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  • 🌊 $25M Sports Complex Opens in Hempstead —Food Bank Boosts & Filli Café Debuts

🌊 $25M Sports Complex Opens in Hempstead —Food Bank Boosts & Filli Café Debuts

Nassau County allocates $2.2M for food banks, Dubai’s Filli Café opens in Hicksville, and Sopranos stars head to Bellmore.

Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next
Happy Tuesday! We’ve got your daily roundup of what’s happening across Nassau County—spotlighting good news, great food, and can’t-miss community events. Let’s dive in and see what’s making waves today.

Fun Fact Spotlight:
šŸ  Hicksville Heritage
Founded around an LIRR stop in 1837, Hicksville quickly grew into a farming hub—famous for cucumbers and a local Heinz pickle works—before transforming into a major commuter center.

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Today’s Edition: 
šŸŸļø Town of Hempstead Opens New Sports Complex
šŸŽ Nassau County Steps Up for Food Banks
ā˜• Dubai's Filli CafĆ© Opens in Hicksville
šŸŽ¬ Sopranos Stars Coming to Bellmore
šŸ—“ļø Upcoming Events and Things To Do!

šŸŸļø Town of Hempstead Opens New Sports Complex

Photo by: Eesha Butt/Herald photos

The Town of Hempstead just opened the Point Lookout Athletic Complex, and it's a pretty big deal for youth sports in Nassau County. The $8 million project came in under budget, which is always nice to hear.

The complex sits at Lido Beach and includes two full-sized turf fields for soccer, lacrosse, and football. They've got goalposts, an electronic scoreboard, and drainage systems that keep things playable throughout the year. Local leagues will use it regularly, but they're also hoping to bring in tournaments from around the country.

The complex is already being seen as a future hub for youth athletics in the area. That's good news for families who've been looking for better sports facilities.

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516 Update Community Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Craft Fairs on Long Island, NY

Here in Nassau County, NY, a vibrant arts scene and supportive communities make it a hotspot for incredible craft fairs. From the sunny boardwalks of Long Beach to the historic parks of East Meadow, these events are more than just markets—they're a celebration of local talent and creativity. These fairs are perfect for holiday shopping, finding unique gifts, and spending quality time with friends and family. This guide will help you discover the best upcoming craft fair Long Island NY events, so you can find unique handcrafted treasures while supporting our local small businesses.

Ready to explore? Let's dive into where you can find handcrafted excellence across Nassau County. For a complete list of local happenings, be sure to visit our events page.

NEWSBites

šŸŽ Nassau County Steps Up for Food Banks

Nassau County declared a state of emergency due to the federal shutdown, directing extra funds to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares. With about 230,000 Long Islanders facing food insecurity and costs up 40%, these resources will help local families access meals during tough times.

ā˜• Dubai's Filli CafĆ© Opens in Hicksville

Filli CafƩ brought its famous Middle Eastern coffee and pastries to Hicksville. The new spot offers saffron-infused drinks, Arabic coffee, and a cozy place for neighbors to catch up. It's a fresh addition to the local dining scene.

šŸŽ¬ Sopranos Stars Coming to Bellmore

Merrick resident Andrew Jedlicka is hosting "A Night With The Sopranos" at Bellmore Movies on November 21. Four cast members will share stories and celebrate Italian American culture with local fans. Tickets are on sale now.

Marie Salerno
Douglas Elliman Syosset
Real Estate

With 23 years of proven success, Marie Salerno, Associate Real Estate Broker at Douglas Elliman Syosset, delivers trusted guidance and exceptional results - for first-time home-buyer consultations and purchases to marketing and selling luxury Gold Coast estates.

Delivering concierge-level service and supported by a multilingual team with the prestige and national reach of Douglas Elliman, Marie offers strategic advice, local expertise, and elevated real estate experiences throughout Jericho and Long Island’s North Shore in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

516-640-9953 | ā€œYour connection to real estate.ā€
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Real listings. Real results. Real estate that moves you.

šŸŒ¤ļø WeatherWatch

ā˜ļø Tuesday, November 18
High: 53°F | Low: 41°F
šŸ’§ 4% chance — a calm, cloudy day to sip something warm and cozy up indoors.

šŸŒ„ļø Wednesday, November 19
High: 53°F | Low: 43°F
šŸ’§ 5% chance — clouds are rolling in, setting the mood for midweek chill vibes.

āœˆļø Make It a Moment: The Pan Am Museum, Garden City

Step into a golden age of travel at the Pan Am Museum, tucked inside the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. Once known as ā€œThe World’s Most Experienced Airline,ā€ Pan Am now lives on through rich exhibits, personal stories, and memorabilia that bring its legacy to life.

This isn’t just about aviation—it’s about people, adventure, and the culture of an era. Founded by passionate former employees, the museum honors the spirit of the airline and its global family.

While you’re there, take time to explore the surrounding parks, grab a bite at nearby eateries, or just sit and reflect—this spot invites both learning and leisure.

šŸ“ Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, NY
šŸ•“ Perfect for weekday exploring or weekend wandering

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šŸŽ‰ WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN
NASSAU COUNTY

🌦 Rain or shine, Nassau is full of things to do!
From local fairs to live music and community events, there’s always something happening across the county. Grab your calendar — and maybe an umbrella — and see what’s coming up this week šŸ‘‡

šŸŽ”Fair Days & Fun Ways

What’s Happening This Weekend in Nassau County

Saturday, November 22nd

Long Beach Farmers Market
šŸ“ Kennedy Plaza
9:00 AM | Long Beach

Long Island Slot Car Show
šŸ“ Miller’s Ale House
10:30 AM | Levittown

Native American Fall Festival Weekend
šŸ“ 50 Barry Dr
10:00 AM | Glen Cove
Saturday–Sunday, November 22–23

Sunday, November 23

Wicked Breakfast 
šŸ“ 1276 Hicksville Rd
9:30 AM | Seaford

Massapequa Chamber of Commerce Holiday Fair
 šŸ“ Memorare Caterers
10:00 AM | Seaford

Scroll down and tap ā€œClick here to view all 516 Update eventsā€ to see all weekend fairs with more information.

šŸ“£ Civic & Social Happenings

Tuesday, November 18

Goat Yoga at Starkie Brothers Garden Center
 šŸ“ 721 Main St
6:00 PM | Farmingdale

ASCE Tech Lecture: LIDAR Data on Civil Engineering Projects
šŸ“ Rosemarie’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
6:00 PM | Farmingdale

Wednesday, November 19

Sound & Spirit: Fall Sound Bath & Intuitive Card Reading
šŸ“ Twin Flame
6:00 PM | Bethpage

Power Move Awards Gala
šŸ“ The Mansion at Oyster Bay
6:30 PM | Woodbury

Thursday, November 20

Independence: One Paw at a Time
šŸ“ Mulcahy’s
6:30 PM | Wantagh

The DEVi Circle: New Moon Ceremony
šŸ“ 2301 Jericho Turnpike
6:30 PM | New Hyde Park

Friday, November 21

Book-to-Film Discussion: Strangers on a Train 
šŸ“ 225 S Oyster Bay Rd
2:00 PM | Syosset

18th Annual Tommy Brull Foundation Fundraiser 
šŸ“ St. Agnes Parish Center
6:00 PM | Rockville Centre

Saturday, November 22

Coindre Hall Historical Tours 
šŸ“ Coindre Hall
11:00 AM | Lloyd Harbor

Friendsgiving 
šŸ“ Dogtopia
12:00 PM | New Hyde Park

Sunday, November 23

Home Scent Collection & Tea Time Workshop
 šŸ“ 215 Middle Neck Rd
2:00 PM | Great Neck

Savannah Sky at Bethpage Library
šŸ“ Bethpage Public Library
2:00 PM | Bethpage

Scroll down and tap ā€œClick here to view all 516 Update eventsā€ to see all weekend fairs with more information.

šŸˆ Sports Events 

Tuesday, November 18

Columbia Lions vs. Boston University Terriers
šŸ“ Levien Gymnasium
7:00 PM | New York, NY

Iona Gaels vs. Princeton Tigers
šŸ“ Hynes Athletics Center
7:00 PM | New Rochelle, NY

Wednesday, November 19

St. John’s Red Storm Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls
šŸ“ Carnesecca Arena
7:00 PM | Jamaica, NY

Thursday, November 20

Seton Hall Pirates Women’s Basketball vs. Fordham Rams
šŸ“ Walsh Gymnasium
7:00 PM | South Orange, NJ

Princeton Tigers vs. Northeastern Huskies
šŸ“ Jadwin Gymnasium
7:00 PM | Princeton, NJ

Friday, November 21

Sacred Heart Pioneers vs. Holy Cross Crusaders
šŸ“ William H. Pitt Health and Recreation Center
7:00 PM | Fairfield, CT

Army West Point Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons
šŸ“ Tate Rink
7:00 PM | West Point, NY

Saturday, November 22

Stony Brook Seawolves vs. Bryant Bulldogs
šŸ“ Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium
12:00 PM | Stony Brook, NY

Army West Point Black Knights vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
šŸ“ Michie Stadium
12:00 PM | West Point, NY

Sunday, November 23

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Women’s Volleyball vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
šŸ“ Jersey Mike’s Arena
4:30 PM | Piscataway, NJ

New York Islanders vs. Seattle Kraken
šŸ“ UBS Arena
5:00 PM | Elmont, NY

Scroll down and tap ā€œClick here to view all 516 Update eventsā€ to see all weekend fairs with more information.

šŸŽø Live Music

Wednesday, November 19

Jonas Brothers: JONAS20 – Greetings From Your Hometown
šŸ“ UBS Arena
7:30 PM | Belmont Park

Echoes of the Eagles: A Tribute to The Eagles
 šŸ“ Manhasset Cinemas Theater
7:30 PM | Manhasset

Thursday, November 20

Gotcha Covered Duo is Back at Bacaro!
šŸ“ Bacaro
6:00 PM | Massapequa Park

Andy Falco & Travis Book
šŸ“ Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street
7:00 PM | Port Washington

Friday, November 21

Open City, Heavyhex & Adult Magic 
šŸ“ Massapequa VFW
7:00 PM | Massapequa

Oh What A Night of Doo Wop & Rock & Roll
šŸ“ Westbury Music Fair
7:00 PM | Westbury

šŸŽ‰ Got an Event? Let’s Get It Listed!
From live music to local sports, fairs to fundraisers—if it’s happening in Nassau, we want to share it with our readers!
šŸ‘‰ Submit your event here: [email protected]

Thanks for reading this week’s 516 Update! We hope you found something to enjoy, explore, or share. Please share this with a friend or family member-we would really appreciate it!