School’s In, Fall Fun Begins, and Changes Ahead

Good Morning,

School is back in session, fall events are filling up the calendar, and a few important changes are coming to our roads and classrooms. Here’s what’s happening around town this week.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

Local Pulse

📅 The Bellport Village Board of Trustees will hold a work session on Monday, September 8, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 4 Bell St, Bellport, NY. The agenda and meeting link are available here.

📸 Backpacks, buses, and big smiles marked the first day of school across Long Island, as students returned with excitement and new statewide rules — including a classroom cell phone ban. [Greater Long Island]

🚗 The Clean Pass Pilot Program, which allows certain vehicles to use the HOV lane regardless of occupancy, will expire on September 30, 2025. After that date, only vehicles meeting occupancy requirements can use the lane. [NYS DMV]

🎉 Patchogue’s 7th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration returns on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 6 PM at The Patchogue Theatre, featuring music, dance, and cultural pride. . [LLCPatchogue]

Community Highlights

• Health in Harmony is offering free nutrition classes at Patchogue-Medford Library on September 12 and 19, featuring expert guidance, food demos, and tips for healthier eating on a budget. [Harmony Cafe LI]

• The Village of Bellport, along with the Bellport Fire Department and South Country Ambulance, is holding a 9/11 Memorial Service to commemorate the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001, at Bellport Marina. [Village of Bellport]

• Gateway's Haunted Playhouse is hosting a spooky and stylish Halloween fundraiser on October 10, complete with costume contests, cocktails, raffles, and VIP access to the haunted house—all in support of local arts. [The Gateway]

• The Patchogue-Medford Library is hosting Small Business Saturdays With SCORE, a free workshop on starting a business on a small budget, offering practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. [Patchogue-Medford Library]

• The Last Class is a documentary portrait of political economist Robert Reich, exploring his legacy and the global changes that shaped his career. Screening from September 5–11 at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center. [Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center]

• The 42nd Annual Old-Timer's Day Game hits Shorefront Park on Saturday, September 13 from 2–4 PM, celebrating community spirit with a nostalgic baseball matchup in Patchogue. [Patchogue]

• The Orchestra, featuring former members of ELO and ELO Part II, brings their symphonic rock sound to life at Patchogue Theatre on Wednesday, September 10 at 8:00 PM. [Patchogue Theatre]

• The Village of Patchogue is holding a Board of Trustees Meeting on Monday, September 8 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. [Village of Patchogue]

• Live For Live Music is giving away a pair of tickets to see Jeff Tweedy live at the Patchogue Theatre on October 24. enter for your chance to win!

• Bellport Village has opened registration for its Annual Scarecrow Contest 2025 . Pick up materials starting Monday, Sept. 8 and return your completed scarecrow by Sept. 29 for a festive fall display. [Village Hall]

• Meadow Croft After Hours is hosting an Oyster Tasting with Keenan Boyle on Friday, Sept. 5, featuring a tasting, cocktail or mocktail, house tour, and a talk on the history of Blue Point oysters. Bayport-Blue Point Heritage Association

• 🎶 The Music of Genesis by Seconds Out is coming to 89 North Music Venue on Sept. 13, with Long Island's own Seconds Out performing classics from both the Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins eras. [Patchogue Patch]

• Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Experience is coming to the Patchogue Theatre for an electrifying tribute show on Saturday, October 25 at 8:00pm. [BroadwayWorld]

• EagleMania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute is coming to the Patchogue Theatre for a one-night performance on Friday, November 14. [BroadwayWorld]

• The Patchogue Arts Council and Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce present LED: Light Evoking Dreams, October 23–28, transforming Patchogue into a surreal dreamscape with projections, performances, interactive art, and a new Let’s Get Weird Film Festival. Don’t miss this glowing celebration—mark your calendars and plan your visit! [Patchogue Arts Council]

Community Highlights

Local Sports

🎾 Bayport-Blue Point defeated Ward Melville 5-2, with standout play from the second doubles team of Danielle Oleksiak and Julie Wellems, who dominated their match 6-2, 6-1. [Long Island Tennis Magazine]

🏈 Bellport heads to East Islip on Friday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. for a classic rivalry matchup. The all-time series is deadlocked at 19-19, with East Islip winning both contests last season, including a Division II quarterfinal.

Become a Patchogue Live Local Sponsor

Are you a brand new or established business looking to become known in our Patchogue Live Local community? We are looking for locally-owned business that would like to become a Patchogue Live Local sponsor! Sponsorships can include:

• Brandwide Sponsorship

• Mini-Feature Ad

• Calendar Takeover

• Video Spotlight

• Please email us at [email protected]for more information.