Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Hempstead Town To Join State Department in Passport Day in the USA

Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla have announced that Hempstead Town will join the State Department in celebrating “Passport Day in the USA,” providing convenient passport application services to U.S. citizens and sharing important information about travel requirements. This special passport event will be held at Hempstead Town Hall on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

“We want to make sure that everyone interested in traveling outside of the country will have the necessary documents to leave and re-enter the U.S.,” Supervisor Murray said. “Passport Day at Hempstead Town Hall will make it even easier for residents who might not be able to come to Town Hall during the work week to apply for a passport.”

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. American citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

“As it normally takes between four and six weeks for a passport application to be processed, we recommend that residents plan well in advance of their departure date to avoid a delay as the summer travel season begins,” said Town Clerk Bonilla.

In addition to hosting the Passport Day, Hempstead Town has taken numerous steps to make the process of obtaining a passport easy and convenient. The Town Clerk’s One-Stop Passport Shop provides applications and passport photo services to town residents without an appointment, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. To make it easier for groups of travelers to obtain necessary travel documents, the Town Clerk’s Office offers a “Speedy Pass” mobile passport service that brings a mobile passport facility to organizations, teams and clubs who plan to travel abroad.

For information on how to apply for a passport book and/or a passport card, visit the town’s web site at www.TOH.LI or call the town’s One-Stop Passport Shop at (516) 812-3100 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

“Whether you are driving to Canada, cruising to Mexico, or flying to France, you’ll need a passport for any travel adventures outside of the U.S.,” Bonilla concluded. “Be ahead of the crowd and visit the Hempstead Town Clerk’s office to get your passport in time.”

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Nassau County Police Explorers

Seven NCPD Explorers were accepted into the 2011 National Law Enforcement Exploring Leadership Academies, including the F.B.I., US Marshals Service, US Army Military Police, and US Secret Service. Only 30 Explorers from across the US attend each Academy. This is a remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations to all and thank you to the Post Advisors who prepared these young men and women for the challenges ahead.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Cradle of Aviation Celebrates


100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation
Saturday & Sunday, April 16th & 17th

Festivities will include:
• Naval Aviation Model Show
• Naval Aviation on LI Lecture
• 1941 Film "Dive Bomber"
• Sit in Historic Naval Aircraft
• Northrop Grumman Centennial Exhibit
• See our New Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Exhibit
• Naval Aviator Re-Enactors
• Fly with the Blue Angels in the X-Ride Theater
• Naval Aviation Art Show

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Buckle Up New York

Nassau County Police Department to Participate in
“Buckle Up New York, Click It or Ticket”

Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey and County Executive Edward P. Mangano announce that the Nassau County Police Department will participate in the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s grant for occupant restraint enforcement. The “Buckle Up New York, Click it or Ticket” will take place from March 22, 2011 through March 30, 2011.

This initiative will consist of high visibility enforcement, targeting occupant restraint non-compliance. A zero tolerance policy for such violations will apply. The goal of the program is to increase safety belt and child seat usage in an effort to reduce serious injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents.

Sue Picciano

Scouting Teaches Girls to Serve God and Their Country

In Girl Scouting we teach girls to serve God and their country. It’s built right in the Girl Scout Promise and we’ve really been seeing that message in very personal ways the past few weeks.
As our Girl Scouts are currently out and about in the community participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, they often offer our customers the option of contributing cookies to our military personnel overseas through Operation Cookie. Working with our partners at DHL Global, DHL delivers Girl Scout cookies to the Middle East and the military hospitals in Germany. In the past five years, DHL has sent over 600,000 boxes to our service men and women.
A few weekends ago Troop 3674, with Girl Scout Leader Terry Soto, was having a booth sale and a young man came by and gave them $20 as a donation. While the troop had been doing brisk business and getting quite a few donations for Operation Cookie, this was their largest one that day. Terry thanked him and asked why he was making such a generous gift. The young man replied that he had recently returned from the Middle East and that receiving those Girl Scout cookies had meant a lot to him and his buddies.
Not only was it a “taste of home,” it was a reminder that people at home remembered where they were and what they were doing. Terry said the girls in her troop learned a great deal about life that day, far beyond what she would have expected at a cookie booth sale.
Earlier this month, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County was asked by one of our own volunteers if we could be present at the funeral of Arnold Bocksel, a decorated veteran of World War II and a former Japanese Prisoner of War. It was an out of the ordinary request since we did not personally know Mr. Bocksel, but the caller was very intent, so I told her I’d try to find someone in the community to go. The stars aligned and Sharon Haley, chair of Association Volunteers for the Jericho-Syosset Association of Girl Scouts, said that she could attend.
Sharon tells it best in her own words: “Thanks for sending me to pay respects to Mr. Bocksel and his family. Various government offices sent people to express their sympathies to the family and pay their respects. I'm glad I could do the same for Girl Scouts. On a personal note, I didn't need the tissues I brought until they sang 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' at the end of the funeral service. I was overwhelmed by Mr. Bocksel's commitment to God, country and family."
Our girls learn by doing, as do our volunteers. Listening to our veterans we can all learn a great deal. I encourage our readers to reach out to those who are currently serving our country, as well as those who have served before. Ask a veteran to tell you about his/her experiences and what it mean to serve. And, don’t forget to say “thank you” to the veterans and their families. Tell them the Girl Scouts reminded you to.
About Arnold Bocksel
Mr. Bocksel was born in New York, NY and volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Mine Planter Service, Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bay, Philippines as chief engineer, stationed on Corregidor Island, at the entrance of Manila Bay. After Bataan fell to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, and before Corregidor Island fell, fuel stores became too low to continue mine planting operations. Mr. Bocksel recommended to his commanding officer that they might be able to recover fuel from sunken American and Filipino ships. Mr. Bocksel and three others successfully recovered enough fuel to re-supply American ships in the area.
Mr. Bocksel was captured by the Japanese and spent three-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. During that time, according to his son, Mr. Bocksel and a captured priest made communion wafers from their meager, saved, rice rations to celebrate the sacrament of communion with fellow prisoners. Mr. Bocksel's daughter noted in the eulogy that her father lived for each day for three-and-a-half years not knowing if he would survive another day. But, the Lord rewarded him with a long life of 97 years. Mr. Bocksel continued to serve his community and his country by sharing his wartime experiences with others.

Donna Ceravolo, CEO Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Envision Valley Stream

The next general meeting of Envision Valley Stream will be on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30PM in the Field House at Firemen's Field. We will be reviewing our Community Asset Map, working on a proposal for the dog parks, and discussing our progress with the welcome packet. Your attendance and input at our meetings is invaluable and very much appreciated. Thank you for the continued support.


Sincerely,
David Sabatino
Founder
Envision Valley Stream
Phone: 516-792-1246

Web Site: www.EnvisionValleyStream.org


Facebook Page: Envision Valley Stream

Monday, March 21, 2011

Local Boys Community Service Project

Could you please post a message on the blog about some local boys doing a drive for the INN?

The Mary Brennan INN is a soup kitchen that serves over 5,500 hungry people in Hempstead, Long Island. They are in constant need of supplies to serve the large number of people.
They have a box inside the Franklin Square Library where people can drop off various badly needed items.
The INN feeds the hungry and also provides showers to those in need.

These items are:
Towels (new or gently used)
Diapers all sizes especially 4&5
Undergarments (men, women and children sizes)
Shampoo and other toiletries (Travelsizes preferred,but all are accepted),
Razors
Pajamas
Metro Cards
Umbrellas

Collection will end Thursday, March 31

Friday, March 18, 2011

Weekend Events

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2011
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
10:30 am & 7:30 pm

Classic Albums Live: The Eagles' Hotel California
Tilles Center for The Performing Arts
Brookville, NY
8:00 pm

SATURDAY MARCH 19, 2011
Valley Stream North High School
The Spartan 5k Run/Walk
Franklin Square, NY
9:00 am - 10:00 am

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
10:30 am, 3:00 pm, 7:30 pm

15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade
Start: North Long Beach Rd. & Sunrise Hwy. at parking field 12, Maple Ave, Quality Place end at parking lot on Washington Street
12:00 pm

Spring DOO Wop Extravaganza
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
Westbury, NY
8:00 pm

SUNDAY MARCH 2O, 2011
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
10:30 am, 3:00 pm, 7:30 pm

23rd Annual Glen Cove St. Patrick's Day Parade
Start: Finley Middle School, Brewster St., School St., Glen St., Parade end at St. Patrick's Church
Glen Cove, NY
1:00 pm

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Community Forum on Childhood Obesity

Expert Panel to Take Part in Stop & Shop Supermarket
Community Forum on Childhood Obesity

Stop & Shop Supermarket will host a community forum on childhood obesity at 11am on Thursday, March 31st at the Stop & Shop located at 50 Cherry Valley Road in West Hempstead.

The expert panel will be chaired y Nassau County Executive, Edward Mangano. The other panelists will include: Dr Rene Bargman Director Pediatric Endocrinology Nassau University Medical Center. Rob Gewirtz, Health & Physical Education Instructor, West Hempstead High School and a member of the West Hempstead District Wellness committee. Deborah Colfer, Interim Executive Director, Nassau County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Sabrina Candelaria, MPH, RD, CDN, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Health Professions and Kinesiology at Hofstra University and Arlene Putterman, Coordinator Stop & Shop Childhood Obesity Initiative.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.
Obese youth are more likely than youth of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
The costs of treating obesity-related diseases are staggering and rising rapidly. Direct and indirect health costs associated with obesity are $98 billion.
Fewer than 25% of adolescents eat enough fruits and vegetables each day.
64% of high school students don't meet currently recommended levels of physical activity.
· 85% of adolescent females do not consume enough calcium. During the last 25 years, consumption of milk, the largest source of calcium, has decreased 36% among adolescent females. Additionally, the average daily soft drink consumption almost doubled among adolescent females, increasing from 6 ounces to 11 ounces, and almost tripled among adolescent males, from 7 ounces to 19 ounces.

What: Stop & Shop Community Forum on Childhood Obesity

When: 11am on Thursday, March 31st

Where: Stop & Shop Supermarket located at 50 Cherry Valley Road in West Hempstead.

Carolyn McCarthy Annual Blood Drive

Dear Friends,
With a great need for Type O blood looming in the area, I will be hosting my annual blood drive in Garden City on Monday, March 21. Long Island Blood Services will administer the drive, in the organization’s bus in the parking lot of 400 Garden City Plaza between 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Blood donors save countless lives every day. Giving blood today may save the life of a child, a parent, or a grandparent tomorrow. While there’s a particular need for Type O right now, we need to help make sure all types of blood will be available to our hospitals and clinics.
Over four million Americans benefit from life-saving blood transfusions every year. I urge you to make an appointment to donate blood to help fulfill this critical need today.
What: Congresswoman McCarthy’s Annual
Blood Drive
When: Monday, March 21, 2011
10:45 am – 4:45 pm
Where: Blood Bus, 400 Garden City Plaza
Garden City NY 11530
Eligibility: -ID with signature or photo
-Minimum weight of 110 lbs.
-Age 16 – 75 (Age 16 must have parental
permission, age 76 and older must have a
doctor’s note)
-Eat well and drink fluids
-No tattoos within past 12 months
RSVP: Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are encouraged
Contact Toby Nussbaum in Rep. McCarthy’s office at
(516) 739-3008

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Application Process Begins for County Summer Recreation Program

Affordable Camp Provides Summer Fun for Children

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that the County’s Summer Recreation Program is on its way to success with scores of children already signed up to attend. Whether they’re in Cantiague Park, Eisenhower Park, Nickerson Beach Park or Wantagh Park, children attending Nassau County’s Summer Recreation Program can count on real summer fun.

“These beautiful parks provide perfect settings for youngsters to enjoy a range of activities, from recreational sports to arts and crafts,” said Mangano. “This low-cost summer recreation program represents just one of the many steps my administration is taking to enhance the quality of life for children in Nassau.”

Details on Nassau County’s Summer Recreation Program:
Open weekdays, for children aged 5-12, from July 5th to August 11th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at four locations: Cantiague Park in Hicksville; Eisenhower Park in East Meadow; Nickerson Beach Park in Lido Beach; and Wantagh Park in Wantagh.

Activities include: swimming (three parks), arts and crafts, board games, scavenger hunts, disk golf, horseshoes, potato-sack races, and sports such as baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer, tennis and volleyball.

Registration deadline: June 11, 2011. On-site registration is available at the Eisenhower Park Administration Building (located just south of the Hempstead Turnpike entrance to the park) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays.

Fees: $750 per child from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., $600 per child from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional sibling option (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. only): $570 for the second child and $540 for the third child in same family.

More information, contact: (516) 572-0245 or avisconti@nassaucountyny.gov.

For more information about the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, call (516) 572-0200 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.

Monday, March 14, 2011

In Memory of Our Fallen Hero


Police Officer Geoffrey J. Breitkopf

It is with a profound sense of sorrow that Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey announces the death of Police Officer Geoffrey J. Breitkopf who died in the line of duty on March 12, 2011.

The funeral for PO Breitkopf will be coordinated by the Police Academy Ceremonial Unit under the Office of Chief of Support.
All requests pertaining to the funeral should be directed to the Office of Chief of Support at 573-7500.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Check Your Batteries


Sunday March 13, 2011 @ 2AM - Daylight Savings Time Begins
Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

11th Annual Walkathon for the Children of Hope

11th Annual Walk-A-Thon
April 2, 2011

Nassau District Order of the Eastern Star is proud to host their
11th Annual Walk-a-thon
to benefit the AMT Children of Hope Foundation Baby Safe Haven

Saturday April 2nd
Registration @ 8 Kick-off @ 8:30
Roosevelt Field Mall at the Mall Court in front of Macy’s

Your tax deductible donation should be made payable to:
AMT Children of Hope Foundation
Bring your checks to the walk-a-thon or send them to:
OES Walk-a-thon
c/o AMT Children of Hope
Nassau County Police Department
1490 Franklin Avenue
Mineola, New York 11501

Walkers, non-walkers, people of all ages are welcome to join us!!!

For further information contact:
Nancy Antonius~Chairwoman nantonius@amtchildrenofhope.com
or
Tim Jaccard at the Foundation Office (516) 781-3511

The AMT Children of Hope Foundation was founded by members of the Ambulance Medical Technicians of the Nassau County Police Department. After a series of cases of infanticide in Nassau County, the emotional impact began taking its toll, on ourselves as well as the community. We sought a level of closure, peace and hope. Looking after these unfortunate victims of a society gone astray through a dignified burial gave us a sense of healing from this pain. We turned our focus toward the despondent people who would commit such a horrible desperate act. Our effort to enlighten these people to other means of solving their problems is the driving force of the Foundation.


Without regard to race, color, age, creed or national origin and in the capacity as EMS providers, we will help save lives of infants who have been abandoned. We will act as a Safe Haven and accept newborns from a parent or guardian who wishes to relinquish custody. We will refer to the appropriate government agencies and other non-profit social service agencies capable of providing advice and counsel to pre- and postpartum persons if the need arises.

Arrangement is made for the dignified burials of abandoned and unclaimed deceased infants or children, alone or in conjunction with appropriate governmental agencies or other charitable organizations.



The Board of Directors of the AMT Children of Hope Foundation are often asked why they become involved with pregnant women and answer calls on a crisis intervention hotline. The simple fact is that burying infants is a task we hardly look forward to! We understand that desperate people, who have already decided not to keep their child after birth, may not know their options. Knowing about our efforts to provide dignity to an abandoned child may make them feel better in some way; knowing that their child will "be taken care of" after they abandon them (which we DON'T want to happen). This may help them to decide to abandon their child in an unsafe manor rather than to seek an alternative. Unfortunately, the more notoriety the Foundation achieves, the more effort must go toward preventing this very occurrence.

AMT Children of Hope

It's been over one year now that Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was joined by Timothy Jaccard, President of the AMT Children of Hope Foundation/Baby Safe Haven Program, to announce that Nassau County will be the first county in the nation to implement a new program identifying ambulances as official “baby safe haven” drop-off sites. The ambulance signage program is part of a national campaign to raise awareness about the program, which allows for mothers to legally and safely relinquish their babies at certain locations.
“The Safe Haven law provides a safe alternative for mothers who are frightened and feel they have nowhere else to turn. The message is simple: if you truly feel that you cannot care for your baby, you have options. Find a Safe Haven location and put your baby into safe and caring arms,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “Nassau County is committed to the health and welfare of newborns and we are happy to lend our support to this important program.”
New York law allows a mother who believes she cannot care for her baby to legally leave the newborn at a number of locations, including police precincts, firehouses, hospitals, churches or with any responsible adult willing to accept the baby and call proper authorities. Over the past decade, safe haven laws have been adopted in all 50 states and 2,636 babies have been safely relinquished.
All ambulances in Nassau County, and later, the nation, will be identified as Safe Haven locations with signs reflecting the logo, "Safe Baby - Safe Place - Safe Haven.” The Nassau County Police Department has installed them on all of its ambulances, as did the North Bellmore Fire Department, Winthrop Hospital, Wantagh-Levittown Ambulance Corp. and Life Star Ambulance Corp. This initiative is being funded by AMT Children of Hope and will have no financial impact on Nassau County.
The AMT Children of Hope Foundation was founded in 1998 in response to a number of abandoned, deceased infants discovered in the community. The organization — comprised of members of the Nassau County Police Department, AMTs, local healthcare workers and civilians — provides dignified burials for innocent children lost to unsafe abandonment, and is committed to putting an end to such tragedies.
The goal of this awareness campaign is to prevent the loss of innocent lives - most recently, the infant discovered in the Yaphank Recycling Center in January 2010,” said Timothy Jaccard. Named “Thomas John Hope,” a burial for the infant is currently being arranged.
The AMT Children of Hope Foundation operates a 24/7 emergency hotline to offer assistance to individuals in crisis who are pregnant and have nowhere to turn. In 2009, the hotline received 2,115 calls. The organization also provides support to prepare parents-to-be to raise their child or make an adoption plan if they choose to; counsels them to share their situation with parents and/or other relatives; and educates them on the Safe Haven law.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Battery Drive and Recycle Expo

Battery Drive & Recycle Expo
Saturday, March 19th
12pm – 4 pm
Franklin Square & Munson Fire Dept
841 Liberty Place
Mark your calendars!!
It will be interesting and informative or just come drop off your dead batteries.

Battery Drive & Expo brought to you as part of a
local Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Your support is appreciated!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Peanut Butter Recall

Some 16.3-ounce plastic jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, which may be contaminated with salmonella have been recalled.


The organism can cause fever and abdominal problems in healthy people and serious and even fatal infections in the young, old and frail.

The jars were sent to stores in in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The affected jars have UPC numbers 048001006812 and 048001006782 and have "best if used by" dates of MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1, and MAY2112LR1. Details: by phone at 800-453-3432.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Follow Up to Town Of Hempstead Zoning Appeals Hearing

Just to let you know, the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals hearing today was rescheduled for Wednesday, April 6 at 2 pm. This is regarding the retail space at 915 Hempstead Turnpike. More info will follow including a meeting at the Franklin Square Library sometime in the near future.


Pat Friedman will contact a few of us to meet at the library and to get petitions and such before the April 6th hearing.
Sincerely,
DH

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Town of Hempstead Offers Free Child Seat Safety Inspections

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced the 2011 spring schedule for Hempstead Town's Child Car Seat Safety Inspection Program. Hempstead Town's certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect and properly install child car safety seats and instruct guardians on their proper installation.

"According to safety experts, a properly installed safety seat is the most effective way to prevent injuries to a child in a vehicle crash," stated Supervisor Murray. "In 2010 our technicians performed over 500 child car seat inspections and we hope that many more families with infants and young children will avail themselves of this free program this year."

Town technicians have received rigorous training and are certified by Safe Kids Worldwide, a coalition of 450 health and safety experts, educators, foundations, governments and volunteers. During the months of March, April and May the Child Car Seat Inspection Team will be available to perform car seat safety inspections on most Wednesdays and specified Saturdays at either Veterans Memorial Park or Speno Park in East Meadow. From June through September, the inspection team will visit communities throughout the town twice weekly.

All inspections take place by appointment only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guardians are asked to provide information about the child's age, weight, height and current car seat. Inspectors can provide recommendations for appropriate car seats, as well as information about recalls and possible defects. The service is provided free of charge.

"The safety of our children is our most important responsibility. Through this program, we can ensure that Hempstead Town's youngest residents are safer when they are on the road," concluded Supervisor Murray.

The Child Car Seat Safety Inspection Program schedule is available online. To schedule an appointment, please visit www.toh.li/content/cs/childsafe.html or call the Town of Hempstead Department of Public Safety at (516) 538-1900, extension 217.