Dan's Papers - December 21, 2007

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS- 5-7 p.m.: Family dinner 'seconds on us' hosted by Knights of Columbus, Cutchogue; bar open until 8 p.m. Donation: adults, $15; 2 for $25; kids, $7. 631-734-7338.

THE NUTCRACKER- 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 23, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Seiskaya Ballet performs 'The Nutcracker' at Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook University. Tickets: adults, $34; seniors/children, $29; groups over 20, $25. 631-632-ARTS, www.nutcrackerballet.com.

MYTHICAL SEA CREATURES- Sirens' Song Gallery- mythical sea creatures, as well as other spirits that haunt our dreams, created by three East End artists. Sculpture and intaglio prints by Anneli Arms, hooked rug fantasies by Gail Horton, and etchings, woodcuts and unique collectibles by Caroline Waloski. The Gallery is a participating member of The Rutgers Feminist Art Project. 631-477-1021

SUNDAY-TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27-29, LONG ISLAND SCIENCE- From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. check out the Discover Ancient Egypt program at Long Island Science Center, 11 West Main St., Riverhead. See new exhibit, handle artifacts, play a game, do a puzzle and make a mummy to take home. Children, $5, adults, $2. 631-208-8000, www.lisciencecenter.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, SCREENING- At 3 p.m check out the screening of previously submitted films by Southold Town students grades 6-12 at Floyd Memorial Library, Greenport, part of East End Student Film Project. 631-477-0660.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT- Check out the Annual National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, world's largest citizen science project, part of over 2000 counts across North, Central and South America from mid-December through early January. North Fork count covers 15-mile circle centered in Orient; includes Southold, Greenport, Shelter Island, East Marion and Orient. Groups of observers assigned to specific areas count all birds they identify. Coordinated by MaryLaura Lamont. Backyard birders phone in hours and numbers of birds. Group assignments 631-722-5542, www.northforkaudubon.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, SANCTUARY SOJOURN- From 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. check out 'Sanctuary Sojourn' hosted by Southold Historical Society features Shiloh Baptist, the Universalist Church, St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Southold First Presbyterian Church and Southold Methodist Church. Tour churches, enjoy seasonal music at each location and historical vignettes. Wassail Bowl reception at Society's Ann Currie-Bell House concludes tour. Tickets: adults, $10; children under 12, free. 631-765-5500, www.southoldhistoricalsociety.org.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, NEW YEAR'S AT CUSTER INSTITUE- At 8 p.m. enjoy New Year's Eve Under the Stars at the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold. Dining, dancing, music featuring a home-cooked buffet (bring a favorite dish or dessert), dancing to live jazz by Ahmad Ali and Friends, raffle and more. Suggested donation: Members and their guests, $15; nonmembers, $20; students and seniors, $10; kids under 14, free. Reservations: 631-765-2626, custerdonna@yahoo.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, NEW YEARS BREAKFAST- 8 a.m.-1 p.m. head down to the Southold Fire Department's 16th annual New Year's Day Breakfast at firehouse featuring eggs, pancakes, home fries, bacon, ham, sausages, toast, bagels, coffee and orange juice. Tickets: adults, $8; children age 12 and under, $4; available at door 631-765-3385.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, EXECUTIVES ROUNDTABLE- At 7:30 p.m. the Eastern Long Island Executives (ELIE) roundtable winter breakfast at East Wind, Wading River, with featured speaker Irwin Kellner, chief economist for North Fork Bank and CBS Marketwatch. Tickets: $25; 631-609-0070, www.elieroundtable.org.

WEIGHT LOSS - The second Tuesday of every month, Dr. RussL'HommeDieu, a physical therapist holds a free weight management lecture & discussion session for people fighting similar weight loss problems. The discussion is moderated by Dr. Russ, who has upheld a 200-pound weight loss himself. Space is limited. For more information contact New Life at 888-446-7764.

REIKI CIRCLES- Reiki Cirlces Monday Nights @ Grace Episcopal Church Last Monday of the month, meetings are held at Peconic Bay Medical Center. For more Information, contact Ellen J. McCabe at (631) 727-2072

SKATEBOARDING - Great skate park in Greenport offering ramps and a half pipe. Call 631-477-2385 for hours.

INDIAN MUSEUM - In Southold, open Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 631-765-5577.

CAROUSEL - The Greenport Village carousel in Mitchell Park is open Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info for all facilities at the park including the ice rink and camera obsura can be found by calling 631-477-2200.

CUSTER OBSERVATORY- Weather permitting Custer staff will be on hand to assist visitors in observing the night sky using their telescopes. From sunset until midnight in Southold. Call 631-765-2626.

MEDITATION - Buddhist meditations on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Southold. Call 631-949-13-77.