Reactions To Connecticut Tragedy

Administrators, parents discuss what should be done to protect students in the wake of the most recent school shooting

After the school shooting in Newtown, CT last Friday that left 20 children and six adults dead, millions are talking about what can be done to prevent these horrific mass murders from reoccurring. In addition to sending their thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families, people all over the country are talking about new methods of gun control, how to reign in glamorized media violence without impinging upon artistic expression, how best to improve mental health care, and many other topics believed to have a strong influence over the frequency of public mass-shootings in the U.S. Locally, parents, lawmakers and school officials are beginning to offer some possible answers.

SCSD Teams Up With Michael Lewis Wolkis Foundation

Syosset community donates new and used

sporting goods for use by inner city children

It was a typical day at CitiField, but just outside the ballpark near the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, there was different kind of preparation going on. The Miles of Smiles: Michael Lewis Wolkis Foundation, along with Baseball Tomorrow Fund, presented new and gently used sporting goods to the greater New York SANDLOT Athletic Alliance. The recipients of the sporting goods range in age from 14-18 and play travel baseball.

SHS Inducts Students Into National Honor Society

The Syosset High School National Honor Society Thalian Chapter inducted approximately 350 students into the society on Tuesday, Nov. 27 in two separate ceremonies, recognizing the students’ continued academic excellence and commitment to success.

Members of the chamber orchestra, under the direction of Stephanie Merten, performed several selections as the inductees proceeded into the auditorium. Syosset NHS advisor Beth Waschitz and Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante welcomed guests to the ceremony, congratulating all of the inductees on the impressive achievement of joining such a prestigious organization.

AHRC Auction Raises $120K For Special Needs Camp

For more than 25 years, Camp Loyaltown has provided a unique camp experience designed to meet the individual needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities. More than 200 friends of the camp stepped up to help ensure its continued success by raising more than $120,000 at the 17th Annual Camp Loyaltown Auction, held at the Inn at New Hyde Park last month. The evening’s festivities included cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction.

SHS SG Calls For A Cure For CF

Syosset students have raised over $200,000 for cystic fibrosis research with this event to date

Since 1993, Syosset High School’s student government has held an annual phone-a-thon to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. After a busy school day, students recently spent two evenings calling the Syosset school district community.

The students began the event with a buffet dinner generously donated by local merchants including Richard Cutler of Mim’s, Woodbury Country Deli, Celebrity Diner, Bagel Boss of Hicksville, Christina’s Epicure, Iavarone Bros., Butera’s, Laguna Grille, Meyers Farms, Happy Farms, Prime Time Butcher, Bagel Master, and Frank’s Gourmet Pizza.

Low-Cost Gym Comes To Syosset

Retro Fitness offers gym membership for $19.99 per month, with state-of-the-art facilities

The cost of gym membership can vary quite a bit depending on the chain, but usually, if you want access to all the treadmills and Zumba classes your heart desires, you can expect to shell out between $40 and $100 per month. That’s why, whenever people hear that the cost of a membership at Retro Fitness is $19.99 a month, the first question is always “How?” How can it be so inexpensive?

Amy Golan, co-owner of the new Syosset Retro Fitness, currently open for presales and slated to open in December, says that by leaving out a few services that many gym-goers can do without, it’s possible to offer membership at a low price. “We don’t have some of the amenities that a lot of people don’t use—we don’t have a pool, we don’t have towel service,” says Golan. Also MIA are tennis, racquetball and basketball courts.

Ratner, Wang Tapped To Help County Solve Coliseum Conundrum

Renaissance Downtown chosen as master developer

The owner who decided to move the New York Islanders off Long Island once its lease expires in June 2015 may play a role in filling the potential void left by the teams’ departure. County Executive Edward P. Mangano, developer Bruce Ratner, Isles owner Charles Wang and Don Monti of Renaissance Downtown think they have a plan in place to solve the developmental conundrum that is the Hub, which includes Nassau Coliseum.

The group announced a strategic “Reuse Plan” on Tuesday, Nov. 20 that reportedly will transform the Coliseum within the first half of 2013. Others have tried and failed where Ratner is venturing and the 77-acre site in Uniondale could become barren in three years once Wang departs for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

The JPL Responds To Hurricane Sandy

The Jericho Public Library is a major hub of the community, and that certainly was true in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. No one has felt that more than library director Barbara Kessler. As soon as power was restored to the building on Friday, Nov. 2, she opened the library’s doors. The meeting room was set up with charging stations, warm drinks and refreshments. Computers and Wi-Fi service were available. Adult and children’s films were shown for entertainment as well.

Town Of Oyster Bay Passes 2013 Budget

3.8 percent property tax increase

The Town of Oyster Bay Town Board unanimously approved the town’s $265 million budget for 2013 on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The budget includes a 3.8 percent property tax-levy increase, within the state-mandated cap.

Local Officials Ask Feds To Help LIPA

Power authority blasted for delays in restoring power, lack of communication with customers

“LIPA has failed and has failed miserably.”

That is what Congressman Peter King said at a press conference in which elected officials called on the federal government to send resources to get the job done in turning power back on for all Long Island residents. On Friday, Nov. 8, 11 days after super storm Sandy devastated Long Island, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) reported that more than 81,000 Nassau County customers remained without power and more than 162,000 throughout Nassau and Suffolk. That was enough for King, County Executive Ed Mangano, Congressman Steve Israel, New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, to hold a press conference and ask the federal government to send the resources to do the job which LIPA has not been able to.