Over 200 people attended this year’s fundraiser to honor the life of Mark Dejak, who passed aware tragically in March 2010. Five years later, the Dejak family continues to honor Mark’s memory the best way they know how and the way Mark would have wanted them to: with a party. Exceeding last year’s numbers, the 2014 Mark Dejak Memorial Picnic raised over $16,000 through donations and the sale of raffle tickets. This year’s raffle included over 70 donated items such as restaurant gift certificates, Major League Baseball tickets, a 55-inch flat screen TV, an iPad, various vacation and cruise gift certificates and fun themed gift baskets. more

Christopher Pilato had the biggest heart in the world, his brother Toby said. When he was your friend, he was your friend for life, said Oceanside resident Louis Mirando. But both family and friends were anguished by Pilato’s death on August 31. He was 25 years old. more

Q. My home is on a hillside, and I have no problems with drainage, but I’m seeing cracks along the outside of the concrete on all four sides. Is this possibly caused by the house moving down the hill? more

The MACHO Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on spreading the message “my actions can help others” to inspire good deeds, will hold its first annual gala fundraiser from 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Coral House in Baldwin. more

Nassau County plans to offer free wireless Internet access and work cubicles in a 20,000-square-foot office in Bethpage’s industrial park if there is a Long Island Rail Road strike on July 20. more

Despite allowing 268 rushing yards and going 1-for-9 on third-down conversions, Long Island continued its recent dominance of New York City by capturing the 19th annual UnitedHealthcare Empire Challenge football all-star game, 24-18, before a record-crowd of 9,762 at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium on June 25. more

The ninth annual Robbie’s Run will take place on Sunday, April 27, at Levy-Lakeside Elementary School and on the nearby streets of south Merrick. The event, which includes a 5K run, a one-mile mini-run and a half-mile children’s fun run, is held in memory of 9-year-old Robbie Levine, a Merokean who died of sudden cardiac arrest while running the bases during a Little League baseball practice in 2005. more

Challenge your senses during an evening hike through the trails at Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center. more

Marijuana legalization is all the rage these days, much to my chagrin. I oppose it. Always have. Always will. more

In an era when too many politicians seem to be focused primarily on staying in office, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy has announced that she will be stepping down, and State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. has already done so. more