Grind

If you are looking for farmland or you have farmland and want a farmer to work it for you, an upcoming Peconic Land Trust forum in Riverhead is for you. Next Thursday, Dec. 12, the Peconic Land Trust will review the Farmland for a New Generation New York program, which is coordinated by American Farmland Trust in partnership with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, agricultural organizations, and land trusts. There will be specific information available to farmers and farmland owners on Long Island.

The Hampton Ballet Theatre School will bring holiday cheer to East Hampton with its annual production of “The Nutcracker,” which opens Friday at Guild Hall.

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.

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

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

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."

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 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.

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.