, to build up defenses to the manipulation.
When young children are involved, the estranged child well knows the adverse consequences of having any normal relationship with their children should they seek a divorce from the narcissist.
Our advice is to try to understand and be compassionate with an estranged son or daughter in this situation. An Inheritance Protection Trust (IPT), that may only be used for them and your grandchildren, managed by either a
The Bachurei Chemed BACH Jewish Center in Long Beach marked Thanksgiving morning by turning its holiday prayers into a heartfelt tribute to the city’s first responders, honoring members of the police and fire departments and Emergency Medical Services during its Shacharis service, highlighting their daily work protecting the community.
Kibbudim — prayer-time honors traditionally given to congregants — were presented to police officer Baruch Kranz, firefighter and paramedic Lt. Sam Pinto and EMS professionals B-Z Heller and Yanky Koenig.
After services, first responders and their families joined congregants for a Thanksgiving breakfast in the synagogue’s social hall, where community members expressed appreciation for their service.
Rabbi Benny Berlin, who leads the Jewish center and serves as chaplain for the Long Beach police, said the synagogue hoped the public celebration would instill gratitude in younger generations.
“Our sages teach that the actions of parents leave lasting impressions on
their children,” Berlin said in a news release. “By celebrating our first responders openly and community-wide on Thanksgiving morning, with each generation participating in its own way, we hope to instill in our children the value of gratitude and the importance of recognizing those who dedicate their lives to helping others.”
He added that while Thanksgiving is a natural moment to give thanks, the community’s appreciation extends far beyond the holiday.
“Their service strengthens the fabric of our city and reflects the unity and mutual responsibility that define our community,” Berlin said.
The synagogue said the gathering was part of its ongoing effort to honor first responders who regularly respond to emergencies, protect residents and provide life-saving care.
Founded in 1946, the BACH Jewish Center is one of Long Island’s oldest synagogues, serving members from Atlantic Beach, Island Park, Lido and Long Beach.
or a professional, may be the answer to such a
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By PATRICK MOQUIN sports@liherald.com
For the second straight year, Long Beach girls’ swimming finished second overall at the 2025 New York State Swimming and Diving Championships on Nov. 22, winning three events and completing another three runner-up swims.
Junior Vivienne Zangaro led the way for the Marines with victories in two individual events, while sophomore Una Diaz won the 200-yard individual medley.
“I’m ecstatic,” Long Beach coach Lynn Volosevich said. “They work so hard. You have no idea how many hours they spend in the pool, every day before school, every morning and then after school. It’s just so much time. Everything that they got, they earned.”
Long Beach sent four swimmers to the Webster Aquatic Center for the state championships, with sophomore Finella Moriarty filling in as the fourth member for both relays alongside Zangaro, Diaz and junior Jessica Bassett. Long Beach scored 196 points over the course of the meet, trailing only HauppaugeSmithtown, three-time champions since 2022.
When Zangaro powered through her final split in the 500-yard freestyle, Volosevich was startled to realize what was at stake. Though she easily broke the county record with a time of 4:44.60, Zangaro fell onehundredth of a second short of the state record.
“She didn’t even realize it,” Volosevich said. “So
when we looked up at the time, I was like, ‘oh my God, oh my God.’ But then Vivienne walked around the pool and just said to me, ‘I’ll get it next year.’ Completely calm.”
Zangaro notched her second victory in the 200-yard freestyle and earned All-American consideration for her times in both events. She also served as the third leg in the 200-yard medley relay and anchor in the 400yard freestyle relay, both runner-up swims.
Diaz, the sophomore described by Volosevich as “pure joy,” also earned All-American consideration for both of her individual events. She improved to win the 200-yard individual medley and settled for a close second in the 100-yard backstroke.
Bassett, a valuable relay member who overcame a setback to qualify for the championships, finished seventh in the 100-yard individual medley and 12th in the 100-yard backstroke.
When Volosevich decided that Moriarty was the deserving fourth member for relays in Webster, the coach said that the sophomore appeared nervous. Her improvement in both events was integral to Long Beach’s runner-up finishes.
Volosevich works with local swimmers from a young age and has been alongside all four girls from childhood.
“I just want them to know how important they are and how special they are, and that their sport matters,” Volosevich said.
32999+ tax serves up to 10 people
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• bowie pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach and shrimp
• shrimp oreganata
• stuffed flounder with mixed seafood • flounder francese
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COOKIE TRAY AND 2 BREADS INCLUDED WITH PACKAGE
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30999+ tax serves up to 10 people
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• boneless pork loin stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, basil sliced with potatoes and onions
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17999+ tax serves 10-12 people
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34999+ tax serves 20-25 people
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COOKIE TRAY AND 2 BREADS INCLUDED WITH PACKAGE
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ALL CHRISTMAS ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY 12/20 AND MUST BE PICKED UP BY 12/24 AT 4pm
In their seven years of competing, they have earned back-to-back Best Overall awards, including last year’s “It’s West Chester, It’s the Real Thing,” a tribute to Coca-Cola’s polar bear advertising campaign. The West Chester Crew also won Best Overall in 2023 for their rendition of “A Christmas Story.”
Coyle, who lives on West Chester Street, said he loves the opportunity to connect with neighbors during the holiday season because it “brings us all together.”
Each year, the West Chester Crew comes up with a new theme, brainstorming potential ideas, combining them with intricate costume choices in an effort to create, as Coyle says, “something catchy, something to bring older people back to their childhood.” In addition to “A Christmas Story,” the group created a float that paid tribute to the iconic Hess trucks.
Although the creative process can be difficult, Coyle explained, there’s always that reward at the end. “As soon as you hit the West End, you can see the crowd,” he said, “It’s an amazing experience. Everyone’s in a happy mood. Being in the parade, you can take a deep breath. The stress is off.”
The men in the group build the float the week before, working late into the early-December nights. The women, meanwhile, create the costumes for the
float’s occupants. Coyle estimated that the annual cost of supplies is $800 to $1,000, but crew members try to reuse materials whenever they can, from old wood to props like lamps.
After the parade, the crew takes part in a nearly decade-long tradition, celebrating with its own Christmas party.
Parking for the event will be available at the Long Beach Catholic Regional School, on West Broadway, as well as at the Long Beach Long Island Rail Road station, with shuttle buses running between them starting at 4:30 p.m.
The parade’s sponsors include the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital, Pam Air Services Group, Rockville Centre GMC and the Long Beach Civil Service Employees Association.
The parade made its debut in 2013, in an effort to support local businesses after Hurricane Sandy. The inaugural procession had eight vehicles and a marching band, and has since grown to attract dozens of participating community members and thousands of spectators. The parade did not take place in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
“The light parade is one of the most highly anticipated days in Long Beach,” City Councilman George Ennis said in a statement. “The bars and restaurants are packed, the streets are packed with children of all ages. It’s a great time.”
Courtesy New York Islanders
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
The New York Islanders’ Children’s Foundation, in partnership with UBS, purchased and distributed 200 meals on Nov. 24 to local families ahead of Thanksgiving. The Islanders’ Children’s Foundation partners with local community groups and nonprofit organizations, including Island Harvest, Long Island Cares, Veteran Beacon House, Gateway Youth Outreach and Rock and Wrap it Up, to identify families in need.
I
Its mission is dedicated to serving local communities, now and in the future. It supports, educates and develops area youth while investing in local families and community wellbeing. The foundation also supports nonprofit organizations that share its common mission, developing programs that create a lasting legacy.
think all of us athletes, we
The distributed meals were purchased from Stew Leonard’s and included a turkey, four sides, dessert and dinner rolls. Volunteers from UBS and members of the New York Islanders, including former player Butch Goring, and Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock, as we all players’ significant others were onsite to distribute meals.
recognize that we’re fortunate.
Current ownership shares Wang’s values, and is committed to being a leader in the philanthropic causes that continue to make the Children’s Foundation a staple in the Long Island community. The Children’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023.
Butch GORING New York Islanders legend
In a press package, shared with the Herald by the New York Islanders, Pulock said, “It’s special to have this opportunity just to do something small, make people smile, make families be able to come together and have a nice meal together. That’s what it’s all about.”
The Islanders Children’s Foundation, a registered nonprofit, was created in 2003 under the leadership of late-Islanders owner Charles Wang, who had a passion to help children and provide them with the best opportunities to live happy, healthy and successful lives.
Goring, in a video package shared with the Herald, said the appreciation of community members served was “very obvious.”
“Everybody is very thankful to be able to go home and share a meal, not only with themselves, but certainly with friends,” he said.
Athletes, he added, are in a position to give back.
“I think all of us athletes, we recognize that we’re fortunate,” he said. “We don’t have to worry about our next meal. It’s going to be there for us. There are many people who are less fortunate, so when you can help out and make Thanksgiving, which is such a special day, and you can make that a little more special for them — it has a lot of merit.”
For more on the work of the Islanders Children’s Foundation, visit NHL. com/Islanders.
CO-HOST:
Long Beach High School hosted its first Therapy Dog Thursday; a wellness initiative offered through Pet Partners and the high school’s newly designed Student Wellness Center known as The Well.
Students were invited to stop by The Well to meet Jackson, a gentle and friendly golden retriever, accompanied by his handler, Steve Tepper, in hopes to bring calm, comfort and connection to students through the meeting, on Nov. 20.
Interacting with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce stress, lower anxiety, lift mood and support emotional balance. The Well hopes to make Therapy Dog Thursday a regular program offered to students to encourage presence, empathy and connection, core values that align closely with the mission of The Well.
Jackson brought an energy of calm and connection to The Well,” Long Beach Wellness Center teacher Kristen Ford said in a news release. “It’s amazing how something so gentle can be so powerful. You could feel the shift in the room. Students who spent time with him left smiling, lighter and more grounded.”
The Well is Long Beach High School’s dedicated Student Wellness Center offering students a calming, inclusive space
where students can pause, reset and build tools to support their mental, physical, emotional and social wellbeing.
Through mindfulness, movement and wellness education, The Well fosters a
culture of balance and resilience. It is a place where every student feels grounded, empowered and confident to lead with compassion, both in and beyond the classroom.
–Jeffrey Bessen
During this season of giving thanks, Dante White, 21, and his parents, Theresa and Wayne White, welcomed the chance to reunite last week with the first responders and hospital team in Oceanside who helped saved his life in March of this year.
White, a 20-year-old student at the University of New Haven at the time, was home from school for spring break on March 10 when he went for a run in his neighborhood. On his way home, he was struck by a car at Forest Avenue and Clyde Road. In an attempt to jump out of the way, he landed on the hood of the car, and his right arm smashed through the windshield, lacerating his skin and severing the artery in his armpit.
He lost consciousness and was bleeding uncontrollably. According to a release from Mount Sinai, if it weren’t for the members of the Oceanside and Baldwin fire departments who responded to the scene, and the trauma team at the hospital he was treated, he most likely would have died.
“I would have for sure died,” White said on Nov. 26, during a visit to Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside where firefighters, EMS personnel and trauma team members gathered. “I was five minutes away from dying.” The trauma team quickly treated his wounds and saved his life.
“His survival was not the work of
The members of White’s lifesaving team, including Nassau County Police Department officers,
and EMS staff and Mount Sinai South Nassau’s trauma team, with White and his parents.
one person, or even one team,” MSSN Trauma Medical Director James Maurer said, “but the results of a coordinated effort involving paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, and many others whose names the public may never know, whose impact is unforgettable.”
White, a track athlete at New Haven, thought he would never be able to run again. After seven surgeries at the Oceanside hospital and Mount Sinai’s Manhattan hospital, he was given approval to run again.
“Dante, your determination and courage have inspired all of us,” Maurer said. “As we head into this season of
and
gratitude, we’re thankful that not only you’re here with us today, but you have a promising path forward.”
White said he was thankful to be alive and to get a second chance at life.
“People will always ask me ‘Am I good?’ I’m always good,” he said. “As long as I’m alive, I’m good.”
–Allyson Ferrari
Thomas W. Stokes was named the president and chief executive officer of Nassau University Medical Center, Nassau County’s only public safety net hospital.
Nassau University Medical Center has named Thomas W. Stokes as its permanent president and chief executive officer. Stokes, 54, is the chief financial officer of Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan.
Starting in January, he will takeover managing the day-to-day operations at the safety-net hospital, based in East Meadow, the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale, and other community health centers and outreach operations.
His appointment comes at the end of a turbulent year for NUMC, which was taken over by New York state in May, following provisions that passed in the budget for fiscal year 2026. The changes, which took effect June 1, shifted control from County Executive Bruce Blakeman to Gov. Kathy Hochul
and state Democrats.
In addition, the state granted the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a public benefit corporation, expanded oversight, including the ability to approve hospital contracts exceeding $1 million. The hospital’s public benefit corporation, the Nassau Health Care Corporation, is also required to conduct a study on strengthening NUMC by Dec. 1, 2026.
Thomas W. sTokes
State-appointed leadership fired Meg Ryan, the former chief executive at NUMC, in June. She was replaced by Dr. Richard Becker, the interim president and chief executive of the hospital.
Stokes will assume the top office at NUMC from Becker in 2026.
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To continue providing you with high-quality hyperlocal news in the face of rising costs, as of December 1, 2025, the HERALD's subscription rates will be: annual subscription plan, paid by credit card - $1 per week (billed annually at $52.00); monthly subscription plan, paid by credit card - $2 per week (billed monthly at $8.67); one-year subscription, paid by check - $65 (check made out to "Richner Communications, Inc." and mailed to below address). Subscription plans paid by credit card renew at end of applicable term at then-current rates. Payment can be made online at liherald.com/subscribe, by calling (516) 569-4000 & press 7, or by mail to Herald Subscription Processing Center, 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530.
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By Roksana Amid
For more than four decades, New York Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” has marked the arrival of the holiday season for thousands of Long Island families. This year, the 43rd annual performance — set for Dec. 20 and 21 at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse — promises to deepen that legacy with an expanded immersive experience, celebrated guest artists and a renewed emphasis on the history that defines the company.
Since 1982, New York Dance Theatre, in partnership with the Ohman School of Ballet, has staged the full-length classic each December. Rooted in the Balanchine tradition handed down from founder Frank Ohman — a former student and soloist under George Balanchine — the production has grown into one of the region’s most recognizable holiday events. Yet for Executive Artistic Director Nicole Loizides, its staying power is not simply about technique or spectacle. It’s about belonging.
• Dec. 20-21, noon and 5 p.m.
• Tickets start at $33, available at ohmanballet.org or (631) 462-0964
• Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playhouse, Hempstead
“We really feed ourselves in tradition,” Loizides says. “Especially around the holidays, people want a place where they can feel comfortable to come home, rest, rela and celebrate together. Our Nutcracker stays rooted in that.”
Long before the overture begins, audience members are invited into the world of the Silberhaus family — the setting of the ballet’s opening scene. When guests enter the Playhouse lobby, costumed Victorian performers greet them, musicians play seasonal melodies and the scent of apple cider wafts through the air.
Children are invited to hang ornaments on a Christmas tree, one of many ways the production blurs the line between audience and story.
Loizides describes it as a “semi-immersive pre-show experience,” one the company has been refining for several years. This season, the lobby experience expands through a new partnership with the Long Island High School for the Arts, whose student musicians perform as audiences arrive.
“As soon as people enter our lobby doors, they’re invited in by characters from our very first act,” Loizides says. “We serve warm apple cider, we have
live music from some of our most talented youth on Long Island, and we try to capture the spirit of the season of giving within our community. Our audiences are growing tenfold because of that comfort.”
The lobby transformation mirrors the company’s mission: to create a space that feels familiar, nostalgic, and welcoming — something Loizides believes people crave amid today’s fastpaced, hyper-digital world.
“So many things get wrapped up in what’s new on social media or what’s trending,” she says “But this time of year, people want tradition. They want to feel grounded. That’s what we offer.”
This year’s production — as always — features an impressive roster of professional dancers. Brittany Pollack, a soloist with New York City Ballet, and Daniel Ulbricht, a principal dancer with the company and artistic advisor for NYDT, take on the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Broadway performers Joseph J. Simeone and Samuel Colina also appear, joining New York Dance Theatre soloists Sandra Cieslak, Olivia Fohsz, Trevor Montgomery, and Craig Wasserman.
Loizides also returns to the stage, portraying Frau Silberhaus. It’s a moment she describes as both personal and symbolic, especially as the company prepares to enter its 50th anniversary year.
North Shore Village Theatre Artistic Director Christopher Moll returns for his third season in the featured roles of Lead Father and Mother Ginger, contributing to the intercompany collaboration that has become a production hallmark.
Children’s roles are danced by students of the Ohman School of Ballet and the School of American Ballet, the official training academy of New York City Ballet. For many young performers, “The Nutcracker” is their first experience dancing alongside professionals, a tradition that honors Frank Ohman’s commitment to nurturing the next generation.
NYDT’s devotion to tradition is not abstract — it lives in the steps, sets, props, and costumes that have shaped the production for decades. Ohman secured permission from the George Balanchine Trust to use the original Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux, grounding the show in Balanchine’s distinctive style. He also created supplementary scenes and dances that appear in no other staging, adding 10 to 15 minutes to the ballet and expanding opportunities for young dancers.
“What Frank added doesn’t exist anywhere else,” Loizides says. “It gives more solo moments to our youth, especially the young Clara, and it brings additional cultural dances into the second act. It’s something very special.”
Many of the costumes and props used onstage were gifted directly from Balanchine and former New York City Ballet crew members and are now entering formal archival preservation. Some pieces, Loizides notes, are still durable enough to appear in performance.
“That tradition dates back over 50 years,” she says.“These items are a direct link to Balanchine himself. They’re part of our history.”
As the company prepares to embark on its 50th anniversary, she is focused on balancing innovation with the artistic values that first shaped the organization.
“For us, even with new opportunities and initiatives all year, the Nutcracker stays rooted in tradition,” she adds. “This is where our community gathers. It’s where people feel at home.”
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music at the 9th Annual Allman Betts Family Revival! This extraordinary concert is hosted by Devon Allman and Duane Betts, the sons of Allman Brothers Band legends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts. Inspired by the legendary Last Waltz, this tour features a revolving cast all coming together to honor the timeless legacy and rich catalog of the Allman Brothers Band. This year’s amazing lineup features the Allman Betts Band, the iconic Jimmy Hall, former Wet Willie singer and Allman Brothers alumni; alongside Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, G. Love, Judith Hill, Jimmy Hall, Cody & Luther Dickinson, Alex Orbison, and others. Special guests may also join in. Set against the backdrop of the famous Allman Brothers Brotherhood of Light show, blending electrifying music with stunning visuals, it’s an unforgettable night that honors the rich history and timeless catalog of the Allman Brothers Band.
Sunday, Dec. 7, 8 p.m. $108.75, $64.75. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Swing into the holiday season with Home for the Holidays with the Future of Jazz Orchestra presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Under the musical direction of Joe Block, expect to hear refreshing takes of your favorite holiday tunes. Joining the orchestra are vocalists Katie Oberholtzer and Imani Rousselle. Oberholtzer, a recurring figure at Birdland, the Jazz Club at the Aman, and Dizzy’s Club, has captivated audiences with her cross-genre performances. Rousselle, recently seen in Broadway’s “Good Night and Good Luck,” is celebrated for the warmth and poise she brings to stage. The Future of Jazz Orchestra is a young big band collective curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center that is comprised of musicians at the start of their jazz career. Pulling from local education programs at Juilliard, Temple, Manhattan School of Music, and more, the orchestra showcases musicians who are fresh on the jazz scene in NYC.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
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LuminoCity Festival
LuminoCity is back at Eisenhower Park. Walk through a winter wonderland. Timed admission fee.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m., 6-6:45 p.m., 7:30-8:15 p.m., through Jan. 1
• Contact: luminocityfestival. com
Step up to the mic and share your talent at Long Beach Public Library’s West End Open Mic. Ages 18+ can perform five minutes of stand-up comedy, sketches, improv, music, singing, poetry or karaoke. Enjoy a fun, supportive atmosphere and discover local talent. Hosted by librarian Ron Carroll.
• Where: 903 West Beech St.
• Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Contact: longbeachlibrary.org (516) 432-2704
The Nutcracker Leggz Ltd. Dance rings in the holiday season with Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, now in its. 10th season at the Madison Theater. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Joan MacNaughton, international ballet stars are joined by gifted young dancers from all over the metropolitan area. The South Shore Symphony brilliantly brings to life the composer’s extraordinary music making this magical extravaganza a must-see for everyone!
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.; also Dec. 6, 5 p.m.; Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
‘Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical’
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes back this delightful production, based on Mo Willems’ award-winning “Pigeon” picture books. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party. It’s not easy being the Pigeon — you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, this show is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
Join contemporary artist Eric Dever at Nassau County Museum of Art.
His vibrant, process-driven paintings explore material, movement, and transformation. Drawing inspiration from Surrealist techniques like decalcomania and grattage, pioneered by Max Ernst and Jean Dubuffet, Dever reveals unexpected textures and forms that merge chance with intentional expression. $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
Winter Blood Drive
Support the annual Winter Blood Drive at the Magnolia Center. Appointments are preferred, though walk-ins are welcome if space allows. Blood donations are urgently needed.
• Where: 650 Magnolia Blvd.
• Time: 3-7:30 p.m.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Close out 2025 with some laughs with comedian Elon Gold, best known for his relatable takes on being Jewish and getting through the weirdness of life. Considered by many to be this generation’s Borscht Belt King, he’s no stranger to those who watch Netflix. His act brings laughs to both Jews and non-Jews alike all over the world, including sold out shows in England, Sydney and Johannasburg. He’s made dozens of memorable appearances on late-night talk shows and TV series, especially his hilarious recurring role as Head of Hulu on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” opposite Larry David. His one hour Netflix stand-up special, “Elon Gold: Chosen & Taken” received wide acclaim from audiences and peers alike and is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He has made ten appearances on the “Tonight Show” and recently performed on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” His routines have gone viral and are shared by millions around the globe. He has starred in FOX’s “Stacked” and developed and starred in the NBC series, “In-Laws.” Prior guest star credits include “Crashing,” “Frasier,” “Chappelle’s Show,” and “Chelsea Lately” among others. He was also a writer/performer on ABC’s “The Dana Carvey Show.” Most recently, Elon can be seen in a recurring role on Season 11 of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and will be in the upcoming Kal Penn feature, “Trust Me, I’m A Doctor.” He has also just wrapped filming the titular role in the upcoming feature “The Badchan,” from renowned Israeli director Gidi Dar. $76.25 and $54.25..
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also Dec. 7, 2:15, p.m., Dec. 10-12
• Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Film Friday
Stop by Long Beach Public Library for its next film showing. Get ready for laughs and action with “The Naked Gun,” starring Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the only man with the skills (and luck) to lead Police Squad and save the world. This hilarious continuation of the classic comedy franchise delivers nonstop fun and outrageous moments.
• Where: 111 West Park Ave.
• Time: 1-3 p.m.
• Contact: longbeachlibrary.org or (516) 432-7201
Kennedy Plaza
Christmas Tree Lighting
Celebrate the season at this beloved city tradition. Festive lights, holiday music and seasonal cheer fill Kennedy Plaza. It’s a joyful way to welcome the holidays in the heart of Long Beach.
• Where: 1 W. Chester St, Long Beach
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Contact: longbeachny.gov
6
Celebrate the holiday season at Old Westbury Gardens when the timeless holiday tradition returns. Step inside Westbury House and experience the magic of Christmas past with rooms beautifully decorated in period style and filled with festive cheer. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy holiday treats like cookies and warm cider, and don’t miss a special visit from Santa himself. $18, $15 seniors (62+) and full-time students, $8 children (ages 7–17), free 6 and under and members.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., also Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Dec. 1314, Dec. 20-21
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
7
The city in collaboration with the Joint Veterans Organization, honors those who served during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This solemn event at the Magnolia Center offers the community a chance to reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of service members. All are welcome to attend and pay their respects.
• Where: 650 Magnolia Blvd.
• Time: 1 p.m.
• Contact: longbeachny.gov
Holiday Flute Choir
Long Island Flute Club’s Holiday Flute Choir returns to Westbury House’s Red Ballroom with “Silvery Sounds of the Season,” an hour-long concert of holiday carols and seasonal favorites. The choir, which has performed at Old Westbury Gardens since 2007, consists of professional and adult amateur flutists from across Long Island. The choir is under the direction of flutist and Old Westbury Gardens docent Lauren Osnato. Seating is limited; arrive early to ensure entrance to the concert. Included with admission.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes all to get ready for Hanukkah by learning all about dreidels. Find out about the game’s history and rules and then decorate your own dreidel to take home. This is a drop-in activity.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 1-3 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Little Learners
Art Lab
Each week in this engaging workshop, 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 create seashell ornaments. Add a decorative touch to a natural seashell to display in your home. $4 with museum admission.
• Where: Museum Row, Garden City
• Time: 11:30 a.m.-noon
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.
By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com
Appearing before the House Judiciary Committee last week, Rep. Laura Gillen moved Gio’s Law another step toward becoming federal policy — this time with Giovanni Cipriano’s mother at her side.
For more than a decade, Georgina Cornago has pressed lawmakers to ensure that first responders nationwide can carry and administer epinephrine to those who have life-threatening allergic reactions. Her son, Giovanni, a 14-year-old from Lynbrook, died in 2014 after suffering anaphylaxis while help was minutes away. New York has since authorized police officers to carry EpiPens, but advocates say that access remains inconsistent, expensive and dependent on individual departments’ budgets.
Cornago, visiting Capitol Hill for the first time on Nov. 20, said the moment felt larger than anything she had imagined after 12 years of work.
“I never would have imagined that it was going to be a national bill,” she said.
Gio’s Law, introduced by Gillen and Republican Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino, would create a federal grant program to help law enforcement agencies purchase epinephrine and secure training for officers. Departments
LEGAL NOTICE
Hall. Behind them is a photo of Cornago’s son, Giovanni Cipriano, who was 14 when he died from an allergic reaction.
nationwide have struggled to afford the devices, which can cost up to $600 per single-use set. The proposal also encour-
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Nightcap Stories, LLC. Art. of Org. were filed with the SSNY on 11/9/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 21 Arizona Ave, Apt 204, Long Beach, NY. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 156910
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NASSAU
NEW YORK BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION d/b/a
PURSUIT BDC, Plaintiff, against -
MICHAEL D’ANTONI
a/k/a
MICHAEL E. D’ANTONI, VERSA-TEL TS, INC., EMPIRE
STATE CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION d/b/a
PURSUIT CDC, U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, NEW YORK STATE
DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, MONTANA DATACOM INC., NYBDC LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION d/b/a THE EXCELSIOR GROWTH FUND, TBF FINANCIAL, LLC, AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK, CHILLAX LLC, CADLEROCK JOINT VENTURE, L.P., PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, and “JOHN OR JANE DOE” (such designation intending to refer to any and all other individuals occupying the subject premises and/or claiming any interest whatsoever in such premises), Defendants. SECOND AMENDED NOTICE OF SALE
Index No.: 609011-2024
Property Addresses: 30 Delaware Ave. Long Beach, New York
Honorable Thomas Rademaker
Pursuant to Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment
of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 5, 2025 and entered in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office of February 18, 2025 (the “Judgment”), I, the undersigned Referee, duly appointed in this action for such purpose, will expose for sale and sell at public auction to the highest bidder on the north side steps, Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York, on January 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., the mortgaged premises located at 30 Delaware Avenue, Long Beach, New York (Sec. 59 Block 260 Lot 13) (“Property”), as directed in and by said Judgment. Approximate amount of the Judgment is $80,670.12 plus postjudgment interest and costs. Please take notice that the Property is subject to a prior mortgage of record now held by CitiMortgage, Inc. in the original principal amount of $360,000.00 (Nassau County Clerk Liber 37176 Mp 100; Assignment at Liber
42896 Mp 855). Interested parties may contact Meghan Breen, Esq. at 518-581-8800. Dated: November 25, 2025 /s/Ronald J. Ferraro Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. 157108
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: EAST COAST SPIRITS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 08/06/2025. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 180 HUNNEWELL AVE ELMONT, NY 11003 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 157092
noncontroversial bipartisan piece of legislation like this,” Gillen said.
Her appearance before the Judiciary Committee counts as an official hearing, a required step before the bill can move to markup —to formally debate and amend — and then a potential full House vote. Gillen and Cornago spent the rest of the day meeting with lawmakers from both parties, urging the judiciary committee to advance the bill to a committee vote and then to the House floor.
Lynbrook, where Giovanni grew up, was one of the first communities in New York to equip its police officers with EpiPens after his death. Mayor Alan Beach said that local officials made it happen by partnering with Northwell Health to secure the devices at no cost.
“Now we see Georgina, and two members of a congressional delegation from both parties, take this up to the federal level,” Beach said. “It really speaks to the importance of having this bill passed, and it brings us great pride knowing that (this) was started right here in the Village of Lynbrook.”
ages expanded training in and awareness of emergency allergy response.
Gillen said that having Cornago present, and Giovanni’s photograph displayed in the hearing room, shifted the conversation from procedure to lived experience.
“I don’t expect that there will be too many no votes on such an important,
The federal proposal is intended to eliminate the financial hurdles that have slowed or limited adoption elsewhere. Police officers nationwide, Gillen said, should have the tools to respond the moment anaphylaxis begins — regardless of their ZIP code or department budget.
Cornago, who began advocating for legislation after her son’s death so that “no other parent will feel what I felt.” “It was a surreal experience,” she said.
■ Giovanni “Gio” Cipriano, 14, of Lynbrook, dies after a severe allergic reaction.
■ His mother, Georgina Cornago, begins advocating for first responders to carry and administer epinephrine.
■ Lynbrook becomes one of the first villages in New York to equip police vehicles with EpiPens, partnering with Northwell Health to supply them at no cost.
■ Local officials cite the program as a model for regional adoption.
■ New York state passes legislation allowing law enforcement and other trained personnel to carry and administer epinephrine.
■ Departments statewide note that the cost, up to $600 per single-use set, remains a barrier.
■ Rep. Laura Gillen and Rep. Andrew Garbarino announce they are co-sponsoring Gio’s Law, aimed at creating a federal grant program to help departments nationwide acquire epinephrine and training.
■ Gillen testifies before the House Judiciary Committee, with Cornago in attendance. The testimony counts as the bill’s first hearing, allowing it to move toward markup and a potential committee vote. Gillen and Cornago meet with bipartisan lawmakers throughout the day to build support.
■ A markup session in the Judiciary Committee.
■ If approved, the bill advances to the House floor for a full vote.
■ Supporters expect broad bipartisan backing.
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Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines.
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Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16.50 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $34,320 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $34,320 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
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Q. There’s a lot of renovation going on around us, and I don’t see one permit sign or window sign. One neighbor told me he didn’t want his taxes to go up, so he’ll get a permit if he gets caught or when he sells. Isn’t that taking a chance? Will taxes definitely go up, and what are my chances of getting caught for adding a roof over my front door and changing out my windows?
A. Whenever a carton of milk is tipped over on the table, there are those who immediately start mopping up the spill, while others quickly grab the carton to stop the spill at its source. Some try to solve the problem, while others try to fix the mess it creates.
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
Taxes are the biggest worry, it seems, when it comes to renovation, and the number one question I get. I’m not sure if you’ll get caught, but since taxes don’t reduce, it’s safe to say that you could do nothing and your taxes will go up. I have been advocating for years to have a two-tier property tax system in which your house is taxed separately from property taxes. Many municipalities, from Philadelphia and Boston to cities and towns across Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, have explored and adopted this system, in which building improvements are taxed one-fifth of what they would be in your county.
All the savings for your home renovation, no matter how big or small, encourage public safety through permits and improvements. Where penalties for working without a permit are enforced on the builder, as in New York City, builders doing work, and not just the property owner, have a financial stake, and the local economy gets stronger from sales taxes instead of penalizing people, forever, because they wanted a family room, etc. Sadly, what happens in your county is that the system actually promotes unsafe practices, code violations, work needing to be redone once the owner “gets caught,” such as redoing piping, kitchen removal and zoning hearings that could have been avoided if there were planning, permits and strong penalties.
I regularly get questions about whether existing work “meets code,” when people completely misunderstand that building codes are the bare minimum, and do not fully cover the tolerances or behavior of materials, specific life safety issues or special cases requiring more stringent engineering, from resisting freezing to melting, weak soil, explosion or flame spread, to name a few. It’s common because of your local tax and permit system, and almost seems to be encouraged by allowing people to file to “maintain” work, built illegally, in essence mopping up the spill instead of helping people avoid the spill in the first place.
Building departments accommodate hidden work by simply asking owners to have a licensed professional accept responsibility, stating in letters and in plans that the work is code-compliant, as if professionals have a special super power to see through walls. But no use crying over spilled milk, right? Good luck!
© 2025 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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Merriam-Webster’s dictionary meaning of peace is: a state of tranquility or quiet, freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; or a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity. To achieve true peace, I believe it is important for people to first feel peace internally — a state of tranquility or quiet. Personal peace is often not discussed as much as it should be. If there is peace within oneself, it is easier to find peace in a non-peaceful world.
Creating an environment of peace and calm can be challenging when distraction and lack of attention seem to be the default for many people today. Peace is something that can be modeled
Hby our family, friends, mentors, community and leaders. When you see what peaceful behavior looks like from people around you, you start to feel peace. Perhaps that feeling is like a softening in your body, a sense of stability, confidence, grounding and reduced emotional reaction. When you’re in a state of peace, it creates a space, a pause and a chance to breathe and choose a thoughtful response rather than an emotional reaction.
There are many ways for people to develop their own peace. For example, sitting quietly, spending time with a pet, taking a nature walk, talking to a friend, reading, writing, joining organizations with like-minded people and giving back to the community. When people give back, the community benefits, as do those doing the giving, with surges of happiness and feelings of purpose.
the Four Way Test, a reminder to make sure we live up to the Rotary standards of truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship.
elping others makes you happy and gives you a feeling of purpose.
I get this feeling of peace when I work with my local Rotary Club, which offers access to an international organization of like-minded people who believe in fellowship, strengthening communities and overall peace. We begin every Rotary meeting by reciting
If those in warring factions and nations could find ways to develop inner peace, there could be a lot less conflict. In a peaceful state of mind, they might be more likely to achieve a positive outcome for situations in which a collective effort leads to greater benefit, a win-win where the parties gain more than they initially possessed, rather than fixed outcomes in which one side’s gain is the other’s loss. When people just look out for themselves in a zero-sum fashion, they create feelings of isolation and lack of support. This sense of loneliness can also lead to higher levels of emotional dysregulation. Decisions made in a dysregulated, non-peaceful state of mind are often emotionally reactive, not helpful and not thoughtful.
As humans being, we want to thrive in our world — in our nation, in our community, in our group of friends and in our family. To make ourselves feel better, it is essential to support and
encourage one another to be the best we can instead of putting others down. If someone you know gets a big job promotion or achieves something new, you should be genuinely happy for them, not jealous of them. This also creates a sense of peace in ourselves instead of anger, anxiety or comparison.
During peaceful times, individuals, communities and nations can prosper. Being in a constant state of war or violence toward others or oneself leads only to agitation and turmoil. When we’re more connected to one another we are less isolated, feel supported and experience less emotional distress and more peace.
I encourage you to think about ways to connect more, perhaps by joining a community organization, getting involved in a social group or taking up a hobby. Take your attention off a screen, off social media and off parasocial relationships in which you get empty calories, thinking you’ve found peace but are just being led by an algorithm toward a zero-sum conflict. Remember that being a human is messy and difficult, but that is where the true peace of mind, body and soul are found.
Jordan Pecora, who lives in Rockville Centre, is the immediate past president of the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club.
As a Mepham High School student in Bellmore in 2021, I joined ERASE Racism’s Student Task Force. I remained an active member of the task force up until I started college in the summer of 2023. I was never surprised by how meaningful my work was, but what surprised me was how many ways I benefited from my time at ERASE Racism.
I’m still benefiting, as a student on a full scholarship at the University of Richmond, where I’m now on a semester abroad, studying cities through people, planning and politics. The Long Island region is benefiting as well, as more homegrown leaders prepare to take the lead.
ERASE Racism’s Student Task Force is composed of high school students from across Long Island who are passionate about racial justice and making positive change in their schools and communities. It helps students develop their leadership skills, identify their
strengths and assets, and build alliances with students of different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds as well as across school districts. Its members work collaboratively on projects that further racial justice.
One of the best parts of the task force was getting to meet students from across Long Island with diverse backgrounds whom I never would have met otherwise. One such friend was a student at Baldwin High School at the time, and is now at Columbia University. We still get together during college breaks.
nity Leadership Program.
I benefited in so many ways as an ERASE Racism Student Task Force Member.
Working with a wide variety of students from different districts, my perception of myself as a leader grew. Together we explored challenges to racial justice, shared our experiences and insights, and considered how best to overcome barriers. Together we organized events like the annual Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow Conference and, for three summers, prepared and presented at the Reimagining Education Summer Institute at Teachers College. I also became part of the Mepham School and Commu-
Those activities inspired my passion for multiculturalism, and the experience that I gained in the process made me a stronger candidate for college. In my college applications, I drew on my experience with two Long Island Leaders of Tomorrow conferences and three Reimagining Education institutes. Based on those applications, I earned two college scholarships, which together cover my entire tuition, room and board. Today I am both a Richmond Scholar and an Oliver Hill Scholar at Richmond.
Now, as an Ambassador for the Richmond Scholars program, I read applications of scholar candidates and understand even better how compelling experiences like the ones I had as a Student Task Force member can be. I even return each year to ERASE Racism to talk with task force members about college essays.
Now studying abroad, I’m continuing to explore my passion for multiculturalism. My studies are taking me to Argentina, Spain and South Africa, as I conduct a research project on migration in urban settings.
High school students on Long Island have many benefits on which to draw, but Long Island remains one of the 10 most racially segregated metropolitan regions in the United States. That segregation is reinforced in education by the fact that suburban Long Island’s two counties are divided into 125 school districts that reflect the racial segregation in housing. The districts in turn prevent students even in neighboring villages from knowing one another and benefiting from their diverse perspectives.
High school students should look for ways to overcome that barrier. The absurd number of school districts — and the extraordinary waste of taxpayer money involved — may not change soon, but students can take steps to cross those boundaries and get to know one another. ERASE Racism’s Student Task Force is one avenue. The resulting friendships and the insights shared are vital to the region’s future. Many more Long Island high school students may just find, as I did, that working to advance racial justice will create a new generation of leaders who seek to overcome existing barriers. They may just discover that they become those leaders themselves.
Alli Alvarez, who lives in Bellmore, is a junior at the University of Richmond.
the holiday season carries a reputation for joy, connection and celebration, yet for many adults it also reliably delivers stress, pressure and emotional overload. Between family dynamics, financial expectations, packed schedules and the internal push to be relentlessly cheerful, it’s no surprise that mental health can take a hit.
This year, consider a more intentional approach by reclaiming this time with strategies that help you thrive, not just survive.
Our culture is saturated with glossy versions of holiday perfection: immaculate homes, harmonious families, gourmet meals and coordinated pajamas.
Social media amplifies it, encouraging comparison even when we know better. But perfection is both impossible and unnecessary. A successful holiday isn’t measured by aesthetics or extravagance; it’s defined by what feels meaningful, peaceful and manageable for you.
One of the healthiest mental shifts you can make is letting go of other people’s expectations, whether it’s your extended family’s traditions or the imaginary audience in your Instagram feed. Give yourself permission to scale down, choose differently, or avoid what drains you. The real “perfect” holiday is the one that supports your well-being.
If there is one skill that reduces holiday stress more than anything else, it’s
boundary-setting. The season often arrives with invitations, obligations and emotional expectations that stack up quickly. Saying yes to everything is unsustainable and usually unnecessary.
A “polite no” doesn’t require elaborate excuses. Try simple scripts such as:
“I appreciate the invite, but I’m keeping things low-key this year.”
“That sounds meaningful, but I can’t take on anything extra right now.”
Setting limits isn’t unkind — it’s responsible. Boundaries protect the energy you need for the commitments and people that genuinely matter.
Holiday spending is one of the biggest, and most underestimated, sources of December stress. Gift-giving can be joyful, but only when it’s grounded in reality rather than guilt or comparison.
Create a budget before you shop, not afterward. Consider setting price caps for group exchanges, opting for homemade gifts or planning shared experiences rather than material items. Most important, reject the mindset that whispers that love must be proven through financial sacrifice. Some of the most meaningful gifts cost nothing: time, connection and attentive presence.
During a season of constant invitations, the most radical choice you can make is protecting your routine. Sleep, movement and downtime are the foundation of mental stability. Schedule “empty time” the same way you would
schedule an appointment. Leave room for rest, flexibility and the ability to say yes to what genuinely nourishes you.
If you rely on therapy, journaling, medication or meditation, guard those habits fiercely. You don’t have to abandon mental health routines simply because the calendar gets festive.
For those experiencing grief, loss or estrangement, the holidays can magnify pain. There is no correct way to “handle” grief during a season of what often feels like forced joy. Give yourself permission to feel whatever arises — sadness, anger, numbness or even unexpected happiness. Create rituals that honor lost loved ones, allow yourself space to step back from celebrations, or connect with others navigating similar emotions. You are not required to “perform” cheerfulness.
January often hits like emotional whiplash. Build in recovery time rather than expecting yourself to launch into new-year productivity immediately. Plan a quiet weekend, revisit your budget, reset your sleep schedule and reestablish routines that ground you. The goal is to ease into the new year, not crash into it.
The holidays don’t need to be an endurance test. With realistic expectations, thoughtful boundaries and a commitment to your mental well-being, you can transform the season from chaotic to intentional.
The biggest issue around most Thanksgiving tables last week — other than gratitude — was just how expensive everything seemed. Costs have risen sharply in the past few years, and people are looking for answers.
People are sick of politicians’ petty partisan attacks. They’re asking, “What can you do to make life more affordable?” Some things are straightforward: tariffs make groceries, clothing and Christmas presents more expensive. The growing federal debt is driving up interest rates. Demand for energy to power A.I. data centers, combined with the cancellation of a bunch of green-energy projects, is driving up energy costs. Fewer workers on farms and in industrial plants, hospitality and health care due to deportation — or being scared to show up for work — increases overtime costs.
Rising health care costs are at the top of the affordability crisis list, but addressing those costs is extraordinarily complex.
First, we need an immediate fix in
the next few weeks to extend premium tax credits to avoid an explosion in health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. Then, over the next two years, we need to develop a bipartisan plan to reduce hyperinflated health care costs meaningfully.
iRight now, over 20 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced Premium Tax Credits to afford health insurance. These credits, which expire at the end of the year, require a person buying health insurance to pay 8.5 percent of their income for coverage, with the rest covered by the federal government. If Congress fails to fix this soon, those millions will see their premiums jump by hundreds, even thousands, of dollars, overnight. For many, that would mean losing coverage altogether. Even those who don’t use the credits would be affected: When the risk pool shrinks, premiums rise for everyone.
in the system and ensure that the program functions as intended.
This bill isn’t perfect, but no bipartisan compromise is. Time is running out, and my colleagues and I haven’t seen anyone else stepping up with a truly bipartisan plan. So we did.
n a litany of steps we need to take to improve our system, a few stand out.
Next, the long-term solution: Over the next two years, we need a bipartisan effort to address the decades-long rise in health care costs. Health care is too expensive. Insurance is too expensive. The Affordable Care Act achieved its objective of insuring tens of millions of Americans who had never been insured. Before the ACA, 50 million people were uninsured; today, that number is less than half.
increase life expectancy. Smoking, alcohol, improper diet and lack of exercise are the leading avoidable causes of premature death. We have made significant strides in addressing smoking; we need to do the same with obesity. We must do better! Let’s emphasize healthy eating and exercise, de-incentivize alcohol, and get the medical community more focused on prevention and early detection.
Doctors should be guiding treatment, not insurance companies. Physician payments have fallen dramatically, while doctor expenses have risen by even more. In a world where doctors are subject to burnout, excessive lawsuits and spending more time on defensive paperwork than patient care, our physician pool is hemorrhaging.
First, the immediate fix: I recently introduced the Bipartisan HOPE Act. It would extend the premium tax credits for two years, and institute a salary cap to target assistance to those most in need.
The act also includes strong guardrails to combat fraud, with protections that safeguard taxpayers, restore trust
To the Editor:
Re last week’s story “Rejection of NCC leader sparks opposition”: As a former member of the Nassau Community College board of trustees, I take exception to the arbitrary and meritless decision by the SUNY board of trustees in denying the application of the college’s chief administrative officer, Maria Conzatti, for a permanent position.
SUNY’s board voted 12-0 to reject Ms. Conzatti’s application without a scintilla of reason or justification for such a monumental decision, impacting almost 18,000 students and over 800 faculty members. By creating this crater in leadership at the college, when public educational institutions face so much uncertainty and financial challenges, SUNY is overtly causing an unnecessary and counterintuitive crisis that could have been avoided.
I have known Maria Conzatti for almost 14 years, and she has demonstrated a clear and unequivocal track record as an effective, dedicated and professional administrator who has earned the trust of the students, faculty and administration over a multi-decade career at NCC.
As a legislator, I, along with my colleagues, have an obligation to ensure that
our contribution to the college’s budget is being applied judiciously and appropriately. For SUNY to now leave the college rudderless until a permanent leader is found — which, in my experience, can take up to a year — is irresponsible and concerning to me and the taxpayers of Nassau County.
ARNOLD W. DRUCkER Plainview
Arnold Drucker is the deputy minority leader of the Nassau County Legislature, and was a member of the Nassau Community College board of trustees until 2016.
To the Editor:
I was surprised, when reading Peter king’s op-ed “Local triumphs on a night Republicans didn’t expect” (Nov. 13-19), by his statement, “Curtis Sliwa siphoned off votes that might have made the difference.”
Even when adding Sliwa’s 7.1 percent of the vote to Andrew Cuomo’s 41.6 percent in the New York City mayoral election, they still fall significantly short of
In a litany of steps we need to take to improve our system, a few stand out. The government desperately needs to lower prescription drug costs. The Biden administration passed legislation that allowed Medicare to negotiate prices on 25 drugs, but we need more. President Trump said himself that Big Pharma is “getting away with murder.”
We need to do a much better job on preventive care. People need to be healthier, and medical issues must be addressed long before they spiral out of control. Doing so will save money and
I’ve been in public service for the better part of 30 years, as the mayor of Glen Cove, Nassau County executive, and now in Congress. I’ve learned that one-party solutions are fleeting, easily replaced. We need a bipartisan fix now, and over the next two years I pledge to work with my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus — a bipartisan group of members that I co-chair, that is committed to solving complex problems — to develop a robust health care framework that lowers costs for generations to come.
Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.
Framework by Tim Baker
Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory. I’m not sure why there’s the need to minimize Mamdani’s popularity. Clearly he’s resonating with a lot of people, and I don’t think pretending
that he’s not will be useful or productive for the next election cycle.
mountsinai.org/southnassau