Town of Hempstead Notebook: Triathlon, Veteran Services

2011 Town Triathlon

The Town of Hempstead Triathlon is "racing" into its 27th season with entry applications currently available through the Department of Parks and Recreation at 292-9000, ext. 219. An exciting combination of swimming, biking and running, the 2011 Triathlon is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Town Park Point Lookout.

The Triathlon begins with a  three-quarter mile ocean swim. After emerging from the surf, competitors set off on a 10-mile bike through the streets of Point Lookout and Lido Beach. The final leg of the Triathlon is a five-mile run to the finish line at Town Park.

"Always a thrilling event, the Triathlon showcases the athletic skill and competitive spirit of each participant," Murray said. "We look forward to hosting a full field of 300 contestants and expectations are high for record-breaking performances in both the men's and women's categories."

To receive a 2011 Triathlon application, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Town of Hempstead Triathlon, Department of Parks and Recreation, 200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Registration fees, set at $44 for a town resident, $66 for a non-resident and $22 for a town senior or veteran, are payable by check or money order made out to the Town of Hempstead. The deadline for registration is Friday, Aug. 26.

In addition to presenting each participant with a souvenir tee-shirt and a special race memento, the Triathlon will bestow handsome awards on the top male and female finishers in each of ten age categories. Championship trophies will also be presented to the overall men's and women's winners.

Additional event and registration information may be obtained by calling the Parks Department at 292-9000, extension 219 or by visiting the town website at www.TOH.LI.

Veteran Services

After being closed in the summer of 2009 by the Governor and the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs, the veterans booth at Hempstead Town Hall was reopened with the assistance of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Veterans, as well as their spouses and children, can continue to come to our counseling center every Wednesday and Thursday at Hempstead Town Hall to discuss veterans benefits and other veterans issues.

Counselor Rick Gales, National Service Officer with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, is available for one-on-one interviews from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All interviews are confidential.

The counselor’s office is located under the “Veterans Information” sign on the ground floor lobby of Hempstead Town Hall. Appointments are not necessary, but please call ahead of time to make sure Gales will be in on the day you would like to visit. He may be reached at 812-3506.

On March 1, 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs will stop issuing paper checks to comply with a Department of Treasury policy to extend electronic payments to all Americans receiving federal benefit and non-tax payments. Veterans have the option of direct deposit into a bank or credit union account of their choice or into a Direct Express debit card account.

For more information about the federal government’s switch to direct deposit or to change VA benefits to direct deposit visit www.GODirect.org or call 1-800-333-1795 or speak to our veterans counselor Rick Gales.

Pets for Vets Program

The Town of Hempstead has waived pet adoption fees for veterans as part of its “Pets for Vets” program. Many veterans may benefit from having an animal companion, and the dogs and cats will be thrilled to be placed in a forever home.

Through this program, the town will be waiving all adoption fees for all veterans who bring new pets into their homes. What’s more, all cats and dogs adopted by veterans will be spayed or neutered and microchipped free of charge. Microchipping implants are rice-grain sized tracking devices in animals, which contains contact information so owner may be reunited quickly with lost pets.

Veterans are invited to come to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter at 3320 Beltagh Ave. in Wantagh to meet the great dogs and cats looking for homes. Facility hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 785-5220.