Congressional Delegation Lobbies FAA To Stay Grounded On Long Island

Bipartisan bloc working to keep air traffic control facilities in Garden City and Ronkonkoma

Driving past 1515 Stewart Avenue, there’s a non descript fenced-in compound with a tower, that upon first glance resembles a cable television outpost. But inside, directions are being provided to a steady stream of incoming and outgoing aircraft from four of the largest airports in the tri-state area.

These crucial directives could be transmitted from further afield if the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) goes through with plans to relocate air traffic control facilities in Garden City and Ronkonkoma to a new site in upstate New York. At a recent press conference held at the front of the aforementioned Stewart Avenue address, a bipartisan Long Island congressional delegation laid out its plan to keep the facilities in their current locations.

NBA Star Hosts Basketball Camp At Local High School

San Antonio Spurs’ guard Danny Green teaches basketball basics

The aspiring young basketball players of Floral Park recently got the opportunity to learn from one of the best when professional basketball player, Danny Green hosted the Team Green Basketball Academy at Floral Park Memorial High School from July 9-12.

The camp was open to children of all skill levels, ranging from ages 5-18. The camp fee was $250, which included T-shirts, lunch, drawstring backpacks, contest prizes, as well as the valuable skills taught in the class.

East Meadow Fire Department Wins ‘BBQ Grilling Throwdown’

Rockville Centre, Bethpage come in second and third place respectively

Firefighters were battling the flames on Friday, June 29, but of a different kind. The smoke billowing from the Nassau County Firefighters Museum emanated the aromas of grilled delight.

East Meadow, Bethpage and Rockville Centre fire departments battled in the 4th Annual “BBQ Grilling Throwdown” sponsored by Fairway Markets in Uniondale last week. The key message of the contest: holiday barbecue safety.

Pro Teams Come Through For 3-on-3 Tournament

Mets, Yankees, Knicks, among others donate prizes to tourney

Professional athletes and teams from New York came through in a very big way for the Senator Jack Martins 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament donating incredible prizes for event winners in the ninth annual tournament. Game tickets, jerseys, hats, collectibles and autographed basketballs will be given out to tournament players and winners. The tournament will be played on July 14 at the Dutch Broadway School in Elmont. The raindate is July 15. Tip off is at 10 a.m. with check-in at 9 a.m.

“Without question these are some of the best prizes the 3-on-3 has ever offered,” said Marvin Lee, tournament vice-chairman. “The response from the Knicks, Nets, Mets and Yankees has been truly extraordinary. The prizes will surely please everyone.”

Student-Athlete Awarded National Scholarship

Recent graduating senior earns $7,500 college scholarship

It’s often said “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” With a schedule that includes a selection of advanced placement classes, three different varsity sports and three separate clubs, this is especially true for Floral Park Memorial High School graduating senior Jahan Mirchandani.

In applying for the scholarship, Mirchandani submitted a video to the ‘Got Milk?’ website, explaining how adding milk to his breakfast routine has helped in all aspects of life because it gives him the energy he needs to get through his long days. It’s also one of the reasons he was recently awarded a 2012 School Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year award.

Legislators Fight To Avoid Costly Use Of New Voting Machines

Schimel, Martins spearheaded push to allow villages, school districts and special districts to continue to use lever voting machines

Reaching across the aisle, working together to save their constituents the considerable expense of a costly state mandate, New York State Senator Jack Martins and New York State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel fought for legislation that they say “ensures the democratic process will go on in local communities without a costly mandate that would ultimately have to be borne by taxpayers.” The Republican state senator and the Democratic assemblywoman combined forces to pass legislation that allows villages, school districts and special districts to continue using lever voting machines as they have in the past for an additional two years. Without this legislation, local governments and school districts would be forced to purchase or rent electronic voting machines at an exorbitant cost or use paper ballots in conducting their local elections.

Elmont School District Averts Budget Crisis

Budget vote garners 60 percent passage second time around at polls

Elmont School District parents, teachers and administrators can rest easy now that the 2012-13 school district budget got the go-ahead the second time around at the polls. The spending plan grabbed the 60 percent voter approval it needed to live to fight another day.

Voters approved the $77.59 million for the elementary school-only district on Tuesday, June 19, ending weeks of tug and pull in the only Long Island district that sought for a second time to override the tax cap. More than 62 percent approved the measure, with 2,249 favoring it and 1,352 opposed, according to district official.

3-on-3 Classic Coming July 14

New York Knicks, Long Island Rough Riders, among others to attend

The Martins Classic 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Committee had another packed meeting this past weekend in preparation for the annual community day on July 14 at Dutch Broadway School. Tournament organizers hosted more than 320 volunteers and community members at the Dutch Broadway School cafeteria. Last year, 4,500 community residents came through the tournament, which featured basketball, soccer, football and specialty events for all ages. Tip off takes place at 10 a.m.

Tournament Chairman Scott Cushing led the session that assigned volunteers to their respective areas and briefed the audience on the tournament’s progress.

Union Rags Turns To Riches At 144th Belmont Stakes

With I’ll Have Another scratched, another notch set into Affirmed’s belt as last Triple Crown winner

What’s in a name? Or perhaps two names? For jockey John Velazquez, it’s two big wins at the Belmont Stakes in the last five years with the West Hempstead resident atop Union Rags in 2012, edging out Paynter by a neck on Saturday, June 9. Atigun came in to show.

The 126 pound jockey said it was an unbelievable race, even though the win didn’t come with spoiling history. I’ll Have Another was scratched one day before a chance to push Affirmed aside in the history books as the last to win all three jewels of the Triple Crown. The horse became the second since 1936 to win the first two legs, only to be unable to compete in the “Test of Champions.”

Rags’ Journey Comes Full Circle

Velazquez knew there was something to this colt long ago

It appeared as if the misfortune of Union Rags would carry through to the Belmont Stakes. The promising colt had been so impressive as a 2-year-old that throughout the winter he was considered the favorite for the Kentucky Derby as well as a realistic threat to capture horse racing’s elusive Triple Crown.

After a disastrous trip in the Kentucky Derby, Union’s Rags connections decided to bypass the Preakness in order to have a fresh horse for the Belmont. Yet, although new rider, John Velazquez, had given Union Rags a perfect ground-saving journey, the horse was behind horses as the Belmont field turned for home.