📢News

🔑Hometown Pride: Karie Jean-Pierre Honored with Keys to Hempstead

Karine Jean-Pierre went back to her roots in Hempstead, Long Island, where she got a pretty special gift - the keys to the city. Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr. did the honors on December 18, 2024, making it a day to remember for the White House Press Secretary.

Jean-Pierre's story is one for the books. She's broken barriers as the first Black woman and LGBTQ person to be White House Press Secretary. Before her big role in DC, she was just a kid who moved from Queens to Hempstead at age 10, and even worked as a volunteer firefighter there.

During her visit, she stopped by Joseph McNeil Elementary, her old school. The kids there gave her lots of hugs and showed her so much love. "It feels great to be home... It's emotional," she said, getting real about how much Hempstead means to her.

With about 30 days left in her White House role, she's keeping her eyes on the job at hand. But this homecoming sure was sweet, showing how far she's come from her Hempstead days to the White House briefing room.

🎙️NewsBites

🎁 Students Pack Holiday Spirit at Long Island School

Eastport-South Manor students are spreading cheer through their annual 'Stuff a School' fundraiser. The initiative brings together kids and community to collect donations for local families during the holiday season.

✨Bellmore Lights Up the Season

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores hosted a magical tree lighting event with all the trimmings. Residents enjoyed horse-and-carriage rides, met Santa, sipped hot chocolate, and watched the town Christmas tree light up. A menorah lighting ceremony is planned later this month.

🚔Police Officer's Secret Santa Status Revealed

Nassau County police officer Stacey Dolan got a surprise recognition for her quiet charity work. She delivers toys to kids at Nassau County Medical Center and sings to veterans. The 17-year force veteran co-leads the St. Padre Pio Miracle Foundation, helping sick children.

🏗️ Five Towns Community Center Gets Fresh Start

Big changes are coming to the Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence! Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman just shared some exciting news about giving this 100-year-old community hub a complete makeover.

The Gural JCC is stepping up with a $10 million investment to build a brand new facility. The old building on Lawrence Avenue will come down, making way for something special that everyone can enjoy. We're talking about a new gym, swimming pool, after-school spaces, senior activities, and special areas for neurodiverse folks.

The whole project should take about three years. The first six months will focus on planning, with building work lasting around 18 months. Operation Overwatch, part of the county police, will keep working there during construction.

Want to share your ideas? The JCC's executive director Stacey Feldman will be hanging out at local coffee shops next month to hear what residents want. You can also email your suggestions to [email protected].

The new center aims to be a place for everyone, from tiny tots to seniors, bringing the whole community together under one roof.

🏙️ City Updates

Keeping you informed with the latest city updates and community changes that impact Long Island. From leadership milestones to energy advancements, here’s what you need to know.

👩‍💼First Woman CEO Takes the Helm at Nassau Hospital

Megan Ryan makes history as the first female CEO of Nassau University Medical Center. After serving as general counsel and interim president, she now leads Long Island's largest public safety-net hospital. Under her leadership, the hospital has already seen improved safety grades and financial performance.

🔋Battery Storage Boosts Long Island's Power Grid

LIPA approves two major battery storage projects in Shoreham and Hauppauge. These facilities will store excess energy and help balance the grid as Long Island moves toward renewable energy. The projects will play a key role in achieving a 100% carbon-free grid for 1.2 million customers.

💵NY Minimum Wage Gets New Year's Boost

Starting January 1, 2025, minimum wage workers in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island will earn $16.50 per hour, while the rest of New York state moves to $15.50. The 50-cent increase is part of Governor Hochul's plan to help New Yorkers deal with rising costs.

🏢 Luxury Living Comes to Hauppauge: New Rental Complex Opens Its Doors

Looking for a new place to call home in Long Island? A stunning new apartment complex just opened in Hauppauge, and it's turning heads with its resort-style amenities.

Carlow Wind Watch, a $60 million luxury apartment complex by Southern Land Company, has officially opened at 1721 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge, adjacent to the Wind Watch Golf & Country Club and Hyatt Regency Hotel. The development offers 150 apartments across two buildings – one five stories and the other seven – with units ranging from 935 to 1,755 square feet. Monthly rents start at $3,802.

Apartments feature designer kitchens, stainless steel appliances, gas ranges, in-unit washers and dryers, and private balconies or terraces.

Community amenities include a resort-style pool and heated spa, outdoor dining areas with gas grills, a clubroom, poker and pool tables, shuffleboard, co-working spaces with private meeting rooms, a fitness center, yoga studio, and golf simulator.

Residents also benefit from secure parking (two spaces per unit) and a package locker room for deliveries.

Tim Downey, founder and CEO of Southern Land Company, described Carlow as a community designed to foster connections and enhance quality of life.

This marks Southern Land’s first Long Island project, with Florent, a $105 million development in Garden City, set to open next month. The company, founded in 1986, now manages projects worth $3 billion across nine states.

🎄Experience Holiday Magic at Christmas House Long Island

Looking for festive fun? Christmas House Long Island at Broadway Commons Mall in Hicksville offers an immersive holiday walk-through experience. Enjoy themed rooms like The Polar Bar with trivia and games, a vintage video store, and a carnival area.

A highlight is the snowball fight room – with soft cotton snowballs for safe, wintry fun. Tickets are $24.95 for kids under 13 and $29.95 for adults.

Open daily until January 2, 2024, it's the perfect spot for family photos and holiday memories. Visit Christmas House Long Island for details and make this season unforgettable!

NCHL Blue Jackets
Thursday| 5:45 PM EST - 6:45 PM EST | Cantiague Park Ice

Harlem Globetrotters 2025 World Tour
Tuesday| December 31, 2024 | 1 pm – 3 pm | Nassau Coliseum
Experience epic dunks, trick shots, and laughs as the Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals in an action-packed showdown at Nassau Coliseum!

Dinosaur Carnival
Tuesday| December 31, 2024 | 10:00 am | Rockville Centre
Join Long Island’s largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit for dino-themed games, crafts, live animals, and more at the Center for Science in Rockville Centre. Perfect for family fun, December 21–31!

LuminoCity’s Dazzling Wonderland of Light Sculptures
Tuesday| January 5, 2025 | East Meadow
Experience the magic of “Sweet Dreams” as Eisenhower Park transforms with breathtaking light sculptures and art installations. From Nov 8 – Jan 5, explore 14 acres of glowing wonder – perfect for family, date night, or fun with friends!

11th Annual Post-Christmas Pajama Bar Crawl
Monday | December 26| 3:00 pm | MULCAHY’S | Wantagh

Juniper at the Vanderbilt Live Music Thursday Nights
Monday | December 26 | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Vanderbilt | Westbury

Live Music: Evan Kuriga
Monday | December 27 | 08:00 PM | Tap Room Garden City | Garden City

Get the Led Out
Monday | December 26 | 8:00 PM | The Paramount | The Paramount

Live Music: Renee D'Angelo
Monday | December 27 | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Tap Room Farmingdale | Farmingdale

Live Music: Pete O'Malley Acoustic
Monday | December 27 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Tap Room Jericho | Jericho

Music by DJ Campos
Monday | December 27 | Tap Room Huntington | Tap Room Huntington | Huntington

Live Music: Rorie Kelly Acoustic
Monday | December 27 | 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Tap Room Massapequa Park | Massapequa Park

Carimi Reunion Live
Monday | December 27 | 9:00 PM | UBS Arena | Belmont Park

Lydia Von Hof to Perform at Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
Monday | December 29| 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM | Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame | Stony Brook

Mandatory Monday Adult Night with DJ Arson
Monday | December 30 | 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm | United Skates of America | Seaford

Al Sings Elvis at Spaghettini
Monday | December 30 | 06:30 PM - 09:30 PM | Spaghettini | Mineola

The Warped Tour Band & The Monster Stage
Monday | December 30 | 07:00 PM | Mulcahy's Pub & Concert Hall | Wantagh

DJ Neil C Club House Dance Party Feat: Reina and Lucas Prata
Monday | December 30 | 08:00 PM | Mulcahy's Pub & Concert Hall | Wantagh

THANKS!

Thanks for reading 516 Update! Stay tuned for the next edition!!