On Thursday, January 30, in the Alumni Hall of Adelphi University, State Senator Michael A. L. Balboni spoke on the issue of bio-terrorism and its challenge to New York State government. Balboni was recently appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. The speech marked the first time he had an opportunity to speak out publicly on the responsibilities of his new position. FULL STORY

The first-ever grants of the Port Washington Educational Foundation were awarded in a joyous ceremony on Jan. 23. Some 100 community members, teachers and educators filled the meeting room of the Port Washington Public Library, where the Grant Award Program was held. From a pool of 49 applications submitted to PWEF, 17 projects were selected for grants totaling $9,659. An additional three projects were approved pending more funding. FULL STORY

It was not safe to play the Port Washington girls basketball team last if you were undefeated. The Lady Vikings upset Garden City 51-48 and MacArthur 58-57 on last-second heroic free throws to put the team into the playoff race. FULL STORY

Local sailor, Matt Himler, 16, who lives in Manhasset and is in his second year at The Hotchkiss School, has won the prestigious Clinton M. Bell Trophy for the second year in a row. He received the award on Saturday evening at the Beachpoint YC in Mammoreneck at the JSA of LIS (Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound) Annual Awards Ceremony. Matt, who sails with the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, achieved the highest winning percentage in the Laser, Radial or 420 Classes in qualifying events last summer on the Long Island Sound. Previous winners from our area include: John Bollinger, Port Washington Yacht Club (1951), James Sykes, Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (1957), Elliott Oldak, Knickerbocker Yacht Club (1961), Stephen W. Moore, Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (1960, 1962, 1963, 1964), and Chuck Karo, Knickerbocker Yacht Club (1970). Dave Perry, Pequot Yacht Club, won the Bell Award in 1971. The Mission of the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound is to support junior sailors at member programs and to encourage them to experience the joy of sailing and learn about and appreciate the complexities of the marine environment. The JSA promotes ethical behavior among its sailors and encourages the teaching of life-long lessons, which seek to build character, foster teamwork and strengthen respect for self and others. Through its programs and policies, the JSA seeks to support both serious competitors and recreational sailors at all levels of skill and to encourage their sailing in local waters and beyond. Two local women sailors are members of the Executive Committee of the JSA of LIS: Joan MacInnes, from Port Washington YC (Class of 2004) and Stephanie Baas, from Manhasset Bay YC (Class of 2005). FULL STORY