This is National Fire Prevention Week. Sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Prevention week has been observed since 1922 during the week of Oct. 9, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871 and caused devastating damage. The horrific fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
The goal of Fire Prevention Week is to teach adults and children alike how to prevent fires and how to stay safe in case one happens.
In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.
For information on steps to take to keep your family prepared and safe, visit the National Fire Prevention Week website.
Are you registered to vote?
Friday, Oct. 11 is the deadline in N.Y. to register to vote in the Nov. 5 general election.
Voter registration forms must be either postmarked by Oct. 11 or delivered person to the county board of elections office in Yaphank.
If you’re not sure whether you’re registered to vote, you can check your registration status here: [https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov]
Download a voter registration form here
Online registration is also available. Visit the DMV voter registration page.
This week also marks the holiest day of the year in Judaism, Yom Kippur, which begins at sundown on Tuesday. It is a solemn day of atonement, marked by fasting and intensive prayer. Schools are closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in observance of the holiday.
Things to do this week
“Little Women the Musical” opens the 2019-2020 season at North Fork Community Theatre on Thursday. Performances will run Thursdays-Sundays, Oct. 10-27, with Thursday-Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages will enjoy “Wooden Toy Train Play Days” at the Railroad Museum of Long Island, 416 Griffing Avenue, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Also on Saturday, the Long Island Antique Power Association will hold its 27th Annual Antique Truck & Tractor Pulls, from 5 to 11 p.m. at
5951 Sound Avenue, in Riverhead.
Sunday, Oct. 13 is Country Fair day in Riverhead, when downtown Riverhead becomes a giant open-air market and a traditional country fair, complete with agricultural competitions. The 44th annual Riverhead Country Fair opens at 9 a.m. and continues through 5 p.m.
For details about these and other events, visit the RiverheadLOCAL community calendar.
Does your organization have an event coming up? Let us know and we’ll add it to our community calendar. Please use this form.
This week’s meetings
Here’s the lineup of government meetings in Riverhead this week:
- Environmental Advisory Committee, Monday, Oct. 7. 5:30 p.m., Riverhead Town Hall
- Riverhead Board of Education, Monday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m., Riverhead High School
- Recreation Advisory Committee, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m., Riverhead Town Hall
- Farmland Committee, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. Riverhead Town Hall
- Town Board work session, Thursday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m., Riverhead Town Hall
- Zoning Board of Appeals, Thursday, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m., Riverhead Town Hall
- Alternative Transportation Committee, Friday, Oct. 11, 10:30 a.m., Riverhead Town Hall
This week in history
The U.S. invaded Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001, in reaction to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It would become the longest war in U.S. history.
Daniel Preston, cofounder and CEO of Luminati Aerospace on Oct. 8, 2015 announced his purchase of the Skydive Long Island site and his plans for the manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles that would achieve perpetual flight and bring internet connectivity to unserved regions of the world.
United Riverhead Terminal Inc., an affiliate of United Refining Company of Warren, Pennsylvania, announced it was purchasing the marine petroleum terminal and associated assets in Northville.
The Panama Canal opened on Oct 10, 1911.
Spiro Agnew resigned the vice presidency on Oct. 10, 1973, amid charges of income tax evasion. President Richard Nixon named Gerald Ford as the new vice president.
Riverhead school district voters approved a $78.3 million capital construction bond on Oct.11, 2011.
The House of Representatives passed the Equal Rights Amendment 354-23 on Oct. 12, 1971.
The ERA was not ratified by two-thirds of the state legislatures before the passage of a seven-year deadline, which was extended for three years, without ratification. ERA advocates argue that the deadline is unconstitutional. With ratification by Nevada in 2017 and Illinois in 2018, the ERA is one state short of ratification. If it wins approval by another state, the constitutionality of the time limit will be decided in federal court.
In case you missed it
Here are RiverheadLOCAL’s top 10 stories of the week just ended:
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