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  • 🌊 $61M Hicksville Plan, NY Invests $200M in Clean Buses & Local Café Picks

🌊 $61M Hicksville Plan, NY Invests $200M in Clean Buses & Local Café Picks

West Islip Goes Green. St. Rocco's Feast Turns 50.

Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next
Midweek vibes are in full swing, and your latest 516 Update is packed with fresh stories, tasty finds, and local happenings worth knowing. From big developments to small-town gems, here’s what’s buzzing across Nassau County.

Fun Fact of the Week:
🎬 Nassau Was Home to NY’s First Drive-In Theater!
In August 1938, Valley Stream introduced the Sunrise Drive-In—the first drive-in movie theater in New York State. With a giant 65-foot screen and space for 500 cars, it turned summer movie nights into a Long Island tradition.

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Driving, walking, or multitasking? Click to listen to this week’s episode.

Today’s Edition:
🏗️ New $61M Apartment Building Coming to Hicksville!
🚌 School Buses Go Green: NY's $200M Clean Air Push
☕ A Cozy Corner to Caffeinate
🗓️ Upcoming Events and Things To Do!

🏗️ New $61M Apartment Building Coming to Hicksville!

Big news for Hicksville! A new $61 million apartment project is in the works, right next to the LIRR station. The six-story building will make life easier for commuters and bring new energy to the neighborhood.

What's really cool about this project is that 10% of the apartments will be affordable housing units. This means more people will have the opportunity to live in this great location without breaking the bank. The building won't just be a place to live; it's going to add something special to the area. Future residents will be steps away from trains and local spots, making everyday life more convenient.

In Partnership with 

Retire with Confidence. Secure What Matters Most.
Planning for retirement shouldn’t feel overwhelming. I’m Paul Stock, a financial advisor with Vanderbilt Financial Group, helping people just like you protect their future. Whether you’re rolling over a 401(k), seeking guaranteed lifetime income through annuities like RILAs, or need life or long-term care insurance, I’ll guide you with personalized, tax-efficient strategies. Business owner? Ask about our competitive group health plans.

Let’s create a retirement plan built around your goals.

📩 [email protected] | 📞 516-935-3434 x240 / 516-413-1201
Your secure retirement starts now—reach out today.

If you’d like to sponsor 516 Update, please reach out at [email protected]

🚌 School Buses Go Green: NY's $200M Clean Air Push

New York is stepping up its game with a big move for cleaner air and healthier kids. Governor Hochul just gave the thumbs-up to spend $200 million on new electric school buses, pulling the money from the Environmental Bond Act. The plan is simple but smart: swap out the old diesel buses that puff out black smoke for new electric ones that don't pollute at all. This means better air for everyone, especially the kids who ride these buses every day.

Schools across New York can now get money to buy these new buses. Kids will get to ride in quiet, clean buses instead of the noisy, smoky ones we're used to. It's a big change that's good for our kids and good for the air we all breathe.

NEWSBites

♻️ West Islip Goes Green

West Islip's new recycling program is a big hit! The community saw a 25% jump in paper and cardboard recycling in just seven weeks. Local residents are really stepping up to help the environment.

🎪 St. Rocco's Feast Turns 50

Glen Cove is planning something special for 2025! The Feast of St. Rocco will mark its 50th year with a four-day party from August 14-17. Expect lots of Italian food, music, and fun family activities - plus local artists showing off their work.

In Partnership with

Reviews To The Top

Helping local businesses (including service industries) in Nassau County grow fast and get more customers with 5-star reviews, seamless engagement, and stronger online visibility—all in one simple platform. Learn more at ReviewsToTheTop.com / email at [email protected] 

Subscriber Bonus: Mention 516 Update when you reach out and get a free trial with Reviews To The Top!

🌤️ WeatherWatch

🌦️ Wednesday, July 30
High: 90°F | Low: 73°F
Early showers make way for brighter skies.
Start with an umbrella, end with your sunnies!

☀️ Thursday, July 31
High: 99°F | Low: 75°F
Boom! A thunder-y start followed by sunshine
—perfect excuse to sleep in, then hit the town!

Please follow us on Instagram here! @516Update

🍴Featured Restaurant

  ☕️ Local Spotlight: The Rich Pour, Massapequa Park

Think it’s just another coffee stop? Think again.

At The Rich Pour, you walk into a party. Lights. Music. Energy. Co-owner Dana Masi calls it “a vibe,” and Nassau County is loving it. Alongside espresso and cold brew, they’re shaking things up with bold creations like the Pomegranate Matcha Puff and Vanilla Charcoal Detox from their Signature Latte menu.

Not a coffee fan? Dive into dirty sodas, fruity refreshers, or a kid-friendly pick. Grab a Dubai Chocolate Croffle or a savory panini, all made with all-natural ingredients.

📍 4863 Merrick Rd, Massapequa Park
🕖 Weekdays 7AM–4PM | Weekends 8AM–4PM
📸 Follow the vibes → @therichpour_ny

🎉 WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK IN
NASSAU COUNTY

Sun’s out, vibes are high, and the week is packed with fun! From live tunes to street fairs and pop-up surprises, here’s what’s turning up the heat across Nassau — don’t miss it! 👇

🎡Fair Days & Fun Ways

What’s Happening This Weekend in Nassau County

Saturday, August 2nd

Farmers Market at Eisenhower Park
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | East Meadow, NY

Sunday, August 3rd

Great Neck Farmers Market @ Firefighters Park
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Great Neck, NY

Farmers Market @ Farmingdale Village Green
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Farmingdale, NY

Scroll down and tap “Click here to view all 516 Update events” to see all weekend fairs with more information.

📣 Civic & Social Happenings

Wednesday, July 30th

Tap Room Goes Purple to End Alzheimer’s 
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Rockville Centre, NY

Thursday, July 31st

MOVIES BY MOONLIGHT: Toy Story 
6:30 PM | Farmingdale, NY

COMMUNITY CARES SUMMER SHOWCASE 
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Freeport, NY

Scroll down and tap “Click here to view all 516 Update events” to see all weekend fairs with more information.

🛍 Now Open in Hempstead: Ross Dress for Less

Before Ross arrived, Long Island shoppers had to travel or settle for higher prices. But now? Bargain lovers are rejoicing — and the lines prove it.

Ross Dress for Less just opened its first-ever Long Island store at 320 Peninsula Blvd., Hempstead (next to T.J. Maxx), it’s already drawing hundreds daily with its unbeatable mix of brand-name fashion, footwear, home goods, and more — all at 20%–60% off department store prices.

Seniors 55+ enjoy an extra 10% off every Tuesday, and another location is already on the way in Farmingville.

🏈 Sports Events 

Wednesday, July 30th

Long Island Ducks vs. Staten Island FerryHawks
Start time: 11:05 AM | Baseball | Central Islip, NYHome Game

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Start time: 6:40 PM | Baseball | Brooklyn, NYHome Game

Thursday, July 31st

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Start time: 12:00 PM | Baseball | Brooklyn, NYHome Game

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Start time: 1:05 PM | Baseball | Bronx, NYHome Game

Scroll down and tap “Click here to view all 516 Update events” to see all weekend fairs with more information.

🎸 Live Music

Wednesday, July 30th

Thursday, July 31st

LIVE+ & COLLECTIVE SOUL – Summer Unity Tour
6:00 PM | Wantagh, NY

🐾 Kitten of the Week: Meet Lanternshark!

She may have a tough name, but Lanternshark is one soft little sweetheart.

This small female kitten is curious, cuddly, and waiting patiently for someone to take her home. Whether you’re a lifelong cat lover or ready to adopt your very first feline, Lanternshark is the perfect purring companion.

Come visit her at Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center in Port Washington and see if this tiny light brightens your life.

📍 25 Davis Avenue, Port Washington, NY
🕙 Open Wed–Sun, 10AM–6PM
📞 516-883-7575 | animalleague.org

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!