This Morning’s Bulletin — 7.3.14

Good Morning!
• We’re not seeing many changes from yesterday in projections for Hurricane Arthur’s impact on our shores: Surfers should be happy with the heavy seas today, we’re expecting heavy rain and thunderstorms tonight and showers all day on the Fourth of July as the hurricane interacts with a strong cold front over the northeast, and the storm is expected to be in the Atlantic off Cape Cod by Saturday morning. Meteorologists are warning of severe rip currents along the South Shore for the next several days. We’ll keep you posted on any potential parade and fireworks postponements or cancellations.
• Former Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister has launched a new group, “Defend H20,” which will work to protect ground and surface water quality on Long Island. The Beacon’s full story is online here.
• Lock your doors and hide inside. The Long Island Rail Road has added extra trains this afternoon to bring hoards of beachgoers to our shores. On the Montauk Branch, the LIRR has added a 1:43 p.m. train from Penn Station connecting at Jamaica with the 1:49 p.m. train from Hunterspoint, which stops at Jamaica, Westhampton and then all stops to Montauk. The 4:06 p.m. Cannonball from Penn Station will fly express to Westhampton, then stop at Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Montauk. The 5:09 p.m. from Penn Station will stop at Jamaica and make all stops to Montauk and the 7:11 p.m. from Penn Station will connect at Jamaica with the train to Montauk, which will stop at Patchogue, Mastic-Shirley, and then all stops to Montauk. For you North Forkers who are feeling let down by the MTA, a 5:21 p.m. eastbound train from Ronkonkoma to Riverhead will make all stops out to Greenport.

• If you’re already out east, you’ll probably prefer to travel with a light breeze in your sails instead of on a humming train. The Montauk Chamber of Commerce is helping to get kids interested in sailing this summer with a program in which charter boat captains take kids out on the water to teach them the fundamentals of sailing. The catamaran Mon Tiki takes out 6-16 year olds and Sail Montauk takes out 10-16 year olds. These learning expeditions take place on Tues., July 15, Wed., July 16 and Thurs, July 17 and again in August. If this would be your child’s first time sailing, sign up by calling Sharon at the Chamber of Commerce at 631-668-2428 or by emailing mcoc@montaukchamber.com. There is a $10 fee for an adult, who must accompany the child.
• The East Hampton Town Board will hold public hearings on several proposed Community Preservation Fund acquisitions and is expected to vote on several bond resolutions for work at their airport at their 6:30 p.m. meeting tonight. Their full agenda is online here.
• The Riverhead Town Board will discuss the EPCAL bike path, ZBA application fees and water district meters at their 10 a.m. work session today. Their full agenda is online here.
• The New Suffolk School at 1295 Fourth Street is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser this Saturday, July 5 from 8 a.m. to noon to raise money for their playground and enrichment programs at the school. Tickets are just $5.
And that’s the way things look at dawn’s light today.