Small business owners no doubt recognize the value of repeat customers, but few may recognize just how valuable such customers can be to their bottom lines. A study from researchers at Harvard Business School found that a customer’s eighth purchase was an average of 80 percent higher than his or her first purchase. In addition, a survey from the strategic planning, marketing and sales consultants Altfeld, Inc. found
that the probability of selling to an existing customer is between 60 and 70 percent, while that probability shrinks to as low as 5 percent for new customers. Customer retention strategies like offering superior customer service and seeking input from customers can help small businesses generate more repeat customers, which can greatly improve their chances for long-term success.
Chicken Valdostana: Breaded Breast of Chicken topped with Prosciutto, Melted Mozzarella, Porcini Sauce, Served with Roasted Potatoes & Vegetables
Chicken Scarpariello: Oven Roasted off the Bone with Sausage, Peppers, Mushrooms, Rosemary
Sole Portofino: Parmesan Encrusted in Lemon White Wine Sauce, Served over Risotto
Salmon Fiorentina: Fresh Salmon pan seared in a lemon beurre blanc Served over Spinach
Shrimp Scampi: Garlic, butter, white wine and lemon, served over risotto with vegetables
Pollo: (Served with Vegetables) Francese, Parmigiana, Marsala, Toscano
Veal (+ $6): (Served with Vegetables) Marsala, Parmigiana, Sorrentino, Piccata
Zucchini Linguini: (Vegan) In a Spicy Marinara Sauce with Crispy Shitake Mushroom
Penne alla Vodka: Shallots, Prosciutto, Vodka in Tomato Basil Sauce with a touch of cream
Includes Salad, Pasta & 2 Entrees (Eggplant, Chicken or Filet of Sole), Mixed Desserts
Pappardelle Bolognese: Authentic Meat Sauce, Ricotta Cheese on Top Orecchiette alla Verona: Imported Pasta Sautéed with Sausage, Sundried Tomatoes, Chick Peas, Rapini, Garlic and Oil
Porcini Risotto: (Vegetarian) Risotto Tossed in Porcini Mushroom Sauce, Topped with Shaved Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan: Baked in Marinara, topped with Melted Mozzarella, Served with Vegetables
Grilled Pork Chop (+ $6): Topped with Mushrooms, Onions, Cherry Peppers, Served-Roasted Potato, Vegetables
Branzino Oreganata (+ $7): Fresh Mediterranean Sea Bass Topped with Seasoned Breadcrumbs in a Lemon White Wine Sauce with Shrimp
Squid Ink Linguini (+ $7): Tossed with Mussels, Calamari, Shrimp, Broccoli Rabe, Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Crispy Duck (+ $7): Fresh Long Island Duck, Orange Cranberry Glaze, Served with Wild Rice & Vegetable
Steak (+ $10): Grilled, topped with Asparagus and Melted Mozzarella in Barolo Wine Sauce Served with Onion RIngs
Includes Salad, Pasta & 2 Entrees (Veal, Salmon, Chicken or Shrimp), Mixed Desserts $70 for 2 / $130 for 4 / $185 for 6
di Miale
Includes Salad, Pasta & Mixed Desserts
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
THROUGH DEC. 31st (Daily)
ANIMIATED CHILDREN'S WALKTHROUGH STORY
Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike in Westbury. Open during normal store hours. Located in the Christmas Gallery. The Christmas story features Santa, his elves and friends as they prepare for the big day! Please bring a donation of a non-perishable food item(s) for Long Island Cares and it drop off at the end of the walkthrough. Free Event. For more information, please call 516- 334-0066
THROUGH JAN. 1st (Daily)
PORT JEFFERSON FESTIVAL OF TREES at Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 East Broadway in Port Jefferson. Free Event. See beautifully decorated Trees by local businesses, groups, and non-profits! This event is presented by The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. Title Sponsor - Hanover Bank. Co-Sponsor: The Incorporated Village of Port Jefferson. For more information, please call 631-4731414
THROUGH JAN. 4th (Daily)
12:00NOON-3:00PM
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday ANNUAL MODEL TRAIN DISPLAY
The Town of Babylon History Museum and Babylon Town Historical Society, feature an interactive model train display (240 sq. ft.) that highlights historic points of interest from around the Town of Babylon. Admission is FREE. The
MAKE A SUBMISSION! Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
Town History Museum is located at the historic Old Town Hall, built in 1918 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. For more information, please call 631-587-3750
THURSDAY, DEC. 18th
6:00PM-7:45PM
WINTER GREENERY WORKSHOP
At the Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Avenue in Wantagh. A winter greenery workshop to celebrate the season! RSVP to PaumanackeGC@ gmail.com to receive details and to register. Lite refreshments will be served after the workshop.
SATURDAY, DEC. 20th
6:00PM-10:30PM
BRUMIDI’S CHRISTMAS PARTY at Sons & Daughters of Italy, 2075 Deer Park Ave. in Deer Park. For more information and reservations, please call Linda at 516-356-0949, www.sonsofitalyli.com
MONDAY, DEC. 29th
9:00AM-3:00PM
HOLIDAY DISCOVERY DAYS 2025
Sweetbriar Nature Center will be offering daily natural science programs over the school breaks for elementary school children from 9:00am-3:00pm.. Each day will be a different natural science theme. Each day is chock-filled with fun hands-on activities, interaction with our resident non-releasable wildlife, crafts, games, and much more. Sweetbriar Nature Center is located at 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. For more information, please call 631-979-6344
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31st
11:00AM-12:00NOON
NAUTICAL NEW YEAR
Did you know the New Year's Eve ball is based on an old nautical timekeeping tradition? Join us to countdown to 12 noon, and enjoy festive self-serve crafts all day during gallery hours. Included with Admission. The Whaling Museum & Education Center Of Cold Spring Harbor, 279 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor. For more information, please call 516.282.6426, 631.367.3418 x12, Email cainslie@cshwhalingmuseum. org
6:30PM-8:00PM
EARLY NEW YEAR'S EVE BALL DROP/ CELEBRATION
Farmingdale Village is hosting an Early, Family Friendly New Year's Eve Celebration - Ring in 2026 with a New Year’s Eve free celebration. Free admission, free hot cocoa, free noisemakers .& Live Music ... on the Village Green, 361 Main St, weather permitting. Bring family & friendsall ages. Thanks to the Farmingdale Business Improvement District, Farmingdale Village Fire Department, Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, Farmingdale Village Board, all involved. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ events/32564875029824369
8:00PM-1:00AM
RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Brumidi Lodge-Sons & Daughters of Italy, 2075 Deer Park Ave. in Deer Park. For more information, please call Linda 516-356-0949, wwsonsofitalyli.com
The Amityville Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor Dr. Balicka as its 1st Annual Business Person of the Year!
Dr. Balicka is not only an exceptional orthodontist and a successful business owner — she’s a true community leader. As the main title sponsor of the
Amityville Arts, Beats and Eats summer series and one of the founding leaders of our Women in Business group, she continues to make a lasting impact right here in the Village. From hosting Girl Scout troops and supporting local charities to celebrating holidays with her patients and spotlighting small businesses, Dr. Balicka and her team at Amityville Orthodontics embody the spirit of community, care, and connection. The award was presented at the Amityville Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party.
LEGAL NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS
Notice is hereby given taxpayers of the Town of Babylon, that the Undersigned ReceiverofTaxes has received the 2025/2026 Tax and Assessment Roll and Warrant.
She will accept payment for taxes at her office in the Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Highway, N. Lindenhurst, N.Y. 11757 or by mail, beginning December 2025 daily between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Tax Office will be closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. First half taxes are due December 1, 2025 payable to January 12, 2026 without penalty.
After January 12, 2026 one percent per month will be added on the first half to June 1, 2026 after which date, additional interest wil be charged by the County Comptroller at his office at County Center, Riverhead, N.Y. 11901.
The Town of Babylon Tax Office will be accepting partial payments with penalty. We offer e-check and credit card payment through a telephone service or by the internet which includes American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover. For payments by telephone call 1-800-2PAY-TAX (1-800272-9829) or visit the web site at www.acipayonline.com. At the prompt, use Jurisdiction Code 4232. You must have your item number and tax amount available. Transaction fees will be charged to the taxpayer based on the amount of the total charge. Total amount Warrant to be collected by the Receiver of Taxes for the 2025/2026 tax year is $890,677,136.35.
Taxes become a lien December 1st of each year. at the same time. First and Second half payments may be made
JENNIFER MONTIGLIO RECEIVER OF TAXES
DATED AT BABYLON, N.Y.
December 1, 2025
2025/2026 TAX RATE ON $100 valuation - TOWN OF BABYLON
2025-2026
TOWN OF BABYLON
Jennifer Montiglio, Receiver of Taxes TAXABLE DISTRICTS
2025-2026
The Jazz Loft Awarded $25K By The New York State Council On The Arts For Various Programming Events
The Jazz Loft is one of 2,400 organizations within Suffolk County to receive a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). Governor Kathy Hochul announced last month that over $63 million in grants were awarded to support nonprofit arts and culture organizations and individual artists. The Jazz Loft will receive $25k in funding.
Gov. Hochul said, “New York’s arts and culture sector is a cornerstone of the state’s identity, and we’re making bold investments to ensure it remains strong … These grants will lift up artists and organizations in every region, fueling local economies and expanding access to the arts.”
“We’re very grateful to New York State and Governor Hochul for prioritizing the arts throughout the state and for ensuring this vitally important funding that enables not-for-profits like The Jazz Loft to continue their work,” Manuel said.
About the New York State Council on the Arts
The mission of NYSCA is to foster and advance the full breadth of New York State’s arts and culture and creativity for all. To support the ongoing recovery of the arts across New York State, the Council on the Arts grantmaking total has grown to $80.9 million for FY 2026, which will serve over 1,500 organizations
According to The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel, the grant funds will go directly towards The Jazz Loft’s programming, which includes concert performances, weekly Jam Sessions, holiday-specific performances, and their Jazz 101 Lecture Series.
and over 600 individual artists across all 10 state regions. NYSCA further advances New York’s creative culture by convening leaders in the field and providing organizational and professional development opportunities and informational resources.
Created by Governor Nelson Rockefeller in 1960 and continued with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, NYSCA is an agency that is part of the Executive Branch. For more information on NYSCA, please visit http://www.arts.ny.gov, and follow NYSCA’s Facebook page, Twitter @ NYSCArts, and Instagram @NYSCouncilontheArts.
The Jazz Loft is located at 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook. For more information, visit thejazzloft.org
Benefits Of Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way for individuals to strengthen their communities, but it also can be a unique way for individuals to improve their
own overall happiness. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies examined 70,000 participants, each of whom received
surveys that asked questions regarding their volunteering habits and mental health.
The study found that, when compared to those who did
not volunteer, people who had volunteered in the previous 12 months were more satisfied with their lives and gave their overall health higher ratings.
The frequency of giving back to one’s community also may affect just how much volunteering affects mental health. Study participants who volunteered at least once per month rated their mental health even higher than those who volunteered but did so infrequently.
Classifieds
Tennis Coaches (Syosset, NY) Conduct practice sessions, teach techniques, tactics & mental endurance to all levels of tennis. Demonstrate tennis skills & drills. Coord player dvlpmt, prep for tournaments. Practice partner for highly ranked players. Must have tennis skills of US college tennis player or equiv. 2
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TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
A sales representative will be happy to assist you
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
A sales representative will be happy to assist you
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
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The Origins Of Christmas Stockings
The holiday season is rife with tradition. Some holiday traditions, such as holiday lighting displays, are easy to notice, while others are more subtle and possibly even unknown to many celebrants. One tradition that falls into the latter category involves the placing of oranges into Christmas stockings. The origins of Christmas stockings are rooted in legend and one of the more popular tales involves a widowed father of three beautiful girls. According to Smithsonian. com, this father struggled to make ends meet and was concerned that his financial struggles would affect his daughters' ability to find a spouse. As the legend goes, St. Nicholas was wandering through the man's town and heard of his concerns. Recognizing that the man was unlikely to accept charity, St. Nicholas slid down the chimney of his house and placed three gold balls in the girls' recently laundered stockings, which were hanging by the fire to dry. The value of the gold balls, which were discovered the following morning, was enough to ensure the girls could eventually wed. So what does that have to do with oranges? Those who wanted to replicate the tale could not so easily come upon gold balls to place in stockings, so they chose something similar in appearance: oranges.
Town Of Babylon Planning & Building Department To Launch New Online Application System Through OpenGov In 2026
The Town of Babylon recently announced that its Planning and Building Department will transition to OpenGov, a modern online permitting and application platform designed to streamline how residents, contractors, and businesses submit and track applications. The new system—launching
in February 2026—will provide a more accessible, transparent, and userfriendly experience. Beginning February 1, 2026, all building zoning, planning, rental, and accessory apartment applications must be submitted electronically through OpenGov. The online portal will
allow users to complete applications anytime, from anywhere, and follow each step of their review process in real time. The system will also accept online credit card payments.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Planning and Building Department, including zoning, rental and accessory apartment
divisions, will pause accepting applications from January 28 through February 1, 2026 while the migration to OpenGov is finalized. During the month of February, the zoning, planning, rental and accessory apartment review boards will not meet as staff completes onboarding and
transitioning.
“This modernization is a major step forward for our residents, homeowners, and business community,” Supervisor Rich Schaffer said. “By bringing the Planning and Building Department onto OpenGov, we are making the application process more efficient, more
transparent, and far more convenient. This upgrade ensures that Babylon continues providing responsive, 21st-century service to everyone who calls our town home.”
Detailed instructions and tutorials will be available to assist applicants in navigating the new system.
