Gene ‘The Bowling Machine’ Scala Turns 106 in Westbury

Centenarian Celebrates with Family, Friends at Arbors

Many people like to look ahead, perhaps for setting a personal goal or maybe just for the thrill of a hypothetical scenario.   

“Picture your life in 20 years” is a common expression.

“Picture your life at 106” is not.

That’s the story of Gene “The Bowling Machine” Scala, the bubbly and kind-hearted centenarian and testament to the adage, “Gets better with age.”

CNN: Westbury a Top Place to Live for Young Adults

Village Ranked #18 in United States; Made List Last 2 of 3 Years

CNNMoney.com recently ranked Westbury as one of the top places to live for young, affluent and single professionals in the United States.

Westbury, ranked #18, made the list for the second time in three years, with its first distinction coming in 2009, said a “proud” Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro.

“Many communities on Long Island are vying to be places that attract young people, and Westbury has worked hard for many years to develop the kinds of housing options, services, recreational activities and overall environment that attracts younger residents. 

Habitat for Humanity Raises Walls For New Home in Westbury

Many Contribute to New Energy-Efficient Home

On Aug. 6, Habitat for Humanity in Nassau County took a giant step in the construction of a home for a Habitat family, which had been selected after a rigorous application process to become first-time homeowners. Habitat for Humanity in Nassau County (HFHNC), an affiliate of HFH International, partnered with Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation (UNCCRC) to build the home.

A Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant and a Community Development block grant awarded to Habitat through Nassau County provided some of the funding needed for the project and significant financial contributions from Travelers Insurance, State Farm, Roslyn Savings Bank (a division of New York Community Bank, New York Community Bank Foundation, Strobe Promotions, Inc., Long Island Board of Realtors, Grace Episcopal Church and Christ Episcopal Church assisted greatly in making Habitat’s mission of providing affordable housing for hardworking Nassau County residents a reality.  

NYS Recommends Cleanup at Former Avis Property on Old Country Road

Department of Environmental Conservation Now Accepting Public Comments

In a publicly released report, The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Health recently recommended a cleanup at the former Avis Headquarters at 900 Old Country Road in Carle Place. 

While both entities claimed that the site “does not pose a significant threat to public health or the environment,” the NYSDEC, in compliance with the New York Brownfield Cleanup Program, recently offered measures to address contamination at the site.

Patti Matarazzo Receives Service to Veterans Award

School Librarian Co-Wrote ‘History of Westbury for Kids’

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano honored our nation’s heroes on Friday, Aug. 5 at the 24th Annual Salute to Veterans ceremony, held at Eisenhower Park’s Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. This year’s event was dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military airmen who served during World War II.

The ceremony began with the traditional “Roll Call of the States,” before Mangano then recognized, thanked and applauded each veteran and active duty service person in the audience and asked for a moment of silence for all United States troops deployed around the world.

Westbury’s Bryce Klatsky Off to Austria For Teaching Fellowship

Carle Place HS, Skidmore College Alum Preparing for European Trip

On Sept. 25, Carle Place High School alum Bryce Klatsky will head to Waibhofen an der Ybbs, Austria for a teaching fellowship to share some of his knowledge of American affairs with Austrian teens.

While some may have had to Google “Waibhofen an der Ybbs” for a quick geography or pronunciation lesson, Klatsky, a recent Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) grad, is plenty familiar with the mountainous area, having previously studied in the central European republic.

Executive Mangano Encourages Redevelopment for Coliseum Site

Request for Proposals Must Be Submitted By Aug. 12, 2011

Proposals anyone? Just one day after residents came to the polls and defeated the $400 million bond to fund the Nassau Coliseum Hub project, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano announced that he is immediately seeking redevelopment proposals for the 77-acre site surrounding the sports and entertainment arena located in Uniondale.

In order for the county to prepare a Request-For-Proposals (RFP) to redevelop the Coliseum site, Mangano is encouraging any interested parties with privately financed proposals to submit them to the county by Aug. 12, 2011. According to Mangano, the RFPs must address job creation, quality of life and revenue. Although the county said all submissions will be considered, Mangano is seeking development proposals that complement existing recreational, sporting and commercial assets at Eisenhower Park, Mitchel Park and Museum Row.

Westbury’s Jessica Ricco Competing In Miss Long Island Pageant

W.T. Clarke Alum Provides a Behind the Scenes Perspective

Jessica Ricco, a W.T. Clarke High School grad, will take part in the annual Miss Long Island Pageant on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. at the Patchogue Theater for the Performing Arts.

Ricco, who began participating in pageants at age 16, said she’s developed a relaxed game-day routine after competing in seven pageants over the years.

Westbury Mayor Cavallaro Discusses Ongoing Village Projects

C-Town Closing, Theater Happenings, Paving Among Topics

The dog days of summer have arrived here on Long Island but amidst the recent heat wave, it’s business as usual for the Village of Westbury and Mayor Peter Cavallaro.

Residents hit hard by the heat – and subsequent electric bills – will soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief as the village board passed a resolution earlier this month that will allow residents to sign up for a program through East Coast Power and Gas to save up to 8 percent on their monthly bill.

Maragos: Coliseum Development Important; Makes Recommendations for Lease Agreement

“The development of the Hub is critically important to the Nassau County economy,” Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos said at a July 21 press conference. “It currently supports hundreds of jobs and has the potential to create thousands of construction jobs and permanent jobs as well as increase tax revenues.”

Maragos said that he conducted a review to determine the economic feasibility of the current proposal to develop the Nassau Hub and retain the NY Islanders hockey team. At this point in time, he said, a comprehensive analysis cannot be completed as the lease agreement with the Islanders is still under negotiation and several significant terms have yet to be resolved such as revenue sharing, revenue guarantees, cost overrun protections and the Islanders’ commitment to remain in Nassau County.