Asian-American Cultural Festival – Saturday, April 16
Career Fair – Tuesday, April 26
Farmingdale Board of Education – Wednesday, April 27
Saturday, April 16
Asian-American Cultural Festival
Celebrate the exquisite diversity of LI, Queens and beyond on April 16 and bring the whole family to the 5th Annual Asian-American Cultural Festival where there will be a multitude of colorful displays, costumes, recipes and exhibits from different parts of Asia. The festival begins (noon to 5 p.m.) with the infamous Lion Dance followed by live performances, art and photo exhibits, children’s activities, small business and corporate vendor displays, Ikebana, Food Court, a fantastic magic show and raffle drawings for kids and adults (with proceeds going to the relief efforts in Japan). Free admission (voluntary donations appreciated). The evening program, from 5:15 to 9:30 p.m., opens with a professional stage performance in the Little Theater and transitions into a lively multicultural Food and Wine Social and Business Networking Reception with a professional deejay and emcee. Held in Roosevelt Hall, Farmingdale State College, 2350 Broadhollow Rd. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at www.aacfli.org. All are welcome – including sponsors, vendors and volunteers. More information can be obtained by calling 631-754-6640 or 917-499-1100.
Tuesday, April 26
Career Fair
Open to the general public, students and all job seekers. Bring resumes; dress for success. Employers with job opportunities welcome. 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Briarcliffe College, 1055 Stewart Ave., Bethpage. No fees. No reservations required. Contact Stacy Zager, szager@bcl.edu; 918-3675.
Wednesday, April 27
Farmingdale Board Of Education
Special meeting – adopt BOCES Administrative Budget for voter approval at 8 p.m. at Howitt Middle School in the east cafeteria.
Saturday, April 30
Health and Safety Fair
Gardiners Avenue Elementary School, in Levittown, will be hosting its first community Health and Safety Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fair will be featuring many venders specializing in first aid, home safety, including the Wantagh Fire Department, disability information for adults and children, financial planning, helpful health tips for our families and more. There will also be free blood pressure screening available. The NYS Masonic Safety ID Program will be joining the fair as well. The objective of the NYMSIP is to assist law enforcement agencies in the safe and timely recovery of lost or missing children, young adults or senior citizens. The NYMSIP is a fantastic comprehensive child identification service available to our community. The fair is open for the entire family at no charge. An appearance from our Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray is scheduled. There will be entertainment for children of all ages and snacks will be available.
Upcoming Events
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:
•Every first Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Jude, 3606 Lufberry Ave., Wantagh.
•Every second Sunday of the month at 4 p.m. in Room 12, St. Frances de Chantal, 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh.
•April 15, May 20 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Parish Center, 3100 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown.
Weekly Events
•Bingo every Monday and some Saturdays to support the Arthritis Foundation LI Chapter. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7:15 p.m. at 110 Bingo Hall, 585 Broadhollow Rd., Melville. Call Jennie 631-427-8272.
•Free Support Group for divorced or separated meets every Monday except holidays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at St Kilian’s RC Church Parish Center (basement), 485 Conklin St. (Route 24). Widowed welcome as well. All singles needing support. Call 516-753-0923 or Lyn.StKilian@Yahoo.com.
•Do You Speak Yinglish? The Yiddish Club allows individuals of varying language abilities to speak “Yinglish,” a combination of Yiddish and English. Read, speak and tell stories related to Yiddish experiences. Meets every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Farmingdale Wantagh Jewish Center, 3710 Woodbine Ave., Wantagh. Call 785-2445.
•Caregiver Support Group offered by the LI Alzheimer’s Foundation at Brandywine Senior Living at Huntington Terrace, 70 Pinelawn Rd., Melville. This professionally facilitated group meets on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and allows participants opportunities to share feelings and strategies related to caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Call 767-6856 and speak with group facilitator, Alana Rosenstein, LMSW, before attending for the first time. Those who are financially able are asked to contribute $10 to the LI Alzheimer’s Foundation for each session they attend.
•Senior Pops Orchestra. If you love good music and play the violin, cello, viola or bass, join the Senior Pops Orchestra. Rehearsals on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Sweet Hollow Hall, West Hills County Park, Melville. Call 414-1831 for travel directions. For information call 795-1706.
•Storytime every Thursday at 11 a.m. at Borders, 231 Airport Plaza. Call 631-752-0194.
•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 on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. in Melville. Call 631-692-0986. $10.
Monthly Events
•Island Photo Group, a group of photographers working together to advance each other’s photographic skills and to be an exciting force in photographic education on LI. Meets the 1st, 2nd, 4th Mondays of every month at 7:30 p.m. (except legal holidays) in the Community Center in Allen Park, 101 Motor Ave. Check our calendar of events at www.islandphotogroup.com or call 516-450-LENS.
•Farmingdale Columbiettes #2204 welcomes new members. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Farmingdale Knights of Columbus Hall #2204, 1 Morton St. (off Route 109 behind 7-11). This wonderful Catholic women’s organization is based on charity and would love for you to join. If interested in hearing more contact Ginny 631-619-6963 or email Lyn at lyn.stkilian@yahoo.com.
•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 Knights of Columbus meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 8 p.m. at 1 Morton St. (off 109). New members always welcome. Call 1-631-755-2204.
•Farmingdale Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Veterans of Foreign Corp. George Benkert Jr. Post of Farmingdale is actively recruiting veterans of Afghanis-tan, Iraq, Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea and WWII. Membership requirements include active participation in a foreign conflict. For membership qualifications contact membership chairman Bob Fullam at 516-694-5530. The VFW building is at 635 Main St., Farmingdale, and members meet there on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:30 p.m.
•Farmingdale American Legion, Hugh C. Newman Post #449 for those 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., at 8:15 p.m. Call Commander Thomas Taylor 752-9613.
•Italian Culture Society at Farmingdale meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Ellsworth W. Allen Park, Motor Ave. For lessons in Italian come early at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments are served. For private lessons call Francesca at 249-4543.
•Central Oyster Bay Democratic Club (COBDC) meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the community room at Ellsworth Allen Park, Motor Ave., Farmingdale. All are welcome to attend. The club serves the communities of Plainview, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Farmingdale, North Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Massapequa. For more information email centoysterbaydems@gmail.com or attend a meeting.
•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 Library. Call 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., 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. Call 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. 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.
Ongoing Programs
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.
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, Farmingdale State College, at 631-434-3740 for further information.
Farmingdale State College 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! Farmingdale State College, 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.
