Nov. 8: Giving Back and Rewarding Yourself, Start the Week Off Right

Mondays can be tough, but here's some ideas that hopefully will make the easing into the new school or business week a little easier.

1. On your lunch break or right after work, do something for others while rewarding yourself. Head on over to  for the  event. If you donate $5 to the East Hampton Food Pantry at one of the Gloria Jewel shops in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, or Westhampton Beach, you will receive 20-percent off any item in the store. You can even buy coupons for your friends. A great way to look good and feel good around the holidays.

2. If you and your family have been thinking about adopting a pet, check out East Hampton Patch's . Suede, a Siamese cat, is looking for a lap to sit on. Or, check out last week's featured pet, , a German-Shepherd mix. They are both the .

3. Make a reservation for tonight or any other night this week for . The promotion of a three-course meal for $24.95 is being offered at 22 restaurants on the South Fork, including 10 restaurants in East Hampton and two in Montauk. For information read the story about Restaurant Week .

4. Speaking of restaurants, what's your favorite spot to dine year-round? What are those great local joints that serve up tasty meals for a decent price? Let us know in the comment section. You can also write a review of a restaurant -- or any business for that matter -- by going to the directory and searching for your favorite, or least favorite, place. 

5. After a long day of work, it could be fun to unwind with a game of badminton.  is offered on Mondays at the  from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration, for $40, can be done in advance at the playhouse.