Take Small Steps Toward a Greener Lifestyle This Earth Day!

 Today is Earth Day, and around the country and across the Island, folks are celebrating nature in a variety of ways - from community clean up events, to going green pledges, there are lots of ways to help protect the planet, and even small changes can have big benefits! Going Green doesn't have to be overwhelming - making little changes in your life can have a major effect. Not sure how to get started? Not to worry! In honor of Earth Day, we've put together a great guide to small steps that you can take that can help the planet. They're so simple that they'll become habit before you know it - how easy is that! 

To Find Out What Small Steps You Can Take this Earth Day, Click Here!

It's Look Up at the Sky Day - Here's What to Watch Out For!

 Today, April 14th is Look Up at the Sky Day, and this year, stargazers are in for a real treat! Late late tonight, you'll be able to see a lunar phenomena known as the Blood Moon - a lunar eclipse that makes the moon appear copper in color! In addition to tonight's excitement in the sky, the Lyrid Meteor Shower will also be viewable this week starting on the 16th, although the peak day to view will be next Tuesday, the 22nd.

Looking for somewhere nice and dark where you can Look Up at the Sky? We've got you covered! 

Click here for the scoop on where to go to view the Blood Moon and the upcoming Meteor Shower!

Spring Break Staycations: Make the Best of Spring Break on a Budget

For many local students, Spring Break will begin this upcoming weekend. For kids, this means time to kick back and relax now that midterms are finally over, and the weather is beginning to warm back up. Parents, on the other hand, don't have it so easy - they'll be tasked with coming up with all sorts of creative ways to keep the entire brood entertained for a week or more while school's not in session. For those of you who aren't going away this Spring Break, there's still plenty of fun! We've put together a great guide for parents planning a fun filled staycation this Spring. Whether you're looking for educational fun, you want to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, or you simply are looking for a good excuse to get out of the house, we've got you covered! 

For all of the Spring Break Staycation Fun, Click Here!

Hop To It: Themed Baskets that Even the Easter Bunny Will Envy

With Easter comes the expectation of baskets filled with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps, jelly beans, and of course Easter Eggs. This year, why not go for something a little different - we've got some great ideas for egg-cellent Easter Basket themes that are sure to please this holiday! No matter who you'll be gifting this holiday, we've got you covered - we've got all sorts of sweet treats for everyone - sports lovers, gardeners, artsy folks, and everyone in between! This year, you can create a basket that even the Easter Bunny himself would be envious of - so what are you waiting for? Hop to it! 

To Check Out our Egg-Citing Easter Basket Ideas, Click Here!

Enjoy Harmless Fun with April Fools' Day Pranks for Kids

April Fools' Day is almost here - how will you be celebrating the day with your family? If you're looking for ways to enjoy some harmless, good-natured fun, then you've come to the right place! We've put together some great pranks that are sure to put a smile on everyone's faces this holiday - even those who are getting pranked! Participating in some harmless fun is a great way to teach your kids that you can play a joke without hurting anyone - these simple pranks are sure to elicit big laughs from everyone involved, and are the perfect way to enjoy April Fools' Day!

For the scoop on some great harmless pranks, click here!

Preparing for the Warmer Weather: Spring into Spring Cleaning

Spring has arrived and most of you are heading outdoors to enjoy the weather but a lot are also organizing and giving your home's a fresh feel with the traditional spring cleaning! The beginning of spring is a popular time to do some deep-down cleaning on your home. This goes for the inside and outside, top to bottom! Many like to organize as well and throw old things away in order to start fresh with the new season! A great way to do this is by using the "out with the old, in with the new" process. Donate any clothes, toys or other items that you don't need anymore and give others a chance to start fresh this spring, too! 

For the scoop on Spring Cleaning, click here!

LongIsland.com Alexa Rank Climbs as More Locals Turn to Site Daily for All Things Long Island

 As LongIsland.com continues to expand its localized information, news, and resources, its Alexa.com ranking has continued to climb. As of February 26th, the site's US Ranking is 8,866, a significant jump from the previous year - in July of 2013, LongIsland.com US Ranking was 12,978. Alexa Rankings are determined by comparing how well a website is performing in comparison to all other websites on the internet over the period of the past three months. For almost two decades, Alexa has been the premier online tool for tracking the success and popularity of websites.

Since relaunching LongIsland.com in March of 2012, the Long Island Media team has continued to expand the site's content and resources, including its ever-popular Things to Do Section, thorough Resources and helpful Guides, and its extensive Business Directory, as well as countless other sections throughout the site. With the number of daily visitors continuing to grow, its no surprise that LongIsland.com's Alexa Ranking has jumped so significantly from 2013, moving up thousands of places in a matter of just a few months.

To read this Press Release in full on LongIsland.com, click here!

Break out Your Masks & Beads for Mardi Gras!

 Mardi Gras is right around the corner and celebrations full of rich eating and partying are underway. Mardi Gras, also known as "Fat Tuesday" and "Carnival season" to most Americans, is held the day before Ash Wednesday and follows unique traditions to celebrate. Although the Mardi Gras traditions differ from city to city, most include dressing up in fun costumes and decorative masks while wearing multiple strands of colorful beads around their necks as they wander through the streets during parades and parties. 

For the full scoop on this year's Mardi Gras fun, click here!

Go for the Gold: Host a Watching Party for the 2014 Winter Olympics!

Looking to host the perfect Olympics Watching Party? Impress your party guests as you enjoy the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi with patriotic decor, tasty snacks and friendly competitions and activities for adults and children. These ideas are not only fun for family and friends, but also guarantee to make your hosting experience as fun and stress free as possible! If you're ready to go for the gold when it comes to party-planning, then you won't want to miss these great tips! 

Click here for you Gold Medal Winning Party Guide!

Sweet & Simple Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

 The greatest thing about a child’s Valentines Day is the fun and innocence of it. For some, it’s the perfect holiday to spend with your significant other, however it can also a great time to show your family how much you care. This February, enjoy some bonding time with your kids by participating in these creative crafts together, and help them understand the concept of Valentine’s Day while making one-of-a-kind, heartfelt gifts for their friends and loved ones.

 

The following crafts are sure to keep everyone entertained on a chilly February day, and the kids are sure to enjoy putting their own personal touch on some of them. These innovative crafts are not too difficult to complete either, so children with basic cutting and gluing skills can easily create them with your help! 

 

For this season's best kids' craft ideas, click here!

Winter Storm Warning Goes Into Effect Wednesday, 3 to 5 More Inches of Snow Expected

Just as one winter storm has ended, Long Island needs to get ready, and brace for another. A Winter Storm Warning will go into effect tonight at midnight, and stay active until 6 PM on Wednesday evening. Long Island can expect 3 to 5 more inches of snow on top of the wet, wintery mess that was left behind after Monday's snow storm. 

Tuesday morning was filled with delays on the road, and at schools across Long Island, and it's likely that Wednesday morning will be somewhat similar to Monday and Tuesday - the additional snowfall is sure to bring along additional problems with it. 

To find out the full forecast details, click here!

Nassau County SPCA Seeking Donations to Fund Treatment of Brutalized Dog

Earlier this week, the Nassau County SPCA held a press conference about "Miss Harper", a dog that had been brutally maimed. NCSPCA is still investigating the case, and searching for the suspects that viciously removed the dog's ears, and one of her hind legs. In addition to searching for information about this case, they are also asking that local pet lovers to make a donation on behalf of Miss Harper, who will need numerous expensive surgeries, and extensive post-op care. They also announced that once she is healed, they will be looking to find her in a forever-home with a loving family here on Long Island. 

To find out more about Miss Harper and to donate, click here. 

Warning: The above link contains an image of Miss Harper, which may be unsettling for some readers.

Groundhog Day: Get the Scoop on LI's Local Groundhogs

Groundhog Day is just a few days away, and in addition to Punxsutawney, PA's infamous groundhog Phil, Long Island has some groundhogs of our own making predictions this winter! In Holtsville we've got Hal, in Malverne we've got Mel, and out on Staten Island they've got Chuck! With all these groundhogs predicting whether or not winter weather will continue on for 6 more weeks or end early this year, surely one of them is bound to be right! 

Who do you think will make the correct prediction this year? Let us know! 

Get the scoop on LI's local groundhogs & Groundhog Day Events right here!

Get Out and Play! Family Fun to Enjoy on a Snow Day

 This season, it seems like Long Island is getting pummeled by snowstorm after snowstorm, so why not make the most of the season and enjoy some winter fun? There are plenty of great ways to enjoy the snow - from building igloos and snowmen, to having a snowball fight with friends, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy the winter months. Before you get going, be sure to bundle up - staying warm is an important safety measure you don't want to forget when you're out there enjoying the snow.

To get the scoop on all the snow day fun, click here!

Warm Up This Winter With Dance Lessons!

 If you're looking for a fun way to stay active this winter, then why not try something new, and enroll to take dance lessons! Whether you can feel the beat in your feet, or you're new to dancing, taking a class is a fun way to get moving, and learn a new skill! Across Long Island, all sorts of dance classes are offered - ranging from ballet to ballroom, and dance schools are offering lessons for every skill level. This winter, keep your blood flowing by hitting the dance floor - get out there have fun! 

For the scoop on local dance lessons, click here!

Cold & Flu Season is Here: How to Fight Back!

The winter weather is here to stay - at least for a few months! One of the biggest worries of winter is the fear of catching the flu, or a nasty cold, which can put you out of commission for days if not caught early on! Although there's no cure for the common cold, there are plenty of ways to combat the symptoms, as well as ward off sickness all together. Being prepared before you've been struck with sickness will help you to avoid missing work, or having the little ones home sick from school this winter.

This season, don't get bested by the flu or a nasty cold - protect yourself ahead of time, and be sure to have the necessary supplies for dealing with the symptoms on hand.

To find out how to fight back this flu season, click here!

Staying Safe in the Bitter Cold This Winter

Winter weather has truly come out in full force this season on Long Island. Just days into 2014, we've already been hit by a blizzard, and the Island is now experiencing extreme cold temperatures with a wind chill well below 0 degrees due to an unusual weather phenomena known as a Polar Vortex. As you head outdoors and into the cold, it's important to stay bundled up, and protected from the elements, but there are many other ways to ensure that you and your family stay safe this winter, and ensure that your home is protected against the elements. 

In order to help you better cope with the winter chill, we've put together this great guide of tips & tricks for staying safe and warm all season long. Click here for the scoop!

Pictured: Snow blankets a residential neighborhood in Kings Park on Friday morning.

LongIsland.com's January Family Fun Guide

 Whether you're an indoor person or an outdoor person when it comes to enjoying the winter, we've got you covered with the scoop on tons of great fun happening right here on LI! LongIsland.com's January Family Fun Guide is jam packed with the coolest concerts, exciting entertainment, and sensational seasonal events that you won't want to miss this month, as well as a variety of awesome activities the whole family is sure to love. From guided nature walks, to the scoop on where to sled, we've got it all when it comes to Winter Fun. We've also included a variety of hot happenings and things to do that Mom & Dad are sure to enjoy as well, including wine tastings, musical performances, and much more!

Start 2014 off on the right foot, and take a step toward making this month a fun one! 

To check out January's Family Fun Guide, click here!

LI's Best Sledding Hills & Sled Safety Tips

With a big winter storm right around the corner, it's high time you get the scoop on the best hills here on Long Island for sledding! Sledding has been a favorite pastime and right of passage for local children for ages - what better way to enjoy a snow day than grabbing a sled, bundling up, and meeting up with your friends to play in the snow, and race down the big hills. 

In order to help you make the most out of tomorrow's predicted Snow Day, we've put together a great guide to parks with amazing hills for sledding, as well as some important safety tips for ensuring that you stay safe while hitting the slopes with your sled this winter. Winter Storm Hercules doesn't have to be all about shoveling and indoor fun; get out there and enjoy the snow - the best part of the winter season!

For the scoop on the best sledding hills on Long Island, click here!

Celebrate New Year's Eve in Style on LI!

We’ve made it almost halfway through December, and the majority 2013 has already come & gone, and you know what that means - it’s time to welcome 2014! If you’re still unsure of how you’ll be ringing in the New Year on December 31st, not to worry - we’ve got you covered. Our annual New Year’s Celebration Guide features dozens of great local events happening in both Nassau and Suffolk, highlights of the hottest happenings in NYC, as well as fun ways to celebrate at home, and tips & tricks for hosting your own bash.

No matter what you consider the perfect night on the town, there is somewhere great to celebrate when the clock strikes 12:00 - from black tie galas, to non-stop nightclub dancing, to laid back festivities at your favorite bar, there are all sorts of fantastic festivities to welcome 2014 with. 

For  all the best ways to welcome 2014, check out LongIsland.com's New Year's Entertainment Guide!