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Kiwanis Club pays tribute to police medics neighbors and residents, so we really see the impact of public service up close,” she said. “Taking a moment to recogThe Kiwanis Club of O c e a n s i d e h o n o r e d t h r e e nize it helps reinforce what members of the Nassau Coun- matters in Oceanside, and ty Police Department’s Emer- what we continuously do for gency Ambulance Bureau for our club — show up for each other.” their extraordiBadalamenti nary service at a praised the medceremony at Villa ics for their calmFormia, in n e s s a n d q u i ck O c e a n s i d e, l a s t action. week. “You can tell Police Medics this is more than Ashley Vecchione a job to them, and Martin Evans more of a comand Medic Supermitment to helpv i s o r E l i z ab e t h ing others when Edell were recogit matters most,” n i z e d fo r t h e i r she said. professionalism On why such and their lifesavacts of heroism ing efforts on often go unnoMarch 30. The ticed, she added, honorees were “A lot of the time, commended not they’re just doing only for their day- SETH BLAU their jobs. They to-day dedication, Kiwanis member don’t look for recbut also for their ognition. That’s response to a high-risk rescue in Oceanside exactly why it’s important for Kiwanis to highlight these last summer. Jeanine Badalamenti, pres- moments.” Seth Blau, a longtime ident-elect of the Kiwanis Club, said recognizing public Kiwanis member, said the service is central to the orga- organization takes pride in nization’s mission. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 “Kiwanis is made up of
By ABIGAIL GRIECO
agrieco@liherald.com
I
Billy Harrison/Herald
Egg-citement by the shore Jessica Seaman, 3, left, Callie Flashner, 4, and Evy Atsalis, 4, searched for colorful eggs on Masone Beach during Island Park’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, a tradition celebrating the season and, this year, the village’s centennial. Story, more photos, Page 3.
Auto repair owner driven by passion
Jasmine Islam brings fresh energy to Oceanside garage By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
After nearly a decade writing code for Bloomberg L.P. and a career defined by constant reinvention, Jasmine Islam is enthusiastically trading in her software for spark plugs. The 49-year-old Valley Stream resident has opened an AAMCO auto repair shop on Long Beach Road in Oceanside, marking a bold career pivot into the traditionally male-dominated industry — and the realization of a lifelong passion rooted in childhood memories. “I wanted to do something very different,” Islam said. “This is something I’ve thought about for a long time.” Islam’s journey to business ownership has been anything but conventional. From 2016 to 2025, she
worked as a software developer for Bloomberg — a privately held financial, software, data and media company — capping a broader career in technology that spanned multiple roles. Before that, she owned and operated several small businesses, including ventures in food service, printing and imports. Islam said her professional path has been driven by curiosity — and restlessness. “I would learn something, master it, and then I would get bored,” she said. “Once that happened, I would switch to something else.” But her interest in cars predates her tech career by decades. Growing up in Astoria, Queens, Islam often accompanied her father, a New York City taxi driver, to a neighborhood mechanic. “It was daddy-daughter time,” she recalled. “I’d CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
t is incredibly important to recognize those who make a difference — especially those whose work often happens quietly, without recognition.