What this blog is about.....

Stories about Long Island....including --Long Island Dining, Businesses on Long Island & things worth doing on Long Island


About Me

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Hi, I am Deborah and "I LOVE NYC". I was lucky enough to move back for 2 years 2010-2012 and lived like a tourist in NYC for those two years in the Hudson Yards area at 505W37. Right now I reside on Long Island but stay at different hotels in NYC a few times a year. I hope to move back soon.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Businesses on Long Island - "Meet our Neighbor" A+ Graphics & Signs

We will have a monthly story series now called "Meet Our Neighbor" which is an introduction of Business in the local area where I operate my two family businesses with my husband Richard, "Gem Craft Boutique"  http://www.gemcraftboutique.com/ & "Extravagant Realty" www.ExtravagantRealty.com located in Glen Head, NY



"Meet Our Neighbor"
A+ Graphics & Signs of Glen Head has been around the block. The Railroad Avenue graphics and sign company, in business for 14 years, is owned by Bill Manfredonia, who lives locally with his family less than a mile from his popular shop and showroom. Manfredonia is also a Board of Directors Member for the Glen Head/Glenwood Business Association.
           
Bill has an impressive background in engineering which parlayed beautifully into the sign industry. “I started as an electro-mechanical engineer but always had a passion for art,” says Bill. “The sign industry is one of the few places you can use both skills.”

Like many businesses—in Glen Head, regionally and nationally—the sign industry has changed over the last decade and a half. How so? In a word: Speed. “People want everything ASAP,” says Bill.  Fortunately, A+ Graphics & Signs has evolved with the changing times by specializing in digital printing, the biggest trend in the industry right now. “With digital printing, we can meet the demand for speedy service most of the time,” says Bill. “We digitally produce large format (54 inch) 4-color printing on banners, decals, vehicles, windows, magnets and more.”

Still, traditional types of printing continue to dictate the majority of his business. “Before digital, our biggest request was carved gold leaf signs, which still accounts for 60 percent of our business,” says Bill.

The business climate, of course, continues to evolve. In a word: Internet. “People shop on the Internet for signs but are rarely happy because they don’t get the one-on-one attention that we pride ourselves on at A+ Graphics and Signs,” Bill explains. “We work with our clients through every stage of the process, from logo design to installation.” Another bonus to working with A+ Graphics: an extensive showroom with lots of samples and an experienced staff with diverse backgrounds in art and advertising.

In a tight-knit business community like Glen Head, it helps that neighboring businesses have each other’s backs. “The more businesses we bring to the community the more potential customers we all have,” says Bill. “The best help we receive is local word of mouth recommendations and grassroots advertising.”
 “It was so helpful working with A+ signs when opening our two new businesses in Glen Head [Gem Craft Boutique and Extravagant Realty] in the span of a month,” says Deborah Orgel-Gordon, owner of Gem Craft. “A+ was one-stop shopping for our logo designs and signs. They even provided graphic design for our business cards. The staff was easy to work with and gave us much-appreciated creative feedback during a very hectic time.”
Says Bill of A+: “The folks at Gem Craft and Extravagant are not only operating businesses in the area but have quickly become contributing members of our community.”

And, that’s a good sign.

You can reach A+ Graphics & Signs, Inc. at 516-676-5683 or at their website, www.signs11545.com. Or, stop in and check out the showroom at 4 Railroad Avenue in Glen Head.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

“Fill-a-Backpack” Drive - Glen Cove YOUTH Bureau

“Fill-a-Backpack” Drive
Let’s Help All Our School Children Start Off
On the Right Foot in September!
Each year, the Glen Cove Youth Bureau works with Nassau local citizens, businesses and organizations to provide back to school supplies to disadvantaged youth in the Glen Cove vicinity.  The supplies are presented, along with a backpack or master note book, to children who otherwise would not have the supplies they need to succeed in their studies.    Given the economy, the need this year is more than ever. 

Last year, over 100 children in grades K – 12 received back to school supplies from this program.  We are hoping to be able to assist as many, if not more students this year. 

Below is a list of some of the supplies that Glen Cove students will need for the upcoming school year:
♦     2” nylon, zippered, 3-ring binders               ♦     3”x5” index cards
♦     Back packs (no wheels)                            ♦     Folders
♦    Thin and thick washable markers               ♦     Section dividers for each subject   
♦     #2 pencils                                                 ♦     Plastic page protectors
♦     Erasable and regular pens                        ♦     Glue sticks
♦     Colored pencils                                         ♦     Scissors (suitable for Grade 4 and up)
♦     Highlighters                                                          ♦     Rulers
♦     Box of 24 Crayola crayons                        ♦     Portable three-hole punch
                      ♦     Zippered pencil case with 3 holes              ♦     Scientific calculators
♦     Small pencil sharpener                              ♦     Tissues
♦     Loose-leaf paper                                       ♦     Baby wipes
♦     Spiral note books                                      ♦     Hand sanitizer
♦     Post-its                                                    ♦     Quart & Gallon size Ziploc bags                             
Please drop off your donations at one of the locations listed below.  We will be collecting items through August 24.
Glen Cove Youth Bureau – 128B Glen Street (behind 126 Glen Street)
Glen Cove City Hall – Clerk’s Office (3rd Floor)
Glen Cove Library – Near magazine reading room
Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted.  Please make checks payable to Friends of the Glen Cove Youth Board and mail to Glen Cove Youth Bureau, 128B Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY  11542. 
For more information, please contact:
Cindy Rogers ♦ Glen Cove Youth Bureau ♦ 671-4600