Latest news with #LongIslanders
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
First-of-its-kind Alzheimer's center opens on Long Island: ‘Whole new world'
A first-of-its-kind day facility for Alzheimer's patients that also specifically helps their families has opened on Long Island. Amityville's new Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center includes even a special transit-focused room to teach families how to travel with their affected loved ones — using items such as real LIRR train seats and an airplane row. 8 A first-of-its-kind day facility for Alzheimer's patients that also specifically helps their families has opened on Long Island. Advertisement 8 The site is designed for professionals to aid the families of the estimated 60,000 Long Islanders battling dementia on how to better manage their circumstances. 'I'd never even imagined something like this — it would have just made life easier,' said Barbara's son Michael Rabinowitz, who worked with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America to open the 11,500-square-foot location named after his mom. 'Something like this will just teach you how to live with it. It's a whole new world for you,' the Oyster Bay man told The Post. Advertisement The site is designed for professionals to aid the families of the estimated 60,000 Long Islanders battling dementia on how to better manage their circumstances, as well as create a more calm environment for the patients themselves. The center also conducts regular memory screenings. 8 Newspaper article about Barbara Rabinowitz and the opening of the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center. Initial programming for patients focuses on enjoyable ways for them to spend their time, such as poetry in motion, karaoke, 'mind games' including true or false questions, sensory-themed bingo and a special 'Wheel of Fortune' themed word game coming Friday. 8 The center also conducts regular memory screenings. Advertisement 8 Initial programming for patients focuses on enjoyable ways for them to spend their time, such as poetry in motion, and karaoke. Helping families who need it most Rabinowitz, a recently retired 67-year-old investment banker, lost his 89-year-old mother in 2022 after she fought Alzheimer's for six years. 'We didn't even know how to approach it,' Rabinowitz said of the disease. 'The family suffers the most. … It's a real struggle, and people who haven't gone through it really wouldn't know. It's hard to explain.' He and his family launched the Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation in 2003 and have contributed to causes such as children with special needs and multiple sclerosis, which Rabinowitz's father suffered from, before turning to Alzheimer's issues. Advertisement Rabinowitz reached out to a close friend to bring the facility to LI — former local state Sen. Chuck Fuschilio, who has been the AFA's president and CEO since retiring from politics just over 10 years ago. 8 He and his family launched the Rabinowitz Charitable Foundation in 2003 and have contributed to causes such as children with special needs and multiple sclerosis. 8 Rabinowitz reached out to a close friend to bring the facility to LI — former local state Sen. Chuck Fuschilio. Fuschilio began scouring the South Shore for an appropriate location for the site, with the search leading him to a property across from and owned by Dominican Village, home to the world's oldest nun and other members of the Catholic order. 'There was a higher calling, so we all won,' he said with a smile. 'This center will fill a significant need for so many families, and we're very proud of that.' Rabinowitz is most impressed by 'not so much the science, but the psychology' that went into the facility's planning, as it also includes several sensory rooms to help handle dementia in a relaxing manner. 8 Rabinowitz is most impressed by 'not so much the science, but the psychology' that went into the facility's planning. He was happy to lead the charge on getting the property set to go, as labors of love run in the family. Advertisement The son described Brooklynite Barbara — who cared not only for her own mother but also for her husband — as the one who taught him why it's essential to do good for others in life. 'There was a lot of pressure on her, coming from very humble beginnings. They had very little, but they were great parents. They gave us what they had,' he said. 'They would be unbelievably proud of this.'
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Blakeman renews ex-Rep. Peter King's $8K a month, no-bid counterterrorism contract without legislative approval
Nassau Democrats are fuming after Bruce Blakeman quietly re-upped his longtime political ally Peter King's no-bid contract Monday, accusing the Republican county executive of cronyism and a lack of transparency. The 81-year-old King, a former Republican congressman, was first hired in November 2023 as Blakeman's 'confidential adviser' on counterterrorism and homeland security, a role that has allowed him to collect up to $8,000 a month without a public vote or an open bidding process due to the sensitive nature of the post. 4 The 81-year-old King was first hired in November 2023 as Blakeman's (right) 'confidential adviser' on counterterrorism and homeland security. Brigitte Stelzer Advertisement Records show Nassau has already shelled out $192,000 to King. And his contract, which was extended on Monday by the county executive, will now run through October. 'No-bid contracts for political insiders like Peter King are exactly why Long Islanders pay some of the highest taxes in the country,' county Legislator Seth Koslow, a Democrat who is running against Blakeman in November, told The Post. 'Bruce Blakeman is treating our wallets like an ATM for his friends. 'This so-called 'sensitive' legal work is just another excuse for a secret payout. While Nassau families are getting squeezed, the GOP machine is cashing in.' Advertisement 4 A portrait of Seth Koslow, who is a candidate for Nassau County Executive. Seth Koslow for County Executive Blakeman called it 'ridiculous' that the Democrats were making an issue of the appointment. He pointed to King's nearly three decades in Congress, where he chaired the House Homeland Security Committee, served on the Intelligence Committee and helped lead post-9/11 emergency preparedness efforts across New York state. He represented both Nassau and Suffolk counties while working on Capitol Hill. 'Congressman King held the highest security clearances in the federal government, military, and law enforcement, and has not only a wealth of knowledge but an extensive network of intelligence professionals that he has made available to Nassau County,' Blakeman said. Advertisement The investment, especially as Nassau cops are gearing up to assist ICE, is needed now more than ever, Blakeman said. 4 Peter King speaks at Bernie McGuirk's memorial at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, NY on October 26, 2022. J. Messerschmidt/NY Post Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder also backed the hire, saying King is 'available 24/7' and regularly sits in on meetings with top law enforcement officials from local jurisdictions to the federal level. The ex-congressman has also been intimately involved in major security planning efforts, including last year's Cricket World Cup held at Eisenhower Park, according to Ryder. However, the Dems told The Post Blakeman's move is less about safety and security and more about playing political favorites and doing so without transparency. Advertisement Blakeman used a narrow exemption to get King on the payroll that allows the county executive to hire outside legal counsel in 'highly sensitive' matters, county records show — a carveout Dems said opens the door to cronyism. 4 Dems told The Post Blakeman's move is less about safety and security and more about playing political favorites and doing so without transparency. Paul Martinka Since taking office, Blakeman has used the provision to dole out more than $500,000 in similar government contracts, including $250,000 to a law firm — previously used by President Trump — for legal advice on fighting Gov. Kathy Hochul's controversial affordable housing plan. Most county contracts require a vote from a Nassau Legislature committee and must go through a competitive bidding process aimed at securing the lowest possible price for taxpayers. Typically, only contracts under $1,000 can bypass bidding requirements — but King's deal wasn't brought before lawmakers or opened up to other vendors. 'Even if it's legal, it doesn't mean it's ethical or defensible,' said Koslow. 'Quite frankly, it's a handout.' King's relationship with Blakeman dates back years. The two have appeared together at multiple events, including Blakeman's recent reelection kickoff and over the past 25 years, King and his committees have poured more than $1.1 million into local politics, including many donations to Blakeman and the Nassau GOP. Advertisement Since leaving office in 2021, King has worked as a lobbyist and consultant, but said he still maintains active ties with federal law enforcement and national security officials, spending several hours a week on county business. 'I'm not saying it needs to be me instead of someone else,' King told Newsday. 'But I think it's good to have somebody on the outside who can add a different dimension.' Blakeman has not said whether he plans to extend King's contract beyond this year.
New York Post
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Islanders' rookie camp a ‘full 360 moment' for Long Island trio
Brandon Chabrier can hardly believe it, but he's been skating at Northwell Health Ice Rink for longer than the Islanders have called it home. Chabrier was at the facility, then called Twin Rinks Ice Center, on the day it opened in 2014 as an 11-year-old. The Islanders moved operations to the rink in 2016. So, naturally, it was hard for Chabrier, a Bayville native, to wipe the ear-to-ear grin off his face as he stood by his new locker in the Islanders' swanky dressing room at the East Meadow practice facility during Monday's first day of development camp. Advertisement Making the moment more special: Chabrier shared the ice with Ross Mitton and Marshall Warren, fellow Long Islanders and old teammates from Portledge School in Locust Valley.
New York Post
27-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Hochul admits New York needs nuclear power — but getting it won't be easy
Good news: Gov. Kathy Hochul has tapped the New York State Power Authority to build the first major new US nuclear power plant in over 15 years. Bad news: New York's history of politicians pandering to anti-nuke hysteria will scare off a lot of potential private 'partners' on building the one-gigawatt plant. After all, it's just four years since then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo forced the early closure of Indian Point — and four decades since then-Gov. Mario Cuomo killed the $6 billion Shoreham nuke plant before it even opened. Hochul has belatedly recognized reality: New York has no hope of coming near meeting any of its clean-energy goals without nuclear power — and indeed is already hard-pressed for enough generating capacity to meet the natural growth in electric demands. For example, Micron's New York semiconductor plant will require massive amounts of reliable electricity, potentially 1.85 gigawatts at full capacity — enough to power half a million homes. The windmills and solar power plants pushed by the state Climate Action Plan can never meet that need. Yet nuke plants take a long time to build, and getting the state-of-the-art modular reactor Hochul envisions is a lot harder than calling for it. The Cuomos' anti-nuke actions — Long Islanders are still paying for Shoreham, while Indian Point had supplied 25% of the electricity needed for the city and Westchester — ensure that any company will demand a huge risk premium before investing a dime in building a nuke plant in the Empire State. Which is why Hochul left the door open to the Power Authority footing the bills itself — without mentioning this means taxpayer support and/or stiff new fees on utility bills. She also didn't mention that, since any new nuclear plant is 15 or so years off, the state's going to need new carbon-fueled power plants in the meantime, pushing the Climate Act's goals even further out of reach. Consider it all just a few more reasons we all have the Cuomo clan to thank for a huge chunk of New York's deep 'affordability' problems.
New York Post
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Two bruisers busted after illegal ‘fight club' at Long Island park broken up by cops
The first rule of Fight Club is — you don't talk about Fight Club. Two Long Islanders were arrested over the weekend after pummeling one another at a park in front of a cheering crowd during a face-off promoted on social media. More than 70 spectators in their early to mid-20s packed Melville's Walt Whitman Park to catch a glimpse of what police called an unauthorized 'fight club' early Sunday evening, according to Newsday. But the clash was cut short by the cops — who caught wind of the event after it was publicized on Instagram, the report said. The crowd quickly scattered, but the battered brawlers stayed put and were cuffed by officers. 3 Suffolk County police broke up a 'fight club' meeting at a park in Melville, N.Y. Google Maps The duo, Finley McCloskey, 19, and Jake Zimilies, 19, both residents of Northport, were issued appearance tickets charging them with unlawful assembly, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. 3 About 70 people gathered around the fight to watch. Google Maps The Instagram account originally used to boost the fight online was deactivated, police said. The idea of a 'fight club' was first popularized by the 1996 novel 'Fight Club' by Chuck Palahniuk, which he based off of his own experiences participating in the illicit organizations. 3 The illicit 'fight club' was advertised on a now-deactivated Instagram account. Google Maps The book was later adapted into the Oscar-nominated film under the same title in 1999 starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt. It is unclear if the gaggle of wannabe fighters were inspired by the fictional tale, or if they obeyed the sacred nine rules of Fight Club — including the requirement that all first-time attendees participate in one brawl. The Post reached out to the SCPD for clarity. The Big Apple is no stranger to brawling bonanzas. In September, a migrant shelter in Queens became overrun by a teen 'fight club' that terrorized neighbors in the middle of the night. Another Queens shelter saw a similar disaster in early 2024 after migrants living there formed a fighting ring in a nearby McDonald's parking lot.
