🌱 Free Community Event To Celebrate MLK Day In Commack + Happenings

Hey, friends! I'm back with your new copy of the Smithtown Daily, fresh off the presses. Here's all the local news you need to know right now, including:

• Commack United Methodist Church to celebrate Martin Luther King Day.
• Wegmans Supermarket to open its first location on Long Island.
• Brookhaven Town launches a pet adoption campaign and more!

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But first, today's weather:

A bit of rain in the morning. High: 54, low: 34.

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Here are the top four stories today in Smithtown:

1. Commack United Methodist Church is hosting a free community event to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Dr. James Banks, the Southampton Anti-Bias Task Force Chairman, will be the guest speaker on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served during the event. (Long Island.com)
2. The Wegmans Supermarket group has all approvals to open its first location on Long Island. The store will open at a 100,000-square-foot building on 8.5 acres by the DSW Plaza in Lake Grove in 2024. Long Island Business News has the whole story. (Patch)
3. Senior residents at Luxor Mills Pond in St. James discussed crime prevention with Sheriff Errol Toulon. Topics included ways to prevent online and phone scams, the importance of locking car doors, and other safety tips. Toulon addressed how important to keep the elderly community informed because they are vulnerable targets for scammers and criminals. (Patch)
4. Nearby News: The Town of Brookhaven is launching the "Bark in the Mew Year" promotion in January to encourage people to adopt. The center offers a $65 fee per adoption, including free neutering or spaying, tests, vaccinations, and more. If you are interested in visiting the shelter, the address is 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. You can also visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov or call 631-451-6950. (Patch)

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Today in Smithtown:

• Art Exhibit-Athena Autistic Artistic College (Smithtown Library). (9:30 a.m.)
• Time for Twos (Smithtown Library-Kings Park Building). (10:30 a.m.)
• Terrific Threes (Smithtown Library-Commack Building). (10:30 a.m.)
• Game Day (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (11 a.m.)
• Friday Movie Matinee (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (2 p.m.)
• Friday Night Movie (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (6:15 p.m.)
• LEGO® League (Smithtown Library-Smithtown Building). (7 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• A Solar System Model workshop will be hosted at the Avalon Nature Preserve on Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. Astronomer David B leads the event with a walk-through model of the solar system. Participants will help to assemble and paint the planets. Are you registered in the Nature Initiative program? If you are interested in learning more about the events and becoming a member, click here. (Avalon Nature Preserve)
• Long Island Career Fair is set for Friday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. This is a free online event for job seekers! Over forty local companies will be interviewing candidates. For more information, visit the link. (Eventbrite)
• Patch would like to share the story of "an old soul" who bravely fought the butterfly disease since birth. Our warrior passed away at Stony Brook Hospital on Sunday. His loved ones surrounded him. Read Bryan's story here. (Patchogue Patch)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

• Harbor Country Day School Open House. (January 18)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update.

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Have a story idea? Please get in touch with me! I would love to hear from you! Wife, mom, foodie, traveler, and nature lover.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Smithtown Daily? Contact me at Smithtown@Patch.com.