🌱Where To Find Best Chocolate In LI + Cheapest Gas In Wantagh

Hey, neighbors! Ash DeMello here with the Tuesday edition of the Merrick Daily.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 55 Low: 40.

Here are the top five stories in Merrick today:

1. Looking for some fantastic chocolate? You don't have to go very far. Farmingdale's Chocolate Duck was just awarded Best Chocolatier on Long Island by the Bethpage Best of LI awards. The father/daughter shop also recently received the NYS Empire award for 2021. (Patch)
2. Here's a bit of good news for your Tuesday: Sources report a slight drop in gas prices in Long Island. According to AAA, the average gallon costs $4.45 in LI, down $.01 since Sunday. The cheapest spot to fill up is a Shell station in Wantagh (3365 Jerusalem Ave.), that is charging just $4.25 a gallon as of Monday evening. (Patch)
3. Are you awaiting for just the right furry friend to bring into your life? Meet Roger, a black domestic long hair kitten, and others who are ready for adoption over at the Merrick Patch.
4. Home values are rising nationwide due to inflation as well as a general increase in demand for housing in many regions. Discover how high some of those prices have reached in a list of the priciest home sales in Bellmore from Long Island Business News. (subscription required).
5. A judge denied a Nassau County pet store's bid to resume purchasing new puppies. Authorities previously cited the Shake A Paw chain for knowingly selling sick puppies. (Newsday; subscription required)

Today in Merrick:

• Virtual Net-Zero Tour - See the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center from the comfort of your home or office and learn what makes the building so environmentally friendly. Register to get the link. (1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.)
• Dance Around the World with Lauren - Get your heart thumping and your body moving to the beats of Latin, African, Balkan, Middle Eastern and other dance types in a virtual session, hosted by the Elmont Library. Registration required; adults only. (5 p.m.)
• An Interactive Evening of Traditional West African Drumming, Singing and Dancing - Hofstra University's Fortunoff Theater is where you can see a lively presentation that's free to the public. Registration recommended. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Fun fact for today: Local spots are featuring prominently in an Amazon Prime show, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." One Patch reader pointed out that in season four, episode three, titled "Everything Bellmore," one of the characters mentions attending high school in Bellmore.
• Pi Day is my favorite "holiday," FYI. And Instagram was flooded with amazing pies from around the area Monday, both of the pizza and the fruity variety. Here's a winner that's definitely being added to my bucket list: Phil's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Syosset. That macaroni-n-cheese pie looks AMAZING!

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Ash DeMello