Kwanzaa Celebration:
Wednesday, December 29
Free Workshop for Breast Cancer Patients:
Tuesday, January 11
Safe Boating Courses:
Ongoing Program
Wednesday, December 29
Kwanzaa Celebration
The African American Museum and Center for Education and Applied Arts, 110 North Franklin St., Hempstead, will celebrate Kwanzaa with a family-friendly program. The candlelighting ceremony and “Griot/Storytellers” program will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. The storytellers program focuses on the role of “griots” – or the elders in a community – in conveying oral history to younger generations. These accounts can be in the form of song, poem or riddle, and can also incorporate dance. As part of the program, attendees will be invited to participate. Prior to the program, the museum will offer two hands-on workshops from noon to 2 p.m. One will incorporate doll hair-braiding in which hair “kinkologist.” Carla Brown will provide instruction in traditional hair-braiding methods. In the second workshop, museum director and artist David Byre-Tyre will lead participants in the completion of a new mosaic for the recording studio and oral history program. Currently, the museum is featuring the work of Carla Brown, Bob Carter, Calvin Coleman II, Stanwyck Cromwell and Frank. Call 572-0730.
Tuesday, January 11
Free Workshop for Breast Cancer Patients
Getting Organized, One Room at a Time is a free workshop for breast cancer patients from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Adelphi University, Alumni House, 154 Cambridge Ave. Everyone would like a more organized home but the prospect of tackling the whole house can be overwhelming. Participants will learn some easy strategies that will help them make each room of their house clutter-free and more functional, one room at a time. Speaker Marguerite Barone, a professional organizer who has an extensive background in education and administration as well as local government. This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the LI2Day Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. Preregistration is required for all workshops. Call 877-4325.
Weekly Events
•Gam-Anon, an anonymous organization for spouses, adult children over 18, family and friends whose lives have been affected by a gambling problem. Meets Mondays at the Jewish Community Center of W. Hempstead, 711 Dogwood Ave., W. Hempstead. For information call 321-2883.
•Triple Bingo every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bellerose Jewish Center, 254-04 Union Tpke., Floral Park. You can win up to $3,000.
•Separation/Divorce Support Group formed by The Caroline K. Simon Counseling Center for individuals coping with separation and divorce. Groups will be run in the Hempstead Center, 50 Clinton St., Hempstead on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A NYS certified and specially-trained clinician will provide compassionate counseling and support to help group members regain hope and take charge of their lives and relationships. Sponsored by F.E.G.S. Call Judie Rokofsky 485-5710, ext. 122.
•Vedic Heritage Community Center open House held every Tuesday and Saturday for Satsang at 8 p.m. 111 Jerusalem Ave., Hempstead. Call 483-9500 or 212-759-4568.
Monthly Events
•Look Good…Feel Better sponsored by LIJ Medical Center in association with the National Cosmetology Association, the Toiletry Fragrance Association and the American Cancer Society. The program reaches out to women with cancer and teaches them how to best apply makeup and wear their hair while undergoing cancer treatment. Meets on the second Monday of every month at LIJ Medical Center, 27005 76th Ave., New Hyde Park. Reservations suggested, but not required. Call Harriet Pine or Selma Robinton 718-470-7094. All women who attend receive a makeup kit filled with brand-name cosmetics valued at over $200.
•The Elmont East End Civic Club will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Elmont Library, Hempstead Tpke. Meets on the first Tuesday of every month except July and August.
•The Franklin Square Jewish Center Retirees Group meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Social Hall, 47 Pacific Ave., Franklin Square, every other Tuesday except August. Call Henry 561-8734.
•Munch & Learn – Adult Education with Rabbi Harvey Weil will take place on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 141 Hilton Ave., Hempstead. Bring your dairy food. Dessert will be served. Call 489-1818.
•Garden City Ski Club meets on the first and third Wednesdays through April (except holidays) at 7:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 1000 Marcus Ave., New Hyde Park. Social events, trips to our lodge in Vermont, and skiing in a variety of areas throughout the West and New England. Ages 21 and over, please. For additional info and schedules visit www.gardencityskiclub.com or call 872-1448.
•Order Sons of Italy meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall, Lincoln Rd., Franklin Square. There are also entertaining programs and refreshments and food are served free at every meeting. Call Sal Palmeri 328-0333 for an application.
•Young Widows/Widowers Social Group, a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization of widows and widowers ages 40 to 69 years of age. Fee for members is $3, nonmembers $5. Meets at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 5th St. and Franklin Ave., Garden City, on the third Wednesday of each month. For additional information call Sandy 996-6574. No meeting at the church during July and August.
•Nassau University Medical Center no cost mammography services will be in the St. Boniface Church parking lot, Elmont Rd., Elmont, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every other month. General admission requirements: proof of Nassau County residency, women age 40 and older, all health insurance accepted, no charge to patient other than insurance coverage, women who are not pregnant or nursing. By appointment only. Call Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 354-0744. Bring doctor’s name and address.
•Order Sons of Italy in America is seeking new members to join the America Lodge #2245, Franklin Square, Elmont, West Hempstead, Floral Park, Garden City, Stewart Manor and Malverne. The America Lodge #2245 is a co-ed lodge with many projects that enhance the preservation of the members‘ Italian heritage. The lodge raises funds for contributions to worthy charities. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall, Lincoln Rd., Franklin Square. There are entertaining programs, refreshments and food served free at every meeting. Call Sal Palmeri 328-0333.
•Free/Low Cost Health Insurance. The residents of communities served by Mercy Medical Center will have the opportunity to apply for free or low cost health insurance for children, families and adults up to age 64 on the first Thursday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. in Mercy’s Main Lobby. Staff from Catholic Charities of LI will assist you and our children applying for Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid Health Insurance Programs. The bi-lingual enrollers will screen adults for income eligibility for the state’s health insurance program Family Health Plus. Children are eligible for Child Health Plus. These programs cover medical check-ups, hospitalization, emergency care, prescriptions, vision and dental care.
•The 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.
•Independent Order of the Odd Fellow Mineola-Hempstead Lodge #125 meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m. at 236 Willis Ave., Mineola.
•Heavenly Brew Coffee House will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 619 Fenworth Blvd., Franklin Square, every second and fourth Friday of the month from 8 to 11 p.m. Casual coffee house atmosphere, assorted coffees, desserts and ice cream available for purchase. Music, board games, no cover charge. All ages welcome. Call 481-1797.
•Torah Study Seminar. The Elmont Jewish Center, 500 Elmont Rd., Elmont offers a monthly seminar held on Saturdays (September through June) at 1:30 p.m. Rabbinic and Talmudic reference and interesting interpretations. Open and free discussion encouraged. No previous study or experience required. All levels of knowledge welcome. Just attend and enjoy the class. Light refreshments served. The Torah Study will be held in the Kiddish room. Call 488-1616.
•Free Small Business Counseling will be offered by Counselor Iris Kirkland from SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives Association) at the Job Information Center at the Hempstead Library, 115 Nichols Ct., Hempstead. She will answer questions about starting and running a small business. Meetings are confidential and open to anyone. This free service is available by appointment only on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Call 481-6990.
Ongoing Programs
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.
Career Development Workshop
Circulo’s Career Services workshop prepares you for the challenges of finding and holding a job – while emphasizing goal centered career development. You are prepared for short and long term success by focusing on development essential job search skills in the context of employer’s decision making – or hiring process. This workshop will cover everything needed to get started and/or to improve on an already established work history. Professional career counseling, job search and internship placement are available upon workshop completion. All services are free. Workshops begin every second Tuesday of the month and meet Tuesdays and Wednesdays. English 2 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Spanish 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 91 N. Franklin St., Hempstead. Call 292-2433.
Crime Prevention Information
The NC Auxiliary Police Unit has available, through the cooperation of the NYS Office of Crime Prevention, very informative pamphlets on how you, the homeowner, can better protect you and your family from being a victim of crime. Any resident requesting a copy of these pamphlets can write to NC Auxiliary Police Unit 116, PO Box 288, West Hempstead, NY 11552; call 538-5800; or e-mail: NCAP116@AOL.COM. The following pamphlets are available:
•Common Sense for the Elderly
•The Babysitter Guide
•Crime Check (Home Survey)
•Don’t Be a Victim of Burglary
•Rape Prevention
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. In order to serve as many Long Islanders as possible, the LIEOC has set up satellite units in many areas. Persons wishing to take advantage of this unique opportunity to better their future can call the unit located at 269 Fulton Ave., Hempstead 631-420-2280.
Epilepsy Foundation
Located at 506 Stewart Ave., Garden City, the following is offered:
•Free Puppet Show on Seizure Disorder. A free children’s program on epilepsy using the internationally acclaimed “Kids on the Block” troupe of puppets to public and private elementary schools. These shows are appropriate for the 3rd and 4th grades levels but can be tailored to your needs. Programs are also available for junior and senior high classes. Help us foster a climate of acceptance, understanding and compassion in our schools for all. Call Janet Romeo, ext. 145.
•Support Groups. Do you have seizures? Are you having difficulty with jobs, relationships, etc.? Are you isolating from your family and friends? If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, we have group for you. Call Jennifer Colbert, CSW, ext. 400.
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.
You Have Options!
In 1982 Options for Community Living, Inc., was established to help respond to the need for supportive housing for people living with mental illness. As the Mental Health Residential Program continued to expand, Options began serving homeless families as an emergency shelter provider in 1990. A few years later, Options opened a comprehensive case management and housing program for Long Islanders with HIV/AIDS. A small not-for-profit organization with humble beginnings has since grown to serve over 800 individuals and families with special needs across Long Island. With offices in Hempstead, Smithtown and Riverhead, help is easily accessible. For more information or to offer support call 631-361-9020. Visit www.optionscl.org.
Senior Programs
The NC Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs Retired and Senior Volunteer Program has community service volunteer opportunities throughout Nassau County. Let us help you explore the possibilities and provide a meaningful experience. Call RSVP at 227-8988 for information on the following:
•You can make a difference in a child’s life simply by becoming a Foster Grandparent. If you are age 60 and older, you may be eligible to receive a non-reportable stipend, transportation reimbursement, paid holidays, sick days and vacation days.
•Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act, assists income-eligible individuals who are 55+ and wish to return to work. We provide retraining and assistance in the job search. Call for information on “The Way to Work.”
FP United Methodist Thrift Shop
The Floral Park United Methodist Church Thrift Shop, 35 Verbena Ave., open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring jewelry, clothing, housewares, bric-a-brac, dishes, linens, collectibles, some furniture, small appliances and antiques. Donations gratefully accepted. Call 354-4969 for information.
