Special Events

Pulmonary hypertension Pulmonary hypertension is a rare and incurable disease that can affect people of all ages. Men are not exempt, but it most often strikes young women in the prime of their lives. It causes high blood pressure in the lungs, which produces breathlessness and ultimately threatens life itself.Today, there are a few effective treatments, but more are currently being developed. The goals of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association include increased public awareness, research funding and physician and patient education. For more information or ways that you can help, check out the Website at www.phassociation.org, or call 1-800-748-7274 or Juliette at (516) 641-6475.

Bingo is hosted by the Elmont Jewish Center, 500 Elmont Road, every Thursday evening. The Early Bird commences at 7:10 p.m. and regular bingo at 7:30 p.m. Call (516) 488-1616.

RR Lines Model Train & Toy Show at V.F.W. Hall, 68 Lincoln Road, on Sunday, December 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fee. Call (516) 486-6658.

Health assessments for senior citizens on Thursday, December 20, 10 a.m. to noon, at Department of Senior Citizens Affairs; Elmont Office, 488 Hempstead Turnpike. Call (516) 571-8250.

Volunteers are needed at the Mercy Medical Center to assist in various programs. Programs needing assistance are front desk and gift shop, messenger/transporter, patient transportation, emergency room liaison and cancer care unit. Call (516) 705-1391.

The Holiday Lights Drive-Thru and Christmas Village at Belmont Park Racetrack in Elmont will be held through Monday, December 31, 2001. The show will be open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. weeknights and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and holiday evenings. Cost per car is $20 and includes admission to Christmas Village. For discount tickets go to www.belmontholidaylights.com. For information, call (516) 293-4242.

Free prenatal consultations at Village Pediatrics, 975 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, on Tuesdays, 5 p.m. Parents are invited to meet physicians prior to their child's birth. Call (516) 248-8334 to make an appointment.

Crafty Registration for the Town of Hempstead's winter arts and crafts program, by phone or in-person, begins on Monday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. until classes are filled. Kids, five to 12 years old, can get creative with this learn-by-doing crafts program. Please sign up only your child. Proof of age is required. No fee required. The program is scheduled for Saturdays, Feb. 2 to March 23 (8 weeks) at the following places and times: Averill Blvd. Park, Elmont, 437-4070, 11 a.m.-noon; Garden City South Park, 538-1919 11 a.m.-noon, and Walker Memorial Park, Lakeview, 766-2277, 10-11 a.m.

Post-holiday fun On Wednesday, Dec. 26, a holiday circus extravaganza hosted by Lisa Lou and Laine called "The Great Holiday Unwrapper." Lisa Lou's holiday gifts include a new friend called Laine and a magical circus. Both girls learn to work together through juggling, magic, plate spinning, bubble sculpturing and more. At Echo Park, West Hempstead; Two shows: 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

New Year's party On Dec. 31, come to the Plattduetsche Park Annual New Years Eve Gala, 8:00pm - ???? in the Grand Ball Room. Dance Music by the Kapelle Fellas. Price is $90.00 per person including dinner. For reservations or info, call - (516) 354-3131.

Swim of things Feeling the weight of the holidays? Echo Park in West Hempstead, complete with swimming pool, diving tank, weight rooms, sauna, steam room and a snack bar, is open for the holidays. On Wednesday, Dec. 26, Friday, Dec. 28 and Monday, Dec. 31, the pool will open early for lap swimming sessions between 7 and 10 a.m. Between Dec. 26 and Dec. 30, the pool will be open for regular swimming from 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. On New Year's Eve, the pool will open at 10 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m.

Civic meeting The Executive Board of the West Hempstead Civic Association will next meet on Wednesday, January 16, 2002. All Executive Board meetings begin at 7:30 PM, and are held in the Teachers' Lounge at the George Washington Elementary School located on William Street (enter through rear parking lot). The public is invited to the community session of each meeting, which takes place during the first hour.

Library events

My Favorite Character Children grades 1-5 can vote for your favorite character from any book and could win a prize! Stop by the West Hempstead Public Library's Children's Room between Dec. 1-28 for all the details!

Yoga class at Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Friday, December 21, 10 to 11 a.m.

Winter solstice craft for children in grades 1 through 6, at Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Thursday, December 20, 4 p.m. Please bring a clean 16 oz. can to the program.

Clown show at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Wednesday, December 26, 2 p.m. For children ages 3 to kindergarten, with an adult.

History of the Holidays at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Thursday, December 27, 2 p.m.

Balloon workshop at Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Friday, December 28, 11 a.m. for grades 1 through 4 and at 1 p.m. for grades 5 through 8.

Library closings The Elmont Library will be closing at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 21, New Year's Eve. Also closed on Tuesday, January 1, New Year's Day.

West Hempstead and Franklin Square Libraries will be closed December 25 and January 1.

Registration for Scanners, Digital Cameras and Paint Shop Pro begins on Monday, December 31 for Elmont Library patrons and January 7 for non-residents. The prerequisites for this workshop are knowledge of and comfort with computer fundamentals. Bring a photograph to the workshop, Monday, January 14, 7 p.m.

The Gin Game Plaza Theatrical Productions returns to the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Sunday, January 6, 2 p.m., with a sentimental comedy from the '40's.

Photography exhibit and reception at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Sunday, January 6, noon, From noon to 2 p.m. there will be a reception and discussion about the exhibit entitled "Small Stores: Past and Present: A Photographic Exhibit."

Tony Carson's Make Believe Ballroom is back at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Tuesday, January 8, 2 p.m.

How the Grinch Stole X-mas will be showing at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike on Friday, December 21, 2 p.m.

Writer's group under the direction of Denise Brosokas meets every third Tuesday of the month at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike.

Library board of Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, will meet on Thursday, December 20, 7:30 p.m.

Senior yoga class at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Friday, December 21, 10 a.m.

Pop-Up Craft Want to add some sparkle of your own to the new year? Make a festive pop-up decoration to celebrate 2002 on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the West Hempstead Public Library.

A Knight's Tale will be showing at the Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Friday, January 12, 2 p.m.

Senior nutrition class at Elmont Library, 1735 Hempstead Turnpike, on Friday, January 11, 10 a.m. Cookies and coffee served. Coordinated by Beatrice Nechin of the Department of Senior Affairs, and led by Shari Hamburg, registered dietician.

Here I go again! Tickets to blockbuster shows are difficult to come by, but once again the West Hempstead Public Library has done it! They have purchased a block of excellent seats to the incoming smash hit from London, "Mamma Mia!" Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 2 for the matinee performance of July 17. The show is sold out through August 2002 with a $15 price increase for each seat, but not for patrons! More details to come. Trips are open to both residents and non-residents of West Hempstead. There are no refunds unless the trip is canceled.

Pop-Up Craft Want to add some sparkle of your own to the new year? Make a festive pop-up decoration to celebrate 2002 on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the West Hempstead Public Library. Registration begins on Monday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m.