__________________ Merrick _________________
HERALD
Anthony A. Nozzolillo , Esq. ATTORNEY AT LAW
TRUSTED • PROFESSI ONAL ACCOMPLISHED • KN OWLEDGEABLE
A SEASONED GENERA
Going green for Earth Day
Six marathons around the world
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Vol. 29 No. 19
MAY 7 - 13, 2026
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Exhibit at North Merrick library promotes healing Now, she’s sharing a deeply personal body of work with the same community in which she For Merrick native Mia Bar- grew up. “I’ve been painting my whole kan, art has never been just about aesthetics — it’s about life,” she said. “Art rescues me survival, healing and connec- every single day.” Since ear ning her degree tion. That philosophy is at the from Hofstra University, Barheart of “VIBES,” kan, a creative arts her solo exhibition therapist in private on display at the practice, has spent North Merrick Pubmore than two lic Library through decades working May 16. with adults with Library officials psychiatric disorsaid the exhibit has ders. Her dual idenbecome a visible tity as both artist and welcome addiand therapist JAckiE PEREZ tion to the space. shapes not only her “We’re so excited North Merrick Public career, but also the to have her art in Library Director intent behind her o u r l i b r a r y, a n d work. we’re really lucky The “VIBES” because it’s in the series — a collecmiddle of our refertion of large, ence room, so everyabstract expressionone from the community who ist paintings — draws inspiracomes in is able to see that art,” tion from nature, emotion and Jackie Perez, North Merrick fleeting moments. Through layPublic Library director said. ered color and texture, Barkan “We benefit from it, because it aims to capture what she certainly brightens up our describes as a “vibration” or space.” emotional impression rather Barkan, who has lived every- than a literal image. where from Italy and Israel to “When you think of the Califor nia, said retur ning word ‘vibes,’ it’s a feeling, an home to raise her family felt like a “full circle” moment. Continued on page 5
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ
hgaldamez@liherald.com
W
e’re excited to have her art in our library
Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
a number of student bands performed at John F. Kennedy High School last Friday to raise funds for mental health programs at South oaks Hospital. above, JFK Rock Band White performed paramore’s “Misery Business” before an energetic crowd.
Student bands rock on to raise money Local musicians help fund hospital program By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
One of the best ways to take care of your mental health is to express yourself, socialize and pursue a hobby; for the music students of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, rock, metal and grunge serve as a perfect outlet. A number of bands from across the district performed in a two-hour concert at John F. Kennedy High School last Friday, celebrating the beginning of Mental Health Month with a student-organized fundraiser. JFK seniors and event organizers Ben Roth and Jordan Siegel are longtime musicians who played in the concert. The duo came up with the idea for a music fundrais-
er, and worked with school staff to make it a reality. “We’re spreading our love of music in order to help people redirect their energy productively,” Roth said. “This way, they’re also able to generate that same catharsis for music, just like we’ve been able to do over the last several years … We wanted to bring people together.” The concert raised well over $6,000 in donations to benefit Northwell Health’s adolescent care programs — including those at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville — a cause near and dear to Roth and Siegel. “We’re here to raise money for South Oaks Hospital through Northwell,” Siegel explained. “We’re supporting the adolescent Continued on page 10