Mangano, History Channel Partner to Preserve Historic Structures at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined by the History Channel at a press conference on Sunday, Dec. 18 where Dr. Libby O’Connell, History’s Chief Historian, presented Nassau County with a $25,000 grant to help preserve the historic structures at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. The grant award comes from History’s “Save Our History” program, a national history education and preservation program that raises awareness and support for preserving local and national heritage.

“I am pleased and proud to welcome the History Channel to Old Bethpage Village Restoration in celebration of Long Island’s heritage. The History Channel’s grant of $25,000 will help to ensure that visitors and residents continue to enjoy this terrific facility. We look forward to working with Dr. O’Connell and the History Channel to restore the historic Doctor’s Office,” said Mangano. “This public-private partnership between Nassau County and the History Channel is a great example of how the private sector can help local governments preserve important items from our history for future generations to enjoy.”

LI Thunderbolts Softball Team To Hold Winter Skills Clinic

Players ages 7-12 can improve their softball skills before spring season

After holding a successful clinic in 2011, The L. I. Thunderbolts Softball Club is now taking reservations for their second Winter Skills Clinic, which will take place in early 2012 at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, located at 25 Country Drive, Plainview. Geared for girls ages 7 – 12, this is a perfect way to get ready for the softball season; a limited amount of spots are available.

Session 1: Hitting will be held on Jan. 15, 22 and 29 for a cost of $65. Session 2: Pitching or Fielding will be held Feb. 5 and 12 for a cost of $55. Session 3: Hitting will be held Mar. 4, 11 and 18 for a cost of $65.

NIFA Allows ‘Risky’ 2012 Nassau Budget

 County avoids shutdown but faces major service cuts and layoffs

Nassau County, this past week, was facing the reality of a government shutdown until the fiscal control board NIFA voted to approve County Executive Edward P. Mangano’s $2.6 billion 2012 budget and multi-year financial plan. In approving the plans, NIFA moved to remain in control of Nassau finances through 2015.

Chairman of the NIFA Board of Directors Ronald Stack said during the Dec. 8 vote: “The plan is far from ideal… this plan holds significant risks… but although far from perfect, rejection of the plan at this moment could result in significant disruption in the county, a possible closing of the capital markets to the county… and a possible shut down of county government.”

Governor Signs Tax and Jobs Bill in West Hempstead

Cuomo calls tax break lowest in 58 years, bill calls for MTA payroll tax repeal

Six months ago, Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to Lynbrook to sign the 2 percent tax cap legislation, a bill he called a decade-long battle for that legislation in New York State. On Monday, Dec. 12, Cuomo visited West Hempstead’s Cornwell Avenue School to sign the Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Creation bill, which has been touted by the governor and supporting senators as bringing real tax relief to businesses and the middle class in New York State.

The state legislature passed the bill on Dec. 7.

Gillibrand Leads Women’s Leadership Panel

‘Getting Off the Sidelines’ event kicks off Lifetime Television’s 2012 Every Woman Counts Campaign

Most are aware that the United States elects a lower percentage of women officials to public office than many other countries, but even so, Sam Bennet’s experience may come as a shock. Bennet, president of The Women’s Campaign Forum, recently delivered the keynote address at the first ever South Asian Regional Conference on Women’s Political Leadership, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

“So there I am in Bangladesh, having to apologize because half of the nations there— Nepal, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Malta- have more women in elected office than we do in America,” said Bennet.

Runsmart Kickoff Attracts Over 200 Participants

More than 200 potential mara­thoners, half marathoners and 10K runners were on hand in the auditorium of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library on Thursday evening, Dec. 1 for the Kickoff Meeting of the RunSmart Training Program. The program is designed to get runners ready for the Long Island Marathon Festival of Races in May, and is co-sponsored by the Nassau County Parks Department and the Greater Long Island Running Club.

Nassau County Legislators Rose Marie Walker and Joe Belesi were on hand with GLIRC President Mike Polansky to welcome the participants to the meeting, and then the evening was turned over to RunSmart Head Coach Debbie Blair.  Blair, along with coaches Bob Cook of the Runner’s Edge and Joe Picini, then gave the audience an overview of the RunSmart Training Program and the Long Island Marathon Festival of Races, and went over the training schedule that starts at Eisenhower Park on Saturday morning, Jan. 21.

The Inn at Fox Hollow Donates 200 Tons of Furniture

The Advance Group’s Sustainable Relocation Division transports massive donation from hotel to rehabilitation program

The Inn at Fox Hollow, an all-suite luxury hotel located on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury, had a dilemma: with brand-new furniture ordered for approximately 150 rooms, what was there to do with the many tons of old furniture? Often, unwanted furniture goes straight to the landfill, but in this case, the furniture was only five years old.

Fortunately, The Advance Group, located in Old Bethpage, was able to provide a solution. Designed and led by USGBC LEED accredited professionals, their Sustainable Relocation Division cataloged the unwanted items and found a recipient for them in the local Salvation Army. The division coordinated the move, transporting all the bedroom furniture, desks, and kitchen appliances. By Nov. 29, the Salvation Army had received the massive donation in its entirety.

POBJFK String Orchestra Wins First Prize at KPALI

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District’s JFK High School String Orchestra recently won the $1,000 first prize at the Korean Parents Association of L.I. Music competition. This competition was held as part of the Third Annual Harvest Moon Festival held at Munsey Park Elementary School in Manhasset. The Plainview ensemble played a spirited performance of Overture of the Wind by composer Kirt Mosier. “This is a wonderful experience for our orchestra students,” said Glenn Rubin, longtime director of the ensemble. The community can listen to the Plainview – Old Bethpage JFK Orchestra at its free winter concert on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the high school 50 Kennedy Drive.

Bridge Dedicated to NCPD Officer Califano

On Tuesday, Nov. 15 Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, officers from the Nassau County Police Department, and members of the Califano family held a ceremony to dedicate the “Police Officer Michael J. Califano Memorial Bridge” in memory of Nassau County Police Officer Michael Califano, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year.

POB Library Receives 5 Stars Once Again

Library receives fourth consecutive five-star designation

For the fourth year, the magazine Library Journal— the primary trade publication for libraries in the United States— recently conducted their annual survey of “star” libraries. This year, they surveyed 7,513 public libraries and identified 262 “stars,” or libraries that received three or more stars in the rankings. This is the fourth time the index, created by Ray Lyons and Keith Curry Lance, has awarded the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library a five-star rating since the start of the program in 2008.

The rankings are based on four per capita statistics: library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use; all statistics are weighted equally. The libraries are also divided by expenditure, with Plainview-Old Bethpage situated in the five-to-ten million category. The 2011 survey is based on Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) data from 2009.