Parents "R" Talking

Video Blog: Communicating With Your Teen

Parents “R” Talking will be answering parenting questions, giving parenting tips and covering other parenting topics in weekly video blogs and articles.

I feel like I am losing my soon-to-be teenage son. He does not talk to me anymore. He used to be my shadow. I do not know what has happened. Is there anything I can do to help bring us closer before we grow completely apart? Mark, New Hyde Park There are many aspects to successfully raising a teen, from building their confidence/self-esteem, to supporting their need for individuality and setting proper limits, but we will focus on “communication” to assist with your concerns.  Effective communication is critical to all relationships (kids, spouse, friends, coworkers), and is arguably the most important aspect of being a parent of teens. Communication is not limited to just talking with your teen (or worse, talking at them). Of course, …

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Community Parent Center Discusses Prom Safety

Offers tips for parents and teens.

Prom and graduation season is an exciting time for high school students, especially juniors and seniors. Their thoughts turn to parties and celebrations — who will be their date, the cost of gowns, tuxedos, prom tickets, photos, limousines, flowers, and after-prom activities.Prom safety rarely crosses their minds. For most parents, prom-related concerns are not financial. The biggest worries for parents are about the risky behaviors associated with proms, teens driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and how to ensure their son or daughter arrive home safely after the prom. Statistics confirm that prom/graduation season — the months of April, May and June — is the most dangerous time for our teens. One-third of alcohol-…

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Community Parent Center Director Warns of 100 Deadliest Days

Discusses dangers facing teen drivers during the summer and year-round.

This Memorial Day holiday paid tribute to the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. It also commenced the time of the year that has come to be known as the "100 Deadliest Days," the time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when the number of fatalities and injuries involving teenage drivers increase dramatically. It is a time that parents worry about and police brace for, and it is upon us. With events such as graduation, prom and summer vacation just around the corner, it is vital for teens and their parents to be aware of the dangers. The dangers facing our teenagers today are far worse than they were just a few years ago. Underage drinking, drug use and reckless driving have ruined too many futures and ended too many …

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South Shore Arts Center Develops Creativity

Children and teens learn to become artists and create portfolios.

For 13 years, the South Shore Arts Center has been welcoming children and adults to its Bellmore studio, where professional certified artists and instructors provide skills and techniques to foster creativity and success. Established by Jay Lupetin, owner/director, who has over 30 years of teaching experience, SSAC prides itself on educating, developing and strengthening artistic skill, talent and knowledge, while encouraging self-esteem and expression. "What differentiates us from other studios is that we take a concept in which the entire class is involved in producing their work," Lupein said. "Other studios allow the students to paint, draw, or build anything they want. We take a particular concept, such as landscapes, Picasso …

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New Director Appointed at Pride for Youth

Bellmore-based organization serves gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

Pride for Youth, a service and an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth ages 13-20 based in Bellmore, has appointed a new director. In January, Pete Carney was promoted from his position as Pride for Youth's assistant director, and its former director, Andy Peters, was promoted to associate executive director of the Long Island Crisis Center, the parent organization of Pride for Youth. Last year, the organization reached out to 712 youths. Carney, who has been with the organization for two years, plans to continue its commitment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual youth on Long Island with special emphasis on the growing population of Long Island's transgender youth.  "We're facing a need to reach our youth under the …

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Parents Told About a New Culture of Drug Abuse

Community Wellness Council of the Bellmores & Merricks presents What's in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Have you heard about the latest drug trend? Young people attending "farm/pharm parties" - and we are not talking about the petting zoo kind. Also known as pharm parties (as in pharmaceuticals), they are just one of the newest things on the drug scene, one that has crept into the suburbs, some experts say.  "The drug scene on Long Island has reached pandemic proportions," said Steven H. Chassman, LMSW, clinical director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Chassman came to the Brookside building on Wednesday evening for an event presented by the Community Wellness Council of the Bellmores and Merricks with the assistance of Legislator Dave Denenberg (who attended), Assemblyman Dave McDonough and local businessman …

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Senator Fuschillo Discusses Teen Driving Training

New teen driving training requirements will help better prepare teenagers for challenges of driving.

State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced today that stronger teen driving training requirements are now in effect. "Driving, like any skill, requires training and practice in order to learn," said Fuschillo, who supported the law in the Senate.  "Inexperience behind the wheel makes teen drivers much more vulnerable to car crashes. Ensuring that teens are better prepared to handle the challenges and responsibilities of driving a car will save lives and prevent crashes on our roads." As part of the new teen driving requirements taking effect today: The law applies to teens who receive their learner's permit as of today and in the future. Statistics show that teen drivers are particularly vulnerable to fatal car crashes. …

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Art Exhibit Raises Over $2,000 for Pride for Youth

Bellmore-based organization relies on grants and donations to continue their mission.

ClearVision Optical recently held an exhibit highlighting the work of photographer Hannah Rae Hegnauer. All proceeds from sales of the works went directly to Pride for Youth in Bellmore. Since ClearVision moved to their new location in Hauppauge three years ago, they began their Museum Way art exhibits, wherein four times a year they sponsor the work of a spectacular artist and donate 100 percent of the proceeds to a non-profit charitable agency who serves the Long Island community.  Artist Hannah Rae Hegnauer studied photography at The Art Institute of Seattle. Currently, Hannah works as a book designer for several prestigious firms in New York. Her photographs have been featured in Anne Waldman s book "Outrider" (La Alameda Press, 2006…

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Teens Arrested on Drug and Stolen Gun Charges

Two teens from Bellmore and Merrick were arrested on Merrick Road after police were tipped off to suspicious activity.

Officers in the Seventh Squad of the Nassau County Police Department reported the details of two arrests made yesterday at 7:25 p.m. in Bellmore. Daniel Leavey, 19, of Merrick and Eric Crockett, 18, of Bellmore were arrested in connection with a stolen handgun and drugs. According to detectives, a police officer responded to a 911 call for a suspicious person with a silver revolver in a black, four-door Mercedes sedan, in the parking lot of Fresh Break, located at 2736 Merrick Rd. Upon arrival, the officer observed a vehicle fitting that description, with dark tinted windows and no front license plate. The defendants were in the car, proceeding out of the parking lot. After stopping the vehicle in the parking lot, the police officer and …

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