Rei Wolfsohn/Herald Celebrating the U.S. News & World Report recognition were, from left, nurse Charmaine Brereton; Chief Nursing Officer Stacey Conklin; maternity patient Carmelle Manigat; Chair of Surgery Dr. Rajiv Datta; President Dr. Adhi Sharma; Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Alan Garely; nurse Elena Lobatch; and Director of Diabetes/Endocrinology Meghan Costigan Kraus.
By REI WOLFSOHN Correspondent
U.S. News & World Report has recognized Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside as a high-performing hospital in several categories this year, showcasing the level of clinical prowess and patient-centered care the facility provides to patients.
The report specifically singled out the hospital’s excellent outcomes in colon cancer surgery, exemplifying the detail of clinical care its employees provide.
Mount Sinai’s patient-centered nursing is Magnet-recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for its rigorous standards. Magnet Recognition signifies excel-
lence in nursing services and is a prestigious designation for hospitals. The hospital uses a constant quality improvement paradigm in its care for patients, according to the hospital’s president, Dr. Adhi Sharma.
“We look at all of our quality metrics,” Sharma said. “And it’s a stop-light type of report card: green, yellow, red … Any area that’s not green, we try to understand (a) why it’s not green, and (b) what it will take to get to green. Then we create an initiative around that, and work towards that success.”
Sharma explained that these initiatives involve very little training, and they’re more about educating the hospital employees, and improving the data sets that patient treat-
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
What began as a modest dinner meet-up has grown into a Long Island-wide hub nearly 50 business people from every sector of the area economy gather in the banquet room of the Oceanside IHOP, on Long Beach Road, for the monthly meeting of Let’s Meet and Network on Long Island.
From health insurance to home care to direct mail, business owners and employees from Valley Stream to Oceanside to Freeport and beyond make friends, swap referrals and share well-earned advice.
“Our motto for this group is, ‘Do a good deed by simply helping another business owner succeed,’” Greenberg said. “This networking group came about as a way for me to help my clients meet other clients, and for my clients to stay in business. If they stay in business, then I stay in business. So it’s like a win-win situation here.”
MARK GREENBERG founder, LMNIO
Founder and organizer Mark Greenberg, of Oceanside, a web designer for his company, OceansideLocal.com, is a member of several other networking organizations, and the idea to start Let’s Meet grew out of a desire to see more people get together to expand their businesses.
The group also gathers monthly at IHOP in a morning Breakfast Club, online on Zoom calls and in an ever-expanding business-card directory at lmnoli. com.
“We started out going on every Wednesday in the morning, and it was just a small group,” Greenberg recalled. “This group has been around about a year. We decided to do an evening event at IHOP, but the original group started in the morning, every Wednesday morning at 7:30, 8 o’clock.” Greenberg, a member of the Oceanside and Baldwin chamCONtiNUED ON PAGE 23
Oceanside Junior Fire Department members gather with advisors during their visit to the MTA’s JFK Fire Department, where they explored airport rescue operations and tested out firefighting equipment.
• The
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Fourteen members of the Oceanside Junior Fire Department, accompanied by three advisors, recently visited the JFK Fire Department operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), where they received firsthand experience in aircraft fire and rescue operations.
During the visit, the juniors explored specialized firefighting equipment, including the opportunity to climb into the massive aircraft response truck and operate both the deck gun and aerial nozzle—tools critical in responding to airport emergencies. The experience provided valuable insight into a high-stakes environment vastly different from typical structural firefighting.
This marks the 23rd event the Oceanside Junior Fire Department has attended this year, continuing its tradition of active participation and education in support of the Oceanside Fire Department. Junior members, who range from 14 to 17 years old, often graduate into the department upon turning 18, forming a vital pipeline of trained, dedicated firefighters. The program is open to all Oceanside residents between the ages of 14 and 17 with parental permission. For more information, contact the Oceanside Fire District at (516) 766-2717 or visit the District Office at 65 Foxhurst Road.
The family then posed for pictures with Judy Griffin. Behind them on the bulletin board were some of the Flag Day essays and drawings that children throughout AD21 submitted.
Kierzten Annonuevo of School #2 was the overall winner of the Flag Day contest sponsored by New York State Assembly District 21, presided over by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin. Jillian Wahl, also of School #2 was the fifth grade winner.
Both students were invited to meet with Assemblywoman Griffin at her office in Rockville Centre. Jillian
attended with her mom, Dana, dad, Brian, younger brother, Ben, as well as her grandparents and her aunt. Assemblywoman Griffin read Jillian’s essay about the origins and meaning of our flag, and presented Jillian with a plaque commemorating her achievement.
— Kepherd Daniel
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
When Oceanside mom and veteran media executive–turned–leadership strategist Deborah Burns set out to honor her late mother with a memoir, she never imagined it would spark a seven-book children’s series—and ultimately a 250page guidebook that’s already topping Amazon’s charts.
The 7 Days: The Daily Flow positions itself as a “Parent’s Guide to Each Day’s Hidden Rhythm & Energies,” teaching families to leverage the cosmic qualities of each weekday to cultivate the human skills essential in an AI-driven future.
Burns spent two decades shaping household-name titles—serving as Chief Brand Officer for Elle Décor and publisher of Elle Girl—before the digital revolution upended the industry around 2012. Transitioning into consulting, she helped legacy publishers like Hearst reinvent themselves and embarked on a seven-year project that became her award-winning memoir, “Saturday’s Child”.
“That world changed dramatically when it met its digital future and didn’t know what to say or do next, because the whole business model imploded,” she said. “Then one day in a London museum—I was hit like lightning. I got the notion I’d learn about these rule-skirting 18th-century women and write a book about my mother. That became my 2019 memoir, Saturday’s Child.
Touring for Saturday’s Child, Burns found herself repeatedly explaining the
nursery rhyme behind its title— “Saturday’s child works hard for a living”—and how it reflected her perception of earning her mother’s love.
One evening she realized that the ancient rhyme, untouched for 200 years, could be “reinvented for a new day.” When two granddaughters arrived on different weekdays, “I said, OK, I’m doing it,” and released, “The Seven Days” seven illustrated children’s books, each centered on the personality traits of that birthday.” But Burns’s ambition didn’t stop there.
“One morning I woke up and thought, ‘This isn’t about day-of-birth personalities. It’s about the energy of each day of the week,” she said.
The Daily Flow reframes the framework into a daily practice for families: each chapter delves into a weekday’s ruling planet, spirit animal, element, chakra, healing frequency, flower, scent, and more, paired with parenting prompts, activities, and self-reflection exercises.
Burns’s urgency stems from her ongoing work with CEOs and leadership teams.
“I consult with CEOs every day, and they tell me the same thing: if every answer can be had in a nanosecond, knowledge alone won’t take you far. We must build an innovation economy. ‘AI can’t originate anything—only we can. Our ability to perceive, to discern, to stay curious and non-judgmental, that’s what will set us apart.’”
W e must build an innovation economy. ‘AI can’t originate anything—only we can.
DEBoRAH BuRNs Author
“Friday’s theme is Create,” Burns illustrated. “Its planet is Venus; its spirit animal, the owl. Friday’s traits include observation, curiosity, situational and self-awareness. Parents can spark a beginner’s mindset through simple questioning games or playful observation exercises— nurturing creativity and critical thinking.”
She warns that unchecked screen time stunts self-regulation and drains creative capacity.
“I sat in a restaurant where an entire family—kids and adults—pulled out iPads. Those children won’t develop the ability to be bored, to think critically, to communicate in the moment. The Daily Flow isn’t another rigid schedule; it’s about rhythm and flow, and using each day’s energy as a healthy anchor away from screens.”
Burns turned 70 on July 16, nine days after the book’s debut. In its first ten days on Amazon, The Daily Flow hit #1 new release across six categories, including Human Design. Looking ahead, Burns is developing an adult-focused PDF edition—stripped of its cosmic illustrations but rich in social-emotional exercises— for professionals seeking their own “inner advantage.” She’s also in talks to introduce a plug-and-play social-emotion-
al learning curriculum (without the “mystical art”) into a local school serving young men.
From memoir to business strategy, children’s literature, and now this expansive parenting guide, Burns describes herself as a “multi-genre” author on a “destiny path.”
“We all have wounds from childhood,” she said, recalling her own mother’s emotional elusiveness. “That wound, reframed, becomes a driving force for growth and wisdom.”
The 7 Days: The Daily Flow invites parents into that reframing—encouraging them to lean into each weekday’s hidden rhythms as a map for nurturing the empathetic, imaginative, and discerning human beings their children must become.
“Although these concepts may sound mystical, they are deeply rooted in mindfulness and emotional-intelligence practices—even in quantum physics,” she said. “Energy isn’t mystical; it’s just how life works. … Whether you view the seven days as cosmic guidance or a SMART framework, it will give you a deeper map that doesn’t replace your beliefs but adds a new dimension to what you already know and believe.”
The 7 Days: The Daily Flow is available now in hardcover and Kindle on Amazon (the7daysgifts.com/parenting-books). Learn more at Deborah’s site, deborahburnsauthor.com, or connect on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/deborah-burns.
with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law
by David Cravit and Larry Wolf
Subtitled “Getting Older Without Getting Old” this new book starts with the premise “... imagine bringing a whole lifetime of knowledge, experience, skills, talent, relationships, wisdom (and, let’s face it, money) to two or three more decades ahead of you in which to leverage all those assets into an ongoing wonderful experience.” With the Baby Boomer generation far outliving and “outhealthing” any prior generation, we are in the era of the “superager”, founded upon seven pillars.
Attitude: Believing in exciting new possibilities, optimism is a major life extender. Purposes and goals are a result of an active curiosity about the potential for the gift of these years. Practice a positive thinking booster program everyday. Search for “positivity apps” and get daily positive quotes. They work!
Awareness: Whereas older adults previously accepted the advice of professionals as gospel, today’s superagers are avid consumers of information. The challenge today is the approach to information gathering and the curating of the “informational torrent”. Tips and techniques for searching and filing your information are provided.
Activity: Keeping fit, mentally and physically delves into the nine components, arising out of the Blue Zones Project, for extending longevity — move naturally, have a purpose (worth an extra 7 years!), downshift, the 80% rule for eating, plant-based diet, moderate alcohol, faith-based community family, social networks.
Accomplishments: Viewing post-65 as a continued opportunity to grow and achieve goals, this section outlines myriad ways to continue personal growth. As the authors point out, “Accomplishment, promoted by longevity, produces even further longevity.”
Attachment: The health risks of loneliness are well documented. Superagers reach for more connection, often digitally. New adult communities are arising right on college campuses, creating exciting new intergenerational possibilities.
Avoidance: Avoiding ageism, especially against oneself, means challenging your own and society’s outdated views on aging — stereotypes as to what older adults look and act like.
Autonomy: The dazzling new array of living options, and various means for affording them are explored, including using the home as an asset. For more, visit superagingnews.com.
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On July 18, a victim reported that an unknown male subject removed five pairs of Air Jordan sneakers from Burlington on Long Beach Road in Oceanside.
On July 19, a resident on Harris Drive in Oceanside reported that an unknown male subject stole a pair of sunglasses from his parked vehicle.
On July 26, Richard Lopez, 55, of Rockville Centre, was arrested for shoplifting at a Stop & Shop on Atlantic Avenue in Oceanside.
A resident on Clovermere Road in Oceanside reported that unknown subject(s) damaged her For Sale sign between March 25 and March 26.
People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.
A man, 79, was killed by an SUV in Island Park on Aug. 3
A man on an e-bike heading south on an Austin Boulevard sidewalk near Audubon Boulevard swerved to avoid a red Kia Sportage sport utility vehicle that was coming out of a Dunkin’ drivethru at 11:15 a.m., on Aug. 3 in Island Park, Nassau police said.
After the man, 79, fell of the e-bike
and into the road, the Kia, driven by a woman, 75, hit him, police said. The man — yet to identified — was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is continuing, according to police.
–Jeffrey Bessen
ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com
By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com
The Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame will hold its 2025 induction ceremony Oct. 7 at the Crest Hollow County Club. For more information and tickets, go to www.sectionviii. org. Here’s a list of local honorees.
Ray Adams (Long Beach)
For the past 28 seasons, the Long Beach wrestling program has achieved remarkable success under the direction of Baldwin alum Adams. During that span, the team has a dual meet record of 328-110-1, winning the New York State Dual-Meet championship in 2016 and 2017. Adams has led Long Beach to an incredible 16 Conference titles and five Nassau County crowns.
Adams’ dedication to developing athletes at a very high level is palpable by the 168 All-County wrestlers he has coached. Of those, 11 went on to become state champions, 48 became Nassau County champions, and 42 were AllState wrestlers. Adams’ impact on wrestling goes beyond wins and championships. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2022), has been greatly recognized for his contributions, earning him Nassau County Coach of the Year three times.
Steve Costello (MacArthur)
Costello has been one of Nassau County’s elite baseball coaches for more than three decades at MacArthur High School. His teams have consistently won and have experienced deep playoff runs, resulting in three Nassau County championships, two Long Island titles and a New York State Class B title in 1994 with a record of 29-0.
Costello’s incredible success throughout the past 32 seasons has made him one of the premiere baseball coaches in county history. He is in the top five all time in career wins with over 575. He also earned the Michael Kostynick Memorial Award Coach of the Year honors three times. Additionally, Costello would take over the role as MacArthur’s varsity girls soccer coach in 2022. It was no surprise that in his first year at the helm, the Generals would go 15-1-2 and capture Nassau and L.I. Class AA championships.
Gina, Vicky and Rosie DiMartino (Massapequa)
It is a genuine honor to have one member of a family become a high school soccer star.
So what is there to say about a family that produces not one, not two, not three, but an astounding four All-Long Island players. That’s what made the DiMartino sisters so special. Each was a star in her own right. Each led teams to
championships. Each earned multiple individual honors. Gina, Vicky and Rosie DiMartino followed elder sister Christina into soccer stardom. Each proved to be winners while leading Massapequa to Nassau and New York State crowns.
Gina was a sensation at Massapequa. She led the Chiefs to two state soccer titles. She set the school scoring record. She won the Mike Clarke Award as the best player in the county. She was a two-time All-Long Island selection and has been inducted into the Long Island Soccer Players Hall of Fame. Victoria (Vicky) was an All-Long Island firstteam selection as a junior in 2005 and led Massapequa to the county, regional and state titles as a senior. She was chosen for the United States Under-17 World Cup team in New Zealand.
Ronald Gustafson (Wantagh)
A common theme runs throughout
the career of “Gus” Gustafson when competed as a member of Wantagh High School’s cross-country and track & field teams: Unprecedented success. As “leader of the pack”, Gustafson’s running career was impeccable. In cross country, he led the Warriors to two Nassau County Class B team championships and he was a three-time individual champion from 1962-64. Wantagh would win the New York State cross country team title in 1962 and he would win the NYS individual championship in 1963 and 1964. In track, Gustafson was a threetime Nassau County champion in the 3200-meter race.
William ‘Bill’ Hedgecock (Wantagh & Lynbrook)
Hedgecock was a fixture in Nassau County track & field and cross country for 41 years. His former players describe Coach Hedge as more than a coach –he’s a legend, a mentor, and someone
who left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to know him. He exhibited an extensive knowledge of both sports at Lynbrook and Wantagh. His career began at Lynbrook for 11 years from 1969-80.
In 1981, Hedgecock moved over to Wantagh, where he was the head coach in cross country and spring track for the next three decades. During his tenure, Bill’s teams amassed a staggering 1,207 wins (819 in XC and 388 in track) with only 102 losses. He led his teams to 50 undefeated seasons, two New York State cross country championships at Wantagh (boys in 1986, girls in 1992) and 37 Nassau titles between the two schools.
Aside from being an extraordinary three-sport star at Lynbrook, Kessenich, a 1986 graduate, was also a bit of an introvert. All of which is ironic since he is now a vocal ESPN broadcaster for lacrosse, wrestling, football and other sports. Kessenich was an outstanding athlete in high school. He starred as a soccer player and was a two-time Nassau wrestling champion for the Owls. However, it was on the lacrosse field that he was truly extraordinary.
Kessenich was considered to be the top high school lacrosse goaltender in the country as a junior and senior, and twice was named All-American. He starred at the collegiate level at Johns Hopkins, becoming a rare four-time AllAmerican for the Blue Jays. He also was twice the recipient of the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Award, given to the best goaltender in collegiate lacrosse.
By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com
Alfonse “Al” D’Amato, a longtime Island Park and current Lido Beach resident, served as U.S. Senator from New York for 18 years from 1981 to 1999, following a decade as supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. He earned the nickname “Senator Pothole” for his hands-on approach to constituent service.
Long Island’s own “Senator Pothole” turned 88 on Aug. 1. A three-term U.S. Senator, D’Amato once fillibustered for 15 hours to prevent the US government from providing financial assistance to New York City during its fiscal crisis.
Now founder of the lobbying firm, Park Strategies and a perennial voice on WABC Radio, he reflected about his
proudest achievements and today’s politics.
Q: What accomplishments from your public service career mean the most to you?
A: “I loved fighting for the people of our state. I was proud to help elect Governor Pataki, and it was a great privilege to serve as supervisor of the Town of Hempstead for almost 10 years. During that time, we were able to acquire 40 acres on the ocean in Lido Beach and the Lido Beach Golf Course—both for approximately $2 million. That was extraordinary. I also worked to shut down the incinerator in Oceanside and help secure the land for the waste facility that’s there today. I moved to Island Park more than eight years ago, and I still live nearby in Lido
Beach. Many of my family members, including my daughter and grandchildren, live in or near Island Park. It’s been an honor to serve the community in ways that helped it grow and prosper.”
Q: You were called “Senator Pothole.” Where did that nickname come from?
A: “I loved that nickname because it meant that no issue was too small or too big. Even a pothole needed attention, and I would work to get it fixed. It was important—for the safety of the community and for showing that we cared.”
Q: You held one of the longest filibusters in Senate history. What led to that?
A: “Yes, it was the second or third longest filibuster in Senate history. I stood up to block a bill that would have cost New York more than 1,000 jobs. The House had left town, so I stood up and spoke to try to protect our workers. It was about doing what was right for New Yorkers.”
Q: After leaving the Senate in 1999, what came next?
A: “When I lost, I was very fortunate. Friends stepped in to help—one built me an office, another helped me find a house. I had no car, no place to go, but we built a very successful practice and enjoy the private sector. I now live not far from where I grew up, not to far from where I grew up in Island Park. We built a home
right off the ocean, and I’ve been blessed to enjoy life with my wife and two children.”
Q: What keeps you busy today?
A: “I’ve helped send 17 grandchildren to college—six of them went to Notre Dame. One graduated number one in math at Notre Dame. I’m very proud of them. I also have two young children now—one is in a sophomore in high school, and the other’s a senior . I’ve been very fortunate.”
Q: What’s changed most in Washington since you served?
A: “They don’t work together anymore. We used to have real bipartisanship. Senator [Patrick] Moynihan and I became a team during my last two terms. Now, Democrats and Republicans just fight. It’s not good for the country.”
Q: What advice would you give to young people considering public service?
A: “If you think you can make a difference in government, and you truly care about people, go for it. There’s no greater public service than working on behalf of the people you represent.”
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Herald Community Media held its first ever Health & Beauty Awards of Long Island Gala, presented by RichnerLive on July 16, people from across the Island flooded into the ballroom of The Heritage Club at Bethpage to get a glimpse of the beautiful honorees this year’s had to offer.
“This evening we celebrate the people and organizations shaping the future of health and beauty,” said Stuart Richner, CEO of Richner Communications and publisher of Herald Community Media, “Those whose innovation, leadership and dedication are making a lasting difference in our community.”
Regarding launching this new program, RichnerLIVE Executive Director Amy Amato shared, “This is a remarkable group of professionals who do more than just excel at what they do. They uplift, empower, and heal our community every single day. Whether helping someone feel beautiful, recover their strength, or simply feel seen and supported, this work touches lives in profound ways. It’s an honor to recognize that impact here tonight.”
Over 40 honorees were presented with awards in various categories pertaining to the health and beauty industry on Long Island, including Spa 505, Tranquility 3 Spa & Salt Cave and more.
Following the VIP cocktail hour which offered networking and a shopping and vendor experience for attendees, event emcees Krista Bennett DeMaio, founder of Pretty Local and Mae Caime, CEO and transformational architect of aMAEzing Midlife and Beyond kicked off the evening’s program and ceremony with a panel discussion on the industry.
Featured panelists included Dr. Luis Fandos, founder and CEO of Alluring Age Anti-Aging and Wellness Center, Dr. Helen Hsieh, founder and medical director of Vibrance 360, and Catherine Canadeo, CEO and founder of Health and Wellness Corp, who all also received awards later in the evening.
“With the new technology that we now have available, we can identify abnormal cellular processes that are going on,” Fandos said, “And by correcting those, any beauty treatments that you do will have a much longer lasting effect.”
Hsieh discussed common myths within the health and beauty industry. “More is not always better. Just the right amount is better than more. If you eat too much, it’s not good for you,” she said.
Canadeo mentioned the importance of addressing stress for one’s health. “It’s very important to be mindful of ourselves. We get distracted on a day to day basis and our emotional wellbeing is crucial. It is essential to glow from within,” she said.
Atul Bhatara, founder and CEO of Atul Skincare was amongst the honorees for the Achiever category. His skin-
care focuses on using safer ingredients in their products. Being born with cerebral palsy, he’s been able to defy the odds and be a voice for the disabled community.
“Throughout this journey, a lot of people didn’t believe in me. Don’t let somebody else’s opinion of you become your reality,” Bhatara said, “You control your own reality. Fear is false evidence appearing real, fear does not exist. It’s just something that comes up in your mind when you get overwhelmed.”
Constance Korol, CEO of Meta 180, received an award in Holistic Integrative Health. Her business centers around helping individuals dealing with issues from anxiety to physical ailments with a holistic approach both in-person and virtually. “Most of my clients, when I’m with them for some time, they’ll say ‘I just never knew that I could feel this way.’ That’s really the best part is seeing my clients grow,” Korol said.
Honoree, Dr. Linda Harkavy, was a recipient of the Science & Skin award. Harkavy is the president and medical director of Form & Function Aesthetics
and Wellness, which uses different devices and equipment to treat various physical issues. Harkavy said, “It’s a broad based aesthetic and wellness practice. The aesthetics came along with me because looking beautiful is a part of feeling great.”
These honorees were nominated not only by RichnerLive, but by people with-
in their communities as well. To see a complete list of the winners, visit RichnerLive.com/health-beautyawards/2025-honorees.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Maurer Foundation. For more information on the event or other events by RichnerLive, visit RichnerLive.com.
The Island Park Kiwanis Club held its annual Steak and Lobster Dinner on Aug. 1, at Masone Beach. The event raised nearly $3,800. More than a hundred community members,the largest in recent years, turned out for the seaside fundraiser, which was supplied by Captain Mike’s Seafood in Oceanside. For $50 per person, attendees enjoyed a dinner of either lobster or steak, served with corn, potato, dessert, soft drinks, beer, wine,
coffee, and tea. Children were treated to hot dogs and a drink.
The event was one of the club’s biggest summer highlights, combining great food, family-friendly vibes, and community spirit. All proceeds go toward Kiwanis-led charitable projects. The club is always looking for members and meets once a month at Island Park Library..
— Kepherd Daniel
By ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
Staffing shortages, safety concerns, the need to update equipment and aircraft noise were the topics when U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen met with Federal Aviation Administration officials and air traffic controllers in Westbury last week.
“I think everyone can agree TRACON/N90 and other air traffic control towers are understaffed, have outdated technology, long hours and compulsory overtime, which is contributing to wider spread burnout and fatigue,” Gillen said on July 29 outside the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility that is known by its acronym.
TRACON/N90 manages aircraft approaching and departing from the metropolitan area’s airports, generally within a 30- to 50-mile radius.
in Philadelphia.
“I’m so glad the inspector general is finally looking into the impact of moving N90 air traffic controllers, and what this has done to New York airport cancellations and the safety of our passengers,” Gillen said.
I will continue to work with Secretary Duffy in a bipartisan fashion to make sure we are keeping the skies over the busiest airways in the country safe.
LAuRA GILLeN U.S. Representative
Gillen put pressure on the FAA and federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that resulted in an audit of a decision last year to relocate a dozen air traffic controllers from TRACON/N90 to an air traffic control center
The FAA relocated air traffic controllers who monitored Newark Liberty Airport, one of the busiest in the country, from TRACON/ N90 to Philadelphia. Controllers overseeing Newark subsequently experienced a roughly 90-second blackout of radar and radio contact with air traffic due to a burned copper wire on April 28. Another 90-second outage followed on May 9, caused by failures of communication infrastructure.
“The FAA’s reckless decision to relocate Newark air traffic controllers from N90 on Long Island to Philadelphia put our safety at risk and made it more difficult for our air traffic controllers to manage the nation’s busiest airspace,” said Gillen.
The incidents raised concerns about system redundancy, controller staffing and training and operational resilience. The audit will also review the FAA’s
planning and risk-assessment process and its operation response to flight delays, safety incidents and cancellations.
Gillen said she was also determined to address the issue of low staffing of air traffic controllers and the risks it poses to passenger safety.
“I will continue to work with Secretary Duffy in a bipartisan fashion to
make sure we are keeping the skies over the busiest airways in the country safe — safe for passengers, and to minimize cancellations and delays,” she said.
During a discussion of air traffic safety at a July 16 hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Duffy said, “Our goal is to make air travel not just safer, but also more efficient.”
ments are based on.
“So as you’re improving, the old data falls off, and they are able to now assess the most recent data sets,” Sharma said.
Each initiative is designed to educate doctors, residents and nurses on best practices and what needs improvement — and they take it from there.
“Then it’s whether we set up all of the guardrails and parameters that keep patients safe,” Sharma said. “So when we do that, we do education, we redesign the electronic medical records, create ordered sets to make sure we capture all of the important elements in treating that type of a disease.”
Dr. Rajiv Datta, chair of the department of surgery, spoke about the hospital’s success rate with colon cancer surgery.
“The colon cancer treatment, whether from diagnosis, to surgery, to outcomes of surgery, with the timing of chemotherapy, the type of chemotherapy — all have multiple factors which need to be followed to get the good outcomes,” Datta said. “So this is based on evidence-based research.”
The specificity of surgery and its accompanying treatment placed the hospital into its high-performing category.
“We see that the patient gets the best survival outcome — not only the immediate outcome, but survival,” Datta said.
Quality care and innovation have helped improve upon these surgical procedures, hospital administrators said.
“We have a robot which helps with better removal of specimens,” Datta said. “(Also our) alliance with the Mount Sinai health system, so we can get more technology here with us, to have better qualified physi-
cians who are board certified and doing these technical things. So it’s a combination of multiple factors which has improved this.”
In addition to colon cancer surgery, the new areas U.S. News gave the hospital high marks for included treatment of diabetes, hip fracture and leukemia/lymphoma/myeloma. It also received repeated recognition as high performing in the areas of COPD, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, maternity and pneumonia.
One grateful patient, Carmelle Manigat, who delivered her baby after a high-risk pregnancy, spoke about her experience on July 29.
“From the moment I arrived, I felt supported, cared for and respected,” Manigat said. “Everyone I encountered was not only exceptionally skilled and attentive, but also kind, compassionate and reassuring through-
out the entire process. Their calm presence and professionalism made all the difference in helping me feel comfortable and confident.”
For Manigat, it was also about including her in the process of her care.
“They explained everything to me,” Manigat said. “I felt comfortable with what they were doing, because I understood everything. I appreciated that a lot.”
As Chief Nursing Officer Stacey Conklin put it, it’s all about working with the patients.
“When we provide patient-centered care, we really get a good sense of what’s most important to the patients, what matters to them most,” Conklin said. “It helps us develop a plan of care that’s very individualized to the patient’s needs. It provides much better outcomes for patient care, and results in things like this where you get recognized for excellence. And the excellence comes from partnership with patients’ families and the staff at the hospital.”
Conklin emphasized the value hospital staff place in recognition like this.
“These recognitions, where outside agencies, people that don’t see and work with them every day, but understand that the impact that they have is far-reaching, really helps to motivate staff, make them feel good about what they do, make them want to come back and do those great things for all the patients that we take care of every single day,” Conklin said.
Sharma said he and his team often debate whether outside recognition like this makes a difference in patient choice and trust.
“Hopefully, it helps patients feel more comfortable when they do come here,” Sharma said. “I don’t think it drives any one patient to any one hospital. But hopefully it makes them understand that they’re making the right choice.” Rei
You might think that getting fit means spending hours upon hours at the gym, sweating and getting on machines may seem like torture devices. Certainly not true. In fact, reaping the benefits of exercise doesn’t have to take a huge time commitment nor does it have to be torturous. It can actually be quite fun and something for everyone in the family to commit to!
Start with activities you love
If you’ve had problems making exercise a regular part of your life, then you probably only think of exercise as something you have to do in the gym. But that’s just not true! Things like walking, dancing in your living room, bowling and even cleaning the house can count as exercise as long as you’re getting a little out of breath when you’re doing them.
So sit down and make a list of all of the active things you do and find a way to make at least one of them a part of your day, every day. Then, after a few months of making those activities habits, try new ones or more traditional workouts like a group exercise class. As you get in the habit of being active and start to get more fit, you might just be amazed and what activities you like.
Embrace the power of 10
Think you can’t get heart-health benefits
from just 10-minute bouts of activity? Think again. Ten minutes of walking three times a day has been shown to lower blood pressure more effectively than a longer 30-minute bout of walking. Something as simple as walking before work, over lunch and after dinner is a fabulous way to squeeze in exercise no gym required!
It’s not just about cardio
When people think of heart-healthy exer-
Tcise, they generally think of aerobic or cardio activities like jogging. But did you know that strength training (think lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and lunges) can improve the health of your ticker, too?
When you lift weights at a moderate intensity, you get your heart rate up. This means that you’re working both your muscular system and your cardiovascular system. And when you make your muscles stronger,
you make your body stronger, which helps everything. So definitely do some resistance training a few times a week.
Use exercise to de-stress
Stress plays a critical role in heart health, and exercise is great at kicking stress to the curb. Learn to see exercise not as something that you have to do, but instead as something you want to do because it makes you feel good. While most workouts will pump up your feel-good endorphins, workouts like yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi are especially good for de-stressing and improving the mindbody connection. Try ‘em!
Support those efforts with the whole foods
Of course, working out as awesome as it is is only part of the heart-health equation. Eating a nutritious diet that’s rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats is key to overall health, along with helping to give you the energy you need to power through those workouts and your everyday life.
Photo:You want long-term health — for body and mind? Move, move, move. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise five days a week or 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three days per week.
icks are on the march and heading for you and your family—unless you take precautions.
The Fordham Tick Index, which assesses the risk of encountering ticks in the New York area, was at its highest level of 10 on a 10-point scale as of mid-July, based on an increase in the tick population and the diseases they carry, most notably Lyme disease.
Over the last three years, New York State has averaged more than 17,500 new cases of Lyme disease each year, with more than 19,000 cases reported in 2023, according to the state’s Department of Health. What is more, Suffolk County reported the highest number of Lyme disease cases in the country between 2019 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Long Island’s tick season runs from spring through fall, with peak activity from May to June and again from August to November. Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine, recommends the following steps to protect yourself from illnesses spread by ticks (and mosquitoes):
• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothing and exposed parts of your body (be sure to follow the instructions on the product label for safe and effective use).
• When hiking or gardening, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes/sneakers to reduce exposed skin areas. For extra protection, tuck your pants into your socks when in wooded terrain or thick vegetation.
• Wear light- or bright-colored clothing, like white, tan, yellow, or orange, which makes it easier to spot ticks.
• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin insecticiderepellent. Do not apply on the skin.
• Ticks congregate in grassy and wooded areas, so stay in the
Aaron E. Glatt, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau recommends using fine-tipped tweezers to remove a tick and cleaning the site and your hands thoroughly after removal.
center of trails. Avoid tall grass and leaf litter. Golfers need to be aware of their increased risk when searching for balls in heavy rough and untamed parts of the course.
• After concluding outdoor activities, check your clothing, hair/head and hairline, armpits, between and toes, and entire body for ticks.
• Take a shower as soon as possible, which can help wash off unattached ticks, and consider putting the clothing in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any attached ticks. To remove a tick, Dr. Glatt recommends the following steps:
• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Dispose of the tick by wrapping it in tape or flushing it down the toilet.
• After removing the tick, clean the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
If you are bitten by a tick, Dr. Glatt says to be on guard for these symptoms of a tick-borne illness: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, or a rash.
“In 60-80 percent of Lyme disease cases, a rash with a bullseye center will appear around or near the site of the bite,” said Dr. Glatt. “If this rash develops as well as any other symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent more serious complications, including chronic severe headaches, painful arthritis, swelling of the joints, and heart and central nervous system problems.”
The Long Island flagship hospital of the Mount Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai South Nassau operates 911-receiving emergency departments at its Oceanside and Long Beach campuses and is the only Trauma Center on the South Shore of Nassau County. In a medical emergency, dial 911.
For more information about Mount Sinai South Nassau or a physician referral, call (516) 632-3000 or visit mountsinai. org/southnassau.
mountsinai.org/southnassau
Summer is arguably the best season for eating fresh produce, and it’s a top time to fill up on superfoods.
Though it’s not an official scientific category, superfoods are noted by nutrition specialists as foods that are especially nutritionally dense, and offer multiple benefits in each serving. Superfoods can help with building a strong immune system, support gut health, and do so much more.
Here are the best summer superfoods to stock up on ASAP all summer long.
Nothing hits like a ripe summertime cherry.
“Cherries are great for snacking poolside, and easy on the go,” says Joanna Gregg, RD at MyFitnessPal. “They’re full of antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and protec t the body from cell damage.”
They ’re also high in potassium and vitamin C.
“Cherries have a lower glycemic index than many other fruits, ” adds Jennifer House MSc, RD and founder of First Step Nutrition. “They are rich in polyphenol compounds, which may protec t against metabolic syndrome.
Plus, cherries contain anthoc yanins, which may contribute to brain health and protec t against cancer.”
Sweet Corn
Is any summer meal complete without corn in some form? And yes, corn is a summer superfood.
“It’s a good source of vitamins and minerals, and one medium ear has 2 grams of fiber, ” Gregg says, noting that this fiber acts as prebiotics to aid digestion and gut health.
An abundance of tomatoes is great for your tastebuds and health.
“Tomatoes get their bright red color from lycopene, a potent antioxidant that reduces inflammation throughout the body and may improve conditions such as diabetes, skin and bone diseases, heart complications, and prevention of certain types of cancers, according to a 2020 review in Antioxidants,” explains Lauren Fleck, MS, RD.
Another antioxidant, lutein, is linked to improved eye health, heart health, and sustained cognitive function, Gregg notes. She recommends adding fresh tomatoes to salads or sandwiches, or enjoying small tomatoes as a snack.
This bountiful herb can be a great flavor agent in summer cook ing and drink recipes, and is also a superfood.
“Mint is an aromatic herb that is in-season throughout summer and packed with nutrients such as vitamin A and other antioxidants to protec t against cell damage,” Fleck says.
According to a 2022 review in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, menthol a key component of mint leaves may help relieve mild digestive concerns such as gas, bloating, and indigestion. Fleck recommends adding it to fruit salads, carbonated water, or brewing it in hot water for tea or iced tea.
Eat fungus in abundance this summer!
“Mushrooms are one of the few food sources of vitamin D,” says House. “They are low calorie and very nutrientdense, containing 12 vitamins and minerals”
Mushrooms are also one of the few sources of the amino acid ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant that suppor ts brain health. Grilled portobello mushrooms make a great burger bun [or burger] alternative in the summer.
Fill up on blueberries all season, they’re so good for you.
“Anthocyanins are antioxidants that give blueberries their deep color and provide numerous health benefits, such as prevention of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cognitive decline, and support of a healthy gut,” says Fleck.
Add blueberries to yogur t, salads, and smoothies, or simply enjoy them on their own.
Photo: Get your fill of the season’s bounty.
The only skilled nursing facility in Oceanside, Oceanside Care Center is a 100-bed rehabilitation and nursing center that has been a part of the community’s fabric for more than 50 years. Their unique approach allows them to provide patient-centered care in a way that no other facility can. OCC specializes in an array of different services, from short-term rehab to long-term care.
Oceanside Care Center provides unrivaled residentcentered care. Under the guidance of the highly skilled, professional staff, the team customizes a care plan matched to specific needs and abilities. The nursing team consists of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants who are driven to build warm and compassionate bonds with residents.
The unique and intimately sized facility attracts many residents who enjoy a meaningful relationship forged between devoted staff members, residents and their families. Many staff members have worked at Oceanside Care Center for over
25 years and take great pride in the compassionate care they provide every single day.
With private and semi-private rooms, OCC offers many comforts that create a homelike atmosphere, including complimentary flat screen TVs in every room and three home cooked meals a day. Residents enjoy numerous activities and
events that take place daily, and the kind and caring staff make it feel as if they never left home. The comfortable setting allows residents to focus on regaining their strength and independence while empowering them to enjoy fruitful lives with their families and friends.
Come in for a tour today!
By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
The Firefighters Association of the State of New York will host its 153rd Annual Convention Thursday through Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Long Island, in Hauppauge.
The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees, including volunteer firefighters from across New York, vendors and dignitaries. It will mark the 15th time the association has held its convention on Long Island since the organization was founded in 1872.
“We are very happy for the return of the FASNY convention to the Long Island region,” the organization’s president, Eugene Perry, said. “We are proud to welcome firefighters and guests from across New York state back to our vibrant and historic convention.”
Organizers estimate that the three-day event will generate about $1.1 million in economic activity for Suffolk County, with nearly 1,500 hotel-room nights expected to be booked as well as dining, social events and other spending.
The association is partnering with Discover Long Island, the region’s official tourism agency, to support the convention.
“Our organization is committed to driving economic impact through tourism, and our dedicated sales team works year-round to bring major meetings and events like these to Long Island,” Discover Long Island’s interim CEO, Mitch Pally, said. “We are proud to host these dedicated individuals who serve communities across the state, and look forward to showcasing Suffolk County’s hospitality, natural beauty and distinctive appeal.”
The convention will open with the annual golf tournament at the Wind Watch Golf & Country Club, adjacent to the Hyatt Regency. Attendees will also take part in training sessions, FASNY’s annual meetings and ceremonies honoring outstanding service.
A highlight of the event will be a keynote address by Chief Patrick Kenny, author of “Taking the Cape Off: How to Lead Through Mental Illness, Unimagina-
ble Grief and Loss.” Kenny will speak on first responder mental health.
“I’ve heard him speak before, and his story is very moving,” Perry said. “Attendees should be ready with tissues.”
Other scheduled events include the annual Heroes Awards and a Friday-evening Tailgate for Heroes and scholarship fundraiser, featuring the Long Islandbased band Peat Moss and the Fertilizers.
Michael Barry, president of the Suffolk County Fire Chiefs Council and a 41-year member of the Medford Fire Department, said the convention is about more than celebration and tourism.
“We hope this event brings out people and they can understand the value of a volunteer fire service and all that it does,” Barry said. “It’s about compromise and sacrifice — giving up time from family to complete training and respond to calls, all to help your community.”
Perry agreed. “This year’s convention promises to be a meaningful celebration of service, tradition and unity,” he said. “We look forward to a memorable and successful event that honors firefighting and inspires the future of volunteer service.”
Perry added that the members of the FASNY board were pleased that Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine recently approved legislation that gives volunteer firefighters preference for affordable housing in the county, which will enable many young recruits to stay on Long Island, make their homes here and continue their volunteer fire service.
FASNY represents approximately 80,000 volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel statewide. For more information about the convention, visit fasny.com/ events/2025-annual-convention.
The Island Park location of Panera Bread closed its doors permanently on July 27, after 12 years of service. A notice posted at the location cites the decision was made “with great difficulty and much consideration” by Panera Bread/Doherty Enterprises.
Management expressed heartfelt gratitude to loyal customers for their continued support and encouraged patrons to visit nearby locations in Rockville Centre, Bellmore, or Baldwin, where many of the Island Park employ-
ees are expected to be relocated. The group also owns an Applebee’s in Baldwin, offering another option for customers and displaced staff. Site manager Kayla Circuru was relocated to Panera Bread in West Babylon.
The closing marks the end of an era for the local shopping center and regular patrons who have come to know the café as a neighborhood staple.
–Kepherd Daniel
Panera’s employees said goodbye to the Island Park Panera location and will be reassigned to area Panera’s.
Get ready for an action-packed season with the 2025 High School Football Preview. Your ultimate guide to the upcoming year in local high school football. This special section highlights the teams, standout players, key matchups, and expert analysis of what to expect under the Friday night lights.
Don’t miss out, advertising in the Football Preview. Call your Marketing Representative today at 516-569-4000 x 250!
Ad deadline - August 28th Issue date - September 18th
By Iris Wiener
Jerome Vivona knew from a young age that he was meant to tell stories. From performing at his Bayville elementary school, to “West Side Story” and “Guys and Dolls” at North Shore High School, he found there was a freedom in theater that was especially unique.
An accomplished performer, writer, producer, director, and choreographer, Vivona (Broadway’s “Seussical,” “Kiss Me Kate”) returns to the New York stage, Off-Broadway, in “JOY: A New True Musical.” Running now through Aug. 17, it’s based on entrepreneur Joy Mangano. Vivona plays Judge Jeremiah Abernathy (an integral figure in Mangano’s life), and is also a standby for other roles.
Vivona is right at home with JOY, which is mostly set at Mangano’s childhood residence on Long Island. As a teenager, Vivona was an avid athlete working part-time at an East Norwich ski shop (where he once helped Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley), and initially decided to attend college on a soccer scholarship; however, thanks to the encouragement of his teachers, he found that the calling to be a dancer was stronger.
At age 17 he entered a Sea Cliff studio and said, “I want to be a professional dancer.” He trained privately for six to eight hours each day for six months until he had caught up with the more experienced dancers.
“I worked very hard, and with the studio’s tutelage I ended up at the Joffrey Ballet School,” says Vivona. “[Afterwards,] I was very fortunate to tour with ballet companies.”
His life took another incredible turn when, at 23, he first met Jerome Robbins, for whom he was about to audition for “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.”
“He took a liking to me and I took private rehearsal sessions with him in which I learned all of the ‘West Side Story’ choreography. Working with him and his believing in me was a seminal part of my career.”
Vivona went on to tour with Robbins’ show nationally and internationally, which was followed by a turn in the Paris production of “West Story,” where he met his wife, performer and dancer Michelle Vivona. It wasn’t long before he made his Broadway debut in “Guys and Dolls.”
“JOY” entered his life through the connections and friends he’s made through the years.
Daniel G. Weiss
Jerome Vivona’s commanding presence is well suited to his latest project.
“My relationships are what brought me back and my friends having a belief that I would be the right fit. I’m really thrilled that [director] Lorin Latarro and choreographer Joshua Bergasse gave me the opportunity because the show is beautiful, powerful and uplifting.”
As he puts it: ‘JOY’ is about the dynamics of a family and how that can change your trajectory in life if you let it. It’s a powerful story about one woman who found herself in a situation where she had her back up against a wall, and she was able to create this mop that allowed her to change her family’s life and the lives of countless others. It really is ‘joy,’ and I think that what we need right now is a story that makes us feel good about humanity.”
As the only native Long Islander in “JOY,” Vivona helped with the authenticity of the actors’ dialect.
“During rehearsals we had a dialect coach who was going to play a recording for the actors to help with their speech,” Vivona says. “Instead … I was the reference for them. Whenever Betsy [Wolfe, who plays Mangano] said, ‘How do you say this?’ they would look for me and ask how to say ‘mop’ or ‘car door.’ They even asked me to record my mom saying a couple of things.”
Vivona also spoke with the production team about local towns, mascots and street names.
“Any time there was something that didn’t ring true to Long Island, I would mention it,” he says. “It feels like home [on stage], and it feels good to be representing Long Island in a show about Long Island and someone as successful as Joy. I’m proud to be telling her story.”
At 58, Vivona stands by the same values he held true when he was raising his children, who graduated from the East Meadow School District.
“I’ve always taught them that you should follow your dreams and believe in what your impact can be,” he says.“This show has taught me that I can continue to believe in myself and that being on stage telling a story is what I’m all about.
When Vivona is not performing, he and Michelle can be found in Mineola, where they own and operate American Theatre Dance Workshop, an award-winning conservatory-type performing arts school.
With new projects on the horizon, Vivona surely wouldn’t mind seeing “JOY” head to Broadway.
“I don’t think you leave the theater without a smile on your face and maybe a tear in your eye.”
“JOY: A New True Musical” is at the Laura Pels Theatre, 111 West 46th St., New York. Tickets are available at joythemusical.com or by calling (833) 274-8497.
Brad Zimmerman celebrates the 10th anniversary of his hit comedy
“My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy, with a sequel; “My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & Still Not Famous! His long journey to follow his show biz dream and his parents who suffered through it continues with plenty of laughter along way. Brad moved to New York and “temporarily” waited tables for 29 years, while pursuing his career as an actor. After many years, he finally got a role on the Sopranos and work as a comedian opening for Joan Rivers, George Carlin and Brad Garrett. He tells of his pursuit, along with stories about his childhood, family, and misbegotten love life with warmth, wit, self-deprecating humor, and wicked charm. Zimmerman also examines the trials and tribulations of waiting on tables — particularly for someone not exactly invested in that career, and with little tolerance for persnickety diners.
Friday, Aug. 1, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 2, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 3, 2 p.m. Through Aug. 24. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Remember when rock was young? You will when you blast off into the stratosphere with this electrifying tribute to the Rocketman himself. With a nostalgic setlist, this is a must-see for Elton John fans — of all generations. Rus Anderson, Elton John’s official body double for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour launch, recreates an early Elton concert complete with flamboyant costumes actually worn by Elton himself. Elton’s greatest hits, wildest outfits and outrageous stage antics come to life again as Anderson brings you the magic and live persona of a young Elton like no other. He storms around the stage with a fun-loving sense of flamboyance; part diva, killer vocalist, fierce piano player, all rock ‘n roller. This is a detailedv version of Elton John’s ‘70s shows that’s not to be missed. Anderson’s painstaking attention to detail includes wearing Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits from 1973, as well as a sparkly Swarovski tuxedo from ‘84.
Friday, Aug 8, 8 p.m. $82, $71.75, $60.25, $49.25, $37.25, $35. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Aug
7
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter welcomes summer with the return of its “Summer of Love” pet adoption program. Now through Sept. 1 all pet adoption fees will be waived, making it easier than ever to adopt a pet. Each adoption includes free spaying/ neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. Additionally, there is only a $10 licensing fee for dogs. This summer, spread the love and provide a fur-ever home to these shelter animals. Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cat before arriving at shelter. Browse photos and profiles at hempsteadny.gov/179/ animal-shelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page.
•Where: 3320, Beltagh Ave., Wantagh
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: at hempsteadny. gov/179/animal-shelter or (516) 785-5220
On Exhibit
Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “At Play,” surveys artists’ perennial fascination with entertainment in all forms. Framing this topic between the nineteenth century Belle Époque and today, the exhibit includes works by Pablo Picasso, Reginald Marsh, Everett Shinn, and Max Beckmann among many others. The works are gathered to represent a wide range of expressions, from entertainmentrelated activities to the fascinating personalities involved. It encompasses dance, music, theater, movies, circus, boating, and beach scenes, along with horseracing and various sports, both active and passive Also featured are archival items from The Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic, including costumes by Marc Chagall for Die Zauberflöte, vintage fashion items by such designers as Alfred Shaheen, and iconic costumes from the Folies-Bergère in Paris. On view until Nov. 9.
•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
•Time: Ongoing
•Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Aug 8
Rock on at the park
Get in the groove with The Boss Project, the Bruce Springsteen tribute band at Eisenhower Park.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Aug
16
The Castellows.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Aug
15
Summer grooves
‘Have the time of your life’ with Dancing Dream’s tribute to Abba at Eisenhower Park.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
•Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Aug
Honey Hoopla
16
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Former stars of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical “Jersey Boys,” reunited as The Midtown Men, are back with their ‘60s vibe at Eisenhower Park. During their time in the mega-hit musical, these talented artists — Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer — shared the stage for over 1,000 performances. The highoctane musical tour de force that took the Jersey Boys phenomenon to Broadway and beyond, is now rocking the stage as a concert. These Broadway veterans, with their powerhouse band, are realizing the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The dynamic foursome now celebrates the music that defined the 1960s. The Midtown Men is the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show. Not only have they continued to win over audiences of all ages in nearly 2,000 live shows, their selftitled debut album, The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits was met with critical acclaim and garnered five star album reviews across iTunes and was followed by their first radio single “All Alone On Christmas” with producer Steven Van Zandt and members of Springsteen’s E Street Band.
Tunes with Track 9
Enjoy a night of great food, drinks and music as Track 9 takes the stage at EGP.
•Where: EGP Oceanside, 2823 Long Beach Road
•Time: 7-10 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 766-9547
View Nassau County Museum of Art’s galleries in a small group session. Take time to observe, question and reflect without hurry, distraction, or judgment. Explore one or two works of art in the galleries, with intention as you focus on color, texture, form and personal connections during the series of three sessions. Join for as many sessions as you like. Each will be a different opportunity to enjoy art together. Program is capped at 12 people. $20 per session, $10 members. Registration required.
•Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
•Time: 10-11 a.m., also Aug. 22
•Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337
Aug 9
Unbox A-Saurus for Us!
Dr. Patricia Osiris visits with young paleontologists-intraining at Long Island
Children’s Museum’s new stage production. This interactive theatrical experience invites visitors to join the eccentric paleontologist (a.k.a. “Dr. Patti”) as she attempts to reveal a never-before-seen dinosaur specimen — if only she can figure out how to open the crate it’s locked in. Along the way, the audience becomes key players in solving problems, sparking laughter and exploring the world of dinosaurs in a lighthearted “scientific” comedy that blends imagination and learning. $5 with museum admission, $10 theater only.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also Aug 20
•Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
Aug
Peter’s Annual Clam Eating Contest
Get ready for the ultimate summer showdown at Peter’s Clam House! Enjoy the Firehouse Challenge and Public Challenge, with proceeds benefiting Cooper Graham.
•Where: 600 Long Beach Road, Island Park
•Time: Firehouse Challenge, 1 p.m.; public challenge, 2:30 p.m.
•Contact: petersclamhouse.com or (516) 432-0505
Aug
13
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. See 2024’s live-action animated adventure “Paddington in Peru.” Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Ben Whishaw.
•Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Movie begins at dusk
•Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Aug
14
Outdoor Movie at the library
Island Public Library welcomes to the action-packed, kidfavorite movie “Dog Man” under the stars.
•Where: 176 Long Beach Road
• Time: After 8:15 p.m.
•Contact: islandparklibrary.org or (516) 432-0122
Summertime tunes
Eisenhower Park welcomes the neo-traditional country music trio
Families are invited to “bee” amazed at Long Island Children’s Museum’s Honey Hoopla. Celebrate National Honey Bee Day with a buzz-worthy lineup of activities. Meet a local beekeeper and explore the fascinating world of bees, from their ancient history and anatomy to their vital role in our ecosystem; take part in fun bee-themed crafts; sample different types of honey; also enjoy live theater performances inspired by the book “Beezy County Fair: A Bee Tale.” Reservations are recommended to reserve your spot.
•Where: Museum Row, Garden City
•Time: 11 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
•Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Beach sounds
Coverland hits Masone Beach for a lively evening.
•Where: Masone Beach
•Time: 7:30 p.m.
•Contact: (516) 431-0600
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.
bers of commerce, builds websites for local businesses and, through his work, meets all kinds of people. With his connections and involvement in other networking circles, he decided to form another one.
“There’s no initial cost, he said. “You have breakfast, you pay, and that’s it. They give you a discount,” he added of IHOP. “So it works out really well, and you get to meet a lot of lovely local people and people that want to help.”
Greenberg opened the most recent meeting, on July 30, by reminding attendees of the group’s rules. A bell signaled when a member’s 30-second introduction was up. Phones were silenced, and participants were urged to step out of their comfort zones and talk with strangers.
Many networking groups are hyperlocalized or focus on a profession, but what Greenberg is hoping to achieve is a larger network of business owners dedicated to providing the best advice possible to acquaintances across the economy so that all of their businesses can thrive.
“Everybody who’s ever been here has dropped their business card in their raffle to win the door prize,” Greenberg said. “Those cards … get alphabetized on a first-name basis. Why? Because we all need to know each other’s first name. It’s like a little family that we have here.”
The group rotates member spotlight presentations during its monthly meetings based on monthly raffle winners, giving attendees the chance to showcase
Oceanside resident Mark Greenberg has created a group of allies through his networking organization.
their business or services in more depth.
Before presentations, members zipped through lightning-round conversations. At one table, two bank branch managers, Baldwin resident Lyndell Senior, of Ridgewood Savings, and Freeport resident Valerie Shepherd, of Flagstar Bank, swapped notes on expanding local business accounts.
Senior, a member of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, attends the meetings to broaden his network of referrals. “I told two of my clients about this event, and they came tonight,” he said. “That’s the power of just talking to new people.”
One of those clients, Michelle Rivera, a real estate broker from Freeport specializing in homeownership for people of color, attended with her son, Michael, and called Let’s Meet an essential springboard for her mission.
“My focus was to help my own people — people of color — become homeowners,” Rivera said. “But I work with everyone. Here I met an insurance broker who’s already referred two clients to me.”
For Shepherd, this was the first inperson dinner meeting after three months of attending the Wednesdaymorning breakfasts.
“I keep coming back, meeting new people, connecting with people, because you never know when you’ll be able to help somebody or someone’s going to be able to help you,” she said. “It’s like a family. I find when I come here, I know them, they know me.”
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CVI CGS MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST I, Plaintiff, vs. FRANK MORIZIO, JR. A/K/A FRANK MORIZIO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 3, 2018 and an Order Extending Sale Deadline and Other Relief duly entered on February 9, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 21, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., premises known as 84 Virginia Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 43, Block 387 and Lot 21. Approximate amount of judgment is $636,601.18 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 007051/2015. Thomas McNamara, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 213045-2 154631
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JACK T. REICH, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 22, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2 Redfield Road, Island Park, NY 11558. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Island Park, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 43, Block 9 and Lot 197. Approximate amount of judgment is $260,522.74 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612970/2023. Cash will not be accepted. Francis X. McQuade, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 154722
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS
TRUSTEE OF UPLAND MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST A, Pltf. vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF RODNEY BUNNEY A/K/A RODNEY PAUL BUNNEY, his next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained, et al, Defts. Index #606362/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 16, 2024 and amended judgment entered on July 10, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on September 9, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. premises k/a 251 Perkins Avenue, Oceanside, NY 11572 a/k/a Section 43, Block 307, Lot 243. Approximate amount of judgment is $960,699.94 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. BRIAN J. DAVIS, Referee. MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE WAMU MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-AR2, Plaintiff AGAINST MELVIN LAPIDUS A/K/A MELVIN W. LAPIDUS; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 5, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on September 9, 2025 at 2:00 pm, premises known as 3935 Sally Lane, Oceanside, NY 11572. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Oceanside, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 60 Block: 075 Lot: 22. Approximate amount of judgment $712,272.19 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #609049/2022. Scott H . Siller, Esq., Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 SPSNY589 86502 154890
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Q. We have a doorbell camera, and understand that it’s a deterrent to would-be burglars, but as we’re renovating our home, can we “design” in other ways to keep people from robbing it? We keep seeing reports on the neighbor app of our door camera about people checking out houses in the area, and we’re very concerned. Any ideas would be appreciated.
A. Continuing from last week, I recommend hurricane glass windows, which are a costly upgrade that resist high winds, flooding and flying debris from blowing in the window and creating instant havoc. Although fire rescue has to use a special tool to get the windows open, since they’re hard to break, the windows will deter a robber by costing them time, if they’re even successful at doing more than creating a small hole in the reinforced panes.
Remember, anything that can delay a burglar for more than 60 seconds is an advantage, because a robber wants to get in and out quickly. Bars on windows can be avoided by using hurricane glass, and I only advise installing them on basement windows, where they are less seen but useful.
If your area is considered a high-crime vicinity, steel security shutters can also be employed. To keep the appearance of your home from being compromised to look like the county jail, steel roll-down shutters can be designed into overhangs above the windows and doors, to be employed when the home is unoccupied. But I think it adds to the message that you’re away, and only advise installing them if it’s your last resort for protection.
Garages are a great entry point, often neglected. Consider that you increase a burglar’s time frame to enter with an attached garage. They lift the door, spend whatever amount of time they need to break the lock on the interior door, and once the garage door is back down, they now have a staging area to sort your jewelry, medications and expensive computers and appliances before packing up to move out. With a cellphone in hand, their getaway car is at the ready, waiting for the call. Installing security pins or locks by drilling into the garage door track(s), and remembering to use them when you’re away for a prolonged time, is a very important deterrent.
If there are roofs under upper-story windows, install alarm devices there as well when you install alarms on first-floor openings. Even though 80 percent of break-ins occur on ground floors, the other 20 percent are either basements or second floors. Burglars dressed as painters and carrying ladders often go unnoticed. According to the National Center for Policing Innovation, 40 percent of breakins use no force at all.
Clear concealing landscaping from the exterior walls of the home, especially near windows and doorways. Limit greenery to no more than two feet in height, and only install fences of the see-through variety.
There’s still more to be covered next week.
© 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
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Most people who are familiar with Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, know — at least — that important decisions were made there during the American Revolution. The beginning of our nation can be traced back to the debates and discussions there of a small group of men risking their lives to start and lead a rebellion against the British crown.
One of the most important meetings of the Second Continental Congress occurred in that hall on July 26, 1775, against a dramatic backdrop of thunderstorms, nearly a year before the Declaration of Independence and just weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The city was hearing shocking reports from Boston, which was being held by British forces attempting to tamp down the American rebellion by force, largely against the will of its citizens. The topic was the urgent need to establish secure and reliable communications
with the Continental Army and among the colonies.
Following debate, the Congress agreed to, among other points:
■ Appoint a postmaster general, with an office in Philadelphia, a $1,000 salary, $340 for a secretary and comptroller and the power to appoint deputies — local postmasters.
■ Establish a line of posts from Maine to Savannah, Georgia, with cross posts as needed.
■ Establish postage rates, to be 20 percent less than charged by the British post.
Tindependence, they had their eyes on the future, methodically creating infrastructure, attuned to the mundane matters of payments and administration. They were intent on transforming their world.
he first — unanimous — choice for postmaster general? Ben Franklin.
The Congress then elected a postmaster general “for one year, and until another is appointed by a future Congress.” The unanimous choice was Benjamin Franklin.
After creating the Postal Service, the Congress called it a day and adjourned. Despite the personal danger — the first postmasters were risking their lives to enable the flow of information — those leaders of the day were supremely optimistic about building a nation and its institutions. Even amid the stresses and tumult of their war for
When the United States became a nation, a free press and the unhindered flow of ideas and commerce was enabled by a universally accessible Postal Service. In those early, formative years, the service was part of the bedrock of America’s economy and its democracy — and it has been ever since.
In the following decades, as postal roads traversed the country, commerce flourished on a national basis, literacy expanded dramatically and the free press created a highly informed nation. As America industrialized and cities grew and railroads crossed the nation, people became more mobile. The great connector, and sometimes the only connector, was the Postal Service.
The demands of the public evolved as the nation did. Americans in cities began getting mail delivered to their homes and businesses, and then rural
Hatred that begins with the Jewish people never ends there. Anyone who hates Israel and the Jews will not hesitate to turn that same rage against Christians, families and every American who dares to live by faith and stand for freedom. Here in New York, a state with one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, antisemitism is not rare — it’s all too common. Yet the political establishment too often turns a blind eye.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has a history of antiIsrael rhetoric. His Not On My Dime bill, which sought to sever the city’s ties with Israeli companies, was more than a cheap stunt — it was a direct strike at the Jewish people’s ties to Israel. Despite his record, the Democratic Party did nothing to hold him accountable. Silence speaks volumes.
Mamdani is not alone. Rashida Tlaib
openly calls Israel an apartheid state and champions the boycott movement, while Ilhan Omar recycles antisemitic tropes about Jewish money and loyalty. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stands with protesters who chant, “Globalize the intifada,” yet ignores the growing harassment of Jewish students on campuses she claims to represent. None of these members face real consequences from their party’s leadership.
Look across the Atlantic, and we see where this kind of tolerance leads. In cities like Bradford, Birmingham, and parts of London, local governments have turned a blind eye to radical protests that make Jewish families feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, dismisses concerns about these protests, while synagogues require armed guards to hold services. A country once known for its heritage now struggles to protect basic religious freedoms.
W e learned that when no one else will stand up for you, you stand up for yourself.
On college campuses here at home, Jewish students face harassment, threats and even physical assaults for expressing pride in their heritage. Har-
areas — secure, affordable, universal service across a far-flung nation.
The 20th century saw the Postal Service essentially shape America’s airline industry, automate on a massive scale, and connect Americans to one another on a scale unmatched in the world.
With the perspective of 250 years, we can see that the service helped our nation grow economically; it strengthened our democracy by ensuring the uncensored and unrestricted flow of communications and personal expression; and it bound the nation together. Every mail delivery today is a living reminder that our democracy, our commercial success and our unity as a nation were all shaped by the constant presence of the Postal Service in our daily lives.
And so, on the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, perhaps as you visit your mailbox, please give a thought to those far-sighted founders in Philadelphia. They would no doubt be amazed and gratified to know that their ideals and aspirations are carried forward every day by the 630,000 men and women of the service who live, work and serve in every community in America.
Stephen Kochersperger is the historian of the United States Postal Service.
it will come for us all
vard, Columbia and NYU have all seen pro-Israel students targeted, with university groups blaming Israel outright for regional conflicts. Meanwhile, Christian pastors who support Israel face slurs and vandalism, and churches holding vigils for Israeli victims have been defaced.
During a debate, a Democratic committee chair responded dismissively to a colleague’s call for more action against antisemitism. I stood up and pointed out that I had introduced nine bills to protect Jewish students, houses of worship and families — yet none were allowed out of committee. That’s the truth we face: empty words from Democrats who don’t really care to act.
History teaches us that hatred excused today will target all faiths tomorrow. The rage that shouts “From the river to the sea!” against Israel will soon turn on churches and every American family that refuses to bow to radical hatred.
This is not about party politics — it’s about whether we have the courage to confront hate before it turns violent.
Generations of Jewish families know that promises alone never protected us. Israel exists because our people learned that when no one else will stand up for you, you stand up for yourself. The same lesson applies here at home. If Israel falls, if Jewish families are silenced, then no church, no faith community, no free citizen is safe.
I stand for the truth that religious freedom and national security are nonnegotiable. I will fight for laws that protect synagogues, churches, schools and families of every faith. I will challenge any colleague — Democrat or Republican — who tries to water that down or bury it for the sake of the next news cycle. Hatred that starts with Israel and the Jews does not stop until it tears at the core of who we are as Americans. Families — Jewish, Christian, and every neighbor who still believes in freedom — expect leaders who will hold the line. They expect us to speak plainly and act firmly when hate knocks at the door. The next generation is watching. They will remember who spoke up and who looked away. They will inherit whatever we fail to confront. I do not intend to fail them.
Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District.
politics has always been marked by conspiracy theories. There was the theory that President Franklin Roosevelt had prior knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but allowed it to happen to force the United States to enter World War II. In the 1950s, the founder of the John Birch Society wrote a manifesto concluding that President Dwight Eisenhower was a Soviet agent. More recently, there was the Sept. 11 “truther” theory that the administration of President George W. Bush had advanced notice of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and might have actually planned them.
Today, with social media and artificial intelligence, conspiracy theories are more rampant than ever. What allows these theories to thrive is that, by their very nature, they are inherently difficult, if not impossible, to disprove. They are based on assorted often unrelated facts, rumors, conjecture and speculation.
The ongoing furor over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case is a classic example of a conspiracy theory run amok and creating a conspiracy on top of itself. For years the Trump camp peddled rumors that the Biden administration was hiding FBI files to protect prominent Democrats who were involved in the Epstein scandal, and that Epstein’s jail-cell suicide was actually an inside-job murder. Once in office, however, with complete access to all Justice Department and FBI files and records, Trump administration officials had to announce that they could find nothing irregular: There was no secret list of names, and Epstein had in fact committed suicide. This caused apocalyptic shrieks of outrage from the fringes of MAGA world, led by the likes of Tucker Carlson. Now Trump officials were being accused by the president’s own supporters of likely collusion with myriad coconspirators such as former President Joe Biden, Israel and Mossad. The Democrats also feigned outrage, insisting that Trump must be covering his own guilt.
no one was more surprised when Donald Trump was elected than Vladimir Putin.
The illogic of all this was, of course, that if the “files” did incriminate Trump, why didn’t the Biden administration disclose that when it had full access to the Epstein records? If congressional Democrats are so dedicated to transparency and so concerned about full disclosure, why did they do and say nothing when they were in control? And why would candidate Trump have made an issue of Epstein if he thought it would remotely incriminate him? Hopefully the Trump camp will learn that trafficking in unverified conspiracy theories is not only wrong, but it can come back to bite them.
To me, the most baseless — and insidious — theory was the false narrative that there was Russian collusion with the Trump campaign during the 2016 election. The main propagators of this “Russia hoax” were former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. I was on the Intelligence Committee during this saga, and sat through endless months of testimony in a secure committee room three floors
below ground in the Capitol. There wasn’t one bit of evidence connecting the Trump campaign to Russia. There was, of course, the salacious and thoroughly discredited “Steele dossier,” which was in fact a political opposition memo prepared for Hillary Clinton’s campaign and based on false information from a former Russian spy. Yes, Russia had attempted to interfere in the 2016 campaign, as it always has. But Russia’s intention was to weaken Hillary Clinton’s expected presidency.
No one was more surprised when Donald Trump was elected than Russian President Vladimir Putin. It’s only now, with much of this information declassified, that I can discuss details that I learned at the time. This hoax was a true threat to democracy, undermining a duly elected president and tying down his administration with intrusive investigations for more than half of his first term of office.
It’s time for Americans to ignore the conspiracy nuts on all sides and address the real and serious issues that confront our nation.
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Have you ever heard of the term “buyer’s remorse”? It’s been a while since I’ve heard those words, but lately I’ve been hearing them from some of my friends who are Republican members of Congress when they refer to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. He wanted it passed by July Fourth, and he got his way. Now that it is law, some of the Republicans who voted for it are confessing to me that maybe it went a little too far in cutting agencies and programs.
Having served in the State Legislature, I can understand what happens when a member is confronted with having to support a bill that’s nearly a thousand pages long. You may know about some of the provisions, but it’s impossible to know every section when you only have a few hours before the final vote. One of the reasons why these bills are crafted to be so thick is
because leadership knows that some parts of them couldn’t pass if they were presented as single bills.
My friends in Congress aren’t alone in their misgivings about the Big Beautiful Bill. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley agonized for weeks over its deep Medicaid cuts, because hundreds of thousands of his state’s voters rely on Medicaid to survive. Hawley was agonizing on behalf of those hardworking citizens who don’t deserve to lose their benefits. Despite wringing his hands and suffering sleepless nights, he voted for the bill when it reached the Senate. Two more cases in point are Maine Sen. Susan Collins and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Both went public with their concerns about the cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 40 million people nationally. For days on end, the two senators expressed their concerns about their constituents losing access to food stamps that are a life-or-death necessity. But when push came to shove, they both voted for the cuts.
B ut what happens when all these budget cuts are the hot topic next year?
Hawley must have had buyer’s remorse, because a few weeks after the bill became law, he introduced his own bill, which would restore many of the Medicaid cuts. Obviously Hawley’s upset was hypocritical, because you don’t vote for such far-reaching cuts and then introduce a bill restoring them. This was a good example of the lack of conscience surrounding the actions that were taken.
The SNAP program has for years been a target of conservatives who maintain that it and other safety-net programs like it are abused and unnecessary. And there is no doubt that some SNAP beneficiaries have used food stamps to buy beer instead of milk and bread. But the vast majority of people who get food stamps are the aged or have disabilities, and who meet the tests for approval. In the months and years ahead, it will be no consolation to those who lose their benefits that their representatives in Congress voted in favor of the Big Beautiful Bill and then had pangs of guilt about its impact.
There is also no doubt that there are
some parts of the bill that are worthy of support, but mixing the good with the bad results in mostly bad for the needy and good for the people who won’t have any sleepless nights about the tragedies that will happen on the other end of the income spectrum. Few House members who voted for the bill will suffer at the ballot box. Many serve in districts that would elect Attila the Hun if he were nominated for the seat.
The problem for fair-minded House and Senate members is that the program cuts are not a secret, and will be publicized extensively next year at election time. The latest national polls show that the legislation has high negative numbers, which won’t fade from the minds of the people who are the victims of the cuts, or many other voters.
I was surprised that about a half-dozen members of Congress from New York and surrounding states expressed their unhappiness in the Big Beautiful Bill to me. Sadly, however, their buyer’s remorse may be too little, too late come November 2026.
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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he Firefighters Association of the State of New York will hold its 153rd annual convention in Hauppauge from Thursday to Saturday. While the event is an opportunity to celebrate the service and sacrifice of New York’s 80,000 volunteer firefighters, it is also a moment for reflection — a chance to confront the urgent challenges facing fire protection services in our communities.
Volunteer fire departments have long been essential to public safety across the state, which has more than 1,600 of them. On Long Island alone there are nearly 180 volunteer departments, which respond to emergencies of every kind, from house fires and highway accidents to natural disasters and medical calls. And they do it all without pay. It’s no exaggeration to say that these volunteers — and the emergency medical technicians and paramedics who work alongside them — are among the most selfless public servants we have.
Yet despite their critical importance, these departments face steep recruitment and retention challenges. The number of active volunteer firefighters in New York state has declined markedly in recent decades, from roughly 120,000 in the early 2000s, even as call volumes have nearly doubled over the past 30 years, from 750,000 to 1.4 million annually, according to state figures, and training demands continue to rise due to expanded safety regulations.
Balancing work, family and extensive training is no small feat, especially for volunteers. The result is that many departments are stretched thin, struggling to maintain robust crews and
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We need more open-minded politicians like Tom Suozzi
To the Editor:
ensure timely responses to emergencies.
That’s where the state firefighters association steps in — and why its convention deserves more than ceremonial attention. For over 150 years, the organization has served as the voice and support system for volunteer fire service statewide.
FASNY advocates for funding, offers educational resources and legal guidance, provides mental health support, and promotes recruitment campaigns such as Is There a Fire In You?, which encourages everyday New Yorkers to consider joining their local department.
The Hauppauge convention will bring together more than 1,000 firefighters, instructors and leaders. Discussions will focus not just on tactics and technology, but on issues such as firefighters’ mental health, peer support programs and the evolving needs of a modern volunteer force. These conversations matter. They have real-world implications for the safety of firefighters and the resilience of the communities they serve.
Mental health, in particular, is an area that demands greater attention. Of course firefighting is dangerous, but it is also emotionally taxing. Volunteers often respond to traumatic events involving neighbors and loved ones — a severe house fire that kills or injures its occupants, or a disaster like Hurricane Sandy. Without proper support systems in place, these experiences can take a huge toll on emergency responders. FASNY has made great strides in breaking down the stigma around mental health care in the fire service, but continuing community awareness of the
Re U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi’s op-ed, “Why I care about immigration — and why all of us should,” in last week’s issue: Suozzi voiced a clear understanding of the immigration issues and called, once again, for a bipartisan solution to a problem that impacts everyone in this country. He has taken this bipartisan stand on many issues for as long as I’ve been following him, including his previous time in Congress.
I, and many others, are re-energized that Mr. Suozzi returned to Congress. Yes, I would have loved to have him replace Kathy Hochul as our governor, but he can, hopefully, do so much more good if he can generate a following in Congress for more bipartisan solutions to the problems we face.
I consider myself one of those independent voters who try to see both sides of an issue. There are times when I agree with the Democratic platform, such as
challenges these men and women face is crucial as well.
How can you show support for these selfless volunteers?
First, get to know your local department. Attend an open house. Follow its social media accounts. Volunteer departments rely on community awareness to grow their ranks and raise funds.
Second, support the volunteers’ fundraising efforts. Many departments operate on limited budgets, depending heavily on donations and local drives to raise the money to pay for essential equipment. Whether it’s from a resident or a business, a contribution — financial or in-kind — can go a long way toward ensuring their readiness.
Third, talk to young people about the value of volunteerism. FASNY’s Junior Firefighter programs are an excellent way to introduce teens to public service and give them a sense of civic responsibility.
Finally, consider whether you might have “the fire in you.” Even if running into burning buildings isn’t for you, departments have many support roles — from administrative help to public education — for which willing hands are always needed. Simply stop in at a local firehouse or call them to learn more.
Volunteer firefighting is a tradition rooted in community, courage and compassion. As Long Island continues to grow, the need for well-supported fire departments becomes more urgent. The FASNY convention is a timely reminder that while these men and women may serve without pay, they should never serve without appreciation, resources or help.
imagine preparing to vote in an important election. You do your homework, weigh the positions of the candidates, and are set to make your voice heard. But before you can cast your ballot, you find out that the decision has already been made behind closed doors, without your input, without a vote, and without any accountability.
That is exactly what is happening right now in the Town of hempstead.
Supervisor Donald clavin is stepping down early. That is his decision. But what is unacceptable, and frankly unethical, is the Town Board’s apparent plan to skip over the voters and quietly appoint his handpicked successor, Nassau county Legislator John Ferretti, to the job just months before an election. That is not leadership; it is manipulation.
The strategy is clear. Ferretti is already running for town supervisor in November. If the board appoints him now, he will get to run as an incumbent. That means the full benefits of the job — the title, taxpayer-funded mailers, public appearances and media coverage — all before he has earned a single vote. It is a political cheat code, and it is rigged against the public.
w
ay too often in the Town of Hempstead, the party bosses usurp the voters.
If this plan moves forward, it would not be the first time. In fact, it would mark the seventh time in the last 11 successions that a hempstead town supervisor was chosen not by voters, but by party insiders. This is not an isolated incident; it is a pattern. And it should concern anyone who values democracy and transparency.
When people say the system is rigged, this is exactly what they’re talking about.
Let’s be clear. There is already someone in place who should step in: Senior councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, the longest-serving member of the Town
on gun control, where we have absurdly allowed guns to proliferate across our nation into the hands of criminals and, worse, the mentally ill who are the predominant perpetrators of mass shootings.
And there are times I agree with Republican stands, including the recent government spending cuts, which the bipartisan Government Accountability Office has been touting for years. No, I don’t condone all of the cuts, and I’m hopeful that some will be restored as a clearer picture of what is being done comes into focus.
But the overspending that we have allowed our federal government to do for the past 50 years, under both Democratic and Republican presidents, is absurd. We need to get past the anger at President Trump, who can easily infuriate even Republicans with his outlandish rhetoric, and see that much of what he is doing will benefit the majority of people.
We need to look at the math, and whether it adds up or dilutes the benefits to all of us. I’m not convinced that Trump has done that, but shaking things up and making cuts is long overdue.
And last, I would like Suozzi to run for president in 2028. The Democrats do not have a viable candidate right now, so let me be one of the first, for whatever it’s worth, to endorse Suozzi. We need someone like him, with a vision of bringing both sides of the political spectrum to the table.
If you look at the history of our elec-
Board and the current deputy supervisor. So why look outside the board to appoint a new supervisor? Because a sitting supervisor controls the town’s messaging, appears on every official mailer and gets to shape the public narrative. Giving that platform to one candidate while denying it to the other is not just unfair, it is anti-democratic.
The truth is, this kind of one-party rule is exactly what brought us the largest tax hike in recent history. While the insiders maneuver for power behind closed doors, the public is left with the bill — literally. The same group that wants to install a supervisor without your vote just passed a property tax increase on your home of over 12 percent. That is the cost of unchecked control, and it is time we said “enough.”
This town deserves better than secret deals and insider politics. The supervisor’s office belongs to the people, not the party bosses. That’s why I have proposed straightforward ethics
reform to ban these kinds of appointments in the future. Under my proposal, if a supervisor steps down early, the deputy supervisor would serve as the interim replacement, and the voters, not the board, would choose a new leader in the next scheduled election or a special one.
Simple, fair, democratic. It is similar to what former supervisor, now U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen proposed, but was rejected by clavin’s allies on the board. That’s why we need new blood.
When the same party holds power for decades, it gets comfortable and careless. It stops asking for your vote and starts making decisions in the shadows. But democracy demands more than backroom deals and power swaps. It demands accountability. It demands integrity. And most of all, it demands that we trust the voters to decide who leads them.
To every resident in the Town of hempstead: Your vote should never be treated as a formality. It should be the only thing that matters. Let’s make sure it stays that way.
Joe Scianablo is the Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead supervisor.
tions over the past 75 years, you’ll see that fringe candidates don’t win presidential elections, no matter on which side of the aisle they sit. On the other hand, some of our most effective presidents were those like John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, who fostered bipartisan politics.
RIchARD S. KAhN Glen Cove
To the Editor:
Jerry Kremer’s column in the July 24-30 issue, “It’s long past time to shut down the cellphone,” highlighted exactly what is wrong with the Democratic Party today. Mr. Kremer spend the first half of his op-ed bemoaning current politics — in particular, the devastating “One Big Beautiful Bill,” especially for the most vulnerable among us — but offered no hint of a remedy. If he is illequipped to lead or advise the next generation of voters, perhaps he should step aside and allow someone who can. Instead, Kremer spent the second half of his column belittling a dynamic young Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, who has energized voters with policy ideas that address the real needs of New Yorkers — many of whom are the prime targets of the cuts that so distress Kremer. If Mamdani is inexperienced, our veteran Democrats should
be throwing their weight behind him and offering support and expertise. I cannot fathom why institutional Democrats such as Kremer would prefer Andrew cuomo, a sexual predator, or Eric Adams, an indicted alleged criminal, over a, yes, young, but moral, galvanizing upstart. Younger Demo-
crats do not want corrupt, lecherous and unrepentant leaders, and we do not want complacency. If Kremer can’t see that, perhaps he should shut down his phone and put down his pen.
