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We’re your local paper es, organizations and schools Valley Stream is the kind of that make up this community. community where people know Every week, we’re here to their neighbors, and families tell the stories happening in grow up here. your backyard — from local And whether you’re spendgovernment and schools to ing a Saturday afternoon at community events and the resiHendrickson Park, walking dents making a difference. through the village, supporting As the Herald’s senior a local business or cheering reporter, I’m excited to be part from the sidelines at a school of this community and to help game, there are countless ways tell those stories. to experience what VALLEY STREAM HERALD Local journalism makes Valley Stream works best when it special. The commureflects the people it nity has a character serves, and we want all its own. this paper to be a There’s also no place where Valley shortage of reasons for neighbors to Stream residents can come together. From see their community community festivals represented. and concerts to If you’re not school activities, already a subscriber, fundraisers, holiday we hope you’ll concelebrations and sider joining us. You local programs, the can subscribe at villge’s calendar is filled with LIHerald.com/subscribe or call events that bring people togeth(516) 569-4000, ext. 7. You can er throughout the year. also support local journalism And at the heart of the comwith a one-time or recurring munity are its schools, students donation at LIHerald.com/ and teachers. The accomplishdonate. ments of Valley Stream stuAnd to our longtime subdents in the classroom, on the scribers, thank you. Your supathletic field or on the stage are port allows us to continue a source of pride for residents showing up, asking questions, throughout the village. meeting our neighbors and tellThis week, the Valley Stream ing the stories that matter. Herald is being delivered to Welcome to the Valley every home, along with our Stream Herald — and thanks annual Community Guide. We for reading. hope it serves as a useful introduction to the people, businessHailey Fulmer, Senior Reporter presents the

2026-2027

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Deliah Roberts/Herald

This is us in 20 years

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Where books meet big ideas

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

Valley Stream was among the communities along Long Island’s South Shore to feel the effects of this past weekend’s nor’easter, with strong winds, heavy rain, flooding and downed trees creating challenges throughout the area. As the storm moved through, residents dealt with fallen trees and branches, road disruptions and a water main break, while village crews and emergency personnel responded to problems across the community. Valley Stream Mayor Edwin Fare said the village brought in 27 tons of material following the

storm, including debris from seven full trees that came down in the village. Crews also removed about 50 large limbs, along with numerous smaller branches. Some additional trees fell on private property. “We thank residents for their patience during a tough, slow moving storm,” Fare said. “Our Highway, Sanitation and Parks crews cleared all debris quickly and professionally.” Hendrickson Park was temporarily closed Monday while the Parks and Highway departments worked to make the area safe following the storm. Fare said that multiple village departments CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

LEY STREA

AM B

Strong weekend nor’easter slams Valley Stream with wind and rain

Connected Outdoors:

First-graders Maharaj Singh, 6, left, and Josiah Gray, 6, posed as firefighters at the PTA’s Community Helpers Day at Wheeler Avenue School. Students took a break from their classroom on Sept. 24 to meet the people who serve their community. Story, more photos, Page 3.

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026 Deliah Roberts/Herald photos

From left, Principal Frank Huplosky and Assistant Principal Dr. Amanda King join PTA members and students during Community Helpers Day at Wheeler Avenue School.

Community helpers come to Wheeler Avenue By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

For Wheeler Avenue School students, learning about the people who keep their community running meant stepping outside the classroom. On Sept. 24, the Wheeler Avenue School PTA hosted its first Community Helpers Day in at least a decade, bringing local departments and organizations into the school for a morning of handson activities and conversations. PTA Vice President of Programs Kat Guzman began planning the program in the spring after seeing an opportunity to connect what students were learning in class with the people working in their own neighborhoods. “I wanted to bring the community into the school and give the kids an opportunity to meet and interact with the people who serve our community every day,” Guzman said. Nearly 600 students took part in rotations throughout the morning, meeting representatives from the Valley Stream Fire Department, Valley Stream Department of Public Works and Nassau County Police Department. The police department brought members of Community Affairs, the Bureau of Special Operations, along with its mounted and motorcycle units. The Valley Stream Fire Department brought an educational trailer and spoke with students about fire safety ahead of October’s Fire Prevention Month. The morning also included representatives from the Valley Stream Library, Valley Stream Central High School District 13 Board of Education and the Valley Stream Beautification Committee. The sights and equipment quickly became a draw. Guzman said students were eager to get outside and see what each department had brought. “As they were walking out the door, they were like, ‘Oh my gosh, I want to go see that,’” she said. But the goal was about more than

Mrs. Tippins’ fifth-grade class met sanitation workers Ken Cardinal and Mark Aragona during Wheeler Avenue School’s Community Helpers Day. showing off police motorcycles or fire equipment. Guzman wanted students to see the people behind the uniforms and understand how their work affects everyday life in Valley Stream. “These are the people who are right here in our own community that work every day to help and support them,” she said. The PTA also wanted the lesson to go both ways. Michelle Cardinal, vice president of public relations for the Wheeler Avenue School PTA, said students should leave knowing that they do not have to wait until they are adults to make a difference. “Most importantly, we want students to leave the event understanding that they can be community helpers, too,” Cardinal said. Putting the program together took months. Guzman began reaching out to organizations in the spring and worked

with school administrators to coordinate schedules. The Nassau County Police Department required additional planning because several specialized units were invited, while the Long Island Rail Road’s track safety team expressed interest but could not attend. With so many students at Wheeler Avenue, the PTA divided the morning into rotations to keep the activities manageable and give each class time to interact with the visitors. Guzman hopes the program becomes an annual tradition and would like to bring individual organizations back throughout the school year for smaller visits. The students already had one request for next time: more time outside. For Guzman, that was a welcome sign that the morning had made an impression. “It was nice to show the kids, this is our town,” she said. “You have support.”

Kindergartner Jessiah Romain, 5, smiles alongside Motor Patrol Officer Triolo and Anthony during the PTA’s Community Helpers Day at Wheeler Avenue School.

From left, Nolan Dutchin, 4, has some fun with firefighter Joseph O’Brien and Skyler Lopez, 5, a kindergartner, during the PTA’s Community Helpers Day.

NEWS BRIEF

New playgrounds land at two Valley Stream schools Valley Stream Union Free School District 13

Valley Stream District 13 welcomed its first-year faculty with a bus tour.

New teachers begin their year in V.S. Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 welcomed its newest teachers with a three-day New Teacher Orientation and professional development program led by Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Lorraine Radice. The first day focused on first-year faculty members, introducing them to the district through welcome sessions, human resources and technology training, as well as the district’s first community bus tour. The tour introduced new teachers to the history of Valley Stream and the surrounding communities that make up the district, with stops

at all four district schools and local landmarks, including Fireman’s Field, the Village Green, the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library and Hendrickson Park. The following two days brought together first- through fourth-year faculty members for professional development tailored to their roles and subject areas. Sessions covered curriculum, instructional technology and student support before staff met with their building principals and began planning in their home schools. — Hailey Fulmer

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Courtesy Valley Stream School District 13

Howell Road Elementary School celebrated the grand opening the school’s new playground on September 4th.

James A. Dever Elementary School also celebrated the opening of its new playground at the start of the school year.

Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 kicked off the new school year with the grand opening of two new playgrounds at Howell Road and James A. Dever elementary schools. Both projects incorporated extensive community and student input and were made possible through a Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) grant secured with the support of Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages. DASNY provided $500,000 in capital funding through the State and Municipal Facilities Program to update the Howell and Dever playgrounds, modernizing the spaces and enhancing safety, accessibility, functionality and community use. The investment directly advances the district’s Strategic Plan 2025-2028 under its Learning Environment goal, which calls for facilities that are “safe, healthy and accessible” and that “inspire engagement, support academic excellence and foster well-being for students and staff.” Howell Road celebrated its playground opening on Sept. 4 with district officials and Assemblywoman Solages. The design incorporates direct input from the school’s student council and the wider Howell Road

community, and includes additional swing sets requested by students, a jungle theme with animal designs, wood-like textures, ADA-accessible slides and safety surfacing throughout. The space is also personalized with Howell Road’s identity, featuring the school’s Howell Owl mascot and green and yellow school colors. Dever celebrated its playground opening on Sept. 14. District administrators, Board of Education President Sarah Sabatino, board trustees Jaclyn Kunz and Cecil Matthew, and Assemblywoman Solages joined the celebration, along with student representatives. The playground was also shaped by community input, with Dever creating a schoolwide “thought bank” inviting students to share what they loved about the new playground, what they hoped for and which features were their favorites. Both playground projects included the installation of state-of-the-art play spaces, brand-new, high-quality safety surfacing and additional ADA-compliant playground equipment. — Hailey Fulmer

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MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: www.liherald.com/valleystream ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: vseditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 282 E-mail: vseditor@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com The Valley Stream Herald USPS 005868, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Valley Stream Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Newsstand Price: $1. Annual Subscription Rates, $52 per year auto-pay or $65 one-time payment within Nassau County or $76 outside of Nassau County. Copyright © 2026 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Parking closure continues to raise concerns hfulmer@liherald.com

Christina Arlotta/Herald

A parking lot near the Valley Stream Long Island Rail Road station is expected to close this fall as the village prepares for construction of a new senior housing development. son Pool parking lot and another lot near the railroad trestles are about 0.8 miles from the station. “For commuters, you rush in the morning,” Colon said. “In the winter, it’s cold. It’s dark in the morning. It’s dark at night.” Bonilla said the closure could add significant time to her mor ning commute, particularly because some of the remaining lots require drivers to enter and exit from streets farther from the train station. She also raised concer ns about commuters who have work schedules that do not allow for extra travel time. “Certain jobs, you need to be on time,” Bonilla said. Residents have suggested several possible alter natives, including allowing nonresident permit holders to use additional parking areas, permitting longer stays in metered lots, creating designated street parking or providing a shuttle to the train station. Colon said she understands that the village is making changes to accommodate a new senior housing development but wants commuters to have options that allow them to continue using the train without adding substantial time to their morning routines. “You’ve got to meet us partway,” she said. Bonilla said the issue is also complicated by the difference between parking fees for residents of the incorporated village and those who live elsewhere in Valley Stream. Village Deputy Treasurer Tom McAleer said the difference in parking fees is tied to the taxes paid by residents of the incorporated vil-

lage. “T hey don’ t pay villa g e tax,” McAleer said of nonresidents. “Village residents pay village tax, so

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The planned closure of a Valley Stream parking lot continues to raise concerns among commuters, who say they were not given enough notice and are now facing higher parking fees while having fewer options for g etting to the Long Island Rail Road station. Parking Field 26, near Hicks Street and West Valley Stream Boulevard, is expected to close this fall to make way for construction of The Alder at Valley Stream, a 132-unit senior housing development. The closure will eliminate 156 parking spaces that have long been used by nonresident commuters. For residents who live in Valley Stream but outside the incorporated village, the change has added to their frustration. They pay an annual fee for village parking privileges but say they were not notified that Field 26 would be closing when they renewed their permits. Melanie Colon, a Valley Stream resident who lives outside the incorporated village, said she renewed her parking permit this year without knowing the lot would soon be unavailable. The annual fee also increased from $600 to $650. “I understand that they’re going to be building senior housing, and that’s a good thing,” Colon said. “But the way we’re being treated goes beyond unfair.” Colon said she and other commuters lear ned about the closure through word of mouth and began reaching out to village officials and local representatives for answers. She said the timing was particularly frustrating because commuters had already renewed their permits before learning that one of the lots they rely on would be eliminated. “If I knew the lot was not available, I would have looked for other options,” Colon said. Mirella Bonilla, another Valley Stream resident who lives outside the incorporated village, said she also learned about the closure from other commuters rather than directly from the village. Bonilla said she had asked about rumors of changes to the parking lot about two years ago and was told there was nothing to worry about. When she later renewed her permit and learned of the planned closure, she said she was sur prised that there had been no direct notification. The loss of Field 26 is especially concer ning during the mor ning rush, commuters said. Colon said Field 8, another lot available to nonresident per mit holders and one of the closest to the train station, can fill by about 7:15 or 7:30 a.m. Once that happens, commuters must look farther away for parking. She estimated that the Hendrick-

that’s why they don’t pay as much as nonresidents.” McAleer said he considers the nonresident parking fee moderate compared with fees in surrounding villages. He also said the village is l o o k i n g at h ow p a rk i n g c a n b e adjusted as the needs of the community change. The village has said it plans to repurpose an existing parking lot to replace some of the capacity lost when Field 26 closes. The village’s current parking infor mation lists Field 26 as closing in fall 2026 and identifies Fields 8, 19 and 32 as nonresident commuter parking fields. McAleer said in a prior interview that the village does not want nonresident commuters to be left without options. “We never want to leave out our nonresident friends, and we will never abandon them,” McAleer said. “Accommodations will be made.” For Colon and Bonilla, however, the immediate concer n remains where they will park once Field 26 closes. Colon said she hopes village officials will consider alternatives that account for commuters who leave early in the mor ning and retur n after long workdays.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

By HAILEY FULMER

BRINGING LOCAL SPORTS HOME EVERY WEEK

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE

HERALD SPORTS

VSC continues its impressive rise By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

EVAN NELSON V.S. CENTRAL Senior FOOTBALL NELSON HAS KEYED the Eagles’ fast start to the season in Nassau Conference II. In the opener he led a dynamic ground attack with 143 yards on just 16 carries as Valley Stream Central cruised to a 30-6 victory over Baldwin Sept. 10. Nine days later, he broke out for 200 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns as the Eagles pulled off a 32-28 upset of New Hyde Park. Nelson sealed that W with a late fourth-and-1 conversion.

GAMES TO WATCH Thursday, Oct. 1 Boys Soccer: Clarke at V.S. South ........................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Seaford at Plainedge ......................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Hewlett at Malv-ERock ...................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Kellenberg at South Side ................5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2 Girls Soccer: Elmont at Sewanhaka ................4:30 p.m. Girls Soccer: North Shore at Plainedge................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Garden City at Mepham .................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: MacArthur at Calhoun ....................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Baldwin at Farmingdale ..................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Massapequa at Freeport ................5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Oceanside at East Meadow ............5 p.m. Boys Soccer: Uniondale at V.S. Central ................5 p.m. Girls Soccer: Seaford at Lynbrook ..................5:30 p.m. Football: Massapequa at Hempstead ..................6 p.m. Football: Carey at MacArthur ...............................6 p.m. Football: Lynbrook at Malverne............................7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 Football: Plainedge at Clarke ...............................2 p.m. Football: Baldwin at Kennedy ..............................2 p.m. Football: Farmingdale at East Meadow ................3 p.m. Football: V.S. Central at Mepham........................3 p.m. Football: Glen Cove at Wantagh ...........................3 p.m.

Valley Stream Central’s boys’ volleyball prog ram enjoyed a meteoric rise a year ago, winning 16 matches including a first-round playoff battle with Long Beach. The Eagles were eliminated by eventual state champion Massapequa, but brought back their entire starting lineup and more. “Our success really motivated the kids to pick up where they left off,” VSC coach Kevin Mayer said. “Facing Long Beach and especially Massapequa in the playoffs was a great experience. They raised our level of play and we’d like to think with 13 seniors back we’re legitimate contenders this year.” Central broke out of the gate with six straight victories, including five against Conference 1B rivals while losing just one set in the prcess. “We’re staying humble,” Mayer said. “We know we’re not going to sneak up on anyone and they’ve got us circled on their schedules. We’re playing well so far, but the competition is strong and we’ve won some close sets.” The offense runs through senior All-County setter Keith Gestopa, who keeps opponents guessing with his ability to distribute to all areas. He reached the 1,000 career assist milestone in September. “Keith does a tremendous job of keeping us unpredictable,” Mayer said. “It’s his third year on varsity like a bunch of the guys and he’s a captain. It’s nice to have a

Jeff Wilson/Herald

Shawn Shah is one of 13 seniors looking to take the Eagles on a deep playoff run and county title push. setter who can get the ball anywhere it needs to go.” Senior outside hitter Matthew Serrano is one of many

beneficiaries of Gestopa talents. Mayer called Serrano last year’s unsung hero and the ultimate two-way player.

“He leads our teams in kills with 75 and does a great job passing and serve receiving in the back row. He’s also an excellent leader.” Serrano is another thirdyear contributor who was on the 2024 team that began to put the program on the map with a better-than-.500 finish. “Playing for the team has brought me so much joy,” he said. “What we have here at Central is truly something special that not many schools have, and I’m so thankful to be a part of it.” Senior Logan Autar is a tall and athletic middle hitter who earned All-Conference honors last season. He leads the way in blocks through six matches. “He hasn’t been playing volleyball too long but he’s progressively raised the level of his game,” Mayer said. Senior Jayden Coleman is another impactful piece in the middle who creates problems for opponents. On the right side, senior Sean Shah ranks second on the team behind Serrano in kills and plays in the front and back rows. Junior outside hitter Jordan Yeh, the only non-senior in the main rotation, is another offensive weapon. Central’s defense is spearheaded by senior libero Andre Ocava, who is looking to earn a third consecutive All-County award. It’s his fourth varsity season and he already has 75 digs. “He’s a standout and a big reason for the program’s rise,” Mayer said. Staying sharp from the service line is one area Mayer is stressing. “We’re putting a lot of emphasis on limiting service errors,” he said.

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

JOB FAIR

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2026

Freeport Recreation Center • 130 East Merrick Road • Freeport 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.- Open early to Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - General Admission

Employers at the event include:

Cox Fleet • Dignity Home Care • Risewell Community Services • Council for Airport Opportunity EPIC LONG ISLAND • New York State Police • The Center for Developmental Disabilities Options for Community Living • U.S. Air & Space Force • Total Orthopedics Spine and Sports Medicine LLC. QSAC • Roto-Rooter • NY Army National Guard • AHRC Nassau • Fresia/Seviroli Foods LLC Fire Department, City of New York (FDNY) - Office of Recruitment & Retention Winston Staffing • NYPD Recruitment Section • Tiegerman School • Doyle Security Services ACLD- Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities CP Nassau • Club Demonstration Services • Schivo Medical Economic Opportunity Commission of Nassau County Inc. New York State Department of Civil Service • and more!!!

BRING SEVERAL COPIES OF YOUR RESUME! For more information, please call (516) 485-5000, ext. 1100 Co-hosted by:

Mayor Robert T. Kennedy Freeport Village

Registrants will receive an invite via email to attend a pre-event online workshop to prepare for the Job Fair.

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Council Members Dorothy L. Goosby • Dennis Dunne, Sr. • Thomas E. Muscarella Melissa Miller • Laura A. Ryder • Christopher R. Schneider

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Visit our website: www.HempsteadWorks.com

Kate Murray Town Clerk

Jeanine C. Driscoll Receiver of Taxes

NEWS BRIEFS A parking meter in Valley Stream reflects the village’s ongoing adjustments to parking availability as construction, curb cuts and other street changes affect where meters can be placed. Courtesy Valley Stream Union Free School District 13

Joseph Albano gave a presentation on the history of the statues to the Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 Board of Education. Kayla Dechter/Herald

V.S. makes changes to the parking meters The Village of Valley Stream is relocating parking meters as construction and other street changes affect parking availability. Meters may be temporarily removed when a property owner adds a curb cut or needs access to a building. When the curb cut is no longer needed or the space becomes available again, the village may reinstall the meter. The adjustments are part of the village’s ongoing effort to manage park-

ing as community needs shift. Meters are not necessarily being permanently eliminated; they may be moved or replaced depending on current parking demand. The village is also transitioning to a new parking payment system. In larger lots, drivers will use pay-by-space machines and enter their parking space number when paying. –Hailey Fulmer

The ‘Chunky’ statues recieves a new life Valley Stream Eagle Scout Joseph Albano recently completed a restoration project, bringing new life to a piece of local history: the “Chunky” statues on the grounds of James A. Dever Elementary School in Valley Stream Union Free School District 13. The statues are part of a set of 13 abstract sculptures that originally made up “Continuum,” a sculpture playground outside the Chunky Candy Corporation’s pavilion at the 1964-65 World’s Fair. Five of the sculptures now stand together at Dever. For his Eagle Scout project, Albano

cleaned, repainted and rearranged the statues, and coordinated the move of a companion piece from Willow Road Elementary School to join the collection, reuniting them on district property for the first time in decades. He presented his project in August to the Valley Stream Union Free School District 13 Board of Education, where he also donated four World’s Fair history books, one for each library across the district, so students can learn more about the fair’s legacy and the statues’ history. –Hailey Fulmer

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

THINGS TO KNOW HENRY WALDINGER MEMORIAL LIBRARY

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library has plenty of resources that go beyond borrowing books. From free passes to museums and cultural attractions to 5G Wi-Fi hotspots and career tools, the library offers services that can be useful for families, students, job seekers and anyone looking for something new to do in and around Valley Stream.

A Valley Stream library card can open the door to more than books. The Henry Waldinger Memorial Library offers free family passes to a variety of museums and cultural attractions. The list includes the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, Heckscher Museum of Art, Long Island Children’s Museum, New York Hall of Science, New York Transit Museum, Old Westbury Gardens, Planting Fields and Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium. Some passes cover adults and children, while others have specific limits. The library recommends checking with the Adult Reference Desk for current availability and reservation information.

You can borrow a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot The library has upgraded its mobile hotspot lending program with MiFi X PRO 5G hotspots, giving Valley Stream library cardholders a convenient way to stay connected on the go. The hotspots can be borrowed for 14 days and support up to 32 WiFi-enabled devices at once, including phones, tablets and laptops. The devices can help cardholders stay online during internet outages, while traveling or in places where reliable service is difficult to find. There is no charge to borrow a hotspot, making the program a useful option for work, school or everyday internet needs. Overdue hotspots carry a $5 daily late fee and a $100 replacement fee if they are more than 10 days overdue.

The library has resources for your next job, test or skill The library has several online tools designed to help people with work, school and professional development. Job seekers can use JobNow for resume help, career assessments, interview preparation and personalized feedback from a live job coach. The library also offers Career Cruising, which provides career information, occupational profiles and college resources, as well as free access to Cypress Resume for creating a professional resume. For students and professionals preparing for exams, the library offers Mometrix Test Preparation, with study guides, flashcards and practice questions for exams including the Praxis, GRE, ATI TEAS, NCLEX, HESI, SAT, MCAT and GMAT.

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Your library card can get you into museums for free

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

More than books at your local library

October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

WHAT’S NEWS IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

HERALD SCHOOLS

Photos courtesy Valley Stream Central High School District

Mia Fernandez walked through a lesson on best body language practices during an audition.

Broadway veteran leads audition workshop Kathy Deitch, a performer whose Broadway credits include the original companies of “Wicked” and “Footloose,” and whose film and television work includes Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” and a recurring role on “Law & Order,” recently visited Central High School to lead a hands-on audition workshop for Valley Stream Central High School District performing arts students. Deitch walked students through practical audition techniques, including how to enter an audition space with confidence, communicate effectively, recover from mistakes and let their individuality come through in their work. Students applied tips on preparation, presentation and performance in real time, with several performing individually for Deitch and receiving personalized feedback. The workshop came as students prepared to audition for the district’s fall musical. Deitch has led audition workshops for young performers around the country, working with students through programs at Wagner College, UCLA, Pace University and the University of Hartford. “What made this experience meaningful was watching our students see how many elements come together to create a strong performance,” said Monique Retzlaff, district director of fine and performing arts. “Kathy worked with them on preparation, presence, intention and how they communicate what they are singing. It gave our students a different lens through which to look at their own performance.” The workshop was organized by Performing Arts Lead Teacher Kristin Martine as part of the district’s ongoing effort to connect students with working professionals in the arts. –Hailey Fulmer

Deitch provided feedback for Rakim Evans.

Student Rakim Evans performs during a recent Broadway workshop.

Veteran performer Kathy Deitch recently led a hands-on workshop in the art of auditioning for the Valley Stream Central High School District’s

Olivia Martinez worked with Deitch on her audition.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

ONEYOU’LLBITE KNOW AND

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Holden Leeds/Herald file

Kiwanis plans busy fall in Valley Stream The Kiwanis Club of Valley Stream has several activities planned for October, including a Halloween celebration and a car wash fundraiser. Families can stop by Green Acres, 10 West Circle, from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 for Halloween crafts, refreshments, games, prizes and a trunk-or-treat. Costumes are encouraged but not required. On Oct. 18, the Valley Stream Kiwanis and Key Club will hold a car wash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hendrickson Park Pool parking lot, 123 W. Merrick Road. Car washes will cost $10 for cars and $15 for SUVs and trucks, with proceeds supporting the groups’ Student Leadership Training Conference.

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outside the immediate area. Basille promotes it through social media groups across Long Island and New York City, and said vendors have come from as far away as Suffolk County and Westchester. While many communities host street fairs and vendor fairs, Basille said the flea market has a different feel because sellers come to offer their own merchandise rather than represent a civic group or organization. “It’s small folk coming in and small folk doing the sales,” he said. Lions Club members will begin setting up around 6:30 a.m. before opening to the public at 8 a.m. Basille said the crowd typically begins to thin around 4 p.m., with the flea market ending at 5 p.m. The club is also planning a sip-and-paint later this fall. For Basille, keeping the flea market going is part of maintaining a tradition that has become familiar to generations of Valley Stream residents. “We’ve stood with that flea market name,” he said.

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The Valley Stream Lions Club’s annual flea market is coming back Nov. 14 after weather forced the club to postpone its 31st year of the tradition. The flea market was originally scheduled for Sept. 25 but will now take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Valley Stream Lions Club. About 70 vendors had signed up when David Basille, the club’s second vice president, was interviewed, with more expected to register before the date. Basille said the flea market has been a fixture for the club for more than three decades. When it first began, the Lions Club had a much larger membership and members handled much of the work themselves, including cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for visitors. Over time, the club stopped preparing its own food and began bringing in food vendors. The flea market has also grown into a place where small businesses and individual sellers can set up shop and reach customers from beyond Valley Stream. The club has hosted as many as 100 vendors in previous years. Basille expects about 80 to participate this year. The flea market also draws people from

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A slow-moving nor’easter leaves its mark CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

worked together during the response, including Highway, Parks, Sanitation, Fleet Services and Public Safety, along with the Nassau County Police Department and Valley Stream Fire Department. “Overall, we were pretty lucky in Valley Stream,” Fare said. “It could have been so much worse, as we have seen with our other low-lying neighboring communities.” The storm also brought problems with water infrastructure in the village. A water main break was reported during the weekend, with Valley Stream Fire Department Chief Andrew Capone addressing the issue in a Facebook post. Capone said the village and water company were aware of the break and wrote that it would be fixed “between today and Monday.” Elsewhere in the village, a tree fell on Heatherfield Road Saturday morning, blocking one of the entrances or exits to the Mill Brook community. The tree was removed about two hours later. The storm also disrupted transportation and caused scattered reports of downed trees and power outages across Long Island as strong winds and coastal flooding affected the South Shore. Residents had been preparing for the storm before it arrived. On Friday, Valley Stream resident Kevin Montefusco was at West Marina in Point Lookout

Courtesy Darlene Hinds

A toppled tree blocked part of Heatherfield Road last Saturday as strong winds resulted in scattered reports of downed trees and power outages across Long Island. checking on his boat and making sure it was secured ahead of the forecasted conditions. “I think it’s going to be bad, to be honest with you,” Montefusco said Friday. “I’m just coming down, making sure the lines are tied nice and tight. I think I might take the top down [on the boat] and we’ll see what happens from there.” Montefusco also recalled preparing for Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and a con-

versation he had with another boater at the marina. “Old John has got that little, old boat next to me there. He’s an old guy,” Montefusco said. “I remember, when Sandy was going to hit and everybody tied up [their boats]. He says, ‘We got what we got. What we ain’t got when we come back, we ain’t got.’” By the time the storm had passed, village crews had cleared much of the debris left behind, with officials credit-

Courtesy Michele Tritschler

The calm before the storm at the Community Garden on Hawthorne Avenue. ing the coordinated response among departments and emergency personnel. “We had about seven full trees come down — more if you count on private property,” Fare said. “We had about 50 large limbs and many branches that were cleaned up in the village.” The village’s response came as communities across the South Shore dealt with the effects of the slow-moving storm, including flooding, downed trees and other storm-related damage.

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

STEPPING OUT

Alexander Sovronsky

Bobby Conte

Miyuki Miyagi

From Long Island to Dickens:

‘Copperﬁeld!’

At home on the Off-Broadway stage

By Iris Wiener

hat does “home” mean? For Bobby Conte, Alexander Sovronsky, and Miyuki Miyagi, this question is close to their hearts. Each performer brings a unique connection with Long Island to “Copperfield!,” the new Off-Broadway musical now playing at The Duke on 42nd Street at New 42 Studios. Based on Charles Dickens’ coming-of-age classic, the show allows these performers to draw on their families, communities, and artistic experiences that helped shape their journeys to the stage. “Copperfield!” tells the story of a young man looking back on his life and trying to understand family, identity, perseverance, and where he belongs. Before Conte (Broadway’s “A Bronx Tale”), Sovronsky (Broadway’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”) and Miyagi (Off-Broadway’s “Beau the Musical”), found themselves bringing his story to life, their paths were touched by various lessons inspired by their local roots. Conte, who leads the musical as David Copperfield, sees the idea of home through the lens of the people who helped shape him. His grandparents live in Manhasset, and Long Island became an important part of his life, particularly after college, when he lived with them while auditioning and saving money for his first job. “They were the best roommates ever,” he says. His grandfather, who operated a pharmacy in Manhasset and New York City, was also a passionate supporter of the arts. His customers included Broadway performers like Ethel Merman due to his unique concoction of a remedy for sore throats. Conte considers his grandfather a lasting influence on his own decision to pursue acting. “He’s the forever inspiration of anything that I do,” he says. “Whatever life he’s built over 90plus years affords me the opportunity to take a risk and try to be an actor.” For Sovronsky and Miyagi, the Long Island connection began with music. Sovronsky grew up in Syosset, and began playing violin at the age of 3, studying Suzuki violin with the

Children’s Orchestra Society and in programs in Oyster Bay and Glen Cove. He later attended Syosset High School and became involved in theater, eventually finding a way to combine the two disciplines he had been told could not coexist professionally. “I didn’t want to choose,” he sayd. “People said you can’t do both, you have to choose. And I was like, ‘Watch me!’” Miyagi, who hails from Glen Cove and attended Portledge School in Locust Valley, also discovered her artistic identity early. She began playing violin at 3 (potentially crossing paths with future co-star Sovronsky with the Children’s Orchestra Society) and danced throughout her childhood. “I fell in love with theater in elementary school and thought, ‘Well, I’m going to be an actor,’” she says. “No one took me seriously, but I meant it very seriously.” Her parents’ Japanese restaurants —Asahi Tokyo in Glen Cove and later Maguro in Roslyn — provided another lesson in determination. Watching her parents navigate the demands and uncertainty of the restaurant business, she says, prepared her for the similarly unpredictable life of a theater performer. “They trained me to persevere,” Miyagi says. Those Long Island experiences have become an unexpected throughline in a production centered on finding one’s place in the world. But “Copperfield!” is also an unusually collaborative theatrical experience. The production uses an actor-musician approach in which the company members do far more than act. They sing, play instruments, portray multiple characters, and help create the sound and physical world of the story in full view of the audience. “It’s really rare that you get everyone touching instruments,” Sovronsky says. “That’s a really exciting, unifying element.” For Conte, the musicality of the company has been one of the most remarkable parts of the rehearsal process. He recalled watching performers switch instruments during a rehearsal and somehow make the arrangement sound even better. “I’m constantly surprised at the abilities of the people in the room,” he says. “You are watching the creative people create something before your eyes,” Conte says. That philosophy also informs the performers’ work with multiple characters. Sovronsky plays four different roles, using accents, vocal qualities, and physicality to distinguish them. Miyagi, a swing, covers multiple tracks, requiring her to move among characters with their own voices and physical identities. Musically, the production avoids the conventional amplified sound of many contemporary musicals. Instead, the acoustic score incorporates strings, winds, piano, and live Foley effects, creating a soundscape that complements the period setting. Sovronsky sees “Copperfield!” as ultimately a story about “finding your home and finding joy and the positivity in things.” Conte adds that the story’s themes serve as an important reminder: “When you’re dealt the cards you have, can you still find hope, purpose, and a reason to want to connect with other people?” As he puts it, the power of theater may ultimately lie in its ability to remind audiences that everyone is deserving of “grace and patience and forgiveness,” and that, even after a difficult journey, there is always the possibility of finding a way forward. The performers’ Long Island experiences are helping them tell a story about a young man doing exactly what they have done in their own ways: looking at where David Copperfield came from, discovering who he is, and finding the people and places that make him feel at home. “Charles Dickens’ Copperfield! The New Musical” runs through Dec. 6. Visit copperfieldthemusical.com to purchase tickets.

Queen-mania is coming back to Long Island. Almost Queen’s highvoltage tribute to one of rock’s most legendary bands is complete with soaring vocals, Brian May-style guitar riffs, four-part harmonies and the theatrical swagger that made Queen unforgettable. Fronted by Joseph Russo as the charismatic Freddie Mercury, with Steve Leonard as Brian May, Randy Gregg as John Deacon and John Cappadona as Roger Taylor, Almost Queen delivers a meticulously crafted recreation of the Queen experience. From the authentic costumes to faithful renditions of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You” and “Somebody to Love,” every detail is designed to capture the grandeur, precision and sheer fun of a Queen concert. It’s a full-throttle trip into the world of Queen. Expect big vocals, bigger guitar and plenty of reasons to get out of your seat.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Curtain up on the Great White Way Broadway’s biggest hits take the spotlight at the Madison Theatre in “Give Our Regards to Broadway: A Salute to the 21st Century Musical.” The focus is on 2000s favorites, with showstoppers from “Wicked,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “In the Heights” and Disney classics. Add Broadway guest stars Nichelle Lewis and Harris Matthew “Molloy University’s talented CAP21 Musical Theatre students and the soaring South Shore Symphony, and the result is a production packed with big voices, memorable songs and Broadway ﬂair.

Sunday, Oct. 4, 3 p.m. $45-$65. Tickets available at madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444. Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

‘Havin’ a good time’…

October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Your Neighborhood OCT

‘I Do! I Do!’

CALENDAR Long Island” (Triglyph Books, 2026). Their discussion explores the stories, research, and visual imagination that shaped this richly illustrated tribute to one of Long Island’s most beloved estates. The book brings the house and its history vividly to life through archival images and lush contemporary photography. It honors the legacy of the estate Jay Phipps built to woo his English love, Dita Grace. The evening begins with sparkling wine and light hors d’oeuvres, followed by the program discussion. Copies of the book available for purchase. $75 per person, $125 per couple.

Plaza Theatrical Productions stages the intimate and nostalgic work by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (The Fantasticks). Written as a star vehicle for theater legends, Mary Martin and Robert Preston, the intimate musical follows one couple through 50 years of love, quarrels and marriage. This touching story of two soulmates navigating life’s perils is set to a tuneful, charming score. $49.50, $45 seniors. • Where: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont • Time: 2 p.m.; also Oct. 3-4 • Contact: PlazaTheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 6-8:30 p.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

On stage

Adelphi University’s Department of Theater presents Nick Payne’s Olivier award-winning “Constellations,” a play about free will and friendship; quantum multiverse theory, love and honey. Roland is a beekeeper. Marianne is a quantum physicist. What are their odds of falling in love? With infinite moments that can change the trajectory of a life, it’s anyone’s guess how cosmic collision is possible. This play moves from the question of “what if,” to a poignant picture of “what is” — in this love story about the odds of a beekeeper and quantum physicist falling in love. • Where: Adelphi University Black Box Theatre, 1 South Ave., Garden City • Time: 7 p.m., through Oct. 4, times vary • Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or call (516) 877-4000

OCT

Grace Church Thrift Shop

Check out the great finds at Grace Church Thrift Shop, open every Saturday. Find clothing for all with a special sale on summer clothing. Also browse among collectibles, jewelry, art, electronics, housewares, beautiful sets of china and crystal, CDs and DVD’s and many more items. Special sale on Precious Moments figures. Enjoy shopping where you save more and waste less! • Where: 21 S. Franklin Ave., Valley Stream • Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. • Contact: (516) 825-1182

Breast Cancer Awareness Program

International Women in Reggae hosts their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Show featuring live entertainment, inspiration and a message of awareness, support and togetherness. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door.

OCT

A blast from the ‘80s

Tease that hair, dig out the neon and get ready to party like it’s 1985. Jessie’s Girl is bringing its wildly entertaining “Back to the Eighties” concert experience back to the Paramount, with a high-energy blast of pop, rock and pure ‘80s nostalgia. The New York City-based band features top rock and pop musicians and four powerhouse vocalists who transform into the era’s biggest icons, complete with signature looks, choreography and plenty of attitude. Expect hits from the decade’s biggest stars, delivered with a full live band and the kind of over-the-top production that makes Jessie’s Girl a concert — and a party — rolled into one. Add audience participation, colorful costumes, props, bubbles and a • Where: The Paramount, 370 blizzard of confetti, and you’ve got an all-out throwback celebration that keeps the New York Ave., Huntington crowd singing, dancing and reaching for those neon leg warmers. Whether you lived • Time: 8 p.m. through the ‘80s or simply wish you had, Jessie’s Girl knows how to take you back. • Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com • Where: St. John’s Methodist Church, 2105 Stuart Ave., Valley Stream • Time: 5-9 p.m. • Contact: (516) 285-6003

Zeppelin Reimagined

Groove to the Zep sound with Zeppelin Reimagined. Not just another Led Zeppelin tribute band, the talented musicians merge the timeless power of classic rock with today’s cutting-edge technology With a dynamic stage presence, LED screens, and a visual spectacle that complements their sound, Zeppelin Reimagined offers a fresh take on the band’s iconic music. Their performances are a perfect blend of the old and the new, honoring the legendary hits while introducing unexpected twists and modern interpretations. Each show is a journey through Zeppelin’s catalog, reimagined with innovative arrangements, electrifying energy, and surprises that keep the audience riveted from start to finish. This is a reinvention, a celebration of Led Zeppelin’s legacy for die-hard fans, and a powerful introduction for a whole new generation. • Where: 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

Christie Jones: Long Island Color Field Study Bring the family to Long Island Children’s Museum to learn about current Artists’ Corner artist Christie Jones. Make art based on her work to take home at the drop-in program. For all ages.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: Noon-2 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “Too Many Pumpkins” by Linda White. The new and improved stroll route starts out at the map stand. Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and hands-on craft for each child to take home. • Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury • Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m. • Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

OCT

Long Island Choral Society Auditions

The Long Island Choral Society seeks new

members for its 98th season. The 2026-27 season opens with a unique opportunity to perform a somewhat pared down version of the beautiful and massive Berlioz Requiem, suitable for a smaller choir and orchestra. In December, the choir’s very popular annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, Part One plus Hallelujah Chorus, will be presented, followed by a third concert in the Spring, music TBA. Auditions are by appointment only. Those interested can schedule an audition via e-mail to audition. info@lics.org. If you love to sing, consider this opportunity to be part of the longest continuously performing musical group on Long Island! • Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City • Time: By appointment • Contact: lics.org

OCT

‘Days of Grace on Long Island’

Old Westbury Gardens hosts award-winning editor and writer Clive Aslet and celebrated international photographer Dylan Thomas for an engaging conversation about the creative process behind their newest publication, “Old Westbury Gardens: Days of Grace on

Breast Cancer Walk/Run/Roll

Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages and Inside Out Run Club host the annual Dr. Elsy Mecklembourg-Guibert Memorial Breast Cancer Walk/ Run/Roll as a kickoff to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The free, rain-or-shine event encourages participants to wear pink. Free parking available. • Where: Arthur J. Hendrickson Park, 123 Merrick Road, Valley Stream • Time: 3-5 p.m. • Contact: (516) 599-2972

Air Power Museum Band

The band, founded during the pandemic, welcomes all to a benefit concert. The program includes patriotic tunes in celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday popular tunes and fan favorites. All proceeds support programs and services that help children and adults with developmental disabilities at CP Nassau. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at cpnassau.org. • Where: Brookside School , 1260 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick • Time: 2 p.m. • Contact: (526) 378-2000 ext. 355

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.

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VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

LVAL1 1001

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE CLERK/ADMINISTRATO R 123 South Central Avenue Valley Stream New York 11580 (516) 592-5105 LEGAL NOTICE TAX EXEMPTION FOR REAL PROPERTY OF CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES WITH LIMITED INCOME

The Village is pleased to inform you that if you are a resident with disabilities with limited income, an exemption is available if you qualify. In order to qualify your total household income cannot exceed $44,699. Income includes Social Security benefits, Interest, Dividends, Pension, Wages, Capital Gains and Rental Income. You must provide the following documents along with you application: Social Security Award letter, a copy of your Federal Income Tax return, all 1099’s including Social Security, Pension, Wages, IRA, Trust, Dividends and a Statement of Rental Income for the year 2025. Applications may be obtained online, in person or by calling the office. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please contact us at 825-4200. IMPORTANT: Filing Period from September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Dated: Valley Stream, New York October 1, 2026 JAMES J. HUNTER Village Clerk/Administrator 162603 LEGAL NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF VALLEY STREAM OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE CLERK/ADMINISTRATO R 123 South Central Avenue Valley Stream New York 11580 (516) 592-5105 LEGAL NOTICE TAX EXEMPTION FOR REAL PROPERTY OF SENIOR CITIZENS The Village is pleased to inform you that a Senior Citizen exemption is available if you qualify.

In order to qualify for this exemption, you must be 65 years of age and your total household income cannot exceed $44,699. Income includes Social Security benefits, Interest, Dividends, Pension, Wages, Capital Gains and Rental Income. You must provide the following documents along with your application: Deed, Proof of Age, and Federal Income Tax return, all 1099’s including Social Security, Pension, Wages, IRA, Trust, Dividends and a Statement of Rental Income for the year 2025. Applications can be obtained online, in person or by calling the office. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please contact us at 825-4200. IMPORTANT: Filing Period from September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Dated: Valley Stream, New York October 1, 2026 JAMES J. HUNTER Village Clerk/Administrator 162602

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND ANY SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR MILL CITY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2019GS2, Plaintiff, vs. DOMINIQUE SAUVEUR A/K/A DOMINIQUE EXUME, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 29, 2026, 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 November 5, 2026 at 3:30 p.m., premises known as 1231 Ocean Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580. 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

Valley Stream in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37, Block 425 and Lot 295. Approximate amount of judgment is $770,961.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #618254/2023. Gerard DeGregoris, Jr., Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 223769-1 162582 Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Mortgage Loan AssetBacked Certificates, Series 2007-MLN1, Plaintiff AGAINST Julia Rosales, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 18, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 4, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 78 Ormonde Boulevard, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 37, BLOCK: 430, LOT: 350. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,105,507.18 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 613197/2024. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit XOME at www.XOME.com or call 844-400-9663. Brian J. Carmody, Referee FRENKEL

LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 91516 162548 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2006-1, Plaintiff, AGAINST BETTY LOUISE PELHAM, et al. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on June 23, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on October 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 186 Rockaway Parkway, Valley Stream, NY 11580. Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. 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 Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0037, Block 00164.00, Lots 00008, 00009, and 00010. Approximate amount of judgment $495,778.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #616001/2024. Joy Bunch, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 162195

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, 1900 CAPITAL TRUST II, BY U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS CERTIFICATE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff, vs. ZABRINA NEILS A/K/A

ZABRINA A. NEILS A/K/A ZABRINA A. NEILS FORD A/K/A ZABRINA FORD, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 7, 2026, 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 October 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 348 Cochran Place, Valley Stream, NY 11581. 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 Valley Stream, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 39, Block 412 and Lot 23. Approximate amount of judgment is $715,494.90 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #613195/2024. Richard Langone, Esq., Referee Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C., Attn: Jackie Halpern Weinstein, Esq., One Battery Park Plaza, 18th Floor, New York, New York 10004, Tel: 212.825.0365, Attorneys for Plaintiff 162340 LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff - against - JEAN M. PETION, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on October 17, 2016. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located

at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 15th day of October, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Valley Stream, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 1630 Arkansas Dr., Valley Stream, NY 11580-1806. (Section: 37, Block: 670, Lot: 28) Approximate amount of lien $848,367.70 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 000588/2012. Wayne Henry Wink, Jr., Esq., Referee. Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516-742-1212 PETION-69123 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 Dated: August 3, 2026 During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 162297 Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Gloria Torres, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 10, 2026, 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 October 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 622 Wyngate Drive East, Valley Stream, NY 11580 AKA 622 Wyngate Drive East, North Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35 Block 522 Lot 23. Approximate amount of judgment $359,128.29 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #603859/2024. Michael J. Sepe, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-000259 91417 162434 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. JONATHAN CASTILLO, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 3, 2025 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on December 11, 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 October 27, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1294 G Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 633 and Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment is $501,068.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #604919/2023. Joshua D. Brookstein, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 230154-1 162487

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:

legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION of LET’S ESCAPE TRAVELS LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on September 14, 2026 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 80 CAMBRIDGE STREET, VALLEY STREAM NY 11581. Purpose: any lawful act. 162479

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Fax your ad to: 516-622-7460 E-mail your ad to: ereynolds@liherald.com E-mail Finds Under $100 to: sales@liherald.com DEADLINE: Monday, 11:00 am for all classified ads.

Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

BUS NOW HIRINGIVERS AND VAN DR

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$5000 SIGN ON BONUS FOR ALREADY LICENSED CDLBPS & CPS DRIVERS!

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Hiring Directors, Assistants, Group Leaders and Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer 1361569 1356440

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@ bellautoschool.com

Something for every Kid.

From soccer leagues to library story time—there’s always something happening! Find fun events in our community calendars.

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hardhitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The N e w Yo r k Ti m e s , N e w s - w e e k , Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and re-spected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your ca-reer goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

HOUSE CLEANER FT

Established Cleaning Company Looking To Fill Various Positions. $17- $18/ Hr. Will Train. Call 631-2299769 Or Apply On Website www. imperialcleaning.com MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PARTTIME mail-room/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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$35,360

We Guarantee 30 Hours A Week

Sign On Bonus $5,000.00 *Some restrictions may apply.

for CDL driver bus and van $500.00 for non CDL drivers. Will train qualified applicants

EDUCATIONAL BUS TRANSPORTATION

$17.00

516.454.2300 Call Today!

Positions available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Apply At: www.educationalbusjobs.com/ EOE MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary re-quirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

(Salary is $17.00 per hour)

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Here! Reach thousands of local readers every week. Affordable rates, big impact. Contact us today: 516-569-4000 x250 ereynolds@liherald.com rglickman@liherald.com

Make It OffIcIal

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For The Before & After School Child Care Programs That Will Be Opening For The 2026 - 2027 School Year In Nassau and Suffolk County Elementary Schools

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Van

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Contact: legalnotices@liherald.com to place your notice today.

OUTSIDE SALES Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

Eldercare Needed SENIOR LADY WANTS Other Senior Lady For Shopping, Stores, Bank, Etc. $18/ Hour. Call 516-354-6280

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VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

HERALD

October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

Homes

HERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Atlantic Beach

HOME Of tHE WEEK

Beachside Beauty

his gracious hi-ranch is immaculate and situated perfectly to enjoy the serene boardwalk and a private beach. The living room flows into a formal dining room and eatin kitchen in an inviting open layout with hardwood floors throughout, and cathedral ceilings with skylights fill the home with natural light and warmth. There are 4 bedrooms, including a primary en-suite, and 3 full baths. The garden level features a den with a wet bar for entertaining ease, plus a large family room with sliders to the back yard with a pavered patio. Two zone heat and new central air conditioning provide year-round comfort, and the garage plus 2 car driveway means parking is never a problem. Come enjoy easy living!

Miriam Gold

Licensed Real Estate Broker Paul Gold Real Estate 1047 West Beech Street, Long Beach 516-432-4900

REAL ESTATE Real Estate WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-7045670

Let’s

Small

Proudly Serving

Small Business. Big Impact.

Trusted news from local events to high school sports, we cover the stories that matter most— because we live here, too.

stay BuSineSS Shoutout SinCe 1964 ConneCted Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and for breaking news, event coverage, and more. @liherald @longislandherald

Our local businesses are the heartbeat of this town. Support them today — shop, dine & share!

Don’t Have Your PaPer

HanDY? Get all the local news, sports, and community updates you need online anytime, anywhere.

our CommunitieS

See Something

Beautiful? Submit your best local photos for a chance to be featured! Email: photos to tbaker@liherald.com

Visit LIHerald.com for full coverage when you’re on the go.

Reach eveRy DooRstep that MatteRs

Richner Printing delivers your direct mail message to your target audience. Choose the proven leader for your next mail campaign. Contact lberger@liherald.com

What’s with all the tall houses?

Q. A few homes in my neighborhood are much taller. What are the rules for how tall a house can be — like how many floors, and what’s legal? I mostly see only two stories, but the new ones are at least three stories. Is this a new thing that you can build taller? Was it just traditional to only build two stories until now? A. Recently, influences have changed the thinking on allowed height. Hurricane Sandy’s flooding caused New York to promote house-lifting in flood zones. Influence also came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which in essence is really a publicly funded insurance company, covering people in areas where regular home insurance onte eeper companies avoid the risk of insuring. The incentive to lift or build higher is to avoid huge flood insurance cost increases by building above flood levels, with the lowest level only allowed to be for a garage and storage, not living space. By making the first livable floor higher, above the flood level, insurance rates are kept lower. People have shown me that their rates went from $500 to $5,000 a year, increasing annually since Sandy in 2012. Some homes are much higher than codes and incentives intended due to misinterpretation of the reasons to build higher and misrepresentation in the review process. For example, a home’s first floor is no longer a first floor if it’s higher than 6 feet above the ground. Over 6 feet high, the floor level automatically becomes a second floor, meaning the next floor above is a third floor, which requires zoning board approval, interior sprinklers, escape terraces and wind strengthening. I’ve seen home plans misrepresented as being two stories by not correctly showing the floor level heights, or describing a second floor as a first floor and the next floor as a second floor (that’s really a third floor), and even where a fourth floor is shown as a mezzanine or roof-level balcony. There’s a small countryside town in Tuscany, in central Italy, called San Gimignano, that’s famous for its skyline of towers that people built on their homes in medieval times. As the story goes, one prominent homeowner built a tall tower to watch for potential attackers. His neighbor jealously built a tower a little higher, and, not to be outdone, several adjacent homeowners began building towers higher and higher than one another. History repeats itself. Thirty feet from the ground or center of the road is your maximum roof height. The safety code is intended to protect people from perishing in fires. The first code chapter addresses wind resistance, since the taller you build, the more turbulence from adjacent buildings and wind destruction, not just to your building, but to adjacent buildings. With the 75-mph winds we’ve had lately, wind, like flooding, is a real concern. Manhattan towers aren’t wood and nails for a reason. Decisions to build higher have to take community safety and appearance into account, and until recently, they did.

Ask The Architect

© 2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Stuff

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Garage Sales LY N B R O O K : S A T U R D AY, OCTOBER 3, 2026 9am- 7:30pm. 1 Daley Place (Corner of Noble Street). Brand New Stuff, Shoes, Pocketbooks, Bric-a-brac, Custom Jewelry, Kids' Toys, Clothes

Announcements JOIN US EVERY FRIDAY at 7:30 pm, the Baha’i Center, 11 West Jamaica, Valley Stream For prayers, meditation, reflection, fellowship and refreshments. All are welcome. SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

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• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Wanted To Buy

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

Home Improvement

Health & Fitness

Autos Wanted

Costume Jewelry Wanted

VUOTTO CONTRACTING INC: 50 Years In Business. Full Line Of Masonry, Stone And Blacktop. Serving North Shore And South Shore. Call Carlo 516887-9045

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Nassau/ Suffolk / Will Travel

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SERVICES Appliance Srvc./Repair APPLIANCE DOCTOR FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE REPAIRS! Prompt, Reasonable, Reliable. All Repairs Guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Serving Community 45 Years. $10 OFF Repairs. Seniors $12 OFF. 516-764-7011

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HErald

Crossword Puzzle

CJM GENERAL CONTRACTING Expert Leak Repairs *Dormers/ Extensions *Fire, Flood, Mold Remediation*Basements *Carpentry*Roofing/Flat Shingle*Attics All Masonry *Waterproofing *Power washing *Plumbing * Electric *Licensed/ Insured 516-428-5777 DO YOU KNOW what's in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as lit-tle one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-2475728 PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It's not just a generator. It's a power move. PREPARE FOR POWER outages with Briggs & Stratton® PowerProtect(TM) standby generators - the most powerful home standby generators available. Indus-try-leading comprehensive warranty - 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496 SAFE STEP. NORTH America's #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Calltoday! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-855-916-5473

Internet Services AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-877-461-0663

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AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

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Power Washing POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516678-6641

Services PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-877-290-0023 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Telephone Services CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

Tree Services T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE *TREE REMOVAL *STUMP GRINDING *PRUNING. FREE ESTIMATES. 516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

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Autos For Sale

WE BUY 8,000 cars a week. Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-403-3374

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Let’s

stay

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MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 2009: Light Gray/ Black Top. Clean, 200,000 Miles. Asking $2,800. Call 516-2537833

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Add'l terms apply. Offer Add’l terms apply. Offer subject to change subject change and vary and varyto by dealer. Expires 12/27/26. dealer. Expires 12/27/26. 1340133

Answers to todAy’s puzzle

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

HERALD

Market Place • •

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

T&M GREENCARE 223-4525 •

1363095 1359311

WE BEAT ALL COMPETITORS’ RATES www.greencaretreeservice.com Residential & • TREE REMOVAL Commercial • STUMP GRINDING Lowest FREE Rates • PRUNING ESTIMATES Seniors, Veterans, Police & Fireman Discounts Nassau Lic. - H2061360000 • Suffolk Lic. - 35679-H Owner Operated - Lic./Ins.

When you book and pay for Winterizing now and spring opening! Must mention this offer when booking appointment Expires 10/15/26

0% FREE FINANCING Call for Details

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C.J.M. Contracting g Inc.

Chris Mullin EXPERT LEAK REPAIRS

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SPECIALIZING IN: S

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ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED WWW.WECARETREESERVICE.COM Nass. Lic. # 185081 Suff. Lic. # HI-65621

Al Renovations • Bathrooms • Kitchens • Basements All ts Attics • Carpentry • Painting • Rooﬁng • Flat Shingle Masonry • Stoops • Brickwork • Waterprooﬁng Power Washing • Fire, Flood & Mold Remediation

Call 516-428-5777 SMALL JOBS WELCOME

Lic. H18C6020000 LIAB. DISAB + W/C INS.

*POWER WASHING SPECIALIST*

Residential and Commercial - All Surfaces Call Anthony Romeo “The Local Guy” “Anthony & J Home Improvement, Inc.” Also specializes in ★ Deck Renovation ★ Driveways ★ Siding ★ Masonry ★ Fences ★ Roofing ★ Interior/Exterior Painting. (516) 678-6641 - Licensed & Insured

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October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

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OPINIONS

“W

e represent over 2,000 individuals from Nassau and Suffolk counties who have developed four types of cancer — liver, kidney, thyroid and testicular cancers — and also ulcerative colitis, in litigation involving PFAS,” said Jeffrey Guzman, a founding member of the Wall Street law firm Krentsel Guzman Herbert. Guzman knows the issues associated with PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals,” well. He has a home on Long Island where wells have been impacted by PFAS. Thousands of water suppliers across the United States, including the Suffolk County Water Authority, have filed lawsuits against companies involved with PFAS. Last year the 3M Company agreed to a settlement of $10.3 billion. SCWA expects to receive $170 million of that. It got an initial payment of $34 million last year. Smaller settlements were reached with other companies, including DuPont, which developed PFAS in 1938 and patented its creation as Teflon.

But Guzman noted that this was “remediation litigation seeking money for the cost of cleaning up the PFAS that are already in the water. It did not intend to compensate any individuals who suffered as a consequence of their exposure.” He added, “Those who have suffered health impacts from PFAS are entitled to compensation from these companies, which knew it was carcinogenic.” On the Krentsel Guzman Herbert website, kglawteam.com, there are a series of pages detailing the firm’s PFAS litigation seeking compensation for those victims. They’re titled “Long Island’s PFAS Water Crisis: Your Health’s on the Line.” Under “What Are Forever Chemicals, and Why Are They So Dangerous?” the explanation begins: “Forever Chemicals, or PFAS, are toxic chemicals tainting your tap … Long Island’s drinking water ranks among the most contaminated. A federal database shows 19 water suppliers detected PFAS. In 16 districts, levels exceeded 20 [parts per trillion], one hitting 146 ppt, over double the 70 ppt seen nationwide, per Citizens Campaign for the Environment” — the organization based in Farmingdale. “That’s your water,” the website goes

on to say. “You’ve been drinking it for years, cooking with it, and bathing in it. Each sip and shower adds toxins to your body.” Under “The Effects of PFAS on Your Body,” the details continue: “These manufactured chemicals don’t break down — not in the environment, not in your body. They build up in your bloodstream over time, and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) warns they’re linked to serious diseases. Long Island’s exposure is worse than most in the U.S.” Under “Am I Eligible for Compensation for PFASRelated Cancers,” there’s this: “Yes. If you’ve lived on Long Island for years, drinking, washing and bathing in tap water, that’s exposure. Studies show PFAS increase your risk of cancer.” In July, as I reported two weeks ago in “New York state takes on the ‘forever chemicals,’” state Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court, charging corporations involved with PFAS — including 3M and DuPont — with being in violation of many state laws. James cited corporate documents in which the companies acknowledge that they knew about PFAS’ threats to human health and the environment, but still pushed

ne busy lawyer has a home on L.I. where wells have been impacted by PFAS.

products made with the chemicals anyway. Meanwhile, despite action by the state and private litigation targeting PFAS, the Trump administration is moving in the opposite direction. The Environmental Protection Agency — headed by Long Island resident Lee Zeldin, of Shirley — is seeking “rollbacks on regulations,” according to a letter of complaint that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent to Zeldin last month. And the EPA just approved the licensing of “two new pesticides that contain PFAS,” Food & Water Action, a Washington, D.C-based organization, reports. It issued a statement saying, “PFAS don’t readily break down in our environment and are linked to serious health concerns like cancer. They don’t belong anywhere near our food.” FWA included a message that it encouraged people to sign and send to Zeldin, saying, “I demand that you rescind the approval of isocycloseram and cyclobutrifluram, deny future approvals of PFAS pesticides, and update the EPA’s definition of PFAS to fully reflect this dangerous class of chemicals.” Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

The books that challenge us belong on shelves

n a world driven by the overconsumption of technology and social media, one thing I’ve always prided myself on is my love of books. I was raised to enjoy reading — scouring pages for enjoyment, an escape from reality or, perhaps most important, a new perspective on life. In 2025 I read 70 books, my highest total in recent years and an uptick from 55 in 2024. This year I set out to at least match that accomplishment, but for some reason I’ve found myself consistently dejected by many things I’ve tried to read. I’ve hit a “reading slump” in the past, but never one that’s lasted for what feels like months on end. And don’t get me wrong — there’ve been some gems this year — but mostly I’ve been particularly unmoved by the material I’ve chosen. A few weeks ago, I was compiling a weekly calendar for the East Meadow Herald and included a “Bestsellers Book Discussion” at the East Meadow library. The book of choice for September was

“James,” by Percival Everett, a historical novel that retells Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of one of that landmark book’s two main characters, the enslaved Black man named Jim. Several friends have read and enjoyed “James,” and rightfully so: It was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for fiction. I figured if anything were to yank me out of my rut, surely it could be a novel like “James.” I haven’t yet finished the book, but I can tell you that it’s exactly the kind of historical story that normally piques my curiosity. Thus far I’ve been captivated by the way Everett challenges the stereotypes historically used to portray enslaved people, depicts the relationship between a young white boy and a Black man, and explores what freedom truly means. In my early reading of “James,” a thought occurred to me: Could a book like this end up being banned? I turned to Google, where I was informed that no, it isn’t currently widely censored or flatout banned, although the novel possesses the qualities of books that have previ-

ously been challenged, including the use of rough language and a raw depiction of slavery. As it turns out, others — lots of readers — had wondered the same thing. Everett spoke with “CBS Sunday Morning” in 2024 about the possibility of “James” being censored, calling the banning of any book a “performative act by small and frightened people in an attempt to control a world that they can’t control.” Everett’s words were powerful. It’s troubling that we live in a world where an author must consider how censorship might affect the reception of his work. I share this with you because we’re approaching Banned Books Week, which will be observed Oct. 4-10. This year’s theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The annual event seeks to bring attention to the issue of censorship, uniting librarians, educators, authors and readers against organized attempts to restrict access to information. PEN America, a nonprofit that protects free expression, has tracked nearly 23,000 instances of books being banned

anned Books Week begins Sunday. I urge you to look up a list of them and read one.

in the U.S. since 2021. Florida, Texas and Tennessee lead the country, with the highest volume of restrictions and removals. The books that make those lists often feature LGTBQ themes, discussions of race and racism and big-picture American history, warts and all. Censorship, in any form, undermines everyone’s ability to think freely, explore challenging topics, and learn. As I’ve learned this year, not every book speaks to every reader. But everyone deserves the chance to decide that for themselves. I’m not writing this to tell you to read “James,” although it may just turn out to be the book that gets me out of my slump. I do, however, think it’s the type of book that people who are looking to expand their worldview and interact with diverse perspectives should read. Ahead of Banned Books Week, I urge you to look up a list of novels that have been challenged, removed or restricted. Choose one and read it. Even if it isn’t your next favorite, it might show you something you hadn’t thought to look for. And remember: A book doesn’t have to be comfortable for it to be worth reading. Jordan Vallone is the deputy managing editor of Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

Taking action against ‘forever chemical’ companies

HERALD EDITORIAL

Valley stream

HERALD October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD

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Celebrating newspapers and local reporting

ational Newspaper Week, Oct. 4–10, is an opportunity to focus attention on something Long Islanders experience every day but can easily take for granted: the value of having journalists paying attention to your own community. Long Island is home to roughly 2.9 million people, divided among two counties and 285 distinct communities, which include two cities, 13 towns, 97 villages and 173 hamlets and two cities. There are hundreds of school districts, libraries, fire departments and civic organizations, too. Being sure that the important stories in all of these municipalities, organizations and more are adequately covered sounds like a job for Superman. In this case, however, the brigade of Clark Kents and Lois Lanes show up in the form of journalists, from newspapers big and small. A reporter covering a village board meeting might be the only journalist in the room when trustees debate a zoning change, a development proposal, a new law or a decision that could affect your property taxes. A reporter covering a school district might follow a proposed budget, ask questions about spending and report on decisions that directly affect students and their families. Those stories may never attract national attention. They may not go viral on social media. But for the people who live in those communities — the readers the Herald serves — these stories matter. The same is true of county government, town boards, planning and zoning

Your Your opinion opinion Matters Matters

The strengthofofour ourcommunity community Thestrength community The comes fromopen dialogue. comesfrom opendialogue. dialogue. comes We invite residents tosubmit submit We submit We invite residents toto letters tothe theeditor onissues issues lettersto editoron on issues letters affecting ourneighborhoods, neighborhoods, affectingour neighborhoods, affecting schools,businesses and local schools, businessesand andlocal local schools, government. government. government. Letters name and Lettersmust your name and Letters mustinclude includeyour your name and contact information for verification. contact information for verification. contact for verification. Send Sendlettters lettterstotoexeceditor@liherald.com execeditor@liherald.com Send lettters execeditor@liherald.com Be of the conversation. Beheard. heard.Be Bepart part Be heard. Be part of of the the conversation. conversation.

boards, libraries, parks and recreation departments and local elections. Hyperlocal journalism puts a spotlight on decisions that can have an immediate effect on where people live, work, send their children to school and spend their tax dollars. And that coverage creates accountability. Public officials know that their actions are being observed and reported. School administrators know that budget decisions will be examined. And community members have a place to turn when they want to understand what is happening in their own backyard. That doesn’t mean local newspapers exist simply to scrutinize government. Some of the most important work community journalists do has little to do with politics or public policy. Local newspapers celebrate accomplishments that might otherwise go unnoticed. At the Herald, one of our favorite things to do is introduce readers to neighbors who are making a difference. Local newspapers chronicle local businesses, community organizations, libraries, charitable efforts and cultural events. We cover high school sports, from championship teams to the performance of individual student-athletes. Those stories become part of a community’s history. Years from now, today’s newspaper stories can help residents understand what their town, village or school district was like, who its leaders were, what issues mattered and how the community responded to challenges and celebrated successes. That historical role is easy to over-

look when the newspaper arrives each week or a story appears online. But the cumulative record created by community journalism is one of its most important contributions. Local journalism also provides something increasingly difficult to find in an era of information overload: a trusted focus on place. Readers can find thousands of stories about Washington, Albany, national politics and international affairs with a few taps on a phone. But there is no substitute for a journalist who knows the local neighborhood, recognizes the people involved and understands why a particular issue matters to the community. Supporting local journalism can be as simple as subscribing to the Herald, visiting our website, sharing stories with friends and neighbors and paying attention to the reporting that keeps a community informed. Businesses and civic organizations can support local publications through advertising and partnerships. National Newspaper Week is a reminder that journalism doesn’t happen only in major newsrooms or on national television. It happens in village halls, school board rooms, town halls, courtrooms, athletic fields, community centers and Main Streets all across Long Island. The Herald is there wherever people gather to make decisions, solve problems, celebrate accomplishments and build their communities. If you appreciate our work, please let us know. And if we can do better, let us know that, too. Reach out to execeditor@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 201.

OPINIONS

ne of the most common and reoccurring questions that I’m asked on a regular basis is about our roads in Valley

Stream. So, how about we let the facts speak for themselves? First, the village has almost 90 miles of roadway. That doesn’t include parking lots, sidewalks, walking paths, municipal areas, firehouses, village buildings or acres of parks that have concrete and asphalt areas. Ninety miles is like driving on Sunrise Highway from Valley Stream to Montauk, and being responsible for maintaining, cleaning, repairing, removing snow and paving that entire stretch. Naturally, everyone thinks their road is the most important road. Of course, there are worse roads and intersections, but you see your own street on a regular basis. We rate and rank all village roads, and try to prioritize and stick to engineering statistics. But things like water main breaks, utility and emergency street openings — water, gas and communications companies seem to have to open streets all the time — accidents

and potholes do change where our road program contractors and village street crews are sent to next. As always, we count on residents to reach out and contact us about particular areas of concern. I met with a resident at the Rockaway Avenue car show recently, and he asked when the village would dispatch a crew to fix the pothole on his block. I asked him when he reported it, and he said he didn’t. He assumed that we’d just know about it. In a perfect world, that might be the case, but in reality, more often than not, we need residents to be our eyes and ears. We can’t be everywhere all the time. Since my mayoral term began, we have spent over $32 million completely repaving our streets from curb to curb, including concrete curbs and aprons. Mind you, that’s just what we’ve spent on resurfacing projects in our annual road program, not all the day-to-day work, cleaning and repairs by our dedicated village crews. The current road-improvement map can be found at Valleystreamny.gov. Click on Village Departments, then Highway Department, then scroll down to view the map. We have sweepers out five days a week. They collect almost 200 tons of dirt, debris and litter from our streets

every year. That’s 750 pounds of debris per day. Folks say they never see the sweepers, but they’re collecting it all from somewhere, mostly in the earlymorning hours. Many streets are in good or even great condition, so naturally they won’t see the sweepers or repaving or pothole repair, because there isn’t an immediate need. Sadly, there’s plenty of litter from inconsiderate motorists traveling through the village, and we must deal with this on a regular, often unscheduled basis. The quality of life that Valley Stream residents enjoy is built on a foundation of strong municipal services, proactive infrastructure maintenance and a commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Besides our annual road program, we have the day-to-day work undertaken by the Highway Department, which maintains and preserves our roadways. With a combination of preventive maintenance, rapid response and strategic infrastructure improvements, the department works year-round to ensure that residents can travel safely on wellmaintained roads. A hallmark of the village’s service philosophy is its exceptional response to residents’ concerns. When they receive complaints about potholes, Highway

aturally, everyone in the village thinks their road is the most important road.

Department crews typically respond in less than 30 minutes, providing residents with one of the most responsive roadway-maintenance programs in the region. This dedication to resident service ensures that roadway hazards are addressed quickly and efficiently before they become larger issues. The village’s proactive approach to pavement preservation helps prevent costly roadway failures while maximizing taxpayer investment. Each year, Highway Department crews complete more than 20 major asphalt patch repairs and roughly three dozen smaller asphalt repairs throughout the village. These projects address deteriorating pavement conditions before they require more extensive, and expensive, reconstruction. Naturally, winter weather presents significant challenges for municipalities across the Northeast, but Valley Stream’s Highway Department remains prepared to respond. Following major snowstorms, crews may utilize up to three-quarters of a ton of asphalt in a single day repairing potholes and roadway damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles and harsh weather conditions. That dedication helps maintain safe travel conditions while protecting the village’s roadway infrastructure. Rest assured, we will always keep our roadways, and our residents, as safe as possible. Ed Fare is the mayor of Valley Stream.

FRAMEWORK courtesy Teresa Eberhart

A destination wedding: Leanne Eberhart, second from right, and Renato Gamboa, of Lindenhurst, with Eberhart’s parents, Darren and Teresa, of Freeport, in Machu Picchu, Peru.

VALLEY STREAM HERALD — October 1, 2026

The state of our streets? Residents care a lot.

The Experts at U.S. News Agree: Mount Sinai South Nassau is High Performing

mountsinai.org/southnassau 1348036

October 1, 2026 — VALLEY STREAM HERALD