Islip's Latino Community Fights Pool Closures

“It is important for the community to stand up and send a message to the authorities that our communities are concerned about the pools, and more importantly, that we need them. These parks are safe spaces which our families deserve, they should be kept as a right." Renee Ortiz



Article

Spanglish by Bill Santiago

A little Spanglish humor from the funniest Brooklyn Nuyorican -- Bill Santiago! 

More Bill Santiago 

afroTANGO by Thalia Spanish Theatre (Sunnyside, Queens)

Backstage Review

Long Island vs Connecticut

Did you know that Long Island (Kings, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk counties) has more than double the population of Connecticut, 7.5MM vs 3.5MM? Or that it has triple the number of Latino residents, 1.5MM vs 495K? Or that the island's residents have per capita income totaling $204 billion vs $135 billion for its LI Sound neighbor? Or that Long island is 28 miles longer than Connecticut? Or that if Long Island was a state it's capitol would be the City of Brooklyn (2.5 million) to Connecticut's Hartford (125K)? Or that Long Island has 4 major league sports franchises (Mets, Nets, Islanders, Lizards -- and soon the Cosmos), US Open (tennis), Belmont Stakes and US Women's Open (golf) vs Connecticut's Travelers PGA Tournament? Or that Long Island has 8 full and 6 partial congressional districts vs 5 for Connecticut?

Of course, Connecticut does have many advantages including: four times the space, 5540 square miles versus 1400 for Long Island (though LI is bigger than Rhode Island at 1200 sq mi); its own governor and legislature; and its own two US senators. 

Patchogue-Medford HS Students of the Month

Twenty eight percent (28%) of Patchogue-Medford School District students are Latino. So it's great to see that 15 of the 40 students, 37%, recognized as 'students of the month' are of Latino heritage. Very nice! The scholars are: Josue Sorto-Reyes, Abigail Gonzalez-Medina, Charleen Colon, Michael Rivera, Abril Costanza, Venessa Callejo, Carla Castro, Milton Jara, Aaron Rodriguez, Marc Negrin, Fedrik Durao, Noe Martin, Juliana Garcia, Sean Acosta and Yamnia Pena-Peguero. Congratulations!

Patchogue Patch Article

Rise of the Dreamers: Pivot Point in US History

Rise of the Dreamers! The US and the world will be hearing from this class of bright, courageous young leaders for a long time. We may also be witnessing an historical pivot point, or course correction, in which the dreams, ideas and energy of our newest members reanimate the 'American Dream' and helps propel the nation to new heights. 

Mark Bonilla: Toys for the Children Album

Mark Bonilla, Hempstead Town Clerk, had a very busy holiday season bringing joy and toys to his youngest constituents. Here he is at the Three Kings Day Celebration sponsored by Inwood's Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish on January 6th.

Holiday Photos

Latino Enrollment % @ Nassau County School Districts

63% WESTBURY SD

58% HEMPSTEAD SD

(57% EVERGREEN CS)

56% FREEPORT SD

44% GLEN COVE SD

43% ROOSEVELT SD

41% UNIONDALE SD

39% LAWRENCE SD

30% VALLEY STREAM 24 SD

29% WEST HEMPSTEAD SD

28% ISLAND PARK SD

28% SEWANHAKA HS DISTRICT

28% VALLEY STREAM 30 SD

24% VALLEY STREAM HS DISTRICT

22% ELMONT SD

22% HICKSVILLE SD

21% LONG BEACH SD

20% BALDWIN SD

19% VALLEY STREAM 13 SD

19% MALVERNE SD

18% MINEOLA SD

17% ISLAND TREES SD

15% EAST MEADOW SD

15% EAST ROCKAWAY SD

15% OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH SD

15% PORT WASHINGTON SD

14% FARMINGDALE SD

13% CARLE PLACE SD

13% FRANKLIN SQUARE SD

12% FLORAL PARK-BELLEROSE SD

11% HEWLETT-WOODMERE SD

11% LEVITTOWN SD

11% NEW HYDE PARK-GARDEN CITY PARK SD

10% LOCUST VALLEY SD

10% OCEANSIDE SD

10% ROCKVILLE CENTRE SD

(10% ROOSEVELT CHILDREN'S CS)

9% LYNBROOK SD

(9% ACADEMY CS)

7% BETHPAGE SD

7% GREAT NECK SD

7% NORTH MERRICK SD

6% NORTH BELLMORE SD

6% ROSLYN SD

5% BELLMORE SD

5% BELLMORE-MERRICK HS DISTRICT

5% HERRICKS SD

5% MERRICK SD

4% NORTH SHORE SD

4% PLAINEDGE SD

4% SEAFORD SD

3% EAST WILLISTON SD

3% MANHASSET SD

3% PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE SD

3% WANTAGH SD

2% JERICHO SD

2% MASSAPEQUA SD

2% SYOSSET SD

1% GARDEN CITY SD

*NYS Ed Dept data for 2010-11 school year

Michaelle Solages: NY's 1st Haitian American State Legislator

Michaelle Solages became NY's 1st Haitian American state legislator when she easily defeated her primary and general election foes last year in her first bid for office. She's a Nassau County suburban gal and her Assembly District 22 covers a chunk of the West Central portion of the county...from Bellerose to North Woodmere and includes Valley Stream, Elmont, South Floral Park and part of Franklin Square. Assemblywoman Solages is the sister of attorney Carrié Solages (left) who also won his race bid for county legislator.