Trash and Pleasures Auction:
Saturday, March 26
Mill Neck Hosts “Save Our School Petition Rally”:
Saturday, March 26
Prom Boutique Collections:
Saturday, March 26
Saturday, March 26
Dinner Dance Fundraiser
“At Last.” The N.Y. Big Band featuring Joe Battaglia. Dinner Dance Fundraiser will be held from 7 to 11;30 p.m. in St. Anne’s McCloskey Auditorium, Dartmouth St. and New Hyde Park Rd. $60 per person ($10 of each ticket will benefit the unemployed of the community) includes a hot buffet, dinner and dancing, beer, wine and soda. For reservations call 352-2457 or send name, address, home phone, cell phone, with check (made out to K of C Council 11836) to: Msgr. John’s Knights, c/o St. Anne’s Parish, 35 Dartmouth St., Garden City, NY 11530. Specify any request to have people at your table.
Tattoo Blue To Perform
Tattoo Blue, a local LI band, is doing a benefit performance at 8 p.m. at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, 38 Old Country Rd., (next to the water tower). Tattoo Blue plays traditional and rock blues from Stormy Monday to Jesus Left Chicago and “Chain of Fools. The members of the band are Lizzy Walsh on vocal, Guy Abbey on drums, Craig on bass and Hal Spergel on guitar. Suggested donation is $10 per person and all proceeds will be donated to the Ethical Society to help continue its commitment to ethical relationships and social action. Soda, snacks, coffee and tea will be served. To RSVP or for additional information, call 741-7304.
Trash and Pleasures Auction
Hosted by St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead in the Msgr. Smith Auditorium. Items that have been donated by members of St. Joseph’s Church in Garden City will benefit St. Joseph’s. The preview of items starts at 4 p.m. and the live auction begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free and all who register at the door will be eligible for door prizes. A wide variety of exciting donations should make this an entertaining evening. Live auction items will include fine furniture, jewelry, Oriental rugs, art work, silver pieces, crystal and more. The auction will be conducted by an experienced auctioneer, appraiser and gallery owner, Fausto Ricci. There will also be silent auctions and raffles for a variety of gift certificates and items donated by community businesses and parishioners. Several parishioners have even donated timeshare vacations to the event. The community is invited to attend what promises to be an entertaining evening. Refreshments will be served. Call the St. Thomas the Apostle Church Rectory 489-8585.
Mill Neck Hosts “Save Our School Petition Rally”
A child who is deaf, blind or physically challenged did not cause the state’s financial deficit, yet in his 2011-12 budget proposal, Governor Cuomo has eliminated 4201 School funding for children with such disabilities. This puts Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf students in jeopardy as well as those attending 10 other 4201 Schools across New York State. Mill Neck Manor thanks the State Assembly and Senate for approving the restoration of 4201 funding, and now we have to convince the Governor to the same. You can help encourage the Governor to restore this essential funding by signing a “Deaf Children Deserve Better” petition at Mill Neck Manor’s Save Our School Petition Rally, to be held at Broadway Mall in Hicksville from 11 a.m. to closing on March 26 in the center court. Enter the mall from the south side in between Macy’s and Target, and look for the entrance near Tax Tips and the Karate School. Only New York State residents may sign the petition. Contact Nancy Leghart 628-4243 or nleghart@millneck. org. Visit www.millneck.org for the latest on the budget crisis, related news coverage, advocacy efforts and contact information. For more information about Broadway Mall and for directions, visit http://www. broadwaymall.com/.
Prom Boutique Collections
Nassau Community College is hosting the “Prom Boutique,” a program in which individuals and businesses donate new or gently used prom and bridesmaid dresses for distribution to deserving young women. The LI Volunteer Center co-sponsors the Prom Boutique with the college. The program is a college-wide initiative that provides students real world experience in the areas of retailing, visual merchandising, fashion buying, event planning, and marketing and public relations. The event also teaches students the importance of social responsibility in marketing. Students, faculty and staff from all areas of the college come to help setup and run the boutique. All donations will be distributed to invited guests only at the Prom Boutique at Nassau Community College on April 9 and 10. All donations are tax deductible. Call 572-7587. The drop-off site is available from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bloomingdale’s, Roosevelt Field, Dress Department, Upper Level, will be accepting donations through April 3 during store hours to collect donations of new and gently used dressy dresses, prom gowns, bridesmaid gowns, special occasion shoes, handbags, costume jewelry and accessories.
Sunday, March 27
Archaeological Institute of America
The Archaeological Institute of America LI Society presents a free slide lecture at 2 p.m. in Breslin Hall, Hofstra University, Hempstead. Call 466-0560. Program: Korea and the Silk Road with Dr. Sarah Milledge Nelson, AIA speaker and Renner lecturer.
Recital/Lecture
Hofstra University’s tuba and euphonium instructor Michael Salzman, will present a lecture and recital on the teachings of Harvey Phillips, called a “Titan of Tuba” by The New York Times and highly regarded as one of the most important instrumentalists of our time. This free event will include works by composers Bach, Wilder, Persichetti, Sondheim and the premiere of Home Again by Thomas Davis. These selections represent important aspects of Mr. Phillips’ teaching and philosophy. This concert is free and open to the public and will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Hofstra University’s Fortunoff Theater, Monroe Lecture Center, California Ave/, South Campus. Call 463-5490 or email michael.j.salzman@hofstra.edu.
Sunday, April 3
Exploring Ecumenism-Building Bridges Among All Faiths
Speakers will discuss Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk from a cross-cultural perspective, including how his religious viewpoints relate to Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, as well as Catholicism. Speakers: Father Francis Gargani, CS.sR., Redemptist: Ministers in area of Peace and Justice; Dr. John Yanovitch, associate professor of philosophy, Molloy College; Rabbi Paul Kushner, D.D., Temple Shaarei Shalom, Bellmore; Donald Plunket, Ph.D., Baha’i; Kauser Zaman, M.D., Muslim. 3 p.m. in the Hays Theatre, Wilbur Arts Center, Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Contact Marion Lowenthal 6785000, ext. 6889 or mlowenthal@molloy.edu.
Artists Exhibition and Discussion
A presentation by the Nassau Art Club and artist/lecturer, Mary Sien. An art show and critique of paintings of NAC members and members of Beth Israel, concluding with a question/answer period. Refreshments served. All welcome. Free. 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 141 Hilton Ave., Hempstead.
Monday, April 4
Fashion Show Fundraiser
Project REAL, a non-profit residential services program serving individuals with mental health challenges for 30+ years, announces its 6th Annual Fashion Show to be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m .at the Garden City Hotel. Fashions will be provided by Chico’s of Garden City. Door prizes, the agency’s popular silent auction, an opportunity to win an HD TV and Blue Ray player, Disney tickets and other luxury items will also be available. Sponsorships and tickets are available by calling 223-9570 or by visiting www.ProjectREAL.org.
Friday, April 8
Recital
Parker Kitterman, director of music and organist at Christ Church in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the American Episcopal Church, will be playing music of J.S. Bach, Marcel Dupre and Girolamo Frescobaldi. Parker is also a former associate organist and choirmaster of the Cathedral of the Incarnation. The recital will be at 8 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City. Suggested donation $ 10 general seating; $5 seniors, students; children under 13 admitted free. Call 746-2955.
Sunday, April 10
Swim-A-Thon
Winthrop University Hospital’s 10th Annual Swim-A-Thon will be held on April 10 from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Hofstra University Swim Center, 900 Fulton Ave., Hempstead (463-5081). Help raise funds for a healthy future; get family and friends to sponsor you by Pledging Dollars for Laps. Features: free professional swim coaching by Joe Petrush of Total Immersion, message therapy for swimmers, live music by Central Beat Rock Band and Mineola High School Jazz Band, arts and crafts, tattoos, raffles and prizes. All proceeds to benefit Child Life Program at Winthrop University Hospital. Registration $20 adults; $10 children 4 to 18. Register on line at www.Winthrop.org/events or call 516-663-4423.
Upcoming Events
Free Breast Cancer Support Groups
The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer program is offering new support groups. All groups meet at Adelphi University School of Social Work in Garden City. There is no cost for any group; however preregistration is required.
For information, questions, or to sign up, call Sandi Kafenbaum 877-4314 or the Breast Cancer Hotline 800-877-8077:
•Women with Breast Cancer meets weekly for seven weeks from 7 to 8:30 p.m., tentatively beginning on March 30.
•Single Women with Breast Cancer meets weekly for seven weeks from 7 to 8:30 p.m., tentatively beginning on March 30.
•Young Women with Breast Cancer meets weekly for seven weeks from 7 to 8:30 pm, tentatively beginning on March 30.
•Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer meets weekly for eight weeks from noon to 1:30 p.m., tentatively beginning on March 28.
•Women with Breast Cancer meets weekly for eight weeks from 10 to11:30 a.m., tentatively beginning March 28.
•Close Knit Group for Women with Breast Cancer. The knit and talk group meets monthly on the first Monday of the month, April 4, May 2, June 6, from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
•Now forming: Support Group for Spanish-Speaking Women with Breast Cancer. Call Angela Papalia 877-4335.
Defensive Driving Courses
Conducted by the AAA NY in the Garden City office located at 229 Seventh St. Save money; reduce violation points; sharpen skills. The cost is $39 for AAA members; $32 Plus members; $32 members 60 and older; $32 members 16-24 years old; $49 nonmembers; special group rates available. Dates and rates subject to change. Online class available. Visit AAA.com/Defensive Driving. Reservations required. Call 873-2381. The following dates are offered:
•March 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•April 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•April 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•April 11 and 13 from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m.
•April 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•April 26 and 27 from 6:15 to 9:15 p.m.
•April 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•April 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Golf and Tennis Classic
Life’s WORC 24th Annual Geraldo Rivera Golf and Tennis Classic will be held at the Plandome Country Club, Port Washington, on May 19. Contact Matthew Zebatto 741-9000, ext. 241, or mzebatto@aol.com.
NCC Spring 2011 Cultural Program
Nassau Community College offers the exciting events listed below during its spring 2011 Cultural Program. The programs are free, open to the public and accessible to the disabled. For more information call 572-7153:
•March 29: Being Bullied is Hell, But Life Gets Better – LZ Granderson is a writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com and winner of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) award for online journalism. This event is cosponsored by the Sexual Harassment Education subcommittee of the Affirmative Action Committee. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
•March 30: Cyberbullying and Homophobia: Responses and Impact – Hayley Gorenberg is deputy legal director for Lambda Legal, the national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV. This event is cosponsored with the Sexual Harassment Education Subcommittee of the Affirmative Action Committee. 11 a.m.
•April 4: The Making of Avatar and What’s Next in Filmmaking. Jon Landau is the producer of the two highest grossing movies of all time, Avatar and Titanic. As executive vice president at Twentieth Century Fox in the 1990s, he supervised production of Die Hard 2, Mrs. Doubtfire, True Lies and more. 12:30 p.m.
Talented Teens Sought
The 4th Annual Teen Art, Music and Poetry Festival will be held on April 16 from 1 to 4:30 at the Ethical Humanist Society of LI, 38 Old Country Rd. Talented teens are being sought to participate. Go to the website at www.ehsli.org to learn more about the festival and to download an entry form. This year, the event will be a fundraiser for Ethical Friends of Children, an outreach program that helps families in financial need by providing them with baby and children’s clothes, diapers, cribs, and other items. This is a free event, but a suggested donation of $5 or a baby item (such as diapers, formula or clothing) would be appreciated. For more information, contact the society 741-7304.
Stroke Support Groups
Stroke Life Society is a community organization of survivors and co-survivors in the pursuit of living and helping others. A stroke can be very isolating. By sharing experiences and encouraging one another, together we can face and overcome common challenges. All welcome. RSVP is requested but not required. For information and other locations and times, call Ben Thomas 398-4994:
•April 5 (and every first Tuesday of the month) at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Jude, 3606 Lufberry Ave., Wantagh.
•April 10 (and every second Sunday of the month) at 4 p.m. in Room 12, St. Frances de Chantal, 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh.
•April 15 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Parish Center, 3100 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown.
Board Meetings
Cultural and Recreational Affairs Board of Commissioners meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Senior Center.
Architectural Design Review Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at Village Hall.
Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Planning Commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.
Environmental Advisory Board meets at 8 p.m. at Village Hall on the last Wednesday (except July and August) of each month.
Traffic Commission meets on the third Thursday (except July and August) of each month at 8 p.m. at Village Hall.
Weekly Events
•Waldorf Choral Society. Do you love to sing? Rehearsals are every Monday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Waldorf School, Cambridge Ave. For audition information call 747-4457.
•Irish American Society Social Gatherings every Monday at the Irish American Center, 297 Willis Ave., Mineola, from noon to 3 p.m. In the tradition and mission of the Irish American Society we are here to make all welcome and be part of the local community. Bring lunch. Coffee and tea will be served. Play cards, board games or just sit and socialize. A film once a month. Ladies and gents welcome. Free to all. Call Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 746-9392 or 742-8080.
•Long Term Care Workshop, a free informative workshop conducted by Jim McTighe of McTighe & Capaccio, LLC, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at 1001 Franklin Ave., Suite 207. Workshops are limited to no more than 10 people. Bagels and coffee served. Reservations only; call Terry 739-1240, ext. 312.
•Free Prenatal Consultations offered by Village Pediatrics, 975 Franklin Ave., on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Parents are invited to meet the physicians prior to the child’s birth. Call 248-8334 for an appointment.
•Storytime every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Country Glen Center, 91 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. Call 741-9850 for information.
•Storytime every Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Borders, 1260 Old Country Rd., Westbury. Call 683-8700. Stop by the Children’s Room for a cornucopia of stories and fun.
•Free Bereavement Group, a support group for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one meets at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Ethical Humanist Society, 38 Old Country Rd. Call 741-7304.
•Children’s Storytime at 11 a.m. Fridays at Borders, 1260 Old Country Rd., Westbury. Call 683-8700.
•The Viking Cooking School at the Loaves & Fishes Cookshop, 835 Franklin Ave., presents free cooking demonstrations every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. Topics vary from week to week. Samples served. Reservations required. Call 877-1010; website: www.vikinghomechef.com).
Monthly Events
•Write On! Writing Workshop hosted by Marvin Illman on the first and third Mondays of each month. Sharpen your skills on paper whether you want to write creatively, professionally or personally. 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, Country Glen Center, 91 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. Call 741-9850 for information.
•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.
•Sci-Fi Discussion Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at Borders, 1260 Old Country Rd., Westbury. Call 683-8700.
•Calling All War Time Veterans (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Iraq). VFW Garden City Park Post #120 invites you to become a member. Meet new service buddies, share experiences and become involved in your community. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at 2162 Jericho Tpke., Garden City Park. Call Cmdr. G. Popowitz 746-0662.
•Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) was founded in 1978, is congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA Chapter #82 is your Nassau County Chapter and meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at Hicksville’s VFW Hall. Call 677-5384 for further information or contact us by e-mail at info@vvachapter82.org. Come and join your fellow Vietnam veteran in support of each other.
•Irish American Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at 297 Willis Ave., Mineola. For more information, call 746-9392.
•Round Robin Poetry Group. Indulge in an evening of poetry readings hosted by Carol Zimet and her loyal group of poets. Anyone who would like to read his/her original work is invited to sit in and join the group. The warm and accepting atmosphere makes it easy to open up and join in. Meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, Country Glen Center, 91 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. Call 741-9850 to confirm the event.
•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. Call Diana 481-9280. No meeting at the church during July and August.
•Performance Poets. Monthly live poetry readings. Rotating featured poets and an open mic/5 minutes each. 7:30 p.m. at Borders, 1260 Old Country Rd. Call 683-8700. Meets on the last Wednesday of each month.
•Family Game Night. Come for an evening of fun with your family on the second and fourth Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Borders, 1260 Old Country Rd., Westbury. Call 683-8700.
•Ethical Issues in the News will be presented by the Ethical Humanist Society of LI on the first Sunday of each month at 10 a.m. at the society, 38 Old Country Rd. Call 741-7304.
•Zonta Club of LI, member of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization with a local club. Members help advance the status of women and are involved in many community service activities. The name Zonta is word taken from the Sioux and stands for honesty, trust, inspiration and the ability to work together for service and understanding. At meetings members discuss and learn about issues facing women, develop and conduct fun fundraising that benefits community programs and network with Zonta International programs. The club meets at a monthly dinner meeting in New Hyde Park on the third Thursday of each month. Call Kathy Rau 488-2796.
•LI Tourette Syndrome Association Support groups for those who have family members or other loved ones with Tourette Syndrome meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month at the DeMatteis Center, north side of Northern Blvd., Old Brookville (directly opposite the NY Institute of Technology campus). There are three separate support groups running simultaneously: one group for children, one for teens and one for parents/adults. Siblings of TS children are also invited. Free for LI-TSA members. For further information, call 876-6947 or email LongIslandTSA@aol.com.
•Teen Book Group held on the fourth Friday of each month at 8 p.m. at Borders, 1260 Old Country Rd., Westbury. Call 683-8700.
•Art League of NC monthly meeting and demonstration by a guest artist. Meets on the fourth Friday of each month at the New Hyde Park Recreation Center, Clinton G. Martin Park, Marcus Ave. and NHP Rd., NHP (near Union Tpke.) at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited. Refreshments served. Call 437-0919. Nonmembers $2. No meetings in June, July, August, December.
•Eating Disorders Association-LI (NEDA-LI) (formerly EDCLI) will be holding a support group for eating disorder sufferers and their families and friends. 10 to 11:30 a.m. at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset (ask at the main reception desk for location within the hospital). This free group takes place on the third Saturday of every month and is facilitated by a trained professional. No reservation necessary. Call NEDA-LI 229-2393.
•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.
Ongoing Programs
Alzheimer’s Day Program
Herricks Alzheimer’s Day Program “Our Space.” This social day program serves seniors with early to moderate dementia and offers them a chance to engage in social and recreational activities including music, art and exercise in a safe, supervised environment. At the same time, the caregiver can enjoy a respite. The program meets on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Herricks Community Center, 999 Herricks Rd., New Hyde Park. Co-sponsored by the NC Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs. Call Ann Tountas 742-0851.
Anger Management
Contact Lani McElgun, M.A., LMFT, at 520 Franklin Ave., Suite 213, or call 428-1167 for information on the following: Group: Turn angry behaviors into more productive ones; learn healthier ways to communicate with spouse, children, co-workers. Individual: Combine individual therapy and anger management techniques. Both are held on a weekly basis and facilitated by a licensed marriage and family therapist, also certified in anger management. Court mandates welcome.
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.
Bereavement Groups
Contact Catherine Bottari, LCSW, at 500 Old Country Rd., Suite 300 or call 732-6964 for information on the following:
•Group 1: A woman’s bereavement group is available to help women share and learn about their grief. Groups are held on a weekly basis and are facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker.
•Group 2: The death of a love one is hard for all of us but especially for children. A 12-week bereavement support group is available for children ages 7 to 9. Groups will be held on Saturdays and are facilitated by a licensed social worker.
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.
Cradle of Aviation Museum
In the world of aviation, signals and coded messages are an important part of how airplanes and air traffic control speak everyday. The Cradle of Aviation Museum has a variety of free family activities. Walk through the eight museum galleries and you’ll walk through over 100 years of aerospace history with 75 planes and space craft and a variety of examples of how pilots navigated and communicated from the early days of flight through the space program. Museum activities are free with admission and are available each day from noon to 4 p.m. The museum also is home to the IMAX Dome Theatre and is located on Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Museum Row. Call 572-4111.
Creativity Classes For Women
City Folk, Inc., 45 New Hyde Park Rd. (one block south of St. Anne’s Church), offers Creativity Classes for women. It’s a great opportunity to have fun, while experiencing your creative side. Learn many different craft techniques in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Create a one of a kind craft project that is uniquely your own. No experience needed, just a desire to have fun. Each class includes a demonstration, lesson and supplies needed to complete the project. “Creativity Night” is also offered. Bring your group or club together for an exciting evening out. Select one project from samples, then choose the evening that works best for them. The program is held weeknights at 7 p.m. Reservations required. Call 326-4544 or stop by for more details and class fees.
NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The Coalition is a member agency of the Garden City Community Fund, United Community Fund of Great Neck, Community Chest of Port Washington and United Way of LI. Call 222-2293 for information about the following
•Support groups with individual counseling for incest survivors and survivors of rape and sexual assault. Services are confidential and free of charge. These services are also extended to family members and partners of survivors. The Coalition also works to ensure societal accountability, improve institutional responsiveness to victims and increase public awareness in order to prevent domestic violence, rape and sexual assault.
•The coalition operates a safe home for battered women and their children. For women who are victims of violent relationships, safety is a major concern. The Coalition’s Safe Home for Abused Families provides shelter, advocacy and legal assistance, in a safe, warm, supportive, attractive environment. If you or someone you know needs help, call the 24-hour hotline 542-0404. The hotline and all services are free and confidential and a counselor can help you find safety.
•Volunteers needed in the coalition’s “Hands Are Not for Hitting,” an exciting domestic violence prevention program for elementary school children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Volunteers will be fully trained and need to be available several weekdays a month during the school year. Volunteers must provide their own transportation. If you are interested in volunteering, or would like more information, call 572-0700.
Elder Abuse
If you are 60 or older and are being hurt by someone who should be caring, you are not alone. If you are suffering from abuse, mistreatment or neglect at the hands of family members or someone who is living with you, help is available. The NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers counseling, legal advocacy and support services to seniors in need of help. All services are free and confidential. Call 542-0404. The Coalition is a member agency of the Community Chest of Port Washington, Garden City, Community Fund, United Community Fund of Great Neck and United Way of LI.
Epilepsy Foundation
Located at 506 Stewart Ave., Garden City (739-7733) 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.
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.
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.
Free Hotline for Those Dealing with Addiction
Anyone who has experienced a loved one suffering from addiction knows all too well that it affects more people than just the addicted; everyone close to a person addicted to drugs or alcohol feels the effects. Residents of Nassau County who are dealing with or affected by drug oralcohol addiction are urged to urged to call the NC Dept. of Drug and Alcohol Addiction’s free, anonymous 24/7 hotline, run by Long Island Crisis Center, at 481-4000.
