In these difficult inflationary economic times, it is especially important to patronize your local neighborhood restaurant not only during “Long Island Restaurant Week” Nov. 16-13  but all year round. There are so many great restaurants in Albertson, East Williston, Floral Park, Garden City, Greenvale, Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Williston Park and other nearby communities in Nassau County.

My wife and I don’t mind occasionally paying a little more to help our local restaurants survive. Don’t forget your cook and server. We try to tip 20 percent against the total bill, including taxes. If it is an odd amount, we round up to the next dollar. If we can afford to eat out, we can afford an extra dollar tip. When ordering take out, we always leave a dollar or two for the waiter or cook. It is appreciated.

Remember these people are our neighbors. Our local entrepreneurs have continued to create new employment opportunities without the assistance of federally funded taxpayers’ stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants to shop and eat, they don’t eat either.

Please join me and your neighbors in continuing to support all Blank Slate Media newspapers, including the Great Neck News, New Hyde Park Herald Courier, Manhasset Times, Roslyn Times, Williston Times and Port Washington Times. Patronize their restaurant advertisers; they provide the necessary revenues to help keep them in business. Let them know you saw their ad.

Larry Penner

Great Neck