🌤️ Areas Of Fog | High 59° Low 35°

While South Avenue stays closed for yet another utility project, at least Jones Beach is planning something that'll actually be finished on time—a 250th anniversary celebration that's only been in the works since, well, 1776.

That South Avenue Detour? Still Not Fixed

If you've been wondering when you can stop taking the long way to Adelphi, the answer is: not yet. As Adelphi University reported, utility work is still blocking South Avenue on the curve near the golf course, keeping the road closed for anyone heading toward the Garden City campus from Rockaway Avenue and Cherry Valley Avenue.

The university is routing traffic through Stewart Avenue as an alternate route while crews finish whatever they're doing down there. No word on exactly when the work wraps up — just the classic "until safely completed" timeline we all know and love.

For anyone who's been dealing with this detour, you know the drill by now. But if you're new to campus or forgot about the closure, factor in extra time. South Avenue connects some major residential areas to the university, and when 20,000+ students and staff have to find another way around, Stewart Avenue gets interesting fast.

Jones Beach Turns 250 This Memorial Day (Yes, Really)

Jones Beach is celebrating its 250th anniversary with a massive Memorial Day weekend festival, Patch reported. Governor Hochul announced the celebration, which will feature special programming throughout the long weekend. The beach, which opened as a state park in 1929, is marking a quarter-millennium since the area was first settled.

Expect bigger crowds than usual — as if Memorial Day weekend at Jones Beach needed extra traffic. The celebration comes at the perfect time to kick off the summer season, though anyone who's tried to find parking there on a holiday weekend knows the real celebration will be snagging a spot before 9 AM.

The state hasn't released full details on the programming yet, but given Jones Beach's track record with events (hello, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater), expect something worth the inevitable Meadowbrook Parkway backup.

Partner Spotlight

Reach Your Neighbors

Your business could be right here, in front of thousands of local readers. Local ads, local impact.

Learn more

Uniondale PAL Says Thanks to the Real MVPs

The Uniondale Police Athletic League held its annual coaches appreciation dinner this week, honoring the volunteers who make youth sports possible in the community. As Patch reported, the event recognized coaches across multiple sports who donate their time to keep kids active and engaged.

Police Athletic Leagues like Uniondale's have been community anchors since the 1940s, originally created to build positive relationships between police and neighborhoods through sports. In an era when youth programs face constant budget pressure, these volunteer coaches are essentially subsidizing the town's recreation budget with their free time.

If your kid plays PAL sports, you know exactly who these people are — they're the ones texting practice schedules at 9 PM and hauling equipment in their personal cars. Nice to see them get some recognition that doesn't involve a participation trophy.

⚡ Quick Hits

• On To The Championship Game! Hofstra Knocks Off Drexel In Overtime - Hofstra University Athletics. Hofstra women's basketball upset Drexel in overtime to reach the CAA championship game. One win away from March Madness and the campus is already planning the parade route.
• Hofstra Drops Series Finale at Monmouth - Hofstra University Athletics. Hofstra baseball dropped their series finale to Monmouth in a close game. Spring season continues as the Pride work to find their rhythm before conference play heats up.
• Hofstra Makes Historic Run To CAA Semifinals - Hofstra University Athletics. Hofstra makes their first-ever CAA women's basketball semifinals appearance. Historic run continues as the Pride prove doubters wrong one game at a time.
• Von Essen's Late Three Sends Hofstra To CAA Quarterfinals - Hofstra University Athletics. Emma Von Essen hit a clutch three-pointer to send Hofstra to the CAA quarterfinals. Nothing like a buzzer-beater to make everyone forget about midterm stress.

Levittown Schools Finally Say 'Thank You' to the People Who Actually Show Up

The Levittown Board of Education took time at Wednesday night's meeting to formally recognize PTA volunteers across the district, as Patch reported. Board members acknowledged the countless hours parents put in organizing events, running fundraisers, and keeping the district's extracurricular activities alive.

It's one of those stories that sounds routine until you think about it. In a district serving over 7,000 students across seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools, PTA volunteers are essentially running a small city's worth of after-school programming on zero salary. They're the ones making sure your kid's spring concert has working microphones and the fifth-grade field trip actually happens.

The timing's probably not coincidental — budget season is coming, and keeping parent volunteers happy makes those difficult budget conversations a lot smoother.

Free Money for Local Businesses (Yes, Really)

Optimum Business and the Long Island Association Foundation are handing out grants to 40 small businesses across the Island through their annual L.O.C.A.L. program, as Long Island Press — Business reported. The partnership aims to give local entrepreneurs the financial boost they need to grow or weather whatever challenge comes next.

This isn't new — the program has been running for years — but it's worth noting because actual grant money for small businesses is rare around here. Most "business support" involves tax breaks for companies that already have millions. This one targets the pizza shop owners, boutique operators, and contractors who actually live in the communities they serve.

If you know a small business owner grinding it out on Hempstead Turnpike or anywhere else in Nassau, they might want to look into this. Free money with no strings attached doesn't come around often.

From Our Neighbors

Community Spotlight

Know a local nonprofit, school fundraiser, or community event that deserves a shoutout? Reply to this email and we'll feature them here — free of charge.

Finally, Some Help With Long Island Home Prices

Nassau County Legislators Carrié Solages and Cynthia Nuñez are teaming up with the Long Island Board of Realtors, the State of New York Mortgage Agency, and the Long Island Housing Partnership for a first-time homebuyer workshop. The event aims to connect potential buyers with resources and education to navigate Long Island's brutal housing market, as Nassau County — News reported.

This comes at a time when Nassau County's median home price hit $650,000 last year — making homeownership feel impossible for teachers, firefighters, and other working families who grew up here. The workshop will cover down payment assistance programs, including SONYMA's offerings that many qualified buyers don't even know exist.

Both legislators represent Valley Stream, where starter homes routinely sell for $500K+. If you're tired of watching your rent money disappear while your friends move to North Carolina, this might be worth your Saturday morning.

🗣️ Rumor Mill

We cannot confirm any of this.

• What is being built on college road?. Reddit user spotted major tree clearing on College Road across from Fairfield apartments. No permits posted yet but construction crews don't clear land for fun.
• Parking lot security guard entering parked vehicles…is this allowed?. Someone claims they saw a Gateway Plaza security guard entering and searching parked cars around 9pm. Two hours later they filed a police report - something's definitely not right here.

Town Offering Defensive Driving Classes (Yes, Your Insurance Will Thank You)

The Town of North Hempstead is rolling out defensive driving courses for residents — and before you roll your eyes, this could actually save you some cash. Patch reports the town will be hosting these courses to help residents brush up on their skills behind the wheel.

Here's why you should care: completing a state-approved defensive driving course can knock 10% off your car insurance premium for three years. With Long Island insurance rates being what they are, that's real money back in your pocket. Plus, you get four points removed from your license if you've got any hanging around.

The timing makes sense — spring driving season is here, construction zones are multiplying like weeds, and let's be honest, we could all use a refresher on navigating the Hempstead Turnpike without losing our minds.

⚡ Before You Go

• Its Such A Relief: LI Family Celebrates Return Of Lost Cat - Patch. A Long Island family celebrated the return of their lost cat after an extended search. Sometimes the best news is simply knowing everyone made it home safely.
• TIL that you can request video games from your local library. Local libraries now loan video games just like books - no more $70 purchases for 15-hour games. Finally, a way to try Metroid Prime 4 without breaking the bank.
• Sewing groups?. Residents are looking for sewing groups to join across Long Island for in-person community. Apparently the pandemic reminded everyone that hobbies are better with friends.

Something happening on your block that we should know about? Hit reply.