GUIDE HOLIDAYS D E C E M B E R 1 - 7, 2 0 2 1
TO THE
AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
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2A | GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS • DECEMBER 1-7, 2021
DINING
Premiere Steakhouse Experience: Prime 1024 BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF
tender signature cuts from a well-known local butcher with mouthwatering options such as melt in your mouth 10 oz. filet mignon that cuts like rime 1024, the beautiful modern butter; 16 oz. New York sirloin; and 24 oz. Ribeye on the bone, all expertly prepared in the kitchen. Italian steakhouse with an urban For the table cuts are ideal for special events or ambiance and has been lauded as larger group dinners, creating a truly memorable one of the premiere steakhouses on Long meat moment with the 48 oz. Prime porterhouse Island. Owned by the Spyropoulos famsteak and 40 oz. Prime tomahawk steak. Other mains include a flaky branzino, pan ily, who are co-owners of Limani (Long seared with fingerling potatoes, fennel, onion and Island and New York) and Oniro (Long mint; plump Berkshire pork chops complemented Island), the restaurant has now been by smashed sunchokes, guanciale, cabbage and redesigned and features gorgeous glass apple; and chicken diavolo, organic chicken, cherry peppers and sautéed spinach. and dark wood partitions between each Side dishes pair seamlessly with the entrees of the tables. The team has also created and include options like pan fried Brussels an al fresco dining experience with tables sprouts, creamy truffle spinach and garlic mashed dressed in white tablecloths, separated by potatoes. Lunch is served on weekdays from noon to 3 glass partitions and even curtains for a p.m. Salads, paninis and sandwiches are featured completely enclosed “cabana style” experiwith highlights such as farro panzanella, cherry ence. The team brings their guests a menu tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, fresh herbs and of prime steak cuts and expertly executed croutons drizzled with a red wine vinaigrette; Italian dishes with unparalleled hospitali- Steak that is cooked to perfection. (Christy Hinko) chicken Milanese with breaded chicken, arugula, red onion and Parmesan cheese; and caprese with ty placed at the forefront. comprised of Manila clams and dressed in a white buffalo mozzarella, tomato and pesto sauce. ........................ A small selection of chef’s specials are served wine sauce; spaghetti with lobster is succulent and Prime 1024’s large dining room features muted as well including the steak frites in a salsa verde mint green tufted u-shaped banquettes and tables served with tomatoes, chili flake and basil; and sauce, served with French fries. macaroni with broccoli rabe, sausage and homedraped with white tablecloths, each enclosed by A three-course lunch prix fixe is also available made broccoli rabe pesto for a vibrant mouthful. two glass partitions with dark wooden accents. and priced at $26. The main event is the selection of top-grade The wine bottles are beautifully displayed in a All the desserts at the restaurant are made dark wooden wine cellar wall as a true focal point. steaks and chops, plating different juicy and in-house with choices like tiramisu, salted caramel A large black and white image of a wine cellar cheesecake and a variety of artisanal gelatos such modeled after a picture captured in a well-known Editor’s Quick Picks: as lemon strawberry, caramel and mascarpone hotel in Istanbul is centered in the dining room frutti di bosco. Nassau County Steakhouses and a gorgeous white marble bar is flanked on the The beverage program offers a perfectly curated right. Bryant & Cooper selection of Italian and American wines as well as Chef Greg Yarrow helms the kitchen at Prime www.bryantandcooper. a menu of specialty cocktails including the spicy 1024 bringing his passion for cooking to the com passion fruit margarita (jalapeno-infused Exotico already beloved menu. Yarrow began his culinary 2 Middleneck Rd., tequila, passion fruit and pineapple), the cucumjourney at Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island before Roslyn ber martini (Tito’s handmade vodka, St. Germain, coming to New York to study at the Institute of 516-627-7270 cucumber and lime) and Gold Rush (Four Roses Culinary Education. He began his career working bourbon, honey, lemon and ginger). with the Spyropoulos family at Limani on Long Capital Grille Guests can also enjoy a variety of dessert wines, Island and from there he had stints at Oceana and www.thecapitalgrille.com Enjoy a steak at Red port, cognac, Sambuca and grappa and Amari. Maysville in New York before returning home to 630 Old Country Rd., Salt Room at Garden A private event room is also available for birthrun the kitchen at Prime 1024. City Hotel (www. Garden City days, bachelorettes, bridal showers, office parties The raw bar is the perfect way to begin the meal gardencityhotel.com). 516-746-1675 and more. with a selection of Blue Point oysters, shrimp The restaurant is available for delivery on cocktail and tuna tartare, yellowfin tuna, shallots Fogo de Chao Morton’s: DoorDash with their curbside menu, offering and jalapeno. Appetizers include clams oreganata, www.fogodechao.com www.mortons.com family style platters. half shelled baked clams with oregano; octopus, 235 Old Country Rd., 777 Northern Blvd., Prime 1024 is located at 1024 Northern Blvd. perfectly grilled and piled with peppers, onions Carle Place Great Neck in Roslyn. Hours of operation are: Mondays and and capers; and applewood smoked bacon, slowly 516-588-7100 516-498-2950 Wednesdays from noon to 10 p.m., Thursdays smoked and lightly drizzled with Vermont spicy and Fridays from noon to 11 p.m. and on syrup for a sweet and salty bite. Prime 1024 Ruth’s Chris Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 9 p.m. Visit www. The menu also features a small selection of thin www.prime1024.com www.ruthschris.com prime1024.com for more information and to make crust pizzas with options such as the decadent 1024 Northern Blvd., 600 Old Country Rd., a reservation. robiola tartufo with black truffle and an Italian Roslyn Garden City Visit www.longislandweekly.com/prime1024 to read cream cheese. Pastas are spotlighted with the 516-621-1024 516-222-0220 more about the editor’s recent media tasting with the chef. neighborhood favorite of linguine alle vongole, specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
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DECEMBER 1-7, 2021 • GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS | 3A
YOUR MONEY
Seven Ways To Cut Your Holiday Expenses BY JASON ALDERMAN specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
When it comes to holiday spending, waiting in store lines all night and jostling for discounts will mean very little if you don’t have a budget that shapes your finances year-round. With the average U.S. household spending $600-$700 in 2014 for the holidays, putting that money together shouldn’t be a game of chance. Here are some tips to get it right:
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Before you make a list, plan. How’s your debt? Do you have an emergency fund or any savings put aside? Start the holiday season by getting a handle on what you owe and what you’re spending day-today. Then plan a holiday budget (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ YourHolidayBudget) as early as possible that allows you to spend wisely. See what spending is really necessary. It’s tough to cut young kids off a gift list, so turn to the adults. If your finances are limited, it’s worth asking adult friends and family members if they’d consider a gift swap or forego gifts altogether. They might actually think it’s a good idea. Attack your everyday expenses. Want to afford the holidays? Consider evaluating some expensive habits. Try reducing the amount you are spending on expensive nights out. Cook at home and bring your lunch to work. Use public transportation. Compare and cut your auto and home insurance premiums. Turn down the thermostat, dump magazine subscriptions, gym memberships and any other budget item you’re not using. You’ll find that savings build quickly. Browse before you buy. Assuming you’ve made a tight gift list, create a gift budget (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/YourGiftLog) tracking precisely what you’re willing to pay for every item. Also, don’t forget to budget for holiday entertainment (www.practicalmoneyskills. com/EntertainmentPlanner). It’s a potentially huge cost. Plan ahead and don’t waver. Create your own Holiday Club. Online savings and money market accounts can allow you to set aside your holiday budget in small amounts throughout the year and they’ll pay
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4A | GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS • DECEMBER 1-7, 2021
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Rein in holiday spending. better rates than the last few banks offering Holiday Club savings accounts. Watch gas and shipping. Smart shoppers weigh the value of store trips versus online shopping. They also keep an eagle eye for advertised online and shipping discounts. Sign up for special deals and coupons, consolidate in-person trips to stores and make sure you review return policies at online and bricks-and-mortar stores before you buy. Paying return fees or missing a window to return a gift entirely can cost big money. Keep good records. Whether you track your finances on paper or on a computer, develop a system that allows you to match your holiday list to what you spend every year. Good recordkeeping not only allows you to track the numbers, but also prevents you from duplicating gifts or overspending year to year. And it’s always a good idea to keep a list of what you get from others to make sure you’re thanking people appropriately. Finally, consider whether it’s worth making new holiday traditions that go beyond gift giving. Some families consider contributing throughout the year to a joint vacation or reunion fund to bring everyone together. You might also consider the needs of aging or needy relatives who need assistance with chores, transportation or pet care. The holidays are what you make them. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs, including Practical Money Skills For Life (www.practicalmoneyskills.com).
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DECEMBER 1-7, 2021 • GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS | 5A
CHARITY
‘Tis The Season Of Giving
Andy Foundation
BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF
Child Care Council of Nassau
specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
Now that the holiday season is among us, many nonprofit organizations are reaching out for donations. Nearly all nonprofit organizations suffer just as much, if not more, than businesses across the nation, many still recovering from the effects of the pandemic over the past two years. Charities have lost funding, downsized staff and had to turn volunteers away. Here are some local organizations that could use your help.
195 Herricks Rd., New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-739-1717 www.theandyfoundation.org
99 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd, Ste. 201, Garden City, NY 11530 516-358-9250 www.childcarenassau. org
Bethany House 102 Whitehouse Ave., Roosevelt, NY 11575 516-868-6866 www.bhny.org
Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline Adelphi University Breast Cancer Support Program P.O. Box 701, Garden City, NY 11530-0701 516-877-4320
www.breast-cancer. adelphi.edu
The Book Fairies
70 N. Main St., Freeport, NY 11520 516-557-6645 www.thebookfairies.org
Family & Children’s Association
100 E. Old Country Rd., Mineola, NY 11501 516-746-0350 www.fcali.org
Ronald McDonald House
267-07 76th Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-775-5683 www.rmhlongisland.org
Girl Scouts of Nassau County
110 Ring Rd. W., Garden City, NY 11530 516-741-2550 www.gsnc.org
Long Island Crisis Center
2740 Martin Ave., Bellmore, NY 11710 516-826-0244 www.longislandcrisiscenter.org
Mary Brennan INN
100 Madison Ave., Hempstead, NY 11550 516-486-8506 www.the-inn.org
The Sarah Grace Foundation 217 Plainview Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801 516-433-9745 www.thesarahgracefoundation.org
Belmont Child Care Association
2150 Hempstead Tpke., Gate 6, Elmont, NY 11003 516-488-2103 www.belmontchildcare. org
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BEVERAGE
Tastes Like Christmas BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF
specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
Are you looking for a fun and delicious stocking stuffer for your 2021 Holiday Gift Guide? Well, Ho, Ho, Ho - here comes Santa Clausthaler—a non-alcoholic beer that combines Clausthaler Original, the most awarded non-alcoholic beer on the market, with the merry and bright flavors of cinnamon and cranberry. It’s a jolly, tasty beer that delivers holiday cheer without the hangover. Santa Clausthaler is the first and only Christmas-themed non-alcoholic beer out there. More than 40 years ago, Clausthaler patented the process for brewing beer without alcohol and has been innovating ever since with new flavors and varieties. Last year, Santa Clausthaler had a limited rollout in the United States that sold out as fast as Santa and his reindeer fly his sleigh. This year, it will be more widely available, but still produced in limited supply for the Yuletide holidays. The non-alcoholic beer category is growing quicker than Black
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Friday shoppers running for the newest video game system. Drizly is reporting that sales are up 200 percent year-over-year on their platform, and there are no signs of slowing down as more and more consumers are turning to better tasting, better-for-you options with fewer calories and no alcohol. With the old stigma of non-alcoholic beer being gone plus a wide range of options, non-alcoholic beer is one of the hottest trends in the beer industry and amongst consumers nationwide. Visit www.clausthaler.com to learn more and to find local retailers.
A real holiday delight
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TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ANIMAL SHELTER 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh NY 11793
HEMPSTEAD ANIMAL SHELTER gh Ave., Wantagh NY 11793
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ANIMAL SHELTER HEMPSTEAD ANIMAL SHELTER 3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh NY 11793
gh Ave., Wantagh NY 11793
Donald X. Clavin, Jr. Supervisor
Council Members
Dorothy L. Goosby Bruce A. Blakeman Anthony P. D’Esposito Dennis Dunne, Sr. Thomas E. Muscarella Christopher Carini
Donald X. Clavin, Jr.
SupervisorKate Murray Town Clerk
Council Members
Jeanine C. Driscoll
Dorothy L. Goosby Receiver of Taxes Bruce A. Blakeman Anthony P. D’Esposito Dennis Dunne, Sr. Thomas E. Muscarella Christopher Carini Kate Murray Town Clerk
Jeanine C. Driscoll Receiver of Taxes
Donald X. Clavin, Jr.
Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, Jr. Supervisor
Council Members
Dorothy L. Goosby Dorothy L. Goosby Bruce A. Blakeman Bruce A. Blakeman Anthony P. D’Esposito Anthony P. D’Esposito Dennis Dunne, DennisSr. Dunne, Sr. E. Muscarella Thomas E.Thomas Muscarella Christopher Christopher Carini Carini Council Members
Kate Murray
Kate Murray Town Clerk Town Clerk
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Jeanine C. Driscoll
Receiver of Taxes Jeanine C. Driscoll
Receiver of Taxes
DECEMBER 1-7, 2021 • GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS | 9A
TRAVEL
On The Road Again: Tips For BY ANTON MEDIA GROUP
unwanted friction and potentially damage in the engine. Consider using a lighter grade of oil in the winter months The latest numbers are in and according to AAA, the 2021 if you live in a cold climate. Be sure to check the fuel, air, and transmission holiday travel season is in rebound mode with 53.4 million people filters at the same time. expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday alone. That’s the • Antifreeze—Drivers should keep their highest single-year increase in travelers since 2005. antifreeze/coolant mix at the appropriate levels to prevent the engine from freezing and reduce corrosion. A 50/50 And according to Price Waterhouse road trip checklist...(then check it twice). mix will keep fluids from freezing at Cooper (PwC), the vast majority of Check tires and save on gas: temperatures as low as -34 degrees. those, 72 percent, will travel by car. The • Save money on gas mileage by up to • Wiper fluid—Top off your windshield last thing you want to deal with on a three percent with properly inflated washer fluid reservoir with appropriate road trip—during a pandemic, with tires. A car that gets 30mpg gets an fluid to keep your windshield clean and labor shortages—is to be faced with extra mile-per-gallon with enough air clear in all types of weather. Don’t fill trying to repair a broken-down vehicle in the tires. with water—it could freeze and burst in an unfamiliar town. • Cold temps can cause a drop in tire the tubing causing costly repairs. How do you tell if your windshield pressure. Deflated tires also reduce wipers need to be replaced? Which fluthe tread and the traction of the car, Battery check: id is the lifeblood of your engine? How which significantly increases the • Keep track of your battery’s age—a chances of sliding on icy patches. can you maximize your gas mileage? car battery typically lasts three-to-five • Fill up tires with air at a local gas staWhat’s up with that check engine light? years. tion and be sure to read your owner’s • Cold temps reduce a vehicle’s battery For those who are hitting the road manual or the side of your door jamb throughout the holiday season, your power by up to 50 percent and cause a for suggested pounds per square inch. car’s electrical system to work harder, local car care experts at AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care are particularly with the increased power Monitor fluids: providing tips to help holiday travelers demands of heating systems, defrosters • Oil—It’s the lifeblood of your engine keep their road trips safe. and transmission. Cold temperatures and windshield wipers. Put these six tips on your holiday make motor oil thicker and create • Battery cables and clamps should specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
Don’t be a holiday travel statistic. Travel safely.
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10A | GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS • DECEMBER 1-7, 2021
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2021 Holiday Road Trips also be checked regularly for fraying or corrosion. Battery acid corrosion appears as a white, powdery substance but can be cleaned with baking soda, water and a toothbrush. Clear the dashboard (of warning lights): • Driving around with the check engine or warning lights on thinking “it’s probably nothing?” Get it checked and cleared out before your trip because “it could be anything.” And that could end up costing a lot of money. • Thirty-three percent of Americans drive with their check engine light on for an average of nine days. Keep windows clean and clear: • Windshield wipers that streak, squeak or flop should be replaced. Make sure wiper blades aren’t cracking or deteriorating. • Test defrosters and allow time for condensation to clear from the entire windshield before getting on the road. • Clear all snow and ice from the windshield for proper visibility and from other parts of the car for the
safety of all drivers. Pack a health and safety kit: • Stash extra face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, a thermometer and even a package of rapid COVID tests if needed, to help protect and monitor your health while on the road. Bring water and extra snacks to reduce the need to stop during your trip. • Pre-plan stops along your route, if possible, and be prepared for unexpected closures of restaurants and gas stations due to labor shortages. Be aware of COVID regulations along your route and at your destination. • Keep an emergency kit inside vehicle that includes a flashlight, jumper cables, cell phone charger, ice scraper, snow brush and blanket. With more people working remotely, holiday travel starts now and will extend through the end of the year, which means the highways will be more crowded, despite high gas prices and COVID caseloads that are stalling and even surging in some places.
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DUXIANA MANHASSET 1522 Northern Boulevard 516-869-1700 www.duxiana.com *Promotion runs from November 26 – December 31, 2021 only. Visit duxiana.com/holiday-sale-2021 for more information. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
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DECEMBER 1-7, 2021 • GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS | 11A
HEALTH
Steps To Avoid Those Dreaded Holiday Pounds BY ANTON NEWS STAFF
specialsections@antonmediagroup.com
There are many traditions associated with the holidays—and one of them is the extra pounds everyone seems to gain during December. So, unless you want to spend January dieting and working off those extra pounds, you may want to think about taking some steps now, which can help you avoid that dreaded holiday weight gain. It is still possible to enjoy the holidays and not gain a belly that shakes like a bowlful of jelly. It’s all about making smarter choices and overindulging a little, not a lot. Holiday cooking tends to go overboard and that leaves lots of temptations remaining for days after celebrations. Think about how much food is really needed and not prepare more food than necessary. Having too much food makes it so easy to go to the refrigerator and choose a rich, high-calorie leftover instead of a more sensible choice. If you do prepare more than you
need, freeze what is leftover instead of stocking it in the refrigerator. If an items needs to be unfrozen, it is more likely to be skipped for a better, healthier choice. Stock the refrigerator with healthy choices, such as carrots, celery and apples instead of the leftover cakes. Of course, even on the holidays, the choices made can make a big difference. Pies are a traditional holiday dessert. However, all pies are not created equal. Those double-crusted pies can be a waistline disaster, so take off the top layer of crust if served a pie with
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a double crust. When baking the pie yourself, use only one layer of crust and switch from a flaky crust to a graham-cracker crust to save even more calories. Consider the following estimates. An apple pie with a crust has about 290 calories while such a pie without
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12A | GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS • DECEMBER 1-7, 2021
the crust has only 200. A slice of pumpkin pie, which is usually made without a top layer of crust, has a reasonable amount of about 230 calories. The same goes for custard pie, which has about 250 calories per slice. Moving up the calorie scale, a piece of mincemeat pie has about 300 calories, and a slice of pecan pie has around a whopping 470 calories. A cup of chopped nuts has about 760 calories. To save calories, chop the nuts finer and then use only half of the suggested amount. By doing this, the baker will still disperse the flavor throughout the pie but will save calories. Do the same with chocolate chips, which have about 840 calories. Use mini chocolate chips and only use half a cup to save 420 calories while still dispersing flavor. Parties can also be a diet pitfall. There are many goodies enjoyed at parties that can be a problem. Despite the belief that overeating is the main culprit, the foods eaten tend to be very dense, so it’s easy to gain weight without overeating. A half cup of eggnog has about 180 calories. Therefore, having just a half cup a week, without making other cuts, will result in gaining a half pound for the week. Some hors d’oeuvres are a problem. Think twice about having any that are
in a pastry, since each one can have up to 150 calories. Choose only the hors d’oeuvres that you really want and passing on others so as not to waste calories. Bring food as a gift to a party. The host is likely to put your offering out, so you will have a choice of something that’s healthier. However, if you choose to indulge in the appetizers presented to you, take your own plate and make your own healthier choices, as opposed to having the host select food items for you. Seek out shrimp cocktail. Alcohol can be another waistline danger. Always keep a cup in your hand, as party guests without one are more likely to be offered a drink. Keep that cup filled with club soda, diet soda or ice water. If indulging in cocktails, alternate alcoholic drinks with non-calorie drinks to cut your alcohol and calorie consumption in half. When having mixed drinks, use diet soda or non-calorie drinks, so you don’t mix sugar in your alcohol. Don’t mix caffeinated beverages with alcohol, as the caffeine will make you feel less impaired, even though you are. Plan ahead. This doesn’t mean skipping a meal. It takes your brain half an hour to realize you have eaten, so if you haven’t eaten, you are more likely to overeat when you do begin your dining. Plan out your day and have a healthy lunch, such as lean ham, roast beef or turkey on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomatoes but no mayonnaise. Drink plenty of water and eat a nutrition bar. Another important task is to schedule routine exercise. With so much going on at this time of the year, exercise can often be skipped, which also contributes to weight gain. Exercise not only burns calories, it also burns stress, and being stressed causes individuals to eat more. Walk your dog for an extra 10 minutes, schedule gym time or do a family exercise. Step on a scale at least once a week. Those who step on a scale and see they’ve gained five pounds in early December are more likely to make changes and avoid the shock of seeing a 10 or 15 pound gain in January. —With Northwell Health
WHAT TO DO
Holiday Calendar Things To Do WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1 Shimmering Solstice Old Westbury Gardens presents Shimmering Solstice lighted walk-through nightime gardens and a dramatic lightshow finale through Jan. 9 Tickets are $29.95 (off-peak) and $32.95 (peak) with special discounts for children and seniors www.oldwestburygardens.org.
yard for the largest selection of Christmas trees you will find anywhere. Have your pictures taken with Santa, mail a letter to Santa, walk-through the animated Christmas story and enjoy the brass band. Santa will be available for photos every day until Dec. 23. A beloved tradition for more than 50 years at Hicks, mail a letter to Magic of Christmas Santa in one of the North Christmas is a very special Pole mailboxes and Santa holiday at Hicks Nurseries in will respond to each and Westbury. The garden center every one. A self-addressed is transformed into a magical stamped envelope is needed Christmas wonderland that to receive a reply. Admission brings holiday cheer to evis free however, donations of eryone. Thousands of poinnon-perishable food item(s) settia plants welcome you as for Long Island Cares are you enter the greenhouse. greatly appreciated. Explore expertly decorated Visit www.hicksnuresries. lifelike Christmas trees in com for more. the expansive Christmas Magic of Lights gallery. Grab a cup of hot The Magic of Lights Show chocolate from the food returns to Jones Beach truck and stroll through the State Park through Jan. 2. pine-scented fresh-cut tree
Advance online tickets are required as capacity is limited. Proof of COVID vaccination and valid photo ID is required to attend, face coverings are encouraged. Tickets are $35, www. queensfarm.org. .......................... SATURDAY, DEC. 11 Wreathmaking Workshop Queens County Farm hosts a wreathmaking workshop on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. (and again on Dec. 12). Participants will use evergreen boughs to make a gorgeous handmade wreath Wreathmaking Workshop to take home. No expeMake a festive wreath. Queens County Farm hosts rience necessary. Bringyour-own garden shears. Showtimes are Sundays a wreathmaking workshop Advance online tickets through Thursdays from on Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. and at are required as capacity is dusk to 10 p.m. ($25/carload) 1 p.m. (and again on Dec. limited. Proof of COVID and on Fridays and Saturdays 5). Participants will use from dusk through 11 p.m. evergreen boughs to make a vaccination and valid photo ($30/carload). Additional gorgeous handmade wreath ID is required to attend, face coverings are encourfees for buses and limouto take home. No expeaged. Tickets are $35, www. sines. Visit www.magicoflirience necessary. Bringqueensfarm.org. ghts.com/events/jonesbeach your-own garden shears.
‘Tis the Sea
son!
for details. .......................... SATURDAY, DEC. 4 Tavern Night Queens County Farm is hosting a Tavern Night on Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. (and again on Dec. 18). Experience an authentic 18th-century dinner prepared with traditional recipes over an open hearth in the historic farmhouse. Advance online tickets are required as capacity is limited. Proof of COVID vaccination and valid photo ID is required to attend. Cost is $85, www. queensfarm.org.
Traditions Old & New are Better with Zorn’s of Bethpage!
To order call: 516-731-5500 or visit the store! www.zornsofbethpage.com 4321 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage • Open everyday from 11:00am - 7:30pm
Open Christmas Eve: 9am -6pm Closed Christmas Day
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Visit our website to view all of our homemade holiday choices
DECEMBER 1-7, 2021 • GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS | 13A
SHIPPING YOUR GIFTS
Send Your Packages Early This
Peak season means extra mail and package
There are many factors that go into creating your holiday plans. Do you stay home or go visiting? Do you send gifts or deliver them Santa-style to friends and loved ones? If you’re like many of us, no matter what happens, you will likely send at least one or two special gifts to people for the holidays. Regardless of how many packages and greetings you drop in the mail, it’s always important to mail your gifts and cards early. The 2020 holiday season was a record-setting year for the Postal Service. Specifically, 13 billion letters, cards and packages were processed and delivered under some of the most difficult circumstances we’ve faced in the past century. For the 2021 peak season — the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day — the Postal Service will deliver more mail and packages
to homes than any other shipper. It’s anticipated that between 850 million and 950 million packages will be delivered for the holidays. The total number of letters, cards and packages processed and delivered is estimated to be more than 12 billion. The Postal Service will expand Sunday delivery, beginning Nov. 28, to locations with high package volumes. USPS already delivers packages on Sundays in most major cities and expects to deliver more than 9.7 million packages each Sunday throughout the holiday season. Mail carriers will also deliver packages for an additional fee on Christmas Day in select locations. The Postal Service plans all year for the peak holiday season. This year’s preparations include leasing 7.5 million square feet of additional space across more than 40 annexes to handle the increase in the number of packages
being mailed. The Postal Service is also currently hiring for more than 40,000 seasonal positions to help process and deliver the mail. Since April, the Postal Service has installed 92 of 112 new package sorting machines, reflecting the “Delivering for America” plan’s $40 billion of planned investment over 10 years. Additionally, more than 50 machines that can sort large packages are expected to be up and running prior to December. The new machinery gives the Postal Service the capacity to process an additional 4.5 million packages each day.
New for This Year
As of Aug. 29, the cost of a Forever stamp increased to 58 cents from 55 cents. There are also temporary price increases in place through 12:01 a.m., Central Time, Dec. 26, on
all retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels for some of our more-popular shipping products, which also includes military shipping — Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, USPS Retail Ground and Parcel Return Service. International products are unaffected. These temporary rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with the revenue to cover extra costs in anticipation of peak-season volume surges similar to levels experienced in 2020.
Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days
The busiest time of the year begins two weeks before Christmas. It’s expected that customer traffic at all Post Office locations will steadily increase beginning the week of Dec. 6. The week of Dec. 13-18 is anticipated to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week. Additionally, the Postal Service predicts that nearly 2.3
One Carload, One Price!
Jones beach state park
now through January 2
Sun-thurs: 5pm - 10pm | Fri-sat: 5pm - 11pm
magicoflights.com/jonesbeach
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14A | GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS • DECEMBER 1-7, 2021
Holiday Season volumes
billion pieces of First-Class Mail, including greeting cards and packages, will be processed and delivered the week of Dec. 13.
Skip the Trip and Ship Online
Consumers don’t have to leave home to ship their packages. They can visit usps.com for available at-home shipping options. It’s estimated nearly 500,000 consumers will use the Click-N-Ship feature and other online services on Dec. 14 to order free Priority Mail boxes*, print shipping labels, purchase postage and request free next-day Package Pickup. Dec. 19 is predicted to be the Postal Service’s busiest day online with more than 12.5 million consumers expected to visit usps.com for help shipping that special holiday gift. And usps.com is always open.
2021 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
The Postal Service recommends the
following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (APO/ FPO/DPO) and domestic addresses*: Dec. 9 — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service Dec. 16 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express Military service Dec. 17 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards) Dec. 17 — First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces) Dec. 18 — Priority Mail service Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service
Hawaii to/from mainland Dec. 17 — Priority Mail and FirstClass Mail Dec. 21 — Priority Mail Express *Not a guarantee, unless otherwise noted. Dates are for estimated delivery before Dec. 25. Actual
Observe shipping deadlines to ensure your gifts arrive in time. delivery date may vary depending on origin, destination, Post Office acceptance date and time, and other conditions. Some restrictions apply. For Priority Mail Express shipments mailed Dec. 22 through Dec. 25, the money-back guarantee applies only if the shipment was not delivered, or delivery was not attempted, within two business days.
Alaska to/from Continental U.S.
Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail Dec. 18 — Priority Mail
Dec. 21 — Priority Mail Express
Delivering for the Military and Overseas
The Postal Service also processes mail for overseas Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of State (DoS) recipients. The DoD measures mail volumes in pounds not pieces, and USPS expects to process more than 12.6 million pounds of mail for APO/ FPO/DPO destinations this holiday season. —Submitted by USPS
SUNDAY SUPPER 4 - 9 PM
4 Courses - $49 per guest
“One-of-a-Kind” experience at this “Outstanding, Italian Classic,” where nearly “Every dish is a masterpiece” Zagat
Bring/Mention this ad and receive a complimentary cordial from our Il Mulino cart
1042 Northern Blvd, Roslyn, NY 11576 • Reservation 516.621.1870 www.ilmulino.com
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DECEMBER 1-7, 2021 • GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS | 15A
Wishing you a happy home for the holidays.
compass.com Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. 516.517.4751.
Manhasset | Huntington | Garden City Syosset | Locust Valley | Woodbury Roslyn | Oceanside | Five Towns Rockville Centre | Sea Cliff | Carle Place Coming soon: Smithtown
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GUIDE TO THE HOLIDAYS • DECEMBER 1-7, 2021