_______ Malverne/West HeMpstead ______
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Vol. 32 No. 36
mtA ticket prices could be rising
Celebrating summer reading
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Page 14 september 4 - 10, 2025
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Amato writes and stars in the film ‘Max’ before stepping away from the spotlight to pursue a career in education. Angelo Amato loves movies. After getting married, movHe has fond memories of walk- ing to Queens, and raising chiling with friends from his child- dren, Amato began to explore hood home near Halls Pond his love for performing again. Park to the Franklin Square While participating in low-budCinema, hopping between the- get films, Amato realized that aters to enjoy a day he could create his of films. own work. Amato, 48, wrote, “ I n e v e r s aw directed, produced myself as a filmand starred in a feamaker, I saw myself t u re l e n g t h f i l m as an actor,” he said. titled “Max.” The “But then, I recogmovie follows the nized that technolostory of a man livgy had got to a point ing with autism and where I could play navigating a relawith different camtionship with his eras and editing friend Lisa. At the platfor ms, and I same time, Max’s said, ‘Why not?’” aging widowed He began writing mother and sole screenplays and in caretaker struggles ANGelo AmAto 2022 and released with her concerns his short film “ComCreator, about who will care ing Home,” which “Max” for her son as she follows an Italiangets older. American family in The former West Hempstead Queens experiencing a great resident developed a love of loss. His short finished as a acting after playing the role of quarter finalist in the Big Kenickie in a West Hempstead Apple Film Festival. middle school production of Amato then decided to chal“Grease.” He continued to find lenge himself to craft a featurehis spot on stage in high school length film. and college, even taking on “I’ve always been drawn to some off-off-Broadway roles Continued on page 7
by mADIsoN GUsler
mgusler@liherald.com
Tim Baker/Herald
echo park rave draws crowd of eDm fans Elias, left, and George Costidis had an unforgettable night playing the music they’ve produced as the SadBois for the crowd in West Hempstead. More photos, Page 3.
Preparing for students’ return School district buildings receive significant upgrades by mADIsoN GUsler mgusler@liherald.com
Both the Malver ne and West Hempstead school districts underwent significant infrastructure upgrades over the summer. As teachers return to classrooms and finishing touches prepared the buildings for students’ arrival, the improved facilities are intended to enhance the learning environment.
West Hempstead The Varsity Weight Room at the West Hempstead Secondary School was fully renovated over the summer. The upgrades included the installation of new flooring, freshly painted walls and new Rogue fitness equipment.
The district has also created the West Hempstead Art Gallery at the secondary school. The glass-enclosed space will serve as a year-round hub for student art exhibits and cultural events. It will celebrate creativity and student achievements in the visual arts. A Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology grant supported by former State Sen. Kevin Thomas funded these upgrades. “As we prepare for the start of another successful school year, I’m pleased to share some of the exciting facility upgrades and renovations that took place across the district over the summer months,” Peter Mayo, West Hempstead’s director of facilities and operations, wrote in an Continued on page 10
I
genuinely believe that a good film about an important subject matter can change someone’s life.