The degree to which our national leaders lack a sense of contrition, or even decency, today is staggering.

When the seas go up because of climate change, the beaches and bluffs go back, and this should have added new urgency to the region’s coastal planning.

The controversy involving both East Hampton Village beach-parking permits and the mayor’s attempt to take over the East Hampton Volunteer Ambulance Association might not seem related, but there is an obvious way they are linked — and that is politics.

Other than buying a set of tires, a cabin air filter, windshield wipers, and keeping up with the oil change schedule, my Honda Clarity has had no costs other than for electricity — about $2.50 for 45 to 50 miles’ charge.

The animals in my garden are behaving like they think they are stars in a Beatrix Potter story or something, and I don’t mean they are comporting themselves adorably.

Calling Manny Farber . . .

The late John Niles, who coached the 1986 Bridgehampton High Killer Bees boys basketball team, said it was the best group of athletes who’d ever played for him.

Love is revealed in a rediscovered box of notes from 1999.

Real estate. It never stops.

Paul Goldberger’s architecture criticism gets a revision, and Peter Eliott is out with a fantasy novel.

For connoisseurs of brevity, the 14 pieces in John McCaffrey’s “Automatically Hip,” some only two pages in length, will deliver a sweet take on the short form.

The artist's landscape, cityscape, sunset, and liquor bottle still-life paintings are informed by rigorous principles that apply to both abstraction and realism.

Forty-four East End artists have been selected by Paton Miller for the seventh iteration of “East End Collected” at the Southampton Arts Center.

Margaret Garrett, an interdisciplinary artist in residence at The Church in Sag Harbor, has asked for volunteers to learn and perform in four simple dances.

A Frida Kahlo-inspired piano concert, a screening of “Medea” from the Met, a cabaret valentine, and reflections on the impact of gardening

A Parrish Art Museum program to be highlighted at the American Parkinson Disease Association conference, Valentine’s Day brings three artist couples to Keyes Art, and sculpture by Hank Willis Thomas celebrates the Super Bowl.

Casual or buttoned-up dinner offerings to stay or go on Tuesday from Topping Rose, Elaia Estiatorio, Coche Comedor, Rowdy Hall, and Loaves and Fishes.

Super Sunday offerings from Townline BBQ, a new pizza prix fixe at Nick and Toni’s, Roman Roth to be feted at Wolffer Estate, Springs Wine Shop reopens, plus alcohol-free libations at Sylvester and Co. and Elaia Estiatorio

Visiting hours for David Grimes, who died at home in Montauk on Thursday, will be held on Tuesday from 1 to 3 and from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton, with a firematic service at 7. A funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk, with a celebration of his life to follow at the Montauket.

An exhibition of Pierson High School students' street photography — meaning compelling, candid scenes from around Sag Harbor — is on display at Bay Street Theater through the end of February.