Chamber meeting. The Merrick Chamber of Commerce will hold its next general meeting Thursday, March 3, at noon at La Piazza on Merrick Road. Lunch is $15 per person. Striker Corbin will be the guest speaker. For more information, call Sal Vassallo at (516) 546-3077.


Parent Center programs. The Community Parent Center will present a series of four follow-up workshops to David Wilmes's presentation on "Parenting for Prevention: How to Raise a Child to Say No to Alcohol/Drugs." The next session will take place Thursday, March 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brookside School. Pre-registration was required by Jan. 27. Also, "Getting Ready for Middle School" will offer techniques for parents and students to make the transition easier on Tuesdays, March 8, 15 and 22, and April 5 from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Merrick Avenue Middle School. Also, "Secrets of the street: What kids know that you need to know" to learn about pre-teen drinking, its effect on the developing brain and how to effectively talk to your child about it will meet on Tuesday, April 5, from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. at the Brookside School. For information, call (516) 771-9346 to register.


Safam concert band. On March 6 at 7 p.m., the Jewish-American concert band Safam will perform at the Merrick Jewish Centre. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Call (516) 379-8650 to reserve tickets.


Jewish vets meet. The Ensign Laurence D. Solowey Post 652 Jewish Veterans will meet on Wednesday, March 15, at 8 p.m. at Congregation Ohav Sholom. For further information, call (516) 868-1393.


Bingo. Temple Beth Am, at Merrick and Kirkwood avenues, holds a bingo night every Thursday from 7:15 to 10:15 p.m. Admission is $4. For more information, call (516) 378-3477.


Children's theater. The Magic Curtain Players at The Stage will present "Hercules" on March 19. Tickets are $8. For reservations, call (516) 868-6400.


Play at The Stage. The Neil Simon hit "Chapter Two" will be presented through March 6. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:30 p.m., and Sunday shows are at 3 p.m. Tickets are $16, and senior citizens and students are $12 for Friday and Sunday shows. Call the box office at (516) 868-6400.


Activities at senior center. The Jewell Quinn Senior Center in North Merrick offers different activities from Monday through Friday. Lunch served daily. Billiards and bingo played every day. For further information, call (516) 571-8675.


AARP meeting. The Bellmore-Merrick chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons holds a program for seniors on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in Mepham High School's east cafeteria on Camp Avenue. For more information, call (516) 785-3337.


Film Forum. The next film is "Truce" on March 4 at 8 p.m. in the Merrick Avenue Middle School auditorium. Discussion will follow in the cafeteria. "Truce" is based on Primo Levi's autobiographical book, "The Reawakening."

Merrick Library

AARP Defensive driving.Registration began on Feb. 17 for Merrick residents at the Merrick Library Express, 2051 Sunrise Highway, for the AARP defensive-driving class to be held on Saturday, March 19. If there are any openings left, non-residents may register on Friday, March 11. Registration is by check only. Fee: $10.


Services for homebound. If you are temporarily or permanently disabled, you can request homebound services from the library. Books, videos, books-on-tape and other materials will be delivered to you upon request. For more information, contact Bob Ludemann of the library at (516) 377-0279, or e-mail to bobludemann@merricklibrary.org. "


Online tutor. Free homework help is available online from live certified tutors. Tutor.com is offered daily from 3 to 9 p.m. with a library card at www.nassaulibrary.org/merrick/. Click on the "Live Homework Help" icon.


Bus tour. The Merrick and Bellmore libraries will go on a bus trip to CNN and the American Museum of the Moving Image on Wednesday, March 23. The bus will leave at 8 a.m. from The Mar Thoma parking lot, 2320 Merrick Ave. Fee: $76, which includes lunch. Registration began on Feb. 1 at the Merrick Library Express for Merrick residents only and will begin on March 1 for non-residents.

N. MerrickLibrary

Irish songs. Greg and Katie Ryan will perform Irish songs and dance on Sunday, March 6th at 2 p.m.


Mattel's secrets to Barbie. Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel Toy,s will share her story how she and her husband started Mattel and created the Barbie doll on Tuesday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m.


Defensive driving. Open to all ages, this course will take place on Saturday, March 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $35. Registration begins Friday, March 4.


Bus trip. Tour City Island and enjoy lunch at the waterside Lobster House on Friday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration begins Friday, March 4. Fee: $77.

Merrick schools

March 4. Birch will hold its PTA Penny Auction.


March 8, 15, 22, 29. The Board of Education budget meetings will be held at 8 p.m.

N. Merrickschools

March 3. Camp Avenue Elementary will hold its Founders Day dinner at 7:30 p.m.


March 4. Fayette will hold its Founders Day Honorary Life Assembly at 1:45 p.m.


March 9. Camp and Old Mill Road will hold PTA meetings at 7:30 p.m. Fayette will hold a PTA meeting at 8 p.m.

Central High School

March 3. Middle School PTA meetings at 7:30 p.m.