Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

Local critics fear negative impact on North Shore communities

It has taken five years, 23 stop-gap measures and a two week suspension of funding of the Federal Aviation Administration last summer for congress to finally pass the FAA Re-Authorization Bill. In the end the bill enjoyed bi-partisan support and passed in the Senate 75 to 20 on Feb. 6. It had passed the House the week before. It will now go to President Obama for signature.

Local groups such as Residents for Quiet Skies Over North Hempstead had tried valiantly to stop this legislation in its present form because of what they believe will be a profound adverse effect on the quality of life in North Hempstead. There are other groups that have opposed the new legislation including the American Civil Liberties Union due to privacy issues and environmentalists because of exemptions to the Clean Air Act.

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

Beverly and Jack Hammer describe their love story and the secret to a happy marriage

On Valentine’s Day, the Town of North Hempstead carried out a special wedding vow renewal ceremony for 80 couples who have been married for 50 years or longer. Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Town Clerk Leslie Gross presided over the ceremony that took place at Harbor Links. Prior to the Valentine’s Day ceremony, Port News met with one couple, Beverly and Jack Hammer, at the town clerk’s office.

“Fate is Fate,” Beverly said when the couple described how they first met. Jack, who was born in the Bronx and lived in New York, explained that his nephew had allergies, so his sister would take him to New Hampshire during the summer where the child experienced some relief. He decided to take his mother to New Hampshire for a few days so she could visit her daughter and grandson. “My sister said, ‘Don’t come – there are no girls here.’ And I said, ‘I’m not coming for the girls,’” Jack recounted.

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

The Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awardees have been announced and it seems to be no surprise that both of them are match racers, with all the new interest in match racing taking hold of racers across the United States. But what might be surprising is that both these terrific racers have ties to our community. Bill Hardesty has been to Manhasset Bay Yacht Club during the Knickerbocker Cup in past years and Anna Tunnicliffe has raced in two Knickerbocker Cup regattas. And all those tons of volunteers that make the Knickerbocker Cup a reality would agree that these two individuals are most deserving of their award – not only for their skills on the water but also for being great, down-to-earth people. Both give back to the sport of sailing, both are fair and honest sailors, and best of all, they are a lot of fun to be around.

Etchells World Champion Bill Hardesty (San Diego, CA) and Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.) were named US Sailing’s 2011 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year a few weeks ago. A shortlist of eight male and seven female sailors – determined from nominations submitted by members of US Sailing – was evaluated by a panel of sailing journalists who selected these two sailors for the noteworthy distinction. The winners will be honored on Feb. 22 during a luncheon at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, when they will be presented with specially-engraved Rolex timepieces.

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

Baseball, developmental lacrosse, softball, tennis and roller hockey will all be offered

With the cold air moving out and no sign of snow in the forecast that can only mean one thing – Port Washington Youth Activities’ spring sports season is about to begin. PYA has announced that the final registration date for its spring sports is March 17 so sign up quickly to be part of the action.

This spring PYA once again offers a full slate of sports for all boys and girls that includes baseball, softball, tennis, developmental lacrosse and roller hockey. PYA baseball, softball and lacrosse fields located at the end of Glen Lane in Port Washington are some of the best playing fields on Long Island. PYA’s baseball and softball programs are sanctioned by Little League, which also has approved PYA’s safety plan for its facilities.

Please read below for more details on the various programs PYA offers.