It was 5:50 a.m. on a recent Friday when my alarm rang. Typically I dread waking before 9, but on this day I was to engage in an activity that I never tried before — paddle boarding at Jones Beach more

This year, beach volleyball players won’t have to wait until next summer to resume their fun in the sand. more

Earlier this month, Mitchell Smith marked the one-year anniversary of one of the scariest days of his life. Next month, he celebrates his second chance at life. more

Jones Beach was transformed into an even bigger concert venue during Billboard’s Hot 100 Music Festival last weekend. more

As some of their peers sit on their couches, many young men and women are out and about this summer. Getting a summer job is not an easy task, but the benefits are plentiful, such as getting some extra cash, enhancing a resume and gaining working experience. more

Beat the Heat: Hempstead Town Opens Cooling Centers, Extends Hours at Pools and Beaches As temperatures swell into the 90s, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray is inviting residents to beat the heat by taking a break at a town cooling center, pool, or beach. To offer neighbors a place to be safe and cool during the latest heat wave, Murray announced the opening of 15 cooling centers, 15 pools and eight beaches from Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th. “Once temperatures rise into the 90s, the heat can be very dangerous if not taken seriously,” Murray said. “I urge neighbors to be careful during this period of extreme heat and to consider visiting one of our town’s cooling centers, beaches or pools to cool down and relax.” Cooling centers are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th. -Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N. Grand Ave., Baldwin, (516) 546-7110 -Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, (516) 221-9696 -Cedarhurst Senior Center, 200 Cedarhurst Ave., Cedarhurst, (516) 295-1177 (open until 4:30 p.m.) -East Meadow Senior Center, 1485 Front St., East Meadow, (516) 794-2458 -Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont, (516) 354-4777 -Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl., Franklin Square, (516) 328-3010 -Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd., Valley Stream, (516) 872-8810 -Levittown Senior Center, 555 N. Newbridge Rd., Levittown, (516) 433-5454 -Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, (516) 868-4777 -Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Ave., Oceanside, (516) 766-8888 -Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke., Roosevelt, (516) 867-1612 -Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Dr., Westbury, (516) 333-5440 -Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale, (516) 292-1313 -Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale, (516) 538-5050 -Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd., Wantagh, (516) 785-8505 Hours of operation will be extended at the following pools on Monday, August 17th through Wednesday, August 19th. Closing at 7 p.m. -Roosevelt Pool, Roosevelt -Town Park at Sands Pool, Lido Beach Closing at 8 p.m. -Forest City Park Pool, Wantagh -Rath Pool (Franklin Sq. Park District)\ -Walker Memorial Pool, Lakeview -Hewlett Point Pool, Hewlett -Malibu Pool, Lido Beach -Eight of Levittown’s Community Pools Lifeguards will be on duty for an extra hour (until 7 p.m.) at the following beaches: -Town Park Point Lookout -Lido Beach Town Park -Lido West Town Park -Town Park at Sands -Hewlett Point Park -East Atlantic Beach -Atlantic Beach Estates -Point Lookout Civic Beach Murray also offered residents tips on how to “beat the heat” during this period of extreme temperatures: - Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. - Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11AM and 4PM. Consider performing these tasks in the early morning or evening hours. - When in the sun, wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your face and head. - Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. - Eat well balanced, light and regular meals. - Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes. - NEVER leave children or pets in closed vehicles. - Check on elderly family members, friends and neighbors. - When indoors, use an air conditioner or fans to cool rooms if available. “During this heat wave, please avoid the sun as much as possible and spend time in a safe, cool location, such as one of our cooling centers, pools or beaches,” Murray said. In addition to the extended pool hours listed above, Echo Park in West Hempstead and Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow are open regular hours through 10 p.m. more

Come visit our beaches, walk the boardwalk and enjoy our restaurants — but don’t expect to be able to swim safely after 6 p.m. That’s the message the City of Long Beach is sending . . . more

July 29 was to be the hottest day of the summer so far –– a crippling 95 degrees. The relief of the ocean breeze was welcome as I stood on the Long Beach shoreline, the scorching sand between my toes. The waves fell gently onto the sand, collapsing into one another. With the blue sky above me, I had only one thought: I’ve made a terrible mistake. more

Musicians from a variety of genres are coming together for a music festival at Jones Beach. What makes this event stand out from others is that performances are being put on by artists on today’s top music charts. more

The beloved nanny is back on stage at Long Island Children's Museum. more