Local Author Jen Calonita Introduces New Book

Beloved by Merokeans, Jen Calonita's newest book has hit store shelves.

Jen Calonita, Merrick resident and author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series, Sleepaway Girls and Reality Check, has penned another book – Belles. Although her books are a hit with teens throughout the U.S., none await her novels like the people of Merrick. Calonita recently spoke to Merrick Patch editor, Emily Cappiello, about her new book, the support she has recieved from the Merrick community and the line-up for the summer Beach Bag Book Club. Your new book, Belles, has dropped! Tell us a little bit about it. It's about two girls named Mirabelle and Isabelle who are about to have their lives turned upside down when they move in together. The girls are polar opposites – Mira is the daughter of a wealthy senator and Izzie was …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Ann Parry

10:40 am on Friday, May 18, 2012

The Merrick and Bellmore libraries' writing workshops sound wonderful, and the Beach Bag Book Club is something I would have been happy to join - with a friend or two - when growing up. Emily Cappiello's article about our local author Jen Calonita was a good read!   more ›

Merrick Library Budget Approved

Miriam (Meme) Wanderman will keep her seat on the board of trustees.

On Wednesday, Merrick residents approved the budget of the Merrick Library with 135 votes for the budget and 48 votes against the budget. Miriam (Meme) Wanderman was also re-elected to her seat on the library's board of trustees with 150 votes. "I would like to thank all those residents who took the time to vote for my re-election to the Merrick Library board of trustees. Also, on behalf of the entire library board and staff, for approving the budget. We are very excited about being able to continue to provide excellent services to our patrons," Wanderman said. The library's proposed budget for 2012-13 is $3,349,490, an increase of $15,277 from last year. The 2012-13 budget reflects a 0.8 percent increase in the tax levy.

• Photos (1)

Merrick Library Budget Vote Wednesday

Vote from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to pass the proposed 2012-13 budget.

The budget vote for the Merrick Library will take place today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the library. The library's proposed budget for 2012-13 is $3,349,490, an increase of $15,277 from last year. The 2012-13 budget reflects a 0.8 percent increase in the tax levy. Also on the ballot Wednesday will be Miriam (Meme) Wanderman, who is running unopposed.

• Photos (1)

Merrick Library Board Candidate: Miriam Wanderman

Wanderman has served on the board since 2001.

Miriam (Meme) Wanderman has announced her candidacy for re-election to the Merrick Library Board of Trustees. She is currently serving as its vice president and has been a trustee since 2001. Wanderman has been a professional librarian for 40 years. She holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree from Pratt Institute and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in art education from Hunter College. She is an assistant professor of Library Services at Hofstra University.   A 34-year resident of Merrick, Wanderman and her husband, Jay, have three sons – Adam, Joshua and Daniel – one daughter-in-law, Adina, and one grandson, Ryan.  Wanderman serviced as co-president of the Levy-Lakeside School PTA, Merrick Avenue Middle School PTA, …

• Photos (1)

You Review: Merrick Library

Tell us how you feel about this community center.

Merrick’s Main Man

Doug Mills, the owner of Printing Emporium, is dedicated to making Merrick the best town it can be.

As part of the Merrick Library's teen writing workshop with local author Jen Calonita, students were given the opportunity to learn how to interview someone, write an article about them and see their work published on the Merrick Patch. This is their article about local Merrick businessman Doug Mills. Written by: Shelby Kravitz, Monica Marzec and Gina York Who’s the last person you know that owned their own business at nineteen? Meet Merrick’s all-around guy, Douglas Mills, a long-time Merrick resident who lives in town with his wife and two sons. Today, you might know him as the owner of the Printing Emporium on Merrick Avenue, a longtime participant in the Merrick Kiwanis Club, or as the founder of the Merrick Street Fair, but growing up…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Claudia Borecky

11:13 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Congratulations on a great article! You chose the one person I would call "Mr. Merrick" and is already a great philanthrapist. Doug may not be able to just "write a check for a quarter of a million dollars," but I am sure that over the years, the good he has done and the money he has helped raise equals a lot more than that and has made a difference in the lives of those he has helped.   more ›

A New View: Merrick Libraries

Patch takes a look at these wonderful community resources.

Merrick boasts not one, but two spacious and well-equipped libraries – the North Merrick Library, located at 1691 Meadowbrook Road, and the Merrick Library, located at 2279 Merrick Avenue. Both buildings offer an abudance of learning material and entertainment, with books – both of the paper and audio variety – music CDs, movie DVDs, video games, internet access and more at the tips of your fingers once you walk in the door. And that doesn't even count the host of free digital services their websites offer, such as e-book downloads.  This week, Patch turns its camera lens on our two libraries and encourages you to visit one soon.

• Photos (23)

Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year 2012: Miriam Wanderman

Miriam "Meme" Wanderman loves to give back to her community that has given so much to her.

Communities often thrive on the actions of just a few concerned residents who set examples for all those around them; people who do so not for the spotlight, but to selflessly improve the towns in which they live. The Merrick Chamber of Commerce feels it important to single out such individuals, as they did last week when they presented Miriam "Meme" Wanderman with their 2012 Woman of the Year Award. For Wanderman, the honor bestowed upon her at the Chamber’s recent 2012 Installation Dinner at Chateau Briand in Carle Place, was made all the more exciting because she was surrounded by her loved ones. “It’s very special. It feels really wonderful,” she said. “The nicest part is that all my friends are here and my family. It’s really great.” …

• Photos (3)

North and Central Merrick Civic puts Spotlight on Increased Crime

Denenberg also gave an update about a possible Aqua takeover.

Whereas the typical cold weather of the winter season usually keeps criminals home, the recent unseasonably warm weather seems to have ushered in a slight increase in local crime. At Thursday's North and Central Merrick Civic Association meeting, Claudia Borecky, president, acknowledged the recent spike in criminal mischief in the area. “I was just saying last year that we had a pretty safe year, relatively speaking,” she said. “Then January came and we noticed an increase in local crime.” Nassau County police Sergeant Driscoll of the First Precinct was present at the meeting and gave an update in recent crimes in the Merrick area. Of particular interest to residents was a mysterious van stalking Merrick high school students. “There’s been…

•  5 Comments
• Photos (3)

Emily Cappiello

9:58 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Mary, Apparently the van is an older-model white work van with the new N.Y. orange plates.   more ›

Five Minutes With...

Ellen Firer, Director, Merrick Library

Firer discusses what she loves about her role at the library with the Patch.

Merrick Library director, Ellen Firer, speaks with Patch about how important the library is to the community, challenges that have come with the changing times and her hope for the future of the library.   Q: How long have you been library director? A: I have been a library director at the Merrick Library for almost eight years.  My original career goals did not include librarianship, but once I decided on going into the field, the public library captured my heart and mind.  I loved going into a profession in which the goals included disseminating information, serving the needs of everyone in the community, and providing a cultural and educational oasis. I enjoy mentoring younger librarians, and other staff members, encouraging them to …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)