The Glen Cove Board of Education will meet Monday, Feb. 28, 8 p.m. in the middle school. During a half hour overview, interim Superintendent Dr. Elliot Garfinkel will introduce the proposed 2000/2001 budget. Residents are urged to attend and offer their comments since this meeting is also a public hearing on the budget. During the month of March, the board will be holding evening budget meetings to address the three major components of the budget: instruction, administration, and personnel. Mark your calendars on March 13, March 20, March 27, and April 10. On April 17 there will be a final budget meeting with its adoption also on the board's agenda. On May 1 the budget brochure will be mailed city-wide. The legally required budget hearing will be on May 8. The budget vote and to elect two board members is May 16.

During this Monday's board meeting a new assistant to the superintendent for personnel will be appointed. The district's mathematics coordinator, Michael Swirnoff has announced his intent to retire effective June 30, 2000. At this Monday's meeting, board member Phil Enright will propose offering a two-item advisory referendum on May 16 asking voters if they are in favor of closed campus, all grades, at the high school and if students in grades K-8 should wear uniforms. The results of an advisory referendum are not binding but it shows sensitivity to the community and keeps communication lines open, according to Mr. Enright. Several of his fellow board members feel these topics have been discussed and addressed so that's enough already.

Annie Sez they're hiring. The clothing store at the Triangle has a probable opening date of March 30. If you are looking for a full or part-time job, Annie Sez they have a great job for you and a lot more. They offer competitive salary, flexible hours, great benefits for most of the positions and employment discounts. If you're interested, please call Paula at 822-4646, (that's the store in Plainview), to set up an interview. You can also call the Glen Cove Youth Board at 671-4600 to set up an interview. All interviews can be held in Glen Cove.

Golf Day will officially open at 1 Glen Street on March 26, with a soft opening maybe next week. Preparations are in full swing at the corner of Glen and School Street for a store that will offer male and female golfers everything from junior sets to pro-line equipment, apparel, tees, balls, bags, and shoes. Golf Day is also hiring, store manager Guido Trivino said knowledge of golf will be very helpful. Call him at 609-8477 if you're interested. When Guido stopped in our office the other day he also told us about a Full Swing Golf Analyzer that will be in the store. It's a huge simulator with a 12'x12' screen that allows golfers to play 18 holes on any of the 18 courses programmed into the computer. (Courses like Pebble Beach, Harbor Town and Pinehurst). You can also participate in league play for a fee. Guido said the simulator is perfect for golfers to try out a club. You can also try out putters on a putting green that will be in the store.

Last Friday, the day it snowed, rained and whatever, I received a phone call from a woman who said she lived in the hills and could see that the high speed ferry had run aground. Naturally, I grabbed my camera, jumped into my car and made my way to the ferry terminal. Guess what, no stranded ferry. Two fishermen I happen to know stopped their chatting near the boat ramp and walked up to me and said, "Zef, you missed the boat." [Very funny]. I asked about the ferry and they said it had come in, took on passengers and left, no problem, no incident with the ground. "It didn't run aground, no way. Whaddaya, kidding? If you drive fast enough and get to Morgan Park you'll see the ferry as it leaves," they said.

I guess ferry madness has reached new heights.

And no, I didn't zip over to Morgan Park. I had better things to do than ferry watch.

See you at the Glen Cove Board of Education meeting.