As Yetta Waldman, the longtime executive director of the Senior Citizens of Westbury Center, retired last week, she was visibly filled with emotion. FULL STORY

The dog days of August are hardly a time to slow down when you're a candidate to be the next Nassau County Executive with a Sept. 11 primary on the horizon. Just ask Tom Suozzi. The Glen Cove mayor is getting his message out by doing interviews with local media, attending various events and meeting with residents as his campaign pushes full force into the home stretch. FULL STORY

''We want to see a new day for Nassau County,'' said Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli of Great Neck, as he prepared for the primary challenge to his candidacy for Nassau County Executive. In an interview just before the Sept. 11 primary, Mr. DiNapoli spoke confidently of his ''leadership skills,'' unifying and strengthening the Nassau Democrats when serving as their chairman, and his ability to ''work across party and jurisdictional lines,'' working with Governor Pataki and the Republicans to establish an oversight board and bring $105 million in aid to the beleaguered Nassau County. FULL STORY

Congratulations to Mary Frances Fitzgibbon of Drexal Avenue in Westbury, who finished as the 13th woman overall and third in the women's 30-34 age group in the St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center 5 Kilometer run held on the roads of Smithtown on Aug. 25. The 33-year-old Fitzgibbon crossed the finish line in 20 minutes, 36 seconds, a pace of 6.38 minutes per mile for the 3.1-mile course. FULL STORY

Charles Water Karate & Fitness of Williston Park recently hosted a clinic for its adult students. The clinic had some special guests - Master's instructors in the Soo Bahk Do Federation. Charles Water's school has a large adult population. Students learn mental discipline to turn stress into positive energy and the ability to focus and attain their goals. FULL STORY