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Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next
The weekend is starting to come into view, but there’s still plenty happening before we get there. Here’s what’s worth having on your radar today.
— Janine, Mo and Nick
Today’s Edition:
🌊 Long Island’s First MINISO Could Be Coming to Valley Stream
🌊 Hempstead Fresh Start Job Fair Is Coming Sept. 3
🌊 Massapequa Athletics Earns State and National Recognition
🗓️ Upcoming Events and Things To Do!
Long Island’s First MINISO Could Be Coming to Valley Stream
If blind boxes, plushies and little finds for your desk are your thing, Green Acres may be getting a new stop.
The Hempstead Industrial Development Agency has approved a lease for MINISO to take a 7,200-square-foot space at Green Acres Commons in Valley Stream.
If the deal moves forward, it would become the retailer’s first Long Island location.
MINISO has more than 7,800 stores around the world and sells everything from home goods and stationery to collectibles and character merchandise.
There’s one thing still missing: an opening date.
The approved lease was still subject to execution by MINISO, so this isn’t quite a done deal yet. But Long Island is officially one step closer to getting its first store.
Original report: Patch. Subscription or registration may be required by the publisher.
It's Here: Pique's New Caffeine-Free Afternoon Energy
I quit my afternoon coffee. Not because I wanted to — because I found something better.
You know that wall you hit every day around 2–3 PM? I used to just accept it as the cost of doing anything. Another coffee, a quick spike, then the crash — and somehow I'd still feel dehydrated by dinner.
Then I tried X·E Fountain, Pique's brand-new electrolyte energy drink, and I genuinely wasn't ready for how good "no crash" could feel.
No caffeine jitters. No 4 PM slump. Just clean, steady energy that actually hydrates me instead of draining me. It's built with a premium Vitamin B Complex for natural cellular energy, Magnesium Malate + Taurate for real focus, and a full electrolyte blend that makes it feel like a treat, not a chore.
The cucumber-celery-lime flavor is so crisp and refreshing — it's basically stolen my afternoon coffee slot completely.
Looking for Work? Hempstead Has a Job Fair Coming Up
If a new job is on your list, mark Thursday, Sept. 3.
The Fresh Start Job Fair is coming to Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The fair is open to all job seekers, with a particular focus on helping people looking for a new start after involvement with the justice system.
It’s being hosted by Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis, the New York State Department of Labor and Hempstead Works.
A previous job fair hosted by Davis brought together 130 job seekers and nearly 36 employers, so there should be plenty of conversations happening in one place.
Original report: Long Island Business News. Subscription or registration may be required by the publisher.
Massapequa Sports Just Had a Year Worth Bragging About
Massapequa didn’t just have one good team this year.
The high school’s athletic program finished the 2025-26 school year as the top-ranked Class AAA program in New York, while its boys program ranked No. 1 in the state and ninth nationally.
The Chiefs collected nearly a dozen county, Long Island and state championships along the way.
And it wasn’t only happening on the field.
All 33 varsity teams posted team GPAs of at least 90, earning Massapequa High School a School of Distinction honor.
State championships, national recognition and strong grades all in the same year. That’s a pretty good season for Massapequa.
Original report: Greater Long Island. Subscription or registration may be required by the publisher.
🌤️ WeatherWatch
Thursday, August 27
High: 79°F | Low: 69°F
⛈️ Afternoon thunderstorms possible
Friday, August 28
High: 80°F | Low: 69°F
🌦️ Morning storms, then improving later
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Nassau Events Worth Knowing This Week
Here are a few local events to keep on your calendar, including family activities, community gatherings, live music, food events, and weekend plans across the county.
Before you go, check the event page for registration, parking, weather updates, and schedule changes.
Family Fun 🎨
The 2026 Great Nature Play Day Festival | 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Planting Fields, Oyster Bay
Description: Families can build bee hotels, make nature journals and suncatchers, paint kindness rocks, plant seeds and enjoy storytime and birding walks. Admission is $15 per child, while parents and guardians are free. The festival also runs Sunday, August 30, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Total Wireless Free Backpack Event | 4:00 PM, Saturday, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Total Wireless, 76 South Main Street, Freeport
Description: Students can receive a free backpack and personalize it with patches, pins and keychains. No purchase is required. Backpacks are limited to one per customer and available while supplies last.
Civic & Social 🤝
Allegria Hamptons White Party | 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 27 (Tickets)
Location: Allegria Hotel, Long Beach
Description: Close out the rooftop summer series with ocean views, music, cocktails and an all-white dress code. This event is limited to guests ages 21 and older.
30th Annual Scholarship Golf Classic | 10:00 AM, Friday, August 28 (Tickets)
Location: Bethpage State Park Red Course, Farmingdale
Description: This anniversary golf outing supports scholarships for graduating high school students from Queens. Golfer packages include a cart, gift bag, branded shirt, breakfast, lunch, dinner and an open bar.
Live Music 🎵
Notes in Nature: Summer Symphonies | 5:30 PM, Saturday, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Planting Fields, Oyster Bay
Description: Nine string players perform works by Grieg, Holst, Florence Price, Corelli and Tchaikovsky during an outdoor chamber-music concert. Tickets are listed at $45 in advance and $50 at the door, if available. The concert will proceed rain or shine.
Sports Highlights 🏟️
Baseball ⚾
Long Island Ducks vs. Hagerstown Flying Boxcars | 6:35 PM, Friday, August 28 (Tickets)
Location: Fairfield Properties Ballpark, Central Islip
Description: The Long Island Ducks host the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in Atlantic League baseball. The game will stream on Dugout TV and HomeTeam Network.
Basketball 🏀
New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky | 1:00 PM, Saturday, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Description: The New York Liberty host the Chicago Sky in a WNBA regular-season matchup. Watch nationally on CBS or stream through Paramount+.
Soccer ⚽
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Brooklyn FC | 7:30 PM, Friday, August 28 (Tickets)
Location: Amerant Bank Field, Davie, Florida
Description: Brooklyn FC’s women’s team visits Fort Lauderdale United in Gainbridge Super League action. Watch locally through WPLG Local 10 or stream on Peacock.
Brooklyn FC vs. Sporting JAX | 7:00 PM, Saturday, August 29 (Tickets)
Location: Maimonides Park, Brooklyn
Description: Brooklyn FC’s men’s team hosts Sporting JAX in a USL Championship matchup. The match will stream on ESPN+.
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union | 7:30 PM, Saturday, August 29 (Details)
Location: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey
Description: The Red Bulls host the Philadelphia Union in an MLS Eastern Conference matchup. The match will stream on Apple TV.
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