North Fork News

Riverhead “Pattern Book” Design

Riverhead’s Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee recently recommended “pattern books” as a form of design guidelines for its Main Street business district.

The “pattern book” style of design is aimed at creating a vision for the community and new standards of development that are clearly articulated, and is intended to speed up the development process for new projects. The committee has also recommended the town board enter into eminent domain proceedings for owners who have not maintained blighted properties.

The Revitalization Advisory Committee is a volunteer group of 20 members, co-chaired by Jim Farley, a member of the Riverhead IDA, and Janice Scherer, a professional planner for the Town of Southampton.

Church Chicken Barbecue

The Old Steeple Community Church in Aquebogue will host its annual Chicken BBQ on July 13 from 5 to 7 PM, rain or shine.

The menu will include chicken, potato, coleslaw, corn on the cob, rolls, and watermelon.

Tickets are $17 if purchased on or before Sunday, July 7, and $20 if purchased after July 8.

For more information, visit www.oldsteeplecommunitychurch.org.

Additional Ferry Service

The North Ferry Company, Inc. has added a new 5 AM Shelter Island departure to its schedule.

The additional departure, which is in response to concerns raised by Shelter Island residents about the lack of coordination among popular transportation modes, will allow passengers to connect to the Long Island Rail Road to get to Penn Station, the airports, and medical appointments at earlier times. The company hopes that the new time will reduce car traffic in Greenport and beyond.

The 5 AM ferry from Shelter Island will accommodate residents taking the first LIRR train leaving Greenport at 5:25 AM. The existing 5:40 AM Shelter Island departure has been replaced by a 5:30 AM departure to allow Shelter Island residents to connect with the Hampton Jitney at 5:55 AM. The first ferry to leave Greenport will be 5:15 AM.

A new late-night summer offering will include a 1 AM departure from Greenport on Friday and Saturday nights.

Alive On 25

The Riverhead Chamber of Commerce is hosting the fourth annual Alive on 25 throughout the summer on Wednesday, July 3, July 18, August 1, and August 15.

The events will feature a classic car show, food trucks, live music, fireworks, more than 80 vendors, and activities for kids.

For more information, visit www.riverheadchamber.com.

Mattituck-Laurel Library Events

The Mattituck-Laurel Library will screen “King of Thieves,” on Friday, July 5, at 1:30 PM. The film is rated R.

The library will host a “Backyard Wildlife Program” for families on Monday, July 8, at 6 PM, where representatives from Sweetbriar Nature Center will teach attendees about animals in the ecosystem.

The library’s eight-week “Yoga Instruction for All Levels” will begin on Tuesday, July 9, from 5:30 to 7 PM. Participants are asked to bring a yoga mat or towel. The fee is $70 for the eight sessions or $15 per class.

Teens can learn how to create their own scrubs from natural ingredients with “Scrubs, scrubs, scrubs!” on Tuesday, July 9, at 4 PM. Tara Penske will teach attendees how to make sugar and salt scrubs at the free workshop.

The family event “Moon Rock Painting” will be held on Wednesday, July 10, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The rocks will be added to the library’s rock garden.

The library will have face painting and balloon sculpting for children ages two to five years old on Thursday, July 11, at 10:30 AM, while children in second grade and up can attend a balloon-twisting workshop at 1 PM.

For more information, visit www.mattlibrary.org.

gmkotz@indyeastend.com