Nassau Herald 11-13-2025

HERALD Nassau

Melissa Berman/Herald Among those attending the coffeehouse at the Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Woodmere on Oct. 29 were, front, from left, Holocaust survivors Regina Goodman, 88, of Cedarhurst; Binah Khazlow, 93, of Woodmere; and back, right, Marlene Knopf, 90, of East Meadow.

Dozens of Holocaust survivors gather for a ‘coffeehouse’

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

More than 50 Holocaust survivors from the Five Towns and other parts of Nassau County gathered at the Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Woodmere on Oct. 29 for a “coffeehouse” gettogether.

The gathering was arranged through the Selfhelp Community Services’ Nassau Holocaust Survivor Program, which “provides comprehensive services allowing the last generation of Holocaust survivors to age with the comfort and dignity they deserve,” according to its website, SelfHelp.net.

“Aging Holocaust survivors face unique challenges receiving care, especially as their needs grow in complexity as they age,” the

website added. “Selfhelp is here to serve as the last surviving relative for every survivor.”

Services include enhanced case management, home care, financial assistance, social programs and more.

In addition to the 50 survivors, 30 spouses and aids also attended for an afternoon that celebrated the Jewish High Holy Days and the release of the 20 living hostages in Gaza. They gathered to build a connection with fellow survivors and enjoy a hot meal together.

“Selfhelp’s ‘coffeehouse’ events provide a warm and welcoming space for Holocaust survivors to combat social isolation, share a meal and music and celebrate life together,”

Julie Lauer, program director for the Nassau and Queens Holocaust Survivor programs,

Three from Hewlett High win Challenge

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

A student trio from Hewlett High School’s DECA club won a Retail Track Statewide Virtual Business Challenge, on Oct. 24, accumulating the highest virtual profit among all participating clubs in New York.

DECA, formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America, prepares aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges around the world for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Competing against clubs from across the state online, seniors Inon Azour and Aidan Khan and junior George Chikvanaia nearly doubled the profit of their closest competitors.

“In this challenge, we had to provide a solution to the problems and find the best results,” Azour said of their business, a simulate sports store in which the products they offered changed month to month depending on the interest of the customers depending on the sports season.

Chikvanaia added that the challenge gave him a feel for managing a business and its various challenges. Khan echoed those sentiments. “DECA has let me build leadership skills while meeting people of the same wants and aspirations,” he said.

AIDAN KhAN Hewlett High senior

All three boys have been members of DECA for three years, having joined because they want to succeed in the business world and refine their communication, public speaking and problem-solving skills.

The Retail Track of the Virtual Business Challenge tests participants’ skills in managing a retail operation. They oversee everything from creating products and setting prices to managing staff, inventory and store locations.

“I thought this was something we could definitely accomplish,” Chikvanaia said.

CONTiNuEd ON PAGE 14

Les Misérables brings 19th century France to the stage

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Get ready to transport back in time to the French Revolution during Hewlett High School’s production of Les Misérables.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the story weaves together themes of justice, redemption, and revolution as Valjean, Cosette, and other characters become caught up in the June Rebellion of 1832.

Thomas Riley has been the musical director at Hewlett High School for five years and previously directed at Lawrence High School for seven years.

His Hewlett musical repertoire includes: “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Into the Woods,” “Footloose,” and Chicago.

“I try to pick shows that are different from each other every year,” Riley said. “So that the kids can get a varied repertoire under their belts.”

Riley auditions and casts at the end of the previous school year in June. The kids are expected to learn their lines and lyrics over the summer on their own.

He said he expects a really high level of performance. “I expect that because I want them to look back on this fondly,” Riley added. “I try to give them the tools they need to prepare. You don’t have to actually act if you understand what you’re saying on a deeper level.”

Riley said he is always amazed at how hard the kids work over the summer to

learn their lines and lyrics.

“It’s not just learning the actual part of theater,” he said. “It’s about how to have discipline and talk to different people. I try to run it like sports in a certain way.

Senior Samantha Wright has been doing musicals since fifth grade. She serves as the student director for the musical.

“I decided to go for the directing position because I knew I didn’t want to go into performance when it came to college,” Wright said. “I was considering going into education so I figured being student director would be a chance to learn how to lead my peers.”

She also learned how to understand her peers’ struggles with school during

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the rehearsal process, while working with Riley.

“I got to learn a lot about not only directing but how to block a show and how to help people find the inner workings of their character,” she added. “Also, how to balance being in an ‘authoritative’ position.”

Natalie Silver, senior, has been doing theatre since eighth grade and is playing Éponine in Les Misérables.

“I’ve done the shows all four years of high school,” Silver said. “I love it so much and I look forward to the Fall every year. It’s genuinely one of the best times of my life.”

She said theatre has helped teach her public speaking and sight-reading skills while building strong relationships.

“I love the role of Éponine,” Wright said. ‘Without a bias, she is one of my favorite characters in the show. She has such a large and deep character and has gone through so much.”

Wright said that this role is one of the most different and difficult ones she has ever played.

“My favorite scene is ‘One Day More,’” she added. “I love how it’s the one part of the show where you see every single character come together and have a revolutionary moment.”

Les Misérables is playing at Hewlett High School on Nov. 19 at 4 p.m., Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Contact the district Music and Arts office at (516) 792-4808 for more info.

The S.H.O.P urges donations amid SNAP cuts

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry at the S.H.O.P in Cedarhurst (Sustenance, Hope, Opportunities, Place) is urging residents to donate urgent pantry staples to help those affected by the SNAP benefit cut.

The S.H.O.P located in Maple Plaza is operated by the Marion & Aaron Gural JCC. They are currently working with the UJA Federation, Community Chest South Shore, Met Council, Island Harvest and Long Island Cares to keep food on the shelves and provide assistance.

“We haven’t seen so many new families in crisis since the days of the Covid pandemic nearly six years ago,” Stacey Feldman, executive director of the JCC wrote in an email.

Rivkah Halpern, program director and a social worker at the S.H.O.P said that the SNAP benefits cut has made it harder for local families to put food on the table.

“At The S.H.O.P Food Pantry, we’ve seen a growing number of people coming to us for help, many for the very first time,” Halpern said. “Families who once managed to get by are now forced to choose between paying bills and buying groceries.”

The increase in food insecurity — a lack of access to sufficient food, or food of adequate quality, to meet basic needs

— only boosts the need for donations.

“As demand rises, we are working tirelessly to keep our shelves stocked so we can continue supporting the community,” she added. “The S.H.O.P is currently holding an emergency food drive to ensure we can continue providing kosher, nutritious food to families in our community.”

Current food pantry items needed include breakfast foods, rice, pasta/ pasta sauce, canned fishes and beans.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency in response to the federal government shutdown, announcing that Island Harvest and Long Island Cares will receive additional emergency funding to address a rise in food insecurity.

Blakeman said the move is intended to ensure that families relying on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are not left without support while federal funding is stalled.

“With the issues that are going on in Washington, D.C. right now, there are many people who are in jeopardy of not being able to feed themselves and their families,” Blakeman said. “So we are trying to help and supplement the things that a lot of our great not-forprofits are doing here on Long Island.”

The county will provide $50,000 per week to each of the two major regional food banks until SNAP benefits resume. Roughly 31,450 Nassau households rely on SNAP.

Island Harvest CEO Randi Shubin Dresner said the support will go directly toward getting food into homes quickly.

“Food is a right,” Dresner said. “We need to be able to know that we’re going to be able to have access to a good, healthy meal. And these funds are going to allow us to purchase that kind of food and get it out into the community here in Nassau County really, really quickly.”

Long Island Cares CEO Katherine M. Fritz said the timing is critical for families already struggling.

“This is an important time in our lives on Long Island to make sure that we’re focused on the people — who are struggling every day to make sure that their families have food on their table,” she said.

Information about local food pantries and soup kitchens is available on NassauCountyNY.gov.

Cedarhurst residents raise concerns over e-bike, scooter safety

By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

Residents in the Village of Cedarhurst are concerned for their safety over the use of electric scooters by children in the village.

Longtime resident and former Board of Zoning Appeals member Michael Herzog, 87, approached the Board of Trustees at their monthly meeting to discuss the issues of electric scooters, on Nov. 3.

“There has been a lot of illegal activity with e-bikes and scooters,” Herzog said.

In late August, a young boy going 40 miles per hour on his electric scooter struck Maria Arra of 291 Cedarhurst Avenue, in the back of the body.

Arra, who works at John F. Kennedy airport, has suffered trauma and long-lasting pain since the accident.

“I was in a rush doing things and I am always aware of what is happening around me,” she said. “I was coming from the laundry to the walking patch when something hit me very bad in my back and side.”

She said it was so fast that she feel to her knees and

elbows on the concrete.

“I started screaming so bad and I saw kids around me,” Arra added. “I was bleeding all over and couldn’t get up. When I saw the kid holding the scooter with lights, I realized it was electric.”

Arra said she asked the boy how old he was and he said 14. She questioned why he wasn’t looking at the street and to see what he did to her.

“She was bleeding all over and was in such a state of shock,” Herzog added. “She was seriously hurt and that is why this is a matter of life or death.”

According to police, they were unable to catch the boy but determined he was going the maximum speed on an electric scooter.

The Village of Cedarhurst enforces Nassau County’s rules on electric scooters and bikes.

“We had incorporated an ordinance on this and have the same law,” said Ari Brown, State Assemblyman and deputy mayor of Cedarhurst.

The traffic law states: you must wear a helmet; you cannot be younger than 16 years old to drive an e-bike or scooter; you cannot drive on the

sidewalk and you cannot drive over 20 miles per hour.

“Any motorized scooter operated on the highway, park-

ing lot, sidewalk, street or other public areas can be impounded,” according to Nassau County Traffic Laws. “Vio-

lations of Nassau County Miscellaneous Law, Title 61, are punishable by a fine up to $700 for repeat offenders.”

Herzog stressed to the board how frequent these incidents are occurring due to the location of the apartment building.

“My observation is that it was always happening, even a year ago,” he said. “But it is happening so frequently now that it’s really astounding. It’s all over and nobody is solving the problem.”

According to police, the Fourth Precinct is confiscating 15 to 20 of the electric scooters/bikes at a time.

“If this happened to a kid, it could kill them,” Arra said. “That day for me was trauma and I feel my pain in my hips, knees and elbows still.”

Mayor Benjamin Weinstock said the village will be putting up signs on Cedarhurst Ave., to indicate the dangers of driving e-scooters and bikes.

“The danger is silent you don’t hear them coming,” Herzog said. “Looking both ways when you walk doesn’t help anymore. All communities are trying to deal with this and we are here to make sure you’re aware how serious this is.”

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Planning For and Executing Inheritances

(Part Two)

Early on, we learned the estate planning phrase “There’s nothing so unequal as the equal treatment of unequals.” Who has children that are all the same?

Some children have received significant help from parents during their lifetimes while others haven’t. Many parents choose the “forgiveness provision” to address this situation at death, to either “equalize” any gifts made to some children during lifetime with those who did not or, in the alternative, to “forgive” any loans made to children and then make a gift in like amount to each of the other children by inheritance, before the estate is divvied up in equal shares. Conversely, lifetime gifts may also be ignored. Next up is the problem of children who are partially or wholly estranged. Many clients wish to leave them a token amount but there are pitfalls to consider. One who is left considerably less than their siblings will often be angry and upset. They may demand that their siblings disclose what they received and even to pony up an equal share. Not only that, but the burden of telling that estranged child

they are getting less and delivering the paltry amount is left to the children who you wish to favor!

In our view, it is sometimes better to leave an estranged child out altogether than to stir up all the issues surrounding an inheritance much smaller than equal.

There are many valid reasons, however, to treat children differently. Some may have alcohol or substance abuse issues, learning disabilities or special needs, they may be immature and irresponsible, poor at handling money or a “soft touch” and, finally, they may have a spouse that dominates them and you do not want to see that controlling spouse get your money.

Sometimes parents leave more to the “needy” child, the old adage being that “the tongue always turns to the aching tooth”. If so, other children’s feelings may need to addressed. A letter to be opened after your death, explaining what you did and why, may go a long way towards soothing hurt feelings and avoiding misunderstandings, what we term the “emotional legacy”.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

Woodmere resident arrested for assault of an 84-year old man

According to police, a Woodmere man was arrested for assault at 11:20 a.m. on Nov. 4, near 1034 Broadway also in Woodmere.

According to detectives, an 84-year-old male was driving a 2022 Dodge when he struck a 2023 Tesla being operated by a 47-year-old woman. Both operators began to exchange information when another man arrived at the scene. The man forcefully grabbed the woman’s notepad from the Dodge driver’s hands. He then punched the driver in his face causing him to fall to the ground. The man proceeded to kick the driver in the head before fleeing the scene prior to police arrival. The driver was transported to a local area hospital for evaluation and treatment. An investigation led to the arrest of Sharon Zharfati, 51, of 142 Elm Street.

According to witnesses, Zharfati approached the 84-year-old aggressively and without warning snatched the notepad containing his personal information from his hands. When the elderly man attempted to retrieve his property, Zharfati allegedly struck him with a closed fist to the face with sufficient force to knock him to the ground.

According to the NCPD, the 84-year old sustained facial injuries, head trauma, and other injuries consistent with the assault.

Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. Medical staff conducted a full evaluation including imaging studies to assess the extent of his head injuries.

Through witness descriptions, video evidence, and investigative work, detectives were able to identify Zharfati as the suspect. The investigation revealed that Zharfati had a connection to one of the parties involved in the traffic accident, though the exact nature of that relationship remains under investigation.

Detectives located Zharfati at his residence on Elm Street in Woodmere and placed him under arrest without incident. During the arrest, detectives recovered evidence related to the assault, including clothing matching witness descriptions of what the suspect was wearing during the attack.

Zharfati was charged with robbery 2nd degree and assault 2nd Degree. He was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead, on Nov 7.

— Melissa Berman

With new Time-of-Day Rates, 3 PM to 7 PM is now “me time.” By doing chores that use a lot of electricity before or after those hours on weekdays, you take advantage of the times when energy costs less to produce. So, think laundry at 12 PM. Read a book or catch up on emails at 4 PM. Dishes at 8 PM. It’s all about timing your savings and saving your time. Some of the appliances that use the most energy are shown below. For the complete terms and conditions, go to psegliny.com/timeofday/terms.

Learn more. Scan the QR code or go to psegliny.com/timeofday.

things to know Beautifying the Village of Cedarhurst

Transforming the village one project at a time

Residents in the Village of Cedarhurst can expect beautification work to begin on Nov. 8. There will be tree replacements along Central Avenue and parts of Cedarhurst Avenue. Workers will be providing efforts to minimize disruption to businesses and residents during implementation. This community effort, supported by the Business Improvement District’s leadership and funding, will bring a uniform and refined look to the streetscape for years to come, keeping Cedarhurst welcoming, vibrant, and beautiful. Cedarhurst’s first major public works project was the paving of Central Avenue, and developers created neighborhoods of wide, tree-lined streets where homes were situated in naturalistic settings. Cedarhurst was incorporated in 1910 and has long been known for Central Avenue, its main business district.

— By MELISSA BERMAN

n Community-funded partnership with the Business Improvement District

Cedarhurst has always been a beautiful village, and it continues to always improve. In partnership with the Business Improvement District — funded by the merchants, landlords, and village government — aging and damaged trees along Central Avenue and parts of Cedarhurst Avenue are being replaced with new hornbeam trees. This collaborative effort demonstrates the community’s commitment to enhancing the village’s aesthetic appeal. The BID, founded in 1993, collects assessments on commercial property and works in conjunction with the village to fund improvements and promotions in the business community, raising roughly $80,000 annually to support beautification and economic development efforts. Cedarhurst’s first major public works project was the paving of Central Avenue, and developers created neighborhoods with wide, tree-lined streets.

n Strategic tree selection with multiple benefits

The new hornbeam trees were carefully chosen for their symmetry, strength, and elegance, bringing a uniform and refined look to the streetscape for years to come. Hornbeams are particularly valued as street trees due to their resilience, pollution tolerance, disease resistance, and upright growth habit that keep branches from interfering with pedestrian traffic. These trees also provide environmental benefits including improved air quality through carbon dioxide absorption, soil stabilization to prevent erosion, and habitat for birds and wildlife. The village’s name originates from a grove of cedar trees that once stood near the post office, reflecting the villages’s long-standing connection to trees. Cedarhurst has shown its commitment to beautification by planting over 100 hanging baskets and potted plants along the business district, with new flowers, bushes and trees in Andrew J. Parise Park.

n Timely implementation with community consideration

The project is a civic effort, thanks to the BID for it’s leadership and financial support. It continues Cedarhurst’s commitment to keeping the village welcoming, vibrant, and beautiful — maintaining Central Avenue’s historic reputation as a premier shopping and business district on the South Shore. Longtime residents have dubbed Central Avenue “the Rodeo Drive of Long Island” and the area has been recognized as the fashion center of this community for over 100 years. The community is well known for its quiet residential streetscapes lined with trees, well-maintained sidewalks, manicured lawns and gardens, and decorative landscaping.

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

At the Long Island Association’s Energy and Environment Committee meeting on Nov. 5, Carrie Meek Gallagher, the new CEO of the Long Island Power Authority, spoke about the future of energy on Long Island.

“Energy is very significant to our economy, our businesses and just our way of life here on Long Island,” Matt Cohen, LIA president and CEO, said. LIA is a nonprofit association that works to ensure Long Island’s economic vitality.

Gallagher, who took over at LIPA from John Rhodes in June, spoke with dozens of energy experts and local business owners about her priorities for the public authority, which owns the electric transmission and distribution system serving Long Island and the Rockaway peninsula. She has over 25 years of experience working in energy and sustainability in the public sector, having directed the Long Island office of the state Department of Public Service, and been the acting deputy secretary to the governor for energy and environment, and the regional director of the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

“Everyone here is committed to making sure that Long Island’s energy need are met in a clean, efficient and safe way,” Pat Guidice, business manger of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1049, said. “I can’t tell you how happy we at IBEW-1049 are that Carrie is now at the helm of LIPA, ensuring we have clean and efficient energy that will be provided to Long Island.”

“Carrie’s commitment to the people of Long Island is second to none,” Guidice added.

Gallagher said that her priorities are to ensure that there is a clean, reliable and affordable power supply, and to strengthen LIPA’s partnership with PSEG Long Island, which provides electrical service to customers.

“We need power — we need energy to run our economy,” she said. “We know affordability is really critical right now, so that’s something we’re continuing to

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focus on.”

Entering contract negotiations with local and outof-state energy providers over the next three years, Gallagher said she is focused on cutting costs without impacting performance. She has also continued outreach about LIPA’s Time-of-Day program, which allows customers to choose when they use electricity, at varying rates.

Gallagher assured attendees that LIPA is prepared for days of high-energy demand. “We have enough capacity on any given day to meet even our peak demands,” she said.

Clean energy — which, she said, Long Island is very committed to — helps relieve the grid in times of high demand. South Fork Wind, she said, has been providing LIPA with power for over a year. She said that Long Island leads the state in solar installations, with nearly 100,000 customers and businesses receiving solar energy. While federal tax incentives for solar power will expire at the end of the year, Gallagher said that LIPA is working with state and local partners to create an alternative option for residents looking to go solar.

“Solar works here,” she said. “We know Long Islanders are willing to adopt it, and we want to continue that momentum, as it really does make a difference.”

According to the state Department of Public Service’s 2024 Electric Reliability Performance Report, Gallagher said, LIPA has outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York for five years. This shows that the agency has consistently provided energy to Long Islanders, and, she added, it continues to invest in ensuring that it can provide reliable and affordable service in the future.

HERALD neighbors

Chabad Five Towns hosts Challá baking event

The Chabad of the Five Towns hosted “Challá,” an opportunity for women to make challah together with “love, spirit and unity.”

Women of all ages gathered for the mitzvah (good deed) of baking challah, on Oct. 29 at the Chabad of the Five Towns tent.

Chanie Wolowik and Hadassah Geisinsky, Cteen director addressed the attendees throughout the evening. This event was $54 per person and included all the necessary ingredients and an apron.

Committee members include: Danielle Aronovitz, Deena Buff, Lonnie Burger, Chayala Eberstark, Miri Friedman, Ariel Glaubach, Riva Goldschmidt, Lana Kantowitz, Masha Mayzel, Rifky Robinson and Tziporah Sax.

— Melissa Berman

HERALD SchoolS

Soccer players feted at awards dinner

soccer players from Woodmere Middle School and Hewlett High School celebrated another season with their annual teams dinner, on Nov. 5.

T he dinner was hosted at the Hewlett Fire Department and was organized by the Hewlett Soccer Parents Association. Annual dues of $40 were asked to be paid before the party.

S tudent athletes enjoyed dinner from Friendlier along with custom desserts from Wall’s Bakery and Candy Board Couture.

T he evening kicked off with awards and then a music-filled night with Rob DJ Place providing entertainment. Superintendent Dina Anzalone made a special appearance and gave a heartfelt speech.

T he evening brought together all the soccer teams in the district for a night of celebration and fun.

Melissa Berman

Honoring the past and sharing survival stories

said.

Lauer, who has been with Selfhelp for two and a half years, oversees programs for 200 survivors in Nassau and 400 in Queens. Selfhelp hosts eight to ten events a year.

“This is my favorite part of my month, when we have an event,” Lauer said. “The survivors are really inspirational, and to see them talk about what happened since the war, and to dance and sing, is beautiful.”

While they enjoyed a three-course meal, survivors and their families were serenaded with classic Jewish celebration songs, as well as Broadway and pop music.

“I need to shout-out the Claims Conference and the UJA Federation and to all of the local support,” Lauer said. “Any of the politicians that are involved and help out is really special to let the survivors know their story is being heard. I want them to know there is a voice out there.”

Founded in 1951, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, a nonprofit organization that secures material compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world.

One survivor, Cedarhurst resident Betty Weintrob, 87, attended the event to meet her fellow survivor friends from the local Marion & Aaron Gural JCC.

“We are happy to be here,” Weintrob said. “To see them and reminisce about

our past and what we went through is special.”

Weintrob was 3 years old when World War II broke out, and was able to survive, thanks to her mother, who ran from one hiding place to another.

Born in Poland, Weintrob moved to Israel after the war and attended school there before arriving in the United States at age 19.

“I’m very happy to meet with them and to share stories,” Weintrob said.

“Survivors should get involved and come take part in the meetings and to meet other survivors.”

Rep. Laura Gillen attended the event and began the afternoon by leading the Pledge of Allegiance before interacting with each of the survivors.

“It is my honor and privilege to be with you all here today,” Gillen said. “Your stories are so important for all of us to know and remember. You are the embodiment of the power of the human

spirit and the will to survive.”

Gillen added that the survivors provide hope for the next generation during a time of rising antisemitism across the country.

“We must push back and never forget,” she added. “I thank Selfhelp for preserving your stories, because those are the stories we need to continue to share. We need to make sure that the next generation does not forget these stories.”

Gillen is co-sponsor of the “Heal Act,” which ensures that Holocaust education is taught in schools statewide, so that students remember the horrific time in history.

“I was so excited because I’ve never had the opportunity to talk with so many Holocaust survivors,” Gillen said. “I was surprised there was so many in our county, and I was looking forward to thanking them for sharing their stories and inspiration for the next generation.”

She said that now more than ever, it’s important to remember the stories of the Holocaust and inform the younger generations who may not have the opportunity to hear a survivor speak.

“This is a lesson going forward so that we don’t repeat that with any group,” she added. “We can heal anything with love, patience and tolerance, and that’s what we need more of right now in our country and world.”

HHS students win store-management competition

“We conducted surveys based on the population of the customers, and we had to abide by what they wanted each season.”

“In a simulated business, you can make decisions about pricing, marketing and inventory management,” Azour explained. “Your goal is to grow profits faster than any other team in a 10-day period. We like to take on challenges even if there’s a thousand different teams we have to beat.”

The trio finished second in the competition last year. “Coming in first was a real hurdle to overcome,” Khan said. “We’ve been really trying to get it done and we did.”

Azour said his favorite part of the competition was seeing the weekly store profits. “It felt like we were running a real business,” he said. “I also really like testing strategies to try and get the best results every week. Watching the numbers improve was really motivating.”

Chikvanaia said the simulation gave him insight into the real world and how every decision has an impact. “I realized how much influence research and learning from your mistakes has on a professional business,” he said.

The teams in the state competition were ranked based on their stores’ cumulative profit after running the simulation for five virtual years, which required both analytical thinking and

entrepreneurial creativity, according to Susan Hanlon, a Hewlett High business education teacher who co-advises the 100-member DECA club with another business instructor, Molly Henck.

“They’re all very strong business students,” said Hanlon, who has been teaching at HHS for 20 years and overseeing DECA for eight. “All of them have moved on to regionals, and a couple have made it to nationals.”

Hanlon said that the boys took the

initiative in the lead-up to the competition, and asked her to sign them up.

“They were the only kids who took us up on it this year,” she said. “They, on their own, went and decided which one they wanted to do. They did all the work on their own.”

“I think it just shows how motivated they are,” she added. “The kids in DECA have to have motivation, because it’s work above and beyond what they do in class. It shows that they do have a good

head for business.”

A second round of competition begins in December, she said.

“Inon, Aidan and George demonstrated incredible teamwork and business insight throughout the challenge,” Hanlon said. “Their ability to analyze date, make smart decisions and stay focused on their goals really set them apart. We’re so proud of their achievement and how well they represented Hewlett High School.”

Isles awarded 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

The next National Hockey League All-Star Game will be played at UBS Arena in Elmont.

For only the second time in franchise history, the New York Islanders will host the NHL’s All-Star game. The league announced Oct. 24 UBS Arena will be the site of the 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend. The event is scheduled for Feb. 5, 6 and 7, and the weekend’s festivities will be broadcast by ESPN and ABC. Additional information on the midseason showcase, including ticketing and broadcast information, will be announced when available.

Islanders season ticket members will receive priority access to the event.

“We have been looking forward to UBS Arena playing host to one of our major League events since before construction of this wonderful arena began,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “We have every confidence that the Islanders organization, led by Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky, will deliver a celebration that will make the greater New York region and the NHL proud.”

Tim Baker/Herald

UBS Arena in Elmont will host the NHL All-Star Weekend Feb. 5-7, 2027, the league announced Oct. 24.

The Islanders had originally been awarded the 2026 All-Star Weekend, but that was cancelled this past spring when the league decided not to hold the game in the same year as the Winter Olympic Games taking place in Milan, Italy. The idea then became to turn the weekend into a pre-Olympics event, but the NHL decided to nix that as well to allow players to focus on travel and preparation for the Olympics.

It is now expected each NHL Club will organize an Olympic Winter Games send-off for its respective players traveling to Italy, with more details to be announced in the near future.

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, who has appeared in the NHL All-Star

Game three times (2019, 2020 and 2024) and in 2020 won the fastest skater competition, is excited about the event coming to Elmont.

“It’s exciting that the All-Star Game is coming to Long Island,” Barzal said. “UBS Arena is one of the best buildings in the league so it will be great to show off the dressing room and the amenities we have as players. It’s going to be great for our fans to see the best of the best take the ice on the island.”

Fans can sign up to receive news and updates on the 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend by going to nhl.com/events/ all-star/nhl-all-star-weekend.

The NHL experienced a new wave of interest last winter when the traditional All-Star Game was replaced by the 4 Nations Face-Off, a four-team tournament contested by winners Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland.

The 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend will mark just the second time the Islanders will host NHL All-Star activities, with the first being the 1983 edition, featuring the Campbell Conference AllStars defeating the Wales Conference All-Stars 9-3, and Wayne Gretzky claiming NHL All-Star MVP honors at Nassau Coliseum with a then-record four goals. It’ll also mark the first All-Star Game in the state of New York since 1994, when the New York Rangers hosted it at Madison Square Garden.

At The Bristal Assisted Living, we are privileged to celebrate the legacies of our residents, especially the brave men and women who have defended our freedom. Their courage and camaraderie inspire us all.

This Veterans Day, we pay heartfelt tribute to their service and sacrifice. It’s their stories, their spirit, and their unwavering dedication that make our communities truly extraordinary.

We honor their contributions with deep gratitude, today and every day.

Scan the QR Code to learn more about our veteran discount & other available resources or visit: thebristal.com/saluting-veterans

Nassau County honors its veterans

By DANIEL OFFNER

Special to the Herald

In recognition of the thousands of men and women across Long Island who served or are actively serving in the United States Armed Forces, members of the Nassau County community gathered in front of the memorial at Eisenhower Park on Nov. 9 to honor local veterans for their courage and sacrifice.

The Veterans Day ceremony, led by the United Veterans Organization of Nassau County, celebrated the respect, resilience, and dedication of servicemen and women, while emphasizing the importance of veteran agencies that support those returning from active duty.

Morris Miller, past president and board member of the United Veterans Organization, served as master of ceremonies.

“As long as we are alive, we will never ever forget about our brothers,” Miller said. “They may not be with us physically, but they’re with us right here in our hearts.”

Eric Spinner, UVO chaplain and senior vice commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 652, led the convocation, offering a solemn prayer for all who have served.

“As we gather this Veterans Day in memory of all who have served and those who continue to serve,” Spinner said, “bless and protect our nation. Be merciful to our honored dead, whose valor, courage,

and heroism inspire us to noble action and eternal vigilance in preserving our priceless liberty and our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Spinner also led a poignant POW/MIA remembrance ceremony honoring those who never returned home, explaining the symbolism of each item on the small table set in their honor.

“As you enter the ceremony area today, you may have noticed a small table in a place of honor,” he said. “It is set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppressors.”

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman thanked the veterans in attendance for their service and reflected on his family’s long history of military involvement.

“Today sometimes gets confused with Memorial Day,” Blakeman said. “Memorial Day is a sacred day. Not a holiday, but a day to remember those who died in the line of duty. Today is more of a celebration of the brave men and women who joined our armed forces to protect our freedom.”

Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips commended veterans’ advocates for their tireless work.

“What they do isn’t fancy,” Phillips said. “It doesn’t get the limelight, but there is no one that works harder for our veterans than Ralph Esposito.”

She added that what makes Nassau County so special are the roughly 45,000 veterans who live here.

“In Nassau County, we will never forget.

We will never stop honoring. We will never stop fighting for democracy,” Phillips said.

Ralph Esposito, director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, spoke about ongoing initiatives to support local veterans, including food drives and plans for a new housing project in Island Park.

During the ceremony, he personally thanked Blakeman for recently signing over the deed to the former Long Beach Motor Inn site on Austin Boulevard to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The charitable nonprofit, founded in honor of New York City firefighter Steven Siller — who died on Sept. 11, 2001 — has committed to building 57 units of veteran housing on the site.

The Veterans Village will feature private bathrooms and kitchens in each unit, 24/7 on-site staff and clinicians, and services ranging from job training and entitlement advocacy to behavioral health care funded and operated by the foundation.

“You don’t know how important that is, especially on Veterans Week,” Esposito said. “This means a lot. Our veterans suffer every day, but we’re out there to help. We’re always there for you, and we always will be, as long as I have breath in me.”

The ceremony concluded with recognition of veterans from every branch of service, including those who fought in World War II and Korea, followed by a final salute from the Joint Armed Forces firing detail.

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, November 14, 2025

Requirements: 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:

(No Photos of Artwork Will Be Accepted).

Winners will be notified by email or phone by November 21

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

• Be creative & original.

• Use bright colors.

• Fill the entire page.

STEPPING OUT

Gaelic Storm

‘Jump’ right in with Mickey and his pals

By Karen Bloom

Before we get ready for the big feast, take some time with your family to feast on some Disney magic. The holiday season lights up, once again, as the latest Disney On Ice tour skates into UBS Arena with “Jump In!,” now through Nov. 16. As always, Mickey and the gang start audiences off on some wild adventures from the moment everyone settles in their seats. It’s a jumpin’ and jivin’ ride that begins with a touch of Mickey’s Magical Mouse Pad. Yeah, that’s right, even Mickey has embraced technology with his special version of an iPad!

Truly an outsized spectacle, over 50 characters gather in this —all-new — extravagant showcase of some of Disney’s most beloved tales. Disneyphiles will jump for joy when new characters from “Moana 2” and Anxiety, the newly-introduced emotion in the “Inside Out 2” sequel, appear on ice. Anxiety is, of course, joined by the other characters we all know so well: Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear.

Everyone can navigate those thrilling high seas with Moana and feel all the feels in the vibrant world of “Inside Out 2” when these beloved films come to life on ice for the first time. And, naturally, there’s so much more.

Help Stitch fix a glitch as mayhem ensues across the ice, stroll the bustling metropolis of “Zootopia,” glide through the icy realms of “Frozen,” marvel at the playful“Toy Story” universe and travel to the vibrant world of Colombia with the Madrigal family in “Encanto.” Plus, everyone is always in awe when Ariel, Jasmine, Rapunzel, and Tiana arrive in a dazzling parade of Disney princesses.

These unforgettable characters and their adventures are fully alive as families are transported to world where imaginations soar — and in true Disney spirit “anything can happen if you just believe.”

And that’s how it is for Andrew Austin. The Chicago, Ill.-based skater, who joined the Disney On Ice ensemble in 2022, after concluding his competitive skating career — is certainly living his dream.

He, naturally, has been a Disney fan since childhood (a prerequisite of sorts for skaters in the show). His first experience with Disney on Ice came around age 6, Austin recalls.

“I’ve always loved Disney, especially ‘The Lion King’ and ‘The Little Mermaid.’ A truly poignant memory for me is when my godmother took me [to the show]. I

• Now through Sunday. Nov. 16; times vary

• Tickets start at $40; available at ticketmaster.com or disneyonice.com

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

have such a fond memory of being there with her.”

That memory has since become reality for Austin, who first laced up skates as 6-year-old.

“I soon realized I had a talent for skating and wanted to see how far I could push myself,” he says.”

At 23, Austin decided it was time, as he put it, “to make a new start and begin a new chapter.”

Disney beckoned and he never looked back.

“It’s all magical,” Austin says enthusiastically.

That word again. The Mouse House goes big on the magic — and the magic brings everyone together.

“It’s really about family togetherness and learning the magic of family so it’s a great time for all ages,” Austin says.

Like always, the skating brings a new dimension to the stories we know so well. You’ll see exciting visuals, thrilling stunts and mesmerizing choreography that fully immerse those both on ice and in their seats. The solos, pairs and fast-paced ensemble skating, along with acrobatic routines, keep everyone transfixed to the action unfolding.

“We’ve worked so hard to get to this point, the skating is truly top notch,” Austin adds.

Expect to see acrobatic stunts throughout the show. High-flying performers elevate skating to the next level, with gravity-defying aerial stunts.

It’s hard to imagine a band just coming into their own after 20 years of success, but that’s exactly what makes Gaelic Storm a true anomaly. The multi-national, Celtic juggernaut grows stronger with each live performance, and after two decades and over 2000 shows, they are a true force to be reckoned with. fans of every genre are attracted to their rich storytelling, energetic instrumentals, devotion to Celtic traditions and passion for their stagecraft. This dedication to their live show dates all the way back to the mid-1990s, when the band kicked off their career as a pub band in Santa Monica, Calif. Those performances ultimately led to their discovery that found the band appearing in the blockbuster film “Titanic” (where they performed “Irish Party in Third Class”), laying the groundwork for what would come, all while gaining a reputation as a genre-bending Irish rock band whose songs mix Celtic traditions with something uniquely creative.

Friday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m. $68, $58, $48. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.

Princess Ariel soars above the ice to “Kiss the Girl,” and Rapunzel’s golden hair is brought to life by flowing aerial silks in a dazzling aerial routine with Flynn Rider.

Throughout it all, you’ll be singing along — no matter your age. Disney’s timeless catalog, including “Let It Go” (Frozen), “Try Everything”(Zootopia), “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (Encanto), “Get Lost” (Moana 2), and many more favorites, are all part of the exciting soundtrack.

Excitement is certainly a descriptive of the entire spectacle.

“It’s really special and exciting for the cast to see all those smiling faces. We’re so happy to see the how the kids connect with the characters ... I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” he continues.

A final word from Austin: “This really is about family togetherness and learning the magic of family, so it’s a great time for all ages. You’ll see how the magic comes from within.”

Matt Friend

Matt Friend has been described as “a gift to comedy.” If you’re not familiar with him yet, now’s the time to find out what he’s all about. Truly an old soul in the body of a 26-year-old, the comedian-actor-impressionist — a 2020 graduate of NYU’s Gallatin School — discovered a love for comedy at the tender age of four after watching Austin Powers and mimicking the characters’ voices. His passion has since propelled him to great heights, amassing over 1 million followers on social platforms. Known for his impressive repertoire of over 250 impressions, from Rami Malek to Timothee Chalamet, he’s a beloved comedic figure on social media, stages and red carpets worldwide. Mattcontinues to captivate audiences with his stand-up shows across the U.S. and abroad. Impressions aside, Matt is a true intellect — wise beyond his years — a student of show business, comedy, politics, and culture.

Friday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CALENDAR

NOV 13

Lawrence Board of Trustees meet

The Village of Lawrence Board of Trustees hold their monthly meeting. All are welcome

• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

• Time: 6-7:15 p.m.

• Contact: villageoflawrence.org

NOV 15

Raven’s Requiem: Poe’s Masquerade Ball

Step into a night of eerie elegance and dark humor at the Raven’s Requiem, an immersive theatrical experience like no other! This twisted retelling of The Masque of the Red Death will feature honored guest, The Master of Macabre himself, Edgar Allan Poe. Attendees are encouraged to don their most opulent masquerade attire for an evening of dance and decadence. Explore the grandeur of Rock Hall, a historic gem that will transport you to another era. Reservations are required. Space limited. Please call the museum office at 516 239 1157 for full details. Fee: $100; $75 members and seniors. Space limited. Reservations required. Check is to be payable to the Friends of Rock Hall. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Rock Hall.

• Where: 199 Broadway, Lawrence

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: friendsofrockhall@ gmail.com

BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet

Collage workshop

Join Nassau County Museum of Art’s first Artist-inResidence, John Grande, on a creative journey through personal expression and visual storytelling. Compose your own collage while exploring a variety of tools and techniques used by professional collage and mixed media artists. Each participant will have their pick from a variety of vintage, printed and colorful papers, fabric and trim samples, post cards, magazine clippings, books, and other collaging materials. $50, $45 members. For ages 16+.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Noon-3 p.m.

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

Scam workshop

Temple Hillel welcomes all to an informative presentation and lively discussion about how to identify and avoid scams with Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips. Handouts and refreshments provided.

• Where: 1000 Rosedale Road, Valley Stream

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 791-6344

Playful Puzzles

NOV

J igsaw puzzles have been bringing families together for over 200 years- sparking teamwork and wonder across generations. Celebrate Game and Puzzle Week at Long Island Children’s Museum by channeling inner creativity to design a custom puzzle. This is a drop-in program.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

• Where: Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: landmarkonmainstreet. org or (516) 767-6444

For 50 years, two-time Grammy winner BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet has been hailed as the best Cajun band in the world. The band has been making some of the most potent and popular Cajun music on the planet. Born out of the rich Acadian ancestry of its members, and created and driven by bandleader Michael Doucets spellbinding fiddle playing and soulful vocals, BeauSoleil is notorious for bringing even the most staid audience to its feet. Their distinctive sound derives from the distilled spirits of New Orleans jazz, blues rock, folk, swamp pop, Zydeco, country and bluegrass, captivating listeners from the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, to Carnegie Hall, then all the way across the pond to Richard Thompsons Meltdown Festival in England. They are joined on this special tour by their good friend Richard Thompson. An iconic figure in British folk-rock, Thompson is arguably the genre’s greatest triple threat: a dazzling guitarist, an outstanding songwriter, and a strong and evocative vocalist. As one of the founding members of the group Fairport Convention, Thompson would have a seismic impact on both U.K. folk and rock, incorporating elements of traditional music (most effectively on 1969’s Liege and Lief) in a way that sparked a new interest in authentic British folk. He left the group by age 21, which was followed by a decade long musical partnership with his then-wife Linda, to over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist. A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Sleater-Kinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, Los Lobos, and many more. Thompson wavered between acoustic projects (2005’s Front Parlour Ballads) and more robust full-band efforts (2013’s Electric), but despite his status as an elder statesman of the singer/ songwriter community, he remained active and engaged as a writer and musician, releasing the powerful 13 Rivers in 2018, when he was 69-years-old. $75, $65, $55.

Let’s Skate

Get ready to enjoy all the thrills of the snowy season, while staying warm and cozy as Long Island Children’s Museum’s popular “Snowflake Sock Skating rink returns, Slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. Kids can stretch, twirl and glide. As visitors step off the “ice” they can jump into winter dramatic play in Snowflake Village. Become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, step inside a giant snowman and serve up some hot cocoa, take a turn in the rink “ticket booth” and “warm up” around a rink side “fire pit.” With special opening weekend activities.

• Where: Museum Row, Garden City

• Time: Opening drop-in programs start at 1 p.m.

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

LuminoCity Festival

LuminoCity is back at Eisenhower Park. Walk through a winter wonderland. Timed admission fee.

• Where: Eisenhower Park,

East Meadow

• Time: 4:30-5:15 p.m., 6-6:45 p.m., 7:30-8:15 p.m., through Jan. 1

• Contact: luminocityfestival.com

NOV

17

Still Life in Charcoal workshop

Join Naomi Singer for a hands-on art class using charcoal to draw a still life at Peninsula Public Library. Learn fundamental shading techniques, composition tips, and how to bring simple subjects to life with depth and texture. Registration is required. Register only with intent to attend, as spots are limited. A material fee of $8 per person will be collected..

• Where: 280 Central Ave., Lawrence

• Time: 7-9 p.m.

• Contact: peninsulapublic.org

NOV

18

One Israel Fund Gala Stefanik, Emcee Sid Rosenberg and Nathaniel Buzolic. With a concert performance by Zusha and Aryeh Kuntsler.

• Where: RSVP for address

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: or call (516) 239-9209 Ext. 10 oneisraelfund.org

NOV

19

Hewlett High School’s ‘Les Misérables’

George W. Hewlett High School Music Department presents its fall musical production, “Les Misérables.” $20, $15 for students and seniors.

• Where: 60 Everit Ave., Hewlett

• Time: 4 p.m.; also Nov. 21, 7 p.m.; Nov. 22, 2 and 7 p.m.

• Contact: vancoevents.com/us/ events/landing/59173 or (516) 792-4808

NOV

20

Mocktails workshop

Learn how to make seasonal mocktails at Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library.

Instructor Melinda Space introduces participants to the proper glassware, rimming techniques, and drink accompaniments. With tasting and recipes provided. Registration required.

• Where: 1125 Broadway, Hewlett

• Time: 6:30 p.m

• Contact: hwpl.org

On Exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art invites visitors into a world where reality is uncertain, dreams take shape and the line between fact and imagination disappears. Works in “Real, Surreal, and Photoreal” challenge what we see and what we believe. Before abstraction took the spotlight in the mid-20th century, American art was defined by Realism as artists captured the world as they saw it. Often overlooked in conventional approaches to aesthetic progress, it has center stage in this exhibit, exploring how artists across generations have reimagined “the real” in strikingly different ways. Works from both American and European artists are featured.. Opens Nov. 22, on view through March 8.

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor

• Time: Ongoing

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

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.

NOVEMBER 19 • 5:30-9:00PM

The Heritage Club at Bethpage

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

ISAO “SAMMY” KOBAYASHI PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CANON U.S.A., INC.

ELECTRIC

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

ISAO “SAMMY” KOBAYASHI

President & CEO

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

ACCOUNTING

JERRY P. WARD

Managing Partner

EY Long Island Office

KIRTHI MANI

Chief People Officer

CLA

LOUIS C. GRASSI, CPA, CFE

Founder & CEO

Grassi Advisors Group, Inc.

SHEILA KURMAN

Chief Human Resources Officer

Prager Metis CPAs

ADVERTISING

BENJAMIN COGGIANO

President Walter F. Cameron Advertising

CONSTRUCTION

JOSH SEIDEN

Owner & President

LMJ Management & Construction

EDUCATION

EDWARD T. BONAHUE, PH.D.

President

Suffolk County Community College

MARIA CONZATTI, PH.D.

Chief Administrative Officer

Nassau Community College

RACQUEL A. BROWN

Associate Dean Administrative & Fiscal Affairs

St. John’s University

TIMOTHY E. SAMS, PH.D.

President

SUNY Old Westbury

PATRICIA GALTERI

MICHAEL STEWART

Chief Financial Officer

L.E.B Electric

ENGINEERING

MAQSOOD MALIK, P.E.

Founder, President & CEO

M&J Engineering, D.P.C.

MOHAMMAD MALIK

Chief Operating Officer

M&J Engineering, D.P.C.

Managing Attorney Meyer Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C.

RONALD FATOULLAH, ESQ. CELA , Chair Elder Law Practice Group, Partner Trusts & Estates Practice Group Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP

MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

FRANK PALMA

PRINTING

NOREEN CARRO

President

LMN Printing of NY, Inc.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

ROBERT M. GITTO

Vice President

The Gitto Group

TAX PROPERTY REDUCTION SERVICES

SEAN ACOSTA

President

BILLY HAUGLAND II

Chief Executive Officer Haugland Group ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

FINANCE

MICHAEL MARRERO

SBA Director, SVP BankUnited

HEALTHCARE

MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT

President & CEO Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation Center

SOFIA AGORITSAS, MPA, FACHE Vice President, Business Development Cohen Children’s Medical Center

HOSPITALITY

MICHAEL LESSINGS

Chief Executive Officer Lessings Hospitality Group INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE

LAURA BONELLI President LifeVac LLC

LEGAL

ALLAN COHEN

Managing Partner Nixon Peabody, LLP

President Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, LLC

MORTGAGE BANKING

DONATO (DANNY) NICOLO

President/Owner Meadowbrook Financial Mortgage Bankers Corp.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

ANNE BRIGIS

President & CEO YMCA Long Island

JEFFREY L. REYNOLDS, PH.D. President & CEO Family and Children’s Association (FCA)

KATHERINE FRITZ President & CEO Long Island Cares

LONNIE SHERMAN President General Needs

MIKE ROSEN

Chief Marketing Officer Guide Dog Foundation & America's VetDogs

TAMMY SEVERINO President & CEO Girls Scouts of Suffolk County

THERESA REGNANTE President & CEO United Way of Long Island

Property Tax Reduction Consultants

TECHNOLOGY

EUGENE SAYAN

Founder,Chairman, CEO Softheon

JOE SCIOSCIA

Executive Vice President

Vormittag Associates, Inc. (VAI)

MICHAEL CHAMBERS AND SEAN INFANTE

President & Vice President

Central Business Systems

TOM BIANCULLI

Chief Technology Officer

Zebra Technologies

TOURISM

MITCH PALLY

Interim President & CEO

Discover Long Island

SHARON WYMAN

Chief Operations Officer

Discover Long Island

TRANSPORTATION

MARLON TAYLOR

President

New York & Atlantic Railway

PALMINA WHELAN, CCM, FCMAA, MCIOB, NAC

Founder & Capital Program

Director of New Terminal 1 at JFK

Palmina Whelan Strategic Solutions

ROBERT FREE

President

Long Island Rail Road

HomesHERALD

Nestled on one of West Hempstead’s few cul-de-sacs in the desirable Dogwood section, this spacious 2,118 sq. ft. home is located within the Franklin Square Schools, District #17. The property features a

Costs have gone up how much?

Q. We’re wondering what to do, whether to act now or wait to redo our kitchen and bathroom. We got estimates last spring, but thought we should wait because of the way the economy is going. Our contractor now says costs may have doubled since then. How can that be? We know some materials have gone up, but enough to nearly double? What are you seeing, since you’re involved in this, and are there any suggestions you can make? Our bathroom plumbing is leaking and our kitchen is at least 70 years old, with cabinet doors that are ready to fall off the hinges. Is there any reason to wait?

A. I doubt that, for the foreseeable future, you’ll get a great price to do the work you describe, unfortunately. We’re experiencing a “perfect storm” event in slow motion, and unless people start making themselves heard by either voicing their concerns to those with power or responding by not paying the higher prices, this spiral of rising costs is going to take time to reverse.

Real Estate

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EAST ROCKAWAY: 3 BRS, LR, DR, EIK, 1 Fbth, Pets OK. 2 Car Parking. Close To All. All Included. $3,200. Call 516-596-9470

There are many parts to any project. Let’s start with planning. I’ve seen that many people naively believe they can just hire somebody or do the job themselves. They believe that within the walls of their home they can do anything. Well, you can — until you get caught. When trucks with a company name, a dumpster or a delivery are spotted in front of your house, a roaming official may show up to inspect, then give you an unreasonable time frame, like 14 to 30 days, to get plans submitted by a licensed architect or engineer or face fines. So you hire the professional and, little by little, learn of things you didn’t know you needed, like a permit for your air conditioning and higher costs for insulation to pass the energy code. Your design professional must submit a detailed set of energy-compliance pages showing how your new work will meet strict requirements. These are already three expenses you may not have expected. A fourth extra cost could be for legalizing, with a time-involved zoning variance, the outdoor A.C. unit if the installers never bothered to check or inform you that where they put the unit won’t pass local zoning requirements, and they avoided the permit you now need.

Now you’re ready for estimates. One will be almost double the others, because competition does that. But you want great quality and Americanmade. So the price rises back up to nearly the level of the higher bidder. Why? Labor increased due to obvious shortages of employees who will work for less. Materials were affected by tariff reactions, and energy costs have risen. Many homeowners are trying to get work done in a mild panic, so demand causes shortages in supplies, which were just catching up after the pandemic.

It may take a groundswell of people choosing not to do work to change things, but historically, prices won’t drop significantly. 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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Local triumphs on a night Republicans didn’t expect

nassau County Republicans scored outstanding victories in last week’s elections, which, with the other exception of our neighbors in Suffolk County, were a political disaster for Republicans across the country. And those Nassau victories didn’t come easily, or without tension. Anyone who has ever jumped into the political caldron and run for elective office knows the surreal experience and anxiety of election night. Everything that could have been done has been done. It’s all over but the waiting — for either the joy of victory or the agony of defeat.

As is the tradition under county party Chairman Joe Cairo, Republicans held their electionnight gathering at the Coral House in Baldwin. The crowd began gathering about 8:30 p.m., a half-hour before the polls closed. Within an hour, the ballroom was filled to capacity. In a private room at the rear of the building, candidates and party leaders waited to receive and analyze vote tallies from the hamlets, villages, towns and cities that

comprise the nation’s oldest suburbs.

In the lead-up to election night, Nassau Republicans were as upbeat as they could be. The ticket was led by Bruce Blakeman, who was seeking re-election as county executive after a very successful first term. Blakeman had held the line on taxes and, most important, the county was judged the safest in America. Amid growing concern that the anti-police proposals of the favorite to become New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani, would increase the crossover crime from Queens into Nassau, Blakeman’s proven propolice, anti-crime policies had strongly resonated with the Nassau electorate. To buttress his strong law-and-order stand, there were District Attorney Anne Donnelly, a career prosecutor, and Police Commissioner Pat Ryder, who stood 24/7 with his men and women in blue.

Tmore than an outside chance. Instead, barely an hour after the polls closed, Democrat Abigail Spanberger was declared the winner in what appeared to be a landslide. Not a good omen.

he election wasn’t proving to be the quick knockout that we anticipated.

But New Jersey would be different, we thought. Polls had shown Republican Jack Ciattarelli closing the gap on Democrat Mikie Sherrill (whom I’d served with in Congress). The final pre-election polls showed Sherrill with just a 2-point lead, and Ciattarelli having all the momentum. Instead, as soon as the state’s polls closed, Sherrill jumped to an immediate lead, which steadily grew.

was always a commanding presence at these moments, had not yet appeared. Shortly after 10 p.m., he entered the room, explaining that he was “under the weather” and been feeling rotten all day. He did, however, have numbers showing that with about 60 percent of the votes counted, Republicans were holding all our current offices, and might possibly pick up one or two more. There was a huge sigh of relief.

But all did not go smoothly on election night. The Nassau results came in slowly, so our attention was focused on the governors’ races in New Jersey and Virginia as possible indicators of what Nassau’s results might be. While the Virginia race had been expected to lean Democratic, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was thought to have

Then, just after 9 p.m., there was more bad news. Mamdani was headed to a clear victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as Curtis Sliwa siphoned off votes that might have made the difference. In Nassau the votes were still barely trickling in, and all we could see was a blue wave everywhere. There was a feeling of foreboding about what might await us amid reports that the turnout in some Republican areas had been less than expected. This night wasn’t proving to be the quick knockout victory that had been anticipated.

Adding to the concern, Cairo, who

Cairo cautioned, though, that the night wasn’t over until all the votes were counted, saying, “There’s nothing more meaningless than the score at halftime.” About a half-hour later, he returned to announce that the Republican trend had continued. In fact, we had swept every contested seat on the City Council in Long Beach, where Democratic voters have a 7-1 majority, for the first time since 1971.

About 11:30, led by Blakeman and Cairo, Republicans made their way through the Coral House ballroom onto the stage to claim victory, to acknowledge the roaring crowd and to thank them for their efforts and support. Another election night was in the books. It wasn’t easy, but the blue wave had been stopped at the Nassau border!

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

Getting elected looks easy. Governing is the hard part.

The die is cast. New York City will have a new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. But it’s one thing to campaign for public office, and another thing altogether to run one of the biggest cities in the world, with a demanding populace and innumerable challenges. It reminds me of the Robert Redford movie “The Candidate.”

On the morning after he succeeds in winning his senatorial election, Redford’s character, Bill McKay, asks, “What do we do now?”

Having observed a number of mayoral contests, I feel qualified to opine on what first steps a new mayor must take that will make or break his years in office. While there are many positions that Mamdani must fill starting Jan. 1, the most important one is budget director. New York City has a somewhat shaky financial picture, and having someone who can crunch the numbers and package the spending plan will be life or death for him.

The next-most-visible job is that of police commissioner. The New York City Police Department currently has an intelligent and respected leader in Jessica Tisch, who has served with distinction since November 2024. Prior to that she was commissioner of the city Department of Sanitation, where she won the respect of union leaders, who admired her smarts and her approach to the job.

At this stage, Tisch has nothing new to prove. She works well with the police rank-and-file, and has never run afoul of law enforcement unions. She could easily take a job in the private sector and get a big pat on the back for a job well done. On the other hand, she may be willing to continue in the police commissioner’s job until such time as the mayor asks her to take some action that she finds objectionable.

on departmental staffing levels. During the mayoral campaign, both former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mamdani pledged to hire 5,000 new patrolmen, a pledge easier made than accomplished.

M amdani, like Robert Redford’s Bill McKay, may wonder, ‘What do we do now?’

The city needs thousands of new police officers to replace the large number who have opted to retire in recent years, but building up the department isn’t an easy job. Because of the city’s low starting salaries, the pay is unattractive. Many current members of the department have decided to take jobs in the suburbs, where entry-level pay is typically much higher. A new mayor can make all kinds of promises, but the key to getting new cops is higher pay, and as few policy challenges as possible. An overbearing mayor with too many liberal policies will chill the force’s future.

I’ve heard a variety of views about Mayor Eric Adams’s record in office, and there’s no question that he has had a number of ethical issues. Key commissioners and their assistants have been forced to resign due to conflicts and questionable actions. His most ardent supporters claim that the ethics issues have been overstated, but the record is there for everyone to examine, and it doesn’t look good.

The path forward for the new mayor will be most challenging. He is a neophyte, and knows nothing about the city’s true challenges. If he chooses qualified people for his administration, their successes will speak for themselves. If he makes serious mistakes, the Republican establishment will broadcast to the entire world that “we told you so.”

Mamdani hasn’t offered many opinions on how the Police Department should operate, other than suggesting that mental health professionals should accompany officers on patrol on calls involving people with mental health issues. He hasn’t offered any opinions on such programs as Stop and Frisk, or

One of the city’s current weaknesses is its Law Department. The corporation counsel’s office is badly in need of staff to handle the thousands of challenges it faces annually. There are about a thousand people in the department, but because it’s understaffed, taxpayers wind up paying a price in lost cases.

Even though Nassau is a borderline county and Suffolk is even more distant, we need a New York City that has low crime rates and is fiscally sound. An old political sage once told me that “when New York City sneezes, Long Island catches a cold.” Let’s hope the adage doesn’t hold true.

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.

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Hochul must sign police radio access bill

at a time when we are grappling with an erosion of public trust, a new threat to transparency is emerging. Across New York, police departments are encrypting their radio systems — cutting off journalists, and, by extension, the public, from critical, real-time information.

It’s not just a press freedom issue. It’s a public safety issue.

HERALD

From Atlantic Beach to Babylon, Long Islanders deserve to know what’s happening in their communities, especially during moments of crisis — a school lockdown, a shooting or a natural disaster. Instead, we are increasingly forced to rely on rumor, fragmented updates or, worse, no information at all.

In the age of social media misinformation, that’s not just frustrating. It’s dangerous.

Fortunately, state lawmakers have passed a bill that seeks to reverse this perilous trend. The legislation, S.416/A.3516, sponsored by two Democrats in the Legislature, Sen. Mike Gianaris and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, would guarantee credentialed journalists secure, real-time access to encrypted police radio communications.

It is now on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk, awaiting her signature. She must sign it.

letters

Let’s hear about the other sides of Trump, Peter King

To the Editor:

I have always respected Peter King’s political opinions, although I may not have agreed with some of them. I especially appreciate his efforts in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland in the late 1990s.

In his op-ed in the Oct. 30-Nov. 5 issue, “Trump has written the first chapter of a new Mideast history,” King praises President Trump, and rightly so, for his excellent work in bringing together a number of countries and leaders to bring an end to the horrific war in Gaza. Let’s hope it holds. Now, I hope King devotes a column to Trump’s actions (or lack thereof) and behavior as our “domestic” president. We are currently more than 40 days into a government shutdown in which military personal and federal workers are not being paid (but Congress is!), 42 million people have lost most of their SNAP benefits and health insurance prices will double in January. Surely our president could use his power — and he loves doing that — to bring solutions to these important issues. He could order his puppet, Mike Johnson, the speaker of the

For nearly a century, journalists have monitored police radio frequencies and alerted the public to developing emergencies. That’s how people on Long Island and beyond have learned about major accidents, crimes in progress and natural disasters. In some cases, lives have been saved thanks to timely, verified information reported by local media.

Now that lifeline is being cut off.

Proponents of encryption argue that it protects sensitive information and personal privacy. That’s a valid concern — but this legislation addresses it. Under the bill, access would be password-protected, monitored and limited to credentialed journalists. Reporters would not be able to transmit on the channels or interfere in any way. If anyone were to abuse the privilege, his or her access would be revoked. Critically sensitive communications would remain encrypted.

This is not about giving journalists a backstage pass to law enforcement. It’s about making sure the public isn’t left in the dark when seconds count.

We’ve already seen the consequences of delayed information. In Chicago, a delay in releasing police communications during a courthouse shooting in July prevented timely warnings to the

public.

Police departments that initially embraced full encryption are rethinking the policy. In 2022, the Palo Alto Police Department, in California, reversed its policy of encrypting police radio communications and restored real-time access for the public and the press. The reversal came after the department had encrypted its radio feeds in January 2021, citing a state memo that required the protection of personal identifying information.

New York should learn from that example. At a time when trust in institutions is fragile, blocking information — especially during emergencies — only fuels suspicion and confusion. It invites misinformation to fill the vacuum, and puts lives at risk.

Journalists are not adversaries of public safety. In many cases, they are its allies, helping to get accurate information to people who need it. Whether it’s a car crash that shuts down the Southern State Parkway or a threat that necessitates a school lockdown, the public has a right to know — and know quickly.

Hochul has long described herself as a defender of open government and transparency. Now she has a chance to prove it.

House, to reconvene Congress, negotiate and end this disgrace.

Also, I hope King will address the president’s manner and words in dealing with people. Shouldn’t a president try to unite people, and not mock and insult them, as he

has done on many, many occasions and probably will continue to do?

I look forward to those columns.

opinions

When Long Island changed history

Long Island is well known for its beaches, the Hamptons, our pizza places and diners. But we harbor certain secrets — places where generally unknown events shaped history in big ways.

I stumbled on one several years ago, and it triggered the writing of my newest novel, “The Einstein Conspiracy.” It’s a historic thriller based on actual events that occurred on Long Island just as the world was descending into World War II. The secret I uncovered was actually hidden in plain sight: a modest cottage overlooking a harbor on the North Fork. I’d read that Albert Einstein rented the home in the summer of 1939, and there he composed a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that changed the world.

The letter itself is well known to followers of Einstein. He and a colleague,

Letters

We need journalists now more than ever

To the Editor:

Your editorial in the Oct. 16-22 issue, “Real journalists, reporting real stories,” on the vital importance of journalism, resonated with me. I subscribe to three newspapers: the Herald, Newsday and the Daily News. I am a strong believer in the First Amendment, and the power and freedom of the press. We need you now more than ever.

The skepticism for the media lies in the current regime’s constantly labeling it “fake news.” It’s only “fake” when it doesn’t conform to the regime’s edicts. The man in the White House is unilaterally imposing his will, bullying universities, corporations, law firms and the press, and sending troops into states to suppress crime that doesn’t exist.

Our democracy is fragile. We must continue to use our voices and peacefully protest the eroding of our rights and freedoms, the inhumane treatment of non-criminal immigrants, and so much more, lest we become an autocracy. I will continue to support the press, and I thank you for your truth, integrity, honesty and hard work.

MARGUERITE WESTBROOk Lynbrook

Leo Szilard, drafted it to warn FDR that Germany was researching the production of an atomic bomb, and that the science of a chain reaction leading to massive destruction was feasible. At that point, the Holocaust was expanding in intensity, and Germany was planning war across Europe. While an atom bomb in Hitler’s arsenal was unthinkable, the United States government had no serious research program.

My fascination with that cottage ignited the spinning of my own imagination. I spent two years researching Einstein’s stay on Long Island. He arrived on the North Fork on May 1, 1939, right after giving a speech on opening night of the World’s Fair in Flushing. He brought his rickety 14-foot sailboat, which was named Tinef — Yiddish for junk, trash or rubbish. He sailed the Peconic, shopped locally, strolled on the beach at Nassau Point, played the violin with the neighbors. Einstein’s life wasn’t entirely idyllic. He had fled deadly persecution by the

Nazis, including several threats on his life. In America he sought freedom and tolerance. But it wasn’t long before Hitler’s dark shadow reached him.

A fter Albert Einstein spent some quality time in a cottage here, we built the bomb.

In February 1939, a proNazi rally in Madison Square Garden attracted 20,000 people. In Yaphank, 32 miles from Einstein’s North Fork cottage, the Aryan residents of a restricted neighborhood flew swastika flags, trained children to be American storm troopers and named their roads after Hitler, Goebbels and Goering. The community campgrounds were used for pro-Nazi demonstrations and rallies. They were so popular that the Long Island Rail Road ran a train from Penn Station called the Camp Siegfried Special. Meanwhile, in New York City, the FBI pursued an extensive, widespread network of Nazi spies seeking to penetrate our military facilities, defense plants and government offices.

As a member of Congress, I occasionally dabbled in the arts of spin and embellishment. The skill came in handy

FrAmework by Tim Baker

in the writing of “The Einstein Conspiracy.” In the weeks after my first encounter with the old Einstein cottage — now privately owned — I began my own spinning of a novel that pits two FBI agents against a Nazi undercover agent trying to stop Einstein from warning Roosevelt about Hitler’s bomb. It’s based on real places, people and events.

Nearly three months after Einstein and Szilard began drafting their letter, it was finally delivered to FDR on their behalf. A mutual friend insisted on reading it aloud in the Oval Office. The president responded, “What you are after is to see that the Nazis don’t blow us up.” That night, a committee was formed to coordinate a response. An embryonic atomic research program was organized to race Adolf Hitler to an atom bomb.

In time, it became known as the Manhattan Project.

Conceived right here, on Long Island.

Steve Israel represented Long Island in Congress for 16 years, and now owns Theodore’s Books in Oyster Bay. Information on his latest novel is available at einsteinconspiracy.com. He is currently on a national book tour.