Village of Port North Project Update

(Ed.’s note: We asked the Village of Port Washington North to update the community on the status of the Bay Walk project and to explain why there is so much heavy equipment on Shore Road. Here’s what they wrote. –JP)

Many residents of the community must be wondering “What’s with all the road closings and heavy equipment along the waterfront?” Here’s an update from Port Washington North.

100th Anniversary of Landmark’s Home

Spotlight Gala ’09 November 7

The fifteenth annual gala benefit for Landmark on Main Street will take place on Saturday evening, Nov. 7, with a special performance by Broadway’s leading lady Kelli O’Hara and a post-concert celebration in the tented Spotlight Club. Angela and Scott Jaggar and Phyllis and Joel Joseph will be honored for their tremendous contributions to the organization. The gala chairs are Leslie and Andrew Abramowitz, May Newburger, and Judith and Morton Sloan. The honorary chairs are Angela Susan Anton, Claudia Caruso Rouhana, Jane and Robert Harding, Lillian McCormick, and Frank Ullman. Kelli O’Hara’s performance is generously underwritten by Dot and Ed Slade in celebration of Ed’s 65th birthday.

Dolphins Have Returned to Our Waterways

Attributed to Improved Water Quality

The pod of some 150 or more bottlenose dolphins sighted last week in Hempstead Harbor off Glen Cove feasting on large schools of herrings and smaller bait fish is an encouraging sign, some say, that the area’s water quality has improved.

Modified Waterfront District Approved By North Hempstead Town Board

Vote on Parking Garage ‘Stricken’ From Last Week’s Agenda

On Wednesday, June 23 the Town of North Hempstead board held a hearing in front of an overflow audience to continue discussions on the establishment of a waterfront business district. The draft legislation, which was proposed by Councilman Fred Pollack, was to cover the Port Washington waterfront in two segments. The north segment, known as zoning district-section 1, would cover waterfront activities from west of Sunset Park south to Dolphin Green. The south portion known as zoning district- section 2 would cover lots presently occupied by the Port Washington Yacht Club. After a lengthy hearing the board unanimously adopted two resolutions: 1) the creation of a new waterfront business district and 2) excluding section 2 pending further discussions. The possibility remained that both sections might be consolidated in the waterfront district at a later date.

No Rain on the Parade of the Schreiber High School Class of 2009

Though the class of 2009’s commencement took place during the soggiest June in recent memory, the rains held off as soon as the graduates walked onto the field, as the bittersweet melody of Pomp and Circumstance was played by the Schreiber High School Band directed by John Meyer.

Johnson/Schimel Legislation to Enable Port Schools to Recover $1.4 M Passes Legislature

Bill Passed Senate/Assembly; Needs Governor's Approval To Become Law

The state legislature passed a bill sponsored by Senator Craig M. Johnson, (D-Port Washington,) and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel, (D-Great Neck), that would enable the Port Washington Union Free School District to recover an estimated $1.4 million in state funding.

Children’s Health Fund/Mobile Medical Unit Reach Goal of $250,000

Great Community Effort Pays Off

(Editor’s note: At last week’s BOE meeting, Daly Principal Elaine Ajello proudly announced that the $250,000 goal, which was necessary to fund the Mobile Medical Unit through the Children’s Health Fund, had been reached. We asked her to give us the background and some of the details of this enormously worthwhile cause, for those readers who are unfamiliar with it.)

In September of 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast with devastating results. The seven principals of the Port Washington School District felt that we as district administrators should respond, especially to the schools that had been hit beyond repair. We soon found out the damage was so severe that it would take months before our efforts would be valuable to the damaged school districts.

Free Try Port First 2009-2010 Directory Now Available

The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce has announced that the ninth edition of Try Port First is now available and is being distributed free to residents and visitors.

HarborFest 2009 Happiness!

Warm temperatures and blue skies (a rare occurrence this spring) led to record crowds at HarborFest on Sunday, June 7. The lower Main Street area and Town Dock were filled with people enjoying a delightful day on the waterfront of beautiful Manhasset Bay. The Fun Park and Fun Stage attracted thousands of children and their families, as did the craft fair, food court and vendor booths. The model boat regatta at the Mill Pond also had a record number of participants, and Art in the Park was busy all day. A big attraction on Main Street was the Wells Fargo Stage Coach, which offered free rides to cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, organizer of HarborFest, announced that next year HarborFest will be on Sunday, June 6, 2010 – Save The Date!

Latino Festival at Library Enjoys Another Huge Success

Visitors to the library’s Latino Festival on May 17 enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon.

As Library Board President Julie Geller posted on Facebook, “The Latino Festival was just fabulous. The warmth and beauty of Central and South America was communicated to a wide and appreciative audience. The textile exhibitions were varied and exciting. The food was delicious and the entertainment spectacular. The children learned so much about each country and enjoyed the crafts. Thanks to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring this outstanding event.”

This event was made possible by a generous grant from the Friends of the Library and sponsors Sylvia and Neil Blumstein and Optimum. The festival was co-sponsored with Landmark on Main Street, the Children’s Center and the Parent Resource Center.