Stars of the Solstice

Today is the shortest day of the year: the winter solstice, with just over nine hours of daylight in the New York area. That's the bad news, unless you like the darkness and long winter nights. (I do, actually.)

The good news is all about the fun things you can do around Plainview today. Here's 5 of them:

1.  Afternoon hoops: The Hawks of Plainview JFK take on Hicksville this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in boys basketball. The matinee game is at the high school, 50 Kennedy Dr., just off Washington Avenue.

2. Girls basketball:  Meanwhile, The Lady Hawks of JFK take on Hicksville at Hicksville High School. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

3. Feel like singing? Why not test out your vocal chops by joining the 50-and-over choir at the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center. The choir is open to members and nonmembers, rehearses every week from 2:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m. in advance of a spring concert.

4. Feel like hearing singing? The high school choir's holiday concert is tonight at 7 p.m. at Plainview JFK's auditorum.  Several groups are slated to perform.

5 . Ponder the cosmos: As the Solstice arrived, the moon was emerging from a total eclipse early this morning. Young people will be playing games. Songs will be sung by the young and the less-than young.

Hope hangs in the crisp winter air. Take a break from the season's rush. Take time to ponder.