After six years of determination and hard work, 31-year-old Massapequa Park native David Abolafia recently published his first novel, Letter Perfect, under the pen name N.H. Avenue. The book is a character-driven mystery that explores the prejudices and experiences of Detective Amanda Ross, an openly gay member of the New York Police Department. FULL STORY

Friends of Massapequa Preserve, a newly formed not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring Massapequa Preserve, will host their first major community project, an Earth Day Paint-Out and cleanup April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help "paint-out" the graffiti on the old New York City pump house by the bikeway, south of Sunrise Highway, as well as clean up the garbage and litter surrounding the pump house and nearby woods. FULL STORY

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, in conjunction with Hoop it Up America, recently announced it will hold a "3 on 3 Basketball Tournament" June 16 at Cantaigue Park in Hicksville. The event will be part of the 7th Annual Ronald McDonald House Sports Festival. FULL STORY