🌱 Smithtown Daily: Adopt Barney + Sachem Stricker Rules + Tackan

Happy Thursday, neighbors! Diane Witek here with everything worth knowing today in town.

First, today's weather:

Times of sun and clouds. High: 43, low: 32.

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Here are the top stories in Smithtown today:

1. The Smithtown Animal Shelter's Pet of the Week is Barney, a 10-to-12-year-old male dachshund mix. "We're looking to find him a happy ending in a caring furrever home," the shelter wrote in an email. "He loves being around people, going for walks, and getting treats! Barney is friendly and loyal with an energetic spirit." If you are looking for Barney to be your soulmate, call the Smithtown Animal & Adoption Center at 631-360-7575. (Smithtown Patch)
2. Big change for New Yorkers in the battle of coronavirus, if you test positive, you should no longer expect a call from the health department. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, "Instead, you can follow isolation and quarantine guidance made public and go to the state's website." Clear guidance on isolation and guidance will be released today. The state's website will also include attestation forms for those who have been isolated or quarantined, for employers.
3. To stop the spread of COVID-19 in their schools, the Sachem Central School District are imposing stricter guidelines; is Smithtown next? There are new guidelines on social distancing and opening windows slightly to allow more air flow into the classrooms. Visitors are no longer allowed inside buildings and meetings with parents will be virtual. (News 12)
4. The Smithtown Central School District announced that families in need are set to receive a truckload of used clothing and other items thanks to the generosity of the Tackan Elementary School community. The collection was organized by the Tackan Elementary PTA. The program will receive a cash donation based on the weight, once the contents arrive at the charity's distribution hub and the truck pulls onto a scale. Way to go, Tackan! (Smithtown Patch)

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Today in Smithtown:

• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) with Donna Nesteruk, L. Ac. (1 p.m.)
• Life Strategies: Essential Planning at Every Age. (8:30 a.m.)
• The Thing About Yetis (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (2:30 p.m.)
• HSW — PTSA — Smithtown High School-West. (7 p.m.)
• English Cream Tea (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Sweetbriar Nature Center: "Marguerite, striking a pose or is she actually doing something instinctive? Did you ever wonder why you sometimes see birds standing on one foot? They are usually trying to minimize heat loss." (Facebook) (Website)
• Smithtown Performing Arts Center: "Okay #Frozen fans. We want to know, are you team #Hans or team #Kristoff? Tell us in the comments! ❄️ #spac, #longisland." (Facebook) (Website)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Brooksite: "I posted a question to get opinions on holiday lights being on after the holidays. Thank you to so many for giving me your answers. So interesting, a few people were very judgmental, accused me of being unkind, nitpicky." (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Smithtown Pines: "Lights on after Christmas. I have always kept my Christmas lights on until after little Christmas but after reading the previous post with all the positive comments I think I’m going to turn them back on!" (Nextdoor)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Diane Witek

About me: Impassioned Writer, Website Designer, Social Media Marketer and newly proclaimed Baker. Lover of nature and animals of all kinds.