Congregants of Young Israel of Great Neck had extra cause for jubilation as the Jewish New Year was ushered in this past weekend. The Great Neck Estates Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approved the almost three-fold expansion of Young Israel's synagogue at the corner of Middle Neck Road and Clover Drive in a vote of 4-1 and set detailed use restrictions. The three-hour hearing on Sept. 22 was the culmination of two years of hearings by the five-member board to address the numerous and substantial variances requested, to explore the environmental impacts and to develop methods of mitigating the concerns of neighbors, Vigilant Fire Department and village officials while balancing the needs and rights of a religious institution. FULL STORY

In the rapidly evolving drama of what is to become of the East Shore Road waterfront area, the Great Neck Park District is emerging as another potential player with a vision. At the Sept. 25 meeting, board chairperson Robert Lincoln stated that the park district, burgeoned by encouragement from some deep-pocketed private donors, is exploring the purchase of the Waldbaum's building and property to convert it to an indoor recreational facility and park that would be linked to a shoreline trail skirting Manhasset Bay. FULL STORY

Angela Stergiopoulos unveils the new outdoor sign at the rink. Photo by Fast Foto of Garden City FULL STORY

Despite strong individual efforts from several players, the Great Neck South Rebels opened their 2003 season with a loss to their rivals, the New Hyde Park Gladiators, 24-7. Gladiators quarterback William Campbell scored a touchdown on a 14 yard bootleg late in the first half to give New Hyde Park a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish. FULL STORY