Dec. 4 weekly planner: Top 10 LI events

1. The 'Flying' Santa

It's a bird, it's a plane -- no, it's Santa Claus.

A long-standing tradition at the Fire Island Lighthouse is to re-enact an old story that involves the big guy flying overhead in a plane (not a sleigh) to drop gifts and goodies off for the lighthouse keeper.

On Saturday, visitors to the tower should watch the sky around noon, when a plane will "magically" deliver Santa, who will linger for photo ops with the crowd.

2. Cookie swap

It's the tastiest kind of holiday shortcut: Bake your single best cookie recipe, and then meet up with others who've done the same to trade, mix and match. Everyone leaves with a variety of freshly baked holiday cookies. Southampton Historical Society's annual cookie swap has involved favorites ranging from thumbprint cookies with fruit filling to the more elaborate German Springerle in years past -- if you're interested in joining this season, you must call ahead to register.

3. Student-run dinner

Twice a year, culinary students at Suffolk County Community College put their skills into practice by hosting a full dinner for the public. This year's menu features a plated appetizer followed by a buffet dinner that includes lobster and scallop crepes, herb-roasted leg of lamb -- plus a dessert made by baking/pastry students. The meal will be paired with local wines, which are included in the price. Reservations required.

4. Violin virtuoso

Among his many accolades, music maker and renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman has four Emmy Awards along with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. See him play Saturday at Tilles Center, where the evening's program features Schubert's "Rondeau Brillant" and accompanying pianist Rohan De Silva.

5. Olivia Newton-John

With a career that spans three decades, Olivia Newton-John is a multigenerational favorite. She brings her "Grace and Gratitude" tour to NYCB Theatre Thursday, featuring songs that promote spiritual balance and physical/emotional healing.

6. 'Polar Express' storytime

Little ones will want to "believe" as the pages of Chris Van Allsburg's holiday tale, "The Polar Express" are read during an evening storytime with hot cocoa and cookies at Barnes & Noble in Carle Place. Children of all ages are invited to don their pajamas and follow along with the magical trip to the North Pole with this Caldecott Medal winner.

7. Home sweet homes

Gingerbread mania takes over the historic Pagan-Fletcher Restoration Sunday, when visitors can judge a display of gingerbread houses from 1-4 p.m. to crown a "people's choice" winner. Learn some decorative icing tricks at a 2 p.m. demonstration -- while there, explore the clapboard-sided dwelling that depicts what life was like back in the late 1800s.

8. Meet Pete Rose

The controversial Major League Baseball all-time hits leader makes a rare appearance on Long Island Monday. Rose, who was banned from baseball for gambling on games, will sign sports memorabilia in Garden City.

9. Great Neck Gala

The Great Neck Arts Center's "Gala Salute to the Silver Screen" features a cocktail reception, dinner and silent auction followed by a performance by Alexa Ray Joel, who is receiving the center's "Rising Star" award.

10. "Annie" debuts

The sun is coming out in Sag Harbor -- the story of the little, orphaned, redhaired Annie, played by Lily Spellman, will be staged at Bay Street by young actors from Stages, the children's theater workshop Stages.