Jamie Comer just had to throw his arms around Ed Kulich and give him a tremendous hug. After all, this was probably the fifth year that he's attended this fabulous Christmas party, and it's all thanks to Kulich. Edward Kulich, a lifelong resident of PW, has been throwing a Christmas bash for "his special children," as he calls them, for the past ten years. FULL STORY

At its Dec. 12 meeting, the Town of North Hempstead Board unanimously adopted a General Fund Five Year Capital Plan and a Highway Fund Five Year Capital Plan. Both plans are comprehensive and articulate specific capital and highway projects requested by various town departments, with their related costs. The plans include the budget years from 2001 to 2005, in which the project will be proposed to the board for funding, and also have considered the periods of probable usefulness (PPU)assigned to each of the projects. The plan also indicates projects that will be included in the annual operating budget, as opposed to being bonded out. (These are usually those with a shorter PPU.) FULL STORY

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has formally accepted the challenge from the New York Yacht Club for the 31st America's Cup regatta in Auckland, New Zealand in 2003. The Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Peter Taylor, confirmed the acceptance of the challenge to the Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, George Isdale, Jr. in a letter dated Dec. 12. In other America's Cup news: the America's Cup Arbitration Panel confirmed the validity of the Swiss Challenge for America's Cup 2003. Readers may recall that the issue with the Swiss Challenge involved the AC Deed of Gift that states that all organized yacht clubs must have a regatta on ocean water or on an arm of the sea to be entitled to the right of sailing a match for the cup. FULL STORY

The Port Washington girls varsity basketball team has completed their pre-season with a perfect 6-0 record including two tournament wins. This past weekend the Lady Vikings won the Manhasset Invitational Tournament with a thrilling 50-47 win over Manhasset. FULL STORY