Local Graduates Ready To Begin Life After College

Most recent graduates facing a variety of different futures

“We’re so young. We’re so young. We’re 22 years old. We have so much time.”

These lines, written by Marina Keegan just days before her graduation from Yale University, were a message to graduates of the class of 2012 expressing that college students’ best days are still ahead of them, even after they leave the confines of what are dubbed the best years of a persons young life.

Portugal Festival Draws Crowd of 1,500 Strong

Day features, music, food and fun

Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant in Mineola held its first annual Portugal Day in Mineola on Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. in their back parking lot. Manuel Carvalho, owner of the restaurant, and his wife Jackie and son Hector Fomseca formed the event to bring Portuguese culture together in Mineola, to which they saw more than 1,500 people arrive for a day/night of music, dancing and family.

An enormous tent was set up in the parking lot, where families and friends sat at tables and couches to enjoy the festivities. Music for the event was provided by four different bands: Sugartown, Centerfold, Ranchos Folclóricos Sonhos e Juventude de Portugal: Portuguese Dance Group and Quim Barreiros. 

9/11 Sculpture Makes Its Way To Williston Park

Rotary Club and Eagle Scout install bronze statue at local fire department

While parades and barbecues were once again a normal occurrence this Memorial Day, Williston Park residents were treated to a little something extra. At 11 a.m. at the Williston Park Fire House, the Rotary Club of Williston Park installed the sculpture “Every Day a Hero” as a monument donated and dedicated to all of America’s heroes who risked their lives during the September 11th attacks.

The sculpture, which now proudly stands in front of the firehouse, depicts a life-sized firefighter engaged in his work. The sculpture was customized specifically to the firefighters of New York by placing their unique insignia on the helmet, thus making the sculpture one of a kind to New York firefighters.

VFW Post No. 1305 Holds Memorial Day Parade

Local residents, officials remember those who served their country

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1305 hosted its annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 28.  After traveling down Westbury Avenue, Roslyn Road, Jericho Turnpike and ending at Memorial Park on Marcellus Road, a special ceremony was held to honor those who have died for their country.

Among the many that marched in the parade were the Nassau County Police Department, Mineola Auxilary Police, Mineola Fire Department, Chaminade High School Marching Band, Mineola American Legion, Mineola Chamber of Commerce and Knights of Columbus. Boy Scout Troop 45 also participated, as well as the Mineola Portuguese Center, Irish American Center, Dynamics Dance Studio, among others.

Schumer Calls For Investigation Of Uncovered Freight Trains

Mineola American article prompts senator to take action against trains carrying loose debris

Mineola residents near the Birchwood Court Complex on Roslyn Road are tired of watching train cars carrying debris, fly by the neighborhood, uncovered. Cars have been damaged, but, luckily, no one has been injured. A U.S. senator heard, or actually read, their cries for help.

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer is calling on the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to launch a safety investigation into uncovered freight train cars transporting loose debris on Long Island Rail Road tracks after being prompted to take action after reading the Mineola American May 9 cover story. The senator revealed in a press conference on May 21 that he then sent a letter to the FRA calling for a mandate that trains carrying rubble through densely populated communities be properly covered.

Village Board Unhappy With MP Rental Possibilities

Next public hearing scheduled for June 20

The former Keyspan building at 250 Old Country Road has been in the hands of developers to create a residential building, dating back to 2009. Originally, Mineola Properties LLC (MP) wanted to build condominiums on the site. Recently, they had a change of heart.

MP came before the Mineola Village Board on Wednesday, May 23, to change its current configuration of its proposed 345-unit complex from condominiums to rentals. MP legal council Kevin Walsh cited the market dip in condos as a reason for the change.

Portuguese Festival Set For June 9

Churrasqueira Bairrada to hold heritage event for Portugal Day

Manuel Carvalho came to the United States from Portugal in 1984 with a dream; a dream of opening a restaurant. What started out as an establishment on Willis Avenue in 1993, moved into the bustling dining spot on Jericho Turnpike, Churrasqueira Bairrada in 1996 that is open today. It’s been a staple in the village and Carvalho wants to celebrate another staple for the Portuguese community: Portugal Day.

Portuguese citizens and emigrants throughout the world celebrate this holiday. The June 10 date commemorates the death of national literary icon Luís Vaz de Camões in 1580.

Mineola School District Gains A New Trustee

Budget passes by wide margin, McGrath unseated after more than a decade on the board of education

After trudging through the inaugural school year of getting under the 2 percent tax cap, Mineola can rest easy that program is preserved and a three-way race for two board of education seats came to a close Tuesday, May 15.

Following a one-hour wait after the closing of the polls, current Board President Christine Napolitano stepped into the hallway with new Trustee Artie Barnett in tow to welcome him as the newest member on the board of education. Napolitano and Barnett came out on top with 1,373 and 1,161 votes respectively.

Local School District Budget And Election Results

Below are the results of the local school district budget and school board election votes:

Mineola School District

Yes: 1,249
No: 559

Christine Napolitano (Incumbent): 1,373
John McGrath (Incumbent): 635
Artie Barnett: 1,161
Eric Treibman (write-in): 6

Exclusive: Station Plaza Drainage Project On Schedule

Project expected to be completed in July

Flooding issues around Station Plaza in Mineola have hindered its function in times of heavy rainfall. Possible solutions date back years, most recently in 2010 when the Village of Mineola met with Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) officials to hammer out details.

Talks have been ongoing and a piece of the puzzle is finally falling into place.