Long Island briefs

NORTH HEMPSTEAD

Clark Garden offers growers plant beds

North Hempstead residents have an opportunity to grow produce on their own plot of land at Clark Botanic Gardens in Albertson this summer.

The 4-by-15-foot individual plant beds will be offered for $100 and be available from May 22 through Oct. 2.

"North Hempstead is committed to bringing our community together through fun and exciting new experiences," Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth said in a news release.

This is the first year the program is being offered.

Residents who tend to a plant bed also will have access to instructors who share eco-friendly gardening techniques, and a trained horticulturist. All of the produce harvested can be consumed for personal use, or it can be donated to a local food kitchen.

Clark Botanic Gardens is located at 193 I.U. Willets Rd.

For more information on this program call 311 within the Town of North Hempstead or 516-869-6311 outside the area, or go to northhempsteadny.gov.

HUNTINGTON

Special prices at 2 town golf courses

The Town of Huntington has launched a pilot program offering pricing specials at the Crab Meadow and Dix Hills golf courses to increase revenue and the number of rounds of golf played during low-demand times, town officials said.

Integrity Golf Co. of Winter Garden, Florida, was awarded a five-year contract last year to oversee Crab Meadow Golf Course and operate and manage the Dix Hills course. The company recently approached town officials about offering pricing specials at times when the courses are underused, town spokesman A.J. Carter said.

"The town thought it seemed like a good idea and voted to approve going ahead with it," Carter said. The program will run from May to October and allow golf card holders to bring as many as three guest golfers, including nonresidents, to play for the resident greens fee. The courses also will offer bundled rate pricing during low demand times -- to be determined by Integrity. For more information, call the town parks and recreation department, 631-351-3089.

Boat safety class at Town Hall Saturday

It's not too late to sign up for a free New York State Boaters Safety Course hosted by the Town of Huntington.

The one-day, eight-hour course will be held Saturday at Town Hall, 100 Main St.

Those attending will learn about the fundamentals of safe boating, including loading and operation, navigation rules, getting underway, and accidents and emergencies.

To register, or for additional information, call 631-351-3256.

"Recreational boating continues to be one of the most popular leisure activities among families and boating enthusiasts on Long Island," said Town Board member Mark Cuthbertson, who is sponsoring the event with board member Susan Berland and the town harbormaster's office. "It can also be one of the most dangerous family activities."

The Huntington Town Board, in partnership with the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs, has designated next week as Safe Boating Week in the town. The Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs' Third Annual Nautical Market and Fair kicks off at 10 a.m. Sunday at Mill Dam Park in Halesite.

BRENTWOOD

Creative toy unveiled at program for kids

Hundreds of children in Islip can enjoy a plaything with an unusual name but plenty of creative and educational value, town officials announced.

A new Rigamajig -- described by the manufacturer as a "a large-scale building kit conceived for hands-on free play and learning" -- was unveiled last week at the Brentwood Recreation Center, which has 52 children enrolled in its Learning Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP). Those children, along with more than 500 who participate in the townwide Youth Enrichment Services programs, will be able to use the Rigamajig, officials said.

KaBOOM!, a nonprofit that helps communities build playgrounds for children, helped Flotteron and Youth Enrichment Services, a Central Islip-based nonprofit partially funded by the town, to connect with Verint Systems Inc., officials said.

Melville-based Verint wanted to make a contribution to a central Long Island community with high needs, Youth Enrichment Services Executive Director Mary Ann Pfeiffer said. Verint purchased the Rigamajig for about $5,000, town officials said, and donated it to the Brentwood center.

The Rigamajig, first conceived and designed as a custom play item for New York City's High Line Park, is used at schools, playgrounds, children's museums, and backyards, according to the company's website.

HEMPSTEAD TOWN

Library hosting free senior ID program

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad take the town's free Senior I.D. Card Program to the Hempstead Public Library Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is hosted by state Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City).

"The Town of Hempstead Senior I.D. Card Program is a quick, convenient and FREE step that seniors can take to prepare in the event of an emergency," Murray said in a news release.

The wallet-sized cards include contact information, medications, allergies and other related details that could help emergency personnel during a medical situation.

Representatives of Ahmad's office will provide instruction, answer questions and assist in completing the forms. Participants receive a laminated wallet-sized I.D. card and a larger document that can be displayed on a refrigerator door. No personal records are kept by the town after an I.D. card has been created.

For a listing of other dates and locations for the identification card program, contact the clerk's office at 516-812-3032 or go to toh.li/town-clerks-office.

The Hempstead Public Library is at 115 Nichols Ct. in Hempstead Village.

ISLANDWIDE

Senior pageant winner crowned at Hofstra

The winner of the Ms. New York Senior America Pageant was crowned May 3 at Hofstra University.

C.J. Marie of North Bellmore won the title over seven other women who participated in the annual event.

Marie, 63, was raised in Astoria, Queens, and attended Long Island City High School, Queensboro Community College and Queens College. She worked as an educator in the South Bronx for 35 years, pageant organizers said in a news release.

Marie is the author of 14 books and has been issued five United States patents, according to organizers. She is an entrepreneur and has won awards for her writing in newspapers, magazines and anthology books.

The other winners are first runner-up Mary Lou Zobel of Medford; second runner-up Mary Malloy of East Rockaway; third runner-up Kathleen Castano of Huntington; and fourth runner-up Janet Mandel of New York City. Malloy also won the Ms. Congeniality award.

NORTH HEMPSTEAD

May 28 seminar for retirement planning

North Hempstead's Business & Tourism Development Corp. will host a retirement planning seminar May 28.

The seminar -- "The Myths & Truths of Employer Retirement Plans: What Every Business & Non-Profit Should Know" -- is free and open to the public. Experts are to speak about pension plans and investing strategies.

The 8 a.m. seminar is at the town's Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington.

"The retirement landscape for small business owners continually changes. It is tricky and often not clear which retirement options are best," Kim Kaiman, executive director of the town Business & Tourism Development Corp., said in a news release.

Residents can register calling 311 or visiting btdc.biz/onlineregistration.asp.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE

Village spotlight on building safety codes

The Village of Rockville Centre is celebrating Building Safety Month in May with the theme of "Building Safety: Resilient Communities Start with Building Codes."

"Public safety is our No. 1 concern," Mayor Francis X. Murray said in a news release. "During Building Safety Month and all year long, building safety and fire prevention officials are here to help protect you . . . and our community."

The public-awareness campaign focuses on how building inspections during and after construction "help to ensure that the places where you live, learn, work, worship and play are safe," Dan Casella, superintendent of buildings for the village, said in the release.

For more information, call 516-678-9247.

KINGS PARK

Kids Science Day at Nissequogue Park

Children will be able to explore and learn about the forests, ponds, and streams at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park on Saturday.

The Kids Science Day event, organized by the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation, introduces students ages 8 and older, and adults, to the park, foundation chairman John McQuaid said.

"We hope to teach them something about our natural environment, and how important it is, and how close to home it is," he said. "A lot of people don't realize how much rich biodiversity is in our local parks."

Park ranger Eric Powers, a biologist, will lead a tour and hike around the park, said McQuaid.

The event, from 1 to 4 p.m., allows participants to get their hands dirty exploring plant and wildlife, he said. Capturing minnows with seine nets, discussing findings and releasing the fish are among the day's activities.

The costs are $3 for children and $4 for adults.

Participants should meet at the park administration building, 799 St. Johnland Rd. For more information go to ourstatepark.com