New Prize For Distinguished Dads

Do you know a local father who is an outstanding parent and citizen? In recognition of the first Annual Father’s Day Brunch, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is calling on residents to nominate local fathers who have made extraordinary contributions to the community. Awards will be announced at the first Annual Father’s Day Brunch will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 9 – 11 a.m. at The Barn in Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

“It is my honor to host the first Annual Father’s Day Brunch, which recognizes local fathers for the work they do all year long making our county a better place to live, work and raise a family,” said County Executive Mangano.  

Announce Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District’s John F. Kennedy High School has announced Adrian Kim as Valedictorian and Chelsea Griller as Salutatorian of the Class of 2013.

Adrian is being honored for her academic and extra-curricular accomplishments. She is co-president for the Art Club and the National Honor Society and has received the prestigious Long Island Scholar Artist award. Along with her artistic accomplishments Kim also excels academically and is a published microbiologist. She plans to continue her education in the field of research, specializing in the study of disease, virology and bacteriology.

You—Yes, You—A Firefighter

Ever thought of being a firefighter or fire medic? Here’s a chance to learn all about it as the Plainview Fire Department hosts a recruitment open house on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the firehouse on Old Country Road.

As a member of the Plainview department, you will learn new skills, connect with people from around the community and experience the thrills, challenges and satisfaction that come with making an important contribution.

All classes, uniforms and equipment are provided, and there are many other benefits to membership, including tuition reimbursement at Nassau Community College.

One-Man Crime Wave, Say Cops

A Bethpage burglary and assault, an East Meadow car theft and a Massapequa crash last week led to the arrest of a Levittown man, said Nassau County police. 

According to detectives, Albert C. Garfield, 47, of 12 Hunter Lane, drove to a Hahn Avenue home armed with a wooden table leg, and crashed through a fence in the driveway. He proceeded to kick in the door of the home, entering and beat the victim, a 50-year-old man, with the table leg, causing head injuries.

Bittersweet Celebrations At St. Pius

Monsignor Domenick T. Graziadio took the parishioners of St. Pius X on their last Lenten journey to Easter Sunday. Masses and Lenten devotionals included the Children’s Stations of the Cross. Monsignor Graziadio will be retiring in June, and celebrating his retirement Mass on May 5, with a reception to follow. 

Reconsidering Abstraction

Even for art lovers, Abstract Expressionism can sometimes be a bit of a hard sell. Museum-goers who draw inspiration from the idyllic garden parties of the Impressionists and the breathtaking landscapes of the Hudson River School often throw up their hands in confusion, or even disgust, at the giant swaths of color, indelicate globs of paint, and seemingly incomprehensible shapes that often populate the works of Abstract Expressionism. “It’s just not for me,” they say, satisfied to ignore this one particular school of art in favor of almost anything else.

Not so fast, says the Nassau County Museum of Art. With the show AB-EX/RE-CON, running now through June 16, viewers are asked to reexamine their preconceptions of this critically acclaimed, but intensely polarizing, school of art. In addition to classics of Abstract Expressionism from decades past, the show also highlights the work of three living artists: Judith Godwin from New York City, Stan Brodsky from Huntington, and Rita Rogers from Rhode Island. Love AB-EX or hate it, it’s virtually impossible to see the show and deny the vibrance of the movement.

No Slowing Him Down

Hardest working newsman in town

He is likely the oldest working reporter on Long Island, a bit slower in gait than he once was, a bit more stooped than in the past, but nearing 90  - his birthday is July 22 – Lou Sanders is still on the beat, making contacts, and keeping abreast of the most local of local news.

Sanders and his wife, Grace, founded the Mineola American in 1952, and although they sold the paper in 1992 to Karl Anton, owner of Anton Community Newspapers, and although Grace retired to their Mineola home years ago, Lou Sanders still reports for work at Anton headquarters in Mineola every morning.

Local Hero Honored

Frank Archipolo of the Town Parks Department was honored at a recent Town of Oyster Bay Board meeting for his heroism during a recent house fire. Archipolo was riding along the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway when he saw smoke billowing from a Karen Avenue home in Plainview. He pulled off the highway, ran to the house and spotted a woman and a man standing near the front door. He then helped the woman down from the porch and asked if there was anyone else in the home. The woman told him that her daughter was still inside, so Archipolo entered. As he did so, the woman’s daughter came toward him. He helped her out of the house, and the family’s dog escaped as well, thanks to Archipolo. Firefighters from five departments were able to extinguish the flames after several hours.

POBots Place

Students of Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District’s John F. Kennedy High School Robotics Club, known as the POBots, recently participated in the elite New York City First Robotics Competition regional. The POBots gave an impressive showcase, advancing all the way to the semi-finals from an entry pool of over 60 teams.  In addition to their distinguished demonstration, the POBots earned the Judges Award for their exceptional community outreach activities, including raising over $1,400 for Hurricane Sandy Victims. The POBots are gearing up to compete again at the SBPLI Hofstra Regional this month, where they expect to contend for numerous awards.

Final Budget Workshop

The Plainview school board approved staffing reductions in its 2013-14 budget during a workshop, and displayed a $143,280,933 revenue budget with a 4.38 percent increase for the third and final budget workshop last week.

The school board is scheduled to meet next on April 5 to adopt the budget.