Grind

With 20 days until Christmas, it's time to get serious about holiday shopping, and with the many holiday fairs happening between Montauk and Southampton, it should be somewhat easy to do. Check out all the fairs, and more holiday festivities, like the Santa Parade and "The Nutcracker" performances, happening around town: 

Friday, December 6 

A ban on bump stocks and other rapid-fire modifications to guns is now in effect in New York State. On Nov. 26, the ban on the possession, manufacture, transport, shipment and sale of such items became law, closing a statutory loophole.

The first blast of snow in eastern Suffolk County was not quite enough for a snow day, but icy roads caused a two-hour delay for some school openings on Tuesday morning.

The holiday season will get off to a busy start on the South Fork.

There are several volunteer opportunities, according to the social justice committee of Temple Adas Israel.

Suffolk County officials announced increased police patrols over the Thanksgiving holiday, and a partnership with Lyft in an effort to deter people from getting behind the wheel under the influence this holiday season. 

Twenty-five years ago this week, Florence Fabricant shared her Thanksgiving Day menu in the pages of The Star, a list some 15 sweet and savory dishes long.

"The turkey, squash, cornbread, cranberries, and pumpkin pie adhere faithfully to the Thanksgiving tradition," wrote the well-known food writer, who was at the time writing a column called "In Season" for The Star. "Scallops, broccoli, potatoes, and beach plums pay homage to local bounty, which, I believe, is an equally important aspect of the celebration."

The Sag Harbor Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will host about 30 vendors, including Jacqueline Rene Jewelry, Sag Harbor Essential Oils, the Hamptons Handpoured candle company, and the Southampton Soap Company, for holiday shopping from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the firehouse on Brick Kiln Road.

Wine and refreshments will be served, and raffles will be held. Admission is $15. Those who provide a can of nonperishable food or a personal hygiene item for donation to the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry will receive a $5 discount.

In what legislators have billed as another step forward in protecting the health of young people in New York, the state's new law raising the legal age at which tobacco can be purchased went into effect Nov. 13.

Now, an adult must be at least 21 years old to purchase cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco and nicotine products. The previous legal age was 18.

New York State Assemb. Fred W. Thiele Jr. called it "absolutely crucial" to preventing cigarette and e-cigarette addiction among youth and young adults.

The Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, which holds several annual events, including HarborFrost, HarborFest, the Easter Bonnet and Ragamuffin parades, and the arts and crafts fair, is seeking volunteers for the committees that manage them. 

The Montauk Historical Society’s Lighthouse Committee is gearing up for the return of the holiday lighting of the Lighthouse on Nov. 30 at 4 p.m.

"Conscience Point" will be shown as part of the Emmy Award-winning series "Independent Lens" on PBS on Monday at 10:30 p.m. It can also be streamed live on the PBS website.

“Climate Reality Amplified,” a multimedia musical program on the Climate Reality Project, an initiative chaired by former vice president Al Gore, will be shown at the Montauk Library next Thursday at 5 p.m. The program points to “scientific evidence of the climate crisis” offers current global data, suggests solutions, and highlights achievements, according to the library. It is part of a global event, 24 Hours of Reality: Truth in Action, focused on the climate crisis.

In partnership with the Suffolk Office of Minority Health and the Witness Project, the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center will host a day focused on heart health on Saturday.

The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons will have a party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the New York State League of Women Voters on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Library.

The 43rd Turkey Day Run for Fun, started by John Keeshan and sponsored by the East Hampton Town Recreation Department, will be held on Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m., rain or shine.

The Retreat, a domestic violence shelter and support and prevention program headquartered in East Hampton, has received a $450,000 federal grant, Representative Lee Zeldin recently announced.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 550 is organizing the East Hampton event, which begins at 10 a.m., and has invited all veterans or active-duty military members to march from London Jewelers on Main Street to the monument on the Hook Mill green, a short walk that will conclude with a brief ceremony at the monument. Afterwards, American Legion Post 419 in Amagansett will hold a short service at 11 a.m. 

Train service between Southampton and Montauk is set to resume on Monday, East Hampton Town and Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. announced on Thursday.

The East Hampton Middle School student government club is collecting new socks and slippers and new or gently used shoes to donate. Their collection drive, called "Toe-vember," runs through Friday, Nov. 15, and will benefit The Retreat, the East Hampton shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Items can be dropped off in the main hallway of the middle school. All sizes and colors, for both males and females, are being sought. 

A Chowdah Chowdown, featuring soups from Stuart's Seafood, Smokin' Wolf BBQ, Peter Ambrose, the Clubhouse, Breadzilla, Salt, and others, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Springs Tavern.

The event had not been rescheduled as of Monday. 

The East Hampton Kiwanis Club's annual Family Fun Day, originally scheduled for last weekend, was postponed because of rainy weather.

Halloween is over, but the fun doesn't have to be, with a costume parade and a few parties to attend. There's also a Brewathlon and a pancake breakfast on tap this weekend. Just don’t forget to set the clocks back on Sunday, or you could miss out. 

Renovations are underway at Southampton Town Hall, and the town board room and conference room will not be available for use through the end of the year. 

Stony Brook University water testing at Bridgehampton's Kellis Pond on Wednesday morning identified a new blue-green algae bloom, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has announced.

The spookiest time of the year is upon us, and there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit — and maybe even dress like one. Here’s a rundown of Halloween-related events for all ages.

Police across the South Fork will be collecting unused and expired prescription medications on Saturday, as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. 

East Hampton Town police will be at Town Hall on Pantigo Road from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

Southampton Town police's Drug Take Back event will be held during the same times at three locations: the police substation at Bridgehampton Commons, the Hampton Bays Community Center, and the Flanders Community Center.

The Southampton Town Board has approved funding to match recent fund-raising efforts to implement a water quality improvement project plan for Sagg Pond and Sagg Inlet, which is at the south end of the pond.

The Accabonac Protection Committee and the East Hampton Nature Preserve Committee will hold a tour of three nature preserves off Springs-Fireplace Road in Springs on Sunday afternoon. Led by Zachary Cohen, the chairman of the Nature Preserve Committee, and Andy Gaites, the town's principal environmental analyst, the tour is designed to enhance knowledge of the Accabonac watershed.