Free Stuff at Long Island Restaurants

Hi All,

Who doesn't like to get free stuff while you're at a restaurant.  Getting 'comped' like that makes you feel like a special guest - and the food or the drink or whatever you are getting for free - is usually extra good.  Because, well, its free!

Forthwith - a link from the Long Island Press from October 2017.  The article is titled, 'The A List: Free Stuff Restaurants Will Give You Just Because It's Your Birthday'. 

As is the case in life...there is a section in the article titled 'Fine Print'.  Which basically explains that the various restaurant(s) might require you to sign up for email or become a member of the restaurants 'club'.  (Which might entitle you to more free goodies in the future...)

As if that isn't enough; click on this link for an article titled, 'Free Things To Do With Your Kids on Long Island' published in September 2017 by TripSavvy.com.

The article has a nice list of interesting and obscure - but family friendly - things to do on Long Island with kids!!!

Enjoy the links and the free stuff that Long Island has to offer!

Regards,
Stu 

Beer - A Refreshing Subject

Hi All,

It is summer. It is warm outside.  And humid.  And sticky. Are you thirsty?  Yep - me too - and that's what got me thinking about beer!  (A subject close to my heart and which makes my taste buds perk up).  Drink up because today's blog entry will discuss two really interesting and relevant beer sites on the web.  Note that there are hundreds and hundreds of beers sites on the web...just doing a simple Google search for 'beer united states' yields over 100 million hits.  A ridiculously large number of beer related 'stuff'.

One of the more geographically relevant sites on the web dealing with beer is the site "Long Island Beer Guide.com".  Click prior link to go to the site.  The site has sections on Upcoming Beer Events on Long Island, Large Craft Breweries in Suffolk County, Small Craft Breweries in Nassau County, Small Craft Breweries in Suffolk County,  Brewpubs in Suffolk County, Beer Bars in Nassau/Suffolk  County and Restaurants That Highlight Great Beer in Nassau and Suffolk County.

But wait...there is more.  There are links for craft brewing, homebrewing, and beer enthusiast clubs on the site.  Links to blogs, podcasts and home brew supplies are listed on the site as well.  Whew...just from typing that I'm thirsty.  I'm glad my next set of links discusses Beer Retailers That Fill Growlers in Suffolk and Nassau County and Long Island Beer Festivals!

Next is a website called BeerAdvocate.  What is BeerAdvocate you ask? It 'is a global, grassroots network, powered by an independent community of beer enthusiasts and industry professionals who are dedicated to supporting and promoting beer'.

The site has links to the BeerAdvocate magazine, Forums (a great place to talk about drinking, making and anything related to beer), Beers (find recent beer ratings and reviews by BA members - links to Top Beers, Beer Styles and Beer 101), Places (a beer travel guide to find breweries brewpubs and more), Events (find festivals and more) and a Store (buy ti-shirts, hats, stickers and more).

Users can also subscribe to the BeerAdvocate by submitting their email address on the homepage.

So there ya have it...two useful, interesting and thirst (oops..I mean thought) provoking beer sites.  

And of course, some awesome links to books that discuss the history and brewing of beer that we have in the library!

Enjoy the links and beer!

Regards,
Stu

Hi All,

With Memorial Day being over now, folks can move on to the next big thing...which is....Summer.

Traditionally Memorial Day is the start of the summer holiday season.  Forth with...a few sites that will assist you in enjoying those beautiful days off during a Long Island summer.

One of the better 'things to do' links for Long Island is the site LongIsland.com - it bills itself as 'your guide to Long Island since 1996 (which makes it almost 20 years old!)

Some of the better features of the site include links to Restaurants, Hotels, Nightlife, Weddings, Kids Fun, Day Camps, Wineries, Events and Guides.  Click on any of the previous links and you'll go to that part of the website.

Newsday - the Long Island newspaper - has a special section on their website for 'things to do on Long Island'.  The link comes from the Lifestyle section and can be found by clicking here.

The current page has link for the 2015 Jones Beach Air Show, 50 Must-Have Summer Toys for Every Kid, Your Ultimate Guide to 99 Long Island Beaches, 12 Favorite Outdoor Dining Spots on LI, 10 Safety Tips When Boating With Kids and more.

Finally, for another point of view, users might want to visit the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission website. The site has links to Arts & Culture, Beaches & Ocean Fun, Golf/Sports/Outdoors, Wine and Dine, Shopping, Kids and Families, Farms and Orchards, Maps and Transportation and Coupons/Brochures.  Its a great site to get ideas to do things during the Summer - and Winter and Spring and Fall!

Enjoy the links,

Regards,
Stu

Yum...I'm Hungry. It's Breakfast (Lunch or Dinner) Time...

Hi All,

A guy's got to eat. And a girl's got to eat. And what better way to find a restaurant on Long Island with your smartphone than to use Eat Out! Long Island?

Indeed, at the top of the page there is a dialog box where users can type in the name of a restaurant.  There is also an Advanced Search for users.  Advanced Search enables users to search by the following criteria:
Restaurant Name
Cuisine
Address
City
County
Zip Code
Phone Number
 
In addition, users can check a specific box to find a location that offers that feature (like whether or not the restaurant has a website, online menu availability, if reservations are accepted, if take-out is available, if there is catering, are credit cards accepted and much, much more) 

In addition, users can Rate a particular restaurant when they view the restaurant information.  Click on this example from Ciao Baby on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Park.   Ratings go from 1-10 - with a rating of 10 being the best. Rankings include a section titled, 'Would you return?' and there is a date that the review was created.

Restaurant ranking categories include Food, Atmosphere, Service and Value. Eat Out! Long Island offers an email list to users - click here for the link.  Users can Add a Listing by clicking on this link.

So...when you are hungry or in a hurry to find a specific cuisine to eat for dinner...you might want to check out Eat Out! Long Island! Its user friendly, helpful, current, informative and easy to navigate!

Regards,
Stu

Farmingdale Village Hall - Services and More!

Hi All,

Just realized that I have yet to explore one of Farmingdale's best loved - and centrally located - resources!

 I'm talking about Farmingdale Village Hall. The previous link - in blue - will connect you to the Farmingdale Village Hall's website (hereafter noted as FVH - it'll save some time and typing) - and a huge amount of information for users!  Try it out - you won't be sorry!

So, what does FVH have for residents?  They've got a fax number - nice long hours (8:30am-4:30pm, Monday - Friday) and a very  helpful website.  Let me navigate you through it quickly.

Users can get Permits and Applications, learn about the Village Beautification program, view the Village Calendar, learn about Stormwater Management, download the BOA/DGEIS plan (Environmental Impact Statement and the Proposed Downtown Master Plan), find a list of Village Shoppes, Specialty Stores, FVH Restaurants, Nursery Schools , Automotive businesses, Services, Food Suppliers, and a long list of houses of religious worship located in Farmingdale. 

There is also a very helpful directory for FVH departments (FVH Clerk, Public Works, Farmingdale Water District, Building Department, Garbage Collection, Code Enforcement, Justice Court, Records Department, Registrar, Marriage Ceremonies, Auxiliary Police, Civil Defense, Village Historian, and the Summer Pops Concerts

Wow - that's a comprehensive and helpful website!  Enjoy the links - hope this helps!

Regards,
Stu