Ceremonial groundbreaking for the $55,000 Nassau County Environmental Bond wetlands With $55,000 in funding provided through the 2006 Nassau County Environmental Bond, the Garden City Bird Sanctuary will have a wet meadows installed in a portion of the main stormwater storage basin at the 9-acre site. On Saturday, May 16, special guests attended the Twilight Cocktail Party and participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the project. New York State Senator Kemp Hannon was also on hand to provide the 2009 Garden City Bird Sanctuary Environmental Stewardship Award to Bobby Horvath, the founder of Wildlife In Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation. Senator Hannon was the initial recipient of this award for his enduring commitment and long term support of the community nature preserve. Joining Senator Hannon were Nassau County Legislator Vincent Muscarella, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Sharon Castellano, Gaspare Tumminello representing County Executive Tom Suozzi, and "Mark Twain".

Sharon is the mother of Boy Scout Michael Castellano with Garden City Troop 55. Michael has recently proposed a Boy Scout Eagle project to install a memorial garden and seating area at the Bird Sanctuary. Discussions with Rob Alvey lead to a potential area that will overlook the new wetlands, and further discussions with Nassau County's landscape architect, Richard Arnedos lead to an agreement to regrade the area next to the wetlands to accommodate the overlook. The Castellanos proposed a stone bench so that the seating area won't be impacted by any water during heavy rain events. The Eagle Project will be dedicated to the Parente Family members that recently were tragically killed.

Mark Twain gets ready for his upcoming June 13 GC Bird Sanctuary benefit performance Rob Alvey, resembling Mark Twain, officiated over the ceremony. A benefit performance by Alvey as Mark Twain (visits Garden City) Tonight is scheduled for 8PM on Saturday June 13 at Gardner Hall- 245 Stewart Avenue, Garden City. This humorous performance by America's acclaimed author and humorist are $25 each with the funds designated for the Bird Sanctuary project. Buy a ticket early by calling Alvey at 326-1720. The tickets include a year membership with the Bird Sanctuary.