When Dara Gitlitz biked 100 miles, she didn't do it to win a medal. When she competed in a triathlon, she didn't do it for her country. When she ran a half-marathon, she didn't do it because she loves to run. Dara Gitlitz is no Olympian. But that doesn't mean every mile she bikes, swims or runs is any less important than a step toward gold in Athens. FULL STORY

The students from H.B. Thompson Middle School in Syosset worked very hard to raise over $6,000 to sponsor a puppy from the Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. in Smithtown. One of Thompson's teachers, Cynthia Last, who currently is a puppy walker for Carr, a yellow labrador retriever from the Foundation, wanted her students to be really involved in helping people with special needs. FULL STORY

On August 1 and August 8, Josh Cohen, a resident of Jericho, will host the seventh Annual Long Island 3-on-3 Neighborhood Basketball Classic at the Merry Lane basketball courts in Jericho. FULL STORY

Jericho 9-10-year-olds finished in fifth place out of nine teams in their district in their first year in the most prestigious and competitive tournament in the World Series. Tyler Russell, following in the footsteps of Ricky Henderson, was potentially the best lead-off hitter in the Little League World Series batting .750 with an on base percentage of .889, and eight stolen bases. Nick Santoro faced a tough Bethpage team and had eight strikeouts in five innings. Glen Hyams made five putouts at second base and Matt Damon was 2 for 3 at the plate hitting solid shots to left field, while Dustin Sheinberg patrolled the outfield. FULL STORY