theFarmingdaleObserver.com Calendar

Amahl and the Night Visitors
Friday, December 2

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 2

Holiday Fair Fundraiser
Saturday, December 3

---

Massapequa/Hicksville Singles

Meet at the VFW Hall, 320 S Broadway, Hicksville, every Friday for social dancing from noon to 3 p.m. Include bagels, tuna fish, coffee, tea, pastries. Professional Ballroom DJ; professional dance lesson. $14 donation. With or without a partner. Dance hosts. Call 718-332-7825 or email Dancezee@aol.com. Also on Dec. 8, 16, 23.

Close

Never miss a story

News, events, culture and more — delivered to you.

Email

Sign Up

Amahl and the Night Visitors

The Farmingdale United Methodist Church, 407 Main St. (Grant Ave.), will present three performances of the advent opera Amahl and the Night Visitors on Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at 4 and 7:30 p.m. The hour-long opera, by Gian-Carlo Menotti, will be performed in English by professional singers, dancers and chorus under the direction of David Majoros, music director of FUMC. It’s charming story and colorful numbers make it perfect for children and each performance will be followed by a special Christmas carol sing-along. Tickets are $10 adults; $5 children and can be reserved by calling the church office 694-3424.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

At Village Green at 6 p.m.

---

Saturday, December 3

Holiday Fair Fundraiser

Featuring great holiday gift giving items from vendors such as Scentsy, Celebrating Home, Premier Jewelry, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Tee’s Closet Shoe Parties, Mary Kay and more. Raffle prizes. Bake sale and drinks. Proceeds to benefit Boy Scout Troop 46 of Farmingdale. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Broman Hall at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 298 Conklin St.. Farmingdale. Contact Sue at suercm@verizon.net for more information.

America’s Poets Walk With Walt

The program, which will be held at the birthplace of America’s Good Gray Poet at 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd., Huntington Station, will be hosted by Whitman Birthplace Writer in Residence George Wallace. The program will pair a nationally prominent visiting writer with one of Long Island’s fine regional poets for a program of poetry and conversation. Individual tickets to the series will be on sale in advance, or at the door, for $15 per ticket or $70 for the full series. For further information about the series visit www.waltwhitman.org/component/eventlist/details/64. Today’s event: Marvin Bell with Gayl Teller. 7 to 9 p.m.

Fabulous Holiday Fair

The Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church, 1845 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, will hold its annual holiday fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year it is bigger and better than ever. There will be lots of vendors, including craft items and holiday gifts and a bake sale table. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The fair will be held in the Parish Hall (the white building next to the church). There is plenty of free parking and free admission. For info, call the church office 785-1829. The fair will also be held on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk

Join the Arthritis Foundation for its Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The event is a fun, festive way to kick-off the holidays including a holiday costume contest and Kids Fun Run. Proceeds from the event will allow us to continue providing programs and services to the 500,000 Long Islanders – including children – with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Event information: www.lijbr.kintera.org or contact Juliet Vizbaras 631-427-8272, ext. 115. orjvizbaras@arthritis.org.

Angel of Hope Candle Light Vigil

The candlelight memorial service is for parents who have lost a child, of any age, for any reason. This is an opportunity for parents and friends to gather to remember their children who have left our lives too soon. The program is scheduled rain or shine. The healing ceremony will be held at the base of the Angel monument at Eisenhower Park at 4 p.m. After a few remarks, a moment of silence, the attendees are invited to leave a white flower at the base of the statue. Flowers and candles will be supplied. The public is welcome. For more information visit http:angelashouse.org/angel-of-hope/events or email BPolicastro@angelashouse.org.

---

Sunday, December 4

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Hosted by the Farmingdale Rotary Club, the event will also be a Breakfast with Santa and the club has arranged to produce free photo ID cards for those who want them. 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 290 Conklin St., Farmingdale. Tickets: $7 adults; $5 children over five years old; kids younger than five are free. The funds raised will be used for the benefit of the community. All Farmingdale Rotarians have tickets or call 752-9259.

MADD-LI’s 30th Annual Candlelight Vigil

Approximately 200 people are expected to attend to light a candle in honor of their loved one who was killed or injured by a drunk driver. The program will include the NY State Troopers Emerald Society Bagpipers, soloist Kathryn Burke (FSC alumna and staff member), Color Guard from Boy Scout Troop # 329 of Bayport in honor of PO Glen Ciano, poetry and music selections. After the candle lighting ceremony, guests walk to the Garden of Awareness to place a white carnation on the Wall of Remembrance, which bears the names of over 300 people killed or injured by a drunk driver. MADD LI is also expecting representatives from Nassau and Suffolk County DA’s office and Nassau and Suffolk County Law Enforcement. For more information, contact Victim Services Specialist Mary Scala 631-547-6233, ext. 306.

---

Tuesday, December 6

Republic Airport Commission

Meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled at 7 p.m. in Conference Room 201 of the Main Terminal of Republic Airport, 7150 Republic Airport.

---

Wednesday, December 7

Rebuilding Together, LI

A non-sectarian organization of volunteers that does free home repairs for low-income families particularly those who are elderly, disabled and/or single parent families at no cost to the homeowner. Meeting on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Farmingdale Library, 116 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale (249-9090). Call 541-7322.

---

Thursday, December 15

NAMI LI Regional Council

Meeting at 7 p.m. at North Shore University Hospital at Plainview, 888 Old Country Rd., Lecture Room (lower level). Call 694-7327. The meeting is free. Program: The Effects of Incarceration on Families with Barbara Allen, the Justice Project.

---

Ongoing Events

Holiday Toy and Food Drive

The Eve Foundation announces its Eighth Annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive. During these difficult economic times, many of our friends and neighbors face a rather bleak holiday season. You can help. The foundation is requesting your assistance in donating unwrapped toys as well as boxes and cans of food to the collection sites noted below. Additionally, gift cards to local supermarkets and stores such as Wal-Mart and Target may be donated directly to the Foundation. Thank you for helping your neighbors in need. Sites include the Farmingdale Library, 116 Merritts Rd. Farmingdale (249-9090); Dr. Shari Eskin, 47-3 Boundary Ave., S. Farmingdale (694-1590).

Toys for Tots

As the holidays are approaching, Tom Gunnip (former SSGT 2/25, Garden City), Jan and Bob Argentine and the staff of McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home Inc. in Farmingdale, are holding their 3rd Annual Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” in memory of the late Lcpl James D. Argentine. For your convenience, the following is a list of locations in the Farmingdale vicinity to drop off toys: McCourt & Trudden Funeral Home, Inc.; Ubaldos Italian Restaurant, Main Street; Stop and Shop, Motor Avenue; Dairy Barn, Merritts Road; Gino’s Pizza, Main Street; Village Hall of Farmingdale; Capital One Bank, Farmingdale.

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. Go to www.strokelife.org.

•Every first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. in Room 12, St. Frances de Chantal, 1309 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh.

•Every second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Church of St. Jude, 3606 Lufberry Ave., Wantagh.

•Every second Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Epilepsy Conference Room, Research Building Level C, 270-05 76th Ave., New Hyde Park.

•Every third Friday at 2 p.m. at St. Bernard’s Parish Center, 3100 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown.

•Every fourth Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Room 106, St. James Parish Center, 80 Hicksville Rd., Seaford.


Vendors Needed

Contact Terry 221-6593 or mcmullenpro33@yahoo.com. All events are a fundraiser for missionaries in Tanzania Africa:

•Arts and Craft Holiday Gift Fair Expo Nov. 26 at the Marriott Courtyard (Walmart Center), 2 Marriott Plaza, Farmingdale.

•Fine Arts and Craft Holiday Expo Nov. 27 at the Hilton Hotel, 598 Broadhollow Rd., Melville.

•Fine Arts and Craft Holiday Extravaganza Dec. 3 and 4 at the Marriott Courtyard (Walmart Center), 2 Marriott Plaza, Farmingdale.

---

Weekly Events

•Bingo every Monday to support Deborah Hospital. 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 Pam 631-730-8021.

•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 is seeking string players, especially string bass. The orchestra meets every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon in Melville. Join a fun group. Visit www.seniorpops.org, to find out more about the orchestra.

•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.

•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 Afghanistan, 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.

•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.

•The Knights of Columbus Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. Delaney Council #5983 meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at the council located at 110 Merritts Rd., Farmingdale, at 8 p.m. Members only. For hall rentals, call 390-1281. For membership information, call 804-8998.

•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.

Exhibits

•Seven & Seven Show. This group including artists Leslie Barnett, Arthur Bernstein, Daniel Brown, Alex Chwick, Nanette Fluhr, Dan Fusco, Liz Jorg Masi, Shawn McAvoy, Donna Harlow Moraff, Marilyn Newmark, Alice Riordan, Howard Rose, Marie Sheehy Walker and Kiril Tzotchev has created much anticipated exhibits at prestigious galleries across Long Island. Each of the 14 professional artists have won numerous awards and been widely shown at exhibitions, galleries and public spaces in the New York metropolitan region and beyond. The showcase format gives each artist the opportunity to show the full breadth of their abilities, styles and inspirations. Each member presents seven to ten (size dependent) pieces. The beautiful mix of paintings and sculpture creates an overall rich and captivating experience for the viewing public. On view through Jan. 28 at the Art-Trium Gallery, 25 Melville Park Rd., Melville. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to pm.

•Some Woman – Photography by Art Koch. While living in Columbia, MD, Art began to take art and photography courses on a regular basis. He works out of his photo studio in Oyster Bay. Art’s distinctive photographic ability enables him to uniquely display the human form and capture emotions. His special talent is most evident in his black and white images of women. Whether the photo is of a mother nursing her child, practicing yoga, or dancing uninhibitedly with joy, he is able to portray the human body infused with the mystery and power it possesses. The images in this exhibit reflect a cross section of Art’s artistic vision. On view in the Memorial Gallery, Sinclair Hall, Farmingdale State College, through Dec. 15. All images are available for purchase. Contact the artist directly for information and pricing 631-420-6118 or 631-420-2181.

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.

Farmingdale United Methodist Nursery School

Offers classes for children from 18 months old through 5 years old where they can grow, play and learn together. The school offers a well-rounded program 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. For more information or class schedules, call the school 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.

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.