Nassau County Legislator Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) and the Nassau County Department of Health recently announced that 3,600 doses of influenza vaccine will be available at the Nassau Health Care Corporation's six Health Centers for all eligible Nassau County Residents. FULL STORY

The Port Washington Education Foundation (PWEF) announced the grant awards for the academic year 2004-5 at a ceremony and reception at the Port Washington Library. Seventeen new projects were funded for a total $24,000. In the foundation's three years of operation, this outstanding group of volunteers has awarded 50 grants totaling almost $60,000 to the Port Washington schools for educational projects. The attendees, who filled the auditorium, included members of the foundation, the grant awardees, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geoffrey Gordon, Assistant Superintendent Emma Fraser Pendleton (the liaison to the foundation), other representatives from the district and the schools, members of the board of education, elected officials, past award recipients, and other community residents. A representative from County Executive Thomas Suozzi's office presented a citation to the foundation "in recognition and heartfelt appreciation for its exemplary service to the community." Craig Johnson, himself a Schreiber High School graduate, brought greetings and congratulations to the group," as did Hal Dolinar on behalf of Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, saying "this organization has been instrumental in the educational growth of our schools." FULL STORY

Port Washington's Devils had their best year since the team's inception, finishing the season in second place. The group of 16 boys and one girl earned their second place by not only playing tough but showing incredible team spirit and camaraderie on and off the field. FULL STORY

During this very busy holiday season, a season that brings to mind family, traditions, and renewal, a wonderful story comes out of Erie, Pennsylvania. It is about sailing and children, a topic that is in the forefront of sailing these day, especially for those sailors who avidly read Scuttlebutt, a daily online sailing newsletter. Lately there has been quite a bit of dialogue about how to encourage children to embrace sailing as a life-long activity, and there is some concern that pushing children to compete at an early age might take the fun out of sailing for our youth. And, above all, sailing should be fun for kids. FULL STORY