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Five Towns Insider Events
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Tuesday, May 5, 2026 — Lag B'Omer!
Chabad of the Five Towns Annual Lag B'Omer Bonfire — Time: 5:30 PM — Location: Andrew J. Parise Cedarhurst Park, opposite 200 Cedarhurst Ave. FREE admission! One of the Five Towns' most beloved annual traditions — expect bows and arrows, tug of war, kites, Frisbees, barbecue, music, and of course, the giant community bonfire. Thousands attend every year. Rain or shine community spirit! Source: liherald.com
Tuesday, May 6, 2026
Hewlett-Woodmere Annual Budget Hearing — Time: 6:30 PM — Location: Woodmere Education Center, 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere. Residents can ask questions and weigh in on the proposed $149.9 million school district budget before the May 19 vote.
Tuesday, May 6, 2026 — Ongoing Wednesdays
Five Towns Community Center Programs — Time: 5:00–6:00 PM — Location: 336 Woodmere Boulevard, Woodmere. Youth and family programs offered weekly. For details call (516) 758-7130.
Sunday, May 11, 2026
Cedarhurst Village Board Meeting — Time: 8:00 PM — Location: Cedarhurst Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Ave. Public is welcome.
⚠️ HEADS UP — LIRR New Schedule Begins May 11! The Long Island Rail Road is implementing new weekday train schedules starting May 11, with adjusted departure times across branches including the Far Rockaway Branch serving all Five Towns stations (Inwood, Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Hewlett). Summer expanded service begins May 18. Check mta.info for your updated train times before you commute!
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Cedarhurst BID Meeting — Time: 6:30 PM — Location: Cedarhurst. All local business owners and residents welcome.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Special Voter Registration Day — Hewlett-Woodmere School District — Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM — Location: Woodmere Education Center, 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere. If you're not yet registered to vote in the district, today is your last chance before the May 19 budget vote. Forms also available at hewlett-woodmere.net.
Monday, May 19, 2026 — IMPORTANT!
Hewlett-Woodmere School District & Library Budget Vote + Board of Education Election — Time: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM — Location: Woodmere Education Center, 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere. Vote on the proposed $149.9 million district budget (2.61% tax levy increase), the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library budget ($6.58 million), and two Board of Education trustee seats. Incumbents Shari Amitrano and Cheryl May are running unopposed.
Peninsula Public Library Trustee & Budget Vote — Same day, May 19. Check peninsulapubliclibrary.org for your polling location.
Ongoing — Tuesdays & Thursdays
FREE Senior Enrichment at The Sands, Lido Beach — For Town of Hempstead residents 55+. Line Dancing, Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, Boot Camp and more. 710 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach. Free. 516-485-8100.
Ongoing — Rock Hall Museum, Lawrence
Open Wed–Sat 10 AM–4 PM, Sun 12–4 PM. 199 Broadway, Lawrence. Appointment tours: 516-239-1157.
Coming Up — Friday & Saturday, May 22-23, 2026
🕯️ Shavuot — The Jewish holiday of Shavuot begins Friday evening May 22 and concludes Saturday night May 23. Schools and many businesses will be closed. Check with your local shul for tikkun leil Shavuot learning schedules!
Hempstead Settles Woodmere Club Lawsuit — 155 Senior Apartments Coming
A long-running legal dispute over the future of the historic Woodmere Club property has been resolved. The Town of Hempstead has reached a settlement clearing the way for 155 senior apartments to be developed on the site. The Woodmere Club, a 110-acre landmark that straddled Woodmere, Lawrence, and Woodsburgh, has been closed for years and was the subject of intense community debate over its development. The settlement marks the end of a years-long fight over what would become of one of the Five Towns' most iconic — and controversial — pieces of land. Source: liherald.com
Lawrence School District Proposes $106.23 Million Budget — Zero Tax Levy Increase
The Lawrence Union Free School District has unveiled its proposed 2026–27 budget of $106.23 million — and in a welcome surprise for taxpayers, it comes with a zero percent tax levy increase. The budget preserves existing programs and services across the district. Lawrence residents will have the chance to vote on it at the school budget vote coming in May. Stay tuned for the exact date and polling locations. Source: liherald.com
Hewlett-Woodmere Approves $149.9 Million Budget — Vote is May 19
The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education unanimously adopted its spending plan for 2026–27, totaling just under $149.95 million — a 4.8 percent increase over the current year. The budget includes $4.2 million in capital improvements: HVAC upgrades, athletic field renovations, new exterior doors at Hewlett Elementary, floor repairs at Franklin Early Childhood Center and Hewlett High School, and parking lot repaving. Residents vote on May 19, 7 AM to 10 PM, at the Woodmere Education Center. Two incumbent Board of Education trustees, Shari Amitrano and Cheryl May, are running unopposed. Read more here
Hewlett Teen's Eagle Scout Project Brings Generations Together at Woodmere Nursing Home
Hewlett teen Joseph Petraro has launched a heartwarming Eagle Scout project creating an intergenerational garden at a Woodmere nursing home — a space designed to connect elderly residents with visiting families. The project pairs meaningful community service with a vision for bridging the gap between generations in our neighborhood. Exactly the kind of story that makes the Five Towns so special. Source: liherald.com
Hewlett Native Riley Weiss Wins Prestigious Dolph Schayes Award
Riley Weiss, a Hewlett native, has earned the Dolph Schayes Award after a record-breaking season at Columbia University. The award recognizes her outstanding impact both on and off the basketball court. The Dolph Schayes Award is one of the most prestigious honors in Jewish basketball, named after the NBA Hall of Famer who grew up in the Bronx. Five Towns pride! Source: liherald.com
HAFTR Middle School Students Lead Powerful Yom HaZikaron Ceremony
Students at HAFTR Middle School in Lawrence led a deeply moving Yom HaZikaron ceremony honoring fallen Israeli soldiers and victims of terror. The program featured student prayers, personal testimonials, and a powerful remembrance service marking Israel's Memorial Day. Source: liherald.com
Franklin Early Childhood Center Celebrates 21 Nations in One Room
Franklin Early Childhood Center's annual "One World Cultural Celebration" brought families together to showcase 21 different countries through food, music, and cultural traditions — a beautiful reminder of how diverse and vibrant the Hewlett-Woodmere community truly is. Source: liherald.com
Hewlett High Junior Layla Mikhaylov Launches the Golden Minds Project
Hewlett High School junior Layla Mikhaylov has launched the Golden Minds Project, an initiative collecting toys and essential items for children living in shelters. The project started locally but is already expanding its reach across the region. Layla's efforts are a shining example of the giving spirit that defines our Five Towns community. Source: liherald.com
LIRR New Schedule Starts May 11 — Five Towns Commuters Take Note
If you ride the Far Rockaway Branch of the LIRR — which serves Hewlett, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Lawrence, and Inwood — your train times are changing starting Sunday, May 11. The new schedules include adjusted weekday departure times and expanded summer service beginning May 18, with additional Montauk trips. Check mta.info for your updated timetable before Monday morning's commute! Source: liherald.com
Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Payouts Starting This Month — Check If You Qualify
Millions of Americans — including many right here in Nassau County — could receive money from the $2.67 billion Blue Cross Blue Shield antitrust settlement, which is beginning to pay out in May 2026. The settlement covers people who were enrolled in a BCBS health plan between 2008 and 2020. If you filed a claim in 2021, check your inbox or mailbox for payment notifications. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 888-681-1142. Source: dailyvoice.com
🍽️ Restaurant & Business News
🔴 CLOSING: Chap-A-Nosh Brooklyn Shuts After 40+ Years — But Five Towns Location Stays Open
The beloved Chap-A-Nosh institution in Brooklyn's Midwood neighborhood has permanently closed after more than four decades in business. Owner Elie Pollak announced April 7 would be the restaurant's last day, describing it as a difficult decision and thanking his staff for their years of dedication. The good news for Five Towns residents: the Chap-A-Nosh catering operation inside Gourmet Glatt in Cedarhurst remains open and is completely unaffected. Source: yeahthatskosher.com
🟢 NEW OPENING: Bagels N Appz Opens in West Hempstead — Sesame-Free & Kosher
A fresh new bagel spot has arrived close to home. Bagels N Appz has opened at 488 Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead, replacing the longtime Bagel Town under new ownership — the same team behind Main Street Bagels in Queens. What makes this one stand out? It's completely sesame-free — great news for allergy-conscious families. The menu goes well beyond traditional bagels, offering guacamole on bagels, an expanded tuna selection, borekas, chocolate croissants, cheese croissants, and cheese danishes, all under VHQ kosher certification (Cholov Yisroel, Pas Yisroel, Kemach Yoshon). Hours: Sunday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM. Phone: 516-505-5556. Read more here
🃏 Jokes
Why did the Lag B'Omer bonfire get invited to every party? Because it was always on fire! 🔥
🏛️ Five Towns Trivia
Question: Lag B'Omer is celebrated on the 33rd day of the Omer. But what does the word "Lag" actually mean, and where does it come from?
Answer: "Lag" is not a word at all — it's the number 33 written in Hebrew letters! "Lamed" (ל) equals 30, and "Gimel" (ג) equals 3. Together they spell "Lag" (לג) = 33. Every year Chabad of the Five Towns celebrates with one of the biggest Lag B'Omer bonfires on Long Island, right in Cedarhurst Park!
🦺Community Safety News
Double Murder Near Five Towns — Suspect Arrested in Lynbrook
In a shocking incident that rattled the entire South Shore, two women were fatally stabbed in separate attacks in Island Park and Valley Stream in the early morning hours of May 1. The first victim, a 42-year-old Long Beach mother of two named Ana Maria del Aguila-Cordova, was stabbed outside a Wendy's on Austin Boulevard in Island Park just after midnight. A second victim, 32-year-old Eddy Raquel Hernandez Castillo of Valley Stream, was found stabbed inside a home hours later. Suspect Rony Yahir Alvarenga Rivera, 22, of Valley Stream, was taken into custody near a 7-Eleven in Lynbrook after reportedly telling officers he had killed someone that night. He is now facing multiple murder charges. Both crime scenes were in communities adjacent to the Five Towns. Our thoughts are with the families of both victims. Source: cbsnews.com
Nassau County Police Non-Emergency Line: 888-684-4274 Nassau County Crime Stoppers: 1-800-244-TIPS