2011 Girl Scout Cookie Program

While much of the world is in holiday mode for Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the New Year, Girl Scouts of Nassau County is getting ready to kick-off the 2011 Girl Scout Cookie Program as soon as we return from our end-of-the-year break.


While some folks are tracking Santa and his progress in Toyland, the elves that we care most about are those at Little Brownie Bakers (corporate cousins of the other baker elves who live in a Hollow Tree). Our elves are busy baking Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Do-si-dos, Tagalongs and Lemon Chalet Cremes …

Across the country and here in our community people look forward to the Girl Scout Cookie Program. The cookies are delicious, and seeing the girls out in the community helps to remind the public of our outstanding organization. This year, order taking will begin the first week in January, and Girl Scout Cookies® will be available through booths sales until mid April. Cookie rallies will be held at Roosevelt Field on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Green Acres Mall on Saturday, January 15 and at Broadway Mall on Saturday, Jan. 22.

As good as the cookies are, the Girl Scout Cookie Program is about so much more
than the actual cookies. The Cookies are just one of many tools and activities that
make the Girl Scout Leadership Experience one of the most valuable resources
available to girls … The Girl Scout Cookie Program affords girls the opportunity to learn and earn.

As the largest and best financial and entrepreneurial program for girls in the country, the Girl Scout Cookie Program focuses on Five Skills that girls can take and build on throughout their lives... Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills and Business Enthics.

All Girl Scout programs are designed to meet the age-appropriate developmental skills of girls and safety is always a priority. Girl Scout Daisies (kindergarten and first grade) begin with more support from parents. Online order-taking allows elementary girls to expand their sales to family and friends.

By the time a girl is in middle school and high school she can take opportunities to market her own Girl Scout Cookie Program through social media and by making presentations to businesses. The bigger the goals, the more creative, focused and time girls will need to reach their customers.

Goal Setting: Everyone needs a goal, and a plan to reach the goal. Goals without a
plan are just wishes! Learning to set goals through the Girl Scout Cookie Program carry over to daily life, and goal setting allows girls to dream big and achieve! Girl Scouts may want to take a trip, engage in a special activity or set aside funds to support a project in their community – or elsewhere – that will make the world a better place.

Decision Making: Every aspect of life is impacted by the decisions that we make …
In the Girl Scout Cookie Program girls can decide as a group on the activities and
community projects that they wish to support. Girl Scouts learn how to make decisions based on the shared values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, and they learn tactics for making decisions that weigh the pros and cons, and allow each girl to have a voice.

Money Management: Girls reinforce basic arithmetic skills and make change. More importantly, they learn the value of money as it applies to reaching a goal. They learn the relationship between how much things cost and the work involved to earn the money to pay for things, activities and projects.

Too many children today have a significant disconnect in their lives between earning money and buying things, and the Girl Scout Cookie Program provides real experience in earning, saving and spending.

People Skills: Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program girls interact with one another through the Goal Setting and Decision Making processes. They interact with customers and learn how to describe the product and answer the customers' questions. They learn to make a presentation, and explain how buying a box of Cookies supports their Girl Scout Troop to meet their goals. Girls also learn to offer the customer the opportunity to help others by supporting our military personnel through Operation Cookie.

Business Ethics: Because a Girl Scout is honest and responsible at all stages of the Cookie Program, she puts her values into action. People see a Girl Scout as trustworthy, and, in turn, she lives up that expectation.

Long after a Girl Scout has completed the Girl Scout Cookie Program, she will have learned the importance of earning money to support herself and to reach her goals. She will bring the values of honesty and responsibility to her own career. She will have the skills to manage a business, persuade an investor to back her, and to run a household. She will be able to influence others in her work and in the community. She will know how to use her talents and her resources to make the world a better place – today and for the rest of her life!
For more information on the Girl Scout Cookie Program, please visit our website at
http://www.gsnc.org/ . You may also contact me at Girl Scouts of Nassau County, 516-741-
2550, ext. 200 or email ceravolo@gsnc. Starting in February our website will be able to direct you to the Cookie Booths nearest to you!

Take the Free Ride

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey support the taxi companies Holiday Free Ride Initiative.


On December 14th local taxi companies are giving free rides to those who need a ride home in an effort to deter Driving While Intoxicated and prevent holiday celebrations from ending in tragedy or arrest. They will continue to offer free rides through January 1, 2011.

“The local taxi companies providing free rides this holiday season truly embody the spirit and generosity we hope to endear,” said County Executive Mangano. “Don’t drink and drive…instead, take the free ride.”

Commissioner Mulvey supports these efforts and believes the public should be aware of this generous offer of public service.

DON’T DRINK and DRIVE!

If any of our residents and customers need a free ride home, after drinking at a local tavern, bar, restaurant or catering hall, from December 14th, 2010 – January 1, 2011 call (516) 326-9090.

Your local taxi companies throughout Nassau and Eastern Queens, are offering free rides, in an effort to prevent drunk driving, which could be deadly.

* Ollie’s Taxi & Airport Service
* All Island Transportation
* Taxi Latino
* Luxury Transportation
* Glen Belle Car Service
* Deluxe Transportation

“I am pleased to support and promote this generous offer of public service by the local taxi companies listed above, said Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey. There is no acceptable excuse for DWI with this offer of a free ride. If you do so in Nassau County, you will be arrested”.

Too many people, despite having too much to drink, are reluctant to give up his or her keys, or have no way to get back to their cars the next day. These taxi companies, will also give you a free ride back to the driver’s car the next day.

“We want all or our residents and customers to be safe over the holiday season. During this joyous time of year, our goal is to prevent or stop any horrible tragedies. If we can avoid one accident or someone from being injured it is well worth it. Don’t drink and drive, let your Transportation Companies be your designated driver and keep you safe,” said Marianne Blessinger, President of Ollie’s Taxi and Airport Service.

We thank the Media for doing their job in informing the public of this important service of ”Don’t drink and drive, call for a free ride home and return ride the next day to pick up your car.”

Contact: Marianne Blessinger (516) 326-9090 Ext. 303

Silver Alert

The Silver Alert Program has been established in order to disseminate immediate information to local media, hospitals and other organizations when a senior citizen or other individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other cognitive disorders goes missing.

Date and Time: 12/09/10 10:00 A.M.

Missing Person’s Name: Giuseppe Stincone

Missing Person’s Age: 84

Physical Description: Male White, 5’, 125 lbs., Balding with gray hair and a scar on the top of the head

Last Seen Wearing: Red plaid jacket, grey pants and black shoes

Missing Person was last seen at: 155 Hathaway Ave., Elmont
Motor Vehicle and direction of travel: 1994 Ford Temp Green, NY Reg. ARH-3540, possibly headed to Malverne

Holiday Safety Tips Shopping With Children

1. Teach your children to stay with you at all times while shopping. They should always check with you or the person in charge before they go anywhere. Always supervise your children in a public facility and accompany young children to the restroom.

2. Make a plan in case you become separated. Have older kids meet you in a pre-designated spot (e.g. the sales counter or mall information booth). Teach younger children to look for people who can help within the store or mall — a uniformed security officer, a salesperson with a nametag, a mother with children, etc. They should never leave the store/mall or go to the parking lot to look for you or your car.

3. Turn shopping trips into opportunities for your children to practice these “safe shopping” skills.

4. Leave clothing that displays your children’s names at home, as it can prompt unwelcome attention from people who may be looking for an opportunity to start a conversation with your children.

5. Never leave children in toy stores or public facilities (e.g. video arcades, movie theaters, playgrounds) and expect store personnel to supervise your children.

6. Have older children take a friend, if you allow them to go shopping or to public functions without you. It’s more fun and much safer. Older children should check in with you on a regular basis while they are out. Agree on a clear plan for picking them up including: where, what time, and what to do in case of a change in plans.

Wanted

Holiday Shopping Safety

County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey and the Police Department are taking affirmative steps to ensure the safety of the people of Nassau County during the upcoming holiday season. All of our regular marked and plainclothes patrols will be intensifying their coverage of shopping malls and commercial areas. The patrols will be augmented by patrol from our Mounted Unit and Bureau of Special Operations. Concurrently, dedicated patrols have been assigned to the major malls within the county, putting additional police officers at those locations during peak hours.
In addition to shopping safety, Nassau Police will also be on the outlook for drivers and occupants who are not complying with the Seat Belt Law. This includes children who are not in child safety seats or buckled in their seat. Police Officers will also be vigilant watching for drivers who are drinking and driving on all roads in Nassau. Handicapped parking violations will be strictly enforced. Parking in handicapped spaces are reserved for those with visible permits.
Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey suggests some holiday shopping tips:
Before Leaving Home
· Plan your shopping trip carefully. Know where you are going and what routes you will take to get there.
· If possible, arrange for a friend to go shopping with you. There is safety in numbers.
· Let someone know where you are going and what route you will be taking. Additionally, let them know when you expect to return.
· Leave your home secure, engage alarms and give the appearance that your home is occupied by leaving the lights on in the most frequently used rooms.
· Don’t leave valuable items out in the open. Secure them in closets, safes, etc.
When Parking
· Always park in well-lit areas.
· Note the location of your vehicle in the parking lot to conveniently return after shopping.
· Always lock all your doors
· Remove all items, such as radar detectors, laptops or packages and hide them in the trunk, glove compartment, out of site.
· Avoid parking near vans or other vehicles with covered cargo areas.
· Avoid carrying large handbags. Carry only what is necessary.
· Look around the parking lot for suspicious persons before you exit your vehicle.
· Don’t get out of your vehicle until you are ready. If you don’t feel safe, stay in the car or drive away.
While Shopping
· Keep your money and credit cards in your front pocket and try to limit the number of credit cards and cash you’re carrying while shopping.
· To avoid being a victim of “Identity Theft”, be aware of exposing credit cards, debit cards and other identification at the cash register and ATM’s. Thieves will utilize cell phones to capture card information without your knowledge.
· Be cognizant of any other type of “Distraction” type of crimes that typically occur during this time of the year.
When Returning To Your Car
Never leave the store with your arms full of packages. Use a courtesy cart.
Have your car key in hand, ready to unlock your door.
Check the parking lot for suspicious people and look around before you exit the store.
Do not return to your vehicle if you see people loitering nearby.
Carry a whistle or other audible device. If you feel threatened, use it. If you’re inside your vehicle, lock your doors and honk your horn to attract attention.
Check underneath, in front and in back of your car as you approach it.
Check the front and rear passenger seats inside your car before you enter it.
If you are planning on returning to the store, never leave your packages in plain view inside your vehicle. Lock them in the trunk or place them on the floor and cover them with a blanket or jacket.

County Clerk Warns About Deed Scam

“Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell wants to caution homeowners about mass mailings being sent out claiming “The U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center website recommends that property owners should have an official or certified copy of their deed.” These letters urge homeowners that it is necessary to purchase a certified copy of the deed to their home.
All deeds for property located in Nassau County are recorded and maintained at the County Clerk’s Office and only the Clerk’s Office can issue certified copies of these records, which are equivalent to the original. Once processed the original deed is returned directly to the owner or their attorney. These private companies continue to solicit the purchase of a deed on behalf of the homeowner sometimes for more than 800% over Clerk’s Office fees.
County Clerk O’Connell, concerned by these deceptive practices, advocated along with County Clerks throughout the state for the passage of legislation requiring these solicitations to disclose that certified copies of deeds are available directly from the County Clerk for a nominal fee. However, many homeowners continue to be victimized by these scams.
It is not necessary to retain a service to get a copy of your deed. Certified copies of deeds can always be obtained from the County Clerk’s Office for $5 to $10. Anyone wishing to request a certified copy of their deed can contact Clerk O’Connell’s office at 516-571-2664 for further information.”