Tom Ryan to Perform at Fork & Vine in Glen Head

Restaurant to showcase artwork for Autism Awareness Month

Kicking off Autism Awareness Month on Monday, April 2, Fork & Vine, a Glen Head restaurant is featuring the music of Massapequa resident and MHS graduate Tom Ryan. Accomplished on both guitar and keyboard, Tom is a vocalist and songwriter who performs regularly at some of Long Island’s most frequented spots. Because Tom is perfectly in sync with the world when he’s making music, his fans may not realize he has Asperger’s syndrome. It has never stopped him from being successful.

Tom’s soft-rock performance at Fork and Vine is just the beginning of a month-long celebration of autism and the arts at the restaurant. On the walls, visitors will find unusual paintings by three talented local artists on the autism spectrum.

Mangano Warns of 13 Percent Tax Jump

Abrahams: Property tax hike is nothing more than a scare tactic

If you think government is a bit bloated these days, it has just been put on a strict “diet,” according to Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, who delivered his official State of the County address on Wed., March 14, at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

During the speech, Mangano touted his administration’s accomplishments and equally stressed the challenge of dealing with the county’s ever-increasing property taxes, warning of a potential 13-percent property-tax hike in the future.

SPECIAL REPORT: ATTACK OF THE PINK SLIME

Dangerous beef filler might be in our kids’ school cafeterias

An Anton Newspapers investigation into a national story that impacts our local schools

Have you ever wondered what’s in that hamburger patty they are serving up in your child’s school? You may be surprised to learn that it might not be pure beef, but meat with filler known as “pink slime.”

Consumer food activists and high-profile chefs have been campaigning against the use of this product often found in fast food, and McDonalds, Taco Bell and Burger King have now all discontinued using pink slime. However, this year the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has plans to purchase millions of pounds of the “Lean Finely Textured Beef” (aka pink slime) for the National School Lunch Program. This cost-cutting measure once used for prisoners is now being used for school lunches around the country.

Accident Cl­­­aims Massapequa Resident

Ellen Meany, 45, was a mother of three; accident took place on Unqua Road

Tragedy struck the Massapequa area last Monday when Ellen Meany, a local mother of three children, succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicular accident, one that took place on Thursday, March 8.

On Tuesday, Nassau County police reported Ms. Meany’s passing, saying that she was pronounced dead on Monday, March 12 at 6:45 p.m.

A Starring Role on Cupcake Wars

National audience for Massapequa baker

Watching Cupcake Wars on the Food Network recently, Merrick resident and co-owner of a Massapequa Park bakery Andrew Mincher and his fiancé, Nicole Hendershot, realized that Andrew would be a great contender for the show.

“I love to bake, and I love to create new things,” said Andrew. So together with his cake decorator Damilynn Lacaruba, Andrew and Nicole created a creative cupcake video and submitted it to the show’s producers for consideration.

County Legislature Approves New Police Precinct Plan

First, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Precincts to be downsized as negotiations continue

Valley Stream resident Milagros Vincente clutched her daughter as the Nassau County Legislature voted 10-9 to realign four of its eight police precincts on Monday, March 5. She echoed sentiments of dozens of residents, business owners and police in attendance that opposed the plan from its inception.

The plan will alter the First, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Precincts. The county has been trying to erase a $310 million deficit in 2012 and touted this plan as a step in the direction of eliminating it. In 2011, the deficit totaled $145 million.

Arrest Made in ‘Unusual Incident’ Crime

Officials cite bravery by injured female officer

Nassau County police officials are praising the courage of a female officer who was first victimized, but then helped in the arrest of a crime that took place last November in North Massapequa.

On Wednesday, Feb. 29, officers with The Homicide Squad arrested Louie Blanton of Amityville and charged him with Assault on a police officer, Assault in the second degree, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the second degree, Reckless Endangerment in the second degree, Reckless Driving and Leaving the Scene of a Serious Physical Injury Incident Without Reporting. He was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, March 1.

Frank Flood: A Life in Public Service

Serving on the planning commission, BOT, and the water district

At the January meeting of the Village of Massapequa Park Board of Trustees, there was a mutual exchange of thanks among the BOT and village residents.

The BOT honored Frank Flood, the retiring Commissioner of the Massapequa Water District for his decades of public service. Frank and a group of his neighbors from Spruce Street honored in turn the BOT for its repaving efforts on that street. The citation for Frank read: “Frank Flood was recognized for his dedicated service as Commissioner of the Massapequa Water District; and is honored for his years of service since 1995 when he was first elected to the Board of Commissioners of the Massapequa Water District.”

No Vote Yet on NC Precinct Closure Plan

Negotiations continue between County Executive and PBA

No vote was taken on Monday, Feb. 27, on the plan to close four Nassau County police precincts and convert them into Community Policing Centers.

The Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority had hoped for such a vote, one that would close the First and Fifth and Sixth and Eighth precincts. However, according to a spokeswoman for Presiding Officer Peter J. Schmitt (R-Massapequa), County Executive Edward P. Mangano asked the legislature to delay the vote for at least a week, while his office remains in negotiations over unspecified issues with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).

Residents Rally For Tackapausha Museum

County officials aiming for April reopening date

Last Friday, well over 100 local residents gathered at Tackapausha Museum in Seaford to rally for the reopening of that facility, one that has been closed since late December 2011.

The rally introduced a newly formed group, Friends of Tackapausha Preserve, which identified its purpose of not only seeing the museum re-opened, but also working as volunteers in partnership with Nassau County officials to provide programming and educational education for museum and preserve visitors.

Also on hand were Bob Dwyer and Eileen Krieb, two Deputy Commissioners with the county’s Department of Parks. Ms. Krieb said the county hopes to have the museum and the pond reopened for the public at around Earth Day in April.