More than 60 families from the New York Metro area connected with their loved ones, Marines deployed in Fallujah, via a live web conference on Christmas Eve thanks to The Garden City Hotel and the Freedom Calls Foundation, a participant in the Department of Defense's "America Supports You" program. FULL STORY

James Gottlieb was heading home to his wife and three children in Garden City South Jan. 5, following a usual day of work as a bank manager at HSBC Bank in Cedarhurst. He even called his wife at around 6:30 p.m. to say he'd arrive in a half-hour. But when he observed what appeared to be a black SUV with flashing lights driving behind him, he pulled over, assuming it was a police officer. That's when things went terribly wrong. FULL STORY

The Garden City Centennial Travel Committee has applications available for those adults interested in coaching soccer at the U10 travel level. Candidates will be interviewed to coach teams that will begin their season in July. These will be newly formed teams of players whose birth dates fall between Aug. 1, 1995 and Dec. 31, 1996. FULL STORY

This 10-week program will teach the beginners as well as the advanced student the art of painting portraits, landscapes and still life in pastels. Demonstrations will be available throughout the program as needed. Arleen Rueth Urban, class instructor, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America. FULL STORY