Groundbreaking Held For New Cassel Housing Complex

Cathedral Place Apartments on Prospect Avenue to house 36 units

Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) and partner Conifer Realty, LLC joined with the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council on Oct. 12 to host a groundbreaking ceremony for Cathedral Place Apartments – which was awarded state resources through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Council initiative to build 36 units of rental housing in New Cassel.

“We are proud to be a part of the revitalization of New Cassel through the development of much-needed workforce rental housing,” said Marianne Garvin, president and CEO of CDCLI. “This has been a true collaborative effort between federal, state and local government, private partners and the community.”

From Drilling Shots To Drilling Teeth

Former Post Avenue dentist, basketball star played in 1959 NCAA Final Four

If you have an appointment at Dental Arts of Garden City and are fortunate enough to draw Dr. Donald Goldstein, who started his dental career on Post Avenue in Westbury, the first thing you notice about the genial dental practitioner is his lanky, 6’ 5” frame and large hands. If you were to guess that he knew his way around a basketball court, you’d be right. But what might surprise you was his involvement in the 1959 NCAA Final Four, a tournament that found him playing against college superstars and future NBA Hall of Famers, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. Far from being a mere bench player, the All-American helped lead Louisville to its first Final Four appearance, averaging 21.4 points and 10 rebounds during the 1959 tournament. In the process, Louisville also dethroned the legendary Adolph Rupp and his University of Kentucky squad, the reigning barons of the state and a college basketball force in its own right.

Sparks Fly In The Debate Arena

Town hall format and Obama’s performance finds president rebounding in the polls

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Hofstra University was the site for the second of three debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Hofstra had also hosted a debate between then-Democratic nominee Obama and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain back in 2008, making the school just the second university to host consecutive presidential debates. (St. Louis’ Washington University was the other.)

With Romney scoring what many considered an upset victory over Obama’s decidedly lackluster performance in the first debate, this follow-up was going to be a “deal maker or breaker in this campaign,” according to political pundit Chris Matthews, who spoke at Hofstra the prior week. Shortly after moderator Candy Crowley took the stage at 9 p.m., it was clear both candidates were prepared to come out swinging, making for a lively hour and a half that found roughly 65 million viewers tuning in to the town hall-style debate, according to the Nielsen Ratings.

CP Grad Commanding USAF Training Base

Deborah Marquart Liddick, class of 1984, takes reins at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland

In the wake of ongoing sexual assault allegations and charges against several Air Force basic military training (BMT) instructors, as cited in the Air Force Print News Today last month, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Commander Gen. Edward Rice, Jr. recently entrusted the future of Texas’ Joint Base San Antonio-Lockland to 1984 Carle Place High School grad Col. Deborah Marquart Liddick.

As the new senior leader for roughly 6,000 students, Liddick, a 23-year veteran, is now the BMT commander for the Air Force’s largest training group, according to the Air Force Print News Today.

Westbury’s Magnet Academy Is Attracting Success

Physics-based, hands-on approach paying dividends on test scores

Through an innovative partnership with the Cradle of Aviation Museum, located at 1 Davis Ave. in Garden City, the Westbury Union Free School district is running a successful magnet academy. 

The program, administered by Brumsic Brandon of the Westbury Union Free School District, utilizes the Cradle of Aviation museum as a resource to maximize student success in science, math, aeronautics and physics. Since its inception in the 2008-09 academic school year, the Westbury Cradle of Aviation Magnet Academy Program is all about teaching a rigorous accelerated science curriculum that includes a physics-first model for science, math, robotics and aeronautics. 

TNH Planting Seeds For Greener Lifestyle

New Community Center showcases sustainable energy resources

“Going green” is a commonly overheard phrase in this economy, but the Town of North Hempstead and its newly opened “Yes We Can” Community Center in New Cassel can claim it has already gone green – and won’t be looking back anytime soon.

On Oct. 4, members of the Long Island Green Homes Consortium were treated to a tour of the platinum LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design standards set through the U.S. Green Building Council) building, which celebrated its grand opening in September and features myriad state-of-the-art features that will likely be utilized in local buildings and homes in the near future.

Superintendents Join To Restore Youth Service Programs

Long Island school district leaders call on Nassau County to restore $8 million in funding

Local school district superintendents on Tuesday, Oct. 2 called on Nassau County to restore youth and family programs that were cut or eliminated from the county budget on July 5. Representatives from Elmont, Great Neck, Long Beach, Massapequa, Mineola, Uniondale and Westbury protested the decision to slash nearly $8 million in program funding that went to counseling, tutoring, crisis intervention, after school programs, among other areas.

These programs were the victim of the ongoing tug-of-war between party lines in the county concerning borrowing and redistricting. Organizations across Nassau County, like the McCoy Center In Westbury, Gateway Youth Outreach in Elmont and Mineola Youth and Family Services in Mineola were blindsided when the cut came down three months ago.

Westbury Residents Flock To Annual Street Fair

Business Improvement District responsible for another successful event

Despite the threat of inclement weather, The Westbury Business Improvement District hosted another successful Post Avenue Street Fair on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Post Avenue’s proud businesses were joined by a bevy of street vendors, local government officials and religious and community organizations to promote the community and a healthy local economy. Each year the fair attracts locals and out-of-towners alike with an eclectic mix of merchandise, delicious food, fun and games.

‘Arts Alive LI’ Fostering Arts, Creativity All October

Island-wide, multi-venue festival showcasing finest in culture, artistry

For the month of October, Long Islanders won’t have to travel into Manhattan to get an art and culture fix.

On Sept. 27, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, located at 1 Davis Ave. in Garden City, hosted representatives from the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), Bethpage Federal Credit Union, the Long Island Community Foundation and local elected officials as they announced the month-long festivities promoting Long Island’s finest artists and their works.

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Dies

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt died suddenly on the morning of Oct. 3. According to Ed Ward, spokesperson from the legislator’s office, Schmitt, 62, collapsed while in a budget meeting with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building and was rushed to Winthrop Hospital. He died at 11:55 a.m.

“Nassau County has lost a dedicated public servant,” said Mangano in a statement. “My wife Linda and I lost a friend of over 20 years. Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt served the residents of Nassau County with great integrity and pride. I had the privilege of serving closely with Peter in the legislature since its creation in 1996, where he distinguished himself as an outspoken advocate for the residents of the 12th Legislative District.”