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Says Thanks

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Giving Thanks November has a way of slowing us down long enough to notice what we're grateful for. This month, what we keep coming back to is the people and places that make this community feel like home. And nothing feels quite like home like Crossroads at Grossman's, a community farm that shows what happens when neighbors decide to grow something together. Operations Manager Michael D'Angelo walks us through it--the fresh food, as well as the people who show up, get their hands dirty, and make sure everyone has a seat at the table. We're also thrilled to introduce you to Jorge and Marcella Valencia, the owners of Kitchen Tune-Up and proud partners of this magazine. They're the kind of people who treat every customer like a neighbor, and we're lucky to call them friends. Their story is a good reminder that the best businesses are built on relationships. Speaking of staying power, congratulations to Lauren Duffy and Jimmy Farrelly of Hounds Town on 10 years of caring for the four-legged members of our families (including our very own Whoodle, Jaxie!). A decade of wagging tails is worth celebrating. Of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without something delicious to nibble on while the turkey does its thing. Margo Palazzo, of The Fresh Beet, has shared two holiday appetizer recipes that will make you the star of the party, and we're grateful she's shared with us. This season, we're also giving thanks for the South Shore itself. The beach, the parks, where kids, dogs, and neighbors all end up crossing paths. The local businesses that know your name and your order. The workers and volunteers who show up every day to help us move seamlessly throughout our lives. And the tightknit communities that show up for each other, every single time. We're lucky to live here, and we're even luckier to get to tell these stories. As for us, what we're most thankful for is simple: time with friends and family, lively dinners, second helpings, and the kind of laughter that makes you forget to check your phone. Those are the moments we treasure most, and we hope you get plenty of them this season. However you spend Thanksgiving, we hope it's full of good food and company, and even better health. Thank you for reading, for supporting local, and for being part of this community. With gratitude,

November 2026 PUBLISHER

Orly Kelley | orly.kelley@citylifestyle.com CO-PUBLISHER

Tyler Kelley | Tyler.Kelley@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Julia Macedo | julia.macedo@citylifestyle.com S O C I AL M E D I A C O O R D I N ATO R

Ana Macedo CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kristi Sellers, Kamaria Ellerbe, Margo Palazzo C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R

Christina Kramer

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

O R LY & T Y L E R , C O - P U B L I S H E R S @SOUTHSHORENASSAUCITYLIFESTYLE Learn how to start your own publication at CityLifestyle.com//Franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 South Shore Nassau City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the South Shore Nassau area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect

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Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in South Shore Nassau City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

inside the issue NOVE M B E R 2 0 2 6 | TH ANK F U L

18 Featured

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WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

A Decade of Tail-Wagging Thanks From loyal customers to generations of happy Townies.

Finding Home, One Kitchen at a Time

For Jorge and Marcela Valencia, Kitchen Tune-Up Is a Love Letter to Home and Family

Fresh Beet, After-Hours

The Fresh Beet's Margo Palazzo shares two make-ahead fall bites built for grazing past dinner.

On the Cover Photography: Christina Kramer

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

Pet Care HOME SERVICES

Must See HOME + DESIGN

Local Limelight ARTS + CULTURE

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE

Locals Only LIFE + CULTURE

Events

Realty Report REAL ESTATE

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NOVEMBER 2026

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1: Residents line up for Moolafarm at the LB Farmer's Market. 2: Mayor Beach with Jeffrey Greenfield at the Lynbrook Community Chest Mayor's Golf Outing. 3: Revelers outside of the new Hacienda Tulum on the LB boardwalk. 4: The Annual Michelle O'Neill Volleyball Tournament. 5: Enjoying Island Park's annual Feast Festival. 6: Michael D'Angelo with volunteers Kyle and Valerie Barbuti at Crossroads at Grossman's annual Farm-to-Table Dinner. 7: Back-to-School at Hounds Town Island Park!

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NOVEMBER 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Club Pilates Opens New Location in Five Towns Club Pilates Five Towns is opening its doors and bringing its fresh, popular approach to Pilates to the local community. Offering Reformer-based classes for all fitness levels, the beautiful new studio provides a welcoming space to build strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility. Whether you're brand new to Pilates or looking to take your practice to the next level, CPFT offers 75+ weekly classes from 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Come try a free class!

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Yalos Greek Taverna Sets Sail on the South Shore Yalos, a new Greek taverna from Peter Kambitsis, celebrated its grand opening September 17 with a fate-themed launch party. Guests drew tarot cards that determined their first cocktail, while a “brass tarot cart” and oracle-style raw bar kept the mythology alive all night. The concept channels philoxenia — the Greek value of hospitality toward strangers — through char-grilled octopus, family-style seating, and daily-caught fish. Yalos aims to bring authentic island dining to the south shore.

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MJ Social MJ Social opened its doors in Island Park in October, bringing a beautiful, inviting space for Mah Jongg, cards, games, and community, where guests can show up, pull up a chair, and spend time together over a game. Guests can join for Open Play, learn Mah Jongg for the first time, gather with friends, or celebrate a special occasion. Founded by a mother-daughter team who believe in the power of play and meaningful connection.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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Artside In Grand Opening Artside In is a different kind of art studio, offering a creative and welcoming space for people to explore their artistic side. It is always encouraging to see new local businesses open their doors and bring something unique to Oceanside. Congratulations to the entire Artside In team on its grand opening, and best wishes for many years of success.

Photography by @councilwomanlauraryder

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C I T Y L I FEST Y L E G I V ES BAC K

GIVING TOGETHER A Community That Shows Up

Every year, City Lifestyle sends checks to hundreds of families in need across the country through our annual Giving Campaign and our non-profit arm, Kingdom Building Foundation. But none of it would be possible without you. We can only help the people we know about, and

I NSP IR E D BY | L I FE + C ULT U RE

that’s where our readers come in. If you know someone quietly struggling, whether it’s a single parent, a senior citizen, or a family facing something they never saw coming, we want to hear their story. Nominations are what make this whole campaign possible.

We provided a chair lift for a teenager paralyzed in a gymnastics accident so she could move freely through her own home again. We helped a child who lost an eye to cancer get the prosthetic because insurance wouldn’t cover it. We covered dental work for a man who needed his smile back just to walk into a job interview. We got heat turned back on for a family who had spent part of the winter without it. We helped a family keep up with bills while a husband and father fought pancreatic cancer, and we helped another family cover medical expenses after the unimaginable loss of a child. These are just a few examples of some of the hundreds of individuals that have been helped through nominations from readers like you. None of it happens without someone noticing first and speaking up. "We don't just send checks," says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle.

“We send a message: You are seen, you are loved, and you are not forgotten.” Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond the holiday season. "This is about community," Matthew says. "We believe we've been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing." Often, the person making the nomination gets just as much out of the experience as the recipient. There's something powerful about being part of the reason someone else's burden got lighter, especially when that need might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The campaign is completely confidential. No names are ever shared or publicized, and nominating someone is as simple as telling us their story. We are looking for those in our communities who fall between the cracks of getting help, and together as a community, we can meet those needs.

Nominations open November 1st and close December 3rd. To nominate someone in your community, follow @CityLifestyle on Instagram and find the form in our bio, or visit KingdomBuildingFoundation.org.

This season, giving starts with you. Let's do it together. Nominate someone in need today.

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A Decade of Tail-Wagging Thanks FROM LOYAL CUSTOMERS TO GENERATIONS OF HAPPY TOWNIES.

Before Lauren Duffy owned Hounds Town Island Park, she was a customer who understood why the concept worked. While working in pharmaceutical sales, she brought her dog, Willy, to the Hounds Town location in Farmingdale for years. Over time, she came to appreciate a structured, social place where dogs could play. That experience stayed with her. In 2016, Lauren and her business partner, Jimmy, made a life change. They bought and renovated an existing doggie daycare in Island Park and reopened it as Hounds Town, becoming the franchise’s fifth location. After building out the space, they officially opened the doors to Hounds Town Island Park nine years ago, beginning a chapter that has grown into both a business and a community fixture. Lauren says the decision came from seeing a need for pet services, especially in Island Park, which neighbors Long Beach and is filled with dog owners. “A community filled with dog owners who are young professionals, families and first responders,” she said. “Hounds Town seemed like the right fit as it was a growing franchise with humble beginnings.” The leap was exciting, but it came with nerves. When Lauren thinks back to leaving medical sales and stepping into ownership, one memory still makes her laugh. “I hope I can pay my rent,” she said. “Haha. I remember feeling excited and empowered.”

ARTICLE BY KRISTI SELLERS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA KRAMER

P E T CA R E | HO M E SERVICE S

That mix of humor, courage and belief in the business helped carry Hounds Town Island Park through its early years. Today, the facility includes 3,000 square feet of indoor play space and boarding suites, along with a 2,200-square-foot turfed yard. It offers dogs supervised pack play in a safe environment designed around structure and care. Over the past decade, Hounds Town has changed dramatically as a brand. When Lauren and Jimmy joined the franchise, there were only four stores. Today, Lauren says the company has grown to more than 100 locations. “Hounds Town has grown exponentially as a franchise,” she said. “Stores are larger and designed better. Safety protocol and training has improved over the years.” That growth has created a network of franchisees who share ideas, from improved operations to playful events and “pawty” concepts that make the experience fun. Still, for Lauren, the heart of the business remains local. As Hounds Town Island Park celebrates its 10-year anniversary in a “thankful” season, she is especially grateful for the people who have trusted the team with their dogs and helped the business become part of the rhythm of the community. “I am thankful for being a part of such a close-knit community,” she said. “I live in Long Beach and I see multiple Townies walking in my neighborhood each day. I thank those wonderful people for trusting us with their pups.” She is also thankful that the business has given her something many working parents hope for: flexibility. Owning Hounds Town has allowed her to build a career while still being present for her

“I am thankful for being a part of such a close-knit community. I thank those wonderful people for trusting us with their pups.”

CONTINUED >

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“I hope families feel the warmth of a caring staff, the comfort of professionalism and the ease of a clean and safe environment. I hope they see a loving place that allows their pups to have fun in a structured, pack-play environment.”

children, whether that means volunteering at school, making an appointment or showing up for a camp performance. That balance is part of what makes the last 10 years meaningful. Hounds Town Island Park has not just been a place for dogs to spend the day. It has been a business built around trust and relationships, where customers become familiar faces and dogs become part of the extended Hounds Town family. When families walk through the door, Lauren hopes they feel that immediately. “I hope families feel the warmth of a caring staff, the comfort of professionalism and the ease of a clean and safe environment,” she said. “I hope they see a loving place that allows their pups to have fun in a structured, pack-play environment.” As for the next 10 years, Lauren’s hope is simple and fitting for a place built around happy dogs and loyal customers. “I hope the future brings generations of tail-wagging Townies,” she said.

P E T CA R E | HO M E SERVI CE S

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FINDING HOME THROUGH THE KITCHEN

For Jorge and Marcela Valencia, Kitchen Tune-Up Is a Love Letter to Home and Family ARTICLE BY KRISTI SELLERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA KRAMER

M UST SE E | HO M E + DESIGN

For Jorge and Marcela Valencia, Kitchen Tune-Up is more than a business. It is an extension of the life they have built together, the community they have come to love, and their belief that the kitchen has a unique way of bringing families together.

“It is a small town where people are very kind and friendly. There is an incredible sense of community.” Married for 20 years and parents of three children, Jorge and Marcela’s journey began far from Long Beach. Their story as expatriates eventually brought them to the United States, first to Miami in 2012 after Jorge was relocated by the company he had worked for across Colombia, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S. “We’ve been in the U.S. for 14 years,” Jorge said. “We feel blessed and grateful for having the opportunity to come to the U.S.” Years later, another relocation brought Jorge from Miami to New York in October 2021. At first, Long Beach was not necessarily the plan. He had been advised to live on Long Island, and in a difficult housing market, the search for the right place took time. Long Beach entered the picture when Jorge asked his realtor to find something close to JFK Airport.

He landed first in a small studio, then another apartment, spending long stretches in New York while traveling back and forth to Florida to see his family. “It was a long period of time by myself in NY and traveling home in Florida,” he said. But during that season, something unexpected happened: Long Beach began to feel like home. “During that time, I fell in love with this town,” Jorge said. “It is a small town where people are very kind and friendly. There is an incredible sense of community.” He noticed the details that give Long Beach its character: people walking and biking, families out in the neighborhood, the boardwalk, the beach and the feeling of daily life happening outdoors. After a long search, the family finally found a house in August 2023. Fittingly, it was in Long Beach. CONTINUED >

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“Now we all love it,” Jorge said. Their children have settled into their schools, and Jorge and Marcela have embraced the community as both residents and business owners. Their love for Long Beach helped inspire them to open Kitchen Tune-Up, allowing them to combine their professional backgrounds with the values that matter most to their family. For the couple, building a business together has been a natural extension of the partnership they have shared since they were 21 years old. “It’s been an incredible experience,” Jorge said. “We have a beautiful and happy marriage, and we complement each other very well.” That balance shows up in the business. Jorge brings years of management experience, while Marcela brings her background as an architect specializing in interior design and finishes. Together, they offer clients both operational guidance and a trained design eye. “My experience in management and Marcela’s as an architect, specialized in interior design and finishes, have been a great mix to be able to offer our clients a superior quality service and support,” Jorge said. At Kitchen Tune-Up, their work centers on one of the most important spaces in a home. For Jorge and Marcela, the kitchen is not simply a place to prepare meals. It is where family gathers, conversations unfold, children grow up and everyday memories are made. “We chose kitchen remodeling because we truly believe in the importance of the kitchen,” Jorge said. “Big or small, it is the heart of every home.” That belief shapes the experience they hope to create for clients. Kitchen projects can feel overwhelming, especially for families trying to balance design choices, budgets, timelines and daily routines. Jorge and Marcela want to guide people through that process with care, helping them imagine what is possible and bring it to life in a way that suits how they actually live. “Our main goal is to help people bring to reality their dreamed kitchen,” Jorge said, “and guide them through this process until they have the right space for their families.” That family-centered approach reflects their own lives. Jorge and Marcela are passionate about cooking, outdoor activities and spending time together with their children. In Long Beach, where the beach, boardwalk and close-knit neighborhoods support that lifestyle, they have found a place that aligns with what they value most.

M UST SE E | HO M E + DESIGN

“For us, having the opportunity to work together, build together, make decisions, and all that implies running a business and the family, and being successful in both, is something we are very grateful and proud of.” As they look back on their journey, gratitude is a central theme: gratitude for the opportunities that brought them to the United States, for the community that welcomed them, and for the chance to build something meaningful together. “For us, having the opportunity to work together, build together, make decisions, and all that implies running a business and the family, and being successful in both, is something we are very grateful and proud of,” Jorge said.

Like any family or business, the journey has included challenges, adjustments and unknowns. But for Jorge and Marcela, those experiences have strengthened their partnership and deepened their appreciation for where they are now. Their story is one of movement, resilience and finding home in an unexpected place. Today, through Kitchen Tune-Up, they are helping other families shape the spaces where their own stories will unfold.

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Long Island’s Living Harvest Inside the Malverne farm growing food, preserving land and bringing neighbors together across generations seasonally. At Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s in Malverne, the autumn harvest brings land, food and community to the table. Each year, its Farm-to-Table dinner transforms the farm into a distinctive seasonal gathering. Elected officials, civic leaders, longtime supporters and neighbors gather among the fields for elegant meals connected to the land around them. The farm’s rustic charm frames beautifully dressed tables and conversation, offering guests the pleasure of dining where their food’s story begins. Beyond the table, growing fauna, freshly gathered produce, educational

programs and seasonal traditions draw generations onto the land. Tucked within suburban Malverne, agriculture remains part of everyday life. At its center is Farm Manager Michael D’Angelo, whose farming heritage spans generations and whose connection to Crossroads ties to legacy. “I raise my family here. I wouldn’t be content if I wasn’t doing this”. His vision begins with something precious on Long Island: keeping people connected to the land and to one another. For Michael, the work joins family tradition with a responsibility to sustain agriculture within the surrounding community.

ARTICLE BY KAMARIA ELLERBE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA KRAMER

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Michael’s connection to the land runs through both sides of his family. His Italian family grew produce; his Irish side raised dairy cattle, beef and lamb. After studying civil engineering in Ireland, he traveled through Portugal, Spain, Italy and beyond, maintaining farms. After returning to the United States, he was employed in engineering until being laid off during COVID. He returned to agriculture, volunteering with Cornell Cooperative Extension, leasing property in Old Westbury and selling produce at the Long Beach farmer’s market before an Operations Manager position opened at the Crossroads Farm. In four years, Michael has helped Crossroads quadruple its success, growing the farm to four times its scale. A team of four or five has grown to fifteen, alongside production, education, store operations and hours. Michael describes the larger idea: “Our goal here is to really show everybody what it means to be a community and potentially take this concept and model and recreate it. Being a true three-prong mission, farming robustly, growing lots of food, full fledged education, and then events.” That vision builds on a century-old foundation. The Grossmann family worked the land for over 100 years as suburbia grew around it, until a sale called for new preservation advocates. In came Leonore Russell. A teacher for 30 years at the Waldorf School of Garden City, who helped develop the RFP for the property. Her approach drew from a story she shared with students about Sir Percival, the Knight of the Round Table. In contrast to earlier Grecian heroes remembered through glory and triumph, Percival learned through failure and time, including the importance of asking the right questions. Leonore saw that lesson as the farmland faced the potential of being sold and turned into condominiums, with private businesses interested in acquiring the property. The land’s future brought stakes sharply into focus. “The hero had to ask the right questions at the right time,” Leonore recalls. “There was no pushing our own interest. We were just going to save it.” The mission soon expanded. The preservation effort next leaned on the Nassau Land Trust. Lloyd Zuckerberg, then its chairman and founder, became a significant conservation voice. Peconic Land Trust’s guidance helped lay the foundation CONTINUED >

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | ARTS + CU LT U RE

for Nassau Land Trust, showing Lloyd how conservation tools could protect open space for public benefit. Kathleen Kleinman was a co-founder, while many others contributed legal and conservation expertise. Llyod wishes he could name them all. Their achievement remains extraordinary: “It’s a miracle. That six and a half miles from Kennedy, one of the world’s largest international airports, is a five and a half acre certified organic farm,” Llyod reflects in awe. “That wasn’t supposed to survive.” Its endurance now nurtures learners. Agriculture is now seen in children learning firsthand. Education Manager Delia Serrano explains, “Crossroads Farm’s education programs plant the seed for a lifetime of learning through hands-on, experiential activities sparking joy and

“You almost regain a piece of you that’s been lost.” wonder. Our Little Seeds programs serve children 18 months-3 years, our Sprouts 4-6 and our Young Farmers 7-12.” Crossroads offers a Family Program for mixed ages and a Home School program, partnering with school districts and organizations, even serving people with developmental disabilities through programs like Smile Farms. LIJ-Valley Stream Northwell Health Community Advisory Board member Maria Casini suggested another collaboration. Lissa Nelson, Director of Patient & Customer Experience, and Jason Tan, Hospital SVP & President, visited the farm, and a partnership followed, recognizing health across interconnected systems. Lissa shares, “We are always looking for ways to amplify the voice of the community. Health has many different aspects and we recognize that.” For Michael, preservation is personal, woven into the life he shares with his wife and family. “Farmers, people who are attached to the land, Amish people, indigenous people... we are all attached to something. And we all used to be connected to that. Every one of us. It’s in you. So once you get it back, you almost regain a piece of you that has been lost.” Perhaps that is Crossroads’ invitation: to return to the land, gather around its harvest and help preserve a place, where generations can rediscover that connection for themselves.

Crossroads Farm Experience Grossmann’s through seasonal produce, farm events and educational programs. Visit the farm, support its preservation and discover a remarkable piece of Long Island’s agricultural heritage.

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ARTICLE BY JULIA MACEDO RECIPES BY MARGO PALAZZO

FRESH BEET, AFTER-HOURS The Fresh Beet's Margo Palazzo shares two make-ahead fall bites built for grazing past dinner.

By six o’clock, the light over Long Beach’s boardwalk turns the color of the fig butter cooling on Margo Palazzo’s counter — amber, unhurried, made for lingering. By day, The Fresh Beet is where the beach crowd refuels: build-your-own salads, fresh-pressed juices, colorful toasts on gluten-free bread, all built around Palazzo’s rule of no asterisks on the menu. After hours, in her own kitchen, Palazzo’s cooking shifts registers, from post-surf fuel to something built for a slower, later kind of evening. These two bites were made for exactly that: the gathering that starts at seven and drifts past ten, the one where somebody always asks for “just one more glass.” Whether the guest list came together weeks ago or an hour ago, both recipes come together just as easily — prep everything a day out, or start from scratch and plate within the hour. What follows are two of Palazzo’s favorites for exactly that kind of night: a savory golden beet and goat cheese crostini layered with fig, and a sweet apple toast finished with cinnamon and pomegranate. Both are built to sit out and be grazed on, rather than served all at once.

C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

DIRECTIONS: Wrap the golden beets in foil and roast at 400°F for 30 to 40 minutes, until a knife slides through the center with ease. Unwrap and let cool — the fridge speeds things along. Beets can be made up to two days ahead and refrigerated once unwrapped. Slice a baguette on the bias, a quarter-inch thick, and lay the slices on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, then toast lightly and let cool. This, too, can be done up to two days ahead; store airtight. Once the beets have cooled, peel and dice them. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, salt, pepper, sage and chopped basil, then toss with the diced beets and crumbled goat cheese. Spread the toasted baguette generously with fig butter, then top with the beet and goat cheese mixture. Finish with toasted sunflower seeds, diced scallions and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. CONTINUED >

THE SAVORY: “GOURD VIBES ONLY” INGREDIENTS: • 1 medium baguette • 3 medium golden beets • 4 oz crumbled goat cheese • 11 oz fig butter (Margo likes Trader Joe’s) • 1 tbsp olive oil • Zest of 1 lemon • Salt and pepper, to taste • Pinch of ground sage • Finely chopped basil • Diced scallions • Toasted shelled sunflower seeds • Balsamic glaze (Trader Joe’s, again)

NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/SOU TH SH O R E N AS SAU

THE SWEET: “HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES” INGREDIENTS: • 6 slices thin-sliced multigrain or seeded bread (Margo likes Dave’s Killer Good Seed) • 6 oz cream cheese, or a dairy-free swap like Violife • 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced, skin on • 1/4 cup maple syrup • 1 tbsp cinnamon • 1 tbsp light brown sugar • Pomegranate seeds, for garnish • Pinch of pink salt

DIRECTIONS: In a bowl, mix the diced apple with the cinnamon, brown sugar and maple syrup until evenly coated. Toast the bread well, then slice each piece into thirds. Spread a generous layer of cream cheese on each piece, then top with a spoonful of the apple mixture. Finish with a pinch of pink salt and a scatter of pomegranate seeds, for a bright pop of color against the cinnamon and cream. Both bites can be plated a day ahead and held in the fridge, or thrown together within the hour when the evening comes together at the last minute. Set them out on the same board and the colors do half the work — ruby beet on one end, golden apple and pomegranate on the other, with a chilled glass of something crisp to round it out.

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S OU T H S HOR E N A S S A U S AYS T H A N K S A QUIET THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP IT RUNNING

ARTICLE BY JULIA MACEDO

LOCA LS ON LY | L I FE + C U LT U RE

In November, the light along the boardwalk is already low and golden by late afternoon. It catches on the kind of things most people pass without thinking twice — a crossing guard lowering their flag after the last kids make their way home, lifeguard chairs stacked and turned toward the dunes for winter, a plow truck getting ready for a storm that hasn’t arrived yet. It doesn’t last long this time of year. But for a few minutes, that light has a way of making the ordinary things stand out — especially the ones we rarely think to notice, let alone thank.

And there are a lot of people on the South Shore we don’t think to thank nearly enough. They’re the first responders who know these neighborhoods block by block. The crossing guards standing at the same corners through rain, wind and cold. The sanitation and DPW crews working before sunrise and getting ahead of the first nor’easter. The LIRR conductors calling the same stops through dark November mornings. The lifeguards whose now-empty chairs mark another summer spent watching the water. This is the South Shore doing what it always does: keeping things moving. Most of that work happens so routinely that it becomes part of the background. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to forget how many people it takes to make a place feel like home. Drive from Atlantic Beach to Long Beach, Island Park to Oceanside, Rockville Centre to East Rockaway and Lynbrook, and each town starts to flow into the next. One stretch of boardwalk gives way to dune grass. One downtown’s string lights pick up not far from where the last ones ended. The scenery changes, but the rhythm of daily life stays familiar. It’s the porch light left on for a neighbor. The crossing guard who knows which kids are always running a few minutes late. The regulars who have kept the same order at the same counter for years. It’s sanitation trucks making their way down the block before the morning commute, crews clearing roads after a storm and trains pulling into the station on freezing mornings just as reliably as they did in August. After Labor Day, the South Shore gets quieter. The crowds thin out. The diners slow down. Beach towels disappear from porch railings, and the sidewalks start

to belong to the people who live here again. Along the bay, the noise of summer settles into something closer to a hum. In a lot of ways, this is when the South Shore feels most like itself. Without the rush of summer, the everyday rhythm becomes easier to notice. So do the people behind it. None of it asks for much attention. That’s part of what makes it worth giving some. So this November, consider this a thankyou to the people who keep the South Shore moving when nobody is watching. To the first responders, crossing guards, conductors, sanitation workers, DPW crews and lifeguards. To the neighbors who look out for one another and the familiar faces who turn separate towns into something that feels connected. And maybe, too, a thank-you to the place itself. To the boardwalk after the crowds are gone. To the bay when it’s finally quiet. To the streets, train platforms and downtowns that carry people through another season without asking to be noticed. They’re still here, doing what they always do. They just look a little more beautiful in that November light.

By Christina Kramer

By Christina Kramer NOVEMB ER 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/SOU TH SH O R E N AS SAU

NOVEMBER 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S NOVE M BE R 7 T H

Hooks For Heroes 11th Annual Veterans Day Fundraiser JJ Coopers 124 W Park Ave, Long Beach | 2:00 PM Join us Saturday, November 7th, 2–6pm at JJ Coopers (124 W Park Ave, Long Beach) for an afternoon honoring those who served. Enjoy a USMC Color Guard ceremony, FDNY Pipe Band, live music, open bar, great food, and raffles. $100 donation supports free fishing trips for veterans and first responders. Tickets at the door. NOVE M BE R 8T H

Post-A-Thon Charity Walk & Adoption Event Kennedy Plaza | 11:00 AM Posh Pets Rescue’s fourth annual charity walk and adoption event brings adoptable animals and a community walk to Kennedy Plaza on November 8th from 11am - 3pm. NOVE M BE R 8T H

Harvest Bingo Dees' Nursery | 1:00 PM Grab your bingo cards and join us November 8 at 1 PM for an afternoon of fall fun, prizes and treats! Your $25 admission includes multiple bingo cards and markers, with chances to win Fall Plant Prizes throughout the event. Plus, enjoy apple cider and fall treats while you play. NOVE M BE R 1 0 T H

NYMC 20th Birthday New York Musician's Center RVC | 9:00 AM Join us as we celebrate our 20th birthday all week! Thank you for allowing the New York Musician's Center to serve your family. Email rvc@nymcmusic.com for more information. NOVE M BE R 1 1 T H

Veterans' Day Commemoration Long Beach City Hall, 1 West Chester St., Long Beach | 10:30 AM The Joint Veterans Organizations of Long Beach, in cooperation with the City of Long Beach, host an observance ceremony paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. All are welcome. NOVE M BE R 1 1 T H - 1 5TH

Disney on Ice Presents Spotlight Magic USB Arena- Elmont NY | 7:00 PM Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic! comes to UBS Arena November 11–15, 2026. Join Mickey, Minnie, and 30+ Disney characters for a red-carpet celebration featuring Beauty and the Beast, Moana, Tangled, and a villain showcase with Maleficent and Ursula — plus dazzling LED effects and aerial acrobatics. Tickets on sale now. NOVE M BE R 1 3T H

Lynbrook Chamber Karaoke Night at Gourmology Gourmology, 429 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook | 7:00 PM The Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce hosts an evening of karaoke, drinks and bites at the downtown restaurant — a casual night out to meet fellow residents and local business owners.

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Village of Rockville Centre 5k & 1 Mile Family Fun-Run Race starts on Front St, between N.Village and Centre Avenues | 8:30 AM Lace up for the 2026 Village of Rockville Centre 5K & 1 Mile Family Fun Run on Saturday, November 14th — rain or shine. The Fun Run kicks off at 8:30am, followed by the 5K at 9:30am, both starting on Front Street. Free shirts go to the first 100 Fun Run kids and first 300 5K registrants. Register online now. N OV E M BE R 2 2 N D

21st Annual Long Beach City Council Turkey Trot Boardwalk at Riverside Blvd, Long Beach | 8:30 AM The city’s signature Thanksgiving-season race draws families to the boardwalk for a one-mile children’s race and a 10K. Registration and T-shirt pickup 6:30 to 8 a.m., one-mile children’s race at 8:30 a.m., 10K (6.2 miles) at 9 a.m.

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YO U R D I G I TA L D E S T I N AT I O N FOR LOCAL LIVING

realty report SOUTH SHORE MARKET SNAPSHOT AUGUST 15 SEPTEM ER 15 :

All comparisons are year-over-year (YoY)

BLDGS

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

TOWN

CLOSED SALES

Atlantic Beach & East Atlantic Beach

▶ 0% Lido Beach 2 ▲ 100% Oceanside 31 ▲ 19% Lynbook 16 ▲ 100% East Rockaway 10 ▲ 68% Rockville Centre 24 ▲ 60% Long Beach 13 ▼ 28% Long Beach Condos 6 ▼ 40% Long Beach Co-Ops 8 ▲ 14% 2

MEDIAN PRICE

▲ 15.7% $1.11M ▼ 41%$806K ▲ 1% $798K ▲ 15% $872K ▲ 19% $1.12M ▲ 19% $949K ▼ 6% $840K ▼ 29% $440K ▼ 2%

$1.55M

MEDIAN DOM*

ABOVE LIST PRICE

▼ 64% 55 ▲ 162% 24 ▼ 17% 32 ▲ 70% 25 ▲ 79% 18 ▼ 10% 24 ▲ 4% 30 ▼ 40% 41 ▼ 27%

▶ 0% 0% ▶ 0% 45% ▲ 3% 56% ▲ 18% 50% ▶ 0% 67% ▲ 46% 27% ▼ 4% 17% ▼ 6% 25% ▲ 79%

HIGHEST SALE

$1.70M $1.15M $1.17M $1.10M $1.25M $2.35M $2.60M $1.60M $1.09M

The late-summer South Shore market remains highly localized. Several communities showed notable strength, with Lynbrook, East Rockaway and Rockville Centre all posting substantial increases in closed sales, while median prices rose 15% or more in each of those markets. Rockville Centre was particularly competitive, with 67% of homes selling above asking and a median market time of just 18 days. With interest rates moving higher again, we do expect a slow down as some people become priced out. Still, strong activity across several South Shore communities shows that buyer demand remains active, particularly for homes that are priced and positioned well from the start. A notable plot twist is the Long Beach Co-Op market staying relatively stable on pricing, and selling 27% faster and over list price by 79% compared to this same time last fall. There were no sales in Island Park or Point Lookout from August 15, 2026 - September 15, 2026. All market data shown is sourced from the MLS. | *Days on Market (DOM)

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