More than 400 people came out to take part in the North Bellmore Fire Department's annual Fire Prevention Open House on Oct. 4 at the North Bellmore Department's Station No. 2 on Newbridge Road. The open house was held in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, which focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires. The four-hour event featured family fun as a part of the learning process, enhancing awareness of what the volunteer firefighters and EMS workers do, as well as providing safety education to residents. Highlights included fire truck rides, fire-extinguisher simulations, vehicle-extrication demonstrations, high-angle rope rescues and emergency home exit drills. Also offered were free raffles prizes for fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, as well as refreshments. more

As they have at recent Central District Board of Education sessions, roughly a half-dozen parents and members of a recently formed, ad hoc community group, Time for Turf, spoke again at the Oct. 7 board meeting, reiterating their desire to see artificial-turf football fields at Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham high schools. And, they said, they're not going away. In two recent meetings at which Time for Turf members spoke, they were unchallenged in their calls for synthetic-turf fields, with Central District officials primarily listening to their concerns and, most recently, forming a district committee to examine ways to improve all of Central's 31 athletic fields at its three high schools and two middle schools. This time, the calls for artificial turf were met by vocal opposition from Fred Kleiman, a local resident. Repeatedly noting the per-field cost for synthetic turf of more than $1 million, Kleiman said it would be "fiscally irresponsible" of the Central District to consider such a proposal, given that it would likely mean a property-tax increase amid a deep recession. more

A proven track record, a sensitivity to individual constituents’ concerns and an aggressive approach to tough issues are three of the key traits of a model elected representative. During his 10 … more

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Bellmore Family Street Festival, sponsored by the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce, has been postponed, and has been rescheduled for the weekend of Oct. 24-25. more

Your chance to get a taste of southwest Nassau County is coming up as the Peninsula Counseling Center plans its annual fundraiser. There will be 45 restaurants, bakeries, caterers and wineries participating in A Tasteful Evening at the Woodmere Country Club on Oct. 19. more

Q. We want to add a floor to our one-story home, and also want a den addition. Will our taxes go up a lot? We know they’ll increase, but we’re concerned they’ll be too high for us to do the addition. more

Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes, a Republican from Levittown, is seeking re-election to a third four-year term. He is being challenged by Democrat Matthew Hynes, who is also from Levittown.The … more

George Maragos, CEO of a financial services business, is challenging two-term incumbent Howard Weitzman in the race for Nassau County comptroller. Maragos said that the county’s finances have been poorly managed for the past eight years, and he believes his experience can bring needed change. more

From breaking news updates on 1010 WINS, to traffic reports on Z100, to sports recaps on WCBS 880, to political debates on national television, the alumni of Hofstra University’s radio station can be heard across the metropolitan area and around the country. more

Although the Herald Community Newspapers have had an online presence since 1999, an expanded, more comprehensive Web site has recently been launched to help readers keep in closer touch with their communities. The new LIHerald.com has more news, sports, local business and arts coverage and event listings than ever before. more