Merrick Herald

Craig, an oral surgeon trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, gave his son CPR for five long, terrifying minutes until a paramedic arrived with a defibrillator and administered electric-shock treatment. But Robbie never woke up. The Levines, long active in the Levy-Lakeside PTA and in the Little League, were devastated by their son’s death. They could not sleep or eat for days. But charitable donations in Robbie’s name from the Levines’ many friends in the community poured in, and Jill and Craig channeled their grief — and those donations — into a nonprofit organization of their own creation that would not only raise awareness of the need for

automated external defibrillators at youth ball fields, but also raise funds to purchase the AEDs, which cost $1,500 each. And so Forever 9: The Robbie Levine Foundation was born. The organization is celebrating its sixth anniversary. Jill Levine, who has a degree in psycholo-gy from the University of Michigan and a master’s in social work from Boston University, now runs the foundation’s day-to-day operations. “The foundation really is like a full-time job,” she said. “I don’t, but I could work on it all day, every day. And it’s good because what it does is what it was started for. “It was started to memorialize Robbie,” she continued. “People hear about the Robbie Levine Foundation, and his name is spoken every day. And that makes us feel good. And the fact that lives have been saved because of this is, of course, an extra bonus.” For her courage in the face of unimagina-ble pain, and for her works on behalf of the youth not only in her hometown but across Long Island and beyond, the Merrick Herald has named Levine its 2011 Person of the Year. In the spring of 2006, only months after the Robbie Levine Foundation was founded, Jill Levine, with help from her husband, undertook a major project: Robbie’s Run, a 5K run/walk through the streets around Levy-Lakeside Elementary, where Robbie was an outstanding student. Jill said she hoped 300 people would attend. Instead, more than 750 turned out for the event, which began at Cammans Pond, on Lindenmere Drive, headed south, and looped through residential neighborhoods before returning to Levy-Lakeside. Robbie’s Run has now become a highly anticipated annual tradition in the Merricks, with more than 2,000 runners and walkers taking part annu-ally. Each year the run raises $50,000 for the Robbie Levine Foundation. The Levines didn’t stop their fundraising with the run, though. For the past four years, they have hosted a Dealing with Hearts Gala, which annually raises $40,000. The fundraising has allowed the Robbie Levine Foundation to quickly expand, and provide AEDs not only locally, but in upstate Binghamton and as far afield as Kutztown, Pa., and even Israel and South Africa.

“What we wanted was people to not say, ‘What is an AED?’” said Jill. “We wanted people to say, ‘When my kid gets on this field, where is the AED?’ And if the AED isn’t there, and they look at you like you’re crazy, that’s not OK.” Jill grew up in Michigan, where she graduated from Huron High School. She met Craig on a Caribbean cruise in 1991, while she was a student at Boston University, and they married in 1994. Jill moved with Craig to Brooklyn, where he was completing his residency in oral sur-

Merrick

HERALDDecember 29, 2011 - January 4, 2012 $1.00

Kennedy High School graduateScott Lipsky made sports history when he won the mixed doubles title at the French

Open. Page 9

Courtesy Scott Lipsky

Two major storms swamped the Merricks in August, causing widespread damage

and flooding many parts of the community, including the Meadowbrook Parkway.

Page 11

Courtesy Paul DeMaria

YEARIN REVIEW

Jill Levine

On Sept. 27, 2005, Jill and Craig Levine faced the unthinkable. Their 9-year-old son Robbie was rounding the bases during a Merrick Little League practice at Levy-Lakeside Elementary

School in Merrick when he suddenly collapsed at home plate. He stopped breathing, and had no pulse.

Saving lives, one AED at a time

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YEAR IN REVIEWJanuary

“There’s no describing her. She was just beautiful.” That was how childhood friend Nicholas McCormick summed up Erin Clare Malloy-McArdle, 18. Malloy-McArdle, a Mepham senior and president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions club, was killed in a skiing acci-dent at Windham Mountain in Greene County in early January. According to a press release from Windham, the accident occurred at around 10:30 a.m. off an intermediate trail known as Upper Warpath. Malloy-McArdle, who was not wearing a helmet, is reported to have lost control and left the trail at high speed, crashing into a tree about 30 feet off the trail. Though early reports described Malloy-McArdle as a novice skier, McCormick said that she was an avid skier and had been skiing for more than five years. “She knew what she was doing,” McCormick said. “It wasn’t like she was making these poor decisions to jump right into skiing.” According to McCormick, Malloy-McArdle circled “beginner” when she rented her skis, thinking nothing of it.

The Mepham community mourned the loss of Erin Clare Malloy-McArdle who died in a skiing accident.

Mepham senior dies while skiing

The two became friends through their parents – Beth and Steven Freifeld, from Merrick, and Andrea and Paul Mass, from Bellmore – who met several years ago at a Hadassah event. Since then, the two families have spent many hours together, including trips to the beach, as well as spending summers together. “We just kind of all hit it off,” said Andrea Mass. Over time, Morgan, a third-grade student at Winthrop Avenue School in Bellmore, and her brother Mitchell, 11, became close with the Freifelds’ two chil-dren, Sadie and her 8-year-old brother Max. So close, that it was easy for Morgan to decide what she wanted to do once she heard the news that Sadie had cancer. “The day that I came home and told Morgan that Sadie had cancer,” Andrea said, “she said immediately, ‘Mommy, I’m not going to cut my hair again, and as soon as I have 10 inches I want to donate it to Locks of Love.’” True to her word, Morgan did not get another haircut, and once her hair was over 10 inches long – the minimum length required for donation – she head-ed straight to Metromodes Salon in Bellmore and had her hair cut to donate it to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organiza-tion that provides hairpieces for disad-vantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any illness.

February

Colleen Oggeri, 18, became a hero after she administered CPR to her father, Doug, moments after he had a heart attack. Doctors said after that the CPR saved his life. The Oggeri family, from left, Elizabeth, Doug, Colleen, Linda and Dan.

Morgan Mass, 8, from Bellmore, with 3-year-old Sadie Freifeld, of Merrick, shortly after Morgan donated her hair to Locks of Love.

8-year-old donates hair in honor of friend stricken by cancer

Daughter saves father’s life

Scott Brinton/Herald

3

MERRICK HERALD — Decem

ber 29, 2011

YEAR IN REVIEWFebruary

February

Two Colts to play Division I football

Not one but two Calhoun High School foot-ball players earned scholarships to play football at Division I colleges starting in the fall of 2011 –– Nicholas Marcello, a kicker who was recruited by

Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., and Coleman Meier, a linebacker who is headed to SUNY Stony Brook. Colts coach Joe Bianca said that it’s rare to

have even one football player recruited by a Division I school, let alone two. “Two in one sea-son is a credit to the program and to [the play-ers],” Bianca said.


Two Calhoun football players, Nicholas Marcello, second from left, and Coleman Meier, fourth from left, are playing Division I football in college. They were joined here at Calhoun last February by their coach, Joe Bianca, third from left, and Marcello’s father, David, and Meier’s parents, Lucie and George.

The Bellmore-based Long Island Crisis Center faced a crisis of its own: Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget cuts meant that the center could lose nearly one-third of its budget, possibly shutting down its call center. Part of the governor’s budget proposal called for cuts to many social programs, including those that fund the Crisis Center. Many of the individu-al programs — like Youth Development and Delinquency Prevention and the Office of Children and Family Services — were eliminated, and the funding was consolidated into one block grant program. “Our concern is that everything is going to go to essentially mandated services,” said Dorothy Jacobs, president of the Board of Directors of the Crisis Center. “It would eliminate services for mostly homeless and runaway youth, and that’s how our hotlines are funded.”

A crisis for the L.I. Crisis Center

IN BRIEF Calhoun junior wows audiences on ‘American Idol’Ten years ago, Robbie Rosen sat in front of his television and watched the first season of “American Idol” in his Merrick home. He was only 7 years old, but even then he knew he had it what it takes to one day perform on the show. “We’d mute the TV, and I’d sing some songs that I heard the Idols singing,” Rosen said. “My mom and I were like, ‘Man, I can do that some-day.’” Turns out, they were right. On this past spring’s “Idol,” Rosen beat out more than 100,000 contestants to finish in the top 24. “It’s really cool looking back, and now looking how far I’ve come,” he said. Rosen’s “Idol” journey began when he per-formed in The American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World, an attraction that simulates the show so people can enter and sing in front of a live audience. Audience members vote on their favorites, and the finalists receive “dream tickets” that allow them to skip to the front of the line at any “American Idol” audition site.

March

Merrick

HERALDDECEMBER 29, 2011 - JANUARY 4, 2012 - Vol. 14 No. 52

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The Merrick Herald USPS 017547, is published every Thursday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530.Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Merrick Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscription rates: $36 for 1 year within Nassau County. Out of Nassau County: $58 for 1 year. Copy-right © 2011 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

gery. They moved to Bellmore in 1996 and then to Merrick in 2000. The Levines have three other children –– Josh, 13, a student at Merrick Avenue Middle School, and daughters Samantha, 6, and Riley, 5, both students at Levy-Lakeside. In addition to her work with the foundation, Jill Levine has long been active in the Levy-Lakeside PTA and the Merrick Jewish Centre, but, she said, the foundation is her top priority. On vacation, the Levines like to ski in Stratton in Vermont. Josh plays travel baseball, and so summers often revolve around his game schedule. Losing a child, Jill said, “is an experience nobody should have to go through.” But she said, the foundation “is a great way to keep Robbie’s memory alive while helping people at the same time.” Kayla Babbush, 17, a Kennedy High School senior, has long volunteered for the Robbie Levine Foundation. Her brother, Jack, was one of Robbie’s best friends. “As I’ve grown older and matured, I’ve really been able to see how dedicat-ed a person she is,” Kayla said of Jill. “Her dedi-cation truly is unbelievable. She turned a tragedy into something amazing, and she was able to real-ly change the whole way of life for a community. She was able to turn Robbie’s memory into an amazing thing.” Kayla added, “She’s an unbelievable mother. She does everything for her kids. She’s always there.” “What she can do is incredible,” said Levine’s close friend Sara Eckstein. “She’s a dear friend who adds so much to the community, not only by the charity she has created in her son’s memory, but also she has cre-ated this run that has become a warm, great com-munity event that brings out all kinds of people. Other people have started charities, but she’s really done something to enhance the community and make it a much warmer place.” Another of Levine’s friends, Jacki Binder, said, “Jill is one of the strongest people that I’ve ever

met. The way that she has taken the AED issue and protecting children’s health and run with it the

way she has, and made the foundation so successful in light of the tragedy in her life, is just incredible. She’s really done so many wonderful things for the neighborhood to protect our kids.” On behalf of the entire Merrick community, the Herald can only say thank

you to Jill and Craig Levine. The Talmud says that to save one life is to save the entire world. The Levines have saved the world many times over.

Jill Levine, keeping hope alive

Courtesy Robbie Levine Foundation

Above, the late Robbie Levine.

Front page: Jill and Craig Levine with their son, Josh, at the sixth annual Robbie’s Run last spring.

Continued from front page

For more on the Robbie Levine Foundation, check out robbielevinefoundation.org.

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Shaped like a footprint, Mullener Pond abuts the Meadowbrook Parkway amid a stand of oaks and maples just south of Jerusalem Avenue in North Merrick. It is a quiet place, hemmed in by a six-foot chain-link fence. The New York State Department of Parks owns the property and for years had prohibited people from entering it. So, environmental advocates said, local folks had only been able to marvel at it from afar. That changed this past spring when the Department of Parks and the state Department of Environmental Conservation approved a plan that allowed public access to the woodland, where fishing is now permitted in Mullener Pond.

State eyes fi shing at Mullener Pond

A hike through the woodlands of North Merrick, south of the Brookside School, revealed widespread environmental damage. At left, oak trees with their roots exposed by erosion caused by dirt-bikers and all-terrain vehicle riders. With the roots exposed, the trees eventually die and fall.


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YEAR IN REVIEWMarch

Central District freezes salaries Teachers and administrators in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District agreed to voluntarily freeze their salaries for the 2011-12 academic year in order to avoid further budget cuts and preserve student programs. In all, the wage freeze saved the district $840,000 in 2011-12, according to Central officials. “We thank each and every teacher and administrator in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District for their selflessness in these tough economic times, “ said the then Board of Education President Nina Lanci. In February, the district announced that 25 teachers and staff members would be let go at the end of this school year. According to officials, the number of teachers and staff members expected to be laid off would remain the same, but the district would be able to avoid eight additional teacher layoffs because of the freeze.

Case dismissed against fi re chief slapped with ticket It took all of 20 minutes this morning for a traffic court judge to dismiss a ticket against North Merrick Fire Chief James Allen that a state trooper issued on the Meadowbrook Parkway on Jan. 26. The trooper slapped Allen with the citation after he refused to move his emergency vehicle at an accident scene, believing that doing so would create unsafe working conditions for his volun-teers. The trooper wanted the vehicle moved to free up a lane of the parkway amid a heavy snow-storm. Allen left traffic court in Hempstead sur-rounded by nearly a hundred firefighters after his case was dismissed. “It definitely felt good that everyone was there supporting me, and knowing that I did the right thing,” said Allen, who is his fifth year as North Merrick’s chief.

On March 24 at 10 a.m., Birch Elementary School administrators, teachers and students uncovered a time capsule that was buried five decades ago on November 5, 1961. The school, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011, held a special ceremony as the capsule’s contents were revealed in front of the student body.

Principal Kerri Schlissel and Assistant Principal Salvatore Dossena led the cer-emony in the school auditorium, removing the capsule from a school wall, which was strategically buried behind the 1960 cornerstone just outside the school’s front entrance.

April

IN BRIEF

David Weingrad/Herald

Birch Principal Kerri Schlissel and Assistant Principal Salvatore Dossena unveiled a time capsule that was buried in Birch School 50 years ago.

Birch School reveals time capsule

The North Merrick Library’s proposed $6.5 million renovation plan was defeated in April, with the public voting 445 to 358 to reject a bond proposal to finance the project. The plan to renovate the 55-year-old facility would have raised property taxes by about $11 per month for a home assessed at $450,000, according to library officials. “I don’t think it has anything do with the perception of the library; I think it has more to do with the economy right now,” said Library Director Tom Witt. “I think there’s still a good

feeling in general about the library in the com-munity.”

North Merrick residents voted against a $6.5 million renovation plan for the North Merrick Library.

Courtesy Tom Witt

North Merrick rejects library bond

YEAR IN REVIEWApril

Merrick’s Abigain Sawicki headed down Merrick Avenue in late April during the Merrick Kids Festival, an annual event organized and sponsored by the Merrick Chamber of Commerce.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Kids Fest, 2011

Teachers and administrators in the North Merrick School District agreed to voluntarily forgo their raises in the 2011-12 academic year, saving the district $350,000. The move followed an earlier decision by Bellmore-Merrick School Central High School District teachers and administrators to do without raises in 2011-12 in order to preserve teaching positions. With the salary freeze, the North Merrick district guaranteed that there would be no faculty

layoffs in 2011-12. Superintendent David Feller said, “Our teachers and administrators, in recognition of what is so unique about North Merrick, and in their desire to do what they can to maintain all that is special here, have taken the unprecedented step of not taking their raise for next year. This sacrifice is greatly appreciated by this Board of Education, superintendent of schools and hopeful-ly our community as a whole.”

N. Merrick teachers, administrators freeze salaries

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Merrick-Bellmore ‘thrilled’ that bin Laden is gone

YEAR IN REVIEW

Janette Pellegrini/Herald

A memorial at the corner of Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway in Merrick that pays homage to 9/11 victims Ronnie Gies and Brian Sweeney.

May

“I’m thrilled that he’s gone.” That was what Merokean Carol Gies had to say about the death of Osama bin Laden, shortly after President Obama announced to the world that the al Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind was killed in a 40-minute firefight with U.S. Navy seals at a fortified compound outside of Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. Gies’s husband, Ronnie, a New York City firefighter and Merrick Fire Department chief, died trying

to save others inside the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. He was one of 343 city firefighters who were killed in the worst ter-rorist attack perpetrated on American soil. Ever since, Carol Gies said that she and her three sons –– Tommy, Ronnie Jr. and Bobby –– have struggled to make sense of the attacks and find some sense of clo-sure, some relief from their psychic pain. News of bin Laden’s death

reopened the “raw” wounds that Gies felt in the days and weeks after 19 al Qaeda hijackers slammed two jets into the Twin Towers, causing them to crash to the ground in a fire-ball. At the same time, Gies said, news of his death gave her a moment to pause. She said she worries about her two oldest sons, Tommy, 28, and Ronnie, 26, both of whom fol-lowed in their father’s footsteps and joined the Fire Department of New York.

May

Legislature’s redistricting hearing gets heated In a public hearing that turned rau-cous at times, the Nassau County Legislature heard testimony from a long line of speakers who charged that a Republican plan to redraw the lines of the county’s 19 legislative districts would, if passed, dilute the minority vote while shifting roughly half of the county’s popu-lation –– 576,000 people in all –– into new districts. Meanwhile, the Legislature’s majority leader, Peter Schmitt, a Republican from Massapequa, defended the plan, saying that the county must redraw lines after the U.S. census if a district’s population is 10 percent greater than the allowable maxi-

mum of 70,000, which, in many cases, it is, while in others population has decreased. Thus, Schmitt said repeatedly, immediate redistricting is required. Monday’s hearing was the only pub-lic forum on the proposed redistricting plan. The Legislature plans to vote on the plan next Monday, which led many to say that the Republican majority was acting hastily to push through its proposal while “slicing and dicing” a number of legisla-tive districts that have stood for years. Democrats challenged the GOP redis-tricting plan, which wound up in the courts, which ultimately decided that it could not apply to the 2011 election.


More than 250 people turned out for a public hearing to voice their opinions on a Republican plan to redraw the Nas-sau County Legislature’s district lines. Among the attendees was Golena White of Hempstead.

IN BRIEF

Her friends, family and coworkers said it wasn’t too much of a surprise, but Penny Ellis was shocked to the point of speechlessness when it was announced on May 16 that she was the winner of “Live! With Regis and Kelly’s” second annual Top Teacher contest. Ellis, of Merrick, a special-education teacher who was nominated for the competi-tion by her friend and aide, Mary Bores, was one of five finalists chosen by the show’s view-ers, who took part in a nationwide online vote. She was featured on the show on May 9 as part of “Top Teacher Week.” There was a second vote on May 13 to determine the win-ner. A camera crew showed up at Oceanside High School on May 16. No one knew who the winner would be, and crews were sent to all of the finalists’ schools. When it was announced live that Ellis was the winner, one of the show’s producers drove her prize, a new

2012 Ford Focus, up to the front of the school, where Ellis, her students and cowork-ers were gathered.

Merokean named ‘Top Teacher’

Calhoun badminton grabs title The Calhoun Colts badminton team practiced throughout the 2010-11 school year while sporting T-shirts with the phrase, “Winning is a choice.” It was choice that the squad made three years in a row. On May 20, the Lady Colts defeat-ed Port Washington, winning four of seven games to capture the Nassau County championship. It marked the third consecutive county title for Calhoun, which the program had never accom-plished before. “It was probably one of the most ful-filling county championships for me as a coach,” said head coach Gregg Muscarella.

9


ber 29, 2011

YEAR IN REVIEWJune June

Facebook photo

Scott Lipsky, a Kennedy High School graduate, won the mixed doubles title at the French Open.

Kennedy grad wins French open Those who know Scott Lipsky say he is a man of few words. Lipsky, who grew up in Merrick and graduated from Kennedy High School in Bellmore, has never been one to boast or complain. And that, in large part, was the secret to the 29-year-old’s success at last week’s French Open, at which he won the mixed doubles title at this Grand Slam event. His resiliency in the face of any chal-

lenge was what kept him going through the ups and down of his tennis career and what ultimately brought him to the mixed doubles finals at the French Open on June 2, his past coaches said. Alongside Australian partner Casey Dellacqua, Lipsky defeated the top-seeded Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia to win his first Grand Slam title.

Isabel Slepoy/Herald

Calhoun High School seniors Sarah Shuster, Philippa Boyes, Melissa Gluck, Jen Battaglia, Marissa Levy and Jeanine Briotta prepared before their graduation ceremony at the NYCB Theatre in Westbury.

Much was the same about this year’s Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District graduation ceremo-nies. Seniors came attired in their caps and gowns –– blue robes for Calhoun, green for Kennedy and red for Mepham. Excited parents showered their now adults children with flowers and balloons, and snapped hun-

dreds of photos. But much was different. For starters, there was the venue. For the firs time, Central District officials moved the ceremonies from the high schools to the NYCB Theater at Westbury, formerly the Westbury Music Fair.

Graduation 2011

June

IN BRIEF

The State Senate and Assembly passed legislation on June 17 to ensure that people with autism receive insur-ance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The legislation, which passed unanimously in the Senate and by a large majority in the Assembly, was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for consideration, and he ulti-mately signed the measure.

State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican from Merrick, was the lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate. “This is a giant step forward towards helping families with autism get the care they need,” Fuschillo said. “Many of these families are literally going broke paying for this care because their insurance companies refuse to provide coverage.”

Autism bill passes Legislature

YEAR IN REVIEW

Cuomo signed the tax cap law in Lynbrook . He was surrounded by, from left, Sens. Kemp Hannon, Charles Fuschillo, Dean Skelos and Lee Zeldin.

IN BRIEF

Coleman County Day Camp welcomes a Met

July

Evan Sachs pleads guilty to attempted murder Merrick resident Evan Sachs pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault, nearly 10 months after he stabbed an 8-year-old boy inside a Dave & Buster’s restaurant in Westbury on Oct. 8, 2010, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Sachs, 23, a 2005 Calhoun High School graduate, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempt-ed murder and second-degree assault after Nassau County Court Judge Jerald Carter promised to sentence him to 14 years in prison, said District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Janette Pellegrini/Herald

Hundreds of Coleman Country day campers sat eagerly in the bleachers, their chants of “Ike Davis!” rising into the hot summer air. Minutes later, Mets first baseman Ike Davis strolled out of left field to loud applause, accompanied by camp owner and director Ross Coleman The camp, on the Freeport-Merrick border, boasts nearly 900 campers –– all of whom got a chance to meet Davis, ask questions and share high-fives with the star infielder.

Cuomo signs property-tax cap into law

Gov. Andrew Cuomo came to the home of a Lynbrook family to sign New York’s first proper-ty-tax cap –– six days after the New York State Senate approved the legislation that proponents said would usher in a new era of fiscal responsi-

bility. Cuomo was joined y local officials, includ-ing Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

Mets fi rst baseman Ike Davis spoke to campers at Coleman Coun-try Day Camp, on the Freeport-Merrick border, in mid-July.

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YEAR IN REVIEWAugust

Flooding forced closure of the Mead-owbrook Parkway on Aug. 14, and there to manage the emergency were Merrick Fire De-partment volunteers.

Courtesy Paul DeMaria

A massive storm barreling out of the southern Atlantic dumped more than nine inches of driving

rain on Merrick and Bellmore in less than 12 hours, flooding the Meadowbrook Parkway,

Coleman Country Day Camp and homes throughout the community. At the storm’s height, rain fell at a rate of more than an inch per hour, on par with a hurricane, according to the National Weather Service.

The area around the Meadowbrook Parkway was particularly hard hit, as the Meadow Brook, which runs along the parkway, overflowed its banks, sending water cascading in all directions.

IN BRIEF

Storm swamps the Merricks

Merrick F.D. salutes 9/11 heroes Dressed in a black blouse and jeans, Carol Gies stood silently, her chin in her hands, her elbows resting on a crane that was lifting a twist-ed World Trade Center girder into the parking lot at the Merrick Fire Department’s Friendship Engine and Hose Company. Gies, who lost her husband, Ronnie, in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, looked forlorn. The beams, which were brought by flatbed truck to Merrick from John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Hangar 17, now serve cen-terpieces for two 9/11 memorials, one in down-

town Merrick, off Sunrise Highway, and the other at the Friendship Company, off Meadowbrook Road –– where Ronnie Gies once served as the Merrick Fire Department chief.

Nassau Coliseum vote fails Nassau County voters overwhelmingly said “no” to a proposal to borrow $40 million to build a new Coliseum and minor league ballpark. Nearly 89,000 of more than 155,000 ballots case opposed the referendum, while just under 67,000 were in favor of it. The vote left he future of the New York Islanders in doubt, with their lease set to expire in 2015.

Nearly 525,000 Long Island Power Authority customers lost electricity in Tropical Storm Irene, which struck Long Island in late August, as the storm’s strong winds, gusting up to 70 mph, sent trees crashing into power lines. Trees were partic-ularly susceptible to collapse, officials said, because

the ground was saturated with water, first from Aug. 14’s record rainstorm and then from Irene, whose storm surge, combined with a driving rain, put many coastal communities south of Merrick Road under one to three feet of water.

Tropical Storm Irene rips through the MerricksBill Kelly/Herald

YEAR IN REVIEWSeptember

American Legion unveils 9/11 memorial The Merrick American Legion’s ceremony to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks started solemnly, with an invocation by Rabbi Paul Kirschner, but, surprisingly, it ended on an upbeat note, when Sacred Heart School sixth-grader Alyssa Pallotta, wearing a bright pink dress, took to the podium and sang “God Bless America.”

A new monument, built with a World Trade Center team, was unveiled at the one-hour cere-mony.


At right, Merrick resident Carol Gies placed a wreath on a memorial in downtown Merrick in honor of her late husband, Ronnie Gies, who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

September

Bill Kelly/Herald

Four would-be robbers who forced their way into a North Bellmore home sent scores of police on a chase through local neighbor-hoods.

Home invasion sends cops on chase Four Brooklyn men brandishing knives and a handgun forced their way into a North Bellmore home on Bellmore Avenue, and later, as they attempted to escape, Nassau County police offi-cers pursued the men by car into Merrick and later Wantagh, firing shots at and wounding one of the suspects, authorities said. The Nassau County Police Department iden-tified the four men as Eduardo Cruz, 35, Gustavo Arroyo, 33, Dario Guerrero, 55, and Carlos Enrique Segura.

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By DEIRDRE KRASULA and DAVID [email protected] or [email protected]

If you happened to notice a U.S. military Humvee leading two limousines with giant menorahs atop them through Mer-rick and Bellmore streets last week, you

were not dreaming. On the first day of Hanukkah, on Dec. 20, the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Bell-more-Merrick held its annual Great Meno-rah Car Parade and Menorah Lighting. Members of the U.S. Army’s 69th Infantry Division led the procession, which began in south Merrick, made a stop at Sunrise High-way and Newbridge Road in Bellmore, and completed the journey at Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue, where a 12-foot-tall menorah was lit.

Chabad lights the night with giant menorahs

A LIMOUSINE CARRYING CHABAD’S Hanukkah wishes made its way through the Bellmores and Merricks.

Sue Grieco/Herald

RABBI SHIMON KRAMER, of the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, thanked the U.S. Army veter-ans in attendance.

RABBI MARC VOLK lighted this menorah with the assistance of a cherry picker.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS enjoyed the menorah lighting, despite the rainy weather.

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YEAR IN REVIEWOctober

November

Levy-Lakeside ‘roars’ with school spirit Students and faculty members at Norma J. Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick “roared” loud and clear during an assembly to kick off the school’s new campaign to instill a sense of respect for others and one’s community in the children. Students donned bright-red T-shirts with the words “Levy Lakeside Roars” on the front. ROARS, an acronym of “Respectful, Open-minded, Accepting, Responsible Students,” is the basis for a new character-education program that aims to rein-force school values and expectations in Levy-Lakeside students.

Two pit bulls attacked Shashi Sharma at the Brookside School in North Merrick.

Pit bull mauls North Merrick woman A pit bull that mauled 64-year-old Shashi Sharma at the Brookside School in North Merrick –– one of two that dug their teeth into her arms, legs and head –– eluded capture as police closed in on the ani-mal in North Merrick. Nassau County police officers fired at and possi-bly wounded the dog, but it ran off. Officials cau-tioned people to stay away from the animal and to call 911 immediately if it was spotted. Weeks later, police shot and killed the second pit bull on Jerusalem Avenue in North Merrick, outside a day-care center.

Courtesy Levy-Lakeside School

Levy-Lakeside Principal Elizabeth Trencheny donned the “Lakeside ROARS” T-shirt during the school’s kickoff pep rally for a new character-education.

Calhoun Colts reach county fi nal Calhoun Colts goalie Alissa Battaglia saved 19 shots on goal in the Class AA girls’ soccer final on Nov. 9, but the MacArthur Generals found the back of the net three times in a 3-0 victory. The loss ended the Colts’ unde-feated season, but coach Lori Biscardi said she was proud of how far her team went. Calhoun knocked off top-seeded Farmingdale en route to the championship game and boasted the second-leading scorer in the county, Kristina Gandolfo, who netted 21 goals.

Calhoun Senior Kristina Gandolfo scored Calhoun goals in their Nassau Class AA quarterfi nal playoff upset victory at Farmingdale, en route to the championship.

Tony Bellissimo/Herald

Tempers fl are at county hearing A Nassau legislative hearing to review the county’s $2.63 billion 2012 budget turned chaotic when residents and MTA Long Island Bus drivers refused to cede the floor, demanding more time to be heard during a 30-minute public comment session. Peter Schmitt, a Republican from Massapequa and the County Legislature’s presiding officer, walked out of the meeting, only to return a half-hour later. Meanwhile, Grover Howell, union chairman of MTA Long Island Bus and a driver, railed against a decision by County Executive Ed Mangano to privatize the municipal bus system, whish serves upward of 100,000 riders daily. The county later signed a contract with Veolia Transportation to take over the bus system as of Jan. 1.

Five Towners, Bellmore-Merrick Central coaches lend a hand Dozens of volunteers from the Five Towns and Bellmore-Merrick communities turned out to help at Rock and Wrap It Up’s annual Thanksgiving feat at the First Congregational Church at Beach 94th Street in Rockaway Beach, Queens, which provides a hot meal of turkey and ham with all the trimmings to families in need. The nonprofit global hunger-relief organization Rock and Wrap It Up, founded by longtime Cedarhurst resident Syd Mandelbaum, has sponsored the Thanksgiving meal each year for over a decade and a half.

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YEAR IN REVIEWDecember

December

North Merrick gears up for capital vote The North Merrick School District held a facil-ities referendum in December, giving the communi-ty the opportunity to vote on the expenditure of $1.2 million of a $1.4 million capital reserve fund to make repairs at Camp Avenue, Old Mill Road and Fayette elementary schools. North Merrick residents approved the expen-diture. In May 2009, North Merrick resident voted to approve the establishment of the fund to address various facility needs. After the vote, the district began setting aside surplus money in the fund, which may not exceed $1.4 million.

IN BRIEFKennedy earns top cheerleading title

Sacred Heart School to close nextJune After more than 50 years of edu-cating South Shore children, Sacred Heart School in North Merrick will close next June. The announcement was made on Dec. 6 by the Diocese of Rockville Centre. In a letter posted on the diocese website, Bishop William Murphy explained that the decision was the result “of a decline in school-age pop-ulation and the economic climate of Long Island.” Parents vowed to fight the closure and were later incensed when Murphy declined to meet with them to discuss possibilities for keeping the school open. Sacred Heart takes in students from throughout the Merricks and Bellmores.


Katherine Keegan, 6, and her mother, Karen, were among the protesters at a candlelight vigil at the Sacred Heart School on Dec. 14. Parents say they hope to keep the school open, but Bishop William Murphy insists that it must close.

The Kennedy High School varsity cheerlead-ing squad took first place at the 29th annual Nassau County Cheerleading Competition on Dec. 11 in Valley Stream. The team beat out 10 other squads to earn the top prize. At left, the Kennedy team, with Coach Mallory Cogan, at right, middle row, celebrating after the competi-tion.

Courtesy Rhonda Bachenheimer

17


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Robert Person never wavered, even as the Kennedy sophomore’s early three-point lead in the 96-pound finals of the Nassau County Division I wrestling championships against Oceanside’s Rocco Candella was whittled to nothing Feb. 13. Instead, Person kept his composure, and more important, his focus, scoring four of the last five points over the final two periods to emerge with an 8-5 victory and the Cougars’ first indi-vidual county championship since 2005. “I just had to keep my mind in it and keep wrestling,” Person said after running his record this season to 40-1. “It definitely helped knowing what he was going to do,” he added, noting that the two had met a week earlier, with Candella on the short end of a 12-5 decision. “He’s a really tough kid and he came after me. I have a lot of respect for him.” Person’s road to the finals as the No. 3 seed was far from easy. He advanced to the championship with a 6-4 decision over MacArthur’s Justin Cooksey in the semis, and his tournament began with an 8-7 victory over Wantagh’s Kyle Quinn after Person opened up what appeared to be a command-ing six-point lead. In running up his career win total to 96, Person has demonstrated that he is far from the normal underclassman on the mats.

YEAR IN REVIEW SPORTSKennedy sophomore wins wrestling titleFebruary

Jeff Wilson/Herald

Kennedy’s Robert Person celebrates after capturing the 96-pound Nassau County Division I wrestling champion-ship. He beat Oceanside’s Rocco Candela, 8-5, in the fi nals.

Lady Colts fi nish 16-1-2

Cougars win fi ve straight on gridiron

October

Kennedy’s Matthew DelBiancoplows through the icy mud for some yardage during a Conference II win over New Hyde Park Oct. 29.

Donovan Berthoud/Herald

A regular season that began 0-3 and with a lot of question marks for Kennedy on the football field ended with a lot of answers and an exclamation mark. The Cougars ripped off their fifth consecutive victo-ry, a 21-6 decision over New Hyde Park Oct. 29, to give the program its longest winning streak since the 1973 team finished a perfect 8-0. “The guys decided that we weren’t done yet,” head coach Nick Martone said of the turnaround that also helped Kennedy squeak into the first-round of the Conference II playoffs as the No. 8 seed. “I couldn’t be prouder of them.” Kennedy, which fell to eventual champion Garden City in the playoff opener, hit the five-win mark for the first time since 1975. “We had a couple of seniors that last couple of days that were [previously] soft-spoken starting to speak up a little bit,” he said of the week lead-ing up to one of the program’s biggest games in years. “The other guys were just latching on to that.” The five-game winning streak also featured a come-back from a 21-point deficit against Carle Place Oct. 6. Racalbuto connected with junior Ralph Faiella for a 38-yard score on the game’s final play to give Kennedy a 34-28 win.

With just under two minutes of play in a Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer semifinal game at Tully Park Nov. 4, it looked like fourth-seeded Mepham was about to spoil Calhoun’s undefeat-ed season. But Lady Colts outside defender Nora Charidah snagged a ball at midfield and lifted it toward Mepham’s goal. Jessica Foley took the pass just in front of the net and drilled a shot to tie the game. In the blink of an eye it was headed into overtime where No. 9 Calhoun would ulti-mately advance to the finals with a 2-1 win. Senior Mary Hijazi netted the game-winning goal. Calhoun, which upset No. 1 Farmingdale in the quarterfinals on Halloween, would finish the season with a 16-1-2 record after coming up short in the title game against MacArthur. “We had an incredible season,” Lady Colts coach Lori Biscardi said. In the stunning upset of Farmingdale, senior forward Kristina Gandolfo, who ranked among the county’s leading goal scorers, found the net twice and sophomore goalkeeper Alissa Battaglia made 13 saves to spark the upset for the Conference AA-II regular-season champs. Gandolfo had 21 goals on the year.

Jeff Wilson/Herald

Calhoun’s Carla Miguel, left, and Mepham’s Kelsey Simpson vie for control of the ball during a Nassau Class AA semifi nal playoff game.

October

LEGAL NOTICETHE RE-ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE NORTH MERRICK FIRE DISTRICT WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY JANUARY 3, 2012 AT 7 PM. THE 2012 REGULAR MEET-INGS OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NORTH MERRICK FIRE DIS-TRICT SHALL BE HELD GEN-ERALLY ON THE FIRST AND SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH. THE ANNUAL PUB-LIC BUDGET HEARING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY OCTO-BER 16, 2012 AT 7PM. A SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 23, 2012 AT 7 PM. THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE REGULAR MEETING IN THE MONTH OF

DECEMBER 2012, THAT MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE O N T H E F I R S T TUESDAY;DECEMBER 4, 2012 AT 7 PM. THE FIRE COMMIS-SIONER ELECTION SHALL TAKE PLACE ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF DECEMBER; TUESDAY DECEMBER 11, 2012 FROM 2PM TO 9PM.UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED,

REGULAR MEETINGS WILL BEGIN AT 8PM, AND WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE NORTH MER-RICK FIRE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING LOCATED AT 2095 CAMP AVENUE, NORTH MERRICK, NEW YORK 11566.THE ACTUAL 2012 DATES FOR THE ABOVE MEETINGS/

HEARINGS/ELECTIONS FOR 2012:1/3, 1/10, 2/7, 2/14, 3/6, 3/13, 4/3, 4/10, 5/1, 5/8, 6/5, 6/12, 7/3, 7/10, 8/7, 8/14, 9/4, 9/11, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 11/6, 11/13, 12/4, 12/11 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS#23107E

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SKIS & POLES: Rossignol (VAS-4S) 74" Kevlar, Marken M-46, Twin Cam Bindings, Deluxe Padded Travel Bag, $85. 516-432-0056

SNOW BLOWER: HONDA, 3.5 Engine, Clean Condition. $99. 516-996-1383, Leave Message

SOFA AND LOVE seat, charcoal & grey squares with colorful diagonal stripes. Both $99 516-792-3083

TIRES (4) 185/65-15 studded radials used one season $99 total. 516-872-8398

TIRES COOPER TIRES (4) P 265 from F-150 Ford pick-up. Good condition. $99. 516-761-0385

TOY TRAINS MAXX Excellent Contition From 1960's Perfect for Under the Tree $99 516-782-1749

TOY TRAINS N SCALE REVELL Origi-nal Box From 1978 Like New $99 516-782-1749

TWIN BEDS ONE with 3 drawers, one without + clean mattress's $99.00. 516-316-2685

VAN TIRES SAVERO H+ LT225-75RT $95 ea 516-593-6585

WALL UNIT, OAK with glass off white , 9' x 4' holds a 54" fl at screen TV $99 516-205-0090.

WHITE CHANGING TABLE with all in-cluded and extras. MINT BARELY USED $50 516-375-7014

Announcements

Finds $100-$350

DELL DESKTOP COMPUTER AND T.V. Like New! Perfect Condition. $250 All. 516-672-4161

DESK WITH HUTCH: Dark Pine, $250. Dresser With Mirror, Dark Pine, $200. 516-872-3637

FUR COAT (RACCOON), size 8-10, very good cond. $170. 516-431-2113

TWO ANTIQUE ARMCHAIRS in light col-or oak. Pict. available. $170. 516 4312113

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PT: Monday- Friday, Flexible Hours. Growing Alterative Medicine Practice, Five Towns Area. Fax Resume 516-569-4774

AIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for hands on Aviation Career. FAA approved pro-gram. Financial aid if qualifi ed- Job Place-ment Assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (866)296-7093

COLLECTIONS/ MEDICAL LEGAL

WOODMEREP/T, 3 Days Per Week

Preferably Mon. Wed. Fri.Knowledge Of Medisoft & Independent Medical

Evaluations Helpful.Good Computer Skills

Fax 516-612-3314 Email: [email protected]

DRIVER- BUILD YOUR Own Hometime! Daily Pay! New Trucks! Local orientation. 31 Service Centers. Van and Refrigerated. CDL-A, 3 months recent experience re-quired. 800-414-9569 www.drivek-night.com

HELP WANTED- EDUCATION. Tech-nology Teacher, Full time tenure track sec-ondary grades technology teacher, starting January 2012. Letter of interest, resume, copy of certifi cation and reference letters due by noon, January 4th to: A. Paul Scott, Interim Superintendent of Schools, Peru Central School District, District Offi ce, PO Box 68, Peru, New York 12972 EOE

Announcements

Excellent 2 family home with waterviews

Century 21 American Homes28 East Park Avenue • Long Beach

516-665-2000 www.c21amhomes.com/longbeach

12/29

versized Property 60X60 with Wateviews.Downstairs Has 3 Bedrooms Includes Detached Garage, Nice Private Yard And Front Porch.Upstairs apartment Has

2 Bedrooms,Woodburning Stove, Large Private Side Deck And Front Porch. Gas 2 zone heating. Located at 105 Maryland Ave. in the Heart of the West End of Long Beach. Convenient to all!O

5220

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Classified AdvertisingHoliday Deadlines

WE WILL BE CLOSED Monday, Dec. 26, 2011Monday, Jan. 2, 2012

HERALD EARLY DEADLINES:12/29 Issue - Closes Fri. 12/23, 11:00AM

1/5 Issue - Closes Fri. 12/30, 11:00AM

To Place a Classified ADCall 516 569-4000

Press 5, Then 2

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INSURANCE PRODUCER/ SALES: For Busy Malverne Agency. Experience/ Li-cense Required. Call Jack 516-882-7511

REPORTER/ ASSISTANT EDITORThe Star reaches more than 10,000 Or-thodox Jewish households in the Five Towns, Great neck, and Brooklyn with breaking news, featured stories and more. Check out the website at www.TheJewishStar.com. You will seek out story ideas, write pieces, edit others' work, oversee the website. Must be fa-miliar with the Five Towns and neighbor-ing Jewish communities, have an under-standing of Torah Judaism, issues and current events within the larger Orthodox world. Richner Communications offers a friendly informal environment in our state of the art offi ces in Garden City, salary, paid time off, excellent health plan and 401(K). Please send resume, cover let-ter and salary requirements to: [email protected]

Employment/Information

PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 Week-ly Mailing Brochures from Home. Income is guaranteed! No experience required.† En-roll Today! www.national-mailers.net

Business/Opportunities

EARN UP TO $150 per day Undercover Shoppers Needed to Judge Retail & Dining Establishments Experience Not Required Call Now 1-888-891-4244

HELP WANTED!!! MAKE $1000 a Week processing our mail! FREE Supplies! Help-ing Home-Workers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity! No experience required. Start Immediately! www.national-mail-ers.net

MAKE UP TO $2,000.00+ Per Week! New Credit Card Ready Drink-Snack Vending Machines. Minimum $3K to $30K+ Invest-ment Required. Locations Available. BBB Accredited Business. (800) 962-9189

SERVICES

Appliance Srvc./Repair

APPLIANCE DOCTORHOUSE CALLS!!

*Washers *Dryers *Ovens *Ranges *Dishwashers. CFC CERTIFIED RE-FRIGERATION/ AIR CONDITIONING. INSURED. One Year Guarantee.. "Es-tablished 30 Years" Consumer Affairs LICENSE #HO21719000. **$10 OFF Repairs/ $12 Seniors** FREE Service Charge With Repairs 516-764-7011; 516-536-8664.theappliancedoctorrx.comEMERGENCY SERVICE TODAY...

Floors

HARD WOOD FLOOR SPECIALIST Re-liable. Competitive Prices! FREE ESTI-MATES! GOLD STAR FLOORS. 516-593-0215/ 1-866-846-FLRS

Gutter Cleaning

ADVANCED SEAMLESS GUTTERS

& LEADERS, INC. Installed Cleaned

Repaired-PowerwashedLic. H0102710000 Insured

Free Estimates www.advanced-gutters.com

516-678-0893

EARN $1000 A week Mailing Brochures from Home. Free Supplies! Guaranteed In-come!† No experience required. Start To-day. www.national-mailers.net

EARN COLLEGE ONLINE. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice. Job place-ment assistance. Computer available. Fi-nancial Aid if qualifi ed. SCHEV certifi ed Call 888-201-8657 www.CenturaOn-line.com

Painting

B&B PAINTING BY THE PROS INC. Interior/ Exterior Painting, Wallpaper Re-moval, Water Damage Repairs, Deck Ceil-ing & Staining, Powerwashing. COMMER-CIAL/ RESIDENTIAL 26 Yrs. Experience. Licensed Insured. Free Estimates. Many References. QUALITY WORK AT AF-FORDABLE PRICES!! 516-379-0654/ 631-968-8303

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Health & Fitness

AFFORADABLE HEALTH INSURANCE for EVERYONE!! Uninsured? Dissatisfi ed? Been Turned down? Call Now We Can Help Licensed Agents Standing By 1-800-951-2167

ATTENTION DIABETICS WITH Medi-care. Get a FREE Talking Meter and dia-betic testing supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, this me-ter eliminates painful fi nger pricking! Call 888-903-6658

ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA SUFFER-ERS with Medicare. Get FREE CPAP Re-placement Supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 866-993-5043

CANADA DRUG CENTER is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our li-censed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90% on all your medication needs. Call Today 888-459-9961 for $25.00 off your fi rst pre-scription and free shipping

LOCAL STD/HIV TESTING Did you know you can have an STD and show no symp-toms? Early detection and treatment can prevent permanent damage? Highest lev-els of privacy and discretion. Call 1-888-737-4941

LOSE 7-15 LBS. In 7 Days.†Eat the Foods You Enjoy. Quickly† and†Dramatically Shrink Your Waistline†Lose†Weight and Keep it Off†www.lose15pound-sin7days.com

Tutoring

MATH TUTOR/ TEACHER CERTIFIED *Specialist in SAT/ ACT Math, Integrated Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II/ Trigonome-try & Pre-Calculus. Excellent References. Reasonable Rates. Call Karen Asofsky 516-652-1982

Video/DVD Tansfer Svc.

SAVE THE MEMORIES: Home Movies, Videotapes, Cassettes, Albums, 45's, 78's, Pictures, Negatives, Slides. Call Joe 718-835-2595

PARTY & ENTERTAINMENT

Psychic Readings

PSYCHIC READINGS BY ROSE: Advice On All Matters Of Life. Experienced 25 Years. Call For One FREE Question By Phone. Available For Parties/ Gatherings. 516-922-2700

AUTOMOBILE & MARINE

Autos For SaleMUSTANG COUPE, 1965, Red. 289-V8- 2bbl, 165K Original Miles, New Seat Cov-ers And Tires, Centerline Type Wheels, Runs Excellent, Serious Buyers Only! $6,500. 516-581-4221

SATURN, 2002: 3 Door Coupe. 59K Miles, Automatic, 6 Cylinder, Burgundy, Great Condition, $5,000. 516-424-4348

Health & Fitness

Autos For Sale

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF, 1996: New 2001 Engine, 60K, Automatic, All Power, A/C, 4 Cylinder, $2,000. 516-612-3012

Autos Wanted

*AAA AARDVARK AUTO BUYERS* Highest Cash Paid! All Years/ Conditions. We Visit You!! Or Donate/ Tax Deductible Plus Cash, Ask for Jack 516-826-2277

ALL AUTO CASH * * A-1 AAA AUTO BUYER PAYS

$600-$10,000 For Unwanted Vehicles.

Safe, No Hassle, Free Pick-up, Lic. #7109189 516-375-0429

CASH FOR CARS! Any Make, Model or Year. We Pay MORE! Running or Not. Sell Your Car or Truck TODAY. Free Towing! Instant Offer: 1-888-545-8647

CASH FOR CARS! We Buy ANY Car or Truck, Running or NOT! Damaged, Wrecked, Salvaged OK! Get a top dollar INSTANT offer today! 1-800-267-1591

Health & Fitness

Q. It’s getting more expensive to build, and I’m really having problems finding a contractor to do a job. I don’t want to have to get a permit but plan to build to code, and I don’t need a licensed contractor who has expensive insur-ance. I have plenty of family and friends who can do this job, but I want to know if I’ll get “stuck” later for having done this. I have to save the money and will take my chances, but what should I know so I don’t have a problem I can’t get out of later?

A. That’s like asking a criminal attorney for the best method to beat the system because you’re plan-ning to rob a bank. Maybe the attorney can even drive the getaway driver. What you can be “stuck” with is myriad problems I can only guess at, based on the fact that building to code these days is like playing Monopoly with a 4-year-old. The rules keep changing, and you can’t win against a 4-year-old or the codes. For example, many municipalities are changing, and chang-ing again, their local zoning requirements, so what’s passable today may not be in a year or two. Window sizes and flood requirements have changed, energy requirements and fire protection are next up to be instituted, and plumbing systems may be right behind. I work with many people who are “stuck” when trying to sell their homes but have construc-tion that wasn’t permitted. Some come unraveled when told that the home they’ve lived in for years needs costly changes to meet current codes because of updates. The codes do have provisions for exist-ing buildings, but still have issues that can’t be “grandfathered.” Just because you lived there and used something the way it was for a long time is meaningless to an official whose job is to enforce regulations or face their own consequences if they don’t. It’s ironic that codes were put in place for our protection, but can have the opposite effect because more people these days are opting to do what you’re planning to, leading to less-safe structures that, skirting the authorities, may cause injury, even death, and/or legal problems, and lead insurance companies to not settle. You need to save money. We all do. The best advice I can give is the same advice I give to those who tell me, up front, that they’re not going to file plans for permits and will be doing the job them-selves. It’s my job, as a professional, to advise you to follow the law and to prepare documents that meet the legal requirements of your state and local juris-diction. Fortunately, using computers, we can revise plans without a lot of messy eraser dust when the time comes, but you have the burden of reconstruc-tion to make things right when the time comes. That’s the chance you take.

My best advice: follow the rules

Ask The Architect

MONTE LEEPER

© 2011 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to [email protected], with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

HERALDCrossword Puzzle

Weightloss Medications

www.MDThin.com

Phentermine, Phendimetrazine, etc

for $80

(631) 462-6161 (516) 754-6001

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Source: The Multiple Listing Service of Long Island Inc,, a computerized network of real estate offices serving Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn.

Home SalesA sampling of recent sales in the area

Average New York Mortgage Interest Rates

CONVENTIONAL mortgages are fixed rate, long-term, fully amortizing loans.COMPOSITE averages include all loans of the specified type; these continue the statistical averages previously complied.

Source: HSH Associates, 1200 Route 23, Butler, NJ 07405

Conventional15-Year New York Metro New York Co-OpWeek Ending Dec. 16 4.34% 4.24%Previous Week 4.39% 4.29%

30-YearWeek Ending Dec. 16 3.68% 3.44%Previous Week 3.74% 3.54%

CompositeWeek Ending Dec. 16 4.02% 3.91%

1 Year Adjustable Week Ending Dec. 16 3.68% 3.63%Previous Week 3.67% 3.63% CompositeWeek Ending Dec. 16 3.48% 3.02%

Baldwin $352,000

Carl. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Screened front porch. Formal dining room.Taxes: $11,300

Cedarhurst $590,000

Roselle. Tudor. 4 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Finished attic. Central air conditioning.Taxes: $8,900

East Rockaway $360,000

Second. 2 Story. 3 bed-rooms, 2, bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Living room with fireplace.Taxes: $7,100

Elmont $470,000

Cameron. Colonial. 4 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen.Taxes: $9,950

Lynbrook $370,000

Lakeview. Tudor. 3 bed-rooms, 1.5 bathrooms.

Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook. Living room with fire-place. Patio.Taxes: $7,968.63

Merrick $445,000

Parkwood. Ranch. 3 bed-rooms , 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Updated eat-in kitchen with granite and stainless steel countertops and slid-ers to deck. Living room with fireplace. Formal din-ing room. Central air con-ditioning.Taxes: $10,119

Rockville Centre $610,000

Harvard. Colonial. 3 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen.Taxes: $14,726.03,

Valley Stream $540,000

Van Dam. Split. 5 bed-rooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Den with stone floor and fireplace. North Woodmere area. 2 car garage. Central air condi-tioning.Taxes: $8,633.78

HERALD

NEED A CAR? Find it in the PRIMETIME Classifieds.

MUST GO SHOPPINGTHIS WEEK

Autos Wanted

DONATE VEHICLE: RECEIVE $1000 GROCERY COUPONS. NATIONAL ANI-MAL WELFARE FOUNDATION SUP-PORT NO KILL SHELTERS HELP HOME-LESS PETS FREE TOWING, TAX DE-DUCTIBLE, NON-RUNNERS ACCEPTED 1-866-912-GIVE

Autos Wanted

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE Receive $1000 GROCERY COUPONS. UNITED BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info† FREE Towing, Tax De-ductible, Non-Runners Accepted. 1- 800-728-0801†

Autos Wanted

SELL YOUR CAR, TRUCK or SUV TO-DAY! All 50 states, fast pick-up and pay-ment. Any condition, make or model. Call now 1-877-818-8848 www.MyCarfor-Cash.net

Junk Cars Wanted

*ABLE SALVAGE* $$ JUNK CARS and TRUCKS Wanted!! $$ FREE Pickup. Call ABLE SALVAGE 516-431-2253 DMV#7056198

Junk Cars Wanted

A.ROSSIELLO SALVAGE Junk Cars $400/ Up Full Size

Pick-up Trucks/ Vans Removal of Large Buses

Trucks/ Trailers.Highest Prices Paid.

6 Day Pickup. 1-800-464-7146 516-432-7146

DMV#7111195

JUNK CARSBOUGHT

We'll Beat Any Price! Call Us Last 516-766-0000

ANSWERS TO TODAY’S PUZZLE5116

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HARD WOOD FLOORSPECIALIST

TOLL FREE: 866-846-FLRS • 516-593-0215

Quality Doesn’t Cost - It Pays!

Prompt Reliable Service At Competitive PricesINSTALLATIONS • REPAIRS

REFINISHING

GOLD STAR FLOORS✭Free Estimates • Dustless Machines

LIC/INS • Family Owned/Operated

FRANCISCO’S LANDSCAPING

TREE SERVICE• Tree Removal• Stumps• Fertilization

• Planting• Land Clearing• Topping

FREE ESTIMATES Lic# H206773000

Offi ce: 516-546-4971Cell: 516-852-5415 51

8714

4998

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Save the MemoriesDo you have old 45's, 78's, LPs and cassettes

you can't listen to anymore?Don't throw them out - transfer them to CD!

We transfer 35MM, 8MM, Super8, VHS, slides, negatives and photos to DVD

Reasonable rates!Call Joe @ 718-835-2595

Editing Services Available:Enhancements, Special Effects,

Soundtracks, Movie Titles, Film Restoration

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Chimney King, Ent. Inc.766-1666

Fully licensed and insured *H0708010000

• Chimneys Rebuilt, Repaired & Relined• Stainless Steel Liners Installed

FREEESTIMATES

FREEESTIMATES

Chimney Cleaning & Masonry ServicesDone By Firefighters That Care

Lic/Ins.

U S CARPENTRY INC.Broken or Missing Baluster/Spindles

Weak or Broken Steps(Treads, Stringers or Risers)

Crown Moulding & Cabinets

STAIR SERVICES

516-805-0054

WE REPAIR

WINDOWS!

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ABOVE ALLGutter Service

Lic/Ins

We Specialize In:SeamlessGutters& All Repair Work

Gutter CleaningMost Houses $40

Everything Bagged & Flushed

516-431-0799 www.aboveallgutters.com

GREGOwner/Operator

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All Aspects of Fine Home Improvements

FREE ESTIMATES! 516.491.2981516.678.6823

HANDYMAN SERVICES

G&M CONSTRUCTION GROUP OF NY LLC

www.gmconstructiongroup.com 5147

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• Reliable • Trustworthy • Quality Service• Lics/Ins. • Emergency Service & Repairs

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Baldwin

HERALDEditor: Chris Connolly

Editorial page

Bellmore

HERALDEditor: Scott Brinton

East Meadow

HERALDEditor: Shannon Koehle

Franklin Square/ Elmont

HERALDEditor: Jackie Nash

Long Beach

HERALDEditor: Anthony Rifilato

Editorial comment Editorials offer the opinion of the Herald. The editorials are written by the editors, but do not necessarily represent their personal views. That is why they are unsigned: editorial comment is the newspaper’s institutional voice. The editors and publishers meet weekly to discuss positions the paper may take and how those positions will be expressed. Most editorials respond to developments in the news, but they may also be based on independent reporting or discussions with reporters to gain information that goes beyond what has already appeared in print. Editors and the publishers may also talk with advocates for causes or experts in a field to help formulate opinions or policies. Before elections, they meet with candidates for office. Most editorials concern local issues, but the newspaper may speak out as well on national or international questions that are part of the lives of our readers. Usually those editorials will try to address those concerns from a local perspective, since that is what we know best and what makes us different from daily newspapers and weekly news magazines. We hope our editorials are forceful without being strident and that they may persuade our readers to think and act in the best interests of the community.

Editorial cartoon The editorial cartoons are supplied by a syndicate, which represents major cartoonists across the country and the spectrum of political opinion. They are chosen to provide thoughtful or humorous viewpoints on topics of general interest. They do not represent the opinion of the newspaper or its editors.

For your information . . .The masthead The box at the far left side of the page is called the “masthead.” It contains the newspaper’s “flag” or nameplate, and the lion logo of the parent company of the Herald Community Newspapers, Richner Communications, Inc. The masthead offers basic information about the paper and how it functions. Brothers Stuart and Clifford Richner joint-ly guide the business and news operations for the 15 weekly newspapers in the Herald Community Newspaper group, including: the Nassau Herald, serving the Five Towns, and Heralds for Baldwin, Bellmore, East Meadow, Franklin Square/Elmont, Long Beach, Lynbrook/East Rockaway, Malverne/West Hempstead, Merrick, Oceanside/Island Park, Rockville Centre and Valley Stream. The editor of each paper is responsible for the assignment, selection and placement of stories, most of which the editors and reporters write. The executive editor oversees the editorial department staff and the editorial content of all 15 newspapers in the chain. The production department is respon-sible for the paper’s design. The advertising and art departments produce the large, often illustrated, “display” advertisements that appear throughout the paper. They help clients decide what the ads will say and how they will look. The classified department produces the small ads at the back of each week’s paper that are arranged by headings. The masthead also lists the paper’s age, the names of its founders, its address, tele-phone and fax numbers and notice that the contents are copyrighted.

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Opinion pages

Special features Other items will also appear on our editorial and op-ed pages, including the “Framework” feature that showcases creative work by the Herald’s photo staff, which, we hope, brightens the page and your week. We also make mistakes, despite our best efforts. We strive to correct them as soon as possible with a correction or clarification notice on these pages, the most prominent in the paper after page 1.

Merrick

HERALDEditor: Scott Brinton

Nassau

HERALDEditor: Jeff Bessen

Oceanside/Island Park

HERALDEditor: Alex Costello

Rockville Centre

HERALDEditor: Judy Rattner

Valley Stream

HERALDEditor: Andrew Hackmack

Lynbrook/East Rockaway

HERALDEditor: Mary Malloy

Malverne/West Hempstead

HERALDEditor: Lee Landor

Opinion columns Each week, we publish two pages of opinion in addition to the editorial page. Most of these pages are devoted to the columns of our three weekly or bi-weekly contributors: Randi Kreiss, the former editor of the Nassau Herald; Scott Brinton, the senior editor of the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds; former Senator Alfonse D’Amato; and our newest addition, former State Assemblyman Jerry Kremer. Our writers come from diverse backgrounds and from different points of the political spectrum. Their columns reflect their own opinions on topical issues. The newspaper does not select the topics on which columnists opine, and their publication is not an endorsement of the positions they espouse.

Letters to the editor Because community opinions are so impor-tant to us, we publish virtually all letters we receive. This policy, of course, can bring problems with it. Some letters may seem silly, dull or poorly written, but we believe you should have the chance to read them anyway; they are voices from our shared community. Letters may also be tasteless, racist or sexist, but we believe they should be published too. We cannot pre-tend that such attitudes do not exist; if we are to fight them, we must meet them head-on. We believe deeply that the remedy to “bad” speech is more speech, not censorship. Vituperative attacks on local people or institutions pose a more complicated prob-lem. The laws governing libel apply to letters to the editor with the same force as anything else we publish. Both the letter writer and this newspaper can be held accountable for heed-lessly damaging a reputation. Public figures like politicians have less protection from outraged opinion than do private citizens. Robust public debate must take precedence over our feelings and the sensitivities of those who have entered the public arena. We do not publish anonymous letters. Letters must be signed and include a daytime phone number and an address, so we can verify that a letter is genuine. Phone numbers and full addresses will not be published. We are reluctant to publish letters from people who are unwilling to stand openly behind what they have written. We are willing to withhold the name of a letter writer on request only when the letter states a valid reason for doing so. Within those limits, we will publish as much as we can each week, though letters will some-times have to wait until there is enough room. We usually refrain from commenting on let-ters, but in certain cases an “editor’s note” may attempt to correct misinformation or misunder-standing.

What are the editorial pages all about? Who writes editorials? How do letters and guest columns get published? This week’s pages offer some answers to our readers. We thank The Riverdale Press for the idea.

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A G A R D E N C I T Y H O T E L E V E N T

Five-Course Private Dinner and Wine Pairing beings at 8:30pm expertly prepared byChef Steven De Bruyn, with premium open bar, jazz trio and a live viewing of Times Square

o countdown midnight. $250 per person

Cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the Rotunda begin at 8:30pm followed by a magnificent gala in the Legendary Grand Ballroom featuring a three-course dinner designed by Chef Steven

De Bruyn, premium open bar and live entertainment by a multi-piece band.$195 per person ~ $695 per couple with overnight accommodations

Two spectacular events at Long Island’s most sought after venue for New Year’s Eve.Visit www.gchevents for details or call 516.663.7172 to reserve.

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Documents

Merrick Herald