Today's 5; Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. Have a great one. We sincerely hope you have a good time with family and friends on this great American holiday. Today's guide is a quick hit list of what you need to know today.

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 .

Thursday's highlights:

1. Thanksgiving is a national holiday. All state, county, local and federal offices are closed. There is no mail or garbage pick-up today. Banks and financial instutitutions are closed. ATMs should be working.

2. Across Long Island, we've discovered a trend of stores staying open for all or most of the day. See our list of that are open for business.

3. Many big stores will begin the traditional "Black Friday" a little early. See our that will have people rushing out to shop tonight at midnight.

4. Got stuck with cooking the bird? Butterball has a toll free turkey website hotline to call with questions around the clock.

5. And...Do you have an event that deserves special attention in Patch? A school play? A major life event or achievement? We want all of them. Send your stories, photos and publicity needs to us: Contact Joe Dowd at Joe.Dowd@patch.com