Malverne/West Hempstead Herald 10-02-2025

An off the rack sale success

Alexa Salamone of Valley Stream helps organize clothes for sale at her mother-in-law’s house during Malverne’s village-wide garage sale on Saturday. See story, more photos, Page 3.

‘Wheel’ win of a lifetime

Gabriel Berkowitz amazes on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

Gabriel Berkowitz, 27, has always enjoyed words.

His mother told him that when he learned to read, words would often distract him while he was doing other things. In fifth grade, Gabriel represented the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, in West Hempstead, at the Long Island Scripps Howard News Service Spelling Bee at Old Bethpage Middle School.

“I’ve always been this way,” Berkowitz said. “I’ve always loved words, was obsessed with reading and word games.”

The West Hempstead native recently became a “Wheel of Fortune” champion, after appearing on a Sept. 9 episode of the game show and walking away with prizes valued at $86,560.

“I’ve been watching ‘Wheel of Fortune’ since I was a child,” Berkowitz, who’s now an account executive at a theatrical advertising agency, said. He shared that when he was growing up, episodes of ‘Jeopardy’ and ‘Wheel’ were often on in the background.

“Truthfully, my dream has always been to be on ‘Jeopardy,’” he added. “I’ve been trying out for over ten years.”

In 2020, Berkowitz decided to audition for

Child loss leads to change

Parents

By MADISoN GUSlER mgusler@liherald.com

When former Malverne resident Jason Brescia and his wife, Patricia, found out that she was pregnant with their first child, they were ecstatic. In 2022 they announced the pregnancy during a trip to Disney and learned they were having a boy during a gender reveal party.

Their son, Jason Michael Brescia Jr., was expected to be born in 2023, but arrived early on Christmas Eve in 2022 via an emergency abdominal delivery at 27 weeks into the pregnancy.

W“He was given a good prognosis, and then time went by and things got worse.”

The staff at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island supported the Brescia family while their son was in the neonatal intensive care unit, helping them to secure a grant to afford the testing that revealed the ILFS-1 diagnosis.

e never wanted to stop fighting, because he fought so hard

JASoN BRESCIA

co-founder, Jason Michael Brescia Foundation

Following various setbacks unrelated to his premature birth and after indepth genetic testing, the baby was diagnosed with a rare autosomal recessive disorder known as infantile liver failure syndrome, or ILFS-1.

“He was struggling with certain things that normal premature babies wouldn’t struggle with,” Jason Brescia, 39, said.

The newborn fought through ILFS-1 symptoms, including edema, kidney failure and irreversible organ damage.

“The doctors told us that there was no existing treatment and essentially his liver was never going to function properly,”

Jason Brescia said.

After eight weeks, the infant died from the condition on Feb. 17, 2023.

ILFS-1 is incredibly rare, prevalent in less than one in a million people, according to a 2012 journal of the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders. Typically diagnosed in early infancy, the disorder has a high Continued on page 12

Lakeview leader, Rener Reed, passes at age 86 OBITUARY

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Rener H. Reed, a longtime Lakeview community leader and civil rights advocate, died Sept. 14 at the age of 86.

Born in Richton, Mississippi, in 1939, Reed and her twin sister Tener Hinton grew up during the Jim Crow era. Under the care of their great-aunt, Lillie Arlena McSwain Sutton, Reed grew up picking cotton and meeting civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers — who dined in the Sutton home and inspired Reed’s lifelong commitment to justice.

Education was always important to Reed. She graduated valedictorian from Richton Colored High School, a segregated school, before attending the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

“Our mother was an individual that spoke up when she saw injustice going on,” Lillie Poulson said. “She believed in equality and was vocal about it.”

In 1962, she married Claude Reed Jr. and moved to New York, eventually settling in Lakeview where they raised four children. Nassau County provided affordable housing and robust educational opportunities for her children, all of who earned college degrees.

Reed became a force in the Lakeview community. She served as President of

the Lakeview NAACP Branch, was a member of the Better Education Organization, the Parent-Teacher Association, and more.

“She was very instrumental working with the Better Education Organization and its members to engage attorney Alvin Dorfman,” Michele Reed said. “He helped them pursue a lawsuit so Lakeview students could have the right to busing in the Malverne school district.”

Reed was a key advocate in the fight to integrate the Malverne School Distirct during the 1960s and was critical in the fight for equitable access to bus transportation for students in the district and beyond.

to be able to substantiate your opinion on local events and happenings.”

Over her life, Reed has known and worked alongside Hazel Dukes, the president of the NAACP New York State Conference; civil rights activist Al Sharpton; and representative Charles Rangel. Her children recalled attending the 1983 March on Washington with Reed to protest for equal rights.

“For my mother, education was the great equalizer,” Michael Reed said. “To her it was very important for us to know our history, her history, and to communicate that history to others.”

Reed encouraged her children to voice their opinions with ‘Friday Night Debates’ — informal discussions that occurred while entertaining guests.

“Being able to articulate your feelings was key for my mother,” he said. “No matter what your opinion was, you had

Governor Mario Cuomo appointed Reed to the New York State Martin Luther King Commission in 1989. She was later named cochairperson of the first Martin Luther King Institute for Non-Violence in Albany, alongside singer and activist Harry Belafonte.

“My mother was a loving, caring person that was very confident in her oratory skills, her speaking skills,” Michael said. “She never shied away from being on any type of platform.”

Reed was involved in Democratic Party politics, which her family said led her to be a delegate at three democratic national conventions and attend three presidential inaugurations.

“I admired her strength, knowledge and dedication to her family, our commu-

nity and the NAACP Lakeview Branch,” branch president Doris Hicks Newkirk wrote to the Herald. “Reed patiently guided and taught me my responsibilities. I spent many days at her table, taking notes and learning my job.”

Bea Bayley, a past branch president, recalled Reed as “the lifeblood of the branch.”

“She was the ‘go to’ person for just about anything Lakeview related,” Bayley wrote to the Herald. “She is missed but her legacy and commitment to the Lakeview community will remain in the hearts of many.”

Her husband, Claude; daughters, Michele Reed and Lillie Poulson; sons, Michael and Charles Reed; their spouses; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews survive Reed.

A home going service celebrating Reed’s life will be held on Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at The Congregational Church of South Hempstead, UCC 416 Woodland Drive, South Hempstead.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lakeview NAACP, in support of the newly established “Rener H. Reed Community Service Scholarship.”

Checks can be mailed to: NAACP Lakeview Branch, P.O. Box 268, West Hempstead, NY 11552, Memo: Rener H. Reed Scholarship.

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Village garage sale celebrates five years

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

Thousands made their way to Malverne on Saturday for the annual village-wide garage sale. More than 160 homes were open for visitors to browse and purchase clothes, furniture, home goods, and collectible items.

The annual village-wide sale began in 2020, as people spent time cleaning during the Covid-19 lockdown. Malverne resident Rod Perry and his partner, Howard Zeitlin, saw the growing garbage collections the Department of Public Works picked up each week and had an idea.

Perry pitched then-mayor Keith Corbett on organizing a village-wide garage sale.

“This way everybody can put everything out for sale in one shot,” Perry said. “And then DPW could come around and pick up the trash without having to be bombarded every week, over and over again.”

An avid collector, Perry had attended many garage sales and shopped at some village-wide events before. “I thought it would be a good idea for a small village like Malverne,” he said.

With continuous approval from the village board, Perry has organized the annual garage sale for five years. The first year, 135 homes participated. On Sept. 27, more than 160 homes were involved.

“It’s also great for village businesses,” he said. People from across the tri-state area visit Malverne to see what’s for sale, and Perry ensures to invite them to stop by local stores and enjoy the village cafes. “All the shops have benefited.”

The village helps organize and promote participating houses, inviting residents to register for a $10 permit at Village Hall. Permitted houses are listed and mapped on the village website.

“Everybody looks forward to this event,” Perry said. “I’ve even had some people come to me asking if we could do it two times a year.” He looks forward to planning next year’s sale.

Nassau College makes education more accessible

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Nassau Community College is joining a statewide initiative to make higher education more accessible for adults seeking to complete an associate degree. The program, SUNY Reconnect, offers free tuition to New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 who do not already hold a college degree.

Taking Back Control with a Living Trust

In the fall of 1990, thirty-five years ago, your writer first heard of the proposition that if you set up a living trust your estate doesn’t have to go to court to settle – the so-called probate court proceeding for wills. Having spent the previous eleven years as a litigation attorney, and having faced numerous problems probating wills, this sounded too good to be true.

At the time, some of the best estate planning lawyers were in Florida. Perhaps you can guess why. In any event, off I went to Florida to train as an estate planning lawyer and, upon returning, closed the litigation practice and founded Ettinger Law Firm in April 1991, to keep people just like you, dear reader, out of probate court.

The reason I was so excited about the living trust, and continue to be so to this day, is the concept of taking back control from the courts and government and giving it back to you and your family. After all, who doesn’t want control over their affairs?

When you go to court, who’s in charge? The judge, right? Now tell me, does the judge

always act in your best interest? Does the judge ever make a mistake? And when the judge says jump, you know what the answer is!

Not only do you pay considerably for this privilege, but it can take many months and often years to complete the probate court proceeding. Meantime, houses cannot be sold, bank accounts accessed, or investment portfolios managed – at least without the judge’s permission which involves additional time and resources to request. Of course, that permission may be denied as well.

With a living trust, your trustee (formerly your “executor” under the will) may act immediately upon death to sell the house, pay the bills and handle the investments – no permission required! An additional benefit is, in the event you become unable to handle your affairs later in life, your trustee may take over by simply getting a letter from your doctor showing you are unable to handle your legal and financial affairs. Essentially then, a living trust gives you back the control your may have thought you had.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

ELDER LAW ESTATE PLANNING SINCE 1991 trustlaw.com Trusts & Estates • Wills & Probate • Medicaid NO-COST CONSULTATION: 516-327-8880 or email info@trustlaw.com 100 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre • 3000 Marcus Ave., Lake Success Other offices in Huntington • Melville • Islandia

Jerry Kornbluth, vice president for Community and Governmental Relations at Nassau Community College, said the program allows students to return to school without financial barriers, providing flexibility for full- or parttime study. Students must enroll in at least six credits per semester and can complete their degree within 10 semesters. A one-year leave of absence is allowed without losing eligibility.

“This is a really solid program,” Kornbluth said. “It’s designed for students returning to college after time away, giving them an opportunity to pursue high-demand careers while balancing work and family.”

SUNY Reconnect focuses on fields where workforce demand is high, including nursing, healthcare, cybersecurity, health information technology, and teacher education. Kornbluth said these areas were chosen because current professionals are retiring or there are not enough trained workers enter-

ing the field.

Nassau Community College has seen strong interest in the program. For the fall semester, about 251 students enrolled, with roughly 224 documented in internal reporting. Preliminary data shows 71 percent of participants are female, largely reflecting concentrations in nursing and education, and the largest age group is 25 to 34. About 60 percent attend part-time, while 40 percent attend full-time.

Students are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to receive financial support. Kornbluth said the program provides an economic boost to the state by helping adults earn degrees without accruing debt.

“If students can get a two-year degree for free, that’s huge,” Kornbluth said. “It opens doors to jobs, career advancement, and the option to continue toward a four-year degree if they choose.”

Kornbluth, who previously taught mathematics and statistics at Nassau Community College and rose to full professor before moving into administration, noted the initiative could expand to additional degree programs in the future if successful.

SUNY Reconnect is available at all SUNY community colleges, and a parallel program exists at CUNY community colleges.

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Danish artist transforms life into art

By AINSLEY MARTINEZ amartinez@liherald.com

For 94-year-old Danish-American artist Birgit Jacobsen, in her studio in Malverne, each brushstroke is a link to her heritage and years dedication.

A self-taught realist, Jacobsen has spent time honing her craft, specializing in portraits, animals and occasional landscapes. Her art evolved naturally from family portraits to commissioned works that earned her recognition.

Her passion for painting came from her father, Walter Nielsen, a master woodworker and an “old-school cabinet maker,” Jacobsen said.

“He built much of the furniture in our homes,” she said. “He was very creative, and I think I got that creativity from him.”

Her journey into portraiture began with a simple experiment: attempting to draw her children. She and her late husband, George, have had two children.

“When I realized I could capture their likeness, I got so excited,” Jacobsen recalled. “I didn’t know if I could do it at first.” It was then she realized her gift for realism.

Her son, Lynbrook resident and retired police lieutenant Glen Jacobsen, added that it wasn’t just about an accurate likeness; it was about how “she captured the essence of the person.”

Her portraits are meticulously

detailed, often taking weeks to complete. “She can take her time, but that’s because she wants everything to be perfect,” her son said. “She works until it’s just right.”

Jacobsen’s process starts with a detailed sketch, using photos provided by her subject. “As long as the photograph is good, the portrait will be good,” she said. “Oil paints give you depth, and once I have the drawing, the painting falls into place.”

Jacobsen’s works have found a special place in her community. Some have even been displayed at the Danish consulate in New York.

“Once I have a commission, I can’t wait to get started. It keeps my mind sharp.”

Jacobsen was born Birgit Nielson in Odder, Denmark, and her early life was shaped by history, music and loss. Her paternal grandfather, Sophus Nielsen, was a symphonic conductor. Her family later moved to Hou, a coastal fishing village, where her maternal grandfather, Niels Hansen, was a craftsman and the owner of Hou’s first movie theater, which brought silent films to the community before electricity arrived in 1914.

Danish-American artist

“It’s humbling to see my work there,” she said. “But the most important thing is that I’m able to share these pieces with others.”

One of her proudest moments was in the 1960s, when her portrait of CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite was displayed at the Danish Consulate in New York. She met Cronkite at the consulate during an exhibition.

“I told him, ‘I painted you,’” she said. “He said, ‘So where’s my 10 percent?’”

Jacobsen’s work is distinguished by its lifelike detail, whether it’s a portrait of a family member or a beloved pet. She layers colors and shadows in oil, creating vivid images.

“Art keeps me young,” she said.

In the wake of World War II, while most of Europe was rebuilding, a letter from overseas changed everything for 18-year-old Nielson who had just graduated from high school in Aarhus, Denmark.

Her mother’s estranged brother, who was living in Brooklyn, had reached out offering her family to come to America.

For nearly a year, Nielson and her parents waded through paperwork and medical clearances, praying their application to emigrate would be accepted.

The preparations were exciting and agonizing, she said. Danish immigration policy allowed them to take only the equivalent of $50 per person, so they sold most of their belongings.

On Nov. 26, 1949, the Nielson family

boarded ship in Copenhagen. Brigit recalled the scene at the pier: weeping goodbyes, trembling hands and the quiet resolve of families prepared to gamble everything for new lives.

Ten days later, she stood at the ship’s railing, clutching the cold metal as the Statue of Liberty came into view.

Their first home in the United States was a cramped, windowless “railroad flat” in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, and Brigit was enchanted by the city’s energy. In 1950, she met George Jacobsen, a Danish-American, and they married a year later.

The rest would become the American chapter of Jacobsen’s life, filled with marriage, motherhood, many returns to her homeland, and painting, which she began as a young adult. It all started with a family’s shared belief in the possibility of something better.

“The Danish traditions were always a big part of our lives,” Glen Jacobsen said. “The Danish community was vital to our family’s identity, and it’s something my mom has always kept alive.”

She served as president of the Danish-American Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods Lodge no. 325 in Malverne, and was its national president as well.

“I feel American, but deep down, I’m still connected to Denmark,” she said. “That part of me will never go away. It’s something I want to keep alive for future generations.”

LUKE MARTINI

WANTAGH SOPHOMORE FOOTBALL

IT WAS A HISTORIC 2024 for Martini and the Warriors as they captured both the Nassau Conference IV and Long Island Class IV titles. One of a handful of returning starters and a rise to Confernece III, Martini is being counted on to produce even more. So far, so good. He led a 35-7 victory at Elmont Sept. 20 with four rushing touchdowns, all coming in the second half. He finished with 195 yards on the ground with his longest score covering 78.

GAMES TO WATCH

Friday, Oct. 3

Football: Carey at V.S. North 4:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Farmingdale at East Meadow 5 p.m.

Girls Soccer: Calhoun at Seaford 5 p.m.

Football: Mepham at Glen Cove 6 p.m.

Football: Baldwin at V.S. Central

Football: Plainedge at Lynbrook

Football: Seaford at East Rockaway 6 p.m.

Football: Oceanside at Massapequa 6:30 p.m.

Football: South Side at Bethpage 6:30 p.m.

Football: Farmingdale at Freeport 7 p.m.

Football: Garden City at MacArthur 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Girls Soccer: Garden City at Wantagh 2 p.m.

Football: Syosset at Uniondale 3 p.m.

Football: Lawrence at West Hempstead 3 p.m.

Football: Hempstead at Hicksville 3 p.m.

Football: Manhasset at V.S. South 3 p.m.

Football: Mineola at Sewanhaka 3 p.m.

Football: Wantagh at Clarke 3 p.m.

Football: Hewlett at Division 3 p.m.

Football: Roosevelt at East Meadow 3 p.m.

Football: Jericho at Kennedy 3 p.m.

Football: C.S. Harbor at North Shore 3 p.m.

Football: Floral Park at Elmont 3 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a fall sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Post-game

Malverne takes down North Shore

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

As if North Shore’s defense wasn’t enough for Malverne’s Jayden Johnson to overcome, the sophomore tailback battled cramping that sent him to the turf in pain several times in Friday night’s Nassau Conference IV football matchup.

But nothing could stop Johnson from leading the Mules to an impressive 32-12 victory just six days after a heartbreaking Homecoming defeat. Johnson had 159 yards and four rushing touchdowns, including the go-ahead score late in the third quarter.

“I owe it all to my coaches and the offensive line,” Johnson said. “I had cramps in both of my legs but I was able to overcome it. Losing to West Hempstead was tough, but we put it behind us and practiced hard all week.”

Cameron Wesley, another sophomore, capped the victory with a 2-yard touchdown run with 5:32 remaining as Malverne evened its record at 2-2. Senior Matthew Burgos had a pivotal fumble recovery on special teams, Tyleek Whitfield recovered a fumble to help seal the deal, and Chris Tucker, Devondre Martin, Brian Major, Chris Morales and Julien Dumornay dominated in the trenches.

“We let one get away last week but I’m content with 2-2 at the halfway point,” Mules head coach Kito Lockwood said. “We had a lot of guys come up big tonight and I thought we did a great job of finishing.”

Sophomore quarterback Joseph Cristofari scored both touchdowns for the Vikings, who slipped to 1-2.

“I’m proud of the way we competed,” North Shore first-year head coach Bill Madigan said. “We’ve got a lot of younger kids out there and Malverne took over a little bit with their physicality in the second half. I know we’re going to stick together and keep working and that’s all I can ask.”

Trailing 12-6, North Shore pulled even with a 13-play scoring drive to open the second half. A 19-yard reception by junior Casey Gates on fourth-and-14

for

from the Malverne 26 kept the chains moving and his 10-yard run set up Cristofari’s 3-yard touchdown burst.

“Joe’s a gamer and his work ethic is unmatched,” Madigan said of Cristofari.

The Mules responded quickly and needed just over two minutes and six plays to take the lead for good. The key play came on second-and-14 when senior quarterback Jayden Jungra connected with junior Jace Richards for a 44-yard gain into the red zone. Then on secondand-goal from the 11, Johnson followed the lead block of Major into the end zone to make it 18-12.

“Coach Lockwood always tells us to act like you’ve been there [in the end zone] before,” Johnson said.

North Shore’s ensuing possession

was derailed by a penalty that nullified a long gain and it was forced to punt from midfield. A botched snapped on the punt attempt was recovered by Burgos at the Vikings’ 20 and his reception on the first snap of the fourth quarter set up a Johnson 12-yard touchdown run that upped the margin to 24-12 with 10:47 left.

“We’re always going to be the bestconditioned team,” Lockwood said.

“Tonight our emphasis was finishing drives. Last week we didn’t, but tonight we did.”

The Mules have a bye next week and return to action Oct. 10 at Seaford. The Vikings host Cold Spring Harbor next Saturday at 2 p.m.

“Every week is another test,” Madigan said.

Wordsmith wins $86,560 on game show

‘Wheel’ as well, submitting a video to the show’s producers, making his case for why he would be a great contestant. “Sitting on my couch, I was really good at it,” he said. “I thought I could probably do pretty well on TV.”

In 2023 he finally received a call back, and took part in a Zoom audition. But it would be two more years before Berkowitz was invited to take part in a taping of the show in Los Angeles, on Aug. 20.

To prepare, he read about past contestants’ experiences on Reddit, and played the “Wheel of Fortune” mobile game. He also credited the games in The New York Times for helping him prepare.

“I do the crossword, Wordle and Connections every day,” he said. “It keeps my mind moving quickly, and I think that’s really the key to ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ to be able to think quickly.”

The day before the taping, Berkowitz flew to Culver City, in Los Angeles, with his brother, Jake, and his best friend, Grace. The next morning, he arrived on the set at around 6:30 a.m., where he was taken on a tour, filled out paperwork and then prepared for his appearance.

“We rehearsed spinning the wheel and yelling out the letters,” he recounted.

“Wheel” films six episodes each day of production; Berkowitz was in the second one of the day. He stood out on the stage, in a yellow zebra-print jacket, and solved all but one of the word puzzles.

“My biggest fear going into the day was that the wheel wasn’t going to be my friend,” he said. “I knew I was good at the game, and the only thing that could ruin my chances was if the wheel was not my friend.”

But Berkowitz amazed the crowd, and host Ryan Seacrest, when he answered the prize puzzle “Perfect for Whale Watching,” with only five letters on the board. For that he won an eight-day, $14,500 whale-watching trip to Baja California, Mexico.

He chalked his performance up to his ability to keep a cool head on stage — which, he said, grew out of his experience in a number of theater and choral productions in West Hempstead schools.

Going in to the final bonus round, Berkowitz already knew the answer to his puzzle before picking consonants and vowels for the board. His final word, “journaling,” won him a Mazda MX-5 Miata RF.

He also walked away with $30,000 in cash. Then, after watching the tapings of a few other episodes, he celebrated his win with his guests by exploring the area before flying back to New York that evening.

“For days after, when I was waking up in my bed back in Harlem, it felt surreal,” Berkowitz said. “I would be like, did that really happen?”

Three weeks after the taping, on Sept. 9, the episode aired, and Berkowitz held a viewing party at Prost Grill & Garten, in Garden City, for friends and family. “They all had their jaws on the floor,” he said. “I stood by the TV, sort of like Vanna White, narrating and giving little factoids about what shooting was like.”

Berkowitz received congratulations from coworkers and distant friends alike. “It’s been really great,” he said. “If the opportunity arose to go back, I would do it in a heartbeat. But also, ‘Jeopardy’ is the next goal for me.”

Long Island’s best gather for Excellence in Healthcare awards

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Long Island is home to some of the nation’s most skilled medical practitioners, the best of whom were honored at the Herald’s fourth annual Long Island Excellence in Healthcare Awards.

The ceremony — at the Heritage Club at Bethpage on Sept. 17 — brought together almost 40 groups representing hospitals, researchers and independent practices.

Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications and publisher of the Herald, began the gala evening by praising Long Island’s medical community for their unrivaled research and innovative programs and services.

“We’re here tonight to honor the doctors, nurses, hospital executives, educators, caregivers, and so many others who keep our families and our communities healthy, safe and informed,” he said. “Our honorees tonight are sources of both strength and inspiration, walking alongside us at some of the lowest and highest moments in life.”

Emmy award-winning investigative journalist Kristin Thorne, the creator of Hulu’s first true crime series “Missing,” emceed the ceremony.

Keynote speaker Dr. Purna Prasad, CEO of Vedi Robotics in Hicksville, led off the night’s awards segment preceding the distribution of honors.

“Our evolution in Vedi Robotics has made us who we are today,” he said. “We identified one problem that is always a challenge for healthcare: a deficit of workforce.”

During his tenure of 30 years at Stanford and Northwell, Prasad observed machine learning and artificial intelligence mature as a field of study. After two and a half years, his team produced a robotic platform that is ready for deployment; it can check in patients, process their paperwork and take their vitals.

“That whole concept of home-grown, state-of-the-art technology — you could say we are a flagship for that,” he said.

Vedi Robotics received the Trailblazers in Technology special award.

“What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to bring a curated artificial intelligence into the arena that is only going to be beneficial,” Vedi Robotics COO John Power added.

A portion of ticket proceeds from the event will benefit the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Center at Stony Brook University. The LEND program, recipient of the Community Health Champions special award, provides interdisciplinary training to prepare the next generation — along with professionals, families and self-advocates — to lead in their fields as providers of high quality care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.

“Our team truly excels, in an interdisciplinary fashion, to deliver health care for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families,” LEND Program Director Michelle Ballan said. “We offer hundreds of hours of training for people with disabilities and healthcare professionals to learn how to work effec-

tively with this group.”

Kerri Anne Scanlon, president of Northwell’s Glen Cove, Syosset and Plainview hospitals, received the Healthcare Visionary special award alongside CEOElect John D’Angelo; Northwell CEO Michael Dowling was honored with the Healthcare Legacy special award.

“I think the foundation of Northwell is really the incredible culture,” Scanlon said. “It’s a culture that truly invests in its employees. It’s a culture about worrying about someone as much as yourself, and then building that engagement so that we can give the best care to our patients.”

Carolyn Quinn, the director of Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center, received the Community Health Champions special award. The pediatric hospital was honored for providing outstanding long-term care for children.

“The team is just over the moon,” she said. “They are an amazing group of women, just an amazing group made up of three nurses and three certified holistic nurses and four Reiki Masters who are also certified and gifted in other holistic services. There’s quite a menu of services that we offer.”

Anne Petraro. founder and CEO of

The team is just over the moon.

CAROLyN QuiNN Director of Cohen Childrens’ Medical Center

Mending Hearts Counseling in Elmont, was honored with a Community Health Champions award for establishing an Article 31 MHOTRS clinic during the pandemic to aid underserved communities, specializing in brain care.

“I would love to change the face of mental health,” she said. “There’s so much stigma against it. And I guess by starting this agency, we’re kind of coming with a different approach, more of like a private practice feeling where everyone feels at home.”

Co-founders Linda Harkavy and Mitchell Goldstein of Form & Function Aesthetics and Wellness in East Meadow received the Power Couple special award.

“We’re focused on now, rather than disease management and crisis management, keeping people well and getting them well and having them enjoy their best lives,” Harkavy said. “We engage in wellness, not only body but mind.”

Their practice now offers Exomind, an advanced non-invasive brain therapy designed to help patients with depression, anxiety and OCD.

“We’ve been doing health care here in Long Island for 40 years, and it’s been our great pleasure helping so many people over these decades,” Goldstein said. “We’ve taken it now to the next level with state of the art medical care and devices to improve people’s longevity and wellness — Nassau County deserves that.”

The following individuals were each recipients of Excellence in Healthcare awards.

Alla Shenkman is the former medical

director of PM Pediatrics in Syosset. After 10 years in the role, she stepped down to return to work as a regular physician.

“It’s my passion,” Shenkman said. “I love it. PM Pediatrics is a great — probably largest — urgent care for pediatric patients in the country, and I’ve been there since day one. I certainly want to thank all my colleagues. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. It was a mutual effort to bring PM Pediatrics to where we are today.”

Howard Goodman, better known as the Long Island Weight Loss Doctor, is the recipient of numerous Herald honors: two Long Island Choice, one Long Island Health and Beauty, and now two Excellence in Healthcare awards.

“All these awards put us on the map,” he said.

Goodman uses all-natural methods to help patients reach their ideal weight while combating common internet misinformation.

“We’re fixing the damage that’s caused by these erroneous medications,” he said.

Brian Caberas is the COO of the People’s Arc of Suffolk, a nonprofit that provides services to people with disabilities across Suffolk County.

“We offer them residential alternatives and the ability to find jobs out in the community and a multitude of other services as well,” he said. “We want the People’s Arc of Suffolk to become the premier provider for people with disabilities.”

Sponsors of the event include Northwell Health, Episcopal Health Services, Henry Schein, Cohen Children’s Medical Center Northwell Health, The Speech Language Place, Brightview Senior Living, Stony Brook University LEND Center, Mending Hearts Counseling, Veda Robotics, LiveOnNY, People’s Arc of Suffolk, Long Island Nurses Honor Guard, PM Pediatric Care, Bellmore Dermatology, The Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, Harmony Healthcare Long Island and the New York Institute of Technology.

To view a complete list of honorees and photos, visit richnerlive.com/healthcare-awards/honorees.

Dozens of volunteers and the Malverne Music Parents Association helped organize and run the event.

Pursuit of Pride at Malverne band showcase

The Pride of Malverne Marching Band performed their piece “Beyond the Blue” at the 12th Annual Pursuit of Pride Home Show on Saturday.

The showcase, held at Malverne High School, included performances from 11 high school marching bands from across Long Island and upstate New York.

Raffles, food and merchandise were available for purchase during the event. Members of the Malverne Music Parents Association and other community volunteers ensured the show ran smoothly for all involved.

During the showcase, competitors were evaluated on the music, visual performance, and general effect of their piece. Malverne placed third in the Small School category, with a score of 78.25 out of 100.

–Madison Gusler

Town proposes 18 percent tax cut for 2026

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Just under six weeks before Election Day, the Town of Hempstead unveiled an 18 percent tax cut in its general fund as part of its 2026 budget.

The tax cut is anticipated to reduce the overall tax levy by $5 million, according to town officials, by “directly putting that money back into the pockets of every single taxpayer,” said John Ferretti, who was appointed town supervisor on Aug. 5 after Don Clavin resigned.

The announcement was made at Hempstead Town Hall on Sept. 25, 50 days after Ferretti was appointed.

“This budget is the result of fiscal responsibility, bipartisan collaboration and a deep commitment to preserving the suburban quality of life that makes the Town of Hempstead so special,” he added.

The budget was crafted to provide relief to families struggling with inflation and rising costs, Ferretti said, without compromising essential town services.

He described unfunded state mandates totaling $15 million as a significant challenge to town finances. Those services and programs, which the state requires but doesn’t pay for, directly impact the town’s budget.

“I’m intently focused on preserving

18 percent tax cut for the proposed 2026 budget.

our community’s suburban dream of an affordable quality of life,” Ferretti said.

“The town’s $576 million budget still manages to cut taxes while preserving vital services, investing in infrastructure and supporting residents of all ages.”

Joe Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for supervisor, agrees that Hempstead residents deserve lower taxes, but he contends that they also deserve more

transparency from the town.

“If Ferretti and his Republican allies truly wanted to save taxpayers’ money, the first thing they’d do is return the hefty raises they quietly gave themselves,” Scianablo wrote in a news release. “If you are going to set the fire and then claim credit for putting the fire out, then go the entire distance.”

Ferretti noted that 4 cents of every property tax dollar goes to the town, and

the rate is less than 1 cent per dollar for those living in incorporated villages. Town services include maintaining 1,200 miles of roadway; managing over 200 parks and recreational facilities; and providing sanitation services for 85,000 homes, clean water for over 121,000 customers and programs for more than 200,000 senior residents, as well as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, building permits, code enforcement, and much more.

Oceanside resident Danielle Asher said she was perplexed about how the town could cut taxes 18 percent now, after a substantial tax increase was implemented earlier this year.

“I need an explanation of how the problems were resolved that made them raise our taxes 12 percent in the first place,” Asher wrote on Facebook. “If the budget is remaining flat, then who is splitting the bill?”

Richard Schurin, of Island Park, shared those sentiments. “Their budgeting practice makes absolutely no financial sense and appears to be politically motivated,” Schurin posted on Facebook.

The 2026 town budget will be presented to the Town Board for possible adoption on Oct. 16. Public hearings are scheduled for that day, at 2:30 and 7 p.m., in the Nathan L.H. Bennett Pavilion at Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington St., Hempstead.

Long Island Heroes Celebration

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025 | 8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 A.M. The Heritage Club at Bethpage

more than 100 years the American Red Cross on Long Island has helped the community prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

HERALD

ATTENTION STUDENTS:

THE HERALD IS HOLDING A CONTEST TO DESIGN HOLIDAY WRAPPING PAPER

THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL BE PRINTED AS HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP IN 12/4/25 & 12/11/25 ISSUES OF YOUR HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

CONTEST RULES:

Who can enter: There will be 2 categories: Students in grades k-5. Students in 6-12 One entry per student

Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, October 31, 2025

Grand prize: Winners will have their design printed as wrapping paper in the Herald and will be featured in an article in their local Herald newspaper.

Entry format: Please use an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of unlined paper. All entries should have the student’s name, age, address, telephone number, email, grade and school printed on the back. Design can be reflective of all religious holidays. Entries will not be returned.

Mail or hand-deliver to:

Wrapping Paper Contest

Herald Community Newspapers

2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 OR Scan and email to: ekimbrell@liherald.com

(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).

Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 14

HELPFUL HINTS

• Must use 8 1/2 x 11” unlined paper, copy paper or construction paper.

• Be creative & original.

• Use bright colors.

• Fill the entire page.

• Choose paint, crayon, chalk, markers, pens, or other creative materials.

• Remember your design will be used to make a real sheet of wrapping paper.

Brescia Foundation raises awareness of ILFS-1

Continued from page 1

mortality rate.

His parents created the Jason Michael Brescia Foundation, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit, to honor their son’s memory. “We never wanted to stop fighting,” the father said, “because he fought so hard.”

The Brescias have received financial support from family and friends, and the foundation recently donated $250,000 to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to support research into ILFS-1.

“While some people may think that studying a rare disease such as ILFS-1, which only affects a few kids, might not help very many people, it should be noted that this kind of research often leads to profound biological insight that impacts many more people worldwide,” Alea Mills, a professor at Cold Spring Harbor, said.

ing Jason’s memory and helping build a future where this never happens again.”

Patricia Brescia, 38, shared that while she was pregnant with Jason Jr., she was tested for genetic diseases but ILFS-1 was not included in the testing. She would like to see ILFS-1 and other rare diseases included in future testing.

“This isn’t just about one rare disorder, this one disease,” Jason Brescia said. “It’s about all these rare diseases, creating more access to information, making testing more readily available to everyone, and advocating for all rare diseases to have the same type of funding.”

The Brescias have created a memorial scholarship at Kellenberg Memorial High School, which Jason attended, to support students who plan to study science or medicine.

more information contact Ethan Kimbrell at ekimbrell@liherald.com

x

Mills explained that the genetic research being conducted for ILFS-1 can help scientists better understand a range of rare disorders and other more common conditions.

The primary donor supporting the foundation was Patricia Brescia’s aunt, Catherine Donnelly.

“When Jason Jr. was in the hospital, Jason and Patty stayed with me in Garden City because I lived close to NYU Langone,” Donnelly said in a recent email to the Herald. “I witnessed every moment of what they were going through, and I knew the most meaningful thing I could do was help ensure no other family endures that pain. Supporting the brilliant scientists and doctors searching for a cure is my way of honor-

“It’ll be amazing to one day rest our heads at night knowing that no child will pass away (the way) Jason passed,” Jason Brescia said.

In July, Patricia gave birth to another boy, Sebastian, a carrier of ILFS-1, but his parents shared that he is perfectly healthy. “Hopefully, he’ll fight his brother’s fight, too,” Jason Brescia said.

“If I could just never let another mother feel how I felt,” Patricia Brescia said. “Only holding your child two or three times in their whole life — one of them being when they passed away — to give a family that opportunity would be healing.

“It gives Jason a legacy,” she added. To support the Brescia family and to make a donation, visit www.bresciafoundation.org.

STEPPING OUT

Doing it ‘His Way’ with the Nassau Pops

By Karen Bloom

ANew York moment arrives on the Tilles Center stage when Maestro Louis Panacciuill and his orchestra return with their popular gala musical in support of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County. This year the orchestra welcomes back Tony Danza and his band as their guest performers.

The concert continues to feature the Nassau Pops signature blend of popular and classical music as well as an inspiring moment with Creation, the CP Nassau vocal team. This heartwarming tradition dellights both musicians, guest performers and the audience.

“This is one big lovefest,” says Panacciulli, the orchestra’s longtime musical director. I’m so glad to be back at Tilles Center during our 42nd season. So many wonderful people have crossed this stage. It’s always exciting to be here.”

The connection between the Nassau Pops and CP Nassau is special for Panacciulli and the orchestra. He credits his mother, Panacciulli who was a member of the CP auxiliary in Valley Stream, for this special connection.

“When we first started performing, we decided we wanted to do more than just play music. We wanted to do something meaningful,” he recalls.

“In the past we had done benefits for Special Olympics, pop concerts for hospitals. This came about one day when I was discussing with her the idea of doing a benefit concert for CP Nassau. I’m thrilled to carry on Mom’s legacy. Plus it means a lot to the musicians. We’re leaving something behind long after the notes have faded away.”

And he’s delighted to have Danza, who performed with the Nassau Pops in 2023, back to share the stage.

“Tony dances, plays the ukele, always tells a corny joke or two,” Panacciulli says. “He’s very engaging, a wonderful entertainer.”

This collaboration brings a unique twist to Danza’s acclaimed cabaret show, “Sinatra and Stories.” Combining his trademark wit, charm, storytelling, with a dash of soft

Yes:

‘The Fragile 2025 Tour’

Get ready to experience an unforgettable evening of Yes on the Paramount stage, featuring its existential prog masterworks and instrumental pyrotechnics. Throughout a prolific and enduring music career spanning 45 years and 20 studio albums, Yes has electrified audiences with daunting virtuosity, complex musical textures and powerful lead vocals. The band — currently comprising Steve Howe on guitars and vocals, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on vocals and acoustic guitar, Billy Sherwood on bass guitar and vocals, and Jay Schellen on drums — performs their iconic 1971 album “Fragile” in its entirety. “Fragile” holds a special place in Yes’s discography, as it propelled the band to headline status in the U.S.

Tony Danza stars in the return of the orchestra’s gala benefit concert

shoe, he offers up his take on the music of the legendary ‘Ol Blue Eyes, with whom Danza had a personal relationship. Some might not realize that Danza, who grew up on Long Island and attended Malverne High School, is a well-established song and dance man, in addition to his acting chops in television, film and on stage.

Throughout his 60-plus minute set, Danza blends personal anecdotes with Sinatra’s unforgettable tunes.

“He always has a big smile on his face. He’s certainly having a good time. And I guarantee the audience will as well,” Panacciulli says.

The tone is set from the moment the orchestra strikes up their first note.

“We like to start out with something hot and jazzy,” Panacciulli adds.

• Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m.

• Tickets start at $30; available at npso.org/tickets or tillescenter.org

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post Campus, Brookville

Certainly the addition of a sax section gets the vibe going, as the orchestra opens the show with a medley of Big Band tunes.

As always, the musicians are joined by Creation — the singing duo who participate in CP Nassau’s Life Options Program — in a heart-warming segment during the concert’s opening. Each has their moment in the spotlight. David Tindal sings Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration,” while Chris Wawrzonek does “Till There Was You” from the Broadway classic The Music Man.

Tindal and Wawrzonek have ‘grown up’ with the orchestra.

“I’m filled with such a sense of gratitude that I can affect two lives by giving them a chance to perform in front of a full orchestra and a large audience,” Panacciulli says. “We share something special, when we share music together. They’re wonderful people and the audience gives them standing ovations every time. It’s just nice to see how they’ve grown up. They’re always smiling and in good humor.”

And for Panacciulli, a Franklin Square resident, who has been at the helm of the Nassau Pops since 1984 (and is on Nassau Community College’s music faculty where he serves as band director) that surely is the concert’s defining moment.

“Creation is a byproduct the wonderful work that CP Nassau does. It does my heart good to help them and give back to the community through the gift of music.”

Panacciulli gratefully acknowledges Long Island-based credit union Jovia (formerly NEFCU), the gala’s title sponsor since 2012. Proceeds from every ticket sold are donated directly to CPNassau.

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 8 p.m. $152.25, $129.75, $118.75, $108.75, $86.50. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Roomful of Blues

The renowned, horn powered, Grammy-nominated, houserocking “little big band” is ready to celebrate STEPPIN’ OUT!, their first new album in five years. With this album, Roomful of Blues brings something new to the table. After 19 releases with male singers, STEPPIN’ OUT! is the first to feature a female vocalist, the sublime D.D. Bastos. Her powerhouse, soul-stirring voice and her charismatic stage presence bring a whole new spirit to the Roomful sound. For over 50 years, this beloved, iconic and much honored band has been delivering wildly infectious, hard-swinging blues. Guided by guitarist-bandleader Chris Vachon since 19989, Roomful remains a defining musical force in the blues world, with their sound rooted in tradition, but their sights reaching far into the future.

Thursday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. $38. My Father’s Place in Roslyn, 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com or (516) 5800887.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

On Exhibit

OCT

2

Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainment-related activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

OCT

Fall Festival Crossroads Farm hosts their Fall Festival Series. With food trucks, entertainment kids activities, farmers market, hayrides, pumpkin patch, and more.

OCT 16

Kate Kortum: The Music of ‘Wild Woman’

OCT

11

Fall Clean-Up

Lakeview Civic Association hosts a fall clean-up day. Come help make your community a cleaner, greener place by volunteering to help beautify the neighborhood.

• Where: Lakeview LIRR, Woodfield Road

• Time: 9 a.m.

Whimsical Wizard School

Tilles Center’s Atrium becomes an intimate lounge, showcasing 23-year-old Kate Kortum, one of the most exciting breakout artists in the jazz world. Hailing from Houston, Texas, her warm, distinctive sound blends bebop, blues, the Great American Songbook, and musical theater with captivating, storydriven lyrics. Her artistry bridges tradition and innovation, offering audiences a fresh, contemporary take on the jazz vocal legacy. Kortum discovered her passion for music at Houston’s legendary High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied flute and saxophone before ultimately falling in love with singing. She went on to earn a degree in jazz voice from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, studying with some of the leading voices in modern jazz. Critics have praised her ability to revitalize jazz with authenticity and daring. “Wild Woman,” her sophomore album. featuresreimagined standards and originals that explore a woman’s relationship with complex emotions like obsession, promiscuity, self-pride, and hatred. She gives her audience a glimpse into the past, present, and future of jazz through her unique arrangements and improvisatory deliveries.

4 Storybook Stroll

• Where: 480 Hempstead Ave., Malverne

• Time: Noon-5 p.m.; also Oct. 5, Oct. 11-12, Oct. 18-19, Oct. 25-26

• Contact: xroadsfarmliny.com

Art explorations

Converse, collaborate and create with kids at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art when it resumes following the summer hiatus. Get inspired by the art and objects in the galleries and then join educators at the Manes Center to explore and discover different materials to create your own original artwork. Kids and adults connect while talking about and making art together. A new project is featured every week. $20 adult, $10 child. For ages 2-14. Registration required. $20, $10 child; members free.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.

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

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for the next storybook adventure. Stroll the gardens and enjoy a telling of Stephen Wunderli’s “Little Boo.” In this charming seasonal tale a pumpkin seed tries unsuccessfully to be scary until it grows into a pumpkin and Halloween arrives. With a takehome craft. For ages 3-5. Storybook Strolls start at the Beech Tree (next to Westbury House), and end at the Thatched Cottage.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

Splish Splash… Animal Bath

Hang out with some Long Island Children’s Museum’s “residents” at the drop-in program. Join an animal educator in the Hive Studio’s in the Feasts for Beasts Gallery to learn what goes into the care of LICM’s animal “residents.” Observe animal bath time.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 1:30-2 p.m.

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

In concert

Pianist Philip Edward Fisher returns to Adelphi University for an afternoon of music for solo piano. He performs three of Chopin’s works: Variations Brilliantes, Fantasie in F minor and Sonata No 2 in B-flat minor. The program also include Haydn’s Fantasia in C Major, along with works by Corigliano, Mompou and Scriabin. Fisher is widely recognized as a unique performer of refined style and exceptional versatility. Tickets start at $35, with discounts available to seniors, students, Adelphi alumni and employees.

• Where: Adelphi University’s Westermann Stage, 1 South Ave., Garden City

• Time: 3 p.m.

• Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000

OCT 6

Long Island Choral Society Auditions

Audition now and be part of something bigger, a bold, inclusive future for choral music. The Long Island Choral Society holds its final auditions for new members for their 96th season. The 2025-26 season includes Let’s Go to the Movies, a celebration of choral music in film, Schubert’s Mass in G as well

• Where: Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100

as Handel’s Messiah and a variety of other musical performance opportunities throughout the coming year. Auditions are by appointment only. Whether you’re a lifelong singer or just finding your voice, you belong here! Visit lics.org for more.

• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City

• Contact: Schedule an audition by calling (516) 652-6878 or via e-mail at audition.info@lics.org

Hops and Cops

Malverne PBA presents the Hops & Cops Farm Fest. A $100 entry donation includes unlimited craft beer, catered food from food trucks, Monday night football, raffles, and more. Tickets are available online and at entry.

• Where: Crossroads Farm, 480 Hempstead Ave., Malverne

• Time: 7-11 p.m.

• Contact: xroadsfarmliny.com

Malverne

OCT

8

Trustee meeting Village of Malverne’s Board of Trustees hold their monthly meeting.

• Where: Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church St., Malverne

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

Families are invited to Old Westbury Gardens for a wizarding adventure. It all begins the moment you’re sorted into one of the enchanted Nature Houses. Create your own wand, adding colors and decorations that reflect your style. Step into a magical herbology class, where you’ll discover the plants that inspire fantasy and design your own terrarium herb garden. Join wizard professors on a Wizard Quest through the gardens, solving riddles and uncovering hidden icons along the way. Celebrate the spooky season with games, crafts, and enchanting surprises in the most magical way possible. For ages 5-10. Registration required. $18, $12 children

• Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

OCT

14

Taxpayer Forum

Town of Hempstead

Receiver of Taxes

Jeanine Driscoll explains how to lower your property tax bills by taking advantage of tax exemptions and more. She will answer your questions and provide other important information.

• Where: Malverne Public Library, 61 St. Thomas Place

• Time: 2 p.m.

• Contact: malvernelibrary.org

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.

News brief

Rams student named NYSSMA All-State

West Hempstead Secondary School senior Tzenul Jaramillo has been recognized by the New York State School Music Association for his outstanding musical talents and chosen to perform in the All-State Festival at NYSSMA’s annual Winter Conference, held Dec. 4-7 in Rochester.

Jaramillo has been selected to perform in the Symphonic Band on clarinet. To qualify, students had to receive a score between 98 and 100 on their solo performance, judged by a NYSSMA AllState adjudicator. The All-State experience provides him with the opportunity to work with renowned conductors and perform alongside the most talented young musicians in New York.

–Madison Gusler

West Hempstead Secondary School senior Tzenul Jaramillo has been recognized as a 2025 NYSSMA All-State musician.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF ARCHITECTURAL & SITE PLAN REVIEW BOARD HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL & SITE PLAN REVIEW of the Inc. Village of Malverne will hold a PUBLIC HEARING at the Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 7:30 pm to hear the following cases:

Ian & Marie Tener 83 Utterby Rd.; Residential “B” District Building Permit Application #2025-0584

Proposes to construct second story addition over existing first floor with second story deck/balcony. All interested parties should appear at the above time and place. The Architectural & Site Plan Review Board Meeting will be immediately followed by a work session of the Board of Trustees. BY ORDER OF THE MALVERNE BOARD OF TRUSTEES INC. VILLAGE OF MALVERNE

Jill Valli, Village Clerk September 23, 2025 156007

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE HOME EQUITY ASSET TRUST 2006-2 HOME EQUITY PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2, Plaintiff AGAINST ERSOY R. ALI, HIKMET ALI, ET AL, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 10, 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 October 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm, premises known as 195 Ivy Street, West Hempstead, NY 11552. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at West Hempstead, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, and State of New York, Section: 35, Block: 357, Lots:

72,73,&74. Approximate amount of judgment $739,489.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604710/2019.

Michael W. Alpert, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 19-000310 87091 155644

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P., -againstJUANA E. BONILLA, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 155666

LEGAL NOTICE

News brief

ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGEIT SECURITIES CORP. MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-1, MORTGAGEPASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, -againstCHERYL LOVELACE, 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 March 27, 2025, wherein HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGEIT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 19, 2023, wherein MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P., is the Plaintiff and JUANA E. BONILLA, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 9, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 234 SYCAMORE STREET, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552; tax map identification 35-377-40 & 41. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE, OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT WEST HEMPSTEAD, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK . . . Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 601557/2018.

Janine T. Lynam, Esq., as 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

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS IN TAX LIEN FORECLOSURESUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU - ARLINGTON AVE. REALTY GROUP LLC, Plaintiff, JANICE PATRICK, AS LIMITED ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MIRIAM MCCRAY, et. al., Defendants. Index No. 611979/23. To the above named Defendants -YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action within twenty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty days after service is completed if the summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiffs designate Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the county in which the property, with respect to which a judgment is sought, is situated. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to the Order of the Hon. Eileen C. DalySapraicone, J.S.C., dated August 20, 2025. The object of this action is to quiet title and declare Plaintiff the record holder and owner of a real property located at School District 12 Section 38 Block 106 Lot 274 Group Lots 274-275 and also known as 531 Jefferson Avenue, West Hempstead, New York, and bar the defendants from all claims and interests in the property.

Dated: September 5, 2025

BRONSTER, LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff Arlington Ave. Realty Group LLC

By: Leonid Krechmer, Esq. 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703 New York, NY 10019 (212) 558-9300 155662

Veterans learn about resources at fair

Nassau County’s Veterans Service Agency welcomed hundreds of local veterans and their families to Eisenhower Park on Sept. 18 for its annual Veterans Picnic and Resource Fair. The free community gathering offered a chance for service members to connect with one another while learning about resources available to them through the county and its partners.

Attendees enjoyed a traditional barbecue lunch and live entertainment, including an oldies tribute by Tommy Sullivan and a patriotic performance by the American Bombshells. In addition to food and music, the resource fair brought together a variety of agencies

SECURITIES CORP. MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007-1, MORTGAGEPASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES is the Plaintiff and CHERYL LOVELACE, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on October 15, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 447 CHAMPLAIN AVENUE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552; tax map identification 35-459-660-662; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK . Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 617657/2022. Harold F. Damm, Esq., as 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. 155664

SECURITY BY VIRTUE OF A DEFAULT In a Loan Security Agreement dated March 16, 2007 executed by YONETTE GOODRIDGE, debtor to SELENE FINANCE, LP, secured party via assignment, will cause a public sale of the security consisting of 265 shares of stock plus Parking Space and/or Garage, if applicable, of HEMPSTEAD GARDENS OWNERS CORP. all right title and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease between said Corporation and debtor for Unit N1A in the building known as 125 HEMPSTEAD GARDENS DRIVE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY 11552 together with all fixtures and articles of personal property now or hereafter affixed to or used in connection with said apartment on October 10, 2025 at 9:30AM on the North Facing Front Steps of the Nassau County Court House, 262 Old

Country Rd. Mineola, NY 11501, in satisfaction of an indebtedness. Apartment is sold “AS IS” AND POSSESSION TO BE OBTAINED BY THE PURCHASER. Said sale is subject to: payment of all sums due, if any, to HEMPSTEAD GARDENS OWNERS CORP. and the consent if necessary, of said corporation; any existing tenancy; payment of all expenses and fees of the secured party with respect thereto; terms of sale and auctioneers fees; flip tax; State, City and County transfer tax. The secured party reserves the right to bid. Terms: an official bank or certified check made payable to Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC., for ten (10%) percent of the price bid. No cash accepted. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC.

and organizations that provide assistance with health care, benefits, housing, and other veteran services.

The day was designed not only to celebrate the service of Nassau’s veterans but also to make it easier for them to access information and programs that can improve their quality of life. The event, coordinated by the Veterans Service Agency under Director Ralph Esposito, has become a yearly tradition in the county and continues to highlight the community’s ongoing commitment to those who have served.

Public Notices Public Notices

900

CONCOURSE WESTBURY, NEW YORK 11590 (516) 280-7675 155765

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Frank J. Gombocs a/k/a Frank Gombocs; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 6, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 29, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 72 Cedar Road, Malverne, NY 11565. 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 Malverne, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 38 Block 118 Lot 8, 9, 10 & 11. Approximate amount of judgment $817,202.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600336/2020. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”.

Robert Aiello, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: September 8, 2025 155914

HomesHERALD

place an ad call 516-569-4000

Stunning Home, Great Location

This custom built brick Colonial home invites you in through a grand foyer, leading to a gracious living room and formal dining room, with beautiful hardwood floors throughout. The huge gourmet kitchen with Caesarstone countertops and stainless steel appliances adjoins a sunlit breakfast room, while off to the side is the casual den with a fireplace, and a half bath. Upstairs you'll find a fabulous primary en-suite, with closets galore & a 4-fixture bathroom, plus a second

The challenges of building next to open water

Q. We were given two options for building a new building next to a saltwater bay where there are great views. The first option is to build a wood building with siding, and the second is to build a metal building that comes in a kind of kit form, with the option to have the company selling the parts also assemble the building. Which type would you recommend, considering the salt spray we will get, and will we need helical piles in the ground? We were told that we could just build on a 6-inch concrete slab.

A. If you remember the story of the three little pigs, you’ll also remember the big, bad wolf, who huffed and puffed … Salt spray is just one of the natural issues you’re dealing with. If you’re concerned about possible rust, verify with the company engineering the metal system that the building will be subjected to salt.

If the steel components are galvanized, zinc-coated, anodized or stainless steel — that is, treated to resist salt — then the best choice is the steel system, for many reasons. Consider all the elements your building must resist, not just salt. Wind, water and weight settlement are also factors that any professional building designer, either an architect or engineer, would examine as well.

A wood building, by the standards of state building codes, would still require metal connections to hold places where wood parts are joined to meet wind-resistance requirements. Wood-to-steel connections aren’t as strong as steel-to-steel connections, generally, due to the reactions of the dissimilar materials. Those reactions include internal expansion and contraction that can loosen wood fibers, warping, twisting and the loss of fiber strength due to changes in moisture of the fibers. The fibers loosen as they expand with moisture, so metal screws or nails can pull out in extreme conditions.

Metal-to-metal will hold together better, because the reactions are similar in metal-to-metal connections. In similar expansion and contraction, the screw connections will stay connected. After virtually every tornado and hurricane disaster, investigators uncover evidence that steel-to-steel connectors held together, while wood connections often failed.

As for the foundation, consider that a helical pile is like a screwed-down fastener and a tree root system combined. Whoever told you that a building next to an open body of water need only be attached to a concrete slab was misleading and uninformed about the power of any large body of water in motion. Just by researching the height of ocean surges on your smartphone, you can educate yourself to the fact that the ocean height rose as much as 32 feet and moved inland at levels between 12 and 15 feet in Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Once the surge contacts land, it can reduce to 7 feet from that greater surge and spill inland, reducing in height to where some people experienced 3 to 4 feet while others saw only ankle-deep water. 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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OpiniOns

Trump meets with the king and mixes it up at the U.N. p

resident Trump’s state visit to Great Britain and his meetings with foreign leaders at the United Nations General Assembly emphasized the continued significance of personal diplomacy in international affairs.

Trump’s royal welcome by King Charles III at Windsor Castle demonstrated the lasting relationship between the United States and Great Britain. (I say this as an Irish-American who severely criticized British policy in Ireland in the years before the signing of the historic Good Friday Agreement in 1998.) The reality is that beyond a common language, Americans and Brits share common values emanating from the Magna Carta. British leaders have demonstrated firmness and strength at key moments in our history.

Winston Churchill stood alone, defending Western civilization against Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in the dark early days of World War II, and then, in the postwar years, alerted the U.S. and the world to the growing menace of Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union’s Iron Curtain.

Margaret Thatcher allied with Presi-

dent Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II to bring down the Soviet empire.

Tony Blair stood with President George W. Bush and America in the aftermath of 9/11. I observed Blair behind the scenes during the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement, and was struck by his extraordinary courage and leadership. That British leadership continues today, as Britain provides weapons to Ukraine and deploys RAF fighter jets to Poland to help the nations resisting Russian aggression.

The state dinner Charles hosted for Trump was more than pomp and ceremony. It was a dramatic affirmation of the special relationship between our nations. This show of unity was particularly vital when totalitarian states — Russia, China and North Korea— threaten world security. In his remarks, Charles urged the U.S. and Great Britain to stand strong against Russian aggression in Ukraine, as we did against Hitler. (My wife, Rosemary, and I met then Prince Charles in Washington in 2011. He was very engaging and down to earth.)

ing, friendly relationship. Their meeting certainly appeared to go well, with Starmer emphasizing the importance of the U.S. and Europe standing with Ukraine.

By all accounts, the president’s visit to Great Britain was a solid success.

F or the General Assembly, a classic performance on the world stage.

The following week, he was in New York for the annual opening of the U.N. General Assembly. Trump was the first major leader to speak, and it was a classic Trump performance brought to the world stage. He began by mercilessly critiquing the U.N. for being consistently ineffective, exemplified that morning by the malfunctioning of an escalator and his teleprompter.

al concessions to Putin).

Just hours after his General Assembly speech — which went three times longer than his allotted time — Trump met with Zelensky, and went beyond just criticizing Russia and Putin. He made a full reversal. Informed by a key adviser, Gen. Keith Kellogg, how weak Russia was after having suffered more than a million casualties, taken control of only 1 percent of Ukraine and with its economy in shambles, Trump hailed Ukraine’s courage and fighting ability. With allied support, he said, Ukraine could win the war and regain its lost territory, and that NATO countries should shoot down Russian planes that violate their air space.

I have supported Ukraine from the start, not just because its position is just, but because it’s in America’s national interest for Russia’s aggression to be stopped.

The following day, Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Though Starmer is a member of the Labor Party and has a number of policy and ideological differences with Trump, the two are known to have a good work-

Not content to assail the organization itself, Trump verbally attacked countries individually and continents collectively. He was particularly critical of Russia and its dictator, Vladimir Putin, for its continued attacks on Ukraine, especially its innocent civilians. Significantly, one country that was spared Trump’s caustic criticism was Ukraine (in stark contrast with Trump’s White House encounter earlier this year with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he criticized for continuing to wage what Trump thought was a futile battle against Russia, because Ukraine had “no cards” left to play and would have to make territori-

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s failure to stop Hitler at Munich because it was a “faraway” war led to World War II and millions of deaths, including more than 400,000 Americans. I believe that Trump’s visit with our closest ally was a reminder of the necessity to follow Churchill’s example, stand with Europe against Russian imperialism and not let the tragic failures of appeasement and isolationism be repeated.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

There are many reasons not to embrace Mamdani

Over the past few weeks, Democrats have been having a slugfest over the question of the obligation of party officials to endorse the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani. The debate was triggered by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to endorse Mamdani. State Democratic Chair Jay Jacobs angrily pledged that he would not support Mamdani, in an obvious break with the governor. So who’s right and who’s wrong?

power in the House of Representatives. A state chair’s endorsement of a controversial mayoral candidate could reverberate around the state. and beyond.

First of all, to quote my parents, it’s a free country. You’re entitled to endorse whomever you want, and Jacobs has the right to break from Hochul. She has yet to explain why she endorsed Mamdani, but I have no doubt that she has her own bona fide reasons to do so.

And Jacobs has a lot of reasons to disagree with her endorsement. Next year there will be dozens of congressional races that will decide the balance of

The more I’ve thought about Mamdani’s candidacy, the more I’m convinced that there are lots of reasons why some Democrats will rightly shun him. He made a decision to run for mayor after analyzing the field of potential opponents, and had the backing of the Working Families Party and the Democratic Socialists of America. He had the endorsements of other socialist and progressive groups that have the ability to organize voterturnout operations and have helped elected a number of members of the State Assembly. They’re especially effective when moderate Democrats are sound asleep.

Tmedia and old-time get-out-the-vote operations to win the nomination. He had a story to tell right out of the socialist playbook.

He focused on the high cost of living in the city, and pledged free bus rides, a rent freeze and public grocery stores. While these promises aren’t realistic, they appealed to thousands of young voters, many of whom had never voted in a primary.

he failure of some prominent Democrats to endorse him is no surprise.

Mamdani saw that his Democratic rivals would likely be former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams. Both had a ton of political problems that would affect their chances — indeed, Adams suspended his campaign on Sunday — and that gave Mamdani a clear field to tell his story, and utilize social

Another facet of the campaign is that the vast majority of moderate voters don’t vote in city primaries. They show up in November for the general election, but don’t understand that the primaries determine who the candidates will be in November. It’s no surprise that all of these factors combined to help Mamdani win a decisive victory, which stunned Democratic elected leaders as well as party officials. While they privately conceded that Mamdani won fair and square, they simply couldn’t believe that a socialist might be the next mayor. Aside from the fact that Mamdani wasn’t a moderate candidate, once the primary was over, the media began exploring his views on Israel, and focused on his

Muslim background. He had made numerous controversial statements on the war in Gaza. In the past he has also advocating defunding the police. Post-primary, he has backtracked on a number of previous positions, including that one, but he has failed to satisfy his critics, and he has made other controversial statements that have kept the political pot boiling. In my political lifetime I have often noted that retractions only make things worse, and that the public rarely changes its views after the first missteps.

So the failure of some prominent Democrats to endorse Mamdani is no surprise. Embracing him could be fatal for a moderate member of the party. Other than having won its primary, Mamdani isn’t a traditional Democrat, and there’s no reason to believe that he would act like one come next January. He will temper his past comments now, but he is rumored to be selecting lots of people who are pleasing to him and the socialist movement. In the past, I’ve gone against my party on some major occasions. If I were still in office, I wouldn’t endorse Mamdani, either.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

Also serving Lakeview

Established 1994

Incorporating: Malverne

Protecting Long Island from invasive species

asilent invasion is making its way across Long Island. From beetles boring through forests to aggressive weeds choking native plants, invasive species pose an urgent and growing threat to the natural beauty, the economy and the very identity of our region.

As these pests encroach on farmland, damaged crops mean higher food prices and struggling farms. Infested woodlands mean fewer tourists and diminished property values. And the loss of treasured natural spaces — from forests and meadows to backyards and parks — erodes the very character of Long Island.

The recent detection of the redbay ambrosia beetle in Suffolk County, likely imported accidentally from Asia and bringing with it a tree-killing fungus, only increases the volume of our collective wake-up call. The question before us is simple: Will we act now to defend our communities, or will we watch as our landscapes steadily degrade and our land-based livelihoods slowly unravel?

Invasive species aren’t a new problem, but their spread has accelerated dramatically in recent decades. Increased global trade, climate change and urbanization have opened doors for pests and plants that don’t belong here, allowing them to thrive in places where native species have no natural defenses. The result is widespread ecological disruption.

In Nassau County, we already know the damage invaders can do. The spotted lanternfly, a deceptively attractive insect with mottled wings, feeds on more than

letters

70 species of plants. Its favorite targets include vineyards, orchards and hardwood forests — ecosystems that support industries that have helped Long Island grow. Left unchecked, lanternfly infestations can cripple agriculture and rob us of the fall foliage many tourists come here to see.

The plant kingdom has its own wellknown adversaries. Japanese knotweed, with its bamboo-like stalks and dense root systems, is nearly impossible to eradicate once it takes hold. It smothers native plants, leaving wildlife without food or shelter, and even undermines human infrastructure, pushing up through sidewalks, driveways and foundations. Its spread is a quiet but relentless reminder that invasive species are as much an economic challenge as an ecological one.

And then there’s the southern pine beetle — a small insect with an outsized appetite that can be found across the Island. This pest can wipe out acres of pine forest, reducing green woodlands to brown arboreal graveyards. The loss is not only aesthetic; forests are essential for carbon storage, stormwater absorption and wildlife habitat.

Together, these threats underscore a sobering reality: Invasive species weaken biodiversity, strain local economies and diminish our quality of life. Each unchecked outbreak increases the costs borne by everyone from homeowners to landscapers to farmers, while also endangering industries like agriculture and tourism that are the backbone of Nassau and Suffolk’s economies.

A tale of three cities, and two socialist mayors — so far

To the Editor:

Jerry Kremer warns in his Sept 18-24 Herald column, “The battle of egos in the Big Apple,” that “all of New York City and state will suffer” if Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor in November. “Many people, city and suburban voters, have been transfixed by fear about the possibility” of Mamdani becoming the city’s first socialist leader, Kremer notes.

In terms of dynamism and attractions, New York has only a few peers among cities worldwide. London and Paris are two of them. So it could come as a surprise — or, one hopes, a reassurance — to Kremer and others fearful of a Mamdani victory that both London and Paris have been governed by socialists for the past nine and 11 years, respectively.

And voters in those European cities seem quite satisfied with the performance of their progressive mayors. London’s Sadiq Khan was elected to an unprecedented third term last year by an 11-point margin over a Conservative Party opponent. Paris’s Anne Hidalgo won a second six-year term in 2020 by 15 percentage points over a conservative rival.

Khan, a Muslim of Pakistani descent, is a member of a Brit-

The earlier an invasive species is detected, the greater the chance of stopping it before it becomes a living feature of the landscape. Funding for local monitoring programs isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Public education is equally critical. Residents are often the first line of defense against invasive species. With the right tools and training, they can help identify and report harmful insects and plants before they spread out of control. Imagine how much better off we’d be if every homeowner could recognize lanternflies and every gardener knew how to prevent knotweed from hitching a ride in soil or mulch.

State and local governments, environmental nonprofits, research institutions and industry leaders must work together to create a unified strategy. Protecting Long Island’s agriculture, landscaping and tourism sectors requires pooling resources, sharing knowledge and mobilizing communities. A fragmented, haphazard response will only give invasive species more opportunities to occupy new territory.

By investing in prevention, monitoring and education today, we have the power to preserve our island’s future. The rising tide of invasive species is controllable — but only if we act decisively. Long Islanders have always taken pride in protecting our shoreline, parks and communities. Now we must extend that vigilance to these less visible, but no less dangerous, invaders among us. Our environment, economy and way of life depend on it.

ish political organization roughly equivalent to Democratic Socialists of America, to which Mamdani belongs. Hidalgo, a Spanish-French politician, is a prominent figure in France’s Socialist Party.

Has violent crime run rampant in London and Paris under left-wing

leadership? The London police recorded a total of 110 murders in 2023. That’s 10 fewer than in 2015, the final year of Boris Johnson’s tenure as that city’s Conservative Party mayor.

Urban crime rates are difficult to measure in France because such sta-

opinions

I was proud to be a reporter — but things have changed

iwent to a Herald reunion at Garden Social, in East Meadow, a few weeks ago. It’s been 20 years since I worked at the newspaper as an editor, and I got to see some faces I thought I might never see again.

The five years I spent as a journalist were some of the best years of my life. I met so many interesting people, and most of them were the reporters, editors and photographers I worked with.

It was great to see everyone. We talked about the old times and drank ourselves some beers. The conversation was light. What have you been up to? Where do you live now? How many kids do you have? That sort of thing.

I wish we’d spent some time talking about how drastically different the media, and indeed our world, is nowadays.

When we all worked together, we were dedicated to informing, educating

and, at times, entertaining our readership. Today it seems the media’s job is to do nothing but incite, prod and provoke.

John O’Connell, who was the executive editor of the Herald when I left in 2005, was at the reunion. John’s a teddy bear of a guy — a great journalist, photographer and person. Our viewpoints didn’t always align when we worked together. John’s were mostly on the right, while mine leaned left. He supported the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003. I didn’t. There were spirited debates in our office. But those differences never cost us our mutual respect for each other, or our ultimate goal to report what was true.

Tposts they see on Facebook and Instagram, or in videos on TikTok, with little to no regard for their validity. And it has eroded our society’s common sense and civility.

oo many people fell for the story about the litter box in the school bathroom.

Today we live in nasty, divisive, misinformed times, and I hold the media, in its current incarnation, squarely responsible. There aren’t many places people can turn to for honest, objective news. The Herald, and other publications like it, are thankfully still there. But increasingly, people get their information from cable news talking heads who present opinions as facts. Even worse, people shape their realities on

LeTTers

tistics are kept primarily on a national rather than the local level. But according to a compilation used by the publication World Population Review, Paris was the 23rd safest city in the world in 2024. Safer than Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona and Rome.

Mamdani, meanwhile, has retracted his call for defunding the NYPD — a stance he took at the height of the Black Lives Matter agitation. He has pledged to make public safety a top priority of his mayoralty, along with making New York City more affordable for all of its residents.

Instead of freaking out over political labels, Kremer and other fearmongers should calm down and see how Mamdani actually governs.

Closer to home: I lived in Burlington, Vermont, when Bernie Sanders was mayor. A socialist who had held no previous elected office, Sanders made Vermont’s largest city a more equitable and prosperous place. Burlington’s business community came to regard him as an outstanding mayor.

KEVIN J. KELLEY Atlantic Beach

The fight against smoking isn’t over

To the Editor:

As partners in the New York State Tobacco Control Program, Health Systems for a Tobacco-Free NY and the

Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island work together to reduce the burden of commercial tobacco use and support a healthier, tobacco-free Long Island.

Since the inception of the state’s comprehensive Tobacco Control Program 25 years ago, cigarette smoking among adults in the state has dropped dramatically, from 23.2 percent in 2001 to 9.3 percent in 2023. Nassau and Suffolk counties have achieved two of the five lowest smoking rates in the state. There has also been a striking decrease in youth smoking since 2000, when 27.1 percent of high school youth reported cigarette use. The latest data show a 92 percent drop, to just 2.1 percent.

Nonetheless, the tobacco industry continues to harm New Yorkers. Industry documents reveal how tobacco companies have deliberately marketed menthol cigarettes to specific populations, including LGBTQ, Black and Hispanic communities, for decades. Data from the Adult Tobacco Survey highlight these disparities: Menthol cigarette use was highest among adults who identify as Black or African American (88 percent) and those who identify as Hispanic (70 percent).

The use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is on the rise, especially among youth. Vaping exposes users to serious health risks such as heart disease, lung cancer, asthma attacks and long-term effects from toxic metals. Nicotine can harm the developing brains of adolescents, and nearly one in five high school students in our state report vaping. Add-

A year or two ago, my daughter Adriana came home and informed me that Woodland Middle School had placed a litter box in a bathroom for a student who identified as a cat. I knew it was utter nonsense, but I pressed my daughter for more information.

Have you seen the litter box? I asked. No, she replied. And who is this child who identifies as a cat? I don’t know, I think some sixthgrader, she said. Though she was sure it was true, I assured her it was likely just a rumor. I explained the danger of believing anything without evidence, and left it at that.

A few weeks later, my friend Tim exasperatedly texted me that his daughter had told him her school had placed a litter box in the bathroom for a student who identified as a cat. I chuckled to myself, and replied that my daughter had told me the same thing, and that it

was hogwash. He swore it wasn’t.

Not long after that, my colleague Erin and I were grabbing lunch when she told me that a friend of hers who worked in security at a local school said they had put a litter box in the bathroom. She was apoplectic, and sure it was true. It was only after I told her of my two previous encounters with this legend that she accepted that it might be false.

Apparently, several politicians and media personalities perpetuated this hoax on posts and podcasts in 2022. It’s not that we didn’t have urban legends back in my Herald days; it’s just that the media didn’t spread them. What’s more, they didn’t incite such vitriol.

I wish I could turn the clock back to the early 2000s, when I used to see those familiar faces every morning in the Herald offices. I wish I could get rid of the talking heads, the social media posts and the viral videos that dominate the media landscape, but I can’t.

The best I can do is implore people to think critically, and not take anything they see and hear at face value. Chances are if you’re reading this, you already do. Encourage others to do so. Politely.

Nick Buglione, who lives in East Meadow, is a teacher, freelance journalist and former editor of the East Meadow Herald.

ing to the concern, social media have begun promoting pouches as a cheaper alternative to weight-loss drugs.

The closing of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health puts years of progress at risk. Without this support, states will have a harder time keeping prevention and quit-smoking programs strong. These programs have helped countless families in New York and around the country live healthier lives.

The cuts will hit vulnerable communities the hardest.

Here in New York, funding cuts have led to the layoff of more than a dozen key members of the state’s tobacco

control program. This could weaken our free State Quitline services, reduce support for the Health Systems program and limit several other vital tobacco-control initiatives.

It’s imperative that we continue to employ comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco product use and nicotine addiction. The decline in cigarette smoking is worth celebrating, but there is still more work to be done.