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	A touch-tank filled with sea creatures is just one of the many interactive and educational exhibits at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. NewsdayTV&#39;s Elisa DiStefano reports.&nbsp;
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NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center

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Touch a spiky sea urchin, play with kinetic sand at Jones Beach exhibit

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Ryan Kind has epilepsy, which can cause seizures, as well as a condition called Chiari malformation.

He can't play ball like his big bros. But this Seaford teen shines on the sidelines with his camera.

Look back at the transformation of the birthday party, from the nostalgic backyard or basement soiree to now-closed Long Island venues.

Remembering when LI kids' birthday parties weren't pricey affairs

Visit the interactive "Emotions at Play" exhibit, which helps kids identify and understand big feelings through play.

First look: Inside LI's new Disney/Pixar 'Inside Out' exhibit

Cynthia Zhang's passion for monarch butterflies and Gia Providente's efforts to protect terrapin turtles earned the 2025 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

2 LI girls win $10G awards for environmental projects

The cafe offers an extensive library of 400 games to play in a comfortable atmosphere where appetizers, beer and wine are served.

New game cafe opening in LI mall

The author wrote the book after both her daughters had stays in the NICU at Stony Brook University Hospital.

Long Island NICU babies get first book, 'NIC Zoo,' by local mom

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An updated guide to standout restaurants in honor of Black History Month.

6 new Black-owned LI restaurants

It specializes in croissants and Danishes.

Hidden artisanal bakery opens on LI

The shop had been open since at least 1978.

Neighborhood pizzeria closes after losing lease

This weekend is the last call at this location of the national chicken wing chain.

Buffalo Wild Wings closing LI mall location

The market is something of a cross between Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Here's a primer for first-timers.

5 tips for shopping at Sprouts, LI's new grocery store

The Westhampton Beach landmark's last day under current ownership will be Feb. 17.

LI eatery closing after 115 years

Things to Do Video Playlist

From The Marshall Tucker Band to Pete Correale, check out all the fun things to do and explore this weekend.

What's up on LI this weekend

It was retirement in 2020 that pushed Randolph Brown toward fulfilling a lifelong dream: opening his own BBQ restaurant.

'I had a fascination with preparing meals'

After 44 years, the Oak Chalet Restaurant in Bellmore closed its doors. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed talked to Gisela Wedel and her family about their restaurant.

'Gonna miss it so much'

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look at the Bald Hill Ski Resort, Long Island's own slope in Farmingville.

Believe it or not: Long Island once had its own ski hill

Shop with Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez at Sprouts, which opened its first Long Island location in Centereach.

A foodie's guide to shopping at Sprouts

Eckart's Luncheonette in Westhampton Beach has been run by four generations of the same family. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'This is the best option for the family'

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East," and shows us different spots you can visit this winter.

Out East: Mecox Bay Dairy, Kent Animal Shelter, Custer Institute & Observatory and local sparkling wines

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joins Newsday food writer Marie Elena Martinez at Hometown Bakeshop in Centerport to try customizable bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches.

Bacon, egg and cheese with a twist at this LI bakery

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus visited Robke's in Northport to learn more about the popular Italian restaurant.

5 things you might not know about Robke's

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland takes a look back at the Long Island Arena, known to some as the "Commack Arena."

Picture This: That time Commack had an arena for concerts and sports

Newsday food writers Erica Marcus and Marie Elena Martinez dined at Orto in Miller Place, one of the spots on Newsday's 2026 list of best Italian restaurants.

'What we've chosen are restaurants that kind of rise above all that'

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visited Disney/Pixar's "Inside Out" exhibit at the Long Island Children's Museum.

Creating core memories at new 'Inside Out' exhibit

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From heated outdoor pools and cedar saunas to luxe spas, yoga classes and dining, these properties are redefining the staycation.

LI hotels with day-use amenities

These indoor amusement centers offer everything from ax-throwing to karaoke to bowling.

Indoor fun on LI

Explore our interactive guide to weekend fun, including family-friendly events, concerts, festivals and more.

Things to do this weekend

Newsday TV shorts

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Fire officials on Long Island are sounding the alarm, on shortages in both recruitment and retention. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Proposal to pay firefighters to be on call 

What to know about Long Island's sidewalk snow cleanup laws. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Keeping LI sidewalks clean after a snowstorm 

One young Long Island mother said getting pregnant at 16 has meant putting off plans to go to law school.

LI teen birth rates plummet

Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman tries indoor snow tubing at American Dream Mall in New Jersey.

Get your snow fix: Indoor snow tubing at American Dream

It's been 40 years since the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Long Islanders remember where they were on Jan. 28, 1986.

40 years later: Long Islanders remember Challenger disaster

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Peconic Ice Rink to sharpen skates, check out the Zamboni and see what it takes to maintain the rink in this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Keeping it nice on the ice

Shaili Soni is a volunteer at the Stony Brook Medicine Food Farmacy who helps patients with food insecurity.

Volunteers of Long Island: Stony Brook Medicine Food Farmacy

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed sits down with former LI Congressman Steve Israel to talk about Israel's new book about Albert Einstein.

Out East: Albert Einstein's time in Southold

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