Port, And New Orleans

What does Port Washington and PortFest have in common? Damon Gersh – the founder of HEARTS , a local, community organization whose mission for the past couple years has been to promote and enrich the arts in Port Washington and its’ public schools. PortFest is the brainchild of Gersh’s vision, which has hundreds of residents gearing up for the big day for its second consecutive year. The family event, free of charge, will hit the ground running on Sunday, May 11 from 11am-5pm on Schreiber High School’s south ball field directly behind the Weber track.

“Ever since I moved to Port, I fell in love with the town,” admits Gersh, a Bayside, Queens native. “I think it’s the greatest community I’ve ever lived in – a very unique place.” By day, Gersh is running his emergency property damage restoration company. By night, he’s a musician playing in a local band called “Rock Steady.” And how that got started is a whole different story.

Now Playing At Soundview…

Jordan Desner promised a unique movie going experience. He and his partner, wife Dara Desner, have created a medieval themed movie theater to house a state-of-the-art, fully digitalized facility with six screens, new leather rocking seats, and an expanded concession stand.

The official opening was Friday, April 26. There was a pre-opening party for film distributors on April 25, which was also attended by local elected officials. When asked how she felt just 24 hours before the grand opening, with workmen still banging and drilling, Dara Desner said, “The fact that we accomplished this renovation in just five weeks is incredible.  We were determined and we did it.”   

Cleaning Up On Main Street

More than 200 volunteers appeared on Main Street for the fourth annual “Clean and Green Main Street” sponsored by the Residents For A More Beautiful Port Washington and the Town of North Hempstead. Among the enthusiastic crews were students from Port schools, members of the Key Club, teachers, mitzvah project leaders, Boy and Girl Scouts, Brownies, church groups, local officials and families. Besides the removal of litter, other goals of the day were also to turn soil, weed, plant, mulch, and sweep. This not only made Main Street look cleaner, but it improved Manhasset Bay by preventing further debris from washing into the drains.

Local businesses were on hand to help out during the event. Freitas Landscaping supported by securing plant and mulch. Sweet Comfort Bakery donated the coffee and morning treats. Wit and Whim also donated organic treats and eco bracelets.

Four Years And Counting

Restoration Of Alvan Petrus Park Months Away

Four years after a fence went up around the one and a quarter acre parcel of land known as Alvan Petrus Park, community residents remain frustrated at the slow pace of efforts to restore the park.

According to Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio, who has advocated for the park restoration since her election in 2011, the project won’t begin until the end of the year, at the earliest.

Her Boston Marathon Story

“Life is just strange and so surreal,” said Bernie Cunningham, just two days after she returned home from the Boston Marathon to her quiet Salem neighborhood in Port Washington. Having run three NYC marathons and 25 local “Turkey Trots,” among others, Cunningham is a serious racer and was excited to have qualified for Boston’s race.

“The Boston Marathon is one of the biggest races that every serious runner puts on their bucket list,” said the Liverpool, England native. “Basically the first 16 miles are downhill –  sort of like running down Radcliff Avenue in Port Washington.”

DeGiorgio Announces For Supervisor

Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgio announced her candidacy for North Hempstead Town Supervisor at a fund raiser Thursday, April 18 at H on the Harbor in Port Washington.  

DeGiorgio, a Republican who currently represents the sixth district on the Town Council, which encompasses Port Washington and parts of Manhasset and Plandome, was surrounded by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, State Senator Jack Martins and former U.S. Senator Alphonse D’Amato.

Diamonds In A Main Street Setting

At the Sands Point Shop,

beautiful jewelry isn’t just sold, it’s made

There’s much more than meets the eye at the Sands Point Shop. Just look behind and under the array of jewelry, giftware, outerwear and handbags, and you will see what is increasingly uncommon on Long Island—a place where things are actually made.

The Sands Point Shop at 15 Main St. is home to a large jewelry-manufacturing center—fully equipped with 10 technicians who hammer out everything and anything. Every day, there are daily tasks from designing a diamond setting to filing and polishing.

Veteran Cop Announces Retirement

Chief William J. Kilfoil of the Port Washington Police District has announced plans to retire, effective April 30, after nearly 39 years of service.

 The Board of Commissioners Monday announced the appointment of Assistant Chief James Salerno as Acting Chief of the District.  Salerno has been with the department since 1981.  He served as Administrative Lieutenant from 2000 to 2004 and was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2004.  It has been speculated for a long time that Salerno would succeed Kilfoil as Chief.

wit & whim’s Royal Pain

The location crew for tv show “Royal Pains” (with a popular storyline about doctors in the Hamptons) was drawn to the creative and colorful storefront of wit & whim, which opened last September on Carlton Avenue off Main Street.  The life and style shop –with a twist– was transformed overnight to the fictitious Hampton eatery: Baker & The Bean.

“The irony is that we pride our shop as having a part Brooklyn, part Hampton feel,” said wit & whim owner and creator Laurie Scheinman.  “And Port Washington is right in between.”  

Bach To Rock Opens

Open House for Kids with Special Needs

Since Port Boulevard’s newest music school, Bach to Rock, opened in January, it’s already rockin’ to the beat of 200 students.  In such a short time, partners Glenn Fleischman and Alan Goodstadt have revamped their curriculum to target a key group. There will be an Open House on Friday, April 19 for families with children with special needs. There will be free trial classes offered, a meet and greet the new teachers, and a chance to ask questions about the program.

“We realized there was an important part of the Port Washington community in which music could play an amazingly beneficial role,” said Fleishman. “The goal for these children is not necessarily to make them proficient at an instrument.  It’s about introducing music as a teaching tool to help with everyday life skills,” added Goodstadt.