10th Anniversary for Football Clinic

Local Youngsters Learn Pigskin Skills From NFL Stars

While many Massapequa residents spend the summer rooting for either the Yankees or the Mets, some folks have football on their minds even during the dog days of July.

This year, the Kiwanis Club of Massapequa held its Annual Baldinger Football clinic, one designed to raise funds for young programs in the area.

Massapequa Teens to Reach for the Stars

In Nassau County Talent Search Competition

Massapequa teens Jagger Kugler, 15, and Emily Hynes, 14, will be singing their hearts out at the 2009 Reach for the Stars Teen Talent Search on Aug. 8 at Eisenhower Park.

The annual competition, presented by Nassau County, is for solo vocal talent only. Twenty-five finalists were chosen from over 65 applicants. Winners will receive trophies, gift certificates and cash prizes.

Residential Robbery in Massapequa

Seventh Squad detectives report the details of a robbery in Massapequa occurring on July 21 at 2:00 a.m.

According to detectives, two subjects knocked on the rear door of a residence on Alhambra Road. The resident looked out the window and saw two unknown males, one of whom stated they were the police and asked to have the door opened, detectives added. When the victim refused to let them in, they pried open the door and forced their way in, detectives said. After assaulting the victim they took jewelry and fled the scene in an unknown direction, detectives added.

Summer Festival Set for the Weekend of August 8, 9

The annual summer festival, sponsored by the Massapequa Park Merchants Association, is being held in cooperation with the Village of Massapequa Park, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, along Park Boulevard.

This year’s features include the ever-popular international food fest with everything from the American hot dog to Italian zeppole. There will be entertainment, and amusement rides in the streets along Park Boulevard, just one block north of Sunrise Highway. Special music and entertainment is planned and there will be special sales and merchandise, and bargains galore.

Saluting the Plainedge High School Class of 2009

As the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” reverberated off the walls of Hofstra University’s arena, the 272 members of Plainedge High School’s graduating Class of 2009 marched to their seats of distinction with wide smiles while their family and friends cheered from the stadium’s seats.

Plainedge Principal Robert Amster welcomed those in attendance and commenced the ceremony by sharing his thoughts on the students’ educational journey through the school district and their past four years at the high school.

Saladino Supports MTA Oversight Board

The MTA hasn’t exactly earned the trust of the public lately with its recent fair increases and a state bailout plan that includes a payroll tax to help fund the agency’s budget. The distrust of the MTA has also found its way to the state legislature as Republican lawmakers in the Assembly are planning on introducing legislation to create more oversight of the MTA.

 “The commuters and
 residents have really had it with the MTA. The fare increases, the
 payroll tax and cutting of customer service are truly disgraceful. This oversight board will bring accountability to the people,” said Assemblyman Tom Alfano, a member of the Republican delegation who represents the 21st Assembly District.

Rezoning of Properties in Massapequa Moratorium Area Approved

The rezoning of certain properties within the Massapequa moratorium area has been approved by the Oyster Bay Town Board, according to Town Supervisor John Venditto.

“Because of recent construction trends that are eroding the character of residential neighborhoods in Massapequa, the Town Board enacted a building moratorium, during which time the Town’s planner conducted a study of the area and made recommendations concerning zoning and other measures that would provide the proper balance to allow for development and redevelopment while protecting the character of the community,” Supervisor Venditto stated. “The Town Board has now approved certain properties zoned R1-10 to be rezoned to ‘R1-7’ and certain properties zoned R1-7 to be rezoned R1-10. This will better relate the properties to the actual lot size and help avoid split lot zoning. Additionally, certain parks will be rezoned from their current residential designations to ‘REC’ Recreation District.”

The Supervisor noted that the moratorium area includes all residentially zoned property south of Merrick Road between the Town of Oyster Bay’s borders with the Towns of Hempstead and Babylon. He added that a public hearing on the proposed rezonings was held on Jan. 6.

Independence Day 2009 in Massapequa

Over 1,000 people attended he annual Independence Day parade, held recently in Massapequa, while another 500 attended a July 5 outdoor breakfast in Brady Park.

All were part of a weekend of Independence Day festivities in Massapequa, which also included the 28th Annual Firecracker 5K Run. Over 800 runners entered the run that began at Park and Clark Boulevard, and ran to Walker Street Park, the Massapequa Creek to, finally, the finish line at Brady Park.

Included here are more photos of the parade, which itself began at Lake Shore Drive and Walker Street and traveled south on Park Boulevard at Front Street.

The parade featured included numerous attractive floats, plus such local dignitaries as Village of Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna, Nassau County Legislator Peter J. Schmitt, and New York State Assemblyman Joseph Saladino.

Good Weather Brings Out Large Crowd

Village Holds Annual Independence Day Parade

It was another successful day for one of Long Island’s biggest Independence Day parades.

With the Fourth of July being held on a Saturday this year, village officials decided to turn the holiday into a weekend-long event. The day after the parade, the village held an outdoor breakfast at Brady Park.

MHS Holds Annual Commencement Exercises

Numerous Academic Honors for Graduating Seniors

It was a proud day for the Massapequa Public School District community as 595 graduates of the Class of 2009 celebrated the conclusion of high school and the beginning of the next phase of their lives. This year’s commencement took place at Hofstra University, where proud families and friends gathered to witness students receive their hard-earned diplomas, and in some instances, recognition for numerous outstanding accomplishments.