School Board Discusses District Climate Survey Results

While many topics were discussed, as per usual, at the most recent Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, the main focus of the evening was the results of the district’s school climate survey. Developed by the National School Climate Center (NSCC), the survey evaluated the perceptions of district students, teachers and parents in twelve areas, including Rules and Norms, Sense of Social and Emotional Security, and Respect for Diversity.

After much discussion last year, the survey was administered as part of a plan to improve the school climate, in part due to concerns about bullying within the district, and in part due to the need to make changes in accordance with the requirements of DASA (Dignity For All Students Act), enacted by the state legislature in 2010.

State Senate Hearing Calls Out LIPA’s ‘Failure’ After Irene

LI Senators Say Investigation Needed Before LIPA Renews National Grid Contract

Senator Carl Marcellino questioned LIPA and National Grid representatives last week, introducing a State Senate hearing with wording that many on the island might use at this point: “What the hell happened?”

After Tropical Storm Irene left many Long Island residents, municipal facilities and even emergency responders without power for days, and some for over a week, New York state senators held a hearing, first, to determine what went wrong in LIPA and National Grid’s storm preparedness plans and, second, to call for a delay in the renewal of the contract between LIPA and National Grid until an independent review can be done to see if Long Island could be better served by a different arrangement.

Hannon’s ‘Concussion Management and Awareness Act’ Signed into Law

Senator Kemp Hannon has announced that his legislation, the “Concussion Management and Awareness Act,” has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo.  The law will establish head concussion guidelines, and seeks to ensure the safety of student athletes.

“A concussion is considered a mild traumatic brain injury and can cause harmful, long-term effects to brain functions,” says Hannon. “This legislation establishes the necessary guidelines to protect our students.”

BottleValues Wine and Liquor Store Reopens With New Staff

18,000 Square Foot Store Features Free Wine and Spirits Tastings and Other Special Events

At 18,000 square feet, the recently reopened BottleValues Wine and Liquor in Old Bethpage is one of the biggest stores of its kind on Long Island. However, the store has more than just a vast selection to offer: with certified sommelier Ryan Armstrong on staff, the store offers expertise as well.

“I am thrilled to be working in such a large store, where I can use my expertise as a certified sommelier to help customers find the perfect wine from our broad selection,” said Armstrong, director of operations, who has 10 years of experience as a sommelier. “I am also very proud of the new team of employees we recently hired, they really understand the meaning of customer service and are willing to go the extra mile for our customers.”

New Exhibit Pays Homage to Fallen NC Firefighters

“Lives of Service; Celebrating the Heroes Of September 11” Unveiled in Garden City

An ice hockey jersey, a set of Irish bagpipes, a beloved pair of Timberland boots are just some of the personal mementos that once belonged to the 18 active Nassau County firefighters who perished on Sept. 11 and are now part of a new exhibit held in Garden City.

Last week, the Nassau County Firefighter’s Museum opened its new 5,000-square-foot exhibition, entitled “Lives of Service; Celebrating the Heroes of September 11.” While many 9/11 exhibits are taking place throughout New York this month, Museum Director Alana Petrocelli explained that the Nassau County Firefighter Museum’s exhibit focuses on the personal lives and stories of the local residents who died on that tragic day. A year in the making, the monumental project was the brainchild of Firefighter Museum President Angelo Catalano.

Transparency Sought for New Privatization of Buses for NC

Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) attended “The People’s Hearing” on the situation with the elimination of L.I. Bus and the Privatization of the system.

Judy Jacobs was joined by other Legislators in expressing their concerns to the 200-plus crowd. She said, “This is a grave concern. Privatization starts out with great promises good for one year and then, afterwards, history shows that rates are raised and routes cut.

Long Island Fair Returning to Old Bethpage Village Sept. 22-25

Old Bethpage Village Restoration (OBVR) will host the 169th Annual Long Island Fair from September 22 through 25. The fair, one of America’s oldest agricultural festivals, is a family-friendly festival offering a range of attractions, including exotic animals, reptile shows, pony and carnival rides, as well as traditional live music.

“The Long Island Fair is a local tradition and one of the truly special family events that takes place each year,” said County Executive Mangano. “In particular, in our technology driven age, this event allows children and parents to connect with the sort of recreational activities that people enjoyed in an earlier and simpler time in America.”

Skate Safe America Hosts Second Annual Empire Skate Showdown

Gotham Girls’ Wall Street Traitors Triumph in Roller Derby Tournament, LI Roller Rebels Advance to Semi-Finals

Roller derby skaters, or “Derby Girls,” from all over the state descended on Skate Safe America in Old Bethpage on Saturday, Sept. 3 for the Second Annual Empire Skate Showdown. While there was plenty of the traditional glitter and fun associated with the sport, the all-day contest to determine the best female roller derby team in New York State for 2011 brought out the kind of physical, aggressive play that football and hockey fans could appreciate.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, the action of roller derby takes place during two-minute intervals called jams. There are three positions: The scorer, called a jammer, scores points for her team by lapping members of the opposing team during a jam. Skaters of the second position, called blockers, try to block the other team’s jammer from passing them. The third position is the pivot, who sets the pace for the blockers and acts as their leader.

Author Caroline Bock Explores Hate Crimes on Long Island With LIE

Launch Party for Critically Acclaimed Young Adult Novel to Be Held at Book Revue Sept. 16

On Nov. 8, 2008, Marcelo Lucero, 37, born in Ecuador, was murdered in Patchogue by a local teen, Jeffrey Conroy. In the wake of Lucero’s death, other Latinos came forward about being attacked and harassed by local teens, an activity their aggressors sometimes referred to casually as ‘beaner-hopping.’

In LIE, a new young adult novel written by Caroline Bock of Old Bethpage, while the situation is fictional, in the wake of a brutal attack that ends with a young man dead, the characters grapple with the same question that many Long Islanders asked in the wake of Lucero’s fatal stabbing: How did people just let this happen? How could this happen here?

Kaiman, Gillibrand Guest Speakers at ‘Aging in Place’ Conference

TNH’s Project Independence among Topics at event 

The challenges and solutions of “Aging in Place” were two main aspects of the Town of North Hempstead, Hofstra University and North Shore-LIJ collaborative conference and expo at Hofstra’s Student Center on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Lawrence Levy, Hofstra University’s executive dean at Hofstra’s National Center for Suburban Studies, said that suburban life in Nassau County is no longer akin to that of previous generations.