Neighborhood Watch Keeps An Eye Out

Everyone wants to know that their neighborhood is safe. But an omnipresent police force is impossible and extensive home security can be expensive. So the watchful eye of a neighbor can come in handy. 

Now in its second year, the Westbury Neighborhood Watch is a small group of residents who stick to the phrase “see something, say something.” Director Jacquelyn McCullough says that the group, comprised mostly of seniors, keeps an eye out for suspicious behavior and looks out for their neighbors. She encourages them to report any odd behavior to her, so she can relay it to the appropriate authorities.  

The Wedding Connection

From Sound to Favors, Raphael Sicinski has your event covered 

In the span of three years, Westbury’s Maria Hernandez had three huge events to plan.  She had her wedding, her daughter’s sweet sixteen and  her mother’s retirement party. All three events were very different, but would need the same excellent entertainment. 

But once she met Raphael Sicinski, from The Sound Connection, she knew she had found a solution. 

Lounge To Open On Post Ave.

New theater will draw supporting businesses 

Nightlife on Post Avenue continues to pop. The Westbury Village Board of Trustees recently granted Westbury resident Miriam Hernandez a six-month special use permit to open up a lounge.

Hernandez stresses that the lounge will be a relaxed place for people to hang out. There will be no live music, DJs, or dancing, just soft background music. She notes her establishment will provide a good place for people to meet and relax before or after a show at the theater soon to open across the street.

Local Residents React To Prostitution Sting

Across Nassau County, residents are reacting with a mix of surprise and anger to the Nassau County District Attorney’s recent arrests of more than 100 men for soliciting prostitutes, including six men from Westbury and one from Carle Place. 

“I’m very surprised and I’d like to see an end to this type of activity,” one Westbury man said. “But I guess this type of thing happens everywhere. Once it gets on your streets and close to your kids and schools though, it becomes a problem.” 

Holocaust Survivor Shares Story

Rudy Rosenberg still refers to himself as the hidden child. 

It was 1940 when Germany invaded Rosenberg’s home country of Belgium. Germans forbade him from going to school and his parents were not allowed to work. His father and mother began selling goods, such as cigarettes and steel tips for the German soldiers’ boots, on the black market. 

Library Growing Strong

Annual report shows robust growth in patronage, program attendance and more  

The Westbury Memorial Public Library recently finalized its 2012 annual report, showing growth across the board, but especially in demand for technology. 

The lengthy document is compiled by public libraries and filed each year with New York State, yielding valuable statistics on patronage, circulation and program attendance, among other things.  

Feel The Rhythm

Teaching math or merengue, Alfred Pena builds confidence 

Alfred Pena doesn’t believe in the two-left-feet excuse. 

“There is no such thing as two left feet,” Pena says with a smile. “That can be fixed.” 

As founder of Rhythmology, a Westbury dance studio that teaches Latin dance, curly haired Pena is confident that anyone—regardless of age or previous experience—can learn to move. 

Bowling Green Kids Spend IKEA Grant

The Bowling Green K-Kids kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a shopping night at IKEA in Hicksville.  The event was planned after the Bowling Green K-Kids won the IKEA Life Improvement Project Grant. People voted online for the K-Kids proposal, which included purchases for Kamp Kiwanis as well as gourmet food for local needy families. In early April, the Bowling Green K-Kids learned that they would be one of 38 nationwide winners and the recipients of a $10,000 grant.

Walk For A Cure

Great Strides, a national walk that generates critical funds to support lifesaving cystic fibrosis research, education and care, will take place at NYIT in Old Westbury at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 9.  Check in for the walk begins at 9 a.m. To help fight CF, get involved in Great Strides by calling 516-827-1290 or by visiting www.lonisland.cff.org/greatstrides

Testing The Whole Child

EDI Takes Closer Look at

Needs of Westbury’s Children

How do you measure if a young child is ready for school? The Early Years Institute (EYI) is hoping to help parents better prepare their children for school. At a recent Westbury Board of Education meeting, they presented the findings of an assessment that shows where the district’s children are lacking.

The EYI is a regional organization focused on early childhood development and making sure that every kid comes to school prepared for success. They do this by working on improving the quality of formal learning environments, such as preschools and daycares, and informal markets.