Nassau County politicians are lining up to take their swipes at the proposed commuter tax offered by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Although the tax faces strong and loud opposition, some observers feel a version of the tax may pass yet. FULL STORY

Peter Ferrero (Schreiber '88) of Rogers Drive is described as "one-of-a-kind, " and a "big Port guy," by his longtime friends. Moreover, they say they looked to him as an ideal role model, especially in the way he treated his family. In fact to better provide for his family, he worked a second job with a landscaping company in order to supplement his income as a New York City police officer. But sadly and tragically, on Nov. 25, this vital young man died while cutting down a tree while clearing a piece of land on a steep incline on Pleasant Avenue. FULL STORY

The United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) Midwinters Regatta was held at Southern Yacht Club (SYC) in New Orleans on November 28-30, where a record 197 junior sailors from Maine to Florida to California competed for a chance to represent the U.S. in several international Optimist regattas this spring. In recent years, the Midwinters has become a premier event on the USODA regatta calendar, attracting the nation's best sailors under the age of 16. USODA's Region 2, which includes New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, saw its share of local sailors compete, including Tedd and William Himler of Manhasset Bay YC, Scott Furnary and Cameron Cullman of American YC, Leigh and Emily Hammel of Noroton YC, Austen Anderson of Centerport YC, Ed Jude and Eamon Glackin of Northport Bay Sailing Association, Zander Ditkoff of Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, and several from eastern Long Island. During two days of racing on Lake Ponchatrain, seven races were completed in shifty winds of 5-12 knots on a modified trapezoid course. Teddy Himler, 13 years old and an eighth-grader at Manhasset Middle School, finished with an impressive 15th overall, earning him a top trophy and a spot on the South American Team, which will represent the United States at the South American Championships in Uruguay this spring. Anderson finished 21st and Furnary, 23rd, qualifying them for the annual Easter Regatta in Holland. More information about the USODA and upcoming regattas can be found at http://www.usoda.org. FULL STORY