🌱Cradle Of Aviation's Newest Exhibit + Zorn's Bellmore To Close

Rise and shine, Merrick! Here's everything you need to know to get this Wednesday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and mild. High: 57 Low: 44.

Here are the top five stories today in Merrick:

1. Garden City's Cradle of Aviation Museum is kicking off "The Future is Now" event with a trio of new exhibits. Two of the exhibits opened last year: Hubble: New Views of the Universe and Mars Exploration. Joining them later this month is Personal Flight, an exploration of the possibilities of flight as part of everyday life. (LongIsland.com)
2. A Nassau County resident celebrated a century last month, and The American Legion Riders recognized the occasion with a parade. Arthur Feltheimer turned 100 on Feb. 26, prompting the community festivities. The parade was postponed until March to allow for proper documentation of Feltheimer's achievement. Along with reaching the age milestone, Feltheimer is also commemorated 71 years of marriage earlier this year. (Patch)
3. Do you have a destination for your next steak dinner? Long Islanders voted Hooks & Chops on Jericho Turnpike in Commack as the region's best. The eatery supplants the 2021 winner, Blackstone Steakhouse in Melville. (Daily Voice)
4. A teen was robbed in New Cassel on Monday night, police say. Authorities quickly identified and apprehended the suspect, local parolee Stephan Maddox, 30. During a search of Maddox, police discovered him to be in possession of a clear glass pipe containing a burnt substance they believed to be crack cocaine. (Daily Voice)
5. A Bellmore institution is set to close at the end of March, when the longtime owner retires and moves south. The chicken restaurant has been in operation for 26 years. Zorn's Bethpage will remain open. (News 12 Bronx)

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Today in Merrick:

• Hicks Nurseries' 32nd Annual Flower & Garden Show - Get inspired for Spring with seven diverse display gardens to explore in Westbury through March 27. Free. (8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
• Creature Feature - Meet the animals who make their home at the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center. (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
• A A [At the Library] - Freeport Memorial Library offers a space for people struggling with alcohol addiction. (5:30 PM)
• The Child 2 - Head to Painting With A Twist in Baldwin for an expert-led session featuring one of the cutest Star Wars characters to-date: Grogu. $37. (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Planning the weekend already? Here's one event to consider checking out: Long Beach Brewing Company is hosting a pop-up featuring @jettywoodwork from noon to 7:00 PM on March 20. Head over for handmade wood items or to explore requesting a custom design. @beechwoodbarbecue will be on hand for your barbecue needs. (Instagram)
• Today is National Artichoke Hearts Day, an often overlooked vegetable. Might be time to head to the Farmers Market in Rockville Centre to explore springtime veggies or have them added to your order from D'Anna's Pizzeria in Elmont.
  

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Food Truck Friday's Levittown (March 18)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Add your event

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That's it for today! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Ash DeMello