While the Long Island summer months tend to breed an eagerness to exercise outdoors, the hot and humid weather should also create an alertness to help avoid a heat-related emergency. Even though our bodies contain a natural cooling mechanism — perspiration — they can still overheat and lead to a potentially deadly condition: heat stroke. more

Summer is finally here. It should be a time of joy, spent barbecuing in the backyard and hanging out at the beach. Too often, however, summer turns tragic when it needn’t. The American Red Cross offers the following guidelines . . . more

Al Gore appears angrier than he did 11 years ago. He grimaces and yells more. He is less personal. He seems to strain to convey a hopeful message. That was my first — and most striking — reaction to his latest . . . more

With an excessive heat warning in effect through the end of the weekend, Hempstead Town has announced the extension of hours at pools and ocean beaches from Friday, August 12th through Sunday, August … more

In the midst of a weeklong heat wave, a line of strong storms passed through our area on Monday, with high wind gusts causing power outages and toppled trees. Four houses were reported to have … more

Q. After shoveling so much snow, I’ve been wondering more about whether it would pay to heat my driveway. Can you tell me . . . more

The Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides financial help for elderly and low-income residents to keep their homes warm in the winter months, began on Nov. 16. Households in need can apply online. more

Despite the heat, Freeporters managed to enjoy the great outdoors this week. They took part in a number of activities around town including a picnic for veterans, a day of golf to support the … more

Beat the Heat: Hempstead Town Opens Cooling Centers, Extends Hours at Pools and Beaches As temperatures swell into the 90s, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray is inviting residents to beat the heat by taking a break at a town cooling center, pool, or beach. To offer neighbors a place to be safe and cool during the latest heat wave, Murray announced the opening of 15 cooling centers, 15 pools and eight beaches from Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th. “Once temperatures rise into the 90s, the heat can be very dangerous if not taken seriously,” Murray said. “I urge neighbors to be careful during this period of extreme heat and to consider visiting one of our town’s cooling centers, beaches or pools to cool down and relax.” Cooling centers are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th. -Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N. Grand Ave., Baldwin, (516) 546-7110 -Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, (516) 221-9696 -Cedarhurst Senior Center, 200 Cedarhurst Ave., Cedarhurst, (516) 295-1177 (open until 4:30 p.m.) -East Meadow Senior Center, 1485 Front St., East Meadow, (516) 794-2458 -Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont, (516) 354-4777 -Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl., Franklin Square, (516) 328-3010 -Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd., Valley Stream, (516) 872-8810 -Levittown Senior Center, 555 N. Newbridge Rd., Levittown, (516) 433-5454 -Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, (516) 868-4777 -Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Ave., Oceanside, (516) 766-8888 -Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke., Roosevelt, (516) 867-1612 -Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Dr., Westbury, (516) 333-5440 -Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale, (516) 292-1313 -Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale, (516) 538-5050 -Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd., Wantagh, (516) 785-8505 Hours of operation will be extended at the following pools on Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th. Closing at 7 p.m. -Roosevelt Pool, Roosevelt -Town Park at Sands Pool, Lido Beach Closing at 8 p.m. -Forest City Park Pool, Wantagh -Rath Pool (Franklin Sq. Park District)\ -Walker Memorial Pool, Lakeview -Hewlett Point Pool, Hewlett -Malibu Pool, Lido Beach -Eight of Levittown’s Community Pools Lifeguards will be on duty for an extra hour (until 7 p.m.) at the following beaches: -Town Park Point Lookout -Lido Beach Town Park -Lido West Town Park -Town Park at Sands -Hewlett Point Park -East Atlantic Beach -Atlantic Beach Estates -Point Lookout Civic Beach Murray also offered residents tips on how to “beat the heat” during this period of extreme temperatures: - Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. - Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11AM and 4PM. Consider performing these tasks in the early morning or evening hours. - When in the sun, wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your face and head. - Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. - Eat well balanced, light and regular meals. - Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes. - NEVER leave children or pets in closed vehicles. - Check on elderly family members, friends and neighbors. - When indoors, use an air conditioner or fans to cool rooms if available. “During this heat wave, please avoid the sun as much as possible and spend time in a safe, cool location, such as one of our cooling centers, pools or beaches,” Murray said. In addition to the extended pool hours listed above, Echo Park in West Hempstead and Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow are open regular hours through 10 p.m. more

The recent stifling temperatures, hovering in the 90s, didn’t keep a good man down, or three men for that matter. Charlie Lindblad, Joe Saccone and Mel Wells — all regulars at the Town of Hempstead’s Wantagh Senior Center — headed indoors to enjoy activities provided at the center as well as companionship. more