For the first September since 1998, the historic barn at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Park will be empty on Saturday afternoons. No more wrenches will be heard clattering, no more music and laughter will fill the courtyard surrounding the 100-year-old building, and no more bicycles will line the otherwise dreary barn walls, waiting to be ridden away by excited little boys and girls. FULL STORY

Yes, elementary students had to maneuver the puddles as they made their way to blacktop areas for line-up, and raincoats and umbrellas were added to opening day accessories. But cloudy, gray skies and early morning drizzle did not dampen the excitement or anticipation of the first day of school in Jericho. Buildings throughout the district, cleaned and polished to a sparkle, opened their doors to students on Tuesday, September 3, for the 2003-2004 school year. FULL STORY

October and cross country running are almost synonymous for most runners, and the Long Island Hotels Run for Their Dreams 8 Kilometer Cross Country Run is a perfect way for local runners to get in the swing of things. The date is Sunday, Oct. 26, the place is Bethpage State Park, and runners from all over Long Island and beyond can look forward to an exhilarating morning of running through the beautiful (and runner friendly) cross country trails that abound in the park. FULL STORY

Boys and Girls in grades 1 - 9 can register for Intramural Basketball at the Jackson Elementary School Cafeteria on Tuesday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. The registration cost is $125. Those interested can also register online at www.11753.com. FULL STORY