Hempstead Town to Join State Department in Passport Day in the USA

Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla have announced that Hempstead Town will join the State Department in celebrating “Passport Day in the USA,” providing convenient passport application services to U.S. citizens and sharing important information about travel requirements. This special passport event will be held at Hempstead Town Hall on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

“We want to make sure that everyone interested in traveling outside of the country will have the necessary documents to leave and re-enter the U.S.,” Supervisor Murray said. “Passport Day at Hempstead Town Hall will make it even easier for residents who might not be able to come to Town Hall during the work week to apply for a passport.”

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. American citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

“As it normally takes between four and six weeks for a passport application to be processed, we recommend that residents plan well in advance of their departure date to avoid a delay as the summer travel season begins,” said Town Clerk Bonilla.

In addition to hosting the Passport Day, Hempstead Town has taken numerous steps to make the process of obtaining a passport easy and convenient. The Town Clerk’s One-Stop Passport Shop provides applications and passport photo services to town residents without an appointment, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. To make it easier for groups of travelers to obtain necessary travel documents, the Town Clerk’s Office offers a “Speedy Pass” mobile passport service that brings a mobile passport facility to organizations, teams and clubs who plan to travel abroad.

For information on how to apply for a passport book and/or a passport card, visit the town’s web site at www.TOH.LI or call the town’s One-Stop Passport Shop at (516) 812-3100 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

“Whether you are driving to Canada, cruising to Mexico, or flying to France, you’ll need a passport for any travel adventures outside of the U.S.,” Bonilla concluded. “Be ahead of the crowd and visit the Hempstead Town Clerk’s office to get your passport in time.”

Nassau County Police Explorers

Seven NCPD Explorers were accepted into the 2011 National Law Enforcement Exploring Leadership Academies, including the F.B.I., US Marshals Service, US Army Military Police, and US Secret Service. Only 30 Explorers from across the US attend each Academy. This is a remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations to all and thank you to the Post Advisors who prepared these young men and women for the challenges ahead.

Cradle of Aviation Celebrates

100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation

Saturday & Sunday, April 16th & 17th

Festivities will include:
• Naval Aviation Model Show
• Naval Aviation on LI Lecture
• 1941 Film "Dive Bomber"
• Sit in Historic Naval Aircraft
• Northrop Grumman Centennial Exhibit
• See our New Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Exhibit
• Naval Aviator Re-Enactors
• Fly with the Blue Angels in the X-Ride Theater
• Naval Aviation Art Show

Buckle Up New York, Click It or Ticket

Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey and County Executive Edward P. Mangano announce that the Nassau County Police Department will participate in the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s grant for occupant restraint enforcement. The “Buckle Up New York, Click it or Ticket” will take place from March 22, 2011 through March 30, 2011.

This initiative will consist of high visibility enforcement, targeting occupant restraint non-compliance. A zero tolerance policy for such violations will apply. The goal of the program is to increase safety belt and child seat usage in an effort to reduce serious injuries and fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents.

Sue Picciano

Girl Scouting We Teach Girls to Serve God and Their Country

In Girl Scouting we teach girls to serve God and their country. It’s built right in the Girl Scout Promise and we’ve really been seeing that message in very personal ways the past few weeks.


As our Girl Scouts are currently out and about in the community participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, they often offer our customers the option of contributing cookies to our military personnel overseas through Operation Cookie. Working with our partners at DHL Global, DHL delivers Girl Scout cookies to the Middle East and the military hospitals in Germany. In the past five years, DHL has sent over 600,000 boxes to our service men and women.

A few weekends ago Troop 3674, with Girl Scout Leader Terry Soto, was having a booth sale and a young man came by and gave them $20 as a donation. While the troop had been doing brisk business and getting quite a few donations for Operation Cookie, this was their largest one that day. Terry thanked him and asked why he was making such a generous gift. The young man replied that he had recently returned from the Middle East and that receiving those Girl Scout cookies had meant a lot to him and his buddies.

Not only was it a “taste of home,” it was a reminder that people at home remembered where they were and what they were doing. Terry said the girls in her troop learned a great deal about life that day, far beyond what she would have expected at a cookie booth sale.

Earlier this month, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County was asked by one of our own volunteers if we could be present at the funeral of Arnold Bocksel, a decorated veteran of World War II and a former Japanese Prisoner of War. It was an out of the ordinary request since we did not personally know Mr. Bocksel, but the caller was very intent, so I told her I’d try to find someone in the community to go. The stars aligned and Sharon Haley, chair of Association Volunteers for the Jericho-Syosset Association of Girl Scouts, said that she could attend.

Sharon tells it best in her own words: “Thanks for sending me to pay respects to Mr. Bocksel and his family. Various government offices sent people to express their sympathies to the family and pay their respects. I'm glad I could do the same for Girl Scouts. On a personal note, I didn't need the tissues I brought until they sang 'My Country 'Tis of Thee' at the end of the funeral service. I was overwhelmed by Mr. Bocksel's commitment to God, country and family."

Our girls learn by doing, as do our volunteers. Listening to our veterans we can all learn a great deal. I encourage our readers to reach out to those who are currently serving our country, as well as those who have served before. Ask a veteran to tell you about his/her experiences and what it mean to serve. And, don’t forget to say “thank you” to the veterans and their families. Tell them the Girl Scouts reminded you to.

About Arnold Bocksel

Mr. Bocksel was born in New York, NY and volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Mine Planter Service, Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bay, Philippines as chief engineer, stationed on Corregidor Island, at the entrance of Manila Bay. After Bataan fell to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, and before Corregidor Island fell, fuel stores became too low to continue mine planting operations. Mr. Bocksel recommended to his commanding officer that they might be able to recover fuel from sunken American and Filipino ships. Mr. Bocksel and three others successfully recovered enough fuel to re-supply American ships in the area.

Mr. Bocksel was captured by the Japanese and spent three-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. During that time, according to his son, Mr. Bocksel and a captured priest made communion wafers from their meager, saved, rice rations to celebrate the sacrament of communion with fellow prisoners. Mr. Bocksel's daughter noted in the eulogy that her father lived for each day for three-and-a-half years not knowing if he would survive another day. But, the Lord rewarded him with a long life of 97 years. Mr. Bocksel continued to serve his community and his country by sharing his wartime experiences with others.
Donna Ceravolo, CEO Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Envision Valley Stream

The next general meeting of Envision Valley Stream will be on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:30PM in the Field House at Firemen's Field. We will be reviewing our Community Asset Map, working on a proposal for the dog parks, and discussing our progress with the welcome packet. Your attendance and input at our meetings is invaluable and very much appreciated. Thank you for the continued support.

Sincerely,
David Sabatino
Founder
Envision Valley Stream
Phone: 516-792-1246

Web Site: www.EnvisionValleyStream.org
Facebook Page: Envision Valley Stream

Weekend Events

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2011
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
10:30 am & 7:30 pm

Classic Albums Live: The Eagles' Hotel California
Tilles Center for The Performing Arts
Brookville, NY
8:00 pm
SATURDAY MARCH 19, 2011

Valley Stream North High School
The Spartan 5k Run/Walk
Franklin Square, NY
9:00 am - 10:00 am

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
10:30 am, 3:00 pm, 7:30 pm

15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade
Start: North Long Beach Rd. & Sunrise Hwy. at parking field 12, Maple Ave, Quality Place end at parking lot on Washington Street
12:00 pm

Spring DOO Wop Extravaganza
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
Westbury, NY
8:00 pm

SUNDAY MARCH 2O, 2011
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
10:30 am, 3:00 pm, 7:30 pm

23rd Annual Glen Cove St. Patrick's Day Parade
Start: Finley Middle School, Brewster St., School St., Glen St., Parade end at St. Patrick's Church
Glen Cove, NY
1:00 pm

Application Process Begins For County Summer Recreation Program

Affordable Camp Provides Summer Fun for Children

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that the County’s Summer Recreation Program is on its way to success with scores of children already signed up to attend. Whether they’re in Cantiague Park, Eisenhower Park, Nickerson Beach Park or Wantagh Park, children attending Nassau County’s Summer Recreation Program can count on real summer fun.

“These beautiful parks provide perfect settings for youngsters to enjoy a range of activities, from recreational sports to arts and crafts,” said Mangano. “This low-cost summer recreation program represents just one of the many steps my administration is taking to enhance the quality of life for children in Nassau.”

Details on Nassau County’s Summer Recreation Program:
Open weekdays, for children aged 5-12, from July 5th to August 11th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at four locations: Cantiague Park in Hicksville; Eisenhower Park in East Meadow; Nickerson Beach Park in Lido Beach; and Wantagh Park in Wantagh.

Activities include: swimming (three parks), arts and crafts, board games, scavenger hunts, disk golf, horseshoes, potato-sack races, and sports such as baseball, basketball, flag football, soccer, tennis and volleyball.

Registration deadline: June 11, 2011. On-site registration is available at the Eisenhower Park Administration Building (located just south of the Hempstead Turnpike entrance to the park) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. weekdays.
Fees: $750 per child from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., $600 per child from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additional sibling option (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. only): $570 for the second child and $540 for the third child in same family.

More information, contact: (516) 572-0245 or avisconti@nassaucountyny.gov.

For more information about the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, call (516) 572-0200 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.

In Memory of Our Fallen Hero

Police Officer Geoffrey J. Breitkopf


It is with a profound sense of sorrow that Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey announces the death of Police Officer Geoffrey J. Breitkopf who died in the line of duty on March 12, 2011.

The funeral for PO Breitkopf will be coordinated by the Police Academy Ceremonial Unit under the Office of Chief of Support.

All requests pertaining to the funeral should be directed to the Office of Chief of Support at 573-7500.

Don't Forget to Change Your Batteries

Sunday March 13, 2011 @ 2AM - Daylight Savings Time Begins


Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Peanut Butter Recall

Some 16.3-ounce plastic jars of Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter Spread, which may be contaminated with salmonella have been recalled.


The organism can cause fever and abdominal problems in healthy people and serious and even fatal infections in the young, old and frail.

The jars were sent to stores in in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The affected jars have UPC numbers 048001006812 and 048001006782 and have "best if used by" dates of MAY1612LR1, MAY1712LR1, MAY1812LR1, MAY1912LR1, MAY2012LR1, and MAY2112LR1. Details: by phone at 800-453-3432.

Town of Hempstead Offers Child Car Seat Safety Inspections

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced the 2011 spring schedule for Hempstead Town's Child Car Seat Safety Inspection Program. Hempstead Town's certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will inspect and properly install child car safety seats and instruct guardians on their proper installation.

"According to safety experts, a properly installed safety seat is the most effective way to prevent injuries to a child in a vehicle crash," stated Supervisor Murray. "In 2010 our technicians performed over 500 child car seat inspections and we hope that many more families with infants and young children will avail themselves of this free program this year."

Town technicians have received rigorous training and are certified by Safe Kids Worldwide, a coalition of 450 health and safety experts, educators, foundations, governments and volunteers. During the months of March, April and May the Child Car Seat Inspection Team will be available to perform car seat safety inspections on most Wednesdays and specified Saturdays at either Veterans Memorial Park or Speno Park in East Meadow. From June through September, the inspection team will visit communities throughout the town twice weekly.

All inspections take place by appointment only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guardians are asked to provide information about the child's age, weight, height and current car seat. Inspectors can provide recommendations for appropriate car seats, as well as information about recalls and possible defects. The service is provided free of charge.

"The safety of our children is our most important responsibility. Through this program, we can ensure that Hempstead Town's youngest residents are safer when they are on the road," concluded Supervisor Murray.

The Child Car Seat Safety Inspection Program schedule is available online. To schedule an appointment, please visit www.toh.li/content/cs/childsafe.html or call the Town of Hempstead Department of Public Safety at (516) 538-1900, extension 217.

T Mobile Antennas on Best Yet Supermarket

Just a reminder for anyone who can attend that this Wednesday there is an appeal before the board at Town Meeting Pavilion, 1 Washington St, Hempstead

11 AM, March 2, 2011

The Tabernacle of Victory Pentecostal Church wants to put a storefront church at 915 Hempstead Tpke. (off James Street
They do not have a parking lot and want to waive the off street parking rules (case 326/10)

They also are seeking an exception to convert retail space to religious use in an existing building (case 325/10)

It is my understanding that when a commercial building is used for religious use, their taxes are lowered.

Also, it's hard enough now to park to run into the stores on Hempstead Tpke, and the number of cars the church attracts will make it that much more difficult for local businesses to stay in business.
This church was turned down once before on May 5, 2010 and they are appealing.

********************Second Hearing Same Day

T Mobile is at it again. There is a hearing on March 2nd because T Mobile is now trying to get their antennas on Best Yet Supermarket.
If you can get to town hall, please sign against both in order to keep our neighborhood the suburban community it is.
If you are working and can't get there, please forward the information on to others who may be able to attend.