Top Lindy News: OLPH School Rally, Contest, Burglary Arrest

The big news this week is the announcement of a rally by parents, students and alumni of in Lindenhurst.

They're mobilizing this Sunday, January 15 for a rally at 10 a.m. in front of the 99-year-old school in an effort to save it. Read about the details here:

• : Supporters of the school seek to keep the doors of the Lindenhurst Catholic open despite the Diocese of Rockville Centre's decision to close it this June, one year shy of its 100-year anniversary.

The other big school news is that despite a terrific showing of Lindy Pride, Lisa Alvarado's house on Heathcote Road came in seventh out of the Top 24 finalists in Patch's Deck the House Holiday Lights Contest.

The final tally was taken just after midnight on January 9, and the winning school district was in Davis, California. The Powell family's home received top billing with more than 24,000 votes, and the school district will receive the $100,000 grand prize from Patch.com.

Read about it here:

• : Lisa Alvarado's home in Lindenhurst was among the Top 24 finalists in the holiday lights contest along with the winning Powell family's home in Davis, California.

Lindenhurst Patch thanks everyone who entered, especially the family, the school , and everyone in Lindenhurst for mobilizing, getting the word out and voting. Since we came so close this year, we'll surely get 'em next year!

Other top school headlines included the following:

• : Lindenhurst School District will be registering children age five on or before December 1, 2012 at the .
• : Here's a roundup of recent happenings and achievements in the Lindenhurst School District, including student efforts to prevent bullying, a discussion of politics and students teaching students.

In school sports news these were the top headlines this week:

• : Lady Bulldogs erased 25 years of frustration against Northport with a runaway 60-26 win on Friday the 13th at home.
• : Several Lindenhurst sports teams also honored for academic achievements and sportsmanship.

In related sports news Patch is running another contest. This time if you post your prediction in the following story's comment section, and it's correct, you could score a $50 gift card from Patch.

Click through for details and to post your thoughts on the final score:

• : Enter in the Comments your guess for the winning team and final score of the Green Bay Packers versus New York Giants playoff game on Sunday, January 15.

In school arts news nine music students were picked by the Long Island String Festival Association to perform in this year's festival later this month. Read about it here:

• : Music students from , , , and will perform in the festival on January 22.

Also in arts news a Lindenhurst native, as well as thespian, filmmaker and director, is sharing the big screen with a TV and movie star in a new independent film. Read about it here:

• : Russ Camarda shares the screen with Robert Clohessy in the new independent film 'The Night Never Sleeps.'

Inspector Gerard Gigante spoke with Lindenhurst Patch this week and gave an update on several crime in the monthly . Here's the breakdown:

• : Police said that stole jewelry and cash from a home on South Sixth Street in Lindenhurst. Police also continue to investigate the recent at and the done to the last .

And here are this week's reports:

• : Here's the rundown of arrests in Lindenhurst, and North Lindenhurst, between January 1 and 6.
• : Here's the rundown of incidents in Lindenhurst, and North Lindenhurst, between January 1 and 6.

The Gilgo investigation continued this week, as well. Here are the latest headlines:

• : National database reveals further information about Gilgo Beach serial killer victims.
• : Suffolk law enforcement offer sketch of one of five yet unidentified victims tied to the Ocean Parkway killings investigation.

In government news and related police and fire news this week was top-of-mind, with Suffolk county pols and police gathering to stem the spate of violence that's happened at pharmacies across Long Island in the past year - including the murders in and the fatal shooting in .

Read about it here:

• : County Executive Steve Bellone releases three-part plan Monday to make pharmacies safer.

In the opinion section this week, former Republican candidate for Babylon Town Council Matt Groh expressed reservations about Richard Schaffer's return as town supervisor. Here's what he had to say:

• : Matt Groh sounded off about the Suffolk Democratic Party Chairman's recent appointment as Town supervisor.

The big small business news this was that a long-time Lindy bridal salon made its debut on South Wellwood Avenue, undeneath . Read about it here:

• : It finally relocated from its former Montauk Highway location next to where the old Narragansett Inn once stood to the heart of Lindenhurst Village, ready to help brides prepare for the big day.

Lindenhurst Patch also wants residents to be the reviewers. So be sure to click to put in your two cents:

• : Let us know what you think of this local Lindenhurst restaurant.

You could do the same for other Lindy businesses by clicking on any of the listings in Lindenhurst Patch's directory.

It also looks like Waldbaum's in Lindenhurst will stay open, as the supermarket chain this week several locations - including the one in - will be closing. Because of that Patch asked readers:

• With six Waldbaum's stores to close soon on Long Island, we are curious as to where you spend your supermarket dollars.

Patch also asked readers this week in its Sound Off section:

• Post a photo of your “Buddy,” “Max,” “Daisy,” “Bella,” or “Lucy."

Many fellow Patch readers - and editors - did. Did you?

Other lighter, but pertinent news headlines this week included the following:

• : New program allows customers from Lindenhurst and elsewhere on Long Island to report electrical malfunctions from their cell phones.
• : Seeking a new family pet? This sweet pup might be the right one for you and your family.
• : LML Director Peter Ward rounds up the best reads. This week he discusses 'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness and the Mock Printz Award the young adult book garnered this year.
• : Take a look back through the Lindy Lens at the mitten donation tree at the education center in Lindenhurst this past holiday season.

Last, but not least, be sure to check out the latest Patch features:

• Traffic and Gas Prices: Check here for the latest local Lindy traffic and gas prices before heading out each day.
• : See the latest two images of the Lindenhurst community posted this past week by your neighbors, and share your photos and videos here, too.