Dec. 20: Happy Chanukah!

Weather: Partly sunny with a calm breeze and temperatures reaching a high of 45 degrees. Today is the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year.

May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind. -- Author unknown.

1. Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. Every evening at 4 p.m. for the next eight nights, the town's menorah will be lit and prayers will be said for all who attend. Rabbi Jay Weinstein and friends of Congregation Simchat HaLev will congregate at the town menorah located outside the .

2. At 9 a.m. today, check our latest edition of Crimes Nearby. Incidents in neighboring towns this week include: Nine charged in Medicaid scam in Plainview, two men charged with robbery in Farmingdale, and a drunk driving accident in Huntington.

3. Did you procrastinate buying gifts or are you struggling with one difficult recipient? We'll have a quick guide for those last holiday gifts so you can finally get your shopping done.

4. Do you have what it takes to win the contest? Whether you have a tasteful array of perfectly strung lights or a 40-foot inflatable snowman on your lawn, we want to see it! Post pictures in seconds using the brand new "Upload Photos & Videos" button.

5. Today marks the beginning of Spirit Week at . Today is Team Color Day. Opening Ceremonies include a game of handball for the seventh graders, and English, science and humanities classes will host classroom challenges.