Community Events

Sponsors needed. Anyone interested in promoting a business at this year's 18th annual Bellmore Family Street Festival on Oct. 16 and 17 has until July 15 to commit to sponsoring the event. The cost is $180 per day for a solo sponsorship, or $90 for a shared sponsorship. A costumed character, arranged by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, will stroll the street festival grounds wearing a sign saying, "Sponsored by (name of business)," and will distribute the sponsor's promotional materials. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor should call Lori Miller at (516) 785-4097. All checks should be made payable to Chamber of Commerce of Bellmores, and mailed to P.O. Box 861, Bellmore, N.Y. 11710.

Single parent dance. The Nassau Chapter 14 of Parents Without Partners is holding a Single Parent Dance at the Tivoli Manor East at 201 Jerusalem Avenue in Massapequa on Friday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. There will be a hot and cold buffet and a cash bar. The event is open to the public and admission is $18. For more information call (516) 424-9497.

Pool safety class. Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, a Democrat of Merrick, is sponsoring free pool safety classes on Tuesday, July 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wantagh Park Swimming Complex. Professional instructors will be on hand to provide parents and children with advice on how to have fun this summer in the pool by avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Remember to bring your bathing suits. For more information, call Denenberg's office at (516) 571-6219.

Flea market.The Bellmore Lions Club is hosting three flea markets in August to benefit local charities. The markets will be held along the parking lot of Bellmore's Long Island Rail Road from Bedford Avenue to Sunrise Highway on Sundays, Aug. 8, 15, and 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to become a vendor, call (516) 785-0222 or (516) 826-9839.

Street fair. The Suburban Temple Brotherhood is sponsoring its eighth annual Jerusalem Avenue Street Fair on Sunday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 100 quality vendors, including local merchants offering discounted prices and specials. Food and drink will be available. The Suburban Temple is at 2900 Jerusalem Ave. For more information, call Liz at (516) 632-5820.

Business meetings. The Bellmore Chapter of Business Network International meets every Tuesday at the East Bay Diner from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call Bruce Katz at

(516)826-5310.

Bellmore Library

Art exhibit. This month the Bellmore Library will be displaying expressionist paintings by local artist Erica Fairful at the library's community room during July and August.

Cartooning workshop. Join Derek Mainhart for a demonstration of all aspects of cartooning on Thursday, July 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. Everyone will take home at least one finished drawing. The fee for the workshop is $2 and should be paid at the library's reference desk.

Picture frame. On Wednesday, July 21, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., local residents can create a unique wooden picture frame, using paint and decorations brought by JoAnne McGerty. There is a registration fee of $3 for the course.

Fact or fiction. Health and Wellness instructor, Max Fleurival will speak at the library on Thursday, August 5, at 7 p.m. Fleurival will be on hand to offer health tips.

Defensive driving. Sign up now at the library's reference desk for a defensive driving class with George Pitts on Monday evenings August 2 and 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. The course fee is $35. There will be another safe driving class given by Steve Schwartz on Thursday evenings, August 19 and 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. The course fee is $35.

N. Bellmore Library

Reading club. The library's Children's Services Department will again offer a Summer Reading Club. This year's state-wide theme is Read, White and Blue! Children, ages 3 to 12, may register at the reference desk. To enter children must read or have read to them ten books and list them on their reading charts. North Bellmore School District residents will be given preference when enrolling in the program. Parents can only register their own children. Please bring your library card when registering. For more information, stop by the Children's Services Department.

Defensive driving. The North Bellmore Public Library is offering two defensive-driving courses this summer: Tuesday and Thursday, July 6 and 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Monday and Tuesday, August 23 and 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. Anyone interested in any one of the two courses should register at the library's reference desk. There is a $35 registration fee. The fee should be paid by check or money order, and made out to "3-D Insurance Services."

Tales and more. Boys and girls, ages 5 to 8, may register to attend Summer Tales and more every Tuesday starting from, July 6 to August 24, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. There will be stories, games, show-and-tell, jokes and much more.

Cartooning workshop. Residents are invited to join Derek Mainhart on Thursday, July 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. for a cartooning workshop. All aspects of cartooning will be demonstrated and different techniques will be covered. Everyone will take home at least one finished drawing at the end of the session. Registration fee is $2.

Lazy letters. Residents interested in putting life into their letters should attend Joanne Insigna's workshop on "Lazy Letters," held at the library on July 27, from 7 to 8 p.m. Attendees will learn how to use "Lazy Letters" to design and address envelopes and notes to use for themselves or as a gift. The workshop is open to all young children ages 10 and older, and interested adults. Registration began on June 28 at the library's reference desk. A $3 materials fee is due with registration.

Book discussion. On Monday, August 16, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Sara Jane Berman will hold a book discussion on "Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel. According to Berman, the book tells the story of this famous astronomer and his eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, whose adopted name was a tribute to her father's fascination with the heavens. Her 124 surviving letters to her father are the basis for the book, and show her emotional support during Galileo's trial before the inquisition for arguing that the Earth moves around the Sun.

AARP 55-Alive. Registration for the AARP 55 - Alive driving courses is ongoing. Register at the library's reference desk and bring a check for $10 made payable to AARP.