Community Events

The Stage. The Stage Theatre is to present the musical "Into The Woods" from Nov. 29 to Dec. 28. The Stage is at 2222 Hewlett Ave. in Merrick. Tickets are $16 and $12 for senior citizens and students for Friday and Sunday shows. For show times, call the box office at (516)868-6400.

Film. The Merrick Film Forum will present "The Shipping News" on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. at Merrick Avenue Middle School. George Rystar will lead the discussion. Refreshments served. Admission: $6.

Holiday shopping at Old Mill. Begin your holiday shopping at the Old Mill Road PTA night of holiday shopping on Friday, Dec. 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. Merchandise includes gift baskets, personalized stationery, handmade crafts and much more. Call (516) 458-2829 for more information.

Jewell Quinn Senior Center. Senior Community Service Center Brookside School, (516) 571-8675. Activities and classes include sewing, computers, crafts, dancing and movies.

N. Merrick school board. The North Merrick Board of Education will meet on Dec. 9 in the Harold Fayette General Purpose Room at 8 p.m.

AARP. The Bellmore-Merrick Chapter of AARP, the only Nassau County chapter that meets at night, holds its meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Mepham High School cafeteria located on Camp Avenue one block west of Newbridge Road, Bellmore. Entertainment and refreshments available. Seniors from all over Nassau County are welcome. For further information, call (516) 785-3337 or (516) 826-7410.

Free prenatal consultations

are being offered on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. by Village Pediatrics, 975 Franklin Ave., Garden City. Parents are invited to meet our physicians before their child's birth. Call (516) 248-8334

for an appointment.

N. Merrick Library

Craft workshop for teens. Angela DePalma will show young adults a cool way to display pictures and mementos in a handmade accordion-style journal on Dec. 4, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Registration began Nov. 20 at the reference desk. For more information, call Kelly Regan at (516) 378-7474, ext. 27

Holiday music. The Merrick Chorale will perform their Holiday Season 2003 Concert on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.

Quilting Workshop. Learn how to quilt your own customized table runner with Carol Brosnan. The four sessions are on Jan. 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7:30 p.m. Registration begins Friday, Dec. 5. Fee $35.

Defensive-driving course. A two-session, defensive-driving course open to all ages is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 and Thursday, Dec. 18 from 6:30 -9:30 p.m. You must complete both sessions to be eligible for the insurance. Fee $35.

Support Groups

Infertility group. The National Infertility Network Exchange is now forming peer-led support groups. Topics include coping with infertility, medical procedures, male infertility, in-vitro fertilization, miscarriage, secondary infertility, adoption and a child-free lifestyle. Call (516) 794-5772.

Education and support groups for men with prostate cancer are being announced by Nassau University Medical Center. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month. Call (516) 572-4912.

Substance help. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held Thursdays and Alanon meetings held Sundays at St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore. Meetings at 7:30 p.m.

Help for mothers.The Sunrise Mothers Center provides validation, support skills and knowledge for women and their families. The center is run by members and offers peer support in discussion groups, lectures, workshops, mommy and me classes and fun social activities. The center is located at the United Methodist Church, Claredon Avenue (entrance in rear), in Bellmore.