Twelve under Twenty: Glen Cove Fun for under $20

Alas, it has come time to battle the angst of the summer winding down, running around buying things for the return to school, the onset of fall around the corner, even the demands of winter – perish the thought – down the road. Ergo, we thought we'd take a turn about town and search out a dozen suggestions of where you might want to spend a few dollars effectively. We've come up with a dozen things for under $20 and have thrown in a couple of ideas for freebies. Call it a baker's dozen of around-town bargains. 

 1. At Henry's Confectionary on Glen Street, a family of four can enjoy one last taste of sweet summer with a round of delicious, home-made ice-cream at reductions on seconds – depending on day of the week – as in one cone for $2.75, a second for $1.50; one milkshake or float for $5.25, a second for $2.95 etc.

 2. The summer movie blockbuster season may have wound down, but there is still a nice selection of movies offered at Glen Cove Cinemas. Take advantage of Bargain Tuesday, where the regular $10 adult admission is reduced to $6. 

 3. One-cent deals on back-to-school items at Staples on School Street will help fill a child's new backpack. With a purchase of $5 or more, you can, for another penny, add such items as: an eight-pack of Bic Round Stick ballpoint pens, or Staples washable school glue. For 50 cents, you can buy Westcott all-purpose scissors or a Scotch Gem Tape Dispenser in assorted colors. 

 4. Maintain that summer bod you worked so hard to tone with pilates, free weights, yoga, even kick-boxing for a special $10 introductory rate at the Training Station Athletic Club on Glen Cove Avenue.  

 5. A cool crisp chardonnay is the perfect adjunct to dinner on one of those splendid September evenings on the back deck or patio. Pick a Hess Select for $11.89 or, better deal yet, two for $19.89 at the Wine Factory Liquor Outlet on Forest Avenue.

 6. Keep that summer-honed golf game sharp by smacking a bucket of balls at the driving range of the Glen Cove Municipal Golf Course on Lattingtown Road.  A large bucket (about 150 balls) is $12; A medium (about 75 balls) is $7. 

 7. Get your hair clipped or styled, along with a spirited dialog about everything from U.S. politics to ancient archaeology – a la the barbershops of old – at Jerry's Unisex Hair Styling on Glen Street.  Men's and women's haircuts are $12 each. Men's stylings are $17, women's $18. 

 8. Make sure your fall fashion ensemble fits just right by getting the pants or slacks legs sized correctly for $15 at Sal the Tailor (otherwise known as in Hannah Lee) on Glen Street. 

 9. With dicier weather a climatic certainty, keep your vehicle in top running condition by taking advantage of the $19.95 special oil change at the Sunoco Ultra Service Center on Glen Cove Avenue.

10. Of course having your wheels look sharp tooling around in those clear late summer/early autumn days, you can spiff it up at the Glen Cove Car Wash & Detail Center on Glen Cove Avenue, where washes start at $13.

11. Wile away the ever-lengthening evenings with two-DVD specials for $16 at FYE on Forest Avenue. Included are such favorites as "The DaVinci Code," "A Few Good Men," "As Good As It Gets" and "Lawrence of Arabia."

12. Should a stealthy September chill sneak in, crank up a warm hearth with batches of seasoned firewood, for $4.99 per, at Charles of Glen Cove on Glen Street.  Once through the door at Charles, you are sure to notice any number of items for under $20 you suddenly realize you need.   

13. A couple of freebies: A walk through ecosystems that include evergreen and deciduous forests, wetlands and saltwater beach in the 204-acre Welwyn Preserve, one of the Pratt family properties on Crescent Beach Road; a stroll through Morgan Park on Hempstead Harbor, even getting your feet wet in the warm end-of-summer ripples.