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- 📰 Heroic Woman's Frozen Canal Rescue Caught on Camera!🚨
📰 Heroic Woman's Frozen Canal Rescue Caught on Camera!🚨
An incredible ice rescue, smart growth funding for Glen Cove, and how Nassau County is tackling hunger with community-driven initiatives.

Happy New Year Nassau County Readers!
Welcome to today’s newsletter, where we bring you the latest updates, news bites, and community happenings you won’t want to miss.
— Janine Laz, Mo and Nick
In today’s edition:
Brave Woman Saves Jet Skier from Frozen Canal 🦸♀️
Glen Cove Gets $150K Boost for City Growth 🌱
Fighting Hunger in Nassau County: Community Heroes at Work 🌟 🏢

📢News
🦸♀️Brave Woman Saves Jet Skier from Frozen Canal
A winter day in Mastic Beach, New York turned into a life-or-death situation when Kayla Masotto spotted a jet skier in trouble. The rider was sinking into the icy waters of Poospatuck Creek on December 26, 2024, and needed help fast.
Without thinking twice, Masotto grabbed her paddleboard and went straight onto the frozen canal. Another good person joined in, bringing a rope to pull the man to safety. Thanks to their quick work, they got him out before things got worse.
The jet skier went to the hospital with hypothermia but is going to be fine. Local officials called Masotto a "true hero" for what she did.
"I'm glad we were able to get him out as quick as possible," Masotto said. "Very thankful for good people in the right place and time."
The whole thing was caught on video and shows how one person's quick action can save a life. It's also a good reminder to be extra careful when doing winter sports near frozen water.

🎙️NewsBites
Holiday Meals Bring Joy to Seniors 🍗🎄
The Bristal Assisted Living and Family & Children's Association teamed up to deliver holiday feasts to 125 homebound seniors on Long Island. Five chefs prepared gourmet meals including turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings. Each senior also got a care package with cozy items like blankets and socks.
Green Christmas in Hempstead 🌲
Hempstead Town's 5th Annual Mulchfest lets residents turn Christmas trees into garden mulch. Drop off your tree on January 11th at Veterans Memorial Park. Best part? Local Nigerian Dwarf goats get to snack on leftover pine mulch!

🌱Glen Cove Gets $150K Boost for City Growth

The City of Glen Cove has been awarded $150,000 from New York State’s Smart Growth Community Planning Program to enhance walkable downtowns, small businesses, and affordable housing initiatives.
Photo Credit: AP Photo.
Good news for Glen Cove! The city just got $150,000 from New York State to make the area better for everyone. They're the only place on Long Island to get this money, which comes from a bigger $3 million pot split between 15 communities across the state.
The money will help Glen Cove put their 2024 plan into action. They want to make it easier for first-time buyers and older folks to find homes they can afford, particularly near train stations and by the water. They're also looking to bring new shops to downtown.
The cash comes from the Smart Growth Community Planning Program, which helps cities create better places to live. The focus is on making areas where people can walk or bike easily, and where there's a good mix of homes and businesses.
Walter Mosley, New York's Secretary of State, says these grants are helping towns across New York become better places to live and work. The money comes from a special fund that grew from $300 million to $400 million in 2022.

🏙️ 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.
Baseball Fields Get a Fresh Look ⚾
Town of Oyster Bay gives Plainedge Park a major upgrade by switching both baseball fields to synthetic turf. The new fields will last up to 10 years and handle rain better than dirt surfaces, meaning fewer canceled games. Players can now enjoy more game time with less weather disruption.
New Playgrounds Ready for Fun 🎪
Kids in Massapequa have new spots to play! Three local parklets - on Cheryl Road, Pittsburgh Avenue, and Linden Street - got fresh playground equipment. Town officials say these upgrades will give families safe, fun places to spend time outdoors.

🌟Fighting Hunger in Nassau County: Community Heroes at Work

Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton highlights year-end achievements, including $93,000 in grants for hunger-fighting organizations like NOSH Delivers and Plant A Row for the Hungry.
Photo Credit: Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.
Nassau County is making big moves to fight hunger, thanks to the work of Minority Leader Laura Curran and her team. They've secured money from the American Rescue Plan Act to help local food organizations feed more people.
NOSH Delivers is getting $43,000 to keep up their amazing work. Started in 2020 during Covid, they now help feed over 700 families every week. It's a real family affair - even Curran's parents roll up their sleeves to help out!
Another star player is Plant A Row for the Hungry in Port Washington. They're getting $50,000 to keep growing. Since 2010, they've given out 62,000 pounds of fresh veggies to food pantries. They also teach people how to grow their own food - talk about giving someone a fishing rod!
The county is spreading love in other ways too. They gave $7,000 to Glen Cove's Downtown Sounds concert series. And with the holidays coming up, Curran is asking everyone to chip in for Toys for Tots.
It really shows how a community can come together to help each other out. Now that's something worth celebrating!


🔆 WEDNESDAY 🌬️ THURSDAY 🔆 FRIDAY | 🌬️ SATURDAY ⛅ SUNDAY ☁️ MONDAY |


Dino Fun Awaits at Holiday Carnival 🦖
Bring the family to the Dinosaur Carnival at Rockville Centre's Center for Science! Running Dec 21-31, this exciting event features daily activities from 10am-4pm. Tickets are $12 for kids 1-12, $15 for ages 13+, and $12 for seniors - carnival included with museum admission.


Long Island Nets Vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce | Jan 6, 2025 | Monday | 7:00 PM | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553
Long Island Nets Vs. Birmingham Squadron | Jan 7, 2025 | Tuesday | 7:00 PM | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553
Long Island Nets Vs. College Park | Jan 9, 2025 | Thursday | 7:00 PM | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum – 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553
New York Islanders vs. Toronto Maple Leafs | Jan 2, 2025 | Thursday | 7:30 PM | UBS Arena – 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Belmont Park, NY 11003


Mike Delguidice | Jan 3, 2025 | Friday | 9:00 PM | Mulcahy's - 3232 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793
Music by DJ E | Jan 3, 2025 | Friday | 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM | Tap Room Massapequa Park - 1010 Park Boulevard, Massapequa Park, NY 11762
Music by DJ Frankie J and DJ Slick | Jan 3, 2025 | Friday | 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM | Tap Room Rockville Centre - 47-51 N. Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Music by DJ Doug E Fresh | Jan 4, 2025 | Saturday | 9:30 PM to 1:00 AM | Tap Room Garden City - 919 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
Music by DJ Frankie J DJ Freaky | Jan 4, 2025 | Saturday | 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM | Tap Room Rockville Centre - 47-51 N. Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Music by DJ Theo | Jan 4, 2025 | Saturday | 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM | Tap Room Rockville Centre - 47-51 N. Village Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
THANKS!
Thanks for reading 516 Update! Stay tuned for the next edition!!

