Long Island Vol 2

Renovations

to increase home value

Personalization: We all want to make our home unique to our own character. However, when it comes time to sell, buyers want to envision themselves in the home, which can be difficult if the entire home is personalized to you. Avoid any personalization that is difficult to undo and stick to a nice universal outlook that speaks to everyone.

Landscaping: Just like with personalizing, it’s best to keep it simple. Some home buyers may love how elaborate your landscaping may look, but most of the time they’re considering the cost of upkeep or the difficulty of maintaining that look. A clean lawn with curb appeal is the best first impression to give to potential buyers.

Closet Space: Some of us are minimalist and can do with a larger room by sacrificing closet space, but most potential buyers value the importance of storage. Remember, buyers want to see themselves living in the home, and a lack of closet space might send them looking elsewhere.

Bold Paint: Freshly painted rooms are a great way to brighten up your home. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little color into your home but keep in mind that buyers may not favor the same colors you do. Stick to keeping the colors subtle with small accents and focus more on neutral tones to appeal to potential buyers.

Trendy Designs: Barn doors and patterned tiles may look great to some buyers, but avoid trendy designs that might be outdated when you decide to sell. No matter how tempting the latest home design trend may be, the classic look is always the safest bet.

DIY Projects: Projects that you build yourself are great, but only when they’re done professionally. This is important to potential buyers so make sure if you’re going to do your own home project, that you do it exceptionally well. This also applies to repairs, quick cover ups will only get you so far. These sort of projects can either increase or decrease the value of your home so make sure you know what you’re doing before proceeding.

Long-Term Necessities: When it comes to renovations, keep in mind that not every buyer needs a built in office desk, or a workshop, or anything that may seem like a great idea to you. Tread carefully when adding permanent fixtures, not all buyers have the same vision as you when it comes to changes made. Make sure your room structures allow the flexibility for potential buyers to make their own changes.

Restaurants

Crabtree’s Restaurant

White-tablecloth spot with garden seating serving Mediterranean fare, including seafood & brunch.

226 Jericho Turnpike, Floral Park, NY 11001

Phone: (516) 326-7769 | Web: crabtreesrestaurant.com

Lakehouse

Intimate eatery renowned for New American fare & water view offers mahogany bar & lakeside fire pit.

135 Maple Ave, Bay Shore, NY 11706

Phone: (631) 666-0995 | Web: thelakehouserest.com

Cafe Baci

Italian fare served in large portions for over 25 years at this lively trattoria.

1636 Old Country Rd, Westbury, NY 11590

Phone: (516) 832-8888 | Web: cafebacirestaurant.com

Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?

Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list. Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.

Blackstone Steakhouse

Prime meats plus sushi & seafood in a wood-accented space with a power-lunch vibe & bar scene.

10 Pinelawn Rd, Melville, NY 11747

OHK Bar & Restaurant

Sophisticated American cuisine presented in the elegant interior of a 1919 mansion-turned-hotel.

135 W Gate Dr, Huntington, NY 11743

Waterzooi Belgian Bistro & Oyster Bar

Mussels are the main event at this Belgian bistro with imported beers & a lively bar scene.

850 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530

Tullulah’s

Mod haunt with warm decor

serving a seasonal American tapas menu, craft beers & speakeasy cocktails.

12 4th Ave, Bay Shore, NY 11706

The Refuge

Restaurant, bar & lounge for creative Latin & Italian cuisine & seasonal decor.

515 Broadhollow Rd, Melville, NY 11747

Bigelow’s New England

Fried Clams

Storied seafood counter joint with New England vibe dishing fried clams, chowders & more.

79 N Long Beach Rd, Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Brasserie Persil

Bustling brasserie with patio dining known for classic French cooking, from mussels to steak frites.

2825 Long Beach Rd, Oceanside, NY 11572

LIMANI

Upscale Greek-Mediterranean restaurant with a large seafoodfocused menu & spacious.

1043 Northern Blvd, Roslyn, NY 11576

MAY 20

Cradle-Con 2023: A Comic, Collectible and Pop Culture Con

This spectacular yet intimate experience is for fans of all ages to gather, socialize, and be passionate about what they love. This is Long Island’s non-profit comic convention created by fans, for fans. This is...CradleCon. Learn more at cradleofaviation.org.

JUN 11

Long Island Pride 2023

The 2023 Long Island Pride celebration will be returning home on Sunday, June 11th, in Huntington Village, from 12n-5p. Join thousands at the annual parade, concert, and festival celebrating, dancing, eating and drinking. Learn more at lipride.org.

JUL 20

Great South Bay Music Festival

If you love music, then this is going to be one of your favorite Long Island summer festivals. This event lasts four days and features music acts ranging from indie to alternative rock and more. Learn more at greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com.

AUG 4

Summerfest

Head on over to Downtown Sayville to enjoy three days of food, rides, games, live music, art, a four-mile fun run, classic car show, and more.

SEP 3

2023 Ronkonkoma Labor Day Street Fair

It’s always a shame when summer ends, so cap off your summer with a memorable event like the Ronkonkoma Labor Day Weekend Street Fair. You’ll find more than 200 vendors of all sorts, merchandise, musical acts, children’s rides, and much more. Learn more at allevents.in.

OCT 6

Famous Food Festival “Taste the World” Long Island

We invite you to come ‘Taste The World’ with delicious food inspirations from countries represented from all around the world. Featuring Over 60 Food Vendors, be prepared to taste some of the best New York, Tri-State, and home of Long Island has to offer. Learn more at eventbrite.com.

DEC 2

27th Annual Charles Dickens Festival

The festivities will feature many returning favorites; ice skating at the Village Center, a cappella performance by choirs and harmony groups, Nutcracker performances, magic shows by The Great Wizard of the North, and many fine musical performances by area musicians. Learn more at portjeff.com.

FEB TBD

Long Island Winterfest

Since 2006, Winterfest has featured several weeks of live music and cultural events which highlighted the island during the off season with less traffic and more intimate experiences.

MAR 10

The 90th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Huntington St. Patrick’s Parade is Long Island’s oldest and largest and features dozens of pipe bands, including some of the metro area’s finest. Learn more at huntingtonhibernian.com.

With lodging, food and entertainment all included in one price, choosing to do a vacation on a cruise gives great value. Traveling on the sea can be extremely fun, but it is important to choose the correct cruise line. If you’re going to spend a lot of your vacation time on a cruise ship, it may as well be one of luxury. Thankfully, there’s many luxury cruise lines ready to cater to your every

whim while ferrying you to and from some of the world’s most mesmerizing destinations in plush comfort. Some offer exotic voyages to faraway destinations, while others attract travelers with comfortable cabins and stimulating enrichment programs. Use this guide as a starting point to find out which luxury cruise fits best for your next vacation.

SILVERSEA

OCEANIA REGENT SEVEN SEAS SEABOURN

EATING THE PSYCHOLOGY

Control weight gain and compulsive eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

Control weight gain and compulsive

eating behaviors by making better choices about the food that you eat.

ConsumptionSome of us more than others realize that what we eat can effect how we feel such as eating too little or too much. We should be able to enjoy what we eat but also feel better when we do.

Eating healthy is a challenging task that many of us

strive to achieve but often fall short.

InfluencesCultural, social, family, and economical factors may be a direct influence linked to our food and eating behaviors. However, a more serious influence such as stress, boredom and anxiety can play a larger role as many of us eat as a coping mechanism. Although it can

sometimes help bring relief and ease feelings, it often leads to regret and build more negativity. Avoiding the problem with food will often create another problem with self-image when suffering from weight gain or other negative affects caused by unhealthy eating.

Weight ManagementHere are tips to help you manage your weight.

For starters, never skip a meal. By skipping a meal, you’re allowing yourself to become

hungry later which can result in reckless binge eating. Be sure to plan your meals ahead of time and limit night time snacking. This will allow you to always be one step ahead

of your weight by creating a routine. If you’re getting a craving between meals, try to exercise or find another way to distract yourself from food.

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Eating Diary - This is a great tool to keep track of your eating habits. Record what food you eat and when you eat it. Also take note of how you feel after eating and if you were doing anything while eating such as using your phone or watching TV.

By recording your habits, you will be able to pinpoint which foods and activities to avoid. The diary can also assist you when you’re working with a dietitian to help you make the best decisions.

THE HAMPTONS LGBT CENTER

The LGBT Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is a home and a voice for LGBT people, their families, and support systems in Long Island and Queens.Our community centers help LGBT people to be themselves, stay healthy, and change the world.

LGBTNETWORK.ORG | (631) 899-4950

PFY

Our mission is to enhance the health and wellness of the LGBTQ community through education, supportive services and personal development in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties.

LONGISLANDCRISISCENTER.ORG | (631) 940-1964

ALBATROSS BAR

Upbeat gay bar offering cocktails along with karaoke, drag shows, bingo & TV viewing parties.

ALBATROSSASTORIA.COM | (718) 204-9707

NUBAR

Longtime, convivial LGBT bar with a year-round patio, offering DJ shows, karaoke & bingo nights. NUBARLI.COM | (516) 694-6906