Proud of the fact that he represents more villages than any other state senator "by far," New York State Senator Michael Balboni presented the Nassau County Village Officials Association with a $100,000 check, for all of the villages, for emergency communications. Senator Balboni, who chairs the state's Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, represents 32 of the county's 64 villages in his seventh senatorial district. And with a large turnout, and an exceptionally impressive turnout from Great Neck's nine villages, the senator said that it was "fun to come into this room" as he spoke before the NCVOA dinner last Tuesday evening, Sept. 14. FULL STORY

Public Access Television will celebrate 20 wonderful years of serving the community with a gala on Sunday, Oct. 17, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Village Club at Lake Success. The evening will include a special video presentation, a silent auction and a "celebrity alumni appearance." FULL STORY

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy football team was done in by the turnover bug Saturday afternoon, Sept. 18, at Biddle Field, as the Mariners gave up the ball six times and allowed 24 unanswered points to host Dickinson, in a 24-14 loss. FULL STORY

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy volleyball team has now won five consecutive matches, following its 3-1 home victory over John Jay Thursday night, Sept. 16, at Liebertz Gymnasium. Scores by game were: 30-17, 25-30, 30-12 and 32-30. FULL STORY