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

Great news for small businesses in Hempstead! Citizens Financial Group just gave $10,000 to help a local business grow. This is exactly what our community needs right now.

The grant was given out at an event where lots of people showed up to cheer on local businesses. Everyone there could feel the excitement - there were bright banners everywhere and smiling faces in the crowd.

This money means a lot for small business owners in Nassau County. It's not just about the cash - it shows that big banks care about supporting little shops and companies. Plus, it might push other businesses to look for similar chances to get funding.

The best part? This grant will help the winning business serve more customers and make Hempstead an even better place to live and work. Small businesses are what keep our towns special, and this kind of support helps them stay strong.

Lyubov Mashkabov started small, running her beauty business from her Queens basement. Now, she's taking a big step forward by opening a brand new shop in New Hyde Park. The Beauty Cellar has become a go-to spot for many locals looking for quality beauty care.

The new store is bigger and better, offering more services than before. "I wanted to create a space where everyone feels beautiful and welcomed," says Mashkabov. Her words show just how much she cares about making people feel good about themselves.

The move has gotten lots of attention from the community. People are sharing pictures and good reviews on social media, and the new storefront is catching eyes with its bright signs. It's great news for Nassau County - not just because of the new jobs, but also because it brings more beauty services to the area.

This small business success story shows what can happen when someone follows their dreams. The Beauty Cellar is now ready to serve even more customers in its new home.

Last Friday turned out to be a big success for Massapequa Park's yearly "Shed The Meds" event. The local community showed up in full force at the Village Hall, bringing their old and unused medications for safe disposal.

The scene was lively with residents chatting and connecting while dropping off their medicines. Local police officers and volunteers helped out, making sure everything ran smoothly. By the end of the day, they had collected hundreds of pounds of medications.

"It's great to see everyone coming together for this cause," said the Village Mayor. "When people bring in their old pills, they're helping make our town safer for everyone." This kind of event really makes a difference in fighting drug misuse in Nassau County.

Want to join in next time? Keep an eye out for more medication take-back events coming up throughout the year. It's a simple way to help keep our community safe and clean.

Big changes are coming to Sunrise Mall as Urban Edge Properties takes the first step toward giving the old shopping center a makeover. They've just asked the Nassau County Planning Commission for permission to split up the 77-acre property.

Big changes are coming to Sunrise Mall as Urban Edge Properties takes the first step toward giving the old shopping center a makeover. They've just asked the Nassau County Planning Commission for permission to split up the 77-acre property.

Word on the street is that Amazon might be interested in setting up a delivery center there. This could be great news for South Shore residents looking for work. "It's about time something happens with that space; we need more options and jobs around here," said one local resident.

You might have seen some new activity at the mall lately, with signs popping up about planning meetings and lots of talk among neighbors about what's coming next. The mall's been pretty quiet for years, so this could really shake things up for folks in Nassau County.

This could mean big changes for the area - new jobs, different kinds of businesses, and maybe even a boost for local shops nearby. Everyone's watching to see what happens next with this old mall that's been part of Massapequa for so long.

The Here Hot Yoga + Strength Studio just opened in Woodbury, bringing a fresh mix of hot yoga and strength training to the area. The new spot gives fitness fans a place to work out and chill out, perfect for both yoga pros and first-timers.

East Meadow hits a big milestone with 30 years of helping Long Islanders on the autism spectrum. The community's work has made a real difference for local families, showing what happens when neighbors look out for each other.

Local volunteers rolled up their sleeves to tidy up Jones Beach for Earth Day on April 22. They picked up trash and debris, giving our shoreline some much-needed TLC. A simple reminder that small actions can keep our beaches beautiful.style.

🍽️ New Restaurants To Try

Le Botaniste just opened its doors in Belmont Village Park. This cool new spot serves up plant-based dishes including their star - a spicy vegan lobster pasta. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it's great for dates or hanging with friends.

Naya just opened its second Long Island spot in Oceanside Plaza. The menu features Mediterranean favorites, with their spicy lobster pasta stealing the show. Bring your dogs to chill on their pet-friendly patio while you enjoy some great food.

🌤️ WeatherWatch

☁️ April 28
High: 24°C | Low: 10°C
🌥️ Broken clouds

Looking for something fun, affordable, and local? From live music to family-friendly festivals, here’s what’s popping up around town this week👇

📅 Saturday, May 3^rd

🎉 Seaford Spring Fling
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Seaford Train Station, Seaford Crafts, food trucks, live music, kids inflatables, rock wall & free ice cream for first 500 kids under 12!
Family-Friendly

🛍️ Fine Craft Fair with the Long Island Craft Guild
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Manes Art Education Center, Roslyn
Juried artisan works in clay, glass, jewelry, and more.

🏃 Long Island Marathon Festival
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY
10K Race and 1K Kids Fun Run

🎉 Oyster Bay Day
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Downtown Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay
Food, vendors, live music, and family fun—Oyster Bay turns into a block party you don’t want to miss!

🧒 Sharkey’s Woodbury Grand Opening
📅 Saturday–Sunday, May 3rd–4th
📍 Woodbury Common, Woodbury
Xbox chairs, mini manis, and spa vibes—celebrate Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids with giveaways and haircut fun all weekend!
Family-Friendly

Stay tuned for more fairs for this weekend in our next newsletter edition!

Tuesday, April 29^th

🌿 Spring Flower Arranging Workshop
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 Manhasset Public Library, Manhasset
Learn floral design basics in this hands-on workshop with expert Christin Nash.

🌿 Relax and Restore at Fire & Ice Wellness Lounge
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Fire & Ice Wellness Lounge, Seaford
Aromatherapy, meditation, breathwork, and mindful movement in one calming evening.

Thursday, May 1^st

🎉 2025 OwnYourFuture Gala
6:00 PM
📍 The Inn at New Hyde Park, New Hyde Park
An evening of elegance, connection, and community support for SUNY Old Westbury students.

🎉 The Masquerade Social (PTA’s Biggest Night!)
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Plattduetsche Park, Franklin Square
Dress up, mask up, and raise funds in style—an unforgettable PTA night of dinner, dancing, and mystery.

Friday, May 2^nd

🎭 Village Art Club's 2025 Art Show
2:00 AM – 10:00 AM
📍 Oceanside Library, Oceanside
Browse featured artworks from VAC members at this first-ever community art show.

📚 FOL’s 56th Annual Book & Author Luncheon
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Garden City Hotel, Garden City
Join bestselling authors Chris Bohjalian and Alyson Richman in a special literary conversation.

🛍️ Trade-in Event at Dick's Sporting Goods
2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City
Swap your gently used sports gear and score trade-in credit—last chance this season!

🛍️ Food Truck Friday
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Food Truck Fridays, Levittown
Lemonade, food trucks, and Friday night cravings—served curbside with a side of fun. Family-Friendly

🛍️ Long Island Vegan Pop Up
📅 Friday, May 2nd, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Lithology Brewing Company, Farmingdale Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with free admission, 100% vegan food, music, and good vibes.

Stay tuned for more events coming up this weekend in our next newsletter edition!!

Monday, April 28^th

🏆 Skaterobics Monday Class
6:45 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 United Skates of America, North Massapequa
Skate like a pro! Adult beginner-to-advanced roller class with upbeat vibes and no judgment—just wheels.

Friday, May 2^nd

🏆 Long Island Marathon Festival of Races
Friday–Sunday, May 2nd–4th, 2025
📍 Eisenhower Park, East Meadow
Multiple races: 5K Family Fun Run, 10K, Kids 1K, Half & Full Marathon. Major annual event for all ages.

Saturday, May 3^rd

🏆 Rapid Chess Tournament
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Hyatt Place Garden City, Carle Place
Six rounds. Fifteen-minute games. All ages. Big brains. Bigger prizes. Who will be crowned king?

🏆 UBA Ultimate 2 n 1 Doubles
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Garden City Bowl, Carle Place
Double the teams, double the prize funds—bowl big, win bigger with UBA’s fiercest showdown.

Tuesday, April 29^th

🌿 Spring Flower Arranging Workshop
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 Manhasset Public Library, Manhasset
Learn floral design basics in this hands-on workshop with expert Christin Nash.

Friday, May 2^nd

🎸 The Snug – Wantagh
6:00 PM
📍 The Snug Wantagh, Wantagh
Live tunes, dinner, and drinks—what more do you need to kick off the weekend?

🎸 Cover2Cover duo at Spaghettini
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 Spaghettini, Mineola
Enjoy acoustic classics and great food—outdoor seating if weather permits!

🎸 FiveStone live at CoCo Bongo 📅 Friday, May 2nd, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM 📍 CoCo Bongo Long Island, Bethpage Cinco de Mayo vibes start early with FiveStone’s energetic show!

🎸 DJ MDW - Freestylin' Friday
8:00 PM
📍 Allegro Bar & Grille, West Hempstead
Where Freestyle Friday was born—expect beats, nostalgia, and serious dance floor flashbacks. It’s gonna be epic!

🎸 Hard Drive Live at Montana Brothers
8:00 PM
📍 Montana Brothers, Freeport
Kick off your weekend with Hard Drive—live music, good vibes, and zero excuses not to dance.

🎸 HardDrive Band Live at Montana Brothers
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 Montana Brothers, Freeport
Great food, great music, and an energetic set from NY Hard Drive Band!