Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next
Happy Friday, Nassau County!
The first full week of September is almost in the books. Before you switch into weekend mode, let’s catch up on what’s been happening close to home.
Grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s finish the week with some good local news.
In Today’s 516 Update:
🌊 Merrick Library Opens a Full-Service Coffee Bar
🌊 Long Beach Businesses Team Up on Giant Pizza Bagels
🌊 Oyster Bay Waives Pet Adoption Fees for September
— Janine, Mo and Nick
Merrick Library Opens Full-Service Coffee Bar With Local Flavor
The Merrick Library has turned an underused vending area into a full-service coffee bar designed to make the library an even more comfortable place to work, read and spend time.
The new bar serves cappuccinos, espresso, cold brew, specialty drinks and light snacks inside the library at 2279 Merrick Avenue.
The library is also keeping much of the operation local. Coffee comes from Flux Coffee in Farmingdale, while tea is supplied by SerendipiTea in Manhasset.
The counter is run by civil-service barista Gina Noto, who previously spent eight years at Massapequa Perk. Library officials said the goal was to improve patrons' experience and give them another reason to stay longer for reading, work or library programs.
The coffee bar is open Monday through Friday, adding a small but practical new amenity to one of Merrick's busiest community spaces.
Original source: Greater Long Island. Published August 29, 2026.
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Two Long Beach Businesses Join Forces on Giant Pizza Bagels
Two neighboring Long Beach businesses have turned a casual idea into a new everyday menu item.
Max Bialystok & Company, which makes bagels on East Park Avenue, has teamed up with next-door Francesco's to create 10-inch pizza bagels using fresh, hand-rolled bagel dough.
Max Bialystok prepares the dough each morning, and Francesco's finishes the oversized bagels with sauce, cheese and customer-selected pizza toppings.
After a three-Sunday test run proved popular, the businesses expanded the collaboration into a daily offering beginning August 31.
It is a small example of neighboring Nassau businesses working together instead of competing for the same customer.
Original source: Greater Long Island. Published August 31, 2026.
Lake Success Community Blood Drive Supports New York Blood Center
Residents and workers in the Lake Success and New Hyde Park area had another local opportunity this week to help replenish the region's blood supply.
Northwell Health-GoHealth Pediatric & Adult Urgent Care hosted a New York Blood Center blood drive on September 2 at its Union Turnpike location in Lake Success.
The six-hour event brought a New York Blood Center mobile donation van directly into the community, making it easier for local residents to give blood close to home.
Organizers promoted the drive as a way for individual donors to directly support patients who rely on donated blood and blood products.
Original source: Patch / New York Blood Center event listing. Held September 2, 2026.
🌤️ WeatherWatch
Friday, September 11
High: 77°F | Low: 65°F
☀️ Mostly sunny and cooler
Saturday, September 12
High: 76°F | Low: 63°F
😎 Mostly sunny and great for weekend plans
Sunday, September 13
High: 79°F | Low: 67°F
⛅ Sun and clouds with comfortable temps
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Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh
| Friday |
FRI 11 | Groovin at Palmer’s American Grille 6:30 PM | Palmer’s American Grille, Farmingdale Enjoy an evening of live music at the Farmingdale restaurant. View event → |
FRI 11 | 25th Anniversary of September 11 Lighthouse Commemoration 7:00 PM | Bayview Circle, Freeport The community gathers at Freeport’s September 11 memorial lighthouse for a 25th-anniversary remembrance. View event → |
FRI 11 | Wisdom of Wild Places: A Yoga Journey 7:00 PM | 9 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay A one-hour guided yoga experience inspired by the earth, nature and the outdoors. View event → |
FRI 11 | Songs From the Heart: Gio and Braedyn 7:00 PM | Governor’s at The Brokerage, Bellmore Gio and Braedyn present an intimate evening of live music. View event → |
FRI 11 | Jason Aldean: Songs About Us Tour 7:30 PM | Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh Jason Aldean headlines with Chase Matthew, Mackenzie Carpenter and Dee Jay Silver. View event → |
FRI 11 | Electric Dudes at Charlotte’s Speakeasy 7:30 PM | Charlotte’s Speakeasy, Farmingdale The Electric Dudes return for a live jazz and popular-music set through 10:30 PM. View event → |
FRI 11 | Obey Your Master and Disciple of the Garden 8:00 PM | Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, Wantagh Metallica and Chris Cornell tribute acts share the bill. View event → |
| Saturday |
SAT 12 | True Honey Teas Festival 9:00 AM | Hofstra University, Hempstead A two-day festival celebrating tea, wellness, vendors and community experiences. View event → |
SAT 12 | Honoring 25 Years of Resilience 5K Run/Walk 9:00 AM | Valley Stream Central High School, Valley Stream A community 5K marks 25 years of resilience while honoring September 11 remembrance. View event → |
SAT 12 | Bryson Tiller: The Neo Trapsoul Tour 7:30 PM | UBS Arena, Elmont Bryson Tiller brings his Neo Trapsoul tour to UBS Arena. View event → |
SAT 12 | Gimme Gimme Disco 8:30 PM | Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, Wantagh An ABBA-inspired dance party featuring disco favorites. Doors open at 8:00 PM. View event → |
| Sunday |
SUN 13 | Stew Leonard’s Touch a Truck 11:00 AM | Stew Leonard’s, Farmingdale Children can explore working trucks and community vehicles during this free event through 2:00 PM. View event → |
SUN 13 | Sip and Paint at the Mansion 11:00 AM | The Mansion at Glen Cove, Glen Cove A guided painting session in the historic mansion setting through 1:00 PM. View event → |
SUN 13 | Duck Derby 12:30 PM | Pryibil Beach, Glen Cove A community rubber-duck race hosted by the Glen Cove Rotary and Friends of the Glen Cove Youth Board. View event → |
SUN 13 | Football Sunday Package at Mulcahy’s 1:00 PM | Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, Wantagh Watch the Sunday football schedule with Mulcahy’s food-and-drink package. View event → |
SUN 13 | Great Gatsby Boat Tour 2:00 PM | 405 Main Street, Port Washington Cruise the North Shore while learning about Gold Coast estates connected with The Great Gatsby. View event → |
SUN 13 | Chayanne: Bailemos Otra Vez Tour 7:00 PM | UBS Arena, Elmont Latin pop star Chayanne performs his Bailemos Otra Vez tour. View event → |
SUN 13 | Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber 7:30 PM | Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh Wu-Tang Clan brings The Final Chamber tour to Jones Beach. View event → |
How did today’s 516 Update land for you?
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!
