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🌊PSEG Long Island Grants and a Freshman’s Smart Park App

PSEG grants for energy upgrades, plus a freshman’s AI parking app that could cut congestion.

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516 Update
March 20, 2026

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Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next
It’s Friday, and we’re wrapping up the week with the latest updates from across the county. From news that closed out the workweek to events and developments heading into the weekend, here’s what Nassau County residents should know.

Fun Fact Spotlight: The "Satanic" Duck đź¦†
Long Island’s most iconic piece of roadside architecture, The Big Duck in Flanders, was built in 1931 with a very resourceful detail: its glowing red eyes are actually taillights from a 1931 Ford Model T.
When the lights were first turned on at night, the eerie red glow was so unexpected that some locals actually feared the structure was a "satanic duck," leading to a bit of a local panic! Today, it's far more beloved, even inspiring the architectural term "duck", used to describe any building that is shaped like the product it sells

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— Janine, Sue, Via, Mo, and Nick

🎧 Prefer to Listen? Tune In On the Go
Driving, walking, or multitasking? Click to listen to this week’s episode.

Today’s Edition: 
đź’° PSEG Energy Grants for Small Businesses
đźš— Nassau Freshman Debuts Smart Parking App
🗓️ Upcoming Events and Things To Do!

Brooke N., two years is no small thing. You and your team built something people keep coming back to, and that says a lot.
Amanda C.

Ashley R. and Tom E., congratulations on your engagement. Wishing you both a really happy season and a lot of good memories ahead.
Rachel M.

Major News

đź’° PSEG Long Island Grants Available for Local Businesses

Photo by PSEG Long Island

PSEG Long Island is offering up to $125,000 in grants to help local businesses grow while improving energy efficiency. The program includes rebates and upgrades that can lower operational costs and utility bills. This joins other local programs supporting small businesses across the region.

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516 Update Community Guide

Driving to a Mets game from Nassau County? Our guide breaks down the parking at Citi Field price, lot locations, and money-saving tips for a stress-free trip.

Newsbite

đźš— High School Freshman Builds AI Parking App

East Rockaway freshman Adam Kolakowski created Smart Park, an AI-powered app that helps people find available parking in real time. The app could reduce time spent searching for spots and cut down on traffic congestion. It's a great example of young people using tech to solve everyday problems.

Are You Ready to Actually Retire?

Knowing when to retire is harder than knowing how much to save. The timing depends on what your retirement actually looks like: how long your money needs to last, what you'll spend, and where your income comes from.

When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide is built for investors with $1,000,000 or more who are ready to move from saving to planning. Download your free guide and start working through the details.

🌤️ WeatherWatch

â›… Friday, March 20
High: 48°F | Low: 34°F
đź’§ 9% chance - intervals of clouds and sunshine

🌧️ Saturday, March 21
High: 48°F | Low: 35°F
đź’§ 41% chance - considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers

â›… Sunday, March 22
High: 40°F | Low: 30°F
đź’§ 6% chance - partly cloudy and breezy

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New to Nassau

Baldwin’s First Black-Owned Pilates Studio Opens on Grand Avenue

KŌRE, the new mat Pilates studio from local entrepreneur Catherine Hardwick, brings a community-centered approach to Baldwin’s wellness scene. The space grew out of Hardwick’s Pilates events and adds a more accessible entry point into a fitness category that can often feel exclusive.

🎉 Opening a New Business in Nassau? Let’s Share It.
Whether it’s a grand opening or you’ve recently opened your doors, we help locals see what’s new in their neighborhood.
👉 Fill out the quick form to get started today!

🎉 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 👇

🎉 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!
👉 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!