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SEPTEMBER 18 - 24, 2025
Schust’s quilt exhibit opens at library resurgence, especially among members of younger generations, who are drawn to handA new exhibit at the Union- made fashion. The surge in popularity is dale Public Library has transformed its gallery into a colorful driven in part by public figures showcase of handcrafted quilts, like singer Katy Perry, whose each one created by Merrick res- bold styles have sparked interest ident and Uniondale High in do-it-yourself fashion. Others follow trends of self-expression School alumna Patti Schust. The free exhibit will feature as seen in magazines like Vogue, or try to replicate 12 quilted pieces, pieces from popular which fill walls and clothing stores by display cases in the searching YouTube Uniondale Avenue tutorials. building, through “Sewing and September. quilting was someFor more than 15 thing that was very years, the gallery popular years ago — has featured monththe 1960s,” Schust ly exhibits — with s a i d , “ a n d eve n the exception of the when I was in junior summer months — high school, we used that have highlightto make our own ing ar tists from cl o t h i n g . I t w a s across Long Island PATTIE SCHuST another art form.” and beyond. Fabric artist The library “We are constante x h i b i t i n cl u d e s ly booking artists, all media, all formats,” Ilgar everything from kaleidoscopeGuo, the library’s adult pro- patter ned wall hangings to gramming coordinator said. “It’s “reverse decoupage” — a techvery active, and every show is nique in which decorative paper or fabric is attached to the back different.” Schust, 69, who graduated of a piece of glass, so the design from Uniondale High in 1974, shows through the front. Several of the pieces are taihas been quilting for over 50 years. She said that sewing and lored to Halloween and Thanksquilting are experiencing a ConTinuEd on PAgE 9
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
Courtesy MTA/David Steckel
Senior Adviser for Communications and Policy Shanifah Rieara, from left, President Rob Free, and Chief of Policy and External Relations John J. McCarthy detailed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s strike contingency plan on Sept. 11.
LIRR strike on hold…for now
Unions seek mediation with transportation authority By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
A potential Long Island Rail Road strike that was looming on Sept. 18 has been paused for now after the five unions threatening to halt service announced they are requesting intervention from the Presidential Emergency Board. The move means negotiations will continue under federal mediation, postponing any immediate threat of a strike. The development comes amid mounting tension between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the five remaining unions that have yet to reach a contract agreement with the railroad. These unions represent more than half of the LIRR’s workforce. More than 270,000 daily riders would be affected by a walkout. While the latest action delays that possibility, the disputes over wages and work rules remain unresolved, leaving the long-term outlook uncertain. The MTA quickly responded to the unions’ decision.
“After months of radio silence, these outlier unions have finally admitted that they weren’t serious about negotiating,” said John J. McCarthy, the MTA chief of policy and external relations, in a statement. “They never had a plan to resolve this at the bargaining table. “If these unions wanted to put riders first, they would either settle or agree to binding arbitration,” he continued. “And if they don’t want to strike, they should say so -- and finally show up to the negotiating table. This cynical delay serves no one.” During a Sept. 11 news conference at Penn Station, MTA President Rob Free said negotiations broke down after the National Mediation Board expedited the release of the unions. That opened the door to a strike that could have begun at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 18. The last LIRR strike occurred in 1994. “We have attempted to negotiate in good faith with these five remaining labor organizations,” Free said. “A fair offer has been made and accepted by the majority of all the other represented employees at the Long Island Rail ConTinuEd on PAgE 11
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ou don’t really know how it’s going to look until you’re in the room. The space tells you what it wants.