Beautification Improvements Expected: Hempstead Town Supervisor Rich Guardino, New York state Senators Dean Skelos, Councilman Joseph J. Kearney, Long Island Rail Road President Kenneth Bauer and railroad engineers, Dennis George and Joseph Ferrara recently met on location to discuss beautification improvements at the West Hempstead Train Station. FULL STORY

Nassau County Comptroller Fred Parola announced this week that the county has closed its books for fiscal year 2000 with a $48.3 million operating budget surplus. Parola said the surplus came as a result of intervention from the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) and a series of Úquot;one shotÚquot; revenues. However, the county comptroller warned that Nassau is not out of the woods yet when it comes to the county's financial troubles. FULL STORY

On Sunday, March 18, from noon until 4 p.m. at the AMF Sheridan Bowl in Mineola, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island will be holding its 20th Annual Celebrity Day Bowlathon. Guest celebrities will include hockey great Clark Gillies, other New York Islanders' alumni, and Jon Seda from the Emmy award winning drama Homicide: Lfie on the Street. Fans will also get to see some of their favorite personalities from WLIR (92.7 FM) radio. Once again this year Big Brothers Big Sisters would like to thank major event sponsors Astoria Federal Savings and WLIR (92.7 FM) radio for their continued support. FULL STORY