What Can Your Blood Work Tell You About Your Health?
Routine blood testing can provide valuable information about what is happening inside the body, particularly when someone is experiencing persistent fatigue, brain fog, unexplained weight changes, sleep problems, or changes in mood and energy. An article from Joy Wellness Partners highlights several areas that blood work can evaluate, including thyroid function, hormones, nutrient levels, blood sugar, cholesterol, iron stores, and markers of inflammation. Tests discussed include thyroid markers such as TSH, free T3 and free T4; vitamin D, B12 and folate; a comprehensive metabolic panel; HbA1c and fasting insulin; lipid testing; ferritin; and certain hormone tests.
The article also stresses that blood-test results should be considered alongside a person's symptoms, health history and lifestyle rather than viewed as numbers in isolation. It encourages people with ongoing concerns to track their symptoms and discuss appropriate testing with a qualified healthcare provider, who can determine which tests are actually useful and help interpret the results. Follow-up testing may also be appropriate when monitoring an identified issue or response to treatment.
The takeaway for Nassau Plus readers: pay attention to changes in how you feel and stay engaged in your preventive healthcare. Blood work can be one useful piece of the overall picture, but testing needs vary from person to person. The article itself notes that its information is educational and should not replace individualized medical advice from a healthcare professional.
Working Together for a Successful School Year
As children settle into a new school year, building a positive relationship with their teacher can make a meaningful difference. The Child Mind Institute recommends that parents start communicating early by introducing themselves and sharing helpful information about their child’s strengths, challenges, academic or emotional needs, and goals. Parents should also keep teachers informed about significant changes at home that could affect a child at school and check in periodically—even when there isn’t a problem.
When concerns do arise, the article encourages parents to approach teachers as partners rather than adversaries. Preparing a few important questions before a meeting, agreeing on specific next steps, and scheduling a follow-up can help keep conversations productive. For older children, parents can also encourage them to participate in conversations with teachers and gradually learn how to advocate for themselves.
Perhaps the most important reminder is that communication shouldn’t happen only when something goes wrong. Sharing a compliment, thanking a teacher, or recognizing a child's progress can strengthen the relationship throughout the year. Parents and teachers ultimately share the same goal: helping children learn, grow, and succeed.
Upcoming Community and Family Events
Halloween Costume Drive- 9/07 10am - 5:30pm Help make Halloween a little more special for local children by donating to the Halloween Costume Drive at the Mineola Public Library. From September 1 through October 16, the library will be collecting Halloween costumes and accessories for babies, toddlers, and children. Donations should be in good condition and free of rips, stains, or excessive wear. To keep things fun and family-friendly, all donated items should be child-appropriate, with no weapons or overly scary accessories. A convenient drop-off box will be located at the entrance of the Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road. Take a look through those closets and storage bins—your child’s outgrown costume could be just what another little trick-or-treater needs to make this Halloween extra special! For more information click here
LABOR DAY FARM FUN w/ HAYRIDES- 9/08 10am- 6pm Celebrate the unofficial end of summer and get an early taste of fall at Labor Day Farm Fun at White Post Farms in Melville, happening Monday, September 7, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Families can enjoy unlimited hayrides included with general admission, plus Rodeo Ricky’s Comedy & Magic Show, a bubble dance and foam party, the Giraffe Feeding Experience, Dinosaur Adventure, bird aviaries, Koi Pond, Monkey Barn, and more. Pony rides and the White Post Express Train are also available for an additional charge. It’s a fun way to squeeze in one more family adventure before saying goodbye to summer while welcoming the first signs of fall. Free parking is available, and guests purchasing tickets online can use promo code SUMMER10 to save $10 per ticket for Labor Day Weekend. For more information click here
Plant Food Nutrition and Disease Prevention- 9/08 1pm- 2pm Explore the connection between food and wellness at Plant Food Nutrition and Disease Prevention, presented by Carol Leitman at the Great Neck Library on Tuesday, September 8, from 1–2 p.m. This free health and wellness presentation will explore plant-based nutrition, phytochemicals, micronutrients, fruits and vegetables, and lifestyle habits that may support overall health and longevity. Attendees will also learn about Dr. Fuhrman’s Nutritarian Food Plate and how it compares with typical American eating patterns. The program is designed to provide practical ideas that participants can consider incorporating into everyday life as part of a healthier lifestyle. No registration is required, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so stop by the Great Neck Library Main Branch and spend an afternoon learning more about nutrition and healthy living. For more information click here
BLOCK Buddies LEGO® Social Group- 9/9 5pm- 6pm Build, create, and make new friends at BLOCK Buddies LEGO® Social Group at Block Party in Levittown! Designed for children ages 7–12, this inclusive program welcomes kids of all abilities, with special consideration for neurodivergent children, including those with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. Through free play, guided mini-builds, choice-based LEGO activities, and collaborative challenges, children can practice social skills, build confidence, and connect with others in a relaxed and supportive environment. Sessions are led by experienced special education teachers and take place every other Wednesday from 5–6 p.m., with upcoming dates running through December. Registration is $39.95 per child and includes a take-home LEGO build from each session. Space is limited and advance registration is required; a parent, guardian, or support staff member must remain on-site. For more information click here
Virtual Guided Meditation with Amy Rutledge - 9/10 7:30pm- 8pm Take a little time for yourself and unwind from the stresses of the day with Guided Meditation, presented virtually by Amy Rutledge, on Thursday, September 10, from 7:30–8 p.m. This relaxing 30-minute session will introduce techniques designed to help reduce stress, quiet a busy mind, and promote a greater sense of calm and focus through mindfulness, visualization, and breathing exercises. Best of all, you can participate from the comfort of home. Find a quiet space, get comfortable, and give yourself permission to slow down, breathe, and recharge. The goal is to leave the session feeling clear-headed, rejuvenated, and refreshed. For more information click here
Hicks Nursery Fall Festival- 9/12 -11/01 10AM to 4PM Celebrate everything there is to love about autumn at the 51st Annual Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries in Westbury, running September 12 through November 1. This longtime Long Island family tradition features thousands of pumpkins, colorful mums and fall décor, seasonal photo opportunities, lawn games, and Otto the Ghost’s animated children’s story walk-through. Families can also enjoy the hay maze, while weekends and school holidays bring additional activities, kids’ crafts, fresh-roasted Long Island corn, festival food, and opportunities to meet and take pictures with Otto the Ghost. With free admission and parking and plenty of complimentary activities, it’s an easy way to get the whole family into the fall spirit. Grab some cider and seasonal treats, pick out the perfect pumpkin, snap a few family photos, and enjoy one of Nassau County’s favorite autumn traditions!For More information click here.
28th Annual Long Island Woodworkers Show- 9/12- 9/13 10am- 5pm Discover the beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship of woodworking at the Long Island Woodworkers Show, happening Saturday and Sunday, September 12–13, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. Whether you’re an experienced woodworker, a DIY enthusiast, or simply appreciate the skill that goes into handcrafted pieces, this two-day event is a great opportunity to celebrate the art and tradition of working with wood. Bring the family, meet fellow woodworking enthusiasts, and enjoy a weekend dedicated to creativity, craftsmanship, and hands-on inspiration—all inside one of Nassau County’s most unique museums. For more information click here.
Upcoming Nightlife Events
Pure On The Mile- 9/07 4pm- 10pm Get ready for a stylish day of music, fashion, food, and waterfront vibes at Pure on the Mile, happening at Prime on the Mile on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. This lively event brings together the energy of Long Island’s waterfront with a celebration designed for guests looking to dress up, socialize, dance, and enjoy a fun day out along Woodcleft Avenue. Gather your friends and come ready to enjoy the atmosphere, music, drinks, and beautiful waterfront setting that make Freeport’s Nautical Mile a favorite warm-weather destination. Put on your best look and get ready to experience Pure on the Mile! For more information click here
The Australian Pink Floyd Show- 9/9 7pm Experience the legendary music of Pink Floyd live as The Australian Pink Floyd Show brings The Happiest Days of Our Lives – Greatest Hits ’26 to The Paramount in Huntington on Wednesday, September 9, at 8 p.m. Known for their remarkably faithful, note-for-note recreations, TAPFS captures the sound and atmosphere of a classic Pink Floyd concert with authentic vocals, extended instrumental jams, and incredible attention to musical detail. Fans can look forward to a journey through Pink Floyd’s greatest hits and multiple eras of their iconic catalog, brought to life by one of the world’s most celebrated tribute acts. Doors open at 7 p.m., so grab your fellow Pink Floyd fans and get ready for an unforgettable night of progressive rock in Huntington! For more information click here
7 in Heaven Speed Dating Singles Ages 40-55 Mineola- 9/11 7:30pm- 9 Skip the dating apps and make some real-life connections at 7 in Heaven Singles Speed Dating on Friday, September 11, from 7:30–9 p.m. at Black Sheep Ale House in Mineola. Designed for women ages 40–53 and men ages 42–55, the evening features a series of relaxed seven-minute mini-dates, giving singles the chance to meet several potential matches face-to-face in one fun night. Admission is $45 and includes one complimentary drink and appetizers, with refreshments served before the speed dating begins. After the event, participants receive a full report of their mutual matches the following day, taking the guesswork out of exchanging contact information. Space is balanced between men and women, so advance registration and prepayment are required. Come ready to mingle, enjoy some conversation, and perhaps meet someone special right here in Mineola! For more information click here
Gimme Gimme Disco- 9/12 8pm Looking for a fun way to meet other singles without the pressure of speed dating? 7 in Heaven Singles Events is hosting a Comedy Night Out for singles in their 50s, 60s and 70s on Saturday, September 5, from 5:45–9:00 p.m. at Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown. Arrive early for introductions and mingling in the lounge before settling into reserved seating arranged by age group for a 90-minute comedy show, with appetizers included. Come solo or bring a single friend and enjoy an evening filled with laughter, conversation, and the chance to make a new connection. Advance reservations and prepayment are required, and guests should note that the venue has an additional two-item minimum per person at the table. For more information click here
H.O.W Bluejeans Party "Proud to be Haitian Night "- 9/11 9pm- 1:30am Celebrate Haitian culture, music, and pride at the How BlueJeans Party: Proud to Be Haitian Night in Westbury! This special night out invites the community to come together, throw on their favorite denim, and enjoy an energetic celebration filled with Haitian and Caribbean sounds, dancing, and plenty of good vibes. Gather your friends, show off your Haitian pride, and come ready to dance the night away. Whether you’re part of the Haitian community or simply love the music and culture, Proud to Be Haitian Night is all about celebrating together and enjoying a memorable night on Long Island. For more information click here
Bryson Tiller @ UBS Arena- 9/12 7:30pm Get ready for a night of smooth R&B and signature trap-soul sounds as Bryson Tiller brings The Neo Trapsoul Tour to UBS Arena in Elmont on Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. Fans can experience Tiller’s distinctive blend of R&B, hip-hop, and atmospheric beats live inside one of Long Island’s premier entertainment venues. Whether you’ve followed his music for years or simply love contemporary R&B, grab your friends and get ready for a Saturday night filled with music, energy, and that unmistakable Bryson Tiller vibe. It’s a great chance for Long Island fans to catch The Neo Trapsoul Tour close to home! For more information click here
Wu Tang Clan @ Jones Beach Theater- 9/13 7:30pm Get ready for a legendary night of hip-hop as Wu-Tang Clan brings the Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater on Sunday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. The tour is being billed as an encore to Wu-Tang’s 2025 run and features members including RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna, along with Young Dirty Bastard honoring his late father, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Joining them are hip-hop icons Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, bringing their signature melodic, rapid-fire style to the Jones Beach stage. Fans can look forward to a career-spanning celebration of Wu-Tang classics, solo favorites, and decades of hip-hop history—all under the stars along the Long Island waterfront. Hip-hop fans, this is one Sunday night you won’t want to miss! For more information & Tickets click here
Great Eats For the Week
Halal Food Festival- 9/12 1pm- 11pm Get ready for a full day of food, culture and community at Nassau Community College. This year’s festival invites families and friends from across Long Island to come together for another memorable celebration and enjoy the energy of a community united through food and shared experiences. The festival is proudly presented by charity partner Droplets of Mercy in collaboration with the Nassau County Office of Asian American Affairs. Gather your family and friends, bring your appetite, and come spend the day celebrating the people, flavors, and diversity that make our Long Island community special! For more information click here
45th Annual John Michael Marino Lodge Italian Festival -9/10- 9/13 Come celebrate Italian food, culture, and community at the 45th Annual John Michael Marino Lodge Italian Festival, happening September 10–13 at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington. This longtime community tradition features plenty of delicious favorites, including pasta dishes, meatball and eggplant heroes, rice balls, sausage and peppers, cannoli, Italian pastries, cappuccino, espresso, and hot freshly made zeppole. Beyond the food, festival-goers can enjoy live music, DJs, carnival rides, games, vendors, crafts, shopping, and a Saturday night fireworks display. Admission is free, with parking available for $5 per vehicle. Best of all, the festival is also the Lodge’s largest annual fundraiser, helping support local scholarships and charitable programs. Bring the family, come hungry, and enjoy four days of Italian flavors, entertainment, and community fun in Port Washington! For more information click here
Community
Nassau County Mega Career Expo-9/10 10am- 3pm Looking for a new job or ready to take the next step in your career? The Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs Workforce Development Unit is hosting a Mega Career Expo on Thursday, September 10, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Job seekers will have the opportunity to explore positions across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, technology, government, retail, MTA and LIRR, hospitality, the Armed Forces, law enforcement, energy, utilities, and construction trades. To make the event more accessible, seniors, veterans, and individuals with physical challenges can enter early from 9–10 a.m. to avoid larger crowds. Registration is encouraged, so polish up your résumé, dress to make a great first impression, and come ready to meet employers and explore new career opportunities right here in Nassau County. For more information about this event click here
Happening In Nassau
Men’s Sun Circle – A Wellness Circle for Men- 9/11 7pm- 8:30pm
Take some time to slow down, recharge, and reconnect at Men’s Sun Circle, a special wellness gathering at Revolution Yoga in Rockville Centre on Friday, September 11, from 7–8:30 p.m. Led by Anthony Heyward, this supportive men’s circle combines breathwork, restorative yoga poses, and circle sharing to create space for relaxation, reflection, and meaningful connection.
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, focus on your well-being, or simply connect with other men in a welcoming environment, this workshop offers an opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life and dedicate some time to yourself. No need to be a yoga expert—come as you are, breathe, restore, and connect. For more information click here
Helping Hands
Friends Of The Bay Looking for a hands-on way to make a difference right here on Long Island? Friends of the Bay welcomes volunteers to help preserve, protect, and restore the Oyster Bay/Cold Spring Harbor Estuary and surrounding watershed. Opportunities range from monthly beach cleanups and water-quality monitoring to terrapin monitoring, rain garden care, community outreach, clerical work, data entry, and other conservation projects. You can volunteer individually or get involved with friends, family, coworkers, classmates, or a community group. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to become more regularly involved, your time can help keep our beaches, waterways, and surrounding communities cleaner and healthier. Nassau Plus encourages our readers to roll up their sleeves, get outdoors, and help protect a beautiful part of Long Island for generations to come. For more information click here
Volunteer @ Nassau County Museum Of Art
Turn your free time into a meaningful community experience by volunteering with the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor. Volunteers can lend a hand in a variety of areas, including the admission desk, Museum Store, membership recruitment, Manes Family Art and Education Center, and administrative support. Those who enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for art can also explore becoming a museum docent, helping lead tours and connect visitors with exhibitions. No special education or art background is required, and volunteers receive training for their assignments.
Most volunteer positions ask for approximately 3–4 hours one day per week, with opportunities available year-round on weekdays and weekends. Along with giving back, volunteers can meet new people, expand their knowledge of art and culture, and enjoy benefits such as exhibition walk-throughs and discounts on Museum programs and in the Museum Store. If you love art, community, or simply want to put your time and talents to good use, consider joining the Museum’s volunteer team. Learn more about volunteering with NCMA
Highway and State Route Closures
Sunrise Highway (State Route 27): Expect overnight lane closures on westbound Sunrise Highway between Harrison Avenue (Town of Hempstead) and the Queens/Nassau border, as well as sections stretching into Suffolk County, running weeknights from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM for pavement renewal.
Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495): Ongoing paving and maintenance work continues to bring intermittent overnight lane and HOV restrictions during off-peak hours.
Hempstead Turnpike & Surrounding Areas: While major multi-million dollar repaving and ADA curb ramp upgrades recently wrapped up around the Village of Hempstead (Route 24 and Route 102), minor daytime or off-peak punch-list work may still cause brief localized delays.
Before driving, check the 511NY map for live traffic updates.
Weather For The Week
A Final Note with a quote
Dear Nassau Plus Family,
There’s something about this time of year that lets us know change is in the air. The mornings are beginning to feel a little different, the days are slowly getting shorter, and before we know it, fall will officially be here. And, of course, we’re already starting to see some of our favorite fall treats and drinks popping up on the menus of our favorite local haunts. Pumpkin spice, apple cider, warm baked goods, seasonal dishes—whatever your favorite may be, it’s another little reminder that a new season is on its way.
As our children head back to school and begin another year of learning, maybe there’s a lesson in that for the rest of us, too. Learning should never have an age limit. Whether we're 18 or 80, there is always something new to discover, a skill to improve, a book to read, a question to ask, or a different perspective to consider. Staying curious keeps us engaged with the world and, perhaps most importantly, keeps our minds working.
Technology and computers have made an incredible amount of information available at our fingertips. They can help us work faster, communicate easier, and learn things we once might have spent hours searching for. But as useful as these tools are, we shouldn't allow them to do all of our thinking for us. Keep reading. Keep writing. Do the occasional math problem in your head. Have conversations. Ask questions. Challenge your own opinions. Learn something simply because you're curious about it. Technology should be a tool that strengthens our abilities—not something that replaces them.
And while we're busy learning and preparing for whatever comes next, let's remember to appreciate where we are right now. Life has a funny way of keeping our eyes focused on tomorrow while today quietly passes us by. We can look forward to the future without rushing toward it, and we can respect and learn from the past without living in it. The past teaches us, the future gives us something to hope for, but the present is where we actually get to live.
As always, thank you for spending another week with Nassau Plus. We appreciate every person who reads, shares, supports, and continues this journey with us. Our best wishes to you and your families as we move into another beautiful season here on Long Island.
Stay curious, keep learning, enjoy the moment, and don't forget to treat yourself to a little taste of fall along the way.
With gratitude,
The Nassau Plus Team
Local. Connected. Hopeful
"Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." — Malala Yousafzai
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