Valley Stream Herald 11-13-2025

VALLEY STREAM

Courtesy Green Acres Mall Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages, Green Acres Community Relations Manager Jill Bromberg and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages met up last year at Green Acres Mall to support families in need during the annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.

Green Acres plans its annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Thanksgiving season will again bring one of Long Island’s largest single-day turkey distributions to Valley Stream, as Green Acres Mall prepares to provide 1,000 turkeys to local families in need on Nov. 19.

The giveaway is part of a long-standing tradition at Green Acres, with the turkey distribution program running for a decade. Over the years, the event has grown into a coordinated, multi-agency distribution system involving elected officials, community groups, law enforcement and civic leaders.

“Green Acres believes in being a good

neighbor and giving back to the community pretty much all year long, but Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that we all celebrate,” Jill Bromberg, the mall’s community relations manager, said. “So, we’re proud to help families across the island gather around the table for a warm meal, and I feel that by partnering with our elected officials and community organizations, we’re ensuring that the turkeys reach families who really need them the most.”

The giveaway is not first-come, firstserved at the mall, and the turkeys will not be available for walk-ups at Green Acres on the day of the event. All 1,000 turkeys have

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Valley Stream chamber leads food drive

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce is continuing its annual food drive this month, working with local grocery stores, community partners and schools to collect donations for area food pantries.

The effort began Nov. 1 and is scheduled to run through Nov. 14, though Chamber leaders are preparing to extend it through the end of November due to ongoing issues with SNAP benefits and the increased need among residents.

This marks the third year the Chamber has organized the seasonal drive, which takes place each fall. The 2025 campaign began outside Key Food on Rockaway Avenue Nov. 1 and continued Nov. 2 at King Kullen. Both stores have hosted Chamber collections for the past three years. The Chamber coordinated the events directly with King Kullen’s cor-

porate offices and Key Food’s local owner, Alex Guzman.

“Both drives were successful, and people were happy to donate,” Chamber Board Member Lauri LoQuercio said. “Several people mentioned that they were recipients at one time in their lives and were very grateful to be able to help now that they were back on their feet.” Donations collected on the first two days were distributed to two Valley Stream food pantries. The food gathered Nov. 1 was delivered to Blessed Sacrament, while the items collected Nov. 2 were sent to Holy Name of Mary. In addition to nonperishable food, the Chamber received approximately $1,100 in cash donations, which were divided between the two pantries.

Food collected throughout the drive is being distributed to multiple Valley Stream food pantries, including Holy Name of Mary, Blessed Sacrament, CoNTiNued oN pAGe 10

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Gillen spoke with local health care advocates during a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning at Meadowbrook Care Center in Freeport, addressing the rising cost of care and threats to Medicaid funding.

Gillen leads roundtable on rising health care costs

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

U.S. Rep Laura Gillen — of New York’s fourth congressional district, which includes Valley Stream — gathered local health care leaders, advocates and residents on Oct. 22 at the Meadowbrook Care Center in Freeport to discuss how GOP cuts to Medicaid and the ongoing government shutdown are driving up medical costs for Long Island families.

The roundtable brought together Meadowbrook Care Center owners Shimi and Jonathan Pelman, AHRC Nassau CEO Stanfort Perry, and Hempstead resident Nicola B., who shared her firsthand experience navigating New York’s costly health care system.

Gillen warned that Republicans’ refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits could cause insurance premiums for more than 140,000 New Yorkers to spike—potentially doubling costs for Nassau County families.

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“Too many Long Islanders are finding that keeping up with insurance premiums, copays, deductibles and other health costs is squeezing out their ability to pay for other necessities,” said Rep. Gillen. “This crisis affects Americans from every walk of life, and addressing it should be a bipartisan priority.”

Hempstead resident Nicola B. spoke emotionally about how quickly medical expenses can spiral out of control. “A couple of weeks ago, I got an eye infection,” she said.

“Normally I would have my normal checkup with my doctor, but I chose to go to the emergency room because it was in the middle of the night and I was in excruciating pain,” she added. “So I went to the emergency room. I was there for maybe five hours, six hours, I think, and when I received the bill, it was $3,000 and because I recently lost my job, I didn’t have coverage. I can’t afford to get sick. It’s a big issue for us.”

Local health leaders echoed Gillen’s concern that cuts to Medicaid would devastate vulnerable populations and strain care facilities across New York.

“One in 33 children born have autism,” said AHRC CEO Stanfort Perry. “Those children are growing up through the system of care. We’re really concerned and parents are frightened that they won’t have the services available and they need them—the clinical support, all of the educational support.

“The Education Department is being gutted,” Perry added. “Special Education is being gutted. So it’s really a time for advocacy and education of the entire community around these changes, because as the Congresswoman has shared, we’re all affected in one way or another.”

“There are roughly 600,000 long term care facilities in New York State,” added Meadowbrook Care Center owner Shimi Pelman. “Eighty percent of every resident in nursing homes is on Medicaid. And if you keep cutting Medicaid, many of these facilities will close. Most of the voluntaries have to close already. You look at some of the voluntaries on Long Island, and they can’t continue operating.”

“If you keep cutting Medicaid, remember, Medicaid is paid 50% by the state, 50% by the federal government,” Pelman said. “If they cut more, New York State doesn’t have the wherewithal or bandwidth right now to take over for that, I’ve had many meetings with Governor Hochul and with the commissioner of health. They don’t know what next year is going to bring.”

As a standoff continues in Washington, Gillen reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for affordable care.

“This is not a difficult choice to make,” the congresswoman said. “And I think that is what we’re fighting for right now in Washington to try to bring down those costs.

She is a cosponsor of the Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 (H.R. 247), which would extend ACA premium tax credits and prevent insurance hikes for millions of Americans.

Gillen said she will continue pressing for a bipartisan deal to reopen the government and safeguard access to affordable health care for Long Island families.

Nassau County honors its veterans

By DANIEL OFFNER

Special

to the Herald

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

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

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

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

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

MORRIs MILLER

Past president, board member

United Veterans Organization of Nassau County

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

“As we gather this Veterans Day in memory of all who have served and those who continue to serve,” Spinner said, “bless and protect our nation. Be merciful to our honored dead, whose valor, courage, and heroism inspire us to noble action and eternal vigilance in preserving our priceless liberty and our inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

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

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

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

“Today sometimes gets confused with

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

Blakeman shared that both of his parents served during World War II, his son completed a five-year tour with the U.S. Marine Corps, and his nephew, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, was an U.S. Army veteran.

“Today, I am honored to be in your presence, to be your county executive, and to celebrate all of those brave and courageous men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States of America,” Blakeman said. “May God bless you all, may God bless them, and may God bless America.”

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

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

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

“In Nassau County, we will never forget. We will never stop honoring. We will never stop fighting for democracy,” Phillips said.

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

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

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

The Veterans Village will feature pri-

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

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

have breath in me.”

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

“As long as there are veterans among us, we will stand together to honor them,” Miller said. “Because remembering their sacrifice is how we keep their spirit alive.”

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Planning For and Executing Inheritances

(Part Two)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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News brief

Darlene J. Edwards honored at Nassau Council of

Valley Stream business owner Darlene J. Edwards was recognized as an honoree by the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce at the 40th Annual Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast, held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on Oct. 31.

Edwards was one of 36 honorees celebrated from across Nassau County.

Edwards is the founder of The Best Goodie Bag Inc., a family-run cakery in Valley Stream known for its custom cakes, banana pudding, cookies, cupcakes, and other desserts. Before launching her business, Edwards served for more than 20 years with the NYPD, including nine years as a police sergeant. She discovered her passion for baking after making desserts for her mother’s 84th birthday celebration.

Chambers event

Self-taught and family-driven, Edwards opened The Best Goodie Bag’s storefront on Oct. 31, 2018, alongside her daughters and niece. Her business has since gained recognition both locally and nationally. She is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, appeared on Netflix’s “Sugar Rush” baking competition, and has completed catering projects for Goldman Sachs, The Oprah Winfrey Network and more.

The Best Goodie Bag Inc. also plays an active role in the community, organizing events such as a Juneteenth Fair, an annual Halloween party and a Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser benefiting residents.

— Angelina Zingariello

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Assemblywoman Solages visits Howell Road School

Howell Road Elementary School recently welcomed District 22 Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages for a special visit with students focused on leadership and civic engagement.

During her time at the school, Solages met with students preparing to run for positions in the Student Council. She offered insights on promoting campaign ideas, connecting with peers and communicating with

confidence.

Solages shared her experience running for Student Council in high school and reflected on how that early opportunity led to her commitment to public service and leadership. Students learned about her story and the roles she has held in government and the community.

The visit concluded with encouraging words from

Solages about the importance of listening, empathy and making a positive difference. Howell Road Elementary School continues to support student leadership and civic awareness through programs like the Student Council, which help students develop confidence, communication skills and a sense of responsibility within their school community.

–Angelina Zingariello

LIPA chief discusses L.I.’s energy future

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

focus on.”

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

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

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

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

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

Mall’s turkey giveaway helps local families

already been allocated through elected officials and community-based organizations, which are handling their own distribution plans. Some are using sign-ups, while others are holding scheduled handouts, but all of them will collect and distribute the turkeys on the same day because the product is frozen and cannot be stored on site.

The distribution includes traditional, kosher and halal turkeys, reflecting the diversity of the communities surrounding Green Acres. The mall has been purchasing the turkeys from multiple distributors, since no single source carries all three types. Frozen shipments are slated to arrive by truck, and partner offices and organizations are responsible for picking them up and transferring them to local households the same day.

The effort is part of a larger year-round community program operated by Green Acres and its parent company, Macerich. Green Acres is one of three New York properties under Macerich ownership that hosts a Thanksgiving turkey initiative, with Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn and Queens Center also operating separate holiday distributions. At Green Acres, the project has expanded over time, and the current 1,000-turkey giveaway has been in place for the past three years.

“Macerich is deeply committed to the communities our shopping centers serve,” Joe Floccari, property manager at Green Acres, said. “The annual turkey giveaway at Green Acres reflects our ongoing mission to support local families and foster meaningful connections beyond retail. Bringing people together and supporting our neighbors, especially during the holiday season, is what community is all about.”

Food insecurity across the region continues to

1,000 turkeys will be distributed on Nov. 19.

shape demand for the program. Rising grocery costs and the recent pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits have increased the need for direct food support heading into the holiday season. The purpose of the distribution is to ensure that families who may not otherwise be able to purchase a turkey are still able to sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

More than a dozen elected officials are collaborating in the effort, including State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Assembly members Michaelle Solages, Judy Griffin and Ari Brown, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, County Legislator Carrié Solages, Town of Hempstead Council members Melissa Miller and Laura Ryder, Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare and village trustees.

More than 20 organizations, along with community and civic partners, are also involved, such as the JCC of the Greater Five Towns Food Pantry, Kosher Response’s Gabriel Boxer, also known as the “Kosher Guru,” the Mill Brook Civic Association, officers from the 4th and 5th precincts of the Nassau County Police Department and additional participating organizations. Each is responsible for distributing its share of turkeys directly to households that it has identified in advance.

“The Green Acres 1,000 Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is a beautiful reminder of what community truly means, coming together to lift one another up,” Legislator Solages said. “I’m proud to partner with local organizations and businesses to ensure families across our district can celebrate Thanksgiving with dignity, joy and gratitude.”

The event requires extensive logistics because of the number of partners involved and the physical challenge of moving 1,000 frozen turkeys from delivery trucks into vehicles for same-day redistribution. Volunteers from participating offices and organizations are expected to assist in loading and transporting the turkeys.

In addition to the turkey distribution, Green Acres runs events throughout the year designed to engage local families, schools and nonprofits, including a backpack giveaway, PTA fundraising programs, Halloween activities and ongoing seasonal programming.

The turkey distribution also marks the beginning of the mall’s winter holiday schedule. Santa is slated to arrive on Nov. 21, followed by the annual tree lighting the following day. A Hanukkah concert will take place on Dec. 13, and a holiday shopper appreciation giftwith-purchase promotion on select dates beginning Nov. 28.

Isles awarded 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

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

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

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

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

Tim Baker/Herald

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dever School joins chamber for food drive

the House of Hope, and Long Island Cares. The pantries serve anyone in need regardless of religious affiliation or background.

Several local businesses also supported the Chamber’s effort by providing food for volunteers at the collection sites. Key Food supplied lunch and hot chocolate for volunteers stationed at its location, while Genovese Pizza and Sicilia D’Oro IV donated pizza for the team working at King Kullen.

An addition to this year’s food drive came through a partnership with James A. Dever Elementary School. The collaboration began when the school’s Parent Teacher Association decided to include a charitable component in its annual Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 30, just before the start of the Chamber’s food drive.

“In the end, our school strives to encourage students and families to be a part of events which integrate givebacks to the community in a one-step process,” PTA Chair for Fundraising Jaianti Singh said.

Families attending the Halloween celebration were asked to bring a donation as admission, an idea originally developed by PTA leaders to help students connect school activities with acts of community service. For this year’s event, families were encouraged to bring boxes of cereal, which were later donated to the Chamber’s food drive.

The PTA has been integrating food collections into Trunk or Treat for several years, combining the festive atmosphere of the event with a simple way for students to participate in giving back. The cereal drive has also become part of a separate school activity known as the cereal domino run. During the domino run, hundreds of cereal boxes are lined up through school hallways and toppled in sequence to create a visual display of collective generosity.

The PTA introduced the cereal donation component to increase participation and demonstrate how individual contributions can build into something larger. The project has become a tradition at Dever, and this year marked the fourth time the domino run has taken place.

This year’s Trunk or Treat brought in more than 250 boxes of cereal. Once the event concluded, PTA members organized and delivered the cereal to the Chamber to be included in the ongoing food drive. The partnership developed after Dever’s PTA Co-President, Desiree Fasulo, met LoQuercio at a Valley Stream Council of PTAs meeting. The two instantly connected and arranged for the cereal donations to be transported directly to the Chamber’s distribution efforts.

“It was a full-circle moment of love and kindness in action,” Fasulo said. “Our students saw that even small gestures can create big magic when we all work together.”

The Dever contribution helped replenish pantry shelves across several local organizations. When the cereal

was delivered to Long Island Cares, organizers found that the shelves had been empty before the donation.

The Chamber’s food drive and Dever’s PTA initiative shared a common goal of teaching community engagement and supporting neighbors facing food insecurity. Both groups emphasized that small individual efforts — such as donating a single food item — can collectively make a significant difference when multiplied across the community.

The school’s administration has also played a consistent role in supporting PTA service projects. Principal Darren Gruen has encouraged programs that

connect students with local organizations and promote volunteerism. His collaboration with the PTA has allowed events like the Trunk or Treat and cereal domino run to expand each year and to reach beyond the school community.

The Chamber’s fall food drive will continue collecting items for local pantries through mid-November, with the likelihood of continuing into late November as organizers monitor community needs. Donations from residents and businesses remain essential to maintaining pantry supplies and assisting families affected by food insecurity.

The partnership between the Cham-

ber and Dever PTA demonstrates how local organizations work together to meet community needs while also engaging students and families in acts of service. Through combined efforts from schools, businesses and residents, the Chamber’s 2025 food drive has grown into a broad community movement aimed at supporting Valley Stream families during a time of increased demand.

Brooklyn Avenue School kindergartners celebrate Diwali

Kindergarten students at Brooklyn Avenue School in the Valley Stream 24 School District took part in a schoolwide celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, as classrooms were filled with colorful decorations, cultural storytelling and traditional foods.

Students learned about the holiday through stories from Indian culture, created paper diyas — symbolic oil lanterns — and sampled foods brought in by families. The event was organized as part of the district’s continuing focus on cultural awareness and inclusion, giving students opportunities to learn about traditions from around the world while connecting with classmates.

“A big thank you to our families who contributed stories, foods and time to make this event so meaningful,” Brooklyn Avenue School Principal Scott Comis said. “Days like this remind us that learning happens not only in lessons, but also in shared experiences that bring us together as a school community.”

Diwali is a major Hindu festival that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. In 2025, Diwali was celebrated on Oct. 20.

Paper diyas created by kindergarten students are displayed alongside the book “Binny’s Diwali” by Thrity Umrigar, used as part of the classroom celebration.

Photos courtesy Valley Stream 24 School District Kindergarten students sample the foods provided as part of Brooklyn Avenue School’s Diwali event.

NOVEMBER 19 • 5:30-9:00PM The Heritage Club at Bethpage

Teachers distribute traditional foods to kindergarten students as part of the classroom celebration.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

ISAO “SAMMY” KOBAYASHI

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CANON U.S.A., INC.

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

ISAO “SAMMY” KOBAYASHI

President & CEO

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

ACCOUNTING

JERRY P. WARD

Managing Partner EY Long Island Office

KIRTHI MANI

Chief People Officer

CLA

LOUIS C. GRASSI, CPA, CFE

Founder & CEO Grassi Advisors Group, Inc.

SHEILA KURMAN

Chief Human Resources Officer Prager Metis CPAs

ADVERTISING

BENJAMIN COGGIANO

President

Walter F. Cameron Advertising

CONSTRUCTION

JOSH SEIDEN

Owner & President LMJ Management & Construction

EDUCATION

EDWARD T. BONAHUE, PH.D.

President Suffolk County Community College

MARIA CONZATTI, PH.D.

Chief Administrative Officer Nassau Community College

RACQUEL A. BROWN

Associate Dean Administrative & Fiscal Affairs

St. John’s University

TIMOTHY E. SAMS, PH.D.

President SUNY Old Westbury

GOLD SPONSORS

PATRICIA GALTERI

ELECTRIC

MICHAEL STEWART Chief Financial Officer L.E.B Electric

ENGINEERING

MAQSOOD MALIK, P.E. Founder, President & CEO M&J Engineering, D.P.C.

MOHAMMAD MALIK

Chief Operating Officer M&J Engineering, D.P.C.

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

RONALD FATOULLAH, ESQ.

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

MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

PRINTING

NOREEN CARRO

President LMN Printing of NY, Inc.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

ROBERT M. GITTO

Vice President The Gitto Group

TAX PROPERTY REDUCTION SERVICES

SEAN ACOSTA

President

FINANCE

FRANK PALMA President Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, LLC

MORTGAGE BANKING

BILLY HAUGLAND II Chief Executive Officer Haugland Group

MICHAEL MARRERO SBA Director, SVP BankUnited

HEALTHCARE

MICHAEL N. ROSENBLUT President & CEO Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care & Rehabilitation Center

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

HOSPITALITY

MICHAEL LESSINGS

Chief Executive Officer Lessings Hospitality Group INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE

LAURA BONELLI

President LifeVac LLC

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION LEGAL

ALLAN COHEN Managing Partner Nixon Peabody, LLP

DONATO (DANNY) NICOLO

President/Owner Meadowbrook Financial Mortgage Bankers Corp.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

ANNE BRIGIS

President & CEO

YMCA Long Island

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

KATHERINE FRITZ

President & CEO Long Island Cares

LONNIE SHERMAN President General Needs

MIKE ROSEN

Chief Marketing Officer Guide Dog Foundation & America's VetDogs

TAMMY SEVERINO

President & CEO

Girls Scouts of Suffolk County

THERESA REGNANTE

President & CEO

United Way of Long Island

SPONSORS

Property Tax Reduction Consultants TECHNOLOGY

EUGENE SAYAN

Founder,Chairman, CEO Softheon

JOE SCIOSCIA

Executive Vice President

Vormittag Associates, Inc. (VAI)

MICHAEL CHAMBERS AND SEAN INFANTE

President & Vice President

Central Business Systems

TOM BIANCULLI

Chief Technology Officer Zebra Technologies

TOURISM

MITCH PALLY

Interim President & CEO

Discover Long Island

SHARON WYMAN

Chief Operations Officer

Discover Long Island

TRANSPORTATION

MARLON TAYLOR

President New York & Atlantic Railway

PALMINA WHELAN, CCM, FCMAA, MCIOB, NAC

Founder & Capital Program

Director of New Terminal 1 at JFK

Palmina Whelan Strategic Solutions

ROBERT FREE President Long Island Rail Road

STEPPING OUT

Gaelic Storm

‘Jump’ right in with Mickey and his pals

By Karen Bloom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Now through Sunday. Nov. 16; times vary

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

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

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

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

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

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

Disney beckoned and he never looked back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excitement is certainly a descriptive of the entire spectacle.

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

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

Matt Friend

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

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

New Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for VSCHSD

The Valley Stream Central High School District has appointed Steven Gilhuley as its new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.

Gilhuley steps into the position after serving as the District’s Director of Instructional Services and Grant Funded Programs since 2023. He succeeds Jennifer DiMaio, who was recently promoted to Deputy Superintendent.

“From the very beginning, it was clear that Valley Stream Central High School District is an incredibly welcoming and vibrant school community,” Gilhuley said. “In my new role, I look forward to building on the District’s excellent work to provide a quality and enriching educational experience for all students.”

Gilhuley joined Valley Stream from the Malverne Union Free School District, where he served as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Services for seven years. During his tenure in Malverne, he provided leadership in curriculum development and oversaw the implementation of a new K-5 literacy program.

With more than two decades of administrative experience, including nine years as Principal of Howard T. Herber Middle School, Gilhuley has a record of fostering instructional equity, academic rigor and strong school

Steven Gilhuley, formerly the District’s Director of Instructional Services and Grant Funded Programs, was named Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Valley Stream Central High School District.

communities. He has also shared his expertise on school culture and innovative scheduling at state and national conferences.

Gilhuley holds a Master of Science in special education from Long Island University, along with New York State certifications in school district administration and school building administration and supervision.

— Angelina Zingariello

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

COUNTY OF NASSAU

NewRez LLC d/b/a Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, Plaintiff AGAINST Vishal Dan; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 3, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 4, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 122 Rockaway Parkway, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situated, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 37 Block 90 Lots 110 & 248.

Approximate amount of judgment

$458,688.49 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 600396/2020.

Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”

Anthony C. Curcio, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: October 14, 2025 156527

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, for Carrington Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2005-NC4 Asset Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Plaintiff AGAINST Nicolas Carpio a/k/a Nicholas Carpio; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 17, 2013, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive,

Mineola, NY 11501 on December 2, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 2 Fulton Place, 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 Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 37 Block N Lots 676 & 677. Approximate amount of judgment $435,801.19 plus interest and costs.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Judith L Powell, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: October 15, 2025 156525

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2005-4, RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2005-4, -againstDOLORES CARTER, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 28, 2024, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED NOTEHOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2005-4, RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2005-4 is the Plaintiff and DOLORES CARTER, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on December 4, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises

known as 1650 GREENWAY BOULEVARD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580; tax map identification 37-640-13; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608512/2019. Karl C. Seman, Esq., as Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 155663

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee for American Home Mortgage Investment Trust 2005-4C, Plaintiff AGAINST Edwin Espana; Marvin Vargas; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 28, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 16, 2025, at 2:00PM, premises known as 20 West Oxford Street, Valley Stream, NY 11580. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements there erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Valley Stream, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 37 Block 87 Lots 9 & 10. Approximate amount of judgment

$711,095.71 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold

subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 607989/2023. Foreclosure auction will be held “Rain or Shine”. Lawrence Schaffer, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: October 31, 2025 For sale information, please visit www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2831 156805

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, -againstLINDA TOLKIN, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLE

SCHENENDORF, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 24, 2025, wherein MORTGAGE ASSETS

MANAGEMENT, LLC is the Plaintiff and LINDA TOLKIN, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLE

Anonymous donation expands women’s health services at NUMC

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau University Medical Center has received a $1 million anonymous donation to expand women’s health services, funding advanced 3D mammography and bone density technology that will improve early detection and preventive care for patients across Long Island.

The gift, secured by NuHealth Board Chairman Stuart Rabinowitz, will allow the hospital to acquire new 3D mammography systems with biopsy capability and an updated bone density scanner. Both are expected to transform care for two of the most significant health issues affecting women — breast cancer and osteoporosis.

“This extraordinary act of generosity will help us detect breast cancer and osteoporosis earlier, treat them more effectively, and save countless lives,” said Dr. Richard Becker, interim chief executive officer at NUMC. “This is an investment in every woman who entrusts her care to NUMC.”

Rabinowitz said the new equipment will modernize critical services at the East Meadow hospital.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring accessible care for every member of our community,” he said. “This investment will help us deliver on that promise for generations to come.”

The donation comes as NUMC’s existing mammography equipment, first installed in 2010, reaches the end of its serviceable life. The hospital serves as a key healthcare provider for underserved communities on Long Island, offering equitable, high-quality care to women who may otherwise face barriers to preventive screenings.

SCHENENDORF, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on December 16, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 1036 FURTH ROAD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11581; tax map identification 39-512-27; and description: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT VALLEY STREAM, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 609059/2023. Heather D. Crosley, Esq., as Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social

According to global data, more than 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and nearly 700,000 die from the disease. On Long Island, approximately one in eight women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime — with higher rates reported among low-income populations.

Early detection is critical. The new Hologic 3D mammography systems will generate high-resolution images that improve accuracy, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and lower callback rates by nearly 50 percent. The systems also feature self-controlled com-

Nassau University Medical Center received a $1 million anonymous donation, which will allow the hospital to expand women’s health services.

pression for improved comfort and allow both screening and biopsy on the same platform.

NUMC’s Mobile Mammography Unit, which already brings 3D technology into the community, will continue to provide outreach and screening services, while the new in-hospital systems will expand capacity and streamline diagnostic care.

The donation will also fund a Hologic Horizon DXA system, replacing an outdated bone density scanner. The new device uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density, assess fracture risk, and evaluate body composition with greater precision. Early detection of bone loss, particularly in postmenopausal women, can play a major role in preventing osteoporosis and related health complications.

Together, the new systems will provide a full spectrum of advanced imaging for women, combining faster, more accurate, and more comfortable screening experiences with NUMC’s ongoing mission of health equity.

Nassau University Medical Center, operated by the Nassau Health Care Corporation, is a public teaching hospital in East Meadow. As a leading safety-net institution, it provides compassionate, high-quality care to all, regardless of ability to pay, and serves as a regional leader in emergency medicine, women’s health, and preventive care.

For more, visit NUMC.edu.

Household Help Wanted

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Costs have gone up how much?

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

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

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

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

It may take a groundswell of people choosing not to do work to change things, but historically, prices won’t drop significantly. Good luck!

© 2025 Monte Leeper

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

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Wanted To Buy

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Finds Under $100

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Local triumphs on a night Republicans didn’t expect

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

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

comprise the nation’s oldest suburbs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adding to the concern, Cairo, who

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

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

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

Getting elected looks easy. Governing is the hard part.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. Comments about this column? jkremer@ liherald.com.

Hochul must sign police radio access bill

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

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

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

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

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

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

letters

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

To the Editor:

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

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

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

Now that lifeline is being cut off.

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

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

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

public.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I look forward to those columns.

opinions

When Long Island changed history

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

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

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

Letters

We need journalists now more than ever

To the Editor:

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

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

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

MARGUERITE WESTBROOk Lynbrook

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

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

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

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

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

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

FrAmework by Tim Baker

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

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

In time, it became known as the Manhattan Project.

Conceived right here, on Long Island.

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