East Meadow Herald 11-24-2022

Hearts warm and stomachs full

Stew

Leonard’s

For 43 years, Stew Leonard’s has held an annual turkey drive to help feed those in need during the Thanksgiving season. The tradition has been passed down for decades, and each time a new store opens, it joins in on the holiday good ness.

Nearly 500 turkeys were given away on Nov. 17 outside the East Meadow Stew Leon

gives away turkeys for Thanksgiving

ard’s. The beneficiaries include local churches, food pantries and other organiza tions that collect food for the needy.

“It makes our Thanksgiv ing that much better,” said Stew Leonard Jr., the presi dent and CEO of Stew Leon ard’s. “Because we know that there are a lot of families out there who don’t have a great meal.”

The start of providing tur keys to charities in the com munities surrounding its

supermarkets started for Stew Leonard’s stores in 1979. At the East Meadow supermar ket, which opened in 2017, the tradition is in its sixth year.

Stew Leonard’s plans to give away 3,000 turkeys at its seven stores.

Members of the East Mead ow Fire Department, elected officials, Stew Leonard’s employees, and members of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association

A life of family, faith and service

Nancy Ippolito, first matriarch of Pietro’s Pizzeria, is dead at 90

Nancy Ippolito was a woman full of grace, and was a true inspiration to her family and all who knew her. She died on Nov. 7, at age 90.

Born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, she married Peter Ippoli to in 1954. The cou ple made their way to East Meadow that same year. They raised their four children there, Ange lo Ippolito, 67, Carol Arigo, 66, Catherine Weinstein, 62, and Frank Ippolito, 59.

“She was a wonderful human being,” Arigo said. “There was no one that she did not like. She truly loved everybody.”

Ippolito spent more than 25 years working in the East Mead ow School District, where she was the secretary to the princi pal of several schools, but spent most of her time in Meadow brook Elementary School until she retired when she was 62.

“That was a big social life for her,” Arigo said. “Practically until she passed, she would still meet up with some of the teach ers and secretaries for lunch.”

Her life was full of faith, and she dedicated her time to helping those in need. She was an active mem ber of the Rosary Society of St. Rapha el’s Catholic Parish in East Meadow. She would help out with whatever the church needed, whether it was volunteering at the Christmas fair or helping out at bap tisms. All four of her children attended the parochial school at St. Raphael’s for eight years. Up until a few years before her death, she was also involved in the Parish Outreach office.

When the family opened Piet ro’s Pizzeria in 1976, Ippolito was the head delivery driver. “With me running out of the car,” Weinstein joked.

Although she didn’t work there, because she had her job at

‘She brought

the school, she was the main background person. “If she had to go home and slice eggplant and bring it down to the store,” Arigo said. “She would do it.”

After Peter died suddenly in 1986, Nancy became the lead person in charge, splitting her time between the school and Pietro’s. “Helping out there and doing her regular job kept her busy,” Arigo said. “It got her through being widowed so young.”

She was a member of the East Mead ow Chamber of Commerce, and helped out at East Meadow Pride Day for many years. She was even honored by the PTA

for her work in the schools.

Weinstein spoke of the generosity of her mother and the charities she would constantly give too through the mail.

“There wasn’t a charity she wouldn’t give to,” Arigo joked. “We would always say to her ‘Ma, enough already. You don’t even know if these are real.’”

Throughout her years, Nancy spent her time on a bowling league, walking in Eisenhower Park, and kicking everyone’s butts in card games.

“Consistently she had many different groups of friends and card groups,” Weinstein said. “They would play poker, Rummikub, Canasta, she was very

involved.”

A big gambler, Nancy and her daugh ters would take trips to Las Vegas every year.

She had 14 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren, and loved spending time with them. For her grandchildren’s birth day’s she would take them out to dinner and then shopping wherever they wanted to go.

“I always looked up to how humble she was,” Cheryl Arigo, Nancy’s granddaugh ter said. “I feel like you don’t see that a lot, and she taught me a lot about humility.”

Cheryl, 31, said that her grandmother never realized how funny she was, and

NaNcy

IppolIto, ceNter left, loved her family, and leaves behind four children, 14 grandchildren, and 16 greatgrandchildren.

light into people’s lives’

how happy she made everyone around her. “She brought a light into people’s lives,” Cheryl said. “She was an angel.”

Nancy was a well-traveled woman, according to her daughters. She took cruises up and down the Rhine River in Europe, and spent time in Italy, Israel and Austria, to name just a few of her desti nations.

She will be remembered by her home made manicotti, Rueben sandwiches, and the consistent smile on her face.

“She was just a wonderful, good-heart ed human being,” Carol said. “You would want to be like her. My sister and I, we aspire to be like her.”

That’s right, girls can play hockey, too

Islanders’ elite travel program celebrates Title IX

It’s just 37 words long, but its impact has lasted 50 years and counting.

The civil rights law known as Title IX opened the doors to legal equality for women in educational insti tutions — including sports — and was celebrated at Garden City’s Cradle of Avi ation last week when more than 100 girl ice hockey players and their parents gath ered to talk about how this federal legisla tion afforded these girls the opportunity to play a sport that has typically been male-dominated.

They are members of the New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey program run at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow — the same facility used by the cherished local NHL squad. The teams include girls ranging in ages from 8 to 19, and was started in 2016 by Alexis Moed, the general manager of the Pre mier Hockey Federation’s Connecticut Whale.

“It was just my feeling that things weren’t being done the best way that they could be, or the way that was the most beneficial to the players,” Moed said. “So, I took all of my experiences and what I went through, and taking everything that I didn’t have growing up, and putting it together for them in the program.”

The young players come from all over Long Island. Some started with Girls Elite Hockey, while others might have first dropped pucks in boys’ leagues before eventually finding themselves with the newer league. Either way, the consensus is clear — they like where they are, and they like having their own league.

Debbie Curry started playing with an Oyster Bay town league before joining a travel hockey team with the Long Island Sharks in New Hyde Park. But after three years playing with them, the 12-year-old goalie from Seaford was let go.

“She was so dedicated, and we were very involved,” her dad, Keith Curry said. “And then she got cut along with most of the other girls on the team.”

Moving Debbie to Girls Elite Hockey was the best thing to happen to her, said her mom, Christie.

“She always had a target (on) her for being a girl in a boy sport,” Christie said. “Here she can be recognized and have a chance to go somewhere with hockey in the future because they’re giving the girls a chance to shine. I’ve never seen her so happy, and she can just be herself.”

Debbie wants to eventually go pro, and feels like this Islanders group gives her that chance because “they accepted me much quicker than the boys did.”

Being accepted and feeling more com fortable were common themes.

“I felt welcome on the boys’ teams I played with, but there were definitely some boys who would tell me that they were better than me because I was a girl,” said Emily Stein, a 12-year-old from Bell more. “It’s so much better with girls because you feel more comfortable. And

it’s like a second family.”

Adrianna Morabito says she can com pete at the same level as boys, but cama raderie is what led the 12-year-old Want agh player to the all-girls league.

“At any other organization, I could’ve been at 12U and quit because I didn’t like anyone on my team,” she said. “But because I was here, the friendships have been really good, and they’ve made me a much better player.”

Last week’s panel, moderated by Jamie Hersch of the NHL Network, pre sented perspectives of Title IX’s impact from women in different fields. Among those joining Hersch were Girls Elite Hockey founder Moed along with UBS Arena human resources head Lea Del Rosario, Dr. Amy West from Northwell Health Orthopedic Institute in New Hyde Park, and Kelly Nash, the head coach of Long Island University’s

ice

JAMIe heRSch, Of the NHL Network, asked each panelist a list of questions for them to give their input on.

AdRIANNA MORABItO, 12, far left, and teammates Megan McCarthy, 14, and Emily Stein, 12, joined those participating in a panel to talk about Title IX’s impact on women in sports at the Cradle of Aviation in Garden City.

hockey team.

“I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more growth in the last 50 years,” Moed said. “But we recognize that the change can be slow. And we’re all committed to pushing that along.”

A turkey brigade in time for the holiday

helped load box after box.

“It’s important to bring the community together when you’re doing events like this so that everybody knows that everybody’s on board about supporting people in their time of need,” Jim Kane, the East Meadow Fire Department fire inspector, said. “There are a lot of people in our communi ty that are not as fortunate as all of us.

“We’re all still human. We’re all still people. We all have the same needs and wants.”

Calvary Lutheran Church, on Taylor Avenue, has taken part in the turkey donation since Stew Leonard’s opened its store in East Meadow. The turkeys they received will be given to the Lutheran Social Services center in Uniondale, now known as the LIFE Center, since their church food pantry had to be shut down.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” said Christine Schulz, the treasurer and long-time mem ber of Calvary Lutheran Church. “Unfor tunately, we need to do it, in utopian soci ety there will come a time when we don’t have to and everybody will have enough to eat, but for right now it’s important we do this.”

Schulz stressed that the need for food donations doesn’t end after Thanksgiving, Long Island Cares reports that more than 272,000 Long Islanders are hungry or experience food insecurity, equating to one in every nine people. Of that number,

more than 89,000 of them are children. According to the USDA, the average cost of a turkey has increased to nearly $2 per pound in 2022, up from $1.15 in 2021 due to inflation. So for many, this turkey drive is crucial.

Jean Victor Jr., the manager at the Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead said that he is always surprised by the amount of donations they get during the holidays. “Society says that people are not gener

ous, but it’s not true. It says that people are not kind, but it’s not true,” he said. “People are very generous, people are very kind, and they are aware of what’s

of the turkey giveaway, but others were selected after a representative of Stew Leonard’s called them and asked if they needed help with stocking their food pan

GOP, Dems can’t agree on district maps

As comments close, voters beg for more time to decide

Nassau County Republicans and Demo crats remained far apart when it comes to redistricting the county legislature. And as a final map is expected to be released this week — if not already — some who gath ered to see drafts proposals in Mineola seemed displeased, too.

Redistricting happens once every decade, coinciding with the census, and happening at all levels of government. Bat tles raged earlier this year over statewide maps determining congressional districts and state officeholders. And it was no dif ferent last week when the public had a chance to speak out about the maps used to determine who will represent them in the county legislature.

It was, of course, a meeting that also included claims of “gerrymandering,” from people like SUNY Binghamton politi cal science professor Daniel Magleby, who defined the term as districting that typical ly gives one political party “an unfair advantage by diluting opposition’s voting strength.”

“This is a textbook, example of what a packing gerrymander looks like,” Magleby said of the maps, comparing them to the last time the county redistricted, and what he described as an “extreme partisan ger rymander and an outlier relative to this ensemble of maps.

“Both maps — the 2013 map and the Nov. 10 Republican proposal — show pat terns of systematic bias against Democrat ic voters in ways that underweighs their influence on elections in this county.”

Even Francis Moroney, chair of the committee in charge of reviewing the maps, agreed with Magleby.

“We all know that their proposal is bla tantly illegal,” he said. “So it is not surpris ing that they are trying to shield the map from public view, and it made it impossible for the public to understand why they are proposing what they are proposing. We cannot ignore the fact that the severe seg

regation and discrimination in Nassau County is a result of gerrymandered maps.”

But if there was a lack of transparency on the Republican side, it wasn’t much dif ferent than what was happening on the Democratic side, said committee member Peter Bee.

“They ambush you,” he said. “That’s their job. They’re trying to paint a picture that doesn’t exist. From our point of view, a Democratically controlled Assembly, a Democratically controlled Senate, to the Democratic governor enacted a law that said redistricting shall be done in a partic ular manner.”

The main goal, Bee explained, is “one person, one vote,” that is that “each legisla tor should represent roughly the same number of people.”

“I think our map has a smaller devia tion in population than does the Democrat ic map,” Bee said. “The state law also says that you are not to deny racial or language minority groups their participation in pol itics. We do not think that our mapping has done so.”

But each map has its flaws, according to

civil rights lawyer Frederick Brewington, describing those problems with terms like “stacking,” “packing” and “cracking,” which he says creates an unequal balance of power.

“It’s very important for you to under stand that the reason why so many people are here, there is no hope that you’re going to do the right thing,” Brewington said. “But there is hope that we can take this to a place where they will say that you did them wrong. And as a result, we made the record for you, so you can’t say you weren’t warned.”

Brewington implored the committee to think of voters when designing the maps, while also looking inward.

“When you take a look at your own map, please, everybody, look at it in the mirror,” he said. “Look at yourself and evaluate whether or not am I, as a human being with authority and power, will hand this map over to the legislature so that they can do their dirty work?

“And if that’s your vote, shame on you. But God bless.”

The committee was expected to finalize its maps on Monday.

what the people are saying

Proposed redistricting maps for the Nassau County Legislature has drawn mixed reactions from some of the people it

“Possible 10,000 simulated maps using the gold standards method known as ensemble it was found to be more extremely gerrymandered in favor of Republicans that all of the maps run methodology recognized by the courts. The mapmaker then attempted to debunk the methodolo gy by saying that it doesn’t take pub lic comment into consideration, but neither do his maps. When asked if he believes a map would comply with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, he said, ‘I don’t have to apply the law to this map.’”

“Last time I spoke to this body, I asked you to redistrict by the interest of the people, not party. It seems that that has gone by the wayside. You’re dividing communities. You’re diluting our community representa tion and our ability to get anything done for our community. I look to our neighbor over in South Hempstead — they’re even smaller than us, and they are three parts. That’s crazy. How you divided up Freeport? Oh my gosh, crazy. I know firsthand the diffi culty of trying to get something done when you are divided up.”

Baldwin Civic Association government

Hofstra law dedicates Abrams Fensterman Lobby

For 16 years, the law firm provided money to support students at Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law. And now the lobby there will be named after the firm.

The dedication of the new Abrams Fensterman Lobby is part of Hofstra Law’s Vision 2020 campaign. Samuel Fer rara, executive partner at the Lake Suc cess-based firm, was a member of the campaign’s leadership board.

“We as a firm are truly honored by this recognition from Hofstra Law,” said Howard Fensterman, the firm’s manag ing partner, in a release. “We are proudly committed to continuing our support of the law school and their talented and ded icated students.”

The first law school campaign was suc cessfully completed more than 22 years ago — around the same time Abrams Fensterman was founded, and has since raised nearly $22 million, surpassing its initial goals of $12.5 million, and even its “stretch” goal of $17.5 million. The cam paign was created as part of the law school’s 50th anniversary.

Funds were raised through alumni, friends, organizations, faculty and staff members. Hofstra also hosted a hall of fame and 50th anniversary celebration that supported the campaign.

Money is used to fund recruitment efforts as well as provide scholarships while expanding cutting-edge programs in areas such as legal technology. Funds

were also used to create new interdisci plinary programs within Hofstra’s gradu ate schools.

The current campaign has been underway the last four years and has

been credited with increasing support to more than 200 named scholarships and fellowships. That includes the Dean’s Legal Tech Fellowship Program for law and engineering students to work on arti

ficial intelligence projects within the school’s research lab while adding five new legal tech courses to the curriculum.

The campaign also supported faculty scholarship and hiring, and adapted to virtual and hybrid teaching during the coronavirus pandemic with upgraded “lecture capture” technology in newly modernized classrooms with a new stu dent lounge and public event spaces.

Attorneys from Abrams Fensterman — including more than two-dozen Hofs tra Law alum — routinely serve as adjunct professors and guest speakers. They also participate in the law school’s mentorship programs and mock inter view events.

The firm was founded in 2000 and has offices in Brooklyn, White Plains, Albany and Rochester.

The Abrams Fensterman Lobby is a multifunction space where students study, collaborate, and gather for law school receptions and communityfocused events.

“We are grateful for visionaries like Howard Fensterman, and everyone at Abrams Fensterman for their investment in Hofstra Law and their commitment to mentoring, training and hiring our stu dents,” said Gail Prudenti, dean of Hofs tra Law, in a release. “Their support ensures these efforts will continue to grow far into the future.”

Sc H ool S

Parkway students participate in annual Turkey Trot

Students at Parkway Ele mentary School in East Meadow competed in the school’s annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 10.

Students participated in a timed mini marathon as they jogged around the school grounds. Parent volunteers pro vided water breaks and motivated students throughout the day. Stu dents prepared for the mini mara thon by learning about cardiovas cular endurance and the impor tance of pacing yourself.

The Turkey Trot was held in conjunction with Parkway’s annual Food Drive in which stu dents collected canned goods to support people in need during the holiday season.

Aside from the Turkey Trot, canned good were also collected at Parkway for their annal food drive.

LIJ Medical Center is in the top 10% of hospitals nationally for oncology, according to U.S.News&WorldReport.

Our doctors are raising health by pioneering innovative approaches to cancer from novel chemotherapy techniques to first in the nation robotic mastectomies with minimal scarring. Because when it comes to cancer, there’s no status quo. There’s only “how far can we go?”

LIPA looks to power future with scholarships

Looking for a career? Long Island Power Authority might have it for you — and the utility is putting money behind it through a new scholarship program with Nassau and Suffolk County community colleges.

The LIPA scholarship is designed to provide education and training for stu dents from households with incomes below Long Island’s median, which is about $100,000 for a family of four.

The scholarship represents a $350,000 commitment over the next five years. It will provide 50 full scholarships for stu dents to attend one of the community col leges and earn an associate’s degree or certificate that’ll help them pursue a career in the electric utility or clean ener gy sectors.

“Electricity is the clean fuel of the future,” said Thomas Falcone, LIPA’s chief executive, in a release.

In fact, Falcone points to various stud ies he says predicts electricity will pro vide more than 70 percent of New York’s energy needs by 2050 — and be entirely carbon-free.

The 50 scholarships LIPA will offer over the next five years are intended to ensure there will be an adequate, home grown workforce to support it, the utility leader added.

Falcone was joined in the announce ment by Maria Conzatti, interim presi dent of Nassau Community College, and Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk

Winning a Long Island Power Authority scholarship allows students to:

■ Get money toward earning an associate degree or certificate pro gram at either Nassau or Suffolk County community colleges.

■ Attend LIPA workforce seminars with utility executives and experts.

■ Receive job placement support for available positions at LIPA, PSEG Long Island, and other LIPA contrac tors and suppliers.

County Community College.

“The Long Island Power Authority’s generous scholarships will help us recruit and sustain students entering the STEM fields,” Bonahue said, “transforming our workforce and our region’s economy.”

The curriculum offered at both schools are expected to include courses relevant to the work LIPA does now — and is expected to do — to meet the clean energy goals set by New York’s Climate Act.

Signed in 2019, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires New York to reduce greenhouse emis sions 40 percent by 2030, and no less than

85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. The law is designed to help guide New York toward carbon neutrality — achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Also, the courses are expected to show case LIPA’s mission of providing clean, reliable and affordable energy to not only Long Island, but also the Rockaways.

Graduates using LIPA scholarship funds are expected to get a competitive edge when it comes time to apply for jobs at the Long Island Power Authority, along with PSE&G Long Island, which plans to hire hundreds of entry-level workers over the next five years.

Nassau CommuNity College is one of the two schools that are working with Long Island Power Authority to give scholarships to students looking to get into the electrical and power fields. LIPA predicts electricity will account for 70 percent of New York’s power needs by 2050.

The five-year program will provide annual funding for 10 full-time, two-year scholarships.

Scholarship recipients will come from low- to moderate-income students who reside in disadvantaged communities — identified by New York’s Climate Justice Working Group — planning to attend either Nassau Community College or Suf folk County Community College.

The first recipients are expected to be announced early next year. To learn more, visit LIPower.org.

STEPPING OUT

Usher in the Thankful for feasting and festivities

Feasting Native American-style

Early on in our nation’s history Native Americans handed down time-honored practices to rejoice over nature’s bounty at harvest time, even though it certainly wasn’t Thanksgiving as we know it. Yet, there was plenty of feasting and festivities as these early Americans gathered to commemorate their harvest before preparing to settle in for the approaching winter.

An annual holiday event — one that has been popular here for more than 25 years now — takes place at Garvies Point Museum and Preserve yearly around Thanksgiving.

• Garvies Preserve Native American Festival, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove

• For information, contact (516) 571-8010 or GarviesPointMuseum.com

• Old Westbury Gardens

Shimmering Solstice, select dates through Jan. 1, beginning 5:30 p.m.

71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

Saturday’s hands-on program — held both indoors and out — gives visitors a first-hand look at Native American life through a glimpse of how the state’s earliest inhabitants lived. Everyone can participate in tool and pottery-making, stone drilling and the use of the atlatl (a spear-throwing tool). Primitive fire building (without matches!) and some on-site cooking are among other activities always enjoyed by all who take part.

• For tickets/ information, contact ShimmeringSolstice.com or OldWestburyGardens.org or (516) 333-0048

Families can also explore the process of creating “dugout” canoes, along with corn grinding and storytelling (at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.) with Chief Redfeather of eastern Long Island’s Montaukett tribe. Also check out displays of artifacts from the museum collection and the authentic reproduction of a wigwam, always a favorite with kids and parents.

While there, be sure to take a look at the museum’s permanent exhibits, which showcase Long Island’s Native American culture and archaeology, as well as the geology of Long Island and New York state.

Shimmering Solstice

The famed lush grounds that define Old Westbury Gardens are festively lit up for the holiday season. The walk-through seasonal light show, “Shimmering Solstice,” returns for a second year, opening Friday, through Jan. 1.

This year more visuals have been added, including a re-designed interactive area with three new exhibits to engage adults and children alike; seasonal music throughout the expanded illuminated path, along with an illuminated water element on the West Pond. Also the Garden of Appreciation will be turned into a comfortable warming area with a concession stand for seasonal snacks and drinks.

The custom-built experience — created by Lightswitch, a collective of internationally recognized lighting, media, and visual designers — has been specially fashioned to highlight Old Westbury Gardens’ uniquen characteristics.

“Shimmering Solstice was designed to be a celebration of our space,” says Maura Brush, director of horticulture at Old Westbury Gardens. “The features that define Old Westbury Gardens such as the formal allées, ponds, and statuary are all illuminated so visitors can view them in a completely different light. Instead of flowers, the gardens will be blooming with light. This is truly an enchanting combination of the beauty of the gardens and the magic of the season.”

The family-friendly experience is intended to be explored at your own pace. For the exciting finale, everyone will be dazzled to see Westbury House’s south facade come alive with magical lights and seasonal sounds. And this year an exciting twist is promised, according to the design team.

The Doo Wop Project

The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning: tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. Featuring stars from Broadway hits ‘Jersey Boys,’ ‘Motown: The Musical’ and ‘A Bronx Tale,’ The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate — and in some cases entirely reimagine — the greatest music in American pop and rock history.

It’s a musical journey featuring foundational tunes from the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to ‘DooWopified’ versions of modern hits from Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and Sam Smith.

Sunday, Nov. 27, 3 p.m. $40-$65. Madison Theatre, Molloy University campus, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

Straight No Chaser

It’s been 25 years since Straight No Chaser introduced their signature style of a cappella to the world. If the phrase ‘male a cappella group’ conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses ... think again. These gents are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch.

They have emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fan base and a long list of accomplishments including two RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide. SNC is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music — and with a sense of humor Now, these delightful fellas are on tour celebrating their milestone anniversary.

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. $99.50, $79.50, $69.50, 59.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (800) 745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Now that we’ve enjoyed the big feast, all the spectacle and delights of the festive season have arrived. Yes you can head out and start that holiday shopping — or venture out to explore some of the many holiday-themed events nearby.

THE SCENE

Nov. 26

Luminocity light festival

Tony Danza

The actor-entertainer bring his “Standards & Stories” concert to Tilles Center, Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m., performing a selection of his favorites from the Great American Songbook while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music. In this joyous evening of glorious songs and personal storytelling, on the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, Danza combines timeless music with wit, charm, storytelling, and a dash of soft shoe and ukulele, backed by a four-piece band.Tickets are $62, available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

On stage

Plaza Theatrical continues its season with “Grumpy Old Men: The Musical,” Saturday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 27, 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. Also Dec. 1-4. Based on the beloved 1993 film, which starred Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret, this stage adaptation captures the lovably crotchety characters through twinkling humor, great songs, and the affectionate depiction of a small town that feels like home to everyone. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Nov. 24

Head to Eisenhower Park,now through Jan. 8, for the Luminocity holiday light festival. This immersive world of magical light installations is ideal for family and friends of all ages. The festival runs every Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. For tickets visit Tinyurl.com/ eparklights.

Outdoor market

The Samanea New York Mall has an outdoor market every Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1500 Old Country Road, in Westbury Browse among dozens of vendors with clothes, shoes, jewelry, soap, toys and more. All vendors welcome. For any questions call (516) 317-7729.

Holiday lighting

The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and Council of East Meadow Community Organizations holds their holiday lighting, Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 to 7 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park. Santa will be making an appearance. Any questions contact Dolores Rome at (516) 972-9872 or Liz Fries at (516) 359-4269.

Art talk

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, PhD, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m.

He’ll discuss “Photography: Beauty and Truth,” in a session that examines the intensely emotional approach to photography taken by many of the greats, including Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans, and the analytic, formal path of the Bechers, Struth, Hofer and many Contemporary artists. Participation is limited; registration required.

Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Having an event?

Holiday fun

Visit the streets of 19th century London during the darkest days of the year, in this adaption of the classic “A Christmas Carol,” with the Experiential Theater Company, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; also Wednesday, Nov. 30, 10:15 a.m. and noon, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. Meet the Cratchit family, Mr. Scrooge, and the ghosts of past, present and future in this interactive show that weaves together music, humor, puppetry and collaboration. Celebrate the change of seasons through this beloved literary tale. Performances continue through December.

Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Items on The Scene 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 thescene@liherald.com.

Free Christmas concert

Celebrate the season with a Christmas concert, Saturday, Dec. 3, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Ave., in East Meadow. The Vespers evening candlelit prayer will start at 6 p.m., with the concert starting at 7 p.m. With choral music and traditional carols from both East and West sung by the church choir, and reception following. For information contact (516) 483-3649.

Hot Cocoa time

As the weather turns colder, turn to a soothing hot cocoa. Visit Long Island Children’s Museum and make some hot cocoa in a jar, at the drop-in program, Saturday, Nov. 26, noon-2 p.m. Pick your own toppings and decorate your jar. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 4849337 or NassauMuseum.org.

On stage

Everyone’s favorite candy man lights up the stage, in Plaza Theatrical’s family-friendly production of “Willy Wonka,” Saturday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m. This scrumdidilyumptious musical features the enchanting songs from the film starring Gene Wilder. Tickets are $16. Grab your golden ticket and visit the Plaza stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

I’m right; You’re an idiot!

There’s no better time to under stand what confirmation bias is than during election season. What I believe is right! Your belief is not only wrong; it’s moronic and you’re an idiot to think the way you do!

Both parties believe their convictions are right, reasonable and rational, based on what they hear, see and their life expe rience. “My side bias,” officially termed “confirmation bias” is when people seek out, remember and interpret information, factually true or false, that confirm their beliefs while ignoring or refuting information that challenges their beliefs.

When it is election season people seek out information that paints their candidates in a good light, the other par ty’s candidates in a negative light. We look for details that uphold our beliefs, ignoring details that oppose our beliefs. No wonder so many of us swear by MSNBC news while others are just as dedi cated to FOX News.

forth, I recognized he was right. I was giv ing all my attention to the section of the report that warned of terrorist activity in Northern Uganda, a section of the coun try you needed a visa to enter. My fears pushed me to attend to the information supportive of my existing premise, ignor ing what didn’t conform to my initial belief. Glenn’s lack of fear allowed him to be more objective.

So, are we doomed to be forever biased toward whatever confirms our existing beliefs?

Guest Column

Yes and No. Some of us hold tight to our beliefs, even when the evidence over whelming shows that our beliefs are false. “Damn the evidence; those brainy experts think they know everything but they don’t know a damn thing.” Oth ers, however, change their beliefs with new knowledge and understanding.

Sapadin

Though we may believe that our thinking is sane, sensible and sound, when we’re dealing with an emotionally charged issue (especially fear) or a deep ly entrenched belief, our thinking pro cesses themselves may not be rational or reasonable.

A personal story I’ll share with you: When my son Glenn who worked for the U.S. agency - Aid to International Development - called me from Ukraine where he was working to tell me his next assignment would be in Uganda, I pan icked. This was about 20+ years ago when the only association I had with Uganda was Idi Amin, the bloody tyrant. To bol ster my belief, I visited the US State Department website and read about how dangerous the country was. I faxed the report to Glenn showing him proof of the dangers he’d face if he went there. He faxed me back, See Mom; I told you Ugan da was safe.

After conveying our positions back and

Still, confirmation bias is here to stay. So next time you’re in the midst of a heat ed argument, and you’re absolutely sure you’re right, take a moment to consider whether confirma tion bias may be contributing to your overconfidence.

Then, take a deep breath, step back from your sermonizing, and with an open, curious mind, listen. Truly listen to what the other person is saying. Even if you view things differently, see if you can at least partially agree with something he has said. Or, imagine based on her life experience, how she might legitimately think that way. If we could all do that, per haps then we wouldn’t be quite as divided as we are now.

©2022

Linda Sapadin, Ph.D., psychologist, coach and author specializes in helping people improve their relationships, enhance their lives and overcome procrastination and fear. Contact her at DrSapadin@aol.com. Visit her website at www.PsychWisdom.com

News brief Superintendent search community forum

On behalf of the trustees of the East Meadow School District Board of Educa tion, East Meadow residents are invited to a community forum on Nov. 29 to give feedback for a profile creation for the next superintendent of schools.

The board has engaged with District Wise Search Consultants who will lead the forum. Community input will be invaluable to create a profile for the next leader of the East Meadow School Dis trict. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ken neth A. Card, Jr. will retire effective Aug. 31, 2023.

The meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Leon J. Campo Salisbury Center in Rooms 1A and 1B. For those who are unable to attend in person,

a Zoom link is available on the district website: www.emufsd.us/article/893716. The participation of all stakeholders is very important during this process. All information gathered will be included anonymously in a report that will be pre pared for the board of education.

For those unable to attend the meet ing, or for those who prefer to provide their suggestions and opinions privately, a confidential email address has been established by the consultants: emsupsearch@districtwisesearch.com. Emails received by Dec. 2 will be included in the consultant’s report. Emails received after this date will be forwarded to the board of education but will remain anonymous.

Turkeys for food banks this holiday season

Long Island Cares Inc., the Harry Chapin Food Bank President Paule Pachter and Island Harvest President Randi Shubin-Dresner received some extra turkeys this Thanksgiving season courtesy of Stop & Shop.

On Nov. 7 both food bank presidents attempted a Stop & Shop Shoot-Out during the first intermis sion at center ice to secure their turkey donation during the New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames at the UBS Arena in Elmont. The supermarket chain donated 2,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares.

The donation of turkeys is part of Stop & Shop’s annual Turkey Express program which provides more than 25,000 turkeys to hunger relief organiza tions across the supermarket’s footprint.

As the official supermarket of the Islanders, Stop & Shop’s donation spotlights the increased need the Food Banks are facing going into the holi day season:

■ Island Harvest Food Bank expects to collect and distribute 14,500 turkeys and tens of thousands of pounds of trimmings necessary to complete a holi day-style meal for Long Islanders coping with food insecurity.

■ Island Harvest Food Bank serves approximately 300,000 families at various times during the year.

■ Last year the food bank supplemented 18 million meals for Long Islanders struggling with food inse curity.

■ Across Long Island, more than 148,000 students are qualified to receive free or reduced-price school meals.

funeral pre-arrangements?

There is absolutely no fee or other charge in New York State when you make “pre-arrangements”. Moreover when you pre-fund those arrangements through the Pre-Plan Trust there is no additional expense in establishing the trust account. A trust account that remains under your control and your funds are FDIC insured.

No commission, no set-up fees, no extra expenses. Just accurate, helpful information, and a plan that conforms to all New York State Regulations and SSI-Medicaid regulations as well. An enhanced rate of interest on the Pre-Plan Trust enables us to guarantee the funeral home costs when a complete funeral is arranged and paid for.

If you would like to discuss these issues, call us and we’ll arrange to have one of our licensed funeral director professionals meet with you and answer your questions.

You’ll receive clear answers, an itemized list of the costs, and some peace of mind.

Is there a fee charged for making

Thanksgiving spirit shown through Kiwanis

East Meadow Kiwanis has been busy this Thanksgiving season to ensure that residents and neighbors had full bellies. From all of the food collected from the club’s food drives on Nov. 5 and 6, Kiwanis was able to assemble and dis tribute 100 food baskets. On Nov. 18 Kiwanis and helpers sorted the food and put them in festive bags of red, yellow, and green for those in need in East Meadow. Helpers included Service Lead ership Program members from the Builders Club at W.T. Clarke Middle

School and Woodland Middle School, Key Clubs at East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high schools, and others.

Then, on Nov. 20, over 200 people were served at the club’s 40th annual Senior and Military Dinner at East Meadow High School. Staff from East Meadow High School, the East Meadow School District, as well as all of the club and Service Leadership Program members came together to make that day possible.

Kiwanians cooked up a delicious meal under the supervision of co-chairs Debra Kirsh and Mitchell Allen.

Nov. 20 for their annual Senior and Military Dinner.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 11/30/22 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 1379/22. LEVITTOWNKathy Noonan, Variance, side yards aggregate, proposed garage conversion to living space., E/s Celestial La., 71’ S/o Farmedge La., a/k/a 5 Celestial La.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in Levittown within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available a t https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 135593

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

ASTORIA FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against JAMES J. ALIPERTI JR, et al Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 7 Wells Street, Suite 205B, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered January 21, 2016, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

Premises known as 424 Wellington Road, East Meadow, NY 11554. Sec 51 Block 274 Lot 24. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buidings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York.

Approximate Amount of Judgment is $500,125.24 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 001916/2011.

The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules.

The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or

safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Robert F. Harper, Esq., Referee NY2022-00064 135161

COMPANY. NAME: Brennan Entertainment, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 2/1/21. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: Brennan Entertainment LLC, 2981-2991 Hempstead Tpke #1023, Levittown, NY 11756.

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 134949

DRIVERS WANTED

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE

Richner Communications - a rapidly growing multimedia company and publishers of the Herald newspaper grouphas several administrative job openings: Receptionist (P/T), Accounts Receivable/Billing Collections Clerk

Multi-Media Coordinator (Hours Flexible)

Qualified candidates are fast learners with good organizational and people skills - entry level ok.

Role requires working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ability to learn custom software programs.

If you would like to join a communitydriven, fast-paced environment, please send your resume to: careers@liherald.com.

ASSISTANT TEACHER

Needed For Early Childhood Education And Care Center

In Rockville Centre

Full Time Position High School Diploma Needed E-mail Resume: rlychildhoodctr@aol.com Call 516-536-5674

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE

Full Time/Part Time

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc.

STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

EDITOR/REPORTER

The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting 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 New York Times, Newsweek, 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 respected journalists in our industry.

To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to mhinman@liherald.com

HIRING MAIL SORTERS $16.00-$17.00, Pickers/ Packers Springfield Gardens, $17.00. Mystery Shoppers Ages 21-25 $20.00. 860 Long Island Ave., Deer Park NY 631-586-4699

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner

PRESS-ROOM/WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME Pressroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for a 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. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

RECEPTIONIST EXPERIENCED P/T Seasonal. Jan- Mid April. Franklin Square. CALL: 516-358-9455. FAX RESUME: 516-358-9483. E MAIL: ed@loturco.com.

RECEPTIONIST P/T

with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl REDUCED $699,000 1534 Broadway #205, BA, Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom (Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living BIG REDUCTION!! $699,000

E a ST ROCK aWay

8 Acorn Rd, 12-1:30, 5 BR, 3 Bth Front to Back Split on Beautiful Quiet St in Lynbrook SD#20. Fin Bsmt, Att Gar. CAC, Gas Ht, HW Flr. REDUCED! $749,000

8 Howland Rd, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Beautiful Tree Lined St in SD#20. LR, DR, EIK, Den, Enclosed Porch. Full Fin Bsmt. 1 Car Gar. CAC, Gas Ht, HW Flrs. Update to Your Taste! $699,000

ROCKVILLE CENTRE

REAL ESTATE

Open Houses

EAST ROCKAWAY 11/27, 12-1:30, 8 Acorn Rd,, REDUCED & MOTIVATED! 5BR, 3 Bth Front to Back Split on Beautiful Quiet St in Lynbrook SD#20. Fin Bsmt, Att Gar. CAC, Gas Ht, HW Flr., ..$749,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

EAST ROICKAWAY 8 Howland Rd, OPEN HOUSE, BY Appt, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 4 BR, 2.5 Bth Exp Ranch on Beautiful Tree Lined St in SD#20.LR,DR,EIK, Den & Enclosed Porch. Full Fin Bsmt.1 Car Gar. CAC, Gas Ht, HW Flrs. Update to Your Taste!..$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman RE 516-238-4

FAR ROCKAWAY 11/27 2-3:30, 33-47 Bay Ct,,REDUCED! Enjoy The Waterviews in This Bayswater 4 BR, 1.5 Bth Split Tucked Away in Cul de Sac. Fin Bsmt. Att Gar. O/S Resortlike Yard on the Bay. Opportunity to Make This Your Dream Home!..$698,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #103, OPEN HOUSE BY APPT, REDUCED! Magnificent New Renovation! One of a Kind Ranch Style Living in Luxurious Jonathan Hall Condominium with Doorman & Elevator. Just Move into This Gut Renovated, Spacious 2 BR, 2 Bath Apt with Open Layout.Large Designer Eat in Kitchen with Sep Pantry & Laundry Rm.Master BR Boasts Gorgeous Bth & Walk in Closet. Terrace Faces into Courtyard. Garage Parking Incl...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

HEWLETT 1534 BROADWAY #205, Open House By Appt! Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom(Originally 3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit. Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch Style Living...$699,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

LAWRENCE OPEN HOUSE

1 ROSLYN PLACE

SUNDAY 11/27, 12:30-1:30

APARTMENT FOR SALE MIC 2 BR, 2 Bth MILKY FORST PROPERTIES 516-236-8416

ROCKVILLE CENTR 11/27, 12=1:30, 133 S. Centre Ave, REDUCED & MOTIVATED! Move Right Into This Renovated 4/5 BR, 3 Bth Colonial w/ LR, DR & Gran/Wood EIK with Stainless Steel Appl. Full Bsmt, 2 Car Gar. RVC Schools..$899,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

EAST MEADOW: BRIGHT 1BR, LR/Kitchen Combo, Full Bath, Lots Closets And Storage. No Smoking/Pets. $1,700 All. 516-659-3189

FRANKLIN SQUARE IMMEDIATE. 3 Room, Lower Level, Includes All Utilities. No Smoking/ Pets. $1,350. 516-205-3225.

MoneyTo Lend

ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

Cemetery Plots

CEMETERY PLOT FOR TWO For Sale: Pinelawn Cemetery. Garden Of Normandy North. Price Negotiable. 516-375-1905

What’s the best way to clear the air?

Q. I saw an article in a magazine about how I may be able to add air and water purifiers in my office to minimize sickness and infections. Is this for real? Can air purifiers limit things like Covid, and does it pay to put in a full water purifier instead of just having a bottled-water cooler station, even in my home or in my office (for my employees)?

A. There is a lot of misinformation and mis understanding about levels of purification and, depending on the source of the information, like an advertisement instead of research reports, the facts are unclear. I couldn’t tell anyone, definitively, what works best, or even the spe cifics as to why, only that there are systems that are required and units that do have benefits for employers and homeowners, accord ing to industry reports.

Ask The Architect

Monte Leeper

For example, it almost always comes up during the design phase of offices and retail spaces that the owner wants to put in a bottled-water cooler instead of a drinking fountain, but the plumbing code, which is a law, states that two drinking fountains or a dual unit, the high and low kind, are required to be installed. (The reason for the low drinking fountain is to avoid discrimination, along with many other regu lations, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into federal law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.) A bottle station is nice to have but not required.

Water purification will be a healthy solution for your employees and family, since it removes chlorine, sediments and multiple trace minerals. There are many different types of purifiers on the market. For commercial purposes, consider a cartridge-type puri fier specific to your commercial space, and for a resi dence, a whole-house system such as the ones from PurifiedSolutions.net, which use a seven-stage reverse-osmosis process. Just remember, these sys tems all require the replacement of filters, so factor in replacement costs so you aren’t surprised later.

As for the bigger question, air purification, it is a much broader and more questionable issue, since dif ferent systems filter air in different ways, and even though advertisements tout all the wonderful particu lates that can be removed, virus particles aren’t nec essarily one of them. Smoke from cigarettes and dust have a much larger mass, and are more easily removed with high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters than bacterial or viral-laden particles. Even though microscopic-sized allergens can be removed, unless they are treated with either damag ing light or chemical containment, just catching the allergens doesn’t necessarily get rid of them. Make sure you find out what the filtration unit will do from an independent testing source report before spending the money on one.

Recent studies do show the workplace benefits for having enhanced ventilation and filtration. Some 90 percent of maintenance costs are for keeping people productive at work, increasing profits by reducing infection, sickness and missed days by employees. Choose systems wisely and it will benefit you. Good luck!

© 2022 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.

ELECTROLUX

ELECTROLUX

Some attachments, Sidekick. $99. 516-798-2098.

Finds Under $100

JACKET WINDBREAKER REVERSIBLE: Hood, Zipper, Purple Grey Sweatshirt, Large. Ladies Raincoat Medium Both $50. 516-320-1906

LADDER, DAVIDSON, 8 ft., Type II, Commercial & Electrical, Model 592-08, $99, 516-816-7383

NEW

NEW

(516)-641-8693

SHOPPING CARTS: SMALL blue $15, large red $20, both in perfect condition516-297-2420

VINTAGE MATTEL SHIRLEY Temple, 1950s Doll, 11" Tall $20 (516) 965-0983

SERVICES Electricians

Handyman

HANDYMAN

Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

Heating

AROUND THE CLOCK REFRIGERATION INC. Specializing In Gas Furnaces/ Ductless Heat Pump Installations/ Repairs. $99 Annual Gas Furnace Maintenance/ Inspection. FREE Estimates. Gregory 516-214-0178 gregory@clockhvac.com

Home Improvement

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

CARPENTRY & PAINTING: Residential/ Commercial. All Phases. Licensed/Insured. FREE ESTIMATES! Anthony & J Home Improvements 516-678-6641

DON'T PAY FOR Covered Home Repairs

Home Improvement

More. FREE ESTIMATES. Dan 516-342-0761

ROOFING

Miscellaneous

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313

DIRECTV

Autos Wanted

DONATE YOUR CAR TO BREAST CANCER RESEARCH RECOVERY! Tax Deduction Receipt Given Upon Pick-up, Free Towing. 501c3 Charity. 631-988-9043 breastcancerresearchrecovery.org

DRIVE OUT BREAST Cancer: Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup - 24hr Response Tax Deduction - Easy To Do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

WHEELS FOR WISHES benefiting MakeA-Wish® Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: (877) 798-9474. Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org.

Junk Cars Wanted

HIGHEST CA$H PAID All Cars Bought 24/7 FREE Pickup Serving Nassau County 41 Years No Title, No Keys=No Problem ID Required. CALL US LAST! Call us at 516-766-0000

Plumbing

PLUMBER!

PLUMBING

Tile

TILE INSTALLATION: 25 Years In Business. FREE Estimates. We Specialize In Quality Work. Broadway Tile Company. Call Jeff 516-647-2604 Or email estimating@broadwaytileco.com

OpINIONS

I’ll take the GOP agenda — without Trump — any day

Like most people, I don’t like Trump. I’ve disdained him ever since then-developer Donald demanded drastic concessions at my beloved Jones Beach State Park so he could build a catering hall at the main mall to make more big bucks. He revealed an unappealing, obnoxious acquisitiveness.

It was all about his deal, with a disregard for the good and welfare of generations of us lesser mortals. Worse, he wanted residents and state officials to believe he was doing us all a favor, but his mendacity was obvious. It took Superstorm Sandy to sweep away his avaricious plan and his oily conceit.

Trump’s personality, I had absolutely zero doubt about how duplicitous and deceitful Hillary Clinton was. Trump was openly, shamelessly vain. Clinton was a backstabbing, secretive, supercilious, lying, characterless cypher. I could trust him to act to benefit my country as long as it also served him self. I couldn’t trust her (and her malign cabal) with any thing, least of all my coun try. And more important, I opposed all of the national policies she embraced.

gieg-Ilhan Omar ticket vs. Trump-Kristi Noem or Trump-Nikki Haley or TrumpJoni Ernst or Trump-Winsome EarleSears? Any of those GOP teams would destroy Buttigieg-Omar.

And yet I voted for him in 2016. His promises, the possibility of gaining origi nalist Supreme Court nominees and his declared support of conservative causes were consistent with my social, cultural and political preferences. We Trump vot ers realized it would take an arrogant bully to barge through the rock-solid bureaucracy that Washington had become. He’d be our bully, as it were.

And besides, as insufferable as I found

Now he’s running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. I wish it were not so. Trump is a minor-league version of lit erature’s classic tragic fig ure: a man who — while accomplishing great things — destroys himself with his own hubris.

If Trump gets the GOP nomination (and I think that’s a big if), whom the Democrats choose will be critical for the country. Obviously it shouldn’t be Presi dent Biden. If they pick a far-left version of Trump, someone like California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Biden’s useless trans portation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, most voters, sick of liberal Democrats’ failed leadership, will gag violently and go for Trump. (Even if, again, he can’t win the popular vote, he could prevail in the Elec toral College.) Can you imagine a Butti

I mean, really, look at how unappealing the Democrats’ presidential and vice-presidential bench is: Kamala Harris, Adam Schiff, AOC, Stacey Abrams, John Fetterman, Cory Book er, Hillary, Rashida Tlaib, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand (New York’s invisible sena tor), Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Bill de Blasio and others who are so light they defy gravity. Puhleeze! How about the quintessentially Democratic bicoastal, affir mative-equity pairing, Harris-Hochul?

Non-radical Americans, i.e., almost all of us, want someone smart, articulate and tough who’ll try to keep us out of wars, reduce inflation, faithfully and fairly exe cute the laws, defend the Constitution, support the police, keep taxes as low as possible, respect and care for our veter ans, spend prudently, regulate only when required, maintain a strong national defense, trade well but with a sharp eye on national security, curb the domestic abuses of the so-called intelligence com munity, and put a hard stop on our dan gerously wide-open southern border.

Someone who salutes America’s great ness. That definitely won’t be the Demo crats’ platform in 2024. It certainly will be the GOP’s agenda, and Trump would sell it. He’s usually good at selling things (his Jones Beach fiasco notwithstanding). I mean, he sold the Abraham Accords, a peace treaty among Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, for heaven’s sake.

We will be voting again in 24 months (unless I missed something and early vot ing starts next week). Actually, the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire prima ry are in January 2024. No one knows what will happen in the world between now and then. Will Biden finish his term? Will Kamala visit the wizard in Oz and get what she needs? How disastrous will Trump’s self-inflicted stumbles on the campaign trail be? Will better, brighter lights shine in either party?

For newsies like me, it will be a fasci nating and important two years. I hope everyone, young folks particularly, find serious, un-opinionated journalism and read and think critically about all the pol itics. We must use these two years to brush up on our civics studies and see how America is supposed to work. Then learn how it really works, and vote to try to make it better than that.

John O’Connell is a former executive editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? oconnell11001@yahoo.com.

Flying the not-so-friendly skies

Iwrote to Pete Buttigieg this week. I thought that the head of the U.S. Department of Transportation should know what’s up.

Last week, Secretary Buttigieg announced some $600 million in fines against the airlines for bad behavior dur ing the continuing pandemic. It’s a start.

on our wedding trip in 1968, we flew East ern Airlines to Bermuda. I wore a match ing coat and dress, white gloves, high heels and a hat. The “stewardesses” wore perky outfits and heels and little cha peaus, and they were all super-attractive and into providing excellent service to the customers.

Seen through today’s lens, it was sexist and white and stiffly formal. We enjoyed tasty little meals served on individual trays, even in coach, and the crew happily did all the heavy lifting. We have fallen out of the sky, in terms of standards for pas sengers and crew.

But that’s a low bar, right? The crews are nice enough, which isn’t nice enough. No crew member offers a hand to help place a suitcase in the overhead bin. Then they try to sell you stuff. You get your drink when the wagon rolls by, and a dis mal choice of snacks. Heav en help us, the Terra Blue potato chips, basically the most compelling reason to fly JetBlue, are gone.

That’s when I decided to write to Butti gieg.

First, no customer should have to wait 90 minutes to speak to an agent. If they can’t run the airline better than that, with all the money they got from us, they should shut down and turn the planes into affordable housing.

Apparently, the airlines took bil lions of bailout dollars, and failed to pass on the goodwill or the big bucks to their cus tomers. In fact, they canceled or delayed oodles of flights and didn’t refund the fees to passengers. Some times — and this took chutzpah — they rebooked folks on other flights with out finding out whether those new book ings were good for the travelers.

Supply chain issues? The airlines got a gazillion dol lars from the government. Open a damn potato chip factory!

I hate to pick on JetBlue, but I must, because that’s the only airline I’ve flown recently.

But let’s back up the plane. My bias is that my airline experience began when flying was a special treat. When we went

Two weeks ago, I flew Jet Blue back and forth from New York to Florida. While I was waiting for my flight, an announcer at the gate said that the flight before mine, on the same route, would be turbulent, passengers should expect to stay seated, and there would be no bathroom breaks. This is bad, I thought. I’m about to get on this flying tube to ride 1,500 miles at 600 mph at 36,000 feet into a hurricane. I nearly bolted, but I talked myself down.

Turns out, we were on time, and there were no violent outbursts by passengers or inappropriate behavior by crew members.

My real and serious issue is with the JetBlue website and its reservation process. In recent months, the web site has been buggy. The fees for “extras,” like being able to bring a carry-on in “basic blue,” are excessive.

When I needed to change my flight on the return, it took two hours online to book the change and pay for a seat. Then I got a message that I had the flight but no seat. I tried to call. It was a 90-minute wait to speak to a person, and I was informed that booking or changing or canceling a flight on the phone with a human being would cost me $25.

Second, how dare they charge $25 to speak to someone to book a flight? I know many people, especially older folks, who don’t use computers. They don’t know how to book a flight online. They need to talk to a real person, and they can’t wait 90 minutes on the phone. This is unfair to fli ers who don’t have the necessary technolo gy skills. Why should they be penalized with a $25 fee for what should be a basic service to a paying customer?

Years ago, I wrote to JetBlue in the name of my dog, requesting frequent flier points for her even though she traveled under the seat. They had a sense of humor. They said they couldn’t offer points, but they did give Zoe and me a free flight. Just like that. Goodwill.

JetBlue needs to drop the $25 phone fee, hire enough agents to reduce the phone wait time, and please, please, bring back the Terra Blues.

Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

O ne slight after another led me to drop a line to Secretary Buttigieg.

Trump is a minorleague version of literature’s classic tragic figure.

50 years of a better world thanks to Title IX

He’s a man you’ve likely never heard of. The son of an Indiana State University basketball coach who excelled in sports himself — primarily as a boxer and a col legiate baseball player — Birch Bayh was sworn in as a U.S. senator from his home state on Jan. 3, 1963.

Bayh spent 18 years in that office, becoming the only non-Founding Father to author two amendments to the U.S. Constitution: the 25th Amendment, han dling presidential succession, and the 26th, which lowered the federal voting age to 18.

But it was his days playing sports that occupied the senator’s mind. Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 tackled all kinds of discrimination when it came to employment and public accommodation, it bothered Bayh that the bill failed to address sex discrimination at schools.

He set out to change that, crafting the 37 words that would make up what we now know as Title IX: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimi nation under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assis tance.”

While we might see Title IX today as a law focused on sports, what Bayh and his House counterpart, U.S. Rep. Edith Green, pushed through Congress did more than that. No more could schools legally favor one gender over another in any respect, including pay and employment opportuni ties. If it was good enough for a man, it was good enough for a woman.

But yes, some of the most visible impacts came in the world of sports,

letters

Thanks to all who uplift and help others

To the Editor:

changing what was once a male-dominat ed enterprise into something that could be enjoyed by anyone. Like Elizabeth Serra, who just finished her first season with the Woodland Middle School football team in East Meadow.

Elizabeth scored 16 points as a kicker, and even broke a tie to give Woodland a final win over the Seaford Vikings. Yet being the only girl on the team didn’t faze her a bit.

“I was a little bit nervous, but then I realized what I really wanted to do,” the 13-year-old said. “I just really wanted to play football. So it didn’t really bother me that much.”

Even a few years ago, a girl kicking field goals for a football team was consid ered a novelty. Today it’s just another day on the gridiron. Elizabeth is far from alone.

Before Title IX, just 300,000 girls took part in high school sports, according to a report last summer by NPR. Today that number is 3.5 million. And while Title IX focuses on schools, it has a much wider reach.

Like with the New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey program, started in 2016 by Alexis Moed, the general manager of the Connecticut Whale, a team in the womenfocused professional Premier Hockey Fed eration. Working with the NHL’s Island ers, the league is filled with girls ages 8 to 19, all playing on the same ice at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Mead ow as the four-time Stanley Cup champi ons.

The league has become a second home for Debbie Curry, a 12-year-old from Sea ford, who started her hockey career on boys’ teams.

“She always had a target (on) her for being a girl in a boy sport,” Debbie’s moth er, Christie, said. “Here she can be recog nized and have a chance to go somewhere with hockey in the future, because they’re giving the girls a chance to shine.

“I’ve never seen her so happy, and she can just be herself.”

Title IX has helped girls come a long way, but the fight is far from over. Many schools still don’t know how to properly enforce Title IX compliance, while others have chosen to cut programs rather than expand them to include everyone. Retalia tion runs rampant, and the U.S. Depart ment of Education believes there are more areas of improvement needed, including the end of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.

Birch Bayh died in 2019, at age 91. But he lived long enough to see the impact his 37 simple words had on the lives of mil lions. An impact that literally brought him to tears.

Kelly Krauskopf is an assistant general manager of the Indiana Pacers. But in 2000, she made her mark helping to bring the Indiana Fever into existence in the WNBA. They sold out their first game with 16,000 people filling the arena, and Krauskopf invited Bayh to join her on the hardwood before the tipoff.

“I said to him, ‘Look at this place. Can you believe this?’” she told the Indianapo lis Star. “‘This would never have happened had it not been for you.’

“He looks at me and he has these big tears in his eyes. And he said he had no idea (Title IX) would have this kind of impact. It was just one of the coolest moments.”

In this season of hope and gratitude, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all Long Islanders who give of themselves to help others here in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and beyond. Nearly every day, Red Cross volunteers are at the scene of fires, floods and other disasters that occur all too regularly on Long Island, providing urgent assistance to those coping with loss and uncertain ty. In addition to responding to local emergencies, this past year, many of my colleagues traveled far from home to offer a helping hand following wild fires in California, tornadoes and flash floods in Kentucky and, most recently, Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in Florida. Our volunteers also work to prevent future disas ters by installing free smoke alarms, providing fire

Millions in opioid-fighting funds are still available

nassau County continues to hold Big Pharma accountable in the courts for the wave of destruc tion that the pharmaceutical companies’ highly addictive opioid drugs unleashed on families and children across the country, and right here in our own backyards.

On Nov. 7, the county took the first leg islative step toward approving a $68.25 million settlement with Actavis LLC and Actavis Pharma Inc., Watson Labo ratories Inc., Anda Inc., Teva Pharma ceutical Industries Ltd., and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. Once this settlement is approved by the full Legislature and County Executive Bruce Blakeman — which I anticipate will occur this month — it will supple ment the $70.4 million the county has already received through various Big Pharma settlements.

Drawing from the funds now at the county’s disposal, Blakeman in mid-Sep tember announced plans to distribute $15 million per year for the next four years to agencies that offer addiction prevention, treatment or recovery services. Approxi

mately $2.4 million per year was immedi ately earmarked, with the lion’s share going to Nassau University Medical Cen ter. The remaining $12.6 million per year will be awarded to agencies that respond to a Request for Expressions of Interest that closed on Monday.

Above and beyond Blake man’s announced plans, there is still approximately $10.4 million that has not been designated. The Teva Pharmaceutical settlement will add significantly to that sum, as will the pro ceeds of future settlements as additional pharmaceuti cal companies are held responsible for their gross negligence and complicity in this ongoing public health crisis.

While I have consistently expressed my frustration with the slow pace of allo cating these funds, this influx of new resources gives us a golden opportunity to proactively plan for how we can get life-saving resources where they need to be as expeditiously as possible. My frus tration is amplified by my concern for all our friends, loved ones and neighbors who are suffering at this very moment.

I’m a mother of three daughters who are now young adults, and the opioid drug crisis remains one of my greatest fears. We have had countless conversa

tions as a family to instill vigilance as they navigate the world. As parents, we do so motivated by awareness of the stark reality that addiction is an indiscrimi nate killer — that there is no race, creed, religion, sex or economic background that substance abuse does not impact.

In Glen Cove, I have grown close to a group of women who have estab lished a local chapter of Families Anonymous, an organization that gives peo ple navigating the trauma of living with a loved one suffering from addiction a safe space to meet and share their experiences, strength and hope with one another. I have introduced friends to Families Anonymous, and the warmth, support and generosity of spirit they received was truly remarkable, and life-affirming.

Several members of the organization came to the Legislature on Oct. 24 and courageously shared their stories. They have seen their children arrested and sent to prison, and fought with insurance companies to secure long-term treatment upon their release. Several have seen their loved ones come through the tem pest one day at a time and achieve longterm, sustainable sobriety. Sadly, far too many have endured the unthinkable trag

edy of losing a child to the disease of addiction.

What they shared offers some impor tant insights into our next steps. With the funds from our opioid lawsuit settle ments, Nassau County would be wise to look closely at supporting organizations that provide drug rehabilitation pro grams with longer terms of stay beyond the customary 28-day term; dual-diagno sis approaches that get to the complicated and often intertwined root causes of the disease; and aggressive early-interven tion strategies.

It is also crucial to keep talking openly about addiction, so we can continue chip ping away at the stigmas that can hinder people from seeking the help they need. Addiction is a public health crisis, not a moral failing.

Thanks to its advocacy and willing ness to confront Big Pharma in the courts, Nassau County has created tre mendous opportunities for progress.

Armed with these resources and more on the way, it is more important than ever for us to work together as parents and leaders to act on decisions that will make a significant, lifesaving impact on the tra jectory of the opioid addiction crisis.

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, a Nassau County legislator representing the 11th District, is the ranking member of the legislature’s Committee on Health & Social Services.

safety and emergency preparedness edu cation and teaching first aid and CPR.

Through our Service to the Armed Forces program, a dedicated Red Cross team provides 24/7 support for military members, veterans and their families at home and around the world.

The life-changing work our volunteers carry out day in and day out would not be possible without our financial donors and our civic-minded partners. I want to recognize them as well for their generosi ty and community spirit.

Finally, I want to give special thanks to our military heroes, who sacrifice so much, and to our first responders, who work to ensure our safety and well-being.

As we enter this holiday season, let’s give special thanks to all those who make our communities stronger and safer all year long.

Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving!

Shop local this weekend

To the Editor:

In these difficult economic times, as a result of inflation, it is especially impor tant to patronize your neighborhood

Lettersbusinesses. Do it not only on annual Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, but every day of the year.

I don’t mind occasionally paying a lit tle more to help our local stores survive. The employees go out of their way to help find what I need. Customer service is their motto.

Independent mom-and-pop stores don’t have bulk-buying purchasing power that Amazon or large national chain stores have. The owners can’t negotiate lower prices from suppliers. They’re at the mercy of those suppliers, especially third-party brokers, who con trol the prices they have to pay for mer chandise. That’s why they sometimes charge a little more. But it’s worth the price to avoid the crowds and long lines at larger stores in exchange for the con venience and friendly service your neighborhood store offers.

Remember, these people are our neigh bors. They work long hours, pay taxes and keep as many employed as possible. Many maintain the tradition of offering job opportunities to students during the holidays and over the summer.

Customers also patronize other com mercial establishments on the block. Foot traffic is essential for the survival of any neighborhood commercial dis trict. If we don’t patronize our local stores and restaurants to shop and eat,

they don’t eat, either. We help keep our neighbors employed and the local econo my growing.

The owners of independent, momand-pop stores are the backbone of our

neighborhood commercial districts. Show your support by making a pur chase.

w e have a golden opportunity to get life-saving resources where they need to be.

DeLia DeriGGi-wHitton

Find a doctor today at mountsinai.org/southnassau