Today's 5: Last-Minute Help for Christmas Rush

It's Deadline. Zero Hour. Panic Time.

Call it what you will, the Christmas shopping frenzy, at least for some of us, has arrived. Check out Patch's Holiday Guide 2011 which is filled with Plainview stories about the holidays and ideas for giving. We'll also have our last-minute gift guide this morning, packed with quick ideas for special presents available without even leaving zip code 11803. [Old Bethpage friends (11804) might need to drive a little ways.]

Each day the "5 Things" column offers five essentials about your day in Plainview. We want to engage our audience in the topics, events, and hot-button issues that are important to them. Help us do that by adding your voice. Add it to the calendar or send us a . Post a comment on the news and the issues that matter most to you.

On Friday:

1. Check out our about Thursday night's performance of 's Mixed and Treble choir concert.

2. We'll also have video coverage of the World Series of Dreidels at the Thursday. We have photos of the event, as well.

3. Our last-minute gift guide will spur ideas for the last minute gifts that can make or break the Christmas holiday for someone. Bet we have some ideas you haven't thought of.

4. And look for our complete listing of Plainview's and this afternoon and all through the weekend.

5. Be safe and be merry. Be kind to one another. It not about rushing or money or all the stuff.

It's about this, from the Latin translation of St. Luke: "...Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis."

"...And Peace on earth, good will toward all mankind."