Santa Us Coming to BounceU – Sunday, December 20
Blood Drive – Sunday, December 27
Defensive Driving – Wednesdays, January 6 and 13
Sunday, December 20
Santa is Coming to BounceU
The holidays are a busy time for jolly old Saint Nick, but he’ll be dropping by BounceU of Farmingdale, 101 Carolyn Blvd., to enjoy cookies and cocoa with all boys and girls who have made this year’s nice list. This charitable event will be filled with bouncing, games, good times and good will for the whole family to enjoy. Participants will also get to enjoy the fun of our awesome inflatable structures. There will be three different opportunities to tell Santa what you want this Christmas: 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., 9:45 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. $10 per child, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. Bring an unwrapped toy to be donated to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Call 631-777-5867.
Sunday, December 27
Blood Drive
Hosted by Athletes for Life from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Melville Marriott, 1350 Old Walt Whitman Rd. (North Service Road of the LIE), Melville. Questions: 933-9860 or e-mail: ggelman13@aol.com.
Upcoming Event
Defensive Driving
Sponsored by the Community Center of Plainview-Old Bethpage and the N.Y.S.P. State approved for insurance and point reduction. Jan 6 and 13 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Plainview Middle School, Central Park Rd. To register call 1-516-495-4786. There is a connection problem in some areas of Nassau County. You must dial 1-516 first even if that is your area code.
Ongoing
Weekly Events
•Bingo every Monday and some Saturdays there is a Bingo Game to support the Arthritis Foundation LI Chapter. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7:15 p.m. Bingo takes place at110 Bingo Hall, 585 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, across from Harrows. Come to bingo and enjoy a night of fun and good times, while supporting a great cause! Call Jennie 631-427-8272.
•Free Support Group for divorced or separated meets every Monday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at St Kilian’s Church Parish Center, 485 Conklin St (Route 24). Widowed and never married welcome as well. All singles needing support. Call 753-0923.
•Do You Speak Yinglish? The Yiddish Club, an entertaining, enjoyable, social experience, allows individuals of varying language abilities to speak “Yinglish,” a combination of Yiddish and English. Members and nonmembers alike are given an opportunity to read, speak and tell stories related to their Yiddish experiences. The Yiddish Club meets every Monday from approximately 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center, 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh. For additional information, call 785-2445.
•Therapeutic Movement Group. Bodies in Motion is a therapeutic movement group for children ages 5 to 1 who need that extra special attention to promote coordination, strength, balance, fine and gross motor skills, social skills, attention and focusing. This group meets Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. at Hot Shots Xtremes Gymnastics Center, second floor, 127 B. Carmans Rd., Farmingdale. Call 631-249-3127 or 631-249-3126. Email: kidsjumpstart@yahoo.com. Facilitators are licensed therapists specializing in pediatrics.
•Overeaters Anonymous. Are you a compulsive overeater? Under eater? Overeaters Anonymous can help. There is a meeting on Tuesdays on the corner of Salisbury Park Dr. and Carmans Rd., East Meadow, across from the firehouse from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. Call for directions 997-4534. For information about the meeting call Nancy 798-2547 (between 7 and 9 p.m.) or Ed 845-5423.
•The Hardscrabble Balladeers, an adult mixed chorus meets at 404 Main St. in the Hardscrabble Apartment Complex every Wednesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. You are welcome to join in singing songs we all know: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Sigmund Romberg, Friml, Victor Herbert, etc. the social of “Coffee And” will make you feel like “one of us” from your first visit. Call Lou 586-8067 for more info.
•Senior Pops Orchestra. If you love good music and play the violin, cello, viola or bass, come join the Senior Pops Orchestra. Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Sweet Hollow Hall, West Hills County Park, Melville (near Northern State Route 110). The “Pops” is a not-for-profit organization whose members enjoy getting together to make beautiful music. Call 414-1831 for travel directions. Further information call 795-1706.
•The Scrabble Club meets on Thursdays from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Plainedge Library, 1060 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa. All ages. Scrabble players wanted. Call Judy 827-9506.
•Storytime every Thursday at 11 a.m. at Borders, 231 Airport Plaza, Farmingdale. Call 631-752-0194.
•The Relationship Journey, a group for widow, widowers, divorced and singles 45+. Meets every Thursday at 8 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 449 Stewart Ave., Bethpage. Fee $7. Facilitated by TV talk show host of The Relationship Journey. Refreshments. Call 395-8303 for room location.
•Mastering Life – Conversations. Do you experience frustration in relationships, career, health, confidence? Conversations produces a permanent, positive shift in all areas of life. Led by Stefan Deutsch, human development expert. Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. in Melville. Call 631-692-0986. $10.
•Massapequa Ballroom Dance Society hosts a full-course hot buffet Dance Luncheon, open to the public, on Fridays from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Manor East Catering Hall, 201 Jerusalem Ave., Massapequa. Dance to all your favorite music with a professional DJ. Singles area and couples. $15 donation. Call 718-332-7825 or email Dancezee@aol.com.
•Overeaters Anonymous. Are you a compulsive overeater? Under eater? Overeaters Anonymous can help. There is a meeting on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Rose of Lima Church, 2 Bayview Ave., Massapequa. For information about the meeting call Nancy 798-2547 (between 7 and 9 p.m.) or Ed 845-5423.
Monthly Events
•Island Photo Group, a talented group of dedicated photographers working together to advance each other’s photographic skills and to be an exciting force in photographic education on LI. They meet the first three Mondays of every month at 7:30 p.m. (except legal holidays) in the Community Center in Allen Park, 101 Motor Ave. in Farmingdale. For information contact 986-4976 or 753-0654 or email barlowephoto@yahoo.com or visit www.IslandPhotoGroup.org.
•Performance Poets Association. This talented troupe performs original poetry recitals on the third Monday of each month at 8 p.m. at Borders Books, 231 Airport Plaza, Route 110, Farmingdale. Call Judith D’Ambrosio 579-2474.
•Farmingdale Knights of Columbus meeting at 8 p.m. at 1 Morton St. (off 109). New members always welcome. Call 1-631-755-2204. Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
•Speak Easy: A Toastmasters Club. Can help you conquer your fear of public speaking. In Bethpage, Northrop Grumman Toastmasters meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:45 p.m. in Northrop Grumman Building 5, South Oyster Bay Rd., Bethpage. Call Brian 346-7516.
•Farmingdale American Legion, Hugh C. Newman Post #449 is looking for new members who have served in the Armed Forces during various wars and conflicts such as WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and the Gulf War. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at VFW Post #516, 635 Main St. (just south of the railroad crossing), at 8:15 p.m. Call Commander Thomas Taylor 752-9613.
•LI Junior Chamber of Commerce regularly has the Meet and Greet on the first Thursday and the monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, along with a variety of other events throughout the month, For more information on the LI Junior Chamber, visit WWW.LIJC.com. Contact: Martin Dekom, Chairman, 850-2717 – Mdekom@gmail.com; Julie Dekom, Membership Director -Julz_5@yahoo.com; Steven Eiselen, Community Development VP -SEiselen@msn.com.
•South Shore Hand Smockers meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Main St., Babylon. Beginners are welcome. Call Marie 631-277-1096.
•Italian Culture Society at Farmingdale meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Ellsworth W. Allen Park, Motor Ave. Italian lessons are given by a native Italian teacher. For lessons in Italian come early at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments are served – ample parking. For private lessons call Francesca at 249-4543.
•Central Oyster Bay Democratic Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the community room at the Nutty Irishman, 323 Main St., in the Village of Farmingdale. All are welcome to attend. The club serves the communities of Farmingdale, North Massapequa, Plainedge, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Plainview and Farmingdale State University. For more information call 909-8318, or email info@centraloysterbaydems.cjb.net.
•Farmingdale AARP Chapter 3967 welcomes new members, offers senior information, entertainment and Bingo at meetings which are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Farmingdale Public Library. New members sought. Call President Ann Derasmo 631-694-2371.
•Green Living Seminars, a series hosted by Starflower Experiences at 7 p.m. at the Melville Branch of the Half Hollow Hills Library, 510 Sweet Hollow Rd., directly across from the Sunquam Elementary School (between Route 110 and Old Country Rd.). The seminars will be held on the second Thursday of each month except July and August. Call 938-6152.
•Bethpage Masonic Lodge No. 975 Free and Accepted Masons will meet at 8 p.m. at the Hicksville Masonic Temple, 18 W. Nicholai St., Hicksville. Meetings are every second and fourth Friday. Call 731-2488.
•Italian Genealogical Group meetings are held on the second Saturday of every month from September to June at 10:30 a.m. at the Bethpage Library, 50 Powell Ave., Bethpage. Free. Visit http://www.italian.org. Telephone 631-931-3907 Free.
•Earthwalk conducted by the staff of Starflower Experiences on the first Sunday of every other month at 2 p.m. A light touch of nature on an unusual and enjoyable walk. Discover the wonders of the natural world through your senses. For adults and children 9 and up. Meet at Sweet Hollow Hall in West Hills County Park, Melville. Fee of $2.50 per person. Call 938-6152 to sign up and for directions.
Farmingdale Adult Day Care Center
A social day care program offering socialization and stimulation to persons 60 and over. The caring staff provides innovative activities for those who can no longer attend regular senior centers because of physical and/or mental impairment. It also affords respite to caregivers allowing them valued time to devote to matters of home or personal needs. This interfaith service meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 407 Main St. Support groups are also held once a month on Wednesdays. Call 293-8928.
The Art Club
Has year round classes all taught by a professional. Classes for the littlest artist to the more serious, adult classes too. Call for more information at 742-7662 or go onto the web at www.theartclub.info.
Safe Boating Courses
Safe Boating Courses, free vessel safety checks and more from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. With 18 squadrons around Long Island, there’s one near you. Visit WeBoatSafe.org or call 1-800-341-8777 for more information.
Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services
Located at 950 South Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville. The following programs are offered:
•The Community Program has a group for senior citizens. The Golden Years? The group is open to all people over 60 who are dealing with issues related to drugs or alcohol. This is an opportunity to talk confidentially with your peers as well as having the support and guidance of a skilled professional. Medicare and most other insurances are accepted. For information about this or any other services call 822-4060.
•A support group for those who have family members with mental illness meets Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. The fee is $5 per family. Therapeutic and supportive services to people hampered in their functioning by mental illness, psychological difficulties and/or substance abuse and addiction problems is provided. Among its services, the agency provides outpatient mental health services for children and adults living in Nassau County. The staff is comprised of psychiatrists, registered nurses and certified social workers. Call 822-6111.
•An outpatient substance abuse agency offering a Parenting Group on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. This group specializes in parenting issues for substance abusers as well as parents whose children use drugs. While drug use among teens has declined in other parts of the country, it continues to rise here in Nassau County. For information on this group as well as other services, call 822-4060. All inquiries are confidential.
•Women’s Domestic Issues group provides support and education to women experiencing domestic conflict, child abuse, substance abuse and related issues. The focus will be on education, support as well as empowerment and proactive behavior. Issues related to the family and the legal system will be addressed. The group will be held on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Preregistration required. Call 822-4060.
•Young Adult Drug Addiction Group for people 18 to 21 who are recovering from drug addiction. The goals are to enhance skills, increase self-awareness and work toward a drug and alcohol free life. The group meets Thursdays at 8 p.m. Call 822-4060. All inquiries are confidential.
•Volunteers are needed by Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services to help staff the Pretty New Thrift Shop, 238 Main St., Farmingdale. The volunteers help raise much needed funds for the agency so that mental health and substance abuse programs can continue to be provided to the residents of Hicksville and the surrounding communities. If you have four hours per week and are looking to make friends while helping to raise needed revenue, call Diane Bythrow or Sharon Bohen at 822-6111, ext. 229.
Free Educational Services
Free courses and academic advice is available to economically and educationally disadvantages adults. The LI Educational Opportunity Center offers programs leading to employment in a variety of fields as well as entrance to college. The LIEOC has satellite units in many areas. Call the unit located at Hooper Hall, SUNY Farmingdale, at 631-434-3740 for further information.
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery
The Hatchery is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the south side of Route 25A on the Nassau-Suffolk border. For information call 692-6768. Weekend trout feeding at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission $3 for adults; children 5 to 12 and people over 65 $1.50; under 5 – free. Call for group tour information. Group programs will be held on selected Saturdays at 10 or 11 a.m. A reservation must be made in advance. Fish feeding demonstrations are held every Saturday and Sunday. The public is invited to observe a staff member feeding thousands of trout at 1 and 3 p.m.
Help for Seniors
Are you a senior who would like help paying for your Medicare benefits and prescription drugs? Free assistance is only a phone call away if you qualify for extra help because of limited income. There may be a way to alleviate some of the cost of Medicare – deductibles and coinsurance, Part B premiums, prescription drug plans (Part D). Reducing monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-payments, aiding with coverage gaps (the doughnut hole). To learn more call a LIS/HHS (Low Income Subsidy from US Dept. of HHS) counselor from Family & Children’s, a community of caring. 485-3425, ext. 222.
Free Training for Displaced Homemakers
F.E.G.S. LI Division Suffolk Vocational Center/Displaced Homemaker Center, Amityville, offers free training to displaced homemakers who qualify. If you are divorced, widowed, separated, abandoned or a single parent receiving AFDC/TANF you might be eligible for our New Directions Workshops, Skills Training Program and Placement Center. Early enrollment is a must. Call 598-0108.
Hope for Youth
Hope for Youth is a not-for-profit agency located in Amityville and serving LI families and youth since 1969. Caring families are being sought to be part of the agency’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program or the Emergency Foster Boarding home program. Extensive training is offered and support to foster parents. If you are interested in finding out more about the programs, call 631-666-9333.
SUNY Farmingdale Offers Free Instruction
In college preparation including: English, reading, math, biology and chemistry, preGED/College Prep. reading and math; business education including: word processing and computer literacy; health care programs, nurse assistant training, clinical training given in area nursing homes, phlebotomy, high school equivalency, English for international students, adult basic education and more. Come in today! SUNY Farmingdale, Hooper Hall. Call 420-2280. Financial eligibility required. Course offerings may vary according to unit EEO/AA.
At the Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center
Located at 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh. Call 785-2445 for information on the following:
•Learning the Torah and Haftorah Trops on Mondays at 7 p.m. Instructor Rabbi Alan Lavin. This is a practical course for those who can read Hebrew to learn how to participate more easily at services and lead prayers. The course is open to all men and women.
•Beginners Hebrew course, sponsored by Hadassah, will be held at on Mondays at 7 p.m. Instructor Murray Zwerling. For those who would like to learn or improve their basic Hebrew reading.
•Introduction to Jewish Prayer on Mondays at 8:15 p.m. Text: To Pray as a Jew by Rabbi Haim Donnin. Instructor Rabbi Alan Lavin. The course is designed for those who would like to learn the history, meaning and structure of the siddur.
•Sisterhood Book Club – If you have an interest in reading, the Sisterhood Book Club is for you. Join other women to discuss interesting books. Call the synagogue office for more information about the Book Club and Sisterhood events.
Adults and Children With Learning Disabilities
ACLD, a private not-for-profit agency, is offering individual and family counseling for the primary caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. Support groups are available for parents and siblings and new groups for senior parents, parents of transitioning high school students as well as a group for parents who have a developmental disability. Groups are held during day and evening hours and will be facilitated by a social worker at 807 South Oyster Bay Rd., Bethpage. Call Florence Horne 822-0028, ext. 167.
Nursery School
The Farmingdale United Methodist Nursery School, 407 Main St., offers classes for children from 18 months old through five years old where they can grow, play and learn together. The school offers well-rounded programs designed to stimulate the child creatively, socially, intellectually, physically and emotionally. Children are exposed to a variety of art-media, paint, finger paint, chalk, dough, pasting, cutting, coloring, writing, block play, music, group work, books, circle and story time, cooking experiences, puppet show, all types of parties, movement classes, computers, outdoor and indoor large motor activities and stimulating walking distance field trips. Call 293-9078.
Bring a Smile to a Poor Person’s Face
That is the invitation being sent across LI by Hope for the Future Ministries, a Farmingdale-based not-for-profit organization which helps the poor and homeless. Items needed include warm hats and scarves, thermal gloves and socks, thermal underwear, sweatshirts and sweatpants, toiletries and toys, new gifts, unwrapped with price tags removed. Bring to Hope for the Future Ministries, 131 Verdi St. Call 752-5771.
Massapequa Park Senior Center
Welcome! Come join the Massapequa Park Senior Community Service Center, 379 Linden St., Massapequa Park (Our Lady of Lourdes School). Meet new people, lunch with friends. Experience new things: painting, sculpture, arts and crafts, Tai Chi, dancing, trips and much more. Transportation is available. Call today for a reservation 797-5357. Program sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockville Centre. Funded by the NC Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs, the NYS Office of the Aging and the US Administration on Aging.
Support Groups
The following support groups will be held at the Plainedge Baptist Church, 96 Stewart Ave., Bethpage. For free enrollment or information call 731-6736.
•Alcohol/Substance Dependency Support Group. Celebrate Recovery is a nationally acclaimed program that invites people of any faith or no faith at all to experience God’s healing power in the lives of all who suffer from alcohol or drug dependency. Mondays from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
•Divorce/Separation Support Group. DivorceCare helps people recover from the pain of separation and divorce. Become a part of a small support group of people who are experiencing the same. This is a non-denominational video seminar with nationally recognized experts on divorce and recovery. Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
•Grief Recovery Support Group. GriefShare is a non-denominational, 13-week video seminar featuring interviews with leading authors, counselors, speakers and pastors with years of expertise in grief recovery. Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
Pretty New Thrift Shop
Donations are needed for the Pretty New Thrift Shop, 238 Main St., Farmingdale. The shop supports the work of Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services, Inc., a multi-service mental health and substance abuse agency located in Hicksville. The shop is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and accepts gently used clothing, housewares, furniture and collectibles. Call 420-1394.
Free Writer’s Workshops
Got a hidden talent? Why not share it and develop it at a free writer’s workshop? The LI Writer’s Guild is a friendly, Nassau County-based organization of amateur/professional, published/unpublished poets, essayists, novelists and short story writers who meet at informal workshops at the Levittown and Bethpage Libraries. Everything from plot development to characterization to basic literary theory for the fiction and nonfiction writer alike is discussed and practiced. There are reading and critiquing sessions and recommendations and contacts for the more serious writers seeking to publish their work is provided. For a schedule of workshops and social events, log onto www.liwritersguild.org.
YES Community Center
Located at 75 Grand Ave., Massapequa. Call 799-3203 or visit yesccc.org for information on the following:
•Active Parenting Program. This six-week program is for parents seeking support and assistance in enhancing parenting skills. The group is offered several times throughout the year, based upon request and need in the community.
•Cooperative Parenting through Divorce. This eight-week program is for parents seeking support related to separation and divorce issues. This group is offered several times throughout the year, based on request and need in the community.
•Women’s Group. This group is for women seeking support in coping with issues related to parenting, marital and family relationships, vocational stressors and self-esteem. This group is currently running and open.
•Adult Alcohol and Substance Abuse Psycho-Educational Series. This 10-week group is for adults whose lives have been affected by their alcohol or substance use. The program addresses the dynamics of addiction in a supportive environment at the beginning stage of recovery. Ongoing and open.
•Adolescent Alcohol and Substance Abuse Psycho-Educational and Support Group for males and females between the ages of 13 and 17 who are either at risk for or are currently using alcohol or substances. This program addresses the dynamics of addiction in the context of adolescent development. Ongoing and open.
•Young Adult Support and Recovery Group for young adults between the ages of 18 and 23 at any stage in the recovery process. The group’s focus is to support goal development and achievement necessary to transition to a healthy adulthood. Issues addressed include education, employment, social and family relationships and the challenges of maintaining abstinence. Ongoing and open.
•Men’s Recovery Group. This is an ongoing group for men who are achieving or maintaining sobriety/abstinence. This group is currently open.
•Female Self-Esteem Group for females between the ages of 14 and 18 who present with self-esteem issues and related at risk behaviors including alcohol/substance use, sexual promiscuity, poor choices in relationships, violence, poor academic achievement. Ongoing and open.
•Anger Management Group. This 10-week group is for males and females ages 14 to 17 who can benefit from developing healthier coping skills and more effective strategies in response to their angler. The group is offered several times throughout the year, based upon request and need in the community.
•Rent-A-Kid Program assists adolescents in Massapequa, Farmingdale and Plainedge in connecting with local homeowners in need of someone to perform numerous odd jobs such as snow shoveling and babysitting. The vocational coordinator screens all individuals to ensure a positive work experience. Interested teens and homeowners should call for more information.
•Child Witness Program. In partnership with The Coalition Against Domestic Violence, children affected by domestic violence are offered individual and group counseling services on sit eat YES Community Counseling Center. Groups are ongoing and open.
•Training for Mandated CPS Reporters. YES is approved by the NYS Dept. of Education to provide the state’s two-hour certification training for individuals training for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. Call for more information or to register for the next training dated.
