Athletes for Life Blood Drive
Sunday, December 16
Village Board Of Trustees Meeting
Monday, January 7
Board Of Education Meeting
Wednesday, January 16
Sunday, December 16
Athletes for Life Blood Drive
The blood drive takes place at the Long Island Hilton, 598 Broadhollow Road (Rte. 110), in Melville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 516-655-2299 or e-mail: ggelman13@aol.com.
Upcoming Events
Winter Coat Drive
The Parkway Community Church will be holding a winter coat drive during the months of November and December. All coats will be donated to The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) in Hempstead, a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that addresses the issues of hunger and homelessness on Long Island. All donations of new or “gently” used coats (infant, child and adult sizes) can be dropped off at the Parkway Community Church, 95 Stewart Ave., in Hicksville between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 516-433-5659.
Village of Farmingdale Board of Trustees
Meetings held at the village hall:
•Dec. 17: 7 p.m. work session with Counsel
•Dec. 24: No meeting. Christmas Eve.
•Dec. 31: No meeting. New Year’s Eve.
Farmingdale PTA Vendor Fair
The Farmingdale High School PTA will hold a vendor fair in conjunction with the annual Fashion Show this year. Vendors needed for the vendor fair to be held at the high school from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2. Homemade crafts, Lia Sophia, Tastefully Simple, pocketbooks, Pampered Chef, etc., all are welcome. Cost is $50 for a 10×10 space. All proceeds go to the FHS PTA Scholarship Fund. For details, contact Joanne Acton at jacton@optonline.net.
Ongoing Events
Twin County Chorus
Ladies, do you love to sing? Then we’ve got a place for you. Join Twin County Chorus in the joys of a cappella harmony. We rehearse every Thursday evening in Levittown from 7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Call Bobbi at 516-798-4325 or Susan at 516-729-8323 for more information. Or visit our website: www.twincounty.org.
St. Thomas’ Fellowship Café
An outreach program that is open to everyone no matter what age who would like to have a good meal and get together with other people in the community. There is no charge for this and it is open the last Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 298 Conklin St., Farmingdale. At the end of every café take home meals are offered. Sponsored by Episcopal Charities of Long Island and St. Thomas’ Church. Call 516-752-9254.
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.
•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? Undereater? 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.
•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.
•Mid Nassau Jewish Retirement Club meets every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Temple Emanuel 123 Merrick Ave., East Meadow. New members are welcome. Call Marty Fein 485-3171.
•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.
•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.
•Clutterers Anonymous, a 12-step self-help group, offers help and support to those who have clutter problems in their homes or workplace. Meets weekly on Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 265 Asbury Ave., and also the 1st and 3rd Friday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the School of the Community Reformed Church, 90 Plandome Rd., Manhasset. There are no dues or fees. For more information, email CLAWestbury@yahoo.com, call (866) 800-3881 or visit www.ClutterersAnonymous.net.
•Massapequa Singles and Massapequa Couples holds dances every Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Couples and singles tables. Professional Dance Lesson at 11:15 a.m. Dance starts at noon and a full-course hot buffet luncheon is served at 1 p.m. $15 donation. Singles are introduced and partners are encouraged at Manor East Catering Hall, 201 Jerusalem Ave., Massapequa. Email Dancezee@aol.com or call 332-7825.
•Massapequa Singles and Massapequa Couples hosts a workshop to Learn To Dance. All Social Dances, American and Latin. Partners are encouraged but not necessary at 11:15 a.m. every Friday at Manor East Catering Hall, 201 Jerusalem Ave., Massapequa. $10. Email Dancezee@aol.com or call 332-7825.
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 meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Farmingdale Knights of Columbus Hall #2204, 1 Morton St., Farmingdale (off Route 109 behind 7-11). This wonderful faith-filled Catholic women’s organization is based on charity with emphasis on helping our local community. We would love it if you would think about joining us. If interested in learning more call Diane at 631-293-4290 or Lyn at 516-753-0923 or even better, email: lyn.stkilian@yahoo.com
•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 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 516-694-5539. 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 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.
•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.
•Free Diabetes Support Group for adults living with diabetes meets the third Wednesday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. Facilitators are certified diabetes educators. The group provides a forum for support and diabetes education. The meetings are held in the Diabetes Education Classroom at New Island Hospital, 4295 Hempstead Tpke., Bethpage. Call 520-2213 to reserve a spot.
•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.
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.
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.
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:
•A support group for those who have family members with mental illness meets Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. A nominal fee is charged. 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. This group specializes in parenting issues for substance abusers. 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. Preregistration required. Call 822-4060.
•Young Adult Drug Addiction Group for those who are recovering from drug addiction. The goals are to enhance skills, increase self-awareness and work toward a drug and alcohol free life. 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, Sharon Bohen or Kathleen Kovach at 822-6111, ext. 295.
•An Anger Management program led by a social worker from the agency’s Community Program is open to adults 17 and older. The course is geared to individuals who have unhealthy expressions of anger and need to learn how to manage anger; stop violence or the threat of violence; and develop self-control over thoughts and actions. Course attendees will receive positive support and feedback from others. Additionally, help will be provided to identify triggers, recognize cues to anger and develop individual anger management strategies. The fee for this course is $200. Central Nassau accepts Medicaid as well as several credit cards. Advanced registration is required and reservations can be made by calling 822-4060.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Counseling Center
Located at 75 Grand Ave., YES is a non-profit community-based agency licensed and funded by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Call 799-3203 or visit yesccc.org for information on the following:
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•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.
•Support Groups: Specialized groups are available for adolescents, young adults, men and women who are seeking support and addressing various issues including socialization, transitioning to adulthood, relationships and recovery.
•Quitting smoking is the single most important action you can take to improve your health and overall quality of life. If you are interested in taking the first step to smoke-free living call YES Community Counseling Center and register for the Smoking Cessation Group which meets for five one-hour sessions. The cost of the entire five-week group is $75. Call Marissa at YES and register to attend. A start day/time will be determined based upon interest.
•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.
